Isn't it simply amazing how the conservative mind can spin lies and deception like a spider's web out of a simple matter that should not be contentious. Here five right wing hoaxes that show the right to be the wing nuts they are.
2. Planned Parenthood. You have to hand it to the hoaxsters who made a splash over the summer by claiming, with zero evidence, that Planned Parenthood is selling fetal body parts for profit: They clearly know their audience, because that lie quickly became a truism in the Republican Party that every political candidate repeats like scripture, even though it is undeniably false.
What makes the entire thing so amazing is that, from day one, the claims made by the Center for Medical Progress — a front group launched to perpetuate the hoax — had every red flag for a right-wing urban legend. The claim that a secret cabal of organ traffickers was operating behind Planned Parenthood’s sunny exterior was eerily reminiscent of previous conservative Christian accusations that Dungeons and Dragons was a secret plot to lure teenagers into suicide or that Procter and Gamble was trying to convert people to Satanism with the power of their soap products. But conservative voters want to believe, so Republican politicians act like they actually believe this crap (and some might) to hustle for votes.
Read the other four examples in Alternet. And we thought it couldn't get any more weird after dealing with Batshit Crazy Bachmann. I think that Fiorina raising this lie to the level of Republican presidential candidates, is despicable and shows just how desperate Republicans are.
The first part of the day was steady with trying to finish some research and work on a more involved article. Then it was off to see my mother who lives in a care centre. She needs 24/7 care as she is in the late stages of dementia. I fed her dinner which smelled really good. There was an extra dinner at the table which staff said I should eat, so I did and it tasted even better than it smelled. As a member of the Family Council advocating for family members, I will be able to report back on the quality of food. Again this evening, I was breaking up fisticuffs between several women — I wonder if the full moon has anything to do with it. In addition to sitting with my mother and rubbing her back and shoulders which she really likes, I am an extra pair of eyes and hands to help staff. When I arrived home, I was exhausted but also anxious. It is hard to watch a parent die a little bit every day. So now I am calm again and I am off to bed. My three cats will be soothing to me, their gentle breathing and purring. Good night all.
Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:13 (average 4:34). To do it, click here. How did you do? For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.
Short Takes
CBC— A U.S. drug company is taking the Canadian government to court for its attempt to lower the price of what has been called the world's most expensive drug.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals has filed a motion in Federal Court, arguing that Canada's drug price watchdog has no authority to force the company to lower its price for Soliris. …
A University of Ottawa professor who specializes in health law said he was shocked that Alexion would challenge Canada's authority to regulate drug prices. If Alexion's case is successful, it could end Ottawa's ability to control the cost of patented drugs, Amir Attaran told CBC News.
"This is the single greatest threat to pricing of drugs in Canada ever," he said Thursday.
The provincial governments in Canada negotiate drug prices directly. Medical associations are currently pushing the federal government to do this nationally. In the past, some Americans have also arranged to get their medications from Canadian pharmacies to take advantage of our lower prices. So, if Alexion Pharmaceuticals wins this case, the whole idea of affordable medicines goes out the door. For Alexion, this is all about their profits. For Canada, this is all about healthcare for 33 million Canadians. Watch also the rise in such things should the TPP come to fruition.
Daily Kos — Each week, TIME Magazine designs covers for four markets: the U.S., Europe, Asia and the South Pacific. Often, America's cover is quite, well – different. This week offers a stark example.
How much does this contribute to the "dumbing down" of the US population (and Canada's since we get the same US cover)? In general, the US population is wildly ignorant on international events, and often ignorant on domestic issues. Have a look at the current political rhetoric, particularly from the Republican side. It's a lot of marketing by fear . . . fear of diversity, fear of Iran, fear of Islam, and the list goes on. Faux Noise aka Fox (I refuse to call Fox news because it is at best, opinion) is a prime example, but not the only one by far. The author asks "do these moments of marketing (through a choice in covers) reveal more about Americans, or about the state of American journalism?" I think both because the magazine in this case is pandering to make more money and increase its market share. But it also serves to increase American xenophodia.
The Nation — Not content with alienating single women, Latinos and the LGBT community, the two front-runners for the Republican nomination indulged in some naked Islamophobia this past week.
Then Ben Carson appeared on Meet The Press, where he told Chuck Todd that Islam was inconsistent with the Constitution and said that he “would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation.” …
…and there’s no evidence that they embrace extremism at a higher rate than Christians or Jews. …
It’s time for this to stop. After 400 years in the Americas, and having helped build and defend this country, we need to accept that American Muslims are just as American—and just as loyal—as anyone else.
An excellent piece from The Natiion which I hope you'll read in its entirety. No one people or religion has a lock on extremism. Timothy McVeigh, a white Anglo Saxon Roman Catholic, blew up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK where 168 were killed and over 680 were wounded.
