Open Thread – 8/5/2018

Posted by TomCat at 1:10 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 052018

It’s a busy Sunday. WWWendy is due in half an hour, and we have lots to do, including the dreaded task. With the return of the heat, the TomCat is fouler than normal. It’s a little slow for news, but I was able to find enough material. Sunday hugs!

Wendy left a few minutes ago, and I’m pooped!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 5:24 (average 6:44). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From CNN: As President Donald Trump’s legal team continued its will-he-or-won’t-he dance this week on a sit-down interview with special counsel Robert Mueller, a federal judge in Washington issued a tome on why Mueller’s appointment was rock-solid in the first place.

Chief Judge Beryl Howell’s decision is not entirely novel; it falls in line with two other district court judges in DC and Virginia who have rejected challenges to Mueller’s appointment. But her robust analysis guts a potential avenue for Trump’s defense team at a critical time, as the President calls for the probe to end, his lawyers continue to negotiate over the scope of an interview, and speculation mounts about whether Mueller will ultimately serve Trump with a subpoena to testify.

Legal experts say that while Trump’s legal team still has other arguments to make on why he should not have to sit down with the special counsel, the door on challenging Mueller’s legitimacy appears to be nearly closed.

Anything that tightens the Fuhrer’s noose is fine with me. Click through for details about the decision. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From Think Progress: A federal judge slammed the Trump administration’s foot-dragging in reuniting parents and young children separated under the government’s harsh immigration policies, calling the slow progress in reunifying families “unacceptable.”

Judge Dana Sabraw rejected the administration’s efforts to pass the task of reuniting immigrant parents and children to the American Civil Liberties Union, saying in a hearing conducted by telephone late Friday that the government is “100 percent” responsible for bringing back together the families that it ripped apart with its “zero tolerance” policy.

What nerve! Racist Republicans want ACLU donors to pay for the effect of the Republican hate crime, so they can spend the money on welfare for billionaires. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From Axios: President Trump tweeted Sunday morning [Liar delinked] about the now-infamous June 9, 2016 meeting at Trump Tower between Russians and Trump campaign officials, including his son, Donald Trump Jr.

"Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics – and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!"

Why it matters: Trump and his son have repeatedly changed their stance on the purpose of the 2016 meeting. In a statement to The New York Times last July, which investigators now know was dictated by President Trump, Don Jr. said the meeting was primarily about Russian adoptions. Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen has also claimed that the president approved the meeting ahead of time. [emphasis original]

There WAS collusion! RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

Cartoon:

Open Thread – 8/4/2016

Posted by TomCat at 12:46 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 042018

The heat is back and the sun hit the wall early. I’m tired. ARGH!!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:52 (average 7:34). To do it. click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Late Show Channel): Rob Reiner: We Have Archie Bunker In The White House

I’m not sure that comparison with the Fuhrer is fair to Archie, but if anyone should know, it’s Meathead. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Accused Russian Agent’s Alleged Fun Times With Donald Trump Associate

She seems to have dionked virtually every extreme right Republican of note. I wonder if she made it to the one with tiny hands, etc. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From Alternet: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) — who was once seen as the Republican Party’s best chance to defeat Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential primary — is now in serious danger of being defeated by a Democrat in the race for his Senate seat.

The conservative firebrand is now neck-and-neck with challenger Beto O’Rourke, a relative unknown in Texas who has run a fierce campaign to oust the sitting senator. Not only would the win be a victory for those critical of Cruz, who has a deeply polarizing effect on the populace and is reportedly disliked even by his GOP colleagues — but if O’Rourke comes out ahead in November, Democrats will have a much better chance of taking control of the Senate.

Go, Beto! Go! How sweet would that be? RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

Cartoon:

Open Thread – 8/3/2018

Posted by TomCat at 1:07 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics, Religion

Aug 032018

Today is my last relatively cool day, until the sun hits the wall, so I’m enjoying the fresh air, which I love, while I can. I was so exhausted that I overslept and awakened two hours later than my norm, so I’m just working through, despite my frequent yawns. On the test, I am cancer free, my lungs are no more damaged from COPD that they were last year and are clear. Everything else is healthy. It was the best result I could have had, and they even apologized for not allowing me to play with the cat that did the CAT-scan.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:37 (average 5:52). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Lawrence On Ivanka Trump’s Absence On Border Children

More than one Republican has said that it’s ok for Republicans who disagree with Trump, like Ivanka, to justify supporting Trump too. Thank you, Lawrence, for deflating such a vile argument. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From YouTube (Vox Channel): What a new Supreme Court means for abortion

That explains it in terms that even a Republican could understand, unless they willfully misunderstand, as they so often do. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From NY Times: Pope Francis has declared the death penalty wrong in all cases, a definitive change in church teaching that is likely to challenge Catholic politicians, judges and officials who have argued that their church was not entirely opposed to capital punishment.

