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Thursday Night Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Colorado News
Posted on Thu Jun 03, 2021 at 08:29:28 PM EST
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I have been adjusting to life outside of my bubbled apartment. After more than a year indoors, I can't help but avoid the computer. I will be back though!

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

< Wednesday Open Thread | Donald Trump and His Emails >

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    Thursday Night Open Thread | 196 comments (196 topical)

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    You make it sound like a bad thing (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 01:07:38 PM EST
    Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retweeted a statement that said "overthrowing" him would cause the "collapse of the global right-wing," the Jerusalem Post reports.
    Insurrection is in this year (5.00 / 2) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 06, 2021 at 03:36:02 PM EST
    Israeli Security Issues Insurrection Warning

    June 6, 2021 at 4:24 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 11 Comments

    The head of Israel's internal security service said that "extremely violent and inciting discourse" targeting the lawmakers who are seeking to end Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year tenure as prime minister could take a potentially lethal form -- a grim echo of the warnings ahead of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Post reports.
    Cool (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 08, 2021 at 08:08:18 AM EST
    time warped

    Louie Gohmert solidifies his title as the (5.00 / 2) (#59)
    by desertswine on Wed Jun 09, 2021 at 12:00:19 PM EST
    dumbest man in Congress..

    .... and so, is there anything that the National Forest Service or BLM can do to, uh, change the course of the Moon's orbit or the Earth's orbit around the Sun?

    Jaw-droppingly stupid republicans in action.

    Gohmert thought he was asking a clever (none / 0) (#61)
    by Peter G on Wed Jun 09, 2021 at 07:59:11 PM EST
    "gotcha" question. The (false) premise of the question is that global warming is caused by solar flare activity and slight changes in lunar or planetary orbits. And since (obviously) the Forest Service cannot change those phenomena, his "question" suggests, it should not be working on climate change.

    Parent
    Well, that makes him even stupider... (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by desertswine on Wed Jun 09, 2021 at 09:54:42 PM EST
    than I initially thought.

    Parent
    Well that's (none / 0) (#63)
    by jmacWA on Thu Jun 10, 2021 at 04:36:24 AM EST
    today's GOP, constantly trying get their numbers up.

    Parent
    If you can't find your car keys (5.00 / 4) (#64)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jun 10, 2021 at 08:33:34 AM EST
    and you've been vaccinated against COVID, check your forehead.

    New Republic Editor Hates the US Senate (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by RickyJim on Sat Jun 12, 2021 at 12:01:47 PM EST
    Link.
    The long and the short of it is that in 1911, the House of Commons passed the Parliament Act, which eliminated the Lords' ability to veto money bills and left it so that Lords could merely delay, but never block, legislation passed by the Commons. And for the 110 years since, the House of Lords has been a nonfactor.

    We should do the same to the Senate. It has no justification for even existing. It was created in a deal that was sold to us as schoolchildren as "the Great Compromise" but that, in real life and in real time, no one particularly liked. It passed at the Constitutional Convention by one vote, 5-4-1. Speaking of majority will, those five state delegations voting in favor did not represent a majority of state delegations, because 12 states sent delegates to the convention. In addition, the large states with more delegates, notably Virginia and Pennsylvania, opposed it. So the body that has repeatedly thwarted majority will in our history and been overly protective of the minority was itself created by a minority.  


    Is what Tomasky advocates even possible under the current US Constitution?

    No, it is not constitutionally possible (none / 0) (#69)
    by Peter G on Sat Jun 12, 2021 at 06:50:14 PM EST
    (absent amendment). See Article I, section 7 (a bill must pass both Houses before it can be presented to the President for signature, and thus become law).

    Parent
    The Only Way I can Conceive (none / 0) (#73)
    by RickyJim on Sun Jun 13, 2021 at 06:49:18 PM EST
    of fixing the problems that Tomasky brings up is to adopt a new constitution.  It is not a complete impossibility.  A new constitution, ratified by a referendum of the people, would have just as much claim to legitimacy as the current one which was ratified by ignoring the rules put down in the Articles of Confederation.

    What is needed is a charismatic character, backed by a billionaire, to sell the proposal to the populace.

    Parent

    Amendments or replacements (5.00 / 2) (#81)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 12:19:00 PM EST
    of the US Constitution, at this point in our history, would, in my view, be fraught with danger.

    Either of the two ways set up (Article V) to amend the Constitution--2/3 vote in both the House and Senate and subsequent ratification by 3/4 of the state legislatures or call for a Constitutional Convention by 2/3 of the state legislatures followed by ratification by 3/4 of the state legislatures--involve, as indicated, the state legislatures.

    As of June 3, 2021, Republicans control 54.3% of the state legislatures, whereas Democrats control 44.93%.  Republicans, it appears, have long held the liberal underpinnings of the US Constitution in disdain. Indeed, at the present time, some of the GOP state legislatures are incubators for Republican radicalism.

    Recent research (April 15, 2021) has shown that Republican-control of state governments is bad for democracy. The study has correlated large and measurable declines in the health of a state's democracy.

    A Constitutional Convention, at present, is likely to yield a governing document to the envy of Viktor Orban.

    Parent

    State Based Approval Won't Work (none / 0) (#84)
    by RickyJim on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 01:29:41 PM EST
    As you point out. State based voting is inherently undemocratic.  The modern way would be a bunch of websites offering competing proposals for a new constitution.  After a few years of online based arguments, an online referendum to choose the winner could be held, perhaps with a runoff requiring that a super majority of the voters have to approve, not states. After all, the US Constitution was approved by violating the Articles of Confederation by saying that only 9 of the 13 states need give their acceptance.  

    Parent
    Changes to, or (none / 0) (#88)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 03:42:14 PM EST
    changing the entire Constitution,  are very difficult.  Only one Amendment has ever been appealed (the 18th) by the 21st Amendment.  

    And, hard to start from scratch, even when starting a breakaway country. The Constitution of the Confederate States of American (1861) followed the US Constitution in large part in the main body of the text, with the prominent differences between the two, of course, being that the Confederate Constitution sought different guarantees of states and protected slavery.

    And, noteworthy, the Preamble of the Confederate Constitution seems to have endured in the thought processes of Republicans....The Preamble to the US Constitution significantly includes "..provide for the general welfare.."  Whereas, the Confederate Preamble to its constitution strikes provision for the general welfare and adds, "...invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God.."

    It would seem that the Confederates did not see their government as having "the general welfare" of its citizens as part of its governance. The Almighty may provide the favor and guidance to the worthy.  Or not.

    Parent

    Dates of Current and Former National Constitutions (none / 0) (#91)
    by RickyJim on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 04:20:43 PM EST
    Link

    The vast majority of currently active ones are 20th century creations.  The US, Belgium and Norway are outliers.  Interesting that some countries with admired governments, Canada, Sweden, New Zealand, Great Britain don't have codified constitutions.

    Parent

    Getting rid of the filibuster (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 13, 2021 at 07:18:09 PM EST
    would get rid of the whole thwarting the will of the majority thing.  

    All it takes is the spine to do it and 51 votes.

    Parent

    FTR (none / 0) (#76)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 13, 2021 at 07:27:46 PM EST
    if Mitch and his gang get the majority back they will absolutely do it.

    And Manchin will be disappointed.

    Parent

    The Senate = Permanent Minority Rule (none / 0) (#78)
    by RickyJim on Sun Jun 13, 2021 at 09:10:04 PM EST
    The unequal representation can't be gotten rid of by amendment (Article 5). Getting rid of the filibuster doesn't look so good when Republicans are in the majority. Unfortunately, legislatures where seats are apportioned out to parties on the basis of a national popular vote didn't exist in 1787 and the only way to get that in the US now is a new constitution. If we changed the Senate to the latter method while keeping the House as it is now, the US Legislative Branch would be similar to Germany's.

    Parent
    This too (none / 0) (#79)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 11:10:50 AM EST
    "Filibusters help members of the majority party when they are pressured to support proposals that they privately believe are bad policy or risky politics. That is, there are members of the majority party who privately believe their party's proposals are politically dangerous or terrible policy, but they are afraid to publicly defy their party leadership."

    "In a simple-majority legislature, these conflicted members would have to make difficult choices between their private views or personal interest and the position of their party, backed by a populist president or powerful interest groups."

