Open Thread for January 6, 2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:13 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 062022

Yesterday, I ran through all the online diagnostics before calling CenturyLink, and I’m glad I did so. I have had my current modem for more than 9 years, and it’s been obsolete for a while now. So I really have no right to complain. I checked out the current models available, and discovered that one of the three newest models is made by the same manufacturer as my old one, and the cord array looks exactly the same, so I can install it easily – no need to brinf a tech to the house in plague time. I’m expected to get it Saturday. Meantime, I have found a flow which will enable me to work faster by moving slower, so I will make it until (probably not without some colorful language in the process, though.)

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

The New Yorker (Borowitz – NOT THE NEWS!) Sean Hannity Informs January 6th Panel that Swearing to Tell the Truth Would Violate His Contract with Fox
Quote – In a written statement, Hannity said that taking an oath “to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” would be “a betrayal of the solemn vow I made to Fox. +The members of the committee would no doubt require me to swear on a Bible,” he said. “However, I answer to a higher power: Rupert Murdoch.”
Click through if you aren’t paywalled out. Sounds like straight news to me (but I did LOL.)

Trump called her an ‘incredible woman,’ but Ashli Babbitt was a Q-nut with a violent past
Quote – Norris’ first encounter with Babbitt took place on July 29, 2016, when Norris says Babbitt rammed her SUV in a road-rage incident in Prince Frederick, Maryland. “She pulls up yelling and screaming,” Norris told AP. “It took me a good 30 seconds to figure out who she was. … Just all sorts of expletives, telling me to get out of the car, that she was going to beat my ass.”
Click through for backstory. I don’t say “full” because there is undoubteedly more to be learned. I would also call her incredible – but NOT as a compliment!

Merrick Garland speech – Assuming this would be the major topic everyome would be interested in, I listened to it. Twice. The second time with a YouTube video which has CC and therefore I could download a transcript (how good remains to be seen,) and I will figure out a way to make that available – that one, or a better one if someone beats me to it. But, to summarize, he said –
We are working on it and we won’t stop until we get everyone. If I told you any more, it would jeopardize the investigation (DOJ policy, based on experience and best practices.) We started at the bottom and are working our way up, and that is reflected in sentincing (which by implication will go up with the involvement of the offender – also best practices.) We are also working on voting rights (if the investigation takes too long, we are going to need voting rights as we never have before.) We are also working on death threats, (and you wouldn’e believe how many of those there are, and how many categories of people who have received them.) The time to deal with threats is when they are issued, not after a tragedy. First Amendment rights are important, but “protests” like 1/6 and death threats are not protected. (I thought it was clever of him to quote Scalia to support that instead of a more liberal justice, and it was a good quote.) Bottom line: We know how critical the investigation of 1/6 is for the survival of democracy, and we don’t intend to let anyone skate. We are working as hard as we can, that’s all we can tell you, so please get off our back and let us do our job.

Food For Thought:

Video Thread 1/5/2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:05 pm Open Thread, Politics

Jan 052022

Glenn Kirschner – From Trump DOJ Official Pleading the 5th to Congress on Cusp of Subpoenaing its Own: December Recap

Meidas Touch – Michael Cohen thinks Jan 6 text leaks are not what they appear (and he has some good points)

The Lincoln Project – In Their Words

NBC News – Remembering Those We Lost in 2021 – I said I was dreading this, but it’s worth knowing (Yes, Betty White died on December 31, but they made this on the 31st before the news got out.)

Really American – Trump To Deliver DANGEROUS Speech On January 6 (he has wimped out, though)

Woman Adopts Grandparents’ Grumpy Cat

Beau – Let’s talk about human rights or constitutional rights….

Open Thread for January 5 2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:24 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 052022

Monday, some things happened after I scheduled the post, and what with the computer, I didn’t get them in to yesterday’s post. Probably the main thing is that Governor Polis has imposed a two-week moratorium on prison visiting. That is sad, but also good. Safety is the most important thing at this point. Also, I have a prescription to pick up which I ordered delivered. The original order disappeared, and I had to call, and that detail got missed. I’d get help picking it up, but they’re close and have a sealed drive-up window. So yesterday I donned an N95 and gloves and picked it up at the window. And I also heard from WWWendy WW. She is still involved in settling TC’s estate (no surprise to anyone who has ever dealt with an estate, I’m sure). But she has also experienced the death of another very close friend. I am still having trouble with the computer, to the point where the video thread will be short today. I’m pretty sure my modem is obsolete and I will need a new one, but before I could get to CenturyLink on the phone, it was too late for a human being. So, today.

