dailykos--2020-06-04--This Southern White Man Gets It, Or Is Trying To As Best I Can

As a white male who was born in the capital of the confederacy , Richmond VA , I can tell you racist attitudes persist .
Each generation seems to make some progress but to think we live in a “ post racial society ” as Justice John Roberts wrote in his majority opinion in the Supreme Court ’ s 2013 case Shelby County vs Holder ( see article on this topic ) www.theatlantic.com/ ... is a fantasy that a lot of white people hold on to .
Roberts cited the election of Barack Obama as evidence of America having sufficiently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attitude is reflected more broadly in the results of a 2019 Pew Research Poll where 77 % of likely Republican voters said the biggest racial problem in America is that racism is used as an excuse for the issues facing black people .
In that survey , 88 % of Republican respondents said that enough had been done to address racism in America .
www.pewresearch.org/ ... On the issue of “ black lives matter ” and players taking a knee during the National Anthem , I have on occasion had to explain to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” about what “ black lives matter ” means .
That phrase , though it can be used more generally about discrimination , originated in response to the issue of black people being randomly stopped , shot , beaten , imprisoned by law enforcement and the lack of accountability in the courts for those acts .
It is not a statement about others whose lives obviously matter too .
As for taking a knee , it is a statement about the above , it is not a comment on the flag , never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding this very specific issue .
To equate it with disloyalty to flag and country misses the point .
Maybe folks have a better understanding of this distinction today .

As a white male who was born in the capital of the confederacy, Richmond VA, I can tell you racist attitudes persist. Each generation seems to make some progress but to think we live in a “post racial society” as Justice John Roberts wrote in his majority opinion in the Supreme Court’s 2013 case Shelby County vs Holder (see article on this topic) www.theatlantic.com/... is a fantasy that a lot of white people hold on to. Roberts cited the election of Barack Obama as evidence of America having sufficiently move on from systemic racism. His attitude is reflected more broadly in the results of a 2019 Pew Research Poll where 77% of likely Republican voters said the biggest racial problem in America is that racism is used as an excuse for the issues facing black people. In that survey, 88% of Republican respondents said that enough had been done to address racism in America. www.pewresearch.org/...
On the issue of “black lives matter” and players taking a knee during the National Anthem, I have on occasion had to explain to people who say “all lives matter” about what “black lives matter” means.
That phrase, though it can be used more generally about discrimination, originated in response to the issue of black people being randomly stopped, shot, beaten, imprisoned by law enforcement and the lack of accountability in the courts for those acts. It is not a statement about others whose lives obviously matter too. As for taking a knee, it is a statement about the above, it is not a comment on the flag, never was. It is a protest moment surrounding this very specific issue. To equate it with disloyalty to flag and country misses the point. Maybe folks have a better understanding of this distinction today.


dailykos--2020-06-04--Announcing the Young Delegates Coalition: The Next Generation of Democrats

For release to all media , news sources , and politically involved youth : In anticipation of the Democratic National Convention , we are proud to announce the Young Delegates Coalition .
All over this nation , young people are increasingly demanding that the DNC , which desires and needs our votes , actually fight to make policy changes that earn our support .
We see that the only way to ensure policy changes and promises that make real progress towards the goals that affect our generation is to increase the youth representation within the national party .
Thus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been elected to represent our states have banded together to seek out more students , young professionals , and members of the next generation of Democrats to be Delegates to the DNC .
We will recruit young candidates contesting these positions and endorse them in order for them to be bolstered in their campaigns to be delegates , on the sole condition that they put their pledged candidate and policy differences aside from other delegates to focus on the needs of the next generation : highlighting the major issues that uniquely affect us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change , to the growing inequality and burden of student loans , to the devastation of gun violence and police brutality .
What happens if young delegates don ’ t act ?
Well , the average age of a DNC Delegate is 60 years old .
This means that the older establishment of Democrats right now dominate the creation of the party ’ s platform , the nomination process , and the writing of rules to control delegate allocation and representation .
As young people , we can not continue to allow our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be made by aged and outdated points of view that don ’ t prioritize the issues that we know our generation will be left to face if we simply wait for the DNC to change itself .
That ’ s why we ’ ve united to change the DNC and hold it accountable to the next generation .
This is a chance to unify the party by connecting with youth interests , and to earn our votes to defeat Donald Trump , the goal of all Democrats , while making real policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all young people : research the dates of your state ’ s convention to nominate national delegates to the DNC , and run .
You can change the DNC from within , but we need your help .
And in exchange , we are ready to support any young person running to be a DNC Delegate , no matter what candidate they run for .
Stand with us , and bring the voice of the next generation to the DNC :

For release to all media, news sources, and politically involved youth:
In anticipation of the Democratic National Convention, we are proud to announce the Young Delegates Coalition.
All over this nation, young people are increasingly demanding that the DNC, which desires and needs our votes, actually fight to make policy changes that earn our support. We see that the only way to ensure policy changes and promises that make real progress towards the goals that affect our generation is to increase the youth representation within the national party.
Thus, over 50 young delegates who have already been elected to represent our states have banded together to seek out more students, young professionals, and members of the next generation of Democrats to be Delegates to the DNC. We will recruit young candidates contesting these positions and endorse them in order for them to be bolstered in their campaigns to be delegates, on the sole condition that they put their pledged candidate and policy differences aside from other delegates to focus on the needs of the next generation: highlighting the major issues that uniquely affect us, from the impending disaster of climate change, to the growing inequality and burden of student loans, to the devastation of gun violence and police brutality.
What happens if young delegates don’t act? Well, the average age of a DNC Delegate is 60 years old. This means that the older establishment of Democrats right now dominate the creation of the party’s platform, the nomination process, and the writing of rules to control delegate allocation and representation. As young people, we cannot continue to allow our decisions in the party we align with to be made by aged and outdated points of view that don’t prioritize the issues that we know our generation will be left to face if we simply wait for the DNC to change itself.
That’s why we’ve united to change the DNC and hold it accountable to the next generation. This is a chance to unify the party by connecting with youth interests, and to earn our votes to defeat Donald Trump, the goal of all Democrats, while making real policy changes.
We send this message out to all young people: research the dates of your state’s convention to nominate national delegates to the DNC, and run. You can change the DNC from within, but we need your help. And in exchange, we are ready to support any young person running to be a DNC Delegate, no matter what candidate they run for.
Stand with us, and bring the voice of the next generation to the DNC:
Follow us on Instagram: youngdelegatescoalition
Follow us on Twitter: @YoungDelegates


dailykos--2020-06-05--Did CBN tweek it's editorial focus this week?

Does anybody else here ever look at CBN news ?
The news-site founded by Pat Robertson has 2 or 3 @ @ @ @ @ thought I 'd see there .
One admonishes Christians for ignoring you-know-who 's bad behavior @ @ @ @ @ of African American Alumni of Liberty University calling out Jerry Fallwell Jr , and suggesting @ @ @ @ @ than Christ .
I guess that Pat Robertson rant a few days ago was slightly @ @ @ @ @ .

Does anybody else here ever look at CBN news? The news-site founded by Pat Robertson has 2 or 3 stories that I had never thought I'd see there. One admonishes Christians for ignoring you-know-who's bad behavior. Another tells the story of African American Alumni of Liberty University calling out Jerry Fallwell Jr, and suggesting he cares more about politics than Christ. I guess that Pat Robertson rant a few days ago was slightly more than a momentary thing.
www1.cbn.com/...


dailykos--2020-06-05--WTF is wrong with the White House press corps?

On the one hand , this is a bizarre , inexplicable story .
On the other hand , it is probably the most revealing story about the failure and obsequiousness of the White House press .
In short , looking to fuel their fantasy propaganda that the Covid pandemic is over , White House aides at Trump ’ s Rose Garden appearance today moved the reporters ’ normal chair layout from 6 feet apart to instead pack all the reporters together , inches apart , in a ( moronic ) demonstration against “ social distancing.
” Yet , rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right position , , and then complained about this afterwards like school children .
WTF ?
The White House set up press seats for a Friday event in the Rose Garden , which was billed as a news conference , though Trump ended up taking no questions from reporters .
The folding chairs were originally placed six feet apart , just like they have been since April , in accordance with social distancing guidelines .
News crews set up their cameras , took photos of the setting , then left the Rose Garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several minutes later , the folding chairs were close together .
Sometime in between , White House staffers had rearranged the chairs with approximately one foot between each reporter 's seat .
Visually it was back to business almost as normal , pre-pandemic , without social distancing , despite ongoing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control to take precautions .
The president seemed to like what he saw .
`` You 're getting closer together , even you , I noticed , '' Trump remarked to reporters .
`` I noticed you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Looks much better . ''
But it was n't their choice -- the chairs were arranged by the White House .
Some journalists and news executives were privately outraged by the bait and switch .
Privately outraged ?
Why did n't they simply get up as adults and put the seats back in their rightful place ?
Why don ’ t they show some spine and agency ?
Oh , and after bullying the press into serving as props ( and endangering their own health ) , Trump finished the humiliation by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small story perfectly illustrates a larger truth .
This is an appalling example .
The White House press corps have become docile subjects .
.
.
a flock of careerist sheep .
An embarrassment sitting before an embarrassing president .

