I think it would be helpful if the Democrats could figure out how to be moderate enough to allow more moderates to support them. These favorability ratings in the face of a fascist take over of government reflect how out of touch the Dems are at the other extreme. I keep looking for that party that isn't a sinking ship and don't see one.
As for the millions of Americans fucked by the ACA subsidies being cut, that was the plan put forward from the beginning. They were to last 5 years then phase out. That was never feasible but it was the plan bullied through Congress and part of the crowning achievement. Tough to have to live with it now. But both parties have not made them permanent for all these years so they both suck. As has the ACA structure from the beginning. It was an attempt to force employer insurance to go away and force full government controlled health care. It failed to accomplish that so its just a shitty half baked solution that is essential. Next Congress should just make the subsidies permanent and take the budget heat.
I think the "capitulation" was leadership's call. They had done as much damage politically to Trump and the GOP as they could get, and neither Trump nor Johnson were ever going to give up the subsidies. Johnson, in particular, almost automatically loses any tiny shred of credibility he has left if he does.
The Democrats picked people retiring or not having to run next year so minimal damage, leadership still gets to complain, but the pain eases.
I think it was as artfully played as possible. Kudos to Schumer and team.
I spend a lot of time in Spotify, average 4 hours a day, many days 12 hours I have a few 50 hour playlists but they aren't really curated, I have 20 or more 1 to 12 hour playlists carefully curated to the mood I wanted.
With that context, my Spotify listening has become a challenge as the algorithm is so trainable that almost any way I let Spotify pick songs it quickly just duplicates playlists I already have created with a different song here and there.
So, it trained me to be more imaginative in my seed requests. Song radio is my favorite way to listen, so I very carefully consider the seed song if I want a certain genre/era of music. It has become really fun to pick more obscure songs by lesser known artists to see how long it takes for that trail to lead back to my choices.
All to say that Spotify can be a fun pastime if you recognize its limitations and try to get around them. If you pick Willie Nelsons On the Road Again or Willis Alan Ramsey's Ballad of Spider John you eventually get to Jerry Jeff Walker but the road there is quite different.
Listening to Kirk, I hear the echo of voices from my youth:
+9
The Ku Klux Klan has historically used distorted and manipulated religious language to justify its white supremacist ideology, but these quotes and interpretations are universally rejected by mainstream Christian denominations. The KKK, particularly its 1920s incarnation, used a specific brand of Protestantism to fuel its hatred of Black Americans, Jewish people, and Catholics.
Examples of religious quotes and distortions by the KKK
Twisting scripture to promote racism: KKK imperial wizard Chris Barker once misquoted Leviticus 19:18 ("Love thy neighbor") by adding the phrase "of thy people," arguing that the Bible only required him to love white people. This selective and dishonest reading of scripture is a common tactic among hate groups.
Elevating the white race to divine status: A 1920s Klan publication claimed that the "distinction among the races is not accidental but designed" and "indicates the wisdom of the divine mind". This "racial exegesis" asserts that God created a hierarchy of races, with the white race at the top.
Sanctioning the KKK's actions as holy: In her 1925 book The Ku Klux Klan in Prophecy, Bishop Alma Bridwell White rationalized that the KKK was sanctioned by God "through divine illumination and prophetic vision". She even suggested that the Apostles and the Good Samaritan were members of the Klan.
Depicting the fiery cross as a Christian symbol: The KKK uses the burning cross—a symbol of racial intimidation—and portrays it as a sign of Christian sacrifice and service. One KKK leader described the fiery cross as driving away "darkness and gloom" with the fire of the cross, "purif[ying] and cleanse[ing] our virtues by the fire on His Sword".
Weaponizing Christian nationalism: KKK dogma often intertwines American patriotism with white Protestant Christianity. The Klan’s platform in the 1920s claimed, "Jesus Christ is the Klansman's criterion of character," and stated that the U.S. "must be preserved" as a "Protestant Christian democracy".
