Wednesday, July 06, 2016

Death to Obama? Someone should assassinate Hillary? That's just what Jesus would say!

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

Didja miss me while I was away?
I sure missed you!

So, I had a lovely long weekend visiting friends and family out of town. For the 4th of July holiday, we went to Sonic for milkshakes and watched fireworks. Good times, good times.

The only downside is that my dad and I--both staunch liberals--were surrounded by FOX News Christians.

Yes, I am calling the FOX phuques by their actual name so that anyone googling along to this page will see the association in no uncertain terms.

You might want to sit down and strap in before reading further.

I wished the one couple we were visiting--preppers eagerly awaiting the destruction of civil society--a happy anniversary over a toast; the lady raised her glass and said in reply not the traditional "Thank you" but "Death to Obama!" Not five minutes later, her husband said, "Someone should assassinate Hillary."

And these exemplary Christian values were spoken loudly, clearly, and unabashedly in front of the couple's eighteen-year-old daughter.

What a lovely example to set for her.

Dot Calm would have been appalled if she'd been there. Having lost four loved ones to gun violence, Dot worried that some sick Republican would assassinate O'Bama (as she liked spelling his name). She would have hated adding Hillary to the list of People To Worry About. I'm grateful for her sake that she was not there to witness the hate.

If I'd thought of it at the time, here's what I'd have said to these FOX News Christians:

"Death to Obama?
"Someone should assassinate Hillary?
That's just what Jesus would have said!"

I'll certainly remember that line next time.

Think about it, though, friends--this is the America FOX News built.

For as evil as George W. Bush and Dick Cheney were, I never so much as allowed myself to think about hating them, even though I hated what they did to this country. I wished them in jail or in Paraguay (which has no extradition treaty with the U.S.--or at least which didn't when those two rat-bastards drove America into the ground), but I can honestly say that I NEVER wished them dead nor spoke such vehement hatred aloud.

In contrast, though, I'm sure that my Tea Party Christian friend of "Everyone who voted for Obama twice should be shot" fame, who was meeting these two beauties (urk!) for the first time, felt right at home, both with the familiar FOX delusions and the TREASONOUS, TRAITOROUS, UNPATRIOTIC sentiments expressed.

And I'm sure that all three adults--and probably also the thoroughly-indoctrinated, Christian-school-educated teenager--all thought that their hatred was the most Christian, patriotic sentiment on the planet.

FSM bless America.

Seriously, though--this pisses me off. Here is this seemingly nice, normal family...that goes to church every Sunday come hell or high water, confesses their sins, makes themselves feel all pious and godly, and then wishes violent deaths upon people whose politics they disagree with--all before Sunday dinner is even on the table. They were barely home from church for an hour before spewing thoughtless, gruesome verbal filth. This is the kind of people who fuck other people over whenever they feel like it...without much remorse because all they have to do is get right with God...if they do feel a pang of remorse, all they have to do is clasp their hands and pray, "Oh, God, please fix this person I fucked over...Amen!"...because they're too phuquen cowardly to make things right with the real live people they hurt...oh no, it's ever so much easier to hide behind the Invisible and Imaginary and let it wipe your ass for you.

If this sample of good godly patriotic Americans is not enough of a taste of bizarro world for you, my Tea Party Christian friend later said that LIBERALS are confusing the Constitution with the ten commandments.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over...!

And this after more than one conversation where he insisted that the Constitution is BASED on the ten commandments and that the Constitution INCLUDES the ten commandments.

Projection, anyone?
Bueller? BUELLER?

It grieves me how blind my poor Tea Party Christian friend is to his own self-deceit. It must suck ass to be so ashamed of yourself that you are compelled never to admit fault. He is incapable of having an honest relationship--which is sad because he really is a great guy. Just because he is hopelessly deluded doesn't preclude him from being smart, funny, and incredibly talented. What a waste.

At least he enjoyed having a gullible new audience to spout his conspiracy theories to. He loved the attention. One uneducated, ignorant blind man "leading" another. Urk.

The two men bonded over FAUX news stories, like how Christians were blamed for the Orlando shooting. Um, only in right-wingnut land and their tiny little minds...not in reality, which has a well-known liberal bias and which called out Mateen as a Muslim from the get-go. It would be comical except FOX News is making these crazy people VERY VERY ANGRY...AND THEY ALL HAVE GUNS.

Dot Calm would be horrified. Hell, she'd have been rolling in her grave if she hadn't been cremated and sprinkled over the union of her beloved Twin Rivers.

If you follow the blog, you already know that my Tea Party Christian friend is a Trump supporter since he can't have DEFEATed Cruz. The husband in the happy hateful couple also lurves Trump--thinks he's the second coming of JEEzus. But what about the lady? She is what we in these here parts call "highly educated." She has not only a university degree but also a graduate degree in legal studies. Dunno about you, but I sure can't imagine anyone who cries, "Death to Obama" ever voting for a Democrat.

