Open Thread – Page 448 – Politics Plus

Open Thread – 6/18/2019

Posted by TomCat at 9:51 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jun 182019

It’s a temperate day here at the CatBox, but it’s so humid that I’m sticky and the grass pollen count is still very high. It took me a long time to find my material today.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:05 (average 4:53). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Compromise With GOP Becomes Point Of Contention Among Democrats

Biden is delusional. To compromise with Republicans, bend over, grab your ankles, and pray. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Jesse Dollemore Channel): Trump AGAIN Teased the Idea That His Supporters Will DEMAND That He Stay Longer Than 2 Terms!

The Fuhrer would like nothing better than to make the 5th Reich permanent. RESIST!!

From Common Dreams: As the Trump administration prepares to deploy 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East in a move critics warned will heighten the possibility of all-out war with Iran, United Nations officials reportedly believe the U.S. is also planning a major “aerial bombardment” of an Iranian nuclear facility.

United Nations officials are “assessing the United States’ plans to carry out a tactical assault on Iran,” the Jerusalem Post reported Monday, citing anonymous diplomatic sources at the U.N. headquarters in New York.

“According to the officials, since Friday, the White House has been holding incessant discussions involving senior military commanders, Pentagon representatives, and advisers to President Donald Trump,” the Post reported. “The military action under consideration would be an aerial bombardment of an Iranian facility linked to its nuclear program.”

One “Western diplomat” told the Post that the bombing campaign would be “massive” but “limited to a specific target.”

Does anyone else think that bombing Iran is insane? RESIST!!

Cartoon:

Open Thread – 6/17/2019

Posted by TomCat at 8:57 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jun 172019

Oh God, it’s Monday! It’s another muggy day and the super-high pollen count is still messing with my eyes and COPD. Nevertheless, I should be in the saddle every day this week, except Thursday, when I have a lunch date with a friend to discuss prison volunteer work.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:31 (average 5:11). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Jesse Dollemore Channel): U.S. Military & Intelligence Officials Keeping Ops Hidden From Donald Trump For Fear He’ll Talk!

Amen Jesse. A big problem with the Fuhrer and the Republican Reich is this: no matter how vile their traitorous actions against America are today, they will do far worse tomorrow. RESIST!!

From The New Yorker: A leading candidate to replace the White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, was disqualified after telling the truth repeatedly on his job application, the White House has confirmed.

According to the White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, the candidate got high marks in his job interview by demonstrating “utter disregard and contempt for press freedoms.”

“We then had him do a practice press briefing in which he was relentlessly abusive, obnoxious, and insulting,” Mulvaney said. “We were all, like, ‘This is our guy.’ ”

But after a thorough examination of the candidate’s job application, “a troubling series of truthhoods emerged,” Mulvaney said.

That’s straight news, Andy. Anyone, who has ever told the truth, even once, need not apply. RESIST!!

From Alternet: [I]n 2016 all the corporate news media outlets, NPR included, predicted that Trump would lose. They just did not recognize the discontent in America’s rust belt because the economic dislocation that had, and continues to define life there, was just not part of their personal frame of reference.They thought the country was several years into a recovery and the national aggregate unemployment data they had commissioned confirmed it. But nobody lives or votes in the aggregate. And it wasn’t until Trump flipped the 200 counties that Obama had carried twice, that the corporate news media started paying some attention.

And yet, based on the latest handicapping on the 2020 Democratic Primary they appear to be setting themselves up for another big miss that they will, of course, universally declare nobody saw coming — the huge left-wing surge that’s making democratic socialism mainstream and will likely be more seismic than the 2018 mid-terms.

Just look to the West Coast and the latest Los Angeles Times poll that has Joe Biden at 22 percent, Elizabeth Warren at 18 percent, Bernie Sanders at 17, and favorite daughter Kamala Harris at 13 percent. So, just what percentage of that fired up 48 percent that believe in Warren, Sanders, or Harris is Uncle Joe going to peel off with his retro-incrementalism?

It is most likely already over for Uncle Joe. His wing of the Democratic Party got rich sticking up for the credit card companies while they insured the 40 million Americans who owe $1.5 trillion in student loan debt can never be free of it even if they declare bankruptcy.

It seems clear to me that the likely Democratic voters have jumped away from centrist corporatism and toward social democracy. I only hope there are no shenanigans from the DNC to prop up Uncle Joe’s campaign beyond its natural life expectancy. The days that people will blindly get behind the leadership are gone. The leadership must learn to get behind the people. RESIST!!

Cartoon:

I’m amazed that France has not demanded it’s return.

