Saturday, September 23, 2023

Don't let the door . . .

Aw crap. 

A bunch of Christians were predicting that the Rapture would happen yesterday, September 22nd, raising all good Christians up to heaven. Apparently it didn't happen. Or maybe there are so few good Christians in America that no one noticed.

Either way I'm disappointed. I was looking forward to finally getting things done to make this country a better place.

Seriously, you guys can go. The rest of us are good.


Thursday, September 21, 2023

The rich mindset

I've never understood how those people at the top of the corporate ladder, who get paid millions of dollars, don't recognize the contributions of the actual workers who do the work to get them those millions of dollars. Oh, wait, yes I do understand. They're sociopaths.

“People decided that they didn’t really want to work so much anymore through COVID and that has had a massive issue on productivity,” he said. “They have been paid a lot to not do too much in the last few years, and we need to see that change.”

...

We need to see unemployment rise —unemployment has to jump 40 to 50 per cent, in my view.

We need to see pain in the economy. We need to remind people that they work for the employer, not the other way around. There’s been a systematic change where employees feel the employer is extremely lucky to have them, as opposed to the other way around. It’s a dynamic that has to change.

That's Australian billionaire Tim Gurner, founder and CEO of the Gurner Group, lamenting that his workers might not fear him so much since they can easily get another job. He'd rather that hundreds of thousands lose their jobs so that he can once again rule over them like desperate serfs.

Fuck this guy.

Oh, wait. He has since apologized, once he realized that his remarks made him look like an arrogant, insensitive dickhead.

Fuck this guy.


Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Addled

Yes, these seem like the demented ramblings of an incompetent, confused 80 year old man. /s

 And, forgive me, let's see what this disphit has to say:

When Trump addressed the United Nations in 2019, they laughed at him when he claimed that he had “accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country.”  

Aw, bless his heart.


Consequences

This story is heartbreaking and tragic. And it's sad that it took a personal tragedy for these folk to realize what the policies they supported were doing to others.
Beth and Kyle Long were so excited. After four years of trying to have a baby, through multiple rounds of expensive and difficult fertility treatments, Beth was finally pregnant.The implanted fetus had a heartbeat seven weeks in. “We’d spent years working on this, thousands of miles, thousands of dollars trying to get here, and it finally felt like it was worth it,” said Kyle in this gutting CNN story. Things still looked good at week 16, and the Ohio couple shared the happy news with their family at Christmas.

But things took a cataclysmic turn after the new year, when blood work suggested that all was not well. Further tests discovered that their baby had limb body wall complex, a rare condition in which the baby’s organs had developed outside of the body. “They will die. There’s no way there will be a life,” a doctor told CNN of the condition.
...
The pregnancy had to be terminated, but then they got hit with the next terrible news—because of Ohio’s regressive state laws, Beth’s insurance as a state employee was banned from covering the abortion. While the law allowed it when the mother’s life was endangered, the language was vague, and doctors seemingly weren’t willing to risk running afoul of the law.
Go read the rest to see what eventually happened and the impact it had on this family. 

Regressive anti-choice laws harm women and they harm families. They take an already devastating situation and make it much much worse. These healthcare choices should always be available, at every point during pregnancy, and should be made by those affected and their doctors, not right-wing politicians and religious activists.

You may not like abortion, but tough shit. That doesn't give you the right to deprive others of their fundamental rights.

Friday, September 15, 2023

Food is overrated anyway

One of the more appalling positions taken by the current Republican party is the legislative push AGAINST programs providing free breakfast and lunches for schoolchildren. Such programs have shown to have excellent results. Free food programs cost little and children who eat regularly are healthier and have improved learning results. Such programs also avoid the stigma of poor kids getting sub-par or no lunches. Of course, Republican-controlled red states are actually passing BANS on providing free breakfast and lunches for schoolchildren.

In case you were wondering, this also extends to providing any poverty assistance for children.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that child poverty in this nation skyrocketed last year. Child poverty rates in 2021 had reached an all-time low of 5.2%. In 2022, however, that number soared to 12.4%.

The reasons child poverty in the United States more than doubled in a single year are not disputed. It’s because of the expiration of the Republican-hated expanded child tax credit and the shift away from providing direct monthly payments to at-risk families.

...

So there you go. We discovered a way to slash the number of children in poverty by over half, quick and simple. Then we stopped because Republicans and Sen. Joe Manchin demanded we stop. It won’t be enacted again so long as the same pro-coup Republicans are in control of the House and can stop it.

(Of course, right-wing Democratic Senator Joe Manchin is also against feeding children.)

Meanwhile some blue states have already passed free school food for all.

