Open Thread – 8/23/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:42 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 232020

It’s a crazy Sunday, here in the CatBox. I overslept by over 90 minutes, so that was my AM nap. Have a fine Sunday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:19 (average 4:37). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

Click for Interactive Map

US Cases: 5,844,432
US Deaths: 180,228
Plus all the GOP plague murder victims Republicans are hiding from us.

The Showdown at Chicken Liver Gulch:

Yesterday, there was some hilarity here. At my request WWWendy sautéed and gooped some chicken livers. Now Wendy’s opinion of liver is considerably worse than my opinion of Trump*. It was delicious, and I had some for lunch with guacamole, aka goopamole. I often feed her bites of goopamole, when I eat it, so I did so yesterday. I had teasingly asked her if she’d like a bite of liver to see the strength of her NO! So when I offered her the goopamole, she decided that I was using goopamole to hide the liver underneath. Although I have never done anything mean to her, it took me several minutes to convince her that I would not do such a thing, and she enjoyed the goopamole. In fact, I was so considerate that I gargled with Listerine, so I could hug her goodbye without liver on my breath. It was so good, I had more for breakfast.

Short Takes:

From CNN: Maryanne Trump Barry bitterly criticized her brother, President Donald Trump, saying, “Donald’s out for Donald,” and appeared to confirm her niece Mary Trump’s previous allegations that he had a friend take his SATs to get into college, according to audio excerpts obtained by CNN.

The Washington Post first obtained the previously unreleased transcripts and audio from Mary Trump, author of a recent bombshell book about the President and one of his most outspoken critics. Mary Trump, who has said that Donald Trump is unfit to be president and has voiced support for his rival Joe Biden, revealed to the Post that she had secretly taped 15 hours of face-to-face conversations with Barry in 2018 and 2019.

In one of the conversations revealed by the Post, Trump’s sister called him “cruel.”

Among the some of the more critical comments made by Barry was commenting on how her younger 74-year-old brother operated as president. “His goddamned tweet and lying, oh my God,” she said, according to the recording. “I’m talking too freely, but you know. The change of stories. The lack of preparation. The lying. Holy shit.”

This is nothing new to us, but it might influence those few, who are still on the fence. RESIST!!

From NY Times: Tropical Storms Marco and Laura continued to churn in the Caribbean on Saturday, prompting a wave of warnings and watches for several countries, and leading the governor of Louisiana to declare a state of emergency.

Marco on Saturday was about 110 miles northwest of the western tip of Cuba, with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday night.

Mr. Cline said it was possible that both storms would become hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico as early as Monday. He added that it would be “pretty unusual” and that the last time it happened was in 1933. The last time a hurricane and a tropical storm were both in the Gulf of Mexico was in 1959, he said…[emphasis added]

Note that for the second time, criminal Fuhrer Trump* has stolen FEMA funds to pay for his scams. First, he did so in 2019 to pay for the wall that never happened. Second, he did so to pay for the Unemployment relief that nobody received. I doubt that he will put the money back, even though hurricanes are on the way. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): “He’s Got Bone Spurs” a Roy Zimmerman song parody

So true! Kudos to left wing protestors. RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread – 8/2/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:17 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 022020

It’s a relatively lazy day here in the CatBox, as it’s Sunday, but I am back in the saddle today and tomorrow, before WWWendy comes again on Tuesday. Friday night the built in A/C unit in the CatBox broke down, and I have to offer kudos to Central City Concern for replacing it by 9 AM Saturday morning. May all your Republicans be flushed.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:59 (average 5:52). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0802TrumpVirusMap

Click for interactive map.

US Cases: 4,766,323
US Deaths: 157,924
World Cases: 18,070,640
World Deaths: 689,761
Trump’s Share of World Deaths: 22.9%
US Share of World Population: 4.3%

Short Takes:

From NY Times: The head of the Department of Homeland Security’s intelligence branch was removed from his position after his office compiled reports about protesters and journalists covering the Trump administration’s response to unrest in Portland, Ore., last month.

Brian Murphy, the acting under secretary for intelligence and analysis, was reassigned to a new position in the department after his office disseminated to the law enforcement community “open-source intelligence reports” containing Twitter posts of journalists, noting they had published leaked unclassified documents, according to an administration official familiar with the matter.

What the Republican Reich isn’t saying is that “reassigned” is a code word for “promoted the Nazi asshole”. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Oregonian Channel): Black Lives Matter protests in Portland: Day 65

This is what criminal Fuhrer Trump* calls “terrorist” riots. After 65 straight days, Oregon still leads the way! RESIST!!

