Politics Plus

Yesterday it was quite hot here.  Fortunately I had my dinner prepared and in the fridge by 8 AM, so I did not have to cook during the heat of the day.  At my desk, it’s dropped to 90°, and I feel pretty wrung out.  I am current on replies.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:20 (average 5:07).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From LA Times: At a time of rising concern over pathogens in produce, Congress is moving to eliminate the only national program that regularly screens U.S. fruits and vegetables for the type of E. coli that recently caused a deadly outbreak in Germany.

This is the party’s latest means to deliver the RepubliCare death benefit.

From News Hounds: As I’m sure many of you have seen, the Twitter accounts for Fox News Politics was apparently hacked to release tweets saying that President Obama had been assassinated. While the nature of the hack is utterly tasteless and I hope that the Secret Service catches the clown(s) that did it, I also have to point out that such talk would fit right in almost anywhere bearing Fox News’ brand.

Over the years, Newshounds has mounted quite a collection of violent rhetoric as well as overt or implied threats from Fox News hosts and contributors, as well as viewers via Fox Nation. Just last week, a Fox Business producer edited an Imus in the Morning B-roll video to show a soldier seemingly taking aim with his rifle directly at President Obama.

When I first saw this, I thought it sounded suspiciously like a Rupert Murdoch wet dream.

From Washington Post: The governing body for the National Education Association voted Monday to endorse President Obama for reelection in 2012, handing him an early campaign boost despite widespread dissatisfaction among teachers about federal education policies.

Good for the NEA!

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Yesterday I had chores to do around the apartment.  I slept poorly due to noise in the building, but I’m current on replies.  Today is forecast to be a hot one, so I’ll be cooking early.  Like many holidays, it’s a slow day for news.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 5:41 (average 6:23).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Think Progress: The NYT has a bunch of interesting charts on this. But suffice it to say that high-level managers appear to have become much more skilled at directed value into their own pockets.

What I always wish I could see more of were direct international comparisons. Not only do high-paid oil and gas CEOs all get paid roughly similar amounts of money despite drastically different performances, but running a large American oil company is much more lucrative than running the giant French oil company.

They exist more to transfer wealth than to produce oil products.

From News Hounds: Andrew Breitbart. Those two words result in derisive laughter from real journalists when combined with the word “journalist.” His thoroughly discredited ACORN/Sherrod/NPR scoops have made him the laughingstock of anyone who requires accountability and truth in journalism. In point of fact, when discussing Andrew Breitbart it’s hard not to use the words the words “journalist” or “journalism” because he’s such an affront to the concept that it’s only natural to begin discussing “journalistic ethics.” Which is why it is so very perfect that Fox “News”—a channel not known for its journalistic ethics either—would turn to Andrew Breitbart—yes, that Andrew Breitbart—to appear on Fox & Friends Weekend to discuss both gender bias in the media and the Constitution of the United States of America.

They would call in the Grand Dragon of the KKK, a subset of the Republican party, as their expert on civil rights.

From Common Dreams: Thousands of marchers stormed the Georgia Capitol on Saturday to protest the state’s new immigration law, which they say creates an unwelcome environment for people of color and those in search of a better life.

Thousands of people march through downtown Atlanta in protest against Georgia’s extreme new immigration law on Saturday, July 2, 2011 in Atlanta. On Monday, a Federal judge temporarily blocked parts of the law. One provision that was blocked authorizes police to check the immigration status of suspects without proper identification. It also authorizes them to detain illegal immigrants. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser) Men, women and children of all ages converged on downtown Atlanta for the march and rally, cheering speakers while shading themselves with umbrellas and posters. Capitol police and organizers estimated the crowd at between 8,000 and 14,000. They filled the blocks around the Capitol, holding signs decrying House Bill 87 and reading "Immigration Reform Now!"

I stand with the protesters.

Yesterday I spent most of the morning collecting the data for today’s monthly report.  I’ve had little sleep with heat, noise and COPD flaring up, but I’m current on replies.  Today, I sleep.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 2:54 (average 4:32).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Think Progress: New York State Sen. Marty Golden (R) — the only Brooklyn senator to vote against New York’s same-sex marriage law — has condemned homosexuality as “plain wrong!,” claiming that it would lead to the “destruction of the sacrament of marriage.” But as L Magazine notices, the Senator is more than happy to profit from it: a catering hall that Golden once owned and is still personally invested in is willing to cash in on the marriage equality gold rush and host gay and lesbian wedding receptions.

Republicans are such hypocrites.  This reminds me of Denny Smith (R-OR), a 90s politician.  While pretending to be a “family values” guy, his printing company, which he still operates, published T & A Times, a guide to Oregon’s steamy, seamy side.

From The Vile Plutocrat: CEO of Walmart [sic] Makes in One Hour What the Average Employee Makes In a Year

Don’t shop there.  They are BIG Republican donors too.

From Common Dreams: So this is what “fragile and reversible” progress looks like in Afghanistan: violence is up 51 percent since this time last year, thanks to a hurricane of insurgent suicide attacks, assassinations and bombs, undermining U.S. military claims that it’s breaking the momentum of the Taliban.

We stand a better chance at winning the peace, since we’re losing the war.

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There must be something in the air, because my eyes are watering, my COPD is flaring up, and I’m running on almost no sleep.  I’m current on replies.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:48 (average 4:34).  To do it, click here.  I used to have one like that.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From The Oregonian: Rows of legislators and and educators curled around the walls of the state capitol’s ceremonial signing room as Gov. John Kitzhaber signed a landmark education reform measure.

Senate Bill 909 establishes a 13-member Oregon Education Investment Board appointed by the governor, which will oversee all levels of state education from preschool through college.

Once again, Oregon leads the way to progressive reform.

From Washington Independent: A recent poll conducted by Thomson Reuters Pulse Healthcare Survey found than an overwhelming majority of Americans believe that family planning services (not including abortion) for low-income women should be subsidized by the federal government.

When asked, “Do you think the federal government should subsidize birth control and other family planning services, NOT including abortion, at government-funded clinics for low-income women?” 78 percent of respondents said yes.

How any woman could vote Republican baffles me.

From Think Progress: Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) has launched an aggressive campaign against government services since taking office, slashing funding on everything from unemployment insurance to education to aid for homeless veterans, to high-speed rail, helping him become the least popular governor in America just six months into his term.

But his latest target is one of his boldest yet. According to a report by Florida’s Capitol News Service, Scott wanted to disband the Florida Highway Patrol during the last legislative session, but was rebuffed by the state’s sheriffs, who would have been forced to takeover the disbanded forces’ duties.

Scott must own a company that brews InsaniTEA.

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