It’s Not Just the South

 Posted by at 9:03 am  Politics
Dec 242019
 

The Republican Party has little to offer in programs and policies.  Therefor, in all but the most brain-dead areas, they would lose any fair election.  As a result, Republicans have become expert at preventing fair elections, and it’s not just in the South.

1224VoterSupression

Democrats in a key battleground state have a plan to use state open records laws to fight back against Republican voter suppression.

“Last week in Wisconsin a county judge sided with a conservative legal group in a lawsuit that will remove more than 200,000 voters from that state’s voter rolls,” Velshi noted.

“Democrats for their part are doing everything they can to push back against these Republican efforts,” he reported. “In Wisconsin, the state Democratic Party plans to use the open records law to find the names of everyone who’s been purged and then work to re-enroll likely Democratic voters.”…  [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Raw Story>

Ali Velshi has more.

Democrats Strategize Against Renewed GOP Vote Suppression Efforts

 

Kudos to Wisconsin Democrats.  As a response to Republican harassment, bullying, and intimidation, they are working hard to meet voters at the point of their need!

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Dec 222019
 

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox.  WWWendy is due in about 90 minutes, and we have lots of chores to do.  Tomorrow I have my GI appointment.  I fear that they will just schedule me for tests at the lab.  I so hope I’m wrong.  I need some relief NOW!  I should be back in the saddle on Christmas Eve.  Go Broncos.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:37 (average 5:25).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From NY Times: American military and intelligence officials tracking North Korea’s actions by the hour say they are bracing for an imminent test of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching American shores, but appear resigned to the fact that President Trump has no good options to stop it.

If the North goes ahead with the test in the coming days — Pyongyang promised a “Christmas gift” if no progress had been made on lifting sanctions — it would be a glaring setback for Mr. Trump’s boldest foreign policy initiative, even as he faces an impeachment trial at home.

The score? Fat Korean Maniac 2 – Fat Russian-controlled Maniac 0.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (Parody Project Channel): A REPUBLICAN CHRISTMAS – Parody | The Freedom Toast (Guest Post)

 

Magnificent! The Republican Reich hope they die soon. JD send me an update on them, please.  RESIST!!

From TPM: According to newly released documents, the White House moved to freeze military aid to Ukraine less than two hours after President Donald Trump’s July 25th call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The documents were obtained with a FOIA request by the Center for Public Integrity and published Friday night. 

“Based on guidance I have received and in light of the Administration’s plan to review assistance to Ukraine, including the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, please hold off on any additional DoD obligations of these funds, pending direction from that process,” Mike Duffey, an Office of Management and Budget official, wrote in a July 25 email to OMB and Pentagon officials. “Given the sensitive nature of the request, I appreciate your keeping that information closely held to those who need to know to execute direction.”… [emphasis added]

So what we have here is an order from imFuhrer Trump* to hold up the aid and cover up the act of doing it. That’s a criminal violation of the Impoundment ActRESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Rascals People Got To Be Free

 

Ah… The memories!  RESIST!!

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Hold On!

 Posted by at 9:38 am  Politics
Dec 192019
 

Yesterday’s impeachment hearings were an exercise in boredom, until the votes that made the Fuhrer of the Republican Reich the Impeached Resident.  Now what?  Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch has made it abundantly clear that he considers his job is not to run an impartial trial, but to protect Trump.  This morning I heard him call the Articles passed in the House “constitutionally incoherent”.  He said he does not consider them worthy of consideration.  Way back during the Mueller Report days, when Nancy Pelosi still opposed impeachment, I said several times that Democrats, and honest Republicans, if there were any, should impeach Trump to present the case to the American people.  Then, they could hold the Articles of Impeachment to deny Trump his demanded acquittal in Bought Bitch Mitch’s kangaroo court.  In retrospect, it was a good idea.  If we can’t get a fair trial, hold on!

1219Hold

Moments after a historic vote to impeach President Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House could at least temporarily withhold the articles from the Senate — a decision, she suggested, that could depend on how the other chamber chooses to conduct its trial on Trump’s removal.

“We cannot name managers until we see what the process is on the Senate side,” she said, referring to the House “managers” who present the case for removal to the Senate. “So far we haven’t seen anything that looks fair to us. So hopefully it will be fair. And when we see what that is, we’ll send our managers.”

The comments came as a group of House Democrats pushed Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other leaders to withhold the articles — a notion that has gained traction among some on the political left as a way of potentially forcing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to conduct a trial on more favorable terms for Democrats. And if no agreement is reached, some have argued, the trial could be delayed indefinitely, denying Trump an expected acquittal.

Pelosi would not answer questions about whether she was entertaining an indefinite hold on the articles — one that could prevent a trial from taking place before the next presidential election…  [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Washington Post>

Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell have more.

