Sunday Funday: Weatherman Edition

Posted on September 8, 2019 by Dave Bradley
sharpie

unsung hero or wicked villain?

“Just because you slept with someone named Stormy, it does not make you a weatherman.” Spoken by Joy Behar on the “View” Thursday. This was in response to the Chosen One’s recent adventure where he altered weather maps to  back up a lie he told concerning the path of Hurricane Dorian.

Think about how the Chosen One has over and over again taken insane actions to cover his lies and bad choices. Ask Iowa farmers how that is working out for them. He is now literally illegally stealing money appropriated for other purposes by Congress to build an unneeded wall on our Southern border. Will he be dropping bombs on Iran or Venezuela following some lie? Do you want to bet your kids’ lives on the Chosen One’s mental stability?

Anymore weeks seem like months.

  1. CNN circumvented DNC media rules and held a town hall for Democratic presidential candidates on what subject Wednesday?
  1. What brand of marker got tons of free publicity last week due to the presidential misadventure described in this week’s intro above?
  1. The Chosen One started the week by congratulating Poland on the 80th anniversary of what infamous event?
  1. VP Mike Pence had a disastrous trip to Europe last week. Where did Pence stay while visiting Ireland that caused Irish to spend much extra money for security and transport?
  1. Pence’s press secretary noted that Pence dined with Irish leader Lea Varadkar and his partner thus proving Pence is not bigoted toward what?
  1. In his opening address to the Irish, Pence declared the US to be 100% behind what policy that is giving the Irish great trouble right now?
  1. Iowa Governor Reynolds has hired a new director of the DHS from Texas, despite the fact that Texas is also having huge problems with what program that Iowa is also having trouble with?
  1. In economic news, for the first time in 3 years, what happened to US manufacturing in August?
  1. In 2012, the Chosen One chastised President Obama for monthly hiring that was less than 300,000. The Labor Department reported how many hirings last month?
  1. Walmart and Kroger issued requesting people in open carry states to please refrain from doing what in their stores?
  1. We aren’t the only country being led by a crazy blonde right now. In Britain, unelected PM Boris Johnson lost a huge vote on what issue?
  1. Johnson’s defeat was caused by “rebels” from his own party whom Johnson then threw out of the party. Two were especially significant. What close relative of Johnson’s quit the party over this vote?
  1. Sir Nicholas Soames was among those expelled by Boris Johnson. Soames is the grandson of what hero of Boris Johnson’s?
  1. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is getting unsolicited push and contributions to run for governor of what state?
  1. September 2, 1945 President Truman officially accepted surrender from what WWII foe?
  1. September 3, 1783 the Treaty of Paris was signed ended what war?
  1. What Sandy Hook denier and owner of the Infowars website was ordered “pay all costs” as an appeal in a defamation lawsuit filed by the denier was rejected?
  1. Good guy with a gun? A man in Houston, Texas pulled a gun on employees of what restaurant chain demanding a currently buzzed about chicken sandwich?
  1. Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam has formally withdrawn a bill dealing with what that has caused weeks of huge protest in Hong Kong?
  1. San Francisco’s city council branded what well known group as a “domestic terrorist organization?”
leaders meet handicapped

hat tip to allhatnocattle.blogspot.com

Answers:

  1. Climate Change
  1. Sharpie
  1. Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany. Congratulations?
  1. Trump’s golf course and hotel on Doonbeg, 180 miles from the capital in Dublin
  1. Gay people. Varadkar is gay. One dinner does not prove anything
  1. Brexit. A hard Brexit will cause the Irish big problems on their border with Northern Ireland.
  1. Privatized Medicaid
  1. It contracted adding to concerns about a coming recession.
  1. 130,000
  1. Openly carrying guns.
  1. Brexit
  1. Boris’ brother Jo quit the party and stepped down as a cabinet minister.
  1. Winston Churchill. Historical note: Churchill left the Tories before he died.
  1. Arkansas – the next gubernatorial election is in 2022
  1. Japan
  1. The American Revolutionary War
  1. Alex Jones. 
  1. Popeye’s
  1. Extradition to China
  1. The NRA

