tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50092093335837665732024-02-19T13:08:31.575-06:00THE TROUBLE WITH NORMALBoonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.comBlogger255125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-90780344481018545842022-11-06T12:15:00.001-06:002022-11-06T12:15:51.221-06:00 A COUPLE DAYS UNTIL THE 2022 MIDTERM ELECTIONS - A THOUGHT OR TWO REGARDING DESPAIR <p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With the midterm election just a couple days away I think we'll take this post in a slightly different direction and talk about despair for a moment.</span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If one is paying attention to the polls it would appear that people are more than willing to sacrifice their rights and personal freedoms under the illusions that letting the GOP retake Congress would improve the economy. Some of the mainstream poles have even suggested that women have calmed down since the dogs ruling from SCOTUS in late June and are more concerned about gas prices and the cost of groceries they are trying to protect bodily autonomy or the right to make decisions what to do with pregnancy. As a result, a lot of people who lean democratic are freaking out and assuming the election news is all bleak. It's important to realize that the midterms are still not set in stone until every vote is counted but that does little to assuage people who are doom scrolling and in a constant state of worry after witnessing the last six or so years.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Should people despair just yet? I would suggest being cautious but don't assume that it's hopeless just yet. Having said that, I want to briefly look out why people might despair at a time like this.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Imagine you're a person that leans liberal living in a conservative state. Be it because of family emergency, job transfer, or simply can't afford to move. In that scenario it's likely that a person might be in a situation surrounded by people with opposing points of view. If we were still in normal times that might be fine. However, given that a good chunk of the Coupublicans are trying to downplay the coup attempt that happened on January 6th 2021 and many of those are still claiming the stolen from the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago, we are currently in a time where that becomes a lot more stressful. If someone ne lives in a city in said state it may seem a little less bleak because it's a little bit easier to find like-minded people. But what about those people who may be in rural areas or in the outer suburbs/exhurbs?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">For people who have to exist in those areas the despair might be a little more existential. We're talking about areas where bring me up the actual history of this country, especially when it comes to race, is seen seen and attacked us being divisive. The sort of areas where there's a tendency to downplay the events of January 6, 2021 rather than address what really went on and is going on today to some degree. The places where where someone who might not be MAGA risks being silenced parlance by those around them who have drank that particular non-carbonated drink mix. It is in situations like that, where someone who might lean left could feel increasingly isolated - especially in the aftermath of how most people in those areas reacted to the pandemic- and feel they have to suffer in silence or pretend that nothing is wrong while many of the people around them spout out rhetoric that can be easily disproved and seems to have more and more anti-democratic leanings. It is a not scenario where I can see it being easy to fall into despair.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It would be easy to say that these people need just to find organizations are interested in and and volunteer for them (and I'm not necessarily talking about working with the local chapter of the Democrats). This is good advice good advice, but it's easier to follow if you're in a city or even an inner-ring suburb then for people living in rural areas who might have to drive a relatively significant distance to find these organizations. Add to this the fact that even in the age of the internet it's not always easy to find organizations that will think global and act local.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So how should these people react in the face of current poll numbers lovers and the possible fear created by "poll watchers" that are more likely to act on misinformation than actual facts? Should they be scared?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It's okay to be scared, or even feel overwhelmed. However you have to put that in the back of your mind and cash your vote anyway. As I said before, vpting isn't only thing we need to do to help make this a better place. In fact it's the bare minimum in what we can do. For some people though it might be the only thing they're able to do at the moment because of work schedules, family commitments and the like.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So outside of voting how should we deal with the feelings of despair and being overwhelmed over the next couple days? Breathe and take the polls with a container of salt. Remember that while they might be right (it would be dishonest not to consider that) they have also been wrong in the past and might be wrong this year. If you have friends they're on the fence but might lean against the GOP who haven't voted yet talk with them and let them know what's at stake. If it all just boils down to perceptions on the economy let them know that there is no free enterprise under an authoritarian state.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Well something like this take care of all of the pre-election despair right now? Not all of it, but regardless of what happens the fight will continue. It just might get a hell of a lot more dire and bleak if the group of election deniers and conspiracy theorists controlling much of the GOP manages to win. </span>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-74618954023067375502022-11-02T13:31:00.004-05:002022-11-02T13:31:58.419-05:00ONE WEEK, OKAY SIX DAYS ACTUALLY BUT YOU GET THE IDEA, UNTIL THE 2022 MIDTERMS<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Hey!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I was hoping
to get this post done and online yesterday. However, oversleeping and recovering
form finishing up another project had me needing a break.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With that in mind, let’s get to another post
regarding the midterms next week.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This time around I want to focus on how people should
take into account when looking at polls, the news, et al.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admit this likely only touches the surface
but I hope this helps some people who may be freaking out right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the mainstream media reports poll gaps
closing and how things are razor thin in some key states, it’s easy to worry
and think that all is lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
since it’s not always that simple, I feel it could help to offer a few tips on
how to react to the hell-ride that the midterms are being presented as.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First of all – BREATHE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I cannot stress this enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being close to hyperventilating and freaking out is perfectly
understandable. However, it can also be the worst thing you can do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a deep breath and take a step back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Assess things quickly. The polls don’t always
tell the whole story (we’ll get to that shortly) and constantly checking the
news when they’re recycling the same talking points might actually be meant to
keep you afraid and thinking your vote (if you haven’t voted already) doesn’t
matter so why bother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, take a
breath, think for a moment or two and figure out the next step to take.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Next – KEEP THE DOOM SCROLLING TO A MINIMUM. It’s easy to
keep your eyes glued to the news like the election is a horserace in your free
time and freak out. The mainstream media, whether they want to admit it or not,
gives the right wing a wide berth and is more than willing to take their
messaging and run with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, as I
said earlier, it isn’t the whole story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Polls have been wrong in the past (remember when the majority of then
predicted that Hillary Clinton would easily win the 2016 Presidential election)
and as the 2020 election shows, we might not have the whole picture even as
November 8<sup>th</sup> turns to November 9<sup>th</sup> and beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a friend of mine in Los Angeles pointed out on social
media – if you already voted doom scrolling is worthless. Instead focus on
getting people out to the polls who haven’t voted yet and encourage others to
do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you haven’t voted yet,
make a plan and make sure you’re able to cast your ballot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Focusing on the prize rather than the
potential and possible obstacles to the prize can possibly do more good than
doom scrolling and freaking out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With this in mind let’s get to the next point: THE POLLS
DON’T TELL THE WHOLE STORY:.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This should
be obvious to anyone who remembers 2016 where the man we’d later come to know
as the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago had a less than 20% approval rating on election
day yet somehow won the electoral vote and defeated Hillary Clinton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some cases this is because polls and
surveys often rely on landlines (or at least used to) and don’t generally talk
to people with cell phones (this may have changed given the decrease in people
with land lines).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other cases it’s
because people generally try to avoid taking those surveys which leaves to room
wide open for what I’m about to say.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SOMETIMES PEOPLE FLAT OUT LIE WHEN TAKING A SURVEY. Some
have suggested it’s because those people who supported the Mad Fuhrer, either in
2016, 2020, or now, voters might not want their neighbors to know who they’re
voting for. That;’s a possibility though one I doubt given how the MAGA crowd
likes to shout from the rooftops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead I want to throw this out there – they may be lying on
purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Think about it. You suddenly see Democrats who, while
remembering how the GOP was like under the Mad Fuhrer, who suddenly lean
towards the GOP because of the economy and are willing to let their rights go
away in the process. Sure it’s entirely possible there may be some low
information voters like that (i.e.: those who vote a party line because their
parents did et al).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, even with that,
there’s still a lot of anger over SCOTUS overturning Roe alone as well as the
possible threats to a number of other rights and the coup attempt of January 6,
2021 that makes this more of an outlier than a solid movement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead I think it may be likely that a lot of people who
were going to vote for the GOP anyway may lie to pollsters and claim to be
Democrats for the purposes of political dirty tricks. Not everyone may have done
this (and yes, there’s a chance that those on the other side might do this as
well) but there are some people on the right who follow bad faith actors be
they pundits, politicians, and the like and have learned that keeping your side
in power is the only thing and that any step they take is justified in the
process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a result this line of thinking could lead to people
lying to pollsters in order to keep the other side scared and thinking that all
is hopeless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, take this into account
whenever you see the poll results – espeacilly as razor thin as most of them
have been recently.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In addition, THINK SEVERAL STEPS AHEAD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I said in a previous post I don’t know how
the election next week is going to go and neither do you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore it’s important to remember that
voting alone doesn’t end this battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The fight will continue regardless of who wins next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the GOP wins the fight will be steeper and
a lot more bleak (yes it’s true that the GOP is becoming more and more fascist
adjacent and a lot of people will be on the chopping block if they regain
control of Congress).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, don’t
think that is the right wing loses that they’ll try and understand where their
neighbors, friends, and family members who lean left are coming from and try to
reach common ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the past the
right wing has gotten more extreme regardless of their outcome<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- add extremist conspiracy theory garbage
from groups we won’t name here to the mix and the fight will continue
regardless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ultimately though there’s one thing to mention – if you
haven’t done so already VOTE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Right now it’s easy to look at the polls and think that
all hope is lost. It’s even possible to fall into despair and think that, since
they paint the election as already done, then there’s no point in voting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is understandable but one should
remember that if you don’t vote then the other side wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know there’s no guarantee that one’s side will win the
election, especially when factoring in the voter suppression laws that the GOP
has pushed for since 2020. However assuming that all is lost means that you will
almost definitely lose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing
that matters now is for as many people to vote as possible and overpower the
GOP’s plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be a little more difficult
now than two years ago but it needs to be done. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a friend of mine shared on social media – if you’ve
already voted early limit the doom scrolling and get your friends and family
members out to vote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you haven’t
voted yet make a plan to do so<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and make
sure your ballot is cast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I said
earlier in this post we might not know the results on election night but,
regardless of what happens, the fight will continue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Just remember that, if you care about reproductive
freedom LGBTQ rights and want voting to be more accessible (not harder) the
side that’s not trying to marginalize people and try and make certain rights
illegal on a Federal level will make the fight easier than if the Coupublicans
win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Keep that in mind when you vote and vote your conscience.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><p></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-6437048766827895662022-10-25T21:17:00.004-05:002022-10-25T21:17:34.343-05:00TWO WEEKS TIL THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS - SOME THOUGHTS<p>Tuesday October 25, 2022....<br /><br />As I type this we are two weeks away
from the 2022 midterm elections here in the United States. As it stands
now things still seem to be up in the air where what was at first
thought to be a victory for the Coupublican's to win back at least one
of the houses of Congress got put in Jeopardy after the Supreme Court
overturned Roe v Wade over the summer but I might have a chance of
getting back to that again.<br /><br />As pundits and political scientists
have their predictions of what might happen in 2 weeks I have to admit
that I'm not sure who's going to win the election. If you're being
honest neither do you.<br /><br />Part of the current feeling that the
Coupublicans could win at least one of the houses of Congress lies
traditional political reasons dumb that the incumbent party in the White
House always loses at least one of the houses of Congress in the
midterm election. They're also citing recent polls that claimed that the
economy is the most pressing issue for American voters Ball by crime
abortion being third or fourth depending on who you ask. Establishing
pundits are using this as proof of it being a horse race while some
people in the GOP kind of hoping that it depresses enough potential
Democratic voters that they stay home on Election Day, that's making
their Victory a self-fulfilling prophecy.<br /><br />The problem with this
line of thinking, especially when it comes to the polls, is that the
recent polls are almost all within the margin of error (except for one that predicted a
win or lose margin of 11 seats, making it an outlier). Because of the
margins of error, and the fact that these polls rely on likely voters, I
find myself in agreement with journalist and YouTuber Beau of the Fifth
Column when he says the outcome of the midterms just depends how many unlikely voters
did they need to go out and vote when they normally wouldn't. With this
in mind it really does go down to motivate more of the unlikely voters
to the boat and what issues they'll vote on.<br /><br />This could mean the
news for the Democrats given their positions and policies tend to be
more popular with everyday people then the GOP policies are. However,
there tends to be a belief among a lot of people (fueled In part by the
corporate media narrative) that the coupublicans would be better for the
economy. While looking at the actual data makes this a little
far-fetched the belief persists.<br /><br />This leads us to a dark horse theory amongst the current political wisdom. Michael Moore stated and
continues to predict the Democrats will keep control of both houses of
Congress come the midterms, fighting the number of women angry over
losing their reproductive rights as well as increasing number of young
people finally able to vote in their first election. While some people
in the mainstream media are calling Moore's statements wishful thinking
it should be noted that Moore was one of the few people in 2016 to
protect that Hillary Clinton would lose the election. He didn't want it
to happen (and even did a special presentation to try and get out the
vote for the Democrats) but he, unfortunately. turned out to be right.
Yes there is no guarantee that he'll be correct this time. Still,
Michael Moore does tend to have more of a sense of what the average
person wants or is seeking out then a lot of mainstream political
pundits.<br /><br />What do I think about that? I'm not certain. I do
believe that a lot of people who can get pregnant are pissed off about
losing the right to control their own bodies and make health decisions
for themselves. However, I also know that too many people in suburbia
(especially white moderates) might not like the Coupublicans stances on
social conservatism and culture war issues but may be perfectly willing
to give up their own rights and freedoms under the belief that the GOP
will lower taxes and that culture war issues will never affect them.
