Open Thread – 10/13/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:03 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Oct 132020

It’s another crazy day, here in the CatBox. WWWendy is coming a day early tomorrow to de-stink the TomCat and semi-goop, since she can’t come Thursday, her regular day. (Diana comes Thursday morning to change my patch.) I don’t know what time tomorrow WWWendy is coming, so I’m planning a Personal Update day, but that’s still uncertain. It’s Tuesday, so please remember to Flush Your Republicans.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:13 (average 5:04). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

Click for interactive maps and charts

US Cases: 8,038,543
US Deaths: 220,027
Plus all the Trump*/GOP plague murders Republicans are hiding from us

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: Furball Fables calls on all of us to Purrsist and Vote!

CAT is where it’s AT, but all true authentic CATS are DemoCATS! RESIST!!

From Common Dreams (Hat-Tip Mitch [ours, not BBMM]): California’s top election official is investigating reports that the state’s Republican Party has set up unauthorized ballot drop boxes posing as “official” in several major counties, an illegal practice that could deceive voters into depositing their ballots at unsecure locations.

“Operating unofficial ballot drop boxes—especially those misrepresented as official drop boxes—is not just misleading to voters, it’s a violation of state law,” California Secretary of State Alex Padilla said in a statement responding to reports of unauthorized ballot drop boxes in Fresno, Los Angeles, and Orange counties

As the local Orange County Register reported late Sunday, “In a photo posted to social media last week, a young man wearing a mask with Orange County congressional candidate Michelle Steel’s name on it is holding a mail ballot and giving a thumbs up next to a box about the size of a file cabinet labeled ‘Official ballot drop off box.'”

“The post, from Jordan Tygh, a regional field director for the California Republican Party, encouraged people to message him for ‘convenient locations’ to drop their own ballots,” the Register reported.

That was just one of several instances of potentially illegal election activity by Republican officials that has been reported in recent days. On Saturday night, the Register noted, reports emerged of “a metal box in front of Freedom’s Way Baptist Church in Castaic that had a sign matching the one on the Orange County box.”

Although voter fraud is still extremely rare, Republicans are still working overtime to find a successful way to do so. Why have they not succeeded? Because Sheeple are stupid. And why have Democrats not succeeded? Because they aren’t trying! RESIST!!

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

Ah… the memories! Protest like the 60s! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread – 10/11/2020

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

Oct 112020

It’s still a tired day here in the CatBox, even though I feel much better after some much needed rest. I had an egg burrito for breakfast with apple juice and yogurt. Today is also a Holy Day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb. I’ll be on light-meditation, as my Broncos have a bye week. Tomorrow please expect no more than a Personal Update. It’s a morning WWWendy Day, complete with TomCat de-stinking and semi-gooping. Have a fine Sunday.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:26 (average 5:51). To do click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Republicans suck Koch, dead or alive!

Trump* Virus Update:

1011TrumpVirusMap

Click for several interactive maps and charts

US Cases: 7,947,549
US Deaths: 219,296
Plus all the Trump*/GOP murders Republicans are hiding from us

Short Takes:

From Alternet: On Friday night, Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham debated his Democratic challenger Jamie Harrison virtually because Graham refused to submit to a COVID-19 test.

As a result, both Graham and Harrison were separately asked debate questions. And on a question about whether he’d met with leaders of the Black Lives Matter Movement, Graham said in part, “I care about everybody. If you’re a young African-American, an immigrant, you can go anywhere in this state, you just need to be conservative, not liberal.”

The context of Graham’s horrid sound bite was that anyone can have a safe and secure political career in the state regardless of skin color as long as they’re conservative. “You can be an African-American and go to the Senate, you just have to share the values of our state,” he said earlier in his response, but his aforementioned closing line seemed to make the Black female moderator stammer as she moved onto the next question.

Like his Fuhrer, Lindsey Poo just loves those darkies, as long as they hold their porch lamps and call him, “Massa!” RESIST!!

