Open Thread for November 29, 2021

 Posted by at 6:36 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 292021
 

Yesterday, when I got up, my vision was blurrier than usual. That does happen sometimes, often as an allergic reaction. I am such a delayed reactor that it could possibly be due to road fumes from the day before. It did improve as the day progressed, but not quite back to normal.  Hopefully it’ll get back to normal soon, since it does slow me down.

Cartoon – 29 1129Cartoon.jpg

Short Takes

Mother Jones – Every City Should Encourage This Kind of Solar Development
Quote – Undeveloped land is a rapidly dwindling resource, and what’s left is under pressure to deliver a host of other services we require from the natural world—growing food, sheltering wildlife, storing and purifying water, preventing erosion, and sequestering carbon, among others. And that pressure is rapidly intensifying. By 2050, in one plausible scenario from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), supplying solar power for all our electrical needs could require ground-based solar on 0.5 percent of the total land area of the United States.
Click through. I’ll bet we can all think of more than one parking lot which would be dramatically improved by this I know I can!

Daily Kos (Rule of Claw) – UPDATE: Good News-Compiling Expert Threads About “Nu” COVID Variant. I Hope This Quells Some Fears.
Quote – To start with, it appears that while “Nu” is outcompeting Delta, it is doing so in regions where Delta is more dormant and with low vaccination rates. Bloom Lab has a lengthy thread detailing why we should not be panicking. Concerned, evaluating, and being responsible, but we are not to the “send in the HAZMAT suits and lock the town down” stage.
Click through (worth it just for the headline photo). Things change so fast … apparently what they were going to call “nu” is now being called “omicron” (and I’ll spare you the linguistic humor.)

Daily Kos (PvtJarHead) – Iraq War Veteran Tried To Infiltrate III%ers: Was Asked If He Was Willing To Murder Antifa And BLM!
Quote – Immediately following the election I infiltrated an affiliate of the Three Percenters unlawful extremist militia. They straight up asked me if I was willing to murder people from “antifa” and “BLM” during my intake interview. And I recorded all of it.
Click through for more details. You know, I am 76, and I cannot remember a timein my life when I felt afraid of contracting a fatal disease AND afraid of being deliberately murdered just for being who I am. And I still can’t grasp how people of color must have felt all their lives – and how they must feel now much more personally yhan I do. I am very grateful this veteran is still willing to risk everything to save us

Food for Thought –

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Personal Update for November 28, 2021

 Posted by at 6:33 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 282021
 

Hi all.  Yes, it was a good visit.  And Virgil returns all greetings.    He was, as I predicted, delighted to hear about the “Muttcracker” (as well as flabbergasted that Fort Collins has a ballet company!)

Driving out there in the morning was quite peaceful – almost no one in sight at any point.  Coming back, however was something else.  I had to leave visitation at around 2 in order to get to the restroom on the way out  (I am not starting a 2 hour drive without first stoping there, and that is not negotiable. ) After that, picking up my car key and driver’s license at the desk, getting through the locked gates, opening th tailgate, putting away my wheelchair including putting a bungee around it to keep it in one place, grabbing my crutch, putting it in the back, getting into the frone, putting the car key back on the ring, using lip balm (it’s not allowed in there and mine get chapped), getting my ice water and gluten free cookie bar out of the insulated lunchbox, putting a CD in – it was 2:30 by the time I got out of the parking lot.

And going back was not like coming out.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much traffic along that entire route.  I do realice 2″30-4:40 pm is prime shopping tme, but it wasn’t like that two weeks ago.  Of course, it also wasn’t Black Friday weekend two weeks ago.  So there’s that.

I got home safely, but kind of znked.

So my advice to you is to read today’s Erinyes and the other tings in the email, if you haven’t already.  And I will get full posts ready for tomorrow

I did already have a TC cartooon picked out for today:

But not an FFT.