Cartoon –

Short Takes

Ordinarily I would put this on the video thread … but it really needs a full transcript (which is available on the YouTube version and needed very little correction.)

This is Melanie Moore. From Georgia. The mother of a third-grader and a fourth-grader.

Please watch…pic.twitter.com/a2opMGmntj

— Rex Chapman (@RexChapman) January 2, 2022

Transcript – uh good evening board members my name is melanie moore i am the parent of a third and fourth grader in district two and i’m grateful for the opportunity to speak with you this evening the issue i would like to address is the need for equitable education in all areas but first i’d like to share a little something personal i struggle with depression i have for many years i’ve gone to counselors throughout the years and one of the first things they ask me is tell me about your family of origin tell me about your past what happened to you in your past that is causing the current trauma and pain that you’re feeling in the same way our country cannot begin to heal until we deal with the pain trauma and hurt from our past we must teach our children the truth about the past and then show them how to be the change we wish to see in the world we can help them connect the dots from the awful events of the past to the current issues that face our country so that real change can happen as members of the white community we have got to stop pushing the agenda that diversity and truth and education is all about indoctrination shaming or placing guilt at the feet of white people no one is asking you to get up and place your head on the chopping block for the wrongs of the past people are simply asking for their stories to be heard and taught as ours have been for generations i would not allow my children to wallow in anger pain and self-pity i would do all i could to help them to be the very best versions of themselves even if it hurts to point out some painful truths about their behavior in the same way we have got to be honest with ourselves and admit that systemic racism is real that this country was created and prospered under the ideals of white supremacy and that we are responsible for righting the wrongs of our forefathers we did not create this mess but we are the ones that have to clean it up starting with honest equitable education practices now that will teach our children the hard truths about our past so that they can create a better future i understand that change is hard but it’s got to come racism is alive and well in this country it’s seen in the groups of white men with torches chanting you will not replace us to the fact that in 2021 we still don’t have a federal anti-lynching hate crime law we need to know better and then we need to do better happy pride happy early
You can click through to the tweet, or to the YouTube video, but it’s really all here Feel free to share wherever you think it will do come good.

Mother Jones – Chuck Schumer Just Announced a Major Potential Vote on the Future of the Filibuster
Quote – Schumer made his announcement three days before the first anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot. In his letter, Schumer drew comparisons between the insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol and Republican officials who have seized on Trump’s election lies to enact anti-democratic legislation across the country.
Click through for details. He knows what’s at stake. Wish him all strength and best luck in getting it through.

Crooks and Liars – Trump Abruptly Cancels January 6 Press Conference
Quote – Among other things, several advisors – formal and informal – told him the press conference was a mistake and/but it was becoming clear he wasn’t likely to get the live TV coverage he was hoping for. — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 4, 2022
Click through. Looks like Amato won.

Food For Thought:

Oh, and one last thing –

Attorney General Merrick Garland will update Americans on the Jan. 6 investigation on WEDNESDAY

Video Thread 1/4/2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 11:35 am Open Thread, Politics

Jan 042022

Glenn Kirschner – DOJ Press Release Promises to Hold Accountable All Those “Responsible” for Capitol Attack

Crooks and Liars – Harry Dunn Moves Capehart To Tears With Answer On Protecting Congress

Ring of Fire – Conservatives Accidentally Drive Book Sales Soaring After Trying To Ban Books

Robert Reich – The Big Picture: How We Got Into This Mess, And How We Get Out of It (No CC because no talking!)

CBS – States across the country mark the start of 2022 with new laws going into effect (More new laws)

CNN – Cheney reveals what Trump was doing during January 6 insurrection (not like any of this is news, but testimony is always nice to have.)

Beau – Let’s talk about a New Year update….

Open Thread for January 4, 2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:14 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 042022

Yesterday, I had some computer-internet issues. I got things done, just very s – l – o – w – l – y. I’m very glad this didn’t turn up a few days ago.