Americans Envious That Tiffany Trump Never Hears From Dad. – Andy Borowitz

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A Couple Of Bad Hombres In Court

Posted on September 7, 2019 by Dave Bradley
Rob Sand and Family

Rob Sand and Family photo: robsand.com

The Des Moines Register had a story about State Auditor Rob Sand standing up and saying “Enough” when it comes to paying any additional lawyer’s fees for former Governor Terry Branstad. To that we would like to say “Thank You, Mr. Sand.” The Governor had his day in court in front of a jury. The jury found Branstad at fault and the award was set at $1.5 million, which we as taxpayers will pay.

We as taxpayers are paying the freight for Branstad on this one. Our feeling is that if he wants to appeal he can do so on his own nickel. Lawyers fees in this case for Branstad’s defense and fees for the litigant Chris Godfrey are in the millions:

Roxanne Conlin, a Des Moines attorney who represented Godfrey, is seeking $4.1 million for fees and costs for her work on the case.

Branstad’s lawyers have not submitted a bill for all fees, but their costs have neared $2 million and will climb as they seek to have the verdict overturned and the case either dismissed or retried.

Appealing would make sense if there were some major issue of law in contention. However, this case seems only to be one of pride for the Governor:

Sand said he’s hoping for a conclusion to the case, and said he tried to offer a variety of reasons the state should not pay for an appeal in the hopes that some Republicans might agree with his argument.

“I realize the Executive Council members I am asking to help end this matter share their party affiliation with the defendants,” Sand wrote in the letter. “This does not have to be a determination made on tribal instincts.”

Sand also criticized the language used by attorneys for the state in a post-trial motion seeking to have the verdict dismissed. The motion called the trial “a show trial,” “a charade” and “a political circus.”

Enough is enough, Mr. Branstad.

In an unrelated case we have a group that calls itself Equal Vote America filing a lawsuit in New York contending that Senators Mitch McConnell and Iowa’s own Charles Grassley “breached the Separation of Power and a gross violation of Due Process” for their refusal to hold hearings for President Obama’s nominee to replace Antonin Scalia on the SCOTUS:  

On March 16, 2019, Equal Vote America Corp. (EVA) has filed a civil lawsuit against Mitch McConnell and Charles Grassley at the U.S. DistrictCourt for the Southern District of New York (CASE # 1:19-cv-02346) on the ground that their refusal to conduct any senate confirmation process for ChiefJudge Garland’s nomination to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court represented a blatant breach of Separation of Power and a gross violation of Due Process, anda brazen suppression of the will of the majority voters voted for PresidentObama in the 2012 Election.

Today (09/03/2019), EVA refiled the lawsuit in order to include over 2,500 individuals who have signed the online affidavit as co-Plaintiffs joining the action (CASE # 1:19-cv-08178). This case has become the largest grass-root ordinary citizenry legal action to defend the Constitution in our country’s history.

Multiple news sources (CNN, Politico) reported on 05/28/2019 that McConnell said the Republican-controlled Senate would fill an opening seat on the Supreme Court of the United States if a justice were to die in 2020. This is in stark contrast with McConnell’s complete blockade of the Garland nomination by President Obama. Aside from the obvious hypocrisy and partisan power grab, McConnell’s own words added further evidence to support our lawsuit.”

There is a link at the story for others to sign on as a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Litigants are seeking:

The Redress we are seeking is for the Court to Review and Declare that:

  • the Defendants’ refusal of confirmation process to a presidential nomination is unconstitutional.

  • the Defendants shall be held in contempt of the Constitution.

  • the same well-established long-standing confirmation process shall be guaranteed for all presidential nominations in the future.

This lawsuit may go nowhere. Nor will it correct the real damage of Grassley’s clear flaunting of the Constitution – that is the appointment of Neil Gorsuch to the Court in the place of Merrick Garland. If they do get a decision it will be like locking the barn door after the horse has escaped. At least Grassley may at least have to answer some questions about why he refused to do his constitutionally prescribed duties.

