Open Thread – 1/22/2021

 Posted by at 10:38 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 222021
 

It’s a tired painful day here in the CatBox.  I have a severe case of Republicitis, and that may be adding to the back pain.  I’m gradually increasing meds, trying not to overdo it. WWWendy is coming this evening.  I should be in the saddle tomorrow.  TGIF!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:22 (average 6:16).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Alternet: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is entering his new, less powerful role the same way he managed the Senate when he was Majority Leader, with one purpose in mind: block everything Democrats want.

Democratic Senators on Thursday blasted McConnell publicly after he threatened to filibuster the organizing agreement, which specifies how many Senators from each party sit on committees and who chairs them.

CNN’s Manu Raju notes if there is no power-sharing agreement, “the Senate will operate under the rules of the last Congress when the GOP controlled Senate majority and held committee chairs.”

At the center of McConnell’s obstruction: he’s demanding Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) commit to keeping the filibuster – which would allow Republicans to block and jettison everything Democrats want. That means Republicans could block all of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet nominees, and all legislation Democrats want to pass.  [emphasis added]

I don’t understand the particulars of how Bought Bitch Mitch can filibastard the organizing agreement. I think we could try to invoke the Nuclear Option, but that is likely to fail because Dino Joe Manchin would vote with the Republicans. However we do it, we cannot allow Republican minority rule.  RESIST the Republican Reich!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): US Unfinished Business With Trump Leaves Bifurcated Vision As Biden Begins

 

Rachel is right to elucidate the horrid state of affairs Biden inherited from the RNP (Republican Nazi Party).  RESIST the Republican Reich!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Led Zeppelin – Stairway To Heaven (Official Audio)

 

Ah… the memories.  RESIST the Republican Reich!!

Build the Future. It Belongs to YOU!

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Video Thread 1/18/2021

 Posted by at 1:08 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Jan 182021
 

The Lincoln Project

Really American – ACCOUNTABILITY. Share it.

Now This News – The Importance of MLK Day. Yes, that’s MLK III.

The New Yorker – 12-minute video from the Capitol Coup. H/T Nameless https://www.democraticunderground.com/emoticons/hattip.gif

This video, or I should say group of videos, from ProPublica was curated from video clips downloaded from Parler before it went dark. It’s designed to provide an immersive experience (which I consider a trigger warning – and they also provide one.) The way it is presented, I really can’t embed it, but I give the link. It is ordered into a timeline and grouped based on general location the videos were taken from. You can pick a location, or click anywhere in the timeline, or scroll down (it’s a very long scroll.) You may have to take some of them off of mute (or vice versa.)

Oh, this is delicious.

Long, but interesting. Not exactly full of laughs … but it does suggest some pretty funny scenarios, including regarding Presidential Libraries.

Keith from yesterday

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Video Thread 1/5/2021

 Posted by at 2:15 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Jan 062021
 

GEORGIA

GEORGIA – and maybe good to keep handy for the future

The Lincoln Project

Republicans for the Rule of Law

Really American – no, I’m not trying to pick on Missouri. It just is what it is.

Keith TODAY

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Open Thread – 1/1/2021

 Posted by at 11:15 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 012021
 

It’s a New Years Day, here in the CatBox.  When the midnight hour came, I said, “ZZZZZZ”.  I did not expect to see this day, as my Oncologist initially projected my departure for last May.  I’m glad to be here, and I shall stay as long as God permits me to share my love with you all and to Resist the Republican Reich.  WWWendy is coming this afternoon, and I’m running late, because I overslept on my morning nap.  Thank you for being you.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:14 (average 5:39).  To di it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: As 2020 comes to an end, America has a lot of work to do. To date, more than 19.5 million people in the U.S. have been infected with the novel coronavirus and over 340,00 have died as a result, according to The New York Times database. Despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases and hospitals reaching capacity nationwide, some officials are still reluctant to follow health recommendations.

This inability to follow safety precautions in place to stop the spread of the pandemic has resulted in not only an increase in infections across the country but an increase in deaths as well. Most recently, Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow died Tuesday from COVID-19 complications after being hospitalized for 11 days. LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor G.E. Ghali confirmed that Letlow did not have any underlying conditions and was only 41 years old, The News-Star reported. He is survived by his wife and two young children.

Sadly over 20 million Americans have now caught the Republican virus ,and Republicans have murdered over 354 thoudand Americans with it.  I certainly regret the grief Letlow’s family is suffering as a result of his loss.  However, I have to say that this is one of those few instances in which karma actually worked.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from Portland): July 17, 2020: Portland Protests – Fenced in Feds & “Naked Athena”

 

Do you remember when the Republican Nazi Gestapo and Portland Police attacked Portland protestors and a naked woman chased them away? Oregon leads the way!  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Buffalo Springfield – For What It’s Worth 1967

 

Ah… the memories!  RESIST!!

