Have I told you how much I hate these people? - Mike Malloy. It is every thinking person’s responsibility not to side with his or her executioners. - Albert Camus. Popular democracy anywhere threatens fascism everywhere. - The Scallion. A fascist junta of neocons using George W. Bush as its shill has taken over America by bloodless coup. What will it take for us to stage a revolution and take our country back? - Dot Calm. Drive a hybrid. Leave a lighter footprint on the planet. - Dot Calm.
Like Granny D, I have watched my own beloved country change, and I am angry beyond words about what I see. I grew up seeing America as the equivalent of the movie good guy, the hero in the white hat who came to the rescue of those in need around the world. I have watched in silent horror as the corporations, the captains and the kings of industry, used a comparatively small outlay of cash to buy the Republicans to use as their shills. George W. Bush is the puppet cowboy-king of shills, the proverbial emperor with no clothes. Every day, I watch these evil men legalize, legitimize, and institutionalize robbing the poor to pay the rich. They are carving up America like a giant carcass and doling out choice chunks of its meat to themselves and their cronies. Since the Democrats have been sipping at the same corporate teat where the Republicans have been gorging for the past generation, the fascists are free to do their worst; there is no longer any opposition. There is no one left to stand up for the rights of the American people, the Constitution, or the democracy, which I fear will be replaced by a fascist dictatorship in my lifetime. Wake up, America: we need a REVOLUTION NOW!
The article clearly showed that Donald J. Trump's consistent business failures and scandals are more than enough to disqualify him for president. As Roy DeSoto in "Emergency!" said to the failed paramedic trainee about his mistakes, "It isn't the number--it's the type!"
I don't have the time to plop them in todaze post, but I'll hit 'em Wednesday so that you don't hafta listen to Newssqueak's annoying yapping.
But still...
I've read more than once from more than one independent source that Trump owes over $600 MILLION to China and Russia.
In todaze m00bies, where I posted the "Democracy Now!" interview with the Newsweek reporter who wrote the article on Trump's foreign entanglements, I posed the question: do you really think he'd be objective in his dealings with foreign governments, given that he hasn't been objective yet? Do any of us really think that Trump would do the right thing and divest himself of all these conflicts of interest? Or do we think he'd abuse the public office and the public trust to enrich himself and his business partners?
The truly sad part is that, if he gets in, we ain't seen nuthin' yet. He will have opened the door not only to an uncivil society of unabashed racist, bigots, misogynists, homophobes, theocrats, and haters, but he will show us grift like we ain't never seen before. And the Republicans will be drooling and cheering to see what they can get away with from now on. Surely, they will stand on his shoulders and abuse their public offices and the public trust in ways Trump can't even wet-dream of.
I can't believe that so many people in this country think that such a ruthlessly unethical, lying, cheating scam artist and criminal as Donald J. Trump would make a good president.
And that's on top of his obvious narcissistic personality flaws...
Add to that those strange little terror attacks this weekend...the stabbing in Minnesota and the bombs in New York and New Jersey. Not to minimize what happened or detract from the rightful attention the victims should be receiving, but anyone wanna bet that Donald "one terror attack away from the presidency" Trump had his stubby orange hand in those weird little amateur-hour affairs?
One the one hand, I don't think the fat orange fucksicle is clever enough to orchestrate such a thing, but, on the other hand, I wouldn't put it past him, either. He's not clever, but he's self-aggrandizingly evil to the core. He loves stepping on people just to hear the squish (or is that crunch?). Trump is certainly not above spending a little money--like bribing wannabe terrorists--to make a lot of money, and he most definitely sees the White House as a gravy train. That's right, friends--like the rest of the Republicans, the reason he wants to get into public service is to be serviced by the public. He wants to fuck us all over.
Ewwww...!
No wonder Melania flares her nostrils and squints.
I dunno about you, but my problems and issues deserve better than to be political theater props for some fat fake bloated fish-lipped spray-tanned cocktail weenie with a dead ferret bobby-pinned to his pasty bald scalp to try to scalp me over.
And if Trump doesn't scare you enough, the fact that Mike Pence is a Dick Cheney wannabe should scare the shit right outta you.
That there is some unholy shit.
Still not ready to punch your computer yet? Well, then...have you heard that Trump is accusing Hillary of starting the birther conspiracy? I gno, right?! What I don't know (but wish I did) is how my Tea Party Christian friend feels about Trump's grudging acknowledgement that Obama was indeed born in Hawaii. My friend luuuuurves thinking that Obama was born in Kenya. He lives for it. Now his idol says otherwise. What on earth must my poor Tea Party Christian friend be thinking right now? Should I offer him some duct tape to wrap his haid so it won't 'splode?
