Politics – Page 1032 – Politics Plus

Fantasy Football Tips for 2015

Posted by TomCat at 12:30 pm Blog News, Politics

Jul 182015

LeftyBlogFriends

By now I hope you know from my nagging ads that Politics Plus has a fantasy football league at NFL.com, Lefty Blog Friends. The online live draft is this coming Saturday, July 25, at 11 AM Pacific, 12 N Mountain, 1 PM Central and 2 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Please be a few minutes early promised a bit of help for newbies, so here it is.

Your first experience will be the draft. Read the help files at the league, but the best thing you can do, especially if you have never participated in an online draft before is go to the league and join a mock draft or three. They have one every few minutes and it’s just like a real draft, except that it does not count. Then you can come to the real one knowing exactly how it’s done. If you are unable to attend, a team will be automatically drafted for you.

We are a “keeper league”. That means that players have the option of keeping two players from the previous season. That is not much of an advantage, because players who keep lose their draft picks in the first two rounds, so people who opt out or are new get the best early choices. You should be aware, though that the first two rounds go very very fast.

The common wisdom is to draft running backs first then wide receivers, then quarterbacks, and then tight ends, kickers and defenses. Personally, I try to draft the best player available in the first three groups until I have one quarterback. three running backs, and three wide receivers. Then I go for a backup quarterback, a fourth running back, two tight ends, two kickers and two Defenses.

During the draft pay particular attention to players’ bye weeks. Every NFL team has a week off during the season, and you want to make sure you always have enough players to complete your lineup. Having more than one player at any position with the same bye week can make that quite difficult.

During the season, keep the NFL schedule in mind. At times they play Thursday and Saturday games in addition to Sunday, Sunday night and Monday. Make sure your lineup for the week is set before the first game, because it’s very embarrassing to learn that your injured player’s team already played, and you got no points for that position.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask, but I’m just so good, you all might as well give up now! Winking smile

Open Thread–7/18/2015

Posted by TomCat at 12:29 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 182015

I’ve has almost no sleep, because it has been hot and muggy, a combination that always exacerbates street noise. Portland is under a severe weather warning for excessive heat until Monday evening. Today’s forecast high is 98°. Fortunately, I got up very early this morning to cook, as now it would not be feasible. I hope you’re having a great weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:47 (average 4:37). To do0 it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: The mayor of Airway Heights, Washington—a suburb of Spokane—is refusing calls to resign despite immediate backlash regarding comments he made on Facebook:

The comment in full that was found on Patrick Rushing’s Facebook page read: "Gorilla face Michelle, can’t disagree with that. The woman is not attractive except to monkey man Barack. Check out them ears. LOL."

I showed Rushing the statement, and he confirmed he had posted it, so I asked him why he would write something like that.

"It’s just playful back and forth banter that my friends and I do," said Rushing.

The Airway Heights City Council was unanimous in their desire to see him resign, but he’s not budging.

By thinking such comments were just joking, this Republican proved that he really is a racist.

From NY Times: Days after a showdown over the Confederate battle flag, House Republicans are barreling toward a new confrontation on another contentious issue: How should Congress respond to the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage?

Legislation granting protections for tax-exempt organizations and individuals objecting to same-sex marriage on religious or moral grounds is gathering momentum in the House. The bills, drafted by Representative Raúl R. Labrador, Republican of Idaho, and Senator Mike Lee, Republican of Utah, already have 130 co-sponsors. On Thursday, the Republican Study Committee, the largest, most organized group of conservatives in the House, demanded a vote.

Once again, Republicans are trying to make Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christians above the law.

From Alternet: Elizabeth Warren has drawn a line in 2016’s presidential election sands.

Speaking at the Netroots Nation conference in Phoenix on Friday, she challenged the presidential candidates to stand behind legislation introduced this week that would vastly slow down the revolving door between Wall Street’s financial firms and working for the government—where high-level private sector employees end up making government decisions that favor their past employers over the public.

This a 29 minute video. Every minute is worth watching!

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Poll Results–7/17/2015

Posted by TomCat at 11:24 am Blog News, Politics

Jul 172015

Here are the results of our “Which is Terrorism” poll. Politics Plus Polls are not scientific, because those who respond are not balanced according to demographic categories. Therefore, we do not accurately reflect the makeup of the US population. Nevertheless, our polls are usually factually accurate, and more often than not, they reflect thinking or will of the national majority.

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Our Polling Host no longer allows us to copy and paste your comments made when taking the poll. To read them, click here.

