Politics – Page 337 – Politics Plus

Open Thread for November 4, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:12 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 042021

Yesterday, I overslept a biy – still tired from the day before. So I kind of took my time – and worked some on a new portrait doll. Otherwise, a quiet day.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

The Daily Beast – Florida Trio Accused of Smuggling Guns to ‘400 Mawozo’ Gang in Haiti
Quote – Three Florida residents are facing federal charges for allegedly smuggling firearms from South Florida to leaders of Haiti’s notorious 400 Mawozo gang, recently accused of kidnapping at least 17 American and Canadian missionaries last month near Port-au-Prince.
Click through for the exact charges. Who did they think they were, the CIA?

Law & Crime – Woman Pointed Gun at 7-Year-Old Child Who Was Trick-or-Treating: Deputies
Quote – According to authorities, Bradford was yelling at nearby trick-or-treaters. Deputies did not explain how this escalated to her pointing a gun at the 7-year-old, or specify why she was mad in the first place, but that is what they alleged she did.
Click through for mugshot. There’s not much detail but the quote was so Dunning-Kruger I couldn’t resist.

Crooks and Liars – Everyone Is Watching Sir David Attenborough Today And You Should Too
Quote – The problem often feels too big for one person to understand, let alone make a difference in solving it. But Sir David Attenborough makes it EASY to understand…. I watched it this morning and feel BETTER and better informed on the topic of climate change than I ever have before. I hope you do, too.
Click through for video and full accurate transcript. We really need this.

Food for Thought –

As Seen from Afar 11/03/2021

Posted by Lona Goudswaard at 6:39 pm Politics

Nov 032021

COP 26 Day 3 | Who’s paying for it?

Euronews Green delivers a Special COP26 email to my mailbox every day during the two weeks it is running (01-12 November 2021). I’ll publish it in its entirety for those who are interested. This is the second in the series.

Today’s takeaway

With world leaders gone and their big speeches delivered, COP26 negotiators turned their focus to money on Tuesday.

Cash pledges from both governments and the private sector poured in as COP26 Finance Day wrapped up.

The UK presidency said that wealthy countries would deliver on their promise to provide $100 billion a year (€86 billion) to finance climate-related projects in the developing world, after failing to meet the initial 2020 target.

And in one of today’s most discussed announcements, the world’s largest financial players pledged a massive $130 trillion (€112 trillion) of private capital to decarbonise the economy, while the UK vowed to become “the world’s first net-zero aligned financial centre.”

But climate activists were calling for scrutiny of investors’ motives, warning that the same financial players who profited from fossil fuels were now posing as green champions.

If you weren’t able to follow along on Tuesday, here are the six key takeaways from day 2 of COP26.

At a glance

Don’t blame the climate crisis on India and China, campaigners urge

The Indian Prime Minister’s announcement that the country will reach net zero emissions by 2070 has been met with mixed reactions from COP-watchers. But environmental campaigners say it is “deeply unfair” to blame middle-income countries for the climate crisis.
Read more

What is the ‘carbon budget’, the latest term coming out of COP26 talks?

“Carbon budgets” is one of the most-often mentioned terms at the COP26 talks in Glasgow, but many are wondering who set them and what role they play in fighting climate change.
Read more

These countries are forcing banks to reveal their climate impact

New Zealand has introduced a new law that forces its financial institutions to disclose their climate impact. These other countries have already taken similar steps
Read more

Social exclusive

Video Thread 11/3/21

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 11:39 am Open Thread, Politics

Nov 032021

Glenn Kirschner – Washington Post’s January 6 Deep Dive; Is AG Garland/DOJ Criminally Investigating Donald Trump?

Ring of Fire – Cyber Ninjas Isn’t Turning Over Their Documents And Republicans Are Getting Angry

Everett Stern – almost 22 minutes and he’s not the world’s greatest orator. But the material is – plutonium. There is a related article in Newsweek

RepresentUs – Two riffs on the gerrymandered pizza.

Sprouts – We all know about the Dunning-Kruger effect in dumb folks. But the corollaries go all the way up.

Beau – Let’s talk about roses, history, and a reality check….

