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FourScore
FourScore's Journal
FourScore's Journal
August 31, 2012
Fri Aug 31, 2012 at 01:52 PM PDT
I met President Obama today!
by weatherdude
Isn't he awesome? I'm forever thankful to Clint Eastwood for introducing us.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/31/1126508/-I-met-President-Obama-today
Has anyone else gotten to meet him? Tell us your story or post your picture with him!
I met President Obama today!
Congratulations to weatherdude at Dailykos on meeting the President!!!:Fri Aug 31, 2012 at 01:52 PM PDT
I met President Obama today!
by weatherdude
Isn't he awesome? I'm forever thankful to Clint Eastwood for introducing us.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/31/1126508/-I-met-President-Obama-today
Has anyone else gotten to meet him? Tell us your story or post your picture with him!
August 28, 2012
Mon Aug 27, 2012 at 06:21 PM PDT
I can't keep this a secret anymore.
by spgilbert
Let me preface this entire diary with stating that I am completely disgusted with Todd Akin, Paul Ryan, Rick Santorum and everyone else in the GOP who have decided to take it upon themselves to dictate when a woman has the right to choose what to do with her own body, especially after being assaulted.
Today’s story about Tom Smith, equating sex out of wedlock with rape, has only made it worse. As I was reading the user comments on HuffPo about it, I read the following:
As I read the ‘By someone she knew’ sentence, tears welled up in my eyes and I couldn't stop crying.
Recently, I have seen and heard a lot of comments from women that had never told their stories of sexual abuse. Some were too ashamed; some were too afraid; some just couldn’t talk about it. I don’t know if it’s because of these neanderthal GOPers are bringing it out or if it’s the anonymity of the internet or what it is, but people seem to be speaking out more and more. Whatever it is, I keep hearing these stories, and I can’t help but think about how brave these people are.
So, today, I am going to tell you something that I have been holding inside for over twenty-five years and have only ever told one person in my life (and that person is my wife):
When I was a child, I was sexually assaulted. By someone I knew.
I was about 8 years old. My mother and father were going somewhere out of town and left me overnight with a man and a woman who were very trusted by them. Later in the evening, I was told that it was almost time for bed, but since we had been playing all day, I should probably take a bath first. After I had my clothes off and was getting into the water, the man came into the bathroom and told me that he would need to show me how to bathe properly. I didn’t know what to do, but I remember thinking how strange that was and starting to object, but he told me to be quiet. I was pretty small for my age, so I did what he said. I don’t want to go into any further detail, but at this point, I was subjected to things that no 8 year old boy (or girl or anybody)should ever have to go through. Then, he told me not to tell anybody and left the room. I finished my bath and went to bed, crying silently.
I tried to tell my parents, my teachers, my friends...but I just couldn't do it. I was too scared of what might happen or what they might think about me. For years, I thought I was the only person that this had ever happened to. And because of who this person was, I didn't think anybody would believe me.
From that point on, I had issues with staying overnight with anyone that was male. Where I was once on the honor roll and had straight A’s up to the third grade, I struggled to pass through the rest of my school career without failing. I began to have serious authority issues that still last to this day. I go through bouts of depression that can last for days and seriously considered suicide when I was in my teens. I have extreme temper issues that I still battle. I have self-esteem issues that I cover up with bluster and a smart ass attitude. I am still more comfortable around women than men. In fact, now that I’m writing this, I realize that may be how I picked most of my friends growing up: they were mostly children with single mothers.
So, for all of you Todd Akins and Pauls Ryans and Todd Smiths out there: the person inside me that I want to be says, 'just remember that when you’re deciding what is ‘legitimate’ rape and making your sloganeering generalizations, it is real, actual people that you are talking about. I hope no one close to you ever has to deal with anything like this.' The person inside that I really am says, 'fuck you, you horrible excuses for human beings.'
For all of you people that have shared your stories, I want to say thank you. With all of my heart, thank you for being so brave. Maybe my story will help somebody else out there that's too afraid to talk about it.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/27/1124937/-I-can-t-keep-this-a-secret-anymore
I can't keep this a secret anymore.
On Edit: I want to point out that many DU'ers who have read this diary have expressed their sympathy and love to me. Their words are very kind, but should not be aimed at me since this is not my story. I have merely shared spgilbert's diary from DailyKos. (To the mods: DK allows diaries to be posted in their entirety on other sites.) Like many of you, this person's story broke my heart, and I felt it needed to be shared. If you wish to express your love and sympathy to the victim, you may continue to do so here. I have alerted spgilbert that I have shared his diary here on DU, and he will be able to read all of your posts. Just know that your kindness should be directed to him and not me. This is a wonderful community and I am certain your words will mean a lot to him. Thank you. Fourscore.Mon Aug 27, 2012 at 06:21 PM PDT
I can't keep this a secret anymore.
by spgilbert
Let me preface this entire diary with stating that I am completely disgusted with Todd Akin, Paul Ryan, Rick Santorum and everyone else in the GOP who have decided to take it upon themselves to dictate when a woman has the right to choose what to do with her own body, especially after being assaulted.
