Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Still reeling...

Greetings, fellow Dot Calm Readers, Freedom Righters, and Truth Crusaders!

I am still reeling from the massacre in Orlando--I'm sure you are, too.

As more information comes out about Omar Mateen, the only thing that's clear is that there is still a lot more to know.

Apparently, he frequented the local gay bars--from what I read, for some 2-3 years--before going on his killing spree. According to his ex-wife, he was indeed gay.

That leads me to suspect that the man truly was both gay and devoutly religious and that he took out his frustrations against his own nature by slaughtering the innocents in that nightclub.

It was his own sexuality he wanted to slaughter that fateful Latin Night at the Pulse.

My opinion, for what it's worth.

We may never know what exactly drove him...but we do know who drove him--namely, his current wife--and we know that she claims she tried to talk him out of it.

She has got some 'splaining to do.

Why she didn't call the police on the man is beyond me. She has to have known what could--would--happen. The blood of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters is on her hands, whether she likes it or admits it or not.

Of course, if she's devoutly fundamentalist Muslim, too, then she doesn't believe that those 50 people's blood is on her hands or on Omar Mateen's hands--she believes that those 50 people killed themselves just by being who they are. Awwr. Wouldn't that make her a special snowflake?

Almost as repulsive are the Christian church people coming out like cockroaches from under the woodwork to celebrate the killing.

Like I said last time, both Christianity and Islam teach that it's good to kill LGBTQ people. All fundamentalist religions attract violent mentally unstable people. All fundamentalist religions foment violence and mental instability. All religions, fundamentalist or not, teach their followers to do both right and wrong for the wrong reasons.

And you wonder why I say that all religion is evil...

And you wonder why I drink.

And then, speaking of evil and reasons why I drink, there are the reprehensible Republicans, like Marco Rubio, who continue to use LGBTQ Americans as political footballs because of the upcoming election when, as we all know, they couldn't wish them dead fast enough before election season. There are no words strong enough to describe how repulsive are the hypocrisy and crocodile tears of the Christo-fascist cons and fakes who don't think twice about tarring and feathering our LGBTQ brothers and sisters as perverts, deviants, rapists, molesters, pedophiles, and everything else horrible they can think of. They can suck my ass.

And then there is the stubby-fingered vulgarian cheeto with the mangy ferret on his head. He actually had the chutzpah to accuse President O'Bama of being more upset with him than with Omar Mateen. Doncha just lurve how teh Dumbald makes everything about him? I wonder if we can get Carly Simon to rewrite "You're So Vain" to describe what a major LOSER Trump is. I'd pay big bux to hear her sing that in concert.

Lastly, there is Wayne LaPierre, who's still in a coma from the orgasm he had on hearing about all the innocent gun-spilled blood at the Pulse in Orlando. HEY, LaPIERRE, you stoopit phuquen prik
--which part of WELL-REGULATED MILITIA do you NOT understand?!?? Omar Mateen had been on terrorist watch lists, which alone should have disqualified him from being able to buy guns--yet YOU fought for HIM and other potential and actual terrorists to be able to buy weapons of war LEGALLY. Our LGBTQ brothers' and sisters' blood is on YOUR hands!!!!!

If Dot Calm were here, she'd really give that bastard a piece of her mind. That filthy sonofabitch was a real pet peeve of hers. I wonder how many gallons of innocent blood have been shed in this country because of him.

SMH.

Don't forget to read Dot Calm's shadow's favorite independent sources of news and information:

Daily Kos
AlterNet
Democracy Now!
Slate
Vox
BuzzFeed
Conservatives are Destroying our Future
Conservative Clown Car
Mrs. Betty Bowers, America's Best Christian(TM)
God, the Good Lord Above
Americans Against the Republican Party
Americans Against the Tea Party

CADOF, CCC, Betty, and God have some great posts today--give 'em a read.

...And, whatever you do, please keep supporting Bernie's "revolution"--back to the center. Send him a buck o' five if you can. At the very least, I'm gonna send $15 to Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Democratic primary opponent, Tim Canova, on Bernie's behalf (yup--ain't done it yet but still definitely planning to). That woman needs to GO!

