July 6, 2018

Need to blow off a little steam.

This is sort of a political rant, but it concerns pets.

As you may have heard our wonderful (not) Rethug governor has cut Medicaid benefits for about 500,000 KY residents. We just found out about another little gift from him.

We have 5 dogs ranging in age from 5 months to 15 years, all Cavaliers. Two of them are diabetic, one is in CHF, and the 5 month old is coming up on her appointment to be spayed. As you can imagine, our vet bills take a significant chunk out of our budget. We had Bella in for her last round of puppy shots and to schedule her surgery earlier this week. We asked for a quote for the surgery so we could budget for it. That's when we discovered that a change to the tax code had taken place recently and now all veterinary services must charge sales tax! That means we get to pay an extra 6% for all exams, meds, surgical procedures, etc. I think I am going to have to increase the dosage of my blood pressure medication!

Thanks, GOP for the new way to gouge money out of us while at the same time cutting benefits to the needy.

July 6, 2018

As Trade War Begins, Feds Eye $30 Billion Bailout Fund For Farmers Facing Losses

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/30-billion-dollar-fund-eyed-trade-war-begins_us_5b3865ece4b08c3a8f6b10a9

President Donald Trump’s trade war was officially launched at 12:01 Friday morning as U.S. officials were already strategizing a controversial move to use emergency funds to mitigate the damage to farmers facing punishing retaliatory tariffs.

The Trump administration officially levied tariffs on $34 billion worth of Chinese products at the start of a major trade battle predicted to exact significant costs on consumers and businesses. China was expected to announce its own comparable tariffs on $34 billion of U.S. goods Friday. Chinese officials had said they would not announce the tariffs until after the U.S. did so. The Chinese tariffs, including a 25 percent charge on soybeans, are expected to hit U.S. farmers particularly hard, since the country currently buys nearly two-thirds of the soybeans produced by U.S. farmers.

But Trump, who has attacked Harley-Davidson for plans to move some production to its overseas plants to avoid retaliatory European tariffs, is looking to save “my farmers” from the trade war he launched. Rural support was critical to his presidential victory. Unhappy farmers could spell trouble for midterm elections.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said last month at a Chicago convention that the Commodity Credit Corporation is a “tool” he’s considering to comply with Trump’s instructions to “craft a strategy to support our farmers against retaliatory tariffs. The program, which was started to help farmers during the Great Depression, allows the Agriculture Department to borrow as much as $30 billion from the U.S. Treasury that could be used to buy crops from farmers that would go unsold in a trade war.

So, let me get this straight. A Trade War which will be "...so easy to win" will require the Agriculture Dept to borrow $30 billion from US taxpayers to support farmers who can't sell the produce because the countries that buy their products can get them cheaper elsewhere after the US imposes tariffs to make our products too expensive. Does this make anyone else's head hurt?

July 4, 2018

On this 4th of July, let us remember William Harvey Carney.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Harvey_Carney

William Harvey Carney (February 29, 1840 – December 9, 1908) was an African American soldier during the American Civil War. Born as a slave, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1900 for his gallantry in saving the regimental colors (American Flag) during the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863. Because his actions preceded those of other medal honorees, he is considered to be the first African American to be granted the Medal of Honor.

William H. Carney was born as a slave in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 29, 1840. How he made his way to freedom is not certain. According to most accounts, he escaped through the Underground Railroad, and joined his father in Massachusetts. Other members of their family were freed by purchase or by the death of their master.

Carney joined the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in March 1863 as a Sergeant. He took part in the July 18, 1863, assault on Fort Wagner in Charleston, South Carolina. His actions there ultimately earned him the Medal of Honor. When the color guard was killed, Carney retrieved the American flag and marched forward with it, despite multiple serious wounds. When the Union troops were forced to retreat under fire, he struggled back across the battlefield, eventually returning to his own lines and turning over the colors to another survivor of the 54th, saying, "Boys, I only did my duty; the old flag never touched the ground!" He received an honorable discharge due to disability from his wounds in June 1864.