Open Thread – 6/16/2019

Posted by TomCat at 7:45 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jun 162019

It’s a WWWendy day, so I’m in a big hurry.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Todays took me 3:39 (average 5:46). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From YouTube (A blast from the past): Bob Dylan The Times They Are A Changin’ 1964

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

From Politico: President Donald Trump said he’d been briefed on Navy pilots reporting increased sightings of unidentified flying objects, adding that he doesn’t particularly believe in UFOs.

Trump’s disbelief is the strongest evidence we’ve ever had that UFOs actually exist. RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: Alex Jones is a terribly unhappy person, as his former wife acknowledges. Who wouldn’t be unhappy living in a world of gay frogs, government-created “weather weapons” and rampant crisis actors staging mass shootings left and right? What a miserably fevered-brain place to live.

And now, Jones has another thing about which to be very, very unhappy: Child porn found on his computer by the FBI.

It could not have happened to a more Republican pervert. RESIST!!

Cartoon:

We need it back!

Open Thread – 6/15/2019

Posted by TomCat at 9:15 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jun 152019

It’s a confortable day here in the CatBox. Yesterday, Maintenance fixed my A/C installation, so I an not losing cool air on hot days, and can open my window for fresh air on cool mornings. That will make it more comfortable here.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:34 (average 8:57). To do it, click here. How did you do.

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): The DNC Announces Official Matchups For First 2020 Debates

Liz vs. Amy vs. Beto vs. Cory promises to be an interesting matchup. Night 2 should be a polite dog pile on Joe. If Joe can avoid a serious gaff, I’ll be surprised. The real debate on night 2 will be Kamala vs. Bernie vs. Pete. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Washington Post Channel): Opinion | Trump’s impeachment would be a constitutional, not a political, question

AMEN! Well said! RESIST!!

From Daily Kos: On Thursday, two oil tankers suffered explosions and damage in the Gulf of Oman. These evident results of attacks followed a series of similar damaging incidents in May. Overnight, the United States Navy released a video that reportedly shows a small Iranian vessel next to the tanker Kokuka Courageous, carrying people who appeared to be removing a device that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo identified as an unexploded mine. Pompeo stated that the analysis of U.S. experts indicated that Iran carried out the attack using mines. However, there is at least one person who disagrees with this analysis—the owner of the tanker involved. Not only does he not think that Iran was behind the attack, but he doesn’t believe his ship was damaged by a mine.

The Kokuka Courageous is operated by Japanese company Kokuka Sangyo. The owner of the ship, Yutaka Katada, says that, according to the reports that have been made by the crew of the ship, the U.S. is wrong on just about every aspect of the attack. According to the Daily Beast, Katada contradicted the report by Pompeo and said that, rather than a mine, his ship was hit by “a flying object.” Katada claims this information came from those on board the ship at the time of the incident. He also states that the damage to his tanker was located “well above the waterline,” which would most likely exclude any sort of torpedo or submerged mine.

An MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone can fire an Joint Air to Ground Missile, the most modern in the arsenal. Given crew description that is a far more likely an explanation than the Republican deep-fake video that shows nothing definitive. RESIST!!

Cartoon:

Open Thread – 6/14/2019

Posted by TomCat at 9:12 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jun 142019

It’s a muggy day here in the CatBox. My eyes are burning and my COPD is acting up. Right now Portland has the highest grass pollen count in the US. I slept poorly last night, because of residual heat.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:27 (average 4:50). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Mike Pompeo Constructs Iran Narrative Moving US Toward War Footing

Since Pompeo blamed Iran, before any evidence was even available makes it highly likely that Pompeo knew that the attack was going to take place, before it happened. The Maine, Gulf of Tonkin, or WMD redux? RESIST!!

From Daily Kos: Back in May, Mitch McConnell passed a milestone: over 100 pieces of legislation that were passed by the Democratic-controlled House have been halted by the Senate majority leader before they ever got a vote. McConnell bragged about turning the Senate into a legislative cemetery, and he’s being a good crypt-keeper by making sure that even the most critical bills are dead on arrival.

That includes sorely needed legislation that would provide election security for 2020. As The New York Times reports, McConnell is blocking any vote on a bill that would provide funds to secure state and local election facilities against exactly the sort of attack that Russia carried out successfully in 2016. McConnell is also blocking legislation designed to force companies such as Facebook and Twitter to be more transparent about the sources of political ads.

McConnell is protecting Russia’s hacking. McConnell is protecting Russia’s social media campaign.

What else could McConnell do to grease the skids for more Kremlin interference?

He’s doing everything he can. This is not just Trump. Bought Bitch Mitch and the Republican Reich are conspiring with Russia. RESIST!!

From The New Yorker: The embattled Presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway will leave her post at the White House, effective immediately, and begin a new job at the Kremlin on Friday, the White House and the Kremlin have confirmed.

Conway, who has served as a counsellor to President Donald Trump, will serve as a counsellor to President Vladimir Putin.

