Glenn Kirschner – Interview with Steven Van Zandt: Rock & Roll Legend AND Justice & Equality Warrior (Part 1)
Lincoln Project – Uh Oh, Donald
Thom Hartmann – Is America’s Militia Problem Growing?
Rebel HQ – Trump Accountant Throws Him Under The Bus
Ring of Fire – Trump’s Candidate Is Failing Miserably In Georgia’s Governor Race
Rocky Mountain Mike – See Karen Whine
Beau – Let’s talk about arbitration, women, and labor….
You’ve probably heard about the so-called Freedom Convoy of angry Canadian truckers who are fed up with all the common-sense regulations intended to curb the spread of COVID-19. No surprise that the MAGA bugnuts have taken their side. I can understand the frustration of having to heed the mandates, but there is no justification in rebelling against them.
We are now in year 3 of the COVID pandemic, and even with a vaccine and boosters we still have to take precautions. Yeah, yeah, masks are uncomfortable, lockdowns are not fun – but we all need to do our part. This situation is temporary, and the sooner we all each accept our personal responsibilities, the sooner the pandemic will be officially over and the sooner life will return to more-or-less normal.
Unfortunately, a lot of people, out of entitlement or selfishness or cowardice or denial or some combination of the four, are refusing to face reality. COVID-19 is real, 100% REAL. Wearing a mask in public is not the same as being forced to wear a Star of David. Really – how low can you go, people, viciously slapping those of certain ethnicities in their faces? Comparing mask and vaccination mandates to the brutal persecution of Jews isn’t comparing apples to oranges – it’s comparing apples to Portobello mushrooms.
Recently Canada’s Superior Court of Justice blocked GiveSendGo, a crowdfunding site that has raised money for far-right extremist organizations such as the Proud Boys, from sending $9 million to the anti-vaccine truckers. Seriously? Those donors are willing to give $9 million to help advocates of childish selfishness? Nine million bucks would go a long way to feeding a lot of hungry mouths, or housing a lot of homeless people. Or paying the medical bills of COVID-19 victims. But these pseudo-Christians would rather support criminals and terrorists.
The “Freedom” Convoy has paralyzed traffic and trade in both Canada and the United States, blocking the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit, MI and Windsor, ON. One report estimated that U.S. workers and businesses have already lost some $51 million in damaged commerce and wages due to the action. Far from being a convoy of freedom, it is a convoy of destruction, harming commerce and innocent workers. But these spoiled brats don’t care. The Free-Dumb Convoy suck-a-thumbs will allow the economies of two nations to tank just because they’re too chicken-doody to wear masks and get vaccinations. They profess to be defending freedom, but in reality they seek to destroy democracy and enforce fascism.
Thankfully, there has been plenty of backlash against them. Residents of several Canadian cities have held counter-demonstrations against the convoy. Canadian police have arrested more than 100 of these troublesome truckers.
The Freedom [sic] Convoy has done a wonderful job of giving normally polite and respectful Canadians – 90% of whom are fully vaccinated – a collective black eye. Apparently the Great White North has caught second-hand right-wing nuttiness from the USA.
Progressives on both sides of the border need to cooperate in order to battle right-wing extremism, an evil that respects no political boundary.
Yesterday, I watched Ari Melber Claire McKaskill, and a third person discuss a judge calling Trump’s lawyers arguments Humpty-Dumpty-esque for over 14 minutes – and NOT ONE of them mentioned what the judge must have meant by that. It’s clearly a reference (and they did mention Alice in Wonderland) to Through the Looking Glas where Humpty Dumpty said, “When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.” As Alice pointed out, it doesn’t work that way (though he was not convinced and babblrd on about how he was paying them to do his bidding.) It’s quite a conversation – and it is exactly like Trump** and Trump** lawyers. But they all seemed to think the judge was alluding to Humpty Dumpty’s fall. I think not. Anyway, I also got my groceries in and mostly put away. The frozen and refrigerated stuff immediately, of course, but the rest could wait longer (for me to be rested between trips.) I didn’t receive everything – but at least there were no substitutions.
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Mother Jones – My Family Lost Our Farm During Japanese Incarceration. I Went Searching for What Remains.
Quote – The anti-Japanese sentiment that allowed for such a drastic action to take place did not spring up suddenly after Pearl Harbor, but had been simmering for decades, stoked by white labor and business groups resentful of Japanese workers and farmers. Japanese Americans who were forced off their land lost property worth an estimated $3.7 billion in today’s dollars, and $7.7 billion worth of income.
