Open Thread – 12/2/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:50 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 022020

It’s a hectic say here in the CatBox. Diana will be here momentarily to change my pain patch. (Now, she left over an hour ago.) A couple of you mentioned a Tenz unit, and that is something I discussed with Molly, my PA. Here’s the problem. Someone needs to attach and dethatch the pads several times daily, and since the target location is mid-back, where I cannot reach, I could only use it with a live in caregiver. So that’s out for me. Tomorrow morning WWWendy is coming to destink the TomCat and help with food. It’s also a Store to Door grocery delivery day. Therefore please expect no more than a Personal Update from me. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:28 (average 6:02). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: Appearing on Howie Carr’s show on Newsmax TV, Trump lawyer Joe DiGenova called for the public execution of Chris Krebs for his interview on CBS News’ 60 Minutes Sunday night after explaining in detail what the strategy is for disenfranchising millions of voters who elected Joe Biden.

The plan is pretty simple and utterly ridiculous. Republican governors will just declare the election process corrupt and either decline to send electors or else send a slate of electors for Donald Trump, regardless of the certified outcome of the actual election.

Barf Bag Alert!!

This is typical tactics for the 5th Reich. Many Republicans appear to be rejecting Trump*, but don’t believe them. The crimes he committed were implementing the policies they wanted from him. Now they’re feigning innocence. RESIST!!

From NY Times: Neither Jon Ossoff nor the Rev. Raphael Warnock has endorsed the Green New Deal. But that hasn’t stopped the Sunrise Movement, the activist climate group that champions the sweeping climate change plan, from mobilizing in force for the two Georgia Democrats in their high-stakes runoff races for Senate seats.

The group is aiming to help register 10,000 to 20,000 Georgians who will turn 18 by Jan. 5, the day of the elections. It has people on the ground canvassing and dropping off campaign literature. And while its appeals mention the threat from climate change, it does not present the issue as a litmus test.

“Right now, we’re focused on the bigger picture,” said Shanté Wolfe, who is leading the Sunrise Movement’s work in Georgia. “Our effort is in favor of the greater good.”

The furious efforts in Georgia by the Sunrise Movement and other progressive groups — on behalf of two candidates who do not share their most ambitious policy goals — reflect the urgency that is consuming the Democratic Party’s left flank. Two victories in Georgia would produce a 50-50 tie in the Senate, giving Democrats control of the chamber because Kamala Harris would cast tiebreaking votes as vice president.

I’m pleased to see the progressive left coming to the realization that the centrist-left is a far better choice than the 5th Reich. This is especially true, since wins in those races kick Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch out of the Majority Leader’s chair. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Colbert Late Show Channel): The Biden Family Cat Has Some Lofty Goals

How cool! CAT is where it’s AT. I especially like the part about nuking the dawgs! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast for the planet): To My Old Brown Earth

May we restore the earth to a world that still supports life! RESIST!!

48 Days until the Big FLUSH!!

Video Thread 11/29/2020

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 2:35 pm Open Thread, Politics

Nov 292020

Meidas Touch – GEORGIA

Both Fox News and Kelly Loeffler have now threatened to sue us for this ad so I guess we are doing something right pic.twitter.com/KRPZd3cBhE

— MeidasTouch.com (@MeidasTouch) November 28, 2020

Jon Ossoff – The cafe was a vegan cafe, and Perdue ran a smear ad (apparently Perdue thinks not eating meat is socialist?) which kind of blew up in his face.

Founders Sing – GEORGIA! (A real peach of a parody.)

Trumpty Dumpty Cycle Episode 1 – This just doesn’t get old.

Henri le Chat Noir from Hallowe’en

And now for something completely different

Open Thread – 11/24/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:32 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 242020

