Politics – Page 319 – Politics Plus

Open Thread for February 18 2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:49 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 182022

Yesterday, I actually finished one of the “buttonhole neckline” sweaters I’ve been working o. Sorry no picture yet. I’m not fluent in photography. But I do remember that has been requested and will be working on it. I found a brand new Rocky Mountain Mike parody (based on Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”) – it’ll be in Saturday’s video thread.- And, I placed a grocery order to be delivered today.

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Short Takes –

Letters from an American – February 16, 2022
Quote – Parker’s Washington Post story showing the Freedom Convoys as the expression of a radical fringe was an important reality check to the breathless stories from the American right hailing the Freedom Convoys as a popular movement. The story that former secretary of state Hillary Clinton allegedly spied on then-candidate Trump’s campaign in 2016 illustrates the importance of the sort of reality-based corrective the Washington Post published about the Canadian truckers.
Click through for both stories. We may never be able to reach loony-tunes RWNJs, but it’s still important – maybe even more important – for sane people to have access to the truth.

The 19th – How Ketanji Brown Jackson’s pursuit of success as a lawyer and parent got her a potential Supreme Court nod
Quote – After another stint in private practice, Jackson was nominated by then-President Barack Obama to serve in a full-time capacity on his Sentencing Commission. She was confirmed to that post in 2010. It was the first of three times that she has gone through a Senate confirmation process. “This for me was an opportunity of a lifetime, and it was well worth enduring what I can only say was the extremely nerve-wracking nomination and confirmation process,” she said at the University of Georgia. “I actually taught myself to knit as a way to channel my nervous energy during that time. If anybody wants a scarf, I’m your source.”
Click through for details. It is far from certain who will actually be nominated, but she is a top contender, and has ahown good judgment (pun intended) in some of the 1/6 trials. Not only that, she has a sense of humor.

NBC News – Scientists have possibly cured HIV in a woman for the first time
Quote – An American research team reported that it has possibly cured HIV in a woman for the first time. Building on past successes, as well as failures, in the HIV-cure research field, these scientists used a cutting-edge stem cell transplant method that they expect will expand the pool of people who could receive similar treatment to several dozen annually. Their patient stepped into a rarified [sic] club that includes three men whom scientists have cured, or very likely cured, of HIV. Researchers also know of two women whose own immune systems have, quite extraordinarily, apparently vanquished the virus.
Click through for story, including caution from Dr. Fauci. We have ONE cure from this treatment. It’s definitle hopeful, but at best hopefully definite.

Footnote: Tuesday I featured Rober Smalls. Turns out Keith Knight (“Ye Olde Gentleman Cartoonist”) is a big fan of his.

Food For Thought:

Video Thread 2/17/2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:04 pm Open Thread, Politics

Feb 172022

Glenn Kirschner – Rudy Giuliani “Considering Testifying Before House Select Committee.” Really?

Meidas Touch – Lost Debate [I have never felt that political discussions were fun. I attribute that in part to the fact that even before I got out of the Marine Corps, Republicans were destroying the country as best they could, and that just isn’t fun.]

Lincoln Project – Last Week in the Republican Party

American Bridge – Fight for Democracy

NBC News – Georgia May Add Police At Polling Places Ahead Of Midterm Elections (Would providing white escorts or black voters help?)

Really American – What if Jan 6th wasn’t the first?

Beau – Let’s talk about the Republican Govs’ strange move in Georgia….

Open Thread for February 17 2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:57 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 172022

Yesterday, I scanned my vaccination card now that I have the booster, and filed it on my portable hard drive, replacing the previous upload. I also emailed a copy to the prison so that I don’t have to bring it along and possibly lose it when I am allowed to visit again. I’ve been having trouble lately keeping track of small objects and even a few larger ones, so I’m a bit extra careful just now. The webpage ws updated today, but it still says th moratorium is until March 1, and I frankly don’t think it’s likely to end sooner – it’s more likely to get extended again.

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Short Takes –

HuffPost – Sandy Hook Families Win $73 Million In Lawsuit Against Remington Arms
Quote – Remington Arms has agreed to settle liability claims from nine families whose loved ones were killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The settlement agreement, announced Tuesday in a court filing, is the first time in the U.S. that a gun manufacturer has been held liable for a mass shooting.
Click through for this story. There is a lot more to it than money, as it also involves Remington giving up documents related to marketing.

