Politics Plus

This morning I have an early doctor appointment (routine), so I have not caught up on comments yet and may not have time before I leave.  If not, I’ll catch them up tomorrow morning at the latest.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:09 (5:14 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: As the scale of Japan’s nuclear crisis begins to come to light, experts in Japan and the United States say the country is now facing a cascade of accumulating problems that suggest that radioactive releases of steam from the crippled plants could go on for weeks or even months.

Here in Portland the radiation might heat my coffee. 🙁

From Politico: Members of Virginia’s House delegation unanimously agreed to a redistricting plan that will protect all of their seats and strengthen the three GOP freshmen who ousted Democratic incumbents last November, POLITICO has learned.

The new map, according to multiple sources in both parties who are familiar with the plan, was crafted in the past month chiefly by Virginia’s eight GOP members. But it has received crucial private support from the state’s three House Democrats — notably Rep. Gerry Connolly, who barely survived reelection last November and whose Capitol Beltway-area district would get a Democratic bump.

These are 8 Republicans and 3 Democrats that should not hold elected office.

From News Hounds: (F)or the first time in the dozen years since (The Pew Project For Excellence In Journalism) has been monitoring the cable news networks, every channel was down. CNN — with its well-publicized primetime woes — was down the most in 2010, dropping 37% to 564,000 viewers. But Fox News, the No. 1 cable news network, declined 11 percent. And MSNBC — which finished 2010 ahead of CNN in primetime in news’ target demographic of 25-54-year-olds and total viewers — was down 5 percent.

I’m glad MSNBC was down least, but wish Fox and CNN would trade places.

Cartoon:

OGIM!

After a a bout of illness that lasted several weeks, It was great to get back to volunteering last night.  The down side is that I got in late and have only slept a couple hours.  I’m running behind, because replying to yesterday’s comments took well over an hour.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:42 (4:46 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: Rescuers struggled to reach survivors on Saturday morning as Japan reeled after an earthquake and a tsunami struck in deadly tandem. The 8.9-magnitude earthquake set off a devastating tsunami that sent walls of water washing over coastal cities in the north.

While the Republican religious right gloats that this is a sign from God of the end times, I think it more Christian to offer hopes, good thoughts, emoathy, and prayers to those touched by this tragedy.

From Washington Post: House Republicans proposed Friday another stopgap measure to keep the federal government open for business, this one a three-week offer accompanied by roughly $6 billion in spending cuts for the remainder of this fiscal year.

A vote is expected Tuesday on the measure, which would keep most federal offices running at last year’s funding level until April 8.

I have more problems with this one than the last, because Republicans would gut emergency services, at the same time Japan demonstrated the need for them.

From Daily Kos: After extending the original March 3 lockout date twice, talks between the NFL owners and players have broken off.

A strike would be an act of heresy against the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb.

Cartoon:

Get Republican TP and “bless” a new face daily!

Yesterday I had an early appointment that took most of the day.  Getting there and back required over a mile of walking in addition to buses, so I was quite tired when I returned.  However, I caught up with comments before I left.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:50 (4:56 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: Illinois became the 16th state to ban capital punishment as Gov. Pat Quinn on Wednesday signed an abolition bill that the state legislature passed in January.

Bravo!  44 states and the feds to go and the US can become civilized.

From The Scotsman: The Dalai Lama today announced he will give up his political role in Tibet’s government-in-exile, shifting that power to an elected representative.

The Tibetan spiritual leader, speaking on the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule in the Himalayan region, said the time had come "to devolve my formal authority to the elected leader".

Hats off to a great leader and a champion of human rights.

From Think Progress: Yesterday, the megabank held its investor conference in New York City. At one point during the meeting, activists from US Uncut disrupted the proceedings and unfurled a banner demanding that Bank of America pay its taxes.

We need much more of this!

Cartoon:

Happy hump day.

Yesterday I was caught up in computer maintenance, but I am up to date on comments.  Tomorrow’s articles may be quite late because I have a morning appointment.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:43 (4:52 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Washington Post: President Obama signed an executive order Monday that will create a formal system of indefinite detention for those held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who continue to pose a significant threat to national security. The administration also said it will start new military commission trials for detainees there.

This is a horrible idea, but his hands are tied because Congressional Democrats caved in and goose stepped with the Republicans, supporting the law that forbids transporting them here.

From FOK News Channel: [Worst Person for 3/7] The winner: Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. Her appearances in the Sunday talk echo chamber are always great fun, but the one yesterday seems to have exceeded even our usual expectations. She said she was “hopeful” the Republicans’ hoary old apocalyptic threat wouldn’t actually come to pass. “I don’t think any one wants to see the government shut down.”

Even though…last week Bachmann opposed the continuing funding resolution because it didn’t strip out all government-related funding for Planned Parenthood. If her side had won that vote, we would’ve seen the government shut down.

Keith could not have picked a more deserving idiot.

From News Hounds: Sarah Palin claimed that she wanted to know what a shutdown of the federal government would entail when she was asked about it on Justice with Judge Jeanine (Pirro) Saturday night (3/5/11), and then went on to accuse “budget gurus” of keeping the public in the dark.

I guess nobody wrote the explanation on her hand.

Cartoon:

Tuesday is “Thou shalt not commit Teabuggery Day!”  Have a of coffee!