It’s a very tired day here in the CatBox. Yesterday’s trip it the Oncologist was a disaster. When we got there, they pulled us back into an examining room. The nurse told us my chart had been flagged that I might have been exposed to Trump* virus and needed to be isolated. They said someone would be “right in” to explain. The assistant I was scheduled to see that is pregnant, and they would not send her into the room with me. Not knowing that, I sat in ever-increasing pain for well over an two hours. Nurses asked occasional questions through the door. They finally determined that the flag must have been in error, and the pregnant assistant came in. She said she didn’t understand what had happened, because they had never seen a chart with that flag before. WWWendy would have been unable to wait the additional three hours, and I was in too much pain to stay, so we rescheduled for next month. The assistant sent me a “my chart” message explaining the mistake. The hospital decided to routinely flag the charts of app patients who have been tested for Trump* virus, but they neglected to inform the Oncology office of that policy. Because my chart was their first time to see the flag, they didn’t know how to handle it. They apologized. I bet Nameless has a collection of similar hospital horror stories. In any event, the pizza is magnificent. Tuesday is Flush Your Republicans Day. Hold that lid tight!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:15 (average 5:29). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From NY Times: President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. plans to name Janet L. Yellen as Treasury secretary, a nomination that would put a woman in charge of the Treasury for the first time in its 231-year history.

The expected appointment came as Mr. Biden moved to fill other top cabinet roles, selecting Alejandro Mayorkas as the first Latino to lead the Department of Homeland Security and Avril Haines as the first woman to be the director of national intelligence.

Mr. Biden is also expected to create a new post of international climate envoy and tap John Kerry, a former secretary of state who was a chief negotiator for the United States on the Paris climate change accord.

In choosing Ms. Yellen, who was also the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve, Mr. Biden is turning to a renowned labor economist at a moment of high unemployment, when millions of Americans remain out of work and the economy continues to struggle from the coronavirus.

Overall, these are good picks, although there are some I would have preferred that are more progressive. I like Yellen, and Kerry is a solid environmentalist. I need to learn more about the others. RESIST!!

From Alternet: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, is expected to step down in the next Congressional session following stark criticism from progressive lawmakers due to her handling of U.S Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination hearings.

Multiple people close to the situation confirmed Feinstein’s plans to Politico, and she later released a statement confirming her intent. Although she will be stepping away from the judiciary committee, she did note that she will be working with the Biden administration and will continue to serve on other committees.

“After serving as the lead Democrat on the Judiciary Committee for four years, I will not seek the chairmanship or ranking member position in the next Congress,” the California Democrat said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to serve as a senior Democrat on the Judiciary, Intelligence, Appropriations and Rules committees as we work with the Biden administration.”

That’s good news for the Judiciary Committee. I’d like to see DINO DiFi head the Senate Washroom committee. RESIST!!

Frio YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Trump Administration Officially Authorizes Biden Transition

This is the best news we’ve heard since Biden passed 270. I think Trump* has actually given up. He is playing at fighting the results at this point, because he’s realized that fight is a far more profitable method of Sheeple-fleecing than Trump U or Trump Steaks ever were. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast for the planet): Bad Moon Rising

They were most prescient to understand so many years ago the climate tragedy we face today. Pray that Kerry’s leadership will help bring Good Moon times. RESIST!!

56 Days Until the Big FLUSH!!

Open Thread – 11/18/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:21 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 182020

It’s a busy day here in the Cat Box, as I expect Molly to arrive before I finish this. That means I miss my morning nap and get a pain increase. When Molly is here, I’ll have to ask her what Lona is like in person. [later: Molly says Lona is at least 80% nice and 10% feisty.] Happy Hump Day to all!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:46 (average 6:42). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Breakfast in the CatBox:

I’ll post an occasional pic so you can see how I’m eating with the stent.

1118Breakfast

Short Takes:

From Common Dreams (Hat-Tip Mitch [ours: not BBMMM]): Taking cues from former Presidents Gerald Ford and Barack Obama—who pardoned or ignored their predecessors’ crimes in the name of national unity and healing—President-elect Joe Biden has privately signaled to advisers that he is unlikely to pursue federal investigations of the Trump administration’s policies and actions, NBC News reported Tuesday.

According to the report, the president-elect has expressed concerns that investigating President Donald Trump or holding members of his administration accountable for wrongdoing would further divide a nation already deeply riven by political tensions, and that focusing on Trump would distract Biden from his forward-looking agenda.

Biden is said to be especially wary of probing Trump’s taxes or trying to undo any immunity the president may grant to his associates during his final weeks in office.

Put simply, one adviser said Biden “just wants to move on.”

“He’s going to be more oriented toward fixing the problems and moving forward than prosecuting them,” another Biden confidant told NBC News.

