SundayMorningCoffee

Sunday Morning Coffee 25 April 2021

Welcome back and glad you're here. I've only got about a hour to get this out. My Bride is camping so I get all of the farm chores. Today in Sunday Morning Coffee there are so many questions and the answers, it would seem, may be the same.  Those damn Republicans. Let's go!

Val Demings

Last week I was on Clubhouse (an amazing platform by the way) for a session of what is called "News, News, News". It's where a couple of hundred people are on the call and the moderator asks for somebody in the room to call out a news headline and then it is discussed for, like, sixty seconds. As you can imagine...it moves pretty fast. One of the headlines was, "Congresswomen Val Demings (D-FL) is said to be eyeing a statewide office." So we launched into the discussion: Would it be against Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) or Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)? The pundits on the call leaned toward Rubio citing the current senate makeup and her time in congress. I like that link. Demings has had experience in education and she was the police chief for Orlando before going to congress. And, if you remember she was one of the folks vetted by President Biden to serve as Vice President.  Her tiff a week ago with Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) made national news too.  Hmmm.... (Image: US News)

Vice President Harris

By now y'all know that I was a Biden supporter during the primary. That decision was made based on some personal experiences as well as the urging of my friend, former governor and now Secretary of Agriculture (again) Tom Vilsack. During that primary campaign I went to a number of events that featured then Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) and I was so impressed with her raw passion and her ability to connect. So when she was chosen by President Biden to become the Vice President...that was a good thing...for me.  And, it is turning out to be a very good thing for the nation.

It's being reported that as the verdict in the Derek Chauvin was being read that Biden and Harris were together (as they often are) and it has been reported there was a visible sense of relief when the three guilty verdicts came in. Then the president and vice president went to the Oval Office to call the Floyd family. It was then, where Vice President Harris's words of comfort and understanding of the situation, shined like no other Vice President before could have done. She spoke as a person of color who knew, exactly, what the family was feeling and what millions of others face each day. It was a moment.  (Image: 3 July 2019 Media Scrum West Des Moines, Iowa)

Voter Suppression

Isn't it odd what is going on in Arizona as the Cyber Ninjas, selected by the Arizona GOP to "audit" the 2020 ballots, do their work. Mind you the Florida company is headed by Doug Logan a supporter of "45" who has repeated all manner of conspiracy theories about the election and was an advocate of the "Stop the Steal" movement. The Arizona Democrats, on Thursday, filed suit to stop the sham and on Friday, Judge Christopher Coury of the Maricopa County Superior Court granted their request for a pause until evidence can be presented at an 11:00 a.m. local time hearing on Monday. (Image: Crunchbase)

Mind you this "audit" has no legal ramifications. Joe Biden still won Arizona. It is being done, I believe, as a test case to see just how far these Republicans can go to make sure your vote is tainted. It's that simple.

Meanwhile in Iowa

Looks like Secretary of State Paul Pate (R-IA) has broken the recent voter suppression law here by marking perhaps thousands of voters "inactive" because they failed to vote in the November 2020 election.  Linn County Auditor Joel Miller found that Pate had been tossing voters from active to inactive when the law that was passed did not consider the 2020 election but elections in the future. I swear these Republicans will do anything to make sure you don't vote.  It's a big story and one that you won't find anywhere other than Bleeding Heartland.  So...read it. 

Nah, Keep 'Em...

It seems that thousands of Iowans are getting their wish. They don't want to get the vaccine so the state, late last week, informed the Feds that they didn't have to ship some 21,000 doses into the Hawkeye State. Nice. Thank you for being idiots. Thank you for not giving a damn about your fellow citizens. Thank you for making sure our economy tanks.  And, thank you Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) for making this a political football so your base continues to follow you.  Sure, on Thursday she opined to Iowans, "So, what are you waiting for?"  Strong words governor.  You are so...strong.

