SOUND OFF! 1/7/23 – Happy New Year

 Posted by at 8:19 am  Politics
Jan 072023
 

OK, no excuses – back to Sounding Off.

I hope all of you finished 2022 on a high note, and that 2023 will bring all of you happiness, prosperity, and better luck. 2022 was certainly a tumultuous year, what with Russia invading Ukraine, a hard-fought midterm election here in the US, the death of England’s longest-reigning monarch, and more storms and wildfires thanks to climate change. On the other hand, 2022 did see the Republican’s hoped-for red wave turn out to be a red ripple, and Ukraine has proven to be Putin’s tar baby. Rich countries promised to help developing countries cope with climate change – well, they promised, but that is something.

2023 could be a good year. We may see Russia forced out of Ukraine, possibly even Putin removed from power. Hey, we can always hope! We may see renewable energy making more gains. We may see some endangered species increasing their populations; the numbers of Bengal tigers and kakapos – the largest extant parrot, and the only flightless one – have been rising over the past few years. We might even see the Buffalo Bills win the Super Bowl.

I certainly have high hopes, but my optimism is cautious. We will win for Team Good Guys/Gals only if we keep fighting, only if we keep signing petitions and contacting our elected officials, only if we keep voting and making sure our kith and kin as well as our neighbors are registered to vote, only if we make sure everybody who can vote has access to the ballot box, only if we keep demonstrating and protesting, only if we keep raising hell. As the hoary old cliche goes, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Now a few thoughts on writing these essays. Different people have pointed out, in different ways, that various works of art, ranging from paintings to movies, are not finished so much as they are abandoned. I endeavor to polish my essays thoroughly, thinking about what each word and clause conveys, trying to make sure I express myself clearly. When I do post an essay on Politics Plus, I sometimes feel that I haven’t really finished it, even after re-reading it a dozen times, changing words, rearranging sentences and paragraphs, and agonizing over the message it conveys to the readers. Uploading an essay is, in a way, like saying goodbye to a grown child who is heading out into the Big World.

Happy New Year, everyone.

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Open Thread January 7, 2023

 Posted by at 7:08 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 072023
 

Yesterday, the Daily Beast newsletter was a gosip rag, and Steve Schmidt wrote about January 6. Rep. Scott Perry told us that the adage “Be nice to people you meet on the way up; you’ll meet them again on the way down” even applies to Republicans like Kevin McCarthy. In other news, Bold Progressives is collecting signatures for a Get-Well message to Jamie Raskin.

Also yesterday, my new space heater (and a spare) arrived 5 days earlier than promised. They are larger than I expected but they fit in the space, and they are most definitely adequate for the job. So I expect to be able to qui wearing socks with my (faux of course) fur lined shoes and boots.

And I would add Cavin’Kevin was finally elected on the 15th ballot … but it was after midnight in DC, so it actually happened today.

Cartoon – 07 7Cartoon.jpg

Short Takes –

Crooks and Liars – Now It’s The Proud Boys’ Turn To Find Out
Quote – The seditious conspiracy trial of Proud Boys leader Henry “Enrique” Tarrio and four [other] members of the Proud Boys … is underway. Opening statements have not yet begun, however. Instead, jury selection has moved at a glacial pace at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C…. [They] face nine charges apiece including seditious conspiracy; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of an official proceeding; conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging their duties; obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder; destruction of government property; and aiding and abetting, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers.
Click through for story. The seating of the jury is taking longer, because the Proud Boys are a tad more notorious than the Oath Keepers – otherwise, we can hope this trial will go pretty much like that one.

Wonkette – Dipsh*ts Charged In Christmas Attacks On Four Washington Substations
Quote – Matthew Greenwood, 32, and Jeremy Crahan, 40, were charged in federal court Tuesday with conspiracy to damage energy facilities, and Greenwood also caught charges of possessing unregistered firearms. When Greenwood was arrested, he was found with an illegally modified short-barreled rifle with a homemade silencer, as well as a short-barreled shotgun, neither registered as required by law. In the Justice Department press release announcing the charges, US Attorney Nick Brown noted, “We have seen attacks such as these increase in Western Washington and throughout the country and must treat each incident seriously. The outages on Christmas left thousands in the dark and cold and put some who need power for medical devices at extreme risk.”
Click through for details. Basically, these people are murderers who are too cowadly to face their victims. There are colder places than Western Washington (the ocean to its west gives it some protection from the kind of blizzarda and sub-zero temperatures we see on the prairie and in the northeast) but it can still get cold enough fot hypothermia to kill- even if one doesn’t need oxygen or other electric-powered medical support.

Food For Thought

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Video Thread 1/6/2023

 Posted by at 11:56 am  Open Thread, Politics
Jan 062023
 

So Glenn didn’t take a day off when i originally thought he did … but he did take New Years Day off – and now that the legal recap is up, I need to use this – Glenn Kirschner: Is There an Intersection Between Trump & The Proud Boys? Can a Court Prove it?

