{"id":8521,"date":"2012-08-02T11:24:43","date_gmt":"2012-08-02T18:24:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=8521"},"modified":"2012-08-02T11:24:43","modified_gmt":"2012-08-02T18:24:43","slug":"open-thread822012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2012\/08\/02\/open-thread822012\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread–8\/2\/2012"},"content":{"rendered":"

I just watched Willard\u2019s horse perform for the first time, and if the horse\u2019s ass (Willard) were half as adept as the horse, we\u2019d be in trouble.  I\u2019m current with replies.  Tomorrow I\u2019ll do abbreviated blogging at best, because I have a physical therapy appointment for my shoulder.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

Today’s took me 4:14 (average 5:19).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

From MoveOn<\/a>: <\/font>Look At These Three Photos And You’ll Never See Amtrak The Same Way<\/p>\n

\"2trains\"<\/p>\n

Under a Republican Regime we would have new wars to help transfer wealth upward, as we careen into the 19th century.<\/font><\/p>\n

From NY Times<\/a>: <\/font>Members of Congress used to be embarrassed when they could not perform their basic job of passing spending bills and instead had to finance the government with a series of short-term resolutions. But such patchwork has now become commonplace, and it is a sign of Washington\u2019s profound dysfunction that the short-term agreement reached on Tuesday came as a relief to both sides.<\/p>\n

House and Senate leaders settled on a deal<\/a> to keep the government running through March, preventing it from shutting down when the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. With Congress polarized and paralyzed by the coming election, no regular appropriations bills have been enacted, and none will be before the deadline. <\/p>\n

I suggested that Democrats should hold out for a deal that lasted into the New Congress next year.  They did, and Republicans caved in, getting no concessions, unlike last year.  Facing down bullies works.<\/font><\/p>\n

From You Tube<\/a><\/font> (Hat-Tip Sheryl aka Dandelion)<\/font>: Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt<\/p>\n