Don't forget to read Dot Calm's shadow's favorite independent sources of news and information:
Did ISIS plan, inspire, or have no role in the Minnesota attack? The answer matters.
...I was listening to "Democracy Now!" on the radio on my way to work this morning, and the Russian ambassador to the United Nations referred to the Islamic "state" as "ISIL." Months ago, when my Tea Party Christian friend heard Obama refer to Islamic "state" as ISIL rather than ISIS, he got his panties in a wad. He started yelling about how Obama is weak because he's calling the terrorists by the name they want to be called. And yet, like the rest of the Republicans, my friend is convinced that Putin is strong. I wonder what my friend would say if he heard Putin's boi say "ISIL" vice "ISIS." Would he suddenly decide that Putin is "weak"? Somehow, I doubt it....
Petition to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency: "Force Wells Fargo to ‘claw back’ pay from company executives
who oversaw the creation of more than 2 million fraudulent accounts, and
refer the case to the Department of Justice for possible criminal
prosecution."
Add your name:
------------------------------------------------
If you like Daily Kos, PLEASE throw in your buck o' five today!
I hope you saw Markos’s email from Wednesday, but here's what you need to know if you didn't: Daily Kos traffic is enormous right now and our top priority is keeping Daily Kos up and running smoothly through Election Day.
Daily Kos is the largest progressive political publication in the
country and we can’t afford to have the site go down between now and
Election Day—too many progressive Democrats come to us for election news
and volunteer opportunities.
We have nearly 10 million unique readers in the past month. We could
keep Daily Kos up and running more than a year and a half if they
pitched in just $1 each. That's because, as president of Daily Kos, I
run a tight ship. We invest in parts of the site that best serve our
readers and our community—that's why we've built a new elections center
to keep track of everything that's happening right now—and we don't
waste money on things we don't need.
Not all of our readers contribute, of course. Not all of them can.
From Change.org--ITT is closing down, but it won't refund tuition from our veterans! Don't let them steal our vets' hard-earned money!
Petitioning Armed Forces
Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs, President of the United
States, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Department of
Education
ITT
Tech announced that it was closing its doors to all of their 140
campuses. This act blindsided approximately 40,000 students, who were
currently enrolled at ITT Tech across the country. Veterans like me will be hit hardest.
Everyone
who went to ITT Tech has an opportunity to have their student loan debt
erased if they were unable to complete their degree because of the
closures. But if you are a veteran, over 7,000 were enrolled at
ITT Tech, and used your GI Bill education benefits, you get nothing
back. What this means is that the education benefits, we paid for with
sacrifices, blood, sweat, and tears, were basically stolen from us.
As
veterans with GI Bill benefits, we only get so much money and a set
time to use it. Unless Congress acts, veterans will become the biggest
victims if the ITT Tech closures. We need your help to get our money
back so we can get the education and careers we deserve. Tell Congress to pass HR 6003 now, a bill introduced to ensure veterans get their money back.
In
the past Congress has tried to address the concern of veterans in
similar situations. As is often the case with Congress, they have
dragged their feet. Please help veterans like me appeal to the Congress
and the President to do right by veterans that have already sacrificed
so much.
Americans
love their veterans, but we often fall through the cracks in moments
like this. Now is the time to make sure that isn’t the case when it
comes to the ITT Tech closures. Thank you for your support . After you
sign, be sure to share our petition with family and friends.
From AlterNet on behalf of EMILY's List--Chip in now to help flip the Senate!
------------------------------------------------
Dear friend,
I’ve got some fantastic news! Colonel Applegate just received the endorsement of Equality California! Doug is honored to receive this crucial endorsement from California’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization.
As
an out gay man who served 10 years as a Naval Intelligence Senior
Chief, I am honored to serve as the Colonel’s Deputy Campaign Manager. I
know the type of leader he is and what he stands for. Doug knows that
there is more work ahead to ensure fairness and freedom for all
Americans, and he is ready to roll up his sleeves and join in that
fight.
There
is a stark contrast between Doug Applegate and Darrell Issa. One
advocates for all Americans and is a proud ally; the other struggles to
understand the basic concept of equality for all. Just this May
he switched his vote at the eleventh hour on an amendment that would
have provided workplace protections for LGBTQ Americans.
