Open Thread – 1/5/2021

Posted by TomCat at 11:08 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 052021

It’s a tired day here in the CatBox. Yesterday, WWWendy and I had lots to do. We set refills for pain meds and scheduled my next infusion for Friday the 15th. WWWendy picked up Subway sandwiches. I’m enjoying them, but I trust Mitch (ours, not BBBMMM) will confirm that any NJ denizen knows what comes from Subway isn’t a sub. I’m listening to election day in GA. I look forward to good news. Tomorrow I may have no more than a Personal Update, depending on how much time I need to spend watching Hawley’s Hookers trying to steal the White House AGAIN. Tuesday is Flush Your Republicans Day. If they smell like shit, there’s a reason for that.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:24 (average 5:25). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: The polling says the runoff races for the two Senate seats in Georgia are tied, and if the polls don’t say that, they’re likely wrong. We don’t need a poll to tell us what we just saw weeks ago in the November general election: Georgia is balanced on a razor’s edge, and the victor will be the party that best gets its voters to the polls. How’s that for a hot take?

But of course Georgia has been voting for weeks, and as such, we have some hints as to what’s coming when the votes are counted.

This article is superior analysis. Click through for much more. RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): ‘It’s Unconstitutional’: House Member On Challenges To Biden’s Win

I agree that it’s a bad time to impeach Trump*, as much as I would like to do so. Let’s make Biden the center of attention, not Trump! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964) High Quality [HQ].flv

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

14 Days (2 Weeks) Until the Big FLUSH!!

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!!

A Bright Spot Makes the Fuhrer Squirm

Posted by TomCat at 10:37 am Politics

May 062020

Do you remember the “anonymous whistleblower that helped expose the high crimes and misdemeanors for which criminal Fuhrer Trump* escaped responsibility? Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch and the Senate Republicans violated their oath. Well, it’s whistleblower time again. This one is not anonymous, and the high crimes and misdemeanors are even worse.

[H]e was pressured to invest in drugs and vaccines that lacked scientific merit, because the people selling them had friends in the Trump administration, up to and including the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. He was forced to transfer funds to acquire drugs for the Strategic National Stockpile, America’s most important reserve of lifesaving medications, based not on health needs but on “political connections and cronyism.” He was instructed to use his department’s budget to purchase flu medications of questionable efficacy. And when the COVID-19 crisis erupted, he was pressured to approve a plan that would “flood” cities with unproven and untested doses of chloroquine drugs, from uninspected manufacturing plants in Asia. When his efforts to work through the system failed, he decided he had a “moral obligation to the American public” to ring the alarm about the plan, “which he believed constituted a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety.” In retaliation, he was “smeared,” with officials unfairly accusing him of dropping the ball on vaccine development and PPE preparation.

These are just some of the allegations contained in a blistering, 63-page complaint that Dr. Rick Bright, former head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), filed today with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. According to his lawyers, Bright will testify before Congress next week.

Vanity Fair has submitted requests for comment to the White House and the Food and Drug Administration, and will update this article with any responses. In a statement, Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Caitlin Oakley said: “Dr. Bright was transferred to NIH to work on diagnostics testing—critical to combatting COVID-19—where he has been entrusted to spend upwards of $1 billion to advance that effort. We are deeply disappointed that he has not shown up to work on behalf of the American people and lead on this critical endeavor.”

Bright has become the first high-level federal whistleblower to publicly allege that the Trump administration has responded to the COVID-19 crisis by unduly pressuring health officials, and putting politics and profit ahead of science. Bright, the government’s top coronavirus vaccine developer, had spent a decade at BARDA, a small but powerful agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), whose mandate is to partner with private companies to help accelerate the development of vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics. According to Bright’s complaint, BARDA manages almost $50 billion worth of contracts and acquisitions, on an annual budget of just over $1.5 billion. He was named director in 2016… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Vanity Fair>

I strongly encourage you to click the link in the second paragraph and read the shocking complaint in it’s entirety.

Here’s some coverage from CNN.

Ousted vaccine director says pandemic warnings were ignored

In the criminal Fuhrer’s White House, as in the entire Republican Reich, truth telling is a capital offense.

White House coronavirus task force to be ‘phased down’ around Memorial Day

There are few things that the Republican Reich, especially criminal Fuhrer Trump* hate more than oversight. They fear that the next whistle blower will publicly expose it, when Republicans murder more and more Americans to reopen the economy for Trump’s* political ends.

MSNBC did a better job covering the actual corruption.

Coronavirus Whistleblower Complaint Suggests Trump Admin. Putting Politics Above Science

How many thousands of Americans have died and will die, because criminal Fuhrer Trump* is diverting the resources desperately needed by sick families no serve his, his relatives’, and his Republican cronies’ greed?

The last time there was a whistleblower complaint, we impeached Criminal Fuhrer Trump*. Since these high crimes and misdemeanors are even worse, it’s time to give that dirty son of a bitch (apologies to all female dawgs) a second asterisk.

RESIST!!