From YouTube (SNL Channel): VP Fly Debate Cold Open

I afraid they lost all credibility when Vise Resident pseudo-sphincter said, “I yield the balance of my time.” Hell! Pence wouldn’t even yield the balance of Kamala’s time to Kamala! RESIST!!

From From YouTube (just a blast): The Hunts – Start Again

I just heard this and liked it. Protest like the 60s! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread – 10/8/2020

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

Oct 082020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. Last Night I caught most of the slaughter. Today is a grocery delivery day, and I have to put them away. Tomorrow, please expect no more than a Personal Update, because it’s a morning WWWendy day. Today, here is a special treat from Mitch (ours, not Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow).

My wife and I went into town and visited a shop. When we came out, there was a cop writing out a parking ticket.

We went up to him and said, “Come on man, how about giving a senior citizen a break?”

He ignored us and continued writing the ticket. I called him an “asshole.” He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn-out tires. So, Shirley, my wife, called him a “shithead.” He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first. This went on for about 20 minutes. The more we abused him, the more tickets he wrote. He finally finished, sneered at us and walked away.

Just then our bus arrived, and we got on it and went home.

We always look for cars with Trump 2020 stickers. We try to have a little fun each day now that we’re retired. It’s so important at our age.

The one change I’d make is to pee in the gas tank before leaving!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:30 (average 5:04). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

1008TrumpVirusMap

Click for interactive maps and charts

US Cases: 7,780,586
US Deaths: 216,889
Plus all the Trump*/GOP plague murders Republicans are hiding from us

Debate Summary:

What Pence said over and over: “You have a right to your own opinion, but not to your own facts! [Insert Lie Here]”

What Pence did over and over: Interrupt and hog the mic.

What the moderator should have said: “Pence, you asshole, Shut the F*CK UP!“

What Harris did: WIN!

Short Takes:

From NY Times: President Trump claimed on Wednesday that catching the coronavirus was “a blessing from God” and portrayed as a miracle cure the unproven therapeutic drug he was given after testing positive last week for the virus.

It could not have been a blessing from God. If it had, She would have made it a terminal illness. RESIST!!

From CNN: President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will not participate in the second presidential debate with Joe Biden after the Commission on Presidential Debates said the event will be held virtually in the wake of the President’s positive coronavirus diagnosis.

“I am not going to do a virtual debate,” Trump said on Fox Business. “I am not going to waste my time on a virtual debate.”

Biden’s campaign on Thursday swiftly agreed to the virtual format. But Trump’s comment throws the debate into question after the commission took the significant step to wholly remake the event. The move was seen as needed by members of the debate commission given the uncertainty around the President’s health.

Politically, if Trump skips the debate, he’ll be deprived of a platform that he needs at a time when his campaign is trailing in every national poll and in a number of key swing states. The first event was watched by more than 73 million people.

Why would Trump* do this? At a virtual debate, the moderator could unplug Trump’s* mic, when he bullies/interrupts the way he and Mr. Karen did during the first two debates. RESIST!!

From You Tube (a blast of protest): The Cranberries – Zombie (Official Music Video)

Ten years ago the Cranberries wondered what would be left of America after 2020. Criminal Fuhrer Trump wants to rule a nation of zombies! Protest like the 60s! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread – 10/7/2020

Posted by TomCat at 12:05 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Oct 072020

It’s a very tired day, here in the CatBox. WWWendy and I got home safely last night, after my infusion. We are scheduling another infusion, which we may cancel. In around three weeks I’ll have a CAT-Scan or a PET-Scan to judge whether the immunotherapy is working and go from there. I did research early this morning and took a long nap. I’m ready to go back to bed. Tomorrow is a grocery delivery day. This evening I plan to try to stay up to watch the slaughter. You guys had better do so too, in case I don’t make it. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:31 (average 5:29). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

Click for interactive maps and charts

US Cases: 7,726,635
US Deaths: 215,915
Plus all the Trump*/GOP plague murders Republicans are hiding from us

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Mike Pence said that he was “extremely grateful” that the organizers of Wednesday night’s Vice-Presidential debate would be providing a plexiglass shield to protect him from a woman.

