May Next Labor Day Be Blue!

 Posted by at 11:05 am  Holiday, Politics
Sep 072020
 

Labor-day2012 
For most of my early life I considered Labor Day little more than a day off at the end of summer.  That’s because I am not a union man.  I have never belonged to a union, nor has anyone in my family.  So what has the labor movement done for me?  I have learned what organized labor has done to improve the lot of all American workers, and I have come to understand that Labor Day is a celebration of Union labor, and one that is well deserved. This is a another variation on last year’s article.

laborThinkProgress has assembled just five of the many things that Americans can thank the nation’s unions for giving us all: 1. Unions Gave Us The Weekend: Even the ultra-conservative Mises Institute notes that the relatively labor-free 1870, the average workweek for most Americans was 61 hours — almost double what most Americans work now… 2. Unions Gave Us Fair Wages And Relative Income Equality: As ThinkProgress reported earlier in the week, the relative decline of unions over the past 35 years has mirrored a decline in the middle class’s share of national income… 3. Unions Helped End Child Labor: “Union organizing and child labor reform were often intertwined” in U.S. history, with organization’s like the “National Consumers’ League” and the National Child Labor Committee” working together in the early 20th century to ban child labor… 4. Unions Won Widespread Employer-Based Health Coverage: “The rise of unions in the 1930′s and 1940′s led to the first great expansion of health care” for all Americans, as labor unions banded workers together to negotiate for health coverage plans from employers… 5. Unions Spearheaded The Fight For The Family And Medical Leave Act: Labor unions like the AFL-CIO federation led the fight for this 1993 law, which “requires state agencies and private employers with more than 50 employees to provide up to 12 weeks of job-protected unpaid leave annually for workers to care for a newborn, newly adopted child, seriously ill family member or for the worker’s own illness.” … [emphasis original]

Inserted from <Think Progress> It’s well worth the time to click through for the rest of this article. Furthermore, here is an excellent video on what labor has done for America.

Therefore, to begin my celebration of Labor Day in the best possible way, I wish to thank all of you who are or have been union workers.  My life is better because of you.  And to you and everyone else, have as Happy a Labor Day as is possible during a Republican plague and under a Republican Reich! Sadly, because of ongoing, predatory Republican impingement on workers’ rights, this article is even less true than it was  last year.  It’s up to YOU to change that trend.  Unless we remove Trump* and the Republican Reich from power, they will outlaw workers’ right to organize, and the US will become a permanent Republican Fifth Reich!  Unless you want to be forced to say Heil Trump*…

Support Labor!

Dump Trump!!

RESIST!!!

VOTE BLUE!!!!

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Jul 232020
 

It;s a busy day here in the CatBox.  WWWendy is coming, and it’s a grocery delivery day.  JD, would you please cover Samantha Bee?  Tomorrow, I have a visit from the Providence home doctor, so how much I’ll do is still up in the air.  Please have a great day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:02 (average 5:14).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0723TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 4,102,002
US Deaths: 146,198
World Cases: 15,415,731
World Deaths: 631,164
Trump’s* share of World Deaths: 23.2%

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Trump Tries To Link COVID-19 Surge To Black Lives Matter Protest

Trump* is spreading bullshit, as usual. The BLM protestors wear mask. The reasons for the surge are Republican incompetence, neglect, lies, and super-spreader events.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Comment): No, this reporter didn’t call Kayleigh McEnany a ‘lying b**ch’


The reporter clearly said, “you don’t want to engage”. However, by not calling Kayleigh Lie-a-lot a “lying bitch”, that reporter really screwed up! She should have!   RESIST!!

From YouTube (Trae Crowder Channel): Liberal Redneck – Trump’s Secret Police


I agree, Trae. I live in Portland, and I’ve been calling these Republican stormtroopers Trump’s* Nazi Gestapo since they got here.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from labor): Billy Bragg – There is Power in a Union


Except for unmuzzled Republican Nazi police unions, support labor!  RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

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Jul 222020
 

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox.  I fought for an hour over sluggish response while typing, before I finally figured out the batteries in my keyboard were bad and changed them.  I scheduled another Pet Scan for early next month.  And I had to spend 45 minutes on the throne to vacate all the Republicans infesting me.  Tomorrow, please expect no more than a Personal Update or an Open Thread.  WWWendy will be here.  Woooo Hoooo!!  We have lots to do.  In addition, it’s a grocery delivery day.  Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:17 (average 4:29). To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0722TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 4,030,200
US Deaths: 144,983
World Cases: 15,136,436
World Deaths: 620,502
Trump* Death Share: 23.4%

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Late Show Channel): Greta Thunberg: Humanity Is “Setting Fire To The Boat” Instead Of Facing The Climate Crisis

The first time I saw Greta, I called her an international hero. Each subsequent time, I become more convinced of that truth.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (Parody Project Channel): SPREADIN’ THROUGH THE AIR

