Open Thread May 31, 2022

 Posted by at 7:16 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
May 312022
 

Yesterday, I did more work on a physical conditin I haven’t yet mentioned – a wart.  I’m sure part of my problem is that it must have taken me the=ree yers to igure out it was a wart.  Hey, it’s right a at the end of my elbow.  Have you ever tried to look at the end of your elbow?  Even without shoulder issues, I doubt I could have seen it without a mirror, preferably a magnifying miirror.  All that time I thought it was a callus.Anyway, it is somewhere in diameter between a penny and a dime.  the normal wart remover applications which come with pre-medicated strips that look like bandaiuds have a medicated area the diameter of an aspirin.  I’m using those – trying to move them around to cover different parts – but I’ alternating that with other things.  Today I received my order of gel and am using that.  It has been impossible to keep the other strips in place for 48 hours (the recommended time frame – I doubt the tiny patches which come with the gel will last any longer, if so long.  They’s be foe for an aspirin sized wart.  I think they might cover mine if I could ut them on with a mocrometer.  Maybe duct tape might help – allthough it didn’t much with the original strips.  I suppose I should get some cheese to go with this whine.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

Daily Kos (David Neiwert) – Far right trains its eliminationist sights on LGBTQ community with deluge of threatening rhetoric
Quote – The mood at far-right chat rooms has grown more openly violent as well, particularly as white nationalists have embraced the Buffalo shooter and his eliminationist “replacement theory” motives—and the threatening rhetoric around Pride events such as the one planned in northern Idaho in June has sharpened. As this recent study warned, the previous year’s relative calm in terms of far-right violence is manifestly over.
Click through – though it’s hard to stomach, if we ignore it, it will only get louder.

Crooks and Liars – Audience Mocks Boebert Relentlessly At Primary Debate
Quote – Coram is challenging Boebert for her Congressional seat, positioning himself as a rational Republican (I know, I know, but his site and the media he shares really does suggest he’d be more of a friend to Democrats than Joe Manchin is,) and Bobo actually shows up to debate him. Speaking a mile-a-minute (from notes, which was prohibited by the debate rules,) she sounds like an unprepared 6th-grader making up lies about a girl she’s trying to beat out for a date with the dodgeball king
Click through for one-liners (and video.) There used to be some rational Republicans in Colorado, so maybe there still is one. I don’t know how heavily the new district is rated Republican, but I certainly would hope Coram wins the primary, and maybe some of those atendees are Democrats feeling the same way. And if so, I would certainly forgive them for ratf***ing the primary.

The Mountain Ear – Carousel of Happiness: A history of making smiles
Quote – After rescuing the empty frame of the Looff carousel, [Scott] Harrison immediately began hand-carving wooden animals to help bring the carousel back to life. Harrison still carves to this day, and has created more than 50 unique animals for his vision, each with a story and a deeper meaning to their creator. Once the Carousel of Happiness (COH) was completely restored Harrison created a non-profit organization and, with help from the Nederland community, raised the $700,000 needed to build the carousel its permanent home on 20 Lakeview Drive.
Click through for a little joy in a sorrowful time. Harrison is a Vietnam veteran, so this story is not completely off topic. (Closeups of the animals can be found here.)

Food For Thought

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Video Thread 5/30/22

 Posted by at 11:32 am  Open Thread, Politics
May 302022
 

Glenn Kirschner – Kevin McCarthy decides to commit crime of contempt of Congress rather than “snitch” on Donald Trump

Meidas Touch – Texas Paul REACTS to Lauren Boebert’s Dumbest Statement Yet

Robert Reich – How SCOTUS shapes economic rights for the little guy (a very old video but just posted. He posted 9 Thursday – old, new, long, short – I’ve picked just a couple at this point.)

Mallory McMorrow – The speech Michigan Republicans adjourned the State Senate to avoid hearing (hanky alert)

Mrs. Betty Bowers – CHURCH S_X SCANDALS!

Parody Project – RUSSIAN ARMY NOTABLE

Beau – Let’s talk about cops waiting outside, Rule 303, and the way…. (Wow.)