On the one hand, this is a bizarre, inexplicable story. On the other hand, it is probably the most revealing story about the failure and obsequiousness of the White House press.
In short, looking to fuel their fantasy propaganda that the Covid pandemic is over, White House aides at Trump’s Rose Garden appearance today moved the reporters’ normal chair layout from 6 feet apart to instead pack all the reporters together, inches apart, in a (moronic) demonstration against “social distancing.” Yet, rather than simply moving the chairs back to the right position, the reporters simply sat there , and then complained about this afterwards like school children. WTF?
From “White House turns press corps into anti-social distancing props”:
The White House set up press seats for a Friday event in the Rose Garden, which was billed as a news conference, though Trump ended up taking no questions from reporters. . The folding chairs were originally placed six feet apart, just like they have been since April, in accordance with social distancing guidelines. . News crews set up their cameras, took photos of the setting, then left the Rose Garden. When they were brought back in several minutes later, the folding chairs were close together. . Sometime in between, White House staffers had rearranged the chairs with approximately one foot between each reporter's seat. . Visually it was back to business almost as normal, pre-pandemic, without social distancing, despite ongoing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control to take precautions. . The president seemed to like what he saw. "You're getting closer together, even you, I noticed," Trump remarked to reporters. "I noticed you're starting to get much closer together. Looks much better." . But it wasn't their choice -- the chairs were arranged by the White House. Some journalists and news executives were privately outraged by the bait and switch.
Privately outraged? Why didn't they simply get up as adults and put the seats back in their rightful place? Why don’t they show some spine and agency?
Oh, and after bullying the press into serving as props (and endangering their own health), Trump finished the humiliation by walking out without taking questions.
Sometimes a small story perfectly illustrates a larger truth. This is an appalling example. The White House press corps have become docile subjects . . . a flock of careerist sheep. An embarrassment sitting before an embarrassing president.


dailykos--2020-06-05--What I did with my $1200 bucks.

What I did with my $1200 bucks.

I wish I could say I bought a ticket to the Caribbean or something , but no .
This is @ @ @ @ @ economy .
Of China , mostly .
• I bought a new chop saw ( @ @ @ @ @ I bought a stand for the saw ( Made in China ) • I bought @ @ @ @ @ of a terrific scotch whisky I otherwise would never buy anymore ( Made in Scotland @ @ @ @ @ disposal for the kitchen sink ( Made in China ) • Changed the oil in @ @ @ @ @ quarts , plus filter ) at the local Jiffylube • Donated to 4 different senate @ @ @ @ @ s ( $ 375 bucks ) The small balance remains in my checking account .
@ @ @ @ @ property taxes .
Oh , yeah , I got a letter from Trump letting me @ @ @ @ @ .
Or something .
I think this is the closest we ’ ll ever come @ @ @ @ @ bread and circuses ” tactics to keep the masses quelled .

I wish I could say I bought a ticket to the Caribbean or something, but no. This is how I helped stimulate the economy. Of China, mostly.
I bought a new chop saw (Made in China)
I bought a stand for the saw (Made in China)
I bought some groceries (Made in USA)
I bought a ridiculously high priced fifth of a terrific scotch whisky I otherwise would never buy anymore (Made in Scotland)
I bought some lumber (Grown in Oregon)
I bought a disposal for the kitchen sink (Made in China)
Changed the oil in my diesel pickup (17 quarts, plus filter) at the local Jiffylube
Donated to 4 different senate campaigns, plus Biden’s ($375 bucks)
The small balance remains in my checking account. Should probably save for 2020 property taxes.
Oh, yeah, I got a letter from Trump letting me know how generous he is. Or something. I think this is the closest we’ll ever come to the old Roman “bread and circuses” tactics to keep the masses quelled.


dailykos--2020-06-07--This Week in the War on Women, 5/31-6/6/2020: Protest Edition

The deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd at the hands of police , along with the clear abuse of white privilege by a woman letting her dog poop all over the park , perhaps along with pandemic stress , stirred things up in this country this week .
Some say to unprecedented levels .
So let ’ s note some of the women deeply involved in this fight .
They ’ re saying you ’ re not going to intimidate us anymore .
For a bit of perspective on how protests are supposed to go ( and often do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from March on International Women ’ s Day protests against inequality and violence against women : Women fill streets of world 's cities with call for justice .
In some places things were peaceful , in some places authorities PROTECTED protesters ( kudos , Pakistan ! )
, in some places things got ugly including property damage by protesters , and various assaults by police including tear gas and water cannons .
Back to this week in this country : Men get far more attention than women : The NYT 's June 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not trying to compete with Floyd ’ s story , we ’ re trying to complete the story.
” — Andrea Ritchie , author of “ Invisible No More : Police Violence Against Black Women and Women of Color ” This website includes a study and discussion guide : Still , in an attempt to keep things peaceful , Breonna Taylor 's mother calls for peace .
Women put themselves on the line to protect others : This young woman is held up by black women as a hero : At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women in Louisville KY line up arm in arm between black protesters and police .
Beautiful ( click link for photo ) : https : //thegrio.com/… From ramara in the Comments : Druck told the Courier Journal that Chanelle Helm , who is the lead organizer for Black Lives Matter Louisville , used a bullhorn and said , “ If you are going to be here , you should defend this space.
” After the command , they instructed those present to form the line facing police at 6th and Jefferson streets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use their privilege , and put their bodies between police and the other demonstrators , ” Druck said .
“ And people responded .
They didn ’ t , they didn ’ t need to be convinced .
Everybody willingly and enthusiastically did it.
” The above was also shown on ABC News : From David Muir : “ From hurt to hugs to hope ” .
And women tried to stop *Rump ’ s little stunt : Women Episcopal clergy stand up to *Rump 's Gestapo , get tear gassed and @ @ @ @ @

The deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd at the hands of police, along with the clear abuse of white privilege by a woman letting her dog poop all over the park, perhaps along with pandemic stress, stirred things up in this country this week. Some say to unprecedented levels. So let’s note some of the women deeply involved in this fight. They’re saying you’re not going to intimidate us anymore.
For a bit of perspective on how protests are supposed to go (and often do not), here is an article from March on International Women’s Day protests against inequality and violence against women: Women fill streets of world's cities with call for justice. In some places things were peaceful, in some places authorities PROTECTED protesters (kudos, Pakistan!), in some places things got ugly including property damage by protesters, and various assaults by police including tear gas and water cannons.
Back to this week in this country: Men get far more attention than women:
The NYT's June 5 "In Her Words" “We’re not trying to compete with Floyd’s story, we’re trying to complete the story.” — Andrea Ritchie, author of “Invisible No More: Police Violence Against Black Women and Women of Color” This website includes a study and discussion guide:
“I was shocked that I didn’t hear anyone say Breonna Taylor’s name at any point,” Ritchie said, referring to the black emergency medical technician in Louisville, Ky., who was killed by the police in March, just weeks before Floyd’s death. Officers burst into Taylor’s apartment while she was asleep during a late night drug investigation using a so-called “no-knock warrant” and shot her at least eight times in her own home.{Note: in her own bed, I believe?]…. Still, Taylor’s case remains largely disconnected with the broader national conversation that’s happening around George Floyd — no celebrities have offered to pay for her funeral or taken out full-page ads in newspapers across the country dedicated to her and few brands have started campaigns in her name. None of the officers in her case have been arrested or fired, though the F.B.I. is currently investigating the case.
In an effort to resurface Taylor’s story on social media, users started using the hashtag #SayHerName in the last week. But even that, Ritchie noted, has been turned into #SayHisName.........
Still, in an attempt to keep things peaceful, Breonna Taylor's mother calls for peace.
Women put themselves on the line to protect others: This young woman is held up by black women as a hero:
x When White people ask what they should say to black people show them this video. The answer is simple. Keep your eye on this White girl in the front who uses her privilege to prevent violence. Be that girl. Raise that girl. pic.twitter.com/4LruzhMio5 Ã¢ÂÂ Michelle Bhasin (@michellebhasin) June 1, 2020
At the request of Chanelle Helm, white women in Louisville KY line up arm in arm between black protesters and police. Beautiful (click link for photo): https://thegrio.com/… From ramara in the Comments:
Druck told the Courier Journal that Chanelle Helm, who is the lead organizer for Black Lives Matter Louisville, used a bullhorn and said, “If you are going to be here, you should defend this space.” After the command, they instructed those present to form the line facing police at 6th and Jefferson streets. “She was asking for white folks to use their privilege, and put their bodies between police and the other demonstrators,” Druck said. “And people responded. They didn’t, they didn’t need to be convinced. Everybody willingly and enthusiastically did it.”
And women work to defuse tension:
x A simple hug between an activist and a Florida patrol officer helped diffuse tension during a protest. The woman on the scooter is Renita Holmes; she lives feet away from where a police car burned over the weekend.
VIDEO: WPLG Local 10 News pic.twitter.com/Rb41S3agbR Ã¢ÂÂ Breakfast Television Toronto (@BTtoronto) June 2, 2020
The above was also shown on ABC News: From David Muir: “From hurt to hugs to hope”.
And women tried to stop *Rump’s little stunt:
Women Episcopal clergy stand up to *Rump's Gestapo, get tear gassed and shot with rubber bullets.
Next time, non-believer!
In Other News:
rape culture
The linked article is from 2018, but apparently only one state has made progress since. If you live in one of these 34 states, please check your state laws and consider writing your representatives about outlawing police sex on the job and making it a felony. Of course if they’re wearing the uniform and a citizen thinks s/he may be arrested, it’s coerced!
x hereÃ¢ÂÂs a directory to find your local representative to ask (demand) they do something about this if youÃ¢ÂÂre in one of the 34 states! (new york has a law now) https://t.co/Dd6kzT1SgJ pic.twitter.com/T05WoqYZlB Ã¢ÂÂ joshua (@cuddlesandcoke) June 6, 2020
From Human Rights Watch, https://www.hrw.org/...
On May 28, Vera Uwaila Omosuwa, a 22- year old microbiology student at the University of Benin, Edo State was raped and brutally assaulted after she went to study in a church, according to reports received by the National Human Rights Commission. She died two days later. The incident sparked public outcry and demands for #JusticeForUwa have spread across Nigeria. The Police Chief has said perpetrators will be held accountable. But even while this brutal incident shook the country, media reported the harrowing case of a 12-year-old girl gang raped by 11 men in Jigawa state emerged, generating further outrage. The Police have arrested the 11 suspects. Violence against women and girls is all too familiar, prosecutions and convictions are not. Nigerian media regularly carry stories of gruesome violence against women and girls, and an ensuing lack of justice. An estimated two million Nigerian women and girls are sexually assaulted annually, according to Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, but few of these cases are reported, let alone prosecuted, due to the stigma associated with being a rape survivor, fear of reprisals, and distrust of the authorities….
adultery
Taiwan's Constitutional Court struck down the law criminalizing adultery, which was disproportionately used against women.
https://international.thenewslens.com/…
My response was “What? Don’t men commit most of the adultery?” but I was reminded that in Biblical times only women could commit adultery - men simply took another wife or concubine. The point was to assure paternity where inheritance was concerned. Note also at the link that the “other woman” could also be charged even if the husband was not!
covid
"New Zealand is squandering an opportunity to help women in prostitution during COVID, thanks to decriminalization," https://www.feministcurrent.com/… :
What other “independent contractor” has standard 12 hour shifts where they cannot leave or take breaks, with intense pressure to never reject a “client,” and are eventually paid under 40 (sometimes only 30) per cent of the money they earned and told they must return the next shift to collect it? Women can end up being paid nothing at all or in debt to the brothel on a quiet night, where they only get one “client.” The accumulative penalties (which are routinely over-imposed) — “shift fees,” “laundry fees,” “clothing and appearance fines,” and “late fees” — that women must agree to pay in their contract see to that.
On a lighter note: Mother-daughter duo use animation to help kids cope with Covid-19 fears.
Sydney is also using her videos to encourage kids to find ways to get involved, including reaching out to school officials to ask if they have any extra supplies they can send to local hospitals.... "Maybe if kids see through an animation that other kids are feeling the same way then they won't be so worried about what's going on right now," Melissa said.
Lgbtq rights
Costa Rica, May 26: "As a result of a Costa Rica supreme court ruling it became the first Latin American country to recognize and perform same-sex marriage
politics
Human Rights Campaign Endorses Sara Stapleton Barrera for Texas State Senate:
“Sara Stapleton Barrera is a true champion for the LGBTQ community,” said HRC Texas State Director Rebecca Marques (@RebeccaMarques). “By electing Sara, Texas-27 can turn the page and work toward giving more than 850,000 LGBTQ Texans the protections they deserve -- protections that 70% of Texans support."
action items:
From Daily Kos’ own Prism: You can still support the Black Lives Matter movement without going to a protest. Here’s how: Donate, know the demands, understand their context, remember and honor black lives.
Daily Kos petition: Planned Parenthood health centers do not need to return federal COVID-19 relief loans
This WOW column is always a group effort! Many thanks to officebss, mettle fatigue, ramara, SandraLLAP, J Graham, and Tara the ASSW! Extra hat tip to mettle for the placeholder diary whilst I helped Mom get ready for bed.
Please add any other items to comments if you wish.


dailykos--2020-06-08--To all those surveys: This is what I am doing.

I don ’ t know about the rest of you but my inbox is stuffed every morning with “ surveys ” .
I put the word in quotes because they all have a common theme .
There are a lot of binary and multiple choice questions that are there more to pass along things like info about deplorable Trump policies .
A few have an “ other ” box with a textbox for me two write a sentence or two .
And then there is the donation pitch that has been prepped by the questions .
I fill some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that provide the text box but when I submit the page without a checked donation box and you return with the donation page , I simply delete the tab .
So… To answer your question behind the questions , here is what I am doing and why .
• I have recurring donations to Warren Democrats and AOC ’ s progressive candidates .
I sometimes give them an extra one-off .
I also have a recurring for Medicare for All and Green New Deal .
• I have not donated to Biden yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support him .
He is the best person for the job ( for now ) .
He has baggage but all of the Dems from the Clinton era do too .
His is not so bad by comparison to the other “ moderate ” , “ middle way ” , or “ practical ” leaders from the old crew .
• I will donate to him once he has publicized his VP choice .
If it is Warren , I ’ ll continue to donate through her .
Otherwise I will give him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her .
My goal is simple .
My support goes through the Warren/Sanders/AOC wing of the party .
It will continue to be so .
I want the likes of the DNC , DLCC , and “ Stop Republicans ” to know where the money is coming from .
Who is feeding them .
I hope it will keep their attention .
In other words , I am tired of the old false choices between mediocre , big donor dependent , “ I ’ m at least better than a RWNJ ” types @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aka the MAGA GOP .
That blackmail and con job has gone on long enough .
Saying that you don ’ t pee on the carpet is not a qualification for the job .
I was in High School when JFK was killed by a right wing crazy .
I was in Viet Nam when RFK and Dr. King were killed by the same regressive crowd .
I want to see some real change before I trundle off this mortal coil .
If I live as long as my mother ( 99yrs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left .
If I am going to see any of it , the DNC had better get off its butt and replace the has-been ’ s and never-were ’ s with real change agents .

I don’t know about the rest of you but my inbox is stuffed every morning with “surveys”. I put the word in quotes because they all have a common theme. There are a lot of binary and multiple choice questions that are there more to pass along things like info about deplorable Trump policies. A few have an “other” box with a textbox for me two write a sentence or two. And then there is the donation pitch that has been prepped by the questions. I fill some of them out and write in the ones that provide the text box but when I submit the page without a checked donation box and you return with the donation page, I simply delete the tab.
So… To answer your question behind the questions, here is what I am doing and why.
I have recurring donations to Warren Democrats and AOC’s progressive candidates. I sometimes give them an extra one-off. I also have a recurring for Medicare for All and Green New Deal.
I have not donated to Biden yet although I will vote for him and support him. He is the best person for the job (for now). He has baggage but all of the Dems from the Clinton era do too. His is not so bad by comparison to the other “moderate”, “middle way”, or “practical” leaders from the old crew.
I will donate to him once he has publicized his VP choice. If it is Warren, I’ll continue to donate through her. Otherwise I will give him half what I will continue to give her.
My goal is simple. My support goes through the Warren/Sanders/AOC wing of the party. It will continue to be so. I want the likes of the DNC, DLCC, and “Stop Republicans” to know where the money is coming from. Who is feeding them. I hope it will keep their attention.
In other words, I am tired of the old false choices between mediocre, big donor dependent, “I’m at least better than a RWNJ” types and the crazy white privilege party, aka the MAGA GOP. That blackmail and con job has gone on long enough. Saying that you don’t pee on the carpet is not a qualification for the job.
I was in High School when JFK was killed by a right wing crazy. I was in Viet Nam when RFK and Dr. King were killed by the same regressive crowd. I want to see some real change before I trundle off this mortal coil. If I live as long as my mother (99yrs, 2mo), I have 25 years left. If I am going to see any of it, the DNC had better get off its butt and replace the has-been’s and never-were’s with real change agents.
Your call. I am waiting...


dailykos--2020-06-09--Snarl like you mean it!

Snarl like you mean it!

