Joanne Dixon

Open Thread March 5 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 052026

Yesterday, the Senate refused to take action to restrain the Degenerate Darth Vader’s illegal war in Iran. I, as you have probably noticed, an struggling this week to keep abreast of what day it is. I think that may be at least in part because the first was on Sunday, and, although I consciously know that the week is Sunday through Saturday, I, because school weeks and work weeks start in Monday, subconsciously still see Monday through Friday as one through five. Hopefully I’ll be more on track next week.

I had realized I missed the start of Ramadan, hence the image. It goes until roughly March 19 this year. The ending date is not totally predictable because the moon has to be in the right position at the time, but Eid al Fitr is predicted for March 20.

Tuesday, this happened. I hope you’ll find it as satisfying as I did. Of course, it’s still just words, no action – but coming from one Rethuglican to another, it’s like music. (Also, Josh Hawley even toreinto her, but I don’t have that quote.)

The first story at this link is the one I am posting -but just about every one is worth at least a look (and they are short.)

I don’t think Joyce is correct about every state. But, sadly, she doesn’t have to be right about every state for there to be fatal chaos. I stopped doing it when it became to much for my mobility, but I did work elections for many years administering elections in Colorado, and that under both Democratic and Republican Secretaries of State and County Clerks, during periods when Colorado was red, and periods when it was blue. The attitude of “If people are entitled to vote, we want them to vote” never changed through the years -though Democrats and Republicans disagreed on almost everything else. But that was then and this is now, and red states (and maybe counties, which might be worse) will ratf*** if they can.

Open Thread March 4 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:54 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 042026

Yesterday, I didn’t get a response from Pat B. I hope she is OK and just living her life. Also, Axios reported that the Mango Moron plans to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. I hope all the real journalists stay away, because I can’t think of a reason for him to attend other than to collect new names for his enemies list. Can you?

Today is the anniversary of the birth of Lois W, the wife of Bill w, who founded AA, and herself the founder of Al-Anon. She used to say it is the strongest day of the year. Also as expected, I watched Malcolm Nance’s Day 4 of the war, and picked up a quote for today’s meme-cartoon.

Archived from The Lever, which examines possible positions SCROTUS might take, should the question of the legality of the Saffron Sauron ‘s strike on Iran come before then at some point. I doubt there are any surprises in it.

Well, this is interesting. It would have been even more interesting, though, if he had done so before the Cantaloupe Caligula had bombed Iran.

From Talking points Memo. Best of luck to the investigators (no matter how smart they are, a little luck never hurts.)

In case anyone is wondering about the Nectarine Necromancer’s neck (I expect Nameless already knows):

Open Thread March 3 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:03 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 032026

Yesterday, I watched Malcolm Nance’s Day 3. I intend to watch it every day it continues, which means as long as the war lasts (assuming I live that long), but not to report on it here. These reports contain too much detail, including a lot of detail which may be important but may not appear so. Yesterday I provided a link from which anyone can reach the day’s report s it is posted, or subscribe for free to have links sent to their email. I won’t say that something said there might not color my comments on something else, because it might, but I also won’t promise it. I will give you a link to one more longish – about a half hour – video which I expect to be a one-off by Adam Klasfeld (because his primary area of journalism is within courts in the US). It’s about the Rules of Engagement and related topics and features a legal expert in that area.

Archived from The Lever News. You can’t hear it in the archive, but I think most prefer to read anyway. The Lever has just about all the dark money sources nailed here. There are some I haven’t heard of.

There are other things going on besides an unjust, unprovoked, illegal, unconstitutional war. Here are some of them.

While listening to the audio version of this The F* News article, I was thinking – so what should the people of the US do? Well, what if you were an abused wife who learned that your abusive husband had hired a hit man to kill you? You’d probably attempt to get into a shelter, along with any children (and pets – but good luck with that). Obviously that’s not feasible for a nation, but it still might be a mindset to consider.

Open Thread March 2 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 022026

Yesterday, the news was of course filled with Iran. The mass shoooting in Austin almost got lost. All I have is the initial breaking release and it’s not all that helpful. I emailed Pat B to ask whether she and hers are all right, but it’s pretty late here and an hour later there so I’m not expecting a reply before Tuesday. Trinette was by – have you ever noticed there are people who can make you feel better just by walking into the room? Virgil called and I reminded him who his case manager is. Hopefully he will remember long enough to ask he the balance in his commissary account.

My first thought when I realized that the Saffron Sauron had bombed Iran was, “He got a taste of the blood of U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, and now he wants more.” Even if he is too stupid to realize that being at war means your own people getting killed, and even if Kegsbreath is that stupid, there must be someone who is not. Now, after the first casualties including military of ours have been reported, he has his wish. I won’t be crude, but you’ll likely know exactly what I’m thinking when I say he must be thrilled. If you want to follow this war closely, I mean really closely, your best bet is probably Malcolm Nance’s Substack, called “Black Man Spy.” It’s video, because writing takes time, and it is as up to the minute as possible. He does it along with a Danish spy, Jacob Kaarsbo, who has also worked in the area, so both have insider knowledge about the region. Together, they have far more knowledge than I could ever hope to supply. They do it pretty early in the morning, but it’s set (not all live videos are) to re-post a recording after it’s ended. That usually takes roughly an hour (but don’t give up). Or if you are a subscriber, free or paid, Substack will send an email when the recording is up.

