Sunday, November 18, 2018
The View From The Side-Eye: The Right's Obsession With Alexandria Ocasio-Corte...
The View From The Side-Eye: The Right's Obsession With Alexandria Ocasio-Corte...: Hey, Fox News, right-wing punditry, right-wing media what you all are doing to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is called stalking! Y'all are ...
The Right's Obsession With Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Hey, Fox News, right-wing punditry, right-wing media what you all are doing to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is called stalking! Y'all are more obsessed with her than a 13 year old girl in 2010 was with Justin Bieber.
It was funny at first. Then, it became pathetic. Now, it's sort of unnerving and frightening.
Look, I get it. I understand why y'all are so preoccupied with her. I see why you are all in your feelings about her.
The congresswoman-elect from New York state's 14th district is the total package. She is young, extremely bright, intelligent, charismatic, genuine and laser focused. And, yes, she is beautiful on top of everything else.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is the candidate you wish you had but do not. Also, it is not just her but an entire incoming freshmen class of young progressive diverse women that are getting under your skin.
But, it's AOC that really strikes a nerve. She is the one you focus on constantly.
You have literally spent the last five months attempting to discredit her. She has been accessed of lying about her upbringing. It has been pointed out she spent her "formative years" in Westchester instead of the Bronx which she lists as home.
Well, if you weren't so lazy and so insincere you would acknowledge she addressed this. Her mother worked multiple jobs so she could get a house in Westchester so she could attend better schools. As AOC repeatedly mentioned, they lived check to check and her mother sacrificed greatly so she had a shot at a future. Also, if you actually saw the picture of the house they lived in it was not exactly a mansion.
Next, you clowns lied about her education attempting to make her sound elitist. Then, you incessantly implied she is unintelligent.
Some right-wing hack from NewsMax said AOC attended an Ivy League school thus making her an elite instead of the working class populist she says she is. The truth is she attended Boston University working her way through college.
Then you went to the other end of the spectrum. There was a concerted attempt to make AOC out to be well-meaning but naive and silly regarding economic and social issues.
No more idiotic example of this is when Sean Hannity "exposed" her on his show for being a "radical Marxist socialist". He had this huge board listing Ocasio-Cortez's radical ideas. Those "radical" ideas included a living wage, affordable housing for every American, Medicare For All, no child going to bed hungry, legalizing weed and ensuring senior citizens have adequate housing, food and healthcare. *Gasp* I know. How appalling! What kind of craziness is this silly child promoting? The elderly and the children not going to bed hungry? The audacity!
Oh, and lest we not forget Jake Tapper attempting to trip her up on paying for Medicare For All. "How are we going to pay for it?", he asked. Her response was brilliant. She asked how do we pay for eight wars? How do we pay for a military that is bigger than the next nine biggest countries combined. She said we find a way and cut out excess waste such as our military budget and corporate welfare.
Now, that she's been elected the obsession has become worse.
AOC gave an interview to The Hill (I believe) where she openly opined about being able to afford housing in the months before she is actually sworn into office. Fox News took the opportunity to mock her. A panel of millionaires sat around laughing about Ocasio-Cortez possibly not being able to afford housing in the most expensive area in the country.
One panelist, Ed Henry, suggested again that she was exaggerating because she lived some of her formative years in Westchester. Another panelist, Judith Miller, implied it was a political ploy to play up her middle class working girl persona. Six months ago AOC was literally a bar tender. So, it's not an act. For most Americans paying for housing is a legit concern. By the way look up Judith Miller and her role in selling the lie about wmds to the American public on the Iraq War.
The most recent and creepiest example of the obsession with Ocasio-Cortez came just this week from Washington Examiner "journalist", Ed Scarry. Scarry tweeted a pic of AOC taken from behind her. In the caption he said the jacket she was wearing didn't look like the clothing of someone who is struggling. Scarry claims a congressional staffer sent him the pic. *Coughs* Liar!
First, you can't tell what type of jacket it is. The jacket is solid black. It literally could have came from Goodwill. He nor anyone else knows.
Second, even if it is an expensive jacket that doesn't automatically mean she's lying about being middle class. Only a vapid idiot would think that.
Third, why is anyone sneaking around taking pics of AOC's ass? That seems inappropriate, no?
Well, it appears Scarry has an extensive history of taking and tweeting inappropriate pictures of women. I implore you to look it up. It is quite creepy.
To me the obsession with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is funny. It is also very revealing.
It reveals an unreal level of sexism, misogyny and belittlement of millennials. But, that is par for the course.
What is truly illuminated is the fear Conservatives and mainstream media even have of AOC. You don't put this much of a concerted effort into discrediting and demeaning someone whom you view as irrelevant or inconsequential. Am I right?
If they really thought she was stupid or naive, they wouldn't spend so much time attempting to convince their flock she is. She is a first term representative from New York who has no pedigree or lineage, so why be so obsessed with her?
Republicans are not stupid. They know a star when they see one. They know an icon or cult of personality. That is what AOC has become.
However, what they also realize is AOC isn't a cursory superstar. She smart, witty, intuitive and intellectually curious. They know she has substance-lots of substance- to her. What they know is 10 or 15 years from now they could be dealing with presidential candidate, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
I am sure some will laugh at that. We will see who is laughing in the end. Republicans are obviously worried about her for some reason, right.
AOC is apart of the insurgent new Democratic Party. A party that inclusive, progressive and populist. She is a fighter and doesn't back down. She is not apart of the old guard who allows themselves to get punched in the face without hitting back in the name of civility. She fully understands civility doesn't mean capitulating to the opposition and abandoning your principles.
AOC has convictions and a core guiding principle, which is to help not just a few but all people. She and the rest of the Progressive incoming class has made it clear they have come to get things done for their constituents and taking "no" for an answer us not an option!
That is why she and they are feared.
It was funny at first. Then, it became pathetic. Now, it's sort of unnerving and frightening.
Look, I get it. I understand why y'all are so preoccupied with her. I see why you are all in your feelings about her.
The congresswoman-elect from New York state's 14th district is the total package. She is young, extremely bright, intelligent, charismatic, genuine and laser focused. And, yes, she is beautiful on top of everything else.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is the candidate you wish you had but do not. Also, it is not just her but an entire incoming freshmen class of young progressive diverse women that are getting under your skin.
But, it's AOC that really strikes a nerve. She is the one you focus on constantly.
You have literally spent the last five months attempting to discredit her. She has been accessed of lying about her upbringing. It has been pointed out she spent her "formative years" in Westchester instead of the Bronx which she lists as home.
Well, if you weren't so lazy and so insincere you would acknowledge she addressed this. Her mother worked multiple jobs so she could get a house in Westchester so she could attend better schools. As AOC repeatedly mentioned, they lived check to check and her mother sacrificed greatly so she had a shot at a future. Also, if you actually saw the picture of the house they lived in it was not exactly a mansion.
Next, you clowns lied about her education attempting to make her sound elitist. Then, you incessantly implied she is unintelligent.
Some right-wing hack from NewsMax said AOC attended an Ivy League school thus making her an elite instead of the working class populist she says she is. The truth is she attended Boston University working her way through college.
Then you went to the other end of the spectrum. There was a concerted attempt to make AOC out to be well-meaning but naive and silly regarding economic and social issues.
No more idiotic example of this is when Sean Hannity "exposed" her on his show for being a "radical Marxist socialist". He had this huge board listing Ocasio-Cortez's radical ideas. Those "radical" ideas included a living wage, affordable housing for every American, Medicare For All, no child going to bed hungry, legalizing weed and ensuring senior citizens have adequate housing, food and healthcare. *Gasp* I know. How appalling! What kind of craziness is this silly child promoting? The elderly and the children not going to bed hungry? The audacity!
Oh, and lest we not forget Jake Tapper attempting to trip her up on paying for Medicare For All. "How are we going to pay for it?", he asked. Her response was brilliant. She asked how do we pay for eight wars? How do we pay for a military that is bigger than the next nine biggest countries combined. She said we find a way and cut out excess waste such as our military budget and corporate welfare.
Now, that she's been elected the obsession has become worse.
AOC gave an interview to The Hill (I believe) where she openly opined about being able to afford housing in the months before she is actually sworn into office. Fox News took the opportunity to mock her. A panel of millionaires sat around laughing about Ocasio-Cortez possibly not being able to afford housing in the most expensive area in the country.
One panelist, Ed Henry, suggested again that she was exaggerating because she lived some of her formative years in Westchester. Another panelist, Judith Miller, implied it was a political ploy to play up her middle class working girl persona. Six months ago AOC was literally a bar tender. So, it's not an act. For most Americans paying for housing is a legit concern. By the way look up Judith Miller and her role in selling the lie about wmds to the American public on the Iraq War.
The most recent and creepiest example of the obsession with Ocasio-Cortez came just this week from Washington Examiner "journalist", Ed Scarry. Scarry tweeted a pic of AOC taken from behind her. In the caption he said the jacket she was wearing didn't look like the clothing of someone who is struggling. Scarry claims a congressional staffer sent him the pic. *Coughs* Liar!
First, you can't tell what type of jacket it is. The jacket is solid black. It literally could have came from Goodwill. He nor anyone else knows.
Second, even if it is an expensive jacket that doesn't automatically mean she's lying about being middle class. Only a vapid idiot would think that.
Third, why is anyone sneaking around taking pics of AOC's ass? That seems inappropriate, no?
Well, it appears Scarry has an extensive history of taking and tweeting inappropriate pictures of women. I implore you to look it up. It is quite creepy.
To me the obsession with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is funny. It is also very revealing.
It reveals an unreal level of sexism, misogyny and belittlement of millennials. But, that is par for the course.
What is truly illuminated is the fear Conservatives and mainstream media even have of AOC. You don't put this much of a concerted effort into discrediting and demeaning someone whom you view as irrelevant or inconsequential. Am I right?
If they really thought she was stupid or naive, they wouldn't spend so much time attempting to convince their flock she is. She is a first term representative from New York who has no pedigree or lineage, so why be so obsessed with her?
Republicans are not stupid. They know a star when they see one. They know an icon or cult of personality. That is what AOC has become.
However, what they also realize is AOC isn't a cursory superstar. She smart, witty, intuitive and intellectually curious. They know she has substance-lots of substance- to her. What they know is 10 or 15 years from now they could be dealing with presidential candidate, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
I am sure some will laugh at that. We will see who is laughing in the end. Republicans are obviously worried about her for some reason, right.
AOC is apart of the insurgent new Democratic Party. A party that inclusive, progressive and populist. She is a fighter and doesn't back down. She is not apart of the old guard who allows themselves to get punched in the face without hitting back in the name of civility. She fully understands civility doesn't mean capitulating to the opposition and abandoning your principles.
AOC has convictions and a core guiding principle, which is to help not just a few but all people. She and the rest of the Progressive incoming class has made it clear they have come to get things done for their constituents and taking "no" for an answer us not an option!
That is why she and they are feared.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Identity Politics Are Complex, So Here's The Thing
As a general rule the employment of identity politics as a campaign strategy is risky. It is certainly likely to be divisive.
The implementation of identity in political discourse as a whole or generic social discourse can be polarizing.
But, does that mean identity should never be a topic or brought up during the course of conversation? No.
Whether we want to admit it or not identity plays a significant role in not only our politics but everyday life. I can assure you as an African-American I am reminded every single day I'm African-American. Sometimes those reminders are subtle and sometimes they are loud and blunt.
It is almost chic now on the right side of the political spectrum and on segments of the left to bemoan identity politics. It is a commonality between Conservatives and some Progressives to lament, "Why are we always concentrating on what we are? The issues affect all of us." Actually, that is not really true, but I will address that here in a few minutes.
Here is the thing about that stance. It is specious and disingenuous.
From Conservatives standpoint they are just not being honest about their professed disdain for identity politics or intersectionalism as they might call it. Donald Trump's primary campaign theme was "white grievance". More succinctly it was and still is "white male grievance".
Now, when it comes to the segment of the left that rails against identity politics, their opposition is disingenuous too. They frame their stance as the issues affect all of us; thus, it is divisive to discuss certain issues as if they only primarily affect specific groups. Even though that is empirically and statistically true regarding certain nuanced issues.
The truth is they don't want identity politics employed because it might, likely, will offend and put off some white voters.
Look, a part of me gets it. I can understand why a low income white male hears how the criminal justice system is unfair to blacks and would think that is bullshit because they had to spend two weeks in county jail over some bogus charge and because the bail system is a legal extortion system they could not get out. But, the other part of me says that dude should be more nuanced in his thinking and realize that kind of crap disproportionately happens to people of color.
The fact is some issues more adversely affect certain groups of folks more than they do others. Pointing that out isn't using identity as a crutch. It is pointing out facts.
Now, generally I don't believe harping on identity to elicit votes or favor or attention is a good idea.
I agree with those critics who say a significant amount of Hillary Clinton's problems was she incessantly relied on her being the first female nominee for president from a major political party. Not only did the media mention it ad nauseam so did she.
Obviously, you can't just say, "I'm a woman" or "I'm black" or "I'm gay" so "vote for me". Candidates have to give people something to vote for.
Same goes for anything in life. Don't give me a shot because I am black. Give me a shot because I am intelligent or qualified or hard working.
But, with that being said, we must address the realities. Identity matters. It especially matters to many of those who claim it doesn't.
Some issues simply affect certain groups more than others. It is not racist or divisive to point that out. It is being objective.
For example, ending the drug war is a major issue of the Progressive Left. Ending the drug war would benefit Americans across the board because it's costly and ineffective. But, it's malpractice to not point out that black and brown people are hugely disproportionately adversely affected by the drug war. Saying that is not being racist or playing identity politics. It is being intellectually honest about an issue that affects all of us but some more than others.
In the same respect it would be silly to mention stagnant wages only in the context of certain working class voters. Wage growth or lack thereof is something that affects people across the spectrum because there are working class people of all races. It is not an issue that disproportionately affects certain groups unless you are meaning the middle class and poor as a whole.
Another sub-issue that grates my nerves is the complaining about the hyphen. That meaning why do people have to be referred to as African-American or Mexican-American and so forth. It is yet another specious stance that is dripping with disingenuousness.
Yes, we are all Americans! But, the folks who love to say this are the very ones who love to point out others' race, nationality, religion or sexual orientation.
They will ask, "Why do you specify you're black by saying you're African-American? Why can't you just say you're American? "
I don't know. Good questions. Here are better ones. Why did you clutch your purse a little tighter when I walked up but didn't when those white dudes were around you? Why did you assume I am a rap music fan? Why did you bristle and frown up when that white lady over there appeared to be flirting with me?
See, the game that is played is quite transparent.
I agree identity as a political strategy is generally a misconceived idea. I agree relying upon identity to get through life is very likely going to backfire.
However, that doesn't mean we can ignore our identity or should suppress it. It also doesn't means identity and its impact should be dismissed.
Criticizing people for mentioning Sen. Kamala Harris could be the first black female candidate for president as playing identity politics is somewhat silly. No, that should not be a reason to vote for her but you are grossly naive or emphatically stupid if you don't believe there are plenty of folks who will not vote for her because she is a black female.
Again, the people who love to say identity should not matter are the people it often matters to most.
Should you like me or respect me or even feel sorry for me because I am a black man in America? Hell no! First, I don't want your sympathy. Second, I would hope you like and respect me because I have earned it.
However, that doesn't mean my identity as a black man in America should not be viewed through a nuanced lens.
*I really struggled with the title for this blog because I am fairly certain it will not encapsulate what I am actually conveying.*
The implementation of identity in political discourse as a whole or generic social discourse can be polarizing.