It is said that an animal forced in a corner will lash out at the party , or parties , that have thus cornered the animal in question .
Enter President Donald J Trump .
There is no end to his counter candor , which more resembles a desperate person trying to hold on to whatever he has got .
As time goes on , everything he ’ s got is lessening more and more and at a daily rate it might be added to say .
Bit by bit , Trump has done so much in the wrong direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right direction even if he tried , but he doesn ’ t and won ’ t do that .
It simply is not in his nature .
Hard as it might be to realize that he has no motivation to do the right or even the correct thing , just his thing .
His hubris is incredibly strong and active up to this moment .
Throughout the time that he got elected and so-called ‘ ran things ’ , such as building walls and alienating the nation as a whole and so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man has been good at one thing that no one could ever effectively deny…Trump has made more enemies than he or anyone else , can afford !
Not the best of all scenarios and a very bad one to be in the center of since being surrounded becomes not only threatening , but also predictably daunting and foreboding .
In other words , the man is in a world of hurt and there is no end in sight .
If they gave awards for incompetence , misdirection , inability to process information , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elephant in a china shop , then the award would definitely go to none other than Donald Trump .
It would be way too simple to pick just one example to draw from because there are so darn many .
This has caused him to excommunicate so many people from his inner circle and outwards , those that did not share his emotional elations for simply being a pretend dictator .
Never would anyone have thought of him this way back-in-the-day .
Earlier years had an ambitious man that was a jet setter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with pitfalls and victories on many levels .
From real estate , business ventures and reality TV shows , et cetera , Trump was an icon .
Never perfect , he even admitted on many occasions , but his ego has blinded him to the fact that his over assertiveness and blunt methods of obtaining whatever .
Those were better days and the man was simply ‘ a trip ’ in the minds of many and could never had even the shrewdest bookie ever lay even money on Trump becoming president , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such an extremely pressing time for everybody and everything .
His falling out with so many , enemies , allies and even friends alike , has done to him what he has been doing to the citizens of this country and the world .
The man has succeeded at being an ultimate failure with a childish agenda and attitude to boot .
They say that children do not understand logic .
If that is so , then Donald Trump is certainly in that particular category .
It doesn ’ t help that not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his realm that may have well have helped him given half a chance .
He is always going out and finding more and more people to lash out at for whatever reason .
Can ’ t really blame him since he blames everyone but himself regarding anything negative in his jurisdiction .
Projection is what psychologists call it and that is precisely what the man has done .
Those around him are either not too sure of themselves or their administration , suffering from the ‘ damned if we do ’ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ scenario .
Even Mitch McConnell is wearing a face mask .
Just a faint , yet important fact , nonetheless .
Though there are reasons that Trump doesn ’ t wear a covering for his snoot , none of them give validity to his reluctance and refusal .
Trump is special and has special powers , which is based on self image as opposed to reality .
At this moment , the man feels like a predator that has been denied and is now being taunted by a great many .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against him , or at least he is convinced that those that face off with him are his enemies .
Those loyal to him is waning .
The people see what he is and naturally don ’ t like it .
Trump doesn ’ t like that , but not because they raise the challenge of his power and authority , but because they don ’ t want to play in his sandbox .
He wants his friends as mindless ‘ yes people ’ while turning a blind eye to his downfall pending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that opposes him or has an alternative point of view are considered ‘ the enemy ’ and they must be lashed out at , no matter whether they are right of wrong .
They oppose .
Trump counter opposes .
It is interesting to say that he goes on a rampage almost every hour of every waking moment of his day .
A desperate action by a person that is nihilistic by nature , uncaring and unknowing .
Clearing out a church ( Saint John ’ s ) , via force , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is basic sacrilege .
Some wonder how the one he held didn ’ t burn his damned fingers .
Donald , listen carefully from one Christian to a so-called another…put the Good Book down please for the sake of all that is holy .
We all know that you don ’ t really mean it and you should atone for that hypocritical display of gluttonous notoriety .
I am confident that if we all stopped paying attention to him that it might well put him in the hospital for he only lives for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from others .
At this point , his team is in very big trouble as is he , respectively .
Lashing out is the last and final thing .
Understandable that he does that for there really is nothing else left his disposal .
When the Pentagon questions the orders given by the so-called commander-and-chief , that is serious !
Even they can ’ t go along with what he wants and has wanted that for a long time in the coming .
Almost borders on a coup a brewing , though we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ?
How can he lash out against them ?
Wouldn ’ t surprise me or anyone else if he did for history shows that Josef Stalin ( former Communist Russia leader ) didn ’ t even like his own army .
Power mad dogs in high place share one thing in common with one another…paranoia .
They feel that even those closest to them are against them in some form or another with some hidden agenda .
Don has to realize that if you berate and do little else but make enemies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that those dragged down for whatever reason may well , and do , become a collective uprising .
Look at former President George W Bush .
He called for unity and Trump went after him verbally .
As a result , Mr. Bush is now endorsing Joe Biden , along with retired U. S. Army General Colin Powell .
It wasn ’ t the unity thing that irked Trump greatly , rather that is was someone else having the best idea of all and Trump couldn ’ t put his name on it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he has accomplished .
He missed that opportunity a long time ago and now that it comes from the most unexpected sources and the man simply doesn ’ t like it !
Can ’ t digest the fact that there are a slew of people out there on all levels that rival his visions and come up with potential and viable solutions that he didn ’ t have at least some small part in respectively .
Rounding up the wagons and taking to countering with pop shots at those circling is all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he feel threatened and with great reason for he is , though most of that is his own doing .
Too bad that he doesn ’ t have a clue .
Let ’ s face it !
Make America Great Again has proven to have become quite the opposite of the original intention in almost every way possible .
There has been nothing less than unrest throughout the country and the world in opposition to Trump ’ s agenda and actions .
No justification for most of the things that have been brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is it not funny that even though those around him try to provide some kind of defense for all , there is nothing left that truly is effective in that manner any more .
100,000 plus casualties , along with a burning nation , angry people so mad that Trump gets scared and takes to the Hitler like bunker aspect of things , along with much else that is too long to mention in detail leads to the question , ‘ Is Donald Trump not quite as popular as he once was at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is a cause for concern on his end , his retort is to blow them off and tread on his happy ass way .
The problem that is stirring mostly in his mind is , ‘ Will I have a job in November ?
’ Plain and simple .
Nothing else seems to matter to ‘ the Big Orange One ’ .
Deaths left and right , societies under lockdown and semi lockdown ( by the way , COVID cases and deaths are greatly increasing at this very moment as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scary protests , an economy that is in a state of turmoil , along with much , much more and all else is not the main thing .
Trump sits in his playground sandbox and wondering , as did the cartoon character ‘ Baby Huey ’ ( the huge clumsy duckling baby ) that was infamous for unknowingly destroying things in his wake , “ Why doesn ’ t anyone want to play with me ?
” Oblivion is the only explanation .
It just doesn ’ t register in that weird head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone and everything that opposes you tacitly or in a major way , you ’ ll gain nothing good and acquire things that are not wanted nor needed .
Friends may come and go , but enemies accumulate !
That is the story of Donald J Trump .
Think back to when he proclaimed ‘ absolute power ’ .
It is the equivalent of dictators that stated ‘ total war ’ .
What did that ever get anyone in history ?
Nothing good and everything bad , which consistent results have thus proven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resort… Lash out !
A thousand and more lashes to those that he either didn ’ t trust or conform to his narrow and dangerous way of thinking and doing .
Lash out !
Against all opponents for they are truly enemies , not friends .
Lash out !
To those that defy his self perceived authority and actions of the same .
Lash out !
Make critics pay big time and make sure that the media is making him look as good as possible , which is by the way , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out !
Towards professionals at all levels that do actually know and do more than he will ever or has , but that do not play his games to his personal satisfaction .
Lash out !
To protesters that he has labeled ‘ lowlifes ’ .
‘ scumbags ’ and has given strong directives to ‘ dominate ’ these people .
Lash out !
At the Pentagon and those in the military that not only deeply question Trump ’ s wanton for a military dictatorship , but also directly oppose the man for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions he wants ( under section 501 : Marshal Law ) .
Lash out !
At those that just are not on his side or have different views and ideas .
Twitter and all else provide the vehicles and tool necessary for him to do so with stamina .
Even Twitter is having issues with him…lash out , once again !
He is shooting rounds off in all directions with a machine gun ( metaphorically speaking ) for there are too many enemies .
There is nothing else for the man .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up until this point in time .
In his quest for the ‘ Holy Grail ’ , the acquisition has been the inheritance of the ‘ Holy Fail ’ .
What has he done that has really served anyone any benefit ?
Outside of the stimulus check ( with his self induced ‘ signature ’ on them ) and trying to deal with the COVID mess and all else on some level , there is nothing out there that he can proclaim victory for or over , both .
He never felt that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him and that resources would always be plenty .
Apparently , Trump was wrong .
What goes around comes around .
He has threatened a great many , so it is very surprising that he does not see their responding in kind could or should ever happen .
The man wears effective blinders and his vision only allows what he wants , nothing more than that .
It is said that animals bite at their own wounds and lash out .
That is Donald Trump .
He provoked way too much , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counters with his personal egotistical candor , which is pretty much all the man has remaining .
Again , projection is the art of blaming everything else for the fact that too much is wrong .
Don ’ t blame oneself , blame everyone else for it must truly be their fault collectively that things didn ’ t work out as planned .
We must give him credit for one thing…the man is definitely a fighter indeed .
Rather than cast a shadow of doubt on his dealings , Trump goes after all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has made fun of the handicapped , dissed veterans , made clear that minorities and other ‘ mud people ’ don ’ t count , alienated us from the rest of the world , marched towards what he wants and not what the nation and the world really needs , put his mark on everything that he could , placed incompetent people in positions of power since they are akin to him ( he likes those that like him and not much else ) , along with so much more that draws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no matter how ridiculous or unwarranted , and expects people to like it !
Wow !
We have never ever had a president like this one .
He has broken the mold and even so-called ‘ bad leaders ’ from the past can now rest .
Trump broke apart records in the department of jacking things up to an incredible degree and making absolutely sure that faith no longer exists regarding him and those minions working on his behalf , his loyalists .
I have respect for the latter mentioned for at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo ops ( after tear gassing secured that one for him ) .
Ugh !
When he goes on a rampage again for whatever reason and towards whomever he does it too , I urge the man to look at himself in the mirror .
If there was anyone that should be self criticized and lashed out against , it is…