How a WOMAN--and a highly educated one at that--could even consider voting for Trump is worthy of a double face-palm.

Or so I thought.

I caught up with her for a minute in private, and she said, "Honestly, I just want to write in 'OTHER' on my ballot this November." She added that both candidates suck so badly that it's hard to tell them apart. I concurred, saying that one would be slightly better for the country but not by much--as you'll hear in one of the Young Turk videos below, Cenk Uygur really calls it: Hillary is "no change"; Trump is "disastrous change."

I'm going to hold my nose and vote for "no change" because I won't be able to fight for progressive values if Trump gets free rein to destroy the nation and the planet.

I can't fight for what no longer exists.

But getting back to the female half of The Couple that FOX Built: the very fact that she dislikes Trump to the degree that she does really does speak both for her education and her ability to think honestly and cut through the bullshit.

Friends, this is what education buys you--and it's why ignorance is so much more deadly and destructive.

Ya wanna know the really sad part?

This lady is an extremely capable leader and should be directing the household with her husband's support, but she bought into the whole Christian "let the man be the head of the house, even if you know that the best he can do is drive the train over the cliff."

It's what she would call "a tactical error," but she has blinded herself to it.

In the process of abdicating her own worth in the marriage, she made a point of adopting her husband's religious and political delusions. In so doing, she changed from being a conventional but very reasonable person who ignored FOX News into a conservative and often unreasonable person who allows herself to be influenced by FOX News, whether she admits it or not (check out the article on FOX brainwashing below).

Even though she's completely bought into the whole Christian "let the man lead whether he can or not," at least she didn't buy into The Adoration of Trump That FOX Built (even if FOX totally disclaims it now...they built it, they own it...sux to be them...the bastards).

So, I find myself celebrating, if you want to call it that, that things are not worse with this particular group of friends and family.

Although my dad and I really did have a great visit, we sure were glad to get back home to sanity.

My dad may be Catholic, but he is still a reasonable man. And I love him for that! He ain't perfect in his understanding of reality, but compared to these True Christian Patriots, he is alright by me! I can have a reasonable, intelligent, honest conversation with him. And that matters.

And that's just the personal front.
What about the rest of the country and the rest of the world?

I'm still reeling from Orlando, but the hate and violence keep on coming...

June 29, suicide bombers--likely ISIS--attacked Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, killing 41--nearly as many victims as the Orlando shooter--and injuring 230.

Sunday, 250 people died in an ISIS suicide-bombing attack in Baghdad, Iraq.

Yesterday, yet another Black man was extra-judicially executed by police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alton Sterling was only 37 years old. The mother of his children vows to fight for justice and to keep her man's worth and untimely death from being swept under the rug like so much dust.

I don't know how long it's going to take me to wrap my head around all this violence. I wonder what Steven Pinker--whose recent book claims that world violence is decreasing--would say...is this just a short term uptick, or is it all still down in the noise as far as decreasing violent death tolls?

Smh...smh.

On a happier front, if you want to call it that, the Brits finally turned a nice bright spotlight on Toady Blair's war crimes in attacking Iraq long before all diplomatic options had been exhausted. Now, if only we could get him, the chimp, and the dick jailed for their war crimes, which include slaughtering hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, reducing two sovereign nations to rubble, and introducing terrorism into Iraq as al Qaeda arose based on our invasion of Afghanistan and morphed into the ISIS that we all now know so well. Thanks, assholes.

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

If you haven't read Betty Bowers lately, now's the time to catch up. CCC and CADOF are also on fleek this week, as is Facebook God, who always makes me smile despite all the crap going on in the world.

Peas...catch yas on the flip side. Hug yourselves and each other for me--please and thank you!

- Dot Calm's shadow
     
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CHRISTIANITY
IS NEVER HAVING TO SAY
YOU'RE SORRY
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Headlines

It's not just a gut feeling--there are even studies that show that FOX News brainwashes its viewers, and it's hurting the Republican party

What Chelsea Handler's abortion story says about the pro-choice movement

The Daily Show fact-checked Donald Trump's economics speech. It found a lot of errors.

I've read the UK's huge Iraq War report. It's even more damning than you think.

Safe spaces: what are they, and why are they so controversial? Like the article says, a little humility and empathy would go a long way. I wish my Tea Party Christian friend knew that.

Gift For Trump: Mexican American Mariachis Sing Star Spangled Banner And It's Amazing! Proud, powerful, and packed with heartfelt love for America the Beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes...too awesome...just glorious. This video is a year old, but I think it only went virally recently--in response to Trump's racist rhetoric. I hope Trump chokes on his taco salad over it! Please click the link and check out the video--it's short, and you will LOVE it!

