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    They promise law suits in every state (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 25, 2021 at 10:21:53 AM EST

    Biden Administration Will Sue Georgia Over Voting Law

    June 25, 2021 at 10:34 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 88 Comments

    "In its first major action to combat GOP voter suppression laws, the Biden Justice Department will announce on Friday that it is suing the state of Georgia over its new voting restrictions," Mother Jones reports.

    "The lawsuit is being overseen by Kristen Clarke, the head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and Vanita Gupta, the associate attorney general--two longtime civil rights lawyers with extensive records litigating against new restrictions on voting."



    Just on MSNBC (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 25, 2021 at 01:18:12 PM EST
    Cy will charge the Trump Organization - not the middle men - NEXT WEEK.

    Everything is going to h*ll (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jun 25, 2021 at 08:09:54 PM EST
    Very quickly. Truth coming out about Trump wanting to invoke the Insurrection Act on June 1.

    Parent
    My mother would approve (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by jondee on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 01:51:35 PM EST
    of how you spelled H E double hockey stick.

    Parent
    Can you imagine (none / 0) (#10)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 08:25:23 AM EST
    him ordering the military to mow down Americans?

    You and I would be horrified but his voting base would cheer it on.

    Matthew Dowd mentioned the Shirley Jackson story The Lottery. I think I may need to reread it since I think the last time I did was in 9th Grade.

    Parent

    "The Lottery" (none / 0) (#14)
    by leap on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 10:58:49 AM EST
    I'm actively working (none / 0) (#47)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 02:19:17 PM EST
    On cursing less.

    Parent
    Tom Winter (none / 0) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 25, 2021 at 01:38:53 PM EST
    Daniel Goldman (none / 0) (#9)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 08:22:29 AM EST
    had comments on this. Apparently charging the organization with tax fraud will make all the banks or whomever Trump is getting his money from call in their loans. It probably would send the organization immediately into its 7th bankruptcy. Sounds like all the properties would be sold to pay off the debts and I guess he could keep Mar A Lago because of Florida laws.

    Parent
    It seemed to me they are (none / 0) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 08:29:43 AM EST
    starting with the small stuff they can easily prove.  They have been telling this guy for months cooperate or go to jail.  Time to go to jail.  Which might or might not shake him loose but sending his children to jail might do it.

    I think it's going to be an interesting summer.  Tracy is right.  The wheels are coming off.

    Parent

    I hope (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 09:04:11 AM EST
    the wheels are coming off. I try to temper my enthusiasm and dejection about these events. It seems like it is taking forever for Trump to pay for his crimes but in reality it really has not been all that long.

    Parent
    By "this guy" do you mean (none / 0) (#16)
    by Peter G on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 01:13:27 PM EST
    Allen Weisselberg, the CFO of the Tr*mp "Organzation"?

    Parent
    I do (none / 0) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 01:22:39 PM EST
    Yes


    Parent
    What I read (none / 0) (#18)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 01:26:48 PM EST
    is they have lots and lots of paper evidence of things being done and crimes being committed but that - probably - linking the worst of them to Trump as opposed to some middle man is more difficult and would likely require someone who was in the room.  That guy was always in the room.  

    A lot of people seem to think he is the key to Trump.

    Parent

    Also (none / 0) (#19)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 01:28:37 PM EST
    things State of Mind and intent comes up a lot.

    Parent
    The Revenge Tour (none / 0) (#34)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 05:41:29 PM EST
    If there is a T-shirt I would buy one

    "Donald Trump on Saturday will kick off his revenge tour against Republicans who defied him in the aftermath of the 2020 election and January 6 insurrection, hoping to convince his supporters to fire Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez," CNN reports.

    "The effort to oust the Republicans who crossed him will be one of the biggest tests of Trump's post-presidential power, assessing whether the former President still has the sway with base Republican voters that he enjoyed during his four years in the White House."

    link


    Parent

    You will (none / 0) (#35)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 06:39:17 PM EST
    respect my authoratah

    "In [recent] conversations that I've had with him, he has said that he wants to be everywhere to remind people, not just Republicans, that he's still in charge," the Trump associate explained. "The message is a pretty straightforward one: I am still leading this party, and if you want to try to challenge me for that, it will get ugly."

    The report adds, "His overwhelming popularity in the GOP and among the base of conservative voters--even after the deadly MAGA riot, and Republicans losing the House, Senate, and White House on his watch--is something that Trump is determined to preserve."



    Parent
    Barbara Res (none / 0) (#40)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 07:39:44 AM EST
    Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg is reportedly facing charges in what observers believe is a means of pressuring him to flip on former President Donald Trump, the HuffPost reports.

    But so far, he hasn't ― and former Trump Organization executive Barbara Res told CNN she's surprised.

    Said Res: "Trump has something on him, I would imagine. That's the only thing I can think of."

    link

    Parent

    maybe he's more scared of (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by leap on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 11:41:12 AM EST
    the Russian mob, than of Trump, after all the money-laundering he did with the Trump mob. The Russians are real pros....

    Parent
    Guessing Tr*mp "has something on him" (none / 0) (#45)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 01:50:03 PM EST
    makes no sense. When A "has something" on B, and B at the same time "has something" on A ... because A and B committed crimes together -- perhaps by A directing B to commit crimes for A's benefit, or perhaps by B asking and receiving A's approval for the commission of crimes for A's and B's mutual benefit -- then the one who gets indicted is almost always the second one to approach the prosecutor for a deal.

    Parent
    They say (none / 0) (#46)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 02:04:53 PM EST
    today is the end of the opportunity for the defense to persuade the prosecution not to charge.

    I guess it's on starting tomorrow.


    Parent

    How about if they both plead ... (none / 0) (#51)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 04:47:36 PM EST
    ... "It's all Ivanka's fault!" Would that work?

    ;-D

    Parent

    Sure that would work, but (none / 0) (#54)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 07:43:02 PM EST
    isn't Jared a more likely fall-guy than the Princess?

    Parent
    Either one will do. (none / 0) (#55)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 08:41:13 PM EST
    Of course, if any of the Trumps were actually smart, they'd realize that the two truly expendable members of the family are Donald Jr. and Eric, aka Sonny and Fredo.

    ;-D

    Parent

    That is so unfair to Sonny (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 09:21:05 PM EST
    you are lucky he is dead.

    Parent
    More like (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 09:22:49 PM EST
    Uday and Qusay

    Parent
    My daughter said.. (5.00 / 4) (#36)
    by desertswine on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 10:33:25 PM EST
    that it was 106 in Portland today and that it could go up to 113 tomorrow.  That's insane.

    But rain in the (none / 0) (#37)
    by MKS on Sun Jun 27, 2021 at 07:00:42 PM EST
    Land of Enchantment today.

    The change in jet stream that over heats the Northwest is bringing on the Monsoon.

    Parent

    It's ironic that in NM for the last couple of days (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by desertswine on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 01:36:25 PM EST
    some places are setting record low highs, if that makes any sense.  That is, the high temps of the day are the lowest ever.  I can't seem to express that properly, if you catches my drift.

    Parent
    It was 104 in Seattle today, ... (none / 0) (#38)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 03:35:05 AM EST
    ... which is an all-time high. Tomorrow's forecast calls for 108.

    Parent
    MSNBC just said (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 07:50:23 AM EST
    110 in Seattle and 114 in Portland today.

    Parent
    Canada had their highest temp (none / 0) (#42)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 07:54:06 AM EST
    ever recorded in their history yesterday.  

    Parent
    Ha-ha! We were both wrong! (none / 0) (#50)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 04:42:47 PM EST
    It only reached 106 in Seattle today.

    Parent
    UPDATE: A late afternoon surge ... (none / 0) (#59)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 09:47:57 PM EST
    ... pushed Seattle's temperature to 108. I win.

