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Open Thread–8/22/2011

Posted by TomCat at 11:49 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 212011

Yesterday the heat was extreme, much worse than yesterday, limiting me severely. Today I’ll be sleeping if it cools off.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:37 (average 4:31). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Huffington Post: Maxine Waters tells it!

Go Maxine!

From Reuters: Muammar Gaddafi’s presidential guard has surrendered to Libya’s rebels.

Whatever I don’t like about our intervention in Libya, there will be no end to it while he remains.

From Think Progress: Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), who in June told voters that he was “also unemployed,” has applied for a permit to bulldoze his 3,000-square-foot, $12 million home in La Jolla, California, and replace it with one nearly four times its size. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the new home will be two stories and more than 11,000 square feet. Romney also owns a $10 million estate in New Hampshire. His campaign declined to comment on the renovation plans.

Just a working stiff! 🙄

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Open Thread–8/21/2011

Posted by TomCat at 12:01 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 212011

Yesterday was an excessively hot day with the temperature reaching a muggy 96° outside, 138° in the confined “breezeway” to which my windows open and 119° at my desk, making research difficult. Fortunately, it was a slow day for news. I’m current on comments. Tomorrow I hope to get the sleep I didn’t get today.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:01 (average 4:35). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Alternet: Iran has sentenced two American hikers to eight years in prison for illegal entry and spying for a US intelligence agency, state television said on Saturday quoting an informed judiciary source.

I’m assuming this is an injustice that should be condemned in the strongest possible terms, but if our government were more transparent, I would feel more confident that they actually are innocent.

From Patch: Ron Paul got a great birthday present Saturday, as the 76-year-old defeated 11 other Republicans in Saturday’s New Hampshire Young Republicans Straw Poll.

A meaningless straw poll about a meaningless candidate.

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Open Thread–8/20/2011

Posted by TomCat at 1:07 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 202011

Yesterday I spent most of the day in bed, recovering form the rigors of Thursday. My two days a month working in prison are hard on me, but worth it. I finally found an air conditioner that will not overload the electrical system in my 100+ year old building. It’s a free standing unit that is only 1,000 BTUs and only pulls 250W. It will be delivered right after the current heat wave is over next week. I am current on replies. Today I have volunteer paperwork to do.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:06 (average 5:07). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From LA Times: Russ Feingold will not run for U.S. Senate [or for governor] again in 2012, the Wisconsin Democrat told supporters in an email Friday morning.

"While I may seek elective office again someday, I have decided not to run for public office during 2012," Feingold wrote.

Feingold’s decision throws a monkey wrench into plans to recall the Dictator of Fitzwalkerstan. Without a well known candidate to oppose Walker, recall is unlikely.

From TPM: Ronald Reagan’s chief domestic policy adviser took Texas governor Rick Perry to the woodshed Friday for recent controversial statements — in particular about his suggestion that Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke would be committing treason by printing money to boost economic growth.

"Rick Perry’s an idiot, and I don’t think anyone would disagree with that," Bruce Bartlett said on CNN’s American Morning.

Who would have thought that I would ever agree with Ronnie Ray-Gun’s domestic policy czar on anything!??!

From Right Wing Watch: While the Family Research Council tries to paint itself as one of the Religious Right’s more mainstream and respectable lobbying organizations, its extreme rhetoric continues to gain exposure. Just yesterday, for instance, FRC president Tony Perkins called the anti-suicide It Gets Better Project “immoral” and “disgusting” in a fundraising letter.

Now, Perkins is calling advocates of church-state separation “cultural terrorists.” Yesterday during Today’s Issues [Theocons delinked] with American Family Association president Tim Wildmon on the AFA’s American Family Radio, Perkins portrayed liberals as unpatriotic and attacked legal organizations that support secular government as un-American, comparing them to terrorists.

The only difference between the Religious Right’s more “mainstream and respectable” wing and the Dominionism of Bachmann and Perry is the size of the tin foil hat. Both have replaced authentic Christianity with their own invention: Republican Supply-side Jesus with his gospel of greed, hate and racism.