One question many would like answered that will probably not get asked is why did Grassley do what he knew to be wrong in refusing to even give Garland a hearing? Was Grassley privy to some potential election rigging and thus felt assured that his machinations would not be called out?

Image (2) Grassley-Trump-and-the-Courts-300x170.png for post 33907

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Joni Says: Don’t Tell Them That SS Cuts Are Coming

Posted on September 7, 2019 by Dave Bradley

This should come as little surprise to anyone who follows Iowa’s junior senator. Since Ernst is someone who has been bankrolled by the Koch brothers and the NRA, it is hardly surprising that she is more than willing to make her bones on the backs of Iowa’s seniors. 

According to the Washington Post:  

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said at a recent town hall that lawmakers should discuss fixing Social Security “behind closed doors,” prompting a wave of criticism from liberal and advocacy groups.

Ernst, who is running for reelection in 2020, made the remarks Saturday, according to a video posted by the Democratic super PAC American Bridge. The comments began to receive broader attention after they were reported Wednesday by the liberal news website Iowa Starting Line.

Ernst told the audience in Estherville that “there is a point in time when we as Congress will have to address the situation. And I think it’s better done sooner rather than later, to make sure that we’ve shored up that system.”

One of the reasons that Ernst and her Republican colleagues are so fearful of talking about Social Security openly and will only talk about it behind closed doors is that their only solution is to cut benefits. Not a one would even so much as utter the thought of raising the cap for the FICA tax that funds the Social Security system. Their owners – Charles Koch and the estate of the late David Koch – won’t let them.

For one thing, doing the public’s business behind closed doors is anathema to democracy. Joni Ernst and her Republican colleagues should be thoroughly admonished for that. Unless the subject is national security, there is nothing that should make a public servant retreat behind closed doors. Yet that is operating mode for the Republican Party especially when they are making policy to benefit the top 1% and screw the rest of us.

Raising the cap on taxable income for Social Security has been shown over and over and over again to be the simple and sensible solution to a pending Social Security shortfall. Republicans refuse to even allow such a solution to be brought up.

So Ernst’s solution is to hide behind closed doors, make policy and spring it on an unsuspecting public with little warning and most likely a big advertising campaign to sell the public on getting screwed once more by Republicans. This has been a common theme and practice since introduction of the Reagan economy.

Ernst stands fully behind the Chosen One’s disastrous tariff policies that will wreak havoc on Iowa’s farms and farming communities. Now she calls for making policy behind closed doors that will royally screw Iowa’s present and future seniors. Add in her staunch defense of the NRA’s stand on keeping weapons of mass murder available for public sale to anyone and I hope we have the makings of a former senator. These are not policies that Iowans want no matter how hard they try to sell them.

Raw Story’s take on the Ernst plan to do SS cuts on the QT:   

According to the Washington Post, Ernst is begging Republicans not to talk about the cuts to Medicare and Social Security in public as she heads into election season. The moment came during a town hall meeting as the senator was in her home state during the August Recess and was captured on video by trackers at the Democratic super PAC American Bridge.

They noted in their tweet of the video that Ernst’s ideas of privatizing Social Security or gutting it along with Medicare are “so toxic, she wants to keep it a secret to avoid ‘media scrutiny.”

“There is a point in time when we as Congress will have to address the situation,” she said. “And I think it’s better done sooner rather than later, to make sure that we’ve shored up that system.”

“So it’s, you know, a broader discussion for another day,” she continued. “But I do think, as various parties and members of Congress, we need to sit down behind closed doors so we’re not being scrutinized by this group or the other, and just have an open and honest conversation about what are some of the ideas that we have for maintaining Social Security in the future.”

In response Democratic senatorial contender Theresa Greenfield responded on Twitter:  

“The only people squealing from Joni Ernst’s toxic record are Iowans who rely on Social Security. We work hard for these earned benefits and deserve better than a senator who plays games with retirement security.”