18 Days Until the Big FLUSH!!

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Open Thread – 12/28/2020

 Posted by at 11:27 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 282020
 

It’s a tired day here in the CatBox, and my back is is a lot of pain, so please pardon my brevity.  Tomorrow please expect no more than Personal Update.  It’s a WWWendy day, as she’s coming in the morning.  Oh God, it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:28 (average 4:53).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Religious Agony:

1227Broncos16-Chargers19

Stinking, useless, good for nothing Orb!

Short Takes:

From NY Times: Another dose of relief is finally on the way for the millions of Americans facing financial distress because of the coronavirus pandemic.

President Trump on Sunday night signed an economic relief package that will provide a round of $600 stimulus payments to most Americans and partly restore the enhanced federal unemployment benefit, offering $300 for at least 10 weeks. The agreement also contains provisions related to student loans, rental assistance and medical bills.

The legislation, which is 5,600 pages long, would provide welcome, albeit temporary, assistance to many. How quickly the money reaches your pocket will depend on several factors, though.

Here’s a closer look at what the legislative package will mean for you. This article will be updated as more details from the measure become available. For more details on how to get assistance, check out our Hub for Help.

I’m glad he signed it. Nevertheless, it’s too little too late. Click through for a detailed analysis.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Stacey Abrams: GOP Senators Have Not Stood Up To Sen. McConnell

 

It’s not bad enough that both Perdue and Loffler are up to their ears in graft. They are as incompetent as they are crooked.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Dion – The Wanderer

 

Ah… the memories! However, it sure does illustrate the misogyny prevalent in our formative years.  RESIST!!

22 Days Until the Big FLUSH!!

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Open Thread – 12/22/2020

 Posted by at 11:03 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 222020
 

It’s a tired hectic day here in the CatBox.  Yesterday’s Safeway delivery was almost a disaster.  When the driver arrived, he had just a couple bags in his arms.  He said there had been a lot of cancelations.  We brought them upstairs.  He was in a hurry, but I insisted that we compare the cancellations with what he had.  It was soon obvious that the vast majority of my order was not accounted for.  We went back downstairs.  He went out to check his truck and came back with the rest of my order that “had been hiding”.  He needed a hand truck to carry it.  We brought upstairs.  It took me over an hour to put everything away.  There were a few legitimate cancellations that were out of stock in the store.  They included all my sweets.  Nevertheless, it could have been far worse and would have been a disaster had I not been such a hard ass about it.  Tomorrow please expect no more than a Personal Update.  It’s a WWWendy day.  I’ll be back in the saddle on Christmas Eve.  Tuesday is Flush your Republicans Day.  Take extra care.  The closer it becomes to the end the harder they are trying to get away.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:06 (average 5:09).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Russian hackers attempting to disrupt the U.S. government were disappointed to discover that it had already been thoroughly disabled, the hackers have confirmed.

Expecting to find a well-oiled machine that they could impair, the hackers instead came upon a barely operational mess that had already suffered what appeared to be four years of degradation.

Dmitri X (not his real name), was assigned to hack the Environmental Protection Agency’s computer systems and was “shocked” by the agency’s weakened condition.

“My job was to access the E.P.A.’s database and delete all of the environmental regulations,” he said. “There was nothing there left to delete.”

That’s straight news, Andy! With Republicans working so hard, Russians need no help to destroy America!  RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: Everyone wants to show the happy videos of people getting vaccine shots.

The Governors in the 12 states that haven’t passed mask mandates especially want to get in on this hopeful news. They will crow about how Their President got them the vaccine. Not said, but implied, is that their refusal to pass a state-wide mask mandate was justified before and is not necessary now.

Image from: CNN

1222nomask_map

The experts say we will still need masks for months and we should NOT relax the mask protocols…

…Here are some ways to use the vaccination press conferences to pressure 12 Governors to pass mask mandates.

Method 1
Have the top medical experts tell the Governors behind the scenes, “You don’t get to be part of the vaccination press conference unless you pass a mask mandate.”

People in the public health medical community still want to believe that Governors will respond to facts and science. They won’t.

Withholding good PR at a press conference isn’t withholding their vaccine, just the reflected success of a vaccine.

But since most public health experts don’t want to be this direct, and the window for these first press conferences is closing, I suggest:

Method 2
PREPARE THE MEDIA for asking Governors why there is no mask mandate now and why they still won’t pass one.

This is especially important now that Trump botched the vaccine roll out!

First prep the experts to point out the EXCESS DEATHS that will happen because there is no MASK MANDATE. When the Governor still doesn’t respond with a mandate, post photos of DEAD NURSES to call out the GOVERNOR for NOT pushing a mandate before.

