Dogs – Page 4 – Politics Plus

Open Thread August 15 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:49 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 152026

Yesterday was a fairly quiet day – which I certainly needed. I son’t know that you’ll see that in today’s blog, though you might. The hair-on-fire stuff I couldn’t sqeeze in earlier, and the lighter stuff is newer.

From Colorado Public Radio. What was I just saying about Colorado and water? This image is probably not of the Arkansas River – but it looks like the water in the Ark usually looks, and it does show why they call it “whitewater” rafting. Now compare this to the photo in the article. That water ain’t white, and ain’t gonna be, without a whole lot of snow this coming winter. And yes, I am posting a lot about water in a very short window. Consider it a preview of what’s coming unless all world leaders get their heads on straight – or get replaced with leaders whose heads are already on straight.

This is going to be time consuming – over a half hour if you watch, and of course if you read the stranscript, that will depend on your reading speed. (for comparison, Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters From An American, when she reads them on YouTube, are usually in the 12-16 minute range.) But the amount of time it took to put this information together to present was more like months. The presentation was put together to address the coming midterms, but there is information which anyone who uses AI for any reason should be aware of.

I’m pretty sure the “Duffel Blog” is the military version of The Onion. On the other hand – Kefsbreath is dumb enough for this to be true.

I’ve been wanting to post about this but waited until Joyce Vance put it in writing. I do want to share one thing that was in the videos but isn’t here. At the point when Block said “I’ve been told it should be coming (or forthcoming as soneone else quoted),” allegedly Judge Sullivan responded, “So is Christmas.” I remember that comeback being common in the fifties, but I still find it amusing.

2fer

Open Thread August 13 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:59 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 132026

Yesterday, I was pretty well swamped by news. The one which stood out was the Mango Monster hiding in the catering cart, which happened what, a month ago and is just now coming out? Several were talking about that. I tried to find some less obvious news which was still important or at least noteworthy.

From Talking Points Memo. The word “overreach” doesn’t, I think, sound as scary as it can be when the overreacher is unscrupulous. And unscrupulous is what we have.

From the AP. I posted the well-wishing opportunity yesterday(ICYMI). JoJo from Jerz has her own take, which I’ll post on a slow day with a hanky alert.

Robert Reich. I’ve always thought that the Luddites had very solid points. Not that I would argue in favor of their tactics – but those tactics were the only ones available to them at the time

From Phil Williams of “Confront the Hate. So much is going on, I feel compelled to post 4 a day until (unless?) things settle down.

Open Thread August 10 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:01 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 102026

Yesterday, I saw Virgil and we did not play crivvagw – or anyhing else.Before I go into why not, I first want to assure you that have no injuries – not even a broken fingernail or atint scratch – anthe car has only one shallow dent – no scratches and the pain iis intact – and you have to look a it in the right light in order to see it. When I got to the grounds of the state hospital, which the prison Virgl is in is located, the main entrance was blocked with cones and there was a detour sign. I followed the detour, looking for a second sign and not finding it, but knowing there was an entrance on 17th Street (the main one is on 13th) I must have miscounted, because I didn’t see another detour sign at what I thought was 17th St which I turned on to. Considerinh how unpredictable the streets are on the grounds, I didn’t immediately eliminate a dirt road as a possible entrance, and tried one – It rose up to a little hill, which dropped, so I knew that wasn’t right, so I started to back out (I did’t want to atemt to turn around so close to a drop off.) Backing is harder than going forward, and I got too far to the left, and too close to a side slope. When I tried to get out, the the car tilted and rested on a group of Chinese elm saplings (everyone here calls them Chinese; I think theu are more likely Siverian, but I don’t argue.) It happened so fast, and so softly, I was pretty sure there wasn’t much damage to the car, and I knew there was none to me. I tried to call USAA since I have coverage, but they wanted me to access a sifferent website, and I don’t have internet access on my phone, so I called 911 (USAA’s advice if they could’nt help.) Ittook the fire department, the police department, USAA (which the police dispatcher called with a smartphone) to get both me and the car out, but they did. One of the officers called the prison to see what was the latest I would be allowed to enter, which was 2:30. I got there at 2:29. So I didn’t get playing cards out. But at least I was able to see him. And next time (and probably for months), it will be easier. I’m sure that’s more than anyone wanted to know.

