America, circa 2016

Two More Stories from Political Pollution

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"The company lit up its HQ, the 48-story Duke Energy Center tower, in the colours of the transgender flag for the International Day of Transgender Visibility last week.  The pink, white, and blue lighting was topped off with a giant pink triangle, which could be seen for miles across Charlotte."

m'eye thoughts:  They should leave this lighting up until NC repeals its right to hate law.

Read more at Pink News

--2--

Widdle Ricky got hims widdle feelings hurted.

"It's inevitable that prominent figures in public life, most notably politicians, are occasionally going to be confronted by critics.  There are, however different ways to handle hecklers...

...(But) since when do political operations tied to elected officials go after regular, private citizens?  Is there any precident at all for a sitting governor's PAC launching an attack ad against a constituent?

For that matter, just as an issue of tactical wisdom, it's hard to see the benefit of playing hardball like this.  Yes, when the governor faced coffee-shop heckling last week, it generated some attention.  But it was a one-day story on its way out--right up until Rick Scott's PAC decided to shine a light on the incident all over again."

Read more at MSNBC

Quote for Monday, April 11

I'll admit that I didn't think much of Jimmy Carter while he was in the White House, but I do think that he is the best ex-president this country has seen in a very long time, perhaps forever.

I also believe that he's the Christian Jesus had in mind when He left his words for His followers.

monday quote:

"Homosexuality was well known in the ancient world, well before Christ was born, and Jesus never said a word about homosexuality.  In all his teachings about multiple things, He never said that gay people should be condemned."

Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States, 1924 -        ) 

The Tale of Two Governors from Political Pollution

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 https://www.youtube.com/watchtime_continue=2&v=vqVRdrj7-Mg

Ohio Governor John Kasich (R) is asked if he would have signed North Carolina's transgender bathroom bill.  

He responds, "Probably not," delivered with all the enthusiasm you would expect from your Basset Hound on a Sunday afternoon in July. 

m'eye thoughts:  PROBABLY not?! PROBABLY?  What a ringing censure.  Surely John Kasich deserves a medal  for Bravery in the Face of Bigotry! And maybe a special master-politician ribbon for keeping his options open.                                                                                                                                                                               

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Take that, Southern bigots! 

Read more at news.groopspeak

Three Stories and a Couple of Smiles from Political Pollution

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m'eye thoughts:

A) Over the past 6 years, the Trump Foundation has raised just $75,000 for veterans.

B) During a snit with the media, Trump skipped a debate to hold a fundraiser for vets where he said he raised $6 million.

C) The Wall Street Journal reports that 19 of the 22 veterans organizations on Trump's list of recipients have received a grand total of $2.4 million. 

"As PoliticusUSA first reported in January 2016, the first clue that something wasn't right with the Trump vets fundraiser was that although Trump claimed that 100% of the money raised was going diretly to veterans groups, the money was actually going into Trump's foundation." 

D) SO WHERE'S THE REST OF THE MONEY, DONNYBOY?

Read more at Politicus USA

--2--

Thank you, Mr. Springsteen.

Read more at

BruceSpringsteen-dot-Net

--3--

Thanks to my friend David McCann for this.

--4--

Because sometimes you just need a good laugh.

--5--

Now that they're finally behind bars, suddenly the Bundys are victims.  Yeah, someone held ol' Cliven down and wouldn't let him mail those grazing rights checks for 26 years.  Poor ol' Cliven, and his poor sons who thought they'd got some of that free American land for themselves.  Kinda makes you want to weep for the injustice of it all, doesn't it?

Read more at Raw Story

Mississippi - a REAL Christian Speaks Out

(Mitchell Moore), the Republican owner of Campbell's Bakery in Jackson (Mississippi) told NPR during an interview on Wednesday that Gov. Phil Bryant (R) and GOP lawmakers were actually violating Christian principles with a new law that claims to protect the "sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions" of business owners.

"I'm here to bake cakes and to sell those cakes," Moore explained to NPR host Renee Montagne. "I'm not here to decide arbitrarily who deserves my cake and who doesn't.  That's not what I do.  That's not my job."...

