Jim Crow flies again

Remember this video of Heritage Action bragging about writing the model legislation for voter suppression.



Flynn incites violent revolution

See Reich's FB post below commenting on this article. This is what we're dealing with: A real and violent conspiracy to overthrow the US government incited by the Twitiots. I know, it sounds like the same sort of crazy conspiracy theories that the Twitiots are always ranting about. Unfortunately this story is reporting facts, not fiction.

"This weekend, Michael Flynn, who served as President Donald Trump's national security adviser, told a crowd at a QAnon conference in Dallas, Texas that the US should have a coup like the one in Myanmar, in which the military overthrew its democratically elected government, arrested its leaders, and killed at least 800 Burmese people, including at least 40 children.
"Flynn, now a prominent figure in QAnon, was a main attraction at the event. When an attendee asked: 'I want to know why what happened in Myanmar can't happen here,' Flynn responded: 'No reason. I mean, it should happen here.'
"QAnon communities have praised the Myanmar coup and endorsed the idea that it should happen in the US, according to Media Matters for America. In 2017, Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his communications with Russia. He later accused the Justice Department of entrapment and moved to withdraw his guilty plea. In November, Trump pardoned him.
"Our democracy is under attack, friends. Trump, Republican state legislators, Trump enablers in Congress, and Trump extremists like Flynn, Steve Bannon, and Marjorie Taylor Greene, are openly out to destroy it. Please be vigilant."

Fauci: This is far from over

Keep in mind (if you have one) that we have a way to go and this is not the time to act like it's over. If you see a violation of the NM public health order report it at covid.enforcement@state.nm.us. First the statistics:

"Daily coronavirus cases have dropped 53% since 1 May [...] but the rates are still high in the unvaccinated population and cases are growing globally. Already there have been more global cases in 2021 than in all of 2020."

Fauci said:

"As long as there is some degree of activity throughout the world, there’s always a danger of variants emerging and diminishing somewhat the effectiveness of our vaccines. [...] We cannot abandon public health measures when you still have a degree of viral activity in the broad community in the United States. Although we’re down to less than 30,000 infections per day that’s still a lot of infections per day."

Profiles in courage and cowardice

In a nutshell.



PCCC Petition: Go bold on infrastructure

Send Biden and the Democrats a message that to concede to the Repugs when you don't have to is insane. We can pass the infrastructure Bill through reconciliation without them so why are we negotiating in the first place? Something ain't right with them.

SIGN THE PETITION TO DEMS: Go bold on infrastructure. Take all concessions off the table.

President Biden agreed to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from his infrastructure plan. Senate Republicans responded by saying "we are farther away" than before. Senate Republicans aren't negotiating in good faith. Democrats can pass this bill alone. Sign the petition to President Biden and Democrats in Congress: Go bold and take all concessions off the table -- pass the FULL $4 trillion American Families and Jobs Plan. We will keep the White House and Democratic allies up to speed as support for this petition grows.


They can't rethink their position

Because they don't think in the first place.



The Big Truth

Defeats the Big Lie yet again. This local story confirms the meme. Keep hammering the truth citizens.



Twit's blog is a failure

Just like Twit himself along with his followers: Losers!

Hartmann: It is happening here

And at this point it is a political war of words and legislation. But the white supremacist groups, with incessant Repug rhetorical incitement, are preparing for a physical war of weapons. If we don't win this war of words the violent racists will take their Jan. 6 insurrection to the next step with Repug Party backing. 

Yes, it is that serious. And the complacent Dems who blithely ignore it are contributing to its inevitability if the don't wake the f___ up and join in the war of words and political actions before it's too late. And that means the Senate filibuster must go and we must pass the For the People Act. If we do not then it is indeed too late.

Latest CDC Covid statistics

Can be found at their tracker here. In the US there has been 33,066,772 reported cases with 590,559 deaths. In Bernalillo County NM there are still 240 new cases per week. The level of community transmission is moderate. Only 39% of the population has been fully vaccinated so far. This is far from over, especially if unvaccinated people go without masks and social distancing.