A Thousand Lashes!
By
Mike Arroyo
It is said that an animal forced in a corner will lash out at the party, or parties, that have thus cornered the animal in question. Enter President Donald J Trump. There is no end to his counter candor, which more resembles a desperate person trying to hold on to whatever he has got. As time goes on, everything he’s got is lessening more and more and at a daily rate it might be added to say. Bit by bit, Trump has done so much in the wrong direction I think he couldn’t find the right direction even if he tried, but he doesn’t and won’t do that. It simply is not in his nature. Hard as it might be to realize that he has no motivation to do the right or even the correct thing, just his thing. His hubris is incredibly strong and active up to this moment. Throughout the time that he got elected and so-called ‘ran things’, such as building walls and alienating the nation as a whole and so many bizarre and illogical things, the man has been good at one thing that no one could ever effectively deny…Trump has made more enemies than he or anyone else, can afford! Not the best of all scenarios and a very bad one to be in the center of since being surrounded becomes not only threatening, but also predictably daunting and foreboding. In other words, the man is in a world of hurt and there is no end in sight. If they gave awards for incompetence, misdirection, inability to process information, react irrationally and act like a bull elephant in a china shop, then the award would definitely go to none other than Donald Trump. It would be way too simple to pick just one example to draw from because there are so darn many. This has caused him to excommunicate so many people from his inner circle and outwards, those that did not share his emotional elations for simply being a pretend dictator. Never would anyone have thought of him this way back-in-the-day. Earlier years had an ambitious man that was a jet setter, a mover and a shaker, with pitfalls and victories on many levels. From real estate, business ventures and reality TV shows, et cetera, Trump was an icon. Never perfect, he even admitted on many occasions, but his ego has blinded him to the fact that his over assertiveness and blunt methods of obtaining whatever. Those were better days and the man was simply ‘a trip’ in the minds of many and could never had even the shrewdest bookie ever lay even money on Trump becoming president, let alone running things into the ground during such an extremely pressing time for everybody and everything.
His falling out with so many, enemies, allies and even friends alike, has done to him what he has been doing to the citizens of this country and the world. The man has succeeded at being an ultimate failure with a childish agenda and attitude to boot. They say that children do not understand logic. If that is so, then Donald Trump is certainly in that particular category. It doesn’t help that not only has he cast out many people in his realm that may have well have helped him given half a chance. He is always going out and finding more and more people to lash out at for whatever reason. Can’t really blame him since he blames everyone but himself regarding anything negative in his jurisdiction. Projection is what psychologists call it and that is precisely what the man has done. Those around him are either not too sure of themselves or their administration, suffering from the ‘damned if we do’ and ‘damned if we don’t’ scenario. Even Mitch McConnell is wearing a face mask. Just a faint, yet important fact, nonetheless. Though there are reasons that Trump doesn’t wear a covering for his snoot, none of them give validity to his reluctance and refusal. Trump is special and has special powers, which is based on self image as opposed to reality. At this moment, the man feels like a predator that has been denied and is now being taunted by a great many. His bravado and arrogance has turned a multitude against him, or at least he is convinced that those that face off with him are his enemies. Those loyal to him is waning. The people see what he is and naturally don’t like it. Trump doesn’t like that, but not because they raise the challenge of his power and authority, but because they don’t want to play in his sandbox. He wants his friends as mindless ‘yes people’ while turning a blind eye to his downfall pending from all his actions. Each person that opposes him or has an alternative point of view are considered ‘the enemy’ and they must be lashed out at, no matter whether they are right of wrong. They oppose. Trump counter opposes. It is interesting to say that he goes on a rampage almost every hour of every waking moment of his day. A desperate action by a person that is nihilistic by nature, uncaring and unknowing. Clearing out a church (Saint John’s), via force, to get a photo op with the Bible is basic sacrilege. Some wonder how the one he held didn’t burn his damned fingers. Donald, listen carefully from one Christian to a so-called another…put the Good Book down please for the sake of all that is holy. We all know that you don’t really mean it and you should atone for that hypocritical display of gluttonous notoriety. I am confident that if we all stopped paying attention to him that it might well put him in the hospital for he only lives for self acknowledgement and what he can draw from others. At this point, his team is in very big trouble as is he, respectively.
Lashing out is the last and final thing. Understandable that he does that for there really is nothing else left his disposal. When the Pentagon questions the orders given by the so-called commander-and-chief, that is serious! Even they can’t go along with what he wants and has wanted that for a long time in the coming. Almost borders on a coup a brewing, though we all know better than that. Does Trump? How can he lash out against them? Wouldn’t surprise me or anyone else if he did for history shows that Josef Stalin (former Communist Russia leader) didn’t even like his own army. Power mad dogs in high place share one thing in common with one another…paranoia. They feel that even those closest to them are against them in some form or another with some hidden agenda. Don has to realize that if you berate and do little else but make enemies, the natural course of things is that those dragged down for whatever reason may well, and do, become a collective uprising. Look at former President George W Bush. He called for unity and Trump went after him verbally. As a result, Mr. Bush is now endorsing Joe Biden, along with retired U. S. Army General Colin Powell. It wasn’t the unity thing that irked Trump greatly, rather that is was someone else having the best idea of all and Trump couldn’t put his name on it, much like his branding of things that he has accomplished. He missed that opportunity a long time ago and now that it comes from the most unexpected sources and the man simply doesn’t like it! Can’t digest the fact that there are a slew of people out there on all levels that rival his visions and come up with potential and viable solutions that he didn’t have at least some small part in respectively. Rounding up the wagons and taking to countering with pop shots at those circling is all he has left. Simply put, he feel threatened and with great reason for he is, though most of that is his own doing. Too bad that he doesn’t have a clue.
Let’s face it! Make America Great Again has proven to have become quite the opposite of the original intention in almost every way possible. There has been nothing less than unrest throughout the country and the world in opposition to Trump’s agenda and actions. No justification for most of the things that have been brought to light by the Trump Administration. Is it not funny that even though those around him try to provide some kind of defense for all, there is nothing left that truly is effective in that manner any more. 100,000 plus casualties, along with a burning nation, angry people so mad that Trump gets scared and takes to the Hitler like bunker aspect of things, along with much else that is too long to mention in detail leads to the question, ‘Is Donald Trump not quite as popular as he once was at some point in time?’ Though that is a cause for concern on his end, his retort is to blow them off and tread on his happy ass way. The problem that is stirring mostly in his mind is, ‘Will I have a job in November?’ Plain and simple. Nothing else seems to matter to ‘the Big Orange One’. Deaths left and right, societies under lockdown and semi lockdown (by the way, COVID cases and deaths are greatly increasing at this very moment as a result), burning cities and hoards of scary protests, an economy that is in a state of turmoil, along with much, much more and all else is not the main thing. Trump sits in his playground sandbox and wondering, as did the cartoon character ‘Baby Huey’ (the huge clumsy duckling baby) that was infamous for unknowingly destroying things in his wake, “Why doesn’t anyone want to play with me?” Oblivion is the only explanation. It just doesn’t register in that weird head of his that when you go after everyone and everything that opposes you tacitly or in a major way, you’ll gain nothing good and acquire things that are not wanted nor needed. Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate! That is the story of Donald J Trump. Think back to when he proclaimed ‘absolute power’. It is the equivalent of dictators that stated ‘total war’. What did that ever get anyone in history? Nothing good and everything bad, which consistent results have thus proven over and over again. The last resort…
Lash out! A thousand and more lashes to those that he either didn’t trust or conform to his narrow and dangerous way of thinking and doing. Lash out! Against all opponents for they are truly enemies, not friends. Lash out! To those that defy his self perceived authority and actions of the same. Lash out! Make critics pay big time and make sure that the media is making him look as good as possible, which is by the way, a very big tall order indeed. Lash out! Towards professionals at all levels that do actually know and do more than he will ever or has, but that do not play his games to his personal satisfaction. Lash out! To protesters that he has labeled ‘lowlifes’. ‘scumbags’ and has given strong directives to ‘dominate’ these people. Lash out! At the Pentagon and those in the military that not only deeply question Trump’s wanton for a military dictatorship, but also directly oppose the man for they know the implications of the proposed actions he wants (under section 501: Marshal Law). Lash out! At those that just are not on his side or have different views and ideas. Twitter and all else provide the vehicles and tool necessary for him to do so with stamina. Even Twitter is having issues with him…lash out, once again! He is shooting rounds off in all directions with a machine gun (metaphorically speaking) for there are too many enemies. There is nothing else for the man. Trump has exhausted all options that he had up until this point in time. In his quest for the ‘Holy Grail’, the acquisition has been the inheritance of the ‘Holy Fail’. What has he done that has really served anyone any benefit? Outside of the stimulus check (with his self induced ‘signature’ on them) and trying to deal with the COVID mess and all else on some level, there is nothing out there that he can proclaim victory for or over, both. He never felt that his ‘gravy train’ would fail him and that resources would always be plenty. Apparently, Trump was wrong. What goes around comes around. He has threatened a great many, so it is very surprising that he does not see their responding in kind could or should ever happen. The man wears effective blinders and his vision only allows what he wants, nothing more than that.
It is said that animals bite at their own wounds and lash out. That is Donald Trump. He provoked way too much, has gotten bitten from various sources and now counters with his personal egotistical candor, which is pretty much all the man has remaining. Again, projection is the art of blaming everything else for the fact that too much is wrong. Don’t blame oneself, blame everyone else for it must truly be their fault collectively that things didn’t work out as planned. We must give him credit for one thing…the man is definitely a fighter indeed. Rather than cast a shadow of doubt on his dealings, Trump goes after all those around him in the world. He has made fun of the handicapped, dissed veterans, made clear that minorities and other ‘mud people’ don’t count, alienated us from the rest of the world, marched towards what he wants and not what the nation and the world really needs, put his mark on everything that he could, placed incompetent people in positions of power since they are akin to him (he likes those that like him and not much else), along with so much more that draws little more from his outside of criticism no matter how ridiculous or unwarranted, and expects people to like it! Wow! We have never ever had a president like this one. He has broken the mold and even so-called ‘bad leaders’ from the past can now rest. Trump broke apart records in the department of jacking things up to an incredible degree and making absolutely sure that faith no longer exists regarding him and those minions working on his behalf, his loyalists. I have respect for the latter mentioned for at least they take sides, Trump just takes photo ops (after tear gassing secured that one for him). Ugh! When he goes on a rampage again for whatever reason and towards whomever he does it too, I urge the man to look at himself in the mirror. If there was anyone that should be self criticized and lashed out against, it is…