OK...I can't find a link at the moment, but I saw a headline about an old white woman accusing the Muslim woman quietly standing in the check-out with her: "You're Muslim--you must be with ISIS." The Muslim woman could have offered one of two appropriate replies: "You're Christian--you must be KKK"...or..."WALALALALALALALA!!!!!"
    
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Be skeptical about your media.
Follow the money...
Who pays for it?
Who benefits from the message?
HINT:
If the corporations own it,
then you can bet that its agenda
is not in YOUR best interests.
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Mailbag

From ColorOfChange.org

Tell the Department of Justice: Don't waste any time. Bring charges against the officers that killed Alton Sterling NOW. 
    
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From UltraViolet--protect contraceptive access

Tell AmeriCorps: "Reconsider your decision to end Community HealthCorps. Women and families need your help."
Sign the petition
     
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From  Watchdog.net--NO TPP on the Democratic Party platform!

Tell the Democratic Platform Committee: The Democratic Party platform must include clear opposition to the disastrous TPP trade deal.

    
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CREDO action
Tell Congress: Don’t cut Medicare, expand it
Petition to Congress:
"Do not cut America’s health care benefits by supporting the Republican plan to raise the Medicare eligibility age at a time when millions of Americans have no retirement savings."
Add your name:
Sign the petition ►
    
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Sitting on Governor Rauner's desk right now, without his signature, is a bill that would ensure all Illinois women have access to 12 months of insurance coverage for contraception.
This legislation would protect the basic right of Illinois women to make their own health care choices, without insurance companies limiting their options. 
    
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CREDO action
Stop Monsanto’s dangerous GMO labeling bill
The petition to Congress reads:
"Americans deserve the right to know what’s in their food, including genetically modified ingredients. Protect real GMO labeling and reject Monsanto’s last ditch effort to prevent clear, on-package GMO labels."
Add your name:
Sign the petition ►
     
-----------------------------------

From Change.org--support the military's climate change program

Tell the U.S. Senate to save the military's climate change program from House Republicans!



Petition by Climate Parents
77
Supporters


    
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CREDO action
Pesticides are killing bees and the U.S. government knows it
The petition to the Environmental Protection Agency reads:
“Toxic neonicotinoid pesticides are killing off honeybee populations at an alarming rate. Ban the use of neonicotinoids immediately to prevent further widespread bee colony collapse.”
Add your name:
Sign the petition ►
     
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From CREDO via Daily Kos--keep TPP OUT of the Democratic Party platform, no if's, and's, or but's!

The job of the Platform is to “advance progressive Democratic values” – not demonstrate loyalty to an outgoing president by supporting his anti-worker, anti-environment trade deal. We have a huge opportunity in the coming days to pressure the Full Platform Committee to reverse course and take a stand against the TPP before it finalizes the Platform on July 9 in Orlando.

Sign the petition from CREDO and Daily Kos: The DNC platform must include unequivocal opposition to TPP.

    
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CREDO action
Say NO to mining sacred Native American land in Arizona
Submit a public comment to the U.S. Forest Service:
“I oppose any mining by the Resolution Copper project, which would harm or destroy the land of Oak Flat – considered sacred and holy by the Apache tribe – and its natural resources.”
Take action now ►
     
    
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Democracy Now!

Stories


In Iraq, the death toll from Saturday's car bombing in Baghdad has topped 250, making it the deadliest car bombing in Iraq since the 2003 U.S. invasion. While Iraq is ... Read More →

In the last week, more than 300 people have been killed in attacks by militants in Iraq, Turkey, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia. The wave of violence came as Muslims across the ... Read More →

While Iraq is marking a third day of mourning, a long-awaited British inquiry into the Iraq War has just been released. The Chilcot report is 2.6 million words long—about ... Read More →

The king of Saudi Arabia has promised to strike with an "iron hand" against those responsible for a suicide attack near the Prophet's Mosque in Medina on Monday. Militants ... Read More →

In 2004, Tariq Ramadan accepted a job at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, and Time magazine listed him among the top 100 thinkers in the world. But nine days ... Read More →

Bangladesh is continuing to mourn a deadly attack that killed 20 people on Friday, after militants seized control of a trendy cafe in the diplomatic district of the capital, wielding ... Read More →

Headlines →



Stories


With the Republican National Convention opening in Cleveland in less than two weeks, the party's presumptive nominee, Donald Trump, is facing a new wave of ... Read More →

With the Republican National Convention opening in Cleveland in less than two weeks, the party's presumptive nominee, Donald Trump, is facing a new wave of ... Read More →

Wayne Barrett is considered the preeminent journalist on Donald Trump. He has been tracking Trump for decades. His 1991 biography of Trump was just republished as an ... Read More →

About a thousand housekeepers, cooks, bellmen and servers at Trump's Taj Mahal Atlantic City casino went on strike on Friday and through the weekend demanding ... Read More →

