Open Thread–7/11/2020

Posted by TomCat at 7:50 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 112020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. WWWendy is coming this morning, and we have lots to do. Have a great weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:53 (average 4:26). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Barf Bag Alert!!

Trump* Virus Update:

0711TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 3,293,532
US Deaths: 136,720

Short Takes:

From CNN: The top writer for Fox News host Tucker Carlson has for years been using a pseudonym to post bigoted remarks on an online forum that is a hotbed for racist, sexist, and other offensive content, CNN Business learned this week.

Just this week, the writer, Blake Neff, responded to a thread started by another user in 2018 with the subject line, “Would u let a JET BLACK congo n****er do lasik eye surgery on u for 50% off?” Neff wrote, “I wouldn’t get LASIK from an Asian for free, so no.” (The subject line was not censored on the forum.) On June 5, Neff wrote, “Black doods staying inside playing Call of Duty is probably one of the biggest factors keeping crime down.” On June 24, Neff commented, “Honestly given how tired black people always claim to be, maybe the real crisis is their lack of sleep.” On June 26, Neff wrote that the only people who care about changing the name of the NFL’s Washington Redskins are “white libs and their university-‘educated’ pets.”

And over the course of five years, Neff has maintained a lengthy thread in which he has derided a woman and posted information about her dating life that has invited other users to mock her and invade her privacy. There has at times also been overlap between some material he posted or saw on the forum and Carlson’s show.

The Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda , Faux Noise, is so rabid that I’m surprised that Fucker Carlson didn’t use more of his Nazi Republican writer’s screeds on the air. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Trae Crowder Channel): Trae Crowder and Mark Agee discuss whether Joe Biden is too boring to win

Amen Trae! I’ll readily admit that criminal Fuhrer Trump* is more “exciting” that Joe Biden. However, given the heinous behavior of Trump* and the Republican Reich, haven’t we had enough of this so-called excitement for one lifetime? RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Goldman On Roger Stone: Trump Basically Commuted A Co-Conspirator

Stone to Trump*: “If I go to prison, so will you.” That’s the bottom line. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast played at Woodstock): the Who Woodstock (Director’s Cut)

Dedicated to all who were at Woodstock or wanted to be. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–7/9/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:04 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 092020

It’s a busy day, here in the CatBox. Store to Door is delivering a very large grocery order late this morning or early this afternoon. It’s big, because WWWendy’s last day is Tuesday, before she is out of town for nine days visiting relatives. So, I’ll need a nine day supply of goop. Thursday is flush your Republicans day. I hope my laxative works.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:59 (average 6:12). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0709TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 3,160,284
US Deaths: 134,920

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: In a scandal that threatens to upend Donald Trump’s Presidency, a new book accuses Trump of paying Vice-President Mike Pence to take his coronavirus tests for him.

According to the book, “Swapping Swabs: Trump’s Pandemic of Lies,” when the subject of being tested for the virus first came up, in March, Trump started casting about for a “good test-taker” to substitute for him.

Trump considered several candidates for the ruse, including his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and the Attorney General, William Barr, but ultimately settled on Pence, who agreed to take the tests for the fee of twenty-five dollars per result.

Dang, Andy! That should not be worded as an accusation. It should be worded as a fact! RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): ‘Bullying, Intimidation, And Retaliation:’ Key Impeachment Witness Vindman Retires

Lt. Colonel Vindman is a hero and a patriot. Criminal Fuhrer Bone Spurs* is a bully and a coward! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast that was played at Woodstock): Jefferson Airplane – Volunteers (with Lyric)

Dedicated to all who were at Woodstock or wanted to be. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–7/8/2020

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

Jul 082020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. Both WWWendy and the Palliative Care nurse are coming this morning. In addition, my tumor is acting up again. This is my only article today. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:57. To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0708TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 3,097,602
US Deaths: 133,994

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: The firestorm of controversy swirling around the upcoming tell-all book by the President’s niece exploded on Tuesday, after Vladimir Putin revealed that he took the SATs for Donald J. Trump.

