I’m feeling pretty tired, because yesterday’s 85° weather was very humid, and I felt too sticky to sleep. I know what I’ll be doing this evening. The long darkness has finally come to an end, and it’s a high holy day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb: the Festival of First Glimmer. The Steelers will be worshiping with the Vikings in the Hall of Fame Service. Even though most of the seasoned players will be riding the pines, the holy light of the blessed orb will finally shine forth in its wondrous blessing.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3;44 (average 7:12). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From The New Yorker: Based on his performance in Thursday night’s debate, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has emerged as a leading candidate to manage an Enterprise Rent-a-Car branch, Enterprise has confirmed.
Tracy Klugian, a human-resources director for the rental-car giant, said that he did not know what to expect before the debate, but after watching Walker in action he felt confident that the Wisconsinite had “what it takes to succeed at Enterprise.”
“He didn’t get too many moments in the spotlight, but, just from what I saw, I would feel comfortable putting him behind one of our rental counters,” he said.
He indicated that the company would be contacting Walker in the days ahead to discuss a possible future with Enterprise.
“Just to be clear, no promises will be made,” he said. “Best-case scenario, Scott works hard and becomes the manager of one of our branches. For starters, we’d like to train him to be an assistant manager and see how he does with that.”
Andy missed the boat on this one. The Fartfuhrer of Fitzwalkerstan is not even qualified to be an outhouse attendant.
From Alternet: An online group dedicated to police officers posted a wildly offensive “memorial” to slain Ferguson, Missouri teenager Michael Brown on the social medium Facebook. After an outcry, it now appears the tasteless post has been removed.
The Free Thought Project reported that the Facebook group Police Officers [GOP Pigs delinked] posted the offensive image in advance of the 1-year anniversary of Brown’s slaying at the hands of police officer Darren Wilson.
There is only one word sufficiently vile to describe this racist behavior: Republican.
From Blue Oregon: Tonight, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) comes to Portland to campaign for President. The rally will be held at the Rose Garden Arena Moda Center. Doors open at 6, but show up early if you want to get in.
Last night, 12,000 people filled a basketball arena in Seattle — with another 3000 outside. That was his biggest crowd yet — and Portland could be even bigger, with an arena capacity of 17,000 to 19,000 (depending on stage setup.)
I wish I could go, but there is far too much walking for me to be able to handle it. 🙁
Cartoon:
36 Responses to “Open Thread–8/9/2015”
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Thanks for the numbers on Seattle–I wonder if Dotty was able to make it. It would be great if Portland was similar overflow, too–it does have a reputation of being somewhat more liberal than Seattle.
I wouldn't trust Walker with money transactions if I had a say at Entetrprise.
Glad Facebook removed it–that post was ugly and cruel.
The outhouse should've been made from the last remaining redwoods instead of whatever less precious wood it has.
Reply to Dave on C2 thread:
The analyses I've read, Dave, indicate it was an effective strategy to get the Democratic candidates to begin to talk about it and have it become a campaign issue; I noted they chose to raise the question with the two candidates who seemed most likely to embrace their concern and take the issue on–and both have spoken out on systemic racism since and are building multifaceted policies on the subject.
Although Bernie has come out with a plan to deal with systemic racism, and that plan has received fdavorable comments from some BLM leaders, they continue to disrupt his events. I suspect that they think Bernoe has no chance of beating Hillary, so they are getting themselves publicity at his expense. Jidging from the reaction of people attending the Seattle event they sabotaged, the kind of attention they are getting will not help their cause. I consider that a shame, because I fully support that cause.
See today's lead article.
One of the funniest Andy's ever (smirk).
Not so funny the FB post ~ I suppose these guys think they are hilarious. About as good as snot on a doorknob, guys…
I am properly tickled pink that Bernie is doing so well…. Go Bernie Go!
3:29 Time to shed some light on this puzzle.
4:22 Too much bling for me!
3:43 All that glitters is not gold.
And I was hopping to have light for my meals!
What meals?
5:01 With that average, I wasn't the only one who found it – um, challenging.
New Yorker – I will still never use Enterprise again. (Well, I probably wouldn't anyway; the only reason I ever did was that while working in insurance I got a courtesy discount.)
Alternet – I'm not even going to address this, because I would be incoherent trying to distinguish between the s***ty attitudes and the filthy lies.
Blue Oregon – Dang. I sympathize. I am prevented from things by mobility issues as well. In a better world you could be taken there and home in a complimentary chauffeur driven limousine.
Cartoon – It looks less shabby than I would have expected. Of course it is a one-holer (no women allowed.)
The hardest part is from the entrance to the seat.
Oh, did I leave out the chauffeur driven wheelchair for the venue? With faux ermine (because real ermine would be cruel)? Sorry!
For those interested (and able), the Bernie event in Portland tonight will be livestreamed both at OregonLive and Periscope.
I have no idea as to the quality of either one because the few times I've tried a livestream event, none of them have offered Closed Captioning – so I'm outta luck. OrergonLive did not give a direct link, but you may want to start at this page to look around:
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/08/everything_you_need_to_know_ab.html#incart_2box_
The Periscope link is also in the above one, but I'll also include it here. I don't know if you can get the Periscope app for your computer, or whether it just works on smartphones. But they do provide links for both Apple and Android to download the phone app.
https://www.periscope.tv/
Thanks! Next best thing to in-person IMO
Found one that's working as I type at YouTube. It was from DailyKos. Obviously NO idea WRT audio (and no CC option), but the visual is solid and steady:
There's a panel of photos of mostly people (one is of a chimp) at the bottom who appear to be talking at different times – but NO idea who they are (or what they're saying)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUBO5_QAd-c
Parent Source:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/10/1410437/-The-Doors-Are-Open-In-Portland-Lets-Do-This-Livestream
I have the full video in today's lead article.