    But seriously, though, when I was in school at the University of Washington, the warmest I ever remember it getting was in the mid-90s, and that was just once in a five-year period. Triple digits were unheard of. Not any more, I guess.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Today was my uncle's 90th birthday (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by Peter G on Tue Jun 29, 2021 at 10:40:29 PM EST
    He lives in Tacoma. When I called to wish him a happy birthday, he and his son, my cousin, reported that the temp had dropped from 104 yesterday to only 83 today. They said they figured that this was a trend: 65 tomorrow, and 20 by Saturday. My uncle (mother's brother) is an unknown great figure in American folk music.

    Parent
    Sounds like (none / 0) (#70)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 07:14:57 AM EST
    an interesting guy

    Folksongs & Ballads (with Irene Saletan) (1970) Many cuts available on YouTube



    Parent
    Uncle Tony's then-wife "Irene Saletan" (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by Peter G on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 09:19:40 AM EST
    was formerly and subsequently one of the Kossoy Sisters (with her twin sister, Ellen). When they were 17-yr-old Jewish kid folkies on Long Island in 1956, they recorded an album of Appalachian ballads and songs that sounded (and continues to sound) like a pair of 60-yr-old West Virginia or North Carolina mountain women singing in close harmony. And again, everyone knows their music and no one knows their names, as their awesome version of "I'll Fly Away" is heard on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack (not the soundtrack album, oddly, but the actual movie soundtrack).

    Parent
    That's great (none / 0) (#73)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 11:08:39 AM EST
    That cd lives in my car player.

    Parent
    That's the (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 11:39:43 AM EST
    "Down From the Mountain" cd

    Parent
    Yeah, well unfortunately that CD has (none / 0) (#80)
    by Peter G on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 03:05:30 PM EST
    the Allison Krauss-Gillian Welch remake, not the Kossoy Sisters original. You should find and invest in a copy of the Kossoys' "Bowling Green" CD (Rykodisc). You'll love it. It's rare though. If you want to spend less, try this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/371800056212

    Parent
    I know (none / 0) (#81)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 03:17:44 PM EST
    I remember the version from the film which I gave on DVD.  It is of course better.  But it's still a great cd.

    Parent
    On Spotify (none / 0) (#86)
    by RickyJim on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 04:36:26 PM EST
    there are two Kossoy Sisters Bowling Green discs.  They seem to be the same release made in 1997 by Tradition Records of a recording dating from 1956.  One cover just says Kossoy Sisters and the other says Kossoy Sisters with Eric Darling.  I don't know how they relate to the other mentioned discs but if you are a Spotify subscriber it is free for the listening.

    Parent
    That is the same recording (none / 0) (#89)
    by Peter G on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 07:35:02 PM EST
    It was made in 1956 as an LP on the Tradition label. Rykodisk bought the rights and released it as a CD in 1997. After OBWAT became a hit, Rykodisk reissued I'll Fly Away and some other tracks from the album on various "bluegrass" compilations they issued, although what the Kossoy Sisters sing is not "bluegrass" at all. The original album does indeed say "The Kossoy Sisters with Erik Darling." Darling does a lot of the instrumental accompaniment; he does not sing on that album. He was a very fine folk musician, who succeeded Pete Seeger in the Weavers when Pete went solo.

    Parent
    I'm due to travel (none / 0) (#71)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 08:01:56 AM EST
    Up the coast from San Francisco to Seattle in late July. Hopefully, the weather in that region returns to normal by that time.

    What interesting relatives you have. Sounds like a really fun and talented man who has lived long and prospered.

    Parent

    MSNBC is reporting that (none / 0) (#61)
    by desertswine on Tue Jun 29, 2021 at 02:13:04 PM EST
    it was 116 in Portland yesterday.

    Parent
    I recall a convention in Portland (none / 0) (#62)
    by Towanda on Tue Jun 29, 2021 at 03:52:32 PM EST
    in a heat wave there, "only" in the 90s, when my professional organization of academics met in August in dorms.

    It was horrible. The dorms were not air conditioned, because It was Portland, and because students were not in dorms in summers. We were on a high floor, with heat rising, it was horrible. And not much else -- stores and such -- was air conditioned there either, because it was Portland.

    Ever after, my professional organization met in hotels.


    Parent

    ... lifelong liberal and anti-war advocate who garnered national attention in 1971 by holding a on-man filibuster, during which he read the entirety of the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional Record. He will be missed.


    I mentioned a couple months ago (5.00 / 8) (#48)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 02:41:47 PM EST
    that an athlete I had coached in youth Track and Field had been breaking collegiate records in the Long Jump and hoped qualify for the Olympics.

    Well, on Saturday she came in second at the trials so she is going to Tokyo!

    What would it feel like (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 02:54:06 PM EST
    to have been in that building that collapsed but just beyond what collapsed.   It looked like apartments were torn in half.  Imagine walking out of your bedroom to find you living room is gone and your hallway open to the sky.

    That must feel something like a second chance.

    Sadly, it does not seem (none / 0) (#63)
    by Towanda on Tue Jun 29, 2021 at 03:53:35 PM EST
    that few found out, as they did not walk out. . . .

    Parent
    A member from a gardening forum I frequent (none / 0) (#189)
    by vml68 on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 01:27:27 PM EST
    was visiting a relative in that building the night it collapsed, they found his body a few days ago.
    Lost my father three months ago and it has been tough. Pretty much lost interest in keeping up with most things. So, I haven't been reading Talkleft for a while. Still frequented my gardening forum because my dad and I shared a love for gardening and my father and I had met a few members from that forum.
    After hearing about the tragic loss of that member, it hit me that while I have no interest in keeping up with politics right now, I did want to check in to make sure all of you are still around and doing well. I haven't had time to go back and read through all the old posts but I'm glad to see posts from almost all of you in this one.

    Parent
    Difficult to imagine (none / 0) (#190)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 01:36:23 PM EST
    I just rejoined Facebook after years of absence after learning of the deaths of two friends by finding obits months after the fact.  Both were Facebook friends,  it made me realize keeping track is important.

    Nice to see you.

    Parent

    My sympathies (none / 0) (#192)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 02:24:19 PM EST
    on the loss of your father.  And, sad to learn that a member of your gardening forum was a casualty of that tragic condo collapse.   Hope you are faring well---you have been  missed at TL.

    Parent
    Condolences (none / 0) (#193)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 03:03:29 PM EST
    on the loss of your father. I lost mine in 2008 and the first year is the worst. I hope you are able to come by from time to time and keep us updated on how you are doing and feeling.

    Parent
    So sorry on the loss of your father. (none / 0) (#195)
    by desertswine on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 03:43:23 PM EST
    I am so very sorry, vml68 (none / 0) (#196)
    by Zorba on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 07:48:52 PM EST
    about your father, and your gardening forum friend.
    Hugs and sympathy to you.

    Parent
    Sorry to hear about your losses (none / 0) (#199)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jul 09, 2021 at 01:17:22 PM EST
    Take cars of yourself during this trying time. Drop in when you get the chance and let us know how you are doing.

    Parent
    Republican metaphysics (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 29, 2021 at 09:59:20 AM EST
    They're just incredulous that Democrats could consider their support for directing federal funds to local police departments -- and Republican opposition to those efforts -- relevant to the question of defunding the police. They aren't claiming that the money didn't actually go to the police; they just seem to consider `defunding the police' a sort of metaphysical position that has nothing to do with actual police-department budgets."

    link

    With friends like Christina, who needs enemies? (5.00 / 1) (#82)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 04:04:10 PM EST
    In an Opinion Column (NYTimes, June 30, 2021), Professor Christina Greer, a political scientist at Fordham University, attempts to give support to Vice President Kamala Harris, but in so doing, undermines her.

    Professor Greer worries that President Biden and his team are not giving her chances to get some wins and more experience on her ledger. Rather, it is the hardest of hard stuff assigned to her, such as addressing the root causes of migration who, she notes, has no deep expertise with Latin American issues; provide leadership on the administration's voting-rights efforts, which the filibuster has assigned to limbo; address vaccine hesitancy; and work toward policing reform.

