March 23, 2023

Disney World defies Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis

Disney World Kicks Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis In The Teeth...Hosts largest LGBTQ+ Conference In The World. Backed by Apple, Uber, Bank of America, Mcdonald's, IBM, Walmart, Google and Visa. Central Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Department of State also. Read more...

March 20, 2023

Chas. Koch Sneers At Democracy And Human Life

Charles Koch has wreaked havoc on democracy for decades with one of his major movements against climate change. Why? He was an oil company heir and in 1919, as the biggest purchaser of crude oil in the country, was investigated by the Senate "for stealing oil from leases on Indian reservations." Politico also comments Koch was stealing from its producers by misreporting how much oil it picked up from their wells. Clearly showing the lack of business ethics used by Chas. Koch.

This is not all they do; they have a massive network of oil and gas pipelines, and investments in other polluting industries like paper and plastics. One of my favorite quotes on the Kochs comes from Bill Maher on Charles' brother's death...

“He and his brother have done more than anybody to fund climate science deniers — for decades.” “So f*ck him, cause the Amazon is burning up, I’m glad he’s dead and I hope the end was painful.”

This is how some react to this family, I being one of them, for how they have used their resources to help bring down our eco system. They also are ruthless. Due to their disregard for safety, the Kochs were responsible for two 17 year-olds being burned to death in Texas. Butane vapor was leaking from a corroded steel pipeline that had not been serviced for some time and an explosion ignited the inferno that burned the kids alive. One of the fathers sued Koch for $298 million.

Nancy MacLean, the William H. Chafe distinguished professor of History and Public Policy at Duke University, and Lisa Graves, executive director of True North Research and a co-creator of the websites Koch Exposed and Koch Docs said in Progressive Magazine, reported by AlterNet...

"For nearly half a century, billionaire Charles Koch has quietly funded, initiated, and supported efforts to dismantle democracy in the United States."

McClain and Graves provide further evidence of the Koch family plundering the rights of the American public to boost autocracy and line their pocketbooks. It is downright depressing to see how these mongrels of power can get away with so much just because they has billions of dollars. In his book, Kochland, Christopher Leonard illustrates a passive family suddenly coming alive after being caught stealing oil. Here's an example of company policy from Politico...

On July 11, 1988, the president of Koch Industries, Bill Hanna, sent a companywide memo informing employees how to handle company records. He reminded employees at the oil company that there was a code of secrecy for internal records. Then, he ordered that “written materials which would be useful to our competitors should be destroyed by shredding, burning, or some equally effective method.”

What he was really saying was, get rid of anything that could be incriminating to Koch. All prompted by the fact that the U.S. Senate was investigating Koch Industries for stealing oil from leases on Indian reservations. As if America hadn't already done enough to the Native American community, the Koch pilferers plunder from this group but are caught by the U.S. Government. Here's the scenario...

"Koch Industries was the biggest purchaser of crude oil in the country, and Senate investigators believed that the company was stealing from its producers by misreporting how much oil it picked up from their wells."

The Arizona Republic blew the whistle and...

"alleged that big oil companies were stealing oil from Native Americans who owned oil wells. When the companies picked up crude oil from wells to take it to market, they falsified receipts to make it look like had picked up less oil than they really did, or that the oil was of a lower quality than it really was."

Here's what the Senate investigation found...

"As evidence came rolling in, it pointed in one direction, Koch, more than any other company, had falsified tickets and taken more oil than it paid for. (The company later admitted in court that it collected about $10 million in crude oil each year without paying for it.)"

After further checks, the investigation found that no other company, other than Koch Industries, had collected so much oil without paying for it. But big money prevailed, as usual, and the Kochs went on their merry way fleecing the American public. And there has been little, if any, change up to today.

http://www.nastyjackbuzz.com/

March 18, 2023

The Atlantic Has A Question...Has Ron DeSantis Reached His Peak?

Specifically the magazine said, "Is Ron DeSantis Flaming Out Already?" It is more to the point that this guy is arrogant, is on a hate trip with blacks and the LGBTQ community, and did a rotten job with the handling of the Covid pandemic in Florida, in spite of the fact that he claims he did a great job controlling the virus. FACT: The state was number 3 in coronavirus cases and deaths. All because DeSantis and his lunatic surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo claimed vaccines didn't work.

The Atlantic piece by David Frum starts with...

"The Florida governor has a plan to win the Fox News primary—and lose everything else."