Speaking to reporters, Pence said that the Commission on Presidential Debates had taken “appropriate measures” to shield him from exposure to a female during the Salt Lake City face-off.

“I’ve read all the relevant literature, and from what I’ve learned a plexiglass shield provides adequate protection from a woman,” he said. “Knowing that this barrier exists between me and a member of the opposite sex, I feel comfortable about moving forward with the debate.”

Dang, Andy! Nothing can protect that lying Nazi pseudo-Christian! Kamala is going to tear Mr. Karen a new sphincter! RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): List Of Positive Covid Cases At White House Grows At Alarming Rate

I know I don’t need to ask, but who is the super-spreader? RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Pink Floyd – Another Brick In The Wall (HQ)

Ah… the memories! We want schools to teach kids HOW to think! Republicans want schools to teach kids WHAT to think! Protest like the 60s! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Video Thread 10/6/2020

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 3:09 pm Politics

Oct 062020

Yesterday in history – Oct. 5, 1988

From the Biden campaign – no CC, but about Joe saving lives by getting funding for mine resistant vehicles

Sound and Fury Messaging – very short but right to the point.

Two from The Lincoln Project

Get ready to snicker …

“Do you know what a secret de polichinelle is?” – Hercule Poirot. It is a ‘secret” which is known to all. No one ever talks about it, so anyone who for some reason doesn’t know it, never learns it.

Supreme Court petition updates
Daily Kos (new wording)
Daily Kos (Voting Rights)

UPDATE: Yes, I know Keith Olbermann returns to politics tomorrow (October 7), and yes, I will be featuring him – if I am too late on any given day, i will catch up the next.

Open Thread – 10/5/2020

Posted by TomCat at 9:35 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Oct 052020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. Diana is coming this morning to check on me, so as long as I have to be up, here is a full Open Thread. Tomorrow please expect only a minimal Personal Update. I go to the hospital tomorrow afternoon for my next infusion. I’ll take the TriMet Lift Bus to the Hospital. WWWendy will get me home between 6:00 and 6:30, after which we have a full WWWendy day to do. Therefore it’s likely that I’ll be too tired on Wednesday to do much then either. Oh God, it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:14 (average 5:00). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

US Cases: 7,639,211
US Deaths: 214,635
Plus all the Trump*/GOP plague murders Republicans are hiding from us

Short Takes:

From Alternet: The case for Medicare for All was once again made by the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, Sen. Ed Markey tweeted on Sunday, after Republican politicians were able to check themselves into hospitals shortly after announcing they had tested positive for Covid-19.

Markey noted that throughout the coronavirus pandemic, in which more than 7.4 million cases have been detected and more than 209,000 people in the U.S. have died, people have attempted to get care at hospitals after testing positive and showing worsening symptoms, only to be turned away and “told only to come back when they could not breathe.”

“Now politicians are checking into hospitals as a ‘precaution.’ Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege,” Markey wrote. “We need Medicare for All.”

The senator’s statement came a day after former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a member of the president’s debate prep team this past week, announced he was checking himself into Morristown Medical Center after testing positive on Saturday.

“While I am feeling good and only have mild symptoms, due to my history of asthma we decided this is an important precautionary measure,” Christie tweeted.

This is so typical of RepubliCare, the Republican replacement for ObamaCare. Rich Republicans get care. The rest of us get the RepubliCare Death Benefit. We get to die. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Parody Project Channel): END OF THE WORLD – a Parody

Wonderful, as always, Don! Unless Trump* and the entire Republican Reich are relegated to oblivion, it will be the end of the world… period! RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Questions And Confusion Remain Over Trump’s Health

I have no doubt that if Trump* virus kills criminal Fuhrer Trump*, his doctors, the White House staff, and Trump* will all lie about it. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Slow Ride- Foghat (Full Version)

Ah… the memories! Protest like the 60s! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread – 9/29/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:20 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Sep 292020

It’s a tired day, here in the CatBox. I’m hoping to feel up to an Open Thread tomorrow. Tuesday is Flush your Republicans Day. Put them on the first floor of a two floor outhouse, or make like the dawg (see below).

