{"id":6197,"date":"2011-10-25T00:39:26","date_gmt":"2011-10-25T07:39:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2011\/10\/25\/open-thread10252011\/"},"modified":"2011-10-25T00:39:26","modified_gmt":"2011-10-25T07:39:26","slug":"open-thread10252011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2011\/10\/25\/open-thread10252011\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread–10\/25\/2011"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday I did some major housework that I have been putting off because I have been so busy.  It took most of the day, and I\u2019m pooped.  But I\u2019m current on replies.  Today I have the prep work I planned to do yesterday.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

Today it took me 4:20 (average 5:33).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

From Chicago Tribune<\/a>: <\/font>More than two dozen people in red shirts affiliated with National Nurses United stood outside Mayor Rahm Emanuel\u2019s fifth floor City Hall office this morning chanting, \u201cArrest the 1 percent.\u201d<\/p>\n

The protest came a day after two nurses with the union were arrested in Grant Park for refusing to leave after the park\u2019s 11 p.m. closing time. They were among more than 100 people who were arrested early Sunday morning.<\/p>\n

The nurses, who were arrested, had set up an aid station in the park to provide for the demonstrators\u2019 basic healthcare need.  Arresting them was legal but shameful!<\/font><\/p>\n

From NY Times<\/a>: <\/font>Robert S. Ford, the American ambassador to Damascus who has emerged as an outspoken critic of Syria\u2019s crackdown on a seven-month uprising, has left the country after receiving what American officials called threats to his safety. <\/p>\n

The departure Saturday was the latest turn in the tumultuous tenure of Mr. Ford, whose visits to restive cities like Hama and attendance of a funeral for a slain activist made him a visible and controversial figure.<\/p>\n

Robert Ford is a modern day populist hero, and he had been receiving threats for months.  Something more is going on here, and I\u2019m going to guess (without proof of any kind) that this represents a major diplomatic falling out between the US and Syrian tyrant, Assad.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Countdown<\/a>: Keith\u2019s worst persons<\/em> for 10\/24.<\/font><\/p>\n