Climate Change – Politics Plus

Open Thread July 4 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Holiday, Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 042026

Yesterday, Adam Klasfeld sent a link to his live reading of Justice Brown-Jackson’s concurrence in the birthright citizenship case, which is now scheduled for today at 12:30 pm Eastern. Generally Substack videos are recorded and available after the livestream ends. I certainly hope this one will be, because the opera will be on, and it doesn’t record. Here’s the link:
https://open.substack.com/live-stream/264623

[Update: It did go live but there was no sound. It did record, and still no sound as of 45 minutes after start. It onlt took 4 minutes 20 seconds so if (and I suspect he will) gets the sound fixed I’ll repost]

Update #2: I got several emails, but the last one, which came up at 12:44 my time (2:44 Eastern) and it is a recording. It is longer than the aborted one – it clocks at 33 minutes 21 seconds Link

By all means laugh at the headline – and laugh more at the subhead about how Robert Reich manages to make it valid.

Not trying to make a hero of John Brennan. But it’s pretty obvious he is not the only innocent (at least of what he’s being slammed with) person in the US who will benefit from the precedent this suit if it is victorious, as it certainly ought to be.

The Root here focuses on black communities, which is fine, because it is a black publication. But poor people of any color are affected pretty much equally, and may be even more invisible. This is why our real fight is not so much a political one as an economic one.

I don’t often post Andy Borowitz, because his articles for unpaid subscribers are usually just one-liners. Consider this a bonus post.

Open Thread June 26 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jun 262026

Yesterday, I guess we can be thankful that all the hair on fire about the housing bill and the USPS didn’t spread to forests or buildings. The Apricot Autocrat did not, as far as I have seen, did not say he would veto the housing bill; just that he would not sign it. I’m pretty sure that if he just doesn’t sign it (and provided Congress remains in session), it will automatically become law in ten days. Of course, Monkey Wrench Mikey knows that too and will have no prolem adjourning Congress just long enough. WRT mail in voting (and my state is one which has it for everyone), I was seriously thinking about, as soon as the primaries are over (which would be next Wednesday here), changing my registration to Republican. And then changed it back in November, after voting a straight Dem ticket. If every Democrat did that, it would be like “We are all Spartacus.” Or like MSgt Roddie Edmonds at Stalag IX-A “We are all Jews.” It has a history of working. The enemy may know what you are doing, but has no way of getting the desired information out of it. But then it occurred to me – as it should have sooner, since virtually everything I buy is ordered and shipped, that there are multiple – probably dozens, of small common carriers out there besides (and cheaper than) UPS and FedEx which could be used if and when USPS goes rogue. (And speaking of USPS, Benjamin Franklin is buried in Philadelphia – has anyone heard of any earthquakes there yet?

Like Robert Reich, I’m also seeing an increase in spam and phishing. Fortunately, so far, they are not coming in his name – a name I think we all trust. I will filter carefully anything I out into the blog. But I am not going to be around forever. Y’all who outlive me will need to know this.

A hundred and one is a lot of former judges. Joyce Vance explains what is normal about this and what is – not so much.

This from The Conversation is not hot news, but a step by step explanation of the process used by SCROTUS to decide cases. It might be one to bookmark for future reference – or not – depending on your choice.

Open Thread April 23 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:05 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 232026

On Tuesday, The Oedipus Project was on Zoom again – with an all new cast inclding Dr. Fauci as Tiresias, and Chuck Schumer as, probably technically a member of the chorus – but the chorus’s lines were broken up and spread around. Yes, I’ve seen the project before, and yes, I’ve read the play (in English – I came late to Greek and didn’t have time to get good enough to read plays – the only one I read a little of in the original was Philoctetes.) But there is always something new that comes out of these productions.

If you are wondering about the criminal complaint against the SPLC which Todd Blanche somehow managed to get past a Grand Jury (in the Middle District of Alabama), there are a couple of good videos available regarding it – one on YouTube on the Talking Feds channel, and the other (and more detailed) on Substack. Either (or both) can generate a transcript easily if you prefer one. Don’t worry, the SPLC has not done anything illegal (Unfortunately, that fact may not protect them from a MAGA judge in that district.)

From the 19th. One woman’s story to represent so many women’s stories. Which is how we learn, I think.

Since the only thing the Papaya Pasha cares about, besides himself, is money, it shouldn’t be surprising that every bizarre thing he does ends up affecting money. Unfortunately, it’s our money which is the most affected. As Robert Reich points out.

Talking Points Memo has a string of stories here, but the longest, and possibly the ugliest, is the first one. Read as much (or as little) as you like.

This video, from and for Earth Day, is a short – there may be a way to embed it, but I couldn’t find one in the “share” options. Hick is not the best Senator ever, but he is right on this.

Open Thread April 4 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 042026

Yesterday, Adam Klasfeld interviewed my man Phil Weiser – my state Attorney General (who is running for Governor) on the 64 or 65 cases in which our state is fighting the Regime, and also on the resentencing of Tina Peters – why it was decided to do it, and why it’s unlikely to get her out of prison any sooner than the old sentence. It took about 28 minutes. I’m not asking anyone to listen (or read the transcript), but am sharing the link in case anyone wants to do so.

From Common Dreams. Humans have survived so many natural an man-made disasters over the billions of years since the earth was made that I expect we will survive this too. But – we may end up wishing we hadn’t.