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Open Thread for November 27, 2021

 Posted by at 7:39 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 272021
 

Yesterday was Black Friday, and there wasn’t much else going on. I’m sure people got hurt shopping – someone always does – but I had to get this up early, since I am seeing Virgil today. I was looking at the sources I go to when it’s slow, and started with “Law & Crime.” I found there an amazing collection of headlines the like of which you definitely do not see every day … along with the usual sordid ones you do see every day, of course. So I thought I’d do something different and just list the most egregious ones, along with links in case you want details. Don’t laugh too hard and cramp up.

Cartoon –

Short Takes (Headlines) –

Father Charged with Murder After He Allegedly Blamed Family Cat for Baby Girl’s Broken Legs, Ribs, and Bleeding to the Brain
I know cats knock things off of flat surfaces, but this is ridiculous.

79-Year-Old Man Gets Life Sentence for Stabbing Bus Driver Wife to Death After Argument About Shoulder Surgery
Just as well it’s for life as it would appear she was the breadwinner.

Another Man Named Kyle Rittenhouse Arrested on Child Porn Charges in Florida, Admitted to ‘Sending Images of His Penis’ to Young Girls: Police
You cannot make this stuff up.

Judge Calls Hearing to Confirm Precisely Who’s Representing Jacob Chansley in Post-Sentencing Capitol Siege Case
I wonder whether they are fighting to represent him … or fighting not to.

Former Louisiana Cop and K-9 Officer Sentenced to 20 Years for Sexually Abusing His Dog and Possession of Child Porn
SMFH. Well, he can still serve society as the poster child for needing police reform.

N.J. Cop Charged with Killing Pedestrian, Stuffing Body in Car, and Taking the Dead Man Home. Prosecutors Say His Cop Father Turned Him In.
It’s noce that one of them knows who he is supposed to protect and serve.

Food for Thought –

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Open Thread for November 26, 2021

 Posted by at 7:21 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 262021
 

Yesterday was, of course, Thanksgiving Day in the United States. I hope everyone had a wonderful day whether or not you are in the United States. Tomorrow, I will be going to see Virgil. I think I’m ready.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

The New Yorker – Could One Shot Kill the Flu?
Quote – For decades, scientists have dreamed of what some call a “universal” flu vaccine—one that could target many strains of the virus. A universal vaccine would save countless lives not just this year but every year; as those numbers add up, it would become one of the greatest medical breakthroughs in history. Until recently, it’s been beyond the reach of molecular biology. But new technologies are extending our abilities, and researchers are learning how to see through the flu’s disguises. Without knowing it, we’re living on the cusp of a remarkable scientific achievement. One of the world’s longest pandemics could soon be coming to an end.
Click through for complications. It’s not a certainty – but it is a possibiity -and that is progress. If you re paywalled out, feel free to email me and I’ll send a pdf.

Crooks and Liars – Justice For Ahmaud Arbery: ALL 3 Defendants Found GUILTY
Quote – The jury was not representative of the community, with 11 white and only 1 Black member, which was a concern that even the judge raised. They deliberated for roughly 10 hours and there was concern that this could be a Kyle Rittenhouse or George Zimmerman repeat. But JUSTICE PREVAILED.
Click through for details. I put up a tag Wednesday when this was announced, but I wanted to featureit also. It’s important.

The New Yorker – Peng Shuai and the High Stakes of Business in China
Quote – The post was up for about ten minutes before the state’s well-oiled machinery of censorship kicked into gear and took it down. Comments on Peng’s account were locked. Screenshots of her sixteen-hundred-word post, which were spreading, were scrubbed. Her name disappeared from Internet searches. Emojis and words related to the case did, too. For a while, even the word “tennis” was blocked. Behind the state’s erasure of Peng’s presence on the Chinese Internet was another urgent and troubling question: What would happen to her?
Click through for the story which is not at all simple. I never expected to be looking to “The Sporting Scene” for a short take, but pf coourse, she’s not the first sports woman, and will not be the last, whose life clashes in some way with authoritarian leadership.

