Well it's been several weeks since my last post but not because I didn't want to post. I suffered 2 intercostal muscle sprains, the first of which was extremely painful. On top of the cold/sinus infection, it took 3 weeks to heal. Fortunately, everything is almost back to normal. I started teaching again after being off for the summer. In addition to my volunteer work with the Family Council (no it is not a Republican entity!) at the care centre where my mother lives, I am now an ex officio board committee member for the care centre, an extension of my Family Council work. So along with my physio, I am almost as busy as TC, heavy on the 'almost'. OMG, there are only 8 days left until the US election! There will be the birth of a new administration and then the country gets to deal with the afterbirth, however ugly it gets. Remember,
DON'T BE COMPLACENT!
GET OUT THE VOTE!!
VOTE BLUE ALL DOWN THE LINE!!!
Short Takes
Think Progress — Today, our baby is the size of a pea.
Today, she’s the size of a grape.
We, like every excited soon-to-be parent, followed our baby’s growth each week with joy and pride. As a mother of advanced maternal age (I was 36 at the time), we chose to have a Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) to test for any abnormalities or genetic issues and were thrilled to learn that we were expecting a baby girl and everything seemed normal. With five nieces at the time, I knew the drill with baby girls and couldn’t wait to dress our little girl in their hand-me-downs. I dreamed of a gaggle of little girls running around my childhood home in Idaho jumping on the trampoline, digging potatoes out of the dirt with Grandpa, and baking in the kitchen with Grandma. …
I am writing my story in solidarity with others who have suffered unspeakable, heart-wrenching loss. I am writing this because I am a woman with a voice, and a vote. I will not be silenced.
I am writing this because I am tired of the narrative of politicians who speak without informing themselves and who legislate based on gross untruths.
I will not be shamed by those who believe they have the moral authority to come between a woman, her body, her choice, and her family.
With all the Republican and pseudo Christian animosity towards women and their reproductive rights, this heart felt experience of one woman and abortion demonstrates just how far off Republicans are with their reproductive laws. Click through for the rest of the article.
Alternet — With 11 days to go before Election Day, the FBI's announcement Friday that the bureau is reopening its investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while Secretary of State may be 2016’s October surprise, inflaming an already scorched race.
But nobody should confuse Clinton’s unfortunate use of a private email system in which a handful of classified messages seeped into the tens of thousands sent and received with Donald Trump’s lifetime of borderline criminality, as evidenced by being sued more than 4,500 times for his business practices, his extensive bilking of small businesses, his deliberate tax evasions, and his on-camera boasts of sexual assaults. …
1. Boasts of sexually assaulting women. As almost everyone in America knows, Trump was caught boasting on videotape about imposing himself sexually on women, including the felony of grabbing their genitals. While he tried to dismiss his remarks as mere locker room bragging, a dozen women came forward to accuse him of improper behavior or sexual assault. Trump predictably accused all of them of lying and working for Clinton, and threatened to sue them all after the election. However, what Trump bragged about, and what the women said he did, is against the law.
Click through for the remaining 9 instances of Trump's illegal, at best, deceptive practices. Trump does not consider his practices criminal, while he would lock up Clinton for less.
Think Progress — FBI Director James Comey alerted Republican members of Congress on Friday that bureau investigators would review some additional emails that might relate to Hillary Clinton’s email server. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), the chairman of the House Oversight Committee who has already vowed to spend the next several years investigating Clinton should she be elected president, quickly rushed to announce the news, falsely claiming that the case had been “reopened.”
Interference with an election coming not only from FBI Director James Comey, but also from Rep Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) who misread Comey's letter and passed on the mistake to others and the media. Chaffetz has been after Clinton for some time and is committed to making her life a 'living hell' if she is elected POTUS.
The Atlantic — It would be unfair to call Donald Trump’s interaction with black voters a love-hate relationship, since there’s little evidence of African American enthusiasm for Trump. But the Republican campaign has pursued a Janus-like strategy on black voters—ostensibly courting them in public while privately seeking to depress turnout. …
… even if Trump doesn’t think he needs black voters, future Republican candidates will. Trump has made clear that he owes no particular allegiance to the Republican Party and has little interest in its fortunes without him, which allows him to be blithe about writing off the demographic. Other analysts, including Republicans, have been warning for years that the GOP cannot survive as a rump party of whites (and, increasingly, white men). But voter relationships have to be built over time; a bloc written off or alienated can take a generation or more to win back.
I remember listening to Trump at one of his rallies when he looked out at the crowd and said "Where's my African American? There he is!" as he pointed to somewhere in the crowd. I was offended by his comments but they are indicative of his personality and his attitude towards African Americans. In the long terrm, Republicans need the African American vote, but in the present, they are doing everything they can to suppress the vote. At the rallies, they woo the African American vote, but behind the scenes it is a different story.
My Universe —
10 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 30/10/2016”
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TP: A mother's pain. I got choked up reading her words. But…I understand, with compassion.
AN: I too, like Gloria, voted for The Lady.
TP: The Repugs have gotten themselves in a fine mess here, imho.
My Universe: Adorable picture, my cat will be inside after dinner, even though I don't get trick and treaters anymore. Happy Halloween everyone!
Yes, you do sound very busy. Glad that you recovered from your muscle sprains, and your cold/sinus infection, which I've had also, and they aren't something to scoff at either. Stay well, my friend, and take care. I'm off to school. Thank you for your post.
So glad you've almost got all of your health back and are ready for the American Presidential election aftermath, Lynn. Well, I'm sure you yourself are happiest with less pain, better sleep and getting back to teaching and counseling. But we've missed you and it's so good to have you back. posting on PP again!
TP: What a brave, heartbreaking story about one of the most difficult decisions any woman should never have to make and the emotional devastation of having to make it anyway, go through the horrid procedure and then have to mourn a life that couldn't be. No woman will make this decision lightly because it isn't an alternative to birth control, but it's even harder when she has to decide to abort the fetus when it's a wanted pregnancy because it isn't viable after birth. No politician will have to go through what she goes through making and living that decision, they've no inkling what it means for a woman, and he (and sometimes she) has no business making that choice for her by taking that choice away from her.
Alternet: It can't be repeated often enough: this isn't just a case of a pot calling the kettle black, this is a criminal trying to avoid scrutiny by trying to make someone else look like a criminal with slander, defamation, lies and deception and turn what are at worst misdemeanors into crimes. But no matter how many times this is pointed out, Drumpf together with the mainstream media which has created him are free to continue their shameless assault on Clinton and downplay or simply deny his own illegal practices.
TP: Shouldn't the FBI, who's job it is to secure national safety, start investigating Comey and Chaffetz for breaking the law and endangering America's democratic process?
TA: Republicans will soon learn that they've made a terrible mistake endorsing a candidate who does not only not endorse the GOP, but drives the few minority voters they have into the arms of his opponent and her party. They've been able to hold their ground by gerrymandering and voter suppression in the down-ballot elections only and had to leave the Presidency to a "minority" man. Now Republicans have alienated the few minority voters they've managed to woo by backing Drumpf who has no qualms with showing America that the GOP's minority courtship is an act, only intended to snap-up the dowry and leave the bride in the lurch after she's made her vows.
My Universe: Happy Halloween to all who celebrate it.
Glad you're mended! (And I think I'll do separate entry replies)
WRT Alternet Listing Legal Issues Trump Faces – Salman Rushdie's Sage Advice:
https://www.facebook.com/rushdie/posts/10209515743068062
WRT TP on Comey's History of Grossly Irresponsible Actions
As I comented over at DK:
It was Comey’s job to investigate whether or not a crime had occurred.
It was never his job to give a public lecture on a presidential nominee’s character, judgement and conduct — nor to speculate as to whether or not her server may have been compromised.
Comey, a Republican, has now repeatedly inserted himself into the middle of a presidential election and has given Trump “authority-colored” talking points to wield as a political cudgel against Hillary.
He should resign — and probably be investigated.
In fact I've even helped the FBI out by drafting the revised & updated statement they should make WRT Comey:
Maybe I should refresh everyone's memory WRT FBI Director Comey's actual statement:
On "The Atlantic" Noting Trump's (tee-hee) Strong (giggle) Bonds (snort) with the AA Community (GUFFAW!!!)
Wow, lots of work. More power to you. Glad to have you posting!
TP – I've been reading many stories a lot like this lately. (This is probably the best written.) Women are coming out of their shells to tell the truth, even if it hurts. I am grateful to all of them.I quoted some of Jocelyn's over at Sojourners before posting here – we'll see how many bombs I get thrown at me.
AlterNet – Well, actually Comey DID NOT say the investigation was being re-opened. Media and other Republicans jumped to that conclusion, but it's not what he said. It probably doesn't hurt to mention that the emails he wants to look at (and I believe has authority now, but didn't on Friday) were not sent by Hillary, were not sent to Hillary, were not on Hillary's computer. They are emails sent between Huma Abedin and Anthony Weiner. As a married woman myself, I would bet my house that Hillary isn't even mentioned.
TP2 – Like I said.
Atlantic – And then there was the black Trump supporter (and apparently he still is) who wanted to give Donald a letter at a rally, a ltter with sound advice on how to be more appealing to black people – who was booted out as a dangerous thug. Way to go.
Universe – Adorable indeed.
I'm very happy that you're feeling better, and hope you stay healthy. Welcome back to the saddle.
Republicans want government just big enough to fit between a woman's legs.
Please don't include Alternet in short takes. Without using their republish app it's a © violation.
Great Minds, different articles. See today's Open Thread.
Rump Dump just wants to be called Massa.
Boo!
Think Progress: This is a powerful article that ought to be required reading for all politicians.
Alternet: He is such a "loser" in every way, no morals, no intellect, nor and human kindness, still don't understand how he gulled so many into voting for him.
Think Progress: Comey should be fired and Chaffetz impeached
The Atlantic: Trump has made it clear that he is a racist, I will never understand why a person of color would vote for him.
Glad you health is improving, take care.
Hey, glad that you sem to be through the worst!
TP: That is one very touching story. It is very sad that people have to fight religious agenda in order to be able to live their lives as they would wish. I expect that a lot more female legislators might have a positive impact on this issue…no guarantee, though.
Alternet: I'm not going to click through, but thanks. Rumpy is the criminal he keeps referring to, in his projection of the garbage that lies within!
TP: Comey did it wrong. Today's NY Times includes an article that suggests that he mightnot have done it for political purposes, but, havin improperly given a negative spin to Hillary's e-mail use, in July, and having told congress that he would be open about new developments, he may have felt he had to be open, so as not to look partisan. Who knows? I would like to seeJanet Lynch come out and say that he was talking without any evidence, had not even seen the new e-mails.
The Atlantic: May he go on shooting himself in the foot for the rest of his sad existence!!
My Universe: I love it!