Politics – Page 950 – Politics Plus

Monday Morning Musings March 7, 2016

Posted by jla at 4:03 pm Politics

Mar 062016

In politics it is said, that when not fueled by hope there is a vacuum for fear to fill. Since artists turn to the muses, Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polymnia, Ourania and Calliope we are exploring what they can offer us for inspiration to have the hope fueling politics.

“Hope is a roving gypsy
With laughter on her tongue,
And the blue sky and sunshine
Alone, can keep her young;
And year by year she lingers
Under a budding tree…”
~Dora Read Goodale, "The Chorus," in Country Life in America: A Magazine for the Home-maker, the Vacation-seeker, the Gardener, the Farmer, the Nature-teacher, the Naturalist, April 1902

“The wings of hope carry us, soaring high above the driving winds of life.”
~Ana Jacob

Let us first turn to Calliope (justice):
A man is free after over 45 years. See how artists helped make a difference. (text and video-hanky alert)
http://www.upworthy.com/a-man-is-free-after-over-45-years-see-how-artists-helped-make-a-difference?c=upw1

and more justice:
Judge Says Army Can’t Require Special Testing of Sikh Officer
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/05/us/sikh-army-captain-beard-turban.html?_r=3

Gives me a bit more hope, how about you?

Maybe Erato would see this as created from love:
A soup kitchen disguised as a restaurant is making a big difference in Kansas City.

http://www.upworthy.com/a-soup-kitchen-disguised-as-a-restaurant-is-making-a-big-difference-in-kansas-city?c=upw1

Do you think so?

Now to Clio (history):
Maya Angelou wrote incredible poetry. But here are 9 things you might not know she did.
http://www.upworthy.com/maya-angelou-wrote-incredible-poetry-but-here-are-9-things-you-might-not-know-she-did?c=upw1

She gives me hope, how about you?

And then to Terpsichore (education):
See adorable photos of 7 'forest schools' from around the country.
http://www.upworthy.com/see-adorable-photos-of-7-forest-schools-from-around-the-country?c=upw1

Sounds promising to me, how about you?

On to Thalia (comedy-video)
"Trumped" Starring Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane (video)
http://kpdailyfunnies.blogspot.com/2016/03/trumped-starring-matthew-broderick-and.html#.VtV_t5MrI1g

Sometimes I need to laugh to keep from crying—will this do?

On to Erato (love -hat tip Joanne):
Young Boy Uses His Birthday Party To Help Animals
http://blog.theanimalrescuesite.com/cs-birthday-boy-help/

One youngster giving me hope, how about you?

Next, who would claim this one?

For the first time ever, refugees will make up an entire team at the Olympic Games.

http://www.upworthy.com/for-the-first-time-ever-refugees-will-make-up-an-entire-team-at-the-olympic-games?c=upw1

If they kept their dreams alive, cannot we do likewise?

Finally, who would claim this one?
Watching This Porcupine Taste a Pumpkin is Why World Is Going to Be Okay Today (text and video)
http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2014/10/watching-porcupine-taste-pumpkin-why-world-going-be-okay-today

Thank you dear reader for joining me on this journey of discovery and quest for hope.

Squatch’s Open Thread 06/03/2016

Posted by Lynn Squance at 3:41 pm Open Thread, Politics

Mar 062016

I really did have a much needed lazy day yesterday and did not do a post. But today, I am a little more active with the post done and now I am off to see my mother. I have some new clothes for her so I am hoping she likes them.

Short Takes

Washington Post — For some, the improbable presidential candidacy of Donald Trumpstopped being funny long ago. Republican eminences and custodians of the establishment gawk at the GOP front-runner's belligerent braggadocio, his irreverent attacks on party grandees, his far-fetched proposals, his aversion to substance or basic facts, and his not even thinly veiled bigotry.

And yet, Trump stands on the cusp of winning the Republican nomination, impervious to the slings and arrows of a growing list of vanquished foes.

There is one man, though, who seems to have also mastered the art of branding and showmanship for an adoring if partisan public — in a completely opposite fashion.

Canada's new Liberal prime minister, Justin Trudeau, stormed to a stunning electoral victory last year. He did so while coping with the attacks of opponents who cast him as an inexperienced, slightly buffoonish dilettante trading on a powerful family legacy. Sound familiar?

But Trudeau's progressive, inclusive message could not be more different than that of Trump. Here's a rundown.

This coming week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet Barak Obama during a state visit to Washington. From a few headlines I've seen, Trudeau it seems is a bit of a celebrity in the US. Today, he is scheduled to be on 60 Minutes. But probably what is most revealing is that he is being hearalded as the "anti-Trump". Click through to see how he is perceived as the "anti-Trump". There are several short videos too.

