Aug 3, 2016

Today's Political Leverage

Lotsa people have been wondering what's up with Paul Ryan.  Why does he blast Trump for saying stoopidly shitty things while still supporting the nominee?  
Ryan said Trump's criticism of Judge Curiel was "the textbook definition of a racist comment".
Ryan kept quiet when Trump went after Khizr Khan, and was rewarded by  Trump coming out in support of Ryan's primary challenger.
Now, Ryan's in a tight spot because he's trying hard to take his Party-Uber-Alles duties seriously, but at this point, he's trying to stand up for Party Unity in a GOP that split badly several years ago, and is in the process of splintering into smaller and smaller factions, heading rapidly for the Logical Extreme of becoming 20 million Parties Of One - which in a bit of sweet irony, is exactly what Ayn Rand's philosophy requires.  Unity means there has to be a bit of sublimation of the individual in order to work in concert with as many others as possible (ie: making a collective effort, which is absolute anathema to The Randian Way).

So it comes down to "damned if ya do and damned if ya don't", and that's how Trump always plays it. Everybody's fucked but him, which is a pretty good way to sum up the GOP Platform over the last 30 years, and also a plain-spoken interpretation of Ayn Rand's outlook, which means Trump is doing nothing but beating Ryan et al at their own game, which (hoping now) points up why you don't build a healthy society on the beliefs of a bitterly aggrieved former bourgeois fantasy hack whose life turned out to be exactly the kind of contradiction she railed against for 50 years.

So how 'bout it, Mr Speaker - will you tough it out and be the rugged individual St Ayn requires you to be? Or are you going to wuss out and ask somebody for a little help; a little teamwork; a little collective action?

You helped build that shit house - stop bitchin' about the stink and do something about it.

Aug 2, 2016

Cracks In The Facade

US Rep Richard Hanna (R-NY22), and characterized as "Liberal Republican", via HuffPo - endorsing Hillary because he just can't stand to think of Trump as POTUS.
“I trust she can lead. All Republicans may not like the direction, but they can live to win or lose another day with a real candidate,” he wrote. “Our response to the public’s anger and the need to rebuild requires complex solutions, experience, knowledge and balance. Not bumper sticker slogans that pander to our disappointment, fear and hate.”
I don't know much about New York's 22nd district, so I can't make a good guess as to the Gerrymandering effect, but in 2012, Mr Hanna ran unopposed and managed to get just 74% of the vote. Maybe 74% is a lot, but it seems like you're not exactly Mr Popularity when 45,500 people show up at the polls and still won't vote for you even though you're the only one in your race.

And BTW, Mr Hanna has chosen not to stand for re-election this time around, so while I think he's doing the right thing voting against his party's obviously bad choice of POTUS nominee, I'm not handing him any medals for political courage either.

The race for NY22 is called a toss-up right now, but shades towards a pickup for the Dems.

Today's Quote

“People who treat other people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread they have cast on the waters comes floating back to them, poisoned.” --James Baldwin

Rhetorical Cues

When somebody starts by saying, "I'm not racist, but...", you know what follows will make you wish they'd die in a tragically embarrassing bathroom accident.

A close second is when (usually) a "conservative" starts a comment with, "The fact of the matter is...". You can then expect a pile of spun-up bullshit and anything-but-facts intended to deflect and obscure.

Here endeth today's lesson.

Today's GIF

Today's Tweet(s)



Aug 1, 2016

Today's Chart

Logic Like A Pretzel

Grampy McDumfuck tried to throw some shade by taking exception to Trump's frat-boy slap at Khizr Khan:
“In recent days, Donald Trump disparaged a fallen soldier’s parents. He has suggested that the likes of their son should not be allowed in the United States — to say nothing of entering its service. I cannot emphasize enough how deeply I disagree with Mr. Trump’s statement. I hope Americans understand that the remarks do not represent the views of our Republican Party, its officers, or candidates.
That last bit, Sen McCain - that's bullshit.  Trump absolutely represents the party. He is the lead messenger for the party. The party officers are lined up behind him, propping him up.

You get one tiny atta-boy for that one time at that one event in 2008 when you took the mic back from that idiot lady who tried to say Obama's a Muslim.  That's it, pal.  If you had anywhere near the balls your daughter's got, you'd be out front on this one, trying to re-assure the country that your GOP buddies aren't really as fucking stoopid as they seem to be right now. He doesn't speak for the GOP?  Your guys nominated this polished turd - Donald Trump is the GOP now.  Your farm - your pig.


Today's Trae Crowder

Blame Da Gubmint


Trump won't show us the tax returns because he's embarrassed - for the last several years, Putin's been claiming him as a dependent.

Bernie

For 140 Years Now

Jul 31, 2016

Mr Khan

This guy is a giant-killer. God love him.


“He is a black soul, and this is totally unfit for the leadership of this country,” Khan said in an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union.” “The love and affection that we have received affirms that our grief ― that our experience in this country has been correct and positive. The world is receiving us like we have never seen. They have seen the blackness of his character, of his soul.”

Hillary's Big Deal

AlterNet:

1. Make economic and social justice issues 'front and center'.
Clinton made that pledge when praising Sanders and his campaign, saying that’s “where they belong… I want you to know I have heard you. Your cause is our cause. Our country needs your ideas, energy, and passion. That is the only way we can turn our progressive platform into real change for America.”

