Squatch’s Open Thread 09 June 2017

 Posted by at 5:22 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Jun 092017
 

It has been a busy week and next week looks the same.  It rained most of yesterday and a bit last night, but today has been dry with some sunshine.  Earlier this week, Wendy said that she expected TC would go home Friday or Saturday.  So far, I think he is still in the hospital as he still has pain and did not outright say he was home.  However I know he is very relieved that the liver spots are benign.  Please say prayers or keep healing thoughts for TC front and centre.  I hope everyone has a good weekend.

Jigsaw Puzzle

Yesterday’s took me 3:32 (average 5:14).  To do it, click here.  How did you do? No, I'm not barkin' mad!

Today’s took me 4:27 (average 5:46).  To do it, click here.  How did you do? 

Short Takes

Politico — House Republicans on Thursday united to pass a comprehensive bill that would dismantle the landmark banking regulations enacted after the 2008 financial crisis.

The legislation, approved without a single Democratic vote, represents the GOP's opening salvo in the debate over easing the rules on the financial system, a move sparked by the election of President Donald Trump and Republican control of Congress.  …

Hensarling argues that the economy and consumers would benefit from his vision in which market forces rather than government regulation would keep the financial system in check.

Among the bill's most controversial measures is the elimination of most of the powers of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the independent regulatory agency that is Democrats' crown jewel in Dodd-Frank.

The legislation would rename the weakened CFPB the Consumer Law Enforcement Agency and make it more beholden to Congress and the president.  …

The bill would also repeal a pillar of Dodd-Frank that allows regulators to manage the failure of a major financial institution, replacing that power with an updated version of the bankruptcy code.

While people were distracted by the Comey testimony, Lyin' Ryan and the Republicans rammed through a piece of legislation designed to all but kill the CFPB.  Not good at all!

Raw Story — A former Republican congressman who voted to impeach former President Bill Clinton called out House Speaker Paul Ryan as a hypocrite.

Ryan argued Thursday that congressional Republicans would not be calling for the impeachment of a Democratic president accused of the same activity as President Donald Trump — but former representative Bob Inglis dismissed those claims as nonsense.

“You know this isn’t true,” Inglis tweeted to Ryan. “You know that you would be inquiring into impeachment if this were a D.”

There have been 2 attempts to impeach sitting presidents in modern times: Richard Nixon — the Judiciary Committee approved Articles of Impeachment in July 1974 but Nixon resigned in August 1974 before the whole House could vote on the impeachment; and Bill Clinton — the Judiciary Committee approved Articles of Impeachment in December 1998 but he was acquitted in the Senate.  I won't go into detail on the charges but both presidents were charged with obstruction of justice as well as other charges.  See Nixon charges here and Clinton charges here.  In my non legal mind, it is apparent that Drumpf has obstructed justice and I hope that Mueller's investigation will bear that out at the very least.  It is a long process which will hamper Drumpf to do his job effectively.

YouTube — What We Now Know From James Comey | The Resistance with Keith Olbermann | GQ              

As the days proceed, I am sure that Mueller's investigation will raise more questions and hopefully some answers.  Comey has not heard the end of the public testimony and I dare say there will be all manner of speculation about the closed session.  Truth win out!

The New Yorker — The White House was on lockdown Thursday morning after a television was hurled out of a window, the Secret Service reported.

The incident, which occurred shortly after 10 A.M. E.S.T., caught the attention of the Secret Service after agents heard the sound of smashing glass emanating from the Oval Office.

“The sound was consistent with that of a large object, such as a television set, being thrown through a closed window,” a Secret Service spokesman said.

The television, which crashed to the ground outside the Oval Office, injured no one, the Secret Service confirmed.

I think Andy is back to straight reporting again.  I can quite imagine that the pResident was really foaming at the mouth listening to Comey's testimony.  His staff tried to keep him away from Twitter, but when they could contain no more, he let loose with this tweet "Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication … and WOW, Comey is a leaker!" .  

My Universe

I particularly like #3. 

Reminds me of my Annie who is almost 9 years old now.

