{"id":15043,"date":"2015-04-13T14:45:34","date_gmt":"2015-04-13T21:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=15043"},"modified":"2015-04-13T14:45:35","modified_gmt":"2015-04-13T21:45:35","slug":"open-thread4132015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2015\/04\/13\/open-thread4132015\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread–4\/13\/2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now that I\u2019ve finished my personal taxes, I get to do the same for my volunteer group, which involves far less money, but far more paperwork.  I should have done al this a month ago, but took sick right before receiving the reporting forms.  Therefore, today’s articles involve minimal research.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

Today\u2019s took me 3:34 (average 6:48).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

From The New Yorker<\/a>: <\/font>The two major political parties\u2019 unconscionable waste of money officially commences this weekend, as Democrats and Republicans will soon begin spending an estimated five billion dollars of their corporate puppet masters\u2019 assets in an unquenchable pursuit of power.<\/p>\n

The billions, which could be spent rebuilding the nation\u2019s crumbling infrastructure, improving schools, or reducing the scourge of malaria in Africa, will instead be squandered in a heinous free-for-all of slander and personal destruction, alienating voters as never before.<\/p>\n

The media will inevitably focus on the personalities of the bloated roster of narcissists lusting after the White House, but scant attention will be paid to the Wall Street bankers, industrial polluters, and casino magnates whose grip on American democracy will remain vise-like\u2026<\/p>\n

Andy forgot the satire. Everything here is factual.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Daily Kos<\/a>: <\/font>A recurrent fear heard by the Christian right is if gay people are widely accepted, those who disapprove of homosexuality will be shunned and treated just like racists! <\/p>\n

See talking point #4 copied directly from National Organization for Marriage:<\/a><\/p>\n

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\u201cIf courts rule that same-sex marriage is a civil right, then, people like you and me who believe children need moms and dads will be treated like bigots and racists.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This classic is over two years old, but it turned out to be quite correct. Those who hate gays and those who hate blacks are treated exactly alike. They are embraced and supported by the Republican Party.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Upworthy<\/a>: <\/font>Is your community thinking about opening its doors to fracking? Check out this video for some images that might make that decision crystal clear.<\/strong><\/p>\n