As a reminder, U.S. taxpayers pay approximately $20 BILLION to hugely profitable oil and gas companies every single year. But better that than those mooching kids get a free bologna sandwich, am I right?

Stop saying that both parties are the same. That's bullshit. And stop voting for people who don't care if your children starve.


Sunday, September 10, 2023

The current space race and supervillains

If you like space and space-tech, there's a fascinating article at Daily Kos that goes into the history of the decades-old, previous monopoly players in the American space launch vehicle market, and the upstart SpaceX, which is crushing them by lowering launch costs. It does a great job explaining the current space launch situation. The article also lays out the details of SpaceX's global satellite internet project, Starlink, which has been used by the Ukrainian military in operations against Russian invaders.
There were a total of 186 space launches last year; 87 of those were in the United States. Of those, 61 of them were SpaceX. By the end of this year, it will almost certainly have launched more rockets than everyone in the U.S. did last year—SpaceX included. Musk’s company plans on a minimum of 100 launches next year, and is very likely to get it.
It just so happens that Carol and I were in Florida this week, and were able to witness a SpaceX launch from about 80 miles away. Here's a screenshot from a video I took. It was very cool to see.




Oh, and the story also involves a little light treason.

What were the consequences of stopping a Ukrainian attack on the Russian Black Sea fleet?

 The Russian Black Sea fleet has fired hypersonic missiles into civilian structures across Ukraine, resulting in some of the most horrific war crimes of Russia’s unprovoked, illegal invasion. Those attacks continue today due to the decision of one man.

This is the world we live in. Where a super-rich - let's just say it, supervillain - can condemn innocent civilians to death by the push of a button. Reminder, Musk is a bigoted, racist, transphobic, anti-semitic jackass.

Tax the rich out of existence. 

Saturday, September 02, 2023

SNL's Slide

I follow a lot of TV and movie news, and often read the comment threads. One thing I would really, really, really like to stop is people saying, "Saturday Night Live hasn't been good since X" where X is whatever cast they grew up with. This happens literally every time Internet people discuss modern day SNL.

Here's the deal. SNL premiered on October 11, 1975. I guarantee you that when the second episode premiered a week later, there were already people going on about how "SNL hasn't been good since last week."

Of course, comedy is subjective and also very tied to its time. While the original cast of SNL created something amazing and groundbreaking for American television, most of those early shows are not really funny today.

And surprise, Jane Curtin agrees with me


Monday, August 21, 2023

Yep, it's a cult

 

More here.


Saturday, August 19, 2023

It's his nature

I've posted many times over the past few years about the Tale of the Scorpion and the Frog (or Turtle). Some of Trump's former colleagues/friends/employees/sycophants should really take note.
Donald Trump has a superpower: He gets people to believe he gives a crap about them and that if they work hard for his interests and exhibit loyalty, he will do the same for them in return.

And—this is key—Trump gets them to ignore the legion of broken, unpaid, and abandoned former contractors, employees, and allies he’s consistently left behind. Somehow, he convinces the next suckers that they’re different.

But Trump will never change, and he has now stabbed two more of his closest allies in the back.
The winners of the "play-stupid-games" trophy this time are former Trump attorney and total whackjob, Jenna Ellis, and the even more deserving, Rudy Giuliani, who squandered whatever goodwill he ever had by backing Trump's coup attempt. Her sin against Trump was backing Ron DeSantis for the Republican nomination. His sin in Trump's eyes is unknown, but it's probably because everyone hates Giuliani and he's such a dipshit even Trump got the message.

The schadenfreude is rich here.

So how are they being backstabbed? They're both part of the 19 coup plotters indicted in Georgia for trying to invalidate the votes of millions of Georgians. And since they've spent all their money on nonsense conspiracy bullshit over the past few years, they're both in desperate need of money for their criminal defense. As they're in trouble for following Trump, and he's supposed to be a billionaire (Spoiler alert: He isn't), they thought he would pay their legal fees.

And that's when the scorpion stung them. 

Trump won't pay squat. Giuliani even went to Mar a Lago to beg face to face, leaving more humiliated than he arrived. He and Ellis have been reduced to begging stupid conservatives for money.

Here's the best part. If Ellis and Giuliani don't have enough money to pay lawyers to keep them out of prison, they may have no choice but to do what lots of others have already done in their place and flip -- testify to the prosecutors in order for a reduced or no sentence.

Trump, by being cheap AND a huge asshole, is actually likely to make the case against him even more damning.

You just love to see it.

Friday, August 18, 2023

Update on the New College

A couple of months ago, I posted about Florida's New College, a progressive, almost experimental, liberal arts college beloved by its students, staff and alumni for its unique, humanistic approach. It's been making the news because Ron DeSantis and his Florida fascists decided to ruin it.