Today has been a very busy day for me. After 2.5 hours of physio therapy which includes weights, bicycling, ultra sound etc, I was off to teach ESL. My student was upset from a meeting last Monday and a letter she received, so I spent some time advocating for her with a provincial government office. Once that was done, she was calmer and better able to concentrate on the lesson. I finally came home about 4 pm, did some prep work for TC's blog, and then indulged in one of Lona's cat naps. Thank goodness she sends those by the gross! So here we are. My oldest boy just came into the den and is lying on the floor beside me. If the chair were empty, he'd be in the chair!
Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:26 (average 4:57). To do it, click here. How did you do? For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.
Short Takes
RSN — You are going to be hearing a lot about “Bernie Sanders, the Radical Socialist” in the coming months. So before that bandwagon rolls off down the great American highway let’s pin a little truth to its tail. …
“This country has socialism for the rich, rugged individualism for the poor.” – The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“A basic principle of modern state capitalism is that costs and risks are socialized to the extent possible, while profit is privatized.” – Noam Chomsky
Socialism for working people, maybe not so radical. Want to really make America great again? Do it the way FDR did it in the 1930s. That is where Sanders is leading the 99%.
Socialism in the US is a very misunderstood term, but it exists and possibly in places you never thought of before. Read the rest of this short piece to learn more. The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr had it right!
Raw Story — Prior to being fired herself, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina used tax incentives from the federal government, intended to increase research and development and employee hiring, to buy back stock before firing thousands of HP workers.
According to The Daily Beast, Fiorina — whose troubled tenure at HP has come under more scrutiny as she moves up in the polls for the GOP presidential nomination — was not the only high-ranking executive to take advantage of a corporate “tax holiday” and work it to her own advantage.
Is Fiorina the kind of leadership that the Republicans want in the White House? She has failed in spectacular fashion in business; she allowed her company to commit fraud against the federal government all the while laying off tens of thousands of workers while shareholders were enriched (including herself); she managed to get one hell of a golden parachute despite tanking her company; she has lied about "Planned Parenthood" videos; and she thinks that she's done nothing wrong.
Alternet— In addressing a question about Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Chomsky assessed the political landscape: "Today’s Democrats are what used to be called moderate Republicans. The Republicans have just drifted off the spectrum. They’re so committed to extreme wealth and power that they cannot get votes … So what has happened is that they’ve mobilized sectors of the population that have been around for a long time. … Trump may be comic relief, but it’s not that different from the mainstream, which I think is more important."
…[Republican Party] It’s a radical insurgency; it’s not a political party.
I am a Chomsky fan and have been for a number years. This 4 minute video is worth the time to listen. The audience certainly gets into Chomsky's humour.
My Universe — h/t Dandelion — It's Saturday and time to partay!
We Democrats have just saved a ton of money earmarked for Ex-Lax and enemas. The party can celebrate the YUUUGGE dump it just took by finally passing this:
Some are speculating that she’ll resign and hop on the welfare wagon train of the GOP party – while others are saying she’s way past her “Best By …” date, and will simply fade away.
But what I want to know is if anyone has ever seen Kim Davis and Dick Cheney in the SAME room at the SAME time. I mean, come on – it's spooky …
We’re definitely enjoying how the GOP is worried sick about dealing with all the Frankenstein monster candidates they have created – but none more so than the Koch brothers.
The Kochs are beside themselves with anxiety, having their own Frankenstein, Scott Walker, drop out of the race. But fear not – for they have a “Plan B”!
They want to create a NEW IMPROVED Frankenstein by deviously stitching together the parts of Marco Rubio that they like with the parts of Jebya! Bush that they like. They’re ecstatic with the political results!
BUT they got a YUUUGGE problem with the name they’re going to end up with …
It turned out to be a moderately busy day when I thought it would not be so. I had a nice lunch with a group of ladies. As I headed home, I realised that I had to buy food for my furbabes because we were almost out. Then I remembered that this was the day for a visit to the chiropractor. When I finally made it home, I was attacked at the door by cats who can spot a kibble bag from 100 metres! I decided it was time for a short Lona cat nap, but it turned out to be longer than expected. Tomorrow will be busy . . . physio, teaching ESL which is usually 3 hours, and then back to the computer to prepare the Saturday's Open Thread. TGIF!!!! Although that doesn't have the same meaning now that I am retired.
Puzzle — Today’s took me 2:56 (average 6:07). To do it, click here. How did you do? For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.
Short Takes
Upworthy— h/t JL — Last January, a 13-year-old named Vidal was asked this question on a street in Brooklyn. He was chatting with portrait photographer Brandon Stanton of Humans of New York (HONY).
Little did either of them know just how big an impact their conversation would have.
Vidal said his principal, Nadia Lopez, was his biggest influence.
"When we get in trouble, she doesn't suspend us," he said. "She tells us that each time somebody fails out of school, a new jail cell gets built. And one time she made every student stand up, one at a time, and she told each one of us that we matter."
Read the rest and watch the video. This is what education should be about . . . inspiring to acieve!
Robert Reich — On Thursday, right-wing extremists in the U.S. House of Representatives will vote to try to defund Planned Parenthood, one of the nation’s largest providers of women’s health care and family planning services.