Darrell Issa callously chose political convenience over the fundamental rights of the LGBTQ community. Today, because of Darrell Issa, you can still be fired from a job in 28 states solely for being gay.
The
Human Rights Campaign gives Issa a rating of 0% for his record of
legislating bigotry under the guise of religious freedom. We can’t trust
someone who flip-flops on basic fundamental rights. How is that being a
leader? The choice couldn’t be clearer or more consequential.
This
endorsement shows that our community trusts Doug Applegate to stand up
for ALL Californians – regardless of sexual orientation or gender
identity. We can’t thank Equality California enough for their support.
Together, we’re going to bring real leadership back to Congress.
In solidarity,
Matthew Rice
Deputy Campaign Manager
Applegate for Congress
The fact that individuals of every gender, sexual identity, race, and
faith share the burden of the defense of this nation is a great
representation of the very freedoms that already make this country
great.
In Iraq, I served alongside soldiers who were Muslim. I also served side by side with Iraqis in firefights.
What I know today is that we need to put a stop to the bigotry that
defines Donald Trump's campaign. We need to send a message that the
American people will not tolerate leaders who appeal to the worst
instincts of human nature.
Trump is rising in the polls, and that is terrifying. But when you
look at the times he has dipped, the catalyst is almost always his
treatment of veterans, military family members, and his approach to
foreign policy. We need to cut through the clutter of birtherism, tax returns, and health records. And that's why I have to ask:
If Donald Trump wins, the real losers will be the American service members and their families.
His words will inspire more hatred for the United States and drive our
troops into additional wasteful conflicts around the world.
Garett Reppenhagen
Iraq War Veteran
VoteVets CONTRIBUTE
------------------------------------------------
A word from Khizr Khan
When my wife and I took the stage at the Democratic National Convention
in July to talk about our son, Capt. Humayun Khan, we sought to honor
his life and service, affirm that true patriotism will not be mired by
hateful rhetoric, and show America that Donald Trump does not respect
the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution - the same freedoms my son
sacrificed his life to preserve.
I'm writing because today marks Constitution Day, the day our founders
signed the Constitution in pursuit of a more perfect union. The
Constitution stands for freedom, not hate and exclusion. Donald Trump
paints a dark picture of America with his plan to ban Muslims from
entering our country and impose religious tests on peaceful migrants.
His surrogates have called me a "con artist" and a "snarling Muslim" --
which only confirms their campaign is one of fear mongering and hate.
The signers of our Constitution created a government that values
inclusion, freedom, and respect. It is clear Donald Trump has no respect
for these ideals, or for the Constitution itself. I have lived in
America for the past 36 years, and I know that Donald Trump's hate is
not compatible with the values that drew me and other Americans to this
great country.
We simply cannot let Donald Trump win Virginia, the birthplace of our
American democracy. Would you be able to chip in to help defeat Donald
Trump? Any amount helps.
As the movie launching last week reminds us, Edward Snowden’s whistleblowing revealed the NSA’s massive, secret – and unconstitutional – surveillance programs.
He
took a huge personal risk to bring these programs to light. And his
actions launched a vital national debate on whether the NSA should be
spying on innocent Americans.
But three years later,
Snowden is still being forced to live in exile and threatened with
likely spending the rest of his life in prison if he ever comes back to
the country he loves.
We have less than 125 days to push President Obama to officially pardon this important American whistleblower.
Presidential pardons are about justice. They are for when the legal system has failed, or the laws are unjust or when our consciences demand it.
Snowden
made his sacrifice not for personal gain, but because he knew it was
the only real way to expose the unconstitutional spying programs he
witnessed.
So when the White House tries to claim Snowden “is not a whistleblower”1 because he didn’t follow the "proper" whistleblower process, they’re just playing cynical word games.
Intelligence contractors, like Edward Snowden, are NOT protected by the Intelligence Community’s whistleblower protections. The Intelligence Community’s own lawyer, even admits it.2
Even had Edward Snowden followed the “proper” process, his whistleblowing wouldn’t have been protected.
Presidential
pardons exist for exactly this kind of extraordinary situation. It’s
time that President Obama uses that power to recognize Snowden’s public
service.
Snowden
acted out of desperation and patriotism to inform Americans of the
unconstitutional mass surveillance the NSA was conducting.
Even
former Attorney General Eric Holder agrees: “I think that he actually
performed a public service by raising the debate that we engaged in and
by the changes that we made.”3
Snowden stood up for our rights. Now it’s time we stand up for his.