Food for Thought –

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Open Thread for November 25, 2021

 Posted by at 7:14 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 252021
 

Today is Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for all of you who come here, read, and comment. I can’t really express that in words. I hope you can get a glimmer of that.

Cartoon –



Short Takes –

The New Yorker (Borowitz) – Fauci Urges Americans to Use COVID as Excuse to Skip Thanksgiving with Horrible Relatives
Quote – Speaking from his office at the National Institutes of Health, Fauci said that the covid-19 excuse could help prevent a seasonal surge in exasperation and seething rage associated with the Thanksgiving holiday. “covid-19 could get you off the hook this year,” Fauci said. “Consider this a doctor’s note from me.”
You can click through, but that pretty much covers it.

Crooks and Liars – FINALLY: Black Family Gets Imperfect, But Historic Justice
Quote – Merritt said of the police department on Friday: “We plan to root out injustice within that system. We plan to identify the specific policies that facilitate one of the deadliest police cultures in the modern world. Kansas City will remember the name Cameron Lamb because he will be known as the beginning of the end of the deadliest police culture in the modern world.”
Click through. Beau addressed this also (In Saturday’s video thread, and here ) I surely do hope they follow through on that police quote.

Daily Kos (Walter Einenkel) – 13-year-old boy uses his Make-A-Wish to feed homeless because Mississippi officials don’t
Quote – According to Olagbegi, his family has always done service for the community. Since he was a young child, the Olagbegis would serve meals to people in need every month. After Olagbegi was diagnosed, the family had to put some of that service on hold. Make-A-Wish Mississippi’s Linda Sermons told WLBT: “We were excited this is our first philanthropic wish in our 20+ years of the chapter in the state—a huge milestone for us, but also this is the first meal that Abraham is able to serve.” Make-A-Wish helped Abraham Olagbeli begin Abraham’s Table.
Click through if you wish. Einenkel is not shy to discuss how serious the need is for more. But I can’t imagine a chld of privilege coming up with this wish myself.

Food for Thought –

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Open Thread for November 23, 2021

 Posted by at 6:53 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 232021
 

Yesterday, another quiet day.I love quiet days, but it makes it difficult to find much if anything to say about them. I guess that’s all right, though.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

AP News – Native American confirmed as head of National Park Service
Quote – Sams is Cayuse and Walla Walla and lives on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon. There, he gained a reputation for being unflappable. He has worked in state and tribal governments and the nonprofit natural resource and conservation management fields for over 25 years. “He is known for being steady at the helm and taking challenges in stride,” said Bobbie Conner, director of the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute on the 270-square-mile (700-square-kilometer) reservation.
Click through for more details. It took way too lokg to confirm him – but it’s done now.

Daily Kos (Tevye) – Dead Man On The Ground. Bullets Flying. Others Running For Safety. He Ran Straight Towards A Madman.
Quote – As a young man, Anthony struggled with mental health issues and drug dependency. And seven years ago, he quit cold turkey and never relapsed. He went to counseling for a few years, but he regarded two things as his savior…..his skateboarding community and his activism.Any marginalized group in his community, be it those of color, those from the LGBTQ+ community, Jews ( he was Jewish himself ), Muslims, First Nations peoples….. if you were oppressed, you had a friend, advocate and defender in Anthony. He was there for you.
Click through. Hanky alert. I can tell Tevye is angty, but he knows, none better, how to transform that anger into gried, and then into resolution.

Smithsonian – What Kind of Turkey are you?
Quote – More than just a traditional holiday trimming, the turkey is an American icon. Native to our continent, turkeys were domesticated by the ancient Maya, called a respectable “Bird of Courage” by Benjamin Franklin, and have been officially pardoned by Presidents since 1989. The Smithsonian has over 155 million objects in its collections—including a fair number of turkeys. This Thanksgiving, find your inner Smithsonian turkey by taking our short quiz!
Click through to take the quiz. I took it ans was told I am “The Dignified Turkey.” That may be the first time anyone every called me dignified – and it may also be the last!