Stated simply, this stinks to high heaven. There is an obvious reason Ernst and her Republican colleagues want to keep it hidden from the public: it is bad policy. Talking about cutting Social Security and Medicare (that would be part of the package) shortly after giving America’s richest a huge tax cut that they then used to enhance their own wealth by using that tax cut for stock buy backs is very unseemly. 

As the old saying goes – sunlight is the best disinfectant. Seems like Joni the Phony could use a strong dose of sunlight. Maybe the sunlight will make her squeal.

Cartoonist Mike Lukovich had a great cartoon after the huge tax cut for the rich was passed a couple of years ago. It fits so well here. And a big tip of the hat to Mike Lukovich:

lukovich on SS and Medicare

Don’t forget – Joni Ernst would vote for another budget busting, deficit growing, debt compounding tax cut for the rich in a New York second while at the same time preaching belt tightening to Iowa’s seniors.

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How J.D. Scholten Will Defeat Steve King

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Trish Nelson

Cenk Uygur interviews J.D. Scholten

https://www.scholten4iowa.com/

Follow J.D. on Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

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U.S. Workers Continue To Face Imposed Obstacles To Improved Living Standards

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Trish Nelson

by Ralph Scharnau

The economic/business headlines proclaim the American economy as very strong and marked by historic low inflation and unemployment rates. But these idyllic statistics mask workers’ struggle to secure a decent standard of living.

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Congress has not raised it in just over a decade, the longest time in history. Factoring in inflation compounds wage earners duress. Low income levels exist for many wage earners in a range of service sector occupations from fast foods to retail sales.

Wage and salaried employees have experienced stagnant compensation levels. Today, covering the costs of food, housing, clothing, transportation and child care requires more and more workers to hold two or even three jobs.

Wage stagnation, moreover, is a universal problem, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender. An estimated 11 million households spend more than half of their income on rent. There is not a single state where a full-time worker earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour can rent an apartment for 30% or less of their income.

Millions of employees live paycheck-to-paycheck. This means potential bankruptcy in the event of a medical crisis, higher mortgage/rent and tax payments and/or car repair bills. Worker distress contributes to greater food banks usage, mental health problems, and suicide rates. Meanwhile the chasm between the super-rich and everyone else continues to widen.

American workers today face a series of challenges often imposed by hostile employers and conservative politicians. The party of Trump gives big tax breaks to the rich and reduces workplace protections for workers.

The list of workplace abuses also include refusal to pay minimum wages/overtime pay, forcing off-the-clock work, hiring union-busting law firms, job reclassification as a device to reduce employee pay, and outright wage theft. Furthermore, workplace issues like downsizing, speedup, outsourcing, privatization, capital flight, and unsafe working conditions amount to direct assaults on workers’ livelihood.

Unions have traditionally given agency to those who own no means of production and distribution. They rely on their labor to meet their basic needs.

Unions offer a labor-centered way to address structural and policy issues that help to expand economic opportunity. Unionists believed that all workers deserve living wages, decent hours, and humane working conditions regardless of their skin color, sexual orientation, and economic status.

Union membership today hovers around 12%. The rate of public sector union membership outpaces private sector union membership by roughly five times. Those in the labor force without the protection of a union are considered “at will” employees with no workplace rights except the right to quit!

For the first time in decades, union membership numbers rose significantly among young people. Historically, younger people had unionization rates far behind older adults. But recent studies show there were 262,000 new unionists in the U.S. in 2017. About three-fourths of this increase came from workers aged 16 to 35.

Unions represent the interests of most wage earners. Organized workers have taken a leading role in pushing for public aid to education, promoting civil rights for all, calling for affordable housing, demanding universal legal rights, supporting health care for everyone, and other programs important to whole communities everywhere.

A low wage economy punishes laborers who produce and consume goods and services that energize the economy. Trade unions traditionally have advocated for all workers, members and non-members.

Those who join unions enjoy better wages and benefits than the unorganized. At their best, unions combat the rising inequality that threatens our moral and democratic values.

Ralph Scharnau
August 29, 2019

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Attend A Steve King Town Hall This Week

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Trish Nelson

From the desk of Steve King:

On Wednesday, September 4, I will be holding a town hall in Wright County. This town hall will be held in Eagle Grove at Eagle Grove Memorial Hall from Noon-1:00 PM Central time.

