{"id":18771,"date":"2016-01-04T10:18:45","date_gmt":"2016-01-04T18:18:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=18771"},"modified":"2016-01-04T10:20:01","modified_gmt":"2016-01-04T18:20:01","slug":"open-thread142016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2016\/01\/04\/open-thread142016\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread–1\/4\/2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday I spent a lot of time in bed, because it was so cold the heat had trouble keeping up.  Today, I have lots of calling and scheduling to do.  And there are lots of Republicans to put in the unemployment line in November.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

Today\u2019s took me 4:51 (average 5:12).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Religious Ecstasy<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

\"0103Broncos27-Chargers20\"<\/p>\n

Thanks to the world\u2019s best backup QB, Denver has a week off and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.<\/font><\/p>\n

Fantasy Football Report<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

Here are the final results from Lefty Blog Friends, our own fantasy football league.<\/font><\/p>\n

\"18Playoffs\"<\/font><\/p>\n

\"18Playoffs2\"<\/font><\/p>\n

Congrats to all, especially Jack, Patty Monster, and Rob.  In sixteen years of play, this was my worst showing ever, after being unconscious\/delirious for the first six weeks.  Next year I should do better.<\/font><\/p>\n

Don’t forget that you all get to keep two players from your current teams, instead of drafting in the first two rounds, if you so choose.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

From Daily Kos<\/a>: <\/font>A Pennsylvania man identified by Butler News as "John Pisone"<\/a> (he\u2019s now deleted his Facebook page) took time out of his busy day to stop and harass a group people protesting against fracking in Pennsylvania. <\/p>\n

As the video starts, Pisone is chastising the protesters, questioning if they\u2019ve ever had a job. Only seconds later, he turns to cameraman Tom Jefferson (who is black) and let\u2019s loose a vulgar string of obscenities:<\/p>\n

\n

Pisone: This chimp right here (pointing at the camera). 
Unidentified protester: What did you say?
Pisone: Yeah, chimp. This fucking nigger right here with a mop on his head.
Protestors: You better get out of here!
Pisone: I don\u2019t give a fuck. He\u2019s milking my fucking tax dollars. 
Protestors: You better leave! You better get out now!
Pisone: I don\u2019t give a fuck what you have to say.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He repeatedly made monkey noises at the cameraman and continued his racist rant (seen in the video below).<\/p>\n

Tom Jefferson uploaded to the video to YouTube and it didn\u2019t take long for outraged internet sleuths to contact his employer, MMC Land Management, who promptly fired John Pisone, releasing the following statement:<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Today, we were disgusted to learn that one of MMC\u2019s former employees used racial slurs and made racially charged comments during a peaceful protest in Mars, Pennsylvania, outside of work hours at a location with which we have no affiliation. We are sorry that this incident occurred. Whether at work or not, we do not condone hate speech – EVER. Inclusion and diversity are among MMC\u2019s core values. We believe in equality for everyone, regardless of race, age, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. MMC has terminated this employee and will never do business with him again in the future.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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