TomCat

Open Thread–3/14/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:31 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 142020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. The pain in my back is so severe today that I just broke down and took an oxycodone. I hope it kicks-in quickly. Tomorrow is a WWWendy day, so please expect no more than a Personal Update or Open Thread from me. We have a lot of goop-prep to do in addition to de-stinking the TomCat. It snowed this morning. It wasn’t much but it was the only this year. Later: it’s snowing again!

0314Snow

Have a great weekend!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:35 (average 5:38). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump Virus Update:

0314TrumpVirus

0314TrumpVirusTesting

Short Takes:

From The Hill: One model from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggested that between 160 million and 210 million Americans could contract the disease over as long as a year. Based on mortality data and current hospital capacity, the number of deaths under the CDC’s scenarios ranged from 200,000 to as many as 1.7 million.

It found as many as 21 million people might need hospitalization, a daunting figure in a nation with just about 925,000 hospital beds…

…Another model built by experts at Resolve to Save Lives, a global health nonprofit, and the Council on Foreign Relations found the number of potential deaths could range from as few as 163,500, if the virus is no more deadly than seasonal influenza, to more than 1.6 million if the virus carries a mortality rate of just 1 percent.

Basically this mean that, thanks to Republicans’ inadequate response, due to their lust for power, somewhere between 163,000 and 1,700,000 Americans are likely to be murdered by Trump* Virus and the Republican Party. RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Infection Rate Charts Forecast Steep Rise In US Coronavirus Cases

Jack Ma is also giving the US 500,000 test kits. He’s doing this in spite of the anti-Chinese racist rants coming from criminal Fuhrer Trump*, Faux Noise and the Republican Reich. Kudos to Jack for helping us. “Without testing you are blind,” Ho says, but the Republican party intentionally sabotaged our ability to test to “keep our numbers low” At least FEMA is in charge, because Trump* finally declared a national emergency. But will Trump* appoint Michael “Heck of a job, Brownie” Brown to head FEMA again? RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): ROY ORBISON – CRYING – LIVE 1988

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Who is right on Trump* Virus: Bernie or Joe?

Posted by TomCat at 11:03 am Politics

Mar 132020

As Trump* virus is shutting down the nation, the criminal Fuhrer of the Republican Reich, Donald “the problem is fake news” Trump has demonstrated that he and his sycophant Vice-Fuhrer Pence are both not competent to manage the crisis. As they campaign for the Democratic Presidential nomination, both Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden gave policy speeches to demonstrate that they are competent to manage the crisis.

Former vice president Joe Biden said Thursday that the coronavirus outbreak has revealed the Trump administration’s “severe shortcomings” as he delivered remarks on a subject that has rapidly come to dominate and reshape the Democratic campaign for the White House.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also delivered remarks on the health and economic effects of the outbreak, comparing it in scale to a major war. Later Thursday afternoon, Sanders’s campaign was given a boost when he was declared the winner of last week’s Super Tuesday contest in California.

Also Thursday, the Democratic National Committee announced that it was moving a one-on-one debate Sunday between Biden and Sanders from Arizona to a television studio in the nation’s capital “out of an abundance of caution” amid the outbreak…

Inserted from <Washington Post>

I’ll let you see the speeches so you can judge which one is right. I’ll embed Joe’s speech first, because he gave it first.

Joe Biden Gives Speech On Coronavirus Pandemic

Bernie Sanders makes address about Coronavirus

So, which do you think is right?

In my view, they both are!

RESIST!!

Open Thread–3/13/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:02 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 132020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox, as back pain is slowing me down a bit. WWWendy is back to Sunday, as the Trump* virus is shutting down her school. Throw some salt over your shoulder, and stay away from Republicans. They bring bad luck! TGIF!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:10 (average 6:23). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0313TrumpVirus

This does not include the thousands of Americans that have Trump* virus, but can’t get tested.

Short Takes:

From NY Times: First came the tickle in the throat. Then, a hacking cough. Then, a shortness of breath she had never experienced before. Hillary King, a 32-year-old consultant in Boston who lives down the street from a hotel where dozens of Biogen executives contracted the new coronavirus, decided that she had better get tested.

But getting tested is far easier said than done, even as testing slowly ramps up nationwide. Five days after President Trump announced that anyone who wants a test can get a test, Ms. King’s experience shows how difficult it can be in the United States to find out if you have the coronavirus.

Many who fear they have the virus have faced one roadblock after another as they try to get tested, according to interviews with dozens of people across the country.

Some have been rejected because they had no symptoms, even though they had been in proximity to someone who tested positive. Others were told no because they had not traveled to a hot spot abroad, even though they had fevers and hacking coughs and lived in cities with growing outbreaks. Still others were told a bitter truth: There simply were not enough tests to go around. [emphasis added]

This is exactly what I said yesterday. In spite of lies from the same Republicans, who turned down FREE tests from the WHO, there are far fewer tests than there is need. People are sickening and dying, because of Republican incompetence. RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): How A Country Serious About Coronavirus Does Testing And Quarantine

The Fuhrer of the Fifth Reich is handling the Trump* virus pandemic as well as the Fuhrer of the Fourth Reich handled Katrina. Republican incompetence kills! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Righteous Brothers – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (Top Gun 1986)

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Samantha Bee from 3/11

Posted by TomCat at 10:59 am Politics

Mar 122020

It’s that time of week again, and here are three excellent video clips from Sam’s show last night. Enjoy!!