Cartoon –

Short Takes

Letters from an American – January 2, 2022
Quote – The New York Times editorial board—which consists of opinion journalists who weigh in on important issues—warned that the attack on democracy we witnessed so traumatically on January 6 has not ended. It persists in ongoing threats to election officials, threats to murder opponents, and new state laws skewing elections toward Republicans. “In short,” they wrote, “the Republic faces an existential threat from a movement that is openly contemptuous of democracy and has shown that it is willing to use violence to achieve its ends.”
Click through for full essay. This might be worth hanging on to for reference.

Crooks and Liars – Media Matters Prez: Talk Radio As GOP Disinformation Engine
Quote – “And they continue to run with that story that vaccines were part of a plot and a conspiracy by Dr. Fauci and Bill Gates in order to put microchips in people, or there is a very, very prominent conspiracy theory that it’s actually – the vaccine is designed to open up an interdimensional portal.”
Click through – Carusone is a hero, listening to right wing talk radio so that we don’t have to. We need to take him seriously.

Wonkette – Kevin McCarthy Furious Democrats Doing So Little To Protect Capitol From Republican Trump Insurgents
Quote – “Unfortunately, one year later, the majority party seems no closer to answering the central question of how the Capitol was left so unprepared and what must be done to ensure it never happens again.” Wait, was THAT the “central question”? Why the Capitol was so unprepared and vulnerable? Was the Capitol walking by itself very late at night? Was it wearing a short skirt? And why, praytell, is the Capitol hitting itself? Tell us more, Kevin McCarthy, about how the “central question” of what happened that day was how the Capitol was so unprepared to be attacked by hordes of Donald Trump’s terrorists.
Click through. I swear you cannot make this stuff up.

Food For Thought:

Video Thread 1/3/2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:11 pm Open Thread, Politics

Jan 032022

Glenn Kirschner – 2021: The Year of Donald Trump’s Big Lie. 2022 Will be the Year of The Big Truth.

Meidas Touch – Michael Cohen draws parallels between ‘Succession’ and the Trump family

Armageddon Update | 2021 Year In Review

Robert Reich – 2021: A Year Defined by Worker Power

PBS – Photojournalists share the stories behind images that defined 2021

NBC – New State Laws To Be Enforced In 2022

Beau – Let’s talk about next year’s news cycles….

Open Thread for January 3, 2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:03 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 032022

Yesterday, I kind of piddled around, pulled out the next sweater I intend to wear to visit Virg and Jewelry to go with (I may wear one weddig or wedding-type ring and one religious pendant inside, and I like to take earringd along to put into my ears when I leave to keep the piercing open) – took out some recyclables (There is room now, it got picked up), found where all the old comments are and figured out how to get to a particular page – checked what os low in the kitchen freezer and moved things from the porch freezer to re-stock – glued some cord ends onto cords – did a little knitting – downloaded some free patterns (with no clear projects in mind, I just liked some ideas) – did a little gaming – just small stuff.

Cartoon –

Short Takes

Politico – FDIC’s GOP chair to resign after partisan brawl
Quote – Earlier this month, the Democratic majority on the FDIC’s board voted to take public feedback on potential changes to the agency’s bank merger approval process. McWilliams did not participate in the vote, and the FDIC in an official statement said the action was not valid. A legal debate ensued over whether a majority of the board can put items up for a vote without the consent of the chair, with Democrats maintaining they had clear authority.
Click through for details. So, now we’ll have a Democratic chair (at least for a while). In what universe canthe top dog invalidate a vote by simply not voting when everyone else does vote? If that isn’t autocracy, I don’t know what is. Even BBM couldn’t get away with that.

Daily Kos – Adhara Pérez, 10, has a higher IQ than Einstein and Hawking. She has her sights set on NASA
Quote – When she was just 5, Pérez finished elementary school. At 6 she finished middle school, and at 8 she finished high school. Today, she’s studying two careers online—Industrial engineering in mathematics at UNITEC and systems engineering at CNCI. The University of Arizona has offered her a scholarship.
Click through for story. Of course it’s a story not without bullying in it. But there seem to be enough people in her corner now to provide her some protection. I hope.

