A Reminder

(versions of this have been floating around for quite a while)

I'm not mad that Hillary lost.
I'm really not concerned that we have differing political preferences.

I don't think less of you because you vote a certain way.

-- I think less of you because you watched an adult mock a disabled person in front of a crowd and you still supported him.
-- I think less of you because you heard him spouting clearly racist language, and you stood with him.
-- I think less of you because you listened to him speak in favor of committing war crimes, and you still wanted him to lead our government.
-- I think less of you because you watched as he reduced a woman's worth to nothing but her appearance, and you got on board with him.
-- I think less of you because your loyalties lie with your political tribe instead of our national family.

It isn't your politics that I find repulsive. It's your willingness to side with a traitorous Daddy State bully - to indulge his bigotry, his misogyny, his cruelty, and his treachery; which leaves me only to surmise that you embrace those characteristics as your own.

So no - we will not be coming together to move forward, or whatever.

Trump disgusts me, but the simple fact that he doesn't disgust you is why these particular bygones will never be bygones. ever.

Today's Quote

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."

--Charles Darwin

Today's Tweet

No one is obliged to accommodate bigotry, or to give ignorance an equal voice.

If college geology depts can refuse 2 hire flat-earthers or idiots who think the world is 6000 yrs old & history depts arent obligated 2 hire Holocaust deniers in name of 'balance,' why can't the school ITSELF say no 2 bigoted/ignorant guest speakers who violate school missions?

— Tim Wise (@timjacobwise) August 6, 2018

 

Andy Borowitz

The New Yorker:

MINNEAPOLIS (The Borowitz Report) -- Many Americans are tired of explaining things to idiots, particularly when the things in question are so painfully obvious, a new poll indicates.

According to the poll, conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Opinion Research Institute, while millions have been vexed for some time by their failure to explain incredibly basic information to dolts, that frustration has now reached a breaking point.

Of the many obvious things that people are sick and tired of trying to get through the skulls of stupid people, the fact that climate change will cause catastrophic habitat destruction and devastating extinctions tops the list, with a majority saying that they will no longer bother trying to explain this to cretins.

Coming in a close second, statistical proof that gun control has reduced gun deaths in countries around the world is something that a significant number of those polled have given up attempting to break down for morons.

Finally, a majority said that trying to make idiots understand why a flag that symbolizes bigotry and hatred has no business flying over a state capitol only makes the person attempting to explain this want to put his or her fist through a wall.

In a result that suggests a dismal future for the practice of explaining things to idiots, an overwhelming number of those polled said that they were considering abandoning such attempts altogether, with a broad majority agreeing with the statement, “This country is exhausting.”

The Assholes In Charge

Wilbur Ross may be the swampiest of the Swamp Thangs.

Dan Alexander, Forbes:

It is difficult to imagine the possibility that a man like Ross, who Forbes estimates is worth some $700 million, might steal a few million from one of his business partners. Unless you have heard enough stories about Ross. Two former WL Ross colleagues remember the commerce secretary taking handfuls of Sweet’N Low packets from a nearby restaurant, so he didn’t have to go out and buy some for himself. One says workers at his house in the Hamptons used to call the office, claiming Ross had not paid them for their work. Another two people said Ross once pledged $1 million to a charity, then never paid. A commerce official called the tales “petty nonsense,” and added that Ross does not put sweetener in his coffee.

There are bigger allegations. Over several months, in speaking with 21 people who know Ross, Forbes uncovered a pattern: Many of those who worked directly with him claim that Ross wrongly siphoned or outright stole a few million here and a few million there, huge amounts for most but not necessarily for the commerce secretary. At least if you consider them individually. But all told, these allegations—which sparked lawsuits, reimbursements and an SEC fine—come to more than $120 million. If even half of the accusations are legitimate, the current United States secretary of commerce could rank among the biggest grifters in American history.

- and -

Those who’ve done business with Ross generally tell a consistent story, of a man obsessed with money and untethered to facts. “He’ll push the edge of truthfulness and use whatever power he has to grab assets,” says New York financier Asher Edelman. One of Ross’ former colleagues is more direct: “He’s a pathological liar.”

Wilbur Ross is on the Cult45 payroll because Wilbur Ross is a kindred spirit - crooked like a mountain road.

One more time - say it with me now: This is not an administration; this is a fucking robbery.

The More Things Change

Ron Cobb, from the 60s and 70s.

See a lot more at RONCOBB.NET

Shenanigans

Seems like an idea whose time has come.

But, as always, we have to understand that civil disobedience and political mischief of this kind are illegal, so be ready. 

You can't very well stand up to the law if you're not equally willing to stand up for the law.

You don't throw rocks and then hide your hands.

This is the difference between living democratic principles and the kind of mob rule currently on display at any given Hillbilly Nuremburg Rally.

Virginia Law:

§ 46.2-832. Damaging or removing traffic control devices or street address signs.Any person who intentionally defaces, damages, knocks down, or without authorization interferes with the effective operation of, or removes any traffic control device or a street address sign posted to assist in address identification in connection with enhanced 9-1-1 service as defined in § 56-484.12 is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

§ 18.2-11. Punishment for conviction of misdemeanor.
(a) For Class 1 misdemeanors, confinement in jail for not more than twelve months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.

Paraphrasing that strange little brown man in the funny clothes:

"They can arrest me. They can beat me. They can kill me. They will then have my dead broken body, but they will never have my obedience."

What We're Talking About

Maybe I'm trying to be a little too much of a Big-Brain, but I've had to push back against "liberals" who've been taking shots at Chris Coons for doing this - not the fact that he's doing it, but the way he does it - "very dry and sterile".

Criticism of someone's style is legit. If you don't like the way the message is presented, it's less likely you'll take the message in and fully absorb it. But if we're just indulging ourselves in Anti-Intellectualism, we risk missing the point entirely, and that's decidedly unhelpful. The other side is quite accomplished when it comes to dumping on the Dems - they don't need our assistance.

And I don't need some kind of School House Rock version, if that's what you're getting at. I'm not a fucking child - I don't require spoon-feeding by way of entertainment.

Civics

Today's lesson is the 1st amendment:

The Cornfield Resistance

Best little podcast anywhere.

"Magical Ruralism"
"Memory is the liberal's super power"

The Professional Left

Do the Merch