Thanks for reading, and thanks for being good to yourself and your loved ones. Hug or call an LGBTQ friend today, please--I sure will (I'm still making the rounds).

With condolences for the victims in Orlando and their families and in solidarity with my LGBTQ brothers, sisters, and everything in between around the world, I remain

- Dot Calm's shadow

P.S.--Blogger is up to its usual random formatting tricks. Consider the Dot Calm's blog Blogger disclaimer to be in effect.

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MAKE AMERICA GAY AGAIN
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Mailbag

From Daily Kos--stop dangerous people from getting guns so easily

The mass shooting in Orlando that left 49 people dead and over 50 injured at a gay nightclub was an act of hate against the LGBTQ community. It was an attack carried out with a gun on our country and our way of life.

Hatred comes in many different forms. But there's no reason why dangerous people filled with hate should have a gun.

As a survivor of the Virginia Tech shooting -- which, until the deadly shooting in Orlando, was the largest mass shooting in U.S. history -- I cannot believe that despite Americans getting shot and killed going about their daily lives, Congress continues to do NOTHING.

Right now, someone convicted of a violent hate crime can still legally buy a gun. Right now, someone prohibited from buying a gun can still purchase one online or at a gun show, no background check required. Right now, suspected terrorists can still legally buy a gun. In fact, reports show the Orlando shooter was twice put on the terror watch list by the FBI. [1]

Congress is considering legislation that could close these dangerous loopholes that arm hateful people, and we need to call on them to finally act. Sign our petition calling on Congress to #DisarmHate and prevent dangerous people from buying guns.

So many everyday Americans committed small acts of bravery as the tragedy unfolded. First responders ran into harm's way trying to save others. Florida citizens rushed to donate blood to the shootings victims. The LGBTQ community responded to this attack with grace, resilience, and love.

Today, we are calling on Congress to show even a fraction of the leadership that so many everyday Americans showed this week.

The American people are sick and tired of inaction from Congress. Our elected officials have repeatedly blocked any common-sense gun safety laws -- and we refuse to accept their inaction any longer.

Now is the time to demand Congress take action to prevent gun violence in America, by:

  • Making it illegal for people convicted of violent hate crimes to buy or possess guns
  • Making it illegal for suspected terrorists to legally buy guns
  • Requiring background checks for every gun sale, no matter where you buy a gun or who you buy it from

Our fight to end gun violence renews with fresh urgency today. Americans won't accept this violence as the new normal. We won't accept feeling afraid to go to the movies or drop our kids off at school. We won't accept women and children being shot to death by abusers and not making headlines. We won't accept our fellow Americans being shot to death because of how they look or who they love.

So step up. Speak out. Sign our petition calling on Congress to stand up and disarm hate to prevent the next tragedy at the hands of an angry man with a gun.

For the 91 Americans shot and killed every day. For the LGBTQ community. For Orlando.

Colin Goddard
Everytown for Gun Safety


[1] "Omar Mateen, Terrorist Who Attacked Orlando Gay Club, Had Been Investigated by FBI," Michael Daly, Justin Miller, Katie Zavadski, and Shane Harris. The Daily Beast, June 12, 2016.

Paid for by Everytown for Gun Safety

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CREDO action
Gun control now: Congress must ban assault weapons
Tell Republicans in Congress:
“It’s time to put your constituents before the NRA. Bring a real gun control legislation package, which includes a ban on assault weapons, to the floor of the House and the Senate.”
Add your name:
Sign the petition ►

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From ColorOfChange.org--we won Net Neutrality!

Breaking news! Just moments ago federal courts fully upheld the FCC’s net neutrality rules!1 This ruling affirms that the FCC can and must stop Comcast, AT&T and Verizon from discriminating against, interfering with, or blocking content online. The FCC can now continue to protect everyone’s right to a free and open Internet.
Last year, big telecom companies like Verizon, Comcast and AT&T sued the FCC to strike down these crucial rules, claiming they had a First Amendment right to shut down our speech. But because thousands of ColorOfChange members like you signed on to the “People’s Brief” submitted to the court, we were able to show the court that an open Internet is crucial to our community’s fights for freedom, equality, and visibility.

