dailykos--2020-08-14--Commentary: Southwest Florida’s lying liars who lie—a lot

Nobody likes to be lied about .
Whether you ’ re in kindergarten or elder care , it ’ s hurtful .
People who run for public office know that they ’ re going to be maligned ; it ’ s part of the process .
You put yourself out there and anyone can throw a rotten tomato ; it comes with the territory in an electoral contest .
In politics , if you can ’ t take the hit , don ’ t run for it .
But there are political lies , shadings of the truth and spins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are lies , malicious falsehoods of whole cloth , entirely made up , untruths so stinging and painful they can even get under the skin of a thick-skinned politician .
They ’ re more than lies , they ’ re smears .
In Southwest Florida the smears are getting smearier and penetrating Republican candidates ’ skins , like chigger bites .
The candidates are getting irritated and especially for the novices and amateurs , that burning itch just has to be scratched , as can be seen in their television ads .
Everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Republican field has steadily descended into a mud pit so deep not even a swamp buggy could escape .
As one example , take the battle between businessman Casey Askar and state Rep. Byron Donalds ( R-80-Immokalee ) .
Donalds was so exercised by Askar ’ s advertising charging that Donalds once supported Barack Obama that Donalds was moved to retain a lawyer ( Todd Allen of Naples ) to send a cease and desist letter to Askar .
“ There is nothing you could have discerned from Mr. Donalds ’ social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicates that he actually did vote for or support President Barack Obama .
Despite having that knowledge , you proceeded with the allegation out of pure malice toward Mr. Donalds , ” charges the Aug. 7 letter .
The letter goes on to point out that Askar has some thin skin of his own : He ’ s suing Andrew Duskin , a conservative activist in Naples , for $ 30,000 for alleging that Askar didn ’ t really earn the Harvard Business School degree he claims .
Stop leveling this terrible charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If you choose to continue with these false statements , Mr. Donalds will follow your lead and protect himself from misguided and unfounded attempts to assassinate his character ” —and we all know how terrible a crime it was to vote for Barack Obama , an offense committed by over 65 million Americans in 2012 .
But this is Southwest Florida and the two men are running in a Republican primary .
Chris Gober , Asker ’ s Austin , Texas-based attorney shot back on Aug. 10 with a 4-page letter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of Donalds ’ Democratic transgressions , noting that he was a registered Democrat in 2003 and “ did not register as a Republican until March 11 , 2010 , 484 days after Barack Obama was elected President of the United States.
” “ In summary , your letter does more to confirm the reality that Mr. Donalds supported President Barack than to rebut it ” —a charge so grave that Mr. Gober was apparently unable to bring himself to type out the name “ Obama.
” “ In conclusion , I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state the obvious : The truth is an absolute defense to a defamation claim , ” Gober wrote .
“ Thus , because your letter does more to confirm the reality that Mr. Donalds supported President Barack Obama than to rebut it , your client has no legal basis to demand that our campaign cease airing its advertisements.
” To the best of this author ’ s knowledge , this is the only time a cease and desist letter has been sent between political campaigns over so serious a charge .
And clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The cost of those lawyers and letters might as well be banknotes burned in an ash tray .
Similar charges are being made against state Rep. Dane Eagle ( R-77-Cape Coral ) .
He ’ s an endangered species , states a TV ad that puts him in a gunsight ’ s crosshairs , because he ’ s a “ surprisingly liberal Republican ” who supported former Republican presidential candidate and Utah senator , Mitt Romney—the only Republican senator to vote for President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment .
This charge came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee ( PAC ) called Conservative Outsiders PAC , based in Athens , Ga. , according to Federal Election Commission filings .
One interesting bit of hypocrisy comes courtesy of the campaign of Dr. William Figlesthaler , who has tried to transition from enraged , belt-wielding gon na give you a whuppin ’ dad to genial barbequing paterfamilias in his latest TV ad , “ Choices.
” “ I ’ ve been focused on one thing : fighting for you and the conservative values we hold dear .
Because tearing each other down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , ” he says as he benignly serves up lumps of charred flesh .
That ’ s a laugh and a half considering that Figlesthaler has been a serial violator of President Ronald Reagan ’ s 11th commandment— “ Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican ” —in the 19th Congressional District race to date .
But no primary race has generated more heat and anger over lying than the one for state Senate District 27 , which covers Cape Coral , Fort Myers , Sanibel , Pine Island and Fort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heather Fitzenhagen ( R-78-Fort Myers ) has characterized state Rep. Ray Rodrigues ( R-76-Estero ) as “ Sugar Ray , ” a lackey of the sugar industry , which is blamed for polluting Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River .
She in turn is being portrayed in TV ads as an abortion-loving , open borders-abetting liberal by Rodrigues and the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee .
Fitzenhagen is so mad about what she says are lies told about her that she ’ s grabbed a gun in a TV ad called “ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produced by something called In Florida we Trust , formed in June and located in Bonita Springs .
It is aimed—literally—at Rodrigues .
“ If you see Ray Rodrigues , tell him to stop lying about me and my record .
I ’ m pro-life , pro-gun , pro-Trump , ” she snaps , blasting away with a rifle—presumably what she ’ d do to Ray Rodrigues if she ever saw him on the street .
Commentary : The father of all lies Why all this lying ?
And why does it seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate in Southwest Florida has pledged his or her eternal loyalty to the Great God Trump and there is no liar in this or any other universe like Donald J. Trump built his 2016 campaign on lies : he lies as president ; he lied in his inaugural address ; he lied about Ukraine ; he lied about coronavirus ; he lies about people close to him ; he lies about his opponents ; he lied about his marriage vows ; he lied about his oath of office ; he lies about Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies on Twitter ; he lies incessantly , compulsively , daily , hourly—he even lies when truth might help him and he probably lies in his dreams .
This is the man all these Southwest Florida candidates “ stand with , ” praise , exalt and swear undying fealty to—and base their own behavior upon .
The Republican candidates of Southwest Florida can see that lying got Donald Trump elected .
Since he ’ s elevated as the model of perfection and he lies constantly , his acolytes clearly feel no compulsion to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else .
Since lying is acceptable at the very pinnacle of the nation and there are no consequences for doing it , why not lie about their opponents to get elected ?
What they did not take into account is the impact of being lied about .
It hurts .
It ’ s painful to have your life and career and motivations and intentions and actions twisted and distorted and even completely fictionalized .
In Trump , they all identify with the liar but have no empathy for the victims .
So while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies at opponents and perceived enemies , it ’ s something else entirely to take incoming lies blasting you .
Put another way , they can dish it out but they can ’ t take it .
While politics have always had an element of falsehood , Trump has lowered the bar to a whole new level .
He ’ s dragged down all his adherents with him , even in places as remote and obscure as Southwest Florida .
Most of these candidates have never run for office before and never experienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brawling .
When a lie punches you in the face , it ’ s painful and that ’ s a new and surprising sensation to them .
“ You are not dealing with rational actors , ” writes Republican political consultant Rick Wilson in his brilliant book , Running Against the Devil : A Plot to Save America from Trump—and Democrats from Themselves .
“ They are in service to an utterly amoral man , and by both inclination and necessity they will mirror his behaviors.
” So lies and insults are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Southwest Florida .
Voters and television viewers can take comfort that the primary ordeal is almost over : this coming Tuesday , Aug. 18 , the ballots will be counted and winners will emerge .
Then will begin a simpler battle for the general election , when a decision will theoretically be rendered on Nov. 3 .
If you haven ’ t voted already , in person or by mail , make sure you do , whatever your affiliation .
Keep in mind as well that this year nearly every race will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an alternative to this madness .
And instead of imitating Trump , you can take as your model someone else and follow his advice to do unto others as you would have them do unto you .

