Politics Plus

Yesterday I did chores around the house, but I has trouble sleeping so I’m bleary eyed again.  I am current on replies.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:02 (average 4:27).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Politico: Striking what advocates believe is a historic victory for gay rights, the New York state senate Friday approved same-sex marriage, New York a promised governor’s signature away from being the sixth and largest state to allow gays and lesbians to marry.

The 33-29 vote is an enormous victory for first-year Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat who pledged during last fall’s campaign to push for gay marriage.

A big win for the good guys!

From Reuters: Six men were indicted on federal drug charges on Friday in connection with more than 90,000 marijuana plants stumbled on by bear hunters in a remote patch of forest that local authorities described as the largest cannabis farm ever found in Oregon.

I wondered why bears in Oregon have been so happy lately. 😉

From Common Dreams: The leaders of two behemoth Karl Rove-associated unlimited donation campaign fundraising groups on Friday promised to spend $120 million against Democrats in the 2012 election cycle, much of it in the form of attack ads.

We knew it was coming.  It will take millions of our voices to drown them out.

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Yesterday the denturist redid my lower impression.  I slept poorly because of heat, but I am current on replies… really!  Thanks to Nameless for the heads up on a whole thread I missed.  Today I have three routine medical appointments, so I’ll be busy all day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:27 (average 5:47).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From World Car Fans: Most Republican Party candidates for president think the auto bailouts that saved GM and Chrysler and kept afloat a large part of the U.S. industrial base were a bad idea.

It’s better for us that they do.

From Alternet: The Democratic Party of Wisconsin has found a new line of attack on the fiscal life of Rep. Sean Duffy’s (R-WI), months after jibes over his claim that he was struggling to live on his $174,000/year congressional salary began to burn out.

Democrats are fond of taking on Duffy over money, and after his latest financial disclosure form was released to the press, they think they’ve found their next soft spot to poke.

Awwww… The poor widdle Wepuglican!

From Common Dreams: China has released world-famous artist Ai Weiwei on bail after more than two-and-a-half months of detention and a sustained international campaign calling for his freedom.

Chinese police have released detained artist Ai Weiwei on bail after he confessed to tax evasion and because he suffers from a chronic disease, according to the state-run news agency. (Photograph: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images) "I’m back with my family," Ai told the Guardian. "I am very happy. I’m fine."

He said he could not comment further on his detention as he had been released on bail, adding "please understand".

I have signed several petitions and sent emails on his behalf.  I’m glad he’s home with his family.

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Yesterday my COPD flared up, and I had a bad air day.  That kept me from getting much done, but I am current on replies.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:43 (average 5:22).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From LA Times: President Obama plans to announce a troop reduction in Afghanistan that Pentagon and other administration officials say is expected to bring home about 10,000 personnel by the end of the year.

Well, that’s better than the 3,000 Petraeus wants, but far too few with 70,000 still left.

From Yahoo: The Supreme Court won’t hear an appeal from ACORN, the activist group driven to ruin by scandal and financial woes, over being banned from getting federal funds.

The high court on Monday refused to review a federal court’s decision to uphold Congress’s ban on federal funds for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.

This is an exercise on how to deny justice.  The bill named ACORN specifically.  What could be a better definition of a Bill of Attainder?

From The Loop 21: Republican Presidential Candidate Herman Cain (pictured) has announced that he doesn’t appreciate the idea of being labeled an “African American.” During an interview with Bloomberg, Cain said that he prefers to be called an “American,” stating that the word “African” on the front of his racial identity limits him and inaccurately describes who he is. Perhaps Mr. Cain can explain to us why there is something wrong with being connected with Africans, even when your ancestors are….well…African.

I think Cain is avoiding identification with African Americans, because deep down, he knows that he is betraying them.

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Yesterday I slept most of the afternoon.  Today I need to go out to run errands.  I’m current on replies.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:52 (average 5:16).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: Last week, 41 Senate Democrats wrote letters to President Obama urging him to resist the Republican effort to sharply cut and transform Medicaid, the joint federal and state health program that primarily benefits poor children and pregnant women, disabled adults, and nursing home residents.

41?  That’s ALL? 🙁

From Alternet: A President Barack Obama impersonator won cheers and laughter Saturday at a gathering of Republican activists with an often off-color routine that mocked the real Obama’s mixed-race parentage.

Actor Reggie Brown’s routine to the Republican Leadership Conference here drew groans and was ultimately cut short after he savaged the crowded field Republican of candidates eager to deny Obama a second term.

I get it.  Racist Obama remarks were great entertainment, but criticizing the Reich got him the hook.

From Gawker: The office of Republican Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey is claiming that Fox News chairman Roger Ailes is a confidential adviser whose interactions with the governor should remain secret under New Jersey’s executive privilege.

What further proof do we need that Faux Noise is the Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda?

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