Partly Personal

Sorry this is so short this morning. "Farm Duty" here as my Bride decided to leave town and go...camping. Camping...in a tent. Outside. In the woods. Camping. She said, before leaving on this latest round of pioneering, "So, why don't you go with me?"  Me in a tent in the woods?  Nope ain't gonna do it. As I've said many times before, "My people camped for 40 years in the wilderness. We've had enough of camping thank you very much."  But she is having a great time...so there is that. Meanwhile our granddaughter was here, baked me a cake and cleaned the Cowboy Room and the Kitchen...spotless. Wondering if "G" might consider staying in the woods for an extended period of time. I've got Jovie.

Finally, did you know you do not have to refrigerate butter? No, really. I had no idea until last week when I read this. To be honest, I should have known. When I was a kid we always had butter on the table in a round dish with a cover (I have searched and searched for that dish here but...no luck...and had to go buy one.) And on the farm, where we made our own butter, we had it sitting out but not as long because it was not pasteurized.  My brother makes bread each week and I put a schmeer on a piece and WOW!  Restaurant quality my friends!  But, remember it's got to be real butter and not margarine.  You are welcome!

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 18 April 2021

Grab a cup of Sunday Morning Coffee brewed up fresh each week as I share the political stories you may have seen, or missed, all laced with my commentary. You are welcome let the games begin!

Frustration

Last week I was reading a story about how frustrated the Republicans are because they can't seem to find the right message that will get Americans to loath President Joe Biden.  "Nothing sticks", said one prominent GOP senator. "I don't think sometimes our messaging is as sharp as it should be because a lot of the things they're doing are things that are popular—when you’re spending money, you’re popular." Said Sen John Thune (R-SD). No, senator, the issue is that you and your minions have nothing when it comes to policy. You're policy is the be against...everything. You don't want people to vote. You don't want to fix infrastructure that is broken, or in the case of broadband, nonresistant. You don't want to improve the economy. You don't think Black lives matter. You detest immigration. You don't believe women are capable of making decisions...about themselves. You don't think there are way too many guns available and too easy to get. You don't think granting asylum is something important for humanity. You don't think it's important to tackle climate change and you don't think President Biden...won the 2020 election. 

America has "moved on" while you in the Republican Party have nothing but..."No!".

And...Fear

One of the things Republicans are good at is stoking fear. Be afraid of...everything. Be afraid of those "brown people" they are coming to take your job. Be afraid of those "black people" they are mean and angry. Be afraid of people who vote. Be afraid that "they are coming to get your guns".  Be afraid...just be scared...is not policy Sen. Thune and we know that.

Did I Mention...

Last week CNBC reported that Joe Biden begins his presidency having achieved out of the gate what his predecessor could only do once during his four years: a positive approval rating.

The CNBC All-America Economic Survey finds that 47% of the public approves of Biden's handling of the presidency, with 41% disapproving. A substantial 12% say they are not sure. (Wouldn't you love to meet one of those folks? "Gosh the economy is booming, people are going back to work, there is a functioning government with able people in charge. I just ain't sure about that...") Weary.

The former president managed to get above the breakeven level just once in the survey, in March 2020.

Key to Biden's support is a 62% approval rating for his handling of the coronavirus. A 46% plurality approve of his handling of the economy with 41% disapproving.  So there is...that.

Watch That Waistline!

The big news out of Mar-a-Lago last week was that "45" is starting to trim down a bit. Perhaps passing on the fourth or fifth cheeseburger and opting for celery?  This does not bode well for folks like Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) or Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) who see themselves as the contender to take on President Biden in 2024. The report is that "45" is eyeing his return to the campaign on behalf of himself.  It's gonna be hard to out crazy...crazy especially if he is the new "slim and trim" nut case.  Right?

Git Yer Gun!

Meanwhile in Texas legislators there have passed a bill that does not require a permit to get a gun. It's the same measure that failed to pass the Texas House in 2015 and in 2017 but the wacky gun lobby has won a big victory and the bill now goes to the Texas Senate. And, yes even some Democrats (seven) voted for the "constitutional carry" bill.