Meidas Touch – REVEALED: What did AOC and Matt Gaetz DISCUSS on House Floor?

Political Voices Network – Andrew Weissmann & Harry Litman: Texts Sent by Aides Detail Chaos of Trump’s Final Days in Office

Farron Balanced – Republican Election Official Pleads Guilty To Massive Voter Fraud

Stray Cats Become Inseparable Once Adopted

Beau – Let’s talk about whether it’s time to stop covering Trump….

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Open Thread January 6, 2023

 Posted by at 6:56 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 062023
 

Yesterday, Steve Schmidt published a Substack column about which he felt so strongly that he made the whole thing available to unpaid subscribers. Basically, he wanted to oppose the idea that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” He refers to the inability to see situations and alignments as other than binary as “an addlement in the American character.” I’d’ love to tell him it’s not limited to Americans – C. S, Lewis complained about the same “addlement” in Brits in the 1940’s and 50’s. It isn’t specifically American. It’s just human. He got onto the subject – the rant, if you will – because Sean Hannity and Stephanie Ruhle were both on their respective netwotks tring to tell Boebert the same thing and he wanted to point out that, because Hannity and Ruhle agree on this one thing, and both oppose Boebert, that doesn’t make Hannity a good guy. I’m sure the fact that Hannity is not a good guy is not news to anyone here… but he was right to point it out. There is a lot more in the column, so I’ve linked it in case anyone wants to pursue the idea. Aside from that, and the fact that it’s still cold, and my space heater for the computer room died, and the one from the living room is inadequate for this space (but I do have a new one on order), it’s pretty quiet.

Cartoon – 06 Jan6 in used

Short Takes –

Newsweek – Secret Service Members Found To Be Part of Far-Right Extremist Group—Report
Quote – The list of dues-paying Oath Keepers included 21 people who said they were currently employed by DHS at the time their names were added to the list. A total of 306 identified themselves as being affiliated with DHS…. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which monitors extremist groups, describes the Oath Keepers as advocating “for Americans to prepare for inevitable conflict with the government by stockpiling goods and supplies, engaging in paramilitary training and working to create small, self-reliant community networks.”
Click through for details. Surely no one is surprised by this. But it’s always good to have proof. And, of course, the question is – “Now what?”

Colorado Public Radio – This Ukrainian refugee is sharing her country’s history, culture and spirit through cooking classes in Fort Collins
Quote – “My idea was to make a cooking class about Ukraine, Ukrainian food, Ukrainian tradition,” said [chef Tetiana] Stratilat, who mentioned in an interview that she speaks fluent Russian and Ukrainian and “a little bit English.” What she decided to bring to the cooking classroom was not just ingredients. “I explain the Ukrainian tradition, how we serve [the] table, what‘s the symbol of these dishes, give some history so the people more understand about my country,” she said.
Click through for story. Anyone surorised that all the best “Russian” food is actually Ukranian? I suppose for those of us who grew up and really spent most of our lives equating the Soviet Union with Russia, it’s understandable. But it’s time to learn the truth.

Food For Thought

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Video Thread 1/5/2023

 Posted by at 11:59 am  Open Thread, Politics
Jan 052023
 

Glenn Kirschner – Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony shows how DOJ’s refusal to indict Mark Meadows comes home to roost

Thom Hartmann – SCOTUS Judge’s Obscene Joke During Important Case Should Scare You!

Political Voices Network – arbara McQuade: Trump’s Crew, Thomas Caught Lying? Ornato’s Memory is Foggy & Meadows is Too Quiet

Ring of Fire – Trump Allies WANT Him To Get Indicted To Help His Campaign

Terrified Pregnant Pittie Is The Happiest Mom Now

Beau – Let’s talk about what the US is getting out of Ukraine….

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Open Thread January 5, 2023

 Posted by at 6:52 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 052023
 

Yesterday, McCarthy continued his losing streak. The quiet part that Boehner published out loud in his book is that these people just wast chaos. They literally wasnt to make government look bad so that they can destroy it. I’m impatient for Democrats to negotiate with the few sane ones and get behind a sane person, but I do uderstand that they might want to allow this to continue for a bit longer to draw attention to Republican shenanigans. But I hope they won’t allow it to continue for 2 months and 133 ballots, as happened in 1855-56. Even with a stable White House, that would not be helpful. Meanwhile, in the Senate, Patty Murray makes history as the first female President Pro-Tem. (That’s not actually an elected office – it is the senior member of the majority party – “senior” meaning the longest-serving.) Also, the Conversation published an article about several conditions which might have caused Damar Hamlin’s incident. Not what did happen – that can’t be determined without more evidence (sometimes an autopsy, and no one wants that.)