Pelosi Wants To See ‘Fair’ Process Before House Sends Impeachment Articles

I found it particularly interesting that the man taking the lead on this idea is my own Representative, Earl Blumenauer [D-OR].

1219Blumenauer-Pride

…Representative Earl Blumenauer, Democrat of Oregon, said he had spoken to at least 40 Democrats who were concerned that Mr. McConnell would not conduct a fair trial, and who wanted Ms. Pelosi to delay sending the articles to the Senate until she learned more about how the proceedings would move forward.

“What is gained by accelerating this process?” he asked. He said Democrats should “let the speaker work her magic” to “get some sort of assurance, if it’s possible, that there will be a level playing field.”

In addition, some Democrats — including some of the chamber’s most progressive lawmakers — have advocated simply never sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate, to deny Mr. Trump an almost certain acquittal in the Republican-controlled chamber, where a two-thirds vote — 67 senators — are needed to convict. Ms. Pelosi has not ruled that out, but House leaders are not seriously contemplating that course, the Democratic officials said… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <NY Times>

Oregon leads the way!

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Dec 142019
 

It’s another tired day here at the CatBox.  My heartburn flared up last night, and I slept poorly.  Tomorrow a Holy Day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb.  My Broncos visit the Chiefs and I look forward to reading about how they do.  It’s not televised here, of course.  May the Divine Orb shine it’s blessed light on your team, unless you need a name. 😉 It’s also a WWWendy day, and it’d been so humid that I need extra de-stinking. Also, we have chores to do, so please expect no more than a personal update.  Have a fine weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:01 (average 5:26).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Across the United Kingdom on Friday, Britons mourned their long-cherished right to claim that Americans were significantly dumber than they are.

Luxuriating in the superiority of their intellect over Americans’ has long been a favorite pastime in Britain, surpassing in popularity such games as cricket, darts, and snooker.

But, according to Alistair Dorrinson, a pub owner in North London, British voters have done irreparable damage to the “most enjoyable sport this nation has ever known: namely, treating Americans like idiots.”

“When our countrymen cast their votes yesterday, they didn’t realize they were destroying the most precious leisure activity this nation has ever known,” he said. “Wankers.”

Amen, Andy! Are they a bunch of Bridiots, or what?  RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Mitch McConnell On Impeachment: We’ll Be In ‘Total Coordination’ With White House

Bought Bitch Barf Bag Alert!!

 

I don’t think there is anything illegal about this, probably because nobody ever envisioned the total lack of ethics from Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch. Imagine a criminal trial in which the Chairman, of the jury, is “coordinating closely” with the defendant and his lawyers.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody

 

Ah… the memories!  RESIST!!

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Dec 082019
 

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox, but I should be done online by the time WWWendy gets here.  May the divine Ellipsoid Orb shine it’s blessed light on your team, unless they are really horny!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:15 (average 5:40).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

An actual card from a typical Republican Ammosexual.

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: Duncan Hunter, Republican Representative and convicted criminal announced late on Friday that he will be resigning “shortly after the holidays.” Just a few days ago, Hunter pleaded guilty to a sole charge of misusing campaign funds, although he actually faced a shocking 60 counts! Sounds like he got a sweet plea deal.

San Diego 10 News reports that Hunter put out the following statement late on Friday:

“Shortly after the Holidays I will resign from Congress. It has been an honor to serve the people of California’s 50th District, and I greatly appreciate the trust they have put in me over these last 11 years.”

Hunter faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, although chances are he will see under a year in detention, if he is actually locked up at all. Based on the sentencing guidelines for a first time offender, the judge could just give him house arrest and a fine. He is set to be sentenced on March 17th. His wife also pleaded guilty earlier this year. Her sentencing isn’t scheduled until April.

It’s time to charge Hunter for his own role in the Republican sedition. RESIST!!

From YouTube (SNL Channel): NATO Cafeteria Cold Open – SNL

They treated Trump with entirely too much respect.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Creedence Clearwater Revival: Suzie Q

Ah… the Memories!  RESIST!!

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Dec 072019
 

I’m pleased that House Democrats, aided by a single,solitary Republican, passed the Voting Rights Enhancement Act.  It updates the Voting Rights Act to restore it to its former state, before SCROTUS (Republican Anti-Constitutional VD) allowed the Republican Party to disenfranchise millions of Black, Latino, and other minority voters

1207Voting Rights

On Friday, House Democrats passed the Voting Rights Advancement Act, a bill that would restore and expand the protections of the Voting Rights Act that the Supreme Court’s Republican majority gutted in 2013.​ The bill passed 228-187 with all 227 Democrats and Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick voting in favor while the other 186 Republicans and Republican-turned-independent Rep. Justin Amash voted against the bill.​

​​The new legislation would establish a new formula to determine which states and localities must “preclear” any proposed changes to election laws and procedures with the Justice Department. The previous preclearance regime, which was struck down in 2013, applied to states and localities—largely in the South—with a history of racial discrimination in their voting laws.

