Politics Plus

Yesterday I felt very tired and rested, except for doing my research.  I’m current with replies, albeit briefly.  Today I need to go purchase items for a witch’s to prepare for a medical procedure next week.

Jig Zone Puzzles:

Yesterday it took me 4:33 (average 5:30).  To do it click here.  Today it took me 3:56 (average 4:56).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From LA Times: A $260-billion, Republican-drafted House bill is facing opposition from the left and the right, forcing GOP leaders Wednesday to put off a final roll call while they scramble to line up the votes to pass it.

The White House on Tuesday threatened a veto, saying the measure "jeopardizes safety, weakens environmental and labor protections and fails to make the investments needed to strengthen the nation’s roads, bridges, rail and transit systems." If the bill gets to the president’s desk, the White House budget office said, his senior advisors will recommend that he veto it.

This is the monstrosity that even Ray LaHood said was the worst he had ever seen.

From Washington Post: A Connecticut human-rights commission has rebuked a mayor who made a disparaging remark about Latinos.

The state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities said Tuesday it unanimously approved a resolution condemning East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Maturo Jr. for saying last month he might have tacos as a way to do something for the community.The Republican mayor made the remark in response to a reporter’s question after the arrests of four police officers on charges they harassed Latino residents and businesses. He received criticism from all quarters, including Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

Just another example of Republican racism.

From Huffington Post:

Lisa Chan, the actress who appeared in a political ad that was widely criticized for furthering negative stereotypes of Asian-Americans, has apologized, calling her participation "a mistake."…

…"I am deeply sorry for any pain that the character I portrayed brought to my communities," Chan wrote on her Facebook page, as first reported by the Angry Asian Man blog. "As a recent college grad who has spent time working to improve communities and empower those without a voice, this role is not in any way representative of who I am. It was absolutely a mistake on my part and one that, over time, I hope can be forgiven. I feel horrible about my participation and I am determined to resolve my actions."

I’m glad that Chan has apologized, but even though he has pulled the ad, Peter Hoekstra still refused to apologize and continues to double down on his Republican racism.

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Yesterday I spent most of the day doing prep work for today.  I’m current with replies.  Today is a volunteer day for me in prison.  I will return home late, having missed a sleep cycle, so there may be no new articles on Wednesday, and if there are, they may be late.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:13 (average 4:59).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: In Which States Can Ellen Get Fired For Being Gay?

That’s obscene!  To correct this, we need to clean out Republicans at the state level.

From CBS: Seven members of a Midwest militia group accused of plotting to overthrow the government are in Federal Court in Detroit for the start of their trial, in which jurors will decide whether federal authorities prevented an attack by homegrown extremists or simply made too much of the boasts of weekend warriors who had pledged to "take our nation back."

Opening statements were set for Monday in the trial of the militia members, known as Hutaree, who are charged with conspiring to commit sedition, or rebellion, as well as weapon crimes.

I guess this is what Republicans mean when they call for Second Amendment solutions.

From Think Progress: In a bid to fast-track approval of the Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, Senate Republicans plan to attach an amendment mandating the pipeline’s construction onto a must-pass highway funding bill. The amendment — developed by Sens. John Hoeven, Richard Lugar, and David Vitter — is but the latest congressional push to advance TransCanada’s $7 billion project, which was rejected by President Obama last month.

Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has publicly raised objection to the measure, arguing that it will ultimately “kill the bill.”

If you have not called both of your Senators to demand this be rejected, please do.  Republicans are holding hundreds of highway jobs hostage to blackmail America.

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Yesterday I hooked up with my barber, at long last, and I’m as shorn as a GOP Sheeple.  I took advantage of feeling better and cooked a big turkey dinner.  I’m current with replies.  Today I shall be mourning the sad fact that the Ellipsoid Orb has set, and except for a brief glimmer in April for the Holy Day of Choosing Acolytes, shall shed no more divine light until late summer. 🙁

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:09 (average 5:29).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: As some Republican leaders wring their hands at the prospect of a drawn-out nominating contest, many of the 10,000 people attending the Conservative Political Action Conference [CPUKE delinked] here did not seem too concerned about that possibility…

…The Republican nominee, it seemed, mattered less in their efforts to mobilize than their intense dislike of President Obama. In dozens of interviews at the conference, which was to end Saturday afternoon, people expressed preferences for Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum or, less often, Newt Gingrich or the absent Ron Paul. But every one of them said the same thing, often in the same words: “Anybody but Obama.”

I can appreciate how Republicans want to get rid of Obama, but they take it beyond extreme.  Democrats were most anxious to rid ourselves of the worst President in history, GW Bush, aka Potomac Pinocchio.  However, we were never so desperate to do so that we were willing to sabotage the country.

From MoveOn: Going Viral Now: The Food Stamp President?

Did Gutierrez hit it out of the park, or what?

From Raw Story: Andrew Breitbart loses control at ‘Occupy’ protesters

Dang! His screw is so far loose that he’s a … Republican!

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Yesterday I got some paperwork done, but no housework as I seem to have strained my back.  I’m current with replies.  Today I’ll try to get a haircut again.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:02 (average 5:12).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: House Republican leaders appear ready to bow to election-year pressure and pass a bill banning lawmakers from using nonpublic information they hear on the job to make financial investments. The House legislation, however, is missing two vital provisions that are in the Senate bill that won overwhelming approval last week.

The first provision requires that members of the budding “political intelligence” industry — that sells information gleaned from private talks with lawmakers and staffers — register like lobbyists and disclose Hill activities. The second provision strengthens criminal law to facilitate corruption investigations of public officials.

Both these provisions deserve enactment, but the Republican majority leader, Representative Eric Cantor, struck them from the House measure.

Republicans would not want to outlaw their favorite practices.

From MoveOn: Ellen DeGeneres Fights Bigotry — And Wins!

 

Republican haters are motivators for us all. Her creed is far more Christian that the Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christian false gospel of hate.

From Reuters: President Barack Obama said on Thursday he was granting 10 U.S. states exemptions from parts of the "No Child Left Behind" education law, a move that could prove popular in an election year with parents and teachers who have criticized the law.

"After waiting far too long for Congress to reform No Child Left Behind, my administration is giving states the opportunity to set higher, more honest standards in exchange for more flexibility," Obama said in a statement.

"Today, we’re giving 10 states the green light to continue making reforms that are best for them," said Obama.

Obama is doing what he can, because Republicans refuse to act.

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