The GQP betrayed America

And not only that, they are traitors to our country.

Covid is still rampant among the unvaccinated

According to this statistical study:

"The adjusted rates in several states show the pandemic is spreading as fast among the unvaccinated as it did during the winter surge. Maine, Colorado, Rhode Island and Washington state all have covid-19 case spikes among the unvaccinated, with adjusted rates about double the adjusted national rate. The adjusted rates of Wyoming, West Virginia, Oregon, Florida, Michigan and Pennsylvania are slightly lower than the highest states. [...] It is characterized by outbreaks traced to social gatherings with unvaccinated people and no masks."

The Senate For the People Act: Saving democracy

The Repugs are lying when they say it is about favoring the Democrats over the Repugs. It's really about saving democracy over fascism. The following summary of the Act makes that crystal clear. It's the real reason why the fascists hate it.

"This bill addresses voter access, election integrity and security, campaign finance, and ethics for the three branches of government.

"Specifically, the bill expands voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls.

"The bill requires states to establish independent redistricting commissions to carry out congressional redistricting.

"Additionally, the bill sets forth provisions related to election security, including sharing intelligence information with state election officials, supporting states in securing their election systems, developing a national strategy to protect U.S. democratic institutions, establishing in the legislative branch the National Commission to Protect United States Democratic Institutions, and other provisions to improve the cybersecurity of election systems.

"Further, the bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices.

"The bill addresses ethics in all three branches of government, including by requiring a code of conduct for Supreme Court Justices, prohibiting Members of the House from serving on the board of a for-profit entity, and establishing additional conflict-of-interest and ethics provisions for federal employees and the White House.

"The bill requires the President, the Vice President, and certain candidates for those offices to disclose 10 years of tax returns."

Maher: The GQP's slow-moving coup

Only its accelerating exponentially. Now the Repugs are changing the people who count the votes to their own lackeys. 

The For the People Act must pass to stop the fascism. And the filibuster must be eliminated to accomplish this. Nothing less will save democracy. 

Coronavirus variant excited to compete

With world's top mutations in Tokyo this summer. From The Onion:

"LONDON—Having prepared for months to make its mark at this year’s Olympics, coronavirus variant B.1.525—a U.K. native best known for its skillful weakening of antibody responses—confirmed Thursday that it was excited to compete in Tokyo against top mutations from across the globe. 'I can’t wait to travel to Japan this July and show the whole world what I’m capable of,' said the highly transmissible permutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, recounting how it had honed its spike proteins and vaccine resistance in anticipation of the international gathering of deadly pathogens. 'I know South Africa, Brazil, and India will be bringing the heat, but I’m planning to have a big breakout moment myself. And if I’m not a household name by the closing ceremonies, well, there’s always the 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally later in the summer.' Olympic bookmakers, observing that the United States is overdue to produce a highly lethal mutation, are reported to have the young California variants B.1.427 and B.1.429 favored in the spread."

Lincoln Project: Jan. 6 was a Repugnacon inside job

And why they must cover it up or face the consequences. Don't let them get away with it. 

Eraserhead - Chicken Dinner

 

We must defend democracy

Or we will lose it. This is a hill upon which we must stand fierce and firm.




5/27/21 CDC update on variants

Per the update:

 "Sera from mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) recipients have demonstrated minimal to large reductions in antibody neutralization activity against a variety of mutations.(62-106). Across studies of VOC, the greatest reductions were observed for B.1.351, followed by P.1; reductions for B.1.1.7 and B.1.427/B.1.429 were minimal. A limited number of studies were available for some VOI that demonstrated greater reductions for P.2, B.1.525, and B.1.617.1 and minimal reductions for B.1.617 and B.1.526.(67, 84, 86-88, 93-95, 100, 101) The E484K mutation alone or in combination with other mutations in the receptor binding domain has been shown to account for the majority of reduction in vaccine-induced neutralizing antibody activity for the B.1.351, P.1, and P.2 variants.(65, 67, 77, 79, 107) B.1.1.7 and B.1.526 variants with E484K mutations, which have been detected in the United Kingdom, United States, and other countries, have shown further reductions in neutralization above B.1.1.7 and B.1.526 alone, respectively.(62, 65, 81, 84, 86, 93) Two studies have shown that six months after receiving the Moderna vaccine, higher proportions of people had undetectable neutralization activity against B.1.351 and P.1 compared with the ancestral strain.(108, 109) In the absence of a biological correlate of protection, it is difficult to predict how reduced neutralizing activity may affect COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. However, across studies, antibody neutralizing activity of sera from vaccinated people was generally higher than that observed for convalescent sera from people who have recovered from COVID-19.(65, 66, 68, 72-77, 79, 83, 104, 107)"

Reich on Repugs blocking Jan. 6 commission

No surprise here. But you see Mr. Reich that the phrase "bipartisan, independent commission" is an oxymoron, for to include the complicit Repugs in the first place is ludicrous. Just get on with a truly independent investigation and get rid of the Senate filibuster to do it. No excuses. Get it done. Democracy is at stake and that ain't no hyperbole.

58m 
Senate Republicans just blocked House-passed legislation to create a bipartisan, independent commission investigating the events of January 6th. Let me repeat that: Senate Republicans just blocked an independent investigation into an attempted overthrow of the U.S. government. In recent days, Mitch McConnell whined that Democrats wanted to “debate the past” and privately warned his caucus that the investigation could hurt their chances in the midterms.
There’s no low too low for today’s Republican Party. We’re not even six months removed from a violent attempted coup, and they’re already trying to rewrite history and force us to move on. The only reason they blocked this crucial commission is to protect their midterm prospects and shield Trump from accountability. It’s yet another despicable display of party over country. They are Trump’s cult, through and through.

Hartmann: Is it too late for democracy?

In his daily rant today he notes that Senate leader Schumer failed to call for a rule change to end the filibuster after the Repugs voted against a Jan. 6 commission. Thom emphasizes that the Repug Party is "doing everything they can to destroy democracy in the USA and replace it with a full-blown fascist oligarchy." He lists several ways their behavior proves it. And to stop them the filibuster has to go.

"Meanwhile, Republicans are pretending to negotiate things to run out the clock, and a small handful of Democrats are playing along. They are playing with a fire that could burn down our nation, and Democrats must get control of the Senate now and nuke the filibuster so they can pass the laws that will protect our democracy, like the For The People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, that have already passed the House. [...] If the Democrats — and Chuck Schumer — fail in this, democracy in this country won’t survive past 2025."

Progressives speak out about Party politics

While Biden and the Party continue to play the game of bi-partisanship the progressives have had enough

Jayapal: "Now is the time to go big and bold. Mitch McConnell said 100% of his focus is on blocking this administration—so it's time to move forward without Republicans."

Markey: "You cannot negotiate a climate bill with climate deniers. A smaller infrastructure package means fewer jobs, less justice, less climate action, and less investment in America's future. This is not the time for half-measures, half-spending, or foot-dragging. Now is the time to go big, to go bold, and to go fast."

Now if only we can get the progressive caucus to flex its veto power, to put their votes where their mouths are.

Sanders drops bid to block Israeli arms sales

Bernie dropped his proposal on a resolution to do it because he just doesn't have the votes. He had been holding up State Dept. nominees apparently as leverage for the resolution but has now dropped that too. 

This goes back to the last post. Just because the Dems in the Senate aren't going to back the resolution, Bernie still has the power of his veto on other must pass Dem legislation. And he just won't use it to force a vote on the resolution. He is caving to the status quo despite his strong rhetoric against it. As much as I champion Bernie for his stances, his surrender time and again is frustrating.


Rising: Progressive populism key to winning elections but...

Polls show that the majority of voters agree that corporations and the rich are rigging the system for themselves and not we the people. And they like the idea of raising the corporate tax rate to pay for social programs. And yet the Dem base is not as engaged as the Repugs. Why?

