Category: Beating Back the St00pid

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Rebel Alliance

From Fearsome Beard:

Mayors stand up for what is right, yes this is a link…go ahead click it…you know you want to. 

Not just mayors but governors. Good politicians with a moral compass who wish to pass a viable planet on to their children stand up.

The message that made me post a link to that article is that this is not a time to get bitter. Now is the time to lead. Lead by example. Lead with good honest morals. Lead by taking steps to not only meet the standards set for us by the Paris Agreement, but exceed those standards. Lead by taking these steps in each of our daily lives and in our communities, cities and states.

Say "Fuck You" to the weaklings who put personal gain and personal comfort over the love of their fellow man, the planet, the animals, the unborn descendants of us all. Those assholes aren't leaders, those assholes are spineless greedy selfish cowards.

Don't let such short sided dimwits make you angry & bitter, that's what they want. Follow the lead of these courageous Mayors and Governors. Follow their lead starting with your personal choices and follow them with your support. Together we can out do any mess and any harm that those that are misguided ignorant narcissistic demagogues dish out.

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Why Should I Pay Indeed

Congressman Rod Blum in a Dubuque town hall (Monday) night asked, 'Why should a 62-year-old man have to pay for maternity care?'

I ask, why should I pay for a bridge I don't cross, a sidewalk I don't walk on, a library book I don't read?

Why should I pay for a flower I won't smell, a park I don't visit, or art I can't appreciate? Why should I pay the salaries of politicians I didn't vote for, a tax cut that doesn't affect me, or a loophole I can't take advantage of?

It's called democracy, a civil society, the greater good. That's what we pay for." ~ Barbara Rank, Hidden Oaks Court, Dubuque

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Another Timely Blast From The Past

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose…

10 Questions to Help Determine if Your Religious Liberty Is Being Threatened

From a great little post over at Alternet:

This simple quiz will let you know if you're being oppressed.

1. My religious liberty is at risk because:

A) I am not allowed to go to a religious service of my own choosing.
B) Others are allowed to go to religious services of their own choosing.

2. My religious liberty is at risk because:

A) I am not allowed to marry the person I love legally, even though my religious community blesses my marriage.
B) Some states refuse to enforce my own particular religious beliefs on marriage on those two guys in line down at the courthouse.

3. My religious liberty is at risk because:

A) I am being forced to use birth control.
B) I am unable to force others to not use birth control.

4. My religious liberty is at risk because:

A) I am not allowed to pray privately.
B) I am not allowed to force others to pray the prayers of my faith publicly.

5. My religious liberty is at risk because:

A) Being a member of my faith means that I can be bullied without legal recourse.
B) I am no longer allowed to use my faith to bully gay kids with impunity.

6. My religious liberty is at risk because:

A) I am not allowed to purchase, read or possess religious books or material.
B) Others are allowed to have access books, movies and websites that I do not like.

7. My religious liberty is at risk because:

A) My religious group is not allowed equal protection under the establishment clause.
B) My religious group is not allowed to use public funds, buildings and resources as we would like, for whatever purposes we might like.

8. My religious liberty is at risk because:

A) Another religious group has been declared the official faith of my country.
B) My own religious group is not given status as the official faith of my country.

9. My religious liberty is at risk because:

A) My religious community is not allowed to build a house of worship in my community.
B) A religious community I do not like wants to build a house of worship in my community.

10. My religious liberty is at risk because:

A) I am not allowed to teach my children the creation stories of our faith at home.
B) Public school science classes are teaching science.

Scoring key:

If you answered "A" to any question, then perhaps your religious liberty is indeed at stake. You and your faith group have every right to now advocate for equal protection under the law. But just remember this one little, constitutional, concept: this means you can fight for your equality—not your superiority.

If you answered "B" to any question, then not only is your religious liberty not at stake, but there is a strong chance that you are oppressing the religious liberties of others. This is the point where I would invite you to refer back to the tenets of your faith, especially the ones about your neighbors.

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Cautiously Optimistic

From The Palmer Report:

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has never backed away from a fight with Donald Trump – and he's tended to win those battles. Schneiderman has succeeded in taking down the phony Trump University and the fraudulent Trump Foundation. He's also reportedly bringing state level RICO indictments against the Trump organization (link). And today, Schneiderman is also going after Trump over the AHCA.

Here's the official statement which New York AG Eric Schneiderman released today: "The healthcare bill passed today by House Republicans is a threat to the health and wellbeing of all New Yorkers. In addition to the devastating impact this bill would have on every New Yorker's access to affordable healthcare, the legislation that passed the House today is unconstitutional in several critical respects—and I stand ready to challenge it in court."

It continues: "First, House Republicans' attempt to effectively deny women access to reproductive healthcare services is a cruel and unconstitutional attack on women's rights – especially the most vulnerable. Further, the Collins-Faso Amendment is a cynical ploy by House Republican leadership and President Trump that exceeds Congress's authority by interfering with how New York has long elected to fund its Medicaid program. This bill threatens to slash essential healthcare services for millions of New Yorkers who need them the most. For these reasons, if this disastrous and unconstitutional healthcare bill is ultimately signed into law, I will challenge it in court." (link)

If the Senate votes no on the AHCA, or if the Democrats are able to filibuster it, then it will fail, and Obamacare will remain intact. But even if it does pass, it's clear the battle will just be beginning. And if New York can get the AHCA ruled unconstitiutional, it would be nullified in all fifty states. If the Democrats then win the midterms, they could reinstate Obamacare. So the fight against the AHCA is just getting started. 

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Be Careful What You Ask For

Well, we dodged at least one bullet today. 45's extra super special "Religious Freedom" EO doesn't explicitly allow discrimination against LGBT folks as previously feared. It's more of a feel-good-but-has-no-real-teeth-behind-it proclamation that might make it easier for churches and other religious groups to engage in politics without endangering their tax-exempt status. It does not appear to have any backdoor anti-gay discrimination language and its scope would be simply limited to employer-provided insurance and churches which endorse candidates. While the "christian" reich-wing wants full repeal of the Johnson amendment that put the whole church-taxation trigger in place, that isn't going to happen by way of a simple, crayon-scrawled Executive Order.

It should be noted that if there is anything in the order that runs counter to the Johnson Amendment, it cannot take effect without congressional action to repeal Jonson, but right on cue—because of course—one pencil-neck white male republican congressman from Indiana stood up today and advocated for a full repeal of said amendment.

Nothing triggers those Whitejesus® freaks like that pesky separation of church-and-state thing.

According to an article over at The Hill, "some social conservatives voiced frustration the order does not include provisions to allow them to oppose LGBT rights on religious grounds." While an earlier draft of the religious liberty order would have let federal contractors discriminate against LGBT employees based on faith beliefs, Thursday's version did not include such provisions, so naturally their panties are in a twist. Those "social conservatives" don't really care about "religious liberty" in any other context, so since this EO doesn't explicitly let them screw over gay people, they naturally aren't going to be happy.

Poor babies!

But the question I have (sort of prompted by the graphic above) is what happens when say, oh…I dunno…a Muslim congregation or Imam starts advocating politically? Is that allowed, or will it prompt a visit from Homeland Security?

Oh stupid me…I already know the answer to that! "Religious Liberty" only applies to Christians!

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Red Hot to Asshole in 30 Seconds

Once upon a time I thought this guy (who I used to follow on Instagram) was hot. Very hot. Then I came across a post where he went off about how he's straight and put these sort of photos up there "for the ladies" but goddamnit! his pictures were "stolen" and now showing up on gay sites, and people are assuming that he's gay.

And it's just not fair!

Let me explain this, since obviously you sir, are an idiot. Once you put something on the internet, it can—and will—go everywhere. If you originally post sexy pictures of yourself on Instagram (or wherever), they will be shared and eventually find their way into the hands of gay men who for the most part don't give a shit about whether you're gay or straight in real life but will nonetheless fantasize about doing hundreds of unspeakable, mutually pleasurable things with you based on those photos—and will then pass said photos on ad infinatum. Deal with it, and consider yourself lucky that people find you attractive at all considering how—despite your good looks—what an awful, insecure person your childish rant has revealed you to be.

And frankly, with all your whining, "The lady doth protest too much, me thinks."

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I Call Bullshit

So apparently now if you're a gay man and not sexually attracted to [black, brown, yellow, white…you fill in the blank] men, you're a racist.

Give me a fucking break.

To pull a line from one of the great gay films of the 80s, Parting Glances, "I mean, your dick knows what it likes. You reach puberty, you don't fucking decide what you like. You ask your dick. You say, 'Hey, Dick, what do you like?' and you go for it."

Listen…during my many years of adult life on this planet, I've slept with pretty much every color of the rainbow. Admittedly it was sometimes out of curiosity (since until that time I hadn't done it), and other times because the particular individual wanted me, but let's face it: we all have our particular kinks, preferences, and fetishes, and I'll be damned if going to be judged for it by some politically correct asshole.

And using this same type of reasoning the obvious question arises, are we sexist because we're gay and not sexually attracted to women?

 

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We Tried To Warn You

But you were having none of it because we were "Libtards."

You voted for Trump because Clinton was going to be in Wall Street's pocket. Trump wants to repeal Dodd-Frank and eliminate the Fiduciary Rule, letting Wall Street run rampant and return to its pre-2008 ways.

You voted for Trump because of Clinton's emails. The Trump administration is running its own private email server.

You voted for Trump because you thought the Clinton Foundation was "pay for play." Trump has refused to wall off his businesses from his administration, and personally profits from payments from foreign governments—in direct violation of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution and grounds in and of itself for Impeachment.

You voted for Trump because of Clinton's role in Benghazi. Trump ordered the Yemen raid without adequate intel, and then slept during the actual raid and upon waking tweeted about "FAKE NEWS" while Americans died as a result of his carelessness and insouciance.

You voted for Trump because Clinton didn't care about "the little guy." Trump's Cabinet—in case you haven't noticed—is full of billionaires, and he just took away your health insurance so he could give them a multi-million-dollar tax break.

You voted for Trump because he was going to build a wall and Mexico was going to pay for it. American consumers will pay for the wall via import tariffs, if not outright tax increases.

You voted for Trump because Clinton was going to get us into a war. Trump has provoked our enemies, alienated our allies, and given ISIS a decade's worth of recruiting material.

You voted for Trump because Clinton didn't have the stamina to do the job. Trump hung up on the Australian Prime Minister during a 5 pm phone call because "it was the end of a long day and he was tired and fatigue was setting in."

You voted for Trump because foreign leaders wouldn't "respect" Clinton. Foreign leaders—both friendly and hostile—are now openly mocking Trump.

You voted for Trump because Clinton lies and he "tells it like it is." Trump and his administration lie with a regularity and brazenness that can only be described as shocking.

Let's be honest about what really happened.

The reality is that you voted for Trump because you got conned. Trump is a grifter and the American people were the mark. Now that you know the score, quit insisting that this con-man is on your side.

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Not This Time, Motherfuckers

Not. this. time.

https://www.facebook.com/gregoryalocke/posts/1279925448727304

"I got on the subway in Manhattan tonight and found a Swastika on every advertisement and every window. The train was silent as everyone stared at each other, uncomfortable and unsure what to do.

One guy got up and said, "Hand sanitizer gets rid of Sharpie. We need alcohol." He found some tissues and got to work.

I've never seen so many people simultaneously reach into their bags and pockets looking for tissues and Purel. Within about two minutes, all the Nazi symbolism was gone.

Nazi symbolism. On a public train. In New York City. In 2017.

'I guess this is Trump's America,' said one passenger. No sir, it's not. Not tonight and not ever. Not as long as stubborn New Yorkers have anything to say about it."

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We Must Find Humor Where We Can Now

"Damage report." Picard sat down into the chair and braced himself for his worst nightmare.

The previous few days were like this:

"Damage Report."

"The Environmental Protection Agency has been frozen."

–

"Damage Report."

"There has been a gag order issued in the quadrant."

–

"Damage report."

"There is now a form of warpdrive that hurts space being used. It is speeding up the process of making black holes."

–

"There is a protective anti-transporter barrier being built around the planet as we speak."

Picard leaned back, half afraid to say it. Those five words, "What else can go wrong?" He rubbed the bridge of his nose feeling annoyed and dread. Dripping dread. The dreaded statement. It was as though the year 2017 was happening, from what little documentation remained from earth, all over again. What the hell was going on down there on Earth? Why was there a xenophobic human in charge of Star Fleet? Captain Kirk did not retire for this. What was next? Taking Earth out of the UFP? It would hurt Star Fleet as a whole. He didn't expect this to happen. Honestly. He voted for Janeway. Where would they go? The crew went out into space to explore and meet new civilizations. He didn't want to go back to Earth. Families were aboard the Enterprise.  They could always go to Alpha Centauri and re-establish Star Fleet Command from there.  Earth was returning to its isolationist state. The admirals had been planning for that and had informed Picard of this contingency plan among other captains. They were report there when the threatening, very conservative started turning issuing executive orders. People were likely leaving in the dozens by this news.