dailykos--2020-06-09--How Did Someone As Clownishly Inept As Trump Get America This Close To Fascism?

When Madeleine Albright ’ s book came out , I bought it thinking that it would be specifically about the dangers of Trump administration .
He certainly gets a lot pages and yet she ultimately references him as a symptom of a set of much larger problems linked to a combination of societal conditions America faces .
She addresses in detail the history of dictators and Fascist states , how they arise and what supplies the fertile ground for authoritarian governments to take root .
I don ’ t intend to recap her fascinating treatise on this subject other than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her warnings became more prescient for me as I watched the Trump administration ’ s actions the past two weeks .
Last night on FOX one of their nighttime entertainment hosts spent half of his show fanning the flames of fear and resentment about Black Lives Matter and Antifa .
( Maybe someone should explain that it ’ s short for anti fascism , they might put their guns down ) .
Warning his audience in his usual hyperbolic style that angry people were coming to get them .
This is being systematically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chamber in all platforms .
We have seen this coordinated messaging before .
It has gotten so bad however that vigilante watchdog groups are roaming neighborhoods in small towns and suburbs looking for members of Antifa .
Today Trump tweeted that the 75 year old peace activist pushed by the Buffalo police was possibly an Antifa “ provocateur ” ( a word Trump was certainly unfamiliar with before today ) and fell to make police look bad .
Fear has an immediate impacts on public sentiment that is not easily extinguished .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of programming set to respond to any perceived threat , real or not .
Let me promptly get to the point here .
Given the conditions America faces such as income inequality , ethnic , racial and ideological divisions on full boil , America is at a tipping point .
Economists now tell us that the country was already in a recession in February before the devastation rendered by the pandemic and the subsequent job losses that came with it .
As Secretary Albright points out in her book , we must look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our country that we even considered the election of someone like Donald Trump in the first place .
That in itself was a huge warning .
As his presidency played out with its all cartoon like blundering and transparent disregard for the rule of law , there should have been mass rejection of his policies and him as a president in every corner of the Republic , no matter what political affiliation someone holds .
That it didn ’ t should be a sobering moment for everyone .
If someone just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same maniacal thirst for power had showed up , they may have pulled this off .
The environment that existed that allowed for someone like a Donald Trump hasn ’ t changed , if anything it will become much worse .
Obama left Trump a growing economy , low unemployment , healthcare and the world was relatively stable .
Joe Biden will be taking over a economic dumpster fire .
The people will only be patient for so long before they go looking for change .
That change may not be towards @ @ @

When Madeleine Albright’s book came out, I bought it thinking that it would be specifically about the dangers of Trump administration. He certainly gets a lot pages and yet she ultimately references him as a symptom of a set of much larger problems linked to a combination of societal conditions America faces.
She addresses in detail the history of dictators and Fascist states, how they arise and what supplies the fertile ground for authoritarian governments to take root. I don’t intend to recap her fascinating treatise on this subject other than to say America meets those conditions and her warnings became more prescient for me as I watched the Trump administration’s actions the past two weeks.
Last night on FOX one of their nighttime entertainment hosts spent half of his show fanning the flames of fear and resentment about Black Lives Matter and Antifa. (Maybe someone should explain that it’s short for anti fascism, they might put their guns down). Warning his audience in his usual hyperbolic style that angry people were coming to get them. This is being systematically propagated across the entire conservative media echo chamber in all platforms. We have seen this coordinated messaging before. It has gotten so bad however that vigilante watchdog groups are roaming neighborhoods in small towns and suburbs looking for members of Antifa. Today Trump tweeted that the 75 year old peace activist pushed by the Buffalo police was possibly an Antifa “provocateur” (A word Trump was certainly unfamiliar with before today) and fell to make police look bad. Fear has an immediate impact on public sentiment that is not easily extinguished. We are herd animals with a million years of programming set to respond to any perceived threat, real or not.
Let me promptly get to the point here. Given the conditions America faces such as income inequality, ethnic, racial and ideological divisions on full boil, America is at a tipping point. Economists now tell us that the country was already in a recession in February before the devastation rendered by the pandemic and the subsequent job losses that came with it.
As Secretary Albright points out in her book, we must look back on the set of circumstances present in our country that we even considered the election of someone like Donald Trump in the first place. That in itself was a huge warning. As his presidency played out with its all cartoon like blundering and transparent disregard for the rule of law, there should have been mass rejection of his policies and him as a president in every corner of the Republic, no matter what political affiliation someone holds. That it didn’t should be a sobering moment for everyone.
If someone just a tiny bit more savvy, but with the same maniacal thirst for power had showed up, they may have pulled this off. The environment that existed that allowed for someone like a Donald Trump hasn’t changed, if anything it will become much worse. Obama left Trump a growing economy, low unemployment, healthcare and the world was relatively stable. Joe Biden will be taking over a economic dumpster fire. The people will only be patient for so long before they go looking for change. That change may not be towards more democracy.


dailykos--2020-06-10--A Modest Proposal-Use Memo Feature On Phone During Police Stops

I have made the decision that if I ever have any kind of encounter with a police officer , going forward I will inform them that I am recording our conversation .
I suggest this for everyone , particularly African Americans who have to deal with random stops .
These recordings can be sent to email from the recording screen with one click from recording screen using the default email should they ask for the phone at any time .
I will politely inform the officer that I am recording this conversation .
If I was a black person , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have this feature teed up going in to any situation where there possibility of an encounter might exist .
( Walking down a city street for example ) Certainly I would have my phone ready when driving and turn on the feature before the car stops .
No one should be randomly stopped in America .
On any occasion that this might happen , the officer who is funded to serve and protect should speak to everyone in a civil and respectful way .
They certainly shouldn ’ t be cuffed or even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That is for the court to decide .
Right now a policeman can make the decision on the spot to detain someone without due process .
Until there is systemic change in how police departments work with the public , I suggest this interim step as a way for citizens to protect their rights and hold law enforcement accountable .

I have made the decision that if I ever have any kind of encounter with a police officer going forward, I will inform them that I am recording our conversation. I suggest this for everyone, particularly African Americans who have to deal with random stops. These recordings can be sent to email from the recording screen with one click using the default email associated with the phone. Hit send should they try to take away the phone.
I will politely inform the officer that I am recording this conversation. If I was a black person, I would take the precautionary step to have this feature teed up going in to any situation where there is a possibility of an encounter with an officer. (Walking down a city street for example) Certainly I would have my phone ready when driving and turn on the feature before the car stops.
No one should be randomly stopped in America. On any occasion that this might happen, the officer who is funded to serve and protect should speak to any citizen in a civil and respectful way. We certainly shouldn’t be cuffed or even touched with no evidence of a crime. That is for the courts to decide. Right now a policeman can make the decision on the spot to detain us without due process.
Until there is systemic change in how police departments work with the public, I suggest this interim step as a way for citizens to protect their rights and hold law enforcement accountable.


dailykos--2020-06-10--How will Trump's rallies be covered the second time - now that they are also a public health threat?