On Wednesday, September 4, I will also be holding a town hall in Emmet County. This town hall will be held in Estherville in the Auditorium at Iowa Lakes Community College from 5:30-6:30 PM Central time.

On Thursday, September 5, I will be hosting a town hall in Osceola County. This town hall will be held in Ashton in the Ashton American Legion Community Building from 3:00-4:00 PM Central tie.

On Friday, September 6, I will be hosting a town hall event in Monona County at the Onawa Public Library. This town hall will run from 9:00-10:00 AM Central.

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Iowa Environmental Council Hosts End Of Summer Bash

Posted on September 3, 2019 by Trish Nelson

Nothing is more important than saving our environment.  Here is a chance to participate in saving Iowa’s environment. 

Action invitation from the Iowa Environmental Council

Come Celebrate with IEC! 

We’ve had all summer to enjoy Iowa’s beautiful waterways and we want to celebrate these special spaces and places in Iowa with you!

Join us for our End of Summer Beach Bash on the patio of Confluence Brewing from 5 – 6:30 pm on Tuesday, September 10 for hosted drinks and snacks. While you’re here, enjoy great views and conversation while we recap Iowa’s summer water news, including toxic algae blooms, microcystin advisories, and take a look at this summer compared to past years.

We’ll also share ways you can help to improve Iowa’s beaches, including how to get involved in legislative activities next session and a step-by-step tutorial on writing and submitting letters to the editor or other news outlets.

Attendance is free, but please RSVP by September 6 on our website to be entered to win a beach-themed prize! This family-friendly event is open to public, feel free to spread the word or bring along a friend.

We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP Today

Follow IEP on Facebook and Twitter

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Labor Day Kicks Off Campaign Season

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Trish Nelson

Happy Labor Day!

For a list of local Labor Day events sponsored by labor organizations, click on BFIA’s Friday post here.

Labor Day weekend is the unofficial kick-off of the upcoming campaign season.  Politicos love to say no one pays any attention until after Labor Day. Whether this is true or not, it is a longstanding, firmly held belief.  You can support working people and have fun by attending a Democratic candidate campaign event.  There will be parades, picnics, rallies, ball games and campaign office openings. Enjoy the day while saving Democracy.

Here’s a list of candidate appearances today by candidate in order of time of day.

Steve Bullock Sep 2, 2019, 9:15 a.m.
Gathering point at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1425 Iowa St, Dubuque, IA

Steve Bullock to march in Dubuque Labor Day parade.

Tulsi Gabbard Sep 2, 2019, 9:30 a.m.
Dubuque Labor Day Parade, Dubuque, IA

Joe Biden Sep 2, 2019, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Hawkeye Downs, 4400 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
Hawkeye Area Labor Council Labor Day Picnic with Joe and Jill Biden.

Amy Klobuchar Sep 2, 2019, 11 a.m.
Hawkeye Downs, 4400 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
Hawkeye Area Labor Council Picnic.

Michael Bennet Sep 2, 2019, 11:10 a.m.
Hawkeye Downs, 4400 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
Hawkeye Area Labor Council Picnic.

Pete Buttigieg Sep 2, 2019, 11:40 a.m.
Pete Buttigieg Cedar Rapids Field Office opening, 1019 1st Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA

Joe Biden Sep 2, 2019, 12-4 p.m.
Iowa City City Park, 200 E. Park Rd., Iowa City, IA
Iowa City Federation of Labor –  Labor Day Picnic with Joe and Jill Biden.

Michael Bennet Sep 2, 2019, 12:20 p.m.
Iowa City City Park, 200 E. Park Rd., Iowa City, IA
Iowa City Fed Assembly Picnic.

Steve Bullock Sep 2, 2019, 1 p.m.
Hawkeye Downs Expo Center, 4400 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
Steve Bullock will join Cedar Rapids Hawkeye Area Labor Council Labor Day picnic.