..."I can actually say I think the law of unintended consequences is going to come back to bite the people who signed this bill... If it is my sincerely held religious belief that I shouldn't serve them, then I can do that.  And I can hide behind that language.  But that language is so vague it opens a Pandora's box.  And you can't shut it again."

According to the bakery owner, there (is) no such thing as "a deeply held religious belief that you should not serve people... There is no sincerely held religious belief to think that I am better than other people."...

Moore asserted that lawmakers were wasting time instead of focusing on the real problems facing the people of Mississippi...

..."We rank number one--our state government is the most dependent on federal money.  We are the third most obese state.  We rank at the bottom in employment, in education.  We've got crumbling infrastructure.  None of them are being tackled.  Instead, we are passing, hey-let's-discriminate bills...It boggles the mind."

eye'm thynkin':  But it does keep all those good ol' Southern pseudo-Christians happily gorging on their full plate of red meat!  

Read more at Raw Story

Family Research Council, the Newest Inductee into the Hypocrisy Hall of Fame!

Family Research Council
Pres. Tony Perkins

The anti-LGBT law passed by the North Carolina legislature last month has prompted a few corporations to either leave the state or avoid moving there in the first place.  One of those corporations was PayPal, who scraped a plan to build a headquarters there.  This is costing the state hundreds, perhaps thousands, of jobs.

Anti-LGBT groups have applauded the new law, of course.  Predictably, one of those groups is the Family Research Council...

...(Tony Perkins, head of the FRC) loves the new North Carolina law and the similar one Mississippi just passed.  He isn't worried about the loss of jobs in North Carolina.  He is so not-worried that Mr. Perkins had very strong words for PayPal and their hundreds of jobs.

"Good riddance!  Anyone with half a brain shouldn't want that kind of extremism operating out of North Carolina anyway... If you have a PayPal account, let the company know where you stand on their decision to side with extremists over public safety and privacy."

Well.  He doesn't spell it out but the implication is there. So, hey, let them pull their accounts, right?  Oh, wait.  Not so fast.  Better keep that PayPal account just a little while longer.

eye'm thynkin':  Congratulations to the Family Research Council, the newest inductee into the Hypocrisy Hall of Fame!  

Mr. Perkins may not like PayPal, but he sure does like your money, especially if you send it via "The Safest, Easiest way to pay...PayPal!"

Read more at If You Only News

More Stories from Political Pollution

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m'eye thoughts:  Stop! If you're a Bernie supporter but Hillary gets the nomination, or vice versa, are you really going to NOT vote? Why not just show up and vote for Trump instead? 

By pouting and staying home because your fav isn't on the ballot, you'll be handing the presidency to Trump, whose supporters will be out in force.  And nobody sane wants that.

Your vote counts.  Every vote recorded for a Democrat means the Republican candidate needs two to beat us.

--2--

From my friend, Matthew.  He posted this on his page, I stole it because, really,when are they going to just stop?!

Read more at

The New Civil Rights Movement

  

--3--

Way to go, Governor Scott!  (or: How a Republican Governor says "I care.")

"Let's say you're a Florida doctor, a heart specialist who spends one day a week in a state-run-clinic treating poor children with heart conditions under the state's Children's Medical Services program.  You're doing this because you're, well, a decent human being.

And then you get a letter from the state saying they're going to start billing you for the privilege of treating those kids."

Read more at Daily Kos

Stories from My Political Pollution Page on Facebook

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m'eye thoughts:  How, how, HOW could he and his fellow Republicans not see this coming?

"North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory's life since he passed the new (Anti-Gay) Law HB2, has been less than stellar.  The avalanche of backlash from social media and business leaders came to a head this week when the threat of boycott turned into a reality.  Here is a short list of what went down..."

Read more at Liberal America

--2--

Matt Bevin (R), a man with no experience in government, was sworn in as Governor of Kentucky in January, 2016.  Just a month later, in February, he had already made himself so unpopular that a petition to impeach him was circulating the state.  Now this.

So, how's that governor thing going so far, Matt?

Read more at WDRB

Mississippi Digs Deeper, Finds More and Better Ways to Discriminate

Methodist Chaplain Rev. Chris Donald
speaks at a protest of the anti-LGBT bill last week. 

Many states have considered bills that enable discrimination against the LGBT community, but Mississippi's proposed legislation is perhaps the most explicit in this regard.  HB 1523 spells out in storied detail all the different ways that a person should be able to mistreat people for being LGBT without consequences from the government.

The bill does not pretend to be neutral; it only protects people with anti-LGBT religious beliefs and nobody else...

...(a) Marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman;
(b) Sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage; and
(c) Male (man) or female )woman) refer to an individual's immutable biological sex as objectively determined by anatomy and genetics at time of birth.

eye'm thynkin':  Nine months ago, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that same-sex marriage is a right.  Just this past week, a U.S. District Court Judge struck down Mississippi's ban against same-sex couples adopting. But the Mississippi legislature isn't going to let a little thing like judicial rulings or moral fairness stand in the way of state-sponsored discrimination.  In fact, this new bill goes into such far-reaching specifics of government sanctioned discrimination that other anti-LGBT states are going to be pea-green with envy. 

Of course, in their zeal to make sure all protections for LGBT people are eliminated, Mississippi seems to have gotten a little carried away (or maybe it was purposeful, who knows) and left loopholes large enough that will allow evangelical Christians in their state to discriminate against just about anyone.

Specifics like:  "Any person can choose not to provide treatment, counseling, or surgery related to gender transition or same-sex parenting."

So when a gay teen with suicidal thoughts seeks counseling, some right-wing nutcase can refuse to help.  How proud Mississippi must be to make sure that the opportunity to increase the number of teen suicides will now be provided by state law.

Or this: "Any person can establish 'sex-specific standards or policies concerning employee or student dress or grooming...'"  

Obviously aimed at the trans-gender community, the Mississippi legislature has technically left the door open for an employer who doesn't like women in pants to set "sex-specific standards," and to insist that all female employees wear dresses and heels. A woman who fails to comply can be fired with no legal recourse. 

Conservatives have lost the fight against same-sex marriage, so now they're falling all over themselves to be the loudest voice against transgender people.  No evidence of the existence of a problem in need of a solution is necessary, only a Bible-thumping zeal to castigate anyone who is different.  It's like the Republican voter ID thing.  They can't actually come up with any examples of a transgender person committing violence against a straight person (especially in a restroom), but they're sure it's out there somewhere and they're going to protect their women, their children and their God against it!

Read more, including a list of Mississippi's many, specific "Get Away with Discrimination Free" cards at Think Progress

A Few More Stores I Found Interesting Today

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m'eye thoughts:  Another step...

(Mississippi)  U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Jordan: "It also seems highly unlikely that the same court that held a state cannot ban gay marriage because it would deny benefits--expressly including the right to adopt--would then conclude that married gay couples can be denied that very same benefit."

Read more at HuffPost Politics

--2--

Seems that ban on Muslims isn't so absolute after all.  If you have enough money and you're in business with Mr. Rich White Trash, you'd be welcomed with open arms. 

(No privilege here, really.)

Read more at Liberal America

--3--

King Combover proves once again that he has no idea what he's talking about.

A few weeks ago he said, when it came to Supreme Court nominees, he would let the "Heritage Foundation and others" make up a short list from which he would choose.

This week he told ABC's Good Morning America: "Well, I'd probably appoint people that would look very seriously at (Hillary Clinton's) email disaster because it's a criminal activity, and I would appoint people that would look very seriously at that to start off with."

As this article points out, "It's not how the court works.  Trump seems to believe jurists on the nation's highest court play some kind of prosecutorial role, which is a failure of Civics 101."

Read more at MSNBC

Update: NC Gov. Pat McCrory Admits He Doesn't Know What's in Anti-Gay Bill He Signed

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory (R)

Last week I wrote about North Carolina's HB 2, a new anti-gay law--a bill that was introduced, debated, passed, and signed into law by Governor Pat McCrory (R)--all within 10 hours.