To me this translates into the fact that DeSantis is above all an ego maniac who craves attention and demands loyalty. We've been down this road before with Donald Trump and see where that led us. Straight into fascism, building an autocricy that was tumbled but remains in the background of the Republican Party, ready to leap forward again and demolish democracy. DeSantis has his own methods but he has picked up in the residuals of the Trump failed campaign.

DeSantis, like Trump, is not prepared on the issues that confront this country. Like the Russian invasion...

"When a reporter for The Times of London pressed the governor [on the Ukrainian war with Russia], DeSantis scolded him: 'Perhaps you should cover some other ground? I think I’ve said enough.'”

The fact is he had not said anything of substance about the issue. In trying to turnFriends forever...Sure
this around, "DeSantis delivered a more definitive answer on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show..."

"DeSantis’s statement on Ukraine was everything that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his admirers could have wished for from a presumptive candidate for president. Vladimir Putin and his admirers could have wished for from a presumptive candidate for president. The governor began by listing America’s 'vital interests' in a way that explicitly excluded NATO and the defense of Europe. He accepted the present Russian line that Putin’s occupation of Ukraine is a mere 'territorial dispute.' He endorsed 'peace' as the objective without regard to the terms of that peace, another pro-Russian talking point. He conceded the Russian argument that American aid to Ukraine amounts to direct involvement in the conflict. He endorsed and propagated the fantasy—routinely advanced by pro-Putin guests on Fox talk shows—that the Biden administration is somehow plotting 'regime change' in Moscow."

Someone in his gang of minions has convinced DeSantis that this tough guy approach is what the American public wants, but several polls so far reveal that only Republicans are buying in. You don't win elections without contingencies from your opposition and the Independent vote. Frum says Republicans have built themselves a one-stage rocket...

"one that achieves liftoff but never reaches escape velocity?"
Florida's Duval schools refuse to ban books
Here are some good reason why DeSantis may be on the way to flaming out...

Florida Republicans will soon pass—and DeSantis pledged he would sign—a law banning abortion after six weeks. That bill is opposed by 57 percent of those surveyed even inside Florida. Another poll found that 75 percent of Floridians oppose the ban. It also showed that 77 percent oppose permitless concealed carry, which DeSantis supports, and that 61 percent disapprove of his call to ban the teaching of critical race theory as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion policies on college campuses. As the political strategist Simon Rosenberg noted: “Imagine how these play outside FL.”

With all these numbers against him, the Florida dictator looks like his candidacy will take the low road that does not lead to the White House. You can read the full story at MSN.com.

http://www.nastyjackbuzz.com/

March 16, 2023

Republicans Moving Slow On Fascism...Not Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

First let's start with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who epitomizes a fascist dictator and is running at full momentum to become the modern Mussolini of our time. He is also planning to run for the White House in 2024. The pitiful lot of voters who elected him and wantonly continue to support him are letting the state of Florida digress as no other state in the country has done.

The nation is fighting for our democracy against a Republican coalition of rightist radicals who are determined to establish an autocracy. And a Republican constituency is supporting them. It is beyond me how anyone could want a tyrant telling them every move to make. Donald Trump tried his hand, now Ron DeSantis wants to put in his two cents. And that is about all the man and his candidacy are worth.

A RawStory commentary by Thom Hartmann says, "Republicans are systematically destroying democracy — and replacing it with strongman authoritarianism," a move, prompted, in my opinion, based on two factors. First, the never-ending Republican drive for power; second, the GOP has absolutely no agenda, thus, they must resort to athoritarianism. Both of these points can be supported by the actions of Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy.

And Hartmann comments...

"For some unfathomable reason, Democrats insist on calling their Republican colleagues their 'friends.' They are not friends."

The point is well taken with the likes of right radicals like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Paul Gosar, Lauren Boebert, Andy Biggs and the list goes on. Democrats and other liberals must treat Republicans like the enemy, which they are of both the left and this country. Until we do, states will continue to rack up new GOP legislatures and we could lose the Senate. Aggressiveness is what is needed to contradict the right's propaganda machine, and push forward on Democratic issues.

They are moving slowly now, according to Hartmann...