Food for Thought –

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Open Thread for November 22, 2021

 Posted by at 6:57 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 222021
 

Yesterday, I realized it was a slownews weekend. Of course, thet oesn’t mean nothing pappened – far from it – but it does explain whi I am including a poem (a very worthwhile one, I might add) as a story.

Cartoon – 22 NatIslam uploaded

Short Takes –

The New Yorker (Sasha Debevec-McKenney) – Kaepernick

The New Yorker is famous for its cartoons and its investigative reporting. It’s also known for the fiction it publishes – but not so much for poetry. Maybe it ought to be. This one is short, only 3 lines longer than a sonnet, but gets in more than you would think possible.

Law & Crime (referral) – When in Rome? American Tourists Fined After Breaking Into the Colosseum Just to Have a Drink
Quote – “During the early hours of Monday morning some people noticed two young men drinking beer in the Colosseum, facing outwards on the second level,” Rome’s carabinieri police force said, according to CNN. “They alerted a police car nearby, which then stopped the two young men on Via dei Fori Imperiali.”
Click through for a little more. Just in case you needed reminding how absurdly stupid and stupidly absurd privilege is.

The Guardian – Fauci warns time running short to prevent ‘dangerous’ Covid surge in US
Quote – Coronavirus cases across the US are rising again for the first time in weeks, and approaching 100,000 per day. Experts fear that this week’s Thanksgiving holiday, for which tens of millions of Americans will travel for indoor celebrations with family and friends, will fuel a further surge…. “We still have about 60 million people in this country who are eligible to be vaccinated who have not been, and that results in the dynamic of virus in the community that not only is dangerous and makes people who are unvaccinated vulnerable, but it also spills over into the vaccinated people,” Fauci said on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday.
Ckick through for full reasoning (as if reasoning ever got through to MAGAts.) I’ve got a goodly amount of toilet issue now, but I might just add another package or two to my next grocery order anyway.

Food for Thought –

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Open Thread for November 21, 2021

 Posted by at 7:24 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 212021
 

Yesterday, the radio opera was “Luisa Miller” by Verdi.  If you know a little about opera but have never heard of it, there’s a reason for that – the plot is even more depressing than most opera plots.  The only bright spot is that the protagonist (I really can’t call him a “hero”) manages to muster up enough strength just before he dies to kill the villain.  It does have many beautiful melodies, and I would definitely rather hear it than see it, so there’s that.

Cartoon – 21 Piltdown uploaded

Short Takes –

Crooks and Liars – Meet Acting President Kamala Harris
Quote – Going under anesthesia for a routine checkup and colonoscopy (cancer screenings save lives, folks) Joe Biden handed over the reins of the US Presidency to Vice President Kamala Harris. She’s Acting President Kamala Harris for a few hours today, and she’s the first woman in history to have that honor. An “honor,” by the way, that Mango Mussolini was too chicken sh*t to bestow on Mike Pence.
Click through for some witty tweets. ICYMI, this happened Friday.  And Joe came through the physical just fine.

Democratic Underground (gab13by13) Most ransacked office on 1/6.
Quote – The most ransacked office the day of the failed coup was the Parlementarian’s [sic] office where the Electoral college ballots would have been stored.
Click through for possible reasoning. It’s short. Only a footnote. But, as Agatha Christie used to have Poirot say, “It gives one furiously to think.”

Daily Kos (Joan McCarter) – Biden boots Bloom from Postal Service board, DeJoy’s days as Postmaster are numbered
Quote – “The USPS serves hundreds of millions of Americans across the nation every day,” the White House wrote in the statement announcing the nominations. “President Biden is committed to supporting USPS workers so that they can continue delivering for their fellow Americans, particularly those in rural communities, veterans, and older Americans who rely so heavily on the Postal Service. President Biden is also committed to strengthening and modernizing this critical public institution and its services to ensure it continues serving the American people for decades to come.”
Click through for a story we have all been waiting for what seems like forever. Bloom won’t actually be out until December 8 – but it’s now carved in stone that he will be out.

Food for Thought –

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