From YouTube (Parody Project Channel): FAILED AS THE CHIEF

Wonderful, Don! You have perfectly pegged criminal Fuhrer Trump*, may he rot in prison for life. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): Creedence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son (Official Lyric Video)

The Republican Reich represent only fascist billionaires and corporate criminals. Support left-wing protestors! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–7/22/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:42 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

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!!

Open Thread–7/6/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:26 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 062020

It’s a frustrating day, here in the CatBox. On the plus side, I owed no money to Infernal Revenue oe Oregon Revenue. Something got caught in my esophageal tumor, and I was unable to keep anything down for most of the morning, including my entire breakfast. My palliative care nurse was supposed to visit and has not called. I called, and they don’t have me on the schedule. I’m waiting for a call from a supervisor, because this is the second time their palliative care nurse has stood me up. Tomorrow please expect only a Personal Update from me. I have my appointment at the hospital and will be gone all morning. I will learn the results of the mutation analysis of my tumor. Oh God, it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:04 (average 4:44). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0706TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 2,985,897
US Deaths: 132,610

Short Takes:

From NY Times (Hat-Tip Mitch for referral): After the bruising crises we’re now going through, it would be wonderful if we could somehow emerge a fairer nation. One possibility is to revive an old idea: sharing the profits.

The original idea for businesses to share profits with workers emerged from the tumultuous period when America shifted from farm to factory. In December 1916, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued a report on profit-sharing, suggesting it as a way to reduce the “frequent and often violent disputes” between employers and workers, thereby “fostering the development of a larger spirit of harmony and cooperation, and resulting, incidentally, in greater efficiency and larger gains.”

I fully support this idea. Its egalitarian properties is the reason Republicans oppose it. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Parody Project Channel): STUPIDLY BIGLY – Parody of Eleanor Rigby

Good one, Don! 95% of the stupid people in the US have one thing in common. They are Republican! RESIST!!

From YouTube (NBC News Channel): Trump Goes After Left, Blames China For Coronavirus in July 4th Speech

Barf Bag Alert!!

Note all the lies and the projection. Criminal Fuhrer Trump* compares the Democrats to the monsters that resemble him so well. He calls his rabid Republican Sheeple heroes, but makes no mention of true heroes, the service people Trump* refuses to protect from Russian bounties, because he’s in thrall to Putin [R-RU]. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from Woodstock): Crosby Stills Nash – A Long Time coming – Woodstock 1969

Dedicated to all the people who were at Woodstock, or wanted to be. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–3/9/3020

Posted by TomCat at 9:04 am Open Thread, Politics

Mar 092020

This is my only article today, as I’m going out with my friend in about 2.5 hours, and I still have to eat, dress and get ready to go. I heard from Dr. Nameless this morning on the PET Scan results. I did not know I have liver cancer, until I saw the PET Scan report. Dr. Nameless confirmed that and said that is their primary concern. I have esophageal cancer. You’ve seen the pictures of the tumor. I also have nodules in both lungs. Dr. Nameless found that the cancer has metastasized to my spine at T-11. I thought that the terrible backaches I’ve been having were from spending too much time in my power chair. The report gave no prognosis, so I’ll have to wait until 3/17. Dr. Nameless may correct my oversimplifications. In a word… ARGH! Oh God, it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:29 (average 4:46). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Parody Project Channel): LET IT GO – A Parody

Thanks, Don! We on the left have been willing to coexist and compromise during my adult lifetime, and we still are. However, it is impossible to coexist and compromise with the Republican Reich, because they refuse to coexist and compromise with us. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): I Am a Rock

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread–2/22/2022

Posted by TomCat at 9:55 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 222020

The labs are in, and the news is bad. I do have esophageal cancer, probably in stage III. That gives me a three year survival rate of 32%, with chemo and radiation. The next stage is a nose to knees Pet Scan. So it’s not a happy time in the CatBox. I plan to get our hosting paid at least a couple years in advance and take steps to transfer ownership of Politics Plus to Nameless, Lynn, Joanne and Lona on my passing, so the community here will survive me. I plan to dedicate whatever time I have left to do as much good as I can. I’m very tired. I had an emergency Republicosis run at 1:30 AM. Fortunately, I made it to the throne without accident this time. Tomorrow, please expect no more than an Open Thread. It’s a WWWendy day, and we have lots of extra work, using the new blender to prepare food less likely to get stuck in my tumor. Have a great weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:37 (average 5:10). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From ProPublica: President Donald Trump’s new acting intelligence director, Richard Grenell, used to do consulting work on behalf of an Eastern European oligarch who is now a fugitive and was recently barred from entering the U.S. under anti-corruption sanctions imposed last month by the State Department.

