Open Thread for November 27, 2021

 Posted by at 7:39 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 272021
 

Yesterday was Black Friday, and there wasn’t much else going on. I’m sure people got hurt shopping – someone always does – but I had to get this up early, since I am seeing Virgil today. I was looking at the sources I go to when it’s slow, and started with “Law & Crime.” I found there an amazing collection of headlines the like of which you definitely do not see every day … along with the usual sordid ones you do see every day, of course. So I thought I’d do something different and just list the most egregious ones, along with links in case you want details. Don’t laugh too hard and cramp up.

Cartoon –

Short Takes (Headlines) –

Father Charged with Murder After He Allegedly Blamed Family Cat for Baby Girl’s Broken Legs, Ribs, and Bleeding to the Brain
I know cats knock things off of flat surfaces, but this is ridiculous.

79-Year-Old Man Gets Life Sentence for Stabbing Bus Driver Wife to Death After Argument About Shoulder Surgery
Just as well it’s for life as it would appear she was the breadwinner.

Another Man Named Kyle Rittenhouse Arrested on Child Porn Charges in Florida, Admitted to ‘Sending Images of His Penis’ to Young Girls: Police
You cannot make this stuff up.

Judge Calls Hearing to Confirm Precisely Who’s Representing Jacob Chansley in Post-Sentencing Capitol Siege Case
I wonder whether they are fighting to represent him … or fighting not to.

Former Louisiana Cop and K-9 Officer Sentenced to 20 Years for Sexually Abusing His Dog and Possession of Child Porn
SMFH. Well, he can still serve society as the poster child for needing police reform.

N.J. Cop Charged with Killing Pedestrian, Stuffing Body in Car, and Taking the Dead Man Home. Prosecutors Say His Cop Father Turned Him In.
It’s noce that one of them knows who he is supposed to protect and serve.

Food for Thought –

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Open Thread for November 26, 2021

 Posted by at 7:21 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 262021
 

Yesterday was, of course, Thanksgiving Day in the United States. I hope everyone had a wonderful day whether or not you are in the United States. Tomorrow, I will be going to see Virgil. I think I’m ready.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

The New Yorker – Could One Shot Kill the Flu?
Quote – For decades, scientists have dreamed of what some call a “universal” flu vaccine—one that could target many strains of the virus. A universal vaccine would save countless lives not just this year but every year; as those numbers add up, it would become one of the greatest medical breakthroughs in history. Until recently, it’s been beyond the reach of molecular biology. But new technologies are extending our abilities, and researchers are learning how to see through the flu’s disguises. Without knowing it, we’re living on the cusp of a remarkable scientific achievement. One of the world’s longest pandemics could soon be coming to an end.
Click through for complications. It’s not a certainty – but it is a possibiity -and that is progress. If you re paywalled out, feel free to email me and I’ll send a pdf.

Crooks and Liars – Justice For Ahmaud Arbery: ALL 3 Defendants Found GUILTY
Quote – The jury was not representative of the community, with 11 white and only 1 Black member, which was a concern that even the judge raised. They deliberated for roughly 10 hours and there was concern that this could be a Kyle Rittenhouse or George Zimmerman repeat. But JUSTICE PREVAILED.
Click through for details. I put up a tag Wednesday when this was announced, but I wanted to featureit also. It’s important.

The New Yorker – Peng Shuai and the High Stakes of Business in China
Quote – The post was up for about ten minutes before the state’s well-oiled machinery of censorship kicked into gear and took it down. Comments on Peng’s account were locked. Screenshots of her sixteen-hundred-word post, which were spreading, were scrubbed. Her name disappeared from Internet searches. Emojis and words related to the case did, too. For a while, even the word “tennis” was blocked. Behind the state’s erasure of Peng’s presence on the Chinese Internet was another urgent and troubling question: What would happen to her?
Click through for the story which is not at all simple. I never expected to be looking to “The Sporting Scene” for a short take, but pf coourse, she’s not the first sports woman, and will not be the last, whose life clashes in some way with authoritarian leadership.