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Friday Fun: “Lordy, I Hope There Are Tapes”

 Posted by at 8:40 am  Politics
Jun 092017
 

Hot off the presses from the pixels, the Internet definitely enjoyed James Comey testimony yesterday calling Trump a LIAR, “plain and simple.”  So without further ado, let’s enjoy a few Tweets covering the big day.
 

Hope You Had A Ticket For The Hearing

And If Not, Hope You Found a Comfy Spot to Watch Because …

We Can Agree the GOP Had NO Idea What Was About to Hit Them

Pres. Obama & I had the same reaction to my senator’s (Blunt) stupid opening question:

Me hearing Marco Rubio is up next

Me waiting for Sen. McCain epic incoherent blathering to end

But How McCain Saw His Performance – If He Were Honest

My reaction to Sen. Kamala Harris superb questioning laying a great foundation for follow-ups (maybe this is where I can use the legit medical abbreviation of F/U – as in “You need to come back in a week for a recheck”)

Me reacting to republicans trying to claim Trump did nothing inappropriate

Me Reacting To Twitler Personal Lawyer Claiming Trump Is Vindicated And Comey Is A Liar

And a Shot of White House Aides Working to Keep Trump from His Phone

And Rep. Maxine Waters Cloes with a Good Take On the Day's Testimony

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Squatch’s Open Thread 08 June 2017

 Posted by at 10:38 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Jun 082017
 

Well yesterday was a busy day for me and although I did get an OT started, I could not finish it for you.  We have had word from TC which you may have seen here on the site, but I will repeat just in case.  Tom had a successful surgery to remove his gallbladder but in the process, the doctor found a spot on his liver which they biopsied.  Those results will not be known for a few hours at least.  The prancreatitis has improved marginally but TC will know more later.  According to Wendy he has recovered enough to start bossing Wendy around rather than the nurses.  TC says Wendy is the BOMB!  So continued prayers or good healing thoughts or both are very much appreciated for TC.  We need our Puddy Tat back to help get us through this reign of terror lead by Drumpfenfarten and the Republicans. 

Update: TC posted at 1810 hours — the liver spots are benign!

Jigsaw Puzzle

Today’s took me 3:45 (average 5:14).  To do it, click here.  How did you do? That's no neigh-gative experience!

Short Takes

CBC — Russian hackers attacked at least one U.S. voting software supplier days before last year's presidential election, according to a government intelligence report leaked Monday that suggests election-related hacking penetrated further into U.S. voting systems than previously known.

The classified National Security Agency report, which was published online by The Intercept, does not say whether the hacking had any effect on election results. But it says Russian military intelligence attacked a U.S. voting software company and sent spear-phishing emails to more than 100 local election officials at the end of October or beginning of November.

There is no doubt that the infaltration of the US by Russia has been going on longer than believed.  It did not just start with the DNC hack, and it would be myopic to think that there are no more hacks.  I find myself wondering what the next revelation will be.

YouTube — Did Trump Himself Meet With the Russian Ambassador? | The Resistance with Keith Olbermann | GQ     

With Drump's record of lying continuously, it is nearly impossible to think that he did not meet with the Russian ambassador and was not involved with the case of collusion.  I listened to some of the Comey testimony today.  Afterwards, Drumpf's lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, said Mr Trump felt vindicated because Comey was seen as a liar. And The Telegraph reported "…Sarah Huckabee Sanders stating during an off-camera briefing at the White House: “I can definitively say the president is not a liar." I would certainly disagree with that.

The Guardian — Theresa May has declared she is prepared to rip up human rights laws to impose new restrictions on terror suspects, as she sought to gain control over the security agenda just 36 hours before the polls open.

The prime minister said she was looking at how to make it easier to deport foreign terror suspects and how to increase controls on extremists where it is thought they present a threat but there is not enough evidence to prosecute them.  …

She said: “But I can tell you a few of the things I mean by that: I mean longer prison sentences for people convicted of terrorist offences. I mean making it easier for the authorities to deport foreign terror suspects to their own countries.

“And I mean doing more to restrict the freedom and the movements of terrorist suspects when we have enough evidence to know they present a threat, but not enough evidence to prosecute them in full in court.

“And if human rights laws stop us from doing it, we will change those laws so we can do it.”

