Pragmatism, Money and Supporting the President: You're Doing It Wrong.

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Tuesday July 12, 2011 · 12:30 PM PDT

2011/07/12 · 12:30

Yesterday there was a diary proclaiming the start-up of a new group here on Daily Kos called Yes We Can Pragmatists. The immediate goal of the diary, and I gather the group in general, is to raise $10,000 dollars for the reelection of President Obama, using an OFA tool set up for that purpose. The take away from this as far as I understand it is that those who are claiming themselves pragmatists are going to help the President by using small donor funds towards his reelection.

But if your goal is to support the President, and to do it in a way that is truly pragmatic, there is a much better way to do so.

Follow me over the squiggle de Kos for details.

Got a Grip

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Monday July 11, 2011 · 8:07 PM PDT

2011/07/11 · 20:07

I try to avoid the piefighting most of the time, I really do. But earlier today there was a diary written whose title was such that I had to just open it and see what was there. I won't link to it here because it's flame bait, and that is not the purpose of what I want to focus on (if you just can't stand not knowing, you can look up my comments and follow the trail of breadcrumbs there.) I want to focus on my reply to a comment and do a bit of expanding on it.

It all started with someone expressing displeasure that President Obama purportedly offered to raise the age of eligibility for Medicare from 65 to 67 in an attempt to sweeten the pot for Republicans to get on board with raising revenue, i.e. taxes on the richest citizens and closing loopholes for corporations. Someone commented that this was bad policy, to which I replied it wasn't just bad policy but was a bad idea period. This was followed by someone asking me, "Why?"

Why, indeed.

Follow me over the fancy squiggle where you'll find my reply and I attempt to flesh it out a bit.

Got a Grip

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Monday June 06, 2011 · 3:20 PM PDT

2011/06/06 · 15:20

For over a week now the right side of the front page of Daily Kos has been taken up with diary after diary after diary after yet another diary about Anthony Weiner's wiener. There was much digging into the backgrounds of the people who were supposedly responsible for breaking into Weiner's twitter and yfrog accounts and attempting to smear him. A thorough, close-up examination of the wiener pictures was had from every possible angle in an effort to prove that the wiener in question could not have been Weiner's own wiener. Meanwhile Weiner himself was issuing non-denial denials that rank right up there with what the meaning of is is on the walking-a-fine-line list of denials by politicians when they get caught with their pants down.

And now it turns out that the whole thing was true, it was indeed Weiner's wiener, and he was doing some decidedly unfortunate things with it for a man who lives in the public eye and doesn't like to talk softly (I'm not touching the ten-foot-stick thing with a ten foot pole, y'all.)

Which begs the question...why was this the most important thing on the right side of the front page of this site for an entire week?

I mean, come on.

Got a Grip

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Saturday May 14, 2011 · 4:20 PM PDT

2011/05/14 · 16:20

So this morning, for the first time in my almost 54 years on this planet, I was polled. It was an automated poll on medical marijuana, an issue that has decent support in Illinois, an issue that has twice been voted down in the state legislature despite support from both the left and the right within the legislature and is going to be attempted again. The automated poll asked three questions, all of which I answered in the affirmative. But it was the second question that gave me pause. It was phrased in such a way as to ask if you support what will likely be the language of the next push in the legislature, i.e., medical marijuana for specific illnesses, no growing your own, strict regulation and enforcement, etc. You were only given the option of answering yes or no. Now, I don't support that language, I think marijuana should be okay for anyone to grow and partake in however they choose. But to vote no would be indicating that I don't support marijuana at all, so I'm forced to indicate that yes, I support the restrictive version, even though it doesn't come close to what I truly support.

And this takes me down the rabbit hole and through the back door to a marvelously entertaining reading experience: an argument on another blog about Paul Krugman. How, you are certainly asking yourself, do we get from a poll on marijuana to an argument about Paul Krugman and back again? Follow me down the rabbit hole and over the Fleur de Kos and you shall see.

Got a Grip for Personal Storytellers

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Friday April 22, 2011 · 3:11 PM PDT

2011/04/22 · 15:11

The devastating spring storms of last week have caused me to reflect on those times when I've been lucky in my life. The first product from that reflection was my writing this diary, A Tornado is Coming at YOU! What Should You Do?, which I urge each and every one of you to read if you haven't done so. It's loaded with information to help you make a plan and stay safe should you be caught in a severe storm or tornado.

The second product is this diary, one of my earliest memories, which I share with you today. So on this Earth Day, get yourself prepared for bad weather, then relax and read this terrifying tale of a twister. And stay safe, everybody.

Got a Grip

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Wednesday April 20, 2011 · 5:59 PM PDT

2011/04/20 · 17:59

The United States averages 1200 tornadoes a year. Over the past week we've seen one of the most deadly outbreaks of April storms since 2008. This severe weather spanned over 15 states in a three day period, and while the number of tornado sightings being investigated is 267, they estimate the final count will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 140 separate tornadoes. That's a lot of angry, swirling wind.

In reading the comments to the outstanding diaries during this last week by our own dedicated weather watcher, weatherdude, and by watching video online captured by storm chasers and hapless fools, it became clear to me that many people have no idea what to do when severe storms or tornadoes break out, or when they should do it. After consultation with weatherdude I've decided now would be a good time to offer some handy advice in the hope that it might save some lives. So follow me over the curly thing for some understanding of the kind of monster you might find yourself confronted by and some tips of what to do and NOT do before, during and after a severe storm or tornado should one visit you or your neighbors.