Food for Thought –

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Video Thread 11/26/21

 Posted by at 6:34 am  Open Thread, Politics
Nov 262021
 

Glenn Kirschner – Michael Cohen Tells CNN that New York and Federal Prosecutors are Working Toward Indictments

politicsrus – Insulin

Thom Hartmann – Why Won’t Social Media Stop “Tokyo Roses” From Destroying Our Democracy?

Vox – Why you don’t hear about the ozone layer anymore. How did we manage to not get this dismissed as a hoax? And how can we do it again?

MSNBC – There’s Still Work To Do’ Says Rev. Al Sharpton On Arbery Trial Guilty Verdict

Rocky Mountain Mike – Auto Con-Bot 3000 (not a song.  But funny.

Beau – Let’s talk about hot takes, the Christmas parade, and intent….

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Video Thread 11/25/21

 Posted by at 12:19 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Nov 252021
 

Glenn Kirschner – Justice in a Georgia Courtroom: Three Men Convicted of Murdering Unarmed Jogger Ahmaud Arbery

MSNBC 1 – Three Men Found Guilty In Death Of Ahmaud Arbery

MSNBC 2 – Rep. Swalwell: They Are Getting Closer To The Commander Of Insurrection, Donald Trump

The Hill – Psaki Shuts Down Reporter Who Asks About Biden Spending Thanksgiving In Nantucket Of course it was Baby Dooce)

Every Hallmark Thanksgiving Movie Ever (Hey, I looked hard for this.)

Wild Horse Immediately Recognizes His Girlfriend After Years Apart

Beau – Let’s talk about bad news for DeJoy and good news for the postal service…. Apparently this process was under Beau’s radar – wee all knew exactly how this would go, just not when. And, yes, DeJoy gifted Bloom a whole lot of money in stock. It wasn’t 4D chess. It was just a President who knows how government works.

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Open Thread for November 25, 2021

 Posted by at 7:14 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 252021
 

Today is Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for all of you who come here, read, and comment. I can’t really express that in words. I hope you can get a glimmer of that.

Cartoon –



Short Takes –

The New Yorker (Borowitz) – Fauci Urges Americans to Use COVID as Excuse to Skip Thanksgiving with Horrible Relatives
Quote – Speaking from his office at the National Institutes of Health, Fauci said that the covid-19 excuse could help prevent a seasonal surge in exasperation and seething rage associated with the Thanksgiving holiday. “covid-19 could get you off the hook this year,” Fauci said. “Consider this a doctor’s note from me.”
You can click through, but that pretty much covers it.

Crooks and Liars – FINALLY: Black Family Gets Imperfect, But Historic Justice
Quote – Merritt said of the police department on Friday: “We plan to root out injustice within that system. We plan to identify the specific policies that facilitate one of the deadliest police cultures in the modern world. Kansas City will remember the name Cameron Lamb because he will be known as the beginning of the end of the deadliest police culture in the modern world.”
Click through. Beau addressed this also (In Saturday’s video thread, and here ) I surely do hope they follow through on that police quote.

Daily Kos (Walter Einenkel) – 13-year-old boy uses his Make-A-Wish to feed homeless because Mississippi officials don’t
Quote – According to Olagbegi, his family has always done service for the community. Since he was a young child, the Olagbegis would serve meals to people in need every month. After Olagbegi was diagnosed, the family had to put some of that service on hold. Make-A-Wish Mississippi’s Linda Sermons told WLBT: “We were excited this is our first philanthropic wish in our 20+ years of the chapter in the state—a huge milestone for us, but also this is the first meal that Abraham is able to serve.” Make-A-Wish helped Abraham Olagbeli begin Abraham’s Table.
Click through if you wish. Einenkel is not shy to discuss how serious the need is for more. But I can’t imagine a chld of privilege coming up with this wish myself.