Open Thread–3/28/2020

Posted by TomCat at 12:47 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 282020

This is my only article today, because I’m running so late. Three software items needed to update. My research took much longer than usual. There was a SNAFU converting my meds to liquid, and I spent two hours on the phone cleaning up the mess, and then, my computer ate this entire article, so you’re reading a rewrite from scratch. Please expect no more than Open Threads or Personal Updates tomorrow and Monday. Tomorrow, WWWendy plans to lower my ears, before de-stinking the rancid TomCat. We also have a lot of gooping to do, so it will be a very busy day. Monday I have a consultation with Evelyn and pick up a big bottle of pain meds. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:07 (average 4:18). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

It’s that GOP glow!

Trump* Virus Update:

0328TrumpVirus

Cases: 104,429
Deaths: 1,708
Recovered: 2,530

I hove no doubt that US cases/capita are artificially very low, because criminal Fuhrer Trump* has made getting a test virtually impossible.

Short Takes:

From Vox: President Donald Trump said on Friday that he will not adhere to a portion of the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill that would authorize an inspector general to oversee how $500 billion in business loans will be spent.

In a statement released early Friday evening, Trump announced that he had signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security or CARES Act, a relief package aimed at mitigating some of the economic fallout caused by efforts to allay the spread of Covid-19.

That bill also establishes a Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery (SIGPR) within the Treasury Department to audit and investigate half a trillion dollars in loans for large businesses. In his signing statement, Trump said that this provision raises “constitutional concerns,” adding that his administration would not comply with such an official’s request for documents.

Congress also has oversight, and if criminal Fuhrer Trump* stonewalls again, it’s time for Congress to make him criminal Fuhrer Trump**. Nobody else will have ever been impeached twice. RESIST!!

From TPM: President Donald Trump reportedly wants his own personal touch on the assistance checks from the $2.2 trillion relief package.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump is pushing for his signature on the $1,200 checks that many individual Americans will soon receive now that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has been signed into law.

Don Hammond, a former official at the Treasury Department, told the Wall Street Journal that a disbursing officer’s signature would ordinarily be on the checks.

Under the new law, single American adults making $75,000 or less will receive $1,200, while married couples will receive $2,400 if they earn a combined total of $150,000 or less. The amount gradually decreases for those making over those two income figures.

There is no way that criminal Fuhrer Trump* should be allowed to take credit for the aid to common people, that he fought tooth and nail against, as an election SCAM. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Blues Magoos- ‘We Ain’t Got Nothing Yet’

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Kudos to One Republican

Posted by TomCat at 8:59 am Politics

Feb 062020

This is a rare opportunity for me. Republicans and kudos are normally akin to Republicans on oxygen… oxymoronic. However, on those so rare occasions that Republicans do what is right for the American people, instead of goose-stepping in blind lock-step behind some billionaire or their criminal Fuhrer, Trump*, fairness demands that I give them credit for it.

Showing clear emotion in his voice, Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah revealed on the Senate floor Wednesday that he will vote to convict President Donald Trump in the impeachment trial.

With the announcement, Romney became the only member of the president’s party expected to vote against Trump. He will approve the article of impeachment charging Trump with “abuse of power” in his effort to induce Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a political opponent while voting against the “obstruction of Congress” charge.

He said the president is “guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust.”

Early in the speech, he became choked up when talking about his personal faith and paused to gather himself. He called the choice “the most difficult decision I have ever faced.”

“The grave question the Constitution tasks senators to answer is whether the president committed an act so extreme and egregious that it rises to the level of a ‘high crime and misdemeanor,’” Romney said. “Yes, he did.”…

Inserted from <Alternet>

Here is his complete speech announcing his intent.

Senator Mitt Romney to vote to convict President Trump on Abuse of Power

Thank you, Senator Romney. Kudos!

RESIST!!

Open Thread–2/6/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:57 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 062020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. Store to Door is delivering groceries some time this afternoon. I hoped to get an early nap., My stomach acted up all day yesterday, and Stumpy has been underdoing a rare bout of phantom nerve pain for over 24 hours. It feels like someone is stabbing my left ankle with a knife, but I don’t have a left ankle. I hoped to get an early nap, but that appears unlikely. ARGH!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 5:03 (average 6:51). To to it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: In the aftermath of Pete Buttigieg’s strong showing in the Iowa caucuses, Donald J. Trump accused the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor of engaging in “suspicious travel” to Afghanistan.

“People are saying that he went to Afghanistan for seven months in 2014,” Trump told the hosts of “Fox & Friends” in a phone call. “Seven months is a long time to be running around in a Muslim country full of terrorists, don’t you think?”

He added that Buttigieg reportedly had a gun with him while he was in Afghanistan, a fact that Trump said “sounds fishy to me.”

“Let’s see, you fly all the way to a Muslim country full of all of these terrorists who need guns, and you’re bringing a gun into a country like that?” Trump said. “Who was he planning to give that gun to?”

“I don’t know if he was part of some caliphate or just helping them out, but we ought to find out,” he said. “I have a call in to the President of Afghanistan.”

