The A-Team.
President Zelenskyy Addresses Congress at 7:30 pm (LIVE)Post + Comments (253)
This post is in: Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat
by WaterGirl| 58 Comments
This post is in: Biden Administration in Action, War in Ukraine
I bet they start on time today because they won’t want to run late for the remarks to Congress this evening. We will soon see!
Plus, it says “we will begin shortly” so now I’m sure of it! //
Two Presidents: Presidents Biden & Zelenskyy at 4:30 pm (LIVE)Post + Comments (58)
by WaterGirl| 60 Comments
This post is in: Biden Administration in Action, Open Threads, War in Ukraine
Here’s a place to talk about all things related to President Zelenskyy’s visit.
A post for the joint press conference is also scheduled.
This says it all pic.twitter.com/e28ANep8lb
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) December 21, 2022
Zelenskyy presents Biden with a gift from fighters in Bakhmut pic.twitter.com/Hjy38uf4s2
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 21, 2022
h/t for the tweets from Alison Rose and zhena gogolia
Open thread.
by WaterGirl| 27 Comments
This post is in: Balloon Juice, Favorite Dogs & Cats Series, Pet Blogging
More favorite pets today!
Wait, they are all favorites, right? Oh, right, these are favorite pictures! Too late to change the titles now.
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This is Tiny Cat playing. (StringOnAStick)
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This is Tutu, she and Tiny Cat are sisters that were orphaned at 2 weeks and rescued by a kind soul that we got them from 5 years ago. (StringOnAStick)
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Ty is a miniature poodle! He’s such a smart, sweet, funny, good boy. He’s 18 months old now – I hit the poodle jackpot with this little guy. (Miki)
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This is Tucker (also a standard poodle) my pretty boy. Lost him in 2012. (Miki)
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Favorite Dogs & Cats – Day 3Post + Comments (27)
This is Sully (miniature poodle), my challenge rescue buddy. Lost him a year ago. Still actively grieving. (Miki)
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This here is my beloved heart dog, Mike (standard poodle). I lost him in 2008. (Miki)
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This is Christmas Jazzy. (JoyceH)
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This is everyday Jazzy. (JoyceH)
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This is our Great Dane, Euphrosyne, in 1980, with Stripes, the mom cat and her four kittens. (Joy in FL)
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The two cats looking out the window are Mata and Lancelot. (Joy in Fl)
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This is Eowyn. (Joy in FL)
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Eowyn in the garden. (Joy in FL)
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The pale orange cat relaxing on the couch pillows is Arthur. (Joy in FL)
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This is Emma in her prime. (Josie)
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Here’s my senior dogs (15.5 yrs) Ladybug and Raleigh trying out their new comfy bed. (JeanneT)
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This is Jesse at the dog park. We go there almost everyday and we’re both better for doing it. (cope)
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This is Ziggy. (CatRadio)
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Ziggy works diligently to make some sort of statement about her food. Lol. (CatRadio)
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This is a recent photo of Oscar, lounging in fleece on the sofa as the world outside freezes over.
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Classic Shelby. This one never gets old. (Benw)
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Here is my beloved Harry, ready to go,to the office with me back when we did that and before he got sick. He died on October 2. (Annie)
End of Day 3
by WaterGirl| 37 Comments
This post is in: On The Road, Photo Blogging
Two pictures from when I was two years old. The back of the crying picture says “he didn’t like his horse but now he rides it all the time. Two pictures from the Christmas I was 16 years old. Dig those side burns!
Paul in St. Augustine, now Paul in Jacksonville – Old Christmas PhotosPost + Comments (37)
by WaterGirl| 72 Comments
This post is in: Immigration, Open Threads, Jump! You Fuckers!
it’s impossible to keep up with all the news. At least for me it is!
I had no idea that Title 42 was being lifted until commenter Josie sent me an article – was everyone aware of that but me?
Governor Greg F. Abbott (the F. stands for Fucking) is doing his best to gum up the works. No surprise there. I cannot believe we don’t have a tag called Republican fuckery. I had to settle for Jump, You Fuckers!
Open Thread: It’s Impossible To Keep UpPost + Comments (72)
Josie knew about it because Beto wrote to her:
Dear Josie,
You have probably been following the news about the surge of migrants and asylum seekers who have been arriving in El Paso recently as well as the court battles around Title 42 and our country’s immigration and asylum policies.
While we can’t control the outcome in the courts, there is something we can do this holiday season to relieve the suffering these families — many of whom have traveled thousands of miles by foot to escape crushing poverty, brutal violence or political repression — are going through.
