Hey everyone, I hope your weekend has been going smoothly 🙂 Here is an Open Thread/Lounge for posting and commenting on the issues and stories stuck in your craw. I’ll start us off with a video about sloths which, shockingly, has nothing to do with the left but will make you smile, laugh and be happy, as well as some cultural and political updates. The usual “no links” rule is lifted in the name of sharing and lounging. And speaking of the No Links rule for other posts, we instituted that over at the other blog when we were having some hacking problems. I’m considering lifting the no links rule in general, but leaving it in a moderation mode. In other words, let’s allow links in all posts but it will have to be checked before publishing. Let me know if that sounds good to you.
For this Lounge, let’s start with sloths we can love 🙂
Baby Sloth Orphanage: The Cutest Place on Earth
Des Moines Register Endorses Mitt Romney
The Dumb Bastard is running scared: Obama to let states decide benefit levels under health law.
I sure hope the Obamas are enjoying the multi-million dollar vacation. TARP Bank Bailout To Cost The US Taxpayers Nearly Double The Initial Estimates
Pope health concerns: Pope heads into busy Christmas season tired, weak
As the Islamists attempt to punish Lowe’s for taking stand, please consider a BUYCOTT of Lowe’s making sure you shop there whenever possible. Protest after Lowes Pulls Ads from “All American Muslim”
Funny Ron Paul flashback ~ h/t to TamKat for tweeting video link ~ here is an excerpt: While running for president in 1988, Ron Paul hones his debating skills ☞ http://youtu.be/ZVnupBSsMdM
Thanks for the h/t Ru! You’re the bestest!
Everyone there needs a tranquilizer shot
Between TeddyBear the Porcupine and now Baby Sloths! OMG! Maybe when I grow up I should consider being a wildlife rehabilitator! One problem with that though….how could I give them up after the rehabilitation is over?
DVR has been set to record the replay of the premier of “Too Cute”!
Thanks for the smiles Tammy! 😀
I continue to scratch my head over the Newt/Romney question. Romney undoubtedly brings useful skills to the table. But it’s Newt who’s pushing our buttons in a good way, and giving us the breath of fresh air that we desperately need. I’m glad he’s part of the process.
It certainly is interesting, listening to the odd collection of people that see Newt as a potent force, versus the ones that dismiss him as unelectable. If nothing else, it’s refreshing to see something other than the usual battle lines between “our team” and “their team”. Maybe people are actually thinking for themselves, for a change of pace? Now add Democrat Koch’s comments to the mix, who seems (if he’s being honest) to regard Newt as a force to be reckoned with. Here former NYC Mayor Ed Koch predicts a Gingrich/Romney ticket, which will be “a nightmare for liberals”.
On the other hand, some conservatives I respect think Newt is poison. I can’t dismiss the fact that some (most?) people that have dealt with Newt personally (such as Sen. Coburn) dislike him. Others consider him unelectable, and I can understand why they say this. It’s going to be the ugliest campaign we’ve ever seen in our lives. Obama can’t run on his record, so he’s going to go negative. And he’ll have a billion dollars to do it, plus the assistance of the mainstream media acolytes. What will Newt’s ex-wives say about him? That’s the sort of dirt they’ll be digging up and spreading around. How the nation will react to the mud-fest…well, who knows? It may backfire against the Democrats, or it may not. In any case, it will be ugly. Romney will be a lot smoother…or maybe he’ll be another McCain, too gentle to win. Although I think if we could re-do the 2008 election today, McCain would win handily.
I wanted to share this AZ news with you all: http://www.usatoday.com/USCP/PNI/NEWS/2011-12-16-PNI1216met-cps-task-forcePNIBrd_ST_U.htm
While I am leery of extending any more power to a government-run entity over families, I am also mindful of the many children being senselessly killed by those who are supposed to love and care for them the most: their parents. Four stories have gone national of AZ children being abused and killed by parents/caretakers who were previously reported to CPS. The failure was not only on the part of the parents but of lazy and incompetent detectives shuffling the reports of abuse aside.
I spoke with Maricopa Co. Attorney Bill Montgomery (who is discussed in the article) at a Christmas party last night hosted by Starbright Foundation which works to help abused children including those being trafficked (human trafficking is now the number one crime in AZ). Montgomery addressed the CPS news and said while the nation hears of these four cases, there are thousands more they are working through with new detectives while investigating the prior ‘slips’ that cost innocent children their lives. The goal is to get a handle on the flood of abuse cases while also training law enforcement on how to deal with child abuse calls and investigations properly. Law enforcement has flat out stated they are not equipped to deal with such situations – especially when it comes to trafficking of children – a crime far more prevalent than many realize. Therefore, the Office of Child Welfare is being designed to educate law enforcement and to offer the investigative arm that CPS does not currently hold.
