Wednesday, November 02, 2016

So distraught

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

I cannot believe we as a nation are in this situation.

I can't believe that it's as close as it is between Hillary and the hateful fucking moron bully freeloader abuser with the orange face anus.

How st00pit are we?!??

Yesterday, I read that the Green Party came out in support of Donald Trump? Et tu, Greens? You were my next stop after this election--I was intent on saving the planet first so that it would still be around so I could begin voting my conscience if the Democrats didn't deliver.

Thanks for letting me know that the Democratic Party is the only choice there is. I'll make it work from here, thanks, since there is nowhere else to go.

Alas, the Green Party has proven itself unwilling or incapable to understand the reality under its nose. The Green Party has proven itself to be w-a-y farther to the right than the Democratic Party ever was at its worst. The Green Party has proven itself to hate women, Blacks, Latinos, Muslims, LGBTQ+, veterans, disabled people, poor people, working people, equality, opportunity, education, science, green energy, fair taxation, and global cooperation and friendship. The Green Party wants our president to be a criminal con-man, bully, bigot, misogynist, abuser, anti-American, traitorous, freeloading, entitled dictator-wannabe who neither understands nor values the Constitution and who despises democracy--who's all in it for his own wallet and ego and who'd rather suck Putin's dick than give half of a fair shake to his own sitting President. Everything and everyone I value and stand for, the Green Party hates and thinks is crap.

Just read that last paragraph and let it soak in for a minute. I'll wait.

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised from a bunch of anti-vaxxers, but cheez...I guess all that business of showing up at the DAPL protests was just bullshit, hunh? - Because you surely don't think for a moment that Donald Trump would pursue clean energy or anything even remotely resembling progressive policy. No sane person who's been paying attention would. So, Greens, either you're not sane or you're not paying attention. Either way, you're as dangerous as Donald Trump and are no longer worthy of my support. You've betrayed everything you ever claimed to stand for.

Traitorous assholes.

And then there's James Comey. It's looking like he is going to continue playing favorites against Hillary Clinton by ignoring clear evidence of Donald Trump's ties to Russia--and I'm not talking the conspiracy crap, either, although I'd bet a year's salary that Donald Trump and his supporters--including the Green Party--are most definitely Putin's useful idiots.

And then there are my Black sisters and brothers. My bestie for the past 36 years is Black. She is the most angelic, intelligent, talented, funny person I've ever met in my life. She is exemplary. I just adore her. Not that long ago, she told me that she'd gone into a store in her hometown where she's been shopping her whole life, and the fuckers called security because a dreaded Black person walked in. The thought of how the police would treat her if they pulled her over scares me to death. The thought of how Donald Trump and his supporters, including the Green Party, would treat her is no less horrifying. Donald Trump called a Black supporter a thug and ejected him from a recent rally. Donald Trump's policies and rhetoric elicited support from David Duke of KKK fame--he's thuh-rilled to have his racist ideas gaining (regaining?) acceptance out in the open. Donald Trump wants to use racial profiling to "stop and frisk" (i.e., hunt down and imprison) more Blacks just for being Black. How can ANY Black person NOT run screaming to the polls to elect Hillary--in their own best interests if not in ours?

I don't even want to talk about women voting for Donald Trump. We all know that, after all the centuries of abuse and degradation institutionalized by the Christian religion as crystalized in the Republican Party, these women have no self-respect. If they did, they'd be proud to stand on their own feet, free from feeling like they have to kiss men's asses for "protection" (that they never get) and free from feeling reduced to their body parts--mere objects that exist solely for the pleasure of men.

I can't even.

I just can't believe we're in this situation. I can't believe that Donald Trump is even remotely still in contention for the White House. I am frustrated, angry, distraught, distressed, and pissed as hell at my countrymen and women who support Donald Trump.

I mean, I understand being the victim of bad ideas and thinking that something that doesn't exist is going to swoop down from the clouds and save your ass and all that, but WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK ARE YOU EVEN THINKING?!??!??

On the other hand...how about them Cubs?

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

Daily Kos
AlterNet

Peas, friends. Take care of yourselves for me. Trust me--you're worth it! And have a fucking Fireball already...you're overdue to become comfortably numb.
  
- Dot Calm's shadow

Consider the preemptive Blogger phuqued-up phormatting disclaimer to be in effect. Grrr.
-- Dot Calm's shadow

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Headlines

A word from POLITICO
   
CNN Dumped Donna Brazile. It Should Keep Going.
...Hey, corporate media--dump the insiders, or we'll dump you.

What Trump's Tax Returns Could Tell Us About His Dealings with Russia
...STOP THE ELECTION UNTIL WE SEE TRUMP'S TAX RETURNS! WE NEED TO KNOW BEFORE WE CAN VOTE!!!!!
     
Why I'll Defend Anyone Trump Sues for Speaking Freely
...The only way to stop Donald "bullying LOSER" Trump is to rub his nose in it. BAD dog!!!
   