Dude has been in prison longer than I’ve been married (counting pre-trial detention, which does count as time served – at least, anywhere civilized.) I could rant for quite some time about this, but I’ll spare you – and myself.

Several days old now, and WaPo (which is paywalled) is still the only place I have seen it. The Guardian probably has it though. (A couple of days after this came out, Faithful America did send an email referencing it.)

This (from AP referred by Allison Gill) is outrageous. I don’t think spouses of military who are not citizens should automatically be granted citizenship, but I do think they should automatically be granted legal residence. (if they turn out to be a spy, it can be rescinded.)

Open Thread August 8 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:49 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 082026

Yesterday, I got up an hour earlier than I ever do, even for the opera, in case I had to call several locksmiths. I didn’t. First one I called had the capability, and within just over an hour I had a replacement. It’s two separate keys for now – one for the ignition and one for the doors – but they work, and when the ones with the fob come Tuesday, I now have the pattern. I nope this and the first short take help make up a little for the depression of the second and third short takes. Ph, and remember the two Justins in Tennessee who were kicked out ofthe state house for being Democrats (and eventualy reinstated)? I justheard from one of them, Justin Pearson, who just won his primary for US Congress. Thesubject line was “This victory belongs to you.”

Standing Room Only is another newsletter tha has several sections. I’m posting the link today because of the second one, “Main Stage.” Of course you can read as much or as little as you want. But the main stage section is something I have often thought. Colorado’s primary for our next governor also demonstrates Amanda’s point.

From The Conversation. I was aware that this was happening – you may also have been – but not of the “excruciating details.” And even the bare bones of it are not geting enough media attention. World War II is a historical example of why crimes against humanity need to be publicized and get attention. I and many others cringe to this day remembering the Shoah. We can’t change that. But this is happening now and there are things we can do.

From ite Drop Site News. Something else which is not getting enough visibility – and you can probably see why – it’s depressing. And not a good look for Israel. But it needs to be known just as much as the treaties in place need to be known about.

Open Thread August 6 2026

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

Aug 062026

YesterdayI thought I had my in person follow up with my new PCP and discovered I was off a day (after trying and failing to book a taxi.) Hopefully I can make it today. We shall see.

Heck, I could have told this. You probably could have also. If you ae depending on someone to keep a promise, just “in writing” isn’t enough. It has to be signed under oath, witness, and certified or notsrized by someone legally authorized to certify or notarized. And you, the person who is requiring it, are the person who gets yto keep the original = the signator may keep a copy only. That’s just for starters – I’m not trying to imply that Joyce’s explanation isn’t fuller – becuse it is.

Wolves and Sheep addresses the war and how the Mango Moron’s decision-making habits are affecting it – and other things he touches.

Talking Points Memo in how Markwayne Mullen is seeking and finding people to prosecute under the anti-Antifa executive order.

Open Thread August 2 2026

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

Aug 022026

Yesterday,the radio opera was “L’Eliser d’Amore” (“The Love Potion) by Gaetano Donizetti. It’s a comedy, and not just because it has a happy ending. It premiered in 1832 abd kas kiterakky never been out of the repertory. Normally, I’m not crazy about productions which change the time or the country an opera is set in – because there’s always something that doesn’t fit the history and/or culture of the new setting) – but, years ago (so many years that I was not yet married) a production was televised set in the 1860’s in the American southwest in the 1860s – and it was spooky how well it fit. The southwest did not have peasants – but it did have cowboys. And it had traveling snale oil salesmen. And there was a war on. (And of course, a young woman who owns a farm or a ranch could be just about anywhere, any time.) Since then, I have never heard it without remembering that production. (And it didn’t hurt that the tenor was very easy on the eyes.)

