Jan 212013
 

Yesterday I slept most of the day.  I even slept through the games.  I’m still pretty groggy, and current with replies.  I hope a couple more days will do the trick.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:28 (average 5:26).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From AlterNet: The Christian right in America, like all organized religions, claims to have a correct and exclusive understanding of God’s will. To hear them tell it, the almighty creator of the universe has strong opinions about corporate tax rates, firearm ownership and what consenting adults do with their genitals, and he’s delegated them to speak on his behalf.

But if they want us to believe they have this authority, it seems only fair to consider their track record. After all, the Bible itself tells how to identify false prophets, saying that if they’re not really speaking for God, their predictions won’t come true — a very sensible test!

It’s a test that the American religious right should be worried about, because their history, to put it politely, doesn’t inspire confidence. Many of the most powerful and influential members of their movement, including presidential candidates, media moguls and the founders of churches, have repeatedly claimed to have God-given visions of the future that proved to be completely and utterly wrong. Here are some of the more notable (and hilarious) examples of their prophetic blunders.

Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christians are infamous for proving that right and wrong are synonyms. Click through for many examples.

From Addicting Info: The “populist” Senator from Kentucky, having sold his constituents a sack of bullpucky that he’s just one of them, is once again showing his true colors, this time in the arena of tax dodging. He’s helping his rich buddies hide their wealth overseas by blocking three treaties that would help the U.S. government find them and make them pay their taxes. Hiding money in Luxembourg, Hungary and Switzerland is common practice among the very wealthy (so I hear) and these countries are very secretive about their clientele. The Obama administration has been trying to hunt down these tax dodgers to make them pay their fair share, running into opposition from… you guessed it, the party of the rich.

As we all know, as the filibuster rules in the Senate now stand, any Senator can block a bill (or treaty, as it turns out) by merely making his objection known. And that’s exactly what Rand Paul has done.

What a shame it is that Ron Paul (R-InsaniTEA) had to be a litterbug, befouling the US Senate with his rancid litter This emphasizes the need for Jeff Merkley’s (D-OR) version of filibuster reform.

From AMERICABlog: Michelle Malkin and her flying monkeys seemed to have an issue with my tweet criticizing the poorly-attended “Gun Appreciation Day,” held Saturday. (Twitchy is run by Malkin.)

While citing the rallies as an expression of “Second Amendment” fandom, both ignored the fact that the event was not a regularly-held observance, but instead vindictively created by gun advocates in response to gun control talks following the Sandy Hook massacre.

Yes, gun nuts are actually spitting on Sandy Hook families in order to wage war on a non-existent “We’re Coming for Your Guns” government plan. But their insanity doesn’t stop there.  Enter the Sandy Hook hoax crowd.

Click through.  The way I see this, the NRA has to be hurting their own cause, by sponsoring so many rabid fools to act not just inappropriately, but insultingly so.

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Jan 202013
 

Today is a high holy day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb.  May the Almighty Orb bless your team.  Yesterday my antibiotic arrived.  It has me feeling somewhat groggy, so my replies to comments may be excessively brief.  I hope they take effect quickly.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 5:01 (average 4:41).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: Joe, Mika, And The Entire ‘Morning Joe’ Lineup Finally Agree On Something. This NRA Ad Is Sick.

 

I very seldom agree with Joe Scarborough about anything, but this time, he is spot on, except for one thing. The term "political pornography" needs to be equally applied to every Republican and DINO remains in thrall to the NRA.

From The New Yorker: Fox News Channel announced today that it would shut down for what it called “routine maintenance” Monday morning at 11:30 E.T.

Fox News president Roger Ailes explained the timing of the shutdown, which will be the first in the history of the network: “We wanted to pick a time when we were positive nothing would be happening that our viewers would want to see.”

I’m sure that the management of Faux Noise, the Republican Ministry of Propaganda, would not want their sheeple to know about Monday’s doings, considering how hard they worked trying to change the honoree.

From NY Times: The combination of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and President Obama creates a version of a physics problem: How can such smooth personalities create so much friction?

That conundrum was on display four years ago, when these two supremely capable men managed to botch the simple task of reciting the presidential oath at Mr. Obama’s first inauguration.

The moment was not an anomaly. It is hard to think of a major public encounter between the two that has not gone badly awry or been tinged with hard feelings.

Having Roberts officiate over a Presidential inauguration is the functional equivalent of having Satan officiate over a Christian (authentic Christian, not Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christian) ordination.

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This is another reason to prevent a one-party Republican regime.

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Jan 192013
 

Yesterday I called my pharmacy, and they me that they cannot get the antibiotic my doctor prescribed.  There has been a run on it, because of the flu epidemic, and the wholesalers are sold out.  They said that, if my doctor called in a different prescription, they could not mail it before today, so I would not receive it until Tuesday.  I felt very angry and told them off like Republicans.  I understood that they cannot get the drug.  I could not understand that they sat on it since Monday without letting me know.  I called my doctor, and she found a pharmacy that could mail me a different antibiotic yesterday, so I will have it today.  I’m current with replies.  ARGH!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 5:58 (average 5:06).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: The Utter Hypocrisy Of John Boehner And The House Republicans

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The only cut to entitlements should be to an entitlement that has not been earned, making the recipients unentitled to receive them. Eliminate the salaries of House and Senate Republicans.  If anything they should pay an extra Screw America Tax.