The Paradise Progressive Commentary August 13, 2020 7 Minutes
Aug. 14, 2020 by David Silverberg.
Nobody likes to be lied about. Whether you’re in kindergarten or elder care, it’s hurtful.
People who run for public office know that they’re going to be maligned; it’s part of the process. You put yourself out there and anyone can throw a rotten tomato; it comes with the territory in an electoral contest. In politics, if you can’t take the hit, don’t run for it.
But there are political lies, shadings of the truth and spins of the facts, and then there are lies, malicious falsehoods of whole cloth, entirely made up, untruths so stinging and painful they can even get under the skin of a thick-skinned politician. They’re more than lies, they’re smears.
Swamp creatures
In Southwest Florida the smears are getting smearier and penetrating Republican candidates’ skins, like chigger bites. The candidates are getting irritated and especially for the novices and amateurs, that burning itch just has to be scratched, as can be seen in their television ads. Everyone is accusing everyone else of lying. The Republican field has steadily descended into a mud pit so deep not even a swamp buggy could escape.
As one example, take the battle between businessman Casey Askar and state Rep. Byron Donalds (R-80-Immokalee).
Donalds was so exercised by Askar’s advertising charging that Donalds once supported Barack Obama that Donalds was moved to retain a lawyer (Todd Allen of Naples) to send a cease and desist letter to Askar.
“There is nothing you could have discerned from Mr. Donalds’ social media activity or his political activities that indicates that he actually did vote for or support President Barack Obama. Despite having that knowledge, you proceeded with the allegation out of pure malice toward Mr. Donalds,” charges the Aug. 7 letter.
The letter goes on to point out that Askar has some thin skin of his own: He’s suing Andrew Duskin, a conservative activist in Naples, for $30,000 for alleging that Askar didn’t really earn the Harvard Business School degree he claims.
Stop leveling this terrible charge, says the letter to Askar. “If you choose to continue with these false statements, Mr. Donalds will follow your lead and protect himself from misguided and unfounded attempts to assassinate his character”—and we all know how terrible a crime it was to vote for Barack Obama, an offense committed by over 65 million Americans in 2012. But this is Southwest Florida and the two men are running in a Republican primary.
Chris Gober, Asker’s Austin, Texas-based attorney shot back on Aug. 10 with a 4-page letter of his own. In it he detailed all of Donalds’ Democratic transgressions, noting that he was a registered Democrat in 2003 and “did not register as a Republican until March 11, 2010, 484 days after Barack Obama was elected President of the United States.”
“In summary, your letter does more to confirm the reality that Mr. Donalds supported President Barack than to rebut it”—a charge so grave that Mr. Gober was apparently unable to bring himself to type out the name “Obama.”
“In conclusion, I would be remiss if I did not explicitly state the obvious: The truth is an absolute defense to a defamation claim,” Gober wrote. “Thus, because your letter does more to confirm the reality that Mr. Donalds supported President Barack Obama than to rebut it, your client has no legal basis to demand that our campaign cease airing its advertisements.”
To the best of this author’s knowledge, this is the only time a cease and desist letter has been sent between political campaigns over so serious a charge.
And clearly, neither party is ceasing or desisting. The cost of those lawyers and letters might as well be banknotes burned in an ash tray.
Similar charges are being made against state Rep. Dane Eagle (R-77-Cape Coral). He’s an endangered species, states a TV ad that puts him in a gunsight’s crosshairs, because he’s a “surprisingly liberal Republican” who supported former Republican presidential candidate and Utah senator, Mitt Romney—the only Republican senator to vote for President Donald Trump’s impeachment.
This charge came out of an independent super political action committee (PAC) called Conservative Outsiders PAC, based in Athens, Ga., according to Federal Election Commission filings.
One interesting bit of hypocrisy comes courtesy of the campaign of Dr. William Figlesthaler, who has tried to transition from enraged, belt-wielding gonna give you a whuppin’ dad to genial barbequing paterfamilias in his latest TV ad, “Choices.”
“I’ve been focused on one thing: fighting for you and the conservative values we hold dear. Because tearing each other down is no way to build our country up,” he says as he benignly serves up lumps of charred flesh. That’s a laugh and a half considering that Figlesthaler has been a serial violator of President Ronald Reagan’s 11th commandment—“Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican”—in the 19th Congressional District race to date.
But no primary race has generated more heat and anger over lying than the one for state Senate District 27, which covers Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel, Pine Island and Fort Myers Beach. There, state Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen (R-78-Fort Myers) has characterized state Rep. Ray Rodrigues (R-76-Estero) as “Sugar Ray,” a lackey of the sugar industry, which is blamed for polluting Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River.
She in turn is being portrayed in TV ads as an abortion-loving, open borders-abetting liberal by Rodrigues and the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Fitzenhagen is so mad about what she says are lies told about her that she’s grabbed a gun in a TV ad called “If you see Ray.” The ad is produced by something called In Florida we Trust, formed in June and located in Bonita Springs. It is aimed—literally—at Rodrigues.
“If you see Ray Rodrigues, tell him to stop lying about me and my record. I’m pro-life, pro-gun, pro-Trump,” she snaps, blasting away with a rifle—presumably what she’d do to Ray Rodrigues if she ever saw him on the street.
Commentary: The father of all lies
Why all this lying? And why does it seem worse than usual?
Every single Republican candidate in Southwest Florida has pledged his or her eternal loyalty to the Great God Trump and there is no liar in this or any other universe like Donald J.
Trump built his 2016 campaign on lies: he lies as president; he lied in his inaugural address; he lied about Ukraine; he lied about coronavirus; he lies about people close to him; he lies about his opponents; he lied about his marriage vows; he lied about his oath of office; he lies about Russia; he lies about America; he lies on Twitter; he lies incessantly, compulsively, daily, hourly—he even lies when truth might help him and he probably lies in his dreams.
This is the man all these Southwest Florida candidates “stand with,” praise, exalt and swear undying fealty to—and base their own behavior upon.
The Republican candidates of Southwest Florida can see that lying got Donald Trump elected. Since he’s elevated as the model of perfection and he lies constantly, his acolytes clearly feel no compulsion to tell the truth about themselves or anything else. Since lying is acceptable at the very pinnacle of the nation and there are no consequences for doing it, why not lie about their opponents to get elected?
What they did not take into account is the impact of being lied about.
It hurts. It’s painful to have your life and career and motivations and intentions and actions twisted and distorted and even completely fictionalized. In Trump, they all identify with the liar but have no empathy for the victims. So while it’s easy to fire outgoing lies at opponents and perceived enemies, it’s something else entirely to take incoming lies blasting you. Put another way, they can dish it out but they can’t take it.
While politics have always had an element of falsehood, Trump has lowered the bar to a whole new level. He’s dragged down all his adherents with him, even in places as remote and obscure as Southwest Florida. Most of these candidates have never run for office before and never experienced the slings and arrows of normal political brawling. When a lie punches you in the face, it’s painful and that’s a new and surprising sensation to them.
“You are not dealing with rational actors,” writes Republican political consultant Rick Wilson in his brilliant book, Running Against the Devil: A Plot to Save America from Trump—and Democrats from Themselves. “They are in service to an utterly amoral man, and by both inclination and necessity they will mirror his behaviors.”
So lies and insults are the order of the day among the Trumplettes of Southwest Florida.
Voters and television viewers can take comfort that the primary ordeal is almost over: this coming Tuesday, Aug. 18, the ballots will be counted and winners will emerge. Then will begin a simpler battle for the general election, when a decision will theoretically be rendered on Nov. 3.
If you haven’t voted already, in person or by mail, make sure you do, whatever your affiliation.
Keep in mind as well that this year nearly every race will have a Democratic candidate who will provide an alternative to this madness.
And instead of imitating Trump, you can take as your model someone else and follow his advice to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Liberty lives in light
©2020 by David Silverberg


dailykos--2020-08-15--I Have A Few Questions for you, Mister President!

Anything goes , I guess .
We ’ re all disillusioned by the way things have been going and with good reason .
That last word is lacking , by the way , in places up high , especially the White House .
Reason .
Although there are reasons that are clandestine and apparent , most of them are evil .
Plain and simple .
Instead of asking President Trump about his compulsive lying ( there is one report that says documents show 20,000 lies Trump has told since taking office ) , why don ’ t we ask a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ d like to hear from him , in spite of the obvious answers we ’ ll most likely get : • Do you love or loathe your country , Mister President ?
• Doesn ’ t it bother you that 150,000 ( probably some of your supporters ) have died from COVID-19 and what will you do about it now ?
• What is your view on race relations and diversity ?
Be honest , please !
• Is it really necessary to grab females by the p # **y ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s your opinion on violence overall ?
• When is the stimulus package coming to call ?
Really ?
!
• In your honest opinion , doesn ’ t Mitch McConnell look like a turtle or should he be in a tree making cookies ?
• What ’ s your bunker like ?
Is it nicer than my apartment ?
• Why do you hate dogs so much ?
Woof !
• How many times have you , in your estimation , thrown tamper tantrums for whatever reason ?
• Does ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any water considering that since taking office , the opposite has happened ( even in 1 BC — 2019 AD , the time before the COVID Shuffle ) ?
• Can you pronounce words that most ordinary folks can pronounce ?
• Are your frightened of ramps , glasses of water and most recently , catching a baseball ‘ cause you looked real scared when you did ?
• Was Melania in her right mind at the time when she married you ?
• Can Ivanka do more than walk the room , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your employment and termination rate for your DC staff ?
And we don ’ t mean ‘ comics ’ !
• Have you , be honest , entertained the notion that you are nothing more than an egotistical , racist , sexist , short sighted , money grubbing , people hating nihilist and just down right , a crummy guy overall ?
• If you don ’ t like dogs , then why do you attack the mailman ?
The list could go on and on and on and on , much like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of him and the White house .
We do also have the most likely responses that El Presidente Loco would have in kind : • What was the question ?
• What regrets ?
We are doing fine as is the case with COVID .
• America is Great Again !
Can ’ t you guys see that ?
• My bunker is like a ‘ man cave ’ !
• Mitch McConnell ?
Hmmm !
I think either a turtle or up in tree might be something .
• How do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tied sometimes .
• Ramps are on an incline .
Don ’ t tell me that you are not scared of them too .
Water and baseballs are apples and oranges .
• Melania married me because of my awesome personality .
• Ivanka is just fine where she is at the moment .
Don ’ t talk back and accepts everything .
• As far as our DC staff is concerned , we ’ re always hiring !
• You cast doubt about my psychological make up and my actions .
Well… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know .
Next question .
• I ’ ve got ‘ mailophobia ’ and ‘ votedoutophobia ’ .
Yes ( he points ) , now you !
Well there you have it gang !
Questions of high caliber responded to by a man of low character .
it is gauged by the past and present of interrogatories in regards to Donald J Trump .
He ’ s up there with the best of con men .
Winning the election was just the beginning and now we live in ‘ no where man ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ask the Amazing Don anything .
Rest assured , you ’ ll definitely get an answer unless he decides to walk out during a press conference , interview or when he runs a rally and spouts off as he does consistently .
A simple yes or no deal just isn ’ t him at all .
Rather , switching subjects , diverting to something else or answer a question with a question .
Yup !
Trump really knows how to play the game , as long as it ’ s a game with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Keep an objective ear .
Wear you mask and wash your hands , please !
Keep up with things , never a dull moment .
Fight the good fight !
You and I and everyone else are many .
Trump has a few people in contrast and is amazing to see them jack up a cup of coffee , let alone everything else .
Solidarity , oh my brothers and sisters .
Solidarity forever !

