Personal – Page 655 – Politics Plus

Open Thread–7/13/2011

Posted by TomCat at 3:02 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 132011

Yesterday was a zoo. I was already tired from laundry night. I ran some errands in the morning, and learned that I will get my teeth on Thursday. I did my online grocery shopping for the month and have crunchy food coming! Then I found an emergency notice to upgrade my blog software. It did not go as planned, and by the time I had that mess straightened out, it was well past my bedtime. No sooner was I asleep than “missionaries” ignored my do not disturb sign and woke me up. I pretended to be gay and want them. They ran. I could not get back to sleep until I got up to do research. Then I dozed for two hours at my keyboard, so I am running way late, am tired and hungry, and cannot eat for hours because of blood tests. Normally, I would answer comments individually and sleep later, but I cannot, because I have to be out early for medical appointments, so I just posted a generic thank you in all threads. I apologize. I have only this and one other article today.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:12 (average 5:00). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From LA Times: Ending a bitter special congressional election for the South Bay area, Democrat Janice Hahn defeated Republican Craig Huey on Tuesday.

Unofficial election night returns showed the Los Angeles city councilwoman with 54.6% of the vote, compared with the businessman’s 45.4%

Republican hate and racism went down!

From The Nation:

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, his conservative legislative allies, the Republican Party of Wisconsin and county Republican parties across Wisconsin tried everything in their power to thwart the recall election process that could check and balance Walker’s extreme anti-labor, anti-public schools, anti-social services and anti-local democracy agenda.

Frightened by the prospect of losing three or more Republican-held seats, and with them control of the state Senate, the GOP challenged the petitions that forced the recall elections against six Republican senators who backed the governor’s agenda. And they failed.

Ed Shultz covered this with Jon Nichols.

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

Note that Republicans actually made robocalls to Democrats, telling them that their official ballots were in the mail and not to vote. Criminals.

From Right Wing Watch: Rick Perry Partner John Benefiel Claims Homosexuality Is An Illuminati Conspiracy.

The insaniTEA of pseudo-Christian hate.

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Open Thread–7/12/2011

Posted by TomCat at 1:54 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 122011

7/11 was lucky for me. Any day I survive is a good day. I got my errands run, and cleaned out my email, always a task. Today, I find out if I get my teeth this week. I’m doing laundry as I write, because if I don’t, I’ll be wearing dirty boxers tomorrow. The multiple trips up and down the stairs to the washer and dryer always tire me out, so I’ll be in a foul mood soon. I’m current with replies.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:54 (average 5:08). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Politico: There’s a strange disconnect about Tuesday’s Southern California special House election: Democrats are anxious about a potential upset, but Republicans don’t believe their candidate has much of a chance.

In case you forgot, here is the Republican attack ad.

Their racism and misogyny are showing.

From MSNBC: Some GREAT News

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

I will be supporting his campaign!

From UPI: Notorious anti-gay fundamentalists from Kansas say they will picket memorial services for former first lady Betty Ford and a U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Pastor Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka said on its Web site it will picket services for Ford because she divorced her first husband, William Warren, before marrying President Gerald R. Ford, and openly discussed sexual issues, the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press reported.

Is this a new low for Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christianity?

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Open Thread–7/11/2011

Posted by TomCat at 12:49 am Open Thread, Personal

Jul 112011

Yesterday I slept quite late. I must have needed it. Of course, that caused me to have trouble sleeping in the evening, so I’ll be bleary before I’m done. I’m current on replies, but yesterday’s errands, still undone are today’s now.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:23 (average 4:29). To do it click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From The Republic: Isaac Weix thinks he can win a Democratic primary for state Senate on Tuesday, even though he’s not campaigning and he’s not a Democrat.

Weix is one of six fake Democrats running in recall elections under a move organized by the state Republican Party to delay the general election for a month. The Republicans got members of their party to run as Democrats, giving the real candidates a challenger for Tuesday’s primary.

I certainly hope Wisconsin liberals have educated the public about these damn Republican pseudo-crats.

From The Daily Beast:

On Face the Nation, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner promised that failure is not an option in the debt talks. So what will ensure that the government doesn’t default? “What the president wants to do,” Geithner said, “and he’s bringing the leadership to the White House this evening … he wants to do the largest possible deal that’s going to do the most for the economy."