Today’s story about Tom Smith, equating sex out of wedlock with rape, has only made it worse. As I was reading the user comments on HuffPo about it, I read the following:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/27/tom-smith-rape_n_1834234.html
‘Like way too many people in this world, someone I know and care deeply about has been raped.
And yet I suspect that her rape is the kind that conservatives would say wasn't "legitimate", or little more than a child being born out of wedlock.
You see, she was date raped at a conference we attended. By someone she knew.
Afterwards, I was the one who took her to the police and hospital, and I can tell you that I have never in my life seen such anguish in person. I was there when she had the "rape kit" test administered. I was there when she had explain to male police detective all the painful details. And I was there when we found out that the odds of successfully prosecuting an outstate resident for date rape were slim.
To this day, the memories of her cries still shake me to the core.
And anyone who could argue that women must somehow bear even more burden from the horrible crime already committed against them by forcing them to give birth to a rapist's child is something less than human.
Shame on you, Mr. Smith. And Mr Ryan. And on anyone else who shares this inhumane perspective and callous disregard for women.'
‘Like way too many people in this world, someone I know and care deeply about has been raped.
And yet I suspect that her rape is the kind that conservatives would say wasn't "legitimate", or little more than a child being born out of wedlock.
You see, she was date raped at a conference we attended. By someone she knew.
Afterwards, I was the one who took her to the police and hospital, and I can tell you that I have never in my life seen such anguish in person. I was there when she had the "rape kit" test administered. I was there when she had explain to male police detective all the painful details. And I was there when we found out that the odds of successfully prosecuting an outstate resident for date rape were slim.
To this day, the memories of her cries still shake me to the core.
And anyone who could argue that women must somehow bear even more burden from the horrible crime already committed against them by forcing them to give birth to a rapist's child is something less than human.
Shame on you, Mr. Smith. And Mr Ryan. And on anyone else who shares this inhumane perspective and callous disregard for women.'
As I read the ‘By someone she knew’ sentence, tears welled up in my eyes and I couldn't stop crying.
Recently, I have seen and heard a lot of comments from women that had never told their stories of sexual abuse. Some were too ashamed; some were too afraid; some just couldn’t talk about it. I don’t know if it’s because of these neanderthal GOPers are bringing it out or if it’s the anonymity of the internet or what it is, but people seem to be speaking out more and more. Whatever it is, I keep hearing these stories, and I can’t help but think about how brave these people are.
So, today, I am going to tell you something that I have been holding inside for over twenty-five years and have only ever told one person in my life (and that person is my wife):
When I was a child, I was sexually assaulted. By someone I knew.
I was about 8 years old. My mother and father were going somewhere out of town and left me overnight with a man and a woman who were very trusted by them. Later in the evening, I was told that it was almost time for bed, but since we had been playing all day, I should probably take a bath first. After I had my clothes off and was getting into the water, the man came into the bathroom and told me that he would need to show me how to bathe properly. I didn’t know what to do, but I remember thinking how strange that was and starting to object, but he told me to be quiet. I was pretty small for my age, so I did what he said. I don’t want to go into any further detail, but at this point, I was subjected to things that no 8 year old boy (or girl or anybody)should ever have to go through. Then, he told me not to tell anybody and left the room. I finished my bath and went to bed, crying silently.
I tried to tell my parents, my teachers, my friends...but I just couldn't do it. I was too scared of what might happen or what they might think about me. For years, I thought I was the only person that this had ever happened to. And because of who this person was, I didn't think anybody would believe me.
From that point on, I had issues with staying overnight with anyone that was male. Where I was once on the honor roll and had straight A’s up to the third grade, I struggled to pass through the rest of my school career without failing. I began to have serious authority issues that still last to this day. I go through bouts of depression that can last for days and seriously considered suicide when I was in my teens. I have extreme temper issues that I still battle. I have self-esteem issues that I cover up with bluster and a smart ass attitude. I am still more comfortable around women than men. In fact, now that I’m writing this, I realize that may be how I picked most of my friends growing up: they were mostly children with single mothers.
So, for all of you Todd Akins and Pauls Ryans and Todd Smiths out there: the person inside me that I want to be says, 'just remember that when you’re deciding what is ‘legitimate’ rape and making your sloganeering generalizations, it is real, actual people that you are talking about. I hope no one close to you ever has to deal with anything like this.' The person inside that I really am says, 'fuck you, you horrible excuses for human beings.'
For all of you people that have shared your stories, I want to say thank you. With all of my heart, thank you for being so brave. Maybe my story will help somebody else out there that's too afraid to talk about it.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/27/1124937/-I-can-t-keep-this-a-secret-anymore
August 28, 2012
White dudes talkin' rape
Tue Aug 28, 2012 at 07:00 AM PDT
White dudes talkin' rape
by Matt Bors
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/28/1124734/-White-dudes-talkin-rape
August 28, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/28/opinion/brooks-the-real-romney.html?_r=1
David Brooks Writes Hysterical Satire -- The Real Romney
Unbelievable! David Brooks (of all people) has a very funny satirical biography of the "real" Mitt Romney -- who, according to Brook's research, was born in 5 of the swing states. It's really quite funny. Here's is a sampling...
Op-Ed Columnist
The Real Romney
By DAVID BROOKS
Published: August 27, 2012
Romney was a precocious and gifted child. He uttered his first words (“I like to fire people”) at age 14 months, made his first gaffe at 15 months and purchased his first nursery school at 24 months. The school, highly leveraged, went under, but Romney made 24 million Jujubes on the deal.
Mitt grew up in a modest family. His father had an auto body shop called the American Motors Corporation, and his mother owned a small piece of land, Brazil...
...Romney was extremely detail oriented in his business life. He once canceled a corporate retreat at which Abba had been hired to play, saying he found the band’s music “too angry...”
After a successful stint at Bain, Romney was lured away to run the Winter Olympics, the second most Caucasian institution on earth, after the G.O.P. He then decided to run for governor of Massachusetts. His campaign slogan, “Vote Romney: More Impressive Than You’ll Ever Be,” was not a hit, but Romney won the race anyway on an environmental platform, promising to make the state safe for steeplechase.
After his governorship, Romney suffered through a midlife crisis, during which he became a social conservative. This prepared the way for his presidential run. He barely won the 2012 Republican primaries after a grueling nine-month campaign, running unopposed. At the convention, where his Secret Service nickname is Mannequin, Romney will talk about his real-life record: successful business leader, superb family man, effective governor, devoted community leader and prudent decision-maker. If elected, he promises to bring all Americans together and make them feel inferior.
The Real Romney
By DAVID BROOKS
Published: August 27, 2012
Romney was a precocious and gifted child. He uttered his first words (“I like to fire people”) at age 14 months, made his first gaffe at 15 months and purchased his first nursery school at 24 months. The school, highly leveraged, went under, but Romney made 24 million Jujubes on the deal.
Mitt grew up in a modest family. His father had an auto body shop called the American Motors Corporation, and his mother owned a small piece of land, Brazil...
...Romney was extremely detail oriented in his business life. He once canceled a corporate retreat at which Abba had been hired to play, saying he found the band’s music “too angry...”
After a successful stint at Bain, Romney was lured away to run the Winter Olympics, the second most Caucasian institution on earth, after the G.O.P. He then decided to run for governor of Massachusetts. His campaign slogan, “Vote Romney: More Impressive Than You’ll Ever Be,” was not a hit, but Romney won the race anyway on an environmental platform, promising to make the state safe for steeplechase.
After his governorship, Romney suffered through a midlife crisis, during which he became a social conservative. This prepared the way for his presidential run. He barely won the 2012 Republican primaries after a grueling nine-month campaign, running unopposed. At the convention, where his Secret Service nickname is Mannequin, Romney will talk about his real-life record: successful business leader, superb family man, effective governor, devoted community leader and prudent decision-maker. If elected, he promises to bring all Americans together and make them feel inferior.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/28/opinion/brooks-the-real-romney.html?_r=1
August 28, 2012
Mitt Romney may be the most painfully awkward, incapable-of-not-being-a-dick person on the planet. And every time, every single time, he tries to do something "normal" to show how "normal" he is, it is so cringe-worthy you almost have to feel sorry for him. He's even a dick, according to his own son Tagg, when his family gathers for supposedly normal family time:
This is what passes for family time in the Romney home? Mitt has to cut in front of everyone because golly, he sure doesn't want to have to wait for anyone else, especially not those annoying little grandchildren, and he sits down and eats and is all done by the time the rest of the family joins him, and that's a "family meal"?
And all of this—Chris Wallace joining the whole Romney clan at one of their many vacation homes—is yet another attempt to show us how just-a-regular-guy-who-loves-his-family Mitt is and that, contrary to popular belief, he is capable of actual human emotions. Not unlike the recent interview with Parade magazine in which Ann and Mitt tried really hard to prove Mitt is not a robot, but instead, we learned that he cries when he donates money to charity.