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Open Thread May 29, 2022

 Posted by at 7:16 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
May 292022
 

Yesterday, the radio opera was “Akhnaten” the third opera in Philip Glass’s “portrait trilogy” (the first two being “Einstein on the Beach” and “Satyagraha.” The three touch on science, politics, and religion respectively, Glass explains.) Akhnaten was (as far as we know) the first monotheist in history. He decreed that Aten (the sun) be the only god worshiped in Egypt (Akhnaten was not the name he was given at birth, but the name he chose to honor Aten.) Needless to say the priests, especially the priests of Amon-Ra, who had been considered the king of the gods, were not happy. And it will come as no surprise to anyone who has paid attention to history, or to contemporary politics, that the people were also not happy. Theocracy can only hang on to power when thee are enough people in sympathy with its exact teachings to cush those who aren’t. Still, he might have been more successful had he paid more attention to governance – and defense. Without his failure to send reinforcements to his armies fighting on the borders, there might not have been quite such an opening for him to be overthrown. (And the Egyptians were not as dilatory as we are about removing monuments to discredited figures, so there is much about the historical Akhnaten we don’t know.)

Cartoon – 29 0529Cartoon.jpg

Short Takes –

CPR News – Wildfire smoke and poor air quality are coming. Here’s how scientists protect their homes.
Quote – [Alex] Huffman[, an associate professor studying air contaminants at the University of Denver,] recommends households explore … methods to monitor outdoor and indoor air quality. To help manage his asthma, he keeps a careful eye on the EPA’s fire and smoke map, which tracks nationwide smoke plumes and air quality readings. To monitor indoor air quality, he purchased an egg-shaped monitor from PurpleAir, which now sits on a table inside the front door of his home in Centennial. It glows green, yellow or red depending on the severity of suspended particulates.
Click through for methods and details.   This is applicable, not only to Colorado and California, not only to the entire southwestern US, but really to everywhere. Sadly.

Mother Jones – He Did Not Act Alone
Quote – [W]hatever we learn about the Uvalde shooter, or any future ones—because there will be more—don’t say they “acted alone,” which is largely media code for “this doesn’t appear to be Islamic terrorism.” No matter the particulars, these “lone” gunmen all have scores of accomplices. Here is a wholly incomplete list of those who bear direct responsibility in this slaughter of 19 children and two teachers, and the brutality visited on those still in the hospital, all the families, and the community and country at large:
Click through for [in]complete list.  Did you find your Representative or Senator in there? Or maybe even yourself?

The Daily Beast – The Texan Working Overtime to Customize 19 Little Caskets (hanky alert)
Quote – The funeral directors in Uvalde decided that it should all go through a single casket distributor and customizer, Trey Ganem of SoulShine Industries in Edna, Texas…. “The funeral directors know who I am, and they said, ‘If anybody can do it, you can. Would you help out in Uvalde?’” Ganem told The Daily Beast. “I said, ‘100 percent.’” Ganem added that he would cover the cost of the coffins, around $3,400 each. And he would not charge for any customizing.
Click through for full story.  There is a reason why the motto of The Daily Beast is “Truth is a beast.”

Food For Thought (  Nameless)

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Video Thread 5/28/22

 Posted by at 11:33 am  Blog News, Personal
May 282022
 

Glenn Kirschner – DOJ/federal grand jury squeezing Trump’s lackey lawyers: Rudy, Eastman, Ellis & Chesebro

Meidas Touch – Texas Paul unveils his plan to TROLL the GOP

The Lincoln Project – Run Away

The Ring of Fire – New Legislation Could Dismantle Independent Media

Robert Reich – The Real Motive Behind the GOP’s “Culture War”

Brent Terhume – We have a problem in this country  (Brent is angry.  And I probably don’t have to say it isn’t doors he’s angry at.)

Beau – Let’s talk about falling dominoes….

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Video Thread 5/27/22

 Posted by at 11:42 am  Open Thread, Politics
May 272022
 

Glenn Kirschner – Trump offered Kellyanne Conway an unsolicited blanket pardon. Let’s talk Rudy/Don Jr./Ivanka/Jared

Meidas Touch – Texas Paul REACTS to Marjorie Taylor Greene defending White Supremacists

The Lincoln Project – Last Week in the Republican Party – May 24, 2022

MSNBC – Rev. Al Sharpton: I Think The President Is Legitimately Angry On Guns

VoteVets – Semper [Illinois]

Miserable blind cat crying for help rescue cat before & after 7 monthsThis one is kind of a roller coaster – but ends on an up)

Beau – Let’s talk about what Dems can learn from the Scopes trial….

