Open Thread – 11/14/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:42 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 142020

It’s a busy day here in The CatBox. WWWendy is coming, and so is a notary for my will. I have no more news on Nameless as I slept all afternoon and night. He hasn’t replied yet today. Tomorrow my schedule is up in the air, as I have a video meeting with former prison volunteers and prisoners. Have a great weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:39 (average 5:18). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: In an interview with VICE News Tonight on Wednesday, two members of the grand jury investigating Breonna Taylor’s fatal shooting by Lousiville, Kentucky, police shared why they decided to speak up and describe how the proceedings took place. “I needed Breonna’s mom and the community to know that it wasn’t the grand jury that made this decision. It was Daniel Cameron and his office,” one of the jurors said. Both requested to remain anonymous. “Puppets, we were used as puppets,” the second juror said. “They thought we were just gonna do exactly what they told us to do. Keep our mouths closed and just vote on this and walk out of that room, and it didn’t happen that way.”

The two jurors in the Taylor grand jury first spoke up last month against the lies Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron told throughout the investigation and trial. Cameron claimed that the grand jurors in the case agreed that officers involved were justified, and announced as a result that no charges would be pursued against the Louisville Metro Police officers who killed Taylor during a botched no-knock warrant execution.

Following the announcement, an anonymous juror identified as “Grand Juror #1” by attorney Kevin Glogower said that the grand jury not only disagreed that certain actions taken by the police that night were justified, but that it was never given the opportunity to indict any officer for homicide.

“I came out of my chair and said he just lied,” Juror #1 told VICE on how he responded to the announcement of no charges. He then filed a motion to allow the 12 jurors to speak publicly about what happened during the trial. In a rare incident of grand jury records being made public, a judge ruled that records could be released in order for jury panelists to speak publicly about the case, Daily Kos reported. Days after the motion was approved, a second juror confirmed Juror #1’s statement that charges to consider were limited.

Both jurors spoke to VICE Media Wednesday to give some insight into how the trial took place; one even brought a notebook with notes taken during the trial. His notes depicted not only how he responded to the evidence presented, but how he processed it, giving a glimpse into how the jurors were thinking during the trial.

If the DA in any grand jury case decides he wants to keep a grand jury from indicting a ham sandwich as non-kosher, he can claim that he went to a kosher deli for a ham and cheese. It’s really that easy, because that’s the only evidence they hear. The only reason the cops weren’t indicted is to help Republican police cover-up the murder they committed. RESIST!!

From Willamette Week: Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s chief of staff Nik Blosser is leaving her office to join the transition team for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

In his new role on the Biden-Harris transition team, Blosser will serve as the state lead in the intergovernmental affairs office. Brown says Blosser’s early and continued involvement in the pandemic response gives him “a unique understanding of the needs of Americans suffering from COVID-19 and the needs of the communities they live in.”

“I am heartened that President-elect Biden, Vice President-elect Harris and their transition team have selected Nik for this important role,” Brown said in a statement Thursday. “He has my full support, and I am confident he will help President-elect Biden and his team support states in their approach to this crisis and the long recovery that will follow.

Joe and Kamala have gotten themselves one thoroughly qualified staffer in Blosser. Oregon leads the way! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast for Women’s Rights): The Most Perfect Album | Dolly Parton | 19th Amendment

Full equality for women is certainly long overdue. They would have equality if Republicans did not demand they be kept barefoot, pregnant, in the kitchen and owned. I just hope Dolly doesn’t burn her bra in protest. The fire department might not be able to put it out. RESIST!!

66 Days Until the FLUSH!!

Open Thread – 11/13/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:45 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 132020

It’s a tired day here in the CatBox. I did not sleep well last night. I texted with Nameless at suppertime and early this morning. He is feeling much better and is off the BIPAP machine. He hopes to be released on Sunday, and their current best guess is that he has atypical pneumonia. Please keep him in your thoughts, best wishes and prayers. Tomorrow please expect no more than a brief Personal Update from me. It’s a WWWendy day, and we have a notary service coming to finalize my will. TGIF!!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:08 (average 5:13). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoons:

It’s That Day Again:

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: Turnbull said the media giant had delayed global action to address climate change by turning scientific fact into an issue of “values or identity” and countries were “paying the price”.

Source: The Guardian

Malcolm Turnbull says News Corp has become an organisation for “pure propaganda” that has done enormous damage through its promotion of climate change denial.

In a heated exchange on Monday night’s Q+A, the former prime minister and the Australian’s editor-at-large, Paul Kelly, clashed over the media organisation’s treatment of climate science.