The White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, announced the news in sombre fashion. “Everyone here is happy for Kellyanne, but our nation has lost a great liar,” she said.

Dang Andy! She so crooked that the Fuhrer is going to keep her. RESIST!!

Cartoon

Contrary to Republican claims, the founding fathers did not put it there.

Open Thread – 6/13/2019

Posted by TomCat at 8:29 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jun 132019

It’s not as hot today here in the CatBox. Yesterday the high at the airport was 99°, but downtown, where I am, it reached 103°. Today will be in the high 80°s. I still feel frustrated and depressed, but I’m back in the saddle anyway.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:09 (average 4:30). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Inside President Donald Trump’s Plot To Destroy His GOP Nemesis

I stand boldly against Justin Amash on every issue, save one. But that one has fully unleashed the wrath of the Republican Reich against him. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Jesse Dollemore Channel): Donald Trump: “I’d Take” Damaging Info on 2020 Rival From Foreign Enemy Operatives!

Thank you Jesse. I too am shocked that Fuhrer of the Republican Reich is bragging about his criminal intent. The Fuhrer is a traitor. RESIST!!

From Daily Kos: Today’s Quinnipiac poll finds all the better known Democratic candidates would defeat Donald Trump if the election were held today.

Joe Biden leads by 53% to 40%

Bernie Sanders 51%, Trump 42%
Kamala Harris 49%, Trump 41%
Elizabeth Warren 49%, Trump 42%
Pete Buttigieg 47%, Trump 42%
Cory Booker 47%, Trump 42%

Woooo Hoooo!! RESIST!!

Cartoon:

Personal Update – 6/11/2019

Posted by TomCat at 7:43 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jun 112019

I have terrible news. They cancelled my move, because of a paperwork glitch. They did the paperwork for a Fair Market Unit. To qualify I need < 50% of a median household income. I do quality. The temporary unit I was going to, until a fair unit in the building is available, is a Hooper Detox unit. The government subsidy rep refused to sign off on treating the unit as temporary and insisted I meet the qualifications for that unit, which is < 40% of median household income. I don’t qualify. They explained my disabilities and how they had to put me in an inadequate unit here. The government subsidy rep didn’t care. I must have gotten a damn Republican. I will get the next fair market unit that opens there, be it in a day or a year. I’m so frustrated! This is my only article today. I just need a day to cry and get my head around this. AAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:46 (average 4:58). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Take:

From The New Yorker: Donald Trump has reached a groundbreaking deal with the Hawaiian Islands to make them the nation’s fiftieth state, Trump confirmed on Monday.

Calling it “my most incredible deal yet,” Trump said that he had forced Hawaii to bend to his will and “cough up billions” to become a state.

“This is a big win for our country,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “Hawaii is going to be a beautiful and amazing state.”

Just minutes after his announcement, however, there was significant pushback from Hawaii, which claimed that it had already reached a deal to become a state in 1959.

That claim swiftly drew the ire of Trump, who denounced Hawaii’s alleged sixty years of statehood as “fake news” and “disgraceful.”

Dang Andy! If the Fuhrer steals the 2020 election, Hawaii will agree that it’s fake news and stay out. RESIST!!

Cartoon:

Open Thread – 6/10/2019

Posted by TomCat at 9:57 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jun 102019

It’s another busy day here at the CatBox. Unit 245 is a much smaller unit than Unit 215 was. It is big enough to meet my needs, albeit barely. The bathroom, on the other hand, is magnificent. I can’t wait to break in my new throne, and it has a roll in shower. I would have taken pictures, bur when I reached into the pouch on my wheel chair, I discovered that my iPhone was still sitting on my bed here. ARGH! I’ll be going back there tomorrow with Anne, a CCC Rep., to sigh paperwork, get keys, pay and take possession. I’ll take pics then. For that reason, I’ll be posting only a Personal Update with no links messages on Care2. The trip back may be gruesome. We have 96° forecast. Oh God it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:45 (average 5:26). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Watch Fox News host call Trump statement ‘fake news’

Barf Bag Alert!!

When Laura Ingraham, one of the most rabid goose-steppers at the Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda, Faux Noise, calls bullshit on her own beloved Fuhrer, you know he stepped in it. RESIST!!

From YouTube (A blast from the the past):

Ah the memories! RESIST!!

From TPM: Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao cleared the path for projects that would specifically benefit Kentucky and thus, her husband Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) ahead of his 2020 reelection bid.

According to Politico, these arranged grants ultimately topped $78 million.

Chao assigned her aide Todd Inman to be the special liaison for Kentucky projects, a perk that other states did not enjoy and which helped channel money and attention into the Bluegrass state.

Dang! Bought Bitch Mitch is corrupt? What a surprise… NOT! RESIST!!

Cartoon:

Using Trump instead would be a trans-species fallacy.

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