Winning this Net Neutrality case is a major victory for Black communities and all people shut out of traditional media. Now it's time to take the fight for a universal, affordable and open internet to the next level.
Sign the petition urging all presidential candidates to adopt the “2016 Internet Policy Platform.”

The "2016 Internet Policy Platform" offers a roadmap for any candidate truly committed to a future where everyone can share in the benefits of an open network free of gatekeepers, surveillance and discrimination.
The platform makes protecting online free speech a priority, and opposes efforts that would undermine First Amendment rights in the name of national security, as well as efforts that would compromise the “right to record” by making it illegal for people to “photograph or record official and police activity when it takes place in public.”

The platform prioritizes affordable internet access at a time when the digital divide remains a persistent and troubling source of inequality. The platform calls for the expansion of federal programs like Lifeline designed to ensure that low-income communities and communities of color have affordable internet access. Those on the wrong side of the digital divide understand that being offline puts them at a huge disadvantage in our digital society. These candidates must commit to closing the digital divide, and preserving an open internet so that Black organizers and activists can continue to organize online and can voice our stories, which often go untold on traditional media.
Sign the petition: Take the fight for a universal, affordable and open internet to the presidential candidates.

Until Justice is Real,
Brandi, Rashad, Arisha, Evan, Bernard and the rest of the ColorOfChange team

References:
1. “Federal court upholds FCC's net neutrality rules,” USA Today, 06-14-2016
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/6397?t=6&akid=5908.765771.hPUgYq
2. “2016 Internet Policy Platform,”
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/6399?t=8&akid=5908.765771.hPUgYq


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CREDO action
Deadline June 20: Hold coal companies accountable for toxic mine cleanup
Submit a comment to the Office of Surface Mining:
For too long, coal companies have been let off the hook for toxic mine cleanup. We have until June 20 to support a plan that would stop coal companies from sticking us with the bill for their toxic mine cleanup.
Take action now ►

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From Change.org--make Stanford release its list of rapists because women on campus deserve to know so they can protect themselves

Petitioning President John Hennessey, lapin@stanford.edu , titleix@stanford.edu , etch@stanford.edu

Stanford: Release The Names of Rapists

Petition by Stanford Survivor Solidarity Network
1,330
Supporters
Brock Turner is a rapist. We know he’s a rapist; he was caught in the act and convicted in a court of law. But were it not for two random passersby, Turner would still be a Stanford student and still be preying upon other students. The majority of serial rapists found responsible by Stanford remain on campus, neither punished nor publicly known. But #StanfordKnows who they are.
One student is sexually assaulted every two weeks at Stanford. I’m afraid for my safety, knowing how many of my friends have suffered from sexual violence and coercion at the hands of my classmates.
Stanford has a list of names of students who are responsible for sexual assault and misconduct under Title IX. Cases in which a perpetrator is found responsible usually require multiple victims coming forward about the same offender. Despite the high barrier of proof used in these investigations, despite the university’s certain knowledge that these people are threats, Stanford keeps this knowledge a secret.
Sign our petition and demand that Stanford release the names of sexual offenders that it has found responsible of sexual assault.
The truth is, we don’t know who is dangerous, whose innocent-seeming invitation to hang out may turn into a nonconsensual nightmare. But Stanford knows. At the moment, this information can only be circulated in whispers among survivors. And, though legally allowed by FERPA to release the names of people found responsible for sexual assault and misconduct by Title IX, Stanford knowingly hides this information.
We believe that Stanford chooses not to release these statistics because they would confirm what survivors on campus already know: numerous serial assaulters continue to live anonymously in dorms with the university’s knowledge of their pattern of assault.
Stanford publicly claims that expulsion is the default for people found guilty of sexual assault by Title IX. But the school has an alarmingly narrow definition of sexual assault, grouping all other consent violations, even those the state of California recognizes as rape, in the nebulous category of “sexual misconduct.” What happens in the cases of sexual assault and sexual misconduct that do not result in expulsion?
For the protection of its students, Stanford must act to make the identity of individuals found responsible of sexual assault and sexual misconduct known within the student body. This is an issue of campus safety: it leaves the entire community vulnerable to attacks from individuals who have been found responsible by Stanford.  
We walk this campus afraid for our own safety and the safety of our friends. We do not know who to trust. How can we regard this campus as our home when we unknowingly live, study, and socialize with predators found responsible by Stanford itself?  
Demand that Stanford keep us safe. Sign this petition and use #StanfordKnows to show your support.  