YouTube —

Bill Maher's New Rules is spot on!

Alternet — Right-wing populists ascend when three toxic forces converge. First, the economy needs to be really lousy for most citizens. Check.

Second, the political system ceases to be able to solve problems and loses legitimacy with regular people. Check.

Third, some foreign menace causes people to seek shelter in a strongman. Check.

Click through for the remainder of this excellent article. Comparisons between Trump and Hitler have been made for months now. I started revisiting my history classes to get a feel for what was happening in Germany during Hitler's rise. And it seems that the first part of the article pretty much captures my thinking. To me, there's no two ways about it, Trump is a scary idiot.

Upworthy — The Empowerment Plan makes coats that double as sleeping bags for the homeless, but they didn't stop there. They also provide people who have struggled with homelessness with jobs they need to get back on their feet again.

What a great idea. The old saying, getting two birds with one stone is so appropriate.

My Universe —

Last Week’s Vilest Republican Moments

Posted by TomCat at 9:47 am Politics

Mar 062016

Almost every week, Republicans join a competition to see who can say the most outlandish things, and in the process, they push the envelope on just how vile InsaniTEA can become. I trust that you will believe it, when I tell you that last week was no exception.

Trump spokes-clown insists the Klan killed black people to "further the progressive agenda."

Donald is not entirely alone in his narcissistic, self-reinforcing bubble. And he can’t be everywhere at once. So, he has his minions and sycophants to help make his bizarre case to the world.

One of these mouthpieces is a helmethead by the name of Jeffrey Lord, who went on CNN to make the most specious of claims about the KKK in a discussion with Van Jones. The utterly reasonable and ever sane Jones did nothing but speak sense, patiently explaining to Lord that the KKK is a terrorist organization that kills people on the basis of their race, and Donald Trump, proud anti-terrorist that he is, ought to acknowledge that.

Inarguable, right?

Not to Lord, who used his TV time to claim that it is Democrats who divide people on the basis of race, and that the Klan "killed black people to further the progressive agenda.

We, and all the world’s reasonable people, (and Trevor Noah) call bullsh*t.

Just stop, fool. Just stop.

Inserted from <Alternet>

This is just the fifth of five listed vile Republican moments from last week alone. Click through for thew other four.

Open Thread–3/6/2016

Posted by TomCat at 9:44 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 062016

Except for chores that I’m trying to make routine, and a huge backlog of paperwork, it looks like I have a relatively light week ahead, and that means, barring the unexpected, I’ll have time to write, most days.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 6:32 (average 8:31). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Tales:

From Media Matters: Donald Trump’s presidential campaign gave press credentials to the white nationalist radio program The Political Cesspool, which says it will soon air an interview with Donald Trump Jr. National civil rights groups have criticized the program for supporting anti-Semites, Holocaust deniers, and white supremacists like David Duke. The show openly states on its website that it’s a "pro-White" program that wishes "to revive the White birthrate above replacement level fertility." It is hosted by white nationalist James Edwards, who has claimed that Martin Luther King Jr.’s "dream is our nightmare," "interracial sex is white genocide," and "slavery is the greatest thing that ever happened to" African-Americans.

The reason the Republican Establishment fear Hateful Hairball so much is that he proclaims openly the hatred they imply, dog whistle to promote, and finally deny to escape their just culpability for the violence they inspire.

From Real Clear Politics: Latest delegate count.

State	Date	Delegates	Clinton	Sanders	Delegate Allocation	Open/ Closed
(2,382 Needed to Win)	–	4763	1121	481	–	–
Delegates Won	–	4051	651	456
Superdelegates	–	(712)	458	22
Iowa	February 1	44 (8)	23	21	Caucus	Semi-open
New Hampshire	February 9	24 (8)	9	15	Primary	Semi-closed
Nevada	February 20	35 (8)	19	15	Caucus	Closed
South Carolina	February 27	53 (6)	39	14	Primary	Open
Alabama	March 1	53 (7)	44	9	Primary	Open
American Samoa	March 1	6 (4)			Caucus	Closed
Arkansas	March 1	32 (5)	22	10	Primary	Open
Colorado	March 1	66 (13)	28	38	Caucus	Closed
Democrats Abroad	March 1-8	13 (4)			Primary	Closed
Georgia	March 1	102 (14)	72	28	Primary	Open
Massachusetts	March 1	91 (25)	46	45	Primary	Semi-closed
Minnesota	March 1	77 (16)	29	46	Caucus	Open
Oklahoma	March 1	38 (4)	17	21	Primary	Semi-closed
Tennessee	March 1	67 (9)	42	22	Primary	Open
Texas	March 1	222 (30)	145	74	Primary	Open
Vermont	March 1	16 (10)	0	16	Primary	Open
Virginia	March 1	95 (15)	61	33	Primary	Open
Louisiana	March 5	51 (8)	35	12	Primary	Closed
Nebraska	March 5	25 (5)	10	14	Caucus	Closed
Kansas	March 5	33 (4)	10	23	Caucus	Closed

Despite Bernie’s two wins last night, Hillary increased her lead.