    "In a supermajority legislature, on the other hand, conflicted legislators can publicly support their party's position while privately applauding the obstruction of the minority party."


    link


    Parent
    Oh, right. The last clause of Article V. (none / 0) (#82)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 01:05:26 PM EST
    I had forgotten about that.

    Parent
    Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 06:16:39 PM EST
    Senate Confirms Biden Nominee to Powerful Court

    June 14, 2021 at 7:02 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 19 Comments

    "The Senate approved the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the federal appeals court in the District of Columbia, 53 to 44, confirming President Biden's first nominee to the U.S. appellate courts," CBS News reports.

    "Jackson is considered a contender for the Supreme Court if a vacancy arises during Mr. Biden's presidency, especially since the president has pledged to name the nation's first Black woman to the high court if there is an open seat."
    I was a guest speaker at a program that (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 09:16:15 PM EST
    Ketanji Brown Jackson organized for American Inns of Court a little less than 20 years ago. After the event, she asked me to walk her back to where her car was parked, on my own way back to the train station (to return from D.C. to Phila). Very bright and totally delightful person; made me feel immediately like we were old friends, despite our obvious differences in age, gender and race. A memorable evening.

    Parent
    now, to get Breyer (none / 0) (#95)
    by leap on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 10:43:34 PM EST
    to retire. How does one convince him he is not invincible, and he should graciously bow out? Soon. fü¢ƙḯȵƪ McConnell is on the warpath.

    Parent
    If this doesn't convince him (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 06:46:18 AM EST
    he might need to be pushed in front of a bus.

    McConnell says GOP-controlled Senate wouldn't fill Supreme Court vacancy in 2024

    Washington -- Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that if Republicans take control of the Senate in 2022, the new GOP majority would likely block a Supreme Court nominee from President Biden if a vacancy were to arise in 2024, and possibly in 2023 as well.



    Parent
    Bus (none / 0) (#105)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 10:01:15 AM EST
    Mitch McConnell Telegraphs New Principle

    June 15, 2021 at 10:37 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 35 Comments

    Dan Pfeiffer: "It's easy to get caught up in the calendar implications of McConnell's statement. It's understandable to panic about the fact that Justice Stephen Breyer seems so naive about the state of American politics yet is likely to stay on the court past the 2022 election."

    "But we should be crystal clear that McConnell is elucidating an entirely new principle -- a Republican Senate will never confirm a Democratic president's nominee to the Supreme Court. It doesn't matter when the vacancy occurs or who the president nominates to fill it. If a Republican can prevent that appointment, it is their duty to do so. The blocking of Garland is not the exception; it's the rule."



    Parent
    Once he is confident that his former law Clerk (none / 0) (#96)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 10:49:26 PM EST
    Judge Jackson is confirmed and has a bit of appellate judging experience under her belt to be ready to succeed her mentor. My guess, at least.

    Parent
    For all of youse watching Mare of Eastown (5.00 / 1) (#127)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jun 17, 2021 at 12:02:33 PM EST
    Spot-on SNL parody: "Murdur Durdur."

    HicAway (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 18, 2021 at 12:29:38 PM EST
    Seriously.  HicAway.

    At first I thought it was supposed to keep locals at a distance.  I would totally buy one of those.

    Special straw that stops hiccups


    High intensity interval training (5.00 / 4) (#134)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 18, 2021 at 07:58:43 PM EST
    Ok, I hate the name too.  It's like it's such a simple idea they had to come up with a pretentious name for it to be taken seriously.  
    I read about this months ago and started doing it every morning with my stairmaster.  Yesterday I saw my doctor who has a background of sports medicine and he was thrilled I was doing it.  He went on and on about the potential benefits.

    I can tell it's improving my body because I keep upping the intense periods to exhaust myself.  My method is a 40 second period of intense and two 40 second periods of moderate repeated until I can't do it anymore.  Which is always between 15 and 20 minutes.
    If you are looking for a quick effective workout I highly recommend it.

    7 Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

    PS
    I've lost 15 pounds or so without changing my eating habits much at all.

    My doctor also mentioned this (5.00 / 1) (#135)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 18, 2021 at 08:26:33 PM EST
    as a reason for seniors to try it.  From wiki

    A 2017 study examined the effect of HIIT on cognitive performance among a group of children (N=318).[30] The authors show that HIIT is beneficial to cognitive control and working memory capacity when compared against "a blend of board games, computer games, and trivia quizzes" and that this effect is mediated by the BDNF polymorphism. They conclude that the study "suggests a promising alternative to enhance cognition, via short and potent exercise regimens".



    Parent
    Balance is Very Important for Seniors (none / 0) (#136)
    by RickyJim on Sat Jun 19, 2021 at 10:47:32 AM EST
    Various equipment is available to train, balance boards, wobble boards, etc.

    Parent
    74 years ago today on June 19, 1947, ... (5.00 / 1) (#140)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jun 19, 2021 at 02:57:55 PM EST
    ... the visionary but otherwise notorious gangster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel was shot and killed by a sniper while sitting on the couch reading the Los Angeles Times at his girlfriend Virginia Hill's house in Beverly Hills, CA. To this day, his murder remains officially listed as unsolved.

    There's long been speculation that the Mob ordered the hit over the issue of cost overruns in the construction of his Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. However, the National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement (aka the "Mob Museum") in Las Vegas notes that Siegel had paid back his investors and was turning a profit by June 1947. Head Mafioso Charles "Lucky" Luciano - then deported and living in exile in Sicily - would have had to sanction the killing, and Siegel's friend Meyer Lansky would have had to sign off. With the Flamingo finally turning a healthy profit, neither would likely have authorized it.

    The museum instead makes a fairly good case that Siegel's killing may have been carried out by one of Virginia Hill's younger brothers, a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, in apparent retaliation for several severe physical beatings Siegel had allegedly inflicted upon his sister in the weeks prior to the shooting. Siegel had been shot multiple times from long range by a .30 caliber M1 carbine, and Hill's brother was a trained sniper.

    Anyway, regardless of whoever was behind the murder, it's also quite evident that Bugsy Siegel's passing wasn't mourned by too many people, and nobody in L.A. bothered to look too hard or ask many questions after the initial investigation and inquest. The L.A. County Coroner's report listed Siegel's cause of death as a "cerebral hemorrhage."

    Aloha.

    Well, I suppose (5.00 / 1) (#141)
    by Zorba on Sat Jun 19, 2021 at 04:20:05 PM EST
    his cerebrum did hemorrhage, after all.
    Speaking of coroners, years ago, there was a mob-related death in East St. Louis.  The guy was shot twice in the head by a single-action revolver.  The coroner ruled it a suicide, and the police weren't inclined to investigate it further.  They were just pleased that he was dead.

    Parent
    What, if anything, (5.00 / 2) (#144)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jun 21, 2021 at 12:12:29 PM EST
    are Congressional Democrats doing or planning with regard to a comprehensive investigation of the 1/6 insurrection?  After the House-approved measure failed to gain enough votes to overcome a GOP filibuster, the talk was of housing the investigation within a standing committee (Homeland Security and/or Judiciary). Those hearings held will do it.

    President Biden stated he would not be appointing a presidential commission.  The DOJ appears to be focused on case-by-case arrests.  No information on the attempted bombing of the DNC.  Running silent. What about the ringleader.  With an an armed attack in progress in DC, why didn't the Secret Service whisk the president off to the mountains of Colorado or a nearby bunker?  Almost a give-a-way, some people are saying.

    Meanwhile, the Republicans are filling the void with their fascist conspiracies.  Just tourists.  Anti fascists (Antifa).  What riot?  Now, Tucker Carlson claims the 1/6 insurrectionists were manipulated by FBI agents who were seduced by covert agents.

    A particulary implausible (none / 0) (#150)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jun 21, 2021 at 04:30:31 PM EST
    fascist conspiracy is ItalyGate, and, hence, the one most Republicans will believe.  

    An Italian defense contractor teamed up with the US Embassy in Rome to use advanced satellite transmissions to switch millions of Trump votes to Biden votes---which makes sense to the fascist and white supremacist movement.

    Parent

    Happy Solstice.. (5.00 / 1) (#145)
    by desertswine on Mon Jun 21, 2021 at 02:28:52 PM EST
    I spent one memorable solstice at Chaco Canyon.

