Politics Plus

Yesterday I spent the day catching up a huge backlog in email, watching Obama,  and updating my profile on places that automatically charge purchases to my card, like my mail order pharmacy.  Preparing today’s main article took more effort than the normal three.  I’m exhausted.  Today I rest.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:38 (average 5:40) To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Politico: President Barack Obama on Friday formally certified that the military is ready to allow gays to serve openly in the armed forces, clearing the way for an end to the 17-year old “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” law in September.

9/20 is the day.

From Daily Kos: Congress adjourned for the week without passing an extension of the FAA’s operating authority, which means that as of midnight, the agency’s non-essential functions shut down. Though air traffic controllers will stay on the job, there will be widespread effects.

The effects will be severe. Click through for them.

From Think Progress: After a horrific day of violence in Norway that left more than 80 dead, police detained a man in connection with the massive bomb blasts that blew out windows for blocks in downtown Oslo and an attack on a youth camp about 20 miles away that followed shortly thereafter.

Despite earlier rumors, this guy is not AQ.  He is a self-described conservative christian, obviously supply-side, not authentic.

Cartoon:

Yesterday, as I was about to leave to the denturist’s office, I discovered that my wallet was not in my pants pocket.  I cancelled my denturist appointment and searched for three hours.  It is lost, and I’m jumping to replace my ID Card (license for one who does not drive), credit and debit card, etc.  ARGH!   I feel so frustrated I could scream.  I ran around all day yesterday and feel totally wiped out, but I am current on replies to comments to yesterday’s article.  Today the running continues instead of volunteering at the prison.  Even though they know me well, without a photo ID, I cannot be admitted.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:05 (average 5:12).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Washington Post: House Republicans sought to put their stamp on U.S. foreign policy Wednesday by advancing a bill that would slash federal payments to the United Nations and other international bodies and slap restrictions on aid to Pakistan, Egypt and others.

Republicans hate the UN.  It interferes with wars for oil and conquest.

From Right Wing Watch: On his radio program today, Bryan Fischer seized upon a story out of Vermont regarding a couple that is suing an inn for refusing to host their wedding reception because they were lesbians to declare that gay rights and religious liberty cannot coexist.

Republicans believe in equal rights for Republicans only.

From Voice of America: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the Burma government’s human rights record “continues to be deplorable,” and calls on India to encourage Burmese authorities to engage in dialogue with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Clinton, speaking Wednesday in India, also urged New Delhi to press the nominally civilian Burmese government to begin releasing political prisoners jailed over more than four decades of military rule.

This would be more credible if the US would cancel the exception from the US trade embargo against Myanmar for Exxon Mobile.  Myanmar’s deal with Condi’s company (they even have a tanker named after her) provides their government most of the revenue that enables them to ignore their people.

Cartoon:

Yesterday my butt finally decided that it isn’t Republican after all, but not before I was up all night.  My grocery delivery came.  Unpacking and storing a month’s groceries took about three hours and left me exhausted.  I did get a couple hours sleep before research time, and I am current on replies.  Today’s agenda is housekeeping and Zzzzz.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:40 (average 4:28).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From LA Times: When it opens its doors next week, the federal government’s new agency to protect consumers from financial fraud won’t be quite the aggressive watchdog promised a year ago.

Because of political squabbling, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau formally will launch without an appointed director. And the lack of leadership has real consequences.

I understand he picked someone other than Warren. 🙁

From CNN: Roughly 200 active-duty and retired U.S. service members marched in the San Diego gay pride parade Saturday, marking the first time in the parade’s history that a military contingent took part.

The service members were not dressed in uniform. Instead, they wore T-shirts to indicate which branch of the military they were affiliated with. Each branch of service was represented.

I celebrate their pride in who they are.

From Think Progress: Pawlenty has suggested that blame for the financial crisis rests only with the “catastrophic scandal of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,” the two government sponsored mortgage giants. But for all his bluster about Freddie Mac, which required a massive bailout in 2008, Pawlenty had no problem making Freddie’s top government enabler a leader in his presidential campaign.

Let’s make sure the bloodthirsty base hears about this hypocrisy.

Cartoon:

Yesterday I felt exhausted from the start, due to lack of sleep. I went to the denturist to get my teeth. I put in a fresh O₂ bottle in my carrier to make sure I had plenty, but the valve was defective. I ran out of O₂, shortly after getting on the bus and had to walk 1½ miles and climb a double flight of stairs without oxygen. That did me in. I crunched. I enjoyed peanuts and beef jerky for the first time in years, but I’m having trouble with the lower partial.  When I open wide, it pops right out.  I have a full slate of articles, but need to reply with generic thank you messages to most since I am running so late and feel so wiped out.  Hopefully today will end of that for a while.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:57 (average 5:43).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Politico: The Pentagon is ready to fight hackers with their own weapons in cyberspace, the newest domain for warfare but also “reserves the right” to respond to a cyberattack with military force, defense officials said Thursday.

While I would have to evaluate response on a case by case basis, a cyber attack against our defenses/infrastructure is certainly an act of war.

From Huffington Post: In 2010, the Oregon state budget was three-quarters of a billion ($727 million) in the hole — a lot for a small state. So did they go with a "cuts-only" budget, i.e. shut down schools and services and to Hell with the poor?

No, they just raised taxes. Democrats proposed it, Republicans (naturally) opposed. So the choice was laid before the voters.

"Measure 66 raise(d) taxes on households with taxable income above $250,000, and Measure 67 set… higher minimum taxes on corporations and increase(d) the tax rate on upper-level profits."

America would be wise to follow Oregon’s lead in this.

From Daily Kos: New data released by the IRS reveals that, over a period of 12 years, tax rates for the richest 400 Americans were effectively cut in half. In 1995, the richest 400 Americans paid, on average, 29.93% of their income in federal taxes. In 2007, the last year for which the IRS has released data, the richest 400 Americans paid just 16.63%.

That’s far less than most Americans pay, while the bottom 40% of us own just 0.1% of the wealth.  Actually it’s worst.  I calculated that from the data for 2004.

Cartoon: