Politics – Page 981 – Politics Plus

US Muslims Confront Terror Twice

Posted by TomCat at 12:59 pm Politics, Religion

Dec 222015

Since the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, peace loving Muslims here in the US have born the brunt of hatred stemming from fear, stirred by the Republican Party. I am pleased to see that many are confronting the terrorism, not only from the Daesh, but also from the terrorist organization that threatens far more Americans.

Representatives from American Muslim organizations met at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Monday to announce the launch of a two-pronged approach to combat extremism in the wake of the Paris attacks and San Bernardino and the ensuing anti-Muslim rhetoric and political incitement.

The United States Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), a coalition of leading national and local Muslim organizations, said this new program would focus on steering Muslim youths away from extremist propaganda associated with groups like ISIS and simultaneously oppose hate speech and inflammatory anti-Muslim rhetoric at Monday’s press conference.

The USCMO said that imams at mosques around the country will work to engage Muslim youth and steer them away from extremist rhetoric. The initiative is also working with interfaith groups in community outreach. One way they plan to spread awareness and understanding is to make mosques and Islamic centers more open to members of the general public.

Speaking at the event, Imam Johari Abdul-Malik of the Muslim Alliance in North America, said mosques would strive to do a “better job of reaching out to young people” about “how to avoid seductive approaches from ISIS and others on the internet.”… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Think Progress>

I consider it a most positive step for American Muslims to recognize that terrorists are created through the misuse of Islam in pursuit of an ultra-conservative political agenda, and to take steps to head off the propaganda. It is equally positive to oppose the creation of terrorists through the misuse of Christianity in pursuit of a Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christian political agenda. Let us not forget that we are far more likely to suffer death or injury at the hands of Republican criminals, pretending to represent Christianity, than we are at the hands of Daesh or Al Qaeda criminals, pretending to represent Islam.

Open Thread–12/22/2015

Posted by TomCat at 12:59 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics, Religion

Dec 222015

The news is mostly good. The shirker and elevation paid off, and George went on, without difficulty, both yesterday and today. Despite horrid weather, the trip to TriMet was uneventful. The lady explained why they have to measure chairs. Sometimes they send lift-equipped Taxis, if that’s more convenient for them, nut different taxis have different capacity ramps. Measuring lets them know which vehicles they can send. In my case, they can send any. My home health care begins today with a visit from my PT. She will probably arrive. before I finish this article. What I want most is my bath aide. I’m, getting a bit ripe. The news news is that the evil Patty Monster mashed my kitty butt!

Later: PT and OT have come and gone, and the RN will be here in less than two hours.

Fantasy Football Report:

16Playoffrs

Congrats to the winners. The bottom four seeds all won, except for me, of course.

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: State of Kansas mental health facilities and have seen a rough year under Governor Sam Brownback. Continued budget cuts and problems with overcrowding left facilities like Osawatomie overwhelmed, forcing many employees to work repeated double and triple shifts in order to keep the facility within operating requirements.

http://www.khi.org/news/2014/aug/18/kansas-mental-health-system-under-increasing-stres/

With the patient count so high, many of the hospital’s direct-care staff were pressed into working one, two and sometimes three overtime shifts a week.

“The place is over census and understaffed,” said Rebecca Proctor, executive director at the Kansas Organization of State Employees, a labor union that represents many state hospital front-line workers. “Conditions there are really, really bad.”

Angela de Rocha, a spokesperson for Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, confirmed that the Osawatomie hospital’s patient count on July 15 was “an overall high for the past 10 years.”

On Friday, the The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services informed the state of Kansas it will cease sending federal funds to the facility. Citing failure to meet compliance standards funding for new patients will end today, December 21, at the end of business day.

This is especially heinous, considering that Kansas has so many Republicans that the need for mental health services is as extreme as Brownback's pseudo-Christian response to that need.

From YouTube: Your Holiday Guide to Dealing with Uncle Bob

As always, the Reich on the left is right. You might consider spiking Uncle Bob's apple pie with ex-lax, considering what he's full of.