Throughout the 2016 campaign, Donald Trump has repeatedly faced charges of sexism, from implying Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly was asking tough questions ... Read More →

Wayne Barrett began covering Donald Trump in the late 1970s. He continues today even though he is largely homebound due to lung cancer. "He's really not qualified to ... Read More →

Headlines →


Stories


In a Fourth of July holiday special, we begin with the words of Frederick Douglass. Born into slavery around 1818, Douglass became a key leader of the ... Read More →

In an extended interview, world-renowned spoken word artist Saul Williams discusses his career of mixing poetry, music and acting; reads some of his poetry; ... Read More →

Actor Jesse Williams is best known for his role on the TV show Grey's Anatomy. In June he earned a standing ovation when he addressed the BET Awards. As ... Read More →

Stories


As Puerto Rico is set to default today on a key debt repayment, President Barack Obama has signed into law the so-called PROMESA bill that puts in place a federally ... Read More →

We speak with two transgender women who made history this week when they won their primary elections in Utah and Colorado to challenge Republican incumbents for U.S. ... Read More →

Headlines →


Stories


We turn now to an act of civil disobedience on climate change in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. On Wednesday, a dozen protesters with the group Resist the ... Read More →

Funerals have begun in Turkey for some of the 42 people killed in a triple suicide bombing Tuesday targeting Turkey's main airport in Istanbul. The attack also left 239 others ... Read More →

"It's not been easy for me. It has not been easy for me. I started off in Brooklyn. My father gave me a small loan of a million dollars." Those were the words of presumptive ... Read More →

On Wednesday, 23 people were arrested protesting Spectra Energy's fracked gas pipeline in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Longtime climate activist Tim ... Read More →

Headlines →



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Daily Kos


  • John McCain: 'I blame the United States of America'
  • Donald Trump's campaign rapidly losing remaining ties to reality
  • Michigan man died after firing his homemade cannon during 4th of July celebration
  • Sign the petition: I agree with Hillary: America is already great. sponsored
  • Help! I've fallen and I can't stop shooting at the people who came to get me up!
  • Today I shut off cable news
  • Trump-loving 'patriot' defends his racist message on parade vehicle, says it was about 'freedom'
  • Very proud to be a Democrat today
  • Florida father teaching his children 'gun safety' fatally shot his 14-year-old son at a gun range
  • More than 10,000 white people are mad about Jesse Williams' BET speech
  • Republican “thoughts and prayers” are not enough. Join CREDO in demanding real gun control, including a ban on assault weapons. sponsored
  • Court rules KKK can pick up trash on Georgia highway
  • Srsly? Hinting at punishment, GOP leader says sit-in protesters may have damaged House furniture
  • Professional wrestling star records what might be the most refreshingly honest PSA about America
  • Trump Super PAC gets it backwards, tries to tie Clinton to KKK
  • Trump campaign offers series of laughable explanations for extremely unfunny Star of David tweet
  • The FBI and Clinton vs Trump's racism and xenophobia (not equal issues)
  • The most thorough, profound and moving defense of Hillary Clinton I have ever seen
  • Two GOP-led inquiries into Clinton produce basically zip in the space of a week
  • About that server ... the final chapter
  • FBI director: 'We cannot find a case that would support bringing charges.'
  • If you believed the lies about the FBI investigation, you owe it to yourself to find better sources
  • Comey: 'Only facts matter.' No charges
  • HRC Is getting Gore'd by an incompetent media
  • DEVELOPING: No indictment!


  • Donald Trump just blew a dog whistle so loud the world can hear it
  • West Virginia sues federal government for trusting West Virginia
  • Appalling TSA assault on a gravely ill disabled teenage girl in Memphis
  • Sign if you agree with Hillary: Make sure Donald Trump never has the chance to repeal DAPA and DACA sponsored
  • Racism in my front yard
  • President Trump promises the next Great Depression
  • To hell with Hyde!
  • As Benghazi probe fizzles, recall when GOP ignored security
  • In one tweet, Don Omar besmirches and edifies Donald Trump on the subject of rape
  • You can't bring guns into the Republican convention, but some Trump delegates will pack heat anyway
  • Poultry workers suffer occupational hazards five times more than other workers. Join Oxfam America in demanding safe, fair working conditions. sponsored
  • With Trump, things are finally looking up for the Ku Klux Klan
  • NASA's Juno spacecraft enters orbit around Jupiter. Mind blowing video of auroras on its north pole
  • Should Donald J. Trump continue to be allowed to carry and possess a firearm?
  • The mysteries of women's health
  • Voter suppression, previewing the Republican convention and more
  • Implicit bias by doctors hinders Black cancer patients