The Guardian – Capitol attack: Cheney says Republicans must choose between Trump and truth
Quote – Cheney told CBS the blame lay squarely with her own party. “Far too many Republicans are trying to enable the former president, embrace the former president or look the other way and hope that the former president goes away, or trying to obstruct the activities of this committee, but we won’t be deterred. At the end of the day, the facts matter, the truth matters.”
Click through. I really do hope they don’t kill her.

Food For Thought:

SOUND OFF! 1/2/22 – Strengthening the Constitution

Posted by Freya at 1:17 pm Politics

Jan 022022

For years, right-wingers have been clamoring for a Constitutional Convention. Just a few more states need to sign on, and then this can take place. The U.S. Constitution allows for just such an event to alter the document. Liberals, progressives and even centrists are concerned, and rightfully so, that a Constitutional Convention dominated by conservatives could pervert the law of the land and undo decades of progress. They could return the U.S. to the days when only wealthy white men could vote. They could shove in a “Human Life Amendment” that would declare life to begin at the moment of conception – which would open a serious can of worms that deserves its own essay. They could turn the USA into the worst fascist regime ever, and considering that this country not only has the world’s mightiest military but would be nearly impossible to invade (and thus liberate), woe unto freedom-lovers worldwide. Mexico just might pay for that border wall – to keep us out.

However, sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

So, why can’t liberals/progressives/left-wingers support a Constitutional Convention, causing it to backfire against right-wing extremists in the worst way possible? What if the ultimate attempt to “own the libs” turned into the liberals eating the conservatives’ dinner in the conservatives’ tent?

Let’s face it: The U.S. Constitution is an imperfect document. The Founding Fathers knew that, which is why they made provisions to amend it as time went by. So far we have added amendments to abolish slavery, give women the right to vote, limit the number of terms a President can serve, and lower the voting age to 18, among other things. Activists have been pushing for the addition of the Equal Rights Amendment since the early 1970s; we may yet see it get ratified.

The only people who worked on the original document were white, male, and (at least on the surface) straight, in addition to being landowners. No women, people of color, or poor got to participate in its creation. Also, the Constitution was conceived and written in a time when slavery was widely accepted. Abolitionist movements had been around for centuries, but eliminating the “peculiar institution” from the U.S. entailed the destructive and bloody convulsions of a civil war.

The Second Amendment needs modification because, when the Founding Fathers wrote it, firearms were limited to muzzle-loaded muskets and breech-loading rifles, which had low rates of fire – the former could get 2 or 3 shots a minute, the latter 12. Those men had no way of anticipating modern assault rifles, machine guns, bazookas, etc. Gun nuts are big on parroting the second half of the 2nd Amendment, while conveniently forgetting the first half. The real purpose for the 2nd was to create a citizen’s militia as an alternative to a standing army. So, Mr. Gunfreak, what part of “well-regulated militia” don’t you understand? A bunch of poorly organized and scarcely disciplined yahoos is not a well-regulated militia.

When the U.S. Constitution was first ratified, there were only thirteen states, whose populations did not vary much. Today US states vary in population from around 578,000 (Wyoming) to over 39.2 million (California). In other words, a Senator from Wyoming represents far fewer people than one from California, yet he/she has as much of a voice in Congress. When a few small states have a lot more power than one large state, even if their combined populations are less than the big state, something ain’t right.

Every state except for Nebraska has a bicameral legislatures, and the districts for the State Senators, are drawn in a way to make the populations of districts more or less equal. Why can’t we make the national Senate work the same way? We’d need to change the Constitution, of course – and adding an amendment can take years, if not decades. Residents of small states will, of course, oppose such a measure since they don’t want to give up their power.

The Constitution is a vital part of our country, but not all of it is supposed to be carved in stone. That is why we have a process to amend it – that is, improve it. Since healthy societies progress morally and ethically over the years, laws need to be rewritten or even replaced from time to time. Lawmakers also need to take into account changing technology, such as telephones and social media, which the Founding Fathers could never have foreseen.

Perhaps a Constitutional Convention would actually be a good thing. The document that is the heart and soul of our country needs a lot of updating to put it in line with 21st century ethics and technology, as well as the current structure of the United States. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, et al would understand.

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