Anything goes, I guess. We’re all disillusioned by the way things have been going and with good reason. That last word is lacking, by the way, in places up high, especially the White House. Reason. Although there are reasons that are clandestine and apparent, most of them are evil. Plain and simple.
Instead of asking President Trump about his compulsive lying (there is one report that says documents show 20,000 lies Trump has told since taking office), why don’t we ask a couple other questions which I am sure we’d like to hear from him, in spite of the obvious answers we’ll most likely get:
Do you love or loathe your country, Mister President?
Doesn’t it bother you that 150,000 (probably some of your supporters) have died from COVID-19 and what will you do about it now?
What is your view on race relations and diversity? Be honest, please!
Is it really necessary to grab females by the p#**y?
How do you view and what’s your opinion on violence overall?
When is the stimulus package coming to call? Really?!
In your honest opinion, doesn’t Mitch McConnell look like a turtle or should he be in a tree making cookies?
What’s your bunker like? Is it nicer than my apartment?
Why do you hate dogs so much? Woof!
How many times have you, in your estimation, thrown tamper tantrums for whatever reason?
Does ‘Make America Great Again’ actually hold any water considering that since taking office, the opposite has happened (even in 1 BC — 2019 AD, the time before the COVID Shuffle)?
Can you pronounce words that most ordinary folks can pronounce?
Are your frightened of ramps, glasses of water and most recently, catching a baseball ‘cause you looked real scared when you did?
Was Melania in her right mind at the time when she married you?
Can Ivanka do more than walk the room, smile and wave?
What is your employment and termination rate for your DC staff? And we don’t mean ‘comics’!
Have you, be honest, entertained the notion that you are nothing more than an egotistical, racist, sexist, short sighted, money grubbing, people hating nihilist and just down right, a crummy guy overall?
If you don’t like dogs, then why do you attack the mailman?
The list could go on and on and on and on, much like the redundancy of predictable and obvious actions of him and the White house. We do also have the most likely responses that El Presidente Loco would have in kind:
What was the question?
What regrets? We are doing fine as is the case with COVID.
Race? You talking about Nascar?
America is Great Again! Can’t you guys see that?
COVID deaths? I do miss my supporters.
My bunker is like a ‘man cave’!
Stimulus checks are comin’, rest assured!
Mitch McConnell? Hmmm! I think either a turtle or up in tree might be something.
How do you spell that word? I get tongue tied sometimes.
Ramps are on an incline. Don’t tell me that you are not scared of them too. Water and baseballs are apples and oranges.
Melania married me because of my awesome personality.
Ivanka is just fine where she is at the moment. Don’t talk back and accepts everything.
As far as our DC staff is concerned, we’re always hiring!
You cast doubt about my psychological make up and my actions. Well… I am the most awesome person I know. Next question.
I’ve got ‘mailophobia’ and ‘votedoutophobia’. Yes (he points), now you!
President Obama was way too busy to use the bunker!
Well there you have it gang! Questions of high caliber responded to by a man of low character. it is gauged by the past and present of interrogatories in regards to Donald J Trump. He’s up there with the best of con men. Winning the election was just the beginning and now we live in ‘no where man’s’ land as a result.
Ask the Amazing Don anything. Rest assured, you’ll definitely get an answer unless he decides to walk out during a press conference, interview or when he runs a rally and spouts off as he does consistently. A simple yes or no deal just isn’t him at all. Rather, switching subjects, diverting to something else or answer a question with a question. Yup! Trump really knows how to play the game, as long as it’s a game with his own rules.
People...Vote! Keep an objective ear. Wear you mask and wash your hands, please! Keep up with things, never a dull moment. Fight the good fight! You and I and everyone else are many. Trump has a few people in contrast and is amazing to see them jack up a cup of coffee, let alone everything else.
Solidarity, oh my brothers and sisters. Solidarity forever!


dailykos--2020-08-16--This Week in the War on Women:(Women of Scifi pt 1)& an Historic Election-Week 8/15/20

Science fiction and fantasy serve as important vehicles for feminist thought , particularly as bridges between theory and practice .
No other genres so actively invite representations of the ultimate goals of feminism : worlds free of sexism , worlds in which women 's contributions ( to science ) are recognized and valued , worlds that explore the diversity of women 's desire and sexuality , and worlds that move beyond gender .
( Arguably the most famous feminist story probably ever written ) ; Houston , Houston , Do You Read ?
Houston , Houston , Do You Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tiptree , Jr. ( pseudonym of Alice Sheldon ) .
It won a Nebula Award for Best Novella in 1976 and a Hugo Award for Best Novella in 1977.enacademic.com/… `` written in the 1970s by Alice Sheldon .
( Tiptree was her pen name . )
Three male astronauts encounter a strange space craft after their own ship is damaged by a solar flare .
They are unable to return to the planet as planned , but they 're rescued by this other crew .
The crew is human , but something 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall question is : what would future society look like , function like , if there were no males ?
Can males introduced to such a society adapt , or will their essential sexual-aggressive-warlike male nature always dominate ? ''
[ Three days from now ( Aug. 18th ) marks the 100th anniversary of the final ratification of the 19th Amendment , which added these words to the United States Constitution : '' The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sex .
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation . ''
] Ecofeminism is a branch of feminism that sees environmentalism , and the relationship between women and the earth , as foundational to its analysis and practice .
Ecofeminist thinkers draw on the concept of gender to analyse the relationships between humans and the natural world .
[ 1 ] Ecofeminist theory asserts that a feminist perspective of ecology does not place women in the dominant position of power , but rather calls for an egalitarian , collaborative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominant group .
[ 4 ] Today , there are several branches of ecofeminism , with varying approaches and analyses , including liberal ecofeminism , spiritual/cultural ecofeminism , and social/socialist ecofeminism ( or materialist ecofeminism ) .
[ 4 ] Interpretations of ecofeminism and how it might be applied to social thought include ecofeminist art , social justice and political philosophy , religion , contemporary feminism , and poetry.en.m.wikipedia.org/ ...
In the 1993 essay entitled `` Ecofeminism : Toward Global Justice and Planetary Health '' authors Greta Gaard and Lori Gruen outline what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The essay provides a wealth of data and statistics in addition to outlining the theoretical aspects of the ecofeminist critique .
The framework described is intended to establish ways of viewing and understanding our current global situations so that we can better understand how we arrived at this point and what may be done to ameliorate the ills .
Gaard and Gruen argue that there are four sides to this framework : • Themechanistic materialist model of the universe that resulted from thescientific revolution and the subsequent reduction of all things into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inert matter to be used .
• The rise ofpatriarchal religions and their establishment of gender hierarchies along with their denial ofimmanent divinity .
• Self and other dualisms and the inherent power and domination ethic it entails .
• Capitalism and its claimed intrinsic need for the exploitation , destruction and instrumentalization of animals , earth and people for the sole purpose of creatingwealth .
They hold that these four factors have brought us to what ecofeminists see as a `` separation between nature and culture '' that is for them the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ 8 ] '' There 's a lot of different and very specific types of feminism out there .
Which one ( s ) do you most identify with ? ''
· Womanism/Black Feminism - Racism and gender discrimination are two sides of the same coin .
( I assume we all know the meaning of this ) · Liberal Feminism - Advocates for equality between the sexes through social and political reforms , and legal means .
Importance of an individual , and believe that every woman can assert her place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is stressed .
Leans more towards 'sameness ' perspective , and seeks to bring about a change only in the present state of society , and not a revolution as such .
· Radical Feminism - Belief that it is the male-dominated hierarchy ( or patriarchy ) which is responsible for the oppressed status of women today .
According to this branch of feminism , if changes are not brought about in this hierarchy , there can be no equality between men and women , and that a total reconstruction of the society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reforms .
· Cultural Feminism - Developed from radical feminism , although they hold many opposing views .
Belief that there is a `` female nature '' or `` female essence . ''
This feminism acknowledges the uniqueness of female qualities and the difference between them and that of men 's .
These qualities are not entirely biological but also psychological and cultural nature .
Female essence should be celebrated , and infused with the male-dominated world to provide the right balance to the working of society .
It is believed that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
· Marxist/Socialist Feminism - Belief that the oppressed status of women can be attributed to the unequal treatment at both the workplace , and in the house .
Financial and personal exploitation , the institution of marriage , childbirth and childcare , prostitution , and domestic work .
The capitalist system is to blame for the inequalities women face .
· Intersectional Feminism - Feminism that is inclusive to all that are considered to be apart of a marginalized group in society .
This includes but is not limited to all race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s3x workers , etc · Separatist Feminism - Form of radical feminism that holds that opposition to patriarchy is best done through focusing exclusively on women and girls .
Some separatist feminists believe that men can not make positive contributions to the feminist movement and that even well-intentioned men replicate the dynamics of patriarchy .
Bill That Would Allow Child Marriage Comes Under Fire In Somalia The proposed legislation would allow a girl to be married once her sexual organs mature .
The new Sexual Intercourse Related Crimes Bill “ would represent a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence in Somalia and across the globe ” and should be withdrawn immediately , the United Nations special representative on sexual violence in conflict , Pramila Patten , said in a statement Tuesday .
Mary Church Terrell and the Power of Language Sometimes freedom is a matter of timing .
Mary Church Terrell knew that lesson well .
She was born in Memphis in September 1863 — the middle of the Civil War .
Her parents had been enslaved , but Mary was born free , and she charted a course of leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and men across the nation .
She became a suffragist .
She fought for the rights of all people of color .
Holding America to the promises of the Declaration of Independence — life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all — became her life ’ s work .
Mary Church Terrell ( September 23 , 1863 – July 24 , 1954 ) was one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree , and became known as a national activist for civil rights and suffrage .
[ 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the M Street school ( now known as Paul Laurence Dunbar High School ) —the first African American public high school in the nation—in Washington , DC .
In 1896 , she was the first African-American woman in the United States to be appointed to the school board of a major city , serving in the District of Columbia until 1906 en.m.wikipedia.org/ ...
The Amish Keep to Themselves .
A year of reporting by Cosmo and Type Investigations reveals a culture of incest , rape , and abuse .
Exclusive : unusual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more cases to trialwww.theguardian.com/ ...
The Supreme Court ’ s recent decision in June Medical v. Russo was hailed by many liberal court watchers as a win for reproductive rights , as the court declined to overturn Roe v. Wade and formally eliminate the right to an abortion .
On Friday , however , a federal appeals court ruled that June Medical significantly narrowed the constitutional right to abortion access .
The 8th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals panel swept away an injunction that had blocked Arkansas from enforcing a slew of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients pregnant as a result of rape notify their rapists before terminating their pregnancy .
The appellate court ’ s decision confirms that Chief Justice John Roberts ’ controlling opinion in June Medical will serve as a tool to eviscerate abortion rights .
slate.com/ ... Lawmaker With COVID : My Health Choices Are Up To Me .
Critics : That ’ s What Women Assert .
Rep. Louie Gohmert , who believes women should be forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term , is suddenly all about ( his ) freedom of choice.www.huffpost.com/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battleaxe ’ and ‘ spinster ’ to ‘ slut ’ ' many of the words used to describe women are laden with negativity , judgement and criticism .
InWord of Mouth , Nikki Bedi and Professor Deborah Cameron explore how sexism is reflected in the English language and discuss why the words we choose are important .
Here are a few of the interesting issues they uncover .

Science fiction and fantasy serve as important vehicles for feminist thought, particularly as bridges between theory and practice. No other genres so actively invite representations of the ultimate goals of feminism: worlds free of sexism, worlds in which women's contributions (to science) are recognized and valued, worlds that explore the diversity of women's desire and sexuality, and worlds that move beyond gender.
— Elyce Rae Helford
(Arguably the most famous feminist story probably ever written);
Houston, Houston, Do You Read?
by Alice Sheldon (James Tiptree jr )
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/…
Houston, Houston, Do You Read?" is a novella by James Tiptree, Jr. (pseudonym of Alice Sheldon). It won a Nebula Award for Best Novella in 1976 and a Hugo Award for Best Novella in 1977.enacademic.com/… "written in the 1970s by Alice Sheldon. (Tiptree was her pen name.) Three male astronauts encounter a strange space craft after their own ship is damaged by a solar flare. They are unable to return to the planet as planned, but they're rescued by this other crew. The crew is human, but something's a little different about them.
The overall question is: what would future society look like, function like, if there were no males? Can males introduced to such a society adapt, or will their essential sexual-aggressive-warlike male nature always dominate?"
Some Leading writers in feminist speculative fiction
Ursula le guin James Tiptree Kate Wilhelm Carol Emshwiller Octavia Butler Pat Murphy Joanna Russ....many more including: N.K. Jemisin Andre Norton Anne McCaffrey
Connie Willis Nnedi Okorafor C.J. Cherryh Jane Yolen Lois McMaster Bujold
8 Must-Read Feminist Science Fiction Books From Ursula K. Le Guin to Joanna Russ to Octavia Butler, feminist sci-fi writers have been using science fiction to tell powerful stories about space heroines, female commanders and rulers, and general bad ass futuristic females that explore important themes of gender, sexuality, and race. They're stories from the female perspective, about the female perspective, and, as often is the case in real life, they're stories that end with the girl saving herself. www.bustle.com/...
Petition: The Federal Parliament of Somalia is set to vote on a heavily amended "Intercourse Bill" that will further violate the human rights, agency and bodily autonomy of children, women and girls in Somalia. www.change.org/…
WOW LINKS for week 8/15/20:
[Three days from now (Aug. 18th) marks the 100th anniversary of the final ratification of the 19th Amendment, which added these words to the United States Constitution:
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of Sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."]
Joe Biden picks Kamala Harris as his running mate in Historic first for a Woman of Color theguardian
The Trump world’s approach to Harris was somewhat scattershot, with the Biden campaign counting at least 20 lines of attack the president’s campaign used against her. Apparently it’s still trying to figure out how to best smear her. But racism and misogyny were central to the attacks. www.huffpost.com/... Hilarious McSweeney's piece on the "totally not racist or sexist" attacks we're going to hear on our historic VP candidate.
Definitions: Ecofeminism is a branch of feminism that sees environmentalism, and the relationship between women and the earth, as foundational to its analysis and practice. Ecofeminist thinkers draw on the concept of gender to analyse the relationships between humans and the natural world.[1] Ecofeminist theory asserts that a feminist perspective of ecology does not place women in the dominant position of power, but rather calls for an egalitarian, collaborative society in which there is no one dominant group.[4] Today, there are several branches of ecofeminism, with varying approaches and analyses, including liberal ecofeminism, spiritual/cultural ecofeminism, and social/socialist ecofeminism (or materialist ecofeminism).[4] Interpretations of ecofeminism and how it might be applied to social thought include ecofeminist art, social justice and political philosophy, religion, contemporary feminism, and poetry.en.m.wikipedia.org/...
In the 1993 essay entitled "Ecofeminism: Toward Global Justice and Planetary Health" authors Greta Gaard and Lori Gruen outline what they call the "ecofeminist framework". The essay provides a wealth of data and statistics in addition to outlining the theoretical aspects of the ecofeminist critique. The framework described is intended to establish ways of viewing and understanding our current global situations so that we can better understand how we arrived at this point and what may be done to ameliorate the ills. Gaard and Gruen argue that there are four sides to this framework: The mechanistic materialist model of the universe that resulted from the scientific revolution and the subsequent reduction of all things into mere resources to be optimized, dead inert matter to be used. The rise of patriarchal religions and their establishment of gender hierarchies along with their denial of immanent divinity. Self and other dualisms and the inherent power and domination ethic it entails. Capitalism and its claimed intrinsic need for the exploitation, destruction and instrumentalization of animals, earth and people for the sole purpose of creating wealth. They hold that these four factors have brought us to what ecofeminists see as a "separation between nature and culture" that is for them the root source of our planetary ills.[8] en.m.wikipedia.org/...
Resources: The LSA Womanist/Feminist Forum (The Internet's largest African American Forum. from an African American perspective.) "There's a lot of different and very specific types of feminism out there. Which one(s) do you most identify with?" · Womanism/Black Feminism - Racism and gender discrimination are two sides of the same coin. (I assume we all know the meaning of this)
· Liberal Feminism - Advocates for equality between the sexes through social and political reforms, and legal means. Importance of an individual, and believe that every woman can assert her place in society and gain the rights she deserves is stressed. Leans more towards 'sameness' perspective, and seeks to bring about a change only in the present state of society, and not a revolution as such.
· Radical Feminism - Belief that it is the male-dominated hierarchy (or patriarchy) which is responsible for the oppressed status of women today. According to this branch of feminism, if changes are not brought about in this hierarchy, there can be no equality between men and women, and that a total reconstruction of the society is necessary to bring about the desired reforms.
· Cultural Feminism - Developed from radical feminism, although they hold many opposing views. Belief that there is a "female nature" or "female essence." This feminism acknowledges the uniqueness of female qualities and the difference between them and that of men's. These qualities are not entirely biological but also psychological and cultural nature. Female essence should be celebrated, and infused with the male-dominated world to provide the right balance to the working of society. It is believed that this will lead to fewer wars and violence.
· Marxist/Socialist Feminism - Belief that the oppressed status of women can be attributed to the unequal treatment at both the workplace, and in the house. Financial and personal exploitation, the institution of marriage, childbirth and childcare, prostitution, and domestic work. The capitalist system is to blame for the inequalities women face.
· Intersectional Feminism - Feminism that is inclusive to all that are considered to be apart of a marginalized group in society. This includes but is not limited to all race, gender identities, sexual orientations, s3x workers, etc
· Separatist Feminism - Form of radical feminism that holds that opposition to patriarchy is best done through focusing exclusively on women and girls. Some separatist feminists believe that men cannot make positive contributions to the feminist movement and that even well-intentioned men replicate the dynamics of patriarchy. www.lipstickalley.com/...
Bill That Would Allow Child Marriage Comes Under Fire In Somalia The proposed legislation would allow a girl to be married once her sexual organs mature. The new Sexual Intercourse Related Crimes Bill “would represent a major setback in the fight against sexual violence in Somalia and across the globe” and should be withdrawn immediately, the United Nations special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Pramila Patten, said in a statement Tuesday.
Feminists in Turkey have called on the rest of the world not to forget the original context of Instagram’s #challengeaccepted trend, which was supposed to draw attention to skyrocketing rates of gender-based violence in the country before it was co-opted by western celebrities. www.theguardian.com/...
*Trigger warning violence*
x KBS가 광복절이라고 위안부 영상을 컬러로 복원한거레요..😢
출처:KBS한국방송(페북) pic.twitter.com/5jRnRWdUns — 빵떡이🎗🇰🇷 (@hyc9942) August 15, 2020
*Trigger warning violence*
("Comfort" women)
Women don't need to 'lean in' like men – men need to lead more like women Arwa Mahdawi We have been taught that if we want to get ahead we should act like men. Perhaps it’s time we stop doing that www.theguardian.com/...
We’re living like it’s not happening': Michelle Obama opens up about menopause www.theguardian.com/...
Stop Telling Secular Western Women to be Quiet THE WEST IS NOT A FEMINIST PARADISE uncommongroundmedia.com/...
Black Women in history: Mary Church Terrell and the Power of Language Sometimes freedom is a matter of timing. Mary Church Terrell knew that lesson well. She was born in Memphis in September 1863 — the middle of the Civil War. Her parents had been enslaved, but Mary was born free, and she charted a course of leadership that helped change the lives of women and men across the nation. She became a suffragist. She fought for the rights of all people of color. Holding America to the promises of the Declaration of Independence — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all — became her life’s work. Mary Church Terrell (September 23, 1863 – July 24, 1954) was one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree, and became known as a national activist for civil rights and suffrage.[1] She taught in the Latin Department at the M Street school (now known as Paul Laurence Dunbar High School)—the first African American public high school in the nation—in Washington, DC. In 1896, she was the first African-American woman in the United States to be appointed to the school board of a major city, serving in the District of Columbia until 1906 en.m.wikipedia.org/... The Amish Keep to Themselves. And They’re Hiding a Horrifying Secret A year of reporting by Cosmo and Type Investigations reveals a culture of incest, rape, and abuse. www.cosmopolitan.com/... Hibo Wardere: FGM Is A Life Sentence www.malanational.org/... UK Rape and sexual assault Downing Street plans rape prosecution targets for police and CPS Exclusive: unusual intervention aims to reverse decline and bring more cases to trialwww.theguardian.com/... The Supreme Court’s recent decision in June Medical v. Russo was hailed by many liberal court watchers as a win for reproductive rights, as the court declined to overturn Roe v. Wade and formally eliminate the right to an abortion. On Friday, however, a federal appeals court ruled that June Medical significantly narrowed the constitutional right to abortion access. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel swept away an injunction that had blocked Arkansas from enforcing a slew of abortion restrictions, including a requirement that patients pregnant as a result of rape notify their rapists before terminating their pregnancy. The appellate court’s decision confirms that Chief Justice John Roberts’ controlling opinion in June Medical will serve as a tool to eviscerate abortion rights. slate.com/... Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty
2 months ago · ST. PETERSBURG
'Pussy Riot' Singer Says Latest Songs Challenge Domestic Abuse
https://www.rferl.org/....
Lawmaker With COVID: My Health Choices Are Up To Me. Critics: That’s What Women Assert. Rep. Louie Gohmert, who believes women should be forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term, is suddenly all about (his) freedom of choice.www.huffpost.com/... Women and words: why language matters: From ‘bossy’ to ‘battleaxe’ and ‘spinster’ to ‘slut’ ' Karen' - many of the words used to describe women are laden with negativity, judgement and criticism. In Word of Mouth , Nikki Bedi and Professor Deborah Cameron explore how sexism is reflected in the English language and discuss why the words we choose are important. Here are a few of the interesting issues they uncover. www.bbc.co.uk/...
Women are fighting back against porn culture For too long, the fetishising of pain has encouraged killers to think they can claim their partner wanted rough sexwww.thetimes.co.uk/...
Benevolent sexism: a feminist comic explains how it holds women backwww.theguardian.com/...
A wonderful look (with the actual photos) at a 1947 Life magazine article on women coping with the work/home dilemma. https://www.life.com/...
Next week Part 2: "Science Fiction has a woman problem" Saturday 8/22/20 8:00pm edt dailykos.com
Thanks to EC, Mettle Fatigue, Tara, Ramara,OBSS, and everyone else, for this week's: War on Women
(More older Links):
dailykos.com/...


dailykos--2020-08-16--Is This the Government We Will Have?

Is This the Government We Will Have?

This is what the American people are up against in this 2020 election : “ We urge the repeal of federal campaign finance laws , and the immediate abolition of the despotic Federal Election Commission.
” “ We favor the abolition of Medicare and Medicaid programs.
” “ We oppose any compulsory insurance or tax-supported plan to provide health services , including those which finance abortion services.
” “ We also favor the deregulation of the medical insurance industry.
” “ We favor the repeal of the fraudulent , virtually bankrupt , and increasingly oppressive Social Security system .
Pending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be made voluntary.
” “ We propose the abolition of the governmental Postal Service .
The present system , in addition to being inefficient , encourages governmental surveillance of private correspondence .
Pending abolition , we call for an end to the monopoly system and for allowing free competition in all aspects of postal service.
” “ We support the eventual repeal of all taxation.
” “ As an interim measure , all criminal and civil sanctions against tax evasion should be terminated immediately.
” “ We support repeal of all law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find employment , such as minimum wage laws.
” “ We advocate the complete separation of education and State .
Government schools lead to the indoctrination of children and interfere with the free choice of individuals .
Government ownership , operation , regulation , and subsidy of schools and colleges should be ended.
” “ We condemn compulsory education laws … and we call for the immediate repeal of such laws.
” “ We support the repeal of all taxes on the income or property of private schools , whether profit or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Environmental Protection Agency.
” “ We support abolition of the Department of Energy.
” “ We call for the dissolution of all government agencies concerned with transportation , including the Department of Transportation.
” “ We demand the return of America ’ s railroad system to private ownership .
We call for the privatization of the public roads and national highway system.
” “ We specifically oppose laws requiring an individual to buy or use so-called ‘ self-protection ’ equipment such as safety belts , air bags , or crash helmets.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Federal Aviation Administration.
” “ We advocate the abolition of the Food and Drug Administration.
” “ We support an end to all subsidies for child-bearing built into our present laws , including all welfare plans and the provision of tax-supported services for children.
” “ We oppose all government welfare , relief projects , and ‘ aid to the poor ’ programs .
All these government programs are privacy-invading , paternalistic , demeaning , and inefficient .
The proper source of help for such persons is the voluntary efforts of private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the privatization of the inland waterways , and of the distribution system that brings water to industry , agriculture and households.
” “ We call for the repeal of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
” “ We call for the abolition of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
” “ We support the repeal of all state usury laws.
” The above is the platform on which Charles Koch ( Yes , one half of the infamous Koch Brothers . )
ran for Vice-President on the Libertarian ticket in 1980 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pockets and have spent billions to accomplish those goals .
For any voting American , he or she should look at these Libertarian/Koch goals and ask himself or herself two questions : Who benefits from these goals and what of them are already accomplished at this point , just 3-1/2 years into the Trump takeover of the oval office ?
The Koch umbrella organizations , the font from which hundreds of millions of dollars flow , are called Freedom Partners and Americans for Prosperity .
If you ’ re a Republican running for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely receiving Koch money .
And you ’ re receiving that money because Goal No .
1 , the repeal of campaign finance laws , was accomplished in 2010 in the scandalous 5-4 Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court in 2010 , which virtually opened the floodgates of private and secret money for politicians .
Of course , the Koch machine ( npi ) has installed its own people inside the Trump administration .
Marc Short ( pictured above ) , who was president of Freedom Partners was Trump ’ s Director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of staff for Vice-President Mike Pence .
Kellyanne Conway , Trump ’ s inside PR maven once consulted for Freedom Partners .
Not a few lawyers such as Don McGahn—he who refused to appear in front of a congressional hearing on Trump excesses—along with 12 others , was previously employed by Jones-Day , the 5th largest and highest grossing law firm in the world , as well as being among the most politically connected .
In fact , those 12 individuals were hired on very day of Trump ’ s inauguration .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ J. Trump , who , with the help of his oligarchic handlers , is systematically attempting the abolition of the federal government , by lawful , unlawful and unconstitutional means .
The Kochs and their hyper-rich families who quietly donate their millions to the Koch machine ( npi ) , has captured not only a dysfunctional President of the United States but also a majority of the Supreme Court and the United States Senate .
But for the House of Representatives , which changed hands in 2018 , thus putting the brakes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the entire population of the nation would be harmed in ways we can only imagine , given the goals outlined above .
It is hard to imagine Trump pouring over the effects of his executive orders and his party ’ s proposed legislation .
It is hard to imagine anything Trump ( who is not known to be much of a detail man ) cares about other than his re-election in 2020 , given his narcissism and his need for adoration , two qualities with which the administration insiders have “ managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national wealth has never been so skewed in favor of the rich since the Gilded Age of 130 years ago .
The old robber barons like Carnegie , Rockefeller , Vanderbilt , Morgan and a few dozen others are now replaced by the Kochs , Scaifes , Adelsons , Waltons , Dorrances , Mellons ( and a few dozen others ! )
.
Another four years of this oligarchy may like result in a terminal illness of any notion representational democracy .
The oligarchs are throwing in every known and unknown obstacle to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that 2020 is an absolute directional inflection point in what our national government will look for the decades to come .
On the other hand , a new progressive era such as the one which grew out of the political muck at the end of the 19h century may be about to flower in the 21st .
It is more than time for a return to government of , by and , especially , for the people .