  • Cartoon: The 2nd Coming
  • Cartoon: George Will's bowtie rebellion
  • Cartoon: Alternative gun control proposals
  • Cartoon: From my cold dead phone
  • The unforgettable speech that Frederick Douglass gave in Rochester on the fifth of July, 1852
  • Thirteen photos that will make you fall in love with America all over again
  • Independence Day Special: Thirteen Facts About America Conservatives Would Like You to Forget
  • If Our Founding Fathers Were All Christians, Why Did They Say This?
  • Cartoon: Winnie the U.K. gets into a tight place
  • Cartoon: The what about X committee
  • An open letter to the people who hate Obama more than they love America
  • Cartoon: An extremely normal year


  • And now, time for a dance break featuring #CarefreeBlackGirls
  • On the 140th anniversary of Custer's well-remembered demise, why is California genocide forgotten?
  • President Obama designates first national LGBT monument at the site of Stonewall
  • Affirmative action is constitutional, says Supreme Court
  • Sign if you agree: Ban for-profit prisons
  • There's no such thing as a safe space: Grieving after Orlando
  • SCOTUS' 4-4 split on Obama's immigration actions not the final word, even if it blocks them for now 
  • People of color and the future of the Democratic Party


  • Trump finally has an opinion on the Supreme Court's abortion ruling, and it is satisfyingly stupid
  • McConnell says Trump is unqualified and not credible—and he hopes he wins
  • This open letter from a ‘very tired Christian’ is sensational
  • The Republican War on Women continues -- this time with new subpoenas targeting fetal tissue researchers. Help NARAL end this irresponsible witch hunt. sponsored
  • "Jet Stream Crosses Equator" Not Unprecedented, not a Climate Emergency, Hell Freezes Over
  • Trump asks, 'Why am I not doing better in the polls?' Worst. Campaign. Ever.
  • Former Republican rep says electing Barack Obama was most racist thing in the history of America
  • Tourist stuns crowds at the Lincoln Memorial with incredible rendition of the 'Star Spangled Banner'
  • #HeterosexualPrideDay has been trending on Twitter and the responses are fabulous
  • Jimmy Kimmel shows how some people will fall for any ridiculous lie about Hillary
  • Sign if you agree: Without the restoration of the Voting Rights Act, Republicans will continue to pass laws blocking PROGRESSIVE VOTERS. Stand with the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) to fight. sponsored
  • Trump's campaign is tearing the GOP apart
  • Clinton's first purple-state ads dismantle the anti-Hillary right-wing narrative
  • Why you should always be skeptical when a poll looks too good to be true
  • Scientists find that compounds in marijuana can remove plaque from Alzheimer's proteins
  • Sen. Barbara Boxer schools John McCain, Trump and Republicans on ISIS
  • Cinemark sues Aurora victims and family members for $700,000


  • Nate Silver's 538 launches first general election forecast 2016
  • Huge Spike in Hate Crimes In Britain After 'Brexit' Shows What A Trump Presidency Would Bring Us
  • Why is the 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' Wearing a Silver Earring? An Art Mystery
  • Republican senators continue to obstruct President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland. Join NARAL in telling them to do their jobs. sponsored
  • Twenty-three senators send letter to Senate leaders seeking end to ban on gun violence research
  • Chris Christie is accused of hiding emails, losing cell phones and destroying messages
  • What's the reality behind Walmart's 'Made in America' claims?
  • Trump's 'Pocahontas' slur provides another case when there aren't enough Rs in Grrrrrrrrrrr
  • Cartoon: AR-2016 Congressgun
  • Supreme Court to consider important North Carolina racial gerrymandering case in coming term
  • Your first mistake was agreeing to help your friends move. Without wearing Kevlar. GunFAIL CLXXXVI
  • South Carolina 'bathroom bill' sponsor defeated in GOP primary
  • Sign the petition: We have to stand together with the DLCC and fight back against right-wing voter suppression laws. sponsored
  • VIDEO: Woman calls Congress and asks how much Mitch McConnell costs
  • Donald Trump's new communications director has already said how he feels about #SleazyDonald
  • Elizabeth Warren blasts Comcast, calls for stronger anti-trust enforcement

  •     
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    By Jalal Baig, Salon
    Our brains are wired to feel more empathy for people who look like us. Luckily, we're capable of closing the gap. READ MORE»

    By Sharmini Peries, The Real News Network
    Unanimous City Council vote is about good, healthy jobs, and not jobs that will lead to the development of respiratory illnesses in workers, says Earthjustice's Irene Gutierrez. READ MORE»

    By Caitlin, xoJane
    Not all vegetarians want to eat fake meat. READ MORE»

    By Kylie Cheung, The Frisky
    New evidence suggests that whiteness played a part. READ MORE»

    By Tammy Chang, Angie Wang, The Conversation
    Contrary to myth, sex is not good exercise. READ MORE»

    By Bethania Palma Markus, Raw Story
    Trump failed to distance himself from the white supremacist origins of a Tweet. READ MORE»