But, does that mean identity should never be a topic or brought up during the course of conversation? No.
Whether we want to admit it or not identity plays a significant role in not only our politics but everyday life. I can assure you as an African-American I am reminded every single day I'm African-American. Sometimes those reminders are subtle and sometimes they are loud and blunt.
It is almost chic now on the right side of the political spectrum and on segments of the left to bemoan identity politics. It is a commonality between Conservatives and some Progressives to lament, "Why are we always concentrating on what we are? The issues affect all of us." Actually, that is not really true, but I will address that here in a few minutes.
Here is the thing about that stance. It is specious and disingenuous.
From Conservatives standpoint they are just not being honest about their professed disdain for identity politics or intersectionalism as they might call it. Donald Trump's primary campaign theme was "white grievance". More succinctly it was and still is "white male grievance".
Now, when it comes to the segment of the left that rails against identity politics, their opposition is disingenuous too. They frame their stance as the issues affect all of us; thus, it is divisive to discuss certain issues as if they only primarily affect specific groups. Even though that is empirically and statistically true regarding certain nuanced issues.
The truth is they don't want identity politics employed because it might, likely, will offend and put off some white voters.
Look, a part of me gets it. I can understand why a low income white male hears how the criminal justice system is unfair to blacks and would think that is bullshit because they had to spend two weeks in county jail over some bogus charge and because the bail system is a legal extortion system they could not get out. But, the other part of me says that dude should be more nuanced in his thinking and realize that kind of crap disproportionately happens to people of color.
The fact is some issues more adversely affect certain groups of folks more than they do others. Pointing that out isn't using identity as a crutch. It is pointing out facts.
Now, generally I don't believe harping on identity to elicit votes or favor or attention is a good idea.
I agree with those critics who say a significant amount of Hillary Clinton's problems was she incessantly relied on her being the first female nominee for president from a major political party. Not only did the media mention it ad nauseam so did she.
Obviously, you can't just say, "I'm a woman" or "I'm black" or "I'm gay" so "vote for me". Candidates have to give people something to vote for.
Same goes for anything in life. Don't give me a shot because I am black. Give me a shot because I am intelligent or qualified or hard working.
But, with that being said, we must address the realities. Identity matters. It especially matters to many of those who claim it doesn't.
Some issues simply affect certain groups more than others. It is not racist or divisive to point that out. It is being objective.
For example, ending the drug war is a major issue of the Progressive Left. Ending the drug war would benefit Americans across the board because it's costly and ineffective. But, it's malpractice to not point out that black and brown people are hugely disproportionately adversely affected by the drug war. Saying that is not being racist or playing identity politics. It is being intellectually honest about an issue that affects all of us but some more than others.
In the same respect it would be silly to mention stagnant wages only in the context of certain working class voters. Wage growth or lack thereof is something that affects people across the spectrum because there are working class people of all races. It is not an issue that disproportionately affects certain groups unless you are meaning the middle class and poor as a whole.
Another sub-issue that grates my nerves is the complaining about the hyphen. That meaning why do people have to be referred to as African-American or Mexican-American and so forth. It is yet another specious stance that is dripping with disingenuousness.
Yes, we are all Americans! But, the folks who love to say this are the very ones who love to point out others' race, nationality, religion or sexual orientation.
They will ask, "Why do you specify you're black by saying you're African-American? Why can't you just say you're American? "
I don't know. Good questions. Here are better ones. Why did you clutch your purse a little tighter when I walked up but didn't when those white dudes were around you? Why did you assume I am a rap music fan? Why did you bristle and frown up when that white lady over there appeared to be flirting with me?
See, the game that is played is quite transparent.
I agree identity as a political strategy is generally a misconceived idea. I agree relying upon identity to get through life is very likely going to backfire.
However, that doesn't mean we can ignore our identity or should suppress it. It also doesn't means identity and its impact should be dismissed.
Criticizing people for mentioning Sen. Kamala Harris could be the first black female candidate for president as playing identity politics is somewhat silly. No, that should not be a reason to vote for her but you are grossly naive or emphatically stupid if you don't believe there are plenty of folks who will not vote for her because she is a black female.
Again, the people who love to say identity should not matter are the people it often matters to most.
Should you like me or respect me or even feel sorry for me because I am a black man in America? Hell no! First, I don't want your sympathy. Second, I would hope you like and respect me because I have earned it.
However, that doesn't mean my identity as a black man in America should not be viewed through a nuanced lens.
*I really struggled with the title for this blog because I am fairly certain it will not encapsulate what I am actually conveying.*
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
About Last Night: An Overview Of The 2018 Midterm Elections
It was not the blue tsunami the most optimistic Democrats were hoping for. Nor was it the blue wave many prognosticators were cautiously predicting. It also was not the blue ripple I predicted. Last night was more of a wave sturdily crashing against the rocks.
The 2018 midterm elections weren't the categorical referendum on Trumpism the Democrats and the Left were wanting it to be. However, it was a night deserving more of a golf clap and a cynical "at least it was not a repeat of 2016".
The facts are some disappointing and frankly anger inducing events took place last night. But, some groundbreaking, inspiring and hope inducing things took place also.
Let's get the negative out of the way first.
As if the events of the past three weeks weren't enough of a reminder (the Proud Boys, #MAGABomber, Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooting, the Krogers murders in Kentucky and the Tallahassee mass shooting by an Incel), we were forced to acknowledge racism is still very much alive and well in America in 2018! And, racist rhetoric, dog whistling and blatant voter suppression works in elections.
Andrew Gillum, who was seeking to be Florida's first Africa-American governor, headed into Tuesday's Florida Governor race with anywhere from a 2.5% to 5% lead in the polls over Republican candidate, Ron DeSantis. DeSantis had repeatedly employed racial dog whistles and comments about Gillum. Not to mention DeSantis has a history of ties to racist and White Nationalists including a donor who worked for his campaign who once referred to former President Barack Obama as a "Muslim nigger". DeSantis refused to give the money back this donor had given him.
However, DeSantis won the election by less than one percent. So, Florida, which is "America's embarrassment" and its shithole , once again proved it's racist regardless of what Floridians claim. We've seen too many times Florida fail to do the right thing.
Another disappointment was in the Georgia governor's race. Progressive candidate, Stacey Abrams, headed into election night anywhere from tied to slightly ahead of Republican counterpart, Brian Kemp. Abrams was seeking to become Georgia's first African-American and female governor.
But, blatant voter suppression efforts by Kemp, who is also the state's secretary of state, appeared to have worked. Abrams, who has refused to concede, at current time is down by a percentage point, and has vowed to demand a runoff.
Kemp waged a strategic battle to suppress thousands of black voters.
Democrats had some other deflating losses. Republicans expanded their advantage in the Senate due to Democratic incumbents, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Bill Nelson of Florida losing. Although I say good riddance to McCaskill and Donnelly. Both are corporate Democrats who sold their party out to run as "Republican lite" candidates.
The Democrats also failed to flip some house seats they were hoping would go their way.
The true disgrace of the night took place in Iowa's fourth district where White Nationalist, Steve King, held on to his seat. While Dems flipped seats in other Iowa districts somehow King's racist ass won. Disdainful that a piece of shit like King will be in Congress for his ninth term.
Another stain on American democracy is that Duncan Hunter and Devin Nunes (both of California) held on to their seats. Hunter is literally facing 16 indictments of fraud and corruption.
Republicans, y'all keep touting you're the party of law and order though.
Now, what Democrats should be ecstatic about is they have control of the House of Representatives. They took a 10 seat advantage.
Taking control of the House is huge. Democrats can exercise the appropriate oversight over the Trump administration. They can also reopen and open investigations into Trump and his corrupt department heads.
I actually had someone say to me today, "Oh great. Now, they will be looking into everything. Why can't they just let it go." I'll give you a guess which party he belongs.
No, they should not let it go. Trump and his criminal corrupt behavior should be investigated. And, Republicans, spare me your bullshit about, "Why wasn't Obama investigated?" Stop being infantile and ignorant! Republicans have controlled Congress since 2010! They had plenty of opportunities to "investigate". They didn't because there wasn't shit to investigate.
Besides, did you clowns forget about the 27 Benghazi probes? Trey Gowdy conducted 14 himself out of the House Judiciary committee. They didn't yield anything.
Anyway, the Dems and Progressives actually had a night that should provide optimism. Of course, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won her race and is headed to Congress.
Last night made some awesome history. And, it's history that will trigger Trumpsters and the Alt-Right, which makes it even better!
Massachusetts elected its first African-American woman to Congress. Also, three Muslim-American women were elected to Congress, which will mark the first three Muslim women ever elected. We also saw the first two Native-American women elected.
Colorado elected the first ever openly gay governor! And, Kansas elected its first female governor simultaneously handing defeat to Mr. Voter Suppression, Kris Kobach. That alone made my night.
While Beto O'Rourke came up just short in his bid to unseat Ted Cruz as senator in Texas, women flipped two house seats blue. My home state of Oklahoma actually saw a woman flip a house seat blue in the state's fifth district.
Overall, Democrats had a good night. It was not the night we hoped for, granted. But, a lot good things happened and it provided momentum heading toward 2020.
The reality is a plurality of this country endorses racism or at least is not bothered by it. That is depressing.
However, Trump and the Republicans were sent a message. In the cities and suburbs of this country hate and intolerance will not be embraced. This country will not succumb to gutter politics and fear mongering Trump bathes himself in.
Last night didn't provide a declaration that progressiveness had truly arrived. But, it did let the #MAGA crowd know we aren't going backwards either.
The 2018 midterm elections weren't the categorical referendum on Trumpism the Democrats and the Left were wanting it to be. However, it was a night deserving more of a golf clap and a cynical "at least it was not a repeat of 2016".
The facts are some disappointing and frankly anger inducing events took place last night. But, some groundbreaking, inspiring and hope inducing things took place also.
Let's get the negative out of the way first.
As if the events of the past three weeks weren't enough of a reminder (the Proud Boys, #MAGABomber, Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooting, the Krogers murders in Kentucky and the Tallahassee mass shooting by an Incel), we were forced to acknowledge racism is still very much alive and well in America in 2018! And, racist rhetoric, dog whistling and blatant voter suppression works in elections.
Andrew Gillum, who was seeking to be Florida's first Africa-American governor, headed into Tuesday's Florida Governor race with anywhere from a 2.5% to 5% lead in the polls over Republican candidate, Ron DeSantis. DeSantis had repeatedly employed racial dog whistles and comments about Gillum. Not to mention DeSantis has a history of ties to racist and White Nationalists including a donor who worked for his campaign who once referred to former President Barack Obama as a "Muslim nigger". DeSantis refused to give the money back this donor had given him.
However, DeSantis won the election by less than one percent. So, Florida, which is "America's embarrassment" and its shithole , once again proved it's racist regardless of what Floridians claim. We've seen too many times Florida fail to do the right thing.
Another disappointment was in the Georgia governor's race. Progressive candidate, Stacey Abrams, headed into election night anywhere from tied to slightly ahead of Republican counterpart, Brian Kemp. Abrams was seeking to become Georgia's first African-American and female governor.
But, blatant voter suppression efforts by Kemp, who is also the state's secretary of state, appeared to have worked. Abrams, who has refused to concede, at current time is down by a percentage point, and has vowed to demand a runoff.
Kemp waged a strategic battle to suppress thousands of black voters.
Democrats had some other deflating losses. Republicans expanded their advantage in the Senate due to Democratic incumbents, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Bill Nelson of Florida losing. Although I say good riddance to McCaskill and Donnelly. Both are corporate Democrats who sold their party out to run as "Republican lite" candidates.
The Democrats also failed to flip some house seats they were hoping would go their way.
The true disgrace of the night took place in Iowa's fourth district where White Nationalist, Steve King, held on to his seat. While Dems flipped seats in other Iowa districts somehow King's racist ass won. Disdainful that a piece of shit like King will be in Congress for his ninth term.
Another stain on American democracy is that Duncan Hunter and Devin Nunes (both of California) held on to their seats. Hunter is literally facing 16 indictments of fraud and corruption.
Republicans, y'all keep touting you're the party of law and order though.
Now, what Democrats should be ecstatic about is they have control of the House of Representatives. They took a 10 seat advantage.
Taking control of the House is huge. Democrats can exercise the appropriate oversight over the Trump administration. They can also reopen and open investigations into Trump and his corrupt department heads.
I actually had someone say to me today, "Oh great. Now, they will be looking into everything. Why can't they just let it go." I'll give you a guess which party he belongs.
No, they should not let it go. Trump and his criminal corrupt behavior should be investigated. And, Republicans, spare me your bullshit about, "Why wasn't Obama investigated?" Stop being infantile and ignorant! Republicans have controlled Congress since 2010! They had plenty of opportunities to "investigate". They didn't because there wasn't shit to investigate.
Besides, did you clowns forget about the 27 Benghazi probes? Trey Gowdy conducted 14 himself out of the House Judiciary committee. They didn't yield anything.
Anyway, the Dems and Progressives actually had a night that should provide optimism. Of course, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won her race and is headed to Congress.
Last night made some awesome history. And, it's history that will trigger Trumpsters and the Alt-Right, which makes it even better!
Massachusetts elected its first African-American woman to Congress. Also, three Muslim-American women were elected to Congress, which will mark the first three Muslim women ever elected. We also saw the first two Native-American women elected.
Colorado elected the first ever openly gay governor! And, Kansas elected its first female governor simultaneously handing defeat to Mr. Voter Suppression, Kris Kobach. That alone made my night.
While Beto O'Rourke came up just short in his bid to unseat Ted Cruz as senator in Texas, women flipped two house seats blue. My home state of Oklahoma actually saw a woman flip a house seat blue in the state's fifth district.
Overall, Democrats had a good night. It was not the night we hoped for, granted. But, a lot good things happened and it provided momentum heading toward 2020.
The reality is a plurality of this country endorses racism or at least is not bothered by it. That is depressing.
However, Trump and the Republicans were sent a message. In the cities and suburbs of this country hate and intolerance will not be embraced. This country will not succumb to gutter politics and fear mongering Trump bathes himself in.
Last night didn't provide a declaration that progressiveness had truly arrived. But, it did let the #MAGA crowd know we aren't going backwards either.
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Why Is Unequivocally Disavowing Racism Seemingly So Difficult For Some?
In 2018 we would like to believe denouncing and repudiating racism and all its tentacles is as easy as denouncing cancer or Justin Bieber reproducing. But, that certainly does not appear to be the case for President Donald Trump and his supporters.
Over the course of the last three years it is fair say Donald Trump has made many racially insensitive and divisive statements. Since becoming president he has suggested many policies (and enacted some) that are viewed as racist or at least bigoted. And, it is also fair to say that extremist right-wing groups such as the Klu Klux Klan, White Nationalists and Neo-Nazis have felt more emboldened by Trump's rise and have frequently acted out on that as a result of feeling emboldened.
Leaders of these groups such as Richard Spencer and David Duke have often spoke out supporting Trump both as a candidate and as president. In fact, Spencer and Duke along with other racist leaders have held Trump up as a savior, hero and voice for their movement.
These racist groups have littered Trump's rallies almost from the onset of his campaign. They have been shown shouting anti-Semitic slurs, anti-immigrant phrases and even fascist slogans. For the record they have been joined by people who would readily tell you that in no way they are racist or anti-Semitic or Nazis.
Now, President Trump cannot, of course, dictate certain individuals not support him. This is still a free country (for now) and people have the right to support and vote for whomever they choose. I would certainly never suggest otherwise.