I found us. We are here. The rumors of my expulsion being greatly exaggerated. Nice work.
I will add that the scrolling through all the comments to get to the bottom will become tedious with the number that a typical post might have. If there was a shortcut I didn't find it on my admittedly cursory look.
Thanks Michael. Back in the day they would have worked with WordPress to migrate anyone that chose to move There was a certain sensitivity to just killing people's content.
I am curious, I will look later, to see if anyone is offering migration. Or maybe blogs are just not a big deal anymore.
One of my first contract jobs was third shift application support in the data center at ATT. Some COBOL batch jobs blew up each night, mostly data errors or JCL typos.
The operations folks loved that I would tell them what the problem/fix was, so they had a better idea of what to tell the next support person. When it was quiet I would sit in the op center and help, with them telling me what to do I loved that job
russell, GftNC, thanks? Turns out I'm pretty good at it. Other than one day to do my taxes I haven't logged on to a computer since I retired. Phone handles it all
"Always be polite and considerate to the lower level administrative/service people. It costs you nothing and can make someone's day."
Being nice to lower level admin people somehow allowed me to have a career. As I needed emotional/environmental calm to function I somehow ended up lucky enough to get that support from the admin people. It was odd but they recognized how much I needed routine to deal with chaos and were always there to maintain it. I did, in turn, appreciate and respect them. And as I recently retired I find they are really all I miss about work.
"Conservative lurkers, c'mon in! Just don't be jerks. We'll try not to be, too"
Not a complaint, but in reality this just isn't possible. The subjects are too polarized, it's too easy to lose perspective. Both sides. It is the nature of the Trump age,anyone conservative agrees with enough of his policies to be branded with both his policies and his psychopathy.
The hatred for those is so understandable as to make defending the smaller pieces not worthwhile.
I am just hoping we get to have midterm elections.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.
On “When virtues become vices”
I think it would be helpful if the Democrats could figure out how to be moderate enough to allow more moderates to support them. These favorability ratings in the face of a fascist take over of government reflect how out of touch the Dems are at the other extreme. I keep looking for that party that isn't a sinking ship and don't see one.
As for the millions of Americans fucked by the ACA subsidies being cut, that was the plan put forward from the beginning. They were to last 5 years then phase out. That was never feasible but it was the plan bullied through Congress and part of the crowning achievement. Tough to have to live with it now. But both parties have not made them permanent for all these years so they both suck. As has the ACA structure from the beginning. It was an attempt to force employer insurance to go away and force full government controlled health care. It failed to accomplish that so its just a shitty half baked solution that is essential. Next Congress should just make the subsidies permanent and take the budget heat.
"
I think the "capitulation" was leadership's call. They had done as much damage politically to Trump and the GOP as they could get, and neither Trump nor Johnson were ever going to give up the subsidies. Johnson, in particular, almost automatically loses any tiny shred of credibility he has left if he does.
The Democrats picked people retiring or not having to run next year so minimal damage, leadership still gets to complain, but the pain eases.
I think it was as artfully played as possible. Kudos to Schumer and team.
On “Weekend Music Thread #04 John Mackey”
I spend a lot of time in Spotify, average 4 hours a day, many days 12 hours I have a few 50 hour playlists but they aren't really curated, I have 20 or more 1 to 12 hour playlists carefully curated to the mood I wanted.
With that context, my Spotify listening has become a challenge as the algorithm is so trainable that almost any way I let Spotify pick songs it quickly just duplicates playlists I already have created with a different song here and there.
So, it trained me to be more imaginative in my seed requests. Song radio is my favorite way to listen, so I very carefully consider the seed song if I want a certain genre/era of music. It has become really fun to pick more obscure songs by lesser known artists to see how long it takes for that trail to lead back to my choices.
All to say that Spotify can be a fun pastime if you recognize its limitations and try to get around them. If you pick Willie Nelsons On the Road Again or Willis Alan Ramsey's Ballad of Spider John you eventually get to Jerry Jeff Walker but the road there is quite different.