    Professor Greer fears that her work as No. 2 could end up being baggage more than a boon. All of which may make her political future uncertain. And, the White House even felt it necessary to compliment her on the trip to the southern border, characterizing it as a "success."

    Of course, the "hard stuff" is part of the job. Particularly, the gaining of experience in it, being the first in presidential succession. And, the experience might actually be an asset to any future political aspirations.  Looks like the Biden team would not be able to win on this one for losing.  If Vice President Harris' assignments were primarily attending funerals of departed world leaders, the criticism would be that of putting her on the shelf.

    Vice President Harris is doing just fine. She has a great mentor in the president. Being as smart as she is, she can sup at the institutional and political knowledge his almost 50 years in Washington brings. And, acquire the experience of being part of governing in among the most challenging times in US history.

    If there is a trap, as Professor Greer asserts, it would be taking her opinion to heart.

    This was yesterday (none / 0) (#83)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 04:13:16 PM EST
    Maybe they are related

    Several Longtime Kamala Harris Confidants Shut Out

    June 29, 2021 at 10:52 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 58 Comments

    "Kamala Harris' chief of staff has effectively shut out several longtime of the vice president's political and business world allies as the Biden administration contends with several challenges, including battles over voting rights and the border," CNBC reports.

    "Harris has not been returning phone calls to people who have considered themselves members of her inner circle, including donors and people who supported her Senate and White House runs."



    Parent
    No coincidences (none / 0) (#88)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 04:47:50 PM EST
    in politics, I think.

    Parent
    A better (none / 0) (#87)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 04:46:46 PM EST
    Donald Rumsfeld has sauntered off (5.00 / 2) (#91)
    by desertswine on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 08:38:27 PM EST
    into the Great Known Unknown.

    In accordance with TL rules, ... (none / 0) (#92)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 02:19:30 AM EST
    ... I'll keep my mouth shut about Donald Rumsfeld, save for this - he was a genuine, dyed-in-the-wool Nixon Republican, and those of you who remember that era know exactly what I mean.

    Parent
    Headline in the Nation on line today (none / 0) (#106)
    by Peter G on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 11:15:14 AM EST
    thanks, Donald (none / 0) (#131)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 08:03:03 PM EST
    I've always wondered who the exception to the rule would be. I read about Rumsfeld and decided he's not it. I think for me the exception will be Dick Cheney.

    For those of you who are newer here, the TL rule is that we don't speak ill of the dead on the occasion of their death. (We wait a little bit).

    Parent

    Not Mr Trump (none / 0) (#132)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 09:02:12 PM EST
    ?

    Parent
    It will be free drinks for EVERYONE (5.00 / 2) (#142)
    by Chuck0 on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 01:24:37 PM EST
    on that occasion. Block party. Free beer and steaks (no ketchup).

    Jeralyn may be doing a lot of deleting for what I would have to say on that day.


    Parent

    What would (none / 0) (#157)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jul 04, 2021 at 06:06:27 PM EST
    be the proper funereal attire for such an occasion?  Something  in red or orange?

    Parent
    To quote a patron saint of defense counsels: (none / 0) (#155)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jul 04, 2021 at 05:13:50 PM EST
     "All men have an emotion to kill; when they strongly dislike some one they involuntarily wish he was dead. I have never killed any one, but I have read some obituary notices with great satisfaction."
    - Clarence Darrow, The Story of My Life (1932)

    Parent
    Long video compilation (5.00 / 1) (#95)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 07:40:57 AM EST
    from the Times.  It's scary.

    No pay wall

    A six-month Times investigation has synchronized and mapped out thousands of videos and police radio communications from the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, providing the most complete picture to date of what happened -- and why

    --

    We filed motions to unseal police body-camera footage, scoured law enforcement radio communications, and synchronized and mapped the visual evidence."

    "What we have come up with is a 40-minute panoramic take on Jan. 6, the most complete visual depiction of the Capitol riot to date. In putting it together, we gained critical insights into the character and motivation of rioters by experiencing the events of the day often through their own words and video recordings. We found evidence of members of extremist groups inciting others to riot and assault police officers. And we learned how Donald Trump's own words resonated with the mob in real time as they staged the attack."



    The SCOTUS (5.00 / 3) (#100)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 09:52:30 AM EST
    just shot section 2 of the voteing rights act in the heart.

    We also lost (none / 0) (#101)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 09:54:42 AM EST
    the other big case about dark money.

    Parent
    Wonder if these 6-3 decisions (none / 0) (#102)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 09:55:51 AM EST
    will influence any thoughts about retirement.

    Parent
    No time (none / 0) (#105)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 10:30:29 AM EST
    should be wasted on steps to expand the Supreme Court and to reform Certiorari.   Anything Alito writes as a majority opinion is a harbinger of worse to come-- a Republican hack masquerading as a jurist.


    Parent
    What Could Be Done (none / 0) (#107)
    by RickyJim on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 11:31:24 AM EST
    that won't come crashing down against a filibuster?  As for a constitutional amendment, fuhgeddaboudit.  I don't know of another democracy where the judiciary has absolute supremacy over the legislative branch and where judges are appointed so politically.

    Parent
    That is why (5.00 / 4) (#108)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 01:22:25 PM EST
    the argument about abolishing the filibuster is so salient.

    Parent
    A.G. Garland suspends the federal death penalty (5.00 / 3) (#111)
    by Peter G on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 10:34:13 PM EST
    pending an examination of existing policies and procedures, particularly in terms of their racial impact and risk of wrongful executions. My advice: take your time, Merrick; no need to rush this.

    A (5.00 / 1) (#134)
    by FlJoe on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 06:24:20 AM EST
    day in the life of big oil, set the ocean on fire
    "Pemex said the gas leak occurred at 5:15am local time in the submarine pipeline near Ku-Maloob-Zaap's Ku-C satellite platform in the Campeche Sound causing a fire 150 meters from the platform,
    but the show must go on
    "By 10:45am local time normal operating conditions were restored, and no injuries or evacuations were reported, it said."


    Looks like it is going to be a gorgeous 4th (5.00 / 2) (#136)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 08:27:48 AM EST
    at least in my neighborhood.  Clear skies, high 80s and low humidity.  Everyone is going to be everywhere.  I'm imagining viral death shooting from every screaming mouth like fireworks.  I don't think I will leave the house.  

    Burgers and dogs on the grill tomorrow with a neighbor.  Speaking of dogs I got downers for them yesterday.  They will mostly sleep through it.

    I am very lucky that my front deck is pointed directly at the location of the annual town fireworks.  It's the dam for the biggest lake which is about a half a mile as the crow flies.  There is a very big tree sort of blocking the low stuff but if you go on my roof which is really easy and does not require a ladder you can see everything.

    I kind of doubt we will hit the roof but it has been done.

    Happy 4th.

    Considering (none / 0) (#138)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 10:59:41 AM EST
    the low vaccination rate in my county I guess the hospitals will be full or overflowing in the next couple of weeks.

    I wonder if I had COVID a couple of weeks ago. I was sick as a dog for a couple of days but in total it lasted about 10 days. My husband got it but had a milder case. He had the COVID shot and actually had COVID in January. So maybe that is why his case was milder.

    Parent

    Hey Zorba! (5.00 / 4) (#140)
    by vml68 on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 01:06:52 PM EST
    If memory serves me right, today is your birthday.
    Happy Birthday to you!

    And, Happy 4th of July to all.

    Thank you, vml68! (none / 0) (#149)
    by Zorba on Sun Jul 04, 2021 at 10:36:22 AM EST
    Yes, it was my birthday yesterday (73 years old!).
    We went out to a very nice restaurant for dinner, and had some very good wine.
    Today, we are doing the rather traditional grilling out- chicken and ribs, potato salad, local corn, local strawberries for dessert.
    Take care, and have a great (and safe) 4th of July!

