Primary Update–3/11/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:01 am Politics

Mar 112020

Yesterday, there were Democratic primaries in Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and Washington. It was a very good night for Joe Biden, and sadly, a very bad night for Bernie Sanders. Unless he can turn it around quickly and dramatically, a VERY tall order, it’s over.

Joe Biden is marching to the Democratic presidential nomination.

The former vice president handily defeated Bernie Sanders on Tuesday in Michigan’s primary — halting the Vermont senator’s hopes of a comeback in the state where he’d stunned Hillary Clinton four years ago.

Biden also notched massive wins in Idaho, Mississippi and Missouri. Sanders won in North Dakota. Washington hadn’t been called yet, but as of Wednesday morning, Biden was in a tight race there with Sanders, another state Sanders needed to win.

Tuesday marked a clear turning point in the Democratic race. Biden is building a powerful coalition of African Americans, suburbanites and rural white voters who previously backed Sanders, while Sanders is failing to produce the electorate-changing turnout of young voters that he’s promised. Democratic figures, from one-time 2020 candidate Andrew Yang to the party’s biggest super PAC, Priorities USA, lined up behind Biden after his Michigan win.

Biden and Sanders are scheduled to debate Sunday night in Arizona. But Sanders is entering a brutal stretch, with primaries next week in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio — all states he lost in 2016. There’s also the reality that coronavirus could crowd Sanders out of national headlines and make it impossible for him to leverage something that separates him from Biden: his ability to turn out massive crowds at rallies. It all makes a comeback even more difficult… [emphasis added]

Inserted from CNN:

Here is the delegate count, as of early this morning.

Democratic Pledged Delegate Count
	Sanders	Biden
Iowa	12	6
New Hampshire	9	0
Nevada	24	9
South Carolina	15	39
Alabama	8	44
American Samoa	0	0
Arkansas	9	17
California	186	150
Colorado	20	12
Maine	9	11
Massachusetts	29	37
Minnesota	27	38
North Carolina	37	67
Oklahoma	13	21
Tennessee	19	33
Texas	111	102
Vermont	11	5
Virginia	31	66
Utah	13	a
Democrats Abroad	0	0
Idaho	11	9
Michigan	51	71
Mississippi	2	29
Missouri	23	40
North Dakota	5	3
Washington	17	17
Totals	692	826

How Joe Biden’s wins differ from Hillary Clinton’s in 2016

Credit where credit is due. Joe has built his coalition well beyond Hillary’s in 2016.

With Biden’s Big Wins, What’s Next For Sanders?

This is not the news I wanted to hear, but I have to admit that it looks mighty bleak for Bernie. As I see it, his only hope is a overwhelming win in Sunday’s debate. If Joe does win the nomination and wants to unify the party, he needs to choose a progressive running mate, preferably a woman, ideally a non-white progressive woman. I’d love AOC, but it won’t happen in my lifetime.

RESIST!!

Open Thread–3/11/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 112020

It’s a difficult day here in the CatBox. I was able to keep my serving of strawberries and cream instant oatmeal down this morning, but I have a lot of back pain. Tonight, WWWendy comes to de-stink the TomCat and help with chores. For some reason, my shower chair really exacerbates my back pain. I have a few Oxycodone left. I’ll take one when she gets here. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:09 (average 4:43). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0311TrumpVirus

Short Takes:

From Alternet: Critics are denouncing as ‘corporate socialism’ the Trump administration’s reported consideration to offer oil and gas companies in the U.S. fracking industry a massive bailout amid a drop in prices that comes amid the global coronavirus outbreak.

“Corporate socialists seek welfare from Trump administration,” tweeted journalist David Cay Johnson, in response to reporting by the Washington Post on Tuesday.

According to the Post, the administration is looking to bail out the fracking sector due to its instability in the wake of the ongoing financial downturn:

White House officials are alarmed at the prospect that numerous shale companies, many of them deep in debt, could be driven out of business if the downturn in oil prices turns into a prolonged crisis for the industry. The federal assistance is likely to take the form of low-interest government loans to the shale companies, whose lines of credit to major financial institutions have been choked off, three people said.

