{"id":6125,"date":"2011-10-15T00:32:33","date_gmt":"2011-10-15T07:32:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2011\/10\/15\/open-thread10152011\/"},"modified":"2011-10-15T00:32:33","modified_gmt":"2011-10-15T07:32:33","slug":"open-thread10152011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2011\/10\/15\/open-thread10152011\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread–10\/15\/2011"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday I moved furniture.  The plan was to rearrange my computer corner to have a little more space when I change computers next week.  It worked, with 1\/4\u201d to spare.  The down side, of course, is that moving heavy furniture does not sit well with my COPD, so it took several hours and exhausted me in the process.  I\u2019m current with replies.  Today I have more chores planned and errands to run.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

Today it took me 4:00 (average 5:39).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

From Washington Post<\/a>: <\/font>Sen. Patrick Leahy says the Senate Judiciary Committee he heads will vote next month on legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.<\/p>\n

The Vermont Democrat says that overturning the 1996 law was \u201cpart of the nation\u2019s continuing fight for civil rights for all Americans.\u201d He says it\u2019s time to ensure equality for gay and lesbian Americans who are lawfully married.<\/p>\n

Good for him.  Log Cabin Republicans should take note of which party represents their interests.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Common Dreams<\/a>: <\/font>One day after a nation-wide poll found strong popular support for the United Nations, Republicans on a key Congressional foreign policy committee Thursday voted to cut U.S. funding for the world body if it did not implement major changes.<\/p>\n

A general view of the UN Headquarters in New York City. A key US House of Representatives panel on Thursday approved legislation that would slash US dues to the United Nations by half unless the world body agrees to be funded with voluntary donations. The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives voted 23-15 for the United Nations Transparency, Accountability and Reform Act.<\/p>\n

It would require Washington, among other provisions, to cut 50 percent of funding for the U.N. unless it converted to a voluntary contribution system permitting Washington to fund only those agencies and programmes "that advance U.S. interests and values".<\/p>\n

In short, Republicans do not want US dues to support human rights, birth control, or Palestinians.  Republicans have hated the UN almost as long as they have hated Social Security.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Right Wing Watch<\/a>: <\/font>Yesterday Bryan Fischer was asserting that Muslims were responsible<\/a> for slavery in America, so it only stands to reason that it must have been Christians who were responsible for ultimately ending it.<\/p>\n

Specifically, he credits the Tea Party for ending slavery.  Here\u2019s the video:<\/font><\/p>\n