Food for Thought –

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Video Thread 11/24/21

 Posted by at 11:39 am  Open Thread, Politics
Nov 242021
 

 

Glenn Kirschner – House Committee Issues Subpoenas for Roger Stone & Others; Moving Up the Insurrection Food Chain (Working up the foos chain always made sense to me. Start at the top, you may wind up giving a plea bargain to the actual criminal, and executing [almost] an innicent person. That’s what happened to Julius Jones.)

Meidas Touch – Elie Mystal: What if Black people stormed the Capitol on Jan 6?

Don Winslow Films – #ShockingUnansweredJan6Questions Well, I can answer one question – the reason it took so long between forming the committee and the first subpoenas was because they had a ton of documents – and voluntary testimony – they needed to get through first. That is not just a theory, at least one person on the committee has said so publicly. And it makes sense. A good lowyer never asks a question of a witness to which he or she doesn’t already know tha answer. (I can answer a few of the others too, but I couldn’t back up those answers as I can with this one.)

Rebel HQ – Richard Ojeda: Special Place In Hell For People Like This Major Ojeda’s accent it fairly thick, but unlike so many on this subject, he knows whereof he speaks, and it’s worth the listen to get the facts.

Lincoln Project – Last Week in the Republican Party

Parody Project – Blew It Again

Beau — Let’s talk about Thanksgiving and Sesame Street….

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Video Thread 11/23/21

 Posted by at 11:56 am  Open Thread, Politics
Nov 232021
 

Glenn Kirschner – NY Prosecutors Investigating Yet More Trump Financial Crimes; When Will the Indictments Come?

Courtesy of Politizoom, who refers to her as a “Karen in Training.” I don’t think she needs any training.

Now This News – It only took him TWO DAYS to collect all those bottles! That should scare people.

politicsrus – Beto 1 (I hope that means there will be more.)

Really American – Republicans Want National Holiday For RittenHouse

Smartest Stray Cat Follows Woman Home

Beau – Let’s talk about Birmingham, Biden, and deception….

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Open Thread for November 23, 2021

 Posted by at 6:53 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 232021
 

Yesterday, another quiet day.I love quiet days, but it makes it difficult to find much if anything to say about them. I guess that’s all right, though.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

AP News – Native American confirmed as head of National Park Service
Quote – Sams is Cayuse and Walla Walla and lives on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon. There, he gained a reputation for being unflappable. He has worked in state and tribal governments and the nonprofit natural resource and conservation management fields for over 25 years. “He is known for being steady at the helm and taking challenges in stride,” said Bobbie Conner, director of the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute on the 270-square-mile (700-square-kilometer) reservation.
Click through for more details. It took way too lokg to confirm him – but it’s done now.

Daily Kos (Tevye) – Dead Man On The Ground. Bullets Flying. Others Running For Safety. He Ran Straight Towards A Madman.
Quote – As a young man, Anthony struggled with mental health issues and drug dependency. And seven years ago, he quit cold turkey and never relapsed. He went to counseling for a few years, but he regarded two things as his savior…..his skateboarding community and his activism.Any marginalized group in his community, be it those of color, those from the LGBTQ+ community, Jews ( he was Jewish himself ), Muslims, First Nations peoples….. if you were oppressed, you had a friend, advocate and defender in Anthony. He was there for you.
Click through. Hanky alert. I can tell Tevye is angty, but he knows, none better, how to transform that anger into gried, and then into resolution.

Smithsonian – What Kind of Turkey are you?
Quote – More than just a traditional holiday trimming, the turkey is an American icon. Native to our continent, turkeys were domesticated by the ancient Maya, called a respectable “Bird of Courage” by Benjamin Franklin, and have been officially pardoned by Presidents since 1989. The Smithsonian has over 155 million objects in its collections—including a fair number of turkeys. This Thanksgiving, find your inner Smithsonian turkey by taking our short quiz!
Click through to take the quiz. I took it ans was told I am “The Dignified Turkey.” That may be the first time anyone every called me dignified – and it may also be the last!

Food for Thought –

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