Got a Grip

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Friday March 11, 2011 · 1:34 PM PST

2011/03/11 · 13:34

Please note: This is a repost of the diary that I posted last night. I'm hoping to get more eyes on this and hopefully more votes to help me get a scholarship to Netroots Nation 2011. If you've already voted for me, please rec this diary so that it will stay active. I'll be putting up more diaries in the coming days with new and exciting prose, but today I'm minding the Community Spotlight, as we have several Rangers under the weather. So stay tuned for more, and help me by recommending this diary and/or giving me your vote by following the link within the diary. Thank you so much.

Yes, yes, I know it's tacky to use my position as a Rescue Ranger to beg for a favor, but I'm doing it anyway. The thing is, I need your help, and the help of the entire Daily Kos community to get to Netroots Nation. I'm not one to ask for favors, I'm not one to BEG, but here I am, asking and begging.

I've applied for a scholarship to Netroots Nation. If you go here and read the first part of my application, the part where I tell you how much money I have to live on each year, you'll see why. I'm not at all asking anyone to give me money. Heaven forfend! Hillbillies like me have a hard time taking anything from anyone, even a decent compliment. So all I'm asking you to do is follow that link and push the button labeled "Add your support" at the bottom of the page. Leave a comment if you wish, I love reading the comments left by those who are supporting me in this effort.

Poll

0 votes Show Results

0 votes Vote Now!

Have You Ever Had a Diary Rescued? Then a Ranger Has a Favor to Ask of You...

Got a Grip

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Thursday March 10, 2011 · 6:14 PM PST

2011/03/10 · 18:14

Poll

49 votes Show Results

Have you ever had a diary rescued by the Rescue Rangers?

49 votes Vote Now!

Have you ever had a diary rescued by the Rescue Rangers?

Yes! Bless their hearts!

31 votes

No! And I'm mad about it!

0 votes

No, but I love to read the diaries in the new Community Spotlight!

15 votes

No. Who cares?

0 votes

When will there be more pie served?

3 votes

Now here's a "Rape Plan" Republicans can REALLY get behind.

Got a Grip

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Saturday February 05, 2011 · 10:42 AM PST

2011/02/05 · 10:42

From The Daily Star: Bangladesh

The High Court yesterday ordered district officials in Shariatpur to explain why they failed to protect 14-year-old rape victim Hena from being whipped to death as per a fatwa on Monday.

The deputy commissioner, the superintendent of police of Shariatpur and the thana nirbahi officer of Naria upazila -- where the incident took place--will have to report to the HC in 15 days how it happened although the court (HC) had eight months ago declared fatwa illegal and a punishable offence.

[snip]

The reports said Hena was raped by her 40-year-old relative Mahbub on Sunday. Next day, a fatwa was announced at a village arbitration that she must be given 100 lashes. She fell unconscious after nearly 80 lashes.

Fatally injured Hena was rushed to Naria health complex where she succumbed to her injuries.

Supreme Court lawyer Seema Zahur yesterday placed before the HC bench a press report on the incident on behalf of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association.

Got a Grip

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Saturday January 22, 2011 · 11:22 AM PST

2011/01/22 · 11:22

I was reading over in DK4 when I came across this this diary on having a parent with dementia. This brought back not-so-fond memories of my own mother's slide into oblivion as we all battled her Alzheimer's, and the following tale bubbled to the surface.

Got a Grip

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Sunday January 02, 2011 · 10:48 AM PST

2011/01/02 · 10:48

Yesterday, January 1, 2011, a dear friend of mine passed away. My ex-husband called me with the sad news within an hour of his passing. It wasn't unexpected. He'd been diagnosed with lung cancer in August. The cancer proved to be aggressive, resisting all the chemo and radiation, marching from his lungs to his brain and finally to his backbone, where it settled down for good and consumed him quickly. Just four days prior to his death he'd been sent home on hospice care, and as the worst of the pain and confusion arrived, he was spared much of the agonies and indignities by the speed with which the cancer consumed him.

I come here today not to bury Jack, but to praise him.

Got a Grip

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Friday December 31, 2010 · 7:16 PM PST

2010/12/31 · 19:16

Per the Washington Post, a car bomb has exploded outside a Christian Church, killing seven and wounding at least two dozen.

This development is deeply disturbing, as sectarian violence spreads from Iraq to other Middle Eastern countries.

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Pragmatism, Money and Supporting the President: You're Doing It Wrong.

Why is Raising Medicare Eligibility to Age 67 a Bad Idea? Here's Why.

Let Me Get This Straight...

Political Science, Polling and Poppycock: A Glimpse Into Our Future

A Game of Twister: Old School Weather Edition

A Tornado is Coming at YOU! What Should You Do?

Have You Ever Had a Diary Rescued? Then a Ranger Has a Favor to Ask of You...

Have You Ever Had a Diary Rescued? Then a Ranger Has a Favor to Ask of You...

Now here's a "Rape Plan" Republicans can REALLY get behind.

The keys

Just Jack. Reflections on a Dear Friend's Death.

Disturbing Development: Car Bomb Explosion Outside Egyptian Coptic Church