Infiltrating police departments and the enlisted ranks of the military

Taking over school boards and local boards of elections

Firing principals and teachers who defend multiracial, multicultural democracy while banning books that contain such “dangerous” ideas

Demonizing queer people and outlawing drag shows

Gerrymandering states so regardless of how people vote, Republicans control the levers of power

It is clear to see here that four out of the above five have Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' footprints all over them. He both initiated these ideologies and continues to support them aggressively in his state. For gerrymandering, which seems to be a Republican specialty, and an area that the left must oppose and fight for vigorously. There are several more of Hartmann's theories of GOP takeovers that are very interesting to read, here.

http://www.nastyjackbuzz.com/

March 15, 2023

Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis Bans Completely Respectable Books-Geo. Orwell's "1984" Revisited...Again

Bestselling author Jodi Picoult's book, The Storyteller, a novel about the unlikely relationship between the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and an aging S.S. officer, was banned by southeast Florida’s Martin County. Of course, at the impetus of the state's dictatorial governor, Ron DeSantis. Another 20 of her books were also banned. The DailyBeast commented in shock...

”Picoult said in an email to The Washington Post, calling book bans a 'breach of freedom of speech and freedom of information. 'According to Picoult, most of her books have nary a kiss in them but do include 'gay characters, and issues like racism, disability, abortion rights, gun control, and other topics that might make a kid think differently from their parents.'”

None the less, just what DeSantis abhors; that is in order to pacify his double-digit voters. And, most U.S. voters aren't buying his crap with a recent poll indicating...

"56% of Americans consider “woke” a positive term, meaning “to be informed, educated on, and aware of social injustices.” Even more than a third of Republicans agree."

"Wokeness" is probably on a parallel with the autocrat's latest 2024 campaign slogan, "We were right. They were wrong," referring to Florida's policies on freedom, more specifically DeSantis' handling of the Covid pandemic. But under his leadership, the state's pandemic results were considerably worse than the rest of the country. In fact, Florida was third highest in the country for both Covid cases and deaths.

The Washington Post says DeSantis claims the state only bans “porn” and “hate,” but there is a problem with that allegation...

"The people deciding which books to remove from classrooms and school libraries didn’t get the memo. In many cases, the notion that banned books meet the highly objectionable criteria he detailed is an enormous stretch."

WaPo continues...

"This week, Florida’s Martin County released a list of dozens of books targeted for removal from school libraries, as officials struggle to interpret a bill DeSantis signed in the name of “transparency” in school materials. The episode suggests his decrees are increasingly encouraging local officials to adopt censoring decisions with disturbingly vague rationales and absurdly sweeping scope."

The impact of DeSantis's banning of Picoult's book The Storyteller has much of the media cashing in. She tells RawStory that the book has never been banned before, and RawStory's Brad Reed said...

"While DeSantis is not involved in choosing which books to remove, his
Department of Education has issued guidance saying that schools should 'err on the side of caution' and to remove books that they wouldn't feel 'comfortable reading aloud.'"

It is unconscionable to "err on the side of caution" when the act results in taking away the rights of individuals in the likeness of Big Brother. It is clearly censorship and in my opinion borders on 1st Amendment rights. The "woke" American public isn't stupid and they will carry this malfeasance of justice to the 2024 elections.

March 14, 2023

Why Ron DeSantis is unacceptable on any level

Any level meaning specifically politics, but I sure wouldn't want DeSantis living in my neighborhood. I am, however, surrounded by Republicans here in Arizona but in my worst possible fantasy, even this state's rightest radicals cannot come close to the dictating governor in Florida. Ron DeSantis is a dictator of the first rate and here are some of the issues that confirm that title.

Afraid of the press and called a "fascist" by AlterNet, he recently blacklisted the media at a GOP event in Dallas. Of course he had plenty of friends there with his tyrannical twin, Texas governor, Greg Abbott, at the annual "Reagan Day Dinner," hosted by the Dallas County Republican Party. I knew Ronald Reagan and do not think for one minute the former president would condone an autocrat like DeSantis.

But listen to this...

Even Civil libertarians slam Ron DeSantis' 'brazen and blatantly unconstitutional' war on press freedom

Here's the scenario...

"We are not able to invite the media," Jennifer Stoddard-Hajdu, Dallas County Republican Party Chairwoman said. "That was the decision of Governor DeSantis' team."

But, this takes the cake: "DeSantis promises Florida will control Disney's content.

Right-wing board to clamp down on 'woke ideology' in cartoons." I moved to California just after Disneyland opened and remember the fun my family and I had at the park in Anaheim. Walt Disney was alive then and believe he would have considered it sacrilege what Ron DeSantis is doing.