I hoped this poll would demonstrate that terrorism is defined by behavior, not by which extreme ideology is being used to justify it. I think that the view of our readers us correct. When Crawford Caligula was un office I uses to say that America has more to fear from al Dubya than we ever did from al Qaeda. Events since have repeatedly proven me right.

There is a new poll up now. Please vote.

SoINeedAName Has a BIG Mouth! ;-)

Posted by TomCat at 11:23 am Blog News, Politics

Jul 172015

66-Nameless

This is Nameless’ seventh Big Mouth Award, having won in December 2012, September 2010, May 2010, July 2011, August 2011 and January 2015. He isn’t a blogger, so you can’t follow him home, but he comments almost daily here. He is the kind of participant that every blogger dreams of having, because instead of just stating opinions (which is fine in itself), he adds to the content of my articles with many useful links. His sense of humor is superb! I still receive comments about his contributions here on other sites where I share our articles.

However, his last award was the for the 60,000th comment, and since it was an even 10,000, he won a Politics Plus coffee mug. Six months later, we’re still waiting for his mug shot, a picture of him with the mug.

So please heap the praise and kudos on him that he so deserves, but also, please harass him just a bit about sending us his mug shot.

Open Thread–7/17/2015

Posted by TomCat at 11:22 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 172015

Yesterday morning I reached Store to Door. Someone had misplaced my grocery order, so it had not been filled. They had not called, because they were gone by the time I called them, and they had not realized there was an order to call about. They had just found my order and were very apologetic. hey did an emergency shop for me and delivered mf food around noon. After I put them away, I slept fore the rest of the day and night. I’m feeling groggy, but relieved. We have three more days of very hot weather forecast: high 80°s today and 90°s Saturday and Sunday.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:37 (average 4:42). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: By easing tensions with Cuba and now Iran, President Obama is “recklessly squandering America’s precious supply of enemies,” the leader of a conservative think tank said on Tuesday.

“Our adversarial relationships with Cuba and Iran took years of frostiness and saber-rattling to maintain,” Harland Dorrinson, the executive director of the Washington-based Institute for Infinite Conflict, said. “Thanks to the President, decades of well-crafted hostility have been thrown out the window.”

According to Dorrinson, fears abound in conservative circles that the President might be “capriciously casting about for other powder kegs to defuse” during his remaining time in office.

“If his shameful record is any guide, he’ll probably try to disarm North Korea,” Dorrinson said. “That’s the doomsday scenario.”

Oh Andy!! Down with that Kenyan!! If world peace were to break out, it would destroy the Republican party, who need hostility to feed the fires of hate and fear.

From Upworthy: Business can thrive on kindness.

If this is the first time you’re hearing about Rosa’s, check out our interview with Wartman. And of course, pay it forward and pass it on.

Click through to see how well this wonderful company has done, since Upwsorthy first told their story back in March. Isn’t this better than how Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christians use their businesses to propagate hatred?

From NY Times: A 24-year-old Kuwaiti-born gunman opened fire on a military recruiting station on Thursday, then raced to a second military site where he killed four United States Marines, prompting a federal domestic terrorism investigation. Three other people, including a Marine Corps recruiter and a police officer, were wounded, according to law enforcement officials.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation identified the gunman, who also died Thursday, as Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, who became a naturalized United States citizen and went to high school and college in Chattanooga. Although counterterrorism officials had not been investigating Mr. Abdulazeez before Thursday’s shooting, federal officials familiar with the inquiry said that his father had been investigated years ago for giving money to an organization with possible ties to terrorists.

At a late night news conference, F.B.I. officials said that thus far they did not have “anything that directly ties” the suspect to international terrorist organizations.

For now, there is not enough public information about this terrible crime for me to comment, but I would like to say two things. The Republican attempts already springing up misuse this tragedy to generate hatred against Muslims in general are shameful. I offer condolences, thoughts and prayers for the surviving victims, their families and the families of the slain heroes, and all who loved them. Please join me in that.