This is what the American people are up against in this 2020 election:
“We urge the repeal of federal campaign finance laws, and the immediate abolition of the despotic Federal Election Commission.”
“We favor the abolition of Medicare and Medicaid programs.”
“We oppose any compulsory insurance or tax-supported plan to provide health services, including those which finance abortion services.”
“We also favor the deregulation of the medical insurance industry.”
“We favor the repeal of the fraudulent, virtually bankrupt, and increasingly oppressive Social Security system. Pending that repeal, participation in Social Security should be made voluntary.”
“We propose the abolition of the governmental Postal Service. The present system, in addition to being inefficient, encourages governmental surveillance of private correspondence. Pending abolition, we call for an end to the monopoly system and for allowing free competition in all aspects of postal service.”
“We oppose all personal and corporate income taxation, including capital gains taxes.”
“We support the eventual repeal of all taxation.”
“As an interim measure, all criminal and civil sanctions against tax evasion should be terminated immediately.”
“We support repeal of all law which impede the ability of any person to find employment, such as minimum wage laws.”
“We advocate the complete separation of education and State. Government schools lead to the indoctrination of children and interfere with the free choice of individuals. Government ownership, operation, regulation, and subsidy of schools and colleges should be ended.”
“We condemn compulsory education laws … and we call for the immediate repeal of such laws.”
“We support the repeal of all taxes on the income or property of private schools, whether profit or non-profit.”
“We support the abolition of the Environmental Protection Agency.”
“We support abolition of the Department of Energy.”
“We call for the dissolution of all government agencies concerned with transportation, including the Department of Transportation.”
“We demand the return of America’s railroad system to private ownership. We call for the privatization of the public roads and national highway system.”
“We specifically oppose laws requiring an individual to buy or use so-called ‘self-protection’ equipment such as safety belts, air bags, or crash helmets.”
“We advocate the abolition of the Federal Aviation Administration.”
“We advocate the abolition of the Food and Drug Administration.”
“We support an end to all subsidies for child-bearing built into our present laws, including all welfare plans and the provision of tax-supported services for children.”
“We oppose all government welfare, relief projects, and ‘aid to the poor’ programs. All these government programs are privacy-invading, paternalistic, demeaning, and inefficient. The proper source of help for such persons is the voluntary efforts of private groups and individuals.”
“We call for the privatization of the inland waterways, and of the distribution system that brings water to industry, agriculture and households.”
“We call for the repeal of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.”
“We call for the abolition of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.”
“We support the repeal of all state usury laws.”
The above is the platform on which Charles Koch (Yes, one half of the infamous Koch Brothers.) ran for Vice-President on the Libertarian ticket in 1980). The Kochs of course have absolutely bottomless pockets and have spent billions to accomplish those goals. For any voting American, he or she should look at these Libertarian/Koch goals and ask himself or herself two questions: Who benefits from these goals and what of them are already accomplished at this point, just 3-1/2 years into the Trump takeover of the oval office?
The Koch umbrella organizations, the font from which hundreds of millions of dollars flow, are called Freedom Partners and Americans for Prosperity. If you’re a Republican running for elective federal office, you are most likely receiving Koch money. And you’re receiving that money because Goal No. 1, the repeal of campaign finance laws, was accomplished in 2010 in the scandalous 5-4 Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court in 2010, which virtually opened the floodgates of private and secret money for politicians.
Of course, the Koch machine (npi) has installed its own people inside the Trump administration. Marc Short (pictured above), who was president of Freedom Partners was Trump’s Director of Legislative Affairs, is now chief of staff for Vice-President Mike Pence. Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s inside PR maven once consulted for Freedom Partners. Not a few lawyers such as Don McGahn—he who refused to appear in front of a congressional hearing on Trump excesses—along with 12 others, was previously employed by Jones-Day, the 5th largest and highest grossing law firm in the world, as well as being among the most politically connected. In fact, those 12 individuals were hired on very day of Trump’s inauguration.
At the top of the heap sits Donald J. Trump, who, with the help of his oligarchic handlers, is systematically attempting the abolition of the federal government, by lawful, unlawful and unconstitutional means. The Kochs and their hyper-rich families who quietly donate their millions to the Koch machine (npi), has captured not only a dysfunctional President of the United States but also a majority of the Supreme Court and the United States Senate. But for the House of Representatives, which changed hands in 2018, thus putting the brakes on the pace of the takedown of government, the entire population of the nation would be harmed in ways we can only imagine, given the goals outlined above.
It is hard to imagine Trump pouring over the effects of his executive orders and his party’s proposed legislation. It is hard to imagine anything Trump (who is not known to be much of a detail man) cares about other than his re-election in 2020, given his narcissism and his need for adoration, two qualities with which the administration insiders have “managed” their president.
The disparity in national wealth has never been so skewed in favor of the rich since the Gilded Age of 130 years ago. The old robber barons like Carnegie, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Morgan and a few dozen others are now replaced by the Kochs, Scaifes, Adelsons, Waltons, Dorrances, Mellons (and a few dozen others!).
Another four years of this oligarchy may like result in a terminal illness of any notion representational democracy. The oligarchs are throwing in every known and unknown obstacle to reforming how we govern ourselves. They know that 2020 is an absolute directional inflection point in what our national government will look for the decades to come.
On the other hand, a new progressive era such as the one which grew out of the political muck at the end of the 19h century may be about to flower in the 21st. It is more than time for a return to government of, by and, especially, for the people.
###


dailykos--2020-08-16--The Answer is Blowing in the Wind

The Answer is Blowing in the Wind

The Answer is Blowing in the Wind : On occasion I can get lost in a deep blue funk .
Usually , they don ’ t last long and I tell myself that “ this too shall pass.
” Somehow , I find strength in those simple words and the will to keep on keeping on .
This time however , things are a bit different .
We seem to be in the midst of what some call , a constitutional crisis and very nasty political campaign .
The upside is that on November 4th , the campaign will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the constitutional crisis part is likely to remain a major part of our lives .
One thing however , will have been resolved and we ’ ll finally know if we actually had a “ real ” election .
We won ’ t know who won , where all the ballots might be , nor what the hell is happening ?
Worse yet , that situation isn ’ t likely to pass any time soon .
But since proverbs and sound bites can make a very scary and complicated world seem simple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fall back on when things get totally bizarre .
Right now , “ this too shall pass ” doesn ’ t seem to be working and may remain that way for years beyond my lifetime .
It was obvious to me that my usual fall back needed an upgrade .
Turns out , a single word sufficed .
But it ’ s in Chinese .
Their word for ‘ crisis ’ , as best I can understand it , actually consists of two English words ; a ‘ dangerous ’ time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ translation of ‘ Crisis ’ is said to be “ Opportunity Riding a Dangerous Wind.
” Which means , of course , that the answer still is blowing in the wind and , like it or not , it ’ s all a matter of individual choice .
So instead of just letting things pass , I ’ ll need to stay focused , pay attention and not get distracted .
After all , if we let whatever will be will be , actually become , we all may regret not having paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done something about it .

The Answer is Blowing in the Wind: On occasion I can get lost in a deep blue funk. Usually, they don’t last long and I tell myself that “this too shall pass.” Somehow, I find strength in those simple words and the will to keep on keeping on. This time however, things are a bit different. We seem to be in the midst of what some call, a constitutional crisis and very nasty political campaign. The upside is that on November 4th, the campaign will have been a thing of the past.
But the constitutional crisis part is likely to remain a major part of our lives. One thing however, will have been resolved and we’ll finally know if we actually had a “real” election. We won’t know who won, where all the ballots might be, nor what the hell is happening? Worse yet, that situation isn’t likely to pass any time soon. But since proverbs and sound bites can make a very scary and complicated world seem simple, it helps to have one constant to fall back on when things get totally bizarre.
Right now, “this too shall pass” doesn’t seem to be working and may remain that way for years beyond my lifetime. It was obvious to me that my usual fall back needed an upgrade. Turns out, a single word sufficed. But it’s in Chinese. Their word for ‘crisis’, as best I can understand it, actually consists of two English words; a ‘dangerous’ time, and ‘opportunity’. The literal translation of ‘Crisis’ is said to be “Opportunity Riding a Dangerous Wind.” Which means, of course, that the answer still is blowing in the wind and, like it or not, it’s all a matter of individual choice. So instead of just letting things pass, I’ll need to stay focused, pay attention and not get distracted. After all, if we let whatever will be will be, actually become, we all may regret not having paid enough attention when we could have actually done something about it.
Walter Lide


"It's Shark Week, M****rf*****s"

Rather enjoying this hot mic moment from my state ’ s Governor , Gretchen Whitmer… It ’ s not clear what the context was , but Discovery Channel ’ s “ Shark Week ” concluded over the weekend , and the phrase with the profanity attached is sometimes used by fans hyped up for the event .
“ It ’ s not just Shark Week , ” Whitmer said during the hot-mic pre-speech moment posted online by The Recount .
“ It ’ s Shark Week , motherfuckers.
” But it ’ s what she said before the speech ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see ― that received the most attention .
In other Whitmer news , right-wingers are still fabricating outrage about Whitmer ’ s veto of a Republican-led bill requiring nursing home residents with COVID-19 be sent to a ‘ field hospital ’ if separate facilities were not available in their nursing home .
The bill [ ... ] would have banned nursing homes from admitting or retaining an individual starting Sept. 1 who tests positive for COVID-19 unless the person had recovered or unless a nursing home could provide care in a separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this bill would require the state to create COVID-19-only facilities , forcing hospitals and many nursing homes to send COVID-19-positive patients to such facilities without any requirement for consent , doctor approval or notification to the patient or their family , '' Whitmer added .
`` The legislation fails to explain how such facilities would be staffed or paid for , or how frail residents would be protected during the potentially traumatic transfer from one facility to another . ''
Whitmer labeled the bill inadequate and said the Michigan Senior Advocates Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ lacks clarity , provides an unrealistic timeline and fails to offer critical details to ensuring quality of care . ''

Rather enjoying this hot mic moment from my state’s Governor, Gretchen Whitmer…
It’s not clear what the context was, but Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” concluded over the weekend, and the phrase with the profanity attached is sometimes used by fans hyped up for the event.
“It’s not just Shark Week,” Whitmer said during the hot-mic pre-speech moment posted online by The Recount. “It’s Shark Week, motherfuckers.”
But it’s what she said before the speech ― the part you weren’t supposed to see ― that received the most attention.
In other Whitmer news, right-wingers are still fabricating outrage about Whitmer’s veto of a Republican-led bill requiring nursing home residents with COVID-19 be sent to a ‘field hospital’ if separate facilities were not available in their nursing home.
The bill [...] would have banned nursing homes from admitting or retaining an individual starting Sept. 1 who tests positive for COVID-19 unless the person had recovered or unless a nursing home could provide care in a separate building.
"Instead of protecting seniors, this bill would require the state to create COVID-19-only facilities, forcing hospitals and many nursing homes to send COVID-19-positive patients to such facilities without any requirement for consent, doctor approval or notification to the patient or their family," Whitmer added. "The legislation fails to explain how such facilities would be staffed or paid for, or how frail residents would be protected during the potentially traumatic transfer from one facility to another."
Whitmer labeled the bill inadequate and said the Michigan Senior Advocates Council asked her to veto it because it “lacks clarity, provides an unrealistic timeline and fails to offer critical details to ensuring quality of care."


dailykos--2020-08-18--There Are Other Languages Besides English!