I hope you get a cool down soon.
The New Yorker: I agree with your assessment. But I am not sure he would even be good as an outhouse attendant.
Alternet: That is indeed disgusting. It is unbelievable how much racism we still have int this country.
Blue Oregon: I would like to go to one of his rallies, too, but doubt he will be in Kentucky. Duh, wonder why he wouldn't want to come to a red state?
Cartoon: very appropriate.
I hope he gets there!
Update on Cousin Phillip: First, I want to thank all of you for your prayers and being so supportive. I rarely mention any problems because they are personal and I don't want to burden others. This time, I needed all the support I could get. Phillip is a special person to me, he is quirky, funny, and talks loudly, but he always makes sense to me. I love him and his wife a lot. So thanks for being my friends. I love this group. Living in a REd state is not easy and I get lambasted on Facebook on a regular basis. It is so wonderful to talk to a group of people who see things as I do, love you all. Phillip had his best day in nearly three weeks today. He sat on the side of the bed for ten minutes, had physical therapy, and all his stats are good. Tomorrow they are going to put a plug in this trake tube so he can talk, look out nurses! His hands are looking better so they hope it will not be as bad as predicted. We are blessed that he survived, and now have hope that his recovery will be better than expected. Thanks to all of you, again. Hugs, Edie
Oh Edie that news has made me so happy – and I can't imagine how happy you and your family are! Praise the Lord – lots more prayers continuing for Phillip and you and all his family!
Thanks, Pat, please keep those prayers coming. We are not out of the woods yet but things are looking so much better. When I told Becky, his wife, of all your prayers she said she firmly believes that is why he is better.
Now that's an Update that will put smiles on our faces! Thanks for the good news!
It made me feel better, I was expecting the worst, but things are looking up! Thanks.
I'm so pleased to hear the good newa, and I will continue my prayers.
However, never hesitate to "burden others". Burdens are lightest when shared, and supporting each other is what we do here.
Thanks, TC, for your prayers and kind comments.
SO glad to hear that! (OK, technically to read that, but you know what I mean.) No cessation of prayers here either. And I second TomCat.
Thanks, Joanne, your support is very much appreciated.
Free Thought Project – WTF?! I am going to be sick – what is WRONG with people that they could do such a thing!!
I hope your first night back in Church of the Ellipsoid Orb brought so much joy that you forgot all about the humid nights, TomCat, and that watching the game gave you a solid base to sleep on.
The New Yorker: Actually, Andy, I picture Scott Walker more as a used car salesman in a lot filled with cars that break down on you as soon as you turned the corner.
Alternet: The longer I come to Politics Plus and Care2, the more hardened I get, but this post on Facebook rendered me very still for quite some time. This is so appalling I have no words for it, so I'll second your suggestion, TomCat: Republican.
Blue Oregon: Those numbers of the crowds attending Bernie Sanders are sounding very promising indeed. I can imagine you'd have liked to go, TomCat. It would have brought back memories of political rallies in your youth, when speakers were honest and compassionate and you believed them when they said they would make America a better country for everyone.
Cartoon: That's quite an outhouse; I believe the whole clown car would fit in there.
I think the solid base to sleep on was a Lona nap.
Puzzle — 4:22 Too much bling for me!
The New Yorker — "The Fartfuhrer of Fitzwalkerstan is not even qualified to be an outhouse attendant." Damn, great minds fall in the same ditch! As I was reading, I was thinking that I wouldn't let him clean a kybo. Then I scrolled to the end and don't you have the same idea!
Alternet — This is so despicably evil that words fail me. This is pure unadulterated hate, ergo, very Republicanus/Teabaggerum. I find this hitting the same nerves that my maternal grandfather did as he showed his hate when I was a child. . . and I never forgave him.
Blue Oregonian — Go Bernie!!!
Cartoon — To find the Republicanus/Teabaggerum Headquarters, go through that door and then into the sub basement. It really is the shits!
Sorry I'm late to the party today. I went to see my mother and did not get home until after 10:30 pm, in addition to it being emotionally draining. I took her out into the garden courtyard where we were visited by one of the house cats. The cat, a pretty little female, jumped into my mother's lap and settled in for about 15 minutes, mega purring and all. I was guiding my mother's hand in hopes that she would pet the cat and feel the purring, but she wasn't quite there.
But the cat obviously sensed an inviting, comforting vibe from your Mom to nestle in for a 15 minute purr-fest. They have unique "radar" that way, don't they?
(And judging from the timestamps and your comments, looks like you're just going to bed while I'm just getting up. I've always been an early-riser- it's 5 AM here in KCMO. And if I weren't, the cat would see to it that I was.)
Nameless makes an excellent point.
Hooray for Bernie! http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/10/bernie-sanders-draws-28000-people-in-portland-his-campaign-says/
Love the cartoon!
Thanks all! Heat wave hugs… again!!