{"id":20021,"date":"2016-02-20T03:48:05","date_gmt":"2016-02-20T11:48:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=20021"},"modified":"2016-02-20T03:48:05","modified_gmt":"2016-02-20T11:48:05","slug":"squatchs-open-thread-20022016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2016\/02\/20\/squatchs-open-thread-20022016\/","title":{"rendered":"Squatch’s Open Thread 20\/02\/2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

The week is done.  I renewed my annual car insurance so I am good to drive.  I paid my annual municipal utilities so I'll have water to drink and garbage\/recycling pickup for another year.  Physio is done til I start again on Monday, and English is done.  It is absolutely pouring rain and is expected to do so all weekend.  It is a shame that the weather is so wet as two of Lucia's kids, Jonathan and Loliyo, are at camp all weekend. This afternoon, I will go to see my mother and hopefully she'll be rid of her chest infection.  Have a great weekend everyone!<\/span><\/p>\n

Short Takes <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Nation<\/strong><\/span><\/a> — But in addition to the gridlock and rancor in Washington, the American political system has gotten much worse since Obama was elected, through no fault of his own.<\/p>\n

The Supreme Court allowed unlimited secret campaign contributions<\/a> and gutted the Voting Rights Act<\/a>. Twenty-one states passed new voting restrictions<\/a> targeting the core of Obama’s political coalition. Gerrymandering reached new lows<\/a> following the 2010 election.<\/p>\n

…<\/strong><\/span> Obama offered three ideas<\/a> for how to repair America’s broken political system.<\/p>\n

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Is the tone of today's speech that much different than Obama's tone when he first became POTUS?  As I recall, he was one who tried to build bridges, not erect walls.  And I hear that reflected in today's speech.<\/span><\/p>\n

An Homage to Faux Noise<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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H\/T to Carol B and Ted W, Care2 for the picture<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Alternet<\/span><\/a><\/strong> <\/strong>— <\/span>Mexico’s unique and treasured native corn varieties could be under threat as Monsanto<\/a>, the world’s largest seed producer, vies to plant genetically modified<\/a> (GMO) corn in the country.  …<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

However, community advocates and chefs warn that Mexico’s 59 indigenous corn varieties could be under threat by GMOs. As you can see in this video from the Financial Times, the country’s most noted chefs are speaking out against a possible takeover. Roughly 80 other Mexican chefs have also joined the fight against GMO corn.<\/p>\n