Coronavirus is Not an Excuse to Be Racist

Sam missed one key point in her excellent discussion that Trump* Virus is not an excuse to be racist. Trump* and the Republican Reich have NEVER needed an excuse to be racist!

Don’t Mess With Texas: The Longhorn State’s Tussle with Trump’s Border Wall

The solution is to build a wall around Trump* and the Republican Reich! I’s say to do it in Mexico, but that would start a war.

America’s Gig-Based Economy Gets Zero Stars

I would hate having to work in a gig job. This is how Trump* and the Republican Reich keep unemployment low.

Thanks, Sam!

RESIST!!

Open Thread–3/12/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:59 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 122020

It’s a busy day, here in the CatBox. I haven’t lost a meal since Tuesday, and Propanol has managed my back pain to a 2-3 level so far this morning. Store to door is delivering groceries this afternoon, and I’ll need to put them away. I am quite tired, though, because I ate late and got to bed late. WWWendy is flying to Iowa for a few days to see a boyfriend. I’m trying to talk her out of it. If she goes, she’ll be coming this Saturday and next Tuesday. Have a great day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:24 (average 5:26). To do it, click here. Not edible. How did you do?

Cartoon:

I know of 5 more times US troops have intervened there.

Trump* Virus Update:

0312TrumpVirus

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: House Democrats held a meeting this morning to get out in front of Trump on a coronavirus relief bill and make sure their priorities are included, MSNBC reporter Leigh Anne Caldwell said.

“It’s to ensure that people who aren’t receiving any income because of coronavirus get relief and that those who are food insecure also get some relief,” she said.

What’s that translating to in a draft bill in the House of Representatives, including sick leave for people who either have to be quarantined because of coronavirus or who actually have the virus. Other things, an extension of unemployment insurance and an extension of food stamps and aid for kids who get free and reduced lunches at school, but can’t go to school because their schools are closed.”

Criminal Fuhrer Trump* refused to negotiate with Pelosi on the Trump* Virus relief bill, so she went ahead, and it will pass the House tomorrow. Will Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch sit on it, or will Trump* veto it to exacerbate Americans’ suffering? RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): U.S. Unprepared For Expected Explosion In Coronavirus Cases

While nobody can be completely prepared for a pandemic of this magnitude, the ineptitude of criminal Fuhrer Trump* and the Republican Reich will kill hundreds if not thousands of Americans. RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Camerota to Pence: Why are number of tests going down?

Damn! If pseudo-Christian Pence gets hos nose any deeper in his criminal Fuhrer’s ass, he’ll be able to see the bottom of Trump’s* tonsils. The reason the number of tests are going down, according to Occam’s Razor, is that we have a diminishing supply of tests available. Nevertheless, criminal Fuhrer Trump* refused FREE tests from WHO! RESIST!!

0312corona-virus-tests-8-countries

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Lemon Pipers – Green Tambourine

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Primary Update–3/11/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:01 am Politics

Mar 112020

Yesterday, there were Democratic primaries in Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and Washington. It was a very good night for Joe Biden, and sadly, a very bad night for Bernie Sanders. Unless he can turn it around quickly and dramatically, a VERY tall order, it’s over.

Joe Biden is marching to the Democratic presidential nomination.

The former vice president handily defeated Bernie Sanders on Tuesday in Michigan’s primary — halting the Vermont senator’s hopes of a comeback in the state where he’d stunned Hillary Clinton four years ago.

Biden also notched massive wins in Idaho, Mississippi and Missouri. Sanders won in North Dakota. Washington hadn’t been called yet, but as of Wednesday morning, Biden was in a tight race there with Sanders, another state Sanders needed to win.

Tuesday marked a clear turning point in the Democratic race. Biden is building a powerful coalition of African Americans, suburbanites and rural white voters who previously backed Sanders, while Sanders is failing to produce the electorate-changing turnout of young voters that he’s promised. Democratic figures, from one-time 2020 candidate Andrew Yang to the party’s biggest super PAC, Priorities USA, lined up behind Biden after his Michigan win.

Biden and Sanders are scheduled to debate Sunday night in Arizona. But Sanders is entering a brutal stretch, with primaries next week in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio — all states he lost in 2016. There’s also the reality that coronavirus could crowd Sanders out of national headlines and make it impossible for him to leverage something that separates him from Biden: his ability to turn out massive crowds at rallies. It all makes a comeback even more difficult… [emphasis added]

Inserted from CNN:

Here is the delegate count, as of early this morning.