His citation reads:

When the color sergeant was shot down, this soldier grasped the flag, led the way to the parapet, and planted the colors thereon. When the troops fell back he brought off the flag, under a fierce fire in which he was twice severely wounded.

July 4, 2018

Was wondering, do I need to get up early for the start of the Civil War tomorrow,

or can I sleep in?

July 4, 2018

New dog cross-breeds (theoretically) seeking recognition by AKC: (humor)

Collie + Lhasa Apso
Collapso - a dog that folds up for easy transportation

Pointer + Setter
Poinsetter, the traditional Christmas pet.

Pekingese + Phasa Apso
Peekasso, an abstract dog.

Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel
Irish Springer, a dog as clean and fresh as the mountain air.

Terrier + Bulldog
Terribull, not a good dog.

Bloodhound + Labrador
Blabador, a dog that barks incessantly.

Malamute + Pointer
Moot Point, owned by ..., oh well, it doesn't really matter anyway.

Collie + Malamute
Commute, a dog that travels to work.

Deerhound + Terrier
Derriere, a dog that's true to the end.

Bull Terrier + Shitzu
You can figure this one out on your own.

Any others?

July 3, 2018

Boy Scout incident

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/07/alabama-boy-scouts-hurled-racial-slurs-threw-rocks-ethiopian-troop-member/

Re: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2100049

I sent the following email to the BSA Headquarters:

A Georgia Boy Scout experienced racial bullying while on a camping trip. The boy, who is the son of an Ethiopian immigrant was called the N-word, and had rocks thrown at him by Boy Scout members of another troop.

The 14-year-old boy, who is a member of Scouts Troop 10 from Johns Creek, Georgia was on a week long camping trip in Alabama. Members of Boy Scouts Troop 76 from Vestavia Hills, Ala., were camping next to them and began using racial slurs to bully the young boy.

----------------------------

This incident MUST be investigated and if this story is accurate, then I would expect the boys involved and their Scoutmaster should be removed from the BSA organization. This type of behavior is so far from the ideals that Scouting teaches that is simply cannot be allowed or in any way condoned. Otherwise you might as well change the name of your organization to the "Trump Youth".

Please respond and let me know the results of your investigation.

--

Today I received the following reply:

Thanks for reaching out.

This behavior is unacceptable and does not reflect Scouting’s values. Scouting members are always encouraged to treat all people with kindness and respect. Upon learning of this incident, we separated the individuals and took the appropriate action in response.

Ethnic, religious and gender diversity are very important to Scouting. We welcome youth that accept Scouting’s values, including being friendly, courteous and kind, regardless of race, ethnic background, gender or orientation.

We apologize to this Scout, and any Scout who faces bullying or harassment of any kind. We strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for all youth members and volunteers.

On background, Scouts, parents, and adult volunteers are required to complete training that teaches how to recognize, respond to and report situations that may be unsafe. Furthermore, Scouting encourages both youth and volunteer leaders to advocate for those that may face bullying or harassment, and offers resources, including a dedicated 24/7 Scouts First Helpline to report any inappropriate behavior.

Also on background, out of respect for the privacy of our members, I hope you understand we cannot comment on any disciplinary action taken by the council on our Scouts.

Member Care Contact Center

It isn't all I hoped it would be, but at least they acknowledged the incint and indicated they took action.

July 3, 2018

Top U.S. business group assails Trump's handling of trade dispute

https://reut.rs/2KHbLLd

From Reuters:

Top U.S. business group assails Trump's handling of trade dispute

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Monday denounced President Donald Trump’s handling of global trade disputes, issuing a report that argued tariffs imposed by Washington and retaliation by its partners would boomerang badly on the American economy.

The Chamber, the nation’s largest business lobbying group and a traditional ally of Trump’s Republican Party, said the White House is risking a global trade war with its push to protect U.S. industry and workers with tariffs.

The group’s analysis of the harm each U.S. state could suffer from retaliation by U.S. trading partners painted a gloomy picture that could bring pressure on the White House from Republicans ahead of congressional elections in November.

