Open Thread – 1/25/2021

Posted by TomCat at 11:19 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 252021

It’s a tired/painful day here in the CatBox. Due to Republicitis, I plugged the toilet so bad that it won’t plunge, and I had to call Maintenance to come snake it. They should be here around lunch time. Dang that’s embarrassing! My Video Meeting yesterday turned out to be with volunteers only, but it was still a good time. Yesterday, I was disappointed that Tampa Bay beat Green Bay. I don’t like Tom Brady. He deflates his balls and lives Trump**. However, both my Chiefs and Nameless’ Chiefs won. WWWendy is coming this evening. Since Trump** is out, Oh Wow! It’s Monday.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:06 (average 5:28). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: It’s no shock that both the campaign and the officials on the permit are all trying to erase their connections. From AP:

In a statement, the president’s reelection campaign said it “did not organize, operate or finance the event.” No campaign staff members were involved in the organization or operation of the rally, according to the statement. It said that if any former employees or independent contractors for the campaign took part, “they did not do so at the direction of the Trump campaign.”

At least one was working for the Trump campaign this month. Megan Powers was listed as one of two operations managers for the Jan. 6 event, and her LinkedIn profile says she was the Trump campaign’s director of operations into January 2021. She did not respond to a message seeking comment.

The AP’s review found at least three of the Trump campaign aides named on the permit rushed to obscure their connections to the demonstration. They deactivated or locked down their social media profiles, removed tweets that referenced the rally and blocked a reporter who asked questions.

“Shell companies and ‘dark money’ may hide details of Trump ties to DC protests,” OpenSecrets.org reports. But not all. For example, Open Secrets found that Powers was paid about $290,000 by Trump’s campaign while on its payroll from February 2019 through at least November 2020, according to FEC records.

This shows the degree to which the RNP (Republican Nazi Party) orchestrated the insurrection. The included video (above) is the best analysis of this I’ve seen. It also shows how vicious they are. RESIST the Republican Reich!!

From NY Times: Two days after the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, Jackson Reffitt’s father, Guy W. Reffitt, returned to the family’s home in Texas. He told his son that he had stormed the Capitol, according to an F.B.I. affidavit.

Then his father leveled a threat: If Jackson, 18, reported him to the police, he would have no choice but to do his “duty” for his country and “do what he had to do.”

In interviews with investigators, Jackson Reffitt said his father told him: “If you turn me in, you’re a traitor. And you know what happens to traitors. Traitors get shot.”

But he had already reported his father to the F.B.I. weeks before the riot.

How can anyone wield enough hate to say what Gut Reffitt said to his son? Jackson deserves an award for his patriotism and courage. This demonstrates the degree to which the RNP (Republican Nazi Party) are pure evil and must be eradicated as a political entity. RESIST the Republican Reich!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): George Harrison – My Sweet Lord (Official Audio)

Ah… the memories! What a magnificent hymn! And at last we have reason to rejoice! RESIST the Republican Reich!!

Build the Future. It Belongs to YOU!

Personal Update – 1/24/2021

Posted by TomCat at 11:29 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 242021

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. I still have Republicitis, but not as severe. I’m about to join my video meeting. This afternoon is worship of the Holy Ellipsoid Orb. Have a fine day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:21 (average 5:34). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Take:

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Fleetwood Mac – The Chain (Official Audio)

Ah… the memories! RESIST the Republican Reich!!

Build the Future. It Belongs to YOU!

Video Thread 1/23/2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 3:35 pm Open Thread, Politics

Jan 232021

Yo Yo Ma at the Inauguration playing Amazing Grace. He managed to include the Star Trek them and George Takei is so here for it. (Mostly unaccompanied ‘cello but this brief message at the beginning) “…Families and communities. But – in the midst of devastation and loss there were moments when a flickering light pointed us toward a bright future. You comforted us, you sustained us, and so that light grew and became bright in the universe. This is for all of you who found new ways for us to smile together.
”

Joe Biden on dignity

Republicans for the Rule of Law – the captions are all Trump**, whereas the sound is mostly sane former Presidents talking about the way transitions are supposed to be. It makes it a little confusing but I hope effective.

Puppet Regime – Unwelcome Guest

What will happen to QAnon?

After-Trump Delight – Parody

Beau – “I don’t see any way that this could possibly go bad for Representative Greene” is where I started laughing out loud. But it gets better.

Open Thread – 1/23/2021

Posted by TomCat at 10:57 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 232021

It’s a tired day here in the CatBox, but my pain level is better than it was yesterday. I think the Republicitis was exacerbating the pain. Tomorrow is a High Holy Day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb. I will spend the late afternoon booing Josh Hawley and watching my Portland Chiefs play the Buffalo Bills for the NFC title. Tomorrow please expect no more than a Personal Update. I have a video meeting with prison volunteer coworkers and former prisoners. Have a fine weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:06 (average 5:09). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: Seven Senate Democrats are demanding that the Senate Committee on Ethics open an investigation in the actions of Republican Sens. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz for their actions related to the Jan. 6 violent insurrection against Congress.

The two “amplified claims of election fraud that had resulted in threats of violence against state and local officials around the country,” the Democrats write. The group—Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH)—notes that the Senate has the exclusive power to determine whether the members’ actions violated Senate ethics rules. They are asking the Ethics Committee to carry out a “thorough and fair investigation and consider any appropriate consequences based on the Committee’s findings.”