May is on a very slippery slope and now that it is likely that May has a minority government as a result of today's election, she may not get the chance to implement this.  For those who are not familiar with the Westminster system of Parliament, the party that has the most votes but not enough for a clear majority, forms a minority government.  This government can be struck down by a non confidence vote at which time the Parliament is dissolved and a new election called.  As of writing, the UK Conservative Party is in a minority position.  Here are the early results:

636/650 seats declared · Last updated 2017-06-09 1:10 AM EST–

Get well quickly, TC!!!

  No lying about!!!   

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Personal Update–6/8/2017

 Posted by at 9:36 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jun 082017
 

I’m still feeling bad and am in quite a bit of pain  I should have labs back in a few hours and will know more.  I’ll keep you posted on whether the liver biopsy is malignant and how much the Pancreatitis has improved.  Hugs. RESIST!!

Cartoon:

TCNaughtyNurse

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Update on TC from Wendy

 Posted by at 6:18 pm  Politics
Jun 072017
 

Tom is recovering well from his gallbladder removal.  They took him in for surgery late, late, late last night (11:00 pm.) for his 10:00 a.m. surgery.  They found spots on his liver, but took a biopsy and we will have results by end of week.  Hopefully they will releasing him Friday or Saturday.  He is doing well as he is already bossing me around instead of the nurses.  He misses you all, but not as much as me because I am BOMB!  P.s.  He made me say that!

RESIST!!!!

Hugs to all

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Pithy Progressive #4

 Posted by at 11:28 am  Politics
Jun 072017
 

Back in the day when Democrats could actually run as Democrats, we never had to ask questions like the ones we are looking at today:  How can we get Democrats elected to offices since a Teflon President has apparently passed on that mantle (now usually referred to as IOKIYAR) to an entire guilty party, for whom people CONTINUE TO VOTE?

The email I received from another Progressive who is running for the Georgia State Legislature didn't include position statements, but referred me to his website which does.  So I will be including a link, while abridging the contents that I post.  Yes, there are a couple of "Donate" buttons at the link, but one is not compelled to push them.

Here's what Sachin Varghese has to say:

I Stand for Quality Education for All.  Ensuring that every child regardless of race, wealth, or neighborhood has access to a high-quality public education is critical to the success of our state and its citizens. To reach that goal, Georgia must:

  • fully fund public schools and end its disinvestment in education; 
  • support and empower great teachers and school leaders;
  • provide universal access to high-quality Pre-K, and invest in education for children under the age of 4;
  • ensure the affordability of Georgia's public colleges, universities, and technical schools, protect and restore funding of the HOPE Scholarship, and provide need-based financial aid.

 
I Stand for Healthcare Access for All.  Healthcare is a human right and every Georgian should have access to quality, affordable healthcare. To reach that goal, Georgia must:

  • expand Medicaid coverage to the full extent allowed under the Affordable Care Act;
  • support community and women's health clinics so that Georgians can access vital health services that are convenient and affordable.

 
I Stand for Women’s Rights.  Women are a majority of Georgia’s adult population, almost half of the workforce, and are vital income earners in more than half of Georgia households. Eliminating barriers facing women is critical to Georgia’s present and future success. To eliminate barriers, Georgia must:

  • ensure women receive equal pay for equal work;
  • allow women full autonomy of their own healthcare decisions;
  • expand childcare support;
  • ensure that our justice system protects women and treats them fairly and equitably. 

 
I Stand for Equality.  No Georgian should be discriminated against based on race, sexual orientation, gender, or age.  To protect all its citizens, Georgia must:

  • adopt a comprehensive state civil rights law to protect Georgians from discrimination;
  • examine state policies prior to enactment to determine whether there are disparate impacts based on race, sexual orientation, gender, or age, and correct such impacts.

 
I Stand for Greater Economic Opportunity.  All Georgians should have the opportunity and tools necessary to work and create a quality life for themselves and their loved ones.  To provide this opportunity, Georgia must:

  • increase the minimum wage;
  • protect the rights of workers to organize;
  • expand paid sick leave and family care leave;
  • provide childcare support;
  • promote affordable housing.

