Justice – Page 160 – Politics Plus

Open Thread for July 8, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 082021

Yesterday was quiet enough – in fact it was significantly more quiet than usual because I now have no phone service at all on my land line … so no robocall rings. But the technician supposedly comes today. Hopefully that will provide resolution.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

The Daily Beast – Opinion – Former Murdoch Exec: Fox News Is Poison For America
Quote – Fox News has caused many millions of Americans—most of them Republicans (as my wife and I were for 50 years)—to believe things that simply are not true. For example, Yahoo News reports that 73 percent of Republicans blame “left-wing protesters” for the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Of course, that is ludicrous. All one has to do is look at the pictures or videos of the attack to see that the violent mob was comprised of Trump supporters. Similarly, a poll by SSRS in late April found that two-thirds of Republicans either believe or suspect that the election was stolen from Trump—60 percent saying there is “hard evidence” that the election was stolen. As noted above, this ridiculous notion has been thoroughly refuted. But millions of Americans believe these falsehoods because they have been drilled into their minds, night after night, by Fox News.
Click through for more. This is a “Consider the source” story. This dude is in a position to know what he is talking about, even though he gives Rupert too much benefit of the doubt (reminds me of the KMart ads aimed at WalMart claiming Sam would have been ashamed. No, he wouldn’t have.)

The Hill – Eric Adams wins New York City mayoral primary
Quote – “Now we must focus on winning in November so that we can deliver on the promise of this great city for those who are struggling, who are underserved, and who are committed to a safe, fair, affordable future for all New Yorkers,” he said…. The race is the first in which the board sought to implement ranked-choice voting, which allows voters to list five candidates in order of preference.
Click through for some details. I disn’t follow this race, but did follow the Manhattan DA Dem primary, which Alvin Bragg won.Hopefully they will work together well.

Reuters – Judge finds U.S. 60% responsible for 2017 Texas church mass shooting
Quote – In a decision released on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez said the Air Force did not use reasonable care when it failed to enter Devin Patrick Kelley’s plea to domestic violence charges in a database used for background checks for those buying firearms. Rodriguez said the government bore “significant responsibility” for harm to victims of the Nov. 5, 2017 massacre at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, 31 miles (50 km) east of San Antonio.
Click through for background. Even if you remember it, it’s been a while, and a lot has happened in the meantime.

Food for Thought

Link to story in Common Dreams

Video Thread for 7/7/21

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:00 pm Open Thread, Politics

Jul 072021

Glenn Kirschner – Why the Trump Org Criminal Charges May Open the Indictment Flood Gates: A Matter of Precedent

Meidas Touch – John McCain’s Private Reaction to Trump’s Attack on POWs

The Lincoln Project – Remember

The Franklin Project – Get Empowered with Close Up

Rebel HQ – Trump OUTED By BOMBSHELL Evidence! (<- I didn’t write this and don’t consider it a bombshell But it is solid.)

Founders Sing – HE’S INDICTED & IT FEELS SO GOOD

Beau – Let’s talk about DOD mandated vaccines….

Open Thread for July 7, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:17 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 072021

I have a technician appointment for tomorrow for the phone. The computer seems to stay connected better when it is not quite as hot. News from Carrie’s appointment yesterday: “Both growths removed and sent off to lab. They are probably benign, but a little concern about one that was changing.”

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

Oxfam Denounces OECD Global Tax Deal as ‘Skewed-to-the-Rich and Completely Unfair’
Quote – While some tax equity campaigners applauded the agreement as a good start, Oxfam International executive director Gabriela Bucher slammed the deal as “no more than a G7 money grab,” referring to the seven wealthy nations that have helped spearhead the talks.
Click through for story. to Mitch.

Crooks and Liars – Biden Quickly Nominates Diverse Slate Of Federal Judges
Quote – Thus far, Biden has tapped 32 judicial nominees, maintaining a rapid pace for both nominations and confirmations that is putting even what Sen. Mitch McConnell did on behalf of the Federalist Society and Donald Trump to shame. “That number is notable for its historical context: It puts Biden on the fastest pace for judicial confirmations in a first presidential term in more than 50 years. The last president to have seven confirmations by this point was Richard Nixon in 1969, according to a White House official,” CNN reports
Click through for details. Yes, it isn’t the Supreme Court. But it is a pool from which future justice will be drawn.and it’s a sign of a good attitude toward the Judicial Branch.

Wonkette – GOP Rep Pretty Sure Soldiers Can Just Quit Over Vaccine Requirements
Quote – There’s a wee bit of a problem with all of that though — as many people were happy to point out to Massie on Twitter, you can’t just “quit” the military, because when you sign up to join the military, you sign a contract and you are required, by actual law, to serve out your time unless otherwise dismissed by the Department of Defense. If you “quit,” that is called “going AWOL” or “desertion” and could result in “dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and a one-year confinement.”
Click through for more of Wonkette’s inimitable style. Beau also has something to say on this topic in the video thread.

Food for Thought

Video Thread for 7/6/21

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:15 pm Open Thread, Politics

Jul 062021

Glenn Kirschner – 545 Insurrectionists Now Charged as New Court Filing Reveals Assault on New York Times Reporter

Now This News – Extremist Group Takes Over TikToker’s New Home

Robert Reich – What Does Patriotism Really Mean?