Amen Don! Here in the US, criminal Fuhrer Trump* murdered over 1,000 yesterday with his plague, Trump* virus.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from labor): Tom Morello. A Union Song


Except for unmuzzled Nazi police unions, support labor!  RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

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Jul 212020
 

It’s another hectic day here in the CatBox.  I’m having a telephone visit with my nutritionist this morning, so that will kill my morning nap, and exacerbate my back pain.  I guess they’re going to increase my Oxycodone instead of my Fentanyl patch strength.  I disagree and will argue it at my next appointment.  A patch gives constant pain relief, so increasing the strength lowers my overall pain level.  Oxycodone gives yo-yo pain relief, as it is taken only when the pain level has risen, so I suffer needless pain.  Please check your outhouse for Republicans.  If one is hiding down there, go.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:34 (average 5:18).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Clinton had Lewinski.  Putin [R-RU] had Trump*.

Trump* Virus Update:

0721TrumpVirusMap

Click through for interactive map.

US Cases: 3,963,376
US Deaths: 143,889

Short Takes:

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Veteran discusses getting hit by unmarked police in Portland

Our veterans deserve honor, praise, and gratitude from our people and government, but from the Republican Reich and their Nazi Gestapo, our veterans get hate, neglect and violence!  RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): GOP Tested As Democrats Call Out Foreign Interference In Election

This is what a President sounds like and acts like. May God grant that we have a President in January, instead of the criminal Fuhrer we have now. May God also grant that the Republican Reich go the way of the Whig Party. But God can’t do it alone. She needs help from YOU!  RESIST!!

From YouTube ( a blast from the past and labor): Arlo Guthrie/Alice’s Restaurant

Ah… the memories! Except for unmuzzled Republican Nazi Police Unions, support Labor!  RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

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Jul 202020
 

It’s a muggy day here in the CatBox, with 95° forecast and high humidity.  Diana, my palliative care nurse is coming to change my pain patch.  I think I need to request the next step up in dosage, as my pain is getting worse.  WWKristin did an excellent job for me yesterday, but I still miss WWWendy.  Thursday can’t come soon enough.  Oh God, it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:38 (average 5:10).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0720TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 3,899,358
US Deaths: 143,310

Short Takes:

From Willamette Week: Federal police and Portland officers worked in tandem early Saturday morning to clear protesters from the streets of Portland. The two agencies appeared to coordinate their efforts by announcing when they would use force to scatter demonstrators.

That simultaneous effort triggered a demand from City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty this morning that Mayor Ted Wheeler either control his Police Bureau or hand oversight of the city’s cops to her. Wheeler has yet to respond.

The Oregonian compiled a list today of previous incidents where local and federal police appeared to coordinate their response to protesters. Such an effort undercuts Wheeler’s assertion that he doesn’t want federal officers deployed by President Donald Trump in this city—as do meetings between local cops and the feds.

This afternoon, the Portland Police Bureau issued a statement that federal officers would no longer be allowed inside the Portland police command center. “Beginning tonight,” a police statement said, “command from the Federal Protective Service will not work in the Portland police incident command center.”

Click through for much more info. I’m not even slightly surprised that Portland’s Republican Police Bureau are disobeying the orders of their civilian leadership to cooperate with federal Republican Nazi Gestapo. At least Wheeler is cracking down on these vile Republicans. Portland Fire and Rescue Responded by banning federal gestapo and Portland PD from their stationsRESIST!!

From YouTube (Raw Story Channel): Trump on accepting election results: ‘I have to see’

Are the Nazi Republican Gestapo attacking peaceful Portland demonstrators practicing for criminal Fuhrer Trump* refusing to accept the 2020 election results?  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from labor): we shall not be moved


Except for unmuzzled Nazi Republican police unions, support labor! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

 

 

 

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Jul 192020
 

It’s a busy day, here in the CatBox, and this is my only article today.  WWKiisten will be here soon to destink the thoroughly rancid TomCat, goop, and help with chores.  WWWendy will be here again on Thursday.  Tomorrow I may be running behind, as Diana, my palliative care nurse, will be coming to change my pain patch.  Have a Republican-free Sunday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:11 (average 5:23).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0719TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 3,835,430
US Deaths: 142,883

Short Takes:

From Common Dreams: Consumer and workers’ rights advocates are warning that new details of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s plan to shield businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits show just how far the Republican leader is willing to go to ensure corporations are not held accountable for endangering public health and safety.

“Congress must reject this dangerous proposal,” the National Employment Law Project said in response to a draft (pdf) of McConnell’s plan obtained by Politico and other outlets on Friday.

The draft, authored by McConnell and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas.), proposes relieving businesses, schools, churches, and other institutions of legal responsibility for workers, customers, and others who contract Covid-19 except in cases of “gross negligence and intentional misconduct”—a difficult standard to prove in court.

As the Associated Press reported, the Republican plan “offers a broad shield by requiring heightened pleading standards, stiffening burden-of-proof standards, and capping damages on awards. Employers would also be shielded from investigations by federal agencies.”

