June 27, 2018

From Dan Rather #steady #courage

(as he posted/shared on Facebook)

https://www.facebook.com/theDanRather/posts/10160569764755716

For decades, Republicans have been able to have it all ways. Promise a radical reactionary rethink of American democracy to its rabid base, and hide behind a court that protected them from what would be a very unpopular set of policies with the general public. Well no longer.

Do we really want to outlaw abortion? We may soon know. Do we really believe we can attack gay rights and other rights at unprecedented levels? We may soon know. Do we really believe that our corporations should have unfettered power and workers have relatively none? Here again, the movement is already afoot.

The farce is shattered, the fig leaf has disappeared, the obfuscations have been replaced by clarity. And what is in its place is a very unpopular President stoking the flames of a massive backlash.

I do not say this to be Pollyannish. The president and his supporters have a lot of power, and tens of millions of fervent members in their base. But we have seen a growing realization from not only moderates but conservatives who still care about the constitution and recognize how perilous is the threat of the modern GOP. Look at Michael Bloomberg pledging tens of millions of dollars to elect Democrats. Look at opinion writers who have preached for the GOP in the past say now is a time to elect Democrats. Look at men and women of power and fame who are arguing that this cannot stand.

I know there is a feeling among many progressives that they have lost, that the future is a foregone conclusion. They see the forces arrayed against them on the battlefield of justice and feel the doom of certain and impending defeat. But turn to your left and right and see the long lines of fellow citizens. Look behind you and see the formidable artillery of wealth and power that is on YOUR side. Take a deep breath and feel the cool air of hope and justice in your lungs, and then march forward.
#steady #courage

For so many of us there simply isn't any other realistic choice except to continue to fight for what's right, "march forward" and never.give.up. If not for ourselves then for 'our' children, grandchildren and future generations.

June 20, 2018

Dear Trump, Trumpsters & Trump enablers...

I'm a mother and a grandmother. If I had or my now grown children treated their children like you are those children and babies that are being KIDNAPPED from their parents, we'd be tossed in jail and rightfully so. It's CRUEL, it's incredibly damaging to those innocent children and it's child abuse.

Deflecting blame is basically just more of your LIES and people are catching on that this is YOU... not Dems, not Obama, not Hillary, not even George W Bush but YOU. You and anyone who defends this horrendous policy that YOU created are the anti-Christian MONSTERS that most of us knew you to be long ago... This just confirms it.

Oh and P.S...

October 22, 2017

Snakes Have Legs (Stop Being Dumb On The Internet!)

The original "Snakes have Legs" animation by Danny Casale.

October 14, 2017

Bernie and Larry David on the PBS show, Finding Your Roots

Not only does Larry do a great Bernie but it was interesting to see how similar the lives and ancestry of these two men is.

The thing I found the most interesting was watching how they each reacted as they learned more about the history of their family members. It was very moving and as they learned more I too gladly learned a bit more history that I hadn't known that much about.

http://www.pbs.org/video/episode-1-the-impression-t9e1xe/

September 11, 2017

Can't Afford the Dentist? You're Not Alone - USA News

I've long felt very strongly that dental care is just as important to have covered by any single payer/Universal healthcare, as regular physical checkups and needed surgical care is. It was also one of the things I felt should have been addressed by the ACA but unfortunately wasn't.

Nobody loves a trip to the dentist, but for many middle-aged Americans even basic dental care is now financially out of reach, a new poll finds.

In fact, 28 percent don't have dental insurance, while 56 percent don't get dental care except for serious dental problems, researchers said.

Even more troubling is that 51 percent of people surveyed said they didn't know how they will get dental insurance after they turn 65, said lead researcher Erica Solway. She's a senior project manager at the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.

According to the poll, 40 percent said they don't get regular cleanings or other preventive care, Solway said.

"For the majority of folks, cost was the main barrier to dental care," she said.

This sounds good but...

Solway noted that dental clinics or dental schools often provide care at lower costs or with a sliding scale based on income.

"There are options for people who can't afford getting care from a traditional dentist's office," she said.

Although options may be available for many, for many others who live in more rural areas the only option is traveling an hour or more and for low income, seniors and disabled that's more easily said than done especially for work that needs more than one or two appointments.