The Dem Party has learned that they must talk progressive in order to win votes. And yet both the Party and Biden, now that they are elected, are abandoning progressive policies in droves while continuing to cater to corporations and the rich. Hence the base rightfully feels abandoned yet again after all the broken promises. And we're frustrated even with the progressive wing since they won't use their power to force issues. We just don't believe them anymore when they don't walk their talk.


Covid guidelines update on variants

In the most recent CDC guideline for the fully vaccinated it notes that "how much vaccines protect against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants are still under investigation." In the referenced Science Brief it says:

"SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (B.1.1.7 [first detected in the United Kingdom]; B.1.351 [first detected in South Africa]; P.1 [first detected in Japan/Brazil]; B.1.427 and B.1.429 [first detected in US-California]) have emerged with mutations that alter the receptor binding domain of the spike protein (notably the N501Y mutation occurring in B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1 variants, as well as E484K and E417T/N mutations in B.1.351 and P.1).31 These mutations appear to confer greater resistance to neutralization by sera from people vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines, raising concerns that these vaccines may have reduced effectiveness against COVID-19 illness due to strains with these mutations, particularly against the B.1.351 variant. Therefore, vaccine performance against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants is an important consideration when evaluating the need for continued prevention measures in vaccinated people and will require continued monitoring."

The CDC Covid Data Tracker provides further information on the variants. They're here in the US and causing complications even for the fully vaccinated. Given that the vaccine has reduced effectiveness to them we are far from out of the woods and need to still be cautious and safe in our behavior, even if vaccinated.

Ball: Biden abandons the public option

She first lays out the humongous medical bills people are getting from a bout of Covid. Then she examines Biden abandoning his campaign promise to include at the very least a public option for healthcare. She acknowledges that if he did it would be a bitter battle with the health insurance companies. But is that a legitimate excuse to kick we the people to the curb while letting the insurers continue their financial rape? I think not.

Hartmann: When will Charlie Brown Dems learn?

That the Lucy Repugs will just keep moving the football? Thom brings up the infrastructure bill. The Repugs make a counter offer and the Dems say ok, let's consider it in the name of bi-partisanship. And the Dems don't know yet that it's just a stalling tactic? That when the Dems come back with concessions the Repugs will move the football yet again? Don't they understand that the Repugs will never actually agree to anything? And that their ultimate goal is to defeat anything they propose? WTF is wrong with Dems and Biden?

Reich: We deserve answers

Want answers? Want to hold those responsible accountable? Want democracy?


Robert Reich 

52m 
After a violent attack on our Capitol that put their own and their colleagues’ lives in danger, Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans would rather cover for Donald Trump than get real answers for the American people.
Last week, a bipartisan House majority voted to form a 9/11-style commission to investigate the January 6th insurrection. This group would have full subpoena power so it could study the insurrection inside and out — and make sure a horrific attack like this one can’t happen again.
Despite the immense support for this investigation from constituents and legislators alike, McConnell has already made it clear that he'd rather sweep this insurrection under the rug. And if his Senate colleagues let him, he'll be able to abuse the filibuster to kill this push for an independent commission.
That’s outrageous. The American people deserve answers, and the insurrectionists’ deadly effort to overthrow our democracy and silence millions of voters cannot go ignored.
Please join me in demanding that the Senate push past Mitch McConnell’s blockade and vote in favor of this all-important commission.

Kimmel on his feud with Cancun Cruz

Jimmy is winning this one by far. 

Marjorie Traitor Mean flirting?

I can only imagine her compassion face.

 


"Biden concerned ambitious agenda could be stalled

"By him not really caring if it happens or not." Yes, it's an Onion satire. But it is not far off at all considering his budget proposal.

"WASHINGTON—Faced with obstacles to his policy proposals that threatened to derail their passage, President Joe Biden on Tuesday reportedly expressed his concern that his ambitious agenda could be stalled by him not really caring if it happens or not. 'I came into office with a mandate to enact big, bold legislation that would improve the lives of everyday Americans, but we still face the significant obstacle of it not particularly mattering to me whether we ever actually do that,' said Biden, warning that campaign promises like eliminating student loan debt, passing large-scale infrastructure reform, and reducing income inequality don’t have a chance of happening if he can’t get himself on board. 'We can talk all we want about protecting voting rights or improving our healthcare system, but ultimately it doesn’t matter if I don’t have any real stake in making those changes happen. Frankly, it’s possible we will never get these things across the finish line unless I start to give a shit.' Biden also cautioned that even if he did start ramping up public pressure to enact his ambitious agenda, it could still be stalled in Congress by dozens of Democrats who also don’t give a flying fuck whether or not it ever passes."

Impeccable logic

And yes they are if they believe this lie. 



Reich: We must not only remember the Jan. 6 insurrection

We must have an independent investigation to get to the bottom (and top) of it as well and then hold all involved parties accountable. We also need to hold corporate media accountable for ignoring that it ever happened. If we do not we are just inviting fascism to take over our country. Make no mistake, that is exactly what they are planning to do. The Big Truth must defeat the Big Lie. Reich lays of the details. 

The Jan. 6 bi-partisan commission farce

We already know what the Repugs will do to obstruct it if it ever even gets off the ground. But we also have to acknowledge that the Dems, by even inviting them in the first place, are at best weak and ineffective. Why is there no independent investigation in the first place to bypass the obstruction?



Former Biden staffers demand he defend Palestinian rights

"I see your true colors shining through." From this piece:

"On Monday, more than 500 of these 2020 campaign staffers signed a letter demanding that the Biden administration abandon a status-quo approach to Israel and Palestine that “deprives Palestinians of peace, security, and self-determination.” Addressed to the president, the letter explains, 'The very same values that motivated us to work countless hours to elect you demand that we speak out in the aftermath of the recent explosive violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, which is inextricable from the ongoing history of occupation, blockade, and settlement expansion.'"


The Big Truth defeats the Big Lie

Keep up the good work citizens. We shall prevail.



Quite a difference between democracy and fascism


 

Green new deal will destroy fossil fuel industry

Like whale oil before it, it is time to continue to evolve into new energy sources that will create far more new, sustainable and good-paying jobs than the literal dinosaur source before it.



Hartmann: Was Jan. 6 worse than 9/11?

He makes the case that it was because Jan. 6 is about treason within the US destroying our democracy. Repugs are spreading doubt about the vaccine in order to hurt the economy and Dem chances at reelection. They are minimizing the Jan. 6 insurrection that they incited. They are promoting the Big Lie to enact increasingly severe voter suppression. They are trying to get rid of teaching American history about slavery. They packed the Supreme Corp. Thom:

"The oligarchs who own the GOP don’t like or want anything resembling actual democracy in the United States — they know that if the will of the people is done, their taxes will go up and their companies will have to stop poisoning and ripping us off for profit."

"We’re being attacked by traitors within our own nation. And the GOP would prefer that we just, in the words of #3 House Republican Elise Stefanik, 'Move on.' [...] This is so much worse than 9/11; instead of a one-off hit to America, what the GOP is doing now is an attack on the foundation of our republic: the democratic process itself."


NM public health order

Per the current NM health order only fully vaccinated people can go without masks or social distancing. All others must continue to wear masks and social distance. Businesses and non-profits must follow this order. If you have concerns about violations of the order report it to covid.enforcement@state.nm.us. Please share with those concerned about public health and safety, thanks.

PS: Now I know from talking with a few locals that this is a tough issue. Some who identify as liberal are still trying to maintain friendships with those who identify as conservative. But the pandemic and public safety should transcend political sides and even friendships. If your friends are violating a State order endangering the health and possibly even lives of others you have an obligation to report it. You can do so anonymously so that your friends don't even know about it. You are not betraying your friends in doing so: You are protecting their health and possibly even saving their lives as well as so many others.