    Parent
    Happy belated birthday, Zorba (5.00 / 1) (#150)
    by Peter G on Sun Jul 04, 2021 at 10:52:03 AM EST
    July 3 was also my mother's 98th birthday! She is physically ok, but mentally almost absent. Rather sad. I just read that July 3 this year was the 50th anniversary of Jim Morrison's death (at age 27!) in 1971.

    Parent
    Happy. Birthday, (5.00 / 1) (#151)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jul 04, 2021 at 11:50:00 AM EST
    Mme Zorba.  So glad you had a nice celebration.  Thanks, too, to vml68 for keeping track of TL colleagues' birthdays so that we can express our good wishes to the birthday girls and.birthday boys

    Parent
    I am usually no good at remembering (none / 0) (#188)
    by vml68 on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 01:08:10 PM EST
    birthdays but Zorba and my spouse share a b'day and all the November b'days are around the same date as mine, so it makes it easy to remember.
    Funnily enough, I have become better at remembering dates as I get older. Couldn't remember a birthday/anniversary to save my life, in my 20s and 30s!

    Parent
    Happy Birthday (5.00 / 1) (#152)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jul 04, 2021 at 02:11:55 PM EST
    and every time you start talking about your celebrations I want to come visit you!

    Parent
    Yes! Local corn (5.00 / 1) (#153)
    by Peter G on Sun Jul 04, 2021 at 02:46:09 PM EST
    July Fourth is the official beginning of the fresh picked corn season here in the Middle Atlantic region. Tomatoes cannot be far behind. And just a few weeks to peaches. The three main items, in my book, for which fresh is just a whole different food than any other type/season.

    Parent
    PA peaches. (5.00 / 1) (#158)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Jul 04, 2021 at 08:11:32 PM EST
    Arendtville and Biglerville here I come! Anyways around Aug 1 after I get my 2nd shot.

    Parent
    Happy Birthday (5.00 / 1) (#154)
    by MO Blue on Sun Jul 04, 2021 at 04:32:27 PM EST
    Glad you enjoyed the event and good food.

    Parent
    Happy Birthday, Zorba. (5.00 / 1) (#160)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jul 05, 2021 at 03:54:55 AM EST
    Glad you had a great day. We flew to Honolulu on Friday to visit the three grandkids. I'm going back home to Hilo tomorrow at noon, but my wife is staying over for another week to watch the boys (ages 5, 3 and 15 mos.) while their mother has surgery for a rotator cuff injury on Tuesday, which she should've had done last year but for COVID. If nothing else we've learned to appreciate doing mundane things again, like babysitting.

    Parent
    Sorry about that. (5.00 / 1) (#145)
    by fishcamp on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 01:56:03 PM EST
    I'm blaming my cat who jumped on my lap just as I was posting.

    After getting hit by intermittent rain bands (5.00 / 3) (#163)
    by fishcamp on Mon Jul 05, 2021 at 02:44:53 PM EST
    I moved all the porch stuff indoors.  Tropical storm `Elsa' is over Havana now, and will pass by Key West about 75 miles offshore late tonight.  It should be about 150 miles from me at its closest point.  Just a couple of miles SW of me the Florida keys turn directly to the west, and KW is actually 75 miles west of me.  The storm is almost even with me longitudinally, but is still way south latitude wise.  It should turn up into the gulf passing Naples, Sarasota, and Tampa, probably hitting all the trailer parks along the way.  Our wind speed will only hit 45 or 50 mph.  Everything should be fine here on Lower Matecumbe key.

    Stay safe and look out for flying sharks. (5.00 / 3) (#164)
    by desertswine on Mon Jul 05, 2021 at 04:17:04 PM EST
    Best to not take chances. (5.00 / 1) (#168)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 06, 2021 at 02:26:08 AM EST
    We likewise thought we'd be avoiding the brunt of Hurricane Lane in August 2018, as Hilo was over 200 miles from its eye. We wound up getting absolutely inundated with serious flooding across the city, as the storm stalled and we were caught in its northeast quadrant where all the rain was. It took our yard nearly two weeks to dry out enough so that we weren't tracking mud into the house every time we walked across the lawn.

    Parent
    Peter G (5.00 / 5) (#169)
    by Zorba on Tue Jul 06, 2021 at 07:11:15 AM EST
    Happy Birthday!  Hope you have a great day!

    What she said! (5.00 / 4) (#170)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 06, 2021 at 07:26:11 AM EST
    Happy Day (5.00 / 2) (#171)
    by KeysDan on Tue Jul 06, 2021 at 11:54:55 AM EST
    to the Birthday Boy.

    Parent
    Happy belated b'day, PeterG! (5.00 / 1) (#187)
    by vml68 on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 01:00:50 PM EST
    n/t

    Parent
    To Jeralyn and Fishcamp: (5.00 / 1) (#174)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 07, 2021 at 02:23:43 AM EST
    I am reading Paul Theroux's latest novel, Under the Wave at Waimea. Hunter Thompson and Anita are a part of the story.

    "Boom right through the head"... (5.00 / 2) (#180)
    by desertswine on Wed Jul 07, 2021 at 05:18:34 PM EST
    Why is that Orange Obscenity not in prison yet?  

    I remember (5.00 / 2) (#181)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 07, 2021 at 06:32:06 PM EST
    at some point Zorba talking about pickled asparagus. Well today Costco had some on sale so I bought some. They are delicious but I sure they are not as good as Zorba's.

    Pickled asparagus, (5.00 / 1) (#197)
    by Zorba on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 07:55:32 PM EST
    as well as okra, green beans, peppers, and, of course, cucumbers.  
    I don't know if mine is all that much better than the commercial varieties, but it's satisfying to make our own.
    Not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep that up, though.  I've already cut way back on my other canning and preserving.

    Parent
    I'm going to have lots (5.00 / 1) (#198)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 09:23:24 PM EST
    This is a very good thing (5.00 / 2) (#200)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 09, 2021 at 09:53:33 PM EST
    That systematic approach should pay dividends, Furman said. He explained that a series of small and medium measures can add up to big changes.

    For example, he said, hearing aids -- an expensive market dominated by a few players -- is one area ripe for competition. The Obama administration tried to make it possible to buy more types of hearing aids at pharmacies, just like reading glasses, rather than treating them like expensive medical devices.

    "That won't transform our economy," Furman said, "but for a lot of people, that'll save them thousands of dollars. And that's the type of action you want to do over and over again."

    How New Biden Rules Could Make It Easier To Buy Hearing Aids



    But is he really "flying" into space? (5.00 / 1) (#202)
    by leap on Sun Jul 11, 2021 at 09:06:06 AM EST
    Or just the upper atmosphere?

    Poor, put-upon billionaires need to argue about that.

    Chaivin (none / 0) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 25, 2021 at 01:57:52 PM EST
    has a severe haircut.  

    Wasn't there (none / 0) (#22)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 01:52:47 PM EST
    a Chauvin thread?

    Parent
    There is (none / 0) (#23)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 01:59:29 PM EST
    I mentioned this comment there and apologized for it.

    Parent
    Um (none / 0) (#25)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 02:21:34 PM EST
    Or there was.  That comment seems to have disappeared with a couple of others in the updated thread.

    Which is fine.  Just saying.

    Parent

    Thanks, (none / 0) (#26)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 02:38:26 PM EST
    I thought it was something with my I-pad.

    Parent
    Yes, (none / 0) (#28)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 02:40:09 PM EST
    that haircut did not go unnoticed.  

    Parent
    Getting ready (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 02:55:30 PM EST
    For his position in the White Nationalist prison gang.

    Which considering what's waiting for him otherwise is almost understandable.

    Parent

    Somehow, (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Zorba on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 03:05:03 PM EST
    I doubt that they'll put him in the general prison population.