Update: 

In light of the negative response from business and local leaders, NBC News questioned the governor about the new law.  Mr. McCrory blamed the negativity swirling around his latest triumph as "political theater" created by those who oppose his re-election campaign.  "This is political correctness...gone amok,"  and a "calculated smear campaign," stating that the law doesn't discriminate against anyone. 

Some legal experts believe the new law revokes nearly all local anti-discrimination laws like Greensboro's fair housing ordinance as well as a policy governing city contracts in Raleigh. When Gov. McCrory was asked about these apparent problems, he responded, "I've been traveling all day, so you're telling me something I'm not aware of.'

what eye thynk:  Governor McCrory, in the future, may I suggest you actually READ a bill before putting your signature on it?  Responses like yours to NBC could cause one think you pushed this legislation through solely in order to force your I-hate-gays agenda on the people of North Carolina without a thought to the possible repercussions.

A spokesperson for Mr. McCrory later admitted that he's "not sure" how the new law will impact some local ordinances, but offered his opinion that local housing ordinances would not be affected. 

Maybe North Carolina's Republican leadership should have spent longer than 10 hours to introduce, debate, pass, and sign this bill into law.  You know, at least until they could offer more than a "not sure" to inquiries on how the law will work.

Other Stories From My Political Pollution Page

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m'eye thoughts:  Just when you thought you could no longer find anything funny about King Combover, along comes this carnival float from the Rosenmontag Parade in Duesseldorf, Germany on March 13, 2016.

--2--

Someone has to fight for North Carolina's soul.  Let it be us.

Read more at Addicting Info

NC Gov. Signs Transgender Shaming Bill Into Law After All Democratic Senators Walk Out

Charlotte, North Carolina recently passed an ordinance that would have respected and protected the rights of LGBT people.  The state legislature decided they could have none of that.  On Wednesday, the legislature introduced, debated, and--after every Democratic member of the state Senate walked out--31 Republican Senators passed HB 2, a bill that would deny Charlotte or any other municipality in North Carolina the right to self-rule on gay and transgender rights. The bill was sent to Governor Pat McCrory (R)'s desk and he signed it into law later that same day.  From time of introduction, to governor's signature: 10 hours.

In attempting to explain his support for the bill Mr. McCrory said, "The basic expectation of privacy in the most personal of settings, a restroom or locker room, for each gender was violated by government overreach and intrusion by the mayor and city council of Charlotte." 

what eye thynk:  Before I get into arguing the blazing flaws in Mr. McCrory's logic, I have to point out that this bill accomplishes nothing--except to shame those people who are transgendered--and this lack of respect for another human being disgusts me.  No one is safer.  No one is protected.  No one.

Now, as for the keep-our-little-women-safe issue: Maybe, if anyone in charge down there in North Carolina had put some thought into this bill, they might have realized that what they were accomplishing was exactly the opposite of Mr. McCrory's poorly thought out rationale.

I have a casual friend, a man I've known for years, someone with whom I've shared drinks and gossip on numerous occasions.  Just a few weeks ago, I found out that he was born a woman.  It makes no difference to me as far as our relationship goes, but I can't help but imagine if he were a total stranger to me and he walked in while I was standing in front of the restroom mirror at our local watering hole adjusting my Spanx.  Would I scream or die from embarrassment?  And would I be in danger of sexual assault because I could not identify the correct response quickly enough?

Now imagine a man walks in and moves into the cubicle next to you.  Do you assume he is trans and is being forced to use the ladies' room because of an accident of birth--the Republican equivalent of shame as aversion therapy?  Or do you wonder if he is some kind of pervert who gets his kicks from sitting in his hidey hole using a mirror to peek under the wall in order to watch you pee?  And how do you protect your child from this if she is with you?  

Welcome to North Carolina and a situation that every woman who uses a public restroom (with, in the governor's own words, a "basic expectation of privacy,") could face on any given day.

Or imagine you are a trans woman forced to enter the macho world of urinals and testosterone.  How safe will she feel? 