Democratic Pledged Delegate Count
	Sanders	Biden
Iowa	12	6
New Hampshire	9	0
Nevada	24	9
South Carolina	15	39
Alabama	8	44
American Samoa	0	0
Arkansas	9	17
California	186	150
Colorado	20	12
Maine	9	11
Massachusetts	29	37
Minnesota	27	38
North Carolina	37	67
Oklahoma	13	21
Tennessee	19	33
Texas	111	102
Vermont	11	5
Virginia	31	66
Utah	13	a
Democrats Abroad	0	0
Idaho	11	9
Michigan	51	71
Mississippi	2	29
Missouri	23	40
North Dakota	5	3
Washington	17	17
Totals	692	826

How Joe Biden’s wins differ from Hillary Clinton’s in 2016

Credit where credit is due. Joe has built his coalition well beyond Hillary’s in 2016.

With Biden’s Big Wins, What’s Next For Sanders?

This is not the news I wanted to hear, but I have to admit that it looks mighty bleak for Bernie. As I see it, his only hope is a overwhelming win in Sunday’s debate. If Joe does win the nomination and wants to unify the party, he needs to choose a progressive running mate, preferably a woman, ideally a non-white progressive woman. I’d love AOC, but it won’t happen in my lifetime.

RESIST!!

Open Thread–3/11/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 112020

It’s a difficult day here in the CatBox. I was able to keep my serving of strawberries and cream instant oatmeal down this morning, but I have a lot of back pain. Tonight, WWWendy comes to de-stink the TomCat and help with chores. For some reason, my shower chair really exacerbates my back pain. I have a few Oxycodone left. I’ll take one when she gets here. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:09 (average 4:43). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0311TrumpVirus

Short Takes:

From Alternet: Critics are denouncing as ‘corporate socialism’ the Trump administration’s reported consideration to offer oil and gas companies in the U.S. fracking industry a massive bailout amid a drop in prices that comes amid the global coronavirus outbreak.

“Corporate socialists seek welfare from Trump administration,” tweeted journalist David Cay Johnson, in response to reporting by the Washington Post on Tuesday.

According to the Post, the administration is looking to bail out the fracking sector due to its instability in the wake of the ongoing financial downturn:

White House officials are alarmed at the prospect that numerous shale companies, many of them deep in debt, could be driven out of business if the downturn in oil prices turns into a prolonged crisis for the industry. The federal assistance is likely to take the form of low-interest government loans to the shale companies, whose lines of credit to major financial institutions have been choked off, three people said.

I fully agree with one caveat. Bailouts for the worst mother fracking corporate criminals is not corporate socialism. It is Republican National Socialism. RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: Always nice to see the fair and balanced (and not completely deranged) hosts of Fox News, or in this case, Fox Business News, working on behalf of Dear Leader. Trish Regan’s monologue was called the “coronavirus impeachment scam.” I suppose none of which should be in any way surprising, as Fox News and its bizarre offspring, Fox Business News, exist to prop up this failed and inept president, even at the expense of public health and safety.

Barf Bag Alert!!

The Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda, Faux Noise, are so full of shit that their Nazi blue eyes are turning brown. This Republican disinformation will kill people. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): the beach boys – fun, fun, fun

I occasionally dated a gal with a 1957 T-Bird 2 seat convertible (LOVED that car!!). Friends and I used to sing and play this tune to her to tease her. Ah… the memories. RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Trump* Virus Tanks Economy!

Posted by TomCat at 10:58 am Politics

Mar 102020

I trust that you know by now that the bottom is falling out of the stock market, and Republican welfare billionaires are freaking out. Trump* tanked the economy for rest of us long ago. This will make our economy even worse, but Trump and the Republican Reich don’t care if we live or die. But they care about their billionaires, and they fear that this Republican Recession will hurt them the way it did when they tanked the economy in 2008.

The fast-spreading coronavirus and a plunge in oil prices set off a chain reaction in financial markets on Monday, a self-perpetuating downward cycle that could inflict serious harm on the global economy.

What started last month as unease about a potential economic slowdown in China has evolved into a borderline panic, with the S&P 500 on Monday crashing nearly 8 percent. The mayhem is threatening to roil the underlying global financial system and the abilities of companies large and small to survive a potential economic monsoon — a downward spiral that is fed and intensified by these destructive forces.

The odds of such a storm grew after an unexpected fight between Russia and Saudi Arabia. After failing to reach an agreement about how much oil to produce and sell on international markets, Saudi Arabia announced it would quickly ramp up production.

Oil prices had been falling as investors fretted about a possible recession. On Monday, they plummeted over 20 percent — the sharpest decline since the first Persian Gulf war. [emphasis added]

Inserted from <NY Times>
Graph credit: Know Your Meme

Trump Faces Huge Leadership Crisis Over Coronavirus And The Economy

Payroll tax cut? That’s only temporary, and the suckers will have to pay it back on 4/15. This fool* wants people to go out into crowded stores and get infected. Will Goose-step Gohmert infect the Republican Reich in Congress?

Dow logs biggest point-drop in history as stocks tumble

The announcer said that, if it wasn’t the Trump* virus, it would have been something else. I agree. Two great minds said that Trump would tank the economy. In July, 2019, Elizabeth Warren said so. In November, 2016, I said so. Great minds clearly fell in the same ditch!

RESIST!!

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