Open Thread for January 29, 2022

 Posted by at 7:27 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 292022
 

Yesterday, WordPress updated itself while I wasn’t looking, and all our data seems to be fine. But at some point I need to do a manual backup anyway. I need to know how to backup and how to reatore in the event of future changes to “plug-ins” which may affect past information.

Cartoon –

 

Short Takes –

Mother Jomes – Madison Cawthorn Just Became A Legal Guinea Pig
Quote – What makes North Carolina an interesting test case is that apparently they have state law stating that if credible allegations and evidence are presented, then it becomes Cawthorn’s responsibility to prove that he didn’t violate his oath, and is still qualified to run. Which, given his on record statements, is going to be problematic.
Click through for some legat details. It isn’t that complicated. Kudos to the attorneys bringing this suit.

The 19th – Should the ERA be in effect? On a key anniversary, it depends who you ask.
Quote – But the ERA’s addition as the country’s 28th Amendment has been ensnared in questions of legitimacy by opponents who say the last three states that ratified the ERA — Nevada in 2017, Illinois in 2018 and Virginia in 2020 — did so way past deadlines imposed by Congress in the 1970s and 1980s for ratifying the amendment. Litigation has followed, and some attorneys believe more legal challenges are on the way if people believe they can now cite the ERA in gender discrimination lawsuits
Clich through. The fact that it tool so long, and the fact tht there is any dispute about its ratification, are just two of the reasons I maintain that misgyny is stronger even than racism

Daily Kos (Laura Clawson) – ‘There’s something going on very, very haywire’ in Tennessee county’s banning of ‘Maus’
Quote – Like, say, banning a book about the Holocaust supposedly because it says “bitch,” and the schools whiting out all but the first letter of that word just isn’t enough censorship. It’s almost not clear which would be a more disturbing set of reasons for banning a book: discomfort with teaching about the brutality of the Holocaust, or really being so upset by a censored version of a word that is allowed on network television. At least some of the board members—though clearly not all—may be just that narrow and rigid.
Click through for article. The comments are filled with suggestions on “what next” will they ban, including “The Sound of Music.” But the movie was already neutered, dividing the cast into “us” (decent people) and “them” (Nazis.) The stage play includied a scene and a song, cut from the movie, which illustrated how “we” can slip into becoming “them.” Rodgers and Hammerstein knew what they were doing.

Food For Thought:

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Video Thread 1/28/22

 Posted by at 12:02 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Jan 282022
 

Glenn Kirschner – Barr Talks to House Select Committee with No Leaks: Two Important Takeaways from this Revelation

American Bridge – Family values are for suckers: Ron Johnson unloads child care costs on families

The Lincoln Project – Last Week in the Republican Party

Thom Hartmann – What Biden Has Done That You Don’t Know! – The URL he gives has “expired” – I’d recommend opening a transcript [via the 3 dots to the right of the line just over the red subcribe button] and copying and printing it.

Rebel HQ – Trump’s Cult Is Full Of Mental Derangement

Really American – Rudy’s t shirts

Beau – Let’s talk about Clyde Bellecourt….

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Open Thread for January 28, 2022

 Posted by at 6:45 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 282022
 

Yesterday, I heard from WWWendy (we are still working on my getting ownership of the blog esablished at BlueHost) She added a personal update:

Right now, I am continuing work as a caregiver – I care for two clients – one with alzheimers and one with dementia. Both will probably need to be placed soon so I want to stay with them until the transition is made. What will I do after that? Not really sure- guess I will deal with that when the time comes. Give my best to everyone.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

Crooks and Liars – Capitol Rioter Invoked ‘Game Of Thrones’: ‘I Choose Violence’
Quote – “In stating, ‘I choose violence’, Cersei Lannister embraced — and then carried out — mass murder to achieve her political ends,” the document adds. “In the context of Caplinger posting this just two days after January 6, Caplinger’s adoption of this quote is alarming and provides insight into his mental state and intent in storming the Capitol.”
Click through for story. Maybe I should try to figure out the poll app so we can vote on who is stupider – this dude or the ones who called the “Lost and Founf.”