Putin said that he had hoped to keep his role in Trump’s college admission a secret, but, with the impending publication of Mary Trump’s book, “it was only a matter of time before the truth came out.”

The Russian President said that, when young Donald Trump was applying to college, in the nineteen-sixties, Putin was making “a few extra rubles” by offering his services as a test-taker to wealthy but academically hopeless American high-school students.

Dang, Andy! And Putin [R-RU] wasn’t the only one. RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): ‘Lying, Cheating Failure’: New Book By Trump’s Niece Casts Trump As Traumatized Narcissist

We certainly couldn’t find a better source on the Republican insanity of criminal Fuhrer Trump*. Of course, have known the broad strokes for years, but the details sure are juicy! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from Woodstock): Country Joe McDonald live at Woodstock

Dedicated to all who were at Woodstock or wanted to be. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–7/6/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:26 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 062020

It’s a frustrating day, here in the CatBox. On the plus side, I owed no money to Infernal Revenue oe Oregon Revenue. Something got caught in my esophageal tumor, and I was unable to keep anything down for most of the morning, including my entire breakfast. My palliative care nurse was supposed to visit and has not called. I called, and they don’t have me on the schedule. I’m waiting for a call from a supervisor, because this is the second time their palliative care nurse has stood me up. Tomorrow please expect only a Personal Update from me. I have my appointment at the hospital and will be gone all morning. I will learn the results of the mutation analysis of my tumor. Oh God, it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:04 (average 4:44). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0706TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 2,985,897
US Deaths: 132,610

Short Takes:

From NY Times (Hat-Tip Mitch for referral): After the bruising crises we’re now going through, it would be wonderful if we could somehow emerge a fairer nation. One possibility is to revive an old idea: sharing the profits.

The original idea for businesses to share profits with workers emerged from the tumultuous period when America shifted from farm to factory. In December 1916, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued a report on profit-sharing, suggesting it as a way to reduce the “frequent and often violent disputes” between employers and workers, thereby “fostering the development of a larger spirit of harmony and cooperation, and resulting, incidentally, in greater efficiency and larger gains.”

I fully support this idea. Its egalitarian properties is the reason Republicans oppose it. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Parody Project Channel): STUPIDLY BIGLY – Parody of Eleanor Rigby

Good one, Don! 95% of the stupid people in the US have one thing in common. They are Republican! RESIST!!

From YouTube (NBC News Channel): Trump Goes After Left, Blames China For Coronavirus in July 4th Speech

Barf Bag Alert!!

Note all the lies and the projection. Criminal Fuhrer Trump* compares the Democrats to the monsters that resemble him so well. He calls his rabid Republican Sheeple heroes, but makes no mention of true heroes, the service people Trump* refuses to protect from Russian bounties, because he’s in thrall to Putin [R-RU]. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from Woodstock): Crosby Stills Nash – A Long Time coming – Woodstock 1969

Dedicated to all the people who were at Woodstock, or wanted to be. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Samantha Bee from 7/1/2020

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 9:12 am Politics

Jul 022020

Here are five clips from Sam’s show (one very short.)

Free Press I – I can be appalled, but I cannot be surprised. Who did not see this coming as early as 11/9/16? What’s worse is the number of people who don’t see anything wrong with this! They have always been around, but there used to be enough people in office who understood the Constitution that it was possible to keep First Amendment rights going. Now, not so much.

Free Press II – Even if we manage to get to November without World War III starting, and actually get him out by January, he could still go down in history as the man who started World War III with his infectious war on the free press – and truth.

Mike Brown – If you already know that this is the way things happen (and I hope you do), you may be appalled at how many “wypipo” buy into the propaganda. It doesn’t seem to matter whether black people are not a large population segment, and therefore other and unknown, and therefore not trusted, or whether black people are a large segment of the population, and therefore other and feared, and therefore not trusted – some white people, too many, will always believe the worst about black people. Truth has nothing to do with it. Dr. Barber nails it.
“Some people think peace is the absence of noise, not the presence of justice.”

Postal Service – I don’t think any of us is active on Twitter, but I picked this up anyway – exposure can’t hurt.

Live from Sam’s Shed – Silversun Pickups – Another of Sam’s favorite groups.

Open Thread–6/30/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:28 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jun 302020

It’s a crazy day here in the CatBox. I’ve been having trouble changing my Fentanyl patches. They are tiny, transparent and sticky. Because my previous surgery to knock out eye cancer damaged my eyes, everything I see is blurry, and I have double vision. Also, my hands shake when I try to do delicate work. So far, I have destroyed two patches trying to change them, and with a copay of $10 per patch, that has to change. To solve the problem WWWendy will come every three days, instead of twice per week, so she can change my patch, when she’s here. Therefore, my WWWendy days will change every week, and my schedule here will be variable. I may be a bit scarce for the next two days. Store to Door is closed for the Fourth, so I ordered my groceries from Safeway.com. They will be delivering a huge order between 8:00 and 10:00 AM, and it will take me a long time to unbag them and put them away. Then WWWendy will be coming Thursday morning to destink the rancid TomCat, change my patch, goop, and help with chores. Don’t forget to remind everyone to flush the Republican Reich!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:33 (average 5:25). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0630TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 2,683,301
Deaths: 128,819

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: In an act of retaliation against the Russians for sponsoring Taliban attacks on U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Donald J. Trump is sending Jared Kushner to the Kremlin to offer advice on its coronavirus response, the White House confirmed on Monday.

“To all those who thought that this President was not taking the Russians’ actions seriously, this response should speak for itself,” the White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, said. “The President had an array of responses to choose from, and the one he selected is by far the most punishing.”

According to White House insiders, Trump and his advisers debated the response to the Russians for hours before finally settling on the Kushner option late Sunday night.

“Jared Kushner is the most brutal weapon in our arsenal, and deploying him is a decision that no one should ever take lightly,” one adviser said.

Awww, come on, Andy. Criminal Fuhrer Trump* would never do such a horrible thing to his favorite butt plug, Vladimir Putin [R-RU]. Furthermore, that would be a clear casus belli. RESIST!!

From Daily Kos: At least one House Democrat has had enough with Republicans ignoring mask requirements during House committee hearings. Rep. Jim Clyburn, head of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, has written a letter to ranking Republican Steve Scalise warning him that if committee Republicans continue to show up at hearings without masks, those Republicans will not be recognized to speak during subcommittee meetings. At all.

Clyburn was not particularly polite about it, either. In his letter, Clyburn reminds Scalise that it was Scalise who “repeatedly” has wanted in-person hearings and “you assured me that this could be done safely.” But when “every single Republican Member of the Subcommittee refused to comply” with congressional mask rules, Clyburn was fed up.

Kudos to Jim Clyburn. I hope that the other Democratic heads of committees and subcommittees, both women and men, grow a pair too! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Doors – Break On Through HQ (1967)

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Bill Maher from 6/26

Posted by TomCat at 11:43 am Politics

Jun 272020

It’s that time of week again, so here are four excellent video clips, from Bill’s show last night. Enjoy!

Monologue: Live Free or Die Hard

Bill is spot on! As time goes on, criminal Fuhrer Trump* piles more bullshit on his own head. It the penis enlargement people had been there, Trump* would have spent taxpayer dollars on all their products. Just ask Stormy!

John Bolton: An Empty Chair in the Oval Office

In this case, I believe Bolton, because his descriptions are so authentically like Trump*. Nevertheless, Bolton’s reputation for credibility leaves much to be desired.

Wes Moore and James Carville

I agree with Carville that we need no win to such an extent that the Republican Reich, as we know it, is destroyed.

