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:
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Making it illegal for people convicted of violent hate crimes to buy or possess guns
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Making it illegal for suspected terrorists to legally buy guns
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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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| 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:
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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, 06-14-2016http://act.colorofchange.org/
2. “2016 Internet Policy Platform,”
http://act.colorofchange.org/
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| 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.
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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
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| 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 returnsSign 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?
- Pitch in $4 to take back Nevada's 4th.
- Donate $10 to send Hardy packing.
- Contribute $20.16 to take back the House in 2016.
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
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 $15 billion because of the rejection of the dangerous Keystone XL Pipeline using rules much like those in the TPP deal.
The pact would require the U.S. Department of Energy to automatically approve all exports of natural gas to countries in the pact, thereby removing the ability of our government to make decisions about our energy future while expanding dangerous fracking and climate disrupting emissions.
Stand with Daily Kos and Friends of the Earth and demand that your Congressperson vote no on the toxic Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
The TPP pays some lip service to the environment with a chapter that appears to address some concerns, but the actual obligations are very weak, and unlikely to be enforced. We cannot rely on the TPP to protect the environment.
Take action to defeat TPP.
Keep fighting,
Irna Landrum, Daily Kos
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If Leviticus says to kill all the gays,
then why does my Tea Party Christian friend,
who claims to believe the Bible literally,
think the Orlando massacre was wrong?
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Democracy Now!
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PRIDE
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Daily Kos
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If you're going to give religion a pass
because some of its followers
do the right thing for the wrong reason,
then you can't complain
when they do the wrong thing
for the wrong reason.
-- Dot Calm's shadow
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AlterNet
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LOVE > HATE
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Movies
potholer54's great video on scientific "consensus" ICYMI
Trump and the art of the lie
Here's why Wayne LaPierre has orgasms every time a gun kills an innocent person: ka-ching, ka-ching! He's ca$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
