US Congress

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Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 422

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Happy 2020! Welcome to the first OITS of 2020. On the other hand, I still don’t know how many more OITS there will be – but I know at least one! … but I’m guessing two.

The last Weekend Concert Series is this Saturday featuring Duets – two people together who normally are not together. The Producer says Simon & Garfunkel is not a duet for this concert – but Willie Nelson with Luiciano Pavarotti would be. Duets take the stage this Saturday 4 January at 1:00 AM (Eastern US).

Why Duets as the theme? Easy – This is a tribute to those who have interacted with me here at my little corner of the world. We have been a duet – and this is a way for me to say thank you!

My holiday period has been too hectic – and to the point of no fun. Plus, I missed many of your posts.

Being that I am on the final leg of my blog journal, the Q&A page/tab is an opportunity to ask questions. Not much activity. Hmmm …. wondering …. Should I take it down?

The Benevolent Impalers won the consolation game – therefore securing third place – but a disappointment after being the top seed. The Yahoo algorithms are a bit screwy. They rated my draft as a C and predicted my final record to be 5-7 in the regular season. After finishing 12-2, they gave me a C+ for the season. An odd analysis.

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Impeachment and the people involved continue to embarrass me.

The impeachment process continues to be a political spectacle while delivering a severe black eye onto the Founding Fathers. This article explains why 88 of the 100 senators should be disqualified as jurors.

This link made me laugh – 9 things President Trump says all the time.

I keep thinking about that America is more divided than in a long time, and we have a group saying “Keep America Great: …. Which to me means Keep America Divided.

To lead you into this week’s satirical headlines, The Onion provides tips for displaying artwork in your home.

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Weekly Headlines from The Onion (combos welcome)

Miracle dumbbell found in proper place on rack
Woman knows husband just acting affectionate because he wants food
All of area man’s positive qualities stolen from past friends
Man watches video about habits of effective artists so he too can be effective artist
Town hag getting in pretty good day of shaking jangly bell-covered stick while pointing and screaming ‘You Will Die!’
Fox News condemns 2020 election as partisan witch hunt orchestrated by Democrats to unseat President

Interesting Reads

A gene-editing experiment
Mistakes by science fiction
Can science rule out God?
Event that changed the course of Saudi history
The transition of St. Nick to Santa: A brief history
(Graphic) Space-Race History
(Pictures) BBC Readers’ Picks of the Year
(Pictures) National Geographic: Favorite Space Pics of 2019
(Pictures) BBC: Best space images of 2019

To send you into the weekend, let’s start 2020 with a bit of Lindsey Stirling. In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

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Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 170

In the recent election, the Republicans lost their White House bid, lost more elections in the House than won, and were overwhelmingly thumped in the Senate races. Dear GOP: What do you mean when you say Americans have spoken or America wants?

With all the talk about the debt ceiling, it’s obvious that politicians value it more than economists.

As the House read the Constitution this past Tuesday morning, if wonder if they understood the part that Congress is responsible for spending and the federal government can operate at a deficit.

With many having received their first paycheck of the 2013, I’m amused by those blaming President Obama and his voters for more taxes withheld.

  • In 2011, President Obama proposed a temporary reduction in the withholding tax with hopes that people would increase spending. Congress passed the temporary suggestion, and the president signed the bill.
  • For 2012, Congress passed extending the temporary holiday, and the president signed the bill.
  • For 2013, Congress passed a bill allowing the tax holiday to expire, and the president signed the bill – thus taxes returned to 2011 levels prior to the president’s proposal. At least readers here know the events.

You may have heard the poll results comparing the favorability of the US Congress to cockroaches. Here are the study results to enjoy.

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion

  • Gorilla sales skyrocket after latest gorilla attack
  • Area woman decides not to post Facebook status that would tip gun control debate
  • Air Force One pilot invites excited Obama into cockpit
  • Procrastinating surgeon putting off coronary bypass by cleaning entire hospital
  • Deadly virus found to be “real squiggly”
  • Only difficult pistachios left in bag
  • Hidden Valley Ranch bombed by balsamic extremist

Interesting Reads

On Potpourri
This is NOT from The Onion, but from the Call them Sherlock files: Taxpayer Advocate Says Taxes are Too Complicated

My week was a busier than normal, thus I didn’t get around as much as I normally do.

During the Freshly Pressed craze, I discovered Ray – an Australian radiologist and artist who transforms X-Rays into art. Check him out, and if you comment, tell him I sent you.

Ever since the Freshly Pressed stats rush, it has been interesting to watch the daily stair-step downward.

This is picture is awesome, so click here to see it.

Good news – Saturday will provide a classic cartoon post.

To send you into the weekend, here is (thanks to El Guapo) a wonderful explanation and humorous look at the European debt crisis – thus worth 3 minutes.

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Have a good weekend! In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.