This is what he actually did,,,

"DeSantis appointed a board to oversee Disney. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is stacked with DeSantis cronies, including Bridget Ziegler, a proponent of his education policies; Ron Peri, who heads the Christian ministry the Gathering USA; and Michael Sasso, president of the Federalist Society’s Orlando chapter."

This is the New York Intelligencer's Jonathan Chait's take...

"It is worth pausing a moment to grasp the full breadth of what is going on here. First, DeSantis established the principle that he can and will use the power of the state to punish private firms that exercise their First Amendment right to criticize his positions. Now he is promising to continue exerting state power to pressure the firm to produce content that comports with his own ideological agenda."

And the New York Times Editorial Board really took DeSantis to task with this headline: "Florida Is Trying to Take Away the American Right to Speak Freely." The Times exhibits three cases of free speech and then adds...

"All three are examples of Americans engaging in clamorous but perfectly legal speech about public figures that is broadly protected by the Constitution. The Supreme Court, in a case that dates back nearly 60 years, ruled that even if that speech might be damaging or include errors, it should generally be protected against claims of libel and slander. All three would lose that protection — and be subject to ruinous defamation lawsuits — under a bill that is moving through the Florida House and is based on longstanding goals of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Bobby Block, executive director of Florida’s First Amendment Foundation, says...

“This isn’t just a press issue. This is a death-to-public-discourse bill. Everyone, even conservatives, would have to second-guess themselves whenever they open their mouths to speak or sit in front of a keyboard.”

'We Were Right, They Were Wrong": DeSantis Touts Florida Policies In 'State Of The State' Address...

But get this, DeSantis is going to run for President with this slogan, "We were right, they were wrong," referring to state policies on "freedom" and his handling of the Covid pandemic crisis. To this, AlterNet commented...

"But under DeSantis' leadership, the Sunshine State's results were far worse than nearly every other state in the nation."

The facts are, Florida was third highest in the U.S. for Covid cases and deaths. This clearly proves that Ron DeSantis is a fraud posing as a legitimate politician. To close, DeSantis's opposition to the "Woke" movement may backfire. A new poll in MSNBC...

"shows that 56% of Americans consider 'woke' a positive term, meaning 'to be informed, educated on, and aware of social injustices.' Even more than a third of Republicans agree."

Ron DeSantis is probably just a flash in the pan, but the sooner the American public realizes this, the better.

March 13, 2023

First There Was Long Covid - Now There Is Long Covidiocy

The Republican Party has shared with us a gang of certified idiots since even before taking the majority in the House. There is Matt Gaetz, Josh Hawley, Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, Lauren Boebert and the primo-moron, Marjorie Taylor Greene. I recently said we should just ignore Greene but I find it more productive to talk about her asinine antics and big mouth stupidity. It is endless. And Dana Milbank has captured much of MTG and the others in his Washington Post piece...

"There ain’t no cure for long covidiocy," which features a lineup where "House Republicans presented with a textbook case of the ailment this week."

The graphic that came with the article displays a picture of Marjorie Taylor Greene on Capitol Hill ready to do more damage to U.S. democracy. Here's the scenario...

"The newly formed select subcommittee on the coronavirus pandemic met for the first time for what its chairman, Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), said would be some “Monday-morning quarterbacking.” It instead became a Tuesday afternoon of false starts and illegal blocks."

There's more...

"Republicans on the panel, some of them medical doctors and others just playing one on TV, offered their predictable assessments. Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) kicked off with the unsupported allegation that “covid was intentionally released” from a Chinese lab because 'it would be impossible for the virus to be accidentally leaked.'”

Lesko is an Arizona wacky Republican radical whose past is known for "bankruptcies, multiple aliases, an arrest warrant and multiple lawsuits for unpaid bills," according to AZCentral. This should give you an idea of what the Arizona Republican legislature is like. And here is a lunatic opinion from another rightist, this time from Georgia...

"Rep. Richard McCormick (R-Ga.) advanced the ball by informing the panel that coronavirus booster shots 'do more harm than good.'”
You have to wonder just how many constituents of this moron could have died or become seriously ill by not getting a Covid booster. But this is the epitome from the biggest imbecile that has ever been elected to the U.S. Congress, Marjorie Taylor Greene, also from Georgia...

“Researchers found that the vaccinated are at least twice as likely to be infected with covid as the unvaccinated and those with natural immunity.”

The subcommittee goes on to present...

"three scientists who arguably did more than all others to champion a herd-immunity approach to covid. Two of them were co-authors of the 'Great Barrington Declaration,' put out by a Koch-backed group, which argued in 2020 for letting the virus run wild through the population while somehow segregating the old and vulnerable."