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Open Thread–8/19/2011

Posted by TomCat at 12:03 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 192011

Yesterday I went to the prison to do volunteer work with prisoners. The guys never cease to inspire me with their dedication and determination to change and turn their lives around. One man in particular impressed me once again. He spent three years on death row before his sentence was commuted to natural life over twenty years ago. Since then, he has dedicated himself to helping other prisoners change so they do not spiral down to an end like his. The down side is that I have missed my sleep and am thoroughly exhausted. I am not current on replies, and will catch them up when I can. This will be today’s only article. Tomorrow, I plan to lay low and recover.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:53 (average 5:02). To do it, click here.

Short Takes:answer?

From The Rachel Maddow Show: Rachel covers Republican racism and other gaffes.

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

Good Point. How can Obama negotiate with Republicans when they refuse to take yes for an answer?

From The Last Word: More on Republican attempts to restore segregation in Wake County, NC.

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

See my article on this yesterday.

From The Ed Show: Ed discusses Rush’s racism.

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

Bring on the hoods and sheets.

From Countdown: Keith covers Republican ignorance.

Welcome back to the 19th century!

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Open Thread–8/18/2011

Posted by TomCat at 1:09 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 182011

Yesterday I got a haircut, paid bills, and ducked the heat. I am current on replies. Today is one of my volunteer days at Oregon State Penitentiary. On this trip, I’ll be providing a CoDA group for prisoners. I will not get home until the time I normally wake up to finish my day’s research, so if I am able to post any articles at all tomorrow, they will probably be late.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:48 (average 5:04). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From MSNBC: Rachel on America’s most hated governor.

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

It couldn’t happen to a viler Republican, or could it?

From Boston Globe: Elizabeth Warren, whose potential Senate candidacy has piqued national interest, began a “listening tour’’ this week, convening a set of invitation-only events where she has shown her fiery side to small groups of friendly Democratic activists desperate to defeat Republican Scott Brown.

I would love to see her in the Senate, face to face daily with the bought-off Republicans who have been sliming her all along.

From AMERICAblog: [I]n data we have recently collected, the Tea Party ranks lower than any of the 23 other groups we asked about — lower than both Republicans and Democrats. It is even less popular than much maligned groups like “atheists” and “Muslims.” Interestingly, one group that approaches it in unpopularity is the Christian Right.

Remembering that Teabaggers are nothing more than the Republican base, it’s nice to see that Teabuggery is about as popular as getting a case of the crabs.

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Open Thread–8/17/2011

Posted by TomCat at 12:02 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 172011

Yesterday I had a lot of paperwork to do in addition to preparation for Thursday. It was hot here, and although it’s only 76° outside now, the temperature at my desk is still 92°, so I am behind in sleep. I am current with replies. Tomorrow, I have more paperwork and to do and I’ll be getting a haircut. I put it off too long and am shaggy.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:58 (average 4:46). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: It will cost $15 to ask Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) a question in person during the August congressional recess.

The House Budget Committee chairman isn’t holding any face-to-face open-to-the-public town hall meetings during the recess, but like several of his colleagues he will speak only for residents willing to open their wallets.

If someone can get access to ask him how he can tickle his tonsils from the bottom with his tongue, and record his reply, I’ll happily pay the $15!

From Think Progress: Earlier this year, after Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser’s razor-thin reelection victory led to a recount, Prosser hired an attorney named Jim Troupis to represent him in the recount proceedings. Now, less than three months after that recount ended, Troupis is set to argue a campaign finance case brought by various Tea Party groups before Prosser’s court, and Prosser’s former campaign director says that Justice Prosser will hear the case.

The conflict of interest here is so blatant that Prosser is thumbing his nose at judicial ethics. I suppose we should expect that. He’s a Republican.

From Huffington Post: Two years ago, a concerted effort by a corporate-funded Tea Party movement to get conservatives out to town hall meetings changed the dynamic in Washington on health care reform and paved the way for the eventual House GOP takeover in the 2010 elections. In two separate work periods this year, ordinary citizens, with absolutely no help or encouragement from an organized progressive movement, have made their voices heard at town hall meetings, in particular by harassing conservative lawmakers about their plans to end Medicare and put forward a balanced budget amendment, as well as their opposition to tax fairness.