The point is, this new law doesn't make women--or men--safer.  If you live as a man and use the men's room or live as a woman and use the women's room, it's doubtful anyone would give you a second glance.  Life would go on; no judgement would be necessary; no one would be the wiser.  Now--being a woman my focus cannot help but return to what I perceive as personal danger--North Carolina has made it an issue and has given every male pervert in the state the right to walk into any ladies' room and stay as long as he likes to enjoy the show.

At the same time, they are forcing transgendered people to face a humiliating situation for no purpose other than to serve their own perverted concept of what is "normal." 

Later this year, I will be driving through North Carolina on a family errand.  I will be sure to visit a restroom in Virginia and refrain from consuming any beverages until I make it to South Carolina.  I'll feel safer that way.

Today's Stories from my Political Pollution Facebook Page

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m'eye thoughts:  Alabama needs a new slogan.  I suggest "In Spite We Trust."

Read more at

The New Civil Rights Movement

--2--

Chris Wallace: "A final question, just to make it clear--you are saying no consideration of Judge Garland by this Congress even if Hillary Clinton wins the election?"

Mitch McConnell:  "Yeah, I cannot imagine that a Republican majority in the United States Senate would want to confirm in a lame duck session a nominee opposed by the National Rifle Association..."

Well, thanks for clearing up any lingering doubt about how deeply the GOP has sunk into the NRA's pocket.  But, here's a thought Mitch: Why not put the President's nominee up for a vote anyway and let the country see if your NRA-bought-and-paid-for imagination is as good as you think it is?  #DoYourJob

Read more at Occupy Democrats

I like the logic here.

Aside from the fact that "that hates" should be "who hates" ("who" should be used for people; "that" refers to everything else--one of my pet grammar peeves), this is perfection.

The inability to accept someone who isn't exactly the same as yourself...

...is a concept so foreign to the far-right that to them, it's science fiction--which makes a kind of sense when you consider that their promises are fiction and everyone knows how they feel about science.

One More Story from Today and One From Earlier This Week

--1--

m'eye thoughts:  Republicans are missing Scalia this week.

Read more at LGBTQ Nation

--2--

"It has been clear that not only Democrats don't want Trump, but also Republicans and pretty much the entire world."

Read more at Addicting Info

A Few Stories I Posted at Political Pollution Last Night

--1--

m'eye thoughts:  "Imagine if you will that you are one of the dullards who frequents Donald Trump rallies.  Imagine that Donald /trump's rhetoric is actually exciting enough for you to become energized when he hits the stage. Now imagine that because you are of the low-information variety American voter, your favorite part of the show is the racism."

Read more at Addicting Info

--2--

Another Bundy boy, as well as the "base camp commander" at the 2014 Bundy ranch stand-off, and two snipers from the 2014 stand-off have been arrested.  It may have taken awhile, but it looks like the FBI intends to be thorough.

Read more at Daily Kos

--3--

Look!  An actual living, breathing conservative politician who has read the Bible and understood it!

"We do not have a belief--in my way of looking at religion--that says we have to discriminate against anybody.  If you were to apply those standards to the teaching of Jesus, I don't think they fit."

Read more at Raw Story

Oklahoma Republican Wants to Forbid Affirmative Counseling for Gay Teens

Oklahoma State Representative
Sally Kern

(An Oklahoma) state House Bill, proposed by Republican Sally Kern, is part of a slew of anti-gay legislation she wants to pass, which would sanction discredited gay "conversion" therapy and prevent HIV-positive people form getting married...

...LGBT kids raised in homophobic households have higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide, and public school counselors who can connect them with the right LGBT-friendly groups and gay-affirming therapists provide a critical lifeline.

The bill states that no public school "counselor, therapist, social worker, administrator, teacher or other individual" will be allowed to refer anyone under 18 to any person or organization if the referral "pertain(s) to human sexuality."

eye'm thynkin':  Yeah, let's write a law that will guarantee gay teens continue to kill themselves.  This woman needs some counseling of her own.  How does anyone function on a daily basis with this much hate roiling around inside?

Read more at Raw Story