{"id":16127,"date":"2015-09-23T08:20:31","date_gmt":"2015-09-23T15:20:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=16127"},"modified":"2015-09-23T08:20:31","modified_gmt":"2015-09-23T15:20:31","slug":"squatchs-open-thread-23092015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2015\/09\/23\/squatchs-open-thread-23092015\/","title":{"rendered":"Squatch\u2019s Open Thread 23\/09\/2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today has been a rather mellow day, much of it spent on-line reading with a few home chores on the side.  Of course I spent time playing with my "kids" which is always fun.  But the best part, since I did not have to go out, I stayed in my pajamas.  How snuggly is that?<\/span><\/p>\n

Fantasy Football<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
 <\/th>\n <\/th>\n <\/th>\n <\/th>\n <\/th>\nPoints<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Rank<\/a><\/th>\nTeam<\/th>\nW-L-T<\/th>\nPct<\/th>\nStk<\/th>\nWaiver<\/a><\/th>\nFor<\/a><\/th>\nAgainst<\/a><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
1+1<\/td>\n\n

\"Progressive<\/a>Progressive Underdogs<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

2-0-0<\/td>\n1.000<\/td>\nW2<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n214.92<\/td>\n149.74<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2+2<\/td>\n\n

\"MittsMagicJock\"<\/a>MittsMagicJock<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

2-0-0<\/td>\n1.000<\/td>\nW2<\/td>\n9<\/td>\n191.48<\/td>\n167.76<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3+7<\/td>\n\n

\"TomCat<\/a>TomCat Teabag Trashers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

1-1-0<\/td>\n.500<\/td>\nW1<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n192.34<\/td>\n207.46<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4+5<\/td>\n\n

\"Size<\/a>Size 9 Stompers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

1-1-0<\/td>\n.500<\/td>\nW1<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n172.00<\/td>\n164.46<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>\n\n

\"endthegop\"<\/a>endthegop<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

1-1-0<\/td>\n.500<\/td>\nL1<\/td>\n6<\/td>\n162.78<\/td>\n193.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6-5<\/td>\n\n

\"Playing<\/a>Playing without a helmet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

1-1-0<\/td>\n.500<\/td>\nL1<\/td>\n5<\/td>\n222.84<\/td>\n238.24<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7-4<\/td>\n\n

\"Monster<\/a>Monster Mashers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

1-1-0<\/td>\n.500<\/td>\nL1<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n173.54<\/td>\n182.06<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/td>\n\n

\"Lefty<\/a>Lefty Hillbillies<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

1-1-0<\/td>\n.500<\/td>\nW1<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n156.90<\/td>\n151.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9-3<\/td>\n\n

\"Purple<\/a>Purple Demon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

0-2-0<\/td>\n.000<\/td>\nL2<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n204.30<\/td>\n220.68<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10-3<\/td>\n\n

\"BALCO<\/a>BALCO Bombers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

0-2-0<\/td>\n.000<\/td>\nL2<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n157.82<\/td>\n174.08<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

* Rank change shown is from week 1 – 2<\/p>\n

At least the next time I talk to TC, I'll be able to give him the good news that he is in 3rd place!<\/span><\/p>\n

Puzzle<\/strong> — Today’s took me 3:13 (average 4:21).  To do it, <\/span>click here<\/span><\/a>.  How did you do?  For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Short Takes<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Nation<\/span><\/a><\/strong> — h\/t JL<\/span><\/strong> — The Voting Rights Act<\/a> of 1965 and National Voter Registration Act<\/a> of 1993 enfranchised millions of new voters. After passage of the VRA, for example, the number of black registered voters in the South increased from 31 percent to 73 percent. Despite these landmark laws, 51 million Americans—1 in 4 eligible voters—are still not registered to vote<\/a>. “Among eligible voters, some 30 percent of African Americans, 40 percent of Hispanics, 45 percent of Asian Americans, and 41 percent of young adults (age 18-24), were not registered to vote in the historic 2008 election,” according to Demos.<\/p>\n

During the 2012 election, the United States ranked 31st of 34 developed countries in voter turnout<\/a>. Yet 84 percent of registered voters cast ballots. The US doesn’t have a voter turnout problem; we have a voter registration problem. Our turnout is abysmal because so many eligible voters are not even registered to vote.<\/p>\n

But why is the registration rate so low?  As I understand, the registration process is controlled by the political parties.  I remember reading about voter registrations ending up in dumpsters . . . registrations for people likely to vote Democratic, or voters that were registering as Democrats. The parties should not be involved in registrations.  But that is only one part.  I suspect that there are people that figure their vote does not count, so why go to the trouble.  I also think the differences state to state in early voting, voting hours, long line-ups to vote etc all contribute to less than ideal participation rates.  Until this function is taken over by a federal agency, I see no chance of reform.  Look at the administration of Canada's federal election.  It isn't perfect, but there isn't the corruption of the system as there is in the US.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rachel Maddow<\/strong> — Rachel recently interviewed Bernie Sanders.  Here is video of this 16 minute interview. <\/span> <\/p>\n