Colorado Public Radio – The Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters’ election security controversy, explained
Quote – There’s a general consensus on the basic facts of what happened in May, although the Secretary of State and Tina Peters disagree about whether the actions violated any laws or Colorado’s election rules. On May 17 [2021], deputy clerk Belinda Knisley asked Mesa’s IT department to turn off security cameras in the Mesa County elections office, and leave them off until August 1. Peters says state law does not require nonstop video monitoring.
Click through for a clear and concise narrative. This article was followed by the bad news that Tina Peters will not seek reelection in Mesa County, but instead will run for Secretary of State. There is expected to be a crowded Republica primary – but, if she is allowed into it ans wins the nimination, the current Secretary of State, who is runing for reelection herself, will be between a rock and a hard place – Strike Peters from the ballot as she deserves, and face accusations of corruption? Or not? I personally think Jena Griswold can beat Peters – but she shouldn’t have to.

The 19th – Anti-‘woke’ bills could affect LGBTQ+ sensitivity training for eldercare, advocates worry
Quote – Last week, the Florida legislature advanced the Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees, or Stop WOKE, Act. It’s one of two state-level bills — the other is in Tennessee — that would address diversity training for private companies and nonprofit employees. Most similar legislation, including some already passed in Florida, has a narrower focus, such as banning LGBTQ books from school libraries or restricting what teachers can talk about. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the Stop WOKE legislation at a December rally.
Click through for details of the issue. I saw a meme recently with the imaginary conversation: “R: What ever happened to civility? D: You called it political correctness and mocked it.” I think an addition is needed, to wit “R: What ever happened to democracy?” D: “You called it woke and destroyed it.”

Food For Thought:

Video Thread 2/16/2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 11:34 am Open Thread, Politics

Feb 162022

Glenn Kirschner – Biden to Nominate Black Woman to Supreme Court; Ted Cruz is “Outraged”; and a True Story About Hope

Meidas Touch – Republicans BURYING THEMSELVES by making 2022 about Hillary Clinton!! Let them!

Lincoln Project – Twilight Struggle

MSNBC – How One Small Town Fought Off A QAnon Invasion

Robert Reich – Are Both Sides Actually Getting More Extreme?

Meet This Buddhist Cat Who Will Find Buddha Inside You Do click on the “Watch on YouTube.” Trust me, it is worth it.

Beau – Let’s talk about the Superbowl and trucks….

Open Thread for February 16 2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:50 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 162022

Yesterday, I actually finished putting together the Video Thread before I finished this one. A couple of the “usual suspects” came through, and popped in an animal one which can only be viewed on You Tube – but was too good not to share About a cat who is a practicing Buddhist. And it’s easy to click through to it (and excellent CC)

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Short Takes –

AP News – Judge tosses Zimmerman’s lawsuit against Trayvon’s parents
Quote – Judge John Cooper in Tallahassee dismissed all counts against all defendants in the lawsuit filed by Zimmerman against Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin; attorney Ben Crump, who had represented the family; and others. In his order, the judge wrote that Zimmerman had failed to show “any fraudulent representation” and said any further arguments in the case would be futile.
Click through for a few details about the case. In the nineties, I worked in an art gallery, ans my boss has her own way of describing what many of us call “chutzpah.” She’d say, “He has balls the size of church bells.” I think that fits here.

Second Nexus – GOP Senator Slammed for Single-Handedly Holding Up Designation of Internment Camp as Historic Site
Quote – With the 80th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 only a day away, Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah is refusing to budge on the commemoration of a former internment camp in rural Colorado as a historical site. Even in today’s bitterly divided Senate, Colorado Democratic Senator Michael Bennet secured support for the Amache National Historic Site Act from 99 out of 100 Senators, but the bill failed to pass by unanimous consent thanks to Lee’s sole “No” vote.
Click through – George Takei has many websites, and by the time they get written andhis newsletters go out, they are often a bit late. That doesn’t always change the facts. This time it did. Lee came around thanks to My Senator, and I’m only too happy to brag about it.