Pete Buttigieg Sep 2, 2019, 1 p.m.
Hawkeye Downs, 4400 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
Hawkeye Labor Council picnic.

Amy Klobuchar Sep 2, 2019, 1:15 p.m.
Modern Woodmen Park, 209 S Gaines St, Davenport, IA
River Bandits baseball game and infrastructure tour with Rep. Cindy Winckler.

Michael Bennet Sep 2, 2019, 3 p.m.
Keokuk Labor Temple, 301 Blondeau St, Keokuk, IA
Keokuk Labor Day Event.

Pete Buttigieg Sep 2, 2019, 3 p.m.
Iowa City Field Office, 23 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA
Field office opening.  **This event has been moved to College Green park.

Michael Bennet Sep 2, 2019, 5 p.m.
40 & 8 Park, 2712 Mt Pleasant St, Burlington, IA
Des Moines/Henry County Labor Alliance Picnic.

To find out who is appearing where this upcoming week, check the Des Moines Register candidate tracker

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Quotes To Ponder On Labor

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Dave Bradley

JFK on labor

Labor has been beaten and bloodied since the Regan presidency. For some strange reason working people voted for Reagan. For some strange reason working people voted for Trump. If they ever thought a billionaire would help working people, I hope they got that out of their systems.

In our lives for almost all of us, things come to us through working for them. It is strange that in a country founded on supposed equality, labor has taken such a back seat. Among all the things that are wrong with today’s America one of the worst is the country’s disrespect for labor and laboring people. Since all we consume comes through labor, labor should be treated with the utmost respect.

With that here are a few quotes concerning labor to ponder this holiday:  (thanks to http://www.notable-quotes.com/l/labor_unions_quotes.html

The only effective answer to organized greed is organized labor.

THOMAS DONAHUE, Report to the Convention from the AFL-CIO Executive Council

The labor movement did not diminish the strength of the nation but enlarged it. By raising the living standards of millions, labor miraculously created a market for industry and lifted the whole nation to undreamed of levels of production. Those who attack labor forget these simple truths, but history remembers them.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., speech to AFL-CIO, Dec. 11, 1961

With all their faults, trade-unions have done more for humanity than any other organization of men that ever existed. They have done more for decency, for honesty, for education, for the betterment of the race, for the developing of character in man, than any other association of men.

CLARENCE DARROW, The Railroad Trainman, Nov. 1909

Too few Americans know labor history and how they have benefited from the efforts of unions. We have a 40-hour work week, defined benefits, higher wages, paid vacations and sick leave, largely as the result of union activity in the 20th century. We built a middle-class society in the period after World War II, also a period when the work force was, compared with today, heavily unionized.

KEN BERNSTEIN, “No unions: Government by the rich, for the rich”, CNN, Feb. 24, 2011

To a right-winger, unions are awful. Why do right-wingers hate unions? Because collective bargaining is the power that a worker has against the corporation. Right-wingers hate that.

JANEANE GAROFALO, Majority Report, Jun. 3, 2005

Join the union, girls, and together say, “Equal pay for equal work.”

SUSAN B. ANTHONY, The Revolution, March 18, 1869

You know, when I was in college, there was a big debate: Do unions raise wages? Well, with regard to industrial unions, there were arguments back and forth — international competition. It is now clear, I think, that whether or not you think unions raised wages 50 years ago, the absence of unions and their weakness that is inflicted by anti-union public policy depresses wages. The fact is that people who are not represented, in the service industries in particular, are the victims of policies which depress their wages.

BARNEY FRANK, speech, Jan. 3, 2007

To be free, the workers must have choice. To have choice they must retain in their own hands the right to determine under what conditions they will work.

SAMUEL GOMPERS, “The Worker and the Eight-hour Workday”, American Federationist: Official Magazine of the American Federation of Labor

Just a few quotes to whet your curiosity on the value of the organized labor movement to democracy and our way of life. If the capitalists could get away with it we would all be working for nothing. 