Under the new setup, any state where officials have committed at least 15 voting rights violations over a 25-year period would be required to obtain preclearance for 10 years. If the state itself, rather than localities within the state, is responsible for the violations, it would take only 10 violations to place it under preclearance. In addition, any particular locality could individually be subjected to preclearance if it commits at least three violations.

Based on this formula, the VRAA would put 11 states back under preclearance: Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. While most of these states are still in the South (and also under Republican control), the list also includes the two largest Democratic-leaning states in the country, California and New York…

Inserted from <Daily Kos>

Note that the bill is fair, as it targets areas where there has been some Democratic abuse, in addition to all the areas of extreme Republican abuse today.

Trump immediately threatened to veto it.

Trump WH Threatens To Veto Restored Voting Rights Act 

 

Trump will never get the chance to veto it.  Bought Butch Moscow Mitch knows that Republicans cannot win fair elections, so they have to make sure there are no more.

In 2020, we need to keep the House, win the White House, win the Senate, and nuke the Filibastards to make this law!

RESIST!!

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Dec 032019
 

In case you’re wondering why I’m not out getting skewered, you won’t believe this story.  Last Friday I went to the Providence website to confirm my biopsy.  While I was there I noticed an unknown surgery at the hospital scheduled for Wednesday.  So I called the hospital.  The scheduler figured out that my anesthesiologist was scheduled for Wednesday.  I suggested scheduling the anesthesiologist on Tuesday with the biopsy, since I wouldn’t be there Wednesday.  She told me that she has corrected the schedule, and that they would see me Tuesday.  However, she had moved the biopsy to Wednesday by mistake.  On Monday the hospital called for some last minute clarification for my Wednesday biopsy.  I told them it was Tuesday.  They realized the scheduler’s mistake, but could not change it back.  I told them I have no ride home Wednesday, so I have to reschedule the whole thing.  I called to cancel my TriMet Lift bus and learned that they had scheduled me to go to the wrong place.  Is Republican Incompetence spreading or what?!!?  ARGH! hugs to all.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:40 (6:02 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Fantasy Football Report:

Here’s the news from our own fantasy football league.

Scores:

13Scores

Congrats to WWWendy, Patty Monster, and Squatch for winning their games.  Had I only started Jackson and benched Mahomas, I would have won.  Kudos to WWWendy for the week’s high score.

Standings:

13Standings

Kudos to WWWendy for leading the league.

This coming weekend is the last in our regular season.  After that, we have three weeks of playoffs.  Stay tuned.  I’ll post the brackets with next week’s report.

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Schiff: Intel Cmte. To Release Impeachment Report To Public

 

The reason the Fuhrer’s lawyers have no defense is simple. They have no defense. The miserable thing, however, is that with Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch and the Republican Reich controlling the Senate, the Fuhrer needs no defense.  RESIST!!

From Washington Post: Attorney General William P. Barr has told associates he disagrees with the Justice Department’s inspector general on one of the key findings in an upcoming report — that the FBI had enough information in July 2016 to justify launching an investigation into members of the Trump campaign, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Justice Department’s inspector general, Michael Horo­witz, is due to release his long-awaited findings in a week, but behind the scenes at the Justice Department, disagreement has surfaced about one of Horowitz’s central conclusions on the origins of the Russia investigation. The discord could be the prelude to a major fissure within federal law enforcement on the controversial question of investigating a presidential campaign.

Barr has not been swayed by Horowitz’s rationale for concluding that the FBI had sufficient basis to open an investigation on July 31, 2016, these people said.

This is exactly what we expect from Barrf!  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): somebody to love-jefferson airplane

 

Ah… the memories!  RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

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Nov 272019
 

I’m very tired here in the CatBox.  I woke up shortly after midnight, and I tossed an turned the rest of the night.   I think I’m going to have to use some tunes again, while thinking of new ones.  The good thing about good music is listening to it more than once.   It’s a WWWendy night.  Pardon my brevity hugs!!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:38 (average 4:52).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Full Frontal Channel): After #MeToo Pt 1: Sam Bee and Tarana Burke Talk Past, Present, & Future of #MeToo

 

While in exceptionally rare cases, people in the #MeToo movement go too far, I fully agree with and support the organization.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Why It Matters Trump Knew About Whistleblower Before Releasing Ukraine Aid

 

What we have here is a bank robber, who kills a guard, blows up the vault, and removes money. Then, he sees the police at the door, so he shoves the money back in the vault and says he committed no offense.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past rerun):

 

Ah… the memories!  RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

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