However, he and his non-avowed racist supporters most definitely have the power over whether they endorse these folks' support. They have the utmost autonomy over whether they embrace or make these individuals feel welcomed into the fold. They unquestionably can dictate the volume of the voice or level of relevancy these alt-right clowns have within their circle.
The President nor his following can necessarily stop White Nationalists, White Supremacists and Neo-Nazis from wanting a seat at the table; but, they sure as hell have the ability to keep them out of the house let alone pulling up a chair and shoving some buttered biscuits down their hate coated throats.
See, here is the rub with Trump, Trumpsters and Trumpism. They play this coy game. At least they believe they're being coy.
They play footsies with the Alt-Right. They do some playful hand slapping. Then, they do the "Oh, we don't like them at all" game. But, when they think nobody is paying attention they're behind the bleachers tonguing each other. And, yes, I said that because I want the image in your head!
Every single time Trump is confronted with blatant undeniable racism from his supporters or the Alt-Right he refuses to full-throatily unequivocally disavow them or their ideology.
Over the last three years numerous hate crime incidents have taken place. Most of them committed in the name of Trump and/or his Make America Great Again movement. Almost every time Trump and the White House spew out some weak ass "racism is evil" and "we don't condone racism" bullshit.
Yet, they don't really think racism is that evil nor can they say they don't condone racism because their weak condemnation is always followed up with an apology tour.
After Charlottesville we all remember the Trump Tower impromptu presser where Trump said of the White Nationalists and Nazis marching, "There were some very fine people in that group..."Those "very fine people" bombarded a church, which had people inside praying, the night before. Also, please keep in mind Trump's little tirade ensued after reporters asked him if he would disavow White Nationalists, Klansmen and Neo-Nazis.
For the record he never disavowed them.
Go back to the campaign. Remember Jake Tapper asked Trump about David Duke and the Klan. Trump claimed he didn't know anything about the Klan and had never heard of Duke. Now, who in their right minds thinks a 70 year old man who has spent his entire life in America has never heard of the Klan? Not to mention his daddy was rioting beside them in 1927.
As for Duke, Trump was blatantly lying about never hearing of him before. Back in 1999 Trump claimed the reason he wouldn't run for president on the Reform Party ticket is because David Duke belonged to the party.
Then, when asked to disavow David Duke Trump initially refused. Eventually he succumbed to Tapper's nagging. And, like a jerk teenager being forced to apologize to his teacher for talking back, he "disavowed" Duke. His disavowing of David Duke was about as sincere as mine would be if I were forced to disavow "trash tv".
By the way he never disavowed the Klan.
Now, here we are going through two of the most tumultuous and disturbing two weeks in most of ours' lifetime. We are just removed from a mass political assassination attempt involving mailed pipe bombs from a racist Trump superfan that targeted two former presidents and four current members of Congress among several other prominent figures. We are also a mere week removed from an avowed White Nationalist murdering 11 people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh and clearly stating his motive for the murders was race and anti-immigrant sentiment.
As always the President and his sycophants decried the murders and pipe bombs. However, they ignored the stated motivations and manifestos of the perpetrators.
In fact, Counselor to the President and woman who always looks like she had one to many whiskey shooters the night before, Kellyanne Conway, attempted to make the Pittsburgh synagogue mass murder about religion in an effort to not only avert from the obvious racist angle but to somehow make the Trump base the victim. It was really one of the most contrived trifilin things I have ever witnessed.
And, the same theme continued. Whether it was Lyin Ass Barbie, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the plethora of intellectually bankrupt Trump apologists on CNN and Fox News or the President himself, none of them would straightforwardly and unequivocally disavow and repudiate White Nationalism. Not one!
Why?
It is simple. It is also the same reason nobody in Trump's base will disavow it either. The White Nationalists, Nazis and avowed racists don't really bother them.
They either agree with it, sympathize with it or have simply determined being implicitly complicit with it is necessary and palatable.
I am sure any Trumpsters reading this are at this moment clutching their pearls, gasping in disbelief and becoming all red faced and indignant. And, I say to that, STOP! Calm yo ass down and quit with the fake ass theatrics!
What other conclusions can be drawn?
Despite the constant "vehement" denials it is beyond obvious Trumpsters recognize what the rest of us have always known and that is the Alt-Right is apart of the Trump, no the Republican base. They along with Trump also realize he is only president because of these hatemongers and he will only remain president if they stay in his corner.
So, they have decided that principles be damned, if tongue kissing the Alt-Right is what it takes to keep Trump in power they will be the Alt-Right's slut as long as necessary. Of course, I'm not naive. I realize some-many aren't sacrificing anything because they've always been the Alt-Right's side chick.
As I said in last Saturday's blog, stop expecting there to be a red line. It does not and will never exist. Whether these folks see it as a sacrifice or acting on their true core convictions, they are in line and all in. Better isn't coming.
It is not that hard to explicitly denounce and disavow hate, racism and bigotry. Well, unless you embrace those things or don't see a huge problem with them. It is as simple as that.
As I have said and will say to every Trump supporter who clutches their pearls and becomes so offended (allegedly) whenever anyone suggests or says they're racist, I am not saying they or all Trumpsters are racists or bigots. What I am point blank saying, however, is that obviously racism and hate aren't deal breakers for them. That is a problem for me. What I am also saying is regardless whether they want to accept it or not they are complicit in Trump's trafficking in racism and the Alt-Right's bathing in racism.
Silence is not an elixir nor is it an absolvent.
The silence I heard during Charlottesville, the constant rhetoric during Trump rallies and the last two weeks isn't deafening. On the contrary, it is loud and clear.
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Over the course of the last three years it is fair say Donald Trump has made many racially insensitive and divisive statements. Since becoming president he has suggested many policies (and enacted some) that are viewed as racist or at least bigoted. And, it is also fair to say that extremist right-wing groups such as the Klu Klux Klan, White Nationalists and Neo-Nazis have felt more emboldened by Trump's rise and have frequently acted out on that as a result of feeling emboldened.
Leaders of these groups such as Richard Spencer and David Duke have often spoke out supporting Trump both as a candidate and as president. In fact, Spencer and Duke along with other racist leaders have held Trump up as a savior, hero and voice for their movement.
These racist groups have littered Trump's rallies almost from the onset of his campaign. They have been shown shouting anti-Semitic slurs, anti-immigrant phrases and even fascist slogans. For the record they have been joined by people who would readily tell you that in no way they are racist or anti-Semitic or Nazis.
Now, President Trump cannot, of course, dictate certain individuals not support him. This is still a free country (for now) and people have the right to support and vote for whomever they choose. I would certainly never suggest otherwise.
However, he and his non-avowed racist supporters most definitely have the power over whether they endorse these folks' support. They have the utmost autonomy over whether they embrace or make these individuals feel welcomed into the fold. They unquestionably can dictate the volume of the voice or level of relevancy these alt-right clowns have within their circle.
The President nor his following can necessarily stop White Nationalists, White Supremacists and Neo-Nazis from wanting a seat at the table; but, they sure as hell have the ability to keep them out of the house let alone pulling up a chair and shoving some buttered biscuits down their hate coated throats.
See, here is the rub with Trump, Trumpsters and Trumpism. They play this coy game. At least they believe they're being coy.
They play footsies with the Alt-Right. They do some playful hand slapping. Then, they do the "Oh, we don't like them at all" game. But, when they think nobody is paying attention they're behind the bleachers tonguing each other. And, yes, I said that because I want the image in your head!
Every single time Trump is confronted with blatant undeniable racism from his supporters or the Alt-Right he refuses to full-throatily unequivocally disavow them or their ideology.
Over the last three years numerous hate crime incidents have taken place. Most of them committed in the name of Trump and/or his Make America Great Again movement. Almost every time Trump and the White House spew out some weak ass "racism is evil" and "we don't condone racism" bullshit.
Yet, they don't really think racism is that evil nor can they say they don't condone racism because their weak condemnation is always followed up with an apology tour.
After Charlottesville we all remember the Trump Tower impromptu presser where Trump said of the White Nationalists and Nazis marching, "There were some very fine people in that group..."Those "very fine people" bombarded a church, which had people inside praying, the night before. Also, please keep in mind Trump's little tirade ensued after reporters asked him if he would disavow White Nationalists, Klansmen and Neo-Nazis.
For the record he never disavowed them.
Go back to the campaign. Remember Jake Tapper asked Trump about David Duke and the Klan. Trump claimed he didn't know anything about the Klan and had never heard of Duke. Now, who in their right minds thinks a 70 year old man who has spent his entire life in America has never heard of the Klan? Not to mention his daddy was rioting beside them in 1927.
As for Duke, Trump was blatantly lying about never hearing of him before. Back in 1999 Trump claimed the reason he wouldn't run for president on the Reform Party ticket is because David Duke belonged to the party.
Then, when asked to disavow David Duke Trump initially refused. Eventually he succumbed to Tapper's nagging. And, like a jerk teenager being forced to apologize to his teacher for talking back, he "disavowed" Duke. His disavowing of David Duke was about as sincere as mine would be if I were forced to disavow "trash tv".
By the way he never disavowed the Klan.
Now, here we are going through two of the most tumultuous and disturbing two weeks in most of ours' lifetime. We are just removed from a mass political assassination attempt involving mailed pipe bombs from a racist Trump superfan that targeted two former presidents and four current members of Congress among several other prominent figures. We are also a mere week removed from an avowed White Nationalist murdering 11 people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh and clearly stating his motive for the murders was race and anti-immigrant sentiment.
As always the President and his sycophants decried the murders and pipe bombs. However, they ignored the stated motivations and manifestos of the perpetrators.
In fact, Counselor to the President and woman who always looks like she had one to many whiskey shooters the night before, Kellyanne Conway, attempted to make the Pittsburgh synagogue mass murder about religion in an effort to not only avert from the obvious racist angle but to somehow make the Trump base the victim. It was really one of the most contrived trifilin things I have ever witnessed.
And, the same theme continued. Whether it was Lyin Ass Barbie, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the plethora of intellectually bankrupt Trump apologists on CNN and Fox News or the President himself, none of them would straightforwardly and unequivocally disavow and repudiate White Nationalism. Not one!
Why?
It is simple. It is also the same reason nobody in Trump's base will disavow it either. The White Nationalists, Nazis and avowed racists don't really bother them.
They either agree with it, sympathize with it or have simply determined being implicitly complicit with it is necessary and palatable.
I am sure any Trumpsters reading this are at this moment clutching their pearls, gasping in disbelief and becoming all red faced and indignant. And, I say to that, STOP! Calm yo ass down and quit with the fake ass theatrics!
What other conclusions can be drawn?
Despite the constant "vehement" denials it is beyond obvious Trumpsters recognize what the rest of us have always known and that is the Alt-Right is apart of the Trump, no the Republican base. They along with Trump also realize he is only president because of these hatemongers and he will only remain president if they stay in his corner.
So, they have decided that principles be damned, if tongue kissing the Alt-Right is what it takes to keep Trump in power they will be the Alt-Right's slut as long as necessary. Of course, I'm not naive. I realize some-many aren't sacrificing anything because they've always been the Alt-Right's side chick.
As I said in last Saturday's blog, stop expecting there to be a red line. It does not and will never exist. Whether these folks see it as a sacrifice or acting on their true core convictions, they are in line and all in. Better isn't coming.
It is not that hard to explicitly denounce and disavow hate, racism and bigotry. Well, unless you embrace those things or don't see a huge problem with them. It is as simple as that.
As I have said and will say to every Trump supporter who clutches their pearls and becomes so offended (allegedly) whenever anyone suggests or says they're racist, I am not saying they or all Trumpsters are racists or bigots. What I am point blank saying, however, is that obviously racism and hate aren't deal breakers for them. That is a problem for me. What I am also saying is regardless whether they want to accept it or not they are complicit in Trump's trafficking in racism and the Alt-Right's bathing in racism.
Silence is not an elixir nor is it an absolvent.
The silence I heard during Charlottesville, the constant rhetoric during Trump rallies and the last two weeks isn't deafening. On the contrary, it is loud and clear.
*Please visit my Patreon page or any of social media sites listed below!*
www.patreon.com/robeasley
www.facebook.com/robbase2110
www.twitter.com/robbase2110
www.instagram.com/robbase2110
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Trump Nor His Flock Have A Red Line, So Please Quit Expecting One
America, it is time we talked. It is a conversation that is long overdue. It will be a difficult conversation. The media, left leaning folks and people who are independents it's time to have a "come to Jesus" moment! The truth can be a bitter coarse pill to swallow, but I believe I have an obligation to shove it down your throat for your own good.
Donald Trump nor any of his adoring fans have a rock bottom. None! No depth is too for Cheeto Jesus; nor is any depth too low for him to go for his supporters. The crater is endless, so please for the love of God STOP EXPECTING THERE TO BE A BOTTOM!
The best thing the 60% of this country who doesn't support Trump can do is accept reality and move on to figuring out how to preserve our democracy.
This never-ending hand wringing various sections of the left and the media does over Trump supporters and why they support him is so effing annoying. This naive misguided ideal that most Trumpsters are these empathetic inclusive minded folks who are simply economically angst; thus, that is why they support a crude tacky bombastic bigoted liar like Trump is such complete and utter bullshit!
I am not saying the economic woes didn't play a role in his support during the presidential race. But, the empirical evidence clearly defines that economics wasn't the overriding factor because it doesn't adequately explain why they support him now.
Trump's supporters believe the economy is great, the country is prosperous and national security is more firmly clasped than it was previously. So, if that is really the case why not call out his racism, sexism, misogyny, lack of empathy and overall boorish behavior? Because they LOVE IT! Because they are in lockstep with the orange buffoon.
See, Folks, they don't love Trump in spite of his character flaws, amorality, ostensive bigotry, seeming rejection of intellectualism or intellectual curiosity, lack of decorum, penchant for garishness and self-aggrandizement and utter contempt for decency; they love him because of it!
The evidence for this is extensive and clear.
Let's begin when he slithered down that escalator at Trump Tower with Gruella DeVille and stated Mexicans coming into the country are "rapists and murderers, I *assume* some are good people." That remark got him fired from The Apprentice by NBC but exponentially increased his support base.
He disparaged Sen. John McCain, a Vietnam War hero who was held captive for five years, by saying he was not a war hero because he "got caught". He added, "I like people who don't get caught." (A Freudian slip that I am 99.9% certain Trump was talking about another "caught" aside from prisoners of war.)
Now, temporarily put aside the obvious insult to an American soldier and hero this was and consider this audacity spewed from the mouth of a man who lied about bone spurs to obtain FIVE determents for the Vietnam War. These words about McCain belonged to an individual who mocked Vietnam by saying, "I had my own personal Vietnam having to avoid STDs." His base's response? Either silence, laughter, cheers or a fervent apology tour-a theme among his base.
Trump suggested the idea of a Muslim Ban, which on its face is unconstitutional and racist. His base didn't clutch their pearls. They cheered and decried almost all Muslims are terrorists.
Trump attacked a Gold Star family, the Khans, while talking not so veiled shots at their religion. Did his base revolt, scream "Sir, you've went too far,"? Fuck no! These people cheered him on with some of them threatening the Khans.
Remember when the Access Hollywood tape surfaced? This was the moment we all thought the evangelicals and self-professed moral majority would jump ship or at least rebuke Trump's behavior. LMFAO! No, instead, they just said "screw it" and revealed their hypocrisy which had always been present. They dropped the pretenses. "Godly" men and women stood up for him and attacked the media for the story. Never once did any of them repudiate his words and confessed behavior. They actually defended it, became apologists for it and said anyone criticizing Trump for saying, "I just grab them by the pussy; I don't even wait.." would be punished by God because they were disrespecting God. Let that sink in.