From Crooks and Liars: The Donald" got the treatment he deserved in this parody from this weekend’s Saturday Night Live mocking the support he’s gotten from the likes of the likes of the Klan, neo-Nazis and white supremacists that he’s been cozying up to since he launched his presidential campaign:

LMAO!! Both funny and totally accurate!!

Cartoon:

Poll Results–3/5/2016

Posted by TomCat at 11:40 am Blog News, Politics

Mar 052016

Here are the results of our “Justice Appointment” poll. Politics Plus Polls are not scientific, because those who respond are not balanced according to demographic categories. Therefore, we do not accurately reflect the makeup of the US population. Nevertheless, our polls are usually factually accurate, and more often than not, they reflect thinking or will of the national majority.

0305Poll

Since our polling site no longer enables us to copy and paste your poll comments, you may read them here.

I voted for Hillary.I think Senate Republicans may pretend willingness to compromise as a stall tactic, but will not actually allow a vote on anyone left of TeaBag Thomas or Scalito. Then, as much as I prefer Bernie, I think Hillary will be the nest President.

The New Poll is up and is designs to make you think. Enjoy and VOTE!!

Open Thread–3/5/2016

Posted by TomCat at 11:39 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 052016

Lu was here this morning. She cut my hair, spotted me while I walked around my hallways using a walker, stopping twice to sit and rest, and she helped me shower, leaving me as a perfumed puddy tat with soft, glowing fur. I’m feeling tired, but I have two articles today.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:18 (average 5:13). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: Marco Rubio has lost Fox News.

[T]his alliance now seems to be over. According to three Fox sources, Fox chief Roger Ailes has told people he’s lost confidence in Rubio’s ability to win. "We’re finished with Rubio," Ailes recently told a Fox host. "We can’t do the Rubio thing anymore."

Which is bad news for Rubio, since his entire base of support is establishment and press Republicans who are willing to inexplicably pump up Marco Rubio. Apparently, though, Ailes has seen the writing on the wall; Rubio can’t win, and Fox News is only going to humiliate themselves pretending otherwise.

This leaves America’s Worst Network in an even bigger bind than before. The network that is used to playing kingmaker has no potential king to make—and the current front-runner, Donald Trump, is openly dismissive of the network and eager to pit his supporters against them. None of the corporate-friendly Republicans that Fox News would usually be hitching their wagon to, from Scott Walker to Chris Christie to Jeb Bush to, now, Marco Rubio, have gone anywhere. Suddenly rallying to podium barnacle John Kasich would be more humiliating than standing behind Rubio.

That leaves Ted Cruz, and while Ted Cruz is certainly a model of the sort of extremist burn-down-the-government type that Fox News has endlessly promoted, Nobody Likes Ted Cruz.

What will the Republican Reichsministry of propaganda do? I think Faux Noise will goose-step behind the Republican nominee, whoever or whatever that is.

From PRWatch: Hold onto your Prius!

The Kochs and their fossil-fuel-fed political network are reportedly gunning for the electric car.

According to an anonymous industry source who spoke to journalist Peter Stone, a new advocacy group will "make the public aware of all the benefits of petroleum-based transportation fuels."

If you think this sounds a bit nutty, you have to remember Koch front groups have also fought the implementation of street cars in city after city.

If the group follows the usual Koch playbook, expect bogus "research" studies by Koch-funded "think tanks," well-placed op-eds that repeat Koch talking points without disclosing ties to the network, and fear-mongering ads that hide their fossil fuel funding behind bland names like "Americans for Energy Freedom." (The group’s actual name has yet to be announced.)

The primary benefits of burning petroleum fuels are obscene profits for Big Polluters and the RepubliCare Death Benefit for everyone else.

From Crooks and Liars: This is a really fascinating video. Governor Kate Brown shows that real people have a need for increasing the minimum wage. She also shows how listening to the needs of various stakeholders gets things done. OregonLive:

The bill gives Oregon the highest statewide minimum wage rates in the nation, to $14.75 inside Portland’s urban growth boundary, $13.50 in midsize counties and $12.50 in rural areas by 2022.