Montgomery took office a year ago as County Attorney and is running for the office in 2012. In his short time in office, he has busted up a human trafficking ring in Maricopa County (Phoenix area) where 11 children between the ages of 2 and 16 were being sold for sex. He is certainly one of the good guys who I am proud to help in 2012 along with my Tucson pals Ally Miller for Pima Co. Supervisor, Gabriela Saucedo Mercer for Congress and Rep. Terri Proud for State Rep. In fact, Rep. Terri Proud is working vigorously on human trafficking and child abuse issues and is also addressed in the aforementioned article.
Though Gov. Brewer has made some disappointing decisions at times, there are other moments when I am her biggest fan. Montgomery stated last night that it was Brewer just weeks ago who ordered all involved in child welfare to get together and have a plan for her by Dec. 31. It needs to be noted that CPS in Arizona has been a disaster for years. There was outcry in Tucson in 2006 over several children who were abused and subsequently killed while in foster care or put back in the care of abusive parents. That outcry fell on deaf ears under Napolitano. I am glad to see Gov. Brewer working with people like Bill Montgomery, Terri Proud and others to do something more than provide lip service or laws that will go unenforced.
I posted this in the TAMWire, but I feel that as many TAMS need to see it as possible, since most of us are Tea Party! I am outraged that the Bachmann campaign would accuse Tea Party leaders of accepting bribes in order to smear an opponent, in this case Newt Gingrich!
Last weekend we were called racists and this weekend we are accused of being bought by the highest bidder! Whats next? Rapists? Murderers? Its a freaking insult to every Patriotic American that has attended a Tea Party rally!
Apparently these politicians have very short memories because not only have they forgotten who/what got them to where they are today….we can and will send them back to where ever they may have come from too! BTW Rep. Bachmann, Gov. Haley and others…Tea Party memories are VERY VERY long! You and your deeds will not be forgotten!
http://t.co/xtR2Izu
Kat, we have already been accused of Murder-“Potential” Domestic Terrorist, so the only thing left on your List for US to be accused of is Rapist.
But I like my unabridged Shared Freedoms.
Maricopa Co. Atty. Montgomery’s statement regarding the ‘civil rights violations’ the feds are charging against the Maricopa Co. Sheriff’s office (that would be Sheriff Joe): http://www.maricopacountyattorney.org/newsroom/2011-12-16-County-Attorney-Responds-on-Sheriff-Investigation.pdf
I consider the feds continued negligence of our border putting ranchers at immediate risk along with those being smuggled in – and out – of this country an enormous civil rights violation. But I guess when you’re desperate to have fraudulent votes put you over the edge in an election, then the ends justifies the means…
A Voter’s Guide to Republicans: http://christianconservativepolitics.com/2011/12/16/a-voters-guide-to-republicans-2/
The DB in the fifth grade:
http://townhall.com/political-cartoons/michaelramirez/2011/12/11/94483
Here’s a different perspective on Nikey Haley from Rush, it’s interesting. http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2011/12/16/nikki_haley_endorsement_tea_party_attempts_to_replace_gop_establishment
now mr. teddy bear has a gingerbread man and festive headgear. christmas noms.
http://youtu.be/IEc8k4LUQ7g
for bakers: oldest sourdough starter in the world( or at least america)?
“Newcastle woman maintain(s) a sourdough starter that dates back to 1889”
http://tinyurl.com/74vkhdc
Palate cleanser: Larry the Cable Guy’s politically correct Christmas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=abEQ8WoNyCo
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2011/12/how-much-love-will-contributions-buy.html
Mitt Romney is truly the “next-in-line” Establishment Liberal Republican for 2012
The Unity and the Beauty of the Declaration and the Constitution:
We just finished reading the hardcopy from Imprimis but here’s the interview video.
http://www.hoover.org/multimedia/uncommon-knowledge/96901
And speaking of Sloths:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloth_(deadly_sin)
Love the animal but the human condition is a different matter, isn’t it?
posted 12/18 805pm Texas [There’s an App for that…] Time.
Still more on the Newt/Romney thing. I can’t be sanguine in dismissing the various conservative voices that argue that Newt isn’t the right candidate for the #1 slot. We need everyone on board; if we don’t have them, then we may have a real problem. Yes, you can argue that Reagan got the people behind him, and never mind the establishment. Newt might do the same. And it’s not as if Newt’s conservative naysayers are infallible. But there are enough of them that…well, they give me pause to think. Just as I’d like to explain to Ron Paul’s people that Paul is unelectable (aside from being unacceptable).
The only nice thing today is looking a Sydney’s puppy picture, how can you feel bad when you’re looking at that…..
Syd was such a cute puppy! On the other hand, sloths are ugly and creep me out. Love the hungry porcupine though! He’s a delight.