Y'all haven't forgotten about the Lester Holt interview surely. The President of the United States of America went on national television and admitted he broke the law. Now, certainly his base which are staunch defenders of law and order, lost their shit over that? Ummmm, not exactly. Uhhhhh, actually not at all. They literally pretended he didn't say it.
Oh, how could I forget the time Trump allowed two Russian officials who were also accomplished former spies into the OVAL OFFICE!Not only did he allow the Russians into the Oval Office but he also allowed the Russian press while purposely excluding the American press.
This had to enrage the America first "make America great again" crowd, right? *Cue the Family Feud wrong answer sound drop*. They were far from enraged. They applauded the Orange Asset by saying Trump did the right thing and was merely "improving" relations with Russia. I'm certain they would've said the exact same thing if President Hillary Clinton had done that.
Stormy Daniels! Trump raw dogged a porn star while his wife was at home with their four week old son. He also was mushrooming a Playboy Playmate during the same time. Surely! This will be the straw that breaks the camel's back, right? Wrong!
The same people who bitched and moaned for years (and still do) about Bill Clinton and who said "strong moral fiber" is essential for a president to possess said........"Who cares what people do in their bedroom?" Lol.
They didn't excoriate Trump nor his behavior. They excused it, defended it and even attempted to use God to bolster their apologist tour of it. One person even said to me, "What man wouldn't fuck a porn star?". And, I'm quite positive if Barack Obama had slipped his Kenyan strudel to a white blonde porn star Trump's base would've been perfectly ok with it.
Look, I could go on forever but I don't have a free 195 hours to list all of Trump's transgressions and how his base hasn't cared not one time. But, allow me just one more example.
#Charlottesville!
Trump's reaction to the events of Charlottesville was abhorrent and repulsive. First, for him to lay blame on "both sides" was repugnant. But, for that man to be President of the United States and morally equate Nazis and White Nationalists/Supremacists with people protesting hate and division is the single most disdainful, despicable, immoral thing I have ever seen an elected official publicly do.
Not to mention that those White Nationalists, White Supremacists and Nazis felt comfortable enough to storm a church and terrorize those inside the church is telling. Then, to feel at ease enough to march down the streets of an American city without impunity. And, they have every right to do so but that's different than feeling comfortable to do so because enough people will provide them with implicit cover.
But, here's the thing I honestly didn't expect more from Trump. He is an amoral bigot. What surprised and disappointed me was that my Facebook timeline was dead silent. The people who routinely publish dogmatic posts and share inflammatory memes without regard for their factual accuracy could not be found.
The people who couldn't hit send enough during the Ferguson riots or anytime Black Lives Matter protested had seemed like they vanished off the earth. It was not they weren't disavowing what Trump said nor his impotent response but they weren't even disavowing the hate rally or it's participants. I didn't even see a cursory condolence post for Heather Heyer who was ran down in the street by a car driven by a White Nationalist. NOT A SINGLE POST!
The next day and subsequent days the #MAGAs were out in force defending Trump and his bullshit statements. They were also being apologists for the racists with the usual crap about Black Lives Matter and Antifa attempting to lay partial blame on them when anyone who saw the events unfold live (as I did) know exactly who was at fault. Hell, I had someone actually say to me I should "learn to agree to disagree" with people who fundamentally believe me to be inferior and want me kicked out the country at best.
But, it was on the day of Charlottesville, August 12, 2017 it hit me and has become clearer every day since that when it comes to Trump and his adoring blindly loyal fans this is who and what they are.
We all need to understand something. Trump's base is not the product of his rhetoric and demagogy nor is he necessarily the creation of his base. They are one in the same. They are both the result of an institutionalized cultivated ideology that centers around white supremacy, privilege and patriarchy.
Trump supporters always become angry when people say they are racist or bigots. I believe many of them are feigning anger about it. Regardless, what they seem to fall to grasp is there is empirical evidence that presents just cause for people to feel that way. They never call out his racism or xenophobia or sexism or misogyny or general cruelty. No, in fact, they applaud it and seem to admire it.
And, there is the rub. That is why we have stop clutching our pearls and being shocked. Time after time after time has Trump proven there is no depth to the barrel which he will scrape. Every time people think he won't or can't go any lower he says, "Oh, really? Hold my Diet Coke and KFC bucket."
Here is thing though! That also applies to his base! Every time he goes lower they cheer and excuse it. They never...NEVER hold him nor themselves accountable.
But, they go lower with him. Shit, most of the time it's a race to see who can get there first. Keep in mind, Trump mocks the handicap, rape victims, bomb victims, he employs racist tropes, he calls for violence against reporters and protestors and he openly insults women's appearances and his crowds egg it on. They clamor for it! So, who's worse? Him for saying it? Or them for eating it up and begging for more.
And, I get it. It's human nature to want to see the best in people and believe there are better angels. Probably to preserve our own sanity we must believe there is a red line, that rock bottom exists.
But, the mail bombs sent to multiple prominent Democrats and celebrities by Cesar Sayoc and the subsequent reaction from Trump and his supporters including Fox News should be the final wake up call. None of them have shown a shred of empathy. Trump is so devoid of common humanity he can't even conjure up the decency to give any of the bomb targets a cursory call. When asked by a reporter if he will reach out to any of them he said, "I'll pass." That says a lot about him but it honestly says more about his supporters that they won't call him out over it.
Shall we keep it real here. Trump and much of his base are disappointed the bombs didn't find their targets. I posted the previous sentence on my Facebook honestly expecting to receive a little pushback or pearl clutching. I didn't receive any. Not one comment. Not one angry "like". Nothing. Says it all.
It is pathetic that people are so partisan and so hate filled that they are apparently incapable of base human decency.
Stop anticipating a bottom. Stop expecting a red line to be instituted. We are over three years into Trumpism and it is quite apparent that red line does nor will ever exist and the pit is bottomless.
Quit believing better exists. It does not.
Donald Trump nor any of his adoring fans have a rock bottom. None! No depth is too for Cheeto Jesus; nor is any depth too low for him to go for his supporters. The crater is endless, so please for the love of God STOP EXPECTING THERE TO BE A BOTTOM!
The best thing the 60% of this country who doesn't support Trump can do is accept reality and move on to figuring out how to preserve our democracy.
This never-ending hand wringing various sections of the left and the media does over Trump supporters and why they support him is so effing annoying. This naive misguided ideal that most Trumpsters are these empathetic inclusive minded folks who are simply economically angst; thus, that is why they support a crude tacky bombastic bigoted liar like Trump is such complete and utter bullshit!
I am not saying the economic woes didn't play a role in his support during the presidential race. But, the empirical evidence clearly defines that economics wasn't the overriding factor because it doesn't adequately explain why they support him now.
Trump's supporters believe the economy is great, the country is prosperous and national security is more firmly clasped than it was previously. So, if that is really the case why not call out his racism, sexism, misogyny, lack of empathy and overall boorish behavior? Because they LOVE IT! Because they are in lockstep with the orange buffoon.
See, Folks, they don't love Trump in spite of his character flaws, amorality, ostensive bigotry, seeming rejection of intellectualism or intellectual curiosity, lack of decorum, penchant for garishness and self-aggrandizement and utter contempt for decency; they love him because of it!
The evidence for this is extensive and clear.
Let's begin when he slithered down that escalator at Trump Tower with Gruella DeVille and stated Mexicans coming into the country are "rapists and murderers, I *assume* some are good people." That remark got him fired from The Apprentice by NBC but exponentially increased his support base.
He disparaged Sen. John McCain, a Vietnam War hero who was held captive for five years, by saying he was not a war hero because he "got caught". He added, "I like people who don't get caught." (A Freudian slip that I am 99.9% certain Trump was talking about another "caught" aside from prisoners of war.)
Now, temporarily put aside the obvious insult to an American soldier and hero this was and consider this audacity spewed from the mouth of a man who lied about bone spurs to obtain FIVE determents for the Vietnam War. These words about McCain belonged to an individual who mocked Vietnam by saying, "I had my own personal Vietnam having to avoid STDs." His base's response? Either silence, laughter, cheers or a fervent apology tour-a theme among his base.
Trump suggested the idea of a Muslim Ban, which on its face is unconstitutional and racist. His base didn't clutch their pearls. They cheered and decried almost all Muslims are terrorists.
Trump attacked a Gold Star family, the Khans, while talking not so veiled shots at their religion. Did his base revolt, scream "Sir, you've went too far,"? Fuck no! These people cheered him on with some of them threatening the Khans.
Remember when the Access Hollywood tape surfaced? This was the moment we all thought the evangelicals and self-professed moral majority would jump ship or at least rebuke Trump's behavior. LMFAO! No, instead, they just said "screw it" and revealed their hypocrisy which had always been present. They dropped the pretenses. "Godly" men and women stood up for him and attacked the media for the story. Never once did any of them repudiate his words and confessed behavior. They actually defended it, became apologists for it and said anyone criticizing Trump for saying, "I just grab them by the pussy; I don't even wait.." would be punished by God because they were disrespecting God. Let that sink in.
Y'all haven't forgotten about the Lester Holt interview surely. The President of the United States of America went on national television and admitted he broke the law. Now, certainly his base which are staunch defenders of law and order, lost their shit over that? Ummmm, not exactly. Uhhhhh, actually not at all. They literally pretended he didn't say it.
Oh, how could I forget the time Trump allowed two Russian officials who were also accomplished former spies into the OVAL OFFICE!Not only did he allow the Russians into the Oval Office but he also allowed the Russian press while purposely excluding the American press.
This had to enrage the America first "make America great again" crowd, right? *Cue the Family Feud wrong answer sound drop*. They were far from enraged. They applauded the Orange Asset by saying Trump did the right thing and was merely "improving" relations with Russia. I'm certain they would've said the exact same thing if President Hillary Clinton had done that.
Stormy Daniels! Trump raw dogged a porn star while his wife was at home with their four week old son. He also was mushrooming a Playboy Playmate during the same time. Surely! This will be the straw that breaks the camel's back, right? Wrong!
The same people who bitched and moaned for years (and still do) about Bill Clinton and who said "strong moral fiber" is essential for a president to possess said........"Who cares what people do in their bedroom?" Lol.
They didn't excoriate Trump nor his behavior. They excused it, defended it and even attempted to use God to bolster their apologist tour of it. One person even said to me, "What man wouldn't fuck a porn star?". And, I'm quite positive if Barack Obama had slipped his Kenyan strudel to a white blonde porn star Trump's base would've been perfectly ok with it.
Look, I could go on forever but I don't have a free 195 hours to list all of Trump's transgressions and how his base hasn't cared not one time. But, allow me just one more example.
#Charlottesville!
Trump's reaction to the events of Charlottesville was abhorrent and repulsive. First, for him to lay blame on "both sides" was repugnant. But, for that man to be President of the United States and morally equate Nazis and White Nationalists/Supremacists with people protesting hate and division is the single most disdainful, despicable, immoral thing I have ever seen an elected official publicly do.
Not to mention that those White Nationalists, White Supremacists and Nazis felt comfortable enough to storm a church and terrorize those inside the church is telling. Then, to feel at ease enough to march down the streets of an American city without impunity. And, they have every right to do so but that's different than feeling comfortable to do so because enough people will provide them with implicit cover.
But, here's the thing I honestly didn't expect more from Trump. He is an amoral bigot. What surprised and disappointed me was that my Facebook timeline was dead silent. The people who routinely publish dogmatic posts and share inflammatory memes without regard for their factual accuracy could not be found.
The people who couldn't hit send enough during the Ferguson riots or anytime Black Lives Matter protested had seemed like they vanished off the earth. It was not they weren't disavowing what Trump said nor his impotent response but they weren't even disavowing the hate rally or it's participants. I didn't even see a cursory condolence post for Heather Heyer who was ran down in the street by a car driven by a White Nationalist. NOT A SINGLE POST!
The next day and subsequent days the #MAGAs were out in force defending Trump and his bullshit statements. They were also being apologists for the racists with the usual crap about Black Lives Matter and Antifa attempting to lay partial blame on them when anyone who saw the events unfold live (as I did) know exactly who was at fault. Hell, I had someone actually say to me I should "learn to agree to disagree" with people who fundamentally believe me to be inferior and want me kicked out the country at best.
But, it was on the day of Charlottesville, August 12, 2017 it hit me and has become clearer every day since that when it comes to Trump and his adoring blindly loyal fans this is who and what they are.
We all need to understand something. Trump's base is not the product of his rhetoric and demagogy nor is he necessarily the creation of his base. They are one in the same. They are both the result of an institutionalized cultivated ideology that centers around white supremacy, privilege and patriarchy.
Trump supporters always become angry when people say they are racist or bigots. I believe many of them are feigning anger about it. Regardless, what they seem to fall to grasp is there is empirical evidence that presents just cause for people to feel that way. They never call out his racism or xenophobia or sexism or misogyny or general cruelty. No, in fact, they applaud it and seem to admire it.
And, there is the rub. That is why we have stop clutching our pearls and being shocked. Time after time after time has Trump proven there is no depth to the barrel which he will scrape. Every time people think he won't or can't go any lower he says, "Oh, really? Hold my Diet Coke and KFC bucket."
Here is thing though! That also applies to his base! Every time he goes lower they cheer and excuse it. They never...NEVER hold him nor themselves accountable.
But, they go lower with him. Shit, most of the time it's a race to see who can get there first. Keep in mind, Trump mocks the handicap, rape victims, bomb victims, he employs racist tropes, he calls for violence against reporters and protestors and he openly insults women's appearances and his crowds egg it on. They clamor for it! So, who's worse? Him for saying it? Or them for eating it up and begging for more.
And, I get it. It's human nature to want to see the best in people and believe there are better angels. Probably to preserve our own sanity we must believe there is a red line, that rock bottom exists.
But, the mail bombs sent to multiple prominent Democrats and celebrities by Cesar Sayoc and the subsequent reaction from Trump and his supporters including Fox News should be the final wake up call. None of them have shown a shred of empathy. Trump is so devoid of common humanity he can't even conjure up the decency to give any of the bomb targets a cursory call. When asked by a reporter if he will reach out to any of them he said, "I'll pass." That says a lot about him but it honestly says more about his supporters that they won't call him out over it.
Shall we keep it real here. Trump and much of his base are disappointed the bombs didn't find their targets. I posted the previous sentence on my Facebook honestly expecting to receive a little pushback or pearl clutching. I didn't receive any. Not one comment. Not one angry "like". Nothing. Says it all.
It is pathetic that people are so partisan and so hate filled that they are apparently incapable of base human decency.
Stop anticipating a bottom. Stop expecting a red line to be instituted. We are over three years into Trumpism and it is quite apparent that red line does nor will ever exist and the pit is bottomless.
Quit believing better exists. It does not.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Today's Thoughts And Rants: October 24, 2018
It has been a minute since I produced a blog. I have been feeling under the weather. Honestly, I still am a little. But, with recent events I have to say a lil sumthin sumthin. So, let's hit it...
•The Jamal Khashoggi incident is atrocious. The response by some has been deplorable.
Fox News and the right-wing echo chamber once again showed their ass and how low rent they can be. They have spread misleading rumors and outright lies about Khashoggi all in an attempt to give cover to Donald Trump in his attempt to give cover to Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. They have accused Khashoggi of being in the Muslim Brotherhood although they have provided no proof whatsoever. Khashoggi has been alleged to be an ally of Osama Bin Laden, which is a falsehood.