I've also heard the pseudo-argument that it should be a matter of personal choice about both vaccination and not wearing masks. It's true it's your choice to not get vaccinated. And to not wear a mask in your home or in your friends' homes who so choose. But when it comes to wider public settings it is NOT your choice to not wear a mask or social distance. A public health order trumps personal freedom in such matters. And that is completely legal as well as responsible for PUBLIC health beyond one's individual rights and choice. The latter are not, and have never been, absolute.

Antifa

Fascists need not apply.



Bernie: Tax breaks for corporations and the rich

Increased tax burden on the working class to make up for it. Isn't it time they pay their fair share?


 

Why is the US backing an imperialist country?

Takes one to know one. And provide the weapons to carry it out.



Repugnacon Party cult

This cannot be reasonably denied. It's why the cult has abandoned reason and must rely on fascist-style propaganda.



AOC on our sad state of affairs

It is by design though. The Repug fake news sources, Pox Views leading the way, have engaged in a long-term spin campaign to program people exactly this way. Corporate media is also to blame by filtering out alternatives. It's up to our progressive media sources to provide a voice for us. And for we the people to give our full support, financial and otherwise, to those alternatives so we have a fighting chance.




Biden's budget abandons progressive policies

Some examples: No public healthcare option; no prescription drug cost cuts; no cancelling student loan debt; no increasing the estate tax; no lowering the Medicare eligibility age. 

TYT has a valid point in that Biden is still hooked on the ridiculous notion that he has to water down his own proposals in order to get some Repug support. When the fact is he will never get ANY Repug support so why not instead just make good on your campaign promises and do the right thing? It's truly baffling.

They also make the valid point that the budget is a must-pass case so the progressives once again have the voting block veto power to re-insert those progressive agenda items. But will they? Given their past surrenders TYT doesn't think they have it in them. I'm doubting it too. Just grumbling about it on Twitter or TV is hollow and weak.

DC Swing dance club is opening responsibly

This is what a responsible dance club does, unlike Strictly Swing of NM. I used to dance with this club when I lived in the DC area.

All fully vaccinated dancers are invited to join us Fridays at Hollywood Ballroom. We have new rules to help keep us safe. Prior to attending everyone must create an account, provide contact information, certify your vaccination status, upload a photo of your vaccination record and agree to follow all safety rules and our code of conduct. After your account is verified you may log in to pre-purchase admission in advance of each Friday dance.

  • Fully Vaccinated only (NO exceptions).
  • Pre-purchased admissions only (NO walk ins).
  • Masks must be worn inside the ballroom except when eating or drinking.
  • Use Hand sanitizer frequently, provided by the ballroom.
  • Attendance records provide data for contact tracing.
  • Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) equipment has been installed in the HVAC system.
  • If you live with others who are not vaccinated or have other risk factors consider their safety first!



Reich: No center between democracy and fascism

We must fight for democracy and against fascism. And to do that the filibuster MUST go. No excuses. Get it done.



AOC on Jan. 6

From this Latino USA interview:

Pence "was taken out of the Senate chamber something like 60 seconds before these terrorist insurrectionists got into the Senate chamber. 60 seconds. [...] 60 seconds could have meant, potentially, the difference between what we have right now and a martial state. And we don’t want to acknowledge how close we got, but that is how close we got."


History needs to repeat itself in this case

Unless we've failed to learn its lessons. We need an independent, not bi-partisan, investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection. And then expel the Congressional traitors.



For the People Act ends gerrymandering

And that means for all sides. It just makes the process fair. But I can see why Repugs hate it because they do not want a fair, representative system. They want fascism.



Martin destroys Israel 'human shield' excuse

It's their only excuse and it is not legitimate. And yet US policy accepts it and gives them more weapons to implement their lies and war crimes. Her 5 points of rebuttal follow. See the video for a detailed explanation.

1. Israel provides no evidence.

2. Israel has a history of lying about human shields.

3. Israel considers everyone in Gaza a human shield.

4.  By Israel's definition then Israel is using human shields too.

5. This is all a situation of Israel's design.

Corbett: An integral scam

Joe Corbett's latest and insightful addition to Integral World. I agree that this rush to go post progressive (or post anything) just bypasses what an authentic progressive like Sanders is. I'm reminded of Hanzi Freinacht noting that Nordic social liberalism 1.0, akin to Sanders, is prerequisite and the basis for going post that into social liberalism 2.0.

I'm also reminded of two of Ray Harris' essays on Integral World from 2004: "Left, right or just plain wrong" and "Thoughts toward an integral political economy." He makes much the same criticism and argument. It's interesting that here we are 17 years later and some 'integralists' still haven't learned. 

From Joe's piece:

"The failure to distinguish between woke and progressive, and then again between the corporate Democratic party and the progressive faction within it, is a failure to see what is really going on, and therefore what needs to be done. Saying you have a post-progressive politics does not begin until these kinds of distinctions have been made, and once one does it becomes clear that the goal shouldn't be to become 'post-progressive' but post-corporate neoliberal and post-cultural identity politics."

What really happened on Jan. 6th?

Trevor Noah mocks their ludicrous lies with video of the truth. 

Rogero: We can't let Repugs off the hook for Jan. 6

He's sitting in for Krystal. And he argues strongly that we cannot let the Repugs get away with misdirecting us away from the insurrection by continuing to repeat the Big Lie. We must continue to hammer on the insurrection, that Twit incited it and that the Repugs supported it with the Big Lie. Getting an independent council to investigate, and having the media cover it daily, will be effective in implanting their treason in the mass mind and influencing the mid-term vote. Repugs will continue their game plan with the Big Lie so we must continue our game plan with the Big Truth.

Progressives almost take down Capitol security Bill

This is the power of using a progressive voting block and it almost worked. They need to keep this up with more progressives joining them next time.

Three progressives voted no on the Bill--Bush, Omar and Pressley--while three others merely voted present--AOC, Bowman and Tlaib. In the end it passed by only one vote. It's not so much that they're opposed to Capitol protection as that they are opposed to using the Bill to avoid an independent investigation into the cause of the January insurrection. The no votes explained:

"On January 6th, some Republican Members of Congress and the former President incited an insurrection that they refuse to accept responsibility for and continue to deny to this day. A bill that pours $1.9 billion into increased police surveillance and force without addressing the underlying threats of organized and violent white supremacy, radicalization, and disinformation that led to this attack will not prevent it from happening again. Increasing law enforcement funds does not inherently protect or safeguard the Capitol Hill or surrounding D.C. community. In fact, this bill is being passed before we have any real investigation into the events of January 6th and the failures involved because Republicans have steadfastly obstructed the creation of a January 6th commission. [...]

"While we appreciate the efforts of our colleagues to put forth a supplemental that provides necessary pay to our essential workers, there must be a comprehensive investigation and response to the attack on our Capitol and our democracy, one that addresses the root cause of the insurrection: white supremacy. This bill prioritizes more money for a broken system that has long upheld and protected the white supremacist violence we saw on display that day."

Those darn peaceful tourists

A funny takeoff on the Repugs trying to rewrite the history of the Jan. 6 insurrection. Not funny that it happened; funny that they are denying that it happened.



Rick Wilson on the Jan. 6 insurrection

He's one of the Republican founders of the Lincoln Project. He argues that McCarthy and company refuse an independent commission because it would expose Twit's incitement and their own complicity by promoting the Big Lie. It would also expose their complicity is using that Lie to suppress even more voters in their quest to end democracy. 

He also criticizes the Dems for only responding with more policy proposals, in effect bringing a covered dish to a gun fight (as Maher so aptly put it). Hence Dems wanting to negotiate with the terrorist Repugs over a bi-partisan commission when they should tell them to go f___ themselves and make it an independent investigation.

In effect, this is a war against democracy and the Dems better understand that and respond accordingly. If not they will lose big time in the next election and democracy will be gone for good.

AOC leads fight to block military aid to Israel

Which once again shows the stark differences between the progressive caucus and the establishment Democrats. The article notes that the proposal will never pass, or even get to the floor for a vote. And unfortunately the progressive caucus will not use its voting block veto power on other must-pass legislation in order to force the vote on this issue. AOC said:

"For decades, the U.S. has sold billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel without ever requiring them to respect basic Palestinian rights. In so doing, we have directly contributed to the death, displacement and disenfranchisement of millions. At a time when so many, including President Biden, support a ceasefire, we should not be sending ‘direct attack’ weaponry to Prime Minister Netanyahu to prolong this violence."

Crapitalism in a nutshell

Where corporations and the wealthy get all the money while starving the rest of us. 




Hartmann: This is war

And it's with the Repugnacon Party who want to destroy democracy. We need a real investigation of the Jan. 6 insurrection, not a bipartisan commission with some of the very perpetrators sitting on it. Schumer must back a Special Prosecutor or Independent Counsel, as well as get rid of the filibuster. If he can't or won't then he must be replaced immediately.

"It’s absolutely necessary to reveal the Trump-following Republicans as the traitors and wannabe fascists they’ve become, and to stop their agenda of destroying democracy in this country. [...] This is warAnd the only way to win a war is to fight it."

Want a bigger brain? Then carb load

At least that's how our ancestors did it according to this science article. To paraphrase a credit card commercial: What's in your diet?

"The brains of our ancestors doubled in size between 2 million and 700,000 years ago. Researchers have long credited better stone tools and cooperative hunting: As early humans got better at killing animals and processing meat, they ate a higher quality diet, which gave them more energy more rapidly to fuel the growth of their hungrier brains. 

"Still, researchers have puzzled over how meat did the job. 'For human ancestors to efficiently grow a bigger brain, they needed energy dense foods containing glucose'—a type of sugar—says molecular archaeologist Christina Warinner of Harvard and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History. 'Meat is not a good source of glucose.' The starchy plants gathered by many living hunter-gatherers are an excellent source of glucose, however."


Repugnacons: Starve 'em to death

Their strategy is to take away our unemployment benefits so that we starve in order to force us back to work at starvation wages. The only reasonable conclusion is that by one way or another they want us to starve.



NY AG: Twitler org under criminal investigation

It's about time but it's happening. Hopefully we'll finally get a criminal indictment against this lifetime criminal.

"CNN is reporting that New York Attorney General Letitia James’  office has said it is joining the Manhattan district attorney's office in a criminal investigation of the Trump Organization. James’ announcement increases the legal risk that Donald Trump now faces in New York."

House Repugnacons violate mask rule

We knew this would happen. Speaker Pelosi has yet to remove the House rule requiring masks because she doesn't know who is or is not vaccinated. (Note: Per CNN only 49% of Repugs are confirmed vaccinated.) So in defiance, 10 of those Repugs refused to wear a mask, for which they will be fined. And we're to expect that Repugs everywhere are going to obey the CDC rule to continue wearing masks if they're not vaccinated? Yeah, right.

The devolution of the Repugnacon Party

And even sane Republicans agree.



Study: The pathological narcissism of Twit voters

From this article:

"New research from PLOS One suggests that Trump supporters may share some of the narcissistic traits that were exhibited by the former U.S. president himself during his 2020 re-election campaign. The study revealed that people who scored higher in the antagonistic and indifferent facets of narcissism were more likely to say they were voting for Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

"Study author Matthew M. Yalch suggests that people with inflated self-images combined with a  susceptibility to feeling undervalued might be attracted to Trump’s grandiose personality. In other words, people with narcissistic tendencies themselves might be drawn to Trump’s narcissistic persona, looking to defend their worth by identifying with his entitled and aggressive ways."


Songs, lyrics, poems

Songs, lyrics, poems and other writing/media

Here are about a dozen songs I've recorded at YouTube.* And this link is to my lyrics and poems folder at Google docs, mostly from my ...