Comic Sands – NFL Star Takes Young Fan To Daddy-Daughter Dance After Her Father Died—And We’re Ugly-Crying
Quote – When Audrey’s school announced a daddy-daughter dance, Audrey’s mom, Holly, knew this was going to be a pain point for her little girl. Having just lost the men in her life, Audrey was a Daughter with no Daddy or Grandpa to take her. So Holly threw a proverbial Hail Mary for her daughter. Using social media, she reached out to one of the other long-standing influential men in Audrey’s life—Philadelphia Eagles Player Anthony Harris. The family had been fans of Harris’ for years….
Click through for story – and pictures. Yes, this is another George Takei site. He can be hard on malefactors, but he has an appropriately soft heart for the innocent – and those who help them.

Food For Thought:

And a bonus:

Video Thread 2/15/22

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 11:58 am Open Thread, Politics

Feb 152022

Glenn Kirschner – Why Are There No Timely DOJ/Federal Indictments of Trump & Company: An Insider’s Perspective

Lincoln Project – Olympic

Represent Us – How Lobbyists and Loopholes Corrupt Our Government

Truth Matters – Hear Our Visions

Brent Terhune – Topsecret documents

Husky Dog Adopts Stray Cat Saving Her Life

Beau – Let’s talk about Starbucks uniting the country….

Open Thread for February 15, 2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:43 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 152022

Yesterday, I again didn’t do much. A little knitting was about it.That’s just as well though. At least I got both of today’s posts ready. It was a slow day for videos – and I have so many sources now that I can usually stay a little ahead. Not today. I hopw everyone who normally uploads videos was doing something special with their significant others … and that a bunch of them upload one today.

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Short Takes –

The New Yorker – Autocrats, Not Terrorists, Are Increasingly Taking Americans Hostage
Quote – The officers at the airport blindfolded Fenster and trundled him into a van. When the blindfold was removed, Fenster was in what appeared to be a police station. Two men interrogated him. The environment was more menacing—Fenster was shackled to a chair while they fired off repetitive questions about why he had come to Myanmar and what he was doing in the country. Hours later, he was blindfolded again and taken to a new location. When this blindfold was taken off, he found himself in a courtroom inside Yangon’s Insein Prison, a notorious complex known as “the darkest hellhole in Burma.”
Click through for story. Of course foreign autocrats are a danger, but frankly, it’s the domestic ones which worry me more.

Mother Jones – Canadian Police Clear Protesters From Key Border Crossing
Quote – And in New Zealand, cops have made at least 120 arrests at the camp near Parliament. Speaker of the House, Trevor Mallard, pitched in by blasting annoying music to deter the protesters. Among the selections: Barry Manilow’s greatest hits, “Baby Shark,” and Matt Mullholland’s out-of-tune cover of “My Heart Will Go On.” As of Saturday, it wasn’t working.
Click through for details. Not all of Manilow’s hits are annoying – at least not that annoying. Personally, I wish Rocky Mountain Mike would pick up on “Weekend in New England.” The chorus writes itself: “When will we see him in jail?”

History Art and Archives – Robert Smalls
Quote – An escaped slave and a Civil War hero, Robert Smalls served five terms in the U.S. House, representing a South Carolina district described as a “black paradise” because of its abundant political opportunities for freedmen. Overcoming the state Democratic Party’s repeated attempts to remove that “blemish” from its goal of white supremacy, Smalls endured violent elections and a short jail term to achieve internal improvements for coastal South Carolina and to fight for his black constituents in the face of growing disfranchisement.
Click hrough. In Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s documentary “Reconstruction,” in the second hour of Part 1, Prof. Gates interviews his great-grandson. In reality, Smalls was one of many black legislators who infuriated white by being competent. (I recommend the entire documentary, and you don’t have to watch it all at once.)

Food For Thought:

Video Thread 2/14/22

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 11:41 am Open Thread, Politics

Feb 142022

Glenn Kirschner – Two Standards of Justice: Fed Worker Jailed for Mishandling Classified Docs, While Trump Golfs (Apparently, that was the only crime in the completed case. It does take limger to write a term paper than it does to write a 500-word essay. Just a thought.)