Trump is pressing to resume shortly his regular “ rallies ” — with thousands packed in an arena despite the Covid pandemic .
This brings to mind the wide , post-mortem soul-searching among the press for giving so much uncritical , long broadcasts of Trump ’ s rallies in the 2016 election .
As just one example in “ My Shared Shame : The Media Helped Make Trump ” ( March 26 , 2016 ) , Nicholas Kristof wrote : An analysis by The Times found that we in the news media gave Trump $ 1.9 billion in free publicity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 190 times as much as he paid for in advertising , and it ’ s far more than any other candidate received .
As my colleague Jim Rutenberg put it , some complain that “ CNN has handed its schedule over to Mr. Trump , ” and CNN had lots of company .
Larry Sabato , a politics professor at the University of Virginia , says television networks “ have a lot to answer for.
” I don ’ t have much confidence that the national press will learn from and correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different : Trump rallies will also be a part of an active disinformation campaign that the Covid pandemic has been vanquished , is behind us .
And we know that Trump eagerly will conscript a pliant press in pushing such lies .
So , the obvious — and self-identified — test for the press will be doubly ( triply ? )
applicable this campaign season .
Let ’ s make sure to judge the press on these accurate terms .
This is not a high bar , btw , Simply report on any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with appropriate expert talking heads ( if you like ) .
Just do n't provide unfiltered propaganda .
Easy .
.
.
but what are the chances ?

Trump is pressing to resume shortly his regular “rallies” — with thousands packed in an arena despite the Covid pandemic.
This brings to mind the wide, post-mortem soul-searching among the press for giving so much uncritical, long broadcasts of Trump’s rallies in the 2016 election. As just one example in “My Shared Shame: The Media Helped Make Trump” (March 26, 2016), Nicholas Kristof wrote:
An analysis by The Times found that we in the news media gave Trump $1.9 billion in free publicity in this presidential cycle. That’s 190 times as much as he paid for in advertising, and it’s far more than any other candidate received. As my colleague Jim Rutenberg put it, some complain that “CNN has handed its schedule over to Mr. Trump,” and CNN had lots of company. Larry Sabato, a politics professor at the University of Virginia, says television networks “have a lot to answer for.”
I don’t have much confidence that the national press will learn from and correct mistakes from 2016 — but now is different: Trump rallies will also be a part of an active disinformation campaign that the Covid pandemic has been vanquished, is behind us. And we know that Trump eagerly will conscript a pliant press in pushing such lies.
So, the obvious — and self-identified — test for the press will be doubly (triply?) applicable this campaign season.
Let’s make sure to judge the press on these accurate terms.
This is not a high bar, btw, Simply report on any newsworthy statement afterwards and in context, with appropriate expert talking heads (if you like). Just don't provide unfiltered propaganda.
Easy . . . but what are the chances?


dailykos--2020-06-11--A Thank-You Letter to My Donors: Richard Thripp for Congress FL-06

Thank you for contributing to my campaign on [ Date ] .
I am writing this letter to personally thank you .
Your support means the world to us .
Everyone is a volunteer in this campaign , and we are getting the best deals from union printers as we ramp up production of promotional materials like bumper stickers and yard signs .
We are running Facebook ads to raise my profile , getting thousands of Volusia County impressions for only 2¢ each or less .
I had suspended in-person campaign events on March 13 , 2020 , but now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of Black Lives Matter and justice for George Floyd , in Daytona Beach , Flagler Beach , Lake Helen , New Smyrna Beach , and more to come .
COVID-19 has not gone away , but this is such an important moment in our nation .
It is critical that it becomes a catalyst for positive , long-needed reforms for people of color , women , and all Americans who have been left out of the American dream .
Without a brave girl filming Mr. Floyd ’ s murder , and fervent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never have secured murder indictments against the four Minneapolis police officers involved .
Making a difference is the main reason I took the bold step of launching my campaign for Congress as a progressive Democrat here in Florida ’ s 6th district on January 2 , 2020 .
Although I am political neophyte , I am a lifelong Volusia County resident born in Daytona Beach who knows local issues far better than Mr. Curtis or Rep. Waltz .
I am a young scholar who values truth and science and I am not afraid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need more people like this in Congress .
These times are difficult .
Due to our nation ’ s haphazard response to COVID-19 , people are losing their livelihoods , homes , friends , and loved ones—over 111,000 Americans have lost their lives .
On top of this , we have a vitriolic , off-the-rails president and complicit Republican party .
Further , we have an economy and government that is quite clearly working only for those at the very top—coronavirus has been a bonanza for top corporations and the super-rich , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to be angry .
We just have to channel this anger into making a difference , even if it takes years or decades .
We need universal healthcare for all Americans—but Florida also needs to expand Medicaid .
I will fight for that ( see H.R .
584 ) .
We need to fully staff our IRS .
We need to take the climate crisis seriously .
So much American prosperity is being squandered .
My wife Kristy and I have a 15-month-old son .
We want a kinder nation and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve enclosed stickers of our old logo that I printed before meeting my Campaign Manager , Emily Humphrey , in March 2020 .
I ’ ve also enclosed several photographs of nature that you may enjoy .
This was a hobby of mine as a teenager in 2006–2008 , and I discovered these printed copies during a recent inspection of my subterranean bunker .
Please feel free to reach out anytime , and vote for Richard Thripp on August 18 , 2020 ( Democratic primary ) and November 3 , 2020 , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard Thripp , Democratic Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives for Florida ’ s 6th District

Published exclusively on Daily Kos.
June 7, 2020
Dear [Donor],
Thank you for contributing to my campaign on [Date]. I am writing this letter to personally thank you. Your support means the world to us. Everyone is a volunteer in this campaign, and we are getting the best deals from union printers as we ramp up production of promotional materials like bumper stickers and yard signs. We are running Facebook ads to raise my profile, getting thousands of Volusia County impressions for only 2¢ each or less.
I had suspended in-person campaign events on March 13, 2020, but now am venturing out, attending protests in support of Black Lives Matter and justice for George Floyd, in Daytona Beach, Flagler Beach, Lake Helen, New Smyrna Beach, and more to come. COVID-19 has not gone away, but this is such an important moment in our nation. It is critical that it becomes a catalyst for positive, long-needed reforms for people of color, women, and all Americans who have been left out of the American dream. Without a brave girl filming Mr. Floyd’s murder, and fervent protests across this nation, we would never have secured murder indictments against the four Minneapolis police officers involved.
Making a difference is the main reason I took the bold step of launching my campaign for Congress as a progressive Democrat here in Florida’s 6th district on January 2, 2020. Although I am political neophyte, I am a lifelong Volusia County resident born in Daytona Beach who knows local issues far better than Mr. Curtis or Rep. Waltz. I am a young scholar who values truth and science and I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong. We need more people like this in Congress.
These times are difficult. Due to our nation’s haphazard response to COVID-19, people are losing their livelihoods, homes, friends, and loved ones—over 111,000 Americans have lost their lives. On top of this, we have a vitriolic, off-the-rails president and complicit Republican party. Further, we have an economy and government that is quite clearly working only for those at the very top—coronavirus has been a bonanza for top corporations and the super-rich, while Central Floridians struggle.
People are right to be angry. We just have to channel this anger into making a difference, even if it takes years or decades. We need universal healthcare for all Americans—but Florida also needs to expand Medicaid. I will fight for that (see H.R. 584). We need to fully staff our IRS. We need to take the climate crisis seriously. So much American prosperity is being squandered. My wife Kristy and I have a 15-month-old son. We want a kinder nation and a bright future for him.
I’ve enclosed stickers of our old logo that I printed before meeting my Campaign Manager, Emily Humphrey, in March 2020. I’ve also enclosed several photographs of nature that you may enjoy. This was a hobby of mine as a teenager in 2006–2008, and I discovered these printed copies during a recent inspection of my subterranean bunker. Please feel free to reach out anytime, and vote for Richard Thripp on August 18, 2020 (Democratic primary) and November 3, 2020, or better yet, vote by mail.
Sincerely,
Richard Thripp, Democratic Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives for Florida’s 6th District


dailykos--2020-06-11--Richard Thripp for Congress, Progressive Democrat for Florida's 6th District

My name is Richard Thripp and I 'm running for Congress for Florida 's 6th district ( all of Volusia and Flagler counties including Daytona Beach , Deltona , DeLand , and Palm Coast ; south part of St. Johns County and northeast part of Lake County ) .
I am a progressive Democrat running on universal healthcare for all , a Green New Deal , a universal basic income , and expanding our social safety nets and building a fairer economy .
I am endorsed by Our Revolution : Volusia , Volusia for Bernie , and New Blue Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sense Candidate .
I am a rare candidate who was actually born in Daytona Beach and has lived in Volusia County my whole life .
My campaign is very frugal and all volunteers .
The FL-06 race is a hidden gem .
My only opponent in the Democratic primary is doing barely any campaigning or fundraising at all .
In the general election I 'll be up against Lt. Col. Green Beret Michael Waltz , Donald Trump 's favorite congressman ( but a 2016 never Trumper ) who bought his seat , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives outside the district , and was selling intelligence , surveillance , reconnaissance , and port security systems in Libya during 2012–2013 , and later claimed to have a `` woman-owned '' defense contracting business after his co-founded had already left and divested .
The district has 600,000 voters .
Of the two major parties , it is 54 % Republican and 46 % Democrat .
If everyone votes along party lines I need 61 % of the no party affiliation vote in the general election .
The last Democrat to win here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but she lost re-election in 2010 .
Compare FL-06 to UT-04 and OK-05 , which voted for Trump by bigger margins in 2016 but flipped blue in 2018 .
I am a 28 year old husband , father to a 1-year-old baby boy , and teacher educator with 3 years experience , a PhD in Education from University of Central Florida , and multiple books and publications .
In my research I specialized in investing and financial literacy of preservice teachers and I am a finance and technology nerd .
Feel free to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
https : //thrippforcongress.com https : //twitter.com/Thripp2020 https : //www.facebook.com/ThrippforCongress Donate here : https : //secure.actblue.com/donate/thripp