I fully agree with one caveat. Bailouts for the worst mother fracking corporate criminals is not corporate socialism. It is Republican National Socialism. RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: Always nice to see the fair and balanced (and not completely deranged) hosts of Fox News, or in this case, Fox Business News, working on behalf of Dear Leader. Trish Regan’s monologue was called the “coronavirus impeachment scam.” I suppose none of which should be in any way surprising, as Fox News and its bizarre offspring, Fox Business News, exist to prop up this failed and inept president, even at the expense of public health and safety.

Barf Bag Alert!!

The Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda, Faux Noise, are so full of shit that their Nazi blue eyes are turning brown. This Republican disinformation will kill people. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): the beach boys – fun, fun, fun

I occasionally dated a gal with a 1957 T-Bird 2 seat convertible (LOVED that car!!). Friends and I used to sing and play this tune to her to tease her. Ah… the memories. RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Trump* Virus Tanks Economy!

Posted by TomCat at 10:58 am Politics

Mar 102020

I trust that you know by now that the bottom is falling out of the stock market, and Republican welfare billionaires are freaking out. Trump* tanked the economy for rest of us long ago. This will make our economy even worse, but Trump and the Republican Reich don’t care if we live or die. But they care about their billionaires, and they fear that this Republican Recession will hurt them the way it did when they tanked the economy in 2008.

The fast-spreading coronavirus and a plunge in oil prices set off a chain reaction in financial markets on Monday, a self-perpetuating downward cycle that could inflict serious harm on the global economy.

What started last month as unease about a potential economic slowdown in China has evolved into a borderline panic, with the S&P 500 on Monday crashing nearly 8 percent. The mayhem is threatening to roil the underlying global financial system and the abilities of companies large and small to survive a potential economic monsoon — a downward spiral that is fed and intensified by these destructive forces.

The odds of such a storm grew after an unexpected fight between Russia and Saudi Arabia. After failing to reach an agreement about how much oil to produce and sell on international markets, Saudi Arabia announced it would quickly ramp up production.

Oil prices had been falling as investors fretted about a possible recession. On Monday, they plummeted over 20 percent — the sharpest decline since the first Persian Gulf war. [emphasis added]

Inserted from <NY Times>
Graph credit: Know Your Meme

Trump Faces Huge Leadership Crisis Over Coronavirus And The Economy

Payroll tax cut? That’s only temporary, and the suckers will have to pay it back on 4/15. This fool* wants people to go out into crowded stores and get infected. Will Goose-step Gohmert infect the Republican Reich in Congress?

Dow logs biggest point-drop in history as stocks tumble

The announcer said that, if it wasn’t the Trump* virus, it would have been something else. I agree. Two great minds said that Trump would tank the economy. In July, 2019, Elizabeth Warren said so. In November, 2016, I said so. Great minds clearly fell in the same ditch!

RESIST!!

Open Thread–3/10/2020

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

Mar 102020

It’s a difficult day here in the CatBox. I get topo impatient to spend 90 – 120 minutes eating a meal, and I eat too much too fast. As a result, it took me 210 minutes to eat breakfast, half of it ended up in the sink, and I have severe heartburn. On the plus side, I enjoyed my time with my friend yesterday. For news on my cancer, see yesterday’s Open thread, if you missed it.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:24 (average 4:31). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Irate passengers who have been stranded onboard the Grand Princess cruise ship are demanding to be housed at Mar-a-Lago, the passengers confirmed on Monday.

Frustrated by the Trump Administration’s delay in devising a plan to enable them to disembark, the nearly three thousand coronavirus-exposed passengers said that it was “only fair” that Trump welcome them to his Palm Beach home.

“Donald Trump keeps on saying that he’s not worried about coronavirus,” the passengers’ spokesman said. “Then he shouldn’t object to three thousand of us living with him.”

Andy, I’ll agree under two conditions. First, only people who have tested positive should go. Second, if Trump* is not there, they should be taken to wherever he is. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): Robert Reich: Will Donald Trump Get Reelected?

