{"id":15388,"date":"2015-06-07T08:38:07","date_gmt":"2015-06-07T15:38:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=15388"},"modified":"2015-06-07T08:38:07","modified_gmt":"2015-06-07T15:38:07","slug":"open-thread672015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2015\/06\/07\/open-thread672015\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread–6\/7\/2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a forecast high of 92\u00b0 and high humidity, I need to get my kitty sun basking in early, before it gets too hot.  The hallways of this building are still so hot, even in the early AM, that I cannot open the door to cook without losing the AC, so it\u2019s lunchmeats and microwaveables today.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

Today\u2019s took me 3:37 (average 5:52).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

From Daily Kos<\/a> (Classic: 1\/2015): <\/font>American Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys<\/a> are disgusted that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker chose to use their music for his intro at the Iowa Freedom Summit Saturday.<\/a><\/p>\n

They’re especially peeved because this isn’t the first time Walker or his "cronies" have used Dropkick Murphys’ music at a political event.<\/p>\n

\"0607Dropkick\"<\/p>\n

I’m not a punk fan, but I sure give them kudos for their reaction to the Fartfuhrer of Fitzwalkerstan.<\/font><\/p>\n

From NY Times<\/a>: <\/font>The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission has proposed<\/a> expanding a telephone subsidy program to help the poor gain access to high-speed Internet service. A few Republican lawmakers \u2014 notably John Thune of South Dakota in the Senate and Fred Upton of Michigan in the House \u2014 have complained of fraud in the existing program. The complaints are overblown and are no reason to undermine an excellent idea.<\/p>\n

The subsidy program, known as Lifeline, was created in 1985, when home telephone service was essential to all Americans. In the last decade, high-speed Internet service, or broadband, has become just as important. But many poorer Americans cannot afford broadband; the F.C.C. estimates<\/a> less than half of all households earning less than $25,000 a year have high-speed service at home, while more than 95 percent of those with incomes of $150,000 or more have it.<\/p>\n

Under the proposal by the chairman, Tom Wheeler, Americans who qualify for Lifeline could chose to apply the program\u2019s $9.25 a month subsidy toward wired or wireless Internet service. Currently, people can use the money only for a home phone or mobile phone service. To qualify, people have to make less than 135 percent of the federal poverty level or already receive benefits like Medicaid, food stamps or federal housing vouchers.<\/p>\n

I fully support this. Internet access is more important today than telephone access was 30 years ago.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Crooks ands Liars<\/a>: <\/font>As we discussed here back in April, the CEO of a credit card processing company in Seattle, Dan Price, decided to lower his pay to $70K<\/a> a year and give all of his employees a raise. Which of course had the yappers over on Faux "news" going nuts<\/a>, and attacking Price as a socialist who is just out to get attention.<\/p>\n

Their little tirade drew this response from Russell Brand, who called took apart the Cashin’ In crew apart for their callousness and utter disregard those struggling to get by in America:<\/p>\n

On this Saturday’s Cashin’ In, the talking heads were outraged!!!… outraged I tell you that a high school sociology teacher would dare to use Russell Brand’s video as part of a class on poverty in America and how it’s treated in the media.<\/p>\n

As we discussed here back in April, the CEO of a credit card processing company in Seattle, Dan Price, decided to lower his pay to $70K<\/a> a year and give all of his employees a raise. Which of course had the yappers over on Faux "news" going nuts<\/a>, and attacking Price as a socialist who is just out to get attention.<\/p>\n

Their little tirade drew this response from Russell Brand, who called took apart the Cashin’ In crew apart for their callousness and utter disregard those struggling to get by in America:On this Saturday’s Cashin’ In, the talking heads were outraged!!!… outraged I tell you that a high school sociology teacher would dare to use Russell Brand’s video as part of a class on poverty in America and how it’s treated in the media. <\/p>\n

Barf Bag Alert!!<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n