From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE…
Energize An Ally Tuesday
Finally---we're down to one freaking week before America finally gets to see whether or not we as a nation chose to save democracy from Trump and his madcow-infected Trumptroopers (formerly known as the Republican party). I hope the answer is a resounding yes. If not, I'm content knowing I'm only a few shovelfuls of dirt away from completing my escape tunnel to Scotland. (I was aiming for Canada, but my GPS died and…long story.)
I was happy to see Daily Kos pour on the midterm gas with twelve last-minute endorsements of women in statehouse races---candidates who can make a real difference in how Democrats fare in several key battleground states by flipping their districts from red to blue. Says DKos Senior Campaigns Director Michael Langenmayr:
Daily Kos can't add much to the mind-boggling sums being spent at the federal level right now, but our elections team has found 12 Republican seats at the statehouse level where we think we can make a tremendous difference.
These are our final 12 endorsements of the 2018 election. All are in crucial state legislative races that we think we could win with your support. Democrats have an opportunity to make big gains in these key state legislatures---maybe even take the majorities in some.
Flipping these seats builds Democratic power in each of these states---which is how we block further GOP erosion of voting rights and take back the ballot box access they’ve already stripped away.
I'll say it 'til I'm blue in the face: I want to wake up on November 7th to a new dawn---one in which Democratic women, fresh off a tsunami of victories in every state and at every level of government, will exert far more influence over our nation's direction. It's long past time. So this morning we're chipping in $5 to each of the "New Dawn Dozen," and we encourage you to add a little bit to help their final-week push into the history books.
Click here to see the candidates and donate via Act Blue. And please don’t make me have to complete my tunnel to Scotland next week, America. Not a haggis fan.
Cheers and Jeers starts below the fold... [Swoosh!!] RIGHTNOW! [Gong!!]
Cheers and Jeers for Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Note: Vote.
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By the Numbers:
Days 'til the November 6 midterm elections: 7
Days `til the Massachusetts Cheese Festival in Somerville: 4
Flu vaccination rate last year, the lowest since 2010-2011: 37.1%
Number of people hospitalized with the flu last year, more than all the staffed hospital beds in America: 960,000
Increase in Maine's population last year, 60% of whom are age 25-34, according to our state Economic Forecasting Commission: 6,827
Number of 90% silver "Barber" quarters struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1913, the lowest-minted quarter of the 20th century: 40,000
Percent of Americans who plan to visit a haunted house this Halloween season: 21%
Totally Random NFL Score
New England Patriots 25 Buffalo Bills 6
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Puppy Pic of the Day: Stephen King's corgi Molly (aka "Thing of Evil") prepares for the big night…
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CHEERS to using the D-word. I’ve been saying for eons now that our party should be running simple, short ads along the lines of: “Protect your Social Security and health care---on November 6th vote for Democrats up and down the ticket.” But that hasn’t happened. Until now! Michael Bloomberg just plowed another $10 million into midterm election races, and we give him points for this national ad that actually tells viewers in no uncertain terms to "Vote for a Democratic Congress"…
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Just one quibble. He doesn’t say “please.” I know---it’s the little things.
JEERS to America: land of the guns, home of the gun nuts. What happens in the wake of the massacre in Newtown Aurora Binghamton Tucson Santa Barbara Charleston Lafayette Roseburg Kalamazoo Orlando Alexandria Las Vegas Benton Parkland Jacksonville etcetera etcetera etcetera a Pittsburgh synagogue during what was supposed to be a day of worship and fellowship is depressingly predictable:
The community will grieve as the victims are buried. Gun control advocates, will wisely suggest that this might be a good time to review our federal and state firearms policies so that our nation's shameful record of gun violence might be improved upon. The president and his minions will blame Democrats and rogue outsiders for the carnage and urge every living soul and their pets to arm themselves to the teeth, but not before insincerely offering their “thoughts and prayers.” Marco Rubio will tweet out worthless Bible passages. And the NRA will continue scaring Republican politicians into looking the other way by informing them that, "We'll be scoring you on your response." And it will all happen again sooner rather than later. Like I said, predictable. Depressingly.
JEERS to more buffering. I can't say I'm surprised, but it's an annoying development nonetheless. California's freshly-signed net neutrality law is on hold until some previous business gets sorted out…
The state's attorney general has agreed not to enforce its new law---aimed at preventing internet providers from favoring certain websites and apps---while a lawsuit plays out in Washington. […]
Mozilla, a non-profit dedicated to ensuring "free and open internet," filed a lawsuit arguing the FCC's decision to overturn net neutrality "violates both federal law as well as harms internet users and innovators."
[I]n a court document filed Friday, a judge revealed that California has agreed to hold off on enforcing its law until the Mozilla case is settled.
If you missed it a couple weeks back, Tech Crunch took a look at the FCC's response to Mozilla's suit and concluded that the commission is full of crap. Yup---Republicans are wrong on the internet. Go figure.
CHEERS to #2. And happy 283rd birthday to John Adams, born October 30, 1735. A few toasts from his colleagues:
"He's actually insane!"
---Sec. of War James McHenry
"Sometimes absolutely mad!"
---Ben Franklin
"He is vain, irritable, and a bad calculator of the force and probable effect of the motives which govern men."
---Thomas Jefferson
Okay, well, that was fun. Pay your respects here. But watch your words---he still thinks the Alien and Sedition Acts are in effect.
CHEERS to closure. Meanwhile, in the world of friendly sporting competitions (and speaking of John Adams’ stomping grounds), the Curse of the Bambino has been exorcised for the fourth time in 15 years, as the now-legendary 2018 Boston Red Sox, coming off a 108-win regular season and then stomping the f*cking Yankees into the dust, steamrolled past the L.A. Dodgers to win the World Series four games to one…
Spring training for the 2019 season starts in 115 days. Not that we’re---[Looks at watch]---counting.
CHEERS to the most trusted name in news (well, besides Cronkite and Maddow). 107 years ago this week, Joseph Pulitzer died at 64 aboard his yacht in Charleston, South Carolina, thus ending the life of the "yellow journalism" publisher who was dedicated to looking out for the little guy (if loudly and sensationalistically):
Previously the press usually spoke for the establishment and moneyed interests, but this new strain of journalism supported labor, attacked trusts and monopolies, and exposed scandal, fraud and corruption, both public and private.
At a time when journalism was not considered a respectable way of earning a living, Pulitzer was committed to raising the standards of the profession.
Today the best and the brightest in journalism are celebrated with the coveted "Pulitzer," which comes in a lovely velvet display case. And when I depart this earth I still plan to leave behind a foundation that will recognize the most dimwitted and dishonest. I'm calling it the "Pooplitzer" and it'll come in a lovely doggie-doo bag. The inaugural Pooplitzer ceremony will make history. It'll be the first time the world ever hears the words, "And the winner is: Fox News."
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Ten years ago in C&J: October 30, 2008
CHEERS to doing the right thing. Florida Governor Charlie Crist, who seems to be one of the more put-together Republicans of any esteem these days, may have just given Obama an edge in the state by extending early voting hours there from 7am to 7pm:
"I have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote." … Voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2.
Naturally the GOP base is furious. Putting country before party? How dare he.
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And just one more…
CHEERS to previews of coming attractions. Oh, if only...
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As the old saying goes: there’s always room for one more sequel.
Have a tolerable Tuesday. Floor's open...What are you cheering and jeering about today?
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Today's Shameless C&J Testimonial
George Clooney & Rande Gerber Are Pilots for Halloween---with Bill in Portland Maine as Flight Attendant!
---People
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