What is next?

Specie migration/immigration being pulled to a halt? And escorted from Earth?

"Captain. .  ."

Picard lowered his hand after careful consideration.

"Plot course for Alpha Centauri."

It made him sick to think this was really happening. He couldn't believe it wasn't a trick pulled by Q. God, did he wish that it was the case. Many of the crew members shared his feelings. Data,Geordi, Deanna,Worf, Wesley.  . . Never mind that Wesley was his son who also happened to be a entity. Unity was the strength of Star Fleet. Never mind how Military like it had become. The main goal was to explore. God, the next president had to be better than this man.

"Aye, Captain."

(Source)
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Quote Of The Day

These are not normal times. These are extraordinary times. And extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. When you have a spokesperson for the president of the United States wrap up a lie in the Orwellian phrase "alternative facts"…

When you have a press secretary in his first appearance before the White House reporters threaten, bully, lie, and then walk out of the briefing room without the cajones to answer a single question…

When you have a President stand before the stars of the fallen CIA agents and boast about the size of his crowds (lies) and how great his authoritarian inaugural speech was….

These are not normal times. The press has never seen anything like this before. The public has never seen anything like this before. And the political leaders of both parties have never seen anything like this before.

What can we do? We can all step up and say simply and without equivocation. "A lie, is a lie, is a lie!" And if someone won't say it, those of us who know that there is such a thing as the truth must do whatever is in our power to diminish the liar's malignant reach into our society.

There is one group of people who can do a lot – very quickly. And that is Republicans in Congress. Without their support, Donald Trump's presidency will falter. So here is what I think everyone in the press must do. If you are interviewing a Paul Ryan, a Mitch McConnell, or any other GOP elected official, the first question must be "what will you do to combat the lying from the White House?" If they dodge and weave, keep with the follow ups. And if they refuse to give a satisfactory answer, end the interview.

Facts and the truth are not partisan. They are the bedrock of our democracy. And you are either with them, with us, with our Constitution, our history, and the future of our nation, or you are against it. Everyone must answer that question." ~ Dan Rather

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And Of Course…

…right on cue, the petulant, cheeto-faced man-child set to assume the Presidency in 11 days had a 3 am meltdown on Twitter over Meryl's speech last night.

In the hours after after Hair Furor disgorged his early-morning missive, the army of his sycophants chimed in, led by the always death-warmed-over Kellyanne Conway, a.k.a. das Backpfeifengesicht, who appeared on Faux News to ask if Meryl was so concerned about the disabled why she didn't mention the mentally-challenged boy who was tortured on Facebook during her speech.

The lack of self-awareness displayed by Trump supporters complaining that celebrities like Meryl should stay out of politics when they elected a reality TV star with no political background is just fucking deafening.

More than anything, it punctuates the shitgibbon's lack of self-esteem. And again I have to ask, if this man is so thin-skinned that he will obsess about anyone who doesn't bow down and kiss his tiny-handed ring by spewing out insults via Twitter, how is he going to react to a real crisis?

I don't even want to think about it.

I believe what's at the root of this insecurity is Trump knowing in his heart of hearts that he will never be loved or admired by people in a way that Meryl (or Obama, or any number of others he's lashed out at) are—and it's drives him crazy. Hell, he and his administration are actually shaping up to be the most resoundingly hated group of people ever to assume power in this country, and that's a stink that he won't ever be able to wash off no matter how many rim jobs he gets from his Nazi followers.

 

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A Woman Just Stood Up To Trump's Latest Outburst On Twitter – And America Is Cheering Her On

Thin-skinned Donald Trump didn't like Saturday Night Live last night very much.

During the show he tweeted out the following, saying that the show was completely "unwatchable" and "not funny."

When, in fact, it was actually very funny – and got a lot of fanfare for making fun of Donald Trump's tweets, no less! Pretty ironic that he angrily tweeted about a show making fun of his tweets!

With that being said, one woman by the name of Danielle Muscato ended up going off on Donald Trump in his twitter feed in response to this latest outburst of his.

It was such a glorious beat down that it has to be shared.

Her message was instantly received by thousands and rose to the top of the Twitter feed and will no doubt be seen hundreds of thousands of people in the days to follow, and it should. It's worth every bit of your time to read.

Danielle Muscato just said what half of America has been thinking for months now.