    Wolf Blitzer (5.00 / 1) (#159)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 22, 2021 at 05:46:16 PM EST
    just teased the Carl Nassib news like the carnival barker he is.  I really hate the way this is being covered by cable news.   I'm glad he did it and I think his tone has been perfect.  But it is a circus.  
    The way it's being covered by Wolf and the pack is just awful.

    But good for him.

    I love when they do this... (5.00 / 1) (#181)
    by desertswine on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 10:46:17 PM EST
    take an old movie and enhance, stabilize it, colorize it, and make it look like it was taken yesterday.
      - College girls on a sleighride in 1906 -

    A NY Appellate Court (5.00 / 1) (#186)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 10:53:06 AM EST
    suspended Rudy's license to practice law based on evidence of providing false or misleading information to Courts, legislatures and the public regarding claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump.

    Rudy joins previous attorneys who represented Trump who ran into licensure trouble---Roy Cohn (revoked), Michael Cohen (revoked).

    It's about time (5.00 / 1) (#189)
    by Zorba on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 03:32:02 PM EST
    Past time, in fact.

    Parent
    Sounds like he won't get it back (none / 0) (#188)
    by MO Blue on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 12:55:46 PM EST
    In justifying Giuliani's immediate suspension pending further proceedings, the committee notes that Giuliani has continued to make similar false statements in public even during the proceedings, concluding "there is evidence of continuing misconduct, the underlying offense is incredibly serious, and the uncontroverted misconduct in itself will likely result in substantial permanent sanctions at the conclusion of these disciplinary proceedings."

    "The seriousness of respondent's uncontroverted misconduct cannot be overstated. This country is being torn apart by continued attacks on the legitimacy of the 2020 election and of our current president, Joseph R. Biden. The hallmark of our democracy is predicated on free and fair elections. False statements intended to foment a loss of confidence in our elections and resulting loss of confidence in government generally damage the proper functioning of a free society."

    original source

    Parent

    Per Rachel (none / 0) (#194)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 07:59:38 PM EST
    Roy Cohn was disbarred 35 years ago today.

    Parent
    I'm heading to Washington, D.C. tomorrow. (none / 0) (#1)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 01:25:13 AM EST
    It's work-related, and I'll be there all week until next Saturday. I dread the prospect of sitting on a plane for 9 hours, but it's a nonstop flight from Honolulu to Washington-Dulles so at least I don't have a layover at a busy airport. I flew to Honolulu from Hilo tonight, so I get to visit with the grandkids for a day before I depart at 5:45p.m. HST tomorrow afternoon. I arrive at Dulles at 8:45 a.m. EDT Saturday, which gives me a couple of days to orient myself to the six-hour time change before my first meeting Monday morning.

    Hope everyone is doing well.

    Welcome to cicadaville (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Jun 06, 2021 at 11:31:10 AM EST


    Parent
    So I noticed. (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jun 07, 2021 at 12:08:01 AM EST
    I've never really been around cicadas. I know it's every 17 years, but how long does this last - all spring?

    I want to come back to Washington soon and spend some more time here again, non-work-related. It really is a gorgeous city. I need to get re-acquainted with it.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Mid July should be the end (none / 0) (#46)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Jun 07, 2021 at 12:14:52 PM EST
    Of their siege.

    They swarmed a friend in our front yard on Sunday. Apparently sound and movement can trigger that. Lawnmower might not make a swipe for a few weeks.

    Parent

    Goodness (none / 0) (#49)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 07, 2021 at 12:34:21 PM EST
    Have you thought about visiting Alabama as an escape? LOL.

    Parent
    It smells awful in heavily wooded areas now (none / 0) (#58)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jun 08, 2021 at 06:40:33 PM EST
    Our neighbors who were kids the last time the cicadas emerged said the smell brings back stronge memories from that summer in their childhood. Not all bad memories. They said this was much more fun when they were kids.

    Parent
    Next time we should get together (none / 0) (#47)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Jun 07, 2021 at 12:15:44 PM EST
    If you are able.

    Parent
    I'd love to do that. (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jun 09, 2021 at 03:15:53 PM EST
    It would be nice to go to D.C. without it involving work. Take care.

    Parent
    They're coming for you... (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by desertswine on Tue Jun 08, 2021 at 11:17:29 AM EST
    A cicada has been blamed for causing a car crash in Cincinnati, Ohio, after it flew into the face of a driver.

    On Monday, a cicada allegedly flew through the open window of a car and hit the driver, causing a collision.

    According to Cincinnati police, the driver collided with a post on Riverside Drive, along the Ohio River, and sustained minor injuries.

    In a tweet, the Cincinnati Police Department shared images of the heavily damaged car along with the hashtag "Nothing good happens with a cicada".

    -The Independent_

    Parent

    I fled the cicada scene. (none / 0) (#107)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 01:45:59 PM EST
    I'm back home now. This D.C. trip marked my first encounter with the insects since I was 12 years old in the Chicago area. Hopefully, it'll be my last.

    Parent
    Another day (none / 0) (#2)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 11:03:06 AM EST
    Another black man shot by LEO in Minneapolis.
    Another round of looting.

    What would it take (none / 0) (#18)
    by Repack Rider on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 07:57:27 PM EST
    ...for police to figure this stuff out?

    Parent
    Law Abiding, Tourists (none / 0) (#3)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 11:05:40 AM EST
    A Trump supporter charged with eight federal crimes tied to the Capitol insurrection, including obstructing congressional proceedings and assaulting police officers with a dangerous weapon, used his bullhorn during the insurrection, to shout "You guys like protecting pedophiles?"

    The Trump supporter, Sean McHugh of Auburn, CA., was convicted in 2010 on a state charge of unlawful sex with a minor (statutory rape of a 14 year-old girl), according to court records. McHugh was 23 at the time of the crime.

    At the time of the insurrection on Jan 6, the Trump supporter was on probation for driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license. Moreover, he has a long rap sheet of convictions, including multiple DUIs and trespassing offenses.

    I'm sure things will turn out well for him. (none / 0) (#40)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jun 07, 2021 at 12:09:17 AM EST
    NAAAH!

    Parent
    Good things (none / 0) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 11:47:23 AM EST

    Facebook gives Trump a 2-year suspension after Oversight Board decision

    Also good

    Facebook to end special treatment for politicians



    Through (none / 0) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 11:47:45 AM EST
    the midterms

    Parent
    I saw a comment on Facebook today (none / 0) (#6)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 12:00:18 PM EST
    that I think we may see again.  It was a big Trump supporter who has tried to avoid the subject for a while.

    She said in that "I just care too much" way that she worried the pressure was getting to him.  That he was "starting to do" irrational things.

    I see it now, the libs drove him crazy.  

    Whatever.  At least she is arriving at the right diagnosis but "he just went crazy" is a pretty convenient avoidance of her responsibility.  So convenient it will probably catch on.

    Parent

    What (none / 0) (#7)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 12:08:33 PM EST
    crazy things?

    Parent
    Honestly (none / 0) (#8)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 12:20:51 PM EST
    I think that's part of it.  It's just getting harder and harder for the ones who are not dumb as a bag of hammers, there are some, to defend him.

    Parent
    Trump still has (none / 0) (#10)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 01:28:55 PM EST
    those he loves, the "poorly educated", and the richly deluded. But, a serious problem is that of the mainstream Republicans, especially, those in the senate and house.

    The common denominator is that the only people who should hold office and run the country are "real Americans", i.e., Republicans.  If, Democrats win, is must be fraud. The "good" Republicans are down with voter suppression, and the "bad" Republicans are up for violence, if necessary, to achieve that objective.

    Parent

    Vinnie the Chin... (none / 0) (#11)
    by desertswine on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 01:57:46 PM EST
    This could all be a set-up to trump's strategy when he finally enters a courtroom. He's going to try to pull a Vinnie the Chin defense?

    Parent
    There is reporting everywhere (none / 0) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 02:05:52 PM EST
    that he absolutely believes he will be reinstated in August.  He is not just saying it.

    The weird thing is it's possible.

    Parent

    Possible? (none / 0) (#13)
    by RickyJim on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 04:44:55 PM EST
    Sure, like it is possible that all the air in a room will spontaneously move to one half of it or you will get the exactly same water molecules in a thimble after throwing one into the ocean.