Click through. Today is the day. The eightieth anniversary of that executive order. And, yes, it was racism, but specifically the fear aspect of racism. Who benefits from keeping people in fear? Certainly not the people who are terrified.
HuffPost – Child Poverty Spiked After Tax Credit Expired, Early Research Suggests
Quote – Democrats failed to extend a credit late last year, due to the opposition of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). The last monthly check was paid out to parents on Dec. 15. After this tax season, the credit will return to its previous $2,000 level and parents with no income will no longer be eligible. Manchin told colleagues and constituents he thought parents wasted the money on drugs. Though he avoided taking a clear public position on the policy, he suggested it should have a “work requirement.”
Click through for details/ I would file this under “No shit, Sherlock.” And it really frosts me when people, especially in the media, say “Congress” when what they should be saying is “Republicans” (and, in this case, a DINO.)
CBS News – Ryan Speedo Green: From juvenile delinquency to opera stardom
Quote – As a 12-year-old in Virginia, Ryan Speedo Green was the author of an impressive rap sheet. He was so violent he was banished to a class for delinquents. And when he couldn’t be contained there, he was sent to a juvenile lockup. Those who knew the boy with the unusual name, could see that the child was writing a tragedy. Now, as a man, tragedy has become the dominant theme in his life, but in a way that no one could have imagined.
Click through for bio. Or, if you’re in a hurry, click here for this video from September 28, 2016, the night before he opened the season at the Met (hanky alert). I just didn’t want to ley the month go by without sharing this remarkable story.
Food For Thought:
Glenn Kirschner – Rep. Raskin, Jan 6 Committee Member, says Trump is “Guilty as Sin” & “Will Get His Comeuppance.”
Lincoln Project – Putin’s Allies
Meidas Touch – Steve Schmidt: President Biden needs to say THIS during the State of the Union
American Bridge 21st Century Launches Bridge to Democracy
Thom Hartmann – Is There Time To Stop Sneaky Attack on Medicare?
MSNBC – Pentagon All Ears For Ideas On How Bunny Penetrated Security To Access Inner Courtyard
Beau – Let’s talk about the CRT Republicans love….
Yesterday, I actually finished one of the “buttonhole neckline” sweaters I’ve been working o. Sorry no picture yet. I’m not fluent in photography. But I do remember that has been requested and will be working on it. I found a brand new Rocky Mountain Mike parody (based on Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”) – it’ll be in Saturday’s video thread.- And, I placed a grocery order to be delivered today.
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Letters from an American – February 16, 2022
Quote – Parker’s Washington Post story showing the Freedom Convoys as the expression of a radical fringe was an important reality check to the breathless stories from the American right hailing the Freedom Convoys as a popular movement. The story that former secretary of state Hillary Clinton allegedly spied on then-candidate Trump’s campaign in 2016 illustrates the importance of the sort of reality-based corrective the Washington Post published about the Canadian truckers.
Click through for both stories. We may never be able to reach loony-tunes RWNJs, but it’s still important – maybe even more important – for sane people to have access to the truth.
The 19th – How Ketanji Brown Jackson’s pursuit of success as a lawyer and parent got her a potential Supreme Court nod
Quote – After another stint in private practice, Jackson was nominated by then-President Barack Obama to serve in a full-time capacity on his Sentencing Commission. She was confirmed to that post in 2010. It was the first of three times that she has gone through a Senate confirmation process. “This for me was an opportunity of a lifetime, and it was well worth enduring what I can only say was the extremely nerve-wracking nomination and confirmation process,” she said at the University of Georgia. “I actually taught myself to knit as a way to channel my nervous energy during that time. If anybody wants a scarf, I’m your source.”
Click through for details. It is far from certain who will actually be nominated, but she is a top contender, and has ahown good judgment (pun intended) in some of the 1/6 trials. Not only that, she has a sense of humor.
NBC News – Scientists have possibly cured HIV in a woman for the first time
Quote – An American research team reported that it has possibly cured HIV in a woman for the first time. Building on past successes, as well as failures, in the HIV-cure research field, these scientists used a cutting-edge stem cell transplant method that they expect will expand the pool of people who could receive similar treatment to several dozen annually. Their patient stepped into a rarified [sic] club that includes three men whom scientists have cured, or very likely cured, of HIV. Researchers also know of two women whose own immune systems have, quite extraordinarily, apparently vanquished the virus.