Archived from The New Yorker. Quick quote: “In the past several years, the phrase ‘alpha male’ has seeped into the language around us, like the contamination of an underground aquifer.” These techniques are basically brainwashing. The techniques can be used for good – but rarely are.

Robert Reich – “Memories of Vietnam” – so I am not the only one experiencing those memories.

Open Thread April 3 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 032026

Yesterday, (as if you didn’t know – it was everywhere) Pam Bondi was fired (but only one of my sources included in the headline that the next one will be worse.) One source said Tulsi Gabbard is also toast. Sixty years ago today (not April 3 today, but Good Friday today) Virgil had the car accident which caused his TBI and all that implies.

From Press Watch. Pretty much any order given by Darth Dementia and/or Kegsbreath has been and will be unlawful. Which, sadly, does not mean they have not been and will not be obeyed. I cannot blame anyone who considers the United States as a whole to be a de facto war criminal – because we are.

Frankly, this from Common Dreams had occurred to me even before I saw this. The way he is wasting oil, we will have no choice other than to to green (unless you consider freezing to death, or dying of heat stroke, choices.)

From Joyce Vance – one of he decisions which came down this week. Yes, it’s unusual for us to be awaiting and looking at multiple decisions in any given week. But this is not a usual regime. I hope this stands – and that it is not ignored.

Open Thread February 25 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 252026

Yesterday, I did watch the “State of the Swamp”, not the “State of the Union”, and, although it was long, I’m glad I did. I found it inspiring.

Vitriol (or, technically, oil of vitriol) is sulfuric acid – H2SO4 – diluted with water. There used to be a rhyme about it – “Poor John is dead/With us he is no more/For what he thought was H₂O was H2SO4.” It can be created spontaneously when sulfides created when copper ore is blasted out of rock is oxidized by contact with oxygen in the air, and then encounters water. You would think that no one would want to establish a copper mine in proximity to a large body of water. But this is exactly what Antofagasta Mining wants to do upstream of the Boundary Waters, which are situated on the border between the US and Canada. (Canada calls their part something else, but both sides are heavily visited, and contain wildlife.) The Boundary Waters Canoe Area on our side is the most visited wilderness area in the U.S. The House has already voted to authorize this mine, and now the bill goes to the Senate. My best source for this (the most information with the least filler) is this 13-minute video. It has CC, so there is a transcript.

If this from The 19th doesn’t break your heart – assuming it isn’t already broken – well, you can fill in the “then” section yourself. No one – absolutely no one – should have to live like this.

The Brennan Center reviews the history of changes being made to the makeup and responsibilities of the Supreme Court. It’s not something that is impossible. If it has been done before, it can be done again.

Open Thread February 15 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 152026

Yesterday, the radio opera was Mozart’s “Idomeneo” from 1986, chosen by Joyce Di Donato because of Frederica von Stade. I have a von Stade story from many years ago which appeared in Cat Fancy magazine, submitted by a vocal coach about the first time von Stade (“Flicka”) came to learn from her. At one point the coach’s cat threw up o Flicka’s foot. The coach thought she’d lost a student forever. But Flicka just deadpanned, “I hope it wasn’t my singing,” and stayed with the coach. She is a class act in every way. It’s interesting to me (if no one else) that every time an “Artist’s Choice” is picked by someone I really like, that their choice is based on someone in a previous generation I also really, really like.

I would call this “mixed” rather than “good.” But for decades we have been thinking “doomed,” and “mixed” is definitely an improvement over that.

Now this is sportsmanship. This is how sports are supposed to work (and sadly often don’t.)

It’s always good news when someone gets to live his or her dream. And it’s always especially good when it’s a child, and particularly a child who’s experienced an illness that no one, and especially no child, should have to cope with.

Cat

Open Thread December 24 2025

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 1:31 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 242025

Yesterday, for a change, SCROTUS ruled against the Mango Monster 6-3 for a change in Trump v. Illinois – a case Harry Litman has been saying since it was filed would be its moment of truth. Because had it gone the other way, the Monster would have had free rein to act on any lies he could dream up. Harry Litman invited Leah Litman (mp relation) to discuss it with him on Substack Live. Both were so excited they were interrupting each other. I’ll provide the link anyway, difficult as it is to listen to (actually the video seems to be one and done, but the transcript is there), but a key factor was that one amicus brief was incredibly important. One amicus brief which was saying something no one else was saying, but which was right. So if you ever discounted the effect of amicus briefs – it’s time to rethink that.

CPR News referred me to this. Between this and a related story about Colorado losing FEMA funds which are now tied to immigration policy, I decided this one would affect a whole lot more people in a whole lot more places.

I’ve written previously about Lone Star ticks, and IIRC at that time there were already a few other ticks who carried this trait, but apparently, according to The Conversation, it’s getting worse. I don’t, thank the universe, have this particular food allergy, but I do have a couple which are almost equally crippling, such as wheat and soy, and frankly, you don’t want to have any food allergy ever, and especially when grocery prices are out of control.

I’m sure everyone is aware about how the short (for a documentary) documentary about CECOT had been scheduled to air on 60 minutes but was yanked by Bari Weiss. But she either forgot or didn’t know that 60 minutes also plays on Global TV in Canada. By the time she realized it, Canada had already seen about 13.5 minutes of it. That 13.5 (13.35 to be precise) was all over the internet. By yesterday, it had been taken down from most of those places. But it it viewable here. If you haven’t already seen it, you might want to watch it, if only because so many people worked so hard to prevent you from seeing it.

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