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CREDO Action
For years, dangerous haze pollution from dirty fossil fuel power plants has been clouding up the once-pristine scenery and making the air harder to breathe at America’s national parks.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just proposed a new rule requiring states to adopt plans to limit haze-causing pollution that affect dozens of national parks across the country. This proposed plan will clear up scenic vistas at many parks, and help to reduce harmful pollution that leads to chronic disease and fuels climate change.
But the proposed rule will allow states to wait nearly a decade to cut the air pollution that is polluting our national parks. The EPA is accepting comments from the public for the next few weeks, so now’s the time to urge the EPA to strengthen this rule and act quickly to protect our national parks from dangerous air pollution.
Tell the EPA: Protect America’s national parks from the fossil fuel industry’s dirty air pollution. Click here to send a message to the EPA.


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Donald Trump attacked American troops who served in Iraq, suggesting that U.S. service members engaged in widespread theft of reconstruction funds.
 
He smeared millions of troops who served honorably over the misdeeds of a few -- which is exactly what he does to Muslims, Mexicans, and countless other groups. 
 
 

What’s worse is that this isn't the first time Trump has disrespected American troops and Veterans. From insulting POWs to lying about donating to Veterans groups to claiming that his expensive prep school education gave him "more training militarily than a lot of the guys that go into the military," Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he is unfit to lead our military. 
 
Let's commit ourselves to making sure Donald Trump never becomes our Commander in Chief. Sign on now to hold Trump accountable for his shameful words:
 
 
Thank you,
 
Tammy

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From Daily Kos--make Trump release his tax returns

Sign the petition by Daily Kos and a coalition of allies demanding that Donald Trump release his tax returns. We will deliver the signatures to Trump Tower in New York City.

For the past 40 years, it has been tradition that presidential nominees release multiple years of their tax returns. They do this in part to ensure the public that there are no conflicts of interest.

Donald Trump is refusing to, hiding behind his typical phony excuses.

We demand that – like his predecessors – Donald Trump release multiple years of his tax returns. The public needs to know the truth about his business dealings, claims of extreme wealth, how he truly makes his money, what tax loopholes he is using to dodge taxes, the tax rate he actually pays -- and how his tax plan would benefit him personally.

We will deliver this petition to Trump Headquarters in New York.

Sign the petition: Don't be a coward, Donald Trump. Show us your tax returns!

Keep fighting,
Paul Hogarth, Daily Kos

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From Ruben Kihuen--stop Cresent Hardy, who thinks the disabled are "a drain on society" and who supported Cliven Bundy

Cresent Hardy is a bully and he doesn't deserve a second term in Congress.

Hardy called those with disabilities "a drain on society" and he called outlaw rancher Cliven Bundy a "good friend." What are you willing to give to defeat Hardy?


President Clinton, Sen. Harry Reid, and over 10 local labor unions agree that Ruben Kihuen is the best candidate to defeat Hardy.


- Defeat Cresent Hardy



Paid for by Ruben Kihuen for Congress


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From Daily Kos--stop the toxic TPP from destroying the environment we ALL need to live

Join Daily Kos and Friends of the Earth to urge your Congressperson to vote no on the toxic Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

After years of negotiations conducted under extraordinary secrecy, the TPP's final text would not only fail to protect our environment, but would actually threaten our air, water, and climate.
Past trade deals have enabled big polluters to use private tribunals to bypass safeguards for our air, water, and climate. The TPP would extend similar rights to thousands of new foreign firms. TransCanada is currently threatening to sue the United States government for over $15 billion because of the rejection of the dangerous Keystone XL Pipeline using rules much like those in the TPP deal.

The pact would require the U.S. Department of Energy to automatically approve all exports of natural gas to countries in the pact, thereby removing the ability of our government to make decisions about our energy future while expanding dangerous fracking and climate disrupting emissions.

