Politics Plus

Yesterday I spent most of the day completing the corporate return and other annual reports the government requires from nonprofits.  We never owe anything, except for the $60 in fees required just to exist, because our revenue stream is far to small to be taxable, but it’s still hard work.  I am up to date on comments.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:57 (average 4:22).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From moveon.org: What teachers make.

Very well said, indeed!

From Washington Post: A Senate Judiciary subcommittee is planning to hold a hearing next week examining the issue of American Muslims’ civil rights, less than three weeks after a House committee hearing led by Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) on the radicalization of American Muslims drew widespread controversy.

This hearing should prove a fascinating counter-point to the Republican hatred and bigotry at King’s faux-hearing.

From Salon: Sen. John McCain has taken a strange position on the Libyan conflict: He’s been calling for the ouster of Moammar Gadhafi not only on humanitarian grounds, but also because Gadhafi has "American blood on his hands" from the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. However, just 18 months ago, McCain himself traveled to Tripoli to talk to Gadhafi about a transfer of American military equipment. He also praised the "remarkable and positive turn" in U.S.-Libya relations.

McConJob is a typical GOP hypocrite.

Cartoon:

Cover your butts!  It’s hump day for Republicans too! 😉

Yesterday I was exhausted.  After getting the blog up late, I took a nap.  Today will be a rest day, because the rest of the week will be even busier than last week.  I am up to date on comments.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:31 (5:37 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: Rebel forces, battered and routed by loyalist fighters just the day before, began to regroup in the east as allied warplanes destroyed dozens of government armored vehicles near the rebel capital, Benghazi, leaving a field of burned wreckage along the coastal road to the city. By nightfall, the rebels had pressed almost 40 miles back west toward the strategic crossroads city of Ajdabiya, witnesses and rebel forces said.

I feel pleased to see that the effects of our actions are positive.

From Alternet: This week, Teddy Borawski, the chief oil and gas geologist for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and a member of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett’s administration, serving in an official capacity, and on the record, compared my [Josh Fox] Sundance award-winning and Oscar-nominated documentary film GASLAND to Nazi propaganda stating "Goebbels would be proud." The slander was the latest in a series of smears and misinformation about the film and character attacks on me [Josh Fox].

Few things frighten Republicans more that a well informed activist with a well documented movie.

From Portland Examiner: Saturday hundreds gathered in Oregon at Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse square to rally for peace on the 8 year anniversary of America’s invasion of Iraq. Oregonians rallied in the city square in solidarity and protest of America’s foreign adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While considering whether or not to go to this, I fell asleep.  The spirit was willing, but the flesh was pooped.

Cartoon:

OGIM!

Yesterday, I slept through most of the morning, spent the afternoon doing research and preparation for last night’s preparation, and chaired our CoDA group athis evening.  We had newcomers that always makes it more interesting.  I returned home late, got little sleep, and am quite exhausted.  As a result, today’s offering is once again abbreviated, with no short takes and only one main article.  Today I have several shopping errands to run.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:22 (5:41 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

For America’s environment to survive, first clean up political pollution.  Every Republicans must be voted out, recalled wherever possible.

Yesterday the furnace in my building broke down, so I spent most of the day in bed to stay warm.  I have caught up on comments.  Today I’ll be going down to Salem to do volunteer work in the Prison, so tomorrow’s offering may be thin and late.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:35 (4:30 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, who leads the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, said Wednesday that he was ready to go to Gaza and meet with Ismail Haniya, the leader of the Hamas government, who on Tuesday had invited Mr. Abbas and Fatah to resume unity talks. Mr. Abbas said the purpose would be to reach agreement on the formation of a new government that could prepare for Palestinian presidential and parliamentary elections within six months.

This is a smart move for both.  As long as Palestinians remain divided, Israel will use the division to block a negotiated two state solution.

From Politico: The top two Democratic leaders in the House have twice split on whether to approve short-term government funding bills that cut billions from federal accounts. Senate Democrats haven’t put forward a long-term spending plan that can move through their chamber, and Democrats on both sides of the Capitol say they have no idea where the White House stands or who’s running the show.

Obama needs to show some leadership.  During his campaign, he promised that if the rights of working people were under assault, he would be on the picket line himself.  Where is he?

From Truthdig: Lucky for him. Raymond Davis, the CIA contractor who was nabbed in January after shooting and killing two men in Pakistan (the news of which wasn’t released until February), has been freed from detainment after the payment of “blood money” to the victims’ families.

Clinton denies it.  I don’t believe her.

Cartoon:

Watch out for Japan donation scams!