{"id":20321,"date":"2016-03-03T23:51:14","date_gmt":"2016-03-04T07:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=20321"},"modified":"2016-03-03T23:51:14","modified_gmt":"2016-03-04T07:51:14","slug":"squatchs-open-thread-03032016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2016\/03\/03\/squatchs-open-thread-03032016\/","title":{"rendered":"Squatch’s Open Thread 03\/03\/2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

I was out to a meeting at my church for a few hours late this afternoon.  I noticed just how fast the flowers and trees are coming alive, the fruit trees in particular.  At this rate, we'll have cherry and plum trees in blossom by the end of next week.  They are all gorgeous, but I am particularly fond of the deep pink blooms.  Tomorrow is an extra physio session for my foot and then off to teaching.  Lucia starts her new ESL class on Monday so I am going to accompany her so I can tailor our sessions to her class work.  There is always something to do!<\/span><\/p>\n

Short Takes <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Raw Story<\/strong><\/span><\/a> — Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) broke ranks with his state’s conservative lawmakers on Thursday in speaking out against a proposed “religious freedom” bill,Towleroad reported.<\/a><\/p>\n

“I think what the New Testament teaches us is that Jesus reached out to those who were considered the outcasts, the ones that did not conform to the religious societies’ view of the world and said to those of belief, ‘This is what I want you to do,'” Deal said after a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Atlanta. “We do not have a belief — in my way of looking at religion — that says we have to discriminate against anybody. If you were to apply those standards to the teaching of Jesus, I don’t think they fit.”<\/p>\n

Click through for a video of Deal's remarks.  When I saw yesterday that Deal expected the bill on his desk today, he gave no indication if he was for or against it.  I am pleasantly surprised to hear his decision and his rationale.  Finally, a Republican with his head screwed on straight, well at least on this issue.  Let's hope that the State General Assembly does not have a veto proof bill.<\/span><\/p>\n

CNN<\/strong><\/span><\/a> — Mitt Romney has instructed his closest advisers to explore the possibility of stopping Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention, a source close to Romney's inner circle says.<\/p>\n

The 2012 GOP nominee's advisers are examining what a fight at the convention might look like and what rules might need revising.<\/p>\n