I never thought I’d think Timmy the Tool was telling the truth!

From Crooks and Liars: In stunning fashion the women of USA pulled off one of the greatest come from behind wins in World Cup soccer history. Abby Wambach scored a goal on a header to tie the game with under a minute left in extra time after thirty minutes of OT had been already been played and down a player for over fifty minutes at that point.

After Abby scored, the USA won on PK’s and came away with the dramatic victory.

I had been watching this game and still had it on in the background as I did my daily research. needless to say, finding this blew the suspense for me. Congrats to the US women.

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Open Thread–7/10/2011

Posted by TomCat at 1:58 am Open Thread, Personal, Plus

Jul 102011

Yesterday was a busy day for me. I’m running a bit of a sleep deficit, because I cut my morning sleep short to run errands and started my evening sleep late to do the radio show. I’m current on replies to lots of comments. Today I have more errands to run and Zzzzzzs to catch.

Blog Talk Radio:

Yesterday Fred and Jed interviewed me on their radio show. I had a fine time and thank them for the opportunity. If you would like to hear the interview, you can at Fred and Jed.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:27 (average 4:58). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: The House is scheduled to vote this week on a daft and destructive measure that — in the name of individual freedom — would repeal national energy efficiency standards for light bulbs enacted by Congress in 2007. Though utterly without merit, the bill stands a fighting chance in a legislative body where ideology now routinely trumps common sense.

The standards save an average of $200 per household per year.

From Think Progress: Three unnamed top U.S. officials told the New York Times that the U.S. intends to cut or suspend hundreds of millions of dollars of aid to Pakistan, underscoring a shifting administration view that the troubled nation is an unreliable counter-terror parter. The aid in question encompasses equipment, training, reimbursements for activities on the Afghan border, and direct security aid.

Finally! We have paid for an enemy for too long.

From Washington Post: A socially conservative group has apologized for including a passage about slavery in a pledge it asked the Republican candidates to sign as a prerequisite for the group’s endorsement in the presidential race.

No comparable apology has come from Batsh*t Bachmann, who wholeheartedly endorsed the offending passage at the same time she signed the pledge.

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Open Thread–7/9/2011

Posted by TomCat at 2:34 am Open Thread, Personal

Jul 092011

Yesterday I alternated between busy and resting. I’m running late because I’m current on comments and there are were more than normal. Today I have some errands.

Blog Talk Radio:

I agreed to appear as the featured guest today on the Fred and Jed Radio Show. The topic is the debt ceiling crisis. The show is at 3:30 PM PDT (4:30 MDT, 5:30 CDT, 6:30 EDT). Feel free to listen/join in.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:45 (average 5:01). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Washington Post: House liberals are launching an organizing drive inside the Democatic caucus, in an effort to line up Democrats and get them to commit to opposing any final deficit deal that contains any cuts to entitlements benefits, according to a letter I’ve obtained.

The two co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus have sent the letter to Nancy Pelosi, pledging to stand behind her insistence that the final deal contain no benefits cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid.

Well done.

From CNN: Global energy giant Exxon Mobil Corp. will be forced to face a lawsuit over alleged murder and torture committed by company agents in remote Indonesia, after a federal appeals court said Friday that corporations cannot claim immunity from liability.

A divided 2-1 panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia reinstated a massive lawsuit filed by 15 Indonesian villagers from the oil-rich province of Aceh. They claim government security forces working for Exxon Mobil committed brutal oppression while guarding a natural gas facility in 2000-01.

Don’t hold your breath. SCROTUS represents Big Oil.

From Daily Kos: [Today] in Michigan, volunteers all over the state are holding a massive recall petition signing event to remove Gov. Rick Snyder from office. If you live in Michigan, you can find a local event near you on Facebook or at FireRickSnyder.org.

Also, for the first time the volunteers working to recall Snyder are receiving official support from the Michigan Education Association. Yesterday, the MEA sent out an email to their members linking to an action page endorsing many of the ongoing recall campaigns in Michigan.

I urge full support.

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Open Thread–7/8/2011

Posted by TomCat at 1:59 am Open Thread, Personal

Jul 082011

Yesterday was cooler. I slept all day, so I’m writing without toothpicks supporting my eyelids. I’m current on replies and plan to rest today to finish recovering from the mini heat wave.

jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:49 (5:13 average). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Huffington Post: During Thursday’s talks between the president’s team and congressional leadership, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner reportedly revealed that he believed the administration did not have the constitutional authority under the 14th Amendment to simply ignore the debt ceiling and continue borrowing money.