Turn about is Fair play. We’ll take Lona, and Oztralia can have Murdoch back! RESIST!!

From The New Yorker: President-elect Joe Biden could obtain all the classified intelligence he needs simply by hanging out in the public dining room at Mar-a-Lago, members of the international espionage community recommend.

“Biden shouldn’t worry about getting official intelligence briefings,” a foreign spy, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. “He should just reserve a table at Mar-a-Lago, and he’ll hear everything he needs.”The spy offered his own methods for obtaining classified intelligence as a possible roadmap for the President-elect. “Get a table near Trump, order an omelette, and turn on your recorder,” he said.

Dang Andy! This isn’t satire. It’s true! RESIST!!

From YouTube (Late Show Channel): Michael Moore: Joe Biden’s Presidency Will Be The Polar Opposite Of The Last Four Years

Michael Moore is representative of the most progressive segment of the left. For him to recognize how much closer a centrist like Biden is to us than he is to Trump* sets an example we should all follow instead of whining that Biden isn’t progressive enough. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast at the Reich): When The President Talks To God

This is certainly appropriate for Crawford Caligula, Fuhrer of the Fourth Reich, for whom it was written. How much more does it apply to the Fuhrer of the Fifth Reich, Trump*? Neither of them talk to God. They talk to Republican Supply-side Jesus, the polar opposite of the real Jesus. RESIST!!

Open Thread – 11/12/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:13 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 122020

It’s another Crazy day here in the CatBox. Store to Door is coming to deliver groceries, and I need to put them away. I last texted Nameless yesterday mid day. He was back on BIPAP. I don’t want to disturb his rest, but if I have not heard from him by suppertime, I’ll text him. I hope you all have a great day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:59 (average 4:25). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

That could be either the ear or the brain.

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: By Monday, Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election had been confirmed by every major media outlet, including Fox News, been welcomed by every leader of the G7 along with dozens of other foreign officials, and been celebrated in the streets of every major American city. As it turns out, all those plywood panels nailed up over windows were only there to shield sensitive eyes from just too much dancing.

When it comes to Republicans, the chorus of accolades falls away to more of a barbershop quartet … minus one. Former president George W. Bush spoke up to express his acceptance of Biden’s victory and offer the traditional best wishes for the coming term. Sen. Mitt Romney has sent along his best wishes, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski—keen to make everyone forget how she flip-flop-flipped on Amy Coney Barrett—decided to acknowledge reality. And that is about it.

But if the reaction of the Republicans over the weekend might be best described as crickets, it now seems that many of them have rediscovered their voices. And they’re using them to take up the cause of destroying democracy.

Were we expecting anything else? The only reason Crawford Caligula has taken exception is that Trump’s* political demise ensures Bush’s ability to relinquish the title “worst in US History”. RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: The world is better off without people like Irvin Baxter Jr in it. A hate-mongering homophobe that, like the rest of these televangelists, had become enormously wealthy peddling poison.

Source: Pinknews

Reverend Baxter, founder of Endtime Ministries and host of End of the Age on Christian TV network Trinity Broadcasting Network, died aged 75 on Tuesday (3 November), the network said.

Now we know that for Republican pseudo-Christian (the opposite of REAL Christian) perverts, Trump* Virus is an STD! RESIST!!

From NY Times: President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s transition team is preparing multiple sets of policy proposals for the economy, health care, climate change and other domestic issues, including the ambitious agenda Mr. Biden laid out in his winning campaign, while acknowledging it may have to be pared back in recognition of divided government.

Where the incoming administration lands depends heavily on two Senate runoffs in Georgia in early January.

If Democrats win both races, close aides to Mr. Biden and economists who helped advise his campaign say the president-elect will try to push through a large stimulus plan for the flagging economic recovery — most likely along the lines of the $2.2 trillion that House Democrats approved this fall. His stimulus plan under such a scenario would include hundreds of billions of dollars for state and local governments that have lost tax revenue amid the pandemic recession, extended unemployment benefits for people who lost jobs during the crisis and a new round of aid for small businesses.

His team is also developing a government employment program — called the Public Health Jobs Corps — that would put 100,000 Americans to work on virus testing and contact tracing.

A narrow majority in the Senate would also give Mr. Biden the chance to push through his proposed tax increases on corporations and the rich — tax hikes that would be used to fund the president-elect’s more ambitious plans like rebuilding roads and bridges, speeding the transition to a carbon-free energy sector and helping Americans afford health care.

But if Republicans win even one of the Georgia seats, Mr. Biden will most likely need to settle for a wave of executive actions that would bring more incremental progress toward his policy goals, while trying to cut compromise deals with Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader.

This is why Democratic wins in BOTH races is critically important for America’s future! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Beatles – Revolution

While the overwhelming majority of violence and destruction is perpetrated by Republicans, I reject the tiny bit that comes from the left say they are not welcome in my revolution! This tune could not be more appropriate. RESIST!!

68 Days Until the FLUSH!!

Personal Update – 11/11/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:53 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 112020

It’s a hectic day here in the CatBox. WWWendy is here and we have lots of chores to do and medical mayhem to schedule. I have a back brace coming and a new pad. Molly wants me to try a topical anesthetic. This is it for today, but I should be back in the saddle tomorrow. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:55 (average 4:46). To di it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Happy Veterans’ Day:

RESIST!!

69 Days Left Until the FLUSH!!

Prayers-Up for Nameless Please

Posted by TomCat at 7:46 pm Personal, Politics

Nov 102020

I just received a series of text messages from Nameless. He is in the ER and is going to be transferred to ICU with what may be either COVID-19 or CHF. Please keep him in your thoughts, prayers, or however you address the infinite. I will keep you posted as I learn more.

Open Thread – 11/10/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:41 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 102020

It’s another tired day here in the CatBox. Instead of taking a nap to rest my back, I’m waiting for Molly, my physical therapist, to arrive and make recommendations. Tomorrow is a WWWendy day, and she’s coming early in the morning to destink the raunchy TomCat, do chores, and prepare edible food. Therefore, please expect no more than a brief Personal Update. Tuesday is Flush your Republicans Day. Be careful. They’re getting desperate these days.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:15 (average 6:11). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoons:

Trump* Virus Update (an occasional feature from now on):

US Cases: 10,428,603
US Deaths: 244,521
Plus the Trump*/GOP plague murders Republicans are hiding

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: President-elect Joe Biden’s campaign was never quiet about what the first goal of a Biden administration would be: to undo Trumpism. Undo as many of Donald Trump’s racist, white nationalist, fact-averse, science-hostile orders and policies as possible, as soon as possible, and return the United States to something approaching competent normalcy.

Fortunately for the next Democratic administration, the Trump Team made heavy use of executive orders and regulatory “reinterpretations” in their efforts to sabotage prior government policies. That means those moves can be undone by the very same mechanisms.

It might be easier for Joe to reverse that approach. Here is the complete list of everything Trump* and the Republican Reich have not broken:
[begin here]…
…
…[end of list].
RESIST!!

From YouTube (Raw Story Channel): Lindsey Graham: Overturn this election or ‘there will never be another Republican president’

First, may this election stand. Second, may Lindsey Poo be absolutely correct that there will never be another Republican Resident. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): Trump’s Attempt to Steal the Election Won’t Work

Thank God the Reich on the left, Robert Reich, is right. To complete the process, the Reich on the Right, the Republican Reich, needs to follow their Fuhrer around the bowl and down the drain. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Beatles – Come Together

People of America, reject the Republican Reich and come together! RESIST!!

70 Days Until the FLUSH!!

Open Thread – 11/9/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:37 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 092020

It’s another tired day here in the CatBox. I slept so much the night before last and yesterday that I could not sleep last night. Tomorrow morning Molly, my physical therapist, is coming back, and what I get done here depends on how long that takes. Since Trump* is headed for the drain, Woooo Hoooo it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:24 (average 4:23). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Religious Agony:

OK, Turd Birds. You got the win. Now put Ossoff and Warnock in the US Senate. That’s the deal!

Short Takes:

From BBC: The first effective coronavirus vaccine can prevent more than 90% of people from getting Covid-19, a preliminary analysis shows.

The developers – Pfizer and BioNTech – described it as a “great day for science and humanity”.

Their vaccine has been tested on 43,500 people in six countries and no safety concerns have been raised.

The companies plan to apply for emergency approval to use the vaccine by the end of the month.

A vaccine – alongside better treatments – is seen as the best way of getting out of the restrictions that have been imposed on all our lives.

There are around a dozen in the final stages of testing – known as a phase 3 trial – but this is the first to show any results.

It uses a completely experimental approach – that involves injecting part of the virus’s genetic code – in order to train the immune system.

I’m glad to see that Pfizer could get it up. However We’re probably at least a year before they can get it out into widespread distribution. But the biggest step toward getting control of the Trump* Virus plague is getting rid of Trump*. RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: As the 2020 presidential votes are being counted, Georgia has two Senate races headed to a runoff election on Jan. 5, 2021. Nothing less than the majority of the United States Senate is on the line. Jon Ossoff wasted no time kicking off his reenergized campaign as Democrats seem to have some wind at their back in the Peach State.

Go Jon, go! Here at PP, we have a secret weapon to unleash on David “Donnie’s Pet” Perdue. Freya, give him a Saguaro Suppository! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of freedom): Elected

There’s a 70s song that still works! Celebrate!! RESIST!!

71 Days Until the FLUSH!!

Open Thread – 11/8/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:46 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 082020

Although I slept well last night, it’s still an exhausted day here in the CatBox. I suspect it will take a few to recover from the vote count. WWWendy is coming mid afternoon, and we’re having BBQ ribs for supper. Oh and Shit (her dawgs) are jumping for joy. They get the bones. Tomorrow is a normal day. Go Broncos!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:30 (average 5:53). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: Philadelphia Mayor Has Advice For Trump: ‘Put Your Big Boy Pants On’

Does Trump* actually have any big boy pants? Ask Stormy. She knows! RESIST!!

From NY Times: For a world that held its breath as Americans went to the polls last Tuesday, the triumph of Joseph R. Biden Jr. over President Trump provoked many emotions, but above all, a profound sigh of relief.

As news of Mr. Biden’s victory reverberated from Europe and the Middle East to Asia and Latin America on Saturday, foreign leaders showered him with congratulations. Diplomats and commentators expressed gratitude, satisfaction and even jubilation that a new president would bring a much-needed return to normalcy — something that vanished alarmingly the day Mr. Trump took office.

“Welcome back America!” the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said in a Twitter message to Mr. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, hailing Canada’s historic friendship with the United States, said, “I’m really looking forward to working together.” President Emmanuel Macron of France said, “We have a lot to do to overcome today’s challenges. Let’s work together!” Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany declared, “Our trans-Atlantic friendship is irreplaceable, if we want to overcome the great challenges of our time.”

For many world leaders, the importance of this election was as much about removing Mr. Trump as ushering in Mr. Biden.

In 2004 thousands of Americans, including me, sent pictures of ourselves holding “I’m Sorry!” signs to a website that used them to create a collage of Americans apologizing to the world for the reelection of the Fuhrer of the Fourth Reich, GW ChickenHawk, aka Crawford Caligula. Thank God I don’t have to do that again this year, because the Fuhrer of the Fifth Reich, Trump*, makes GW look like a saint! RESIST!!

From Alternet: One day after Donald Trump learned he won’t be serving a second term, CNN legal analyst Elie Honig said the president needs to prepare himself for the possibility of criminal indictments the moment President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in.

Speaking with host Christi Paul, the former federal prosecutor said the country should expect a flurry of pardons from Trump including the possibility he may try to pardon himself.

“The president by law retains all of his power until January 20th with the inauguration. With that said, what do you expect is going to happen between now and Inauguration Day?” host Paul asked.

“Hold on tight to your seats,” Honig began. “I think President Trump is going to use every last ounce of power right up until 11:59:59 on January 20th. Watch for pardons; he has the pardon power. Many presidents have used the pardon power in their final dates in office. I’d watch for him to pardon his political allies, Michael Flynn, George Papadopoulos. I would look at the possibility that he might pardon his family members who are under state investigations for fraud. Now presidential pardon doesn’t cover people in a state prosecution, but might well cover them for federal purposes. Then the big question is: will the president try to pardon himself? It’s never happened in our history and we don’t actually know if that’s lawful or not. But if he tries it, we could find out.”

Continuing in that vein, the former prosecutor pointed out what the future holds for the president.

“He loses his protections,” he began. “He’s avoided trouble by being in the White House — there are laws and policies, especially in the Justice Department, that protect a sitting president. He will not be the sitting president at 12:01 on January 20th.”

I’m not sure about that. In fact, It would not surprise me, if Trump resigns before his term expires, so Pence can pardon him. If that does not happen, it’s only because Pence can’t pardon him for State charges. RESIST!!

From YouTube (SNL Channel): Biden Victory Cold Open

As much as I like SNL and Jim Carrey, nothing can hold a candle to the real speech. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the present): BIDEN HARRIS VICTORY music video: ALL ON THE LINE (Unity version Demo)- ANDRES USECHE

How many times can we say AMEN?!!? RESIST!!

72 Days Until the Big FLUSH!!

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