Additionally, McConnell and Cornyn’s plan would empower companies to move coronavirus-related personal injury and medical liability cases to more business-friendly federal courts. “Defendants are liable,” the draft states, “only if they failed to make reasonable efforts to follow applicable public-health guidelines.”

You know it’s evil coming from Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch, and co-authorship by Cornhole Cornyn makes it even worse. The Republican Reich wants to give corporate criminals license to kill workers using Trump’s Republican plague.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (Elizabeth Warren Channel): Elizabeth Warren: “Corruption is a Public Health Risk”

In the Republican Reich, what you know hadsno value. It’s all about who and how much you pay . That’s why Republican politicians love to suck Koch.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from labor): Which Side Are You On — Pete Seeger

Except for unmuzzled Republican police unions, support labor!  RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

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Jul 182020
 

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox, and I’m running behind after thirty minutes of filling my throne with recalcitrant Republicans.  Tomorrow please expert no more than a Personal Update or an Open Thread.  WWKristin is filling in for WWWendy.  Have a great weekend, and flush your Republicans!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:49 (average 4:19).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Map:

0718TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 3,771,101
US Deaths: 142,080

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Alleging that it “has treated me very unfairly,” Donald J. Trump announced on Friday that he is suing the coronavirus.

“This is a very nasty virus, and by that I mean it has been nasty to me personally,” Trump told reporters. “I never thought that there could be anything more terrible than Jim Acosta, but the coronavirus is like an invisible Jim Acosta.”

Offering a preview of his lawsuit, Trump said that he was accusing the coronavirus of meddling in the 2020 election.

“You look at the numbers and, every time the virus’s numbers go up, my numbers go down,” he said. “This virus is trying to rig the election for Sleepy Joe.”

Dang, Andy! If criminal Fuhrer Trump* is so afraid for his political future, why didn’t he take the needed steps to control Trump* virus in the beginning? That it’s making him even more distasteful to voters is the only good thing about his Republican plague!  RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Ruth Bader Ginsburg announces cancer recurrence

Please remember RBG in your thoughts, wishes, prayers, or however you address the infinite. She a bastion of freedom, and we need her. Furthermore, God forbid that criminal Fuhrer Trump* should get to appoint another Fascist Republican Injustice to SCROTUS (Republican anti-Constitutional VD)!  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from labor): I’m Sticking With the Union

Except for Republican police unions, support labor!  RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

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Jul 162020
 

It’s a busy muggy day here in the CatBox.  My back is painful today.  Store to Door should come with my groceries between 11 AM and 1 PM.  By now WWWendy is on a plane.  Her plans changed, and she’s going to CO instead of CA.  JD, you ought to give her a call.  She’ll land around 1 PM your time.  Everyone, please keep her in your thoughts and and prayers.  If you find yourself in an elevator with a Republican, please fart.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:51 (average 4:37).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0716TrumpVirusMap

Map Reference: click through for interactive map

US Cases: 3,618,739
US Deaths: 140,185

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Trying out a new line of attack against the former Vice-President, Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Joe Biden could never have a pandemic as big as his.

“Biden was Vice-President for eight years and had all the time in the world to have a pandemic,” Trump said. “Where was his pandemic?”

By contrast, Trump asserted, “In just a few months, I’ve built the biggest pandemic this country has seen in a hundred years.”

“People are going to be talking about my pandemic for generations to come,” Trump said. “What did Biden ever have? Swine flu? What a joke.”

Dang, Andy! Don’t do that! Portraying criminal Fuhrer Trump* telling the truth about the severity of his plague is enough to make someone throw up!  RESIST!!

From Alternet: …In the context of what we’ve been hearing from the Trump administration—or rather what we’ve not been hearing—I have to think that Donald Trump and his billionaire sycophant, Betsy DeVos, our current Secretary of Education, have absolutely no clue about what is metastasizing in the fevered swamps of American parents of school-age children right now in this country, or its potential to explode in a wave of electoral anger that could dwarf what occurred to the Republican Party in 2018.

I’m talking about a thermonuclear, cataclysmic, event of raw, unbridled voter fury. I’m talking about an existential, political wipe-out of Biblical proportions. A tsunami, if you will.

The most generous characterization of the Trump administration’s approach towards the situation facing our public schools in less than two months—six weeks or less, in fact, for many schools, including ones in Texas– is one of willful blindness, suggestive of an astonishing degree of deliberate, magical thinking– that imagines an idyllic sequence of cause and effect, where these schools will miraculously reopen, filled with rows of smiling teens, pre-teens,  elementary schoolers and their teachers, happy to share and mingle in their wondrous educational experience in the face of this horrific and unprecedented health crisis…

I wish Trump* and DeVos would back down for the sake of the families they are about to murder, but they won’t back down. Let that tsunami wipe the Republican Party out of existence!  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from Labor): Union Maid

Except for police unions, support labor!  RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

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