Planned Parenthood is under attack and it’s up to all of us to fight back. Any society that respects women must respect their right to control their own bodies. There is a strong moral case to be made for this — but this video isn’t about that. This is about the economics of family planning – which are one more reason it’s important for all of us to stand up and defend Planned Parenthood. …
Take the state of Colorado’s highly successful family planning program. Over the past six years, in Colorado health department has offered teenagers and low-income women free long-acting birth control that prevents pregnancy over several years. Pregnancy and abortion rates plunged—by about 40 percent among teenagers across the state from 2009 to 2013. …
Republicans say there is no war on women, that that claim is a distraction manufactured by Democrats. Oh really? Ask lower income women how they feel about it. Colorado should serve as a shining example of the benefits that Planned Parenthood brings to the nation. Read the rest of Robert Reich's article.
Daily Kos— "It violates the essence of what made America a great country in its political system. Now it’s just an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting the nominations for president or to elect the president. And the same thing applies to governors and U.S. senators and congress members. So now we’ve just seen a complete subversion of our political system as a payoff to major contributors, who want and expect and sometimes get favors for themselves after the election’s over."
Is that what the American people are willing to accept . . . a subversion of their rights by the ruling oligarchy? Because that could happen if money in politics is not reined in. Read the rest and watch a very short video.
My Universe — h/t Monka B @ Care2 — This is too good not to share!
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Please meet 5 y/o Sophia Cruz from La Señora Reina de Los Angeles Church in Los Angeles. Sophie was blessed to have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Pope Francis yesterday – and carried a letter to him that will resonate with all of us.
[NOTE: Keep Kleenex Handy Alert …]
Although she says she doesn’t remember exactly what she wrote, she does know it made her feel “Happy”.
And no matter who wrote the message, it is assuredly worth sharing:
"Quiero contarte que mi corazon esta triste por el odio y la discriminacion haicia los immigrantes de este pais."
"I want to tell you that my heart is sad about the discrimination of the immigrants in this country."
"[Immigrants] are good people, they work hard in the fields…like my dad, who I barely get to see. I ask that they stop deporting our parents because we need them to grow and be happy."
"I have hope that this pain will come to peace."
She also drew a picture for Pope Francis with the caption, "My friends and I love each other and the color of our skin is not important."
Thank you Lona for the supply of cat naps that arrived yesterday, although I not sure that Canada Post quite knew what to do with them. I indulged myself late this afternoon and it was refreshing after spending 2 hours at physiotherapy. My therapist was happy with my progress such that we are going to switch from 3 days per week down to two. Oh heavenly days!
Puzzle — Today’s took me 2:51 (average 4:38). To do it, click here. How did you do? For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.
Short Takes
Upworthy — In April 2013, Diana Kim spotted her father for the first time in decades.
He was living on the street, disheveled and unkempt, and didn't have a clue who she was. …
Kim grew up in Hawaii, which is trying to curb unrelenting increases in homelessness — including a 24% increase in chronic homelessness just last year. Kim's turbulent family life left her battling what she considers "transitional homelessness" as a teen. Kim, who chose not to talk about her relationship with her mother, had slept in parks, lived out of a car, and relied on the kindness of friends to put a roof over her head some nights.
In large part because of her personal experiences, Kim began using photography to bring more visibility to homelessness back in 2003. "When you grow up at an early age and you experience struggle, that shapes the way you see the world."
Read the rest of this story of transformation.
Huffington Post — Six-time NBA champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sat down with HuffPost Live on Monday and blasted Ben Carson's anti-Muslim comments, in which the 2016 GOP candidate questioned both Islamic values and the ability of Muslims to lead the United States in an interview with "Meet The Press."
Abdul-Jabbar, who converted to Islam when he was 24, explained why we shouldn't condemn the entire religion for the actions of a few: …
Watch a short video and read the rest of the short article. It seems that almost daily, we see people vilified for something they have not done. I hear the rhetoric "Muslims are terrorists" and other such claims from uneducated or bigoted minds. It is time to truly think about this and change our ways to that of inclusion, not exclusion.
Mother Jones — Even as the Federal Election Commission remains paralyzed when it comes to addressing the rising tide of dark money flowing into elections, California regulators took another step last week to crack down on secretive money in state elections. And for that, we have the Koch brothers to thank.
Politically active nonprofits have become a preferred way for deep-pocketed donors to influence elections without revealing their identities. As nonprofits, these groups are under no obligation to disclose where their money comes from. But as the amount of dark money entering elections has soared, federal regulators have largely taken a pass on adding new disclosure requirements. California regulators, on the other hand, have gone straight at the issue, and in the wake of a 2012 scandal involving several groups from the network of political organizations run by the Koch brothers, they have aggressively fought to keep dark money groups out of state elections.
On Thursday, state regulators added another layer of security, closing a loophole that might have allowed out-of-state groups and donors to secretly buy influence in California elections. If there was any wiggle room for dark money groups to operate in California, it's likely gone now.
Read the rest of this important article. Now, if only the same could be done in every state and federally, perhaps Lincoln's statement — "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." — could come true. Add to that the defeat of Citizens United and the US might have a chance of reclaiming representative democracy.