Here's an update as they enter the new school year.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ hostile takeover of New College of Florida is offering up a case study of what Republican governance looks like. After DeSantis installed six partisan trustees to remake the liberal arts college in his image, they replaced the college’s president with an interim president at double the salary. Faculty fled. Before the college could staff all the courses that needed to be taught, Christopher Rufo—perhaps the most notorious of DeSantis’ new trustees—started moving to abolish the gender studies program at the college. All of that is part of the DeSantis plan, and it’s terrible on its own, but it’s left New College in chaos, showing the degree to which Republicans don’t care about anything but pushing their ideological agenda.
...
Faculty continue to leave, leading to ongoing course cancellations. Some students say they haven’t been notified when classes they were enrolled in were canceled. In some cases, the cancellations make it difficult or impossible for students to find the classes they need to complete their majors.
...
The interim president’s goals include increasing attendance and building an athletics program, and he’s doing both at once by bringing in a large number of new athletes. New College admitted 100 student athletes for this fall despite having no real athletic facilities and not being a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Go read the rest. It's an appalling attack on a treasured institution because fascists can't grow anything beautiful on their own. They can only pervert and destroy.

Fight American fascism. Vote for Democrats.

Sunday, August 13, 2023

Empathy

This is Illinois Governor, J. B. Pritzker, speaking at the Northwestern University commencement. 

I love this. It's brilliant, beautiful, and a good explanation for why Conservatism is NOT the way to a better future for all human beings. Conservatives have failed the test.


Monday, August 07, 2023

He just wants the country roads to take him home

God, these people are soooo tedious.

Below is an exchange between Trump lawyer, John Lauro, and Major Garrett on CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday. Trump's team is going to pursue a change of venue in his criminal trial for trying to overthrow the US government on Jan. 6.

MAJOR GARRETT: Are you still going to pursue a change of venue?
JOHN LAURO: Absolutely. We—we would like a diverse venue, a diverse jury. One that—that reflects the—
MAJOR GARRETT: Do you have any expectation that will be granted?
JOHN LAURO: That reflects the—the—the—the characteristics of the American people. It's up to the judge. I think West Virginia would be an excellent venue to try this case.
MAJOR GARRETT: Speaking of the judge—
JOHN LAURO: They're close to D.C. and a much more diverse--
MAJOR GARRETT: Understood.
First of all, way to push back, Major Garrett. That's some bang up journalism there.

The Trump Team's position on the venue for Trump's trial is that West Virginia is MORE diverse than the District of Columbia.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

As a matter of reality, WV is the second least diverse among the states behind Vermont. 93% of WV citizens are white. Which is, of course, why Trump wants the venue switched to WV. It's a pretty blatant dog whistle.

God, these people are sooo transparent.

Oh, and in case there's any misunderstanding of why the Jan. 6 trial is being held in DC.

The 6th Amendment to the Constitution:
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Seems pretty straightforward. Unless you're a Republican.

Monday, July 31, 2023

Noooooo!

Pee Wee Herman is dead. I am hugely sad over this news.

I know his name was Paul Reubens, but he'll always be Pee Wee.


Bidenomics

One of the most infuriating things that's been happening during the Biden Administration is the constant bleating by economists about an "upcoming recession" that hasn't materialized. In fact, the economy is booming right now which is always a good sign for the President going into an election year. But the media just can't help being pessimistic.

Here's a short video explaining how good things actually are. If you're not familiar with actual economic indicators (i.e. facts), check it out. 




Thursday, July 27, 2023

Barbie

I saw the movie Barbie last weekend and loved it. 

It was funny, poignant, amazingly clever, weird and wacky. For obvious reasons it reminded me of The Lego Movie, which is a great thing, but definitely more aimed at adult audiences. I'm not familiar with the whole Barbie toy universe, but the story and humor still really worked for me. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are just wonderful. 

The fact that it's making conservative morons' heads explode from all the "woke" is just icing on the cake.

(Just as a reminder, if you're using the word "woke" as a pejorative, you are a fargin icehole and a forking shirtstain.)

Oh, and you should Google either Robbie or Gosling and see the results.




Wednesday, July 19, 2023

MTG was right!

This post is extremely likely to be the only time I ever say that this hateful dimwit was right.

(I don't like posting pictures or video of this person, because ew, but go ahead and watch. It's safe just this one time.)



Please note that this video is NOT out of context. It's not quote mined or manipulated. MTG (R-Asshole) said all of these things at last weekend's conservative Turning Point USA conference, because conservatives apparently think things like fighting rural poverty, medicaid and medicare are objectively terrible and bad.

President Biden's team immediately turned her inadvertent correctness into an ad, because he and his team are smart. Unlike Marjorie Taylor Greene.