New Rule: The Guardians of Gotcha

I agree to a great extent. I’m White. I have been fighting against racism since the mid-1960s, and my blood has stained the streets of several US cities, while I was doing so. I have also had many Black friends and acquaintances, who could not have been more apathetic about racism. In fighting racism, I agree that it’s up to Black people to lead the way. Also, White people can never truly know what it is to be Black. However, to say white people can’t hate racism is absurd.

This was a fine show!

RESIST!!

Open Thread–6/27/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:42 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jun 272020

It’s a very tired day, here in the CatBox. This building can be very difficult to find, and yesterday, the Providence Elder at Home doctor was 90 minutes late for our appointment. First, her GPS system kept sending her in circles that missed the turn to get to the building. When she finally found it and got to the street parking area on the other side of the building, she called me, and I came down to the lobby to let her into the building. However, the city’s street parking pay system was out of order. She had to download the mobile street parking app, register, and use it to pay for parking. I had to wait in the lobby for over half an hour, before she finally got to the door. Things went uphill from there. I gave her the records i keep on medications, pain management and blood sugar. I familiarized her with my condition. She checked me out, and we agreed that I’m doing pretty well for a guy with one foot in the grave. She will return monthly to check on my condition and help with any immediate needs. If I have a need sooner, I can call for an appointment. She told me that she will need to come more often as my condition progresses to help me with pain management. I’m feeling very worn out. Tomorrow, please expect no more than a Personal Update. It’s a WWWendy day, and we have lots to do. Have a fine weekend!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:11 (average 4:53). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Considering his replacement, his resignation was tragic.

Trump Virus* Update:

0627TrumpVirusMap

Except for CA, you can see where Republicans are strongest.

Cases: 2,554,470
Deaths: 127,673

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Donald J. Trump on Friday threatened to ban a coronavirus vaccine if it turns out that it was invented by former President Barack Obama.

Trump’s threat took members of the White House press corps aback, since there are no reports to date of Obama attempting to invent a vaccine or any other pharmaceutical.

Trump acknowledged that he was not aware of any such activities on Obama’s part, but warned that, if the former President succeeded in inventing a coronavirus vaccine, “I’m not going to let that happen.”

“If Obama came up with a vaccine, it would only be to make me look bad,” he said. “Well, guess what? I’m not going to let him get away with something cute like that. We’re going to move quite powerfully on anything Obama does in terms of a vaccine.”…

Consider this, Andy. Criminal Fuhrer Trump* is just using Obama as a smoke screen. The Republican Reich wants to block any vaccine. Since the Trump* virus death rate for minorities is disproportionately high, and since most minority voters vote for Democrats, Republicans want to kill as many as they can before the 2020 election. RESIST!!

From NY Times: American intelligence officials have concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition forces in Afghanistan — including targeting American troops — amid the peace talks to end the long-running war there, according to officials briefed on the matter.

The United States concluded months ago that the Russian unit, which has been linked to assassination attempts and other covert operations in Europe intended to destabilize the West or take revenge on turncoats, had covertly offered rewards for successful attacks last year.

Islamist militants, or armed criminal elements closely associated with them, are believed to have collected some bounty money, the officials said. Twenty Americans were killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2019, but it was not clear which killings were under suspicion.

The intelligence finding was briefed to President Trump, and the White House’s National Security Council discussed the problem at an interagency meeting in late March, the officials said. Officials developed a menu of potential options — starting with making a diplomatic complaint to Moscow and a demand that it stop, along with an escalating series of sanctions and other possible responses, but the White House has yet to authorize any step, the officials said…

Actually, the Times is incorrect on one point. Trump* did respond to Russia paying for the murder of US troops. According to the BBC, he postponed the G7 Summit from June to September, because other nations rejected his plan to allow Russia to join the G7 (G8, if they did) and Putin [R-RU] to attend the summit. That’s how much the Republican Reich cares about the murder of US troops! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’ (Audio)

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

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