“When Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley announced they would object to the counting of state-certified electors on January 6, 2021, they amplified claims of election fraud that had resulted in threats of violence against state and local officials around the country,” the senators write. “While Congress was debating Senator Cruz’s objection, a violent mob stormed the Capitol. These insurrectionists ransacked the building, stole property, and openly threatened Members of Congress and the Vice President.” The two didn’t just help incite the riot, the Democrats wrote, but “[b]y proceeding with their objections to the electors after the violent attack, Senators Cruz and Hawley lent legitimacy to the mob’s cause and made future violence more likely.”

The senators write of their concern that members of Congress could have been involved in the coordination not just of the rally that preceded the attack on the Capitol, but the attack itself. They provide a detailed and well-researched account of the events of the day as well as the background to it, including the threats of violence that were leveled against officials prior to Jan. 6, threats incited by Trump’s fraud claims and reinforced by Hawley and Cruz, who “lent legitimacy to President Trump’s false statements about election fraud by announcing that they would object to the certification of electors on January 6.”

I fully support this move. If these RNP (Republican Nazi Party) traitors are allowed to get away with it, they and others will surely do it again. RESIST the Republican Reich!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Complete bunk’: Erin Burnett calls out Sen. Hawley’s explanation

As long as Biden agrees to the delay, it works for me. It also gives more time to gather evidence sufficiently obvious that it forces Republicans to either proclaim their own treason, like Cruz and Hawley, or to vote to convict. RESIST the Republican Reich!!

From YouTube (Bernie Sanders Channel): We Cannot Reach Out To Republicans Indefinitely.

I fully agree. Republicans are most adept at holding out a fair negotiated agreement as a promise to Democrats in order to gain an advantage, only to act like Lucy with a football. Give them a chance, but one only. RESIST the Republican Reich!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Fleetwood Mac – Landslide (Official Music Video)

Ah… the memories. We needed a landslide. We got one! RESIST the Republican Reich!!

Build the Future. It Belongs to YOU!

Video Thread 1/22/2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 3:37 pm Open Thread, Politics

Jan 222021

Speaker Pelosi on Impeachment and Unity

The Lincoln Project is also taking on Hawley. (And Meidas Touch is also taking on Cruz.) All their help is appreciated.

Meidas Touch (https://www.democraticunderground.com/emoticons/hattip.gif Mitch)

Founders Sing – “Impeached Again (Naturally)”

Now This News – As a Bernie Sanders lover who is also a knitter, I could not resist this.

“Insurrection-y Street” – a child could understand it.

This may not be the timing I would have employed to play this, but it was a request video. It is 6 minutes 43 seconds – and don’t start it if you can’t finish it – because it needs to be seen in full.

Open Thread – 1/22/2021

Posted by TomCat at 10:38 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 222021

It’s a tired painful day here in the CatBox. I have a severe case of Republicitis, and that may be adding to the back pain. I’m gradually increasing meds, trying not to overdo it. WWWendy is coming this evening. I should be in the saddle tomorrow. TGIF!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:22 (average 6:16). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Alternet: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is entering his new, less powerful role the same way he managed the Senate when he was Majority Leader, with one purpose in mind: block everything Democrats want.

Democratic Senators on Thursday blasted McConnell publicly after he threatened to filibuster the organizing agreement, which specifies how many Senators from each party sit on committees and who chairs them.

CNN’s Manu Raju notes if there is no power-sharing agreement, “the Senate will operate under the rules of the last Congress when the GOP controlled Senate majority and held committee chairs.”

At the center of McConnell’s obstruction: he’s demanding Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) commit to keeping the filibuster – which would allow Republicans to block and jettison everything Democrats want. That means Republicans could block all of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet nominees, and all legislation Democrats want to pass. [emphasis added]

I don’t understand the particulars of how Bought Bitch Mitch can filibastard the organizing agreement. I think we could try to invoke the Nuclear Option, but that is likely to fail because Dino Joe Manchin would vote with the Republicans. However we do it, we cannot allow Republican minority rule. RESIST the Republican Reich!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): US Unfinished Business With Trump Leaves Bifurcated Vision As Biden Begins

Rachel is right to elucidate the horrid state of affairs Biden inherited from the RNP (Republican Nazi Party). RESIST the Republican Reich!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Led Zeppelin – Stairway To Heaven (Official Audio)

Ah… the memories. RESIST the Republican Reich!!

Build the Future. It Belongs to YOU!

Video Thread 1/21/2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:58 pm Open Thread, Politics

Jan 212021

Isn’t it nice to want to share a Tweet from the President because it’s so positive!

The time to move forward is now. pic.twitter.com/IrUUu0bxGO

— President Biden (@POTUS) January 20, 2021

The Lincoln Project

Amanda Gorman reads at inauguration – Transcript here https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/20/amanda-gormans-inaugural-poem-the-hill-we-climb-full-text.html

From the presentation of “The Drum Major Instinct”

John Pavlovitz on hope, night, and dawn.

This one and the next one look back instead of forward, but both are too clever to miss.
Rocky Mountain Mike – “Pardon Party”

Founders Sing – 25th Amendment

If you’ve seen this – I don’t apologize – it can stand multiple viewings.

Beau – taped around noon Tuesday, obviously – but still pertinent – now and going forward

From 1933 originally. Well, we’ve been saying we needed FDR.

Video Thread 1/20/2021 (a palindrome) (not sarah)

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:01 pm Open Thread, Politics

Jan 202021

OK, so I’m a little giddy today. Aren’t you? Be honest!

This was last night, which is why it is so dark. I wanted something upbeat for today, and neither Biden not Harris is much of a grandstander, but they are both caring.