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:08 (average 5:51). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

Click for interactive maps

US Cases: 7,365,427
US Deaths: 209,922
Plus all the GOP murders Republicans are hiding from us

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): Trump Tax Returns: 10 Things You Need to Know

Of course the Reich on the Left, Robert Reich, is right. All ten are spot-on! The Reich on the Right, the Republican Reich, could not have picked a Fuhrer more representative of who they are! RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Could Trump go to jail over his taxes? Watergate prosecutor weighs in

This is why Trump* is so desperate to steal the White House again. It’s his only chance avoid spending the rest of his life in prison. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video Remastered)

Ah… the memories! Protest like the 60s! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread – 9/27/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:29 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Sep 272020

It’s a very busy WWWendy day here in the CatBox. This is my only article today. Tomorrow I have my Trump* virus test, and Diana should be here slightly after I get home, so please expect no more than a Personal Update tomorrow. This Sunday, may the Lord keep Resident Donald Trump*… from destroying the country before we can put him in a cell.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:10 (average 4:35). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0927TrumpVirusMap

Click for interactive maps and charts

US Cases: 7,290,347
US Deaths: 209,208
Plus all the Trump* virus murders Republicans are hiding from us

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: A hair-raising article in Bellingcat details what has been learned from chat logs of the Patriot Coalition of Oregon, thanks to an Antifa infiltrator. Journalists Robert Evans and Jason Wilson describe the group as part of a growing network “increasingly organizing around direct physical confrontations with leftist protesters in Portland and other American cities.”

The leaked chat logs appear to reveal that some members of the Patriot Coalition have taken part in multiple violent rallies throughout the summer, and that they claim to have operated a series of vigilante patrols and checkpoints during the Oregon wildfires. While the chats appear to show they work and fight alongside members of extremist groups like the Proud Boys, American Wolf and 1776 2.0, the Patriot Coalition seems to have no coherent ideology beyond a desire to violently confront leftists in the name of the police and President Trump. A user identified as Paige summed up the general feelings of the group in a post made ahead of a what turned out to be a bloody ‘Back the Blue’ rally on August 22nd in Portland when she wrote: “I’m waiting for the presidential go to start open firing.”

…

Patriot Coalition members regularly declare Democratic politicians to be “Antifa” and thus fair targets for violence.

…

Discussions of violence in the Patriot Coalition group chat are not hypothetical. While some individuals are likely grandstanding, the chat logs show members gearing up for a number of events where very real violence occurred.

On August 22nd more than 300 heavily armed right-wing demonstrators rallied in downtown Portland for what was, nominally, a rally supporting the police. Yet the situation quickly degenerated into a mass brawl, with numerous injuries (including to one of the authors of this article).

Those events reflected the plans that Patriot Coalition had made. In the lead up, members discussed acquiring paintball guns and freezing their ammunition for maximum damage.

One of the many, many horrifying comments obtained from the group reads, “The only real way to end it is start shooting everyone of them. Fists and pepper spray are fun but don’t get the job done. I think sooner or later it’s coming. Our governor and the coward mayor of Portland will let it go on till November. If we don’t take care of it ourselves. Then there’s the whole prison thing I don’t quite like. So your damned if do damned if you don’t.”

Click through. The rest is too important to miss. What these Republican terrorists are doing in my town today, they shall do in your town tomorrow. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Elizabeth Warren Channel): Elizabeth Warren Responds to Donald Trump’s Supreme Court Pick

Liz could not be more spot-on. Every Republican in power is one Republican too many! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama

Ah… the memories! Protest like the 60s! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

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