Our local independent online newspaper, El Paso Matters, has put together a list of opportunities to help meet the demand we have in our community. There are many ways to help, from giving money to volunteering (and volunteers are in high demand right now).
Please take a moment to learn more and find a way to contribute.
My best to you and your family over the holidays,
Beto
From the article:
El Paso’s humanitarian organizations need help as they aid migrants who are passing through El Paso, and with border crossings expected to rise next week when public health policy Title 42 lifts, community leaders are predicting a situation that will require all hands on deck.
One of the biggest unauthorized border crossings in El Paso history occurred this past weekend when thousands of migrants waded across the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juárez. For most migrants – who hail mainly from Nicaragua, Cuba, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic – El Paso is a temporary stay until they can depart for their intended destination. People continued to cross the border throughout the week, but since shelters are at capacity, federal agents are releasing migrants into the streets, including nearly 200 people today, according to a city dashboard.
Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing tonight. An encampment has formed outside the Greyhound bus station, where individuals are bringing water, food, blankets and other supplies, including a mattress. After reports of limited access to public restrooms, the city set up several portable toilets in a nearby parking lot.
On Wednesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott asked the state’s attorney general to investigate nongovernmental organizations which he claims are helping migrants illegally cross the border near El Paso. In his letter, Abbott did not provide any evidence supporting his allegations and local nonprofits accused the governor of trying to criminalize groups for providing humanitarian aid to migrants.
Despite the governor’s language, NGOs in El Paso are calling on people to support their work. Here are ways you can help.
There’s much more in the article if you are interested in volunteer and donation opportunities to help in El Paso.
What is Title 42 and what could its end mean for the border and migration?
Bottom line, a federal judge ordered the Biden administration to stop using Title 42 by Dec. 21, stating that it was “arbitrary and capricious.” The ruling followed a lawsuit from families seeking U.S. asylum.
The administration had tried to stop using Title 42 sooner, but was blocked by a federal court in Louisiana. Other legal wrangling is ongoing, including an effort by several Republican-led states to keep Title 42 in place, arguing that an increase in migration would harm them.
by WaterGirl| 51 Comments
This post is in: Balloon Juice, Favorite Dogs & Cats Series, Open Threads, Pet Blogging
More favorite pets today!
Wait, they are all favorites, right? Oh, right, these are favorite pictures! Enjoy!
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This is my late kitty, Fuzzle. Fuzzle was a very friendly, outgoing cat. Anytime we would leave the house on foot, he would want to go along. Neighbors we’d never met, even the mailman, would greet him by name. I still miss him. (FelonyGovt)
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Lucy at the shelter. Adopted 11/16! (eclare)
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This is Punky. She’s been gone 2 years, but I talk to her every day. (daylong lurker)
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This is Azul. He’s a puppy in this shot. He’s a couple years older now. (kindness)
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Favorite Dogs & Cats – Day 2Post + Comments (51)
Chauncey, bichon/poodle/lamb/polar bear cub mix (Mingobat)
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Left to right: Iggy, getting his ear talked off by Ralphie, the very happy new guy, on the ride home from the shelter last Sunday. (Mingobat)
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Muppet, feeling cute, might puke all over the car later. (Mingobat)
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This is Doolin, who left us about a year and a half ago. Doolin appeared in the 2022 BJ Pet calendar (June) in a picture from his youth. Here he is about 17 years old, grey, a bit creaky, but still gorgeous to me because he was the sweetest, gentlest, wisest dog ever. (Pam DIRAC)
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This is Ennis, our pure bred lab. She is a completely lovable goof. Mamasita is what we call her breeder, an old friend of mine. Last fall there was a national lab show in town and she got to meet her granddaughter, who won a bunch of big prizes. (Pam DIRAC)
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This is Henry the dog and Jordy the cat. (I’m snabby, a perpetual lurker.)
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Schmumpkins, my golden retriever, dressed for Christmas. Look how proud he is! (The Moar You Know)
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Schmumpkins, my golden retriever. Look how proud he is! (The Moar You Know)
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Buddy (wmd)
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RC Gizmo (wmd)
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This is my cat Garfunkel, may she rest in peace. We got her while I was in grad school in California, moved with her to St. Louis for a postdoc, and then to Manhattan KS for a job. She was a very good cat. (Albatrossity)
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Mac (Avalie)
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Sheba (Avalie)
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This is Juno on one of her daiy early morning walks. She’s 14 years old and she found us when she was 7. If it hadn’t have been for a Balloon Juice post on the joys of adopting an older dog, it probably wouldn’t have happened. (currawong)
🎄 End of Day 2 🎄