Mother Jones – Oath Keepers Anticipated “a Bloody and Desperate Fight” to Overturn the Election for Trump
Quote – “[Edwards] Vallejo and his co-conspirators coordinated at least three regional QRF teams stationed at a Comfort Inn in Arlington, Virginia, to support the co-conspirators’ plot and the January 6 Capitol attack. The QRF teams guarded an arsenal of firearms and related equipment and were prepared to speed those weapons into the hands of co-conspirators on the ground in Washington, D.C., when directed by Rhodes or other conspiracy leaders.”
Click through for details. We are not making this up. I don’t understand why more people aren’t terrified.

The Jerusalem Post – Biden references Colleyville in Holocaust Remembrance Day statement
Quote – “Today, and every day, we have a moral obligation to honor the victims, learn from the survivors, pay tribute to the rescuers, and carry forth the lessons of last century’s most heinous crime,” said Biden. “From the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, to a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, we are continually and painfully reminded that hate doesn’t go away; it only hides.” The president stressed the need to teach accurately about the Holocaust and to push back against attempts to ignore, deny, distort, and revise history, making reference to a US co-sponsored United Nations resolution to combat Holocaust denial.
Click through for more. Yes, I’m a day late. It isn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last. In any case, as Joe said, “and every day.”

Food For Thought:

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Video Thread 1/27/22

 Posted by at 11:42 am  Open Thread, Politics
Jan 272022
 

Glenn Kirschner – Jan. 6 Committee is Talking with Former AG Bill Barr, Signaling Further Trouble for Donald Trump

The Lincoln Project – Bloodlines

Ring of Fire – Some Of The Capitol Rioters Were Even Dumber Than Previously Thought

MSNBC – Records Request Points To Congressman’s Role In Assisting Fake Elector Meeting
Records Request Points To Congressman’s Role In Assisting Fake Elector Meeting

Liberal Redneck – Biden “Attacks the Press”

Mrs. Betty Bowers – Reading Ted Cruz

Beau – Let’s talk about agents, influence, and cultural opinion makers….

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Open Thread for January 27, 2022

 Posted by at 6:35 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 272022
 

Yesterday, It was pretty quiet. I ws able to assemble some earrings I had already put together the components of but not gotten any farther. One small thing off the desk. I also managed to do a little knitting.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

Aeon – Those born later
Quote – Some local historians wrote about nefarious hometown Nazis – as was the case in Passau, where the teenager Anna Rosmus (aka the ‘Nasty Girl’) accessed municipal archives for a school essay competition in 1980, and exposed a web of complicity and cover-up. Other historians worked out the fate that befell local Jews, ‘members of our community’ (Mitbürger), as many Germans began to call them.
Click through for article. I don’t know how we can call ourselves “the home of the brave” with straight faces when we have no one speaking like this – and so many people so cowardly as to resist learning the tiniest truths about our own history.

Wonkette – Office Of Congressional Ethics Finds None In Rep. Doug Lamborn’s Congressional Office
Quote – Yesterday the Office of Congressional Ethics put out a wild report on the eight-term Colorado Republican, and it is not great. As first flagged by the Daily Beast’s Roger Sollenberger, the OCE found what appear to be multiple ethics violations by the congressman, his wife, and his chief of staff. The investigation was prompted by a lawsuit filed a by a former staffer who says he was fired for objecting to the congressman’s refusal to adhere to any COVID protocols because “I don’t care about you guys getting it.” The complaint alleged that staff were routinely forced to help the congressman and his family with personal tasks, and also made bizarre claims about members of the Lamborn clan bunking down in the Capitol building.
Click through. It’s no news he’s a scumbag. But it’s nice to see him get national attention for being one. I am aware of the Law of Unintended Consequences, but I’m still hoping to get him disqualified from the 2022 ballot (I have written our SoS).

https://crooksandliars.com/2022/01/rick-wilson-paints-picture-what-happens
Crooks and Liars – Rick Wilson Paints Picture Of What Happens Next If GOP Wins
Quote – McCarthy and McConnell are still playing the old game of Washington and their corporate donors are flooding them with cash. Little do those corporations understand that in the New Order, they’ll either toe the line politically or they’ll be punished for it. Bannon came right out and said, “We’re going to nationalize the social media companies.”
Click through for details. I’s basically an unscrolled Twitter thread. “When the autocrat tells you who he is, believe him.” And you’d also better believe it when his former closest associates tell you who he is.