I write this after having read an editorial in the DK this morning about Puerto Rico .
I was struck by how on one hand Puerto Rico has been a possession of the United States for 120 years , whose people are American citizens ( without the right vote for a president , no less ! )
and how little understanding of Puerto Rico there appears to be among non-hispanic Americans .
In 1978 I married a beautiful Mexican girl who had come to San Francisco to be a ballet dancer .
After chasing her down for two years ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a church in Mexico City which was built around 40 years after Cortez conquered Mexico in 1519 .
( My best man , also a gringo , used to say that wedding was more like a coronation than a wedding . )
She had never been to California , although she had a couple of aunts who lived in Huntington Beach .
Yet , she spoke surprisingly good English , which always amazed me , frankly .
When our first child , Patrick , was born in 1980 , we decided that for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we would speak only Spanish in our house ( He ’ d get plenty of English from Sesame Street ! )
, the idea being that we wanted Pat to easily learn the language of one half of his family , nearly all of whom lived in Mexico City .
( For me it wasn ’ t easy .
My high school Spanish was rudimentary at best but over time it improved to the point where I could carry on a decent conversation and read a newspaper without much trouble . )
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our son got a great grounding in Spanish and certainly later , when we visited relatives , our son was fully conversant in Spanish .
He even became fast friends with his cousins , I felt so proud of him !
And his grandparents were , too , as they were so afraid that our boy would never identify with his “ Mexicanismo.
” ( Roughly : “ Mexican-ness ” ) There was a short period in his life , when he sort of rejected Spanish but by high school graduation he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By college he simply took his bilingualism for granted .
After college , when he began his career as a mid-level manager with a major airline , his Spanish was an incredible asset to his career .
So much so that as he advanced into higher levels of responsibility he became the “ official ” Spanish speaker in his department and on several occasions participated in discussions with a Mexican airline in which his company had purchased an interest .
One of the great shortcomings in our educational system , in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious foreign language programs in schools and many colleges .
Most of us “ gringos ” get a year or two of perhaps required foreign language classes but after finishing them we ditch it as fast as we can .
Sure , English is about as close to an international idiom as there is , especially in the business world .
Yet , most of our highest level diplomats ( the ones appointed by presidents ) are scarcely knowledgeable of the language of the countries they reside in and to which they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most ordinary Americans simply assume that anyone living in the United States is—or should be or must be—an English speaker before being considered fully American .
But important as English is in international business , our foreign friends and even our enemies know much more about us than we know of them , simply because they study us—our language , our culture , what we like and don ’ t like .
Our history is one of immigration .
From our beginnings people flocked here from almost everywhere .
In Pennsylvania , Ben @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his colony would be taken over by German speaking immigrants ( Hence , today , the “ Pennsylvania Dutch ” and the Amish ) .
Then came Irish , Italians , Slavs , Chinese , Japanese , Yiddish speaking Jews , Hispanic ... all contributing to the American quilt .
They came from everywhere .
And inside one or two generations , their children had not only acquired English as their first language , it became their language .
When your country is separated from the rest of the world by two gigantic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-sufficient in whatever it needs , well , learning more than English isn ’ t such a pressing need .
Yet here were are , beginning the 2nd quarter of the 21st century and we find ourselves not so much independent as we are interdependent on the people of the entire planet .
The percentage of Spanish speakers in the United States grows yearly .
At present , there are more people speaking Spanish in the U.S. than Spain ( 47 million speakers ) and Colombia ( 48 million speakers ) .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have 138 million Spanish speakers , making it the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world .
Yet , among non-hispanic Americans less than 3 million speak Spanish fluently .
In the U.S. generally , 108 different languages are spoken in America .
English will always be the first language of Americans , ultimately , no matter their origin .
But knowing a foreign language enriches a life .
It promotes the understanding and appreciation of cultures other than our own , especially as our national complexion darkens , as it did with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the most ardent hispanophobe , for example , in some out of the way part of America would change his/her opinion of hispanics if they spoke Spanish .
( and I think it ’ s a fair bet that Donald Trump doesn ’ t speak a word of Spanish , let alone Russian ! )
We no longer can be successful as a country if we continue looking inward .
I believe that a foreign language should be mandatory in every school district in the country , from kindergarten through high school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By the way , Google Translate is NOT learning Spanish . )
It ’ s time for us to open up to others not “ us.
” We should celebrate , not segregate .

I write this after having read an editorial in the DK this morning about Puerto Rico. I was struck by how on one hand Puerto Rico has been a possession of the United States for 120 years, whose people are American citizens (without the right vote for a president, no less!) and how little understanding of Puerto Rico there appears to be among non-hispanic Americans.
In 1978 I married a beautiful Mexican girl who had come to San Francisco to be a ballet dancer. After chasing her down for two years (!), we were married in a church in Mexico City which was built around 40 years after Cortez conquered Mexico in 1519. (My best man, also a gringo, used to say that wedding was more like a coronation than a wedding.)
She had never been to California, although she had a couple of aunts who lived in Huntington Beach. Yet, she spoke surprisingly good English, which always amazed me, frankly.
When our first child, Patrick, was born in 1980, we decided that for the first five years of his life we would speak only Spanish in our house (He’d get plenty of English from Sesame Street!), the idea being that we wanted Pat to easily learn the language of one half of his family, nearly all of whom lived in Mexico City. (For me it wasn’t easy. My high school Spanish was rudimentary at best but over time it improved to the point where I could carry on a decent conversation and read a newspaper without much trouble.)
So in those first years of his life, our son got a great grounding in Spanish and certainly later, when we visited relatives, our son was fully conversant in Spanish. He even became fast friends with his cousins, I felt so proud of him! And his grandparents were, too, as they were so afraid that our boy would never identify with his “Mexicanismo.” (Roughly: “Mexican-ness”)
There was a short period in his life, when he sort of rejected Spanish but by high school graduation he discovered the uniquenesss of being fully bilingual. By college he simply took his bilingualism for granted. After college, when he began his career as a mid-level manager with a major airline, his Spanish was an incredible asset to his career. So much so that as he advanced into higher levels of responsibility he became the “official” Spanish speaker in his department and on several occasions participated in discussions with a Mexican airline in which his company had purchased an interest.
One of the great shortcomings in our educational system, in my opinion, is the absolute dearth of serious foreign language programs in schools and many colleges. Most of us “gringos” get a year or two of perhaps required foreign language classes but after finishing them we ditch it as fast as we can.
Why?
Sure, English is about as close to an international idiom as there is, especially in the business world. Yet, most of our highest level diplomats (the ones appointed by presidents) are scarcely knowledgeable of the language of the countries they reside in and to which they are charged with representing the United States. Most ordinary Americans simply assume that anyone living in the United States is—or should be or must be—an English speaker before being considered fully American. But important as English is in international business, our foreign friends and even our enemies know much more about us than we know of them, simply because they study us—our language, our culture, what we like and don’t like.
Our history is one of immigration. From our beginnings people flocked here from almost everywhere. In Pennsylvania, Ben Franklin himself was scared to death that his colony would be taken over by German speaking immigrants (Hence, today, the “Pennsylvania Dutch” and the Amish). Then came Irish, Italians, Slavs, Chinese, Japanese, Yiddish speaking Jews, Hispanic...all contributing to the American quilt. They came from everywhere. And inside one or two generations, their children had not only acquired English as their first language, it became their only language. When your country is separated from the rest of the world by two gigantic oceans, and is more or less self-sufficient in whatever it needs, well, learning more than English isn’t such a pressing need.
Yet here were are, beginning the 2nd quarter of the 21st century and we find ourselves not so much independent as we are interdependent on the people of the entire planet. The percentage of Spanish speakers in the United States grows yearly. At present, there are more people speaking Spanish in the U.S. than Spain (47 million speakers) and Colombia (48 million speakers). By 2050, the United States is expected to have 138 million Spanish speakers, making it the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. Yet, among non-hispanic Americans less than 3 million speak Spanish fluently. In the U.S. generally, 108 different languages are spoken in America.
English will always be the first language of Americans, ultimately, no matter their origin. But knowing a foreign language enriches a life. It promotes the understanding and appreciation of cultures other than our own, especially as our national complexion darkens, as it did with my own children.
I am convinced that the most ardent hispanophobe, for example, in some out of the way part of America would change his/her opinion of hispanics if they spoke Spanish. (and I think it’s a fair bet that Donald Trump doesn’t speak a word of Spanish, let alone Russian!) We no longer can be successful as a country if we continue looking inward. I believe that a foreign language should be mandatory in every school district in the country, from kindergarten through high school graduation, starting with Spanish. (By the way, Google Translate is NOT learning Spanish.)
It’s time for us to open up to others not “us.” We should celebrate, not segregate.
###