    Parent
    What that haircut really needs ... (none / 0) (#52)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 05:00:53 PM EST
    ... is a tattoo that delicately accentuates the whiteness of one's being.

    Okay, maybe that's a little too delicate. :-D

    Parent

    The long awaited UFO report (none / 0) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 25, 2021 at 07:14:03 PM EST
    was released today.  There's some very interesting stuff there.

    BBC

    I just finished an audio book that has some ideas about this.  Sort of.  
    Oblivion. (Longer name)

    It was my first library audio book.  Chosen because nothing else looked interesting.  But it has some very interesting ideas.  Very big ideas.  
    One being something I have long thought.  That considering humans went from preindustrial to the moon in about a century it seems not only possible but almost certain that in the millions of years on this planet humans have probably achieved technology before.  Perhaps many times.  And destroyed themselves.

    I would have preferred less Christian dogma but it kept my attention.  It has a sequel I now want to find.  Oblivion (different longer name)

    I never heard of the author.  Jordan Ferrell.  He seems to have another slightly more well known book All Things, Great and Small.
    Not to be confused with all creatures great and small.
    It also sounds interesting.  About a man ravaged by fever who experiences life from the viewpoint of many different creatures.

    The author is very good at the kind of borderline pretentious prose needed for that.  I think.

    Anyone know Jordan Ferrell?


    Chris Carter... (none / 0) (#7)
    by desertswine on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 12:36:09 AM EST
    I Created `The X-Files.' Here's Why I'm Skeptical of the New U.F.O. Report.   NYT opinion piece.

    Parent
    That was just stupid (none / 0) (#8)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 08:05:34 AM EST
    And too long.  

    No offense but who the F cares what he thinks?  I've been watching reruns of the X-Flies.  They only seemed good at the time because everything else was so bad.  Bottom line, he's just a tv writer.

    This

    But the prosecution raises a good question: Where is the Deep Throat of the U.F.O. world? Why no credible deathbed confessions? As Enrico Fermi's famous paradox asked, if aliens are out there, why haven't we seen them? Could the government actually be telling the truth that it really doesn't know what to make of the phenomena? Or is the truth above top secret?

    First of all, there has been.  All of that.  Here's an actual good question.  What the F is it Chris.  And he's right about one thing, if a ship crashed on the White House lawn there would be people, like him apparently, saying it's all a gubment cover up.  Cause without gubment coverups he would be out of a job.

    I'm not at all saying they are aliens.   I never was. I never have.   The more we learn about interstellar travel and the rarity of planets likely to support complex life the more amazing it would be.  I think it could be something we don't even have a concept for.  Like aboriginal people trying to explain a F15.

    But they are something.  An I believe the government has no idea what they are.  Could it be top secret stuff from China?  I guess.  But I doubt it.

    To me it seems like, if there is any "secret government plan" it might be easing people into a much bigger idea.  Like there is stuff in our skies and we really don't know what it is.

    Parent

    Here's something else stupid from the Times (none / 0) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 08:42:07 AM EST
    Also long and self absorbed.  

    Even if You Think Discussing Aliens Is Ridiculous, Just Hear Me Out

    Can I just say for the record, discussing aliens is not ridiculous.  

    And I would add, if and when "proof" whatever that means in a post fact world appears, can you imagine how hard people like Chris Carter and Ezra Klein will work to defend and adapt their  previous positions.

    Parent

    Not all that surprisingly (none / 0) (#15)
    by jondee on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 01:02:56 PM EST
    there seems to be a lot of hyper-defensiveness in some quarters in response to information that challenges the idea of the preeminence and centrality of humanity in the larger scheme of things.

    The challenge to who we think we are and what we think we're doing is just too much for some people.

    The mention of Ezra Klein reminds me of his overly-defensive reaction a few years ago at the assertion in the doc Inside Job that there was something essentially rotten at the core of the financial system. The idea was all wrong wrong wrong! even if Ezra couldn't explain why it was wrong..


    Parent

    There's an entirely logical explanation ... (none / 0) (#56)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 08:52:24 PM EST
    ... for UFOs that can be explained succinctly in only four words:

    Ernst Blofeld and SPECTRE.

    Parent

    Creation and destruction.. (none / 0) (#20)
    by jondee on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 01:48:43 PM EST
    puts me in the mind of the idea common in Eastern thought that there have been many Big Bangs over the eons and not just the single one everyone talks about..

    Humanity developing that kind of 'advanced' destructive technology on this planet in the distant past seems a lot more problematic. Where's the evidence?

    Parent

    There are actually (none / 0) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 02:11:15 PM EST
    quite a few examples of of ruins no one can explain.  And Ancient Aliens notwithstanding they are true mysteries.

    One of the interesting ideas in that novel I mentioned involved an earlier human civilization that based their technology on electricity.  And electromagnetism. Never needing to "discover" or use fossil fuels or aero dynamics to fly.  

    It's also a handy explanation I'd those massive monolithic stones all over the world that no one can explain how they were shaped or moved.  As well as the stories of nuclear war in the Hindu vedas.

    Look, it's a novel.  But things like structures don't survive a thousand years.  There is in fact a lot of things that point to a time about 10000 years ago.  

    Mainstream science is grudgingly beginning to admit things like the Sphinx and the Giza pyramids could be way older than 5000 years.

    Parent

    Reminds me of Graham Hancock (none / 0) (#27)
    by jondee on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 02:39:47 PM EST
    kind of a wild man, but I like him.

    It's true that the more we find out, inch-by-inch, the more mysteries reveal themselves and the more the clock of history gets turned back.

    Parent

    The Biblical flood (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 03:27:33 PM EST
    is a great example of something they are finding more and more evidence for actually happening.  

    There are flood stories from almost every version of ancient history.

    The bursting of massive reservoirs of water from melting glaciers maybe.  Not much would be left.

    Parent

    here, (none / 0) (#32)
    by leap on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 04:32:19 PM EST
    read this book,"The Rocks Don't Lie: A Geologist Investigates Noah's Flood" by geomorphologist, David Montgomery.

    Parent
    There are many flood stories (none / 0) (#33)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 26, 2021 at 05:12:48 PM EST
    Read or get the audiobook of (none / 0) (#64)
    by Towanda on Tue Jun 29, 2021 at 03:55:47 PM EST
    Station Eleven, about civilization having to start over . . . after a pandemic. Superb sci fi.

    Parent
    Thanks for the suggestion (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 29, 2021 at 04:12:36 PM EST
    For whatever reason I've been devouring audiobooks.  I'm currently in the middle of this.  It's excellent.

    The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.
    Novel by Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland



    Parent

    This is amazing (none / 0) (#79)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 03:04:50 PM EST
    Neal Stephenson wrote Snowcrash and lots of other great stuff.  Nicole Galland is a historian

    Nicole Galland is an American novelist, initially known for her historical fiction.

    It's something a historian would enjoy.  

    Pretty impossible to describe briefly.

    Parent

    The part about (none / 0) (#84)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 04:22:45 PM EST
    the Viking Berserkers attacking Walmart had me laughing out loud so much people were staring at me at the gym.

    Parent
    I reserved it (none / 0) (#68)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 29, 2021 at 05:55:24 PM EST
    at the library.

    Parent
    Let me know what you think of it (none / 0) (#166)
    by Towanda on Mon Jul 05, 2021 at 08:07:56 PM EST
    and thanks for the reciprocal suggestions! I am reserving all that I can for my elibrary -- and the rest await room on my holds list.

    Parent
    I liked it (none / 0) (#167)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 05, 2021 at 08:54:22 PM EST
    Very interesting way to approach the subject.  Both the traveling players and not really focusing on the gratuitous horrors you might expect from the subject.

    Now in the middle of a Clive Barker creepfest called The Scarlet Gospels.   Not much laughing out loud with this one.