President Barack Obama lauded Brown, saying in a statement: "I commend the Oregon Legislature and Governor Kate Brown for taking action to raise their state’s minimum wage…Congress needs to keep up with the rest of the country. They need to act, and finally give America a raise. And until they do, I’ll continue to encourage states, cities, counties and companies to act on their own to support hardworking families."

Kate, America’s only openly LGBT state governor, keeps doing good things for Oregon, and Oregon leads the way!!

Cartoon:

0305Cartoon

Squatch’s Open Thread 05/03/2016

Posted by Lynn Squance at 7:02 am Open Thread, Politics

Mar 052016

Well today turned out to be one of those days! Everything was going well . . . physio was good and teaching went well. Then all hell broke loose. Loliyo, Lucia's 9 year old daughter had a bedroom door slammed on her thumb. There was great howling understandably and a fair amount of blood. We took her to the hospital where they gave her tylenol and x-rayed the thumb. Fortunately, her thumb was not broken and the doctor didn't think stitches were required. She has a big blood blister but she is not likely to lose her thumb nail. After a couple of hours in emergency and making sure Loliyo was OK, I was beat. A cat nap cut short my online time so there was no Open Thread yesterday. I am still working on the Monthly Report.

Short Takes

Huffington Post — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was honoured by a southern Alberta First Nation in a ceremony full of colour and history Friday, but aboriginal leaders also challenged him to deliver on his promises to Indigenous Peoples.

justin trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses after receiving a ceremonial headdress while visiting the Tsuut'ina First Nation near Calgary, Alta., Friday, March 4, 2016. (Photo: Jeff McIntosh/CP)

Trudeau shared the stage on the Tsuu T'ina reserve with chiefs in full feather headdresses, elders in vests or beaded jackets and the First Nation's rodeo stars.

High-pitched chanting and the rhythmic pounding of drums were all part of an elaborate ceremony in which the prime minister was presented with his own headdress and blessed with the aboriginal name "Gumistiyi," which means "The One Who Keeps Trying."

The headdress presented to Trudeau symbolizes accomplishment, respect, bravery and peace-building. The Tsuu T'ina Nation on the outskirts of Calgary said it has not seen fit to bestow one on a prime minister since John Diefenbaker [13th Prime Minister 1957 – 1963].

Here is a 2 minute video of the ceremony and Trudeau's remarks. The enquiry into the fates of murdered and missing Aboriginal women and girls is in its infancy and encountering some differences of opinion on how it should proceed. It will get done. Harper refused to deal with the issue. It should also be noted that the Tsuu T'ina Nation is close to Harper's riding.

Alternet — In the oral arguments for Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt — the case before the Supreme Court concerning Texas' anti-choice law, HB 2 — Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller relied on a common right-wing media myth to justify medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion. In his argument, Keller made the long-debunked claim — pushed for years by right-wing media — that HB 2 was passed to prevent another "Kermit Gosnell scandal," in which illegal operations led to multiple deaths at a Philadelphia clinic.

Supreme Court Heard Challenge To Texas Law Restricting Abortion Access

"Landmark" Abortion Case "Could Shape Abortion Rules For Years To Come." The Supreme Court heard oral arguments for Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt on March 2. The case involves a Texas abortion law that "requires abortion doctors to be affiliated with nearby hospitals and also limits abortion to ambulatory surgical centers," according to The New York Times. Pro-choice advocates and "major medical groups say [the law] will not enhance patient safety and will only reduce women's access to abortion."

Click through to see how the arguments went. It is always a good day when the "notorious" RBG, Sotomayor, Kagan and Breyer pin back the ears of someone like Keller.

Raw Story — Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson officially ended his bid for the White House on Friday after failing to win any of the early states in the race for the November election.

And then there were four! It is now official . . . Carson is out!

Truthout — TransCanada's claim that the southern route of the Keystone XL Pipeline is the safest pipeline ever built in the United States is challenged by the release of new documentation confirming multiple code violations. …

After mandatory safety tests revealed potential problems with the integrity of the southern pipeline, TransCanada dug up 130 sites and made repairs before the pipeline was permitted to start up. …

A repaired pipeline segment on the Keystone Gulf Coast Pipeline. (Source: PHMSA FOIA 2016-0041_000077)

A repaired pipeline segment on the Keystone Gulf Coast pipeline. (Source: PHMSA FOIA 2016-0041_000077)

They requested PHMSA require TransCanada do a new pressure test on the pipeline to test the integrity of the repairs. But PHMSA turned them down at a private meeting held shortly before TransCanada started up the pipeline.