At this critical juncture in our nation’s history, the power of organized labor to offset the power of VERY organized money – from the Kochs to the NRA and a thousand PACs in between – has never been more needed. Whoever the Democratic candidate is in 2020, the role of labor must be a central plank in the platform.

samuel gompers what does labor want

Posted in #trumpresistance, Labor | Tagged | 2 Comments

Sunday Funday: Name Change Edition

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Dave Bradley

First off, let wish all a good Labor Day holiday. One of the greatest needs in this country when a new administration takes over in January of 2021 is to restore Labor to its rightful place in the power structure of this country that is currently almost totally filled by the wealthy. 99% of us deserve a voice, too. Make sure candidates at every level stand up for restoring labor to its place in society.

Now for a little fun we bring you Randy Rainbow’s latest – and I think perhaps his best – effort. 4 minutes:

With that introduction we are pleased to announce that the president-formerly-known-as-Dear-Leader in this column will henceforth be known – per his own choice – as “The Chosen One.” We try to please those in power.

Another horrible week for children courtesy of this administration. The goal appears to be cruelty to kids.

For the Labor Day weekend we will ask a few labor history questions

  1. “Prorogue” is a  new word that appeared in the news this week. What does “prorogue” mean?
  1. “We don’t work for you” said Fox News talking head Neil Cavuto, referring to who?
  1. So crazy it might work? The Chosen One suggest in meeting using what to try to stop hurricanes from hitting the US?
  1. Labor history. In the very early US “labor combinations” were often considered under law to be “criminal “ what?
  1. 18 Democratic presidential candidates are scheduled to speak at this year’s steak fry sponsored by what Iowa county’s Democratic Party?
  1. Senate Judiciary Chair Lyndsey Graham proposed putting who on the witness stand to find out why the FBI investigated the Trump campaign?
  1. MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell touched off a big controversy when he claimed the The Chosen One had loans from Deutsche Bank co-signed by who?
  1. Strike #1 by the administration against children involved forcing foreign children who are in the US for what to leave the country within 33 days?
  1. Strike #2 involved declaring that children of US citizens born overseas were not what?
  1. Reports came out last week that voting machines in what state changed voters votes in the Republican gubernatorial primary runoff?
  1. Labor unions grew right along with what industry that had major growth following the US Civil War?
  1. Michael Franken entered the Democratic primary for the US senate seat currently held by Joni Ernst. Franken is a retired what?
  1. The Chosen One asserted last week that he has authority to force US companies to leave what foreign country?
  1. At the G7 the meeting on climate change only had 6 members in attendance. Which world leader skipped this extremely important meeting?
  1. In the first case concerning the opioid crisis, an Oklahoma judge found what company guilty of fueling the opioid crisis and fined them $572 million?
  1. Johnny Isakson announced he will retire from his senate seat at the end of this year. Isakson is a senator from what state?
  1. The Chosen One directed that what National Forest be opened for logging last week?
  1. Monday was Women’s Equality Day. What toy company announced Monday that it would release a series of dolls of notable women such as Rosa Parks? (Hint: they also make Barbie) 
  1. What early 20th century union was known as the “wobblies?”
  1. What former first daughter was spotted as a freshman at the U of Michigan last week?
MAGA losing Social Security

tip of the hat to allhatnocattle.blogspot.com

Answers:

  1. Prorogue means to suspend parliament. This is the tactic that Boris Johnson is using to try to get Brexit accomplished 
  1. The Chosen One. TCO had tweeted that “Fox isn’t working for us anymore.”
  1. Nuclear bombs
  1. Conspiracies
  1. Polk County on Sept. 21st
  1. Former President Obama
  1. Russian oligarchs close to Putin
  1. Life saving medical treatment for things like cancer etc.
  1. Automatically US citizens
  1. Mississippi
  1. Railroads
  1. Retired 3-star admiral
  1. China
  1. The Chosen One
  1. Johnson and Johnson
  1. Georgia
  1. Tongass National Forest in Alaska
  1. Mattel
  1. International Workers of the World
  1. Sasha Obama.

In his will, David Koch bequeathed 18 senators to his brother Charles. Included in the package is Iowa’s Joni Ernst.

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