Dang Andy! Do you think he was part of an evil conspiracy with gay Muslim terrorists? Far more likely, Trump* will get a second asterisk on his name from his coming “perfect” call to President Ashraf Ghani! RESIST!!

From YouTube (Trae Crowder Channel): Liberal Redneck – Pelosi Disrespects Trump

FOMCPIMPROTFLMAO! I could not agree more! RESIST!!

From YouTube (Jeff Merkley Channel): Statement on the Senate Impeachment Vote of Donald J. Trump

Spot-on, Jeff! Once again I’m proud to have volunteered for his campaign. Oregon leads the way! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Good, the Bad and the Ugly • Main Theme • Ennio Morricone

Ah… the spaghetti westerns! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread–2/4/2019

Posted by TomCat at 10:20 am Open Thread, Plus, Politics

Feb 042020

Yesterday’s trip to the hospital was gruesome. TriMet Lift got me there an hour early, so I had to wait there for an hour. The tests, as I had told the doctors all along, was fine. Unlike my fart, my heart is completely healthy. They got done with me two hours early, so I called TriMet to see if I could get an earlier ride. No. In fact, they screwed up and did not pick me up for my 3:34 – 4:04 PM window until 6:10. That Lift Bus was crowded, so I did not get home until 7:25 PM, 25 minutes after my winter bedtime. Needless to say, I’m so pooped, I’m bleary eyed.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:49 (average 5:54). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

I’m on O₂ too. I’m not a Republican, so I’m not a moron.

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): In What Amounts To GOP ‘Bluff-Calling,’ Joe Manchin Proposes Senate Censure Trump

I must be hallucinating from being over tired. I actually agree with DINO Joe! After the conviction vote fails, a foregone conclusion, I would support a censure vote, as a way to further embarrass Republicans, most of whom would goose-step with criminal Fuhrer Trump*. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Late Show Channel): GOP Senators Give Lame Excuses For Voting Against Witnesses In Trump Impeachment Trial

Lame excuses? Since when has the Fascist Republican Reich given any other kind? RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Mamas & The Papas – Monday Monday

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Criminals to Call Out

Posted by TomCat at 9:42 am Politics

Feb 012020

0201Pigs

Yesterday the Republican Caucus of the US Senate betrayed the people of the United States by depriving us of our right to hear witnesses and see documents in the impeachment trial of criminal Donald Trump. Watch and burn with righteous anger!

See how each senator voted on witnesses at Trump’s trial

Here is a complete list of the total and two partial traitors.

Alexander, Lamar (R-TN)

Barrasso, John (R-WY)

Blackburn, Marsha (R-TN)

Blunt, Roy (R-MO)

Boozman, John (R-AR)

Braun, Mike (R-IN)

Burr, Richard (R-NC)

Capito, Shelley Moore (R-WV)

Cassidy, Bill (R-LA)

Collins, Susan M. (R-ME)*

Cornyn, John (R-TX)

Cotton, Tom (R-AR)

Cramer, Kevin (R-ND)

Crapo, Mike (R-ID)

Cruz, Ted (R-TX)

Daines, Steve (R-MT)

Enzi, Michael B. (R-WY)

Ernst, Joni (R-IA)

Fischer, Deb (R-NE)

Gardner, Cory (R-CO)

Graham, Lindsey (R-SC)

Grassley, Chuck (R-IA)

Hawley, Josh (R-MO)

Hoeven, John (R-ND)

Hyde-Smith, Cindy (R-MS)

Inhofe, James M. (R-OK)

Johnson, Ron (R-WI)

Kennedy, John (R-LA)

Lankford, James (R-OK)

Lee, Mike (R-UT)

Loeffler, Kelly (R-GA)

McConnell, Mitch (R-KY)

McSally, Martha (R-AZ)

Moran, Jerry (R-KS)

Murkowski, Lisa (R-AK)

Paul, Rand (R-KY)

Perdue, David (R-GA)

Portman, Rob (R-OH)

Risch, James E. (R-ID)

Roberts, Pat (R-KS)

Romney, Mitt (R-UT)*

Rounds, Mike (R-SD)

Rubio, Marco (R-FL)

Sasse, Ben (R-NE)

Scott, Rick (R-FL)

Scott, Tim (R-SC)

Shelby, Richard C. (R-AL)

Sullivan, Dan (R-AK)

Thune, John (R-SD)

Tillis, Thom (R-NC)

Wicker, Roger F. (R-MS)

Young, Todd (R-IN)

*Safe vote Susan and Little Lord Willard did vote to include witnesses, but would not have done so, if their votes would have made a difference.

I’ll have to call these traitors Republicans. I’d call them excrement, but to do so would be too great an insult to shit!

Do any of these Senators represent you? If so, show them your wrath. Go to their town hall meetings and shout them down. If you see them getting haircuts, ask the barber to scalp them. If you see them in a restaurant, tell them your taxes paid for their food. Say you want it back. If you see them on the street, ask a dog to mark their path before them. They didn’t care enough to represent 75% of American voters. Make their lives miserable, as long as they are in office. The time for forgiveness is after they are defeated and unemployable!

RESIST!!

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