Open Thread for November 3, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:48 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 032021

Yesterday, my grocery delivery came – including not only substitutions but missing items. I have no idea what I was actually charged for. They have a feedback option, but you can’t make any personal comments – and you can report missing items, or you can report substitutions, but not both. Fortunately there is a “contact us” form on the website. These people do not seem to be aware that if they substitute something I am allergic to for something I ordered, and I have a serious reaction, they would be legally liable for damages. I sugeested they speak with their lawyer. (And I never place a food ordeer without finding and checking or unchecking, however it’s worded, the appropriate box to specify “no substitutions.” Even if that requires multiple browsers.) Grrrr. OK, end of rant today.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

Crooks and Liars – QAnon Voting Clerk Suspected Of Stealing Voting Equipment
Quote – That prompted Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to revoke Scott’s ability to run the upcoming election, putting Hillsdale County Clerk Marney Kast, a fellow Republican, in her place. But when Kast and her team arrived in Adams Township to inspect the voting equipment, they found a surprise. During the inspection, officials discovered that the voting machine’s tablet—a key part of its operations—was gone. Michigan State Police launched an investigation Thursday to uncover who took the tablet.
Click through – We had one in Colorado who has been stripped of her powers regarding elections (best we can do, she was elected). Now Michigan has one. How many more?

New York Times – Florida Bars State Professors From Testifying in Voting Rights Case
Quote – Three University of Florida professors have been barred from assisting plaintiffs in a lawsuit to overturn the state’s new law restricting voting rights, lawyers said in a federal court filing on Friday. The ban is an extraordinary limit on speech that raises questions of academic freedom and First Amendment rights. University officials told the three that because the school was a state institution, participating in a lawsuit against the state “is adverse to U.F.’s interests” and could not be permitted.
Click through for full story. Should you want to share, don’t cut the URL – it’s in all that garbage that thr NYT knows it’s been paid for – by a subscriber who also posts on DU.

The Daily Beast – Jan. 6 Organizers Are Raking It In With Trump and GOP Groups
Quote – A review of public financial disclosures shows that multiple entities involved in the Jan. 6 rallies have continued to rake it in after the attack on the U.S. Capitol, with various Republicans and GOP groups continuing to give these entities business even as investigators look into their roles with the insurrection. Public records also show a number of curious payments on and around Jan. 6—including more than $25,000 in advertising that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) paid to right-wing social media platform Parler, with one transaction on the day of the riot.
Click through for details. Follow the money.

Food for Thought –

As Seen from Afar 11/02/2021

Posted by Lona Goudswaard at 5:13 pm Politics

Nov 022021

COP 26 Day 2 | Time for action

Today’s takeaway

The second day of COP26 signalled time for action after an opening marked by “doomsday” rhetoric.

Several major deals were announced on Tuesday as the World Leader’s Summit wrapped up.

More than 100 countries, including EU nations, pledged to curb methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. The potent greenhouse gas is responsible for an estimated 30 per cent of global warming since the industrial revolution according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

In another landmark deal, more than 100 world leaders committed to ending deforestation by 2030. The majority of countries home to the Amazon Rainforest – including Brazil – have signed the agreement.

Pledges for cash flowed too, both from governments and the private sector. The Bezos Earth Fund promised $2 billion (€1.72 billion) to tackle climate change through landscape restoration and the transformation of agricultural systems.

But despite the good news, climate activists warned this might not be enough to keep global warming below 1.5C. Some pointed to accountability problems with world leaders’ commitments, while others said they fell short of previous goals.

Meanwhile, the British presidency faced criticism about accessibility and inclusiveness at the conference. Civil society groups have complained of “unprecedented restrictions” to negotiations, while an Israeli minister using a wheelchair was unable to access the summit yesterday.

If you weren’t able to follow along on Monday, here are the 5 key takeaways from day 1 of COP26.

At a glance

Ending deforestation by 2030: Landmark deal or rerun of past failures?

The first major deal of COP26 was signed today as more than 100 world leaders committed to ending
deforestation by 2030. But critics have highlighted a lack of accountability with this new measure.
Read more

Over 100 countries sign pledge to cut methane emissions

More than 100 countries*, including EU nations, have announced a new plan to curb methane emissions by 30%. But climate activists say this won’t be enough to keep global warming below 1.5C.
Read more

* Australia snubs methane reduction pledge at COP26 climate change conference
Nearly 90 countries have joined a US- and EU-led effort to slash emissions of methane by 30 per cent by 2030 from 2020 levels at COP26. Among the signatories is Brazil, one of the five biggest emitters of methane. The other four – Australia, China, Russia and India – have not signed up. (From Greenpeace Australia Pacific)

Faces of COP26: Meet the ex-corporate consultant fighting for her son’s future

Throughout COP26, we’re profiling some interesting people we meet here in Glasgow. Today, we interview Abigail, a former management consultant who has joined Extinction Rebellion protest group.
Read more

Video Thread 11/2/21

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 11:27 am Open Thread, Politics

Nov 022021

Glenn Kirschner – Email From Trump Team Lawyer John Eastman Further Proves Conspiracy to Overturn Election Results

Thom Hartmann – Why FDR Didn’t Expose The Business Man Coup SUCH a difference between Butler and Flynn!

Ring of Fire – Fox Host Gets Death Threats After Encouraging Audience To Get Vaccinated

Rebel HQ – Greg Abbott Reveals His Sick & Twisted Plan For Immigrants (Watch sitting down so you don’t get dizzy from the spin.)

Armageddon Update – They Aren’t Victims, They’re DEAD!

Yes, this is a commercial for Doritos – and yes, it has people grabbing hankies.
Nunca Es Tarde Para Ser Quien Eres (It’s never too late to be who you are)
VERY rough transcript translation: Grandma – My brother, how I miss you!
Family – gasps in surprise to see Albert
Albert – My family, how are you doing?
Father – Who is he?
Albert – He is Mario – my wunderful partner.
Grandma – It’s a miracle! I was afraid you would be alone forever!

Beau – Let’s talk about a Sputnik moment and it not being one….

Open Thread for November 2, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:16 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 022021

Yesterday, I finally felt rested. I looked at some catalogs – one was the company whose catalog helped save my vision Saturday – I figured I owed them a look. One was a yarn/needlecraft supply company. I also placed a grocery delivery order for today. So there may be gaps in my responding to your comments (which I am the only one who will notice, most likely.).

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

The Guardian – Republican Adam Kinzinger: I’ll fight Trumpism ‘cancer’ outside Congress
Quote – But he said a stronger push to retire had come from the direction of his party under Trump. “It’s sitting back and saying, ‘OK, what happens if I win again? I go back, probably Republicans will probably be in the majority. I’m going to be fighting even harder … and I haven’t seen any momentum in the party to move away from lies and towards truth.”
Click through. This is a pity, and if it lets a Trumpublican into Congress, t’s more than a pity. But at least he is not going away completely.

Democratic Underground – Matt Gaetz talks about blowing up the metal detectors in the House with Tannerite or C4
Quote – [Matt Gaetz Tweet] If you can’t fantasize about blowing up useless metal detectors with @laurenboebert at a Florida Halloween political rally for @AnthonySabatini, when can you?
Click through for more info on tannerite and C4. Hey, Matt – how about “NEVER!!”?

Talking Points Memo – The Most Damning Jan 6th Revelation Yet
Quote – As I have noted in other recent posts, much of the recent ‘news’ about the insurrection has not been terribly new. It’s repackaged versions of things we knew or additional evidence and detail. This story published last night in the Post is one of the biggest revelations I’ve seen to date. John Eastman is the Federalist Society right wing law professor who wrote up the legal gloss for the President’s coup plot. It created the connective tissue joining the coup plot within the government with the paramilitary violence that broke out on Capitol Hill on January 6th.
Click through for details. It’s not surprising – it’s not all that much farther down the rabbit hole – but it does come with “receipts.”

Food for Thought –

Spooky Halloween Bonus Prank – Courtesy of Mitch!

Posted by SoINeedAName at 1:49 pm Politics

Nov 012021

Originally I was going to add this to my yesterday’s “Boo-tiful Babies” post – but it got to be so long I thought I would spread out the Halloween happiness and post it today.

Mitch was kind enough to send me a video of amazing telekinetic powers that would take my breath away if I were there back then. One aspect I appreciated is they show you how they accomplished it.

It was created and filmed in 2013 at the ‘sNice Café & Coffee Shop in the West Village. Mitch indicated that when he lived in NYC he was aware of it. But sadly, it closed in 2014. (It’s a cleaners now, which saddened Mitch when I told him.)

Enjoy this very clever and well performed video – courtesy of Mitch!

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