This video is from Saturday morning, right after the bombing of Iran. It’s 22 minutes long

This is what we have done – what the monster we elected has done in our name. I don’t think “I’m sorry” or “we’re sorry” will cut it.

I could go on – and probably will as it goes on. But this is my final statement for today.

Open Thread March 1 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:57 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 012026

Yesterday, the radio opera was Berlioz’s “Les Troyens” – just the first half. It was recorded in 1974, so all the stars are singers whom I remember vividly. It’s a beast to stage, and in fact was not staged in Berlioz’s lifetime. It’s in two acts, and we’ll hear the second act next week. It tells the story of the first four “books” of the Aeneid well – including Laocoon and his sons – which is probably the hardest to stage. The only character who is in both acts is Aeneas, so it’s also expensive to cast. But, if you like Berlioz, and I do, it is gorgeous. I’m not ignoring the fact that the Apricot Antichrist bombed Iran in the middle of the night Friday, and I’ll address that tomorrow. Today is a day of rest – and I’ll need time to go through multiple reports and decide what to stress and why. I did hear the Ayatollah has been confirmed to be dead, but as I type, I can’t vouch for it.

Sharing a story about the demand for tattoos rising as good news was never on my Bingo card. But I find the increasing demand for these specific tattoos both interesting – and encouraging that so many people care that much. Also, I’m impressed at how the owner of the shop is dedicating the increased revenue.

You may have to unmute this (I did), but it’s under 2 minutes, and it’s on loop so you won’t miss anything.

Building community is always good news (well, maybe not if it’s a “Christian Nationalist” community. But most are better than that.) This one sounds like fun – and is reaching more than just its members.

NM Granny

Cats

Open Thread February 28 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:59 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 282026

Yesterday, I set my alarm because I needed to take in a grocery order. At least I got everything in and put away. But that did throw me a little off schedule – to the extent that I even have a schedule. But – today being the last day of Black History month, I think I simply must share something I learned today – from Wikipedia: “Errollyn Wallen CBE (born 10 April 1958)[1] is a Belize-born British composer and musician, who moved as a child with her family to London, England. Wallen was appointed Master of the King’s Music in 2024 by King Charles III, in his first appointment to the post. She is the first black woman to serve in the position, having in 1998 been the first black woman to have a work featured in the Proms.” Oh, and Andy Borowitz has Hillary’s complete opening statement – no joke – though he does joke some in the lead-in.

This from the Brennan Center is an abridged version of their report. The one thing I wanted to see which was not in the summary was which states do what. I found that information by clicking on the “Download Insight” button (Colorado was not the first to correct this, but was one of the first . No one took any action until just before the 2020 census.) The summary is probably comprehensive enough for most people.

A report from Pro Publica on the conditions at the Dilley concentration camp in Texas. The art of children is likely not as monetarily valued as the art seized from German Jews by the Nazis – but it is in its way no less important. How can one put a price on the tears of a child?

I won’t apologize for JoJo’s language in her title. She’s not addressing the epithet to us.

Open Thread February 27 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 272026

Yesterday, I thought the most interesting development was Abrego Garcia’s vindictive prosecution hearing, which was best covered in two videos, both featuring Adam Klasfeld (one also had Michael Popok and the other also had Glenn Kirschner) and each lasting about a half hour. Bottom line – the DOJ was on defense as the judge had previously announced that there was clearly probable cause, so only their testimony was taken – and it had holes in it. I thought those holes looked big enough to drive a Mack truck through, but IANAL.

From The Brennan Center. The last I heard, the Constitution (including all its amendments) applied to everyone, not just to citizens. I’m somewhat concerned that if the regime carves out social media handles as an exception for non-citizens, it will eventually want to use the fact that the Constitution applies to everyone to apply this exemption to citizens as well. That might not get past the courts, but I can see it winning in the Court of Public Opinion.

This certainly never occurred to me – and it may not have occurred to Robert Reich before either – had it, I would have thought that we would have heard of it. It would not fly in all states – but it might not need to.

Keeping its residents (not only citizens) safe may not be the number one, but even so, it’s pretty near the top, whether or not it is mentioned. It is what all the first ten amendments are about (although the second no longer has the desired effect.)

Open Thread February 26 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:59 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 262026

Yesterday, I listened to last week’s “Coffee Klatch” which Robert Reich does (I would have done do sooner, but it had gone to Spam and I just found it.) Robert and Heather interviewed David Hogg. There was a lot of good stuff in that interview, but one thing which struck me is that he said they spend a lot of time telling young men they’re not ready to run because they’re not ready to do the job, and another lot of time convincing young women they are absolutely qualified to run and do the job. Why am I not surprised? Also, Andy Borowitz shared a 7 year old half hour long British documentary regarding the Mango Monster and underage girls.

Money in politics has always been an issue. But it is getting worse, and not just because of inflation. It’s also getting more and more blatant as those who engage in enriching themselves become more and more blatant. If we allow them to normalize it – well, you can see what will happen.

There are other sources for this, but I’m inclined to trust Robert Reich‘s take more than most. (Incidentally, if Kegsbreath is so damn smart, why would he want AI anyway? Truth is, he knows he can’t do it better himself.)

Please save this and re-read it frequently – especially around elections, including primaries. These frightful attitudes are not going away any time soon. These men are repeating what they learned at their father’s knee (or the knee of a brow-beaten mother, or both.) And their self-respect depends on keeping those opinions, despite any and all evidence to the contrary. Facts be damned. We will never successfully oppose it by pretending it doesn’t exist.

This video has a great punchline:

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