 
I Stand for a Fair and Effective Criminal Justice System  Georgia’s justice system needs to be fair and effective. The state needs to hold serious criminals accountable, but find smart and effective alternatives for low-level offenders. To do so, Georgia must:

  • eliminate imprisonment resulting from an inability to pay a fine or bail;
  • reform mandatory minimum and recidivist sentencing statutes in Georgia, restoring discretion to judges;
  • end private probation;
  • advance policies that make it easier for individuals with convictions to reenter society and lead productive lives.

 
I Stand for Georgia’s Environment.  Georgia has abundant natural resources that need to be preserved and protected, and every Georgian deserves to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live on clean land.  To protect these resources and rights, Georgia must:

  • expand generation of power from renewable resources, including solar and wind;
  • enforce existing environmental regulations and strengthen those regulations to protect our air, land, and waterways from polluters. 

I have cut his position statement so severely it kind of bleeds, but I have left enough to give you an idea.

Cross posted to Care2 at http://www.care2.com/news/member/101612212/4056754

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Squatch’s Open Thread 06 June 2017

 Posted by at 3:42 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Jun 062017
 

I have a meeting to go to shortly.  I am a member of the Family Council and a liaison to the Board of the care centre where my mum lived and the board is meeting tonight.  The Family Council meets next week.  Tomorrow is physio and teaching so there will likely be no Open Thread for tomorrow.  We have had no additional word from TC yet, but when we know, we will pass it on.  In the mean time, please keep TC in your thoughts and prayers.

Jig Zone Puzzle

Today’s took me 3:39 (average 5:52).  To do it, click here.  How did you do? Try not to get all wet with this one!

Short Takes

YouTube — If He Were Doing Any Other Job, Donald Trump Would Have Been Fired by Now | The Resistance | GQ  

I should think that Trump would understand this phrase: "You're fired!"  Or perhaps this one: "Go straight to jail.  Do not pass Go."

Resist and Persist!!!

The New Yorker — In a dramatic announcement from the White House Rose Garden on Thursday, Donald J. Trump pronounced the planet Earth a “loser” and vowed to make a better deal with a new planet.

“Earth is a terrible, very bad planet,” he told the White House press corps. “It’s maybe the worst planet in the solar system, and it’s far from the biggest.” …

When asked which planet he would make a new deal with, Trump offered few specifics, saying only, “The solar system has millions of terrific planets, and they’re all better than Earth, which is a sick, failing loser.”

Trump’s remarks drew a strong response from one of the United States’ NATO allies, Germany’s Angela Merkel. “I strongly support Donald Trump leaving the planet Earth,” she said.

I'm with Angela Merkel!

Resist and Persist!!!

Think Progress — …Sen. John Wiles (R) knew that if he could lift Georgia’s law that banned outside groups from purchasing anonymous mailers, he could transform the way his party conducts campaigns. He declared at the time that he would “not support any effort to regulate anonymous political speech.”

Wiles was able to get his colleagues on board, and they quietly passed legislation removing the ban. But the move earned him critics, including the top Republican in the state tasked with running elections.

Karen Handel, then Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, said she was “adamantly” opposed to Wiles’ political maneuver—she had recently launched a “transparency in government” program. …

…Handel is relying heavily on the same kind of spending she so recently fought against.

Outside groups have spent roughly $9 million supporting Handel’s campaign during the primary and leading up to the June 20 runoff. More than $250,000 of that total has been spent on anonymous direct mail.  …

“Karen Handel was for a ban on secret political spending, but now that it’s clear she can’t compete with Jon Ossoff and his small-dollar, grassroots donors, her campaign is almost completely reliant on special interest money from groups that refuse to disclose their donors.”

So much for being "adamantly opposed" to dark money.  I did not like Karen Handel and her shenanigans when she was with Susan G Komen and I am disappointed to see her back in the limelight with her Republican talking points and lack of ethics.  The special election in Georgia's 6th district is set for 20 June 2017.  May it turn blue with Jon Ossoff who garnered 48.1% of the vote in the jungle primary.

Resist and Persist!!!

My Universe —

Kung Fu Kitty!

Break dance kitty!

 

 

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