Food For Thought:

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Video Thread 1/26/22

 Posted by at 12:17 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Jan 262022
 

Glenn Kirschner – Trump’s Draft Executive Order for Military Seizure of Voting Machines: Deeply Dangerous+Dictatorial

Biden Inaugural Committee – Year One of the Biden-Harris Administration

Ring of Fire (co-produced) – New Report Reveals US Chamber Of Commerce Criminal History

Political Voices Network – Top 3 stories last week

Rebel HQ – Fauci Goes Scorched Earth On Conservatives (ROTFL at Ojeda’s name for R Paul !!)

Pitties Who Lost Their Dad Do a Magical Thing When Meeting Their New Family (hanky alert)

Beau – Let’s talk about Mitch McConnell’s tribute to Malcolm X….

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Open Thread for January 26, 2022

 Posted by at 6:47 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 262022
 

Yesterday, I looked at the WordPress update and how to install it, and learned that I will need to do a manual backup. While it is going on (and possibly also during the installation), the site will be in “maintenence mode” so I want to make sure to give some notice. Sure, I can do it inthe middle of the night – but I don’t want to be doing it in that part of the middle of the night which is when Lona is able to comment. Today is Wednesday – I won’t do it tonight. Instead, I’ll plan on Thursday night (Friday in Oz). So if anyone is up and looking at some odd hour Thursday night/Friday morning, and you can’t get in, please be patient.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

PEN America – STEEP RISE IN GAG ORDERS, MANY SLOPPILY DRAFTED
Quote – To appreciate the nature of this new crop of bills, it is helpful to focus on legislation from a single state: Indiana. With eight bills currently under consideration, only Missouri (at 19) has made a greater contribution. Of the eight in Indiana, all target public K-12 schools, two target private K-12 as well, six would regulate speech in public colleges and universities, four affect various state agencies, and two threaten public libraries. All are sweeping, all are draconian, and few make any kind of sense.
Click through for story, with illustrative examples. PEN America’ main focus is free speech, but it also does prison work, encouraging creativity in writing, nd rewarding some of the best.

First look: Biden inaugural to blanket airwaves today [Jan 20]
Quote – The committee, which was nominated for an Emmy, is spending several million dollars in leftover inaugural funds to air the ad on broadcast and cable TV today…. “In recognition of the President’s first year in office, the Biden-Harris Presidential Inaugural Committee believed it was important to celebrate the strength and perseverance of the American people in the face of extraordinary adversity, just as we did a year ago today.”
Click through for article. Yes, this is about a video, and yes, yhat video will show up in the video thread. But it’s more than just a video. There’s a story attached, and that should not be missed.

The Conversation – 5 things to know about why Russia might invade Ukraine – and why the US is involved
Quote – Military support for Ukraine and political and economic sanctions are ways the U.S. can make clear to Moscow that there will be consequences for its encroachment on an independent country. The risk, otherwise, is that the Kremlin might undertake other military and political actions that would further threaten European security and stability.
Click thrugh for article, which you may want to keep for reference.  Heather Cox Richarrdson also has some thoughts – and informtaion.

Bonus Borowitz: Biden Proves Mental Sharpness by Accurately Identifying Peter Doocy

Food For Thought:

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Video Thread 1/25/2022

 Posted by at 11:47 am  Open Thread, Politics
Jan 252022
 

Glenn Kirschner – NY Subpoenas, GA Special Grand Jury Subpoenas, Congressional Subpoenas: All Subpoenas Are Not Equal

The Guardian – Tonga: new footage shows aftermath of volcano eruption and tsunami

Meidas Touch – A Coup in Plain Sight

The Lincoln Project – What Are They For?

The Ring of Fire – January 6th Committee Targets Social Media Companies With Subpoenas

MSNBC’s Tiffany Cross explains Mitch McConnell –

Beau – Let’s talk about executive orders, doubt, and machinery….

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