Wow. What a guy. What a dad. What a grandpa. What a dick.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/27/1124675/-Another-failed-attempt-to-make-Mitt-likeable
Another failed attempt to make Mitt likeable
Mon Aug 27, 2012 at 06:30 PM PDT
Another failed attempt to make Mitt likeable
by Kaili Joy Gray
Mitt Romney may be the most painfully awkward, incapable-of-not-being-a-dick person on the planet. And every time, every single time, he tries to do something "normal" to show how "normal" he is, it is so cringe-worthy you almost have to feel sorry for him. He's even a dick, according to his own son Tagg, when his family gathers for supposedly normal family time:
CHRIS WALLACE: So, Tagg, what are family meals like?
TAGG ROMNEY: A little bit of craziness. Dad always goes in line first because he doesn't want to wait for all the grand children because it takes forever. Parents are cutting their meat and he's usually finished by the time the rest of us sit down.
TAGG ROMNEY: A little bit of craziness. Dad always goes in line first because he doesn't want to wait for all the grand children because it takes forever. Parents are cutting their meat and he's usually finished by the time the rest of us sit down.
This is what passes for family time in the Romney home? Mitt has to cut in front of everyone because golly, he sure doesn't want to have to wait for anyone else, especially not those annoying little grandchildren, and he sits down and eats and is all done by the time the rest of the family joins him, and that's a "family meal"?
And all of this—Chris Wallace joining the whole Romney clan at one of their many vacation homes—is yet another attempt to show us how just-a-regular-guy-who-loves-his-family Mitt is and that, contrary to popular belief, he is capable of actual human emotions. Not unlike the recent interview with Parade magazine in which Ann and Mitt tried really hard to prove Mitt is not a robot, but instead, we learned that he cries when he donates money to charity.
Wow. What a guy. What a dad. What a grandpa. What a dick.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/27/1124675/-Another-failed-attempt-to-make-Mitt-likeable
August 27, 2012
In other words, if Romney's deduction was legal, it means his claim to have had no involvement with Bain after February of 1999 was pure fiction, because as late as 2010, he claimed more than $500,000 in expenses related to his Bain investments. Of course, if it wasn't legal, Romney has other problems.
Whichever the case may be, the deduction was a particularly sweet deal for Romney: the income he receives from Bain is taxed as capital gains, which means he pays just 15 percent on it. But because he says these deductions are business expenses, they can reduce his ordinary income, which is taxed at 35 percent rate. That makes the deductions more than twice as valuable as they would have otherwise been.
Presumably, this isn't the first time Romney has deployed a tax-reduction strategy such as this. But because he won't release any tax returns before 2010, nobody can say for certain what exactly he is hiding.
http://www.dailykos.com/blog/Jed%20Lewison/
Which is it Rmoney? Either he WORKED AT BAIN in 2010 or he commited FRAUD on his taxes!!!
Mon Aug 27, 2012 at 07:16 AM PDT
HuffPost: Romney asserted active role in Bain to claim half-million dollar tax deduction in 2010
by Jed Lewison Follow
According to Huffington Post, Mitt Romney's 2010 tax returns include more than a half-million dollars in "trade and business expense" deductions derived from Bain-related income—a tax reduction strategy that is only legal if Romney had an active role in Bain. What does "active" mean in this context?
The IRS advises that "[f]actors that indicate active participation include making decisions involving the operation or management of the activity, performing services for the activity, and hiring and discharging employees. Factors that indicate a lack of active participation include lack of control in managing and operating the activity, having authority only to discharge the manager of the activity, and having a manager of the activity who is an independent contractor rather than an employee."
Even if Romney could persuade the IRS his involvement was legitimately active, that still leaves him in a rhetorical jam: For tax purposes, he claims an active status; for political purposes, he claims to have zero to do with the investments.
Even if Romney could persuade the IRS his involvement was legitimately active, that still leaves him in a rhetorical jam: For tax purposes, he claims an active status; for political purposes, he claims to have zero to do with the investments.
In other words, if Romney's deduction was legal, it means his claim to have had no involvement with Bain after February of 1999 was pure fiction, because as late as 2010, he claimed more than $500,000 in expenses related to his Bain investments. Of course, if it wasn't legal, Romney has other problems.
Whichever the case may be, the deduction was a particularly sweet deal for Romney: the income he receives from Bain is taxed as capital gains, which means he pays just 15 percent on it. But because he says these deductions are business expenses, they can reduce his ordinary income, which is taxed at 35 percent rate. That makes the deductions more than twice as valuable as they would have otherwise been.
Presumably, this isn't the first time Romney has deployed a tax-reduction strategy such as this. But because he won't release any tax returns before 2010, nobody can say for certain what exactly he is hiding.
http://www.dailykos.com/blog/Jed%20Lewison/
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