I do agree that Biden should be more oriented toward “fixing the problems and moving forward”. However, part of fixing the problem is appointing an AG who will do his/her job and prosecute the people responsible for worst crime wave by public officials in our nation’s history. Failure to do so guarantees that we will be moving backward, not forward! RESIST!!

From Alternet: Jesse Barrett, husband of newly confirmed U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, recently said he will continue private practice despite the ethical concerns that may arise due to his wife’s new position.

On the SouthBake Legal website, there is a congratulatory statement to the new Supreme Court justice. It also details what Jesse Barrett’s near future holds.

“SouthBank Legal enthusiastically congratulates Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett on her confirmation to the Supreme Court of the United States,” the statement began.

The statement, which commended Jesse Barrett for his work, also suggested that he will continue private practice.

It later added, “SouthBank Legal also congratulates Justice Barrett’s family, in particular her husband, Jesse. Since joining SouthBank Legal two years ago, Jesse has broadened the firm’s commercial litigation expertise, while building an impressive white-collar defense practice. Like Justice Barrett, Jesse has top-shelf legal ability, a relentless work ethic, and a resolute commitment to his professional obligations. About his practice, Jesse commented, ‘I look forward to continuing to help grow and lead SouthBank Legal’s litigation-related practice groups and serve our clients.'”

Injustice Amy Coney Bullshit ought to recuse in any case the firm of her husband, lord, and master participates, as her pseudo-Catholic cult believes she must decide as he orders. I don’t think she will. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): Georgia Runoffs: How You Can Help Flip the Senate

Of course the Reich on the left, Robert Reich, is right. Both Loffler and Perdue typify the Reich on the right, the Republican Reich. Both govern for personal gain. Both are racist to a Republican extent. I fully agree with Robert’s suggestions! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): We Stand With You

This is a perfect example of how we must all stand together for social justice. RESIST!!

62 Days Until the Big FLUSH!!

Open Thread – 11/12/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:13 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 122020

It’s another Crazy day here in the CatBox. Store to Door is coming to deliver groceries, and I need to put them away. I last texted Nameless yesterday mid day. He was back on BIPAP. I don’t want to disturb his rest, but if I have not heard from him by suppertime, I’ll text him. I hope you all have a great day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:59 (average 4:25). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

That could be either the ear or the brain.

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: By Monday, Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election had been confirmed by every major media outlet, including Fox News, been welcomed by every leader of the G7 along with dozens of other foreign officials, and been celebrated in the streets of every major American city. As it turns out, all those plywood panels nailed up over windows were only there to shield sensitive eyes from just too much dancing.

When it comes to Republicans, the chorus of accolades falls away to more of a barbershop quartet … minus one. Former president George W. Bush spoke up to express his acceptance of Biden’s victory and offer the traditional best wishes for the coming term. Sen. Mitt Romney has sent along his best wishes, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski—keen to make everyone forget how she flip-flop-flipped on Amy Coney Barrett—decided to acknowledge reality. And that is about it.

But if the reaction of the Republicans over the weekend might be best described as crickets, it now seems that many of them have rediscovered their voices. And they’re using them to take up the cause of destroying democracy.

Were we expecting anything else? The only reason Crawford Caligula has taken exception is that Trump’s* political demise ensures Bush’s ability to relinquish the title “worst in US History”. RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: The world is better off without people like Irvin Baxter Jr in it. A hate-mongering homophobe that, like the rest of these televangelists, had become enormously wealthy peddling poison.

Source: Pinknews

Reverend Baxter, founder of Endtime Ministries and host of End of the Age on Christian TV network Trinity Broadcasting Network, died aged 75 on Tuesday (3 November), the network said.

Now we know that for Republican pseudo-Christian (the opposite of REAL Christian) perverts, Trump* Virus is an STD! RESIST!!

From NY Times: President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s transition team is preparing multiple sets of policy proposals for the economy, health care, climate change and other domestic issues, including the ambitious agenda Mr. Biden laid out in his winning campaign, while acknowledging it may have to be pared back in recognition of divided government.

Where the incoming administration lands depends heavily on two Senate runoffs in Georgia in early January.

If Democrats win both races, close aides to Mr. Biden and economists who helped advise his campaign say the president-elect will try to push through a large stimulus plan for the flagging economic recovery — most likely along the lines of the $2.2 trillion that House Democrats approved this fall. His stimulus plan under such a scenario would include hundreds of billions of dollars for state and local governments that have lost tax revenue amid the pandemic recession, extended unemployment benefits for people who lost jobs during the crisis and a new round of aid for small businesses.