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Video Thread 5/26/22

 Posted by at 12:06 pm  Open Thread, Politics
May 262022
 

Glenn Kirschner – As Insurrection Hearings Set to Open on June 9, Reasons for Optimism that Trump will be Indicted

Meidas Touch – presents the Tony Michaels podcast – Donald Trump SLAMMED after sharing call for CIVIL WAR

Ring of Fire – Biden Gets Banned

Truth Matters – Love of the Unborn

MSNBC – Parkland Father Reacts To Texas School Shooting: ‘How Many More Times?’

Momta – Why Are Republicans So Grumpy?

Beau – Let’s talk about what aliens can teach us about tech companies….

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Video Thread 5/25/22

 Posted by at 12:14 pm  Open Thread, Politics
May 252022
 

Glenn Kirschner – Attorney John Eastman tries to hide 2 Trump handwritten insurrection notes from the J6 committee.

Meidas Touch – Texas Paul REACTS to New Bombshell Ginni Thomas Scandal

The Lincoln Project – Mean Girl

The Ring of Fire – Kellyanne Conway Admits She’s To Blame For Donald Trump

Armageddon Update – Why GOP On Yourself?

Family Rescues Baby Fox In Their Backyard And Reunites Him With Mom

Beau – Let’s talk about Madison Cawthron’s Dark comment….

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Open Thread May 25, 2022

 Posted by at 7:10 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
May 252022
 

Yesterday, I tried to catch up on things I need to order, starting with two prescriptions. I succeeded in ordering one; the other one, after counting, I put off for a week since I have almost 4 weeks supply on hand. Then there were a few jewelry supplies I’d ben pl;anning ro order but was waiting for a sale (and it’s almost Memorial Day.) So I put that order together and placed it. Then I started looking for a small “boom box” (yes, they are still using that term – that surprised me too), but didn’t get far, because the combination of features I want is appaently unusual. I also started a list for a grocery order, but did not place it, because it was Tuesday, and Wednesday is the day that prices change (if they are going to), and I like to know what I am getting into, so I’ll place it today for tomorrow.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

Crooks and Liars – Wisconsin GOP Gubernatorial Candidate: None Of The Above
Quote – Wisconsin Republicans refused to endorse any of the four candidates for governor at their annual state convention for the first time — a symbolic rejection of the political apparatus that has been blamed by its own members for failing to deliver statewide victories in recent years.
Click through for answers to questions you undoubtedly have. There will eventually be a candidate, because there is a primary (sadly).

Robert Reich – Bombardment by the billionaires
Quote – This is the same crew, not incidentally, that’s been fighting unions and flooding Congress and statehouses with cash to support Trump election deniers, prevent tax hikes on themselves, and kill off Biden’s and the Democrats’ agenda…. This billionaire bombardment gives Biden and the Democrats an opportunity to tell America whose side they’re on and whose side they’re not on — in effect, to declare class war on the class warriors. Will they take it?
Click through for his reasoning and recpmmendations. The Reich on the left has a history of being right, and he has the education and experience to be. So I hope he is listened to. I franklly have no idea what, if anything, will work.

Just Security – Prosecuting Trump for the Insurrection: The Well-Founded Case for Optimism
Quote – For example, in one New York Times piece weighing the prospects for a Trump prosecution, the authors noted that Trump “would have a powerful argument about his mental state” against a claim that he pressured former Vice President Pence to violate his legal duties under the Electoral Count Act – i.e., that Trump “sincerely thought he was asking Mr. Pence to do something lawful” because of the “advice” he received from lawyer John Eastman, who concocted a baseless rationale for Pence to ignore the law. Likewise, in a second piece, the Times quoted a law professor for the proposition that “[t]he problem with Trump is defining his state of mind when it is so changeable. He believes whatever he wants to think and it doesn’t necessarily have to be grounded in reality. That’s a tough argument to a jury, to say he knew a particular thing.”
Click through for full article. This article was recommended by Glenn Kirschner, and it is very thorough – so thorough that I didn’t even try for a quote which summarized all the points.  So I recommend you either read the whole article or skip it. Or you could, of course, save it for when you have more time.

Food For Thought

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