From The New Yorker: The Democratic National Committee made a big mistake staging the third Presidential-primary debate, which was held at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, on a Saturday night, when millions of potential viewers wouldn’t be watching. The debate was lively, informative, and civil. Apart from a brief diversion into whether former President Bill Clinton, should he become the first First Gentleman of the United States, would be entrusted with selecting flowers and menus for official occasions—his wife said that he wouldn’t—it was also substantive. And excluding, for a moment, Martin O’Malley, it reaffirmed the choice facing Democratic voters: experience, moderate reformism, and vigorous engagement abroad (Hillary Clinton) versus passion, an assault on privilege, and an abiding skepticism about overseas military engagements (Bernie Sanders)… [emphasis added]

The New Yorker documented the key difference well. As much as I prefer the latter, I expect to have to settle for the former. I'm sure Slick Willie Clinton will have no trouble selecting flowers: consider Flower Tucci.

1222flowertuicci

Cartoon:

1222Cartoon

Squatch’s Open Thread 21/12/2015

Posted by Lynn Squance at 12:04 pm Open Thread, Politics

Dec 222015

Sorry I am late once again. I was almost finished when I did a face plant on my keyboard last night. Busy day yesterday with physio and teaching. Today I have my annual eye exam which is no big deal and then a very quick grocery shop. I was invited for Christmas dinner on Thursday night so I must prepare my yams and apple casserole.

Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:11 (average 5:12). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes

Think Progress — This morning on MSNBC, Joe Scarborough asked Rick Santorum a simple question: What can we do to show the millions of peaceful Muslim Americans that they are valued and respected members of society?

Santorum rejected the question and said that onus was on every Muslim American to confront “the cancer within Islam.” Santorum said that “most Muslims” in America were shirking their duties to confront radicalism.

Co-host Mika Brzezinski had enough. “I’ll turn the argument around on you. Why aren’t you working on white men with guns?,” she asked.

Another Republican non answer! Santorum has no idea of what he tries to speak

NY Times — Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina suspended his presidential campaign on Monday, saying he had concluded that “this is not my time,” while arguing that his mix of hawkishness on foreign policy and pragmatism on immigration and the economy had made a difference in the race.

The withdrawal came on the last day that Mr. Graham could remove his name from the South Carolina primary ballot, sparing him possible embarrassment in his home state given his paltry standing in the polls.

“The centerpiece of my campaign has been securing our nation,” Mr. Graham said in a YouTube video announcing his decision.

IMO, there should be a lot more Republican presendentials following Graham out the door.

Think Progress — Just a few hours after congressional candidate John Oceguera announced he was terminating his lifetime membership with the National Rifle Association, the angry comments began flooding his inbox and Facebook page, calling him, among other slurs, a “pussy traitor,” “kool aid-drinking zombie,” and “libtard.” …

“The NRA does a lot of good things, like with hunting safety, but they’ve just become so stringent and won’t compromise on any issue,” he said. “It’s like you can’t say anything about commonsense gun reform without people screaming, ‘You’re taking our guns!’ or ‘You’re an idiot’ or a lot worse than that. When I made this announcement, I became enemy number one. But do I really want to belong to an organization where I can’t have an opinion that’s just slightly different?”

Of the several stories I read about John Oceguera, this is the most comprehensive. He certainly makes clear that common sense gun laws are required but that the NRA is not about to support such that bar mentally ill people and those on watchlists. Personally, I hope that he is able to influence the national discussion on gun control.

CBC — The photo shows local resident Markus Siivola throwing hot tea into the air as he bends backwards. In the –40 C [-40 F] weather, the tea freezes as soon as it's tossed.

Photographer Michael H. Davies took this photo on the tundra outside Pangnirtung, Nunavut, a community of about 1,400 just a few kilometres south of the Arctic circle.

Check out the story for more fabulous pictures of the Arctic. Having lived in an area of BC where the average winter temperature is -40 C, I can certainly relate and appreciate the beauty.

My Universe —

giphy (25) (1)

"Hug me tighter human!"