Before, church doctrine accepted the death penalty if it was “the only practicable way” to defend lives, an opening that some Catholics took as license to support capital punishment in many cases.

But Francis said executions were unacceptable in all cases because they are “an attack” on human dignity, the Vatican announced on Thursday, adding that the church would work “with determination” to abolish capital punishment worldwide.

Kudos to Pope Francis, an authentic Christian. Nominally Catholic politicians, who are really Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christians, have lost their excuse to demand that we execute another non-white jay-walker for Republican Supply-side Jeebus!

Cartoon:

WTG Cousin Pole Cat face !

Open Thread – 8/2/2018

Posted by TomCat at 8:07 am Open Thread, Politics

Aug 022018

I’m leaving soon for my Oncologist appointment and am hurrying to finish before I go. I slept poorly and am very tired.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:48 (average 5:51). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Trae Crowder Channel): Liberal Redneck – Campaign Ads/Vote for Tristan

Time to replace Trump with Gayman-Frenchname! RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From The New Yorker: Millions of Americans were foiled in their attempts to purchase groceries on Wednesday after failing to provide the proper government-issued I.D. cards.

From coast to coast, food-seeking scofflaws were turned away from supermarkets, convenience stores, and fruit markets as they tried to circumvent the nation’s long-standing grocery I.D. laws.

“Given that Americans have been required to show I.D. to buy food for years, it’s amazing that people still try to get away with this,” Carol Foyler, a supermarket cashier in Fresno, California, said. “It’s always, ‘Oh, I left my food I.D. in my other pants,’ or some B.S. like that. Believe me, I’ve heard it all.”

In Cleveland, Ohio, a man attempting to buy a loaf of bread, two yogurts, and a bottle of Fanta tried to use another consumer’s food I.D. to make the purchase, but was busted by sharp-eyed security personnel.

Andy, are you making fun of the Fuhrer, or is this what we can expect if Republicans stay in power? RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From NY Times: President Trump called on Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday to end the special counsel’s inquiry into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, issuing an unambiguous directive on Twitter to shut down an investigation that even now is scrutinizing his tweets for evidence of obstruction.

If that isn’t Obstruction of Justice, what is? RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

Cartoon:

96 DAYS!!

Open Thread – 8/1/2018

Posted by TomCat at 12:19 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 012018

Here in the CatBox the heat wave is winding down. 85° is forecast today, then a couple days in the high 70°s, and then, back to the 80°s for the foreseeable future. I’m waiting for Store to Door to arrive with my groceries. WWWendy comes this evening to destink the desperately smelly TomCat. This morning, in addition to my research and preparing the poll, I made all the graphics and collected all the data needed for July’s Monthly Report. I hope to publish that on Friday. Tomorrow, I have an appointment with my oncologist to formally get my cat-scan results and to give blood for one final test. Therefore please expect no more than a Personal Update from me tomorrow, and I will not be distributing links messages on Care2. Happy Hump Day to all!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:35 (average 4:51). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From YouTube (The Late Show Channel): How The 2018 Midterms Became About Bigfoot Porn

Why Squatch! Who would have ever thought that Sasquatches make porn! As Canada’s most gorgeous Sasquatch, I bet you’re a real star!! RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): Robert Reich: The Roadblock to Common Sense Pension Reform

The Reich on the left, Robert Reich, is right. The Reich on the right, the Republican Reich, are ruled by greedy Banksters. America, Oregon and other states are leading the way. Follow in force! RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Mitch McConnell Cancels Recess, But Flake Leaves Anyway

Few things bring more joy that seeing Bought Bitch Mitch hoist on his own petard! RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

Cartoons:

Open Thread – 7/31/2018

Posted by TomCat at 1:22 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 312018

Here in the CatBox the heat wave goes on and on and on. Last night, when I went to bed, the temperature was still 90°. Starting Thursday, we may have a few cooler days. I get my CAT-Scan results formally on Thursday, but I saw them posted online. I don’t speak all the medical lingo, but I could tell that I do not have cancer and that I am still a cat.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:37 (average 4:42). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Willamette Week: U.S. Rep. Greg Walden is hosting a fundraiser with the top Republican leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday.

For between $2,500 and $25,000 a person, donors can attend the dinner event at Wilsonville location that was not named on the invitation. (Larger donations gets you photos.)

House Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy will attend. The proceeds will go to Walden, National Republican Campaign Committee and the Republican National Committee.

The secrecy of the location, in a suburban town 17 miles south of Portland, suggests Walden is seeking Portland dollars and ease of access—without risking a blue-city backlash.