Stand with Daily Kos and Friends of the Earth and demand that your Congressperson vote no on the toxic Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

The TPP pays some lip service to the environment with a chapter that appears to address some concerns, but the actual obligations are very weak, and unlikely to be enforced. We cannot rely on the TPP to protect the environment.

Take action to defeat TPP.

Keep fighting,
Irna Landrum, Daily Kos


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If Leviticus says to kill all the gays,
then why does my Tea Party Christian friend,
who claims to believe the Bible literally,
think the Orlando massacre was wrong?
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Democracy Now!

Stories

In an unprecedented move, a group of congressmembers are calling on the United States to suspend all military aid to Honduras until the country addresses its gross human ... Read More →

Today is a global day of action calling for "Justice for Berta"—to remember the slain Honduran activist Berta Cáceres. In at least nine cities across the United States and ... Read More →

We turn to Puerto Rico. The Senate is set to consider a bill to create a federally appointed control board with sweeping powers to run Puerto Rico's economy to help the island ... Read More →

On Tuesday night, hundreds of people gathered at a church in Orlando, Florida, to mourn the 49 victims of Sunday's attack on an LGBT nightclub, the deadliest mass shooting ... Read More →

Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro García Padilla has declared Friday an official day of mourning after learning that 23 of the 49 victims in the Orlando massacre were Puerto Rican. ... Read More →

Headlines →


Stories

On Monday night, thousands gathered in downtown Orlando for a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of the massacre at the Pulse nightclub. A nearby church bell ... Read More →

In a new article for Rolling Stone, journalist Soraya Chemaly writes, "The Washington Post reported Monday that 'although family members said [Omar] Mateen had ... Read More →

The FBI investigation into the Orlando shooting massacre that left 49 people dead at a gay club has taken an unexpected twist after evidence emerged the gunman was ... Read More →

Headlines →


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PRIDE
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Daily Kos

  • Sacramento Baptist preacher praises Orlando shooter, says all LGBT should be mass murdered
  • The West Wing gives the ultimate lesson on the 'well-regulated' part of the Second Amendment
  • President Obama declares that Trump 'betrays the very values that America stands for'

  • Trump nailed 229 years ago by Alexander Hamilton
  • The most thorough, profound and moving defense of Hillary Clinton I have ever seen
  • Ken Burns takes down Donald Trump in Stanford commencement address
  • Sign if you agree with CREDO: Pass real gun control now sponsored
  • Donald Trump proves Clinton's point about his temperament
  • John Oliver's cold open is beautiful
  • Anderson Cooper struggles while giving a stunning tribute to victims of the Orlando shooting
  • Missouri Republican candidate uses pictures of Orlando massacre to promote campaign
  • Dash cam video shows why this cop got four years in a federal prison

  • Trump was dancing on the blood of their bodies before it dried

  • Sign if you agree with Everytown: McConnell and Ryan should support efforts to repeal PLCAA—the law passed in 2005 that gives gun and ammunition manufactuers blanket immunity. sponsored
  • New batch of Senate polls shows positive movement for Democratic candidates
  • 'You've got to be carefully taught'
  • Trump campaign revokes press credentials for the Washington Post
  • Feel good video of the day: Boy caught stealing hugs from a dog
  • Donald Trump says Clinton will allow Muslims to 'enslave women and murder gays'
  • Hillary calls for immediate reinstatement of assault weapons ban: They're a 'weapon of war'

  • Georgia senator prays for Obama's death—in public

  • Elizabeth Warren bought Pocahontas.com and epically pwns Trump ... Again!
  • Anderson Cooper called out Florida's attorney general on live television and refused to let up
  • Former GOP senator endorses Hillary, Orlando inspires him against 'dark forces'

