My eye cancer was so expensive that I owed no taxes to either the Feds or the State. But I did have to pay my $35 Portland Arts Tax. Even people on Social Security alone have to pay this regressive boondoggle. We get a handful of outdoor concerts, while the rich get luxury venues that the rest of us cannot afford. I did get some sleep but not enough and am still quite ill.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:25 (average 5:30). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Take:
From Me: At first glance the Fuhrer’s cruise missile attack on Syria seemed surprisingly measured and appropriate, but I saw through it quickly. Trump must have warned the Russians, because they pulled their assets and personnel from the airfield the day before. The Russians must have told the Syrians, because they removed most of their assets too. They were using the base to launch airstrikes the next day. So what did the raid accomplish? First, any time the press is focused on Syria, it is ignoring Trump’s collusion with Russian intelligence to steal the White House. Second, by creating the appearance of a fight with Russia over Syria, they are covering up quid pro quo. In short, it’s distraction. RESIST!!
I have been busy working on my mother's estate and getting ready to file her income taxes for last year. Add teaching and physio and a few other things, life has been busy. Now I have to arrange a visit to the dentist because I broke a tooth on Friday. On the other hand, it is always a joy to come home to my three furbabes.
Short Takes
NY Times — Judge Neil M. Gorsuch was confirmed by the Senate on Friday to become the 113th justice of the Supreme Court, capping a political brawl that lasted for more than a year and tested constitutional norms inside the Capitol’s fraying upper chamber.
The moment was a triumph for President Trump, whose campaign appeal to reluctant Republicans last year rested in large part on his pledge to appoint another committed conservative to succeed Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February 2016. However rocky the first months of his administration may have been, Mr. Trump now has a lasting legacy: Judge Gorsuch, 49, could serve on the court for 30 years or more.
“As a deep believer in the rule of law, Judge Gorsuch will serve the American people with distinction as he continues to faithfully and vigorously defend our Constitution,” the president said.
The final tally was 54-45 in favor of confirmation.
The confirmation was also a vindication of the bare-knuckled strategy of Senate Republicans, who refused even to consider President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court pick, Judge Merrick B. Garland, saying the choice of the next justice should belong to the next president.
Click through for the rest of the article. Well, I think we all knew that Gorsuch would be confirmed if McConnell used the nuclear option and changed the Senate tradition of 60 votes for confirmation to SCOTUS to a simple majority. McConnell did, and Gorsuch was. When the appointment is for life, in this case for at least 30 years, there should be a requirement for 60 votes to confirm.
Otherwords.org— Well in keeping with the above article, here is Khalil Bendib's take.
Cartoon removed pending clarification.
Strange fruit on the tree of liberty.
There will interesting times ahead with Gorsuch on the bench.
Otherwords.org— If you didn't guess already, I am a fan of Khalil Bendib's work. A picture is worth a thousand words, or maybe more. With the failure of Drumpf's healthcare bill recently, he is beginning to tally up quite a list of failures. Stay tuned for more!
Cartoon removed pending clarification.
Our "deal-maker" president isn't nearly as good as getting things done as he proclaimed.
And of course, before the healthcare failure, there was not one, but two attempts at banning Muslims from specific countries. The first ban was quashed by Washington state US District Judge James Robart. Of course, not to be outdone by a judge whom Drumpf castigated, Drumpf brought forward a second ban and it was shot down in spectacular fashion by Hawaii's US District Judge Derrick Watson. Drumpf just tweaked the original ban and it was sent to the trash heap. One can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig!
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You know what they say about putting lipstick on a pig.
I still feel horrid, but the new meds must be starting to help, because I slept three hours last night. I'm going back to bed, but even half dead I can't resist Keith and Sam. Hugs! RESIST!!
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today's took me 3:05 (average 4:40). To do it, click here. How did you do?
I’m about to leave for my doctor appointment. I’ll publish this when I return this afternoon, so I can tell you what Ellie, Megan’s PA, will have said and done. Hugs! RESIST!!
Ellie prescribed me an antibiotic (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid), prednisone, and Oxycodone. I hope that, in a few days, I’m feeling feline again.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:02 (average 4:54). To do it, click here. How did you do?
What a mess. Elder at Home came, yesterday, examined me, and reported to my PCP. I did not know that Megan is out of town this week, and the info went to a different substitute from the one that requested it, and this one insisted that I come in, which I shall do tomorrow morning. ARGH!! The only reason I am adding Keith to this is that I have to be up for my Store to Door grocery delivery. Wendy is back this evening. Hugs!! RESIST!!
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took mew 4:39 (average 6:40). To do it, click here. How did you do?