    Parent
    I think what Howdy meant is that he thinks (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Peter G on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 06:23:08 PM EST
    it is "possible" that Tr*mp actually believes this, not that it is "possible" it will happen.

    Parent
    I understand (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 05:10:57 PM EST
    seeing it as a desperate and not to clever defense.  That said, I also think it's not impossible the pressure, pressure and legal threats unlike anything he has ever experienced, could be making him crack.  

    His grasp on reality has never been solid and he has shown he is capable of believing his on BS.

    Also he is being told this by many people.  Some of them lawyers.

    I totally think it's possible he believes it.

    Parent

    It's (none / 0) (#16)
    by Zorba on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 06:31:37 PM EST
     National Cheese Day.  Also National Doughnut Day.

    Yesterday (none / 0) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 04, 2021 at 06:50:10 PM EST
    was national egg day.

    Parent
    Maybe it's time (none / 0) (#19)
    by jondee on Sat Jun 05, 2021 at 01:57:47 AM EST
    to declare a national Let's All Believe Crazy Sh*t day, to help people get it out of their systems.

    Parent
    We (none / 0) (#20)
    by FlJoe on Sat Jun 05, 2021 at 05:01:36 AM EST
    can call it Maniac Monday.

    Parent
    Or (none / 0) (#21)
    by FlJoe on Sat Jun 05, 2021 at 07:18:28 AM EST
    make April Fool's Day a national holiday. First Monday in April will work for both.

    Parent
    To make it feel like a holiday (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 05, 2021 at 07:51:50 AM EST
    I think it would have to be a day when we DON'T believe crazy shi+.

    Otherwise it's just Monday.

    Parent

    Speaker Cheeto (none / 0) (#23)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 05, 2021 at 10:00:59 AM EST
    Former President Trump called a proposal that he run for the House in 2022 to try to win the speaker's gavel "interesting," The Hill reports.

    "The logistics of a House run would be complicated for Trump, who would have to figure out what district to run in after the redistricting process is completed."
    He totally could (none / 0) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 05, 2021 at 11:59:52 AM EST
    run for and win a House seat.  And they totally could win the House.

    I'm jus sayin.

    Parent

    Matt Gaetz's (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jun 05, 2021 at 01:58:00 PM EST
    seat is likely to become vacant.  The Florida panhandle would be a good district for him, although, the Constitution does not require incumbency as a Representative to be eligible for Speaker.  Direct election to the Speakership  by a Republican House would appeal more to Trump's malignant narcissism and laziness.

    The former guy running for Congress with the announced goal of Speakership would assure Democratic control of the House, but it would lead to a chaotic election and aftermath.  Just as Putin would like.

    Parent

    Speaking of Matt Gaetz, ... (5.00 / 2) (#173)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 04:21:41 PM EST
    ... watching him get his a$$ sliced, diced and handed back to him in pieces by Gen. Milley during a House hearing today was a thing of beauty and joy. Who knew that the general would turn out to be such an impassioned and eloquent spokesman for an informed citizenry?

    Parent
    He needs to be indicted (none / 0) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 05, 2021 at 02:01:24 PM EST
    Tho that would not mean he could not run for and win a House seat.  Or the Speakership.   I had forgotten you don't need to be in the House.  He would like that more.  

    Parent
    The panhandle would (none / 0) (#33)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Jun 06, 2021 at 10:56:45 AM EST
    Vote Trump in in a heartbeat

    Parent
    BInsider (none / 0) (#25)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 05, 2021 at 12:16:25 PM EST
    Trump Says Congress Run to Become Speaker and Impeach Biden Is 'Very Interesting'



    Parent

    I (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by FlJoe on Sat Jun 05, 2021 at 01:39:12 PM EST
    hear FL-1(Gaetz) may soon be an open seat.

    No need to abandon Mar A Largo

    The residency requirements for Congress contain one of the most unusual quirks in American politics: You don't even have to live in a congressional district to be elected to serve in that seat for the House of Representatives.
    Maybe he doesn't even need to run to get his wish
    Oddly enough, the Constitution doesn't even require the highest-ranking officer of the House--the speaker--to be a member.

    When Speaker John Boehner stepped down the from the post in 2015, several pundits made the case that the House should bring in an outsider, even a dynamic (some would say bombastic) voice such as Donald Trump or former Speaker Newt Gingrich, to lead the disparate factions of the Republican Party.


     

    Parent
    What do you hear (none / 0) (#30)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jun 06, 2021 at 09:02:32 AM EST
    about the number that is going to go down with Gaetz? I have heard rumors of 2-3 dozen FL Republicans are probably going to get indicted from Gaetz's investigation.

    Parent
    I watched the speech this morning (none / 0) (#32)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Jun 06, 2021 at 10:55:35 AM EST
    He looks very unhealthy.

    Parent
    Fat Elvis (none / 0) (#35)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 06, 2021 at 11:48:57 AM EST


    Parent
    There is more discussion of (none / 0) (#36)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jun 06, 2021 at 12:39:06 PM EST
    Trump's trousers than his speech.  It is being questioned as to whether or not he put his pants on backwards.  

    If so, you would like some staff person would have brought that to his attention.  But, we do know that he waltzed around with toilet paper on his shoe without anyone saying anything.  

    Parent

    Netflix (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 05, 2021 at 06:07:09 PM EST
    The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness Review - Exhaustive Look Is Long Overdue
    Netflix docuseries The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness finally breaks the rules of the Son of Sam Law.

    Not the biggest true crime fan but it kept me watching fir 4 hours.

    I thought it was interesting (none / 0) (#31)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Jun 06, 2021 at 10:53:54 AM EST


    Parent
    Did you ever see Spike Lee's 'Summer of Sam'? (none / 0) (#109)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 01:52:54 PM EST
    Check it out if you haven't. It wasn't about Son of Sam per se, but his crimes formed the backdrop for Lee's tale.

    Parent
    3 things tonight (none / 0) (#38)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 06, 2021 at 07:40:43 PM EST
    War of the Worlds season 2 on EPIX
    hope it's better than season one

    Domina. Also EPIX

    and.

    Little Birds
    This one looks interesting

    War of the Worlds (none / 0) (#42)
    by Yman on Mon Jun 07, 2021 at 07:58:22 AM EST
    ... was just painful to watch (first season).  I hate it when they take a classic and end up butchering it.  I think they would need a healthy budget to create effects that are worthy - but that wasn't their only issue.

    I hadn't seen anything re: Little Birds - might have to give that a shot.

    Parent

    I completely agree about WotW (none / 0) (#45)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 07, 2021 at 08:44:30 AM EST
    It was like the alien invasion was just a background thing they used to explore human relationships between a bunch of really annoying people none of whom you care about.

    And making the two most annoying teenagers the central characters was kind of the last straw.

    Also, while I'm venting,for the first 6-7 episodes the French dialog was shown literally about one quarter the size could of normal close captioning and NEVER long enough to actually read.  After living in Montreal I find this a very French thing to do.

    Someone must have complained because in the last couple of episodes they started including the French dialog in the regular close captioning over the tiny unreadable English translation.

    And, all the stuff you needed to know to understand what was happening was in french.  All the annoying uninteresting character development was in English.

    Grrr

    Little Birds was really excellent.  Just gorgeous.  Domina also looks promising.

    I was just about to watch WotW S2E1

    Parent

    I didn't think it could get more annoying. (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 13, 2021 at 07:25:37 PM EST
    I was wrong.

    The tiny unreadable French translations are back.

    And the big plot turn in episode 1 is that the annoying teenaged lead who disappeared into an alien ship months ago and now is simply "back" has a mood swing and just doesn't want to talk about it.

    Which makes me wish since the fate of humanity and the planet depends on finding out what she knows someone would strap her in a chair and introduce her to a car battery until she decides to talk about it.

    I'm done.  I will fast forward through the rest of the season to find out what happens.

    Domina is excellent.

    Parent

    Correcting the Covid overcount (none / 0) (#41)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Mon Jun 07, 2021 at 07:56:22 AM EST

    The overcount resulted in reporting Covid deaths 33% higher than those deaths caused by the virus.  Alameda recognized that a substantial fraction of those Covid deaths were people who died with the disease rather than from it.  

    New Study (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by Yman on Mon Jun 07, 2021 at 08:15:14 AM EST
    A new study estimates that the number of people who have died of COVID-19 in the U.S. is more than 900,000, a number 57% higher than official figures.