Khashoggi, as a reporter, interviewers Bin Laden over the years. He also did praise Bin Laden back in the 1980s and early 90s as a revolutionary and true disciple of Islam. It should be noted the United States was also quite fond of Bin Laden during the same time period. The U.S. funded him and helped trained his soldiers in Afghanistan because he was helping us fight the Soviet Communists. We were also aiding the Taliban despite knowing exactly what they were. In fact, we greatly aided in giving Bin Laden his "street cred" and giving him the power and weaponry that he eventually turned around and used on us. But, don't take my word for it. Look it up for yourselves. Google it. Research it. Like with Sadaam Hussein we saw him as a necessary evil for the greater good until he "got out of his lane".
As for Khashoggi, he pointedly and without qualification criticized Bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks. He consistently called out Bin Laden's radicalism. But, Fox News and the demagogues on the right conveniently leave that out.
The Trump administration has no desire to go after MBS because we have a $14.5 billion arms deal with the Saudis and obviously money is much more important than integrity or right and wrong. But, we already knew that because we've been funding and arming the Saudis' illegal war and simultaneous genocide in Yemen. What are some innocent brown women and children's lives when there is mad cheddar to make. Hell, the Trump administration and the right-wing hate Islam and detest Muslims; yet, they bend over backwards and perform all sorts of mental gymnastics to be apologists for the single most fundamentalist theocratic Islamist government on the face of the earth who harbors and trains terrorists including 15 of the 19 September 11th attackers! Why? MONEY!
•Politicon was this past weekend. I will break it down in an upcoming blog either Thursday or Friday. I watched a couple of excellent panels and debates. I just wanna say I saw a different side to Charlie Kirk and Tucker Carlson who deserve props for actually showing up and staying committed to the debates they agreed to. Both men showed some humanity and compromise.
Now, before my liberal and progressive friends freak out, Tucker Carlson is still a douchebag. He is still an asshole for peddling White Nationalist talking points and nonsense although he claims he's doing no such thing. Charlie Kirk is still a propagandist shill. He displayed again this weekend his intellect hovers between cursory and remedial. His obsession with Kayne West is at minimal disturbing. He can never be forgiven for unleashing Candace Owens' vapid sellout ass upon us. However, as I said, both showed a different side. And, no, I didn't forget nor was unaware that Kirk showed his ass during his debate with Hasan Piker. In my next blog I will certainly dive into him getting hella triggered by Cenk Uguyr because it was not only massively revealing it was funny as hell!
• Finally, let me say the pipe bombs that were sent to George Soros, The Clintons, The Obamas, Eric Holder, John Brennan by way of CNN and Rep. Maxine Waters should be wholesale condemned. But, of course, the right-wing nutjob contingency and social media immediately displayed their inability to empathize or use constraint. They have already started spewing conspiracy theories about the bombs being an intentional distraction from the migrant caravan coming from Honduras. It really does continue to amaze me the lack of intellect and common decency some of these folks possess.
People could have died today. Theoretically two former presidents could have been assassinated this morning. Yet, the crowd who has spent the last two weeks lecturing everyone on the left about incivility and hyper-partisanship literally ignored the potential catastrophe that could have taken place today while literally bathing in incivility and partisanship by accusing Democrats of either bombing their own or faking bombs to distract from a caravan only they are incessantly obsessed over. By the way the FBI has confirmed all of the bombs while "crudely conceived were fully functional".
See, this is why I don't want one damn person on the right lecturing me or anyone else about civility. If you're regurgitating this fucking bullshit or not calling it out, you can SIT YO ASS DOWN! Seriously, *take a damb seat*!
President Trump eventually got around to condemning it. Of course, he has a rally tonight so he could be back to babbling his crap or spewing these inane conspiracy theories as I write. Regardless, I don't wanna really hear from him either. He has been ginning up his cult with lies about a "left wing violent mob" because people exercised their free speech by protesting Brett "Keystone Light" Kavanagh. It should be noted the majority of those protestors were sexual assault survivors and women-some of whom had babies on their hips. Scarrrrryyyyy. And, yes some people interrupted Colonel Sanders...errrrr...I mean Mitch McConnell's meal last Friday night. While I don't agree with the methods it was hardly a violent mob. Perhaps, Mitch should not be so enthusiastically attempting to rip people's Medicaid and healthcare from them. Anyway, Trump has repeatedly stood before his adoring mobs at his "daddy needs love" rallies and erroneously vilified Democrats and labeled the free press "the enemy of the people". So for him to act as if he has no responsibility in this shit and the pugilistic discourse currently taking place in this country is at best disingenuous and irresponsible.
Not to mention where was the right two weeks ago when Gavin McInnes and his Proud Boys beat down three people in the streets of New York City? Where were they when the Proud Boys did the same in Portland, Oregon a couple of weeks before?
And, let me be clear I would implore my friends on the left to not automatically assume what happened the last 24 hours or so is the responsibility of some right-wing terrorists. However, allow me to implore my friends on the right to not act as though it's not conceivable, if not likely, right wing extremism isn't directly responsible. Of the domestic terrorism that takes place in the United States 71% of it is committed by far right groups. That is from the FBI. So, let's stop bullshittin and let's find a way to disagree without violence, intimidation and terrorism.
The discourse in this country sucks! And, it begins with the so-called decent good people demonizing anyone who disagrees with them. It also starts with people who claim to love Jesus doing the opposite of Christ and labeling anybody they disagree with as literally Satan or "demon rats", if you will. We should be better. The question is are we going to be better and are we actually better.
•The Jamal Khashoggi incident is atrocious. The response by some has been deplorable.
Fox News and the right-wing echo chamber once again showed their ass and how low rent they can be. They have spread misleading rumors and outright lies about Khashoggi all in an attempt to give cover to Donald Trump in his attempt to give cover to Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. They have accused Khashoggi of being in the Muslim Brotherhood although they have provided no proof whatsoever. Khashoggi has been alleged to be an ally of Osama Bin Laden, which is a falsehood.
Khashoggi, as a reporter, interviewers Bin Laden over the years. He also did praise Bin Laden back in the 1980s and early 90s as a revolutionary and true disciple of Islam. It should be noted the United States was also quite fond of Bin Laden during the same time period. The U.S. funded him and helped trained his soldiers in Afghanistan because he was helping us fight the Soviet Communists. We were also aiding the Taliban despite knowing exactly what they were. In fact, we greatly aided in giving Bin Laden his "street cred" and giving him the power and weaponry that he eventually turned around and used on us. But, don't take my word for it. Look it up for yourselves. Google it. Research it. Like with Sadaam Hussein we saw him as a necessary evil for the greater good until he "got out of his lane".
As for Khashoggi, he pointedly and without qualification criticized Bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks. He consistently called out Bin Laden's radicalism. But, Fox News and the demagogues on the right conveniently leave that out.
The Trump administration has no desire to go after MBS because we have a $14.5 billion arms deal with the Saudis and obviously money is much more important than integrity or right and wrong. But, we already knew that because we've been funding and arming the Saudis' illegal war and simultaneous genocide in Yemen. What are some innocent brown women and children's lives when there is mad cheddar to make. Hell, the Trump administration and the right-wing hate Islam and detest Muslims; yet, they bend over backwards and perform all sorts of mental gymnastics to be apologists for the single most fundamentalist theocratic Islamist government on the face of the earth who harbors and trains terrorists including 15 of the 19 September 11th attackers! Why? MONEY!
•Politicon was this past weekend. I will break it down in an upcoming blog either Thursday or Friday. I watched a couple of excellent panels and debates. I just wanna say I saw a different side to Charlie Kirk and Tucker Carlson who deserve props for actually showing up and staying committed to the debates they agreed to. Both men showed some humanity and compromise.
Now, before my liberal and progressive friends freak out, Tucker Carlson is still a douchebag. He is still an asshole for peddling White Nationalist talking points and nonsense although he claims he's doing no such thing. Charlie Kirk is still a propagandist shill. He displayed again this weekend his intellect hovers between cursory and remedial. His obsession with Kayne West is at minimal disturbing. He can never be forgiven for unleashing Candace Owens' vapid sellout ass upon us. However, as I said, both showed a different side. And, no, I didn't forget nor was unaware that Kirk showed his ass during his debate with Hasan Piker. In my next blog I will certainly dive into him getting hella triggered by Cenk Uguyr because it was not only massively revealing it was funny as hell!
• Finally, let me say the pipe bombs that were sent to George Soros, The Clintons, The Obamas, Eric Holder, John Brennan by way of CNN and Rep. Maxine Waters should be wholesale condemned. But, of course, the right-wing nutjob contingency and social media immediately displayed their inability to empathize or use constraint. They have already started spewing conspiracy theories about the bombs being an intentional distraction from the migrant caravan coming from Honduras. It really does continue to amaze me the lack of intellect and common decency some of these folks possess.
People could have died today. Theoretically two former presidents could have been assassinated this morning. Yet, the crowd who has spent the last two weeks lecturing everyone on the left about incivility and hyper-partisanship literally ignored the potential catastrophe that could have taken place today while literally bathing in incivility and partisanship by accusing Democrats of either bombing their own or faking bombs to distract from a caravan only they are incessantly obsessed over. By the way the FBI has confirmed all of the bombs while "crudely conceived were fully functional".
See, this is why I don't want one damn person on the right lecturing me or anyone else about civility. If you're regurgitating this fucking bullshit or not calling it out, you can SIT YO ASS DOWN! Seriously, *take a damb seat*!
President Trump eventually got around to condemning it. Of course, he has a rally tonight so he could be back to babbling his crap or spewing these inane conspiracy theories as I write. Regardless, I don't wanna really hear from him either. He has been ginning up his cult with lies about a "left wing violent mob" because people exercised their free speech by protesting Brett "Keystone Light" Kavanagh. It should be noted the majority of those protestors were sexual assault survivors and women-some of whom had babies on their hips. Scarrrrryyyyy. And, yes some people interrupted Colonel Sanders...errrrr...I mean Mitch McConnell's meal last Friday night. While I don't agree with the methods it was hardly a violent mob. Perhaps, Mitch should not be so enthusiastically attempting to rip people's Medicaid and healthcare from them. Anyway, Trump has repeatedly stood before his adoring mobs at his "daddy needs love" rallies and erroneously vilified Democrats and labeled the free press "the enemy of the people". So for him to act as if he has no responsibility in this shit and the pugilistic discourse currently taking place in this country is at best disingenuous and irresponsible.
Not to mention where was the right two weeks ago when Gavin McInnes and his Proud Boys beat down three people in the streets of New York City? Where were they when the Proud Boys did the same in Portland, Oregon a couple of weeks before?
And, let me be clear I would implore my friends on the left to not automatically assume what happened the last 24 hours or so is the responsibility of some right-wing terrorists. However, allow me to implore my friends on the right to not act as though it's not conceivable, if not likely, right wing extremism isn't directly responsible. Of the domestic terrorism that takes place in the United States 71% of it is committed by far right groups. That is from the FBI. So, let's stop bullshittin and let's find a way to disagree without violence, intimidation and terrorism.
The discourse in this country sucks! And, it begins with the so-called decent good people demonizing anyone who disagrees with them. It also starts with people who claim to love Jesus doing the opposite of Christ and labeling anybody they disagree with as literally Satan or "demon rats", if you will. We should be better. The question is are we going to be better and are we actually better.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Today's Thoughts And Rants: October 18, 2018
•The Jamal Khashoggi murder is not only a tragedy but is becoming an American disgrace. It would appear the President of the United States is implicitly helping Saudia Arabia cover up what is an obvious murder. Khashoggi was a journalist whom over the last couple of years has exposed the Saudis corruption and the corruption of the Crown Prince, MBS. Khashoggi has been a dissident and an antagonist of the Saudis for some time. The Saudis killed him in cold blood.
The United States should be demanding accountability for this. But, as is often the case, the U.S. is dragging their feet and displaying overt hesitancy in condemning Saudia Arabia's atrocious actions. Why? Money, of course. As Trump bluntly said we're doing billions of dollars in arms deals with the Saudis.
These weapons deals are the watermark of another heinous Saudi endeavor, the genocide in Yemen. The American bankrolling of this genocide started under Barack Obama's tenure and has increased under the Trump administration. The Saudis have bombed innocent women and children. In addition, they are blockading food, medicine and necessities from entering Yemen which has caused a famine not seen in 100 years. (Let that sink in.) And, the United States of America has not just turned a blind eye to the death of civilians and children; but, worse, they have provided money and weapons to the Saudis so they can commit this genocide.
•Yet another brilliant piece of journalism was unveiled yesterday detailing the Trumps' penchant for lying, misleading and defrauding. ProPublica published an outstanding piece enumerating a number of failed buildings and hotels that Trump Organization led by Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump simply lied to investors and buyers about the quality of the property or the value. Funny thing is regardless of the ventures' failure or poor financial performance the Trumps always came out relatively unscathed.
The article also recounts the numerous questionable licensing deals and failed management of buildings. Also, of note was the frequency which Ivanka was caught lying about numbers and financial success. Like father, like daughter I guess.
I suggest reading the article. It is lengthy but much like the New York Times detailing the numerous ways the Trump's committed tax fraud it is a well written well sourced nuanced piece of journalism.
•Speaking of Trumps, lemme speak on Melania a bit. I have given her the benefit of the doubt but no more. People on my Twitter and in person have repeatedly said Melania is every bit as trifilin as the rest of that family. I have frequently been reminded she was a birther and made racist remarks about President Obama.
Last week exposed her for the vapid, shallow content in being a trophy wife woman she truly is. First, she said she is "one of the most bullied women on the world". The "on the world" part of the comment aside what an absolutely stunningly ignorant and self-absorbed thing to say. On its face it is an asinine remark because she is not bullied. If anything people have excused her and held her up as some paragon of Trump resistance because she trolled her banal husband a few times. Also, it was such a tone deaf thing to say when there are kids out here literally trying to kill themselves because of online and school bullying.
Then, Melania said the "rumors" of Trump's infidelities don't bother her because she has other concerns. Really? Like what? This sounds like the words of a woman who is perfectly content being a trophy wife and doesn't care what shenanigans her husband is involved in as long as the checks clear.
Perhaps, before she takes her #BeBest bullshit to the public she should apply it to her household first.
•HEY, WHITE PEOPLE, STOP CALLING THE POLICE ON BLACK FOLKS FOR MERELY EXISTING! 911 is exclusively for emergencies; not your insecurities and bigotry.
Dayum! Black folks can't do shit! Now, we can't babysit or attend our children's soccer games. Apparently, nine year old boys can't even walk out of a grocery store and their backpack brush up against some woman without her accusing the child of groping her ass.
This shit is out of control. Spare me your apologist bullshit! Spare me your #NotAllWhitePeople! Spare me your faux anger! Start calling your peoples out whether they're friends, family or co-workers. Stop going into "friendly territory" to vent your alleged anger. Share these stories on your social media. When you hear people defend this crap (and I know you do) call those people out then and there. Stop coddling soft racism.
I am telling you black folk are beyond fed up with this bullshit! We cannot do a muthafuckin thing without fear of some racist ass white person calling the police on us for simply existing and because the presence of Negros makes them nervous.
Eventually, an African-American is going to get shot over this shit or one is going to snap on somebody and the racist will play the victim and then shit will hit the fan! What really needs to happen is people who frivolously call the police need to suffer actual consequences from the authorities like substantial fines and/or jail time.
The United States should be demanding accountability for this. But, as is often the case, the U.S. is dragging their feet and displaying overt hesitancy in condemning Saudia Arabia's atrocious actions. Why? Money, of course. As Trump bluntly said we're doing billions of dollars in arms deals with the Saudis.
These weapons deals are the watermark of another heinous Saudi endeavor, the genocide in Yemen. The American bankrolling of this genocide started under Barack Obama's tenure and has increased under the Trump administration. The Saudis have bombed innocent women and children. In addition, they are blockading food, medicine and necessities from entering Yemen which has caused a famine not seen in 100 years. (Let that sink in.) And, the United States of America has not just turned a blind eye to the death of civilians and children; but, worse, they have provided money and weapons to the Saudis so they can commit this genocide.
•Yet another brilliant piece of journalism was unveiled yesterday detailing the Trumps' penchant for lying, misleading and defrauding. ProPublica published an outstanding piece enumerating a number of failed buildings and hotels that Trump Organization led by Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump simply lied to investors and buyers about the quality of the property or the value. Funny thing is regardless of the ventures' failure or poor financial performance the Trumps always came out relatively unscathed.
The article also recounts the numerous questionable licensing deals and failed management of buildings. Also, of note was the frequency which Ivanka was caught lying about numbers and financial success. Like father, like daughter I guess.
I suggest reading the article. It is lengthy but much like the New York Times detailing the numerous ways the Trump's committed tax fraud it is a well written well sourced nuanced piece of journalism.
•Speaking of Trumps, lemme speak on Melania a bit. I have given her the benefit of the doubt but no more. People on my Twitter and in person have repeatedly said Melania is every bit as trifilin as the rest of that family. I have frequently been reminded she was a birther and made racist remarks about President Obama.
Last week exposed her for the vapid, shallow content in being a trophy wife woman she truly is. First, she said she is "one of the most bullied women on the world". The "on the world" part of the comment aside what an absolutely stunningly ignorant and self-absorbed thing to say. On its face it is an asinine remark because she is not bullied. If anything people have excused her and held her up as some paragon of Trump resistance because she trolled her banal husband a few times. Also, it was such a tone deaf thing to say when there are kids out here literally trying to kill themselves because of online and school bullying.
Then, Melania said the "rumors" of Trump's infidelities don't bother her because she has other concerns. Really? Like what? This sounds like the words of a woman who is perfectly content being a trophy wife and doesn't care what shenanigans her husband is involved in as long as the checks clear.
Perhaps, before she takes her #BeBest bullshit to the public she should apply it to her household first.
•HEY, WHITE PEOPLE, STOP CALLING THE POLICE ON BLACK FOLKS FOR MERELY EXISTING! 911 is exclusively for emergencies; not your insecurities and bigotry.
Dayum! Black folks can't do shit! Now, we can't babysit or attend our children's soccer games. Apparently, nine year old boys can't even walk out of a grocery store and their backpack brush up against some woman without her accusing the child of groping her ass.
This shit is out of control. Spare me your apologist bullshit! Spare me your #NotAllWhitePeople! Spare me your faux anger! Start calling your peoples out whether they're friends, family or co-workers. Stop going into "friendly territory" to vent your alleged anger. Share these stories on your social media. When you hear people defend this crap (and I know you do) call those people out then and there. Stop coddling soft racism.
I am telling you black folk are beyond fed up with this bullshit! We cannot do a muthafuckin thing without fear of some racist ass white person calling the police on us for simply existing and because the presence of Negros makes them nervous.
Eventually, an African-American is going to get shot over this shit or one is going to snap on somebody and the racist will play the victim and then shit will hit the fan! What really needs to happen is people who frivolously call the police need to suffer actual consequences from the authorities like substantial fines and/or jail time.
Sunday, October 14, 2018
The Bemoaning Of Incivility Is A Trap The GOP Lays For Democrats
Republicans crying about incivility is the biggest con job they have perpetrated against Democrats yet.
On its face it is an absurd assertion that Democrats are the uncivil party. If the surface is scratched just a little it becomes apparent it's laced in hypocrisy.
However, the GOP launches these attacks and wails about the degradation of politics because it works. It is apart of their psychological warfare.
Republicans are fully aware the Democratic Party is the essence of neuroticism. They know Democrats never want to be seen as cruel, lacking empathy, aggressive nor uncivil. Sorry, Dems, it's the truth.
So, what better way to get inside their heads than to accuse them of being the very attributes they loathe regardless if it's untrue they are guilty of those things.
Also, claiming Democrats are uncivil is a primary method of silencing them. If they can convince enough Democrats they are being too boisterous or aggressive in their persistence or protest, then they know said Democrats will drown out the remaining dissenting voices. Resistance...dead.
Many Democrats have finally caught onto this tactic. They are not falling for the banana in the tailpipe. They are holding their ground and standing up for their principles.
The election of the current president along with the subsequent policies of said administration has spurred anger, frustration and energy into the Democratic base. In droves people have protested and resisted.
In fact, these people referred to as the #Resistance, have taken a page out of a similar wave of resistance that took place back in 2010 named The Tea Party.
The Tea Party was a movement on the right that was essentially born out of protest to then president, Barack Obama. The Tea Party also went after other Republicans they deemed as too establishment.
The Tea Party made a habit of protesting almost everything President Obama did. They not only went to the streets but effectively utilized social media. They badgered and harassed elected members of both parties. Their methods were effective and also aggressive.
So, it's a bit ironic now that the Tea Party and Republicans in general are labeling Democrats "uncivil" for protesting with the exact same vigor they did.
No, it's actually hypocritical.
Recent events such as the Child Separation policy and the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation along with the likely ramifications of that confirmation have further inflamed passions within a large portion of the Democratic base.
Democrats have protested in Washington. Democrats in Congress have actually shown backbone fighting back against baseless allegations and insidious mischaracterizations. People on the left are actually taking principled stands and not backing down. They are confronting elected officials demanding their voices be heard and these officials defend their record. Basically, they are exercising their First Amendment rights.
This has caused Republicans to become apprehensive and fearful of what an actual energized Democratic base could do. Actually, they already know. They saw what happened in New York's 14th District with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's stunning decisive primary upset of Joe Crowley.
So, their response has been to do what they always do...fear monger. They have labeled the left "violent" and an "angry mob".
Now, there's no credible evidence of this violence and mob mentality. Yes, there have been protests and shouting but violence certainly hasn't broke out. Of course, the strawman of Antifa will be cited but they have not been sanctioned nor endorsed by any credible politicians and groups on the left. In fact, everyone from Progressives to corporatists Democrats have disavowed and repudiated Antifa. But, why allow pesky minutiae like facts to get in the way of a good story.
What is really hilarious is that the whining about angry mobs and "violent left" is antithetical to the Conservatives' narrative that people on the left are betas and snowflakes who sip lattes and eat avocado salads with brie like sissies. So, are they a violent angry brood or bitchy little snowflakes who need a safe space? It is very confusing.
The truth of the matter is Democrats cannot, again, fall for the okie-doke.
It is insane how the Republicans and Democrats literally have the classic abusive relationship. The GOP constantly mocks, belittles, demonizes, attacks and lies about Democrats. They label them with fake and slanderous tags. Then, when Democrats decide enough is enough and fight back Conservatives pull the proverbial abuser move accusing them of being the abuser. They project while simultaneously painting themselves as the victim. It's the quintessential method of emotional manipulation.
And, it usually works with stunning perfection. Democrats back down under the guise of "taking the high road". To hell with the high road when dealing with folks who believe no road is too low to travel.
Recently, former Attorney General Eric Holder and Satan's favorite grandma, Hillary Clinton, were in the news for faux controversies being accused of inflaming the fires of incivility.
Let's take Hillary's nonsensical controversy first. She said, "You cannot be civil with people who seek to destroy everything you believe in and stand for." Ok. What is the problem?
Well, Fox News, lost their minds. They said she was calling for violence and being irresponsible. Uh-huh. What I noticed, aside from the obvious gaslighting, is nobody on Fox nor any Republican addressed what she actually said.
See, they claim to be about the exchange of free ideas and that of course we all love America; it's just we have different avenues we want to take to see her successful. You know, civility. But, nobody confronted what she actually said because if they did, their stated desire for civility would be exposed for the disingenuous babbling it is because they know she is telling the truth.
The faux controversy over Eric Holder is even more nefarious and disingenuous. At a fundraiser last week Holder said, "Michelle Obama said, When they go low we go high.' No, when they go low, we kick 'em."
My honest initial reaction to this was, "Ok." I never thought he meant it literally. I took him to be speaking metaphorically.
Oh, but the right-wing went full on aneurism over it. They accused Holder of inciting violence. One knob on Fox News said, "This is unacceptable for a former attorney general to speak this way. He's an upholder of the law." Sista! Pipe down.
I literally saw five news segments (including "left wing" outlets) about this. As I said, I thought it was being blown out of proportion. Yesterday, I was proven to be correct.
Joy Reid on AM Joy played the entire clip. It appears right after (next sentence actually) Holder said to "kick 'em" he emphasized that he was speaking literally. He meant Democrats needed to fight back instead of allowing lies and mischaracterizations to lie in the name of "civility".
Well, well, ain't that about a.....Five different anchors (CNN, MSNBC, Fox, TYT and Secular Talk) only aired the first part of that statement. Now, in fairness, only one of those outlets mischaracterized Holder's comments. But, the overriding narrative dictated by Republicans was Eric Holder is calling for violent rebellion.
The Democrats have to stop allowing the GOP to get away with this bullying and bullshit. Defending yourself, fighting back, protesting and vehemently stating facts is not being violent nor is it being like an angry mob.
If Democrats want to win, they have to quit cowering to GOP idiocy and hypocrisy.
Seriously, are Democrats going to be lectured on civility from people who support Donald Trump and co-opt everything he does? Are they going to be lectured on civility by people who are apologists for a Neo-Nazi who ran a woman down in the streets in #Charlottesville? Are Democrats going to be lectured about civility by folks who support a President who locks children in cages separating them from their parents? Are Democrats going to be lectured on civility by people who said nothing when their presidential nominee openly and repeatedly advocated for violence against anyone who protested his campaign?
This bitchin about civility is a ruse. Dems, Republicans don't want you to be more civil; they want you to be silent and compliant.
On its face it is an absurd assertion that Democrats are the uncivil party. If the surface is scratched just a little it becomes apparent it's laced in hypocrisy.
However, the GOP launches these attacks and wails about the degradation of politics because it works. It is apart of their psychological warfare.
Republicans are fully aware the Democratic Party is the essence of neuroticism. They know Democrats never want to be seen as cruel, lacking empathy, aggressive nor uncivil. Sorry, Dems, it's the truth.
So, what better way to get inside their heads than to accuse them of being the very attributes they loathe regardless if it's untrue they are guilty of those things.
Also, claiming Democrats are uncivil is a primary method of silencing them. If they can convince enough Democrats they are being too boisterous or aggressive in their persistence or protest, then they know said Democrats will drown out the remaining dissenting voices. Resistance...dead.
Many Democrats have finally caught onto this tactic. They are not falling for the banana in the tailpipe. They are holding their ground and standing up for their principles.
The election of the current president along with the subsequent policies of said administration has spurred anger, frustration and energy into the Democratic base. In droves people have protested and resisted.
In fact, these people referred to as the #Resistance, have taken a page out of a similar wave of resistance that took place back in 2010 named The Tea Party.
The Tea Party was a movement on the right that was essentially born out of protest to then president, Barack Obama. The Tea Party also went after other Republicans they deemed as too establishment.
The Tea Party made a habit of protesting almost everything President Obama did. They not only went to the streets but effectively utilized social media. They badgered and harassed elected members of both parties. Their methods were effective and also aggressive.
So, it's a bit ironic now that the Tea Party and Republicans in general are labeling Democrats "uncivil" for protesting with the exact same vigor they did.
No, it's actually hypocritical.
Recent events such as the Child Separation policy and the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation along with the likely ramifications of that confirmation have further inflamed passions within a large portion of the Democratic base.
Democrats have protested in Washington. Democrats in Congress have actually shown backbone fighting back against baseless allegations and insidious mischaracterizations. People on the left are actually taking principled stands and not backing down. They are confronting elected officials demanding their voices be heard and these officials defend their record. Basically, they are exercising their First Amendment rights.
This has caused Republicans to become apprehensive and fearful of what an actual energized Democratic base could do. Actually, they already know. They saw what happened in New York's 14th District with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's stunning decisive primary upset of Joe Crowley.
So, their response has been to do what they always do...fear monger. They have labeled the left "violent" and an "angry mob".
Now, there's no credible evidence of this violence and mob mentality. Yes, there have been protests and shouting but violence certainly hasn't broke out. Of course, the strawman of Antifa will be cited but they have not been sanctioned nor endorsed by any credible politicians and groups on the left. In fact, everyone from Progressives to corporatists Democrats have disavowed and repudiated Antifa. But, why allow pesky minutiae like facts to get in the way of a good story.
What is really hilarious is that the whining about angry mobs and "violent left" is antithetical to the Conservatives' narrative that people on the left are betas and snowflakes who sip lattes and eat avocado salads with brie like sissies. So, are they a violent angry brood or bitchy little snowflakes who need a safe space? It is very confusing.
The truth of the matter is Democrats cannot, again, fall for the okie-doke.
It is insane how the Republicans and Democrats literally have the classic abusive relationship. The GOP constantly mocks, belittles, demonizes, attacks and lies about Democrats. They label them with fake and slanderous tags. Then, when Democrats decide enough is enough and fight back Conservatives pull the proverbial abuser move accusing them of being the abuser. They project while simultaneously painting themselves as the victim. It's the quintessential method of emotional manipulation.
And, it usually works with stunning perfection. Democrats back down under the guise of "taking the high road". To hell with the high road when dealing with folks who believe no road is too low to travel.
Recently, former Attorney General Eric Holder and Satan's favorite grandma, Hillary Clinton, were in the news for faux controversies being accused of inflaming the fires of incivility.
Let's take Hillary's nonsensical controversy first. She said, "You cannot be civil with people who seek to destroy everything you believe in and stand for." Ok. What is the problem?
Well, Fox News, lost their minds. They said she was calling for violence and being irresponsible. Uh-huh. What I noticed, aside from the obvious gaslighting, is nobody on Fox nor any Republican addressed what she actually said.
See, they claim to be about the exchange of free ideas and that of course we all love America; it's just we have different avenues we want to take to see her successful. You know, civility. But, nobody confronted what she actually said because if they did, their stated desire for civility would be exposed for the disingenuous babbling it is because they know she is telling the truth.
The faux controversy over Eric Holder is even more nefarious and disingenuous. At a fundraiser last week Holder said, "Michelle Obama said, When they go low we go high.' No, when they go low, we kick 'em."
My honest initial reaction to this was, "Ok." I never thought he meant it literally. I took him to be speaking metaphorically.
Oh, but the right-wing went full on aneurism over it. They accused Holder of inciting violence. One knob on Fox News said, "This is unacceptable for a former attorney general to speak this way. He's an upholder of the law." Sista! Pipe down.
I literally saw five news segments (including "left wing" outlets) about this. As I said, I thought it was being blown out of proportion. Yesterday, I was proven to be correct.
Joy Reid on AM Joy played the entire clip. It appears right after (next sentence actually) Holder said to "kick 'em" he emphasized that he was speaking literally. He meant Democrats needed to fight back instead of allowing lies and mischaracterizations to lie in the name of "civility".
Well, well, ain't that about a.....Five different anchors (CNN, MSNBC, Fox, TYT and Secular Talk) only aired the first part of that statement. Now, in fairness, only one of those outlets mischaracterized Holder's comments. But, the overriding narrative dictated by Republicans was Eric Holder is calling for violent rebellion.
The Democrats have to stop allowing the GOP to get away with this bullying and bullshit. Defending yourself, fighting back, protesting and vehemently stating facts is not being violent nor is it being like an angry mob.
If Democrats want to win, they have to quit cowering to GOP idiocy and hypocrisy.
Seriously, are Democrats going to be lectured on civility from people who support Donald Trump and co-opt everything he does? Are they going to be lectured on civility by people who are apologists for a Neo-Nazi who ran a woman down in the streets in #Charlottesville? Are Democrats going to be lectured about civility by folks who support a President who locks children in cages separating them from their parents? Are Democrats going to be lectured on civility by people who said nothing when their presidential nominee openly and repeatedly advocated for violence against anyone who protested his campaign?
This bitchin about civility is a ruse. Dems, Republicans don't want you to be more civil; they want you to be silent and compliant.
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Today's Thoughts And Rants: October 11, 2018
Today, I'm going to touch on a few topics. I will try to be brief. But, I have some shit on my mind, so... Leggo....
•The Right, especially the Alt-Right, still being all in their feelings about Taylor Swift is giving me life right now. It is so comical that these people really do seem to possess ZERO self-awareness or acknowledgement of their own hypocrisy. It is also hilarious their "outrage" is drenched with disingenuousness.
You wanna know why the Charlie Kirk's of the world, Fox News and right-wingers are so dismayed by T-Swizzle endorsing Democrats and progressivism? They feel betrayed. They have been gut punched. Taylor Swift was their ideal pop star...so they thought.
She was a bastion of wholesomeness and purity. She was the antithesis to the slutty evil Beyoncé. She was the "good girl" while Katy Perry and Lady Gaga were the harlots and liberal skanks who supported Satan herself, Hillary Clinton. Now, I assume they just glossed over that she went through more boyfriends than most people do toilet paper. Where I come from some would call that being a ho but...
The Alt-Right had dubbed Tay Tay and her lack of rhythm self an "Aryan princess". The very seldom "cobbler indulging" dudes of the Alt-Right held Taylor up as "Aryan female physical perfection". (Just let that shit sink in for a minute. Katie Perry or Lady Gaga or Carrie Underwood or Ariana Grande wasn't seen as " Aryan PHYSICAL perfection" but Taylor Swift? 😐 )
*Sigh* Anyway...
•Politicon is next weekend. For those unfamiliar with Politicon, it is a convention where political wonks and junkies get together for two days. They usually hold panels and have debates. Something interesting has been taking place though. Several Conservatives scheduled to debate Progressives have been backing out without providing reasons.
Ann Coulter was scheduled over a month ago to debate Secular Talk's Kyle Kulinski. Without notice she backed out although she is still scheduled to appear at Politicon. Other instances of Conservatives cancelling debate appearances are: Steven Crowder reneging on debating The Majority Report's Sam Seder; Ben Shapiro backing out of debating David Packman and Dave Rubin refusing to accept The Young Turks' (TYT) Ana Kasparian challenge to a debate.
It is odd the "free exchange; always willing to debate" crowd seem very unwilling to debate Progressives. The only person holding steadfast is Tucker Carlson who is slated to debate TYT's Cenk Uguyr.
•I am going to say yet again how impressed I am with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Regardless of baseless attacks from Republicans and their distortions of her words, if not outright lying about her, she holds her ground. While there are a couple of subjects she could stand to educate herself a little more about, she is well versed regarding the majority of topics. She innately understands politics and how to relate to people. The other day she did an interview with Chris Hayes which she was outstanding and beyond impressive. She is attractive, smart and has a disarming charm. AOC is going to be a player in the game for a long time! Sorry, corporatist Democrats and Republicans.
•I saw a meme the other day that was so misleading and disingenuous. In fact, some of it was just patently dishonest. The meme centered around a black guy #WalkingAway from the Democratic Party and addressing accusations of being a sellout.
First, for most black folks being a black conservative does not inherently make someone a "sellout" or an "Uncle Tom" or a "coon". That shit is a red herring employed by some white conservatives and Uncle Ruckuses to distract from actual coonery.
Many black people, a plurality (if not a majority) agree with several conservative principles involving fiscal and criminal justice issues. Many black folks would say they are with smaller government believe it or not. When it comes to religious/moral issues I would say a significant number of blacks lean conservative because of the stature of the church in the black community.
Here is where many blacks and many conservatives (not actual Conservatism) part ways. Issues like systematic racism cause a fissure. Systematic racism most definitely exists although it appears many in the Republican Party pretends it doesn't. The criminal justice system including law enforcement inarguably disproportionately treats black and brown people differently but many Republicans act like that is a myth. Not just systematic but practical and anecdotal racism not only exists in substantial volume but has been on the rise in recent years. Many Conservatives say that is a lie and in fact "reverse racism" is way more pervasive and prevalent when not only statistical but empirical evidence says that is utter bullshit. Black and brown people know irrefutably that claiming reverse racism is the "real scourge" is disingenuous nonsense.
Now, what makes a black conservative a sellout, an Uncle Tom, a purveyor of coonery, a certified train rider if you will is when they willingly say racism against people of color whether they are black, brown, yellow or red is miniscule or worse nonexistent. What makes one a coon is when they go on television or write in publications or go on the radio and spout White Nationalist and Neo-Nazi talking points. Coonery is knowingly belittling actions and/or statements intended to shed light on racism and bigotry and hatred. Uncle Tomming and Aunt Tomasining is shucking and jiving, tap dancing, genuflecting and debasing oneself for money, influence and favor or worst of all mere acceptance from people who will never truly accept you. Going full Uncle Ruckus is selling out your people for the hope of acquiring love and respect from people who will never love and respect them. Furthermore, they are (wittingly or unwittingly) fulfilling a fetish some people have of seeing others demean themselves by disparaging people who are just like them or saying things about those people they either don't have the guts or feel they can't get away with saying themselves.
See, that strawman of black Conservatives are coons only works on the weak minded and fearful. It doesn't work on the intelligent and critical thinking. Black conservatives like Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Tara Setmeyer, Tim Scott (most of the time), Shermichael Singleton, and even Larry Elder I would never call "coons"! Candice Owens, Ben Carson, Stacey Dash, Paris Denard, Kristina Pierson and Jason Whitlock on the other hand...all I hear is the Quad City DJ's, "C'mon, ride this train. Now ride it. Come on, now ride this train. Ride it...I think I can. I think I can. 🚃🚃🚃"
•And, that leads me to the sunken place...Kayne West. This foooooooool herrrrrrrrre.
He goes to White House today under the guise of discussing criminal justice reform and the violence in Chicago with President Trump. However, not one muthafuckin word was mentioned about either. Instead, Kayne slobbered over Trump talmbout how great he is. 😐 Kayne put on a full fledged minstrel show. He performed very well for the President. He stopped short of calling him " Massa" and washing his feet for him. Although if he had, it wouldn't have been any more demeaning and embarrassing.
Trump literally looked like a plantation owner whose "best nigger" had put on a performance that greatly pleased him and his invited guests. It was embarrassing, head shaking and tear inducing. One of the once greatest socially conscious hip hop artists of all-time reduced himself to nothing more than house nigga, Fiddler, shuckin and jivin for Massa's pleasure.
Apologists spare me the "mental health" line. That had nothing to do with that bullshit today. And, MAGAs please spare me the "free thinker" and "Kayne REALLY cares about his people" horseshit. No way on God's earth can you regurgitate that idiocy and trite cursory with a straight face. NOT ONE DAMB WORD ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM. OR CHICAGO WAS UTTERED.
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www.twitter.com/robbase2110
www.instagram.com/robbase2110
www.patreon.com/robeasley
•The Right, especially the Alt-Right, still being all in their feelings about Taylor Swift is giving me life right now. It is so comical that these people really do seem to possess ZERO self-awareness or acknowledgement of their own hypocrisy. It is also hilarious their "outrage" is drenched with disingenuousness.
You wanna know why the Charlie Kirk's of the world, Fox News and right-wingers are so dismayed by T-Swizzle endorsing Democrats and progressivism? They feel betrayed. They have been gut punched. Taylor Swift was their ideal pop star...so they thought.
She was a bastion of wholesomeness and purity. She was the antithesis to the slutty evil Beyoncé. She was the "good girl" while Katy Perry and Lady Gaga were the harlots and liberal skanks who supported Satan herself, Hillary Clinton. Now, I assume they just glossed over that she went through more boyfriends than most people do toilet paper. Where I come from some would call that being a ho but...
The Alt-Right had dubbed Tay Tay and her lack of rhythm self an "Aryan princess". The very seldom "cobbler indulging" dudes of the Alt-Right held Taylor up as "Aryan female physical perfection". (Just let that shit sink in for a minute. Katie Perry or Lady Gaga or Carrie Underwood or Ariana Grande wasn't seen as " Aryan PHYSICAL perfection" but Taylor Swift? 😐 )
*Sigh* Anyway...
•Politicon is next weekend. For those unfamiliar with Politicon, it is a convention where political wonks and junkies get together for two days. They usually hold panels and have debates. Something interesting has been taking place though. Several Conservatives scheduled to debate Progressives have been backing out without providing reasons.
Ann Coulter was scheduled over a month ago to debate Secular Talk's Kyle Kulinski. Without notice she backed out although she is still scheduled to appear at Politicon. Other instances of Conservatives cancelling debate appearances are: Steven Crowder reneging on debating The Majority Report's Sam Seder; Ben Shapiro backing out of debating David Packman and Dave Rubin refusing to accept The Young Turks' (TYT) Ana Kasparian challenge to a debate.
It is odd the "free exchange; always willing to debate" crowd seem very unwilling to debate Progressives. The only person holding steadfast is Tucker Carlson who is slated to debate TYT's Cenk Uguyr.
•I am going to say yet again how impressed I am with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Regardless of baseless attacks from Republicans and their distortions of her words, if not outright lying about her, she holds her ground. While there are a couple of subjects she could stand to educate herself a little more about, she is well versed regarding the majority of topics. She innately understands politics and how to relate to people. The other day she did an interview with Chris Hayes which she was outstanding and beyond impressive. She is attractive, smart and has a disarming charm. AOC is going to be a player in the game for a long time! Sorry, corporatist Democrats and Republicans.
•I saw a meme the other day that was so misleading and disingenuous. In fact, some of it was just patently dishonest. The meme centered around a black guy #WalkingAway from the Democratic Party and addressing accusations of being a sellout.
First, for most black folks being a black conservative does not inherently make someone a "sellout" or an "Uncle Tom" or a "coon". That shit is a red herring employed by some white conservatives and Uncle Ruckuses to distract from actual coonery.
Many black people, a plurality (if not a majority) agree with several conservative principles involving fiscal and criminal justice issues. Many black folks would say they are with smaller government believe it or not. When it comes to religious/moral issues I would say a significant number of blacks lean conservative because of the stature of the church in the black community.
Here is where many blacks and many conservatives (not actual Conservatism) part ways. Issues like systematic racism cause a fissure. Systematic racism most definitely exists although it appears many in the Republican Party pretends it doesn't. The criminal justice system including law enforcement inarguably disproportionately treats black and brown people differently but many Republicans act like that is a myth. Not just systematic but practical and anecdotal racism not only exists in substantial volume but has been on the rise in recent years. Many Conservatives say that is a lie and in fact "reverse racism" is way more pervasive and prevalent when not only statistical but empirical evidence says that is utter bullshit. Black and brown people know irrefutably that claiming reverse racism is the "real scourge" is disingenuous nonsense.
Now, what makes a black conservative a sellout, an Uncle Tom, a purveyor of coonery, a certified train rider if you will is when they willingly say racism against people of color whether they are black, brown, yellow or red is miniscule or worse nonexistent. What makes one a coon is when they go on television or write in publications or go on the radio and spout White Nationalist and Neo-Nazi talking points. Coonery is knowingly belittling actions and/or statements intended to shed light on racism and bigotry and hatred. Uncle Tomming and Aunt Tomasining is shucking and jiving, tap dancing, genuflecting and debasing oneself for money, influence and favor or worst of all mere acceptance from people who will never truly accept you. Going full Uncle Ruckus is selling out your people for the hope of acquiring love and respect from people who will never love and respect them. Furthermore, they are (wittingly or unwittingly) fulfilling a fetish some people have of seeing others demean themselves by disparaging people who are just like them or saying things about those people they either don't have the guts or feel they can't get away with saying themselves.
See, that strawman of black Conservatives are coons only works on the weak minded and fearful. It doesn't work on the intelligent and critical thinking. Black conservatives like Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Tara Setmeyer, Tim Scott (most of the time), Shermichael Singleton, and even Larry Elder I would never call "coons"! Candice Owens, Ben Carson, Stacey Dash, Paris Denard, Kristina Pierson and Jason Whitlock on the other hand...all I hear is the Quad City DJ's, "C'mon, ride this train. Now ride it. Come on, now ride this train. Ride it...I think I can. I think I can. 🚃🚃🚃"
•And, that leads me to the sunken place...Kayne West. This foooooooool herrrrrrrrre.
He goes to White House today under the guise of discussing criminal justice reform and the violence in Chicago with President Trump. However, not one muthafuckin word was mentioned about either. Instead, Kayne slobbered over Trump talmbout how great he is. 😐 Kayne put on a full fledged minstrel show. He performed very well for the President. He stopped short of calling him " Massa" and washing his feet for him. Although if he had, it wouldn't have been any more demeaning and embarrassing.
Trump literally looked like a plantation owner whose "best nigger" had put on a performance that greatly pleased him and his invited guests. It was embarrassing, head shaking and tear inducing. One of the once greatest socially conscious hip hop artists of all-time reduced himself to nothing more than house nigga, Fiddler, shuckin and jivin for Massa's pleasure.
Apologists spare me the "mental health" line. That had nothing to do with that bullshit today. And, MAGAs please spare me the "free thinker" and "Kayne REALLY cares about his people" horseshit. No way on God's earth can you regurgitate that idiocy and trite cursory with a straight face. NOT ONE DAMB WORD ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM. OR CHICAGO WAS UTTERED.
www.facebook.com/robbase2110
www.twitter.com/robbase2110
www.instagram.com/robbase2110
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Sunday, October 7, 2018
Apathy, Ignorance, Sanctimony And The #DumDumLeft Is Why Liberals Can't Have Nice Things
"Ignoring the forrest for the trees" should be the motto of the current Democratic Party. It would be hard to argue it is not already the quasi mantra.
When it comes to most of the major issues in this country (living wage, equal pay for women, legalizing marijuana, gun control, foreign policy, criminal justice reform, getting corporate pac money out of politics and Medicare for all) the majority of the country sides with the Left. Only about 1/4 of the country self-identifies as a Republican. Yet, the Democrats can't win elections on the local and state levels. Their electoral success is limited in Congress. And, while they have won six of the last seven presidential elections, they've managed to actually enter the White House in four of them because they lost the Electoral College. So, even when they win, they lose.
Why is this the case? How can a party that has a majority of the country agreeing with its stances have no power? Democrats don't control the legislative nor the executive branches of government. And, now, they don't seem to have any firm grasp on the judicial. They just lost any influence on the Supreme Court.
Many reasons exist for the Democrats' ineptness. Awful leadership is atop the list. Catering to corporate and lobbying interests along with a vacuous affinity to compromising with people who have absolutely no desire to compromise with them instead of actually listening to their base and adhering to their needs and voices.