Wednesday, July 05, 2023

Democrats, Pay Attention!

This is brilliant. Mayor Pete is always good at this.

Democrats take note. There are a LOT of good communicators in the Democratic Party. Take advantage of them to spread the news about what Democratic government does for the American people.

That's how we win. (And also because the Republicans are fucking fascists.)


Monday, July 03, 2023

This contest is over!

Looking for the most bizarre. most homophobic campaign ad of all time from a Presidential candidate?

I'd embed the video here but Twitter is majorly broken. (Attaboy, Elon! Great job!)

Check the video out here.

And be warned, it will be quite the surreal experience because not only are these guys fascists, but they're crazy town banana pants.  (Spoiler: In the ad, Desantis is trying to paint Trump as pro-gay.)


Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Economic Talking Points

Hmm. This doesn't seem to match Republican talking points about Trump's economic "genius".


That's the measure of Gross Domestic Product growth, a key economic indicator, in every quarter since midway through President Obama's second term. 

Facts don't care about your opinion.


Thursday, June 15, 2023

Stiffed

This guy is such a douchebag and so utterly, utterly predictable. (I don't like to post video of this turd, but watch the second Tweet below, "Food for everyone".)

Behold, the savior of America!



The fact that he's rich (not a billionaire, but at least a millionaire) and could easily afford what he promised here just makes this extra sweet and encapsulates his entire contempt for his easily impressed, moron followers.

They deserve him. He deserves to be in jail. Tick tock.

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

The Liberal Media Strikes Again!

This is the NYT front page on the day that a Congressional panel asked for impeachment charges against President Richard Nixon. Straight-forward, factual, no spin.




And here's today's New York Times front page after Trump was arraigned for 37 criminal felony counts.


Jesus H. Christ. "Momentous Scene". "Pleads Not Guilty". "Puts Secrets at Risk." (Minimizing offenses and no mention of obstruction of justice).  A "hero" shot down the airplane stairs with the flag behind him.

Goddamn, journalistic standards have fallen in this country. And the NYT is complicit in normalizing fascism.

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

This is what fascism does

This is the New College in Florida, from all reports, an amazing, unique place.
To begin with, no outlet has even described the unique way New College operates. It’s modeled after the New College of Oxford University in England. There are no grades: all courses are pass/fail. The student is responsible for his or her entire course planning, and there are no required courses. There’s few organized sports, and no fraternities or sororities. This school is only for the most highly motivated students who have the maturity and intellect to chart their own path and create their own approved course structure. New College has always scored at the top of national rankings, such as The Princeton Review and Forbes; and has ranked fifth in U.S. News & World Report’s annual review of public schools for higher learning. It is a very small school, with under 1,000 students, but has produced more Fulbright scholars than either Harvard or Yale.
Consistent with the MAGA desire to destroy all things that frighten and confuse them, Florida Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Desantis has been attacking New College for months. Because one of the things fascists do is take over the schools. In America, this right-wing takeover has been ongoing for decades.
DeSantis appointed six right-wing extremists with no background in education to New College's board on Jan. 6 of this year in an effort to completely transform the school. They wasted no time abolishing offices and programs that support minorities, and recently denied tenure to all eligible professors. 
New College 2023 graduates, whose graduation ceremony was last month, protested the official ceremony and held their own. The official commencement speaker was Dr. Scott Atlas, a right-wing radiologist and anti-vaxxer who served as a COVID-19 adviser to both DeSantis and Trump. Not exactly a good speaker for any student body interested in the truth.

These graduates are the lucky ones, as they're getting out before the school's total transformation into the "Hillsdale College" of the South. (Note, that nickname is NOT a good thing.) Those who remain are likely to abandon the school as fascists convert it into a right-wing parody of education.

There's a lot more to the story of New College and it's a fascinating read.  Check it out at the link below:


Fight American fascism. Vote for Democrats.

Monday, June 12, 2023

Disney+ has gone too far

There's a new ending to Raiders of the Lost Ark.


I gotta say, it makes sense.

Alpha Males

This is brilliant and exactly right.


Here's a link if the embed doesn't work. Musk's Twitter is just awesome.

https://twitter.com/emilysears/status/1665750833097764865


Thursday, June 08, 2023

Best Day Ever!

Donnie Dipshit indicted (again)!
Pat Robertson dead!

You don't get too many days like this anymore. Savor it while it lasts.

Both of these men have left the world far worse off than when they entered it. I will shed no tears for either and I will celebrate when Trump joins Robertson in Hell.

(Okay, I don't believe in Hell. I'm just glad that Robertson isn't around anymore and that Trump will be going to jail until he dies.)

Huzzah!