Glenn Kirschner – A Colorado Election Official, A Security Breach, An FBI Investigation & My Pillow Guy’s Safe House. Oh, sure, it’s funny to Glenn – it’s not his state.
Meidas Touch – DeSantis ad
Don Winslow – My Letter to Republicans
The Lincoln Project – DeSantis Lies
Really American – Vaccine Conspiracy Theories Making Variants Worse
Armageddon Update: FUBARistan
Kitten Abandoned at Playground Rescued by Sweetest Guy
Beau – Let’s talk about the Saigon analogy….
Yesterday, I got to see my husband for the first time in a year and a half. Not only he but the staff also made me feel welcome. But it was still a long day, what with 2+ hours driving each way and an almost 5 hour visit. I put some details into a comment in yesterday’s Open Thread, so will try not to repeat myself. And this Open Thread will be short.
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Short Takes –
PolitiZoom – FUX News Is Literally Poisoning People
Quote – Rachel reported tonight that in addition to having to deal with a collapsing healthcare system, Mississippi suddenly found today that an incredible 70% of the calls coming into their poison control center were from people who had ingested a drug called Ivermectin. What the hell is Ivermectin? It’s a livestock drug used to deworm horses! And why would a shitload of Mississippi residents suddenly start ingesting a livestock deworming drug?
Click through for more. This loaded quite slowly for me yesterday, but it did load.
Law and Crime – A Federal Judge Struck Down One of the Most Widely Prosecuted Offenses in Immigration Law, Slamming ‘Racist’ Origins
Quote – Gustavo Carrillo-Lopez was indicted in 2020 for a felony under 8 U.S.C. § 1326. That specific felony is one that has been on the books for nearly a century: reentry into the U.S. after having been deported. Carrillo-Lopez argued that his indictment should be dismissed because the statute violates his equal protection rights under of the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Despite the statute’s long history of use in cases like Carrillo-Lopez’s, his argument prevailed before U.S. District Judge Miranda Du.
Click through for story. I’m sure this is not the end of it, and it could be inteesting to watch where it goes.
AP News – Beshear critics vow to work with governor to fight pandemic
Quote – Top Republican lawmakers are promising to work with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to fight COVID-19 after a court ruling cleared the way for new limits on the Democratic governor’s emergency powers.
Click through for details. I’ll believe the headline when I see it happening.
Food for Thought –
Glenn Kirschner – As Frustration Grows w/DOJ’s Inaction, Let’s Compare the 1/6 Insurrection Investigation w/Watergate
Meidas Touch – More of Alexander Vindman
The Lincoln Project – Ducey
Really American – The Real Taliban. Chip is back (so I’m a little behind. But I’ll catch up.)
Egberto Willies – I cut off the opening rant – I think the clip speaks for itself, and the little that he has to say at the end is plenty.
Soldier Saves Puppy Then Realizes He Can’t Live Without Her
Beau – Let’s talk about your questions on over there…. (20+ minutes of pretty much straight fact, sans ideology)
Yesterday, I remembered a couple of odds and ends I had not yet put in place for today, and took care of them. Mostly, I was able to rest and do a little crocheting.
By the time you read this I will be on the road. Yes, I will drive carefully – I always do. Virgil himself says I am a better driver than he is. I’ll be back eventually to comment. Meanwhile, have a nice “Thank A Criminal” Day.
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Short Takes – Just two today –
PolitiZoom – Finally! Some Good News From Kabul!
Quote – Most importantly, the administration came out and admitted that the program had been proceeding under the radar for almost a week. This changes the whole paradigm of the operation. The US military has been in almost constant contact with Taliban commanders since the start, providing them with valid forms of ID for US citizens and refugees to use, and warning of swift repercussions if if US forces come under hostile fire. I find it inconceivable that the US military on the ground had not warned the Taliban that the helicopters would be in the air, and interference in their humanitarian missions would bring swift reprisals.
Click through for details which really could not have been made public earlier.
The Guardian – Trump stages Alabama rally as state struggles with Covid surge
Quote – Dr William Smith, chief medical officer for Cullman Regional, told CBS42: “We view this as a potential ‘super-spreader’ event, just like last week’s Rock the South [at the same location]. We’ve seen an increase in patients since that event last weekend and we’re concerned we could see the same impact.” Trump’s presence will also put strain on Brooks’ opponents in the Republican race to fill the Senate seat being vacated by the retirement of Richard Shelby.
Click through for story, and please pray for Carrie B and her family (four generations.) This rally is north of Birmingham, and Carrie and her family are east of Montgomery, but this thing spreads.
Food for Thought –
Glenn Kirschner – Reuters: FBI Finds “Scant” Evidence of Groups Planning Insurrection. Here’s why this HURTS Trump
The Lincoln Project – The Best of Us
Meidas Touch – with Alexandr Vindman
Thom Hartmann – The “Great” America Trump & His MAGATs Want Exposed. I seriously doubt anyone here didn’t know this. But here it is – admitted.
Al Franken – Tucker Carlson – Most COVID-Vaccinated American?
This Wild Baby Monkey is Obsessed With Her Cat
Beau – Let’s talk about getting out from over there and a teachable moment….