This leads back to the 2016 Presidential election. Yes, we need to stop litigating it but it provided valuable lessons that still appear are not being learned.
The Neo-Liberal wing of this party, which is also where the power structure lies, is literally suppressing victory. It is not deliberate, but it is obvious. While the Neo -Liberals and corporatists want power they seem to be content with the status quo. They don't want the boat rocked.
Instead of listening to their base they continuingly concede to the GOP without getting anything of significant value in return. An example of this is the military budget. The Democrats signed off without much pushback on the Trump Administration expanding an already bloated military budget to $700 billion while saying virtually nothing about social programs including the VA getting slashed under the guise of "we don't have the money for those programs".
Another example of the party leadership' ineptness or simple willful malpractice is not pushing the issues the party claims to care about. Medicare For All is something the majority of Americans favor. However, people like Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), belittle the idea. Likely they reject it because they don't want to upset the insurance companies. They along with most of moderate, centrists and neo-liberal wing say, "How can Medicare For All be paid for?" This question is being asked by people who signed off on an unnecessary increase in military spending to $700 billion.
The party leadership doesn't appreciate their base. They don't adhere to their concerns. They seemingly refuse to make any competent attempt to energize the base. They take it for granted. All of this is partially why turnout for the 2016 election was low.
However, the corporatist neo-liberal wing of the party is not at fault alone. A small but boisterous section of the Progressive/Leftist wing has caused issues and consternation also.
Before and after Hillary Clinton won the nomination in 2016 the "Bernie or Bust" crowd made it clear they would not support Clinton. It was understandable. They believed Bernie Sanders was cheated out of the nomination. While the DNC was abhorrent in their overt bias for Clinton the fact is she won the nomination by obtaining the most votes. But, that's neither here nor there.
The issue was this wing of the party literally went on the offensive against Clinton. They repeated and vehemently insisted they abhorred Donald Trump; yet, they didn't criticize him but obliterated Clinton.
Their criticisms were legit and mostly factually accurate. However, they seemed to not understand or simply didn't care that their relentless attacks on Clinton and refusal to support her candidacy was ignoring the forrest for the trees. They seemed to fail to realize what was at stake in the election.
Their nuanced issues with Clinton was neglecting the larger scale issues.
This attitude has continued since the election. Basically, anyone who doesn't see things precisely the way they do they dismiss as naive, a cuck or a fake. The attacks on the Democrats are incessant but there doesn't seem to be be many, if any, attacks on Trump nor his policies per se. They complain about his policies but somehow lay the blame solely at the feet of the Democrats.
This wing of the party other Progressives have began to dub the #DumDumLeft has also began implementing purity tests and demonizing anyone they deem has veered even slightly right of them.
An example of this is recently a well-known and well-liked leftist YouTuber, Jimmy Dore, totally dragged New York District 14 House candidate, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for saying New York Democratic governor, Andrew Cuomo, should be supported in his re-election bid.
Ocasio-Cortez is a Democratic Socialist who has become a rock star in the Progressive movement and has well established her Progressive roots and beliefs. She endorsed Cuomo's opponent in the primary, Cynthia Nixon. AOC's "endorsement" of Cuomo, who make no mistake is a corporatist Democrats, wasn't her saying he is a great candidate. It was her saying that he is better than the alternative.
Yet, Dore went off on her and the progressive takeover of the Democratic Party. He called the attempted take over fake. He also implied AOC was fake. And, while most agree AOC shouldn't have said anything regarding Cuomo, they understood where she was coming from. But, for Dore and the #DumDumLeft it was seen as traitorous which is patently stupid.
The entire AOC/Dore situation highlighted a major problem with this insurgency during the 2016 election. Politics and issues are often complex. Rarely are they black and white. Gray is usually the dominant color. Ironically, however, when it comes to voting for candidates the choices are almost always binary even if there are more than two choices.
This is what this insurgent sector of the left didn't grasp in 2016 and apparently still do not. Jill Stein never had a chance; neither did Gary "Aleppo" Johnson. The choice was between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. And, yes, Hillary is a centrist, an interventionist, a war hawk, a corporatist and corrupt; however, Trump was all those things plus anti-women's reproductive rights, anti-unions, favored giving tax cuts to the rich, xenophobic, transphobic and racially a bigot, if not a full fledged White Nationalist. The man openly said he wanted to ban all Muslims from entering the country, he wanted to build a wall to keep Brown folks out and wanted to bring back "stop and frisk" to keep Black people in check. So, how did they not see this was a binary choice? They claim to care about those issues.
Jimmy Dore (not to single him out necessarily) said choosing the lesser of two evils is a false choice and "propagandist bullshit". The fact is it is not. The country now realizes it is not a false choice.
Both aforementioned wings of the party are about to learn the hard way that sometimes choices are binary and choosing the lesser of two evils is real.
One of the greatest acts of political malpractice in modern times is the way Democrats ignored the importance of the judiciary.
Conservatives have seen the importance of the judiciary for decades. They have been feverishly working and manipulating to mold the courts into their liking because they understand the judiciary is where the real power is. Legislation can be voted into law but it only remains law if the courts allow it.
Democrats appear to not understand the importance of the courts or simply did not care.
The Merrick Garland fiasco should have been made a central issue of the 2016 campaign. It is not hyperbole to say the GOP stole the Supreme Court seat vacated due to Scalia's death nor is it hyperbolic to say President Obama's constitutional oath and right was violated and hijacked.
But, the Democrats did nothing to fight back. They whined and bitched some but ultimately they did what they always do. They acquiesced and cowered.
In fairness to Clinton during the debates she stressed the vitality of the courts but it was never apart of her campaign and stump speeches. It certainly was never stressed as a central issue by the DNC or party leadership.
It was clearly an issue that could have been a rallying cry for the entire party. It certainly is an issue that people within the party who claim to be policy oriented should have understand its importance and pertinence.
Because of the neglect, apathy and misguided sanctimony Donald Trump won the presidency. Furthermore, he and the Republicans control the Supreme Court and are gaining influence in the federal courts.
Liberals should think about this. President Trump hasn't been able implement or fully implement his most amoral and heinous policies such as the Muslim ban and separating migrant children from their parents because of the federal courts intervention. Thanks, Obama and Bill Clinton.
Now, give this some thought. The #DumDumLeft said the courts don't really matter. They are "not as important as policy".
Well, here is the thing now that President Trump has been able to add Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court giving it a decided Conservative majority. Issues that are near and dear to Liberals are in danger and likely in lame duck status.
Unions have already been gutted. Civil Rights are going to be partially rolled back. Citizens United is as good as completely safe. The Muslin Ban will likely be implemented. Trump will be protected from consequences of his crimes and corruption. And, Roe V Wade might not overturned but will be so gutted it essentially might as well be.
Imagine if Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren or Kristen Gillibrand win the presidential election in 2020. Let's say a President Sanders or a President Warren get Medicare-For-All to pass. The opposition will sue and the case will very likely go before the Supreme Court. As currently constituted what are the chances that the court will uphold law?
The federal judiciary matters.
The selling out, the apathy, the sanctimony and the ignorance that has pervaded the left from one end of the spectrum to the other has been destructive. Refusal to see the bigger picture and hold noses for the greater good has placed the Democrats as bystanders to what is certain to be erosion of 60 years of social and cultural progress.
The party with the overwhelming majority of the country on its side has managed to allow this country to become minority ruled.
Inexplicable. Unforgivable.
When it comes to most of the major issues in this country (living wage, equal pay for women, legalizing marijuana, gun control, foreign policy, criminal justice reform, getting corporate pac money out of politics and Medicare for all) the majority of the country sides with the Left. Only about 1/4 of the country self-identifies as a Republican. Yet, the Democrats can't win elections on the local and state levels. Their electoral success is limited in Congress. And, while they have won six of the last seven presidential elections, they've managed to actually enter the White House in four of them because they lost the Electoral College. So, even when they win, they lose.
Why is this the case? How can a party that has a majority of the country agreeing with its stances have no power? Democrats don't control the legislative nor the executive branches of government. And, now, they don't seem to have any firm grasp on the judicial. They just lost any influence on the Supreme Court.
Many reasons exist for the Democrats' ineptness. Awful leadership is atop the list. Catering to corporate and lobbying interests along with a vacuous affinity to compromising with people who have absolutely no desire to compromise with them instead of actually listening to their base and adhering to their needs and voices.
This leads back to the 2016 Presidential election. Yes, we need to stop litigating it but it provided valuable lessons that still appear are not being learned.
The Neo-Liberal wing of this party, which is also where the power structure lies, is literally suppressing victory. It is not deliberate, but it is obvious. While the Neo -Liberals and corporatists want power they seem to be content with the status quo. They don't want the boat rocked.
Instead of listening to their base they continuingly concede to the GOP without getting anything of significant value in return. An example of this is the military budget. The Democrats signed off without much pushback on the Trump Administration expanding an already bloated military budget to $700 billion while saying virtually nothing about social programs including the VA getting slashed under the guise of "we don't have the money for those programs".
Another example of the party leadership' ineptness or simple willful malpractice is not pushing the issues the party claims to care about. Medicare For All is something the majority of Americans favor. However, people like Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), belittle the idea. Likely they reject it because they don't want to upset the insurance companies. They along with most of moderate, centrists and neo-liberal wing say, "How can Medicare For All be paid for?" This question is being asked by people who signed off on an unnecessary increase in military spending to $700 billion.
The party leadership doesn't appreciate their base. They don't adhere to their concerns. They seemingly refuse to make any competent attempt to energize the base. They take it for granted. All of this is partially why turnout for the 2016 election was low.
However, the corporatist neo-liberal wing of the party is not at fault alone. A small but boisterous section of the Progressive/Leftist wing has caused issues and consternation also.
Before and after Hillary Clinton won the nomination in 2016 the "Bernie or Bust" crowd made it clear they would not support Clinton. It was understandable. They believed Bernie Sanders was cheated out of the nomination. While the DNC was abhorrent in their overt bias for Clinton the fact is she won the nomination by obtaining the most votes. But, that's neither here nor there.
The issue was this wing of the party literally went on the offensive against Clinton. They repeated and vehemently insisted they abhorred Donald Trump; yet, they didn't criticize him but obliterated Clinton.
Their criticisms were legit and mostly factually accurate. However, they seemed to not understand or simply didn't care that their relentless attacks on Clinton and refusal to support her candidacy was ignoring the forrest for the trees. They seemed to fail to realize what was at stake in the election.
Their nuanced issues with Clinton was neglecting the larger scale issues.
This attitude has continued since the election. Basically, anyone who doesn't see things precisely the way they do they dismiss as naive, a cuck or a fake. The attacks on the Democrats are incessant but there doesn't seem to be be many, if any, attacks on Trump nor his policies per se. They complain about his policies but somehow lay the blame solely at the feet of the Democrats.
This wing of the party other Progressives have began to dub the #DumDumLeft has also began implementing purity tests and demonizing anyone they deem has veered even slightly right of them.
An example of this is recently a well-known and well-liked leftist YouTuber, Jimmy Dore, totally dragged New York District 14 House candidate, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for saying New York Democratic governor, Andrew Cuomo, should be supported in his re-election bid.
Ocasio-Cortez is a Democratic Socialist who has become a rock star in the Progressive movement and has well established her Progressive roots and beliefs. She endorsed Cuomo's opponent in the primary, Cynthia Nixon. AOC's "endorsement" of Cuomo, who make no mistake is a corporatist Democrats, wasn't her saying he is a great candidate. It was her saying that he is better than the alternative.
Yet, Dore went off on her and the progressive takeover of the Democratic Party. He called the attempted take over fake. He also implied AOC was fake. And, while most agree AOC shouldn't have said anything regarding Cuomo, they understood where she was coming from. But, for Dore and the #DumDumLeft it was seen as traitorous which is patently stupid.
The entire AOC/Dore situation highlighted a major problem with this insurgency during the 2016 election. Politics and issues are often complex. Rarely are they black and white. Gray is usually the dominant color. Ironically, however, when it comes to voting for candidates the choices are almost always binary even if there are more than two choices.
This is what this insurgent sector of the left didn't grasp in 2016 and apparently still do not. Jill Stein never had a chance; neither did Gary "Aleppo" Johnson. The choice was between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. And, yes, Hillary is a centrist, an interventionist, a war hawk, a corporatist and corrupt; however, Trump was all those things plus anti-women's reproductive rights, anti-unions, favored giving tax cuts to the rich, xenophobic, transphobic and racially a bigot, if not a full fledged White Nationalist. The man openly said he wanted to ban all Muslims from entering the country, he wanted to build a wall to keep Brown folks out and wanted to bring back "stop and frisk" to keep Black people in check. So, how did they not see this was a binary choice? They claim to care about those issues.
Jimmy Dore (not to single him out necessarily) said choosing the lesser of two evils is a false choice and "propagandist bullshit". The fact is it is not. The country now realizes it is not a false choice.
Both aforementioned wings of the party are about to learn the hard way that sometimes choices are binary and choosing the lesser of two evils is real.
One of the greatest acts of political malpractice in modern times is the way Democrats ignored the importance of the judiciary.
Conservatives have seen the importance of the judiciary for decades. They have been feverishly working and manipulating to mold the courts into their liking because they understand the judiciary is where the real power is. Legislation can be voted into law but it only remains law if the courts allow it.
Democrats appear to not understand the importance of the courts or simply did not care.
The Merrick Garland fiasco should have been made a central issue of the 2016 campaign. It is not hyperbole to say the GOP stole the Supreme Court seat vacated due to Scalia's death nor is it hyperbolic to say President Obama's constitutional oath and right was violated and hijacked.
But, the Democrats did nothing to fight back. They whined and bitched some but ultimately they did what they always do. They acquiesced and cowered.
In fairness to Clinton during the debates she stressed the vitality of the courts but it was never apart of her campaign and stump speeches. It certainly was never stressed as a central issue by the DNC or party leadership.
It was clearly an issue that could have been a rallying cry for the entire party. It certainly is an issue that people within the party who claim to be policy oriented should have understand its importance and pertinence.
Because of the neglect, apathy and misguided sanctimony Donald Trump won the presidency. Furthermore, he and the Republicans control the Supreme Court and are gaining influence in the federal courts.
Liberals should think about this. President Trump hasn't been able implement or fully implement his most amoral and heinous policies such as the Muslim ban and separating migrant children from their parents because of the federal courts intervention. Thanks, Obama and Bill Clinton.
Now, give this some thought. The #DumDumLeft said the courts don't really matter. They are "not as important as policy".
Well, here is the thing now that President Trump has been able to add Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court giving it a decided Conservative majority. Issues that are near and dear to Liberals are in danger and likely in lame duck status.
Unions have already been gutted. Civil Rights are going to be partially rolled back. Citizens United is as good as completely safe. The Muslin Ban will likely be implemented. Trump will be protected from consequences of his crimes and corruption. And, Roe V Wade might not overturned but will be so gutted it essentially might as well be.
Imagine if Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren or Kristen Gillibrand win the presidential election in 2020. Let's say a President Sanders or a President Warren get Medicare-For-All to pass. The opposition will sue and the case will very likely go before the Supreme Court. As currently constituted what are the chances that the court will uphold law?
The federal judiciary matters.
The selling out, the apathy, the sanctimony and the ignorance that has pervaded the left from one end of the spectrum to the other has been destructive. Refusal to see the bigger picture and hold noses for the greater good has placed the Democrats as bystanders to what is certain to be erosion of 60 years of social and cultural progress.
The party with the overwhelming majority of the country on its side has managed to allow this country to become minority ruled.
Inexplicable. Unforgivable.
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