My name is Richard Thripp and I'm running for Congress for Florida's 6th district (all of Volusia and Flagler counties including Daytona Beach, Deltona, DeLand, and Palm Coast; south part of St. Johns County and northeast part of Lake County). I am a progressive Democrat running on universal healthcare for all, a Green New Deal, a universal basic income, and expanding our social safety nets and building a fairer economy.
I am endorsed by Our Revolution: Volusia, Volusia for Bernie, and New Blue Florida. I am Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate. I am a rare candidate who was actually born in Daytona Beach and has lived in Volusia County my whole life. My campaign is very frugal and all volunteers. The FL-06 race is a hidden gem. My only opponent in the Democratic primary is doing barely any campaigning or fundraising at all.
In the general election I'll be up against Lt. Col. Green Beret Michael Waltz, Donald Trump's favorite congressman (but a 2016 never Trumper) who bought his seat, has never lived in the district and currently lives outside the district, and was selling intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and port security systems in Libya during 2012–2013, and later claimed to have a "woman-owned" defense contracting business after his co-founder had already left and divested.
The district has 600,000 voters. Of the two major parties, it is 54% Republican and 46% Democrat. If everyone votes along party lines I need 61% of the no party affiliation vote in the general election. The last Democrat to win here was Rep. Suzanne Kosmas in 2008, but she lost re-election in 2010. Compare FL-06 to UT-04 and OK-05, which voted for Trump by bigger margins in 2016 but flipped blue in 2018.
I am a 28 year old husband, father to a 1-year-old baby boy, and teacher educator with 3 years experience, a PhD in Education from University of Central Florida, and multiple books and publications. In my research I specialized in investing and financial literacy of preservice teachers and I am a finance and technology nerd.
Feel free to reach out or visit me online here!
https://thrippforcongress.com
https://twitter.com/Thripp2020
https://www.facebook.com/ThrippforCongress
Donate here:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/thripp


dailykos--2020-06-11--Sen. Feinstein and petitions...

Sen. Feinstein and petitions...

I get lots of emails asking me to sign a petition to my congress people .
Given a CA address @ @ @ @ @ and Harris and Rep. Panetta .
For current petitions regarding police violence , the closest @ @ @ @ @ : Interesting .
I ’ d expect that category from Sen. Harris .
It is @ @ @ @ @ either given that his district is significantly Latinx and agriculture .
But what is with @ @ @ @ @ ‘ illicit drug ” bit .
Both she and Harris are on the same Judiciary @ @ @ @ @ , she also has “ gun control ” , whereas Harris has “ Gun safety @ @ @ @ @ given how she was thrust into the public eye decades ago .
Too bad she @ @ @ @ @ then along with Nancy Raygun .

I get lots of emails asking me to sign a petition to my congress people. Given a CA address, that is Sen. Feinstein and Harris and Rep. Panetta. For current petitions regarding police violence, the closest subject lines for each was:
Feinstein: “Judiciary, Narcotics, Illicit Drugs”
Harris: “Civil Rights”
Panetta: “Civil Rights and Minority Issues”
Interesting. I’d expect that category from Sen. Harris. It is not surprising from Rep. Panetta either given that his district is significantly Latinx and agriculture. But what is with Sen. Feinstein, especially the ‘illicit drug” bit. Both she and Harris are on the same Judiciary committee. Oh, BTW, she also has “gun control”, whereas Harris has “Gun safety”, which is understandable given how she was thrust into the public eye decades ago. Too bad she’s still stuck back then along with Nancy Raygun.


dailykos--2020-06-11--Republicans Have Something Special Planned For Biden. That It’s Disgusting Is Exactly The Point

If you think the memes about Bill Gates wants to put microchips in the Covid-19 vaccines and control the world ’ s population , George Soros is paying the Black Lives Matter protestors .
Antifa and BLM are coming to your neighborhood to wreak havoc are bad , wait till you see what Republicans , through their proxies , have planned for Biden .
If you are on social media , all of the above have undoubtedly shown up on your feed .
Considering the way the algorithms are built on Facebook , so designed to provide you content that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and people you interact with ; you can imagine what conservatives are bombarded with each day as they are targeted by every right wing fringe group , along with QAnon , the Russians and the Trump campaign .
As Trump continues to fall in the polls and the inevitable outcome becomes more apparent , these attempts to scare the public will only become more pernicious .
The theory of the “ big lie ” used in propaganda tactics states that the more outrageous a lie is , the more likely it is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predisposed to have a negative view of the candidate .
We watched “ Reverend Wright ” , “ death panels ” , birtherism ” , Benghazi , “ but her emails ” catch fire with the Republican base during the past few Presidential elections .
This time it ’ s Antifa , Corona Virus related conspiracy theories .
These are just the warm up act however .
The television ads attacking Biden I have seen so far are not subtle , taking on the the “ Biden is a pervert ” narrative .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ touching several young girl ’ s hair and kissing them on the head .
It ’ s no accident that Trump is talking about pedophiles and the Senate is putting a bill together to raise the profile on this issue .
They didn ’ t suddenly get interested in the crime of pedophelia , this is their 2020 strategy to run against Biden , though they won ’ t be doing it directly .
The GOP won ’ t leave their fingerprints on this strategy .
They do understand that the emotion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative voters .
They want to surround Biden with this aura of perversion .
To attempt to make him even more unacceptable than Trump .
Republicans don ’ t expect to win this contest , they do believe they can mortally wound Biden and weaken his chances to grab the moral high ground .
Just creating doubt around this can be devastating .
They will have grown women trotted out to say how “ uncomfortable ” ole Joe made them feel .
It will be ugly to watch .
Meanwhile politically , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the current recession becomes fully realized so they can blame the economy on Biden and Democrats .
The same 2010 playbook that took back the Senate and House following Obama ’ s big win is their big gambit .
Republicans just need one house of Congress to turn Biden in to a lame duck until 2024 .
This is no conspiracy theory I am proposing , this is exactly what they are going to attempt .
Are the Democrats better prepared this time ?
I sure hope so .

If you think the memes about Bill Gates wants to put microchips in the Covid-19 vaccines and control the world’s population, George Soros is paying the Black Lives Matter protestors. Antifa and BLM are coming to your neighborhood to wreak havoc are bad, wait till you see what Republicans, through their proxies, have planned for Biden.
If you are on social media, all of the above have undoubtedly shown up on your feed. Considering the way the algorithms are built on Facebook, so designed to provide you content that most aligns with your interests, tastes and people you interact with; you can imagine what conservatives are bombarded with each day as they are targeted by every right wing fringe group, along with QAnon, the Russians and the Trump campaign.
As Trump continues to fall in the polls and the inevitable outcome becomes more apparent, these attempts to scare the public will only become more pernicious. The theory of the “big lie” used in propaganda tactics states that the more outrageous a lie is, the more likely it is to be believed by those who are already predisposed to have a negative view of the candidate. We watched “Reverend Wright”, “death panels”, birtherism”, Benghazi, “but her emails” catch fire with the Republican base during the past few Presidential elections. This time it’s Antifa, Corona Virus related conspiracy theories. These are just the warm up act however.
The television ads attacking Biden I have seen so far are not subtle, taking on the the “Biden is a pervert” narrative. They show images and videos of him touching several young girl’s hair and kissing them on the head. It’s no accident that Trump is talking about pedophiles and the Senate is putting a bill together to raise the profile on this issue. They didn’t suddenly get interested in the crime of pedophelia, this is their 2020 strategy to run against Biden, though they won’t be doing it directly. The GOP won’t leave their fingerprints on this strategy. They do understand that the emotion of disgust has a particularly strong impact on conservative voters. They want to surround Biden with this aura of perversion. To attempt to make him even more unacceptable than Trump.
Republicans don’t expect to win this contest, they do believe they can mortally wound Biden and weaken his chances to grab the moral high ground. Just creating doubt around this can be devastating. They will have grown women trotted out to say how “uncomfortable” ole Joe made them feel. It will be ugly to watch.
Meanwhile politically, the GOP is looking toward the 2022 midterms after the current recession becomes fully realized so they can blame the economy on Biden and Democrats. The same 2010 playbook that took back the Senate and House following Obama’s big win is their big gambit. Republicans just need one house of Congress to turn Biden in to a lame duck until 2024. This is no conspiracy theory I am proposing, this is exactly what they are going to attempt. Are the Democrats better prepared this time? I sure hope so.