{"id":42573,"date":"2021-01-22T10:38:18","date_gmt":"2021-01-22T18:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=42573"},"modified":"2021-01-22T10:38:18","modified_gmt":"2021-01-22T18:38:18","slug":"open-thread-1-22-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2021\/01\/22\/open-thread-1-22-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread – 1\/22\/2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s a tired painful day here in the CatBox.  I have a severe case of Republicitis, and that may be adding to the back pain.  I’m gradually increasing meds, trying not to overdo it. WWWendy is coming this evening.  I should be in the saddle tomorrow.  TGIF!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

Today’s took me 4:22 (average 6:16).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Cartoon<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

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

From Alternet<\/a>: <\/font>Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is entering his new, less powerful role the same way he managed the Senate when he was Majority Leader, with one purpose in mind: block everything Democrats want.<\/p>\n

Democratic Senators on Thursday blasted McConnell publicly after he threatened to filibuster the organizing agreement, which specifies how many Senators from each party sit on committees and who chairs them. <\/p>\n

CNN’s Manu Raju notes<\/a> if there is no power-sharing agreement, “the Senate will operate under the rules of the last Congress when the GOP controlled Senate majority and held committee chairs.” <\/p>\n

At the center of McConnell’s obstruction: he’s demanding Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) commit to keeping the filibuster \u2013 which would allow Republicans to block and jettison everything Democrats want<\/strong>. That means Republicans could block all of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet nominees, and all legislation Democrats want to pass<\/strong>.  [emphasis added<\/em>] <\/p>\n

I don’t understand the particulars of how Bought Bitch Mitch can filibastard the organizing agreement. I think we could try to invoke the Nuclear Option, but that is likely to fail because Dino Joe Manchin would vote with the Republicans. However we do it, we cannot allow Republican minority rule.  RESIST the Republican Reich<\/strong>!!<\/font> <\/p>\n

From YouTube<\/a> (MSNBC Channel<\/a>): <\/font>US Unfinished Business With Trump Leaves Bifurcated Vision As Biden Begins<\/font><\/p>\n