Click through for story, including caution from Dr. Fauci. We have ONE cure from this treatment. It’s definitle hopeful, but at best hopefully definite.
Footnote: Tuesday I featured Rober Smalls. Turns out Keith Knight (“Ye Olde Gentleman Cartoonist”) is a big fan of his.
Food For Thought:
Glenn Kirschner – Rudy Giuliani “Considering Testifying Before House Select Committee.” Really?
Meidas Touch – Lost Debate [I have never felt that political discussions were fun. I attribute that in part to the fact that even before I got out of the Marine Corps, Republicans were destroying the country as best they could, and that just isn’t fun.]
Lincoln Project – Last Week in the Republican Party
American Bridge – Fight for Democracy
NBC News – Georgia May Add Police At Polling Places Ahead Of Midterm Elections (Would providing white escorts or black voters help?)
Really American – What if Jan 6th wasn’t the first?
Beau – Let’s talk about the Republican Govs’ strange move in Georgia….
Yesterday, I scanned my vaccination card now that I have the booster, and filed it on my portable hard drive, replacing the previous upload. I also emailed a copy to the prison so that I don’t have to bring it along and possibly lose it when I am allowed to visit again. I’ve been having trouble lately keeping track of small objects and even a few larger ones, so I’m a bit extra careful just now. The webpage ws updated today, but it still says th moratorium is until March 1, and I frankly don’t think it’s likely to end sooner – it’s more likely to get extended again.
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HuffPost – Sandy Hook Families Win $73 Million In Lawsuit Against Remington Arms
Quote – Remington Arms has agreed to settle liability claims from nine families whose loved ones were killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The settlement agreement, announced Tuesday in a court filing, is the first time in the U.S. that a gun manufacturer has been held liable for a mass shooting.
Click through for this story. There is a lot more to it than money, as it also involves Remington giving up documents related to marketing.
Colorado Public Radio – The Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters’ election security controversy, explained
Quote – There’s a general consensus on the basic facts of what happened in May, although the Secretary of State and Tina Peters disagree about whether the actions violated any laws or Colorado’s election rules. On May 17 [2021], deputy clerk Belinda Knisley asked Mesa’s IT department to turn off security cameras in the Mesa County elections office, and leave them off until August 1. Peters says state law does not require nonstop video monitoring.
Click through for a clear and concise narrative. This article was followed by the bad news that Tina Peters will not seek reelection in Mesa County, but instead will run for Secretary of State. There is expected to be a crowded Republica primary – but, if she is allowed into it ans wins the nimination, the current Secretary of State, who is runing for reelection herself, will be between a rock and a hard place – Strike Peters from the ballot as she deserves, and face accusations of corruption? Or not? I personally think Jena Griswold can beat Peters – but she shouldn’t have to.
The 19th – Anti-‘woke’ bills could affect LGBTQ+ sensitivity training for eldercare, advocates worry
Quote – Last week, the Florida legislature advanced the Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees, or Stop WOKE, Act. It’s one of two state-level bills — the other is in Tennessee — that would address diversity training for private companies and nonprofit employees. Most similar legislation, including some already passed in Florida, has a narrower focus, such as banning LGBTQ books from school libraries or restricting what teachers can talk about. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the Stop WOKE legislation at a December rally.
Click through for details of the issue. I saw a meme recently with the imaginary conversation: “R: What ever happened to civility? D: You called it political correctness and mocked it.” I think an addition is needed, to wit “R: What ever happened to democracy?” D: “You called it woke and destroyed it.”
Food For Thought:
Glenn Kirschner – Biden to Nominate Black Woman to Supreme Court; Ted Cruz is “Outraged”; and a True Story About Hope
Meidas Touch – Republicans BURYING THEMSELVES by making 2022 about Hillary Clinton!! Let them!
Lincoln Project – Twilight Struggle
MSNBC – How One Small Town Fought Off A QAnon Invasion
Robert Reich – Are Both Sides Actually Getting More Extreme?
Meet This Buddhist Cat Who Will Find Buddha Inside You Do click on the “Watch on YouTube.” Trust me, it is worth it.
Beau – Let’s talk about the Superbowl and trucks….