From NY Times: Backing down from their hard-line stance, House Republicans said Friday that they would agree to lift the federal government’s statutory borrowing limit for three months, with a requirement that both chambers of Congress pass a budget in that time to clear the way for negotiations on long-term deficit reduction.

The new proposal, which came out of closed-door party negotiations at a retreat in Williamsburg, Va., seemed to significantly reduce the threat of a default by the federal government in coming weeks.

Republicans seem to be learning that the days of Obama caving-in to their most absurd demands are over, but not quickly enough to keep them from looking like the cowardly fools they are.  Today’s cartoon is Cantor making the announcement.

From MSNBC: Tell Harry Reid to Man Up!

 

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Harry made an agreement with Senate Republicans two years ago. They broke their word within two weeks. Tell Harry Reid to grow a pair! The talking filibuster must be the MIMIMUM in filibuster reform.

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Jan 182013
 

Sadly I have no good news, as I still feel horrid.  I’m current with replies.  Soon, I hope.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:59 (average 4:15).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: What Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Warned Us About Decades Ago

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He could not have been more correct. The NRA is trying to hijack his day, but they cannot hijack his integrity, because they have none.

From NY Times: It’s hard to turn on your TV or read an editorial page these days without encountering someone declaring, with an air of great seriousness, that excessive spending and the resulting budget deficit is our biggest problem. Such declarations are rarely accompanied by any argument about why we should believe this; it’s supposed to be part of what everyone knows.

This is, however, a case in which what everyone knows just ain’t so. The budget deficit isn’t our biggest problem, by a long shot. Furthermore, it’s a problem that is already, to a large degree, solved. The medium-term budget outlook isn’t great, but it’s not terrible either — and the long-term outlook gets much more attention than it should.

It’s true that right now we have a large federal budget deficit. But that deficit is mainly the result of a depressed economy — and you’re actually supposed to run deficits in a depressed economy to help support overall demand. The deficit will come down as the economy recovers: Revenue will rise while some categories of spending, such as unemployment benefits, will fall. Indeed, that’s already happening. (And similar things are happening at the state and local levels — for example, California appears to be back in budget surplus.)

Click through for the rest of this excellent Paul Krugman editorial. Republican economists also know this is true, but when benefits, for which you have paid your whole life, are given back to you, that conflicts with Republican priorities. They want the benefits, for which you have paid your whole life, to be given to a billionaire.

From MSNBC: Rachel Maddow reported on how Republicans intend to steal the White House.

 

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This ‘heads they win, tails we lose’ scam is the latest Republican attempt to create a permanent one-party, totalitarian, Republican regime in which elections no longer matter. For Rachel’s documentation, click here. The best defense against this, in my opinion, is to move to a national popular vote for President.

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Jan 172013
 

It’s a new day, and I still feel like burying myself in the deep corner of my cat box.  I am not covering Obama’s gun safety proposal, because it is too big for a short take.  However, I would like to say that, although it is not exactly what I have done, it is far broader than anyone expected, long overdue, and worthy of support.  I’m current with replies.  Tomorrow I will probably still be down.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:22 (average 5:13).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: HILARIOUS: Stephen Colbert Hails Ted Nugent As Civil Rights Crusader

It appears that InsaniTEA has no depth limit, and the Republican Party has no hate limit.

From NY Times: Ken Salazar, the blunt-spoken lawyer and rancher who took over the scandal-ridden Interior Department at the outset of the Obama administration, said Wednesday that he would step down in March to return to his home in Colorado.

He did not say what he intended to do after leaving Washington, and the White House gave no hint of who might succeed him.

Mr. Salazar’s exit, along with the announced resignation of Lisa P. Jackson, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the anticipated departure of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, will leave vacant the critical cabinet posts dealing with climate change and energy, which are among the most pressing challenges facing the nation.

Frankly, I’m glad to see Salazar go, because he has been far too focused on the production of energy from fossil fuels, and not focused enough on the development and production of green energy.  I hope Obama’s appointment brings screams of agony from BP, the Koch Brothers, and other criminal polluters.

From MSNBC: Rachel Maddow discussed the tactics of and dealing with Republican extremists and their pundits.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Amen Rachel! How many times have you folks seen me say, "Do not feed the trolls"?

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If only we had listened.

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Jan 162013
 

Yesterday exhaustion set in, after my trip to the doctor, the day before.  Except for a few short breaks for food and personal functions, I slept around the clock.  My antibiotics will probably come today.  I’m current with replies.  I expect to be down for at least a couple more days.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:37 (average 5:13).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: The Humanity Of Fox News In 11 Words

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I have no doubt that the Republican Ministry of Propaganda was merely sugar coating the Republican Party’s plan for all American workers.