They are a bit behind Iowa where a similar bill was signed into law. Never mind that people are killing people in astonishing numbers. Hell, it's easier to "git a gun" than it is to...vote. More on that below. My brother is highly skilled in firearms. In fact his training exceeds that of even the Marines. He has a permit to carry and does especially now that so many nut cases have permission to run around armed. Just what we need Gov. Reynolds (R-IA). Of course my brother is white and so is about 96% of Iowa so...nothing to fear.

Indianapolis

Eight people were gunned down there last week. Eight people, with families, shot to death by a white guy with, what I understand, was not one but TWO "assault rifles". The 19 year-old hate monger purchased them legally last summer even after the Indianapolis police and the FBI issued warnings about his mental health.  They even made a home visit and confiscating a shotgun when his mother called police to say her son had "suicidal tendencies".  Failure is, it seems, an option when it comes to protecting the lives of Americans. Among the dead are four members of the Sikh faith. People who fled India because of persecutions there only to be murdered. It should be noted that, according to news sources, 70% of the employees at the FedEx establishment where the murders took place are Sikh.

Searching, Searching...

I was on a call last week listening to State Senator Sarah Trone-Garriott (D-Windsor Heights) talk about stuff going on with the Iowa legislature. Of particular importance, to me and many others, is the new law that restricts voting in Iowa. Perhaps you didn't know that that bill just "showed up" in the Iowa Senate and was passed by both chambers and on the governor's desk in a scant seven days. That's what happens when one party controls the legislature and Terrace Hill. It's an awful law that, sadly, many Iowans know nothing about mostly because they don't care or they figure the "Big Lie" is accurate. "Oh my! We must make sure voting is safe and secure so let's make it harder to vote!"  So I had to ask my senator what was the rational for the bill and the, now, new law. "They really didn't have much to say about that." So, there you have it. No rational just in search of a cure to a problem that does not exist.  Well, it does, only in the minds of those who believe the "Big Lie". Weary...

Partly Personal

Thank you for the many warm wishes. I celebrated a birthday last Sunday and it was a good day.  Thanks for the kind words...even from those who are not, often, too kind.

Last week was also Yom Ha' Atzmaut or Independence Day for the State of Israel.  As is my new custom the U.S. flag that flies in front of our home (correctly by the way with a light on it for after dark) is replaced the the Israeli flag on Jewish holidays.  Just a heads up for my neighbors who are, often, confused as to what day it is and why that flag is flying. Israel is now 73 years young.

Finally, I received my second dose of COVID19 vaccine last week. In the runup to the event I had been on the phone with dozens and dozens of my friends and co-workers who had already been "jabbed" twice. The vast majority reported very little when it came to side affects.  There were a couple who reported fatigue, which is what my Bride experienced after her second dose. And, to be honest, there were a couple of people who said they spent the day after their second shot in bed with headache and a bit of a fever.  So, I was expecting...well, I didn't quite know...but I was a bit anxious.  Turns out...nothing. My arm was a bit sore for a couple of hours and I was a little tired the next day but powered through with my work.  Now, maybe, I'll soon be able to hug my grandchildren and go out to dinner with my Bride to celebrate our anniversary.  Perhaps...

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 11 April 2021

Welcome back! If you missed SMC over the past two Sundays it was because both were during Passover. The first two days and the last two days of the holiday week are considered highly important and so...no SMC.  By the way we're now counting the Omer, the 49 days between the final day of Passover and the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai.  See what you learn here?

The Lie Continues

Last night at a gathering of Republicans at Mar-a-Lago the former president was in top form as he continued to lie about the election, throw shots at Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and even said some nasty things about McConnell's wife Elaine Chow, who served as the Secretary of Transportation during 45's one-term administration.

Of course he continued to say he actually won in Georgia and in Pennsylvania and blamed everybody, other than himself, for the loss. And, from news accounts, those in attendance (high ranking senators from the GOP) ate it up.  The National Republican Party paid $100,000 for the use of the resort. That after the former, twice impeached, president sent the party a cease and desist letter banning the RNC from using his name or image on any fund raising. Masochists I guess?