My opinion is you cannot trust anything supported by a Koch-backed group and you can see my posts on this divisive gang of goons here. It has been proven that the herd immunity approach could have killed "hundreds of thousands more Americans." This is Republican radicalism at its best, best known as the killing machine. But here is the closer from Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgeon and Fox News regular...

“'It’s a no-brainer that it came from a lab,' he declared. What’s more, 'at this point it’s impossible to acquire any more information, and if you did it would only be in the affirmative.' He even suggested that two of the nation’s top virologists knew this but 'changed their tunes' because they were bribed with grant money by Anthony Fauci."

This is why the American public is so confused about what they should do about Covid. I urge you to read this WaPo article.

http://www.nastyjackbuzz.com/2023/03/first-there-was-long-covid-now-there-is.html

March 12, 2023

Republicans Want Donald Trump Dead

Here's the headline: "'Can’t wait until this guy dies.' Report reveals GOP insiders’ real sentiments toward Trump." Here's the source...

"The Atlantic's McKay Coppins insisted most Republicans are done with the former president but still fear the repercussions of speaking out against him."

More cowardice like that which paralyzes both chambers of Congress when a vote is up for gun control. Donald Trump demonstrates his power to get what he wants. The NRA's Wayne LaPierre displays his wallet to Senators and Representatives to indicate his control. Two of the biggest lowlifes in this country parlay their influence for self-benefit. The following is an example of current feelings...

former Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.), Coppins claims, told him, “You have a lot of folks who are just wishing for [Trump’s] mortal demise. I want to be clear: I’m not in that camp. But I’ve heard from a lot of people who will go onstage and put on the red hat, and then give me a call the next day and say, ‘I can’t wait until this guy dies.’”

This would be terrifying if they weren't talking about Donald Trump. READ MORE...

March 10, 2023

We Cannot Let The Needless Execution Of Animals Continue

The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter euthanized 34 dogs on Tuesday because they didn't have enough room for them. The animals shouldn't have been there but that's another story. Not being familiar with the Oklahoma City shelter, I don't know if they made an attempt to use Pilots N Paws, an organization that provides free transportation of animals to locations where there is either more room or there is a potential adoption. By the way, Pilots N Paws endures through donations.

But there are other ways to help control this situation like spaying and neutering. The ASPCA says...

By spaying or neutering your pet, you’ll help control the pet homelessness crisis. Millions of healthy dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States each year simply because there aren’t enough homes to go around. There are also medical and behavioral benefits to spaying (female pets) and neutering (male pets).

Agreed, a lot of folks out there are still struggling with their finances but if you are able, please foster an animal. which helps take the load off shelters. And there are always donations that can help these organizations to care for more animals and provide better aid to the general population. Finally, if you have the time, volunteer. You cannot believe the joy just a visit from someone brings to a caged animal. If you love animals, please do your part today.

READ MORE...

http://www.nastyjackbuzz.com/2023/02/we-cannot-let-needless-execution-of.html

March 9, 2023

The Homeless Deserve More

There are a number of reasons people become homeless, neither of them as important as finding that person or persons shelter. We gave a person on the street money recently and he was overjoyed to receive it, followed by a multitude of thanks. It was cold that day here in Phoenix and as we drove off from the Costco, I wondered where he would sleep that night, expected to be in the 30s to 40s. The desert can be brutal after the sun goes down with some pretty low wind chills.

The Phoenix government says...

PHX C.A.R.E.S. sends trained outreach teams, who take the time to build rapport and trust with people on the street, to encourage them to accept the services and resources that are offered to help end their homelessness.

I wonder if they helped our homeless friend? But, Phoenix has established a Strategies to Address Homelessness Task Force that has found 3,096 on the street in the city, 5,029 in Arizona's largest county, Maricopa, They found them, now what are they doing? Here are a few of the efforts...

$10 million to purchase a hotel to house homeless military veterans
Summer heat relief at the Phoenix Convention Center

Refurbished public housing increasing access to affordable energy-efficient apartments

$20 million annually for city services related to homelessness, including services providing shelter for 5,430 individuals and families

Partnerships with community organizations including UMOM, CPLC, Native American Connections, Justa Center, St. Vincent de Paul and others.

There's more you can see here. This is what they are doing in Phoenix and Maricopa County, Arizona. Later Nasty Jack Buzz will explore what is being done about homelessness nationwide. READ MORE...