Saturday, October 9, 2021

Two Americas: Which One Do You Live In?

In Red America people don't get vaccinated against COVID-19. 

They also refuse to wear face masks to stop the spread of the virus indoors. 

In Blue America the majority of the people get vaccinated and wear masks to protect themselves and others.

In Red America people are dying at a higher rate than last year.

In Blue America less people are dying of COVID-19 this year.

In Red America Trump is still the president.

In Blue America Biden is the president.

In Red America some states continue to try to overthrow the results of the 2020 election by holding bogus "forensic audits."

In Blue America people have moved on, accepting the results of one of the safest presidential elections ever held.

In Red America people don't think women have the right to make decisions about their own bodies.

In Blue America women have the right to decide what they want to do with their own body.

In Red America people weaponize their religious beliefs by getting involved in attack politics. Think Christian nationalists.

In Blue America all religions are welcome to practice their beliefs without fear of persecution.

In Red America climate change is a liberal hoax perpetuated by democrats.

In Blue America people are addressing climate change through education and legislation.

In Red America states are enacting laws to suppress voter turnout in advance of the 2022 midterms.

In Blue America people are fighting to protect everyone's right to vote in a fair election.

So...

which America do YOU live in?

Friday, October 8, 2021

There's No Defense For Trying To Destroy Democracy

Watching the evidence mount up weekly that Trump actually attempted a coup should concern every American. 

We almost lost our freedoms under what would have been an authoritarian regime if Trump's desperate scheme to steal the election worked. 

But it didn't.

However, there's still Senate Republicans defending Trump's attempt to overthrow our government with ridiculous reasons why he's innocent of such a dastardly deed.

The latest - and perhaps the stupidest - is Trump's efforts failed so let's just pack that accusation up and go home. Basically the equivalent of saying attempted murder isn't a real crime.

In case you've been out of country or in a cave, Trump is stilling trying to steal the 2020 election by encouraging his enablers in state positions to conduct sham audits, and to suppress voter turnout in the 2022 midterms with Jim Crow laws. 

The long game is the 2024 presidential election, where Trump runs again in the hope he's contaminated the whole electoral system in his favor.

Before getting too worried about Trump running again in 2024, it's important to understand he might not qualify to run again if he's convicted of committing any federal crimes. 

The multiple pending court cases against Trump are serious. The idea that he could end up behind bars is not as far-fetched as it was a year ago. A lot can happen in three years.

There's no excuse for trying to dismantle our democracy. 

Two hundred-and-fifty years ago we got rid of a king. 

The last thing we need now is another mad king.

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Memo To MTG: Invoking Nazis and the Holocaust For Shock Value Is Sick

To: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene

Constantly invoking Nazi atrocities by comparing them to liberals and democrats, just shows how stupid you are.

I suspect you skipped your history classes. I also suspect the only reason you cry Nazi (like the little boy who always cried Wolf) is to get attention.

There are better ways than that to get people to notice you. I should say, to get sane people's attention. I know. You could give a shit. It's the Trumplicans and other assorted right-wing lunatics that you want to keep happy.

If that means lighting fires, then so be it. Screw democracy in the name of Trump. Laws don't apply to you. You're golden in GOP insane asylums across the country. 

You're fever dream claims, like last May's accusation that House members who made you wear a mask on the chamber floor were comparable to Nazis sending Jews to death camps firmly established your brand as an extremist. And clueless.

Yeah...you backed off after that rant and even apologized when Republicans were calling you out for being an asshole. That moment of shame didn't last long.

Here you are again. 

Acting stupid to stir the White Supremacist's up with some more raw meat. It gets them hot. Especially when you're holding a semi-automatic AR-15 in videos. 

But you know that.

So, you pulled the Nazi card again in a recent interview on Real America's Voice (a right wing platform) when you said authorities arresting Jan. 6 rioters were like the Gestapo going after innocent patriots.

I get it. Your shameless and you'll continue to count on crying Nazi until the sheep go home, or you get arrested.

What you should do is obvious...

Resign immediately and check into a rehabilitation facility specializing in Nazi-loving addicts who don't think their sick.

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Why AT&T Sucks: It Gave Conspiracy Theory Lunatics a Platform

The world's largest communications company created an alt-right platform - OAN - that is the main propaganda outlet for Republicans, surpassing Fox News.

If it wasn't for OAN promoting conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and the 2020 presidential election we might not be in the position we are - fighting fiction with facts on a daily basis.

How complicit is AT&T?

Let's put it this way; 90 percent of OAN's revenue come from a contract with AT&T-owned television platforms, according to a report released by Reuters.

Court records reviewed by Reuters also cite an alleged promise to "cast a positive light" on AT&T during news programs at a time when AT&T was seeking federal approval to acquire DirectTV.

The deal was AT&T agreed to carry OAN on DirectTV as long as it promoted them too. It was a shady deal that effectively sanitized the disinformation OAN promoted.

The upshot of this deal made in hell, is we're stuck with one of the biggest conspiracy outlets in the nation thanks to AT&T.

OAN founder and chief executive Robert Herring Sr. has testified that the inspiration to launch OAN in 2013 came from AT&T executives.

OAN's influence rose in late 2015, when it began covering Trump rallies live, when most of the media discounted him as a celebrity longshot.

With Trump asking followers to watch OAN, the alt-right channel took off and grew with millions of new viewers. Even after Trump was run out of office by voters, OAN continues to promote his lies - especially the Big Lie.

Related: Giuliani Admits Trump Campaign Had Complete Editorial Control over OAN Reporter

Monday, October 4, 2021

Bleacher Brawls, Anti-Vaxxers Lying and Dying, and a Pissed Off Public

Yesterday's viral fight in the bleachers at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia during the Chiefs and Eagles game is a reflection of the senseless anger sports fans have nowadays.

Wait! You say. This type of deplorable behavior is not unknown in ball parks. It's been happening for decades, just not as common as it is now.

Since the fans returned amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they have a lot less patience...with anything. The reality is increased violence is becoming common place in sports today.

Watching anti-vaxxers bully school board members, teachers, and parents has become a fulltime occurrence across the country. 

It's a far cry from Jeannie C. Riley's iconic Harper Valley PTA song that pointed out hypocrites in the school system. Now fistfights and raging parents are all the norm.

The public is pissed off. Doctors, nurses, teachers, school superintendents, firefighters, grocery store workers, restaurant workers, and politicians are melting down because the pandemic turned out to last much longer than anticipated.

Patience is no longer a virtue. People want things to return to "normal," but that's not going to happen as long as a segment of our society plays stupid and refuses to get vaccinated.

Because the virus still lingers in every state the prospect is poor for a nationwide recovery from the worst pandemic to ever hit this country.

People are pissed off at people who deny science and use quack cures like horse-de-wormer and bleach to fight the virus. There's a plague of misinformation on social media that doesn't look like it'll ever end.

The crazies are taking over by denying realities like Trump won the 2020 election, and by enacting voter suppression laws. 

The chance that you'll witness some form of violence has been greatly enhanced because of all these angry people, regardless if it's at a restaurant, store, or sports event.

A Few Words of Advise About Anger

As Daniel Webster once said, "Keep cool; anger is not an argument."

A witty Mark Twain wrote, "Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured."

Grace Kelly's take, "Getting angry doesn't solve anything."

Amen.

It's Time to Pay Up Donnie!

It's looks like there will be some prime real estate going on the market soon in New York City. Convicted rapist and former president ...