For example, nearly $4 billion worth of exports from Texas could be targeted by retaliatory tariffs, the Chamber said, including $321 million in meat the state sends to Mexico each year and $494 million in grain sorghum it exports to China.

More at link.

June 30, 2018

Why White People Called the Authorities This Week (Snark)

https://bit.ly/2tGxNUv

From the New Yorker:

Why White People Called the Authorities This Week

“Can you believe that these Puerto Ricans think they can enter America whenever they want, simply because they all have American passports?”

“Those brown people keep walking down the street like they’re allowed to be on public sidewalks!”

“That Mexican-Arab-Native person is chewing an egg-salad sandwich like a terrorist.”

“Yeah, he does look exactly like that baby he’s pushing in that pram, but black people kidnap babies who look just like them every day.”

“They’re speaking Spanish. O.K., fine, maybe it’s Chinese.”

“I am one hundred per cent sure that this black person is tying her shoes in a suspicious way.”

“I just saw a brown person illegally cross the border from Vermont into New Hampshire.”

More at link.
Additional examples welcome.

June 28, 2018

Shooting at Maryland newspaper

Source: CNN

There are multiple injuries and fatalities, sources say
From CNN's Evan Perez and Shimon Prokupecz

Two law enforcement officials tell CNN that there are multiple injuries as well as fatalities.

A source tells CNN one person, believed to be the shooter, is in custody.



Read more: https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/maryland-newspaper-shooting/index.html

---

Breaking on MSNBC, CNN, etc.

June 27, 2018

Decency wins -- and Trump gets smacked down (Jennifer Rubin - WaPo)

https://wapo.st/2Knimaa

On the same day that the Supreme Court upheld President Trump’s travel ban in a tortured ruling, a district court judge hearing a suit on behalf of a class of migrants separated from their children struck a blow for common decency and family reunification. The Post reports:

Judge Dana M. Sabraw of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California granted a preliminary injunction sought by the American Civil Liberties Union. He said all children must be reunited with their families within 30 days, allowing just 14 days for the return of children under 5 to their parents. He ordered that parents must be entitled to speak by phone with their children within 10 days.

The court slammed the administration for “a chaotic circumstance of the Government’s own making.” Sabraw, appointed by President George W. Bush, found: “This situation has reached a crisis level. The news media is saturated with stories of immigrant families being separated at the border. People are protesting. Elected officials are weighing in. Congress is threatening action. Seventeen states have now filed a complaint against the Federal Government challenging the family separation practice.”

In issuing an injunction, the court found there was a likelihood that the plaintiffs would succeed on a due process claim. (“We are a country of laws, and of compassion. We have plainly stated our intent to treat refugees with an ordered process, and benevolence, by codifying principles of asylum. The Government’s treatment . . . [of] class members does not meet this standard, and it is unlikely to pass constitutional muster.”) The court continued:

The practice of separating these families was implemented without any effective system or procedure for (1) tracking the children after they were separated from their parents, (2) enabling communication between the parents and their children after separation, and (3) reuniting the parents and children after the parents are returned to immigration custody following completion of their criminal sentence. This is a startling reality. The government readily keeps track of personal property of detainees in criminal and immigration proceedings. Money, important documents, and automobiles, to name a few, at all levels — state and federal, citizen and alien. Yet, the government has no system in place to keep track of , provide effective communication with, and promptly produce alien children. The unfortunate reality is that under the present system migrant children are not accounted for with the same efficiency and accuracy as property. Certainly, that cannot satisfy the requirements of due process.

The court cited at length the findings of the Children’s Defense Fund regarding the extensive harm done to children forcibly separated from their parents. The court expressed the shock and dismay many ordinary Americans are feeling:

The facts set forth before the Court portray reactive governance — responses to address a chaotic circumstance of the Government’s own making. They belie measured and ordered governance, which is central to the concept of due process enshrined in our Constitution. This is particularly so in the treatment of migrants, many of whom are asylum seekers and small children. The extraordinary remedy of classwide preliminary injunction is warranted based on the evidence before the Court.