I would never have thought of this, but I’m glad someone did. (I did think of taking bayyet to address balance issues – and it worked – but didn’t last because I didn’t keep it up. Marine bases didn’t have barres installed then – and I’d be very surprised if they do even now.)

This chick is lucky to be a penguin – it it were an animal which could be cuddled gy humans, it would be cuddled within an inch of its life, it’s so adorable. (No disrespect is meant by calling it “it” – penguins cannot be gendered by humans visually, and it needs to be old enough for a blood test to check its DNA, and it isn’t yet.)

This is long for a Sunday, and it’s also not yet actual good news but potential good news. But, having spent a couple of years as a regular visitor to a couple where the wife had advanced Parkinson’s, it hits home to me.

Open Thread August 1 2026

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

Aug 012026

Yesterday, Malcolm described the Iran War situation as one of two things: either all combatants (and non-combatants, including some new ones) think the war is a game of Risk – or they think it is a Tom Clancy novel. I’m not familiar with either the game or the author’s works – but it doesn’t sound good. Also, he put out a second show, a special edition – mostly about a newly resuscitated 500-year-old territorial dispute between Spain and Morocco for part of the Sahara. NO ONE HAS INVADED SPAIN. Although the Evil Emperor clearly wants to take down the government of Spain.

This is long – and it’s going to be even longer, because it’s a series. It will be coming out on Fridays, which means you will be seeing it on Satirdays – unless you subscribe to Robert Reich‘s Substack yourself. Someof it may well bore you – because it is fundamental, and y’all are already up on foundations. But it’s still good to look at them from a different angle. I do take issue with his statement that economics are not separate from politics. He sees them as two sides of the coin. I see them as married – with no reason why they can’t divorce and marry something else.

From The Conversation. I know that I want the truth from news sources – whether that truth is excellent, horrifying, or anything in between. I’m inclined to think that may well have been influenced by the fact that my recreational reading, from age 8 up, was authors like Agatha Christie, Erle Stanley Gardner, Rex Stout, and Ellery Queen – adding in my teens Ngaio Marsh, Matjorie Allingham, Josephine Tey, and too many more to list here. But that might be just my imagination. I really so not understand people who either don’t care whether what they believe is true or not – or who will embrace anything as truth because they want it to be true. And it boggles my mind how many of them there are.

I finally got Drop Site News sending to my new email address. My bad, I should have done it sooner. This is quite a story. Apparently the Mango Monster has gotten a bee in his bonnet about a Russian spy station which used to exist, but was closed in the early oughts and pretty well demolished. The site now has a school. I am still trying to wrap my head around as to why Russians would call a spy station in a Spanish-speaking country “Lourdes”. Saint Bernadette might has thoughts about that. Anyway, after the Soviet one was demolished, a Chinese one went in to a completely different area. All this and more is at the link, including a couple of supplemental videos.

Atlanta Black Star weekly puts together a column called “The Narrative, which matches up news stories with a common theme – which may or may not be obvious

2fer

Open Thread July 30 2026

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

Jul 302026

Yesterday, I didn’t do much other than wade through email. Virgil called, which was nice. I did get some knitting done. Today’s pet video is another spliced one – which I will be calling a 2-fer.

From ProPublica. You can talk about unintended consequences – and I am pretty sure this was not intended – but the Mango Moron and the desoicable Russell Voght probably both see it as a feature, not a bug.

From Adam Klasfeld. This pisses me off royally. Yrd, every profession, including medicine, contains people who, though highly educates, are dumber than rocks. (And no amount of intelligence guarantees courage comes with it.) Anthony Fauci is not merely an intelligent MD; he is also a fighter and a hero. And he’s older than I am – and under this stress is beginning to look it. This persecution needs to end – yesterday.

Talking Points Memo: James Comey is far from perfect – but he doesn’t deserve this. The detail that made me curse out loud was that,on a trip with his wife, they made a stop at the grave of their son who dies when still an infant. Thhey were under (illegal) surveillance the entire time. The in-person surveillance lost track of him, but the electronic surveillance picked it up and went there after the Comeys left – and took a photo of the flowers they left at the grave.

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