{"id":21671,"date":"2016-05-11T14:25:11","date_gmt":"2016-05-11T21:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=21671"},"modified":"2016-05-11T14:25:11","modified_gmt":"2016-05-11T21:25:11","slug":"squatchs-open-thread-11052016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2016\/05\/11\/squatchs-open-thread-11052016\/","title":{"rendered":"Squatch’s Open Thread 11\/05\/2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have had a busy time of late.  After feeding my mother Sunday night, I spent several hours brushing her hair which is very relaxing for her.  Monday was teaching and physio.  Tuesday, I had a dentist appointment and then was a pampered Sasquatch getting my hair cut etc.  I rounded out the evening with a 2 hour meeting of our Pastoral Care committee at church.  I have my first assignments but they will have to wait because I have come down with something.  It may well be allergies since the cottonwood trees and broom are both out.  We'll see.  I'm using my laptop much more but I can't seem to get a mouse to work with it.  That means that I can't do TC's jigsaw puzzles.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Think Progress<\/strong><\/span><\/a> — New polling<\/a> released by the Center for American Progress on Monday, however, indicates that the public has turned hard against the GOP’s plan to simply ignore Garland’s nomination. Among other things, the poll finds that registered voters overwhelmingly support giving Garland a hearing and a confirmation vote:<\/p>\n

\"Garland<\/p>\n

It appears that Republicans are committing hari kari.  In playing their little games over the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland, Republicans appear to have put themselves at a disadvantage with voters.  Just how long will they insist on blocking Obama just because he is Obama and wilfully ignoring the needs of the country?<\/span><\/p>\n

NY Times<\/strong><\/span><\/a> — An Alabama judicial oversight body on Friday filed a formal complaint against Roy S.<\/a> Moore<\/a>, the chief justice of the state’s Supreme Court, charging that he had “flagrantly disregarded and abused his authority” in ordering the state’s probate judges to refuse applications for marriage licenses by same-sex couples.<\/p>\n

As a result of the charges, Chief Justice Moore, 69, has been immediately suspended from the bench and is facing a potential hearing before the state’s Court of the Judiciary<\/a>, a panel of judges, lawyers and other appointees. Among possible outcomes at such a hearing would be his removal from office.<\/p>\n

A start to the end of Chief Justice Roy Moore of the Alabama Supreme Court?  Be still my heart!<\/span><\/p>\n

Huffington Post<\/strong><\/span><\/a> — <\/span>After being welcomed to Canada with open arms, Syrian refugees in Calgary are now giving back to their neighbours up north.<\/p>\n

\"syrian<\/p>\n

Members of the Syrian Refugee Support Group Calgary fill hampers to send to Fort McMurray evacuees. (Photo: Saima Jamal\/Syrian Refugee Support Group Calgary<\/a>)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A group of newcomers part of the Syrian Refugee Support Group Calgary<\/a> are offering up what little they have — Walid Ajram is collecting hampers of necessary supplies, while Rita Khallas is collecting $5 donations — for evacuees fleeing Fort McMurray's wildfire<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, refugee Naser Nader spurred hundreds to action when he wrote on Facebook about his wish to repay Canadians by helping those affected by the blaze.<\/p>\n

Are these the people so many Americans, especially politicians, fear?  They are genuinely jumping in to help during a disaster in Fort McMurray any way they can.  They truly understand what it is like to lose everything.<\/span><\/p>\n

My Universe<\/strong> — <\/span><\/p>\n