In 2016, Grenell wrote several articles defending the oligarch, a Moldovan politician named Vladimir Plahotniuc, but did not disclose that he was being paid, according to records and interviews. Grenell also did not register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which generally requires people to disclose work in the U.S. on behalf of foreign politicians.

FARA is the same law that Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort and former deputy campaign manager Rick Gates were convicted of violating. (Manafort went to trial. Gates pleaded guilty.)

Although such behavior would disqualify a Democrat, in the Republican Reich, proof of such criminal corruption must be tendered by all applicants seeking employment in high office. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Parody Project Channel): GHOST DONALD IN THE SKY – Parody

Wonderful! May your song be prophetic about the political demise of every Republican politician starting with Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch and continuing beyond Criminal Fuhrer Drumpfenfarten*! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Byrds – “Mr. Tambourine Man” – 5/11/65

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread–1/23/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:46 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 232020

I had a rough day yesterday, My lunch disagreed with my gut, and I threw up several times. Supper was no better. However I was able to keep breakfast down. I want to finish early today, so I can take a partial nap, before Store to Door delivers groceries this afternoon.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:11 (average 6:16). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From NY Times: When President Trump’s impeachment trial opened this week, the Democratic House managers prosecuting the case piled their table high with binders and notepads. Only a few rested on the defense table.

The contrasting amount of material the two legal teams brought into the Senate chamber to support their initial arguments foreshadowed a broader difference in their approaches to the trial.

In its opening days, the House managers have focused on the facts. They are trying to build a clear and coherent story around their theme that the president abused his power — delving into the details, putting up slides to summarize major points, and playing a well-organized selection of video clips of statements by Mr. Trump and by House witnesses.

Eschewing props, the defense team has focused instead on the process. They have used their time to reinforce the House Republican theme that impeachment is a sham and unfair to Mr. Trump — urging the Senate to swiftly dispose of the case without subpoenaing any additional documents or testimony.

Any good lawyer would prefer to present cases based on facts. However, when the factual evidence is completely stacked against them, they argue process to distract frim the factual case. This is why the House Managers are cleaning the Republicans’ clocks. It will probably make no difference to Republican Senators. They are complaining that they are bored, because they don’t want to listen. But another trial is coming in November. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Parody Project Channel): THE TWEET GOES ON – A Parody | The Freedom Toast & Parody Project

Thanks for including The Freedom Toast, Don. Those doctors may search, but they’ll never find one. If Trump* gets his image on the dime, people will be peeing on money. May voters send the entire Republican Reich the way of the Whig Party. RESIST!!

From YouTube (The Late Show Channel): Trump Brags About Obstructing Congress By Withholding Ukraine Evidence

This is typical of Republican criminal Trump*. He often brags about committing crimes at the same time he protests his innocence. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Little Darlin’-The Diamonds-1957

I learned to jitterbug to this tune. Ah… the memories. RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 12/30/2019

Posted by TomCat at 8:44 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 302019

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox, and the year is almost over. How much I have for the rest of the week will depend on two factors: my health and the availability of good material. Oh God it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:28 (average 6:39). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Religious Ecstasy:

1229Broncos16-Raiders15

What a wild finish, with ballsy moves by both teams. It’s a pity that someone had to lose.

Fantasy Football Report:

Here’s the final report of the season from our own fantasy football league.

17Playoffs

Congrats to Vivian, WWWendy, and Patty Monster for winning their games.

Kudos to Vivian, me, and WWWendy for taking the first, second, and third place trophies. I’ll be in touch with our players in late spring/early summer with reminders for what we need to do for next season. In the meantime, we desperately need one or three more players for next season. Colleen? Pat? Anyone? Please?

Thank you all for a great season. We had a blast!

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Parody Project Channel): 24 MONTHS OF TRUMP’S MESS (2017-18) – a New Year Parody

Thanks Don. Frankly, I thing that border wall is a great idea. Build it around Trump*, Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch, pseudo-Christian Pence, Faux Noise, and more! RESIST!!

From YouTube (NBC News Channel): Australians Flee Devastating Wildfires As Thousands Of Koalas Feared Dead

Tears and prayers for our Aussie friends. This is the cost of ignoring climate change! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Abraham. Martin, John & Bobby

This one still brings profound sadness. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

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