Terse Tuesday Tidbits December 22, 2015

Posted by jla at 9:17 am Politics

Dec 222015

Does major change almost always begin at the local level (video and transcript)?
http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=15333

Why is the US providing banned weapons (video and text summary)?
http://therealnews.com/t2/component/hwdvideoshare/viewvideo/80041

How might these affect primary votes (videos including Rachel and Colbert)?
http://therealnews.com/t2/component/hwdvideoshare/viewvideo/80040
http://therealnews.com/t2/component/hwdvideoshare/viewvideo/80043/best-of-the-web/lindsey-graham-ends-presidential-run-a-why-it-matters
http://therealnews.com/t2/component/hwdvideoshare/viewvideo/80044
http://therealnews.com/t2/component/hwdvideoshare/viewvideo/80042

And finally, is this the correct military response for our times to educate the GOP (hanky alert)?

http://www.upworthy.com/when-donald-trumps-words-scared-this-muslim-girl-these-army-vets-responded-perfectly?c=upw1&u=6ffb12f2d750fff1c628f4ed4366938bb526f1d5

Monday Morning Musings December 21, 2015

Posted by jla at 10:30 am Politics

Dec 212015

In politics it is said, that when not fueled by hope there is a vacuum for fear to fill. Since artists turn to the muses, Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polymnia, Ourania and Calliope we are exploring what they can offer us for inspiration to have the hope fueling politics.

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” Robert Kennedy

Today we’ll start with Terpsichore (dance):
http://www.upworthy.com/a-dancing-guy-caught-on-camera-picking-up-litter-reminds-us-that-we-can-do-more-too?c=upw1&u=6ffb12f2d750fff1c628f4ed4366938bb526f1d5

Does he embody the spirit Kennedy guided us towards?

An example of rhetorical analysis Calliope might claim:
http://nymag.com/thecut/2015/12/election-and-the-death-of-white-male-power.html

After that, do you welcome a dose of comedy from Thalia (video)?
http://therealnews.com/t2/component/hwdvideoshare/viewvideo/80034

Did that inspire new hope as the name suggested?

And let us end with Polymnia (mimicry):
http://www.dumage.com/10-examples-of-animal-mimicry/

Do such examples of adaptation for survival engender hope?

And thank you dear reader for joining me on this journey of discovery and quest for hope!

Personal Update–12/21/2015

Posted by TomCat at 6:40 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 212015

This morning I go to TriMet to get my chair measured. I’m a bit nervous, with winds gusting to 65 MPH, but it has to be done. In a few minutes I shall see if I can wear George yet. Wish me luck.

Religious Agony:

1220Broncos27-Steelers34

It was still a hell of a game!

Cartoon:

1221Cartoon

5 Demented Right-Wing Moments This Week

Posted by Lynn Squance at 11:48 pm Politics

Dec 202015

Almost every week, Republicans join a competition to see who can say the most outlandish things, and in the process, they push the envelope on just how nauseating InsaniTEA can become. I trust that you will believe it, when I tell you that last week was no exception.

Bill O’Reilly is not about to listen to some guest on his show who disagrees with him.

Bill O’Reilly simply cannot be rational about the group Black Lives Matter. He invites the group’s advocates on his show so he can yell at them and threaten them and imagines that maybe his hectoring will make them go away. But it keeps not working.

"You would think if you have an organized group in America saying we want dead cops that all decent people would reject that group. You would think, correct?" O'Reilly said, completely falsely and without basis on Thursday."But the Democratic Party is actively embracing Black Lives Matter."

Seriously Papa Bill. You need to calm down. He was referring to the fact that the DNC had the audacity to invite members of the movement to organize and host a presidential town hall forum on racial justice.

Racial justice! Where do those Democrats get off?

Keith Boykin, who was an aide to President Bill Clinton, had been invited on to comment, but when he disagreed with O’Reilly, O’Reilly threatened to cut his microphone. Strange way to treat a guest on a talk show, but never mind.

O’Reilly frothed some more. "All right. So you believe that the Democratic Party is correct in embracing a radical group, a group that calls for police officers to be killed. I'm talking about—look, would you be comfortable with the Republican Party bringing in the storm front, the Nazi people and saying we would like our candidates to talk to you guys?"

It was a rhetorical question, because Boykin’s microphone really had been cut. It’s that hospitality thing.

