Open Thread – 7/29/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:28 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 292020

It’s another busy day here in the CatBox. WWWendy is coming to destink the sweaty TomCat, goop, and help with chores. Then I have to meet with the building manager to renew my lease, an hour of routine paperwork. Yesterday’s PET scan was as unpleasant as always, but it will be interesting to see the results a week from Friday. This is my only article today, but expect me back in the saddle tomorrow. Happy Heat Wave Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:18 (average 4:45). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

As much as he botches about China, that’s still where his stuff is made.

Trump* Virus Update:

0729TrumpVirusMap

Click here for interactive map.

US Cases: 4,500,102
US Deaths: 152,388
World Cases: 16,936,005
World Deaths: 664,401
Trump’s Share of World Deaths: 22.9%
US Share of World Population: 4.3%

Short Takes:

From OPB: Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday unveiled coronavirus testing-related metrics the state must meet before schools can reopen, and it became immediately evident that many of the state’s largest school districts will be online-only this fall.

Brown’s announcement was swiftly followed by news from school districts: Portland Public Schools will have online classes only until at least Nov. 5 for all grades. Beaverton School District will be conducting classes online until at least Nov. 13. Salem-Keizer, North Clackamas and Tigard-Tualatin districts will also start the year holding online classes with plans to stay remote until at least late fall.

The list is likely to continue growing.

According to the latest county reopening guidelines announced by the governor, the entire state needs to have a weekly positivity rate of less than 5% for three weeks. The latest statewide positivity rates for COVID-19 tests for the previous three weeks were 5.8%, 5.8% and 4.6%.

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero warned online classes could stretch past November for his district.

“As an educator, I know that there is no true replacement for face-to-face learning and the interaction between a student and a dedicated teacher or staff member,” Guerrero said in a statement. “But our announcement today is in keeping with our highest priority during a global pandemic, which is the health and well being of our students and employees.”

This is how Democrats manage education if the face of Trump’s* Republican plague. Kudos to Kate Brown! Oregon leads the way! RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Dissembling, Defensiveness And Partisanship: AG Barr’s House Hearing

Lying Republican Nazi SOB! Barrf barfed! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday

Kudos to the protestors left-wing protestors! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Personal Update–7/26/2020

Posted by TomCat at 7:25 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 262020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. I’m tired, because I had to get up at 2:00 AM to Republicate. Today’s high is forecast at 105°. It’s a WWWendy day. Expect me to be scarce early next week. I’ll be here tomorrow. Tuesday I’ll be at the hospital most of the day getting another PET Scan. Wednesday is another WWWendy day, plus I’ll be doing the mountain of paperwork to renew my apartment lease. On the 1st I will have been here a year, but there was 120 lbs. more of me, when I moved in. Have a wonderful Sunday.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:17 (average 4:56). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0726TrumpVirusMap

Click for interactive map

US Cases: 4,317,012
US Deaths: 149,403
World Cases: 16,256,472
World Deaths: 649,354
Trump’s* Share of World Deaths: 23%

Trump* will murder his 150,000th plague victim today.

Short Take:

From YouTube (a blast from civil rights): the temptations – ball of confusion

Support Black Lives Matter! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–7/25/2020

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

Jul 252020

It’s a lazy day here in the CatBox. There is not much news that we have not already covered, so this is my only article today. Portland is entering an excessive heat waning with several days over 90° and Sunday and Monday over 100°. Tomorrow please expect no more than a Personal Update or an Open Thread. Tomorrow WWWendy will be here to destink the sweaty TomCat, help with chores, and mega-goop. Have a great weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:06 (average 5:20). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

We got rid of Lyin’ Ryan, but there are many more to flush!

Trump* Virus Update:

0725TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 4,251,024
US Deaths: 148,529
World Cases: 15,998,009
World Deaths: 643,809
Trump’s* Share of World Deaths: 23.1%

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): White House Hijacks CDC Guidelines For School Reopenings

The Republican Reich do not care how many families they murder in their attempts to make life appear normal for electoral purposes. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Trey Crowder Channel): Trae Crowder and Mark Agee on why the Right hates AOC so much – Evening Skews Clip

The Republican Reich hate AOC so much, because she tells the truth! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from civil rights): Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come (Official Lyric Video)

Support Black Lives Matter! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–7/21/2020

Posted by TomCat at 9:56 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

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!!

Open Thread–7/20/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:17 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

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 stations. RESIST!!

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!!

Open Thread–7/19/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:01 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

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:

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!!

Open Thread–7/18/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:38 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

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:

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!!

Open Thread–7/16/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:02 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

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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