Glenn Kirschner – Justice Matters public service announcement; Interview series – Using Humor in the Fight for Justice
The Lincoln Project – How Many Lies
MSNBC – We don’t have a choice’: Sen. Markey on expanding Supreme Court to 13 seats
Rocky Mountain Mike – Drag Ron (Parody of “Rag Doll” by The Four Seasons)
Growling Baby Foxes Turn Into Sleepy Puppies On Their Rescuer’s Lap
Beau – Let’s talk about Missouri and a failed power play….
Yesterday, I received an email from Right to the City announcing an online course (8 sessions) in “Fascism 101.” It is being streamed, in English, with translations in Spanish and Ameslan. They don’t mention closed captions, but it is on Zoom, which is pretty good with CC, so they may be available. Ir appears to be free. They do want you to have a Zoom account, but that is also free. The link for registration and some information about the presenters is here. In other news, a special election in Pennsylvania allowed Democrats to remain in control in the state House. News like that is always good. Also, I finally figured out how to make a picture here link to another site. If you clisk on today’s FFT it will take you (in a new tab!) to the video the quote is from.
Cartoon – 19 0519OilFraud.jpg
Short Takes –
Civil Discourse – A Little Optimism in the Middle of a Lot of Mess
Quote – A First Amendment lawsuit got filed in Florida [Wednesday]. It’s not a First Amendment lawsuit over the new Florida law we discussed earlier this week—the one where Governor Ron DeSantis stripped academic freedom out of the classroom in Florida’s public colleges and universities and banished consideration of diversity. But it’s still a First Amendment lawsuit. Likely not the last one a unit of government in Florida will see this year. The lawsuit was brought against the Escambia County School Board by the publisher Penguin Random House, PEN America, five authors, and two parents after the school district removed books about race and LGBTQ people from shelves. The lawsuit alleges that banning books in school libraries violates the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause.
Click through for full article. It includes a couple of other developments. I needed a little optimism today. In fact, I could have used more, but it is what it is.
The 19th – ‘They came for blood’: Protesters and witnesses win settlement 7 years after violent clash with police
Quote – The scene looked like a combat zone. It was July 10, 2016. A wall of police officers dressed in riot gear lined East Boulevard at the corner of France Street in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Blair Imani and at least 100 other protesters stood opposite the officers in the front yard of Lisa Batiste, a resident who had invited the demonstrators onto her property for their safety…. Nadia Salazar Sandi, another protester in Batiste’s yard, had seen her fair share of protests working as a grassroots organizer; however, she did not expect the level of aggression she saw from police that day. “I was a police liaison in my work,” Sandi told The 19th. “I could have talked to cops all day and all night because I was trained to help de-escalate situations. But I remember seeing the look in their eyes. They were not willing to negotiate.”
Click through for story. No, this won’t bring anyone back to life, nor will it magicallly erase all the PTSD. It probably won’t even deter future fascists from similar actions. But it is something.
Food For Thought
Glenn Kirschner – Rudy Giuliani allegedly offers to SELL PARDONS for $2 million a pop & split money with Donald Trump
The Lincoln Project – Last Week in the Republican Party May 16, 2023
Alliance for Justice Action Campaign – Justice Thomas Must Resign!
Robert Reich – In Conversation with TN State Representative Justin Jones
Cat Tries To Cope With Unrequited Love
Beau – Let’s talk about the SCOTUS shadow docket case that could make waves….
Glenn Kirschner – Georgia DA Willis files 22-page smackdown of Trump’s motion to quash/throw out grand jury report
The Lincoln Project – Wrongump
Thom Hartmann – Hate or Fascism: Which Came First? History Of Fascist Hate Revealed
Randy Rainbow – Welcome to DeSantis!
This Baby Goat Is Smaller Than A Cat
Beau – Let’s talk about the SCOTUS shadow docket case that could make waves….
Glenn Kirschner – Republican billionaire & Clarence Thomas’s bestie Harlan Crow says he won’t provide info to Senate
MSNBC – Fred Guttenberg on gun control: ‘stop listening to the liars’
Ring of Fire – DeSantis Hit With Lawsuit Over Bogus ‘Election Fraud’ Arrests
Parody Project – Should Old Offenses Be Forgot?
Rescue Kitten Begs To Go To Sleep So She Can Snuggle Her Dad In The Morning
Beau – Let’s talk about a Tuberville quote and readiness….
Glenn Kirschner – NY Prosecutor who investigated Trump’s crimes SCHOOLS Jim Jordan on subpoenas AND the rule of law
MSNBC – U.S. faces as nationwide teachers shortage
Farron Balanced – Charges Against George Santos Are WAY Worse Than Expected
Armageddon Update – Grab ‘Em By The Money!
Rescue Wolf Kept Crying For His Mate… (hanky alert)
Beau – Let’s talk about the GOP budget, veterans, and the diner….
Glenn Kirschner – Judge sets court date to school defendant Trump on protective order to guard against Trump’s threats
PoliticsGirl – This Mother’s Day
The Lincoln Project – Rick Reacts: CNN Town Hall
Ring of Fire – Eric Trump Threatens To Sue Rachel Maddow For Exposing His Disgusting Connections
Cat Needs A Family Who Will Understand His Obsession With…Cheese
Beau – Let’s talk about trusted news sources and media literacy….
Glenn Kirschner – Trump’s incriminating statements at CNN town hall WILL be used against him at trial
MSNBC – Tuberville on white nationalists in the military: ‘I call them Americans’
Thom Hartmann – Can Impeaching Clarence Thomas Save America From Corruption?
Rocky Mountain Mike – Hello Carlson
Grandpa Is Smitten With His New Puppy
Beau – Let’s talk about everything on the table with SCOTUS….