Kudos to them. They are the reason Ryan and his fellow cowards have gone into hiding from their constituents.

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Open Thread–8/16/2011

Posted by TomCat at 12:52 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics, Religion

Aug 162011

Yesterday I had an appointment with my podiatrist for routine quarterly surgery removing a recurring cyst from my foot. It was worse that usual, so that slowed me down a bit. Nevertheless, I am current with replies. Today I have my mid month paperwork to do and some preparation for volunteer work in prison on Thursday.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:43 (average 4:34). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: Seven Mountains Dominionism and Christian Reconstruction

While I disagree with his atheist stance, and his portrayal of non-fundamentalists, his analysis of Dominionists is spot-on. I understand this reflects both Perry and Bachmann. This is ‘must watch’ material.

From Washington Post: The Wisconsin recall fight ends Tuesday, and while the state Senate is no longer in play, Republicans could cut into the gains Democrats made last week. One Democratic seat in tomorrow’s election is probably safe; the race for the other one is very close.

Vote, Wisconsin! To lose your hard-fought gains now would be tragic.

From McClatchy DC: Congress has allotted $1.3 trillion for war spending through fiscal year 2011 just to the Defense Department. There are long Pentagon spreadsheets that outline how much of that was spent on personnel, transportation, fuel and other costs. In a recent speech, President Barack Obama assigned the wars a $1 trillion price tag.

But all those numbers are incomplete. Besides what Congress appropriated, the Pentagon spent an additional unknown amount from its $5.2 trillion base budget over that same period. According to a recent Brown University study, the wars and their ripple effects have cost the United States $3.7 trillion, or more than $12,000 per American.

I want my $12,000 back! Peace is long past due!

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Republican Responsibility Is Now Undeniable

Posted by TomCat at 11:40 pm Personal, Politics

Aug 142011

I have received some criticism for partisanship and have even been accused of fomenting hatred toward Republicans. This does not surprise me, because I take pride in my partisanship, but unlike Republican politicians and pundits, I recognize that I am not entitled to my own facts. My commentary is honest in that I document the factual data upon which I base it. I do not shy away from criticism of my own side of the aisle, when the situation warrants it, and it often does. Telling the truth is not hateful. Intolerance of hatred, bigotry, lies, racism and greed is not hateful. And assigning responsibility is not hateful, because unless we understand how and why something is broken, it is difficult, if not impossible to fix it. The S&P debacle is a perfect example.

This should be highlighted again and again, because it is very simple, very logical and very, very damning:

A Standard & Poor’s director said for the first time Thursday that one reason the United States lost its triple-A credit rating was that several lawmakers expressed skepticism about the serious consequences of a credit default — a position put forth by some Republicans.

Without specifically mentioning Republicans, S&P senior director Joydeep Mukherji said the stability and effectiveness of American political institutions were undermined by the fact that “people in the political arena were even talking about a potential default,” Mukherji said.

“That a country even has such voices, albeit a minority, is something notable,” he added. “This kind of rhetoric is not common amongst AAA sovereigns.”

These statements have caused tea party Republicans to bleat, but, notably, it apparently hasn’t caused any of them to reflect on their positions. What the S&P director is saying here makes perfect sense. If the government of a nation publicly questions whether its debts should be paid, then it stands to reason that investors should be more cautious about presuming those debts should be paid. If politicians begin to mutter that perhaps those debts should be "ransomed" for political favors, then by definition those debts are less safe than they were before… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Daily Kos>

Now, Republicans are fast to say that this did not mention Republicans, specifically. However, the people saying that the debt should be held hostage, and/or that the debt should not be paid were all Republicans.

Frankly, I believe that all people are redeemable, no matter what they have done. I bear no ill will against Republicans. If they, like the prisoners with whom I volunteer, were willing to change and become pro-social members of this society, I would be the first to support them for so doing. My only interest in opposing them is to stop the horrific harm they are causing this nation.

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