ARGH! Timmy the Tool has to GO! I suspect that, if it comes down to a default crisis or a Constitutional crisis, Obama would choose the latter.

From Bend Bulletin: Georgia investigators have found evidence of cheating at close to 80 percent of the Atlanta schools where they examined the 2009 administration of state tests.

The result was inflated test scores that led to thousands of children being denied the remedial education they were entitled to, state officials said Tuesday in announcing the results of the investigation. More than 80 educators have so far confessed to misconduct. Investigators said the cheating dated back to at least 2001.

This is the Republican approach to education.

From Politico:

Former President Bill Clinton Wednesday compared GOP efforts to limit same-day voter registration and block some convicted felons from voting to Jim Crow laws and poll taxes.

In a speech to liberal youth activists Wednesday, the former president called out proposals in battleground states like Florida and Ohio that could limit the voter rolls.

Willie got this one right!

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Open Thread–7/7/2011

Posted by TomCat at 1:41 am Open Thread, Personal

Jul 072011

Yesterday it was not quite as hot, and because my apartment was closed up for hours, I came home to a sweat lodge, couldn’t sleep, am worn out again. I’m current on comments. Tomorrow should be cooler. Barring unforeseen circumstances, I’ll have teeth next week. I crave to crunch!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Yesterday it took me 3:38 (average 4:28). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Washington Post: The next flash point in the debate over the nation’s will to live within its means may emerge this week as House Republicans present a long-term transportation bill expected to cut funding for highways and mass transit by almost one third.

Banksters will need private airports in their back yards at this rate.

From Washington Post: The Supreme Court has until Thursday to halt the execution of a Mexican national whose case has prompted a call for a stay from the Obama administration, which says the execution could put the United States in breach of international obligations.

Humberto Leal Garcia Jr., who was found guilty of raping and killing a 16-year-old girl in 1994, is scheduled to face lethal injection Thursday in Texas. Leal, now 38, was provided with court-appointed lawyers after his arrest but never was informed that he could have access to Mexican consular officials, as is required under the United Nations’ Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

Although the Constitution makes abiding by ratified treaties absolutely required, I will be shocked if SCROTUS does not favor Perry’s blood-lust.

From CBS: Democrats are launching a series of robocalls today against six vulnerable House Republicans who have been caught in ethics scandals.

As part of the Democrats’ campaign to win back the House, the robocalls focus on six relatively new GOP members: Reps. Scott Tipton of Colorado, David Rivera of Florida, Frank Guinta of New Hampshire, Charlie Bass of New Hampshire, and Stephen Fincher of Tennessee were all elected in 2010. Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida came into office in 2007.

"House Republican leaders pledged a zero tolerance policy to ethics problems in their conference, but their answer has been to turn a blind eye, " said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the official campaign arm of House Democrats.

Bad move. I’m all for this effort, but if they need to save money, they should have volunteers call from their homes. Robocalls are the worst way to do it. They turn people against the organization sponsoring the calls, because they are so offensive. If you want to influence me, give me a real human to talk to.

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Open Thread–7/6/2011

Posted by TomCat at 2:01 am Open Thread, Personal

Jul 062011

Yesterday was another heat and bad air day. Although only 86° outside, my breezeway and only source of outside air maxed out at 139°. At my desk, it’s still 91°. Although I’m frazzled, I’m current on replies, but many were shorter than usual, so please don‘t think I was blowing you off. Today O go to my denturist for a test fitting of mu dentures before he adds the teeth. I will be out in the mid-day heat waiting at bus stops, so I may be ever worse.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 5:09 (average 6:11). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Bloomberg: Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. came under pressure from U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron to respond to “really appalling” allegations that its News of the World tabloid hacked into the voicemail of a murdered schoolgirl.

Keith covered it too.

From Countdown:

That man is evil!

From Think Progress: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), for instance, said a few weeks ago that “the less we fund” financial system regulators, “the better America will be.” And the Associated Press noted today that Rep. Nan Hayworth (R-NY) called the GOP assault on Wall Street reform, “entirely practical” and even “compassionate”.

Compassionate to banksters only.

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