    Worldwide, the study's authors say, the COVID-19 death count is nearing 7 million, more than double the reported number of 3.24 million.

    ...

    The final count only estimates deaths "caused directly by the SARS-CoV-2 virus," according to the study's authors.

    Link

    Parent

    Thanks for the link. (none / 0) (#54)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Tue Jun 08, 2021 at 08:30:02 AM EST
    The analysis comes from researchers at the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, who looked at excess mortality from March 2020 through May 3, 2021, compared it with what would be expected in a typical nonpandemic year, then adjusted those figures to account for a handful of other pandemic-related factors.

    This methodology conflates Covid deaths with lockdown deaths and assumes all are Covid deaths.  During the lockdowns there was a near 50% reduction in mammograms as just one example (though not likely relevant here) of deferred medical care.  

    Parent

    Links are helpful (5.00 / 3) (#56)
    by Yman on Tue Jun 08, 2021 at 12:41:36 PM EST
     ... but not without reading comprehension.

    This methodology conflates Covid deaths with lockdown deaths and assumes all are Covid deaths.

    This methodology does no such thing.  But to realize that simple fact, you'd have to read the article ... or better yet, the study.

    The group reached its estimates by calculating excess mortality based on a variety of sources, including official death statistics from various countries, as well as academic studies of other locations.

    Then, it examined other mortality factors influenced by the pandemic. For example, some of the extra deaths were caused by increased opioid overdoses or deferred health care.

    There have been numerous scientific studies confirming the COVID death undercount.  The advantage to scientific studies is that - unlike conservatives trying to distort a news article - they use controls to account for other variables.  Which makes them orders-of-magnitude more credible than Trumpers still trying (and failing) to minimize the pandemic for political purposes.

    Parent

    Dying with the (5.00 / 2) (#48)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 07, 2021 at 12:27:20 PM EST
    disease not from is a distinction without a difference. Y'all will go to your graves trying to make excuses for a spray tanned conman who lied about the pandemic. The irony is you all have killed off a lot of your own voters by doing so and are continuing to make sure they keep dying at a high rate by promoting anti-science nonsense.

    Parent
    There is quite a difference. (1.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Tue Jun 08, 2021 at 08:03:34 AM EST

    Counting a Covid death from someone who died in a house fire that also tested positive the day before does nothing but inflate the number.

    Not at all useful to understanding the lethality of the disease.  But as you observe, very politically useful.

    Calling an honest objective count "anti-science" means you may misunderstand that term.

    Parent

    You're really reaching, Abdul (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by jondee on Mon Jun 07, 2021 at 01:38:27 PM EST
    if they died "with" the disease, it requires a real leap of conspiratorial faith to assume people having Covid wasn't a significant contributing factor.

    Parent
    Even those who (none / 0) (#53)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Tue Jun 08, 2021 at 08:09:44 AM EST
    Die of gun shot wounds, traffic accidents, fires, strokes, heart attacks, falling down stairs, and drowning in lakes or rivers?  

    Many people die of prostate cancer, but most people die with it.

    Parent

    It would require quite (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by jondee on Tue Jun 08, 2021 at 03:14:02 PM EST
    a bit of secret plotting and coordination to get so many to participate in inflating all the Covid numbers the way you're suggesting without someone giving the game away..

    It's a situation desperate enough to make the best minds in America pee and defecate in the halls of the Capital.

    Parent

    And? (none / 0) (#43)
    by Yman on Mon Jun 07, 2021 at 08:10:49 AM EST


    Parent
    The wingbats haven't been honest about anything. (5.00 / 2) (#110)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 02:00:12 PM EST
    They've betrayed their country on so many levels that it's sickening. Henceforth, the only way I'll ever again take their posts seriously will be as a potential threat to national security. They just can't be trusted.

    Parent
    Sweet Tooth on Netflix (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 10, 2021 at 05:06:53 PM EST
    Guardian

    I understand this point of view.  I started the same way.  But after a few episodes I'm all in.

    I would invite you to watch Sweet Tooth with an open mind and, ideally, a large drink inside you and another one to hand. For I cannot for the life of me tell if it is the worst thing I have ever seen, or the greatest work devised for the entertainment of humankind.

    To explain: Sweet Tooth is set 10 years after the Great Crumble. A mysterious virus has swept the globe. Humanity has descended into chaos ("It sucks," says one survivor. "No rules. No laws. Once the internet went down, it was over." We pause to say a silent prayer that Covid never affected wifi coverage).

    At the same time as "the Sick" appeared, all human babies started being born as animal hybrids. Yes, you read that correctly

    --

    There is more - including purple flowers that sprout when an area has been touched by the Sick, James Brolin voiceovers and a band of teenage environmental activists led by a Thunberg-esque Bear (Stefania LaVie Owen) - but I think you have the idea. Sweet Tooth is part fantasy, part sci-fi, part whimsy, part cold-eyed realism and most points in between. It is either warmly eccentric or hysterically crazy, perfect entertainment or a horrifying attempt to parlay the pandemic into a commercially palatable mashup. It is undoubtedly aimed at a younger-than-full-adult audience; my 10-year-old is entranced. I am, too, although I can't yet work out why.
    I linked to that because (none / 0) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 10, 2021 at 05:31:05 PM EST
    it's probably a common response to something so odd.  But it's dumb a wrong in a couple of ways.

    He is not called Sweet Tooth because of syrup.  It a better reason than that.  And I love the name.

    And knowing how long these things are usually in development I would be amazed if this was not in dev long before the pandemic.  So saying it's "trying to parlay the pandemic into something" is dumb and irresponsible.  

    SiFi stories involving a deadly virus hardly arrived with Covid.

    So to be clear, dumb review, common response.

    Parent

    Funny (none / 0) (#67)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 10, 2021 at 06:15:20 PM EST
    A new ad campaign from Netflix is poised to scare and confuse readers of USA Today. The ubiquitous hotel lobby newspaper published a full page ad in its June 4 weekend edition to promote the new Netflix series Sweet Tooth. Ads in newspapers are nothing new of course, but this particular ad is actually an advertorial, i.e. an advertisement written in the style of an editorial news item. And unlike an ad that promotes L'Oréal or Butterfingers or Excedrin, this particular ad promotes a fake story about mutant hybrid babies. Just take a look:

    link

    Parent

    I just finished the 1st season (none / 0) (#77)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 13, 2021 at 07:59:00 PM EST
    It's really good.  I imagine it's hard to tell such a horribly sad story and leave you feeling good.

    Parent
    After nearly 14 years as a customer (none / 0) (#83)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 01:23:36 PM EST
    I just cancelled my Netflix. I found that I just wasn't watching that much stuff on it. I have Amazon Prime (which I watch alot), HBOMax, and SLING. I also have access to Hulu and Disney. Plenty there to watch without Netflix.

    Parent
    I had not had it for a while (none / 0) (#85)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 01:32:42 PM EST
    There was a good amount of stuff I had not seen including Sweet Tooth.  I'm also liking Warrior Nun.

    I rotate.  I've had them all.  I'm reaching the end of unseen stuff on Netflix.  I think I have to do Disney for Loki next.

    Parent

    Have You Tried Your Public Library? (none / 0) (#137)
    by RickyJim on Sat Jun 19, 2021 at 10:54:33 AM EST
    Mine is very good for DVD/Blu-rays of classics, especially musicals, Turner and Criterion Collections.  Most counties have a system where there is an online catalog of the holdings of all so you can pick up at your local library anything that can be found at another one in the county.

    Parent
    Kanopy (none / 0) (#138)
    by BGinCA on Sat Jun 19, 2021 at 11:47:07 AM EST
    is an app that allows you to stream from your public library catalogue. You can stream 9 films per month. I know it is available from the L.A. County Public Library, not sure where else

    Parent
    Bub-bye Be-Be (none / 0) (#70)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 13, 2021 at 07:12:06 AM EST
    Razor-Thin Vote Could Topple Netanyahu Today

    June 13, 2021 at 8:12 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 0 Comments

    "The political fate of Israel's longest serving leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, is set to be decided on Sunday afternoon, when Parliament will hold a vote of confidence in a new government that would topple Mr. Netanyahu from power for the first time in 12 years," the New York Times reports.

    "Mr. Netanyahu's opponents hope that the vote, if it passes, will ease a political stalemate that has produced four elections since 2019 and left Israel without a state budget for more than a year. It will also end, at least for now, the dominance of a politician who has shaped 21st-century Israel more than any other, shifted its politics to the right and overseen the fizzling of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations."

    Washington Post: Israel set to approve new governing coalition, ending Netanyahu's 12-year tenure
    Done (5.00 / 2) (#71)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 13, 2021 at 01:02:31 PM EST
    link



    Parent

    Yay. (none / 0) (#111)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 02:04:48 PM EST
    LINK.

    Parent
    The Sex Pistols Vs Bill Grundy (none / 0) (#72)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 13, 2021 at 06:23:22 PM EST
    I just saw this on Showtime.  It's pretty funny.  Good way to spend a half hour.

    It's an episode that is both good on period detail (though you can nitpick if you really want to - I think the swastika armband worn by Bromley Contingent member Simon Barker was displayed more prominently in the original and Grundy wasn't such a redhead) and good on comedy. A very funny voxpop features actors playing members of the public talking about the incident, including the lorry driver who was so incensed he kicked his telly screen in. Daniel Mays plays producer Mike Housego who sees things going gloriously pear-shaped from the mixing desk and has to deal with the fallout. Grundy was suspended and his career petered out. The Pistols became household names. An excellent finish to a pretty excellent series.

    link

    I saw the Sex Pistols once.  In what was I guess their one US tour.  In Memphis.  I was living in St Louis at the time so we drove.  It was a long drive but totally worth it.

    If (none / 0) (#80)
    by FlJoe on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 12:15:53 PM EST
    the Cyber Ninjas aren't cutting it, bring in the A-team, Mike Lindell and his cyber gladiators."

    I think Lindell needs to quit (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 03:13:52 PM EST
    the god stuff and go back to smoking crack. This guy is certifiably loony tunes.

    Parent
    Lindell claims (none / 0) (#92)
    by jondee on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 05:28:15 PM EST
    he has a lot of friends who are governors. Could it be true?

    Why not? Elected officials have been tolerating apocalyptic-messianic religious loons for decades. Are those people less divorced-from-reality than Lindell? No.

    Parent

    It must be tough at The Onion (none / 0) (#86)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 01:51:41 PM EST
    trying to come up with stuff sillier than in the Times and Post.

    Biden is 90 minutes late for the big press conference.

    I hope we get to find out why.

    Parent

    President Biden (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 03:47:52 PM EST
    did a great job at that press conference. Very confident and self-assured.  It was well-organized and dignified with questioners called upon and no shouting or chaotic antics.  

    Parent
    He did (none / 0) (#90)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 04:16:38 PM EST
    t was shocking in its normalcy.

    Parent
    Would they be embarassed (none / 0) (#106)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 11:56:22 AM EST
    Finding out it concerned Ukraine throwing serious real life Twitter shade on Putin?

    Parent
    102 dang degrees yesterday... (none / 0) (#97)
    by desertswine on Mon Jun 14, 2021 at 10:55:32 PM EST
    102again today in my backyard..  supposed to be the same yet again tomorrow and then hover around 100 for the rest of the week.  Guess its summer with a vengeance.

    -High Summer-

    BUT.... (none / 0) (#98)
    by jmacWA on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 04:22:16 AM EST
    It's a dry heat.  ;-0

    Parent
    We hit 91 degrees here in the Keys (none / 0) (#100)
    by fishcamp on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 08:51:10 AM EST
    yesterday, and it wasn't the dry type of heat with 75% humidity and dew point.  We are getting hit with the dreaded Sahara dust that is bothersome to the eyes, but tamps down the storms starting to roll off the coast of Africa.  The hurricanes will soon be in my neighborhood.  I'm ready, I hope.

    Parent
    Here too (none / 0) (#101)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 09:29:52 AM EST
    we have been over a hundred for the heat index every day for a while.  Temps in the upper 90s and it feels like the humidity is too.  

    Parent
    Hit (none / 0) (#102)
    by FlJoe on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 09:31:08 AM EST
    92 yesterday before the rains set in, 2.6 inches worth, probably get another round this afternoon.

    Parent
    Here too also (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 09:37:48 AM EST
    We now that a thunderstorm almost every afternoon.  

    Rain on my carport was never a problem until last summer.  It started again this summer so I made a mini levee to keep it off my carport.  

    I will definitely be painting it Boa colors

    It did not rain yesterday so I think it's dry and hard enough (cement) for a test this afternoon.

    Parent

    I'm surprised there is no comment (none / 0) (#108)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 01:50:03 PM EST
    on my yard sculpture/flood control.  I worked very hard on it.

    Parent
    Too (none / 0) (#113)
    by KeysDan on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 03:06:15 PM EST
    scary.  Just finished "Squeeze Me" by Carl Hiaasen.  A good airplane read if you need to fly and are willing to brave the passengers.    Good Boa story.

    Parent
    I had not at all planned the head (none / 0) (#116)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 03:17:32 PM EST
    It was entirely functional.

    But I got there and it just needed a head.

    Parent

    Do you fish from that kayak? (none / 0) (#114)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 03:07:06 PM EST


    Parent
    Not much of a fisherman (none / 0) (#115)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 03:15:46 PM EST
    I have been using it quite a bit.  I had a friend visiting and we rented one for him.   There is a couple of services here that will drop you and drive your car to the drop off.  We did the 7 mile one.  We were kind of wishing we had done the 4 mile but it was fun.

    Parent
    Sounds fun. (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 03:43:26 PM EST
    Except queue Dueling Banjos.

    Parent
    Captain, I love those (none / 0) (#121)
    by fishcamp on Wed Jun 16, 2021 at 09:57:47 AM EST
    extra photos at the end of your photo.  They are always there and different each time.

    Parent
    Free image hosting. So images are chosen for you (none / 0) (#122)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 16, 2021 at 03:06:33 PM EST
    based on your browser history.  enjoy.

    I think if you care you can use a full screen link.   I guess I shouldn't bother.

    Parent

    AG Garland is about to address (none / 0) (#104)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 09:51:09 AM EST
    domestic terror threats.

    He's doing it between to very large semi nude statues. Showing both breast and loin.

    Seems kind of intentional.  

    Remember (none / 0) (#112)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 02:12:21 PM EST
    this?

    WASHINGTON -- The cover-up is over at the Justice Department.

    With barely a word about it, workers yesterday removed the blue drapes that have famously covered two scantily clad statues for the past 3 ½ years.

    "Spirit of Justice," with one breast exposed and her arms raised, and the bare-chested male "Majesty of Law" basked in the late-afternoon light of Justice's ceremonial Great Hall.

    The drapes, installed in 2002 at a cost of $8,000, allowed then-Attorney General John Ashcroft to speak in the Great Hall without fear of a breast showing up behind him in television or newspaper pictures. They also provoked jokes about and criticism of the deeply religious Ashcroft, who said at the time that the move was made for "TV aesthetics."



    Parent
    Hope against Huckabee (none / 0) (#118)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 04:34:50 PM EST
    Chris Jones, a nuclear engineer and political newcomer, enters Arkansas governor's race
    Candidates like Jones could ride a recent wave of people of color with limited political experience running for and getting elected to higher office.

    Speaking of which, ... (5.00 / 1) (#175)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 04:39:17 PM EST
    CaptHowdy: "Candidates like Jones could ride a recent wave of people of color with limited political experience running for and getting elected to higher office."

    ... congratulations to Buffalo, NY Mayor-elect India Walton, a registered nurse, first-time candidate and avowed Democratic socialist who ousted 4-term incumbent Byron Brown in yesterday's Democratic primary.

    ;-D

    Parent

    He was just on with Nicole (none / 0) (#119)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 04:51:19 PM EST
    He is a very smart articulate guy.  Sanders Trump support seems good to them I'm sure.  And it probably is.  Now.  In a few months when her only resume item is being the press mouthpiece for a twice impeached, and almost certainly indicted,  one term looser who if there is a god will be on trial for sedition might not be such a good thing.  Politically.

    I live here.  This guy could win.

    His brother is a Republican running for state wide office.

    Parent

    The Senate passed a bill to make (none / 0) (#120)
    by desertswine on Tue Jun 15, 2021 at 05:34:26 PM EST
    Juneteenth a national holiday.

    Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who single-handedly blocked the bill from passing last year due to concerns about its cost, announced he was dropping his objection to the legislation earlier on Tuesday.

    "It sounds like Congress wants to do it so I'm not going to stand in the way," Johnson told HuffPost. "I just think it's kind of odd that now apparently the only way to do [celebrate the end of slavery] is to give 2 million federal workers a paid day off, cost American taxpayers $600 million."

    Why didn't they do this while I was still working?  I like days off.  btw...  Johnson's an idiot.

    The (none / 0) (#123)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jun 17, 2021 at 08:55:25 AM EST
    Supremes leave Obamacare alone for now, ruling lack of standing 7-2.

    Alito and Gorsuch (none / 0) (#124)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 17, 2021 at 09:00:19 AM EST


    Parent
    PoliticalWire (none / 0) (#125)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 17, 2021 at 09:14:29 AM EST
    It's interesting that Breyer wrote for the majority. Perhaps to let him retire on a high note?



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    Let's all hope (none / 0) (#126)
    by MO Blue on Thu Jun 17, 2021 at 10:41:11 AM EST
    He retires while the Dems have a majority. Otherwise, we will have a 7-2 disaster.

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    Stacey Abrams (none / 0) (#128)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 17, 2021 at 03:12:11 PM EST
    I would `absolutely' back Manchin's voting rights compromise
    The former Georgia gubernatorial candidate described the tenets of the proposal as "strong ones that will create a level playing field."

    The Turtle (none / 0) (#129)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jun 17, 2021 at 03:58:23 PM EST
    will not support Manchin's compromise voting rights bill.   Of course.

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    Maybe he (none / 0) (#130)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 17, 2021 at 04:34:26 PM EST
    doesn't need to.

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    McConnell is the prefect (none / 0) (#131)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 17, 2021 at 05:05:28 PM EST
    nemesis.  Ghoulish automaton.

    I don't see how Manchin justifies waiting and hoping for Republican support after they krap all over his proposal.  

    It seems like he might be trying to actually give them every opportunity.  While turtle head responds by explaining how republicans will never confirm a SC nominee from a democratic president.  They are making it pretty easy for him.

    On another subject
    While I know it is a proper use of the term I cringe every time I hear a pundit or pol talk about how the current Republican Party is against "Liberal Democracy".  The base is to stupid to understand what the term liberal means in this context and I imagine them nodding in dim agreement that "Hell yeah we're aginist librul democracy".

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    According to WIKI (none / 0) (#132)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 17, 2021 at 05:10:43 PM EST
    an alternate term is Western Democracy

    This might be less frightening and disturbing to the FOX, OANN, NEWSMAX crowd.

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    Mekka Lekka Hi... (none / 0) (#139)
    by desertswine on Sat Jun 19, 2021 at 12:27:24 PM EST
    Your wish is granted.  Long live Jambi.

    John Paragon passes.

    Helter Skelter - EPIX true crime (none / 0) (#142)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 20, 2021 at 06:56:45 PM EST
    It's pretty good.  It's an interesting companion to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.   The short segment about the actual murders is jarring because it begins so much like the movie.  Probably not a accident. And ends quickly with graphic crime scene photos of the victims.

    It's really one of the only time the gory imagery is used.  And it's pretty effective.

    review

    The most interesting part (none / 0) (#143)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 20, 2021 at 07:38:12 PM EST
    is the last few minutes of the finale when they are talking about the mechanics of a cult.  About how he sucked people into it and then would put them through a period of abuse making them feel they will do anything to get back on his good side.

    You can not hear it without thinking about the MAGA cult.  So many creepy parallels.   Half the statements about Manson could be transferred to Trump by just changing names details.

    Leaving you with thinking about the crime of Jan 6 and how it was all Trump in spite of the fact he was no where near the Capitol.

    It's annoying like all the Manson stories because the people talking are working so hard to avoid any personal responsibility and just end up showing how pathetically f'cked up these people were.

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    Jones for AR Gov (none / 0) (#146)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 21, 2021 at 04:00:16 PM EST
    Chris Jones' video gives him a running start for governor

    Not surprised (none / 0) (#147)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jun 21, 2021 at 04:08:08 PM EST
    in the least to find out he went to Morehouse. Morehouse probably puts forth more African American leaders in this country than any other HBCU. Good luck to him. I hope AR is ready for change and votes him into office.

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    Site (none / 0) (#148)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 21, 2021 at 04:15:40 PM EST
    Chris for governor

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    Should watch the vid (none / 0) (#149)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 21, 2021 at 04:17:30 PM EST
    It's very good.

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    wow, it is. (none / 0) (#152)
    by leap on Mon Jun 21, 2021 at 06:27:23 PM EST
    I wish I could vote for Chris Jones.

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    I wish you could too (none / 0) (#153)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 21, 2021 at 06:49:27 PM EST


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    Colonel Bleep (none / 0) (#151)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 21, 2021 at 04:49:13 PM EST
    Curious, have we heard of Colonel Bleep?  I had not.  They have been running them on Film Detective.  I love it.  

    there are not that many tv cartoons from the 50s I never heard of

    Or maybe there is.

    I don't remember Colonel Bleep... (none / 0) (#156)
    by desertswine on Tue Jun 22, 2021 at 11:34:18 AM EST
    But I do remember Crusader Rabbit, which was only a cartoon in theory.

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    Yes (none / 0) (#157)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 22, 2021 at 11:44:56 AM EST
    Early in the 2000s I worked briefly for a company in LA making these sort of moving comic books.  They thought they were doing something new and different but I explained we were doing a realistic CG versions of Crusader Rabbit.

    My employment there was short.

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    55 - not just a speed limit anymore (none / 0) (#154)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 22, 2021 at 08:23:06 AM EST
    According to Morning Joe there is a growing movement to move the filibuster number from 60 to 55.  A number that is possible for passing both infrastructure and voting rights now that Obama has joined Stacey Abrams in supporting Manchins compromise.

    It would also give Sinema wiggle room to support it.

    And probably other things.  

    It sounds to me like something that could actually happen.

    From Monmouth yesterday (none / 0) (#155)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 22, 2021 at 08:30:44 AM EST
    The Monmouth University Poll survey found that 71 percent think early voting should generally be made easier, while only 16 percent say it should be made harder.

    Support among respondents was even higher when it came to photo identification for casting ballots. The poll determined that 80 percent of those polled support requiring photo identification when voting, while only 18 percent are opposed.

    Additionally, 62 percent of Democrats polled, 87 percent of independents polled and 91 percent of Republicans polled backed requiring photo identification to vote.

    Eighty-four percent of Democrats surveyed said voting by mail should be easier, while just 40 percent of independent respondents supported easing voting-by-mail, and 26 percent of Republicans surveyed did.

    There was consensus, however, on creating national guidelines for voting by mail and early voting.

    The poll found that 69 percent of respondents supported establishing national regulations for federal elections in every state, while just 25 percent were opposed.

    Mitch might not care what voters think but I'm thinking there is (at least) 5 republicans who do.

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    I stopped in the (none / 0) (#162)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 22, 2021 at 06:55:28 PM EST
    local (new) public library this afternoon.  Because I had never been there and someone mentioned using the library.  I got a card to use audiobooks.

    But while there I had an interesting little convo.  There was two ladies behind the counter and two male customers.  The lady asked me for my drivers license, I accidentally gave her my pot card - they look exactly alike - she laughed.  But one guy says something like "you have to have a photo ID to get a library card but not to vote".  This was greeted with nods off approval.

    I said they are trying, right now, to pass a federal law that says you have to have a photo ID to vote.  Everyone was nterested.  State law? No.  Federal law covering every state.  And republicans are blocking it.  All agreed this was not good.

    Unbelievable none seemed even vaguely aware of what is happening on the news.  Real news, I mean.  But the reaction told me this is one of those issues that stupid people understand.  No offense.  

    The democrats are on to something to keep pushing it.

    Parent

    FTR (none / 0) (#163)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 22, 2021 at 06:58:23 PM EST
    I know what was being voted on today was not exactly what I described.  I described the Manchin thing.  Which is the next thing republicans will stop.    It was less complicated but made my point.  