The rest of the article isn't very long at all to read and worth the time to do so IMO.

September 8, 2017

Vincente Fox Is Running For President (NSW)....

Of the USA.

Yes, we all know he can't but watch the video anyway, it's worth it. (Oh and don't tell my husband but I've got a bit of a crush on this awesome man. )

September 3, 2017

Funny Parody: Real Fake News - Operetta vs. Trump (They nail KAC too)

Gilbert & Sullivan Edition - using H.M.S. Pinafore's Modern Major General

August 21, 2017

So 45 not only treats SS poorly, he & grifter family have depleted the funds to pay them

If it weren't bad enough that Dolt45 treats Secret Service agents like they're servants, his regularly traveling to his resorts and golf clubs plus his jet setting family running all over the world for business and pleasure has depleted the funds to pay agents already and has agents bailing for greener pastures.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/08/21/secret-service-cant-pay-agents-because-trumps-frequent-travel-large-family/529075001/

The agency has faced a crushing workload since the height of the contentious election season, and it has not relented in the first seven months of the administration. Agents must protect Trump – who has traveled almost every weekend to his properties in Florida, New Jersey and Virginia – and his adult children whose business trips and vacations have taken them across the country and overseas.
"The president has a large family, and our responsibility is required in law,'' Alles said. "I can't change that. I have no flexibility.''

Alles said the service is grappling with an unprecedented number of White House protectees. Under Trump, 42 people have protection, a number that includes 18 members of his family. That's up from 31 during the Obama administration.
Overwork and constant travel have also been driving a recent exodus from the Secret Service ranks, yet without congressional intervention to provide additional funding, Alles will not even be able to pay agents for the work they have already done.

Con't HERE

August 17, 2017

Neo-Nazis, white supremacists and Donald Trump all have deep ties to Russia

Is anyone here truly surprised?

http://www.salon.com/2017/08/17/trump-the-alt-right-and-the-kremlin-white-supremacists-russia-links-are-no-secret/

-SNIP-

But whether the president knows it or not, even the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally has deep connections to the global white nationalist movement, and the epicenter of that movement is in Moscow under the leadership of Vladimir Putin. Take, for instance, Matthew Heimbach, who was crowned by Think Progress as the “most important white supremacist of 2016? and was one of the organizers of the Charlottesville event. Heimbach is the man who was arrested at a Trump campaign rally for pushing and screaming at a protester, and who later claimed in court that he believed Trump had “deputized” the crowd to defend him against the protesters.

Heimbach says, “Putin is the leader, really, of the anti-globalist forces around the world” and calls “Russia our most powerful ally” — and by “our,” he means the forces of white nationalism. The Southern Poverty Law Center dubbed him “The Little Führer.” Heimbach is also a member of the World National Conservative Movement, a product of the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM):

The manifesto of the movement claims that the world is governed by the ideology of “liberalism, multiculturalism and tolerance.” This, in the view of the activists, results in “the erosion of nations, massive migration from countries with foreign civilizational bases, falling away from religion, replacement of spirituality by materialism, impoverishment of cultures, destruction of the family and healthy moral values” through “abortion, propaganda of debauchery and acceptance of sexual perversions”. Furthermore, the manifesto refers to the “super-national institutions” such as the EU and NATO, and argues that these forces represent “the global cabal” which, in the Russian cultural discourse, is essentially a euphemistic reference to the global Jewish conspiracy. The WNCM aims to counter liberalism and globalisation by staging a “conservative revolution” and bringing far right parties to power in Western societies.

That sounds strangely familiar doesn’t it?

Heimbach isn’t the only white supremacist Trump follower with a strong connection to Russia. Two years ago, The New York Times reported on a conference in St. Petersburg featuring a big name in right-wing hate: -SNIP- (Con't reading HERE or above for the rest)

August 13, 2017

Don't Be A Sucker - 1947 - An anti-fascist film produced by the US Military

I ran across a short version on Twitter but wanted to see the rest so hunted it down. I wish we could get something like this played on our current airwaves, perhaps updated.

"In this anti-fascist film produced by US Military in the wake of WWII, the producers deconstruct the politically motivated social engineering of Germany by the Nazi regime."