His team is also developing a government employment program — called the Public Health Jobs Corps — that would put 100,000 Americans to work on virus testing and contact tracing.

A narrow majority in the Senate would also give Mr. Biden the chance to push through his proposed tax increases on corporations and the rich — tax hikes that would be used to fund the president-elect’s more ambitious plans like rebuilding roads and bridges, speeding the transition to a carbon-free energy sector and helping Americans afford health care.

But if Republicans win even one of the Georgia seats, Mr. Biden will most likely need to settle for a wave of executive actions that would bring more incremental progress toward his policy goals, while trying to cut compromise deals with Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader.

This is why Democratic wins in BOTH races is critically important for America’s future! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Beatles – Revolution

While the overwhelming majority of violence and destruction is perpetrated by Republicans, I reject the tiny bit that comes from the left say they are not welcome in my revolution! This tune could not be more appropriate. RESIST!!

68 Days Until the FLUSH!!

Open Thread – 11/9/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:37 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 092020

It’s another tired day here in the CatBox. I slept so much the night before last and yesterday that I could not sleep last night. Tomorrow morning Molly, my physical therapist, is coming back, and what I get done here depends on how long that takes. Since Trump* is headed for the drain, Woooo Hoooo it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:24 (average 4:23). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Religious Agony:

OK, Turd Birds. You got the win. Now put Ossoff and Warnock in the US Senate. That’s the deal!

Short Takes:

From BBC: The first effective coronavirus vaccine can prevent more than 90% of people from getting Covid-19, a preliminary analysis shows.

The developers – Pfizer and BioNTech – described it as a “great day for science and humanity”.

Their vaccine has been tested on 43,500 people in six countries and no safety concerns have been raised.

The companies plan to apply for emergency approval to use the vaccine by the end of the month.

A vaccine – alongside better treatments – is seen as the best way of getting out of the restrictions that have been imposed on all our lives.

There are around a dozen in the final stages of testing – known as a phase 3 trial – but this is the first to show any results.

It uses a completely experimental approach – that involves injecting part of the virus’s genetic code – in order to train the immune system.

I’m glad to see that Pfizer could get it up. However We’re probably at least a year before they can get it out into widespread distribution. But the biggest step toward getting control of the Trump* Virus plague is getting rid of Trump*. RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: As the 2020 presidential votes are being counted, Georgia has two Senate races headed to a runoff election on Jan. 5, 2021. Nothing less than the majority of the United States Senate is on the line. Jon Ossoff wasted no time kicking off his reenergized campaign as Democrats seem to have some wind at their back in the Peach State.

Go Jon, go! Here at PP, we have a secret weapon to unleash on David “Donnie’s Pet” Perdue. Freya, give him a Saguaro Suppository! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of freedom): Elected

There’s a 70s song that still works! Celebrate!! RESIST!!

71 Days Until the FLUSH!!

Open Thread – 8/12/2020

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

Aug 122020

It’s a relatively comfortable day, here in the CatBox with two days in the 70°s, before the next heat wave builds to a 100°+ weekend. WWWendy and WWKristin returned safely and happy, albeit sunburned. They return your greetings and kind wishes. Tomorrow I may have no more than as Personal Update or an Open Thread. It’s a WWWendy day, but I won’t know when she’s coming until after she gets her work schedule later today. It’s also a grocery delivery day. Happy Hump Day to all!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:04 (average 5:15). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0812TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 5,309,622
US Deaths: 167,789

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: In a rare instance of praising one of his White House predecessors, Donald J. Trump on Tuesday hailed Woodrow Wilson for opposing efforts to institute online learning during the 1918 pandemic.

“There were a lot of crybabies in 1918 saying, ‘The schools aren’t safe—let the kids learn on their computers,’ ” Trump told reporters at the White House. “Woody wouldn’t hear of it.”

Instead, Trump said, “Kids went to school and the influenza just kind of disappeared eventually. Woody did a fantastic job.”

Dang, Andy! Are you sure he didn’t praise Wilson because of his overt racism and KKK support? RESIST!!