    By Lorraine Chow, EcoWatch
    Residents have described the foul-smelling algae as “god-awful” and “a festering infected creepy mess.” READ MORE»

    By Frank Joyce, AlterNet
    Cutting edge historians are breaking new ground to help us understand the dogged persistence of white racism. READ MORE»

    By Elizabeth Preza, AlterNet
    Find out where your state ranks among the patriots. READ MORE»

    By Robert Reich, RobertReich.org
    This 4th of July, let's choose inclusion. READ MORE»

    By Reynard Loki, AlterNet
    The U.K.’s departure from the EU could increase pollution, decrease recycling and foster eco-unfriendly competition. READ MORE»

    By Sophia A. McClennen, Salon
    The Electoral College makes it virtually impossible for a third party to challenge the system. READ MORE»

    By April M. Short, AlterNet
    Now's your chance to buy a journalist.  READ MORE»

    By Barbara Sahakian, The Conversation
    These drugs make us more attentive, focused and awake – so it’s easy to see why they are so popular. READ MORE»

    By Michael Arria, AlterNet
    How removing airline regulations became a liberal cause. READ MORE»

    By Ben Norton, Salon
    Bernie Sanders slammed PROMESA bill for taking away Puerto Ricans' democratic rights, making U.S. "colonial master." READ MORE»

    By Jessica Gentile, The Establishment
    I have a severe phobia of explosive sounds, and I’m so terrified of fireworks that it casts a pall over the entire holiday. READ MORE»

    By Boston Single Girl, Kinkly
    It's a vulva, not the space shuttle. Here's how to take your game from good to great. READ MORE»

    By Judith Lewis Mernit, Capital and Main
    Even Warren Buffett admits, “My friends and I have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress.” READ MORE»

    By David Edwards, Raw Story
    “Is Lady Liberty actually a man?” Fox News host Peter Doocy asked, sounding shocked. READ MORE»

    By Lauren Smiley, SF Homeless Project
    We spent time with four different communities and asked them about their experiences. Here’s what we learned. READ MORE»

    By Sarah Lazare, AlterNet
    The president consistently misleads the public when disclosing information about covert drone wars. READ MORE»

    By Philip J Atherton, Matthew Brook, The Conversation
    It can’t do any harm...can it? READ MORE»

    By Janet Allon, AlterNet
    No one can match Pierson's lying speed, except possibly Trump himself. READ MORE»

    By Adele M. Stan, The American Prospect
    The movement’s top leaders crown the foul-mouthed casino owner as their savior. READ MORE»

    By Sarah Lazare, AlterNet
    Sec. of State Kerry brags we are "involved" in more countries than ever, as Obama becomes first president to serve two terms always at war. READ MORE»

    By Christopher Phillips, Skyhorse Publishing
    "Socrates rocked"—and no one may be more Socratic than children, posits the founder of the popular Socrates Café meet-ups. READ MORE»

    By Don Hazen, AlterNet
    Heading into the Democratic Convention, the Senator from Massachusetts is offering the best analysis of our failed monopolistic economy.  READ MORE»

    By Arun Kundnani, AlterNet
    The Reagan-Thatcher consensus will be replaced either by new visions of social progress or by new forms of racism and authoritarianism. READ MORE»

    By Peter Dreier and Dick Flacks, AlterNet
    Much of our patriotic culture was created by people with decidedly progressive sympathies.  READ MORE»

    By Anna March, Salon
    Getting Hillary elected isn't women's work, it is everyone's. READ MORE»

    By Travis Gettys, Raw Story
    The five Somali targets were on their way to prayer services. READ MORE»

    By Neal Gabler, Moyers and Company
    Rather than creating a community, the internet and social media have divided and disengaged us and set our politics adrift. READ MORE»

    By Marcus Harrison Green, YES! Magazine
    Marching in support of a man convicted of rape can pose a real dilemma when one in five women nationwide has suffered a sexual assault. READ MORE»

    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    Comedian Aida Rodriguez tells “The Young Turks” host Cenk Uygur about the time she was approached to play the part of a Latina secretary for the Trump campaign.  READ MORE»

    By Helen West, RD, Authority Nutrition
    Nighttime eating can cause you to eat more calories than you need and lead to weight gain. READ MORE»

    By Alex Henderson, AlterNet
    The generation between baby boomers and millennials could be in for a rough ride. READ MORE»

    By Michael Bader, DMH, AlterNet
    Former head of SEIU, Stern thinks it is time to rethink many of the basics about unions and the workplace. READ MORE»

    By Tana Ganeva, The Influence
    In an atmosphere of social panic, justice gives way to vengeance.  READ MORE»

    By Keah Brown, The Establishment
    At some point, the show crossed a critical line into exploitation. READ MORE»

    By Heather Digby Parton, Salon
    Time and again, Trump proves he does not recognize constitutional limitations or civil liberties. READ MORE»

