Politics – Page 351 – Politics Plus

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

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 first in the series.

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!

Video Thread 11/1/21

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 11:52 am Open Thread, Politics

Nov 012021

Glenn Kirschner – This is over a week old, and it is not his show … but I saved it in case he took s day off. It is Stephanie Miller’s show, and his demeanor is just a bit different with a good friend, and the material is not dated.

Don’t Choose Extinction Nameless

Meidas Touch – Youngkin Chaos

Rebel HQ – Trump Republican Embarrassed By Epic Legal Order (Oh, this is rich – and about time!)

Really American – Fox Airing Tucker Carlson False Flag Propaganda

Politicsrus – Hallowe’en (sorry it’s late)

Beau – Let’s talk about justice delayed in Alabama….

Open Thread for November 1, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:01 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 012021

Yesterday was the first day of COP-26. Having been to a conference or two in my life, I am assuming that means today is the first full day of it. So I am trying to feature climate. You may have noticed we all are. Speaking of which, it was overcast and wet here. Since it was, and it’s expected to stay wet for at least a few days, I pushed myself to go out and put down some iris food. And to being the trash/recyclable carts to where they live. And to deal with the mail from the car and the mailbox (most of which went straight to recycle.) Incidentally it was also cold with a high of 36°F.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

Crooks and Liars – Toni Morrison’s 1998 Interview Speaks To ‘GOP Mom’
Quote – Youngkin tweeted a campaign video on Monday that featured the outrage of Laura Murphy, a white mom who years earlier tried to get Morrison’s classic novel, Beloved, banned from her son’s Advanced Placement English curriculum.
Click through – in case you mised Youngkin’s incendiary Tweet (recalling the infamous “Willie Horton” ad), it’s there. Sigh.

Reuters – G20 offers little new on climate, leaving uphill task for COP26
Quote – Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who chaired the Rome gathering, hailed the final accord, saying that for the first time all G20 states had agreed on the importance of capping global warming at the 1.5 degrees Celsius level that scientists say is vital to avoid disaster. “We made sure that our dreams are not only alive but they are progressing,” Draghi told a closing news conference, brushing off criticism from environmentalists that the G20 had not gone nearly far enough to resolve the crisis.
Click through for details.

AP News – ‘Last, best hope:’ Leaders launch crucial UN climate summit
Quote – Government leaders face two choices in Glasgow, Patricia Espinosa, head of the U.N. climate office, declared at the summit’s opening: They can sharply cut greenhouse gas emissions and help communities and countries survive what is becoming a hotter, harsher world, Espinosa said. “Or we accept that humanity faces a bleak future on this planet. It is for these reasons and more that we must make progress here in Glasgow. We must make it a success.”
Click through for more. If only today’s lead (right after Glenn) video would come true.)

Food for Thought –

Let’s Celebrate Halloween With Some BOO-tiful Babies

Posted by SoINeedAName at 3:28 pm Politics

Oct 312021

With few exceptions, Halloween has become a universal holiday celebrated by almost everyone – not only here, but around the world.

So just because you happen to be one of those who made a point to arrive too early and found yourself in a Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU), doesn’t mean you couldn’t join in the fun.

It’s become a very common tradition to dress-up the preemies in cute costumes. Many NICUs organize costume craft parties for parents and nurses to engage their creativity. Parkland Hospital NICU in Dallas has special education students involved in creating the little one’s ensembles.

When I first started researching for this post, I had NO idea I would find as many different outfits as I did. And even the ones with the same themes were interpreted a bit different.

It kinda got away from me, but not wanting to leave out too many, I decided I’d put them into GIFs. I’ll start with one-offs and then move to similar ideas and close with favorites.

MISC