Sadly, the Reich on the left, Robert Reich, is right. There’s nothing too dishonest, despicable, or deplorable for the Reich on the right, the Republican Reich, and their Russian allies, to do to keep their criminal Fuhrer Trump* in power. We must unite behind whoever wins the Democratic nomination and flush the Fascist Republican Reich to oblivion! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Ode to Billie Joe – Bobbie Gentry (BBC Live 1968)

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

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–3/8/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:38 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 082020

It’s a busy tired day here in the CatBox. I sproinged ahead and may recover this month. WWWendy will be here shortly. Have a great day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:45 (average 7:10). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoons:

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: Say what you want about him but the guy sure does know how to hire an advertising team!

I hated his candidacy, but surely like his desire to flush criminal Fuhrer Trump*. RESIST!!

From YouTube (SNL Channel): The Ingraham Angle Coronavirus Cold Open

Kate McKinnon is amazing. She does a more accurate Ingraham than the real bimbo on the Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda, Faux Noise! The real Don, Jr. probably has the hots for the real Ingraham. His taste is as bad as his father. As bad as Matthews, is, I don’t think he’ll ever descend to Faux Noise. Kudos to Liz for her wonderful sense of humor! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Jumpin’ Jack Flash　－　The Rolling Stones

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Bill Maher from 3/6

Posted by TomCat at 9:41 am Politics

Mar 072020

It’s that time of week again, so here are three video clips, from Bill’s show last night, two of which I liked. Enjoy!

Monologue: Panic! At The Costco

Trump* virus, the best name for COVID-19, is too dangerous to visit Disneyland. Donald Trump*, MD… Does MD stand for maniac dingbat? Bernie’s young voters, that didn’t show up, should be ashamed, as should Democratic voters of any age for any candidate that don’t show up!

Brian Cox

Brian, an excellent actor. He also played the part of Hannibal Lector. That should qualify him for the lead in a Trump* biopic. I agree with him on Scottish secession, because the Brexit Bridiots, England’s version of Republicans, have ruined England. I’m sot surprised he’s a social democrat. Kudos. His observation that Bernie and Jeremy Corbin have good policies that they lack the charisma to sell is most interesting. However, Bernie has more than Jeremy.

New Rule: Take the Money and Run

I could not disagree more that Democrats should take the money from $billionaires and run. That money has a steep price. We need of appoint Supreme Court Justices who will follow the Constitution, and fix campaign finance law to outlaw cheating by $billionaires! Corporations are NOT people! Money is NOT speech!

Except for Bill’s corporatist thinking in the New Rule, it was a great show!

RESIST!!

Open Thread–3/7/2020

Posted by TomCat at 9:40 am Open Thread, Politics

Mar 072020

It’s a hectic day here in the CatBox. I had trouble holding my supper down last night, but it was my fault. I became distracted by the news on TV and ate too much too fast. That will do me in every time. I received the results from my PET Scan last night, but I could not understand a damn thing about what they mean. Therefore I sent them to Dr. Nameless in email, and hopefully he can tell us more. Please expect short days from me on both Sunday and Monday. Tomorrow is a WWWendy day, with all the attendant de-stinking and chores. On Monday, I’m going out for a drive with Sandi, a good friend for 35 years with whom I have made hundreds of trips to the prison for volunteer work. She is also a cancer survivor. I should be fully back in the saddle on Tuesday. Have a wonderful weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:15 (average 4:56). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

They are building a National Socialist Reich to do that very thing!

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Trump Praises Coronavirus Response As Cases Rack Up And Markets Spiral

Criminal Fuhrer* Trump and the Republican Reich don’t give a damn about the 3,500 Americans trapped on that ship. He only cares about keeping his “numbers” low. Earth to asshole… come in! Your numbers are going way up, anyway. But he told the truth about one thing: that he should have become a medical expert instead of running for President. AMEN! If only he had done ANYTHING, other than running for President! RESIST!!

From The New Yorker: Senator Susan Collins, of Maine, has not decided whether she will wash her hands in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Collins confirmed on Friday.

Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, Collins said that she was “deeply troubled” by the behavior of the covid-19 virus.

“The behavior of the coronavirus is, to me, profoundly disturbing,” she said. “Whether it rises to the level of something I should respond to by washing my hands is a question I am devoting a great deal of thought to right now.”

Dang, Andy, I have an idea! Until she makes up her mind, she should go live on the cruise ship her criminal Fuhrer Trump* refuses to rescue. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Three Dog Night “One”

Ah… the memories. RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

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