Sources:
1. Politico, “White House: Snowden 'is not a whistleblower',” September 14, 2016.
2. The Intercept, “Giving Intelligence Contractors Whistleblower Protections Doesn’t Have to Be “Complicated”,” November 6, 2015.
3. The Guardian, “Eric Holder says Edward Snowden performed 'public service' with NSA leak,” May 30, 2016.
The petition to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Sylvia Burwell, reads: “Issue a non-discrimination mandate prohibiting child placement
services that receive federal funding from discriminating against
children, and adults on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity
or gender expression.”
Add your name:
------------------------------------------------
From ChargeTrump.com--Investigate Trump's corruption NOW!
On Tuesday,
the Census Bureau released data that showed impressive (and
long-awaited) improvements to household incomes in 2015. EPI analysis of
the data shows superb income growth, with black and Hispanic workers seeing the fastest growth. Yet, despite the rise in annual earnings and household incomes in 2015, income inequality continues. EPI also released state-by-state maps that show poverty rates fell in 23 states while income rose in 11 states and the District of Columbia.
EPI will host a panel discussion on new research showing that the
wage gap between black and white workers was larger in 2015 than in
1979, and that young black women have been the hardest hit since 2000. Join us on September 27 in DC, or watch the livestream.
On Thursday, EPI’s Valerie Wilson attended the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 46th
Annual Legislative Conference. She spoke on Rep. Barbara Lee’s
(D-Calif.) panel discussion on the intersection of poverty and racial
and economic inequality as well as on Rep. John Conyers’ (D-Mich.) panel
on full employment.
IN THE NEWS
The New Yorker
interviewed Lawrence Mishel about the Census Bureau’s newly released
data for income and poverty in 2015. “I have not written anything about
the U.S. economy this positive in many years,” said Mishel.
|
"Good news! We’re as rich as we were in 1998"
»
Ralph
Nader, former presidential candidate, discusses what expanding the
presidential debate to include third-party candidates would mean for the
discussion of this weekend's ... Read More →
It's official: When the first presidential debate takes place next Monday, a week from today, it will exclude third-party candidates from the debate stage. The Commission on ... Read More →
In
an extended discussion of the exclusion of third-party candidates from
the first presidential election of 2016, four-time presidential
candidate Ralph Nader argues against the need to ... Read More →
When
longtime independent Senator Bernie Sanders lost his bid for the
Democratic presidential nomination, he concluded his campaign by
endorsing Hillary Clinton instead of a third-party ... Read More →
Our guest is longtime consumer advocate Ralph Nader, author of the groundbreaking 1965 book, Unsafe at Any Speed, which prompted Congress to enact the most sweeping auto safety ... Read More →
As The New York Times
reports Donald Trump received at least $885 million in New York City
tax breaks for his real estate projects since 1980, and also sued three
mayoral ... Read More →
Leaked
documents from the investigation into the Wisconsin governor’s alleged
campaign-finance violations show how dark money really works in modern
politics. READ MORE»
In
a year of record-setting heat on a blistered globe, with fast-warming
oceans, fast-melting ice caps, and fast-rising sea levels, the future is
looking bleak. READ MORE»
Outrage
over a film screening at Syracuse is based entirely on absurd
speculation of what BDS campaigners might do, but have no intention of
doing. READ MORE»
“As soon as a white person steps into America, they have an advantage just by being white." READ MORE»
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Movies!
"Democracy Now!" on Donald Trump's foreign financial conflicts of interest. Newsweek's Kurt Eichenwald has only investigated 15 of the Trump Organization's 500 partnerships...and it-snot a pretty picture for us if Trump gets in. It-snot like, once in office, Trump would forget that he is beholden to all of those business partners. If Trump gets nukes into South Korea, then his partner Daewoo profits. How do you think Trump would make decisions regarding Pakistan and India, given Trump's anti-Muslim statements and his business partnership in India? Do you really think he'd be objective, given that he hasn't been objective yet? He pretends he'd put his company into a "blind trust" run by his kids...which by definition would not be a blind trust...not that you can even put a company into a blind trust in the first place...and as if Ivanka would know which business deals would constitute a conflict of interest for the United States--as if she or her sibs are experts somehow. Foreign policy for sale, anyone?
Amy Goodman on RawStory (CNN) truth-telling how the media manufactures consent--in this case, for Donald Trump
Another Amy Goodman piece: how the media are ruining the election by turning the airwaves into Trumpland
"Democracy Now!" on "Because Scott Walker Asked": Leaked Docs Suggest Wisconsin Gov Illegally Raised Corporate Donations
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