The GOP's Breakdown Is Only Just Beginning
...Something is going to come out of it all. Damn. I was hoping they'd all just go the fuck away. Maybe we can throw them Texas and let them rename it "Jesusland" and set up their pweshush theocratic dictatorship there under Donald "as fraudulently Christian as he is fraudulently a businessman" Trump.
   
How The Election Could Get Even Crazier on November 9
...Don't read this before bedtime--it will give you nightmares.

A word from FiveThirtyEight
     
Election Update: Yes, Donald Trump Has A Path To Victory
...Smh, FML. Thanks, Comey--go to hell. In short, Trump is still the underdog but no longer a longshot. Holy fucking crap. Have we lost our everlovin' MINDS?!??!?? Fortunately, Hillary is still on track to win. If only she wins...and wins BIG. I can't fucking believe this is even this close.
   
Trump's Chance Of Victory Has Doubled In The Last Two Weeks
...FML. He really needs to be trounced so badly he never considers another political run ever again--and nor do any of the Trumpist wannabes. America, wake up--we need to send these shitstains a message that their intolerance, abuse, bullying, etc. are not welcome here.
   
Most Voters Haven't Changed Their Minds All Year
...So, before you panic about the two stories linked above, remember that Hillary isn't really losing ground--she's not losing voters. It's just that a lot of Republicans have gone from undecided to backing Trump after all.
   
Iowa Shootings Add To Toll In Deadly Year For Police Officers
...Not to minimize the awfulness, but to give a little perspective: far, far fewer police officers have been ambushed and shot than police have killed Blacks and Native Americans this year. I wholeheartedly disagree with the actions of the cop hunters and look forward to their coming to justice, but let's keep it real: isn't it possible that this might be a case of actions having consequences?
    
The Early Vote In Nevada Suggests Clinton Might Beat Her Polls There
...Fingers crossed.
   
Immigrants Are Keeping America Young — And The Economy Growing
...No wonder all the crotchety old white men who imbibe FUX Noise and lurve Donald Trump are pissed!
     
A word from Vox
   
Republicans and Russian hackers have made Hillary Clinton the most transparent candidate in history
...Lolololololol! And it's the truth, too! Don't believe me? Then g'head and show me Donald Trump's tax returns for the past 38 years. And his full medical records. I'll wait.
    
Just imagine what the FBI saga would look like under a vengeful President Trump
...I hates ta say it, but James Comey has turned the FBI into yet another government agency that clearly cannot be trusted. Unfortunately, the agency has a long history of underhanded dealings. Just ask Martin Luther King, Jr., or anyone else "Jedgar" took a dislike to.
  
Trump supporters are trying to trick people into voting by text. (You can't vote by text.)
...They probably think everyone else is as stupid as they are!
    
Forget conspiracy theories. This is why Trump's Russian connection is actually a problem.
...If only James Comey would do his fucking job. Oh yeah, that's right--he could interfere with the election if he did that!
   
The KKK's official newspaper is gushing about Donald Trump's message
...Please, friends--is Donald Trump really what you want for president? Is he really the best candidate for Blacks, for example?
    
A Republican just accidentally made Hillary Clinton's best closing argument
...Scott Walker promises us four more years of O'Bama if Hillary gets in. YES, PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!!!!
    
Donald Trump used a dubious loophole to make millions in taxable income disappear
...Can you say "freeloading bastard"? I gnu yew could!
   
That explosive story about Trump's secret server for talking to Russia doesn't add up
...Having a short attention span day? Keith Olbermann gives a break-down of which stories stick to the wall and which don't in todaze m00bies. However, Randi Rhodes mentions a veteran U.S. spy who claims evidence that Trump's server did (does?) communicate with Russian banks. Friends, I totally buy that because who else is gonna loan Donald "I love debt. I'm the king of debt" Trump an everlovin' penny? What do you think Putin wants from Trump in return for loaning him money? AlterNet seems to think that the evidence is credible, and so does Mother Jones's David Corn, who was interviewed on MSNBC. Hm.
   
Trump left something out of his Obamacare speech — the 21 million his plan leaves uninsured
...It would be a big FU to a lot of his supporters, who hate Obamacare but who would be worse off with nothing.
   
Hostility toward women is one of the strongest predictors of Trump support
...Um, I coulda toldja that!
    
I thought America was becoming a better place for rape survivors. Then Trump came along.
...Not just him but his supporters do not believe that women are full-fledged humans with the right to bodily autonomy, free from implicit and explicit demands to remain available for some man's pleasure, with or without said woman's consent. Just ask the evangelicals, who see women as annoying talking livestock good only for incubating sons and doing menial labor around the house, barefoot and pregnant.
     
The pile of leaks about Donald Trump and Russia, explained
...Explains a lot about his Russia "policy"
     
Leaