Politics Plus

Yesterday I did went to the prison as a volunteer.  It was our group’s annual banquet there, and I thoroughly enjoyed having the guys show off their families and talking to them about the work we do to help there.  Needless to say, I’m running late and am exhausted.  Nevertheless, I’m up to date on comments.  However, tonight I need to be at our CoDA group here in town and will be home late, so tomorrow’s posts, if any, will be late and may be abbreviated.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:39 (4:38 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: Japan’s effort to contain the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant suffered a setback, an official said on Friday,  citing evidence that the reactor vessel of the No. 3 unit may have been damaged.

Ya think?  I’d say the white smoke and steam we saw a few days ago was a dead giveaway.

From Daily Kos: On Feb. 11, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, his wife and three aides flew in a luxury jet to Washington for a weekend of politicking, including an appearance on Fox News Sunday and a speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference. “Our problem is not that we tax too little,” Barbour told the gathering. “It’s that we spend too much.”

The potential presidential contender may have another problem: Mississippi taxpayers paid the tab for Barbour’s first-class travel.

Another typical Republican presidential hopeful.

From Alternet: Republicans are ramping up their push to reduce the deficit on the backs of the poor. The Republican Study Committee, the House GOP’s conservative caucus, is lobbying party leaders to include big cuts to food stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and other welfare programs for the poor. The proposal could "save as much as $1.4 trillion over a decade.

This is how Republicans define “shared sacrifice”.  The share for the poor is 100%.

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TGIF!

Yesterday I spent most of the day completing the corporate return and other annual reports the government requires from nonprofits.  We never owe anything, except for the $60 in fees required just to exist, because our revenue stream is far to small to be taxable, but it’s still hard work.  I am up to date on comments.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:57 (average 4:22).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From moveon.org: What teachers make.

Very well said, indeed!

From Washington Post: A Senate Judiciary subcommittee is planning to hold a hearing next week examining the issue of American Muslims’ civil rights, less than three weeks after a House committee hearing led by Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) on the radicalization of American Muslims drew widespread controversy.

This hearing should prove a fascinating counter-point to the Republican hatred and bigotry at King’s faux-hearing.

From Salon: Sen. John McCain has taken a strange position on the Libyan conflict: He’s been calling for the ouster of Moammar Gadhafi not only on humanitarian grounds, but also because Gadhafi has "American blood on his hands" from the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. However, just 18 months ago, McCain himself traveled to Tripoli to talk to Gadhafi about a transfer of American military equipment. He also praised the "remarkable and positive turn" in U.S.-Libya relations.

McConJob is a typical GOP hypocrite.

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Cover your butts!  It’s hump day for Republicans too! 😉

Yesterday I was exhausted.  After getting the blog up late, I took a nap.  Today will be a rest day, because the rest of the week will be even busier than last week.  I am up to date on comments.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:31 (5:37 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: Rebel forces, battered and routed by loyalist fighters just the day before, began to regroup in the east as allied warplanes destroyed dozens of government armored vehicles near the rebel capital, Benghazi, leaving a field of burned wreckage along the coastal road to the city. By nightfall, the rebels had pressed almost 40 miles back west toward the strategic crossroads city of Ajdabiya, witnesses and rebel forces said.

I feel pleased to see that the effects of our actions are positive.

From Alternet: This week, Teddy Borawski, the chief oil and gas geologist for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and a member of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett’s administration, serving in an official capacity, and on the record, compared my [Josh Fox] Sundance award-winning and Oscar-nominated documentary film GASLAND to Nazi propaganda stating "Goebbels would be proud." The slander was the latest in a series of smears and misinformation about the film and character attacks on me [Josh Fox].

Few things frighten Republicans more that a well informed activist with a well documented movie.

From Portland Examiner: Saturday hundreds gathered in Oregon at Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse square to rally for peace on the 8 year anniversary of America’s invasion of Iraq. Oregonians rallied in the city square in solidarity and protest of America’s foreign adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While considering whether or not to go to this, I fell asleep.  The spirit was willing, but the flesh was pooped.

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OGIM!

Yesterday, I slept through most of the morning, spent the afternoon doing research and preparation for last night’s preparation, and chaired our CoDA group athis evening.  We had newcomers that always makes it more interesting.  I returned home late, got little sleep, and am quite exhausted.  As a result, today’s offering is once again abbreviated, with no short takes and only one main article.  Today I have several shopping errands to run.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:22 (5:41 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

For America’s environment to survive, first clean up political pollution.  Every Republicans must be voted out, recalled wherever possible.