dailykos--2020-08-18--THE POWER AND THE GLORY

THE POWER AND THE GLORY

THE POWER AND THE GLORY “ God is Power.
” O ’ Brien to Winston Smith inside the Ministry of Love , 1984 Reality has finally hit home : America , “ Land of the Free , ” is now crossing the boundary into a full-blown police state .
The military-industrial complex has been tightening its grip on our country since the end of WWII , in a slow , steady coup that is now fully established .
There is the dark picture of Donald Trump standing in front of a boarded-up church across the street from the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grim .
Whether that Bible was upside-down or not is irrelevant .
Trump let us know that he considers that book meaningless—his is the power , and we had better give him the glory .
Trump desired to have his picture taken in front of that church , but protesters were in the way , so Trump ordered his underling , Bill Barr , to clear them out .
Barr ordered paramilitary police units to spray teargas , and to do whatever else was required to get rid of “ those people.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unleashed on citizens who had a legal right to be there , because Trump wanted them gone .
Then along with the Attorney General , the Secretary of Defense , the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ( in combat fatigues , ready for war ) and a retinue of other minions , Trump marched across the street to have his picture made .
God is Power , and Trump holds the power .
The picture makes the point .
To keep the momentum going , Trump sent combat-ready , camouflaged troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or their organization ) into Portland , Oregon , to break up legal protests there .
Without the invitation , permission , or even knowledge of state and local governments , unknown troopers stormed into town , routing everybody standing in their way .
Donald Trump , when questioned about these maneuvers , held fast to the belief in his absolute power , saying he was not required to ask permission from anyone to send in shock troops to uphold “ law and order.
” He predicted smugly that after Portland , Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of American cities that were also in line to be straightened out , all of them governed by “ liberal Democrats ” —dogwhistle for minorities—but at any rate , not his concept of good , wholesome Americans .
Citizens now know that exercising their lawful rights to peaceful protest will be dangerous .
Current events recall protests in the sixties—first for civil rights for African-Americans , then to end the needless and tragic war in Vietnam—demonstrations which began peacefully , at least on the protesters ’ side .
The protesters ’ bravery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence impressed Americans , so that many were willing to hear , then to approve , even join , their causes .
Congress passed Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts .
America ended its occupation of Vietnam .
Members of Richard Nixon ’ s own party made him resign .
Peaceful resistance against state-sponsored violence worked , again .
When the leaders of the peaceful resistance lost control of their organizations or were replaced by violent revolutionaries , the movements for liberty , equality , and fraternity lost public support , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resistance and continue the relentless trend toward corporate rule—the definition of fascism .
However , the difference between now and a half-century ago is that then , police and national guardsmen were identifiable .
In 2020 , we the people were left to guess who was teargassing , beating and arresting Americans who had the lawful right to do what they were doing .
Apparently it ’ s none of our business .
Trump has raised the stakes in the current stand-off .
Knowing they will meet with violence , citizens might stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protest , despite our Constitution ’ s guarantee that fear is unnecessary .
They could also get mad—more determined to express their anger .
But Trump and his supporters have made it clear they intend to use state power and terror to make the people pay to exercise their constitutional rights .
The excuse , according to the authoritarians ’ playbook , is that the protests have turned into riots , that the rioters are destroying property and endangering public safety .
Unfortunately , there is a sliver of truth to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the human story , and there is some rightness to every side in every disagreement people have ever had .
For this reason we have society , politics , and government , choosing compromise because we have learned it is easier and cheaper than fighting .
The process is still in its formative stage , but for the sake of civilization , we keep trying .
In 1787 our forefathers produced a Constitution , which they hoped would ease the process of settling differences between people , without the need of resorting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Though loaded with flaws , the document has been useful for over two centuries , and Americans continue to depend on it .
One provision in the document clearly allows people to peacefully assemble to protest government policies .
It was expected the exercise of that right would cause some inconvenience ; how else do people get the attention of their fellows ?
The founders , with memory of the Boston Massacre still fresh , made sure that right got written into the Law of the Land .
Willful destruction of property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , here or anywhere in the civilized world , which is why Americans have laws and police .
These authorities are designated , identifiable , and required to follow the laws they enforce .
The State can not suspend these requirements .
Sometimes , the system fails in its mission , which explains why we are undergoing protests now .
But anticipated or occurring destruction does not allow the authorities to disobey the Law of the Land they are sworn to uphold .
We can use the available channels of law enforcement to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We do not need , and most Americans apparently do not want , camouflaged , war-ready , nameless soldiers in our cities , randomly wreaking violence on citizens , simply because some people are getting away with crimes .
Scenes like these are found in dystopian stories and dictatorships—they have no place in a constitutional republic .
Donald Trump , however , is determined to amend the Constitution , but not by lawful methods .
He claims that Article II , which lays out the president ’ s duties , gives him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He attempts to change our laws by taking illegal actions , knowing If enough people , in the right positions , let him do it , he will become the sole maker and enforcer of our country ’ s laws .
His belief that he has ultimate authority is obvious as he uses state power to clear the street so he can pose , holding a Bible in front of a church .
“ God is Power.
” Then he sends unidentified combat troops into cities to violently crush legal protests .
State-sponsored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it does .
Some will stay home out of fear , others will react in anger .
Trump has made his claim that he possesses total power .
Many of his fellow citizens disagree .
It remains to be seen who will win , but it looks as though we are in the fight of our lives .
In the case of Portland , public opposition to occupying troops ( finally revealed to be Department of Homeland Security agents ) was so universally zealous that Trump ’ s advisers convinced him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has paid attention to the news over the past three-and-a-half years knows he will try again .
America has acquired an authoritarian government .
For how long is up to us .

THE POWER AND THE GLORY
“God is Power.” O’Brien to Winston Smith inside the Ministry of Love, 1984
Reality has finally hit home: America, “Land of the Free,” is now crossing the boundary into a full-blown police state. The military-industrial complex has been tightening its grip on our country since the end of WWII, in a slow, steady coup that is now fully established. There is the dark picture of Donald Trump standing in front of a boarded-up church across the street from the White House, holding up a Bible, looking grim. Whether that Bible was upside-down or not is irrelevant. Trump let us know that he considers that book meaningless—his is the power, and we had better give him the glory. Trump desired to have his picture taken in front of that church, but protesters were in the way, so Trump ordered his underling, Bill Barr, to clear them out. Barr ordered paramilitary police units to spray teargas, and to do whatever else was required to get rid of “those people.” The force of the corporate state was unleashed on citizens who had a legal right to be there, because Trump wanted them gone. Then along with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (in combat fatigues, ready for war) and a retinue of other minions, Trump marched across the street to have his picture made. God is Power, and Trump holds the power. The picture makes the point.
To keep the momentum going, Trump sent combat-ready, camouflaged troops (or police—they refused to identify themselves or their organization) into Portland, Oregon, to break up legal protests there. Without the invitation, permission, or even knowledge of state and local governments, unknown troopers stormed into town, routing everybody standing in their way. Donald Trump, when questioned about these maneuvers, held fast to the belief in his absolute power, saying he was not required to ask permission from anyone to send in shock troops to uphold “law and order.” He predicted smugly that after Portland, Chicago would be next. He enumerated a list of American cities that were also in line to be straightened out, all of them governed by “liberal Democrats”—dogwhistle for minorities—but at any rate, not his concept of good, wholesome Americans. Citizens now know that exercising their lawful rights to peaceful protest will be dangerous.
Current events recall protests in the sixties—first for civil rights for African-Americans, then to end the needless and tragic war in Vietnam—demonstrations which began peacefully, at least on the protesters’ side. The protesters’ bravery and persistence in the face of state violence impressed Americans, so that many were willing to hear, then to approve, even join, their causes. Congress passed Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. America ended its occupation of Vietnam. Members of Richard Nixon’s own party made him resign. Peaceful resistance against state-sponsored violence worked, again. When the leaders of the peaceful resistance lost control of their organizations or were replaced by violent revolutionaries, the movements for liberty, equality, and fraternity lost public support, and the corporate state proceeded slowly to crush the resistance and continue the relentless trend toward corporate rule—the definition of fascism. However, the difference between now and a half-century ago is that then, police and national guardsmen were identifiable. In 2020, we the people were left to guess who was teargassing, beating and arresting Americans who had the lawful right to do what they were doing. Apparently it’s none of our business.
Trump has raised the stakes in the current stand-off. Knowing they will meet with violence, citizens might stay home, fearing to exercise their rights to protest, despite our Constitution’s guarantee that fear is unnecessary. They could also get mad—more determined to express their anger. But Trump and his supporters have made it clear they intend to use state power and terror to make the people pay to exercise their constitutional rights. The excuse, according to the authoritarians’ playbook, is that the protests have turned into riots, that the rioters are destroying property and endangering public safety. Unfortunately, there is a sliver of truth to that claim. There are few absolute truths in the human story, and there is some rightness to every side in every disagreement people have ever had. For this reason we have society, politics, and government, choosing compromise because we have learned it is easier and cheaper than fighting. The process is still in its formative stage, but for the sake of civilization, we keep trying.
In 1787 our forefathers produced a Constitution, which they hoped would ease the process of settling differences between people, without the need of resorting to mayhem to decide right from wrong. Though loaded with flaws, the document has been useful for over two centuries, and Americans continue to depend on it. One provision in the document clearly allows people to peacefully assemble to protest government policies. It was expected the exercise of that right would cause some inconvenience; how else do people get the attention of their fellows? The founders, with memory of the Boston Massacre still fresh, made sure that right got written into the Law of the Land.
Willful destruction of property and threats to safety are not rights, here or anywhere in the civilized world, which is why Americans have laws and police. These authorities are designated, identifiable, and required to follow the laws they enforce. The State cannot suspend these requirements. Sometimes, the system fails in its mission, which explains why we are undergoing protests now. But anticipated or occurring destruction does not allow the authorities to disobey the Law of the Land they are sworn to uphold. We can use the available channels of law enforcement to deal with criminal misconduct on the streets. We do not need, and most Americans apparently do not want, camouflaged, war-ready, nameless soldiers in our cities, randomly wreaking violence on citizens, simply because some people are getting away with crimes. Scenes like these are found in dystopian stories and dictatorships—they have no place in a constitutional republic.
Donald Trump, however, is determined to amend the Constitution, but not by lawful methods. He claims that Article II, which lays out the president’s duties, gives him power to do whatever he wants. He attempts to change our laws by taking illegal actions, knowing If enough people, in the right positions, let him do it, he will become the sole maker and enforcer of our country’s laws. His belief that he has ultimate authority is obvious as he uses state power to clear the street so he can pose, holding a Bible in front of a church. “God is Power.” Then he sends unidentified combat troops into cities to violently crush legal protests.
State-sponsored violence is meant to frighten people, and it does. Some will stay home out of fear, others will react in anger. Trump has made his claim that he possesses total power. Many of his fellow citizens disagree. It remains to be seen who will win, but it looks as though we are in the fight of our lives. In the case of Portland, public opposition to occupying troops (finally revealed to be Department of Homeland Security agents) was so universally zealous that Trump’s advisers convinced him to withdraw the occupation forces. Anyone who has paid attention to the news over the past three-and-a-half years knows he will try again. America has acquired an authoritarian government. For how long is up to us.