On “Ezra Coates DESTROYS Ta-Nehisi Klein!!!”
Sorry for the formatting
"
Listening to Kirk, I hear the echo of voices from my youth:
+9
The Ku Klux Klan has historically used distorted and manipulated religious language to justify its white supremacist ideology, but these quotes and interpretations are universally rejected by mainstream Christian denominations. The KKK, particularly its 1920s incarnation, used a specific brand of Protestantism to fuel its hatred of Black Americans, Jewish people, and Catholics.
Examples of religious quotes and distortions by the KKK
Twisting scripture to promote racism: KKK imperial wizard Chris Barker once misquoted Leviticus 19:18 ("Love thy neighbor") by adding the phrase "of thy people," arguing that the Bible only required him to love white people. This selective and dishonest reading of scripture is a common tactic among hate groups.
Elevating the white race to divine status: A 1920s Klan publication claimed that the "distinction among the races is not accidental but designed" and "indicates the wisdom of the divine mind". This "racial exegesis" asserts that God created a hierarchy of races, with the white race at the top.
Sanctioning the KKK's actions as holy: In her 1925 book The Ku Klux Klan in Prophecy, Bishop Alma Bridwell White rationalized that the KKK was sanctioned by God "through divine illumination and prophetic vision". She even suggested that the Apostles and the Good Samaritan were members of the Klan.
Depicting the fiery cross as a Christian symbol: The KKK uses the burning cross—a symbol of racial intimidation—and portrays it as a sign of Christian sacrifice and service. One KKK leader described the fiery cross as driving away "darkness and gloom" with the fire of the cross, "purif[ying] and cleanse[ing] our virtues by the fire on His Sword".
Weaponizing Christian nationalism: KKK dogma often intertwines American patriotism with white Protestant Christianity. The Klan’s platform in the 1920s claimed, "Jesus Christ is the Klansman's criterion of character," and stated that the U.S. "must be preserved" as a "Protestant Christian democracy".
On “Excelsior!”
I found us. We are here. The rumors of my expulsion being greatly exaggerated. Nice work.
I will add that the scrolling through all the comments to get to the bottom will become tedious with the number that a typical post might have. If there was a shortcut I didn't find it on my admittedly cursory look.
On “What to do?”
Thanks Michael. Back in the day they would have worked with WordPress to migrate anyone that chose to move There was a certain sensitivity to just killing people's content.
I am curious, I will look later, to see if anyone is offering migration. Or maybe blogs are just not a big deal anymore.
On “David Brooks in Laodicea”
One of my first contract jobs was third shift application support in the data center at ATT. Some COBOL batch jobs blew up each night, mostly data errors or JCL typos.
The operations folks loved that I would tell them what the problem/fix was, so they had a better idea of what to tell the next support person. When it was quiet I would sit in the op center and help, with them telling me what to do I loved that job
"
Thanks ! Not?
"
russell, GftNC, thanks? Turns out I'm pretty good at it. Other than one day to do my taxes I haven't logged on to a computer since I retired. Phone handles it all
"
"Always be polite and considerate to the lower level administrative/service people. It costs you nothing and can make someone's day."
Being nice to lower level admin people somehow allowed me to have a career. As I needed emotional/environmental calm to function I somehow ended up lucky enough to get that support from the admin people. It was odd but they recognized how much I needed routine to deal with chaos and were always there to maintain it. I did, in turn, appreciate and respect them. And as I recently retired I find they are really all I miss about work.
On “An open thread on July 4th”
"Conservative lurkers, c'mon in! Just don't be jerks. We'll try not to be, too"
Not a complaint, but in reality this just isn't possible. The subjects are too polarized, it's too easy to lose perspective. Both sides. It is the nature of the Trump age,anyone conservative agrees with enough of his policies to be branded with both his policies and his psychopathy.
The hatred for those is so understandable as to make defending the smaller pieces not worthwhile.
I am just hoping we get to have midterm elections.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.