Yesterday, after reading the manual for the player with the opera on it, I realized the reason I wasn’t able to load anything was that I didn’t have the software installed on this computer (or on any compluter I’m currently using), and I couldn’t find the CD. I tried downloading it, but that didn’t work. However, what did work is the FM Radio feature, and I managed to get it tuned to my favorite station and get a strong signal. I also pulled out everything I intend to wear from the skin up and put it all together so I won’t be scrambling at the last minute. Then I pulled out the insulated bag for my water (which will go in frozen), my way-back snack, and to prevent a few ohther things from becoming untouchably hot while I’m inside – and found a sealable plastic bag to protect them from condensation. Finally, I printed and filled out the form that needs to be filled out and put it and the player and speaker with my purse and lunchbox I could have waited and filled it out when I get there, but with my limited eyesight and having to repeatedly remove and replace my glasses to see what I’m writing that small, I’d just rather do it ahead. So I think I’m pretty well set.
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Short Takes –
Mother Jones – To Beat Anti-Vaccine Trolls, Sometimes You Have to Think Like One
Quote – The first example is typical of how scientists communicate with us: Most major scientific bodies instruct scientists to stick to the facts when correcting misinformation. Yet a growing number of experts believe that facts alone can’t compete with the narrative techniques deployed by the purveyors of bunk. In her forthcoming book, Viral BS: Medical Myths and Why We Fall for Them, Seema Yasmin, a professor of primary care at Stanford University, argues that science communicators must harness the power of storytelling to beat the trolls at their own game. “Facts don’t really seem to be able to change people’s minds,” Yasmin says. “Stories can be much more powerful.”
Click through for the full article. I’ve been pushing the communication power of stories as opposed to straught facts for years … and so have religions, including the crazy ones, which means they have a terrifying head start on us.
Democratic Underground – Nicolle Wallace On What Everyone Got Wrong About Biden – The Beat – MSNBC
I could have just put this into the Video Thread, but that thread is fairly full, and I liked the comments here. Several anecdotes about the contributions of immigrants, a little abut Nicolle’s background, and her track record since joining MSNBC.
Click through for the video and comments.
NBC News – Woman who drove into 2 children because of their race gets 25 years in federal prison
Quote – Poole Franklin sped from the scene and saw the 14-year-old victim walking near Indian Hills Junior High School in Clive about 30 minutes later. Believing the girl was Hispanic, prosecutors said Poole Franklin drove her Jeep over the curb, struck the child and drove away. The girl hobbled to the school for help and was taken to the hospital to be treated for serious injuries, including a concussion and bruises, court documents state. Poole Franklin was arrested later that same day after police responded to an incident at a gas station. According to court documents, she allegedly tried to steal items from a convenience store and began yelling racial slurs when she was confronted by an employee. It wasn’t until days later, while still in custody, that police connected Poole Franklin to the hit-and-runs.
Click through for a little more. It’s too bad, IMO, that the Federal and state sentences will run concurrently.
Food for Thought – animated – wait for it.
Glenn Kirschner – Kushner Associate, Ken Kurson, Pardoned by Trump – Now Indicted in NY. Hey DA Vance, Now Do Bannon
Meidas Touch – America’s Biggest Loser
MSNBC – Texas Schools Find Loophole For Mask Mandate Ban: The Dress Code
Ring of Fire – Anti Vaxxer Goes Totally Berserk During Townhall Meeting In San Diego. (Oh, gosh, Colleen, I’m so sorry you are geographically near this guy.
Liberal Redneck – Mike Pence and the Taliban
Stray Mama Cat Was So Feral That Rescuer Had To Wear Gloves Around Her
Beau – Let’s talk about what my life would be like if I was single….
Yesterday, I finished loading meds to shift my replacement times to the opposite weekends and free up this one. Since I can’t seem to get my car radio working and don’t have time to get it repaired or replaced, I started hunting up my mp3 players to find one that works. The first one i found, though it said it was working (with a new battery,) I couldn’t get any sound out of, either with earphones nor with the portable speaker, which I would prefer to use. The second one has its battery built in but it was competely discharged, so I started charging it up, and, when partiallly charged, it started to play. I tried it with the speaker and the speaker works with it. However, I did not figure out how to add additional music to it, nor how to turn it off. So I started looking for an owner’s manual on line. I also completed my draft of the Furies (if any day of the blog suffers from this visit, it won’t be Sunday, it’ll be Monday.)
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Short Takes –
The Hill – Suspect taken into custody after claiming to have bomb near Capitol
Quote – Manger said police were able to see a propane gas container on the truck. But he said officials have not yet been able to search his vehicle, adding they still need to “render it safe.” “It will take hours to assess the scene,” he said.
Click through for developments. Well, this was exciting (and a good reason to prefer boredom to excitement.)
HuffPost – Top General: No Intel That Afghan Government Would Fall In 11 Days
Quote – “There was nothing that I or anyone else saw that indicated a collapse of this army and this government in 11 days,” said Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He said the U.S. anticipated “multiple scenarios.”
Click through for more. High tech intelligence is wonderful, but one can become too dependent o it. There’s a line from “Dr. Atomic”: “With respect, sir, anyone could have founf Los Alamos just by following the trail of beer cans from Santa Fe.” Beer cans (and the like) sould never be discounted.
Mother Jones – “Bar Rescue” Host and Laura Ingraham Discuss Cutting Unemployment Aid to Make Workers “Hungry” Like an “Obedient Dog”
Quote – I have a friend in the military who trains military dogs, Laura. And they only feed a military dog at night. Because a hungry dog is an obedient dog. Well, if we’re not causing people to be hungry to work then we’re providing them with all the meals they need sitting at home. I’m completely with you Laura. These benefits make absolutely no sense to us.
Click through for details, including nopologies. If you ever needed proof that the right wing does not consider “some people” to be human – here it is.+
Food for Thought –