The Franklin project – Bringing Civics to Life

This Tiny Kitten Grows Up Racing Around Her House Like A T-Rex

Keith Olbermann – OLBERMANN VS…THE 4TH OF JULY TRUMPIAN WHITE SUPREMACISTS PARADE IN PHILADELPHIA.

Beau – Let’s talk about the New York Times documentary about the 6th….

Open Thread for July 6, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:09 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 062021

Housekeeping note – I am having my internet go in and out, and my phone line has so much static that it drowns out everything else, including the dial tone (and that’s loud.) If I should disappear, I’ll be back. But I’m hoping, with patience, to keep to the schedule. Sure glad I reached Squatch before this happened!

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

The Hill – Doug Emhoff carves out path as first second gentleman
Quote – Emhoff has headlined regular events but still kept a low profile in the media, striking a balance between breaking barriers as the first male second spouse while also fulfilling the role in a way second ladies have done traditionally. Observers say the lack of media attention is a sign of success.
Click through for the story.

Aeon – Lies and honest mistakes
Quote – [E]ven honest journalists and careful scholars will sometimes get things wrong. Honest mistakes are made. Once flagged, these errors will be immediately corrected and acknowledged; there might be some hard questions asked about process failures, too. But there’s a very big difference between an error and a lie – and between ‘fake news’ and ‘false news’. A fake is always false, and was intended to be. But a falsehood is not always a fake; it could simply be a mistake.
Click through and maybe bookmark. This understanding is how I was brought up, and it seems to me that it’s not the way that most people think. But I think it’s important for us to strive for and, maybe more importantly, to protect ourselves against increasingly effective ways of spreading falsehoods.

AP News – Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter mark 75 years of ‘full partnership’
Quote – Carter has said often since leaving the Oval Office in 1981 that the most important decision he ever made wasn’t as head of state, commander in chief or even executive officer of a nuclear submarine in the early years of the Cold War. Rather, it was falling for Eleanor Rosalynn Smith in 1945 and marrying her the following summer. “My biggest secret is to marry the right person if you want to have a long-lasting marriage,” Carter said.
Click through for more. Many things in the news today will continue to be in the news. But it will be a long time before we see anything like this again. (P.S. George Burns said essentially the same thing – “Marry Gracie.”)

Food for Thought

I’m not trying to throw shade on Canada. It could just ae easily been a picture of the US – or anywhere, really.

Video Thread for 7/5/21

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:12 pm Open Thread, Politics

Jul 052021

Glenn Kirschner – Trump’s Statements at FLA Rally Can be Used as Incriminating Evidence in DA Vance’s Tax Prosecution

The Lincoln Project – Independence Day

Now This News – Birds Aren’t Real Movement Says Birds Are Government Drones

Vote Vets – Independence

The Franklin Project – Organization Spotlight: Raise Your Voice with Deliberations.US (This is a model which works – but which requires people to participate.)

Woman Gives Toys to a Wild Magpie — and He Invites His Friends Over to Play

Beau – Let’s talk about the DHS bulletin….

Open Thread for July 5, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 052021

Last night’s opera was “Akhnaten,” the third in Philip Glass’s “Portrait Trilogy. In his case, it seems to be the first one – “Einstein on the Beach” – which doesn’t get heard and I don’t know why not. Anyway. Akhnaten was the Pharaoh who tried to eradicate polytheism in favor of monotheism of the sun god, Aten. It did not go well. The role is written for a counter tenor (God’s gift to composers who want to write for characters who are in some way androgynous – and also to revivals of Baroque and early Classical opera filled with “trouser roles.” This one is Anthony Roth Costanzo who comes across as avery sweet person, and those who know him confirm that. He had thyroid surgery, and had to grapple with the possibility of not being able to sing any more – and came to peace with the thought that as long as he could do something to make people happy, that would be acceptable. (Fortunately he is still singing – including at Santa Fe this summer in a world premier.) The libretto of Akhnaten is in ancient languages when possible and random syllables when not, with the exception of the “Hymn to the Sun,” which is to be sung in the primary local language wherever it it performed. Here’s an analysis of why (in case anyone cares.) Akhnaten is the last “American Composer” opera. Next week is Strauss week (Richard, not Johann, sorry) and there’s only one – well, maybe two – I’ll want to see so I’ll try to be more on top of things.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

The New Yorker – Marjorie Taylor Greene Reports Sightings of Jewish Space Lasers Across U.S.
Quote – Greene said that the “increased Jewish-space-laser activity” was a matter of deep concern, although she was not certain of the lasers’ purpose. “You’ll have to ask the Rothschilds that,” she said. “But it can’t be anything good.”
Click through for details and photo.

Axios – Biden launches effort to bring back deported veterans (about GD time)
Quote – “The Department of Homeland Security recognizes the profound commitment and sacrifice that service members and their families have made to the United States of America,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement Friday.
Click through for a little more.

Washington Examiner – White supremacist marchers ‘ran away’ from Philly residents, police say
Quote – “They started engaging with citizens of Philadelphia, who were none too happy about what they were saying. These males felt threatened, and at one point, somebody threw a smoke bomb to cover their retreat, and they literally ran away from the people of Philadelphia,” Philadelphia Police Officer Michael Crum told reporters.
Click through for story.

Food for Thought

Bonus video – Lona suggested this on the 3rd, and between my internet going in and out and some other things, I didn’t get it up then. So here it is now.