"They are an extreme group, the Nazi Party. The Black Lives Matter is also an extreme group, as you have heard," O'Reilly added.

Boykin was granted the power of sound for a brief moment, just long enough to say he was outraged by the comparison, which of course, fell on deaf ears.

This is the third of five demented right wing moments. Of course we can always count on O'Reilly to be bombastic. Click through the Alternet article for the other four.

Squatch’s Open Thread 20/12/2015

Posted by Lynn Squance at 11:29 pm Open Thread, Politics

Dec 202015

I slept in very late despite having set the alarm. I missed church, and since I was scheduled to count the collection, I'm likely in the dog house. The sleep was nice and important though. Tomorrow is another busy day with physio and teaching. OGIM!!!!!

Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:02 (average 5:00). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes

Alternet — A month later the national atmosphere had changed in the wake of the Paris and San Bernardino terrorist attacks. Numerous republican governors and presidential candidates began to scapegoat Syrian refugees, and Donald Trump became America's Bigot in Chief, calling for Nazi-like registries of Muslim-Americans and a total ban on Muslim immigration to the US. …

We’ve had a couple people at our rabbinical school speak about how important it is for the American Jewish community to stand in solidarity with the Muslim community. We have a lot of shared experiences of oppression and discrimination.” Diane Savona of Passaic, New Jersey said that she came with her husband in direct response to hate mongering by republicans. “It's sort of the opposite of listening to the Republican debates. It’s the antidote to the Republicans.”

I partially disagree with Nabil Ezzarhouni who is mentioned near the end of the article. The author states that "…he already appreciates the atmosphere of tolerance and multiculturalism." Certainly there is an atmosphere of tolerance and multiculturalism within some groups and areas, but xenophobic Republicans have whipped up their base into a frenzied paranoia that permeates the nation and defies professed American values. And that is what is too often portrayed in the MSM.

Talking Points Memo — The Augusta County school district in Virginia will be closed on Friday after parents inundated the school district with complaints about an Arabic calligraphy assignment at Riverheads High School that use the Muslim statement of faith.

The Dec. 11 assignment prompted "voluminous phone calls and electronic mail locally and from outside the area," according to NBC Washington. Augusta County Sheriff Randy Fisher toldCBS News that the "profane" and "hateful" prompted Riverheads High School to lock and monitor all of its doors on Wednesday and Thursday.

As the complaints increased throughout the week, law enforcement advised the school district to close all schools, according to CBS News.

faith

Parents were upset over a geography assignment on world religions from teacher Cheryl LaPorte, who had students practice calligraphy by writing the Muslim statement of faith, which translates to "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah," according to Staunton, Virginia, paper the News Leader. Students were also shown a copy of the Quran, according to the News Leader.

So, this was an approved text and exercise, and not something devised solely by the teacher. Yet parents and others are venting their spleens over Arabic calligraphy. Both in Arabic and Persian (and perhaps other languages too), the formation of the script is in itself a work of art, a poem. It is beautiful and elaborate by western standards. Parent Herndon worries about indoctrination? Perhaps she should look at the indoctrination perpetrated by Republicans and right wing evangelical pseudo Christians.

Washington Post — It’s déjà vu in the Dallas suburbs.

Three months after “clock boy” Ahmed Mohamed’s homemade gadget was mistaken for an explosive device, another minority student in a neighboring community has been arrested for allegedly making a bomb threat at school.

The 12-year-old Sikh boy, Armaan Singh, was arrested on Dec. 11 for allegedly threatening to blow up Nichols Junior High School in Arlington, Tex. He was handcuffed, held in a juvenile detention center for three days and suspended from school.

But Singh says he is innocent, and that it was another student who caused the whole mess by mistaking his backpack for a bomb.

Does anyone in the Texas school system ever use any common sense? Did anyone question the child who made the accusations? Bomb threats are a very serious matter, but so are false accusations that can ruin a person's life. I think that the school administration could have done more before escalating the situation. Islamophobia is rampant in the US thanks to the Republicans and the MSM (their motto: if it bleeds, it leads), and now that phobia is being redirected to other minorities. Is it time to take away the Statue of Liberty?

My Universe —

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