  • Donald Trump erased all emails from 1996-2001

  • Sign if you agree with Everytown: Congress should not backtrack on President Obama’s common sense gun measure which will help save lives. sponsored
  • Dixie Chicks flip off another Republican while out on the road, still 'Not Ready To Make Nice'
  • After Orlando,'pro-life' lawmaker changes mind on assault rifle giveaway, now plans to give two away
  • President Obama lays a whupping on Trump the likes of which have not been seen before
  • Tom Cotton assists Donald Trump in alienating Latinos from the GOP for ... a long f'n time
  • American Medical Association reverses course, takes institutional stand against gun violence
  • Republican “thoughts and prayers” are not enough. Join CREDO in demanding real gun control, including a ban on assault weapons. sponsored
  • Future weapons are here
  • President Obama's sadly prophetic words about guns in the hands of terrorists
  • There's no such thing as a safe space: Grieving after Orlando
  • 'Pray? We pray after every mass shooting and yet they keep happening' Samantha Bee—full force
           

    • ********************************************
    If you're going to give religion a pass
    because some of its followers
    do the right thing for the wrong reason,
    then you can't complain
    when they do the wrong thing
    for the wrong reason.
    -- Dot Calm's shadow
    ********************************************

    AlterNet
    By Elizabeth Preza, AlterNet
    Both Clinton and Trump score high unfavorable ratings—but Trump is in freefall. READ MORE»
    By Robin Scher, AlterNet
    Now, two Fox News hosts have spoken out on this issue.  READ MORE»
    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    Trump is like if, "Joseph McCarthy was exposed to gamma radiation and became a racist orange Hulk with tiny hands." READ MORE»
    By Elizabeth Preza, AlterNet
    The judge who sentenced Brock Turner to six months in jail has faced mounting criticism and now this. READ MORE»
    By Sarah Lazare, AlterNet
    Trans and queer Latinx leaders are speaking out. READ MORE»
    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    Lopez has some news about the issue that has defined the Trump campaign.  READ MORE»
    By Matt Bors, AlterNet
    Thoughts and prayers while they're counting cash. READ MORE»
    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    "We all are the victims of terrorism," said Seddique Mateen. READ MORE»
    By Scott Eric Kaufman, Salon
    Even Bill O'Reilly had to admit that "that kid with the orange hair, he could teach history!"  READ MORE»
    By Earthworks, EcoWatch
    For the first time, Americans across the country can access striking new community-level data on major health risks posed by oil and gas operations across the country. READ MORE»
    By Bethania Palma Markus, Raw Story
    A mundane activity sparks a sexist confrontation. READ MORE»
    By Max Blumenthal, Sarah Lazare, AlterNet
    By carefully managing the release of information, law enforcement appears to be shaping a politically convenient storyline. READ MORE»
    By Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet
    Sanders gains slightly, but not enough to tilt outcome. READ MORE»
    By Sophia Tesfaye, Salon
    "We need real electoral reform," Sanders said, calling for an end to superdelegates and closed primaries READ MORE»
    By Jeff Bryant, AlterNet
    The rush to expand charters is hardly justified by the performance of the ones already in operation. READ MORE»
    By George Souvlis, Open Democracy
    Cornel West talks Bernie Sanders’ neopopulism and Donald Trump’s neofascism. READ MORE»
    By Phillip Smith, AlterNet
    Some U.S. senators are beginning to come around on marijuana, but there's still a sizable contingent of old-school weed warriors. Here are the worst.  READ MORE»
    By Amanda Marcotte, Salon
    A vicious cycle—now aided by Trump's demagoguery—continues to improve the gun industry's bottom line. READ MORE»
    By Ijeoma Oluo, The Establishment
    "My brother has the smile of poverty, too—neither of us grin too widely.” READ MORE»
    By Jeff Faux, The Nation
    It’s a repressive theocracy, but Iran is no threat to the United States and is a staunch opponent of jihadi groups like ISIL and al-Qaeda. READ MORE»
    By Lauren Holter, The Frisky
    Often done by traditional circumcisers—not doctors—the procedure can be extremely dangerous. READ MORE»
    By David Edwards, Raw Story
    'Do we need AR-15s to hunt and kill deer?' READ MORE»
    By Kali Holloway, AlterNet
    Sources claim the mass killing was related to the killer's struggle with his own sexual identity.  READ MORE»