    By Larry Schwartz, AlterNet
    Sometimes abuse of power is evil, and sometimes it’s just really petty. READ MORE»

    By Karen Fratti, The Frisky
    84 percent of women groom their pubes and 16 percent don’t.  READ MORE»

    By Kylie Cheung, The Frisky
    Legal weed doesn't seem to have the same cachet for kids as the forbidden fruit.  READ MORE»

    By Brian Tashman, Right Wing Watch
    Sorry, everyone: no mass deaths, tyranny or war.  READ MORE»

    By Maureen Nandini Mitra, Earth Island Journal
    Harmful chemicals from natural gas operations are contaminating the bodies of residents of Pavillion, Wyoming. READ MORE»

    By Charles Ornstein, Pro Publica
    It’s a war between insurers and drug manufacturers to maximize their bottom lines. READ MORE»

    By Ashish Sharma, The Conversation
    During the daytime, expanding urban areas absorb more solar energy than the surrounding countryside. READ MORE»

    By Travis Gettys, Raw Story
    "He has diarrhea of the mouth, but a lot of things that he says are things that a lot of people may think,” says one Bernie-or-Buster. Wait, what? READ MORE»

    By Dave Johnson, OurFuture.org
    So does Hillary run as a Trans-Pacific Partnership advocate? That is a problem. READ MORE»

    By Oran B. Hesterman, Tikkun
    Lack of access to healthy food is a symptom of a food system in need of repair and transformation. READ MORE»

    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    The author of "What Would Jefferson Do?" examines the economic circumstances and bureaucracy that led to American independence.  READ MORE»

    By Elizabeth Preza, AlterNet
    Google has launched a series of new transparency features to provide users with more control over what personal information the company keeps. READ MORE»

    By Sarah Lazare, AlterNet
    The president consistently misleads the public when disclosing information about covert drone wars. READ MORE»

    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    Williams reminded hardline Bernie Bros that even Sanders isn't "Bernie or Bust." READ MORE»

    By Elizabeth Preza, AlterNet
    It's a good week for abortion rights. READ MORE»

    By Conor Lynch, Salon
    Donald Trump is the last person who should be expected to lead a working class movement. READ MORE»

    By Dinesh Sharma, The Conversation
    Clinton understands that a more empathetic and compromise-driven leadership style is better suited for the multilateral challenges of the 21st century. READ MORE»

    By Elizabeth Preza, AlterNet
    Women continue to fight to normalize breastfeeding in public. This badass bride had the ultimate gesture. READ MORE»

    By Mary Elizabeth Williams, Salon
    Who cares about the sport when you might get a glimpse of a female torso? READ MORE»

    By The Influence Staff, The Influence
    In between starting America and perpetuating slavery, the Founding Fathers got drunk. READ MORE»

    By Jenny Pierson, AlterNet
    Something new to consider when you're checking out a wine list or label. READ MORE»

    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    A public meeting is closed to the press. READ MORE»

    By David Edwards, Raw Story
    "If it means putting someone in a bit of discomfort to extract information, I think most of the nation would say that’s OK." READ MORE»

    By Janette Sadik-Khan, Seth Solomonow, Viking
    From the hot new book about what it takes to transform urban polices for a sustainable future. READ MORE»

    By Gerard Di Trolio, AlterNet
    Below the radar, important and innovative unions and leaders think about the future. READ MORE»

    By Kali Holloway, AlterNet
    A new study suggests pharma can spend a little and get a lot in return.  READ MORE»

    By Reynard Loki, AlterNet
    As GOP lawmakers try to shield Exxon from a state attorneys general probe into alleged climate fraud, the DNC calls for a separate Justice Department investigation. READ MORE»

    By Sean Illing, Salon
    The Leave campaign showed what's possible when a democratic system stops functioning democratically. READ MORE»

    By Thomas Frank, TomDispatch
    Politico has a special newsletter just to chart the "Influence" peddling. READ MORE»

    By Phillip Smith, AlterNet
    Still, seeing the inclusion of pot for the first time marks progress. READ MORE»

    By Sarah Lazare, AlterNet
    With Saudi Arabia under scrutiny for atrocities in Yemen, state department plays down American role. READ MORE»

    By Carla Javitz, AlterNet
    But homeless people need help getting into the workforce. READ MORE»

    By Londa Nwadike, The Conversation
    It's not as scientific as we might hope.  READ MORE»

    By Tom Tomorrow, AlterNet
    Like the 12 days of Christmas, only terrifying. READ MORE»

    By Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!
    "It’s not been easy for me. It has not been easy for me. I started off in Brooklyn. My father gave me a small loan of a million dollars." READ MORE»

    By Laura Flanders, The Laura Flanders Show
    Journalist Paul Mason discusses post-capitalism, Middle East correspondent Patrick Cockburn explores ISIS, and Laura asks what’s missing from the LGBTQ Pride celebrations. READ MORE»