    Parent

    There is much, well-justified (none / 0) (#53)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jun 28, 2021 at 05:15:33 PM EST
    skepticism levied against Trump henchman Bill Barr's rehabilitation efforts, particularly, reporting that he referred to Trump's Big Lie as "Bullsh*t".   It does not matter, to me, what his motives are at this point, but it should be an important component of the Garland DOJ's complaint against Georgia and other states that have barnyard product as the intentional foundation to voter suppression laws.

    My guess is (none / 0) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 29, 2021 at 04:14:33 PM EST
    It will be Liz.


    PELOSI'S JAN. 6 COMMITTEE CURVEBALL -- Speaker NANCY PELOSI surprised Washington when her office announced Monday that she was open to appointing a Republican to fill one of her party's spots on the select committee to investigate Jan. 6. So instead of eight Democrats and five Republicans on the 13-member panel, it would be a 7-6 breakdown.

    The move shows Pelosi has learned a thing or two after two-plus years of investigating DONALD TRUMP.

    For one, a Pelosi-appointed Republican would make it harder for GOP leaders to attack the panel's investigation as a partisan witch hunt. If Democrats decide to subpoena House Minority Leader KEVIN MCCARTHY, for instance, they'll be able to portray the move as bipartisan -- assuming, as we do, that the GOP appointee would side with Democrats on such moves.

    Having a Republican signing off on the final report could also bolster the findings in the eyes of some GOP voters (though we're under no illusion that many of those voters exist anymore).

    Two names were being circulated in Democratic leadership circles Monday:

    -- Rep. LIZ CHENEY (Wyo.). The former House Republican Conference chair is the most obvious choice, after she lost her leadership post for refusing to keep quiet about Trump. Democrats for that reason view her as trustworthy on this matter. She also has a conservative track record that protects her from charges of being a "RINO."

    Drawbacks: Cheney, with her famous last name and willingness to buck her own party, might outshine whomever Pelosi chooses as chair, perhaps even being seen as the panel's de facto leader. (Again, Pelosi likes to control things.) It's also not clear she wants the job.

    What she said: Cheney dodged questions about this Monday. "It's up to the speaker," she said.

    -- Rep. JOHN KATKO. The New York Republican was another top choice, particularly after he worked with House Homeland Security Chair BENNIE THOMPSON (D-Miss.) to try to establish a bipartisan commission to study Jan. 6. Ultimately, that proposal failed when McCarthy rallied members against it. But Katko, who also voted to impeach Trump, managed to persuade a few dozen GOP lawmakers to break with McCarthy to support an outside investigation.

    Democrats like one more thing about him: He's a skilled former trial lawyer and assistant U.S. attorney for the Justice Department. In that regard, he's got a legal track record that others don't.

    link

    It's (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by FlJoe on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 09:22:14 AM EST
    Liz!


    Parent
    Not a bad group (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 09:58:04 AM EST
    Pelosi's other picks: Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA).

    Pelosi said that she hopes Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) doesn't slow walk appointing Republicans to the committee. But if he does or refuses to seat members, Pelosi hints she won't wait to get started.



    Parent
    This could be a big day (none / 0) (#104)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 10:00:31 AM EST
    in the history of this whole thing since Jan 6.  IMO.

    Parent
    I think (none / 0) (#67)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jun 29, 2021 at 05:45:38 PM EST
    it will be Katko simply because of his prosecutor's background.

    Parent
    Based on yesterday's vote (none / 0) (#96)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 07:50:11 AM EST
    There are 2 choices.   My guess is Liz.  

    McCarthy Issues Threat

    July 1, 2021 at 7:45 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 63 Comments

    Punchbowl News: "During a closed-door meeting with freshman House Republicans Wednesday, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy had a stark warning."

    "If any Republican accepts an appointment from Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the Jan. 6 select committee, they better be ready to get all their committee assignments from her."

    "Republicans, McCarthy said, get their committee assignments from Republicans -- not from Democrats. Or else."



    Parent
    If Nancy really wanted to mess with (none / 0) (#97)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 07:53:13 AM EST
    their heads maybe she should pick both Kinzinger and Cheney.  Kinzinger has said he would do it and we know Liz would.  

    That would make equal numbers.  I think.

    Parent

    Bill Cosby to be released (none / 0) (#75)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 11:58:06 AM EST
    His conviction was overturned

    He was released at 2:30 today (none / 0) (#77)
    by Peter G on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 02:17:51 PM EST
    The PA Supreme Court majority enforced a basically-illegal agreement that was made by former DA Bruce Castor (the doofus impeachment defense lawyer in the oversized pinstripe suit). I am very happy for Mr. Cosby, but note that he has served nearly three years in prison, while 80+ yrs old and blind.

    Parent
    I saw him walking from a car (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 03:00:07 PM EST
    into a building.  He was being assisted to walk and was being distracted by the landscaping.  

    It was a sad thing to watch.  I get why people are freaking out.  And on some level I agree with you.

    But he would not be here without lots of money.  Very few, black or white, would be as fortunate.

    Parent

    I do criminal appeals for a living (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by Peter G on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 07:44:53 PM EST
    Some of the best criminal appellate lawyers are public defenders. Yes, very few people are represented as vigorously as Cosby was, and yes he spent a lot of money on lawyers (I know several of them, and was almost hired for this appeal, in fact), but I also know plenty of high-priced lawyers who are no damn good at all. Law is not really a field where you necessarily "get what you pay for." A lot of lawyers who dress fancy, talk a good game, and have hot-sh*t P.R. charge a lot for hardly anything of value. Cosby could have spent a lot more for this appeal than he did on the two very fine women he got (not that they came cheap), and would not have done better.

    Parent
    Watching and hearing Cosby (none / 0) (#98)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 08:15:56 AM EST
    and his minions scream about how "this is justice for black America" is truly sickening.

    Parent
    IMO Graham Nash said it best (none / 0) (#94)
    by jmacWA on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 04:04:35 AM EST
    There's not a rich man there,
    Who couldn't pay his way
    And buy the freedom that's a high price
    For the poor.


    Parent
    We can't unlearn ... (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 03:02:08 AM EST
    ... what we heard in court. Bill Cosby's once-reputable public standing as "America's Dad" and pillar of moral rectitude has been thoroughly demolished and rightly so, given what we learned about his grotesque personal behavior over the many years with dozens of women. Like so much about so many things in the '80s, his meticulously manufactured public persona shrouded a much darker side of him that few ever saw or suspected, including me.

    It served no useful purpose to keep a frail 83-year-old man incarcerated in a maximum-security institution. But now that Cosby's released, he has Gloria Allred and her clients waiting just down the road for him, and I'll assume today's PA ruling precludes him from invoking his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination during any prospective deposition. He may be out, but he's hardly home free.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Tomorrow in the Supreme Court (none / 0) (#76)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 12:01:23 PM EST
    "Relatively few people are talking about it right now, but Thursday (and perhaps the days to come) could be one of the most pivotal moments in recent Supreme Court history," the Washington Post reports.

    "Yes, that pertains to the key decisions that are set to be handed down on Thursday, the final day of the court's current term. The long-awaited cases include key rulings on the Arizona GOP's election laws and the role of so-called `dark money' in politics."

    "But history suggests it's also quite possibly the time when we get some clarity about the future makeup of the court -- and particularly the all-important question about whether Justice Stephen Breyer will retire."



    How Biden Won (none / 0) (#85)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 30, 2021 at 04:34:49 PM EST

    Writ of Mandamus.  Hire more cops.

    One local judge in Minneapolis (5.00 / 3) (#110)
    by Peter G on Thu Jul 01, 2021 at 09:08:44 PM EST
    Will be interesting to see what Minnesota's appellate courts say. Most judges do not agree, I'm pretty sure, that individual taxpayers have standing to sue their local representatives for not funding an item in the municipal budget to the extent that the plaintiffs would prefer. Most judges would say that budget allocations reflect a policy judgment to be made by the people's elected representatives in a political process of balancing competing priorities and different views of where and how the public's money is most effectively spent.  (Sorry to sound so much like a conservative here, but ...)