Well, that explains last night’s crappy air quality. Note how in Portland, Republican leaders are too cowardly to show their faces openly. They sneak into town and skulk away the same day. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Roy Moore Is Sacha Baron Cohen’s Latest Target

ROTF! Somebody needs to arrange for Sacha to sit down with Trump, Putin’s Pervert! RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From BBC: Blueprints for 3D-printed guns, published online four days early amid last-minute attempts to ban them, have been downloaded thousands of times.

The designs were not due to be made public until Wednesday, following a ruling from the US Justice Department.

But blueprints for nine types of gun were uploaded to the Defense Distributed website on Friday.

Now that the files are online, I have no doubt that Republican Ammosexuals and terrorists everywhere have created hundreds of online copies. Any ruling against posting those files is now irrelevant. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From Alternet: Columbus business owner Jeff Whitman is whining that his life is "ruined" after video of him hurling racial slurs at a stranger went viral.

Whitman followed Charles Lovett for two miles to his home after an apparent driving incident.

Lovett recorded the conversation, in which Whitman can be seen saying, “I just want to let you know what a n—– you are."…

…The Columbus Dispatch reports: [about people who saw the video Lovett posted]

They shared [Whitman’s] image online, overloaded his voicemail and flooded consumer websites like Yelp with hundreds of negative reviews, complete with images of the Ku Klux Klan and Hitler.

“I’m out of business, I’m completely out, I’m done, I’ll never work in Columbus again,” Whitman whined of the hateful verbal assault he describes as a "mistake."

Isn’t good news about Republicans a pleasure to hear? Woooo Hoooo Karma! RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

Cartoon:

Open Thread – 7/30/2018

Posted by TomCat at 1:04 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 302018

Here in the CatBox, the heat wave goes on and on and on. Today’s high is only mid 90°s, much cooler than yesterday. Oh God!! It’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:55 (average 4:45). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From YouTube (SNL Channel): Voters For Trump Ad (from 5/2016)

They had that right. America should have listened. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From YouTube: Trump threatening to shut down the government if he doesn’t get border wall

We need a 3,000 mile wall to protect the US from those evil Canucks. We’ll make Canada pay for it. Seriously, Democrats should call his bluff. Even Republican Congress-critters know that shutdown is the fast track to the unemployment line. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From Politico: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said Sunday that she intends to serve “at least five more years,” a stretch that would extend her career beyond her 90th birthday.

“I’m now 85,” Ginsburg said on Sunday, according to CNN. “My senior colleague, Justice John Paul Stevens, he stepped down when he was 90, so think I have about at least five more years.”

Ginsburg, nominated by former President Bill Clinton and confirmed to the Supreme Court in 1993, is already the court’s oldest justice and is also among its most liberal. Her future on the bench has been the subject of significant speculation since her departure during President Donald Trump’s term would afford him the opportunity to appoint a third Supreme Court justice, shifting the court’s balance of power for years, and potentially decades, to come.

Woooo Hoooo Justice Ruth!! God bless her with a century! RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

Cartoon:

Open Thread – 7/29/2018

Posted by TomCat at 1:03 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 292018

Here in the CatBox it looks like it will top 100° again today, as Portland is still under an excessive heat warning. WWWendy is due in half an hour. It’s frustrating to get a shower, need another by bedtime, and know it will be three days, before I get it. Speaking of frustrating, I was working on an idea for another ‘Republicans on Parade’ graphic. I typed ‘asshole’ to Google Images. It displayed no pics of a real asshole, but several of the pics were of Trump.

We had ribs. They tasted almost as good as BBQ dawg.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:58 (average 4:29). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Parody Project Channel): IT’S ALRIGHT NOW – Parody of Garden Party Rick Nelson

Don certainly knows about Putin’s Pervert, Fuhrer of the Republican Reich. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): Robert Reich: 6 Reasons for Hope in Trump Times

The Reich on the left, Robert Reich, is right! "The future depends on every one of us becoming an activist." Assuming that we win in 2018, the future also depends on every one of us remaining an activist, not saying "we won" and returning to apathy. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

From NY Times: There are problems with impeaching Donald Trump. A big one is the holy terror waiting in the wings.

That would be Mike Pence, who mirrors the boss more than you realize. He’s also self-infatuated. Also a bigot. Also a liar. Also cruel.

To that brimming potpourri he adds two ingredients that Trump doesn’t genuinely possess: the conviction that he’s on a mission from God and a determination to mold the entire nation in the shape of his own faith, a regressive, repressive version of [pseudo-]Christianity. Trade Trump for Pence and you go from kleptocracy to theocracy.

Click through for much more. Pence is just the pus-oozing boil. The Republican party is the filth that grew it. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!

Cartoon:

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