    By Eric Boehlert, Media Matters
    After eight useless investigations with no proof of wrongdoing, the channel finally gives up. READ MORE»

    By David Edwards, Raw Story
    Replacing Scalia with another pro-life justice would likely have had no impact on the ruling. READ MORE»

    By Elizabeth Preza, AlterNet
    Well, you reap what you sow. READ MORE»

    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    You can't make this stuff up.  READ MORE»

    By Lizette Borreli, Medical Daily
    The answer involves education and income. READ MORE»

    By Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!
    Funerals have begun in Turkey for some of the 42 people killed in a triple suicide bombing Tuesday.  READ MORE»

    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    The late night host even reads one of Trump's spam emails on the air. READ MORE»

    By Elizabeth Preza, AlterNet
    People are lining up to help resettle refugees in our neighbor to the north.  READ MORE»

    By Kali Holloway, AlterNet
    Peltier is 71 and in failing health and without clemency will likely die in prison. Help right this grave miscarriage of justice. READ MORE»

    By Mary Elizabeth Williams, Salon
    Nearly a year after his viral tirade, former UConn student Luke Gatti is still struggling with his demons. READ MORE»

    By Michael Arria, AlterNet
    With the help of Congress, Minor League Baseball is trying to fight off a lawsuit from its players. READ MORE»

    By Mark Sumner, DailyKos
    A master class in how to scam desperate people looking for a way to get ahead. READ MORE»

    By David Edwards, Raw Story
    It's something that "would not happen in a normal world." READ MORE»

    By Matt Bors, AlterNet
    Late at night the NRA texts Congress: U up bb?  READ MORE»


    By Anis Shivani, AlterNet
    Recent polls show a majority of Americans under 30 have a more favorable view of socialism than of capitalism. READ MORE»

    By William Boardman, Reader Supported News
    Apparently not nearly as progressive as the DNC honchos are trying to spin. READ MORE»

    By Kali Holloway, AlterNet
    And a larger percentage of women are loath to share the blame for relationships ending. READ MORE»

    By Heather Digby Parton, Salon
    Many thought that having two women running together would be too much for the U.S., but it's exactly what we need. READ MORE»

    By Jim Hightower, AlterNet
    But the establishment was too out of touch to know how angry many people were. READ MORE»

    By Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!
    Bauer finds extremely oppressive conditions in Louisiana's Winn Correctional Facility. READ MORE»

    By Jill Hamilton, AlterNet
    When hiding them all under the bed is no longer an option. READ MORE»

    By Sarah K. Burris, Raw Story
    Walter Litteral was charged with conspiring to violate federal laws governing firearms and explosive devices, among others. READ MORE»

    By Jill Richardson, OtherWords
    Anxiety and depression can make it harder for people to reach out for the help they need. READ MORE»

    By Franziska Spritzler, Authority Nutrition
    Many people associate the term "low-fat" with health or healthy foods. But that's not always the case. READ MORE»

    By Ilana Novick, AlterNet
    Fighting political frustration with photographs, paint and billboards.  READ MORE»

    By Roger Bybee, The American Prospect
    A federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Wisconsin’s Republican-drawn state legislative district lines could have sweeping implications for gerrymandered districts nationwide. READ MORE»


    ********************************************
    Don't Trump our Democracy:
    learn from Brexit...
    even protest votes count!

    ********************************************
    Movies

    Bernie Sanders warns the Democratic establishment

    How Saint Ronbo Raygun of The Holy Gipperness is trolling 2016 Republicans from the grave

    Trump LIED Big Time about giving millions to charity

    Hillary sold a very important intelligence board seat to a rich donor

    Trump is illegally fundraising from foreign governments

    Elites oppose Trump for the worst possible reasons

    NRA spends $2 Million on bogus Benghazi ad

    Wow--MSNBC does two whole minutes of Trump fact checking!

    Trump's campaign is just a front for his money-making scheme

    Samantha Bee saw something, said something...by traveling to Dearborn, MI, to speak with Muslims who have the audacity to have done nothing wrong

    Samantha Bee on the rape kit backlog--this will frustrate the piss outta ya!!!!!

    Samantha Bee: there is no God at CPAC

    Slippery Hillary avoids criminal charges

    Idiot father kills son, spouts NRA talking points

    Human body parts washing up at Rio Olympics sites

    Ex-VA Governor Bob McDonnell took $175k in gifts for political favors, but, hey, it isn't a bribe....

    Poor babies don't DESERVE diapers!

    John Oliver on the Secret Service

    And now...in case you missed it (and just because I needed to see it again), here's the holiday happy-making with our friendly patriotic Mariachis!


    ********************************************
    MAKE AMERICA
    GAY AGAIN
    ********************************************