From Alternet: Remember when political reporters crowed about what a masterful play Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had made when he lined up his caucus to acquit Donald Trump without hearing from a single witness? Yeah, that acquittal came on February 6 when U.S. senators were already getting briefed on the seriousness of the coronavirus’ spread abroad.

But Senate Republicans, led by McConnell, fell all over themselves to make sure Trump was at the helm when the pandemic hit U.S. shores. Now, what once looked like a promising cycle for Senate Republicans has turned entirely treacherous precisely because the caucus is saddled with Trump as their standard bearer.

Politico reports the party is directing nearly its entire $100 million war chest at saving the seats of eight incumbent senators while the few GOP candidates aiming to defeat a Democrat have been left almost entirely to their own devices. With the exception of funneling a little money into the effort to defeat Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in Alabama, they simply don’t have the resources to play offense.

The seat of Democratic Sen. Gary Peters from Michigan, for instance, once seemed like a flippable seat. But as Trump has tanked in the state and Joe Biden is presently positioned very well there, Senate Republicans have left Republican candidate John James to fend for himself.

Instead, GOP groups, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the McConnell-aligned Senate Leadership Fund have been trying to bolster their defenses in Georgia, Iowa, and Montana—three states that weren’t even on the radar as potential Democratic pick ups when the cycle started.

I wonder how much of that money is going to help Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch. This shows how desperate the Republican Reich has become. May all their efforts fail! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): Noodle Muffin’s “Morning in America” Music Video

Under Trump*, we are mourning in America! Kudos to left-wing protestors! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Russia Intervenes for Trump*!

Posted by TomCat at 10:37 am Politics

Aug 082020

It’s official. Criminal Fuhrer Trump* and Vladimir Putin [R-RU] are teaming-up in an attempt to steal the 2020 election the way they did in 2016. Republican Senators have joined the effort.

Russia is using a range of techniques to denigrate Joseph R. Biden Jr., American intelligence officials said Friday in their first public assessment that Moscow continues to try to interfere in the 2020 campaign to help President Trump.

At the same time, the officials said China preferred that Mr. Trump be defeated in November and was weighing whether to take more aggressive action in the election.

But officials briefed on the intelligence said that Russia was the far graver, and more immediate, threat. While China seeks to gain influence in American politics, its leaders have not yet decided to wade directly into the presidential contest, however much they may dislike Mr. Trump, the officials said.

The assessment, included in a statement released by William R. Evanina, the director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, suggested the intelligence community was treading carefully, reflecting the political heat generated by previous findings…. [emphasis added]

Inserted from <NY Times>

Rep. Schiff on MSNBC: Trump Puts Friendship with Putin Over National Security

As long as criminal Fuhrer Trump*, aka Putin’s Piddle Pervert, fears the release of the pee-pee tapes, Daddy Vladdy [R-RU] will do all he can to keep his bitch* (apologies to female dawgs) in power.

Here’s coverage of the Senators, who are betraying America!

…Meanwhile, Senate Republicans on the Homeland Security Committee are holding hearings in an attempt to substantiate this charge — or, more realistically, to insinuate it. They have produced no evidence to advance their charge. The Russians have given Republicans stolen tapes of secret conversations Biden held with Ukrainians during his tenure as vice-president, and pro-Trump media outlets have hyped up the material, but nothing they have is inconsistent with the narrative that mainstream news organizations found. Biden was working to clean up Ukraine.

Senate Republicans tried to be cagey about their activities. After pro-Russian Ukrainians said they’d passed materials on to Republican officials, a Johnson staffer told NBC News in July that it was “‘false’ the committee has received any ‘oppo,’ or opposition research, without responding directly to whether that covers any materials from foreign sources.”

The Washington Post reported that Homeland Security Committee chairman Ron Johnson received secret documents from Ukrainians. And former Giuliani associate Lev Parnas has confessed to putting Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee and perhaps Trump’s most energetic defender on all things Russia, in touch with one of the Ukrainians releasing documents in the United States.

There is hardly any secret to what they’re up to. Johnson says he plans to release his report on Biden in September. It hardly matters if the information Russia gives him actually substantiates his allegations, or even whether it is authentic. The obvious plan is to splash some headlines into news screens in the heat of the campaign that seem to connect Biden to some kind of wrongdoing.

In reality, it is not a scandal about Biden at all. It’s a scandal about Republican cooperation with a Russian propaganda campaign…. [emphasis added]