{"id":10921,"date":"2013-08-22T01:59:22","date_gmt":"2013-08-22T08:59:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=10921"},"modified":"2013-08-22T01:59:22","modified_gmt":"2013-08-22T08:59:22","slug":"open-thread8222013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2013\/08\/22\/open-thread8222013\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread–8\/22\/2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

Writing for tomorrow, day 69, it\u2019s going to be a scorcher here today and tomorrow.  Tomorrow is also a day for volunteer work in prison, so do not be surprised, if I\u2019m out of it for a day or two afterwards.  <\/font><\/p>\n

Jig Zone Puzzle<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s took me 5:24 (average 6:24).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Short Takes<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

From Alternet<\/a>: <\/font>On Monday, during a panel discussion about the launch of Al Jazeera America,  a Fox News political analyst [Faux Noise delinked<\/em>] explained the channel\u2019s popularity in the Arab world by claiming that most Arabs sympathize with Osama bin Laden\u2019s efforts to kill Americans. <\/p>\n

The Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda is guilty of projection. They are acting as though most Arabs are the ones with Republican blood lust.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Crooks and Liars<\/a>: <\/font>The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence has released an ad using the 911 recordings of the Trayvon Martin shooting as the basis for a visual re-enactment. It is visceral and chilling. I physically recoiled at the point where the shot rang out as if I were standing right beside the woman on the phone\u2026<\/p>\n

…As much as I wish there was a way to make the point without actually having to shock people into getting it, I have to say this ad is effective and right on par with the kind of Shock Doctrine-level pro-gun ads we see from the NRA. It’s about time we started fighting this war on the same battleground instead of pretending the high road will get us there. It won’t, and the NRA wouldn’t bat an eye at running an ad with the same visceral qualities and an opposite message. <\/p>\n

The CSGV has a website<\/a> and a petition<\/a> urging state lawmakers to repeal Stand Your Ground laws. It’s a start.<\/p>\n