{"id":6819,"date":"2012-01-19T00:00:29","date_gmt":"2012-01-19T08:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=6819"},"modified":"2012-01-19T00:00:30","modified_gmt":"2012-01-19T08:00:30","slug":"open-thread1192012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2012\/01\/19\/open-thread1192012\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread–1\/19\/2012"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday I was quite tired so I slept late and napped in the afternoon.  I made a big pot of my infamous rice and beans in my pressure cooker, so I am not fit company for man nor beast.  I\u2019m current with replies.  Today housework beckons.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

Today it took me 3:34 (average 4:01).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

From RSN<\/a><\/font>: <\/font>Spanish judge on Friday re-launched an investigation into the alleged torture of detainees held at the U.S. detention center at Guant\u00e1namo Bay, Cuba, one day after a British authorities launched a probe into CIA renditions to Libya.<\/p>\n

The twin developments demonstrated that while the Obama administration has stuck to its promise not to investigate whether Bush administration officials acted illegally by authorizing the use of harsh interrogation techniques, other countries are still interested in determining whether Bush-era anti-terror practices violated international law.<\/p>\n

Hat Tip to Lisa G for emailing me the link.  I could not be more pleased.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Crooks and Liars<\/a><\/font>: <\/font>On the heels of the announcement that Democrats gathered 1 million signatures<\/a> toward the recall of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, activists have launched a campaign to draft Russ Feingold to run against Walker. Feingold is a former United States senator from Wisconsin who lost his last re-election campaign in 2010, but is still widely popular among progressives in the state and across the country. Feingold supporters can sign the petition<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While Feingold has said he does not want the job, I would be thrilled if he changed his mind.  I signed.  You?<\/font><\/p>\n

From The Hill<\/a>: <\/font>House Democratic leaders are increasingly arguing that the next payroll tax package should not be fully paid for with spending cuts.<\/p>\n

Top Democrats say offsetting the entire cost of a yearlong payroll tax package, as Republicans have demanded, is a bad idea in a fragile economy.<\/p>\n

I disagree with the House Democrats.  Because these are Social Security funds, they must be replaced with tax increases or spending cuts.  I would favor  cut in fossil fuel company welfare.<\/font><\/p>\n

From Current<\/a>: Keith Olbermann, Ron Wyden and Marcos Mark Ruffalo discuss SOPA\/PIPA.<\/font><\/p>\n

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