Cartoon – 05 0105Cartoon.jpg

Short Takes –

New York Times (no paywall) – Brazilian Authorities Will Revive Fraud Case Against George Santos
Quote – But an older criminal case may be more pressing: Brazilian law enforcement authorities intend to revive fraud charges against Mr. Santos, and will seek his formal response, prosecutors told The New York Times on Monday. The matter, which stemmed from an incident in 2008 regarding a stolen checkbook, had been suspended for the better part of a decade because the police were unable to locate him. A spokeswoman for the Rio de Janeiro prosecutor’s office said that with Mr. Santos’s whereabouts identified, a formal request will be made to the U.S. Justice Department to notify him of the charges, a necessary step after which the case will proceed with or without him.
Click through for details. I love that “with or without him.” Pray for extradition. And the next time you hear a Republican say “George Soros,” respond “You mean George Santos?”

The 19th – Democratic women who made history in 2018 are stepping into leadership in 2022
Quote – Of the 35 Democratic women first elected in 2018, 25 ran for and won reelection in 2020 and 2022. And as Democrats prepare to enter the House minority in January under new leaders, many of those women are now stepping up into increasingly powerful leadership positions and are poised to exert more influence than ever before on the future of their party. “I am somewhat biased, but I do believe that the class of 2018 was a pretty extraordinary class,” said Rep. Veronica Escobar, who was one of the first two Latinas elected to Congress from Texas that year.
Click through for story. The rising stars in that class aren’t all women, but a lot of them are.

Food For Thought

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Video Thread 1/4/2023

 Posted by at 11:59 am  Open Thread, Politics
Jan 042023
 

Glenn Kirschner – Hope Hicks texts reveal how Trump’s inner circle KNEW Trump was responsible for the Capitol attack

MSNBC – The Good Liars Duo Reflect On Their 2022 MAGA Moments

CNN – Great-granddaughter of lynching victim becomes first Black woman justice on MI Supreme Court (hanky alert)

Farron Balanced – Republican Election Official Pleads Guilty To Massive Voter Fraud

Cat Raises His Puppy Brother

Beau – Let’s talk about Santos shenanigans….

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Open Thread January 4, 2023

 Posted by at 7:17 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 042023
 

Yesterday, I decided, with everthing else here quiet, to give you an update on the mailbox for tomcat@politicsplus.org. After getting it cleaned out initially, I’ve been trying to check it every week, or at least every other week. I tried at one point to close his Twitter account, but was not successful. However, this last week he did not get any emails from Twitter … so maybe Elon Musk suspended him for something (non-payment of the new feea?) I’ll just hope there aren’t any more. I did manage to close his account at Fantasy Pros – the fantasy football site. I don’t think there is enough interest for it, and in any case, I would be incompetent to run it. I am only aware of football when something horrible happens, such as the Bengals-Bills game this week. I certainly hope Hamlin survives, but the longer he has to stay in intensive care, the less likely it is that he will ever be able to play again (in fact he may already be past that point) and that will certainly be hard on him emotionally. Back to TC’s inbox, at this point everything that is coming is is emails from WordPress or their partners such as updates or expirations, many of which I already know about because alerts on the Dashboard have advised me. Besides that, there is only spam, and there really is no way to get rid of that.

These articles are not old news yet, since after 3 failed ballots they adjourned. Anyway, one has to take the Schadenfreude where one can get it.
Black Woman – Beforre Noon – Round 1 – Chaos

Cartoon – 04 0104Cartoon.jpg

Short Takes –

Crooks & Liars – Zelenskyy Delivers Most Powerful Speech Yet To Ukraine
Quote – “Of course it was hard to celebrate fully because we understand that our soldiers can’t be with their family,” Evheniya Shulzhenko said while sitting with her husband on a park bench overlooking the city. But a “really powerful” end-of-year speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on New Year’s Eve lifted her spirits and made her proud to be Ukrainian, Shulzhenko said.
Click through. The full video in the headline has a voiced-over English translation, but no CC. But the Twitter clip in the body does have CC. And it’s pretty powerful by itself. I’m not sure I could take much more without melting into a puddle.

Washington Post (no paywall) – White contractors wouldn’t remove Confederate statues. So a Black man did it.
Quote – As a small group of Confederate heritage defenders assembled nearby — at least one of them armed — city safety coordinator Miles Jones lectured the work crew on wearing hard hats and eye protection. And who, he asked, would be the site supervisor? A bearded man in Ray-Ban sunglasses and a Norfolk State University sweatshirt stepped forward. “What’s your name, sir?” Jones asked. “Devon Henry.” “Devon Hen—” Jones began, then dropped his voice respectfully. “Oh, Mr. Henry. Of course.”
Click through for story. This mixes my emotions. Sadness because so many wypipo are so bitter and small minded, but happiness that the statues are coming down and that Devon Green exists.

Food For Thought

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