    Parent
    I'm trying hard to avoid schadenfreude (none / 0) (#112)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 09:04:03 AM EST
    well, I'm trying.

    Arkansas braces for 3rd COVID-19 surge as vaccination rate slows
    There were 686 new cases Wednesday, the largest one-day jump in four months.

    Dr. Steppe Mette, CEO of UAMS Medical Center, told ABC News that the hospital has seen a "300 to 400% increase in the number of patients with COVID just over the last three to four weeks."

    "So," he added, "we're back to hospitalization numbers that we haven't seen since February or March. And that's happening around the state."



    Correlation or (none / 0) (#113)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 11:57:16 AM EST
    happenstance?   Population of state fully vaccinated is 34.3%.  Voted for Biden--34.8%. Voted for the other guy---62.4%.

    A guy was just on MSNBC (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 01:25:48 PM EST
    going on and on (and on) about how we mustn't blame these people.  That it really just that they don't know where or how to get vaccinated or if they do they have been "misinformed" and we must continue to wheedle and cajole.

    I call BS.  Right around me there can't be more than a fraction of a percent of people who do know exactly how and where they they get a shot.  These days with no waiting.  As far as being misinformed......get informed.  

    Parent

    It is BS. (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 02:10:42 PM EST
    My stepdaughter and her husband in GA were not vaccinated and had no plan to do so. It was a choice. However my wife told her that under no circumstances were they welcome to visit (they wanted to come for Thanksgiving this year) if they were unvaccinated.

    After my bout in the hospital, she takes no prisoners over COVID stuff.

    Anyways, stepdaughter and husband are now vaccinated (they sent photos of their cards) and coming in November.

    So GA can thank my wife for upping their numbers by 2.


    Parent

    I agree (none / 0) (#117)
    by Zorba on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 01:48:12 PM EST
    I know a few people who are not getting vaccinated, because they think it's "false science," and they aren't otherwise stupid or unable to access vaccines.
    Needless to say, I have minimized my contact with them, and they will never again be invited to my house.

    Parent
    Exactly (none / 0) (#114)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 12:44:43 PM EST
    I just don't care.   I only wish it was the old Trump voters but most of them are vaccinated.  Even if they might not admit it.

    Parent
    Here in (none / 0) (#116)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 01:39:57 PM EST
    GA you can look at shots by county and can see that the reddest counties have the lowest vaccination rates. I don't care either. They apparently want to die or get sick. Either way Darwin is gonna win the war against them.

    Parent
    From the CDC:
    Disparities in COVID-19 vaccination access and coverage between urban and rural communities can hinder progress toward ending the pandemic. Public health practitioners should collaborate with health care providers, pharmacies, employers, faith leaders, and other community partners to identify and address barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in rural areas.


    Parent
    I live in a very rural area (none / 0) (#120)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 02:35:41 PM EST
    about as rural as it gets.  There is a dozen places within 5 miles of where I'm sitting where I could walk in right now and get a shot without waiting.

    Parent
    Ok (none / 0) (#121)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 02:43:47 PM EST
    within 10 miles

    Parent
    So the CDC is wrong? (none / 0) (#122)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 02:44:35 PM EST
    Doesn't sound like you believe in science. lol

    Parent
    I'm telling you how it is (none / 0) (#124)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 02:47:00 PM EST
    Also that was more than a month ago (none / 0) (#125)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 02:48:38 PM EST
    A lot has been done in the last month in rural areas.

    Parent
    Not only has there been a huge (none / 0) (#123)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 02:46:38 PM EST
    push to make shots available they have been, in my state and I'm sure others, offering all manner of swag to bribe people.

    Parent
    From the ABC link (none / 0) (#126)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 02:53:34 PM EST
    The vaccination rate in Arkansas, one of the lowest in the U.S., has slowed further despite the introduction of several incentive efforts.

    Last month, the state launched a million-dollar vaccine incentive program, giving out Arkansas Lottery Scholarship $20 scratch-off tickets or a $20 gift certificate for the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission for new first doses, but it's failed to bring up vaccination numbers.

    MORE: Arkansas vaccine incentives not working: Health officials
    Only 2,482 lottery tickets and 926 Game & Fish Licenses have been given out as part of the program, a Health Department spokeswoman told ABC News.

    Data from Johns Hopkins shows that the state's seven-day average vaccination rate sunk from 27,298 on April 1 to 4,591 on June 30.

    Mette said while earlier in the year there were issues of accessibility, now the real battle is vaccine refusal.

    "It's more that there is a resistance, refusal or hesitancy to get a vaccine," Mette said. "It's more that they've been influenced by somebody else, that the vaccines are not safe, or they're not necessary, or that the pandemic isn't even anything real or to worry about it. That degree of resistance is pretty concerning."



    Parent
    here in CA when I got vaxxed

    Parent
    A couple (none / 0) (#127)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 02:54:45 PM EST
    of months ago this was an issue here in GA and the rural areas were not getting vaccines. However now it is at the point where they are basically refusing to get the vaccine.

    Parent
    If only there was (5.00 / 1) (#129)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 04:18:29 PM EST
    a vaccine that was readily available and free.

    Parent
    And, (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jul 02, 2021 at 04:19:19 PM EST
    effective. If only.

    Parent
    Perhaps (none / 0) (#133)
    by jmacWA on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 04:26:47 AM EST
    A Trump branded vaccine would be helpful.  Or maybe if the incentive was a MAGA hat, or a ticket to the next MAGA rally.

    But the rubes follow the lead of their leaders, and they will not give Biden a win, so they will remain un-vaccinated.

    Parent

    Vax rates (none / 0) (#141)
    by BGinCA on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 01:19:19 PM EST
    While it is tempting to mock anti-vaxxers (well deserved) the problem of low vaccination rates can more readily be attributed to the reluctance/inability of minority groups to be vaccinated. For instance the population of Georgia is 32% Black yet the vaccine rate in that community is 26%. Arizona 32% Hispanic, 17% vaccinated. Until this problem is solved the US will not reach anywhere near the targeted 70% vaccine rate.

    Parent
    That would not hold true for the (5.00 / 1) (#148)
    by desertswine on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 09:18:27 PM EST
    Navajo Nation, an exception, who are reporting an 88% vaccination rate, verging on herd immunity.

    Parent
    Yes, vaccination (none / 0) (#146)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 02:35:47 PM EST
    hesitancy among racial/ethnic groups impacts the achievement of broader population immunity.  As of June 28, 2021, CDC reported that race/ethnicity was known for 57% of people who had received at least one shot--among this group, nearly two-thirds were White (60%), 9% were Black, 15% were Hispanic, and 6% were Asian. (CDC acknowledges gaps and some inconsistencies in the data).

    Within the past 14 days, there has been some improvement---the trends suggest a narrowing of gaps in vaccinations at the national level, especially among Hispanics.

    The reasons for hesitancy among race/ethnic groups appear to include matters of trust and concern for side effects, perhaps worries for missing work.  While some improvement is observed, continued efforts along the lines of education to address concerns resulting in hesitancy are needed. While access may remain a problem in some areas, it seems like this may be surmounted more readily than other concerns.

    Parent

    The other day (none / 0) (#135)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 08:12:27 AM EST
    we were talking about how DeSantis being no referred to as Trump without the gold toilet etc would rub Cheetos rhubarb.

    Clearly it has.  DeSantis ask Trump to NOT come to FL right now.

    USA Today: "Donald Trump's campaign-style rally in Florida Saturday comes at a fraught time for the former president: While the organization bearing his name in New York was indicted this week, he is also facing a potential rivalry with Florida governor and protege Ron DeSantis."

    "Trump revisits Florida, a state he won twice, with some Republicans already talking about the 2024 presidential race - and expressing support for DeSantis for the GOP nomination over the ex-president. DeSantis has scored well in early straw polls conducted at high-profile meetings, the Conservative Political Action Conference and the Western Conservative Summit."