Click through for much more info. I fully support both methods.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Maddow: U.S. Mired In ‘3-Way Split Screen’ Of Trump Crises

 

I agree with Rachel. The one thing that should have been included is that, Republicans wanted mass deaths, because such a high proportion of the deaths are Blacks. I also worry about Trump inciting violence., and agree that he is desperate to escape prosecution that must follow to prevent a Republican Recurrance.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of Christmas): Beta Radio – Angels We Have Heard on High (Official Audio)

 

A beautiful arrangement of a classic carol! HUGS!!

28 Days (4 Weeks) Until the Big FLUSH!!

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Open Thread – 12/10/2020

 Posted by at 11:12 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 102020
 

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox.  Store to Door will be coming to deliver groceries.  When they do, I have to unpack and put them away.  Tomorrow is a WWWendy day, but I’ll be in the saddle.  She won’t be here until late afternoon.  I hope you have a fine day and enjoy the joke below.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:48 (average 12:14).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

A Joke from Mitch: (Ours, not BBMM)

Have you ever wondered who first uttered the phrase,

“You Gotta Be Shittin’ Me?”

Well, it just so happens to have originated through the Father of America , way back when George Washington was crossing the Delaware river with his troops. 

There were 33 (remember this number) in Washington’s boat.  It was extremely dark and storming furiously and the water was tossing them about.

Finally, Washington grabbed Corporal Peters (remember this name) and stationed him at the front of the boat with a lantern.  He ordered him to keep swinging it, so they could see where they were heading.

Corporal Peters, through driving rain and cold, continued swinging the lantern back and forth, back and forth.

Then a big gust of wind and a wave hit and threw Corporal Peters and his lantern into the Delaware.   Washington and his troops searched for nearly an hour trying to find Corporal Peters, but to no avail. All of them felt terrible, for the Corporal had been one of their favorites. 

Sometime later, Washington and his troops landed on the other side, wet and totally exhausted.  He rallied the troops and told them that they must go on. Another hour later, one of his men said, ‘General, I see lights ahead.’ They trudged toward the lights and came upon a huge house. 

What they didn’t know was that this was a house of ill repute, hidden in the forest to serve all who came.

General Washington pounded on the door, his men crowding around him. The door swung open, and much to his surprise there stood a beautiful woman..

A huge smile came across her face, to see so many men standing there. 

Washington was the first to speak, ‘Madam, I am General George Washington and these are my men.  We are tired, wet, exhausted, and desperately need warmth and comfort.’

Again, the Madam looked at all the men standing there, and with a broad smile on her face, said, ‘Well, General, you have come to the right place.  We can surely give you warmth and comfort.  How many men do you have?’ 

Washington replied, ‘Well, Madam, there are 32 of us without Peters .’

And the Madam said, ‘You gotta be shittin’ me!’

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: Remember the experiment monoclonal antibody that Donald Trump received during his own bout with the novel coronavirus? Trump promised to make that treatment free for every American. But despite Trump repeating that claim several times, the government has actually only ordered 300,000 doses—not enough to administer to the Americans who come down with COVID-19 on any two days of the last month. Also it’s still not free. Actually, it’s still not even available. 

On an all-too-similar note, when Pfizer first announced the results of Phase 3 trials of their coronavirus vaccine in mid November, Trump was quick to proclaim this a win for “Operation Warp Speed” and to insist the vaccine would be available before the end of the month. But all of that is just another round of Trump’s claims, not the truth. The truth is Pfizer was not part of Operation Warp Speed. And when the United States had an opportunity to put in a big order for their vaccine … Trump passed. Other nations didn’t. As a result, it will be at least June before one of the two most successful vaccines so far is widely available.

I bet Trump* was seeking against Pfizer for refusing to give him a free lifetime supply of Republicans’ favorite party drug.  RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: Jenna Ellis, an attorney for Donald Trump, on Monday explained that she had religious reasons for trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

During an interview on Fox Business, Ellis was asked how she maintains a positive attitude amid setbacks in court and Rudy Giuliani’s COVID-19 diagnosis.

Barf Bag Alert!!

 

Actually, her god is Republican Supply-side Jesus, the exact opposite of the real Jesus. Republicans invented Republican Supply-side Jesus to justify their National Socialist gospel of hate, lies, greed, and lust for power.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): 17 States Say Texas Should Decide Swing States’ Elections

 

This has to be one of the most absurd scams yet. When even Cornhole Cornyn says it’s BS, it won’t get any worse. I don’t think even Injustice Amy Coney Bullshit will back this.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of Christmas): Ring Christmas Bells

 

I’ve always loved the harmony and syncopation this song offers. May more bells of joy and celebration ring all over the world in 40 days!  HUGS!!

40 Days Until the Big FLUSH!!

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