From NY Times: More than 100,000 people who signed an online petition calling on the Obama administration to allow Texas to secede from the United States and create an independent government received an official 476-word response from the White House last week.

The short answer was no.

But the response — in which a White House official said the founding fathers established the United States as a “perpetual union” — hardly discouraged the Texas secession movement, which has been simmering for decades but gained momentum after the re-election of President Obama.

There is clearly an equitable solution to this dilemma. Simply encourage these dissatisfied Republicans to self deport.

From The New Yorker: Responding to reports that President Obama is considering signing as many as nineteen executive orders on gun control, Republicans in Congress unleashed a blistering attack on him today, accusing Mr. Obama of “cynically and systematically using his position as President to lead the country.”

Spearheading the offensive was Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas), who charged the President with the “wanton exploitation of powers that are legally granted to him under the U.S. Constitution.”

How dare he?!!? It must be a black thing!!!

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Jan 152013
 

I’m feeling quite pooped, because yesterdays trip to the doctor was a trial, involving over 1 1/2 miles of walking and long waits for transit in blowing snow.  At least it didn’t stick.  I do have mild pneumonia. and will have new antibiotics by tomorrow. I’m current with replies.  It looks like I’ll be down for a few more days.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:56 (average 4:59).  To do it. click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: The Shocking Reality About Guns And Vaginas

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When the vagina in question belongs to Sarah Palin, aka Bullseye Bimbo, who targeted Gabby Giffords, the answer to that last question just may be affirmative.

From NY Times: With each side claiming popular support, President Obama and Congress’s Republican leaders on Monday dug in on their conflicting positions about raising the nation’s debt limit, indicating that the president’s second term will open with a potentially perilous budget showdown.

The key difference, of course, is that every Republican claim to popular support on this issue is a lie.

From MSNBC: Support from the most southern Republican HQ.

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In return for support from his followers, I understand that the Republican Ministry of Propaganda, Faux Noise, will be hiring Satan as a guest commentator. As "the father of lies", he may be their most honest personality.

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Jan 142013
 

Today I go to the doctor.  It is a hardship, because I will have to leave before 8:00 AM to make it to a 10:00 AM appointment.  In addition, On the way home I’ll have to stand for up to 40 minutes in 33° weather at a bus stop with no shelter.  I hate going since she moved, but she’s been my doctor for so many years, that I have her trained in how my body works.  Training a new one could take years, so I’ll keep her.  I’m current with replies.  Tomorrow I’m likely to be tired.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:57 (average 5:05).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Public Service:

We can thank Nameless for alerting us yesterday that Java has a serious security flaw, sufficient to warrant disabling it.  Oracle has now released a patched version that fixes the defect.  I used Revo Uninstaller (free) to remove all traces of the old Java from my computer before installing the new Java, and recommend that you do likewise.  You can download the new version of Java here.

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: WELL PLAYED: This Red Lobster Spoof Begs You To Ask Yourself An Important Question

 

That any American workers are forced to endure such conditions is shameful. That this is the Republican goal for the majority of Americans is criminal.

From NY Times: The 14th Amendment states that “the validity of the public debt of the United States… shall not be questioned.’’ If the debt ceiling were to prevent the president from borrowing enough to cover legally required spending, the resulting default might prevent payments on the debt from being made as required, clearly bringing the validity of the debt into question. Even so, the White House has said the president will not override the debt ceiling by relying on that provision…

…Republicans believe, and the President seems to agree, that his only choice would be to cut spending, rather than raising taxes or issuing debt. That is simply wrong. Consider what cutting spending means. Different members of Congress have voted to approve a balance of spending, setting priorities for medical spending, military spending, infrastructure spending, anti-poverty measures, and so on. If the president were to cut spending, he would be doing what the Constitution (and the Supreme Court) says that only Congress can do: decide how much money to spend (no more and no less), and for what.

We know that the president cannot simply enact across-the-board cuts. He will be forced to fully fund “emergency operations” of the federal government. To protect the government’s credit rating from further damage, he would almost certainly pay principal and interest in full on all bonds. The spending cuts, therefore, would have to come elsewhere. Nothing in the law gives the president guidance on how to make those decisions, because Congress expressed its priorities in the spending bills that it passed (but now will not finance).

Issuing more debt, on the other hand, is both modest and easily reversible. The president would not be upsetting Congress’s spending and taxing priorities, but would instruct Treasury to sell securities, as it always does. If, in its next budget, Congress wants to reduce the debt, it can do so. Until then, the president must do the least damage, and that is by issuing enough debt to tax and spend as Congress ordered him to do.

This is the most powerful argument I have seen to date in support of the Constitutional option, which I have favored since before the news was talking about it.

From MSNBC: A Reasonable Republican View

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I agree with almost everything Colin Powell said. However, I do not share his hope that the Republican Party can recover. In my opinion, they have reached the point of no return, and only a complete reorganization, following virtual elimination can save them in name only.

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