    Parent
    PWire (none / 0) (#164)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 22, 2021 at 07:01:30 PM EST
    Democrats Signal Support for Voter ID

    June 22, 2021 at 7:43 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

    "Prominent Democrats have increasingly softened their opposition to voter identification requirements in recent days, signaling a new openness to measures that activists have long vilified as an insidious method of keeping minorities from the ballot box," the Washington Post reports.



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    Democrats do not (could not) really support (none / 0) (#165)
    by Peter G on Tue Jun 22, 2021 at 10:08:28 PM EST
    voter ID, at least not photo ID, given its impact on low-income voters of color. At most, Dems are willing to give in (or compromise) on this -- such as voter ID that accepts a utility bill and the like -- if it will allow us to get federal legislation to stop partisan gerrymandering and lock in mail-in and early voting.

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    Nancy (none / 0) (#158)
    by FlJoe on Tue Jun 22, 2021 at 05:34:08 PM EST
    reportedly going to name select committee to investigate Jan. 6  

    Interesting timing (none / 0) (#160)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 22, 2021 at 05:47:11 PM EST
    there

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    I (none / 0) (#161)
    by FlJoe on Tue Jun 22, 2021 at 05:59:22 PM EST
    thought so too, not a coincidence IMO.

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    Ther, apparently, is (none / 0) (#166)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 10:12:05 AM EST
    an animal cruelty constituency in the Republican Party.  Texas Governor Abbott vetoed a bill that would ban the tethering of dogs with heavy chains in the hot Texas sun without water.

    Abbott claims there are enough laws and pet owners should not be micromanaged.  

    "Micromanaged" - oy (none / 0) (#167)
    by Yman on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 10:26:53 AM EST
    It's weird.  I've noticed that the few rightwing wackos who still make it into my feed often post articles sympathetic to animals and against animal cruelty ... while remaining  as cruel as possible to many of their fellow human beings.

    Parent
    The bill (5.00 / 1) (#168)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 10:51:09 AM EST
    was passed in the Texas senate (28 to 3) and in the House (83 to 32).  But Abbott is pretty wacko-savvy so he must sense a political pot of gold in his veto.  Or, he was a kid who pulled the wings off butterflies.  Or, he is an adult who does.

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    Fascism on the March. (none / 0) (#169)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 12:03:49 PM EST
    Florida Governor DeSantis signed into law a bill requiring faculty, students and staff at Florida's public colleges and universities to register their political views with the State.

    The legislation is to assure that students are not "indoctrinated" and to foster diversity of thought. According to Herr DeSantis.

    Why (none / 0) (#170)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 01:22:28 PM EST
    not skip straight to loyalty oaths?

    Future HS grads; "Gee, I applied to U of F but ended up in a re-education camp in the Everglades instead."

    Parent

    Welcome to 1930 Deutschland. (none / 0) (#171)
    by desertswine on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 02:35:21 PM EST


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    Why stop at (none / 0) (#172)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 04:10:10 PM EST
    public universities? Why not private ones too? After all their most hated universities are Harvard and Yale and they are private. And if I were made to do that I would put something totally ridiculous. Does he not realize that a lot of students are going to lie and say Daffy Duck is their political patron saint?

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    DeSantis is (none / 0) (#174)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 04:37:48 PM EST
    a smarter Trump (Yale, BA, magna cum laude; Harvard, JD), and has, no doubt, thought it out. Indeed, his baccalaureate degree is in history, and is probably a student of the strategies of the Third Reich.

    DeSantis is nipping at Trump's heels waiting for the opportunity to swallow him up. Hard to out-Trump in the demagogue department, but he is giving it the old private college try.

    Parent

    Yeah (none / 0) (#177)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 05:26:11 PM EST
    it's obvious DeSantis wants to be Trump. He is a poor man's Trump though.

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    Trump without the gold toilet (none / 0) (#178)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 05:53:17 PM EST
    it's been said.  Yes.

    The thing is I don't think Trumpism is transferable.  At least as far as winning elections.  Sure he can do the thing but it's not and won't be the same.  People will not turn out for him like they did for Trump and he won't get away with the things Trump did.

    For example, imagine a audio recording of DeSantis saying he is entitled to grab random by their private parts.  Because he is famous.

    See what I mean?  I don't think so.  

    Sure he is a threat.  Honestly I think there are bigger national threats in the Republican Party.

    Parent

    Also this (5.00 / 1) (#183)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 07:46:51 AM EST
    Trump will turn on DeSantis

    Parent
    Like Liz Cheney (none / 0) (#179)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 05:55:57 PM EST


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    tRump (none / 0) (#185)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 10:12:34 AM EST
    without the "charm". I always had the feeling that underneath the bluster and bullying, tRump has a need to be loved. I see none of that in DeSantis.

    IMO there is more than a hint of kayfabe in tRump's performance that he absorbed during his WWE days, somewhere he learned meanness could make him popular.  

    On the other hand Desantis meanness appears to be 100% real and as far as I can tell he was born that way.

    I agree that Desantis' innate meanness will be harder sale than tRump's more showbiz freindly antics.

    Parent

    Is this even (none / 0) (#182)
    by MO Blue on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 12:11:17 AM EST
    constitutional?

    Parent
    I'd like to see the actual wording (5.00 / 2) (#184)
    by Peter G on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 09:14:26 AM EST
    of the law before opining with finality. But as described ... No, it's not constitutional.

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    A copy of (none / 0) (#187)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 12:35:58 PM EST
    the DeSantis bill. Many vague parts, consistent with authoritarian's pleasure--rule making to clarify if needed.  Silent on anonymity, what use the surveys will be put to... Seems unconstitutional. Hope so. Of course DeSantis does not care, he is at the forefront of the culture war..see that Republicans.

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    Unfortunately, (none / 0) (#190)
    by Zorba on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 03:38:16 PM EST
    that doesn't seem to stop people like DeSantis from trying to over-ride the Constitution.
    I'm sure that the ACLU and others will take this up to the Supreme Court, if necessary.
    It's a waste of time and Florida taxpayer money for them to defend this, but if Florida voters are content to keep voting for bozos, well maybe they deserve to have their tax dollars wasted.
    Sigh.

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    DeFund DeSantis (5.00 / 1) (#191)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 04:22:35 PM EST
    is now ready to go after those engineering professors at Florida colleges and universities who factor climate change into construction safety when building on sand bars complicated by rising waters.

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    The late Hawaii QB Colt Brennan ... (none / 0) (#176)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 05:09:06 PM EST
    "That person has to want to help themselves or you're never going to beat it. Colt struggled with that. Everybody out here tried to help him. We were all hoping we wouldn't be reading about him like this some day."
    - June Jones, former University of Hawaii football coach (1999-2007), on his star QB Colt Brennan

    ... once showed so much promise, leading the Rainbow Warriors into the rarified atmosphere of a conference championship, a Top 10 national ranking and the Sugar Bowl.

    In an L.A. Times front-page feature story this week, reporter Jeff Miller writes eloquently and respectfully of Brennan's heartbreaking fall from glory into an inevitable, grudging but ultimately fatal surrender to his demons, and the impact his death from drug and alcohol abuse has had on those family members and former coaches who fought so hard to save him from his fate.

    Worth a read.

    So sad (none / 0) (#180)
    by BGinCA on Wed Jun 23, 2021 at 07:11:56 PM EST
    Per ESPN:"Only hours [before his death], Colt Brennan had tried to enter a detox program at an area hospital, but he was turned away because there were no beds available."

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    Supreme Court live (none / 0) (#192)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 06:30:36 PM EST

    Senate Judiciary Approves Cameras in Supreme Court

    June 24, 2021 at 5:45 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 27 Comments

    "The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a pair of bills Thursday that would dramatically expand video coverage of federal court trials and other proceedings while putting Supreme Court arguments on camera for the first time," Politico reports.

    link

    Terrifying before and after (none / 0) (#193)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 07:11:44 PM EST
    of the collapsed building

    Apparently the no doubt (none / 0) (#195)
    by jondee on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 09:04:48 PM EST
    underfunded (or paid off) building inspectors missed a couple of things.

    The marvelous, invisible hand of deregulation strikes again.

    Parent

    also, apparently the structure (none / 0) (#196)
    by leap on Thu Jun 24, 2021 at 09:42:28 PM EST
    was built on "reclaimed wetlands." And has been sinking. Oh.

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    Thursday Night Open Thread | 196 comments (196 topical)

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