PHSMA explained that it had faith the repairs were done correctly …

So, when there is a catastrophic incident, who pays for cleanup, lost wages, medical bills etc? Will the BP Gulf spill be a measuring stick for reparations?

My Universe —

The reason I don't have flowers or plants in my house!

Everyday Erinyes

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:04 am Politics

Mar 052016

More stuff has come to light which seems to me to call for the efforts of the Greek Furies (Erinyes) to come and deal with it. As a reminder, though no one really knows how many there were supposed to be, the three names we have are Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone. These roughly translate as "unceasing," "grudging," and "vengeful destruction."

This happened at Duke University in North Carolina. I think it is a clear case for both Megaera and Tisiphone, but Alecto, you might as well go along for the ride. There is some scenic and architectural beauty at Duke; in fact, all over North Carolina.

Yes, this story is about a year and a half old. It has risen to the surface because The Chronicle, the independent daily at Duke University (that's right, a school paper, or sort of) made the story Part 1 of an investigative report they are doing on parking. Well, on the Parking and Trasportation Services Department at Duke. Including the Department's "culture," which will be Part 2.

On August 30, 2014, Shelvia Underwood, an employee of a private contractor Duke uses for managing traffic for special occasions (like football games), stopped a silver Porsche at a traffic circle in order to finish assisting a pedestrian. She turned in order to address him, and found that the Porsche had hit her. Her hands were on the hood, and then she was on the ground.

When she told him the road he wanted to take was closed unless he had a parking pass, he banged on the steering wheel and said, "This road is not closed!" Then he held up a parking pass – two, actually – so she let him through. Whereupon he was heard to say "dumb, dumb, stupid n-word." (By Underwood. And by a witness.)

Did I mention this driver, Tallman Trask, Executive Vice President of the University for finances and administration, had a reputation for not keeping his parking pass(es) visible, and that the manager of Special Event Parking had told employees to look out for him for just that reason?

One may be reminded at this point about the joke regarding the difference between a Porsche and a porcupine. (Porcupines have their pricks on the outside. H/T to Raw Story commenter CripesAlmighty)

Two days after the incident, Underwood went to the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center because she was having pain in her arm She was diagnosed with a muscle contusion and a possible fractured elbow. She intended to file a police report, but her supervisor promised to file it for her (and the following day advised her she would have to file it herself.) Under pressure from her employer (not just her supervisor, but the owner spoke with her) and fearful of losing her job, she agreed not to proceed further beyond the report she had made, provided she received a sincere apology. That was the wording of the agreement – "a sincere apology."

Sixteen days later, Sept. 20, 2014, three weeks after the initial incident, Underwood was working again at her usual post before the Duke-Tulane football game when she received the apology she had requested from Trask.

“At the same location, a tall guy comes up behind me and says, ‘Um, I don’t know exactly what happened out here, but whatever, here you go.’ And he hands me a card,” Underwood alleged.

Adkins later identified the man as Vice President for Administration Kyle Cavanaugh.

“Are you kidding me?” Underwood said. “I wanted a sincere apology, and this isn’t even close to it.”

Cavanaugh did not reply to multiple requests for comment about his alleged role in delivering Trask’s note to Underwood.

Since receiving the apology note from Trask, who oversees Cavanaugh and PTS, Underwood has been working to take legal action against Trask.

So – What do you think? Was that a "sincere apology"? Leaving out the cowardice of the method of delivery?

Raw Story picked this up from Duke, AlterNet picked it up from Raw Story, and you may also have seen it elsewhere. But it was Duke that had the details and the pictures. Have fun in North Carolina, ladies. If you see Dr. Barber, give him my regards (and treat him well.)

Two other very short takes, one regarding another black woman who has died in the custody of police (and on this one, so much is up in the air that it is not a confirmed case for the Furies. But you all know how I get when a person of color encounters police and then dies.) This one probably requires the comments to get a grasp of, since it appears to relate to natural marijuana which is very safe, vis-a-vis a so-called "synthetic marijuana," which is neither marijuana nor safe.

The second you may already have seen, perhaps even with some glee. I suspect this legislator's own party won't need the Furies to deal with him – the guy who was arrested and charged with trying to lure a 14-year-old girl for sex while armed, and also for dealing drugs. A Republican of course, in New Hampshire of all places, with a modified Martin Shkreli smile. The punch line is that before this happened he sat, not just in the state House, but in its Committee on Children and Family Law, which deals with the legal rights and protections of families and children. Seriously.

The Furies and I will be back.

Older Entries Newer Entries