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InsaniTEA Bags

Personal Update–7/16/2015

Posted by TomCat at 8:05 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 162015

This is today’s only article, as I have quite a mess here. Yesterday morning I rose very early to read the entire Iran deal. I planned to take a nap, after my groceries were delivered in the early afternoon. I waited for Store to Door until 8:00 PM, and they never came. I could not sleep, because I felt upset over not knowing when or if I will get my food. When I finally did get to sleep, there was a small cooking fire on another floor. I did not know that at the time, so I had too prepare to evacuate, and when it was over I had trouble getting back to sleep again. So now, I am exhausted, having had almost no sleep, and instead of sleeping, I have to figure out how I’m going to have something to eat this week. Hugs!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:25 (average 4:59). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

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The Rest of the Story

Reactions to the Iran Deal

Posted by TomCat at 11:56 am Politics

Jul 152015

0715IranDeal

Normally, I have an article to share, but today I’m just going to share six video clips in which Ed Schultz, Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O’Donnell and their guests express their views. Finally there is a summery of the Republican Plan. I’d also like you to have to have an opportunity to do something that no Republican could have done before declaring opposition to the deal. To read the text in it’s entirety, click here.

Ed’s video: President Barack Obama hails a deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program but Republicans vow to kill it. Ed Schultz, Sen. Barbara Boxer, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Paul Eaton and the Stimon Center’s Laicie Heeley weigh in on the historic agreement.

Rachel’s first video: Joe Cirincione, president of The Ploughshares Fund, talks with Rachel Maddow about the chances for success of the newly announced nuclear deal with Iran and how diplomacy could take the US and Iran out of a war posture for the first time in a generation.

Rachel’s second video: Vali Nasr, dean of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, talks with Rachel Maddow about politics within the U.S. and also within Iran, and the pressures of global circumstances that will determine whether the Iran nuclear deal succeeds.

Lawrence’s first video: The Iran deal states "… under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons." Lawrence discusses the details of the deal with nuclear expert Matthew Bunn, analyst Phyllis Bennis and Foreign Policy’s James Traub.

Lawrence’s second video: Lawrence talks to NBC News Historian Michael Beschloss and Jonathan Alter about the historical significance of today’s deal with Iran and what it could mean for Pres. Obama’s legacy after he leaves office.

The Republican Plan:

Looking ahead, there are two things to keep in mind. Most of the arguments against the deal relate to Iran’s status as a bad actor, which is true, But Iran’s non-nuclear behavior has nothing to do with this deal. Second, the other choices are to accept Itan having nuclear weapons short term of go to war to stop it.

Open Thread–7/15/2015

Posted by TomCat at 11:55 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 152015

I have a busy day today. I’m trying to keep pace with the news, watching Obama, and it’s a grocery delivery day, so I have all that work to do.. It’s also quite muggy.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:12 (average 4:51). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: The former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin would bring much-needed dignity to the 2016 Republican field, a new poll shows.

According to the poll, conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Opinion Research Institute, Palin’s ability to articulate her positions on issues with precision and restraint is sorely lacking among other entrants in the G.O.P. race.

Additionally, voters said that the former governor’s breadth of knowledge in the fields of economics, foreign affairs, and American history would place her head and shoulders above the current crop of Republican hopefuls.

In the words of one voter who was surveyed, “When I hear some of these candidates talk, I sure do miss Sarah Palin.”

Dang Andy! As much as I hate to admit it, you’re right. Bloody Bullseye Barbie is rather tame, compared to the Clown Car.

From Daily Kos: I wonder if Rep. Steve "Melon Calves" King is going to commandeer Republican anti-LGBT policy like he commandeered the party’s anti-immigration policy.

It would have no force of law, but U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, on Friday announced he has introduced a House resolution for representatives to formally disapprove of the June ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that legalized gay marriage nationally. […]

King said the "resolution expresses the sense" by the House that the court ruling "unconstitutionally and indefensibly perverts the definition of marriage," that states are not required to license gay marriage and that "individuals, businesses, churches, religious groups and other faith-based organizations are encouraged, empowered, and protected to exercise their faith without fear of legal or government interference."

Since a Sense of the House resolution does nothing, this serves only as one more opportunity for Republican to voice their hatred and display their sedition.

From NY Times: A federal appeals court Tuesday handed the Obama administration another victory in its effort to guarantee coverage of contraceptives under the Affordable Care Act, rejecting a challenge by the Little Sisters of the Poor, an order of Roman Catholic nuns.

The United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, in Denver, found that the nuns could opt out of a requirement to provide contraceptive coverage under an “accommodation” devised by the administration. The rule does not impose a “substantial burden” on the nuns’ free exercise of religion, the court said.

Four other federal appeals courts — in the District of Columbia, Philadelphia, Chicago and New Orleans — have issued similar decisions upholding the accommodation, which is intended to address the concerns of nonprofit religious organizations that object to providing contraceptive coverage for women enrolled in their health plans.

Another win for women.

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