2. Comprehensive immigration reform—not Trump’s border wall. 
“We will not build a wall… When we have millions of hardworking immigrants contributing to our economy, it would be self-defeating and inhumane to try to kick them out. Comprehensive immigration reform will grow our economy and keep families together—and it’s the right thing to do… And we’ll build a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants who are already contributing to our economy.”

3. End targeting and racial profiling of Islamic Americans. 
Replying to Trump’s proposal to stop Muslims from visiting from overseas and increasing police surveillance at home, Clinton said, “We will not ban a religion. We will work with all Americans and our allies to fight and defeat terrorism.”

4. Believe in government public service and be competent. 
“So it’s true. I sweat the details of policy, whether we’re talking about the exact level of lead in the drinking water in Flint, Michigan, the number of mental health facilities in Iowa, or the cost of your prescription drugs. Because it’s not just a detail if it’s your kid, if it’s your family. It’s a big deal. And it should be a big deal to your president, too.”

5. Make it a top task to revive America’s economically stagnant regions. 
“My primary mission as president will be to create more opportunity and more good jobs with rising wages right here in the United States… Especially in places that for too long have been left out and left behind. From our inner cities to our small towns, from Indian country to coal country. From communities ravaged by addiction to regions hollowed out by plant closures.”

6. Reform campaign finance as the key to changing the economy. 
“I believe our economy isn’t working the way it should because our democracy isn’t working the way it should. That’s why we need to appoint Supreme Court justices who will get money out of politics and expand voting rights, not restrict them. And if necessary, we will pass a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.”

7. Hold corporations accountable and have them pay a fair share of taxes. 
“I believe American corporations that have gotten so much from our country should be just as patriotic in return. Many of them are, but too many aren’t. It’s wrong to take tax breaks with one hand and give out pink slips with the other. And I believe Wall Street can never, ever be allowed to wreck Main Street again.”

8. Oppose trade agreements that privilege corporations above everyone else. 
“If you believe that we should say no to unfair trade deals; that we should stand up to China; that we should support our steelworkers and autoworkers and homegrown manufacturers, then join us.”

9. Climate change is real, and the solution is a new energy infrastructure. 
“I believe in science. I believe that climate change is real and that we can save our planet while creating millions of good-paying, clean energy jobs.”

10. Achieve a higher standard of living, starting with higher minimum wage. 
“If you believe that companies should share profits, not pad executive bonuses, join us. If you believe the minimum wage should be a living wage, and no one working full-time should have to raise their children in poverty, join us.”

11. Expand Obamacare and a health care safety net. 
“If you believe that every man, woman, and child in America has the right to affordable health care, join us!"

12. Raise Social Security benefits. 
“We should expand Social Security.”

13. Protect reproductive rights. 
We should “protect a woman’s right to make her own heath care decisions,” Clinton said.

14. Make sure women get equal pay for equal work. 
“If you believe that your working mother, wife, sister, or daughter deserves equal pay, join us. That’s how we’re going to make sure this economy works for everyone, not just those at the top.”

15. Make the biggest infrastructure investment in decades. 
“In my first 100 days, we will work with both parties to pass the biggest investment in new, good-paying jobs since World War II. Jobs in manufacturing, clean energy, technology and innovation, small business, and infrastructure. If we invest in infrastructure now, we’ll not only create jobs today, but lay the foundation for the jobs of the future.”

16. Make public universities tuition-free for most. 
“Bernie Sanders and I will work together to make college tuition-free for the middle class and debt-free for all.”

17. Cut and restructure student debt. 
“We will also liberate millions of people who already have student debt.”

18. Expand job and trade skill programs. 
“Sure, college is crucial, but a four-year degree should not be the only path to a good job. We will help more people learn a skill or practice a trade and make a good living doing it.”

19. Open up lending options for small businesses. 
“We will give small businesses, like my dad’s, a boost, make it easier to get credit. Way too many dreams die in the parking lots of banks. In America, if you can dream it, you should be able to build it.”

20. Tax the rich to pay for these public programs. 
“We’re going to pay for every single one of them. And here’s how. Wall Street, corporations and the super-rich are going to start paying their fair share of taxes. This is not because we resent success, but when more than 90 percent of the gains have gone to the top 1 percent, that’s where the money is.”

21. Track down tax evaders and make them pay. 
“We are going to follow the money. And if companies take tax breaks and then ship jobs overseas, we’ll make them pay us back. And we’ll put that money to work where it belongs: creating jobs here at home.”

22. Get military-style weapons off the street through new gun controls. 
“I’m not here to repeal the Second Amendment. I’m not here to take away your guns. I just don’t want you to be shot by someone who shouldn’t have a gun in the first place. We will work tirelessly with responsible gun owners to pass commonsense reforms and keep guns out of the hands of criminals, terrorists, and all others who would do us harm.”

23. Work to heal divides on race and bigotry. 
“That starts with listening—listening to each other, trying as best we can to walk in each other’s shoes. So let’s put ourselves in the shoes of young black and Latino men and women who face the effects of systemic racism and are made to feel like their lives are disposable. Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of police officers, kissing their kids and spouses goodbye every day and heading off to do a dangerous and necessary job.”

24. Enact criminal justice reform and address abusive policing. 
“We will reform our criminal justice system from end to end, and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”

25. Protect civil rights and liberties, including LGBT rights. 
“We will defend all our rights: civil rights, human rights, and voting rights; women’s rights and workers’ rights; LGBT rights and the rights of people with disabilities. And we will stand up against mean and divisive rhetoric wherever it comes from.”

Today's PolToon

Today's Pix