    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    “He wants to be president. So, he’s going to use it," O'Reilly said of Trump's grandstanding.  READ MORE»
    By Sean Illing, Salon
    Trump's bluster will only appeal to his hard-core backers; Hillary can address the issue properly—with reason. READ MORE»
    By Elizabeth Preza, AlterNet
    Some House Democrats are really unimpressed by Congress' inaction. READ MORE»
    By Kali Holloway, AlterNet
    Bee gets it right, yet again.  READ MORE»
    By Joanna Brooks, Religion Dispatches
    Judith Freeman speaks frankly to satisfy the public's curiosity about what it's like to grow up Mormon. READ MORE»
    By Annie Waldman, ProPublica
    The accreditor’s failings have persisted even after the fall of Corinthian. READ MORE»
    By Nick Turse, TomDispatch
    "The struggle" is real—for some. READ MORE»
    By Keith Knight, AlterNet
    Such a tragic time for our country. READ MORE»
    By Dorothy Woodend, The Tyee
    Maria Bamford's autobiographical hallucination is hilariously brave. READ MORE»
    By Bethania Palma Markus, Raw Story
    Emil and Rodica Radita are on trial for first-degree murder. READ MORE»
    By Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet
    Will progressive politics take a hit from media coverage focused on fear and terror? READ MORE»
    By Kali Holloway, AlterNet
    The Philippine President Duterte, like the GOP nominee, bullies the media when they do their job and threatens violence. READ MORE»
    By Amanda Marcotte, Salon
    Our national attachment to dominance models of manhood is a major reason why we have so much violence. READ MORE»
    By Gary Younge, The Nation
    To call Trump a fascist may suggest more ideological coherence than his blather deserves. READ MORE»
    By Robert Kuttner, Huffington Post
    There's a great reason for this to happen. READ MORE»
    By Jefferson Morley, Amazon Publishing
    Who killed JFK? READ MORE»
    By Sarah Lazare, AlterNet
    British-owned Serco was just given the green-light to negotiate the opening of a family immigrant detention center in Texas. READ MORE»
    By Heather Digby Parton, Salon
    Do it now: Congress must ban military-style weapons and make it harder for terrorists to act on their hate. READ MORE»
    By Igor Juricevic, The Conversation
    Scientists hold their own personal beliefs—by definition, based on old ways of thinking—that may be holding back the innovation that’s at the heart of science. READ MORE»
    By Valerie Tarico, AlterNet
    Inexcusable as sexual assault perpetrators are, the act doesn’t always mean a lifetime of suffering for the victim. READ MORE»
    By James Carney, The Conversation
    Why is it that people not only pay money for drug experiences, but they even run the risk of being imprisoned or worse for doing so? READ MORE»
    By Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!
    The Christian right has introduced 200 anti-LGBT bills in the last six months. READ MORE»
    By Patrick G. Lee, ProPublica
    A new report finds inadequate state oversight of hospital mergers. READ MORE»
    By Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!
    Authorities have identified the Orlando gunman as 29-year-old Omar Mateen. READ MORE»
    By Lorraine Berry, Raw Story
    In light of a horrible crime against gay Americans, some of the targets displayed heroism to truly be proud of this Pride month. READ MORE»


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    LOVE > HATE
    ********************************************

    Movies

    potholer54's great video on scientific "consensus" ICYMI

    Trump and the art of the lie

    Here's why Wayne LaPierre has orgasms every time a gun kills an innocent person: ka-ching, ka-ching! He's ca$hing in. Talk about making a killing. Perverted piece of $hit.

    The South fails at Life, according to the data

    Who does the Secular Talk audience want in the general election?

    Paul was not Christian--he did NOT follow Christ. Paul was an anti-Christ! I'm shocked--shocked, I tells ya...

    Christian schools think math is...a secular hoax?!?? I suppose you would think that if you didn't understand what math is--the language of science--and if you'd been taught from infancy that "1+1+1 = 1" and that "NOT F equals F"...and this is why we can't have nice things, boys 'n' girls!

    Want the inside skinny on the Christian persecution complex and why it matters? Seth and Co. explain it perfectly.

    I promised a video about the Orlando massacre, but my favorite sources still seem to be gathering information. Meanwhile, John Oliver sums it up beautifully.

    Peas out, all--catch ya on the flip side.
    Love ya!
    - Dot Calm's shadow

    posted by Dot Calm @ 6:35 PM