Some of these people may still be on the fence but may have a hard time
being convinced that it can affect them as election day nears <br /><br />The
reality of the midterm elections is simple. The winner will be whichever
side gets more people to vote. While the GOP normally goes out to vote
in every election (and has some on their side willing to try and prevent
others from voting via voter suppression laws and the light to prevent
turn out) there is one factor where are the Coupublicans may have
overestimated. Mainly their attacks on women, minorities, and LGBTQ
people and issues may piss off a lot of people to the point where
they'll be willing to vote in a midterm they normally wouldn't. </p><p> It
is here where I feel a little bit of hope. Even with that though, it's
still up to people to get out there and vote. </p><p> While voting isn't
the only way to achieve social change in this country it is one of the
simplest and the one that most of us are expected to do (yet yet some of the people and parties in power want to actually make that more difficult). If those who are able
to vote who disagree with current political wisdom are willing to brave
the lines at the polls and make their voices heard with their vote,
people who want a better world it have a step towards getting there. <br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-40033580811052956212022-10-16T09:18:00.001-05:002022-10-16T09:19:41.506-05:00MIDTERM ELECTION THOUGHTS 23 DAYS OUT <p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">Sunday October 16, 2022.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">We are roughly a little over three weeks from the 2022 midterm elections here in the United States. Things are up in the air as what many thought should have been an easy victory for the GOP was thrown asunder in June when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, removing bodily autonomy from those who can get pregnant; making a little over half the u.s. population second-class citizens in the process. While this has managed to energize Democrats giving them something they can appeal to independents and more moderate voters over it has left common political wisdom up in the air.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">As for the Coupublicans, candidates highly endorsed by the Mad Fuhrer (Now Currently in Exile @) Mar-A-Lago seem to be edging further and further towards enabling fascism. A majority of GOP voters polled refused to accept that the Mad Fuhrer lost the election in 2020, claiming that voting machines and "illegal voters" stole the election from the former electoral vote winner. Conservative politicians are increasingly relying on culture war issues that target LGBTQ people as well as racial minorities as a way to keep their base angry rather than work with Democrats to try and improve the lives of their constituents. Add to the sense that the more extreme of the GOP politicians would rather settle scores for their dear leader the work on the issues that affect our lives and you get a feeling that, if they win in November, this country could go down a dark and dire path.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">In the meantime, the right-wing media as well as politicians gaslight the rest of us. They claim the overturn of Roe isn't that big of a deal even though we're already seeing scenarios a scary and deadly as those feminists warned us would happen if abortion is outlawed while they claim that those who can't get pregnant can merely travel to a state where the procedure is legal they don't take into account the costs that could prohibit many from doing so. They also refuse to acknowledged they fully plan on trying to introduce a federal abortion ban if they get a chance. Add to this some pharmacist are refusing to sell people contraception and we're beginning to see a certain segment of one religion being imposed on us more and more.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">As for the Supreme Court it appears they may be taking all the keys that could probably allow states to control how elections are conducted. While it seems harmless enough on the surface, States with GOP Governors and/or legislators are increasingly willing to consider not accepting election results don't fit the outcome they want. When mixed with voter suppression efforts and possible intimidation at the polls in November and we have a very scary mix that could bring the game against the will of the people.</span></span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">And it's not just abortion rights either. Coupublicans have hinted that they want SCOTUS to overtun the ruling that legalized same sex marriage, with some politicians even calling for allowing states to imprison people for sodomy. In addition, there are signs that the right wing wants to strip away the right os people to use contraception as well. While Coupublican politicians and right wing pundits gaslight us by saying this can't happen, what we've seen coming from states that have re-criminalized the right of pregnant people to get an abortion where women almost have to practically die to get abortions needed to save a woman's life because doctors and hospitals don't know how to respond in a time where the hard right caught the car and allowed laws based on horrible theory to get passed a lot of us know to expect if the Coupublicans regain control of Congress.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">As for the candidates themselves, some of the key races are really too close to call. This is true even if some of the candidates endorsed by the Mad Fuhrer seem to be embracing white supremacy, making christianity the national religion in spite of the First Amendment saying they can't, or just seem to be plain incompetent. Whether this is due to polarization, the fact most people don't how time to study politics deeply, or just blind faith it's hard to tell at this point (though it's likely a mixture of the three). Either way we're at a scary time right now.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">It's easy at this point, especially if you live in a red state, to fall into despair and throw up your hands thinking you can't make a difference. However, well there's no guarantee what will happen at the polls in a few weeks, just giving up and letting them steamroll over your civil liberties is a guarantee that you can't make a difference.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">A few people I know feel that SCOTUS overturning Roe was lighting a tinderbox, that into angered enough women to get out and vote out the GOP in a landslide this fall. While I want to believe this is correct I'm not so certain. I worried that some people who may not be extremely right wing on social issues they still vote for the GOP out of fear of rising taxes. In addition there are still a number women who would gladly vote against their own interests in the they'll never need what they're voting against ( thinking they'll never need an abortion for example or or if they did that there's will be the exception but other people who need it should be punished for it). Add to it the fact that a lot of people are kept too busy with their employment to study the issues and things really could go either way.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">So what to do now? First up we all have to vote. While it's far from the only thing that can be done right now the first necessary step is for those of us that oppose the Coupublican agenda in all its forms the show up and overpower the right-wing assholes at the voting booth. The Coupublicans are going to do their damnedest to suppress the vote and tried to stay in power by any means necessary (note how the supposed "pro life" boaters suddenly don't care about GA Senate candidate Herschel Walker supposedly paying for several abortions despite wanting it completely outlawed as an example). Yes sometimes you're voting for least shitty of the bunch but on one side wants to get away with a coup or force an extremely narrow definition of christianity down our throats (like too many Coupublicans seem to want to) then we might have to suck it up and make sure the right wing loses.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">In addition, we're going to have to take to the streets and make our voices heard to the best of our legal ability. The Republicans are not going to give up they're sick plan for a one-party system (Karl Rove had a vision for the GOP to be a permanent supermajority during the Dubya years and the party seems hell-bent on making that so) and seems willing to stop at nothing to get it. This has to be countered and fought every step of the way politically. It means calling both sides on the carpet when needed but knowing where the true danger really is right now. This is far from a complete look at what's at stake but it's a relatively good capsulisation of how things stand and what needs to be done.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">So who do I think is going to win in November? I don't know ( and I have little hope doubt the good white Christian folks in the red state Heartland are going to do the right thing on jack shit). However, I want to be proven wrong and I really do hope that the people predicting that the GOP will go down in flames politically like the Hindenburg are right.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">Whether that happens or not is up to me and you, so vote. </span></span></div>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-41239158111426527902022-09-17T13:34:00.001-05:002022-09-17T13:34:08.392-05:00LINDSEY'S BAN: THE SHOCKING ELECTION CAMPAIGN TWIST THAT SURPRISES NO-ONE AND WHY<p> Sen. Lindsey Graham just cxouldn't help himself, could he?</p><p>As August gave way and September began he decided to get some publicity for himself by announcing he was sponsoring an abortion ban on the Federal level. While he claimed it would outlaw the procedure after 15 weeks everyone knows this is a back door way to get abortion outlawed on the national level. </p><p>Almost immediately the mainstream media pretended to be shocked by Graham's announcement, claiming that it took the Coupublicans by surprise as they head towards the midterm elections in November. In a normal climate this may have been something the GOP would shout from the rooftops but they learned after the SCOTUS overturned Roe v Wade back at the end of June caused so much blow back and anger that trying to regulate what people who can get pregnant can do with their bodies might not be the big election gold star they thought. As such conservative insiders are trying to get politicians to backpedal on their pro forced childbirth policies and support in hopes of fooling enough moderates to vote for them in a couple of months. What Graham's statement did was take an issue that was already motivating and angering Democrats and independents and put it up front for them to capitalize on. </p><p>We won't go over the ban itself (though it appears Graham and his ilk might not propose it until after the election (probably next term, depending on the election results since the 50-50 split in the Senate means it's unlikely to gain 60 votes and almost definitely won't be made exempt from the filibuster). But ther are a couple questions that I want to briefly discuss.</p><p>First, was this really a surprise? The media framing is trying to paint this like Graham just sprung this out of nowhere in hopes that Dems would run scared. This is a possibility. However, I'm leaning a little more to what YouTuber Beau of the Fifth Column brought up - that this could be intentional as an attempt to show the ban as a compromise in order to fool moderates and independents who may otherwise vote for the GOP. The reason I lean that way is that nothing in the American right wing seems to happen by chance so odds are good that someone high up in the GOP approved this, got LIndsey Graham on board and is pretending to be shocked in hopes this will own the libs.</p><p>Liberals, of course, aren't shocked by this. IN fact they've expected something like this ever since the leaked opinion back in May suggested that SCOTUS might be wanting to take away rights and liberties for some people. The only unexpected part was the gift of this going down so close to the midterms.</p><p>Which leads us to the next question: should Democrats jump on this and point out every Coupublican politicians' pro forced childbirth stance (as well as more recent efforts to hide them)? OF COURSE. The Dobbs ruling a couple months back allowed Dems to shine a light on the other side and their hypocrisy. If they're smart they should keep on this point like a dog with a nice meaty bone and make sure nobody is uncertain of where the GOP lies on this. </p><p>I know some people are thinking that the rush to ban abortion will automatically motivate women to the polls and help to bring about a blue tidal wave that makes the Coupuiblicans a small minority. While I hope they're right I also know that the right wing loves to lie, cheat, and steal to get what they want - especially in elections since many are still pretending to be outraged over 2020, As such we have to remember that there will likely be attempts to suppress the vote as well as higher output. Add to this the white conservative women who are pro forced childbirth and will thorw the rights of their own under the bus to keep thier side in power and we can't be too careful when it comes to how this will play out.</p><p>Because of that people who want to make sure abortion access is protected (along with other issues of reproductive freedom and reproductive justice) need to make sure they can vote and that their vote is accepted. The Coupublicans will do whatever they can to try and stop the other side from winning so voting and fighting back politically against their noise is important now, in November, and afterwards.</p><p>There's a lot in the air right now but Graham's little press conference should be seen as a door for those who aren't Coupublicans to drive home what the GOP is now and make sure people realize it before the election goes down. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-91931138126903258362022-08-22T16:21:00.004-05:002022-08-22T16:21:43.857-05:00THE RAID ON MAR-A-LAGO.: TWO WEEKS ON<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Monday
August 8, 2022.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked to be a normal
day in the race towards the midterm elections this November. The Mad Fuhrer of
Mar-A-Lago had given a headlining speech a CPAC that appeared to be embracing
the leanings towards something at least fascism adjacent (if not outright
fascist) and, while taking some hits as the January 6 House Select Committee that
proved he likely helped plan the 2021 attempt to overturn the 2020 Presidential
election, still didn’t appear to be in a situation facing anything near
accountability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other side The
Biden administration was about to announce the passage of the Inflation
Reduction Act, a wide ranging (though far from perfect) bill that would finally
give the Democrats a win on passing some of their agenda before the midterms.
For the rest of us it’s going to work or families getting kids ready for school
or college while maybe taking in some last summer vacation plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the news broke……</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time the day ended we all learned that
Mar-A-Lago (the current home of former electoral vote winner The Mad Fuhrer of
Mar-A-Lago) had been raided by the FBI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It came out of nowhere and took people across the political spectrum by
surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost instantly supporters of
the Mad Fuhrer claimed that this was sheer Federal government overreach with
some even claiming it was political in nature targeting the person many
consider the be the Coupublican nominee for President in the 2024
election.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other side there were
some random people who may have delighted in this but most people were in shock
since, even as some Democrats in Congress as well as various online petitions
were urging the DOJ to charge the Mad Fuhrer, nobody expected this to go down
when they got up on this early August Monday morning.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
was even more up in the air was the debate for the reason the DOJ had the FBI
search Mar-A-Lago that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The early
official story had to do with the former electoral vote winner’s refusal to
still hand over to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NARA (National
Archive and Records Administration) every box of documents related to his time
in office. These documents were supposed to be archived before he left office
and yet ended up missing with some reports of him possibly flushing documents
he didn’t like down the toilet of the White House while in power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
were people across the political spectrum that weren’t entirely sold on the
documents as a rationale for the search and seizure of documents at
Mar-A-Lago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the right wing there was
the usual excuses for the Mad Fuhrer claiming it’s a political attack and that
Merrick Garland acting on Biden’s orders that we’ll briefly go over later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sources on the left were skeptical mainly
because we didn’t know what documents were seized with some speculating that it
might have been tied in to what happened on January 6, 2001 and the Mad
Fuhrer’s role in it. While, in retrospect, it seems slightly misguided, the
fact that nobody knew what documents the FBI took back from Mar-A-Lago <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(or what they were about) it’s understandable
that people might think that.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
we didn’t expect was news breaking around the mid to late evening hours on
August 11 (three days after the raid) that there were reports of nuclear
documents may have been among the files taken from Mar-A-Lago. It was
especially telling given that one commentator on CNN stated that “unless
nuclear codes” were found in the documents the raid was sure to “backfire” on
the Biden administration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we still
aren’t certain that there were the infamous nuclear codes (something no former
President should have once they leave office) in his possession at Mar-A-Lago,
there were documents at least as sensitive as the codes that could launch a
nuclear weapon were in the residence of someone who had no business having them
anywhere near him since Biden was inaugurated in late January 2021.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then
on Friday came a new level of shock for a week that had already taken a lot of
people by surprise when it comes to current events. After a request was filed
by Attorney General Garland to unseal documents related to the raid (calling
the Mad Fuhrer’s bluff), it was released to the public. In it was then learned
that not only was the Mad Fuhrer (Now Currently in Exile @) Mar-A-Lago under
investigation for keeping classified documents but also for possible
obstruction of justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This seemed
within what people were expecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
wasn’t expected was learning that the Mad Fuhrer (Now Current in Exile @) Mar-A-Lago
was being investigated for reported violations of the Espionage Act.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes,
you read that right. The former leader of the U.S. is being investigated for
violating the Espionage Act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since
things are still ongoing there’s a lot we don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we are aware of from the subpoena and
from what we’ve learned about the raid is telling indeed.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shortly after the raid it was revealed that
the FBI seized 11 sets of comments in various stages of classification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several of them were labeled “top Secret”
with one labeled “Top Secret/SCI”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
latter means it should only be seen in a secure classified location – something
Mar-A-Lago doesn’t qualify as by a long shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In fact one former reality show contestant who was invited to Mar-A-Lago bragged on social media that he basically was allowed almost everywhere and that Secret Service didn't seem too concerned about it. If true, does that sound like a place where one would feel comfortable about storing top secret documents?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The Mad Fuhrer almost immediately went on a varying degree of crying about his so-called persecution and that he['s being targeted because the Democrats fear running against him in 2024, using some variation of this over the past two weeks. He's also appeared on news sources sympathetic to him and claimed that the anger is the worst he's ever seen in this country (while ignoring the fact he helped intensity a good shitload of it) and that something bad will happen in this country if the Department Of Justice et al go after him. His minions have taken his talking points and spun them with the two main ones being that the Mad Fuhrer is being targeted as a political hit by the Biden Administration and that "if the FBI can target him than they can target any of us and that all Americans should be alarmed.:" Both sound semi rational on the surface but they're both bullshit., </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">First, the Mad Fuhrer lost the election and shouldn't have those documents in the first place. They were supposed to be archived by NARA as part of the leaving process. but, since he sulked off to Florida when the coup attempt didn't go his way, a lot of what should've happened in those last few weeks didn't happen. Also, one of his lawyers said a while back after 15 boxes of documents were returned to the government that there were no more Top Secret documents at Mar-A-Lago - they fucking lied. It also makes the reports that the Mad Fuhrer had a standing order that declassified any document he took home to be bullshit (his administration actually made mishandling some documents a felony). </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> As for the Biden administration I agree with E.J.Dionne (whom I normally think is way too moderate) that Biden et al wanted to focus to be on the Inflation Reduction Act which finally got passed by both Houses of Congress and was about to be signed into law. Being somewhere close to getting some issues on Biden's agenda somewhere close to realized would be the thing they want to focus on. The FBI raid knocked that down a bit on the media focus, which means a lot of people hear about the raid but maybe not so much about the IR Act,. Reports are a lot of Democrats in Congress were shocked by the raid as well, meaning it's unlikely that they all got together to make this raid happen right after the Mad Fuhrer came off of CPAC full of adoration over him seeming to even lean further towards fascist like thoughts and policies. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">As for the "if the Mad Fuhrer can be raided by the FBI then they can go after any American" talking point, those pushing this overlook the FBI's COINTELPRO program of the 1960s which targeted civil rights, feminist, and anti war groups with disinformation, spying,misinformation to destroy people's lives, and even some allegations of them engaging in assassinations. The right wing overlooks this either because they are totally unaware of this or, more likely, because those the FBI went after were those people and groups they disagreed with and opposed. By exploiting the poor teaching of history in American schools and how many people don't know history, they can ignite fear amongst those who drunk the Mad Fuhrer (Now Currently in Exile @) Mar-A-Lago's non carbonated drink mix who see what they want to see and fail to see what obviously has happened with January 6, 2021, The Mad Fuhrer keeping documents he shouldn't have had, and the like.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">This leaves us to now. The Mad Fuhrer is still occasionally spouting off how he's being persecuted and some are suggesting he held those papers as leverage to possibly threaten to sell to other countries if he gets charged. While that is conjecture what we do know is that this story is far from over and that, unless the Mad Fuhrer is held to some accountability, he will only be emboldened and keep taking things farther until him or his fans try another coup attempt. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">As those of us who remember the January 6 2021 coup attempt can attest to - This needs to be stopped before that even becomes an option again.<br /></span></span></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-86818019928106689572022-08-12T15:55:00.002-05:002022-08-12T15:55:40.894-05:00LIFE IN POST ROE MUR'KA: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND WHERE THIS COULD LEAD<p> As I type this it has been about a month and a half since the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v Wade, thus taking away what was a constitutional right ( in this case, the right of those who can get pregnant to be able to have and access an abortion if a pregnancy is unwanted or if their life is in danger) on a federal level from over half the country's population. A number of states (almost all ran by Coupublicans) had trigger laws that automatically went into effect making the procedure illegal while other states pushed through abortion bans in as quick a time as possible, regardless of what the aftermath may be. In the time since the situation women (as well as trans men and non binary people who can get pregnant) find themselves in when it comes to their health has become the shit show that reproductive freedom and reproductive justice advocates predicted it would with storied of women who end up in medically induced comas or, in one case dead, because their pregnancies either were ecotopic or they had a condition that would make carrying a fetus to term life threatening or fatal. There's also the case of a 10 year old girl in Ohio who was raped and had to cross state lines to get an abortion not being believed by the right wing media and the doctor being targeted by the same asshats when it was proven true. It doesn't take a lot of searching online to see how the right wing's pro forced childbirth agenda is causing havoc and problems for actual people. </p><p><br />While I had planned to write about these things I do see them covered fairly well elsewhere so I;m going to take a different tack on the subject. This was supposed to close out the new print issue but certain surprise events caused a shake up there so this is off to the blog. With that in mind let's explore LIFE IN POST ROE MUR'KA: THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY, AND THE PLAIN SCARY.</p><p><br />THE GOOD<br />This goes to the state of Kansas, where voters turned out against a proposed amendment that would say people don't have a constitutional right to an abortion in said state, thus allowing legislators to push laws to make it illegal in Kansas too. Written confusingly (in this case voting no was protecting the right to choose for those who can get pregnant) and planned for a vote not even in the midterms but during a primary election in a midterm election year those trying to force this upon people were counting on low voter turnout and confusing language to get their way. If SCOTUS hadn't of jumped the gun by overturning Roe, they might have succeeded.</p><p><br />Instead, people were angry enough to get out to vote in numbers few expected otherwise. Add to this (for full disclosure) the confusing manner in which the law was written (I think in hopes they could confused people into voting their rights away if they weren't paying attention) and this law was widely kicked to the curb across the political spectrum. Yes, even a good chunk of GOP voters sent this down in flames. </p><p><br />To tell the truth I was expecting this to go the other way in part due to voter suppression efforts on the GOP side, the confusing language of the bill, and primary election turnout expectations, The fact that Kansas did the right thing is a sigh of relief and hopefully a blueprint for voters and the left to fight for and expand their rights in the upcoming elections.</p><p><br />THE BAD</p><p>This goes out to the bad faith arguments on the pro forced childbirth side given when challenged on certain things. From heads of pro forced childbirth organizations claiming that street lights in DC are powered by aborted fetuses to claims that the treatment for ecotopic pregnancy isn't an abortion when the procedure is an abortion , there's a tendency top shift goal posts to deflect from the aftermath of their side getting what they want, even though the majority of Americans don't want this. Add to this one politicians' attempt to claim abortion and infanticide are one in the same by trying to gotcha reproductive justice advocates over a question over whether babies can be terminated after they're born and when called on the question's stupidity and bad faith casing refusing to let up. This last example is especially heinous since this guy knows there's a difference between the two (anyone who understands basic pregnancy cycles and how the law works can see this) and is trying to gibe raw meat to his base as he faces re-election. </p><p><br />Expect to see more of this bullshit in the next couple of years (abetted by the corporate owned mainstream media who often refuses to push back on arguments anyone who thinks about it for more than five minutes can see are made in bad faith) since in the blow back from this (and their plans for a national ban - we all know these asshats are planned for this now) along with the gaslighting that those in red states can simply travel to a state where abortion is legal despite knowing that i take resources and time to travel to another state and that some states are planning vigilante style laws to sue those helping someone who leaves a states for this procedure or wants to force their laws onto doctors in other states to stop residents from states where it's illegal from getting an abortion (this will effect poor to lower middle class people the most since everyone knows the upper middle class and the wealthy will likely be able to travel for this with little interference [especially if its a family member or a mistress of a pro forced childbirth right wing politician).</p><p></p><p>WHERE THIS COULD LEAD</p><p> The ugly part here is that while the mainstream media is gaslighting people that are reminding the people that this is merely the start, people in the pro forced childbirth movement are already working on plans to make contraception illegal (even for married couples). Justice Thomas even suggested doing so in his argument for overturning Roe. Meanwhile,there are hints that same sex marriage and LGBTQIA rights will be under attack next and that more rights may be taken away regardless of the views of the American people. Hell, one or two people in Congress have even suggested that states should be able to outlaw interracial marriage as "states rights." </p><p>The gaslighting is especially nauseating because people either try to claim that SCOTUS is just leaving this to the states (while ignoring that some of these pro forced childbirth states are trying to prevent those who can get pregnant (yes, the majority of people who get pregnant are women, but some trans men and non binary people can as well) form being able to travel to get it done. </p><p>The fact that other rights may be in the cross-hairs as some sort of sick christian supremacist fantasy also pays no account to how this will affect gay couples in red states or interracial couples if it gets to that point. Will their marriages be grandfathered and allowed but not new ones? Will they automatically be divorced by state decree? What if a couple can't afford to move? The fact that those wanting to push this bullshit never give this any thought shows that being cruel is the feature here and that any claims from the right wing that all lives matters is bullshit. A fact made especially poignant when reports emerge of pro choice protests having trucks rammed through them or some asshat deciding to just scream at and physically assault protesters.</p><p>SO IS THIS THE END OF THE LINE</p><p>Of course not. However, things are complicated now for obvious reasons. Because of this we have to acknowledge that this upcoming election is important and we need to vote out any asshole that thinks overturning Roe was a good thing. We also have to remember that politicians usually won't do anything unless there's pressure form the people to make them act. While it will seem like an uphill battle this is ture now more than evee.</p><p><br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-26935075516717417722022-06-23T13:27:00.004-05:002022-06-23T13:29:33.133-05:00THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ESTABLISHMENT'S CURRENT FRAMING OF THE COUPUBLICANS IS CONCERNING TO SAY THE LEAST (OR A FEW THOUGHTS ON WHY THEY SHOULD STOP COWERING AND FIGHT)<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It's June 23, 2022 as I type this. We are just slightly over four months away from the 2022 midterm election - and the the Democratic party mainstream appears to be hanging on by a thread.</span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Decades of catering to the middle of the road Road White soccer moms in the suburbs instead of the people who historically make up their base have created a situation where the party has largely failed to gain that vote and has partially damaged the power of Labor teachers and civil rights organizations that decades ago made up their base. As a result, mainstream wisdom is predicting a big win for the Coupublicans this November with third-party winning either one or both houses of Congress in the process.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Meanwhile, on a variety of issues, establishment Democrats appear to be playing from behind when it comes to messaging. From the various culture war issues that the American right-wing seems to rely on this bread and butter even issues of the economy and energy issues the dumb seem to accept the right-wing messaging spread through the corporate own mainstream media rather than go out and create their own or fight back.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Part of this lies in the fact that the democratic party establishment manage to hold on to what power they had through constant appealing to the center instead of standing on what they're supposed to stand for. While this strategy was successful in earning money from wealthy donors it also gave the party at appearance of being wishy-washy and wimpy in the eyes of many people.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So what does this have to do with the Democratic party establishment today? Even as they're facing a crucial midterm election establishment Dems sing to go out their way to point out a difference between who they call "typical Republicans" and the Mad Fuhrer (Now currently in Exile @) Mar-A-Lago. On the surface it is an old political ploy play in a way to get votes On The Other Side by claiming they're not like the guy at the top of the ticket. While an approach like this may have worked somewhat in the past it is a dangerous road to go down to in an age of political polarization like the last twenty or so years.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the 2016 election, for example, this approach almost cost them the Senate as a number of GOP voters either voted for Biden or left the top of the ticket blank but still voted for Coupublicans in the Senate and House races. On the surface right now it appears they're going to try the same tactic for the 2022 midterms.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What the strategy leaves out is that, to varying degrees, each of our two major political parties how shockingly different attitudes towards the other one. Establishment Democrats have often gone on record claiming the need for a strong opposition party; an understandable point but one seemingly at odds with the current political climate. Mainstream Coupublican politics, meanwhile, has gotten increasingly wrapped up in conspiracy theories such as QANON and the like and as such have been feeding the worst amongst them (and their supposed belief that all Democrats are a satanic cabal who do sick things to children [all without any actual concrete proof] and need to be wiped off the face of the Earth). As you can see, the two parties are not the same when it comes to how they regard each other. One is showing respect to the other in a dignified way and the other is increasing engaged (either out of a sincere belief or in bad faith messaging to gain votes) with bad faith based arguments that dehumanize their political opposition and appear to be edging closer and closer to being fascism adjacent. It also means that the Democratic party establishment I may be blind to the fact that these conspiracies are somewhat of an existential threat and and they can't be reasoned with.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So what do the Democrats need to do? First up they need to fight and fight hard against the Coupublicans instead of hoping to chip away at a few of their votes. Now is not the time to try and claim that the average person in the opposition party can be reasoned with and is not as extreme ask the guy who led them for 5 plus years (especially since many of them either hope to vote for him again or are looking at someone equally as extreme such as Florida Gov. Ron Desantis, for example). They need to try and get has many of the Dems in office as possible and not cave when it turns out an establishment Dem loses a primary or something like that.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It's not that the Democratic party establishment is incapable of fighting. In fact, they can be quite vicious when they need to be. Unfortunately, they are more likely to be aggressive when fighting progressives on their side(such as the Congresspeople involved in what's called The Squad or Sen. Bernie Sanders (I know Bernie's technically an independent but it still qualifies)) than their political enemies on the other party that are way more willing to go for the throat. If they really want to win that shit has to stop, they need to focus some of that anger they spew towards non moderates on their side and aim it at the Republicans. More often than just during a campaign ad a month before election.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">At this point the good news is nothing is absolutely certain. The January 6th select Congressional committee hearings actually found the domes leading on the issue rather than catching up with right-wing framing in regards to the coup attempt year-and-a-half ago. While there is no guarantee that this will win over those few moderate Republicans left (who appear to be getting more and more rare by the minute) it has managed to put on the map pure Earth than there was during the first hearing a couple weeks back (according to polls a majority of Americans claim to want the Mad Fuhrer prosecuted for his role leading up to the January 6th coup attempt). But there is still four months until the midterm elections and a lot can change between now and then.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What is true when all is said and done is that the Democratic party establishment needs to stop its constant catering to the middle and fight like hell to make sure they went in November. The fact that the progressives in the HOuse and Senate the Dems often tend to attack in one way or another were the ones fighting hardest to try and make President Biden'[s agenda happen while "moderates" such as Senators Joe Machin (WV) or Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) do almost more damage to Biden than the GOP does a lot of times is proof that they need to get the courage and adapt to changing political times. If that means speaking to more and doing things for more average people than their wealthy donors they need to take that step.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It's up to them to do so. Nobody else can do it for them. While I cannot see how the midterms will turn out I can say that if the Coupublicans when one or both houses of Congress then this country's future will be very bleak indeed.</span></div>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-42893556465182193712022-05-11T13:04:00.002-05:002022-05-11T13:04:32.110-05:00THE LEAKED SUPREME COURT DECISION REGARDING ROE V WADE AND WHY IT MAY BE MORE DIRE THAN PEOPLE THINK<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I've been meaning to write this
post for about the past week and a half but have been germinating over what to
say. This may do little more than scratch the surface but it's something
still need to think about right now.<br />
<br />
Like the majority of Americans I was shocked when news broke of the Supreme
Court opinion by Justice Samuel Alito that's most likely going to overturn Roe v
Wade, the 1973 ruling that struck down state laws outlawing abortion. If
this is correct something that has been a constitutionally-protected right this
country for 49 years will become illegal in much of the country, stripping
those who can get pregnant the ability to make the decision of what to do with
said pregnancy when it happens.<br />
<br />
With this leak many Americans have found themselves angry and have taken to the
streets in protest in actions ranging from simple protest rallies to at least
one instance I know about of an intersection being blocked. All of this
occurring while the corporate-owned mainstream media seems to have taken the
right focusing on the leak rather than the content in the leak. <br />
<br />
By letting the news story be about the leak rather than about half the
population of a constitutional right the corporate-owned mainstream media
dilute some of the anger from the story. It also runs the risk of what's
really at stake at this does happen.<br />
<br />
Those in the pro forced childbirth camp (most of them aren't actually "pro life" so we will not call them that) claim that by getting rid of Roe it will provide
protection to what they consider "unborn babies." what it really will
do is make access to abortion virtually a
nonentity if you are not middle to upper middle-class or above. At the same
time at this decision will be released this many states that would seek
to Outlaw abortion (if they wouldn't already outlawed do to fucked up trigger
laws that would automatically make abortion illegal once Roe is overturned) will place various laws to push through said bans and punish those that perform or seek them (we;ll touch upon that later in the post). These states, in many cases,
also don't have infrastructure in place to help the possible rise in expectant
mothers who would be struggling financially with next to no relief and no
options thanks to right wing ignorance and short-sightedness. And some of these
states baby been cut unemployment benefits and would force people to take
lower-paying jobs under the guise of "keeping the economy going."<br />
<br />
In addition, there is no mandatory maternity or paternity leave in this
country, and there seems to be a mockery of the idea of extending that very
same right to people from many of those who desire to take away the right of a woman (as well as those trans men and
non-binary people can get pregnant) from being able to control their own bodies
and plan their own families if they so choose. <br />
<br />
Overturning Roe will also do is play a role in stripping back to rights men at
least five or six decades. People forget that it wasn't until the 1970s
but a woman could have a bank account in her own name. It was also around
that time that people began to slowly realize it's wrong for a woman to be
raped by her husband (yes, sickeningly enough, marital rape was legal until
sometime within the last five decades). I give these two examples the show
things have in fact come along way for women in those five decades but, if Roe
goes away then those rights we take for granted could be on shaky ground as
well.<br />
<br />
On the more immediate front, stripping away the right to choose doesn't affect
just abortion. Being forced to have a child before you're ready also
potentially limits job prospects (having to take care of a kid is a time
commitment that can't eat up time normally spent studying or working even when
the child is wanted) as well as possibly forcing women into bad and/or abusive
relationships because of the pregnancy (and the pressure to stick together for
the kids). While these everyday doors are bad enough late for those who
can get pregnant whether they are women, trans men, or non binary people is
even worse and more horrendous than pre Roe.<br />
<br />
Several states have legislation in the pipe that would make it illegal women to
go to a state where abortion is legal to take care of the procedure. Never
mind that legislation such as this in reality actually violates the right to
travel that most Americans assume is automatic, legislation like this basically
makes those who can get pregnant prisoners under a repressive form of house
arrest and gives them less rights than residents of said states born with a
penis. Some states are even planning state laws that would prosecute abortion
providers in states where are the procedure would still be legal the face
prison time or doing what is legal in the state they worked in if they perform
an abortion on someone living in a state where it isn't legal. <br />
<br />
In other words, states where abortion would be outlawed are planning to
prosecute and imprison women buys they're not ready to have a kid and choose to
have an abortion, possibly with homicide charges. This differs from before Roe
v Wade in that back then fetal life wasn't the reason why was it illegal and
prosecutions tended to be related to vice and morals issues more than anything
else. They also generally didn't target the women that sought out abortions but targeted doctors. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time around,
though the legislation proposed against abortion rights in various states has a
hatefulness to it that targets women as well as LGBTQ people and non binary people who
can get pregnant. Their proponents almost seem to salivate at the chance to
punish these people if they make a choice that goes against interpretation of a
specific religion that seems to have grabbed one political party in this country
rather than laws based in reality.<br />
<br />
Who this would really target though are poor and lower middle class women,
especially those that aren't white, who often don't have the resources or
aren't able to get the time the travel hours out of their way to you have a
medical procedure they should rightfully have access to. Laws like these also
are hard to enforce on those who can get pregnant who are at least middle
middle class or higher-income who have more resources and may be able to travel
more easily and without questions to have the procedure done. <br />
<br />
It should be clear at this point that while these laws might not mention race
or class specifically. The people who would most likely be affected by this
would be non-white women and poor people of all races. Some of these people
will face more desperate situations pigeons well upper-class white women will
be able to able to make the decision Bible where they can with minimal hassle
(and you know damn well that this purses of corporate CEOs and right-wing
politicians what happened abortions done no questions asked - all while the
latter proposes and passes more restrictive laws to limit what those who can
get pregnant do with their bodies).<br />
<br />
Now some moderates and right-wingers may try to gaslight those being alarmed at
this, claiming it's about protecting "the unborn" and wouldn't really
affect other parts of life. The problem with this is shit like this always
snowballs and has unintended consequences that takes rights form people other than those targeted). Even before this decision became public right-wingers are already
proposing that the Supreme Court overturn Obergefell v Hodges, the 2013 SCOTUS decision that made same-sex
marriages legal nationwide. Also, a number of right-wing politicians are already proposing going
after the right to contraception (something, ironically enough, that lessens
the number of abortions), either wanting them outlawed out right or making it
illegal for single women to have birth control. Even if this is nothing more than
culture-war talking points heading to the midterms the fact that some people in
positions of power or even proposing this shows that this has nothing to do
with protecting families or even protecting those who can get pregnant but is actually
about control, power, and a desire to punish those who don't fit their
narrow definition of what their interpretation of their religion says people
should live and love.<br />
<br />
As I mentioned earlier one heartening thing about all the sickening turn in the
wars on both women and LGBTQ people who can get pregnant is that is has pissed
off a lot of people and made them take out to the street in protest, from the
typical marches to, in some instances, people blocking traffic to peaceful
protests outside the homes of Supreme Court Justices, who are crying butt hurt
over this supposed " invasion" of their privacy even as barriers were
put up in front of the Supreme Court so people couldn't protest there. This
anger and outrage (as well as the desire to fight against it) is unlikely to go
away - nor should it. And I have a feeling once the ruling is made public that
people will be in the streets voicing their outrage over SCOTUS and right-wing
politicians taking rights away from over half the country's population.
This is going to get tense, and possibly ugly, but it will have to be done.<br />
<br />
As I post this the US Senate is voting on The Women's Health Protection Act,
which would codify Roe v Wade into federal law (something they should have done
a long damn time ago). Like many I called my senators (though those doing so in
blood red states may wonder if it does any damn good). The Democrats seem to be
slightly recharged by this (we'll focus on that in another post) but if this
vote fails they better be prepared to bring it up until they get it passed. It
will take a while but establishment Dems need to fight their natural urge to
cave to Coupublicans and actually work for the people instead of their wealthy
donors to make this so. <br />
<br />
The upcoming SCOTUS ruling on Roe isn't completely unexpected given the
shenanigans Coupublicans have pulled they've had control of Congress.
However at this point in time it will not be the end of the story people will
need to fight back against this and realize that things are going to get worse
and very very ugly before they get better.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Yes, I’m aware that this post is
a very brief detailing of what’s at stake here if Roe v Wade is overturned but
it should be something to consider for those wondering what the fuss is about
or those naïve enough to think that the right wing will stop with abortion and
not touch other rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want to
push the country back decades and it’s up to the rest of us to do what we can
to fight that tide and stop it.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></p>
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Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-38139148940949394962022-04-28T12:03:00.003-05:002022-04-28T12:03:41.740-05:00A BRIEF EXPLANATION ON WHY I HAVE BEEN SCARCE ON THE BLOG OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS.<p> Hey! Sorry for not being on here very much (or really almost at all) recently. Been meaning to get on here but the scheudling at the paying job had been crazy and that, combined with a number of other obligations, means I don't get to the blog as often as I'd like. While I wish I could post more often life often gets in the way and I don't always get to be on here (even when I have ideas for posts as I'm working on the print issues). Then there's the issue of feeling burnt out and overwhelmed in the midst of it all, which I felt at the start of this year. Please accept my apologies for not posting all that often and, while I hope to rectify that in the future, if I'm not able to post very often I hope this explains some of the situation why this doesn't get updated as much as I'd like.</p><p>Here's hoping I can get on here more often. <br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-37918957206715767632021-12-17T14:38:00.001-06:002021-12-17T14:38:05.676-06:00SO THOSE POLITICIANS AND PUNDITS DOWNPLAYING THE COUP ATTEMPT TEXTED WHAT?<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">So the past week The House Select
Committee on 1/6 come across some definite revelations regarding what happened
back on January 6, 2021.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Documents released to the committee
by former chief of staff to the Mad Fuhrer (Now Currently in Exile at)
Mar-A-Lago Mark Meadows (who was supposed to cooperate and testify to the
Committee but backed out last week) have found that while the coup attempt was
going down in the Capital, several politicians were texting him asking him to
tell the Mad Fuhrer (a/k/a: now former electoral vote winner Donny) to tell
those who stormed the building to stop and go home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition Fox News personalities Sean
Hannity, Laura Ingraham and Bryan Kilmeade texted Meadows asking him to get
his boss to stop what went down. All of this while the Mad Fuhrer watched the
violence on TV and refused to comment or take action to halt it for several
hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">So why are these text messages
important? Some people would say they don't mean much or that they didn't
believe that add pure was in fact responsible for the capitol on January 6th.
However, if that were the case I would they be texting Mark Meadows ask him to
speak to his boss? When they just be asking the police for help? The answer to
these questions lies in two the text messages themselves those Meadows by Fox
News personalities.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">For example the politicians who
texted Meadows while this is going on we're asking for help because they were
being ambushed. They were warning of violence at the Capitol building that was
going down at the moment. Later on many of these Coupublican politicians but
deny that there was violence on January 6th with some referring to it as a
normal protest and one congressperson all in the mob that stormed the capital
"a tourist group (never mind that no one in a tourist group as ever had
attacking police officer for blue lives matter flags, stealIng fixtures and
documents, are busting into a main number what chance to hang someone - in this
instance co electoral vote winner Mikey - as part of their itinerary).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The texts to Meadows from two of the
Fox News<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>personalities who contacted him
that day are especially telling. Laura Ingraham's text urged Meadows that
" the president needs to tell people to go home" and that he was
" destroying his legacy." Kilmeade's text seconded what Ingraham said
claiming that those involved in the insurrection were " destroying
everything [now former el electoral vote winner Donny] had accomplished."
it is telling because, even though publicly that night they would downplay the
violence that happened at the Capital (with Ingram even suggesting it was
possibly started by activist from Black Lives Matter or Antifa), they're
private text to a chief of staff urged him to get his boss to say something to
stop what was going down. In other words, they knew the shit was bad and had a
pretty good idea who was the blame for riling everyone up tell a March to the
Capital and then and decided to see search through the capital injury not only
Capital police officers but even some of their own that got caught in the
stampede.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Yes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>a case could be made that their statements on the air left some gray
area as to who is responsible. Still, if they really thought that b l m or
antifa or the ones responsible for this do they think that they would have
stopped because the Mad Fuhrer<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>told them
to?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The truth is they knew, or had a
pretty good idea, who was responsible for the tragedy that happened last year
because their guy didn't get the election results he wanted. In fact, one
particular text that we haven't mentioned yet pretty much goes straight to the
point of this.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">In a series of texts to Meadows the
Mad Fuhrer (Now Currently In Exile at) Mar-A-Lago's oldest son Little Donny
urged Meadows to tell his father that " he needs to make an Oval
[Office]address" and that this had " too far and had gotten out of
hand." he also told Meadows that his father needed to "condemn the
shit ASAP."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Put aside the strangeness of Little
Donny texting his father's Chief of Staff instead of calling his father
outright, what is text is that that some of this may be planned but didn't
expect results to be as violent as they ended up being. As a result this
awkward questions that people need to be subpoenaed and made to testify about.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Was the storming of the capital
planned? If so, who was responsible for planning the siege?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the administration knew about it then how
far up<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>did the knowledge of this go?
Until we get some clear answers on this the coup attempt is going to be problem
or if you know of any are held to account.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Like the Fox News commentators
numbers in Congress who downplayed the coup attempt Little Donny has done his
part to try and deflect from what the texts he sent Meadows actually said your
suit texted Meadows on that January Wednesday afternoon Little Donny also ask
some idea of where are the responsibilities lies for the events of that day as
his father stirred shut up and had his fans march toward the Capital to try and
overturn the election results claiming<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>he might join them (as I said earlier in this piece he didn't join them
but watched it on TV instead). While they later downplayed what had happened
that day all the people who texted Meadows contacted him try and get the match
your to stop the storming of the Capital. The fact The Meadows is trying to claim
executive privilege the reason not to testify<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(even though he has his own coming out on his time at the White House)
shows that really didn't do much to try and make boss do something to Halt the
coup attempt that day.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">If these were normal times the committee
would be far more of a news item than it is now. However for too long scandals
have been allowed to pop up and then disappear when the pundits of the
corporate controlled mainstream media go on to something else in pursuit of
ratings or to distract from some issue those who owned media Outlets stop focus
on.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Regardless there needs to be
accountability for what happened on January 6th. We need to know how far up the
ladder the attempted coup planning went, if anyone from the previous
dministration was involved, and what - if anything - did the Mad Fuhrer of
Mar-A-Lago know about this. Until these steps are taken The Coop applicants
will continue to not take this seriously and think no one needs to be held
accountable for it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">If we don't want another coup
attempt to happen again in this country we need to make sure that someone is
held accountable for this. </span></p>
Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-74675425260823967472021-11-30T13:38:00.004-06:002021-11-30T13:38:51.603-06:00SOMETHING DEMOCRATS NEED TO LEARN AND TAKE TO HEART<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">It’s the end of 2021. We’re one
year into the Biden-Harris administration and the 2022 midterm elections are
about 11 months away (give or take a few days).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the Democrats are in trouble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Recent polls show the Democrats
taking a plunge in support from the general public – or at least those willing
to take part in a poll or survey. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of
President Biden’s agenda has been held up at the moment not just by Coupublicans
but by two Dems in the Senate (Joe Manchin [WV] and Kyrsten Sinema [AZ]) who’s refusal
to support abolishing the filibuster much less anything that could raise taxes
for wealthy donors or actually provide concrete support for those people who
may need it the most has not only forced Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris
to scrap key parts of the Build Back Better agenda, but also hurts an already
fragile Democratic party majority in both houses of Congress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of this has the mainstream media
predicting the Coupublicans resuming control of at least one house of Congress
in the midterms, despite said party refusing to accept the severity of the January
6, 2001 coup attempt or fully deal with very real problems this country still
faces.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">So what needs to be done? Mainstream pundits in the corporate owned media claim the Dems are in trouble for adopting policies that are supposedly "too far left." They claim this is losing the elusive suburban moderate, citing the recent loss to the Coupubs in the VA Governors Race. However, the far left of the party are the ones fighting hardest to try and get most of Biden's agenda passed. We';re also living in a time when many people are leaving jobs that a lot of them can't afford to quit due to a mix of COVID, not being paid enough, and increasingly untenable working conditions. Add to this a rise in workers strikes with some gaining the most amount of ground since before Reagan fired the air traffic controllers back in 1981. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">This is where the Dems need to put their energy and focus. Over the past few decades they've shifted focus from the working class to the upper middle class and the suburbs with mixed success (Bill Clinton's two terms as President is cited though the 1994 Repub counterrevolution was a fairly large slide backwards, for example). It also led them to try and emulate what the Coupublicans used to be, causing them to move even further to the right in the process. As a result, those the Democrats could get as solid voters have gotten overlooked in hopes of gaining Coupub voters who tire of the culture war shtick. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">This tends to fail more than they succeed. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">So what should the Dems do? They should embrace what's going on and focus on working class issues such as making the minimum wage a living wage, improving access to healthcare (<i>including where it applies to reproductive justice issues)</i>, and the like. This, along with making sure we focus on the truth about our history as something to reckon with and make this place better are a couple of things that the establishment democrats should do, not just as a strategy, but because it's the right thing to do.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Will the establishment democrats do this? I wish I could say yes. However, given that both parties in the U.S. listen to wealthy donors way more than actual people I have a fear they'll gladly throw themsleves on a grenade to keep that gravy train flowing while those they're supposed to help suffer. It;s easy for those in power to accept repeatedly losing what they're supposed to get for their voters as long as they make money.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Times are hard now, both in realistic terms as well as politics. The Democrats are in trouble but it isn't terminal. Still, unless they move away from trying to be a slightly less hard right imitation of the Coupubs and become devoted to actually helping those they represent then even abolishing the filibuster (which they should've done months ago) might not help them when all is said and done.<br /></p>
Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-2270114536069856242021-04-20T11:40:00.007-05:002021-04-20T12:10:32.173-05:00WAITING FOR THE VERDICT - THOUGHTS ON THE DEREK CHAUVIN MURDER TRIAL<p>As I type this the jury for the Derek Chauvin murder trial in Minneapolis, MN has entered the first full day of deliberations before reaching a verdict. While most of us have our thoughts on the former cop's guilt or innocence it now lies in the hands of 12 people. With that in mind a few thoughts are in order.</p><p>Let's start with the guilty or innocence issue. What we do know is that Chauvin's knee being of the neck of George Floyd for almost ten minutes is what led to the latter's death. While Chauvin's defense has claimed Floyd died of complications of previous medical issues in conjunction with that (hypertension, drug dependency issues, etc) medical experts called by the prosecution stated in their testimonies that those deaths would appear different during the autopsy than they did in Floyd's case (his autopsy ruled his death a homicide). When added to evidence that wasn't allowed in the trial (such as Chauvin's history of police misconduct complaints - over 15 in the course of his career) as well as testimony from bystanders that Chauvin's knee remained on Floyd's neck minutes after George Floyd was unconscious [a couple of reports have said the knee remained even after Floyd died) and it's clear that Chauvin's act was a large reason why George Floyd died that late Spring afternoon.l </p><p>So was it murder? Hard to say. Chauvin is charged with 2nd degree murder, 3rd degree murder, and manslaughter. Because of this we know that it wasn't premeditated. However, his actions would likely garner a guilty charge of murder if the defendant hadn't worked in law enforcement. This exact charge is up to the jury to decide so anything here may be speculation. </p><p>As for the trial itself, the fact the prosecution went for the jugular in a trial involving a police officer is a change from normal. Due to the difficulties of a police officer's job [both real and perceived] it's hard for an officer to be charged if an incidence of misconduct ends up killing someone. In some cases DA's overcharge and then don't do the best job prosecuting the case in the trial. This is also made difficult by the face that a prosecutor often has to work with police on their cases for the state, which requires them to walk a tightrope. In this case though several police officers, including the MPLS chief of police, testified that Chauvin violated policies on use of force. In addition, the prosecution on this case predicted a lot of what the defense might do and countered a lot of it early on. The defense did what they could with what they had but, when their best expert witness is being sued on the grounds he reportedly helped police in Maryland cover up a death, there are some stumbling blocks that - unless they're hoping for a mistrial or jury nullification - might not work well for them.</p><p>So should Derek Chauvin be convicted? Personally I say he should, even if only of manslaughter. While he may not have planned to kill George Floyd the fact that an off duty first responder told an officer at the scene that Floyd was losing consciousness and was ignored when she told them they needed to get the knee off of Floyd's neck shows that things that might (emphasis on might - we can't know for sure) have changed the outcome of this shows that the officer's actions are a main factor leading to Floyd's death. And all of this over the reported passing of a counterfeit $20.00 bill - something that nobody should be killed over. <br /><br />However, as I stated earlier in this, while many of us outside the jury can believe Chauvin is guilty of at least manslaughter if not 3rd degree murder, it's up the the jury to decide. They have to put aside any of the media information they may have seen before the trial and focus on the evidence they were given. Is it possible that they'll find Derek Chauvin guilty? Yes. It can also end up in a not guilty verdict or a mistrial, depending on those 12 jurors and how they read the evidence.<br /><br />And speaking of mistrials...Chauvin's attorney (Eric Nelson) yesterday in the closing arguments tried to use the statements of Rep. Maxine Waters (D, CA), who stated that Chauvin should be found guilty and that, if he isn't, people need to become vocal vocal and more confrontational, as something that would taint the jury, While the judge dismissed that he stated that they could use that in the mistrial., While that, and the reading of jury instructions when he did (before closing arguments when normally they're read after closing arguments wrap up) are odd it's hard to say whether the jury will take those into account. Also, as Cenk Uygur of the Young Turks pointed out, nobody asks for a mistrial if they think they're winning. <br /><br />So will the jury bring a guilty or not guilty verdict for Derek Chauvin? Who knows. We do know that, regardless of the verdict it will be tense out in the streets. Here's hoping the tension doesn't become an explosive powder keg.<br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-7633692210190758522021-04-02T11:27:00.002-05:002021-04-02T11:27:21.416-05:00A FEW VERY BRIEF THOUGHTS ON THE DEREK CHAUVIN MURDER TRIAL: THE SAD, THE INFURIATING, AND THE WEIRDLY UNDERSTANDABLE<p>Today marks day five of the Derek Chauvin murder trial in Minneapolis, MN. Chauvin is the former police officer from Minneapolis that faces charges of 2nd degree unintentional murder, 3rd degree murder and 2nd degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd after he and three other officers confronted him over Floyd reportedly passed a $20.00 counterfeit bill at a nearby store, creating a scenario that eventually ended with Chauvin's knee on Floyd's neck for between 7 to 10 minutes, including several minutes after Floyd lost consciousness - all caught on cell phone video by bystanders (a nearby video from another angle finds three of the four officers with their knees on Floyd), provoking a summer of unrest that pushed the country only slightly towards reckoning with issues such as police misconduct and systemic racism. </p><p>Like a lot of people I've been forced to rely on snippets and news summaries to see what's going on with the trial; mainly because I have work obligations and other things that have to be done.Because of this I won't go massively in depth over the case. Instead I want to bring up a few things that have caught my attention. So here's the sad, the infuriating, and the weirdly understandable.<br /></p><p>Let's start with the saddest fact. In one of the bystander testimonies an off-duty firefighter who was on the scene and ended up calling 911 as things happened testified that she saw that Floyd's face looked puffy and swollen and that fluids were releasing from his body. She also said she tried asserting herself as a first responder in an attempt to help him but was rebuffed by the officers (she testified one of them - who was standing in a defense position between the officers and the onlookers - rold her that if she really was a firefighter then she'd "know better" than to get involved). </p><p>What makes this truly tragic is that, while hindsight is 20/20 and one can "woulda, shoulda, coulda" anything to death, it's possible that if she were listened to then maybe the outcome would've ended up different. Again that's not a guarantee but at least an effort could've been made to keep him alive where his reported crime (the passing of a counterfeit $20.00 bill) could'[ve been handled by the legal system rather than the events leading up to Floyd's death. </p><p>The infuriating part of all this is something that's totally to be expected - the decision of the defense to try and put George Floyd on trial for his own killing, claiming Chauvin and his fellow officers had no choice but to take the actions that ended up killing George Floyd. This is a common move over the past decade, especially in cases where white police officers end up killing unarmed black people. Because of that (and the defenses attempt to paint Floyd as either some mythical being with superhuman powers or too nodded out on drugs to function safely) it's one of the standard ways defense attorneys in these cases try to make a case for the officer having no choice but to kill the person they're on trial for killing. What's infuriating is not just that it seems to work most of the time but that it's almost considered a normal defense. </p><p>And then there's the weirdly understandable - the testimony of the clerk at the store pointing out that he couldn't tell if the $20.00 bill was legit or counterfeit and wasn't trained to tell the difference. For a lot of people who've worked cashier positions this rings true to some degree (especially for those working in smaller places) as there might not be training on how to spot a counterfeit bill or not. The bill could've been counterfeit, it might not have been/ Either way it shouldn't have been a detah sentence for George Floyd.</p><p>Those are a few thoughts on the trial from what I've gathered and how ti stands thus far. I do want to add that I find it interesting that there are some cops who may be testifying against Chauvin (including one who testified that Chauvin should let his knee off of Floyd's neck once the latter was handcuffed and not resisting - Chauvin kept it on way longer). It's interesting because it almost never happens. This means something went way wrong (even with the jury not baing able to hear about the previous police misconduct cases against Chauvin, this is big news). </p><p>At this point one can't say what the verdict will be. While it's possible that Derek Chauvin could be convicted of either murder or manslaughter it's equally likely that he could get off for some reason or another (given how hard it is to prosecute a police officer this is well within the realm of possibility). What is apparent though is that there's something different in this case that calls for some kind of reckoning in the bigger social and political pictures. </p><p>Whatever verdict the jury reaches, this is a stepping stone and the struggle for justice will continue.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-34813332940873878022021-02-16T13:50:00.001-06:002021-02-16T13:50:10.312-06:00WHAT TO TAKE FROM THE COUPUBLICANS REFUSAL TO CONVICT THE MAD FUHRER IN EXILE AT MAR-A-LAGO OF INCITE TO INSURRECTION IN HIS SECOND IMPEACHMENT TRIAL<p> So a couple of days ago the second impeachment trial of the Mad Fuhrer in Exile at Mar-A-Lago was wrapped up. A vote of 53-47 found him guilty of incitement to insurrection for getting people riled up leading to the coup attempt on January 6, 2021. Unfortunately, since the impeachment requires a two thirds majority in the Senate to convict this actually means he's acquitted of the charge (even if only on that technicality). With a pretty much dead even Senate (VP Harris can be the tie breaking vote when needed) they needed 17 Repubs to actually put country over their party - only seven were willing to do so. Since there's more than enough coverage over what this means (the emboldening of extremists on the right and wondering if people are more prepared for the next coup attempt which, if the response form law enforcement is like the one last month, mightbe successful), I want to focus on something else.</p><p>One of the bigger questions is why the Coupublicans refused to stand up and purge the Mad Fuhrer in Exile at Mar-A-Lago from his influence in their party, making sure he can';t run for public office again as a result.There are two things we can take from this. The majority opinion is that the Coupub Senators are afraid. Afraid of the Mad Fuhrer in Exile at Mar-A-Lago's wrath for sure, but more likely of their voters - the majority of whom support the Mad Fuhrer and have been whipped up into a rage by them over false claims of voter fraud and conspiracy theories that cast anyone who opposes the Mad Fuhrer as a satan worshiping pedophile or some other nauseating bullshit with no fucking basis in fact). While this does play a role (look at what voters at an airport in his home state of South Carolina attacking Lindsey Graham when he decided not to challenge the election did to get him back in line with nose firmly up the Mad Fuhrer's ass for an example), I think there's another conjecture (some would even say conspiracy theory) that deep down can be drawn from this,.</p><p>THE COUPUBLICANS WERE HOPING THE COUP WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL!!!!</p><p>I know this is conjecture at this point and any evidence is circumstantial at this point but I do think we have to consider this. </p><p>First, the majority of Coupubs in national office were more than willing to flirt with the thought that The Mad Fuhrer In Exile at Mar-A-Lago really won the election but had it stolen by voter fraud (i.e.: black and brown voters coming out and voting) or some other nefarious force to force Biden upon them. Some may have only mildly hinted but didn't denounce such theories. Others went whoel hog on embracing said bullshit and trying to kiss the Mad Fuhrer's ass. Regardless, decades of a right wing echo chamber helped build a situation where any truth that didn't fit their curren belief system is discounted and, in some cases treatede like it doesn't matter, even in the face of overwhelming evidence otherwise.</p><p>Now it's important to point out that, after the participants in the coup attempt left the Capital, Congress eventually came out of hiding and resumed the ceremonial vote to count the electoral votes as most of the 13 Senators that originally planned to challenge certain states electoral votes decided to stop challenging the vote and accept the election results. There are a number of small things (including the fear and shock of surviving such an event) but there's also a more selfish reason - IT HAPPENED WHILE THEY WERE IN THE ROOM!!!!!</p><p>Yes, seeing the angriest portion of your base storm in with weapons while a gallows is being built outside and people come in wearing flexicuffs (what the zip ties technically were) and hoping to arrest co electoral vote winner Mikey can put a jolt of fear that seems rhetorical when spinning a bunch of lies in a case of trying to out Repub your fellow Repubs while having a sense you'd never have to see what the result was. However, in some of the cases (especially when one notes that the House COupubs kept their challenges even after the coup attempt), one gets a feeling that if it happened and the room only had Democrats in it they'd gladly want to grab some popcorn and watch whatever tortures and executions happened with a sadistic sense of glee for their entertainment.</p><p>See, even though the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago (now the Mad Fuhrer in Exile at Mar-A-Lago) was horrible to everyone who wasn't kissinfg his ass he did give white supremacists and white conservative christians a lot of what they wanted from court appointments to repeals environmental regulations to making racism more acceptable for one political party to show more and more of as long as they didn't open shout out the N word. And guess what groups are the main demographics for the Coupublicans now?</p><p>As for this being a facotr in why the Coupubs wouldn't convict the Mad Fuhrer, it's a mix. In the case of Senators Joshy and Teddy both are being conisdered poptential presidential candidates for 2024 and feel they need to feed the increasingly toxic fanbase the Mad Fuhrer has created (it also helps that said toxicity melds neatly into many of the beliefs of both of these creatures). For others it's a cynical shift to hold power and try and prevent Biden's administration from doing anything (much like what they tried during the Obama years). House minority leader Addison who looks like a turtle's speech claiming that Donny was responsible for a lot of what happened on January 6th even though he earlier voted to acquit him on grounds that it was unconstitutional (though the charges were filed nine days before the Mad Fuhrer left office and Addison kicked the can down the road until the turnover so he could claim this horsehsit) is more a power play than anything else. When added to th emix polls claiming a majority of Coupub voters would leave the party if the Mad Fuhrer would leave the Coupubs and start a new party and this has some validity.</p><p>Still, in the end, I have to say that their "acquittal" of the Mad Fuhrer in Exile at Mar-A-Lago shows that, even though a month earlier they were jolted by the reality of what their eliminationist horsehit broughr, it's clear that their desire for power over principle finds most Coupublicans in the space of being willing to risk another coup attempt and hope that it benefits them. I hope I'm wrong about that but given how the Coupubs have been acting (especially state parties who are still trying to overturn the election) it seems apparent that a majority of Coupublicans in national office would be fine withe another coup attempt (and hope it would be successful) as long as it doesn't happen when they're in the room and only their opposition gets tortured and killed int eh process.</p><p>Here's hoping Democrats pay attemtion and realize that you can't reason with a Coupub most of the time mainly because it's likely they, on some level, want anyone who disagrees with them tortured and killed if it woould keep them in power. </p><p>In the meantime the Mad Fuhrer in Exile at Mar-A-Lago still remains a figure to reckon with in the Coupublican party and, as long as teh party he's still the head of refuses to do the right thing to save the country and inste3ad choose their grip on power, we're still in the dangerous age of MAGA gone wild where conspiracy theories demonizing and dehumanizing your opponent are more important than the truth and a narrow interpretation of one religion is allowed their own facts and can impose them on the rest of us. Because of this, eternal vigilance means being on guard against whatever coup attempts the Coupubs and their friends have in mind more than any foreign threat these days. </p><p>As I said earlier a lot of this is conjecture and I hope I'm wrong about this, but as we see senators like Gym Class Jordan and Devin "I'm gonna sue my ficitonal cow" Nunes try to blame Nancy Pelosi for the coup attempt despite overwhelming evidence that the Mad Fuhrer stirred this shit up and let the coup attempt loose while we went home to watch it on TV it's more than apparent that too goddamn many Coupubs in national office seem like they'd be okay with a suiccessful coup attempt as ong as they got the heads up and weren't in the room when it happens. </p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-21902422036982968162021-01-16T15:05:00.004-06:002021-01-16T15:05:59.681-06:00HEALING AND UNITY WIHTOUT ACCOUNTABILITY IS BULLSHIT<p> As I type this it's been a week and a half since the Capital building riot on Jaqnuary 6, 2021 that, in retrospect, seems to be a failed coup attempt to stop the electoral vote count and overturn the results of the 2020 Presidential election. While the coup attempt, thankfully, only delayed the inevitable vote count it has left a deep wound and many questions regarding security issues at the Capital building in DC and wondering what role the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago and his minions had in instigating this (enough, according to the House of Representatives that he's being impeached a second time - just days before his term is supposed to end). However, there's another issue that's emerging in all this garbage that needs to be addressed.</p><p>In the aftermath of the riots, a number of right wing pundits and Repub (Coupublican?) politicians have been urging president elect Biden and the Democratic controlled House of Representatives to drop impeachment proceedings against the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago rather than hold him accountable for what role he may have played in this mess. Those promoting this line of thought claim the country needs "healing" and :"unity" in this time and that impeachment would only "bring on more violence" at this time. While the mainstreeam media, under the illusion of being neutral and non partisan, air this with the illusion that these folks are arguing in good faith it is, in fact, bullshit.</p><p>First off, this intention of this line of reasoning is based more on plausible deniability for the Mad Fuhrer than anything else. At first, many of the right tried to claim that it was antifa activists pretending to be fans of the Mad Fuhrer that stormed the Capital. However, this was undercut by participants often going on social media and claiming that they were acting on the invitation of the President. They then attempt to claim those who rioted were anarchists, which [unfortunately and stupidly] drew a little more traction even amongst some mainstream media types and Democrats who seem unable to understand the simple reality that those following a philosophy that's mostly anti authoritarian and against all bosses and leaders would never support the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago and the Coupublicans. </p><p>Since then the arrests have come at a semi brisk pace. Anger first mounted as the coup people were allowed to leave the Capital building with minor incidents. In the time sense, social media (and the white privilege that made these idiots think they could post these acts wihout consequence) led to the police and FBI arresting a lot of them - many on seemingly minor charges though some may get more serious down the road. It also brought to light reports from one Congressperson saying she witnessed Repub colleagues escorting people in tactical gear on a tour of the Capital, including some possibly verboten areas. It also brought to light racial tensions within the Capital police where some officers were trying to fight off those in the coup while others took pictures with them and gave them directions to certain places. Some of this may be proven to be conjecture in due time but what does emerge right now is a system unprepared for something lie this to happen, even when reports have emerged that they were warned about it days in advance (and social media accounts of those involved found them planning often in plain sight). Because of this there needs to be accountability.</p><p>So what action do we take? Some have suggested going further into a security state but much of this could've been stopped if they enforced the laws they already have. Also, more laws regarding terrorism may backfire as police use them to target black and brown communities instead of the white supremacists and militias that have grown into this threat. <br /></p><p>What can be doe involves government involvement in this coup attempt, especially those in the House and Senate that objected, may have helpd plan it, or some combination of both. First off Senators Joshy (Josh Hawley [R, MO]) and Teddy (Rafall Edward a/k/a/ Ted Cruz [R, TX]) have to go. Joshy was seen leaving th eCapital building just as the marchers were about to take it over and giving them a solidarity fist while bothe Jishy and Teddy continued to object to the electoral count in Pennsylvania even after the coup attempt failed and the vote eventually resumed. They may claim it was out of concern but it was a way to appeal to the base. They should be made to resign but, since that';s unlikely, they need to be removed from office. This also goes for those repubs in the House who objected to the electoral votes as a way to try and overturn the election as well.</p><p>As for the reports that have emerged that aides to some of those in Congress may have helped plan the coup attempt with three Congresspeople helping plan the event that may have led to the riot itself. These need to be investigated and, if found to be true, people need to lose their jobs at best if not face charges for their role in this shit. In addition, some off duty police and military people have been found to have taken part in the coup, which means they should be fired from their jobs and face charges for their actions. Admittedly this might be easier to do in the military due to the Uniform Code of Military Justice as well as those in the military have taken an oath to uphold the constitution. Regardless, it's something that needs to happen.</p><p>That takes us to those who claim we need healing or more violence will happen. While some in the media are thinking these people act in good faith they really aren't. What they're actually doing is threatening violence if they don't get their way and couching it in plausible deniability. While there may be times that this might be a useful tactic in negotiation, in this instance it becomes another example of trying to make the Democrats give the Repubs what they want or else. So far it appears this isn't working mainly because Repubs in both Houses of Congress were thratened, leading a handful of them in the House to vote for impeachment, making the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago the only leader in the U.S. to have been impeached twice. Now it's up to the Senate whehter or not to convict.</p><p>Does calling the Repubs bluff mean more acts like this won't happen in the future? That can't be answered at this time. What we do know is that if the government fails to hold those truly res;ponsible for this coup attempt accountable for their actions and tried to focus on healing and cries of false unity without the need for real accountabilitiy, then it's definitely likely to happen again somwhere down the road - and that time might be successful (which, on soem level, I personally think those Coupublicans crying for unity noiw really want). </p><p> And that is why calls for healing and unity on a national level without actual accountability is bullshit. Let's just hope those in the legislative branch realize that and don't fall for the Coupublicans trap.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-89736828290080878232021-01-07T18:14:00.004-06:002021-01-07T18:14:56.327-06:00WHAT A SURPRISINGLY SURREAL DAY - OR HOW THE MAD FUHRER OF MAR-A-LAGO'S MINIONS ALMOST GOT THE COUP FOR HIM<p>Let's talk about yesterday's bullshit coup attempt the fans of the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago tried to pull.</p><p>Yesterday was sup[posed to be merely the day a joint session of Congress counts the electoral votes in the final step to declaring the winner of the Presidential election back in November. In normal times this would be a non issue with, if there's any news coverage at all, any coverage buried in a small news article buried deep near the back of the front section of the newspaper. By then usually whoever lost already had conceded and this would be a mere formality. However, this was before the reign of the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago,</p><p>The Mad Fuhrer decided that even after losing over 60 court cases in various state and Federal court to try and overturn his loss to Joe Biden that he'd stir the pot and have a big rally for the more angry and vengeful of his fans to come and try and fuck shit up in Washington, Naturally the milita types and christian extremist fanatics decided to take him up on the offer and hit the nation's capital to try and sitr up some shit. </p><p>Tuesday night had the humorous moment of some of these so-called protests falling into some obvious police kettling situations and/or trying to start fights with the cops. However, the day of the rally the Mad Fuhrer gave a speech that instigated the crowd and told them to march to the Capital, even claiming he might join them (which, of course, he didn't preferring to hide in the White House instead). Once atg the Capital the rioters trashed the place, breaking windows and some doors to try and reach either the Senate or House chamber (both the Senators and Congresspeople were rushed into lockdown at a moment's notice with a couple of interns (are they interns or pages") grabbing the boxes with the electoral ballots and taking them to safety moments before they took the Senate chamber, armed with a mix of weapons, Trump and QAnon flags, and creating a menace as they chased the Capital cops who actually tried to do their jobs (as opposed to the assholes in their ranks who decided to take selfies with these arguments for why abortion should be encouraged). When all was said and done four people were dead and a number of people were injured., </p><p>While the rioters thought they were instigating a revolution, their coup did backfire as they were eventually forced out in a way that angered a lot of activists who noted that they took a far harsher stance with Black Lives Matters protestors (whose protests nationwide last summer were over 90% peaceful) along with people who have actually been arrested for protests at the Capital and know the Capital police are more than willing to arrest people in a far more harsh manner than they treated these rioters. Even overlooking the seeming kid gloves treatment these idiots got from the cops it backfired in that not only did the military not drop everything and join them but what they did actually scared some Repub Senators off of challenging the election results (though seven did challenge Pennsylvania including TX Senator and often considered the most hated man in Senate Ted Cruz and Missouri Jr. Senator Josh Hawley (whom we'll refer to as Sen. Joshy from now on). In fact Sen. Joshy was phtotgraphed walking by and giving a raised fist in solidarity with the rioters just before the shit went down.</p><p>We'll leave a few tips on how to look at this for the next post but let's look at what they thought would happen and what actually did. These rioters thought that they could attack and bully their way into stopping the vote count and believed that doing so would keep the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago in office as election winner. Instead, a number of hours later the vote count resumed with the only states challenged being Arizona (which happened just before the riot) and Pennsylvania. In both cases the challenges were unsuccessful and somewhere around 4 to 4:30 am Eastern time it was official that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the election. </p><p>It was a surprisingly surreal day that began with news of the Georgia runoff election results being puple leaning blue with the win of Rev. Raphael Warnock and news during the riots that Jon Ossoff was declare the winner in the other runoff (thus giving the Senate an even number of seats with the Repubs (with VP Harris being the 51st vote when ties need to be broken) and ended with many angry (including a number of Repubs) over the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago's bullshit inciting violence that led to a coup attempt and four people dead in the crossfire.</p><p>We still have two weeks until inauguration day and it's going to be a rough ride.<br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-8090428875558905322021-01-05T16:08:00.005-06:002021-01-05T16:10:18.628-06:00GEROGIA RUNOFF ELECTION THOUGHTS<p> As I the this it's a few hours until the polls closed in today's runoff elections in Georgia for the U.S. Senate seat. While early reports and early polls according to Five Thirty Eight) show Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Rev, Raphael Warnock with a two point lead over Senators Pewrdue and Loeffler (the latter appointed in the interim after the resignation of Sen. Johnny Isakson for health reasons), that remains within the margin of error which means the election can go either way. I've ever heard a prediction that it may be unlikely that we;ll know who wins tonight. Because of this here are a few thoughts to keep in mind.,</p><p>First, early polls have shown Warnock and Ossoff with a slight lead (Democratic voters have taken COVID more seriously and are more willing to vote early). However, it's the ground game on election day that will make the difference and traditionally Repubs tend to vote on election day itself. Because of this the runoff can go either way with either the Democratic eke-ing out a slim majority for the Senate (with VP elect Kamala Harris, once VP, being the tie breaker) or the Repubs (a/k/a: Coupublicans) getting a slim majority in the Senate but acting like they have a damn mandate to do everything to make Biden a one term President and make sure nothing gets done with Senate Majority leader Addison the Turtle doing just what he did during the Obama years. Between election day turnout, how the votes will get counted and the issue of absentee ballots this means that it's in the air and that nothing should be taken for granted.</p><p>Also of note is the reason for the run-offs is the third candidates in the race with Perdue facing off against both Jon Ossoff and Libertarian candidate Shawn Hazel and Loeffler (who's election was a special election due to Isakson's retirement facing off against both Warnock and former Rep. Doug Collins. These candidates might have gotten just enough votes to force runoffs in both races but it's hard to say. It did seem to have enough of an effect to make this possible so in the runoffs with just two candidates it's hard to say what voters for third candidates might go. </p><p>So what will happen now? Time will tell. If the Democrats win there may be some steps in the right direction. If the Repubs win it'll likely be a mirror of what went down during the Obama administration with total obstructionism and the Repubs doing everything to make sure we don't move forward as a nation. <br /></p><p>Here's to hoping things don't get too damn bad.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-54690259907287866042021-01-04T14:59:00.002-06:002021-01-04T14:59:50.874-06:00THE MAD FUHRER WANTS HIS 11,780 VOTES AND HE WANTS THEM NOW....<p> I expected a lot of things as we turned the corner into 2021 and we enter what appears to be (and, if there's any remote sense in the world, should be) the last few weeks of The Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago's stranglehold on the country. With the Georgia Senate runoff elections just a couple days away it should be clear that eyes would focus on that and whether Democratic candidates Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff will defeat interim Senator Kelly Loffler and Senator David Perdue (respectively) due to a mix of strong turnout (which appeared to happy early in this runoff) and whether Repubs would boycott claiming its rigged (a possibility I don't think is all that likely since Repubs tend to always vote and have for decades). Then, a day after the runoffs Congress will hold a joint session where electors votes are counted and Joe Biden will finally win the 2020 Presidential election. While this should be something we normally don't pay attention to because of how routine it is, the Mad Fuhrer's legal team keeps refusing to throw in the towel means this is still an issue. However, on Sunday January 3, 2021 the Washington Post reported something that comes truly out of left field.</p><p>Yes, I'm talking about the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago's phone call with the Georgia Secretary of State that lasted an hour and had electoral vote winner Donny badgering, threatening, and pleading with the Georgia SOS to find 11,870 votes (one more than the amount he lost to Biden by). This has pretty much shocked people who aren't drinking the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago's non carbonated soft drink mix (with added water that's likely from a place similar to Flint, MI) but, even when just focusing on the main clip that got leaked there's some simple things we can take from this.</p><p>First, I think it's pretty apparent that Donny violated both Federal and GA State election laws with even the excerpt that got the most mileage. Within one segment Donny implied that Repub voters in Georgia might not vote because Donny didn't win the Presidential election and that both the Secretary of State and his legal counsel could face charges. At one point he even tried to claim that he won because his rallies were bigger (somehow overlooking the fact that not everyone at said rally is a GA voter [some may be too young, others may come from a neighboring state] and that attending a rally isn't the same as casting a ballot) than Biden's (who rallies were kept small due to COVID protocols and not wanting people to get sick)., This is obviously an attempt to threaten or otherwise influence in some way a state official to change the result of an election.<br /></p><p>Now, in any other times, a President who said this shit and got caught would likely face immediate removal procedure under the 25th Amendment. At the very least this is impeachable and, even at this late date, steps would be taken. For better or worse, that is unlikely to happen in part because he only has three weeks left in office (provided the <span></span>Repubs' coup attempt on the 6th isn't successful) and it seems easier to wait it out. However, there are demands of Federal investigations into Donny and his minions over this call so time weill tell how this goes. <br /><br />Also, this was a violation of GA election laws which means it is feasible that the Mad Fuhrer would be arrested if he ever sets foot in Georgis. While this is a feasible step, the state is run by Repubs (even though both the Secretary of State and the Governor remain on Donny's shit list) and are unlikely to take that step to ensure things are fair. </p><p>So what now? Hard to say. While it may be unlikely that this gets Donny out of office prematurely it does show that he is committing acts that should be investigated and may be continuing to commit crimes. Regardless, this adds another log onto the fire of things he and his minions might maybe sort of get jailed for in the long run.</p><p>Time will tell.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-82777438920219821772020-12-30T17:31:00.004-06:002020-12-30T17:31:29.404-06:00WHAT SHOULD CONGRESS DO WHEN REPUBS IN THEIR RANKS WANT A COUP?<p> Hey! As I mentioned in the last post, we're a week away from the electoral votes being counted in a joint session of the U.S. Congress. With that the 2020 Presidential election will be finalized and the final few weeks of the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago's reign will begin. Normally a routing procedure most don't think about, this year has made this omnipresent in our minds over an election we're hoping to finally finish and move on from. However, a few days before that the next session of Congress begins as all members of the House of Representatives and the Senate begins their new session. While this may seem unrelated most election cycles we're in a time where there's more linking them than one would think.</p><p>On December 10, 2020 126 Repub members of the U.S. House of Representatives filed a brief backing a lawsuit from Texas asking the Supreme Court of the US to overturn the 2020 Presidential election results in a handful of states where Joe Biden won the electoral vote, claiming there was some sort of fraud. Thankfully SCOTUS threw the case out (on the grounds that Texas had a "lack of standing:" and "has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections." refused to hear it on December 11 but, by filing that brief, the Repubs have shown that, after four years of telling those on the other side that they "lost the election" in 2016 and should "get over it," some in the GOP were willing to do what they could to overturn a major election if they didn't get their way. </p><p>Keep in mind this lawsuit was filed after the electoral votes reached the December 8 "safe harbor" status and days before the states certified their votes showing former vice president Joe Biden won more than the 270 electoral votes to win the Presidential election (he actually won 306). One would think this would be enough and things would get back to normal. However this continued as Rep. Louie Gohmert (R, TX) and a handful of would be electors filed a lawsuit against co-electoral vote inner Mikey and the electoral college in hopes of overturning the election. In addition several Repub congresspeople and Sen. Joshy (a.k.a.: MO junior senator Josh Hawley) has said they were going to contest the electoral count on the 6th. </p><p>In other words the Repubs are still trying to use a mix of legal action and Congressional shenanigans as a way to try and overturn an election so they can win. When reports of some in their rank wanting the military to seize voting machines or asking the Mad Fuhrer to use the insurrection act and suspend the constitution as his term nears it s end and it's apparent tbat they may actually want to get rid of our democracy or constitutional republic or whatever you wish to call it via a coup and make the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago the supreme leader. <br /></p><p>Which leads to one question - WHAT SHOULD CONGRESS DO WHEN REPUBS IN THEIR RANKS APPARENTLY WANT A COUP?</p><p>The best thing that they should do is what Sen. Bill Pascrell (D, NJ) said in response and use the 14th Amendment forbidding members of Congress from engage in rebellion against the U.S. and refuse to seat them. However, while I know this would send a strong message I'm also aware that the establishment Democrats are most likely not going to do this out of some twisted idea of unity that seems to have the Dems doing all the work while Repubs continue to act in bad faith. However, if they do nothing it will continue to normalize said behavior form the Repubs, who will continue to break rules and twist the game to their advantage while refusing to let the country move forward. <br /><br />So, not seating them is most likely a non starter. I wish it wasn't but it probably won't happen. Still there has to be a way to hold these assholes accountable for trying to force an election result that the majority of the population doesn't want. Yes, ten or so of them aren't serving in the next session of Congress but what should be done with the wastes of sperm and eggs that are coming back. While I don't have the concrete answer there is one simple step.</p><p>TAKE AWAY THEIR COMMITTEE PLACEMENTS AND REMOVE THEM FROM ANYWHERE THEY COULD HAVE SOMETHING NEAR REAL POWER IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.</p><p>Yes, it will be controversial. However, it is a way to send a clear message that may be very doable and limit the amount of whining that the Repubs will do about how they're persecuted and limit the complaints from the mainstream media that the Democrats aren't being civil. Also it would state that those who try and pull shit like this again will be moved to the back burner as soon as possible and kept there while those in the House and the Senate who want to get things done can actually do the work and try and make things better. </p><p>It won't be easy. It will cause some drama in the media but it's an easy step and pushing these asshats, especially those who have been in office for a while, to the back burner would send a strong message and show the Democrats are capable of fighting a good fight. <br /><br />I'm not sure this will even happen.;I do hope that the House and the Senate make those trying to do a political coup responsible for their treacherous bullshit.<br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-74341957668756035402020-12-30T01:22:00.002-06:002020-12-30T01:22:23.033-06:00A COUP FOR THE NEW YEAR? THE MAD FUHRER OF MAR-A-LAGO AND HIS REPUB MINIONS STRIKE AGAIN<p> Hey! so we';re about to enter 2021, which would be a typical changing of the year if it weren't for an election. Even for an election season this has been far from typical as machinations are afoot to try and force a change in the 2020 election result, eithe rby court decree or in the halls of Congress.</p><p>Yes, in the nearly two months since election day the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago still has refused to concede the election and admit that former Vice President Joe Biden will get his job at noon on January 20, 2021. From trying to pressure legislators in states where Biden won to numerous court battles on both the state and federal level the Mad Fuhrer's minions are doing their damnedest to try and keep their power and, in same ver extreme cases, further play footsie with a weird turn of christian theocratic fascism that seems to hold democracy in contempt. </p><p>So far it's been at best an extremely uphill battle as states, after facing some pressure, certified their electoral college votes in mid December and sent them to Washington, DC for the Senate to certify on January 6 (about a week from today). In normal times this will be a mere formality as the loser of the lection would've conceded long ago and the transition ould be well underway. However, since the last four years under the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago haven;t been typical we probably shouldn't expect this last step to be quiet and/or non eventful. </p><p>Already there are signs that a number of Repubs in the House of Representative plan to challenge the results and the electors' votes on the 6th. Several Senators have also implied that they may do so as well. The purpose of this is a way to force co-electoral vote winner Miikey to overturn the certification of the states that chose Biden and hand the election to electoral vote winner Donny , despite losing the popular vote by 10 million and the legal challenges in these states have almost always lost (there was one win in Pennsylvania and even that was unlikely to change the election result). Add to that a conservative legal group called the Thomas More Society joining with some of Donny's minions to sue co-electoral vote winner Mikey and the electoral college over this and things are truly reaching a level of the absurd., </p><p>As I said so far the legal challenges have been shot down almost instantly. I expect it's unlikely the Supreme Court will take up the latest filing from the Mad Fuhrer's legal team claiming alternate electors were officially chosen (in fact, when some people have claimed to be alternate electors they weren't officially chosen. In addition, some states were required to go with the popular vote winner and would be unable to do so). Like the previous filing with SCOTUS I have a feeling that this newest one will be refused more out of politicall savvy on the part of the new right wing justices Donny appointed rather than any integrity. Or, to quote Scott Soriano of Soriano's Comment, "They wouldn't willing fuck themselves."</p><p>This leaves us with the Congressional count on the 6th and the possibility of Repubs in either houses challening electors or the result. Odds are it's going to happen. However, so far it would have to be agreed on by both the House and the Senate to be taken seriously. Even though the Senat eis ontrolled (for now) by Repubs, the House is still controlled by Democrats and it's unlikely (though there may be conservative Dem who might try) they'd choose to overturn the will of the people. <br /></p><p>I left out the option of the military coup which may still have some very slight possibility as the Mad Fuhrer called for the military to seize voting machines just before Christmas. While his firing civilian leaders at the Pentagon is alarming and can be seen as planning for a coup, this step would've have to have been taken weeks ago. Also, there are reports that some in the Pentagon are meeting in secret for contingencies in case of violence in January over the election. Whether that's in case there's a call for a coup or to have to remove Donny from office come inauguration day is uncertain. However, military leaders have said they won't interfere in elections in this country. So, I won't say we shouldn't be worried but a close friend of mine who's a military history buff thought it was unlikely citing the military's dislike for the Mad Fuhrer among other things. <br /><br />So where does that leave us? We have one more step before the 2020 election is officially over. Odds are good that Biden will be declared the winner (Senate Majority leader Addison the Turtle has reportedly warned Senators against acting otherwise) though it's prudent to be aware and prepared for anything at this point.</p><p>In a truly just world those Repub Congresspersons who signed onto support that last SCOTUS request to overturn the election wouldn't be seated on ground that they supported a coup of sorts against a leader who, while not their guy, was democratically elected. Sadly, establishment Democrats in the House have probably been warned in advance against doing so by wealthy donors who care more about their tax cuts than you or I. Still, there needs to be some accountability for those who already tried to overturn this election as well as those who might try on the 6th. </p><p>The last thing this country needs is a coup for the New Year><br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-74261782742866108612020-12-12T21:30:00.001-06:002020-12-12T21:30:05.538-06:00THE MAD FUHRER OF MAR-A-LAGO'S ROAD TO ELECTION LOSS CERTIFICATION<p> Hey! Sorry for not being on the blog more but a combination of a lot of hours at the paying job and family situations have kept me from doing this as often as I'd like. Also, when every day brings a new twist or turn it can be hard to keep up. </p><p>In about a day and a half (Monday December 14, 2020) the final step of the 2020 Presidential election will take place when the electors chosen by each state will cast their votes in the election as part of the electoral college (something we've learned way more than we ever wanted to know about in the past two election cycles). While this comes with little fanfare most election years as usually the person who lost the election has conceded and it's merely a formality. However, with the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago refusing to concede (and taking forever before allowing the GSA to allow President elect Joe Biden's team to start the transition tasks) and many many lawsuits whose persistence is only matched by their lack of making a clear case of election fraud and it's clear that there might be a chance for fireworks on this front as well, </p><p>Mainly this exists on two fronts. The first is the concept of a faithless elector who may change their mind as cast an electoral vote for the Mad Fuhrer in a state that Biden won. Theoretically if enough faithless electors do so than there could be some shenanigans. The problem here is that the votes are cast into envelopes that Congress won't read until January 6. In addition, while there were some faithless electors in 2016 on both sides the Supreme Court is allowing states greater leverage in requiring electors to cast the assigned votes. </p><p>Then there's the pressure on Repub state legislators in states where Biden won (particularly in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Arizona) to replace the assigned elector with an alternate hat would choose the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago over the assigned electoral vote for Biden. Normally this wouldn't even be thought of but since the Mad Fuhrer and his minions have proven themselves to be poor losers this time around it is something that needs to be taken into account more than a generally faithless elector. </p><p>Should these be a concern? Maybe - but there are deadlines passed and measures in place that will likely prevent this from becoming too big of a deal. <br /><br />Several of the states being targeted by Repubs for choosing Biden over Donny (Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nevada) require their electors by law to vote for the person who won the electoral votes for the state, While this doesn't prevent a faithless elector said person would be charged with a misdemeanor and pay a $1,000.00 fine as a result. Add to this, for example, that if a Repub state legislator in a state like Pennsylvania that has a Democrat governor chose to appoint their own electors the governor would simply overrule them and use the electors appointed to vote that way the state voted - and while it's still possible, it doesn't appear likely (though, as we've learned from this year, never say absolutely never on that front). More important in how this election and the electoral vote will occur is what occurred on December 8th 2020.</p><p>On December 8th the electoral votes reached safe harbor status - the time when all the state level election challenges (such as recounts and audits) are supposed to be completed, including any state level lawsuits. At this point the states should have certified all their votes and that Congress shall be compelled to accept their results. In other words, once all the votes are certified and safe harbor is reached then, while the faithless elector remains a possible issue [and somewhat expected] Congress has to accept who won which state's electoral votes. At that time, with the exception of a state level lawsuit in Wisconsin and Hawaii not finishing certification, Joe Biden had already reached ov er the 270 electoral votes needed to win the Presidential election. <br /><br />In most cases this would've likely been a done deal but the Mad Fuhrer's reusing to concede meant him and his minions and fans would continue with ridiculous lawsuits including two with the U.S. Supreme COurt. The first asked that the court overturn the electoral win for Biden in Pennsylvania. This was followed by a lawsuit from TX Atty General Paxton to challenge election laws in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin claiming the changes in rules to make voting easier allowed for voter fraud that was indetectable. SCOTUS refused to hear either case. </p><p>And with that the 2020 election is closer to being done. The one obstacle left is on January 6,2021 when Congress will have a reading of the electoral votes where Repubs in either the Senate or House may challenge some of the electoral votes for Biden. While these challenges are likely to happen (and the Repubs will make a big show out of it) the face that Democrats control the House of Rep[resentatives means that it's unlikely, barring any unforeseen event, for the election result to be overturned at that level, especially given safe harbor nailing down the electors and their votes.</p><p>And with that the election will be over. Once again many of us will wish to scrap the electoral college and go with the popular vote (if we did that already this would've been over a long time ago). And many will move on tired from politics but while the office holder will most likely change the damage the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago has done to the Repub party will continue for a long time to come.<br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-28909942627383275262020-11-12T12:02:00.000-06:002020-11-12T12:02:00.632-06:00ELECTION WITHDRAWAL: THE MAD FUHRER OF MAR-A-LAGO'S MINIONS REFUSING TO CONCEDE ALONG WITH WAY TOO MANY LAWSUITS TRYING TO STOP THE ELECTION<p> So there was an election in the U.S. nine days ago. It seems like it's still going on but it was on Tuesday November 3, 2020 that election season (which began with the end of primary season in late August and really kicked off when the states that allowed early voting getting their requests and sending out ballots)went from the big day to its wrap up phase. <br /> </p><p>As the nation went to sleep that night it appeared that the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago might win re-election by a mandate as much of the heartland went for Repubs. However, several key swing states that had to count mail in vote last said it would take time and by Wednesday night it appeared that predictions of a red mirage were, in fact, correct. AS the election became the map show many Americans were waiting hours upon upon as the electoral map seemed to br frozen until at 10:24 am Eastern time it was announced that former vice President Joe Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris had won Pennsylvania, thus gathering the 270 (or283 if you went by the sites that called Arizona several days earlier, mainly Associated Press) electoral college votes needed to become President elect. <br />For many average Americans this was a sigh of relief as, if someone's not all that interested in politics, this means they can move on to life, work, the Holiday season, etc. However, after returning from the golf course The Mad Fuhrer has bunkered down and...refused to concede.Instead electoral vote inner Donny's minions decided to hold press conferences and file lawsuits claiming voter fraud is causing this election as mail in votes coming from areas that leaned towards Democrats changed the race. So far all of the cases have been thrown out of court because they either have covered things that have already been fixed or were so full of errors that one has to wonder why they're wasting money on this shit. <br /> </p><p>In the meantime the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago has ordered those in his minions who can help with the transition not to work with Biden's transition team, including refusing to sign the paperwork to allow him funding as well as security briefings. In addition government agencies have been ordered to come up with a new budget under the guise of nothing happening. Biden also hasn't been given access to message from world leaders that are at the State Dept. Normally the transition is semi smooth at the least but it appears the Mad Fuhrer's minions are giving orders to make things as difficult as possible.<br />However, as the final votes get counted the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago has lost the 2020 presidential election in terms of both electoral college votes and the popular vote. Many of the lawsuits are over amounts that appear to be a fraction of the late coming votes and, even if they were thrown out in court, would be very very unlikely to overturn Biden's victory. <br /> </p><p>So why is this going down now? Part of it is the the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago is acting exactly as expected given his refusal to say he'd accept the election results and have a peaceful transfer of power. Some people are even suggesting that his minions are trying to instigate a coup so he can remain in power with the help of his toadies in the Repub party, who seem hell-bent on using him to stay in power (especially in light of both Senate seats being up for grabs in Georgia and heading towards a runoff in early January 2021) rather than sitting him down and telling him to concede and be graceful in moving forward. <br /> </p><p>Then there's the Georgia Senate races, both of which have been forced into runoff elections. Both Democrats and Repubs are aware that whomever wins this will likely control the Senate. Thus, while Dems are energized to donate and campaign for Warnock and Ossoff, Repubs are being scared into line in order to try and make sure they don't lose their grip on what had long been a reliably Repub state.<br />As I said earlier so far the court cases filed by the Mad Fuhrer's minions have been failures as judges either rule against them or throw them out of court outright due to the cases being based on conjecture rather than actual instances or facts. Still, there’s a possibility that this could change down the road,. While such an action may be unlikely to succeed given the current vote counts (the Mad Fuhrer's minions have already called off the Nevada vote count) the Repub enablers desire to keep power at any cost means we, unfortunately, have to at least consider this possibility.<br /> </p><p>At this point, some are still seeing someone around Donny as a political master playing 5-dimensional chess. However, unlike Bush v Gore in 2000 the legal team pushing to either stop the count or count the votes are often relying on hearsay and claims that were thrown out of court in earlier attempts. Also, plans to have Repub legislators in states like PA or WI call their own electors to vote for the Mad Fuhrer are unlikely to succeed given they have Democratic governors who'll quash that. <br /> </p><p>Which leaves us at this point with the Mad Fuhrer staying barricaded in the White House while his minions try and enact his trumper tantrum in an attempt to steal an election that he pretty much solidly lost (and not just because of the strangeness in the theories that the Democrats rigged it against Donny but somehow didn't make the legislative branch a Dem supermajority). What happens now is still up in the air but it is something we need to be on guard about and ready to do everything in our legal power to stop if the asshole tried to have a coup to stay in power. Hopefully it won't get to that point. However his refusing to go away with some dignity does have aftereffects in his fan base who still think it was rigged and, contrary to any calls to reconcile, will prefer to act like they did in the Obama years rather than work together. <br /> </p><p>Either way, barring something truly over the top going down (something to still consider given the Mad Fuhrer fired four top officials at the pentagon and will likely replace then with people who are even more yes men than Espey et al) it's likely that even if all else fails [including Repub Senators refusing to count the electoral votes] on January 20 2021 the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago and co electoral vote winner Mikey won't be in power anymore which would likely make the House Majority leader acting president. <br /> </p><p>Since the election was only nine days ago it's beyond conjecture to say it'll get to that point (and it shouldn't). If we do get to that scenario are Repubs sure they want a President Pelosi?<br /><br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-44111680732969220482020-10-26T10:46:00.001-05:002020-10-26T10:47:32.361-05:00ELECTION SEASON AND VOTING ....<p> I've been meaning to talk about the upcoming election for a couple of weeks but have been drawing a blank. Every time I start it seems a lot of what I want to say has been better said by other people. However, I also know that it's a topic I have to bring up since it affects pretty much everyone, either here in the U.S. or beyond its borders. </p><p>First, if you haven't already voted I encourage you to do so. I know that for a number of readers the choice isn't all that inspiring and it may take time to wait in line just to cast your ballot even if you have the option of voting early. However, given the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago and his minions have given numerous hints that they either don't plan to recognize the result if they lose or don't plan to commit to a peaceful transition of power, it appears one of the main ways to fight many shenanigans from electoral vote winner Donny and company from trying to once again steal the election and get another term (one that seems to have ambiguous endings given the Mad Fuhrer's urging his fans to chant 12 more years at his COVID superspreader rallies) is for people to either vote early by mail or vote in person early (if you live in a place where that's possible). If all else isn't possible there's gong to the polls on election day and casting your vote. <br /></p><p>With that out of the way I just want to say a few things. Much of this has been said before but I want to get this out in the open. </p><p>First, DO NOT BE TEMPTED OR LULLED INTO COMPLACENCY BY THE POLLS.</p><p> I know the polls seem to consistently show Biden in the lead over the Mad Fuhrer but we need to point out that four years ago people Hillary Clinton was favored to win over Donny and we know how that turned out. Reportedly the polling companies under-counted the "white uneducated voter" demographic (sometimes also known as the "non college educated white "voter). While the polling firms claim to have fixed that problem, those on the Democratic side of politics shouldn't take that for granted. The reports I've heard that some activists (and even some campaigns) are running like they're several points behind in the polls until November 3rd even if they are in fact ahead in the polls in one reaction. While that is a logical response (ans as one person I know working on campaigns told me - the only poll that matters is on election day). This is a logical response and probably good strategy but even with that one must remember that these are not normal times.</p><p>Which leads to complacency vis a vis Biden's lead in the polls. This means there's a possibility that some people will look at the polls and, thinking it's a done deal, decide not to vote. Maybe it's because they're dissatisfied with the choices or maybe it's because they think their vote won't matter. While I hate to say this, people need to get that thought out of their heads. Thinking like that four years ago was one of multiple things creating the election results. While this may be less of a problem this time around it's important to keep that tendency to be complacent out of our minds and exercise one's right to vote.</p><p>Also, EARLY VOTING APPEARS GOOD BUT TIME WILL TELL WHAT COMES FROM IT</p><p>One of the big news stories of this election cycle as we head towards election day is the huige amount of early voting in states that allow it. Part of it is form people concerned about the riswk of the current coronavirus pandemic (which is still a thing and we could face another wave) and want to be safe. Others are voting early to try and avoid any issues regarding possible voter intimidation. The media has pointed out that the numbers who have received early or absentee ballot are tending to lean towards Democrats. However, while that and the mass numbers voting can be seen as a good sign we must be careful. It's somewhat likely that a good chunk of those early voters might be hella enthusiastic about the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago and want him re-elected. If the polls regarding early voting turnout and in which places are correct it's might not be all that likely but it's still something we have to take into consideration as election day nears.</p><p>POST FINAL DEBATE </p><p>The last debate happened a few nights back. While some in the media are trying to keep that the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago stayed calm and reasoned compared to his shit show at the first debate and the town hall that substituted for the second debate because Donny refused to have the plexiglass as protection, most people watching saw him revert to his talking points from the rallies he's spreading COVID at rather than speak to the nation as Biden did. In the next day or two we'll see whether Biden won the debate or not (though, to be honest, all Biden had to do was not throw up on himself to keep momentum going). Odds are the debate didn't change most people's minds as the MAGAssholes are still ride or die behind Donny and Biden's supporters are going to stick with him.</p><p>As for the undecideds the question is how many are still actually undecided/ Some may have decided and not told anyone. Other may lie come election time. A few are leaning Biden but the Mad Fuhrer's minions hope whatever last ditch dirt they try to throw can lure the ones who react from emotion rather than reason. However, we;re currently at the week from the actual election day mark and the Mad Fuhrer's minions attacking Hunter Biden or rumors of deals Biden supposed had with China (after news was revealed that electoral vote winner Donny had a private Chinese bank account and paid more in taxes to China than to this country) reeks of desperation. </p><p>Does that mean the polls will be right? Time will tell but early voting has been extremely high and if reports of high mail in voting and early voting coming from registered Democrats and Democratic party strongholds prove correct than the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago will have to not only keep his base (mainly white supremacists and white conservative christians [calling them evangelicals leaves out not just the differences between Black and Latinx evangelicals (who leaned Democrats more than not) and white evangelicals (who love Donny) as well as leaving out white fundamentalist christians and charismatics (both of whom differ subtly but have distinct differences for those in the know) but also gain strides in moderates and win over some liberal voters. Constantly speaking to the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago's base instead of reaching out doesn't help Donny. </p><p>We're a week before election day and it's still hard to tell what will happen. The polls could be very right but it's safe that people working on Democratic campaigns are operating as if they're behind in the polls instead of ahead in many of them. As voter suppression efforts get cranked to full in an attempt to scare those who'll vote against the Mad Fuhrer away from the polls the long lines for early voting can be a double edged sword. If these were normal times it'd be easier to say who might be a winner early on but these are not normal times and, with people still remembering 2016, things are up in the air and odds are good the winner won't be called on election night. </p><p>We'll see what happens in early November.<br /></p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5009209333583766573.post-63530118852964877092020-09-19T15:03:00.022-05:002020-09-20T12:32:45.680-05:00THE DEATH OF RBG, RIGHTS IN THE CROSSHAIRS, AND A FEW THOUGHTS ON THER STRUGGLE AHEAD<p> Last night I came home from a rough night at the paying job and, after cleaning up, looked on a certain social media site that doesn't need my help for publicity to learn about the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg from pancreatic cancer at the age of 87. While we all knew she was struggling healthwise (that form of cancer is notorious for killing most of the people diagnosed with it) it still came as a shock for multiple reasons from timing (just a little over a month before the 2020 Presidential election) to what's on the line (the new appointee from the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago could, if approved push back nearly 100 years of progress for women and various marginalized peoples as well as on various environmental and other issues). In fact Ginsburg herself had reportedly stated to her granddaughter a few days before her death that she didn't want her replacement chosen under the current President. The fact she apparently had to say that even on her last day is saddening enough but what';s at stake ranging form the reprodutvie rights of those people who can get pregnant to LGBTQIA rights. We also know that the new choice, if forced through,k could give the Mad Fuhrer license to turn this country full on to a authoritarian extreme right wing state more in line with apartheid era South Africa or Brazil under Bulsonaro than even what this country was like 20 years ago.</p><p><br />Now most of us know what's at stake here so I'll leave other people who have more details to share of that tell them. However, before I suggest or support any next steps I feel I have ot discuss a few things briefly. Yes, I'm aware that I'm not alone in saying these things but they need to be said.<br />First, Ruth Bader Ginsburg should have never been positioned as the one person who's passing could endanger the rights of millions of people. That it ended up that way due to several stolen elections (2000 and 2016) as well as an increasing lust for power from the Repubs (to the point where when Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland in 2016 Repubs denied Garland a hearing claiming it was against the rules for the President to nominate someone in an election year (though Addison the Turtle relishes the though of pushing through a justice for his side now). A system is broken when too much power is in the hands of too few people. And anyone who has actually laid attention can attest to - the system has been broken for a long long time.</p><p><br />In addition, Obama's mistake in not, when the Repubs refused to give Garland a hearing, putting Garland in as a recess appointment was a misfire. Granted conventional wisdom thought that Hillary Clinton would win the 2016 election and this wouldn't be an issue. However, we got electoral vote winner Donny which lead to SCOTUS justices like Neil Gorsuch and Bretty Brett Kavanaugh. Garland's nomination itself was an attempt to triangulate with a candidate both Dems and Repubs said was worthy to be a justice. However, when Obama tried this he learned yet again that even when he tried to satisfy the Repubs theGOP moved the goalposts and continued their quest to do everything possible to make sure he got as little as possible done (and why suggestions that if Biden wins the Repubs will suddenly come to their senses and work with them is naive at best).</p><p><br />Meanwhile both Senate Majority Leader Addison the Turtle and the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago seem hell-bent on pushing through a candidate with a little over a moth before the election and, if electoral vote winner Donny loses (and more importantly, if the asshiole concedes in the aftermath) a lame duck session. While some have suggested that there are a few Repubs that might not vote for a new justice in these circumstances we have to remember that Repubs in government often voice mild concerns but tend to vote in goosestep with the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago so we should be skeptical of this.<br />So what should be done. In the bigger picture - VOTE!!!! Yeah, I know it's not a great choice and there's enough misinformation designed to try and keep people home and away from the polls (or mailing in their vote, depending on location et al) but it's a step that has to be taken. While I won't outright tell you whom to vote for I do agree with Beau of the Fifth Column that Biden represents breathing room in the path of trying to change the way things are now. Yes, we'll have to protest him as well but the breathing room is necessary after the overwhelming shit sandwich that the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago has made the last four years.</p><p><br />Also, I know some people are going in for vote shaming and I understand that. However, it might not be the best way to get potential allies to your side on an electoral basis down the road. In addition I've heard anecdote that some people on the far left are nto voting or claiming that four more years of Donny will disgust people enough to choose a truly progressive candidate. However, Donny's had one term and the DNC still found a way to make the majority in its ranks vote for Biden (even if some will do so than throw up as soon as they find a nearby trash can) - so that isn't an accurate path either.<br /><br />It's going to take the diversity of tactics or, to paraphrase Jello Biafra, rebellion both in the voting booth and on the streets. Yes, voting is an important step but, unlike what those in power tell you, it's not the only thing that can be done. People are going to have to do everything from contacting their elected officials to voice that a new justice appointment shouldn't happen until after the election to even taking up the First Amendment right to protest (i.e.: what is meant by people have to petition their government for a redress of grievances). Yes, this means Repubs but also pressuring the Democratic party establishment who seems more interested in making money than in creating solid substantial policy (the latter of which ould offend wealthy donors). </p><p><br />As I said earlier these are merely a few brief thoughts, many in line with what other people are saying but is my take on them. While people may be in mourning last night and today the fight got a lot more real and has to be taken up tomorrow. We have less than 45 days until election day and shit got a lot more scary - and a lot more real.</p>Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11212132936940347135noreply@blogger.com0