Politics Plus

Yesterday I fell further behind as advertised.  Our President (7th Step, not Obama) picked me up at my motel and dropped me off at the station.  I may shoot her.  She told me a story about how her father took the train to Portland, got stuck behind a freight train with problems, and spent over two hours for a one hour trip.  My train got stuck behind a freight train with problems, and it took over two hours for the one hour trip. Worse yet, the train unloaded almost 1/2 mile from the terminal, so already pooped, I had to walk to the terminal to get my baggage and another 1/2 mile to the transit stop.  When I finally arrived home, I didn’t unpack my bag or even set up my computer.  I poured myself into bed.  Would I do it all again?  You betcha!  The look of pride on my guys’ faces was worth it.  Today, I hope to catch up on comments, but I’m still drained, so we’ll see.  Tomorrow and Monday, I hope to catch up on returning visits.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:41.  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From AP Google: Alaska — Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Joe Miller apologized on Twitter and a campaign staffer was told to exercise more caution Friday after someone in Miller’s campaign sent a tweet that appeared to liken a possible party switch by Sen. Lisa Murkowski to prostitution.

The item posted on Miller’s Twitter account Friday said, "What’s the difference b/n selling out your party’s values and the oldest profession?" The tweet linked to an online article speculating on whether Murkowski would run on the Libertarian Party ticket if she loses the GOP primary to Miller.

I’d love to see a three way race here.  If either of these two wins, America loses.

From The Boston Globe: Outgoing BP chief executive Tony Hayward has refused a request by US senators to testify next month about his company’s role in the release of the man convicted of bombing Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

I suppose the GOBP will filibuster any attempt to penalize the company for his refusal.

From Right Wing Watch: Alveda King is claiming that her anti-gay, anti-choice activism is the true legacy of her uncle Martin Luther King’s "I Have a Bream" [sic] legacy.

Bull!  I never heard Rev. King voice a position on gay rights, but he welcomed openly gay activists to participate in Vietnam Summer.  He saw abortion as an unfortunate symptom of poverty.

Cartoon: from Cagle.com

How goes your weekend?

Yesterday I fell behind.  Because I won’t have my usual ride to Salem for my volunteer work in the prison, I’m taking the bus today, spending the night in a motel, and taking the train home tomorrow morning.  When I emailed the staff advisor to remind him to include my  O² tank, he replied that I was not on the attendees list, and it was too late to put me on it.  Now, I had advanced purchased my tickets and motel room to get a discount, so those are non-refundable.  Making this trip is a big sacrifice for me.  It took the rest of the day to get them to correct the mistake and put me back on the list.  So I did not reply to comments or return visits yesterday.  I will not today, for obvious reasons.  I may not tomorrow, because I’ll be tired out when I return home.  I will catch up this weekend.  I may not post tomorrow morning, and if I do, it will be later than usual.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:55.  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Washington Post: Ken Mehlman, former chairman of the Republican National Committee and the former campaign manager for George W. Bush’s 2004 re-election bid, has told his family and colleagues that he is gay.

This is the same guy that courted the rabid religious right for Potomac Pinocchio with hateful homophobia in the Republican platform.  While I applaud his present honesty, he owes the LBGT community a major apology.

From USA Today: Wal-Mart (WMT) asked the Supreme Court Wednesday to throw out a class-action lawsuit against it that the retailer says is the largest employment suit ever.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in April that Wal-Mart should face charges in court that it pays women less than men for the same jobs. The lawsuit, which covers all female workers at Wal-Mart since 1998, could cost the company billions if it loses.

Given the current makeup of SCOTUS, I’m not holding my breath, but few things could be sweeter than a $multi-billion judgment against Wal-Fart.

From Public Policy Polling: There continues to be very little change in the state of the Louisiana Senate race. PPP finds David Vitter leading Charlie Melancon by a 51-41 margin, similar to the 9 and 12 point spreads he showed in our previous two polls.

I wonder if Diaper Dave would be doing as well if Neocon Nero had not fiddled in Crawford while New Orleans drowned and whitened the city by leaving the minority areas derelict.

Cartoon: from Cagle.com

FYI, I’m not ignoring the story of the GOP inspired hate crime against a Muslim taxi driver.  I’m holding off until I have enough background to do quality analysis.

Yesterday I finally caught up on returning visits.  I expect to be able to continue that today, although I do have a religious commitment: the Broncos game is on TV. 😀

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:45.  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From CNN: Shirley Sherrod, who received an apology after being forced to resign from the Agriculture Department, will meet Tuesday with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to discuss a job offer, a department official confirmed Saturday.

After the despicable way she was framed by Republicans and the cowardly way Democrats responded to that slander, I hope this wonan gets every good thing she deserves and more.

From McClatchy DC: Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman said Friday that she would defend voter-approved Proposition 8, which prohibits same-sex marriage, if she becomes governor next year.

This is yet another reason Californians should return Governor Moonbeam to the job.

From Washington Post: President Obama made four recess appointments Thursday for nominees that have waited an average of 303 days for confirmation, the White House said.

"At a time when our nation faces so many pressing challenges, I urge members of the Senate to stop playing politics with our highly qualified nominees, and fulfill their responsibilities of advice and consent," Obama said in a statement announcing the appointments. "Until they do, I reserve the right to act within my authority to do what is best for the American people."

This is about the same number that Potomac Pinocchio recess-appointed during the initial two years of the Bush/GOP Reich.  I screamed bloody murder over those.  The difference, of course, is that Democrats confirmed the vast majority of the Bush appointees, only stonewalling the most egregious.  The vast majority of Obama’s appointees are still held up.

Cartoon: from Cagle.com

Who is your football team?