    "Florida's top Republican, however, will not be at Saturday's rally."

    link

    And, to make (none / 0) (#137)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 10:55:33 AM EST
    matters even worse for "Trump without the gold toilet". He praised President Biden on Thursday during his and the First Lady's trip to Surfside.  DeSantis said.the president "recognized the severity of this tragedy from Day One", and added this inelegant commendation: "you guys have been not only been supportive at the federal level, but we've had no bureaucracy".  

    Gee,  real concern and help.  But, then, no paper towels thrown so there is that.

    Parent

    Yep (none / 0) (#139)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 11:00:42 AM EST
    the praise of Biden is going to be the end of his presidential aspirations. I mean look what it did for Chris Christie. Christie now relegated to fetching donuts for Trump.

    Parent
    Hurricane Elsa (none / 0) (#143)
    by fishcamp on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 01:48:51 PM EST
    has already dropped down to a tropical storm again.  It's moving forward very fast for a big storm; 28 mph.  It is dragging across Hispaniola now, and soon will cross the mountains of Cuba.  By the time it gets here it will just be a big rainstorm, I hope.

    I am (5.00 / 2) (#147)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 06:06:57 PM EST
    glad for you that it is not going to be yet another hurricane.

    Parent
    Hurricane Elsa (none / 0) (#144)
    by fishcamp on Sat Jul 03, 2021 at 01:51:19 PM EST
    has already dropped down to a tropical storm again.  It's moving forward very fast for a big storm; 28 mph.  It is dragging across Hispaniola now, and soon will cross the mountains of Cuba.  By the time it gets here it will just be a big rainstorm, I hope.

    Thanks, all (none / 0) (#156)
    by Zorba on Sun Jul 04, 2021 at 05:45:10 PM EST
    For the happy birthday wishes!

    Happy late (5.00 / 1) (#161)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 05, 2021 at 12:08:14 PM EST
    Sounds like a war zone around here. (none / 0) (#159)
    by desertswine on Sun Jul 04, 2021 at 10:23:47 PM EST
    Incredible.

    One of my dogs (none / 0) (#162)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 05, 2021 at 12:09:46 PM EST
    would not go out to pee even much later after it all stopped.  I guess he held it all night.  I have not found anything.

    Parent
    MSNBC reporter just said (none / 0) (#165)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 05, 2021 at 06:56:39 PM EST
    the first major trial for the insurrectionists, The Oathkeepers,  won't be until late Jan of 2022.

    Hobby Lobby's full page ad (none / 0) (#172)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 06, 2021 at 06:16:31 PM EST
    saying only Christians should run the country

    `One Nation Under God'

    July 6, 2021 at 4:28 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 107 Comments

    Hobby Lobby took out a full page ad in several newspapers over the holiday weekend suggesting that the United States should be led only by Christians.

    Snopes notes that company also tweeted about the ad and posted it on the company's Facebook page.



    Was that "run the country" or (5.00 / 1) (#173)
    by Peter G on Tue Jul 06, 2021 at 09:49:33 PM EST
    "run the country into the ground"?

    Parent
    Exactly (5.00 / 2) (#175)
    by jmacWA on Wed Jul 07, 2021 at 04:13:34 AM EST
    I figured it was ruin the country.

    Parent
    Just what we need (none / 0) (#176)
    by Zorba on Wed Jul 07, 2021 at 09:08:53 AM EST
    A full-on Christian theocracy.  Oy!  

    Parent
    A thought experiment (none / 0) (#177)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 07, 2021 at 09:36:47 AM EST
    Imagine it said they should only be non religious people.

    Parent
    Which would be my preference (none / 0) (#178)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 07, 2021 at 09:37:07 AM EST
    Does it follow that only "Christians" (none / 0) (#183)
    by Peter G on Wed Jul 07, 2021 at 07:19:53 PM EST
    (by the owners' exceedingly narrow definition of that category) are fit to shop there, or wanted?

    Parent
    I Remember Reading (none / 0) (#186)
    by RickyJim on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 09:29:17 AM EST
    an account by Thomas Jefferson of what happened when a bunch of ministers barged into President Washington's office and asked, "Are you a Christian?". What I remember is that Washington filibustered the question.  I admit I can't find a link for this story online.  Can anybody help?  TIA.

    Parent
    Found it in Wikpedia article (none / 0) (#191)
    by RickyJim on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 02:20:12 PM EST
    "Religious Views of George Washington".  Unfortunately it is three levels of hearsay.
    Dr. Rush tells me that he had it from Asa Green that when the clergy addressed Genl. Washington on his departure from the govmt, it was observed in their consultation that he had never on any occasion said a word to the public which showed a belief in the Xn religion and they thot they should so pen their address as to force him at length to declare publicly whether he was a Christian or not. They did so. However he observed the old fox was too cunning for them. He answered every article of their address particularly except that, which he passed over without notice. Rush observes he never did say a word on the subject in any of his public papers except in his valedictory letter to the Governors of the states when he resigned his commission in the army, wherein he speaks of the benign influence of the Christian religion. I know that Gouverneur Morris, who pretended to be in his secrets & believed himself to be so, has often told me that Genl. Washington believed no more of that system than he himself did.


    Parent
    Many historians (none / 0) (#194)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 03:10:01 PM EST
    report George Washington as being Deist,  along with other founding fathers (e.g., Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Monroe).  Deists may believe that God created the Universe but does not intervene thereafter or that intervention is Providential, but that Providence is inscrutable.  

    The wives of the founding fathers tended to be church-goers, perhaps owing, to an extent, to the social importance.

    Parent

    Hottest June evah... (none / 0) (#179)
    by desertswine on Wed Jul 07, 2021 at 11:10:30 AM EST
    Crazy like a fox. (none / 0) (#182)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 07, 2021 at 06:59:35 PM EST
    The Turtle has been called out for acknowledging, if not trying to take credit for, the American Rescue program, telling his constituents in Kentucky that their state would be getting "a lot of money"---a total of $4 billion. And, noting repeatedly in the process that neither he nor the entirety of his party voted for it.

    However, McConnell is just saying out loud-- Democrats may look out for the general welfare and provide free money, but we, the Republicans, give the things important to you---white supremacy, guns anywhere and everywhere, and anti-abortion  theocratic judges.  The best of both worlds for the deplorable base.

    Robert Downey Sr has died. (none / 0) (#184)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 08:15:33 AM EST
    If you have never seen Putney Swope you should.  If you have never seen Greasers Palace you really reall should.

    One lazy summer day in 1972 a friend and I heard on the excellent FM station there was going to be a movie premier not far from our apt.  I had never heard of the movie or the director.

    It was for Greasers Palace.  The cast and crew was there along with me and my friend and maybe 20 other people in a theater that would hold a couple f hundred.

    It changed my life.  Not hyperbole.

    RIP

    A conversation about Greasers Palace (none / 0) (#185)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 08, 2021 at 08:22:56 AM EST
    Septuagenarians in Space (none / 0) (#201)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 11, 2021 at 07:19:51 AM EST
    Richard launches at 9:30 central time.

    His biggest worry is probably if his cosmetic surgery will hold together under all those Gs.

    Very exciting, they say (none / 0) (#203)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 11, 2021 at 09:12:28 AM EST
    for the roughly 600 superrich people (in the US) who can afford to do this in the foreseeable future.  

    I think they underestimate how much these 600 people will dislike serving their own food or cleaning their own toilets.

    There will definitely be tiny dark cubical for servants.  Soon.

    Only $250,000 a pop. At the least they could give (none / 0) (#204)
    by desertswine on Sun Jul 11, 2021 at 04:12:48 PM EST
    you a mug or a t-shirt.

    Slogan (none / 0) (#205)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 11, 2021 at 05:35:54 PM EST