Speaking of Raising Funds

It was nice that the former president paid back millions of dollars to supporters who were tricked into taking their one-time donation and turning it into a recurring donation and even increasing the amount each month.  He did it by using a "Mob Boss" tactic of intimidation which so fits his style. What an awful man.

Meanwhile

Yesterday there were 4.6 million COVID19 vaccinations given. A new record. But, and this is a big BUT, infections continue to rise.  In seven days the U.S. totaled 68,000 new cases and it is particularly alarming in Michigan and Minnesota where scores of young people are now being admitted to hospitals.  You might ask "Why?".  People say they are tired of wearing masks. They whine that social distancing is too hard. They want to be with their friends. They want to be normal.

Yeah, and Darwin will handle the rest.  Idiots.

"Guns Will Make You Safe!"

We hear that all the time. And as Americans long for some sense of "normal" we're back to killing each other at a rapid pace...which, when you think of it, is normal for the U.S. Meanwhile states like Iowa will soon allow you to carry without a license and gun sales between friends and relatives no longer need a background check. Meanwhile President Biden is trying to do something about it by issuing several executive orders. However, and you know this is true, those orders will be challenged and ignored as Americans hold on to their precious Second Amendment while trampling on the rights of others.

I'm reminded of other words written above the entrance of Auschwitz, "Work will make you free."  Another lie.

Christian Compassion

Last week Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) said at her press conference that Iowa has no room for any of the migrant children who are being detained at our southern border.  She then added it was not Iowa's problem it was, "The president's problem." How very thoughtful and Christian like.  Pastor Mike Householder is the guy behind the mega Lutheran Church of Hope where, it is reported, the Governor attends. Nice work Mike...doing a hell of a job there.  Weary....

Voting Rights

Last week television sports guy Keith Murphy wrote on his Facebook Page this factual message. "Major League Baseball will move the All Star Game and the 2021 Draft out of Georgia because of the voter bill signed into law." He simply wrote the facts as an solid reporter should do.  Oh but the comments from others....  It would seem to me that the vast majority of people who were commenting had no idea of what is going on in Georgia...and for that matter here in Iowa. "What's the big deal?" "Ya gotta have ID to drive a car." "Shortening voting by a couple of days....get real!" They have no idea...none. The real issue is that Republicans do not want you to vote and they will do anything in their power to make it more difficult. And they are using "The Big Lie" that their "Dear Leader" lost in 2020 because the vote was rigged.  No proof mind you it's just easier to deny you the right to vote. Words, "Work will make you free." just another lie.

Black Lives Matter

Well, not so much it would seem.  When demonstrators come to the Iowa State Capitol and interact with the State Police, asking for names and badge numbers, they are thrown to the ground, handcuffed and sent to jail. That is the reality here. Meanwhile the racist media and their enablers refer to the demonstration as an attack at the Iowa Capitol..."an insurrection" where police were "mobbed by protestors". While at the same time saying the folks who showed up at the U.S. Capitol on the 6th of January were peaceful, law abiding people.  

The difference is that people died as a result of that angry, out of control mob in D.C.  But, at least they were...white. So they get a pass. Face it, black people are just too scary. That's why police profile them. That is why cops follow them when the cop decides this black man shouldn't be driving in a white neighborhood. It happens all the time and it happens to my friends.  None of us are truly free until we are all free.  Anything else is simply bullshit.

Partly Personal

For two weeks I didn't write Sunday Morning Coffee and I got calls and messages asking if I was OK.  Thank you for that...and I did feel a bit guilty.  But, that is the Jew in me....or the Catholic in me (well, that's not accurate but we do share that guilt thing).

Today my Bride gave me the most beautiful birthday card. No, really...and I cried. It was that powerful

Oh, and I get my second shot this week.  So there is that.

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday.