Republican Fuckery XV: The Inability to Define “Woke” and the Possibility of January 6, Part 2

One of the most important parts of a thriving democracy is the ability to have a civil conversation with someone who has a different set of beliefs. But in today’s world, that is not always the case.

Last week, journalist Briahna Joy Gray interviewed author Bethany Mandel. When asked how she defined “woke“, Mandel stuttered, stammered, and was unable to provide an answer that made any sense. It just goes to show that they are all bluster with nothing behind it.

One of the rumors that has been circulating over the past few days is that the former guy will be arrested and indicted tomorrow. In response, he has taken his usual tantrum and has called for January 6, part 2. Obviously, at this moment, we don’t know if he will be indicted tomorrow or anytime in the future (though he should be, given the mountain of evidence). What should bother all of us is that if we made the same threat, we would be in jail. But the fact that he is calling for violence (while still free) tells me that he is just as dangerous and powerful as he was in 2021.

Just another day in America.

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Republican Fuckery Part VII: Losing GOP Candidate Shoots at Democrats, George Santos’s Continual Lies, and the Debt Ceiling

To say that the American government is in a state of chaos these days is an understatement. It is thanks to one party and one party only. While the Democrats are doing the job of the people, the other side is all about power and nothing more.

The latest fuckery is as follows:

In what only be described as the love child of Kari Lake‘s extended tantrum and January 6th, a GOP candidate who lost his election for the state house in New Mexico was accused of shooting at the homes of state and local Democrats. Beyond the obvious issue of gun control, what I find disturbing is that these people think that violence is the answer. What the voters want does not matter to them.

Meanwhile, George Santos continues with his lies. While the questions continue to pile up, he acts as if he did nothing wrong. Adding insult to injury is the right has taken him into the fold. BTW, he was the subject of SNL‘s cold open last night. It was brilliant and Bowen Yang was hilarious. When someone is being parodied on the show, they have become a national figure.

And finally, the debt ceiling became a major headline last week. It is as follows:

The debt limit, which is set by Congress, represents the maximum amount the federal government is allowed to borrow to pay its debts. 

If the amount of government debt reaches that threshold and lawmakers fail to lift the borrowing limit, the U.S. would be unable to pay what it owes and could default. 

It goes without saying that decisions have to be made. The question is, what will be sacrificed? As usual, Kevin McCarthy is putting the country last. He would rather hold onto the gavel than prevent another recession. If I don’t pay my bills, my credit score will go down the toilet and I will eventually be evicted from my apartment. What makes the Republicans think that they can play with our financial future?

Just another day in the United States.

The Storming of the Brazilian Capital Last Weekend is a Very Bad Sign

January 6th, 2021, was not just a hallmark of American history that no one in this lifetime will forget. It was a sign that democracy overall is not as solid as we once thought it was.

One week ago today, the Brazilian capital was assaulted in what essentially is a mirror image of 1/6. Like their American counterparts, the “protestors” believed that former President Jair Bolsonaro was denied another term based on the lie that he lost the election.

The major difference between both events was the speed at which the accused were found and arrested by the authorities. By last Tuesday, over 1000 people had been located. About half of them have been detained in prison. Compare that to the US where it took months for the police and FBI to do the same.

I heard somewhere last week that one of America’s greatest exports used to be democracy and freedom. These days, it has become autocracy, and the idea that if you are not chosen by the people to lead the government, you can cry foul.

What I find particularly disturbing is that several people in you know who’s circle have gleefully and openly admitted to stoking the fire. Among them is former Presidential advisor Steve Bannon.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I continue to hope and pray that political leaders across the world will one day return to respecting the rule of law and the voice of voters. But for now, it seems like we are on the path to despots once more taking the leading roles in the running of the nations.

Thoughts On the Second Anniversary of 1/6

When a historical event is known by its date alone, it represents a moment in time that will never be forgotten.

First, there was 12/7. Then there was 9/11. The newest date on this list is 1/6.

Two years ago today, “protestors” charged into the Capital building, believing the lie that the former President had fraudulently lost the 2020 Presidential election.

Some days it feels like a lifetime ago. On other days, it feels like it was yesterday. Before January 6th, 2021, I was still hoping that there was still a semblance of American democracy. These days, it looks like a cracked mirror that is barely held together by masking tape.

The feeling I have about that day is similar to the one I had after 9/11. There is a sense of innocence lost and a cynical feeling that is unnatural. Despite this country’s flaws (however numerous they may be), I still believe in its ideals.

The question is, are we bold to strive for those ideals, or are we forever lost to partisanship and infighting?

What was the Purpose of the Mike Pence Interview on Meet the Press?

The expectation of the press (and the news in general) is that the information provided is not one-sided. However, given the state of American politics, we have to be one-sided. We have to remember that democracy is a choice and unless we keep fighting for it, it will die.

Last Sunday, former Vice President Mike Pence was interviewed on Meet the Press. From the outside, the purpose of the interview was to talk about his new book (which will be the first and only mention on this blog) and to take a deeper dive into his perspective on the last few years.

While I understand that concept logically, I cannot understand why a supposedly “moderate” program would give this man the spotlight. Despite the threat to his life on January 6th and the obvious thread that our nation is hanging by, he continues to drink the Republican cool-aid.

Two weeks ago, the thread was made just a little stronger by the midterm results. That does not mean that we are out of the woods. Far from it. Until we excise this right-wing, fascist, and archaic ideal from our collective system, we will never be free from it.

The Attack on Paul Pelosi Was Nothing Short of an Assassination Attempt

The nature of any democratic government is disagreement. But at the end of the day, I think we can all agree that political violence of any kind (i.e. January 6th) is wrong.

Last Friday, a man broke into the San Fransisco home of Nancy Pelosi. Instead of finding the Speaker, he found her husband, Paul. As I write this, Mr. Pelosi is in the hospital, recovering from surgery. As many others have pointed out, he is 82. His age brings up questions of how quickly (if at all) he will be able to return to a normal life.

A normal human being would be sympathetic to what Pelosi and her family are going through. But as usual, the Republicans are spreading lies and half-truths. Back in 2017, when House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was shot, the Speaker released the following statement:

This morning, the U.S. Congress suffered a despicable and cowardly attack. My thoughts and prayers are with Whip Steve Scalise and the others wounded, Capitol Police and staff, and their families. We are profoundly grateful for the heroism of the Capitol Police, whose bravery under fire undoubtedly saved countless lives. On days like today, there are no Democrats or Republicans, only Americans united in our hopes and prayers for the wounded.

One of the podcasts I listen to (I forget which at the moment) asked the following question: if the victim had been Kevin McCarthy’s wife instead of Nancy Pelosi’s husband, would the press and the politicians reacted differently?

This is how we should all be responding. We should see past the politics to see that an innocent man was nearly murdered by someone who has been indoctrinated by a false narrative.

If nothing else, this is a reminder that we should all be voting blue next week (if one has not voted already). If we don’t, this may the first of a long list of civilians wounded or murdered simply because of their political beliefs.

Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra Podcast Review

January 6th, 2021 was an extraordinary day in American history. It is one of those moments that I don’t think anyone over a certain age will ever forget. Up until recently, it appeared to be the only event of this nature in recent memory.

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow tells us otherwise. Her new limited podcast, Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra tells the story of a failed coup led by prominent Americans to overthrow the US government in the 1940s. Among them are members of Congress and notorious antisemite Father Charles Coughlin.

Though only two episodes have aired, the parallels between then and now are hard to ignore. I got chills listening to it. There are too many similarities to January 6th. Though the names have obviously changed, the basics remain the same.

For that reason alone, this should be required listening for every American and a reminder of how delicate our democracy is.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

New episodes of Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra are released every Monday.

Liz Cheney’s Loss Was Inevitable. She Maybe The One Person Standing Between the Republicans and the American Democracy

Elections are more than votes for a specific political office and the person who has won the race. They represent the values of the voters and the politicians who are running for that specific position.

Last week, Liz Cheney lost the primary vote for her congressional seat. The margins between Cheney and her opponent were not small.

What I find revealing and scary is that Cheney only lost because she is a vocal opponent of he who shall not be named. Unlike her chickenshit colleagues, she has the backbone to say the quiet part out loud. It does not matter that in the past, she voted consistently with her party. The sole deciding factor was her stance on you know who.

I hate to say it, but Cheney may be one of the few individuals on the right who is able to save our nation and our democracy from her fellow Republicans. Unfortunately, she is one of only a few who stands by her beliefs, and more importantly, will hopefully be able to hold onto their seat.

I won’t go as far as to call her a hero. But in standing up for the country and our ideals, she proves that the American spirit is alive and well. Even when some have twisted that spirit to fit their own perspective.

 “Stand for what is right. Even if it means standing alone.” — Suzy Kassem

The Truth Comes Out (Sort of): Mar-a-Lago Searched and You Know Who Pleads the Fifth

The role of any politician at any level of government is to serve the voting public, not themselves or their career. But for everyone in government who knows who they are indebted to, there are others who believe that they must cater to their donors or their base first.

The major headlines this week around you know who are the following: the FBI searched (and found) boxes of classified documents in Mar-a-Lago that should have gone to the National Archives when he left office. If the rumors are true, some of what was found include nuclear codes that could have fallen into and/or been given to government officials from Saudi Arabia.

Though the complete description of what was taken has not been released, this announcement by itself should be enough to make all Americans ask ourselves if we really want this man as President for another 4 years. The answer should obviously be no. But there are too many who have drunk the Kool-Aid and believe his lies.

On Wednesday, after using multiple bullshit excuses to get out of a scheduled deposition in front of New York Attorney General Tish James, he finally met with the AG and her team. The only answer he gave in the affirmative was his name. For every other question, he responded by pleading the fifth amendment.

What is not surprising about this choice is that it is his usual hypocritical response. In the past, he claimed that only criminals and mobsters used this tactic. But now that it fits his needs, he has decided to use it to his advantage.

He who shall not be named is more than an egotistical used car salesman con artist who has taken this country for a ride. He is dangerous and not unwilling to do anything he can to stay in power and in the headlines.

For the sake our nation and our chldren, I beg and plead with my fellow Americans. D0 not give him the figurative oxygen. Do not allow him to run for office. If we are to move forward, he must become an insignificant fly who can be swatted away for good.

Thoughts On Pink’s New Music Video “Irrelevant”

Art and artists have a unique way of revealing truths about the world.

Earlier this week, Pink released her new video “Irrelevant“. In the video, she claps back at the haters while speaking about the crap that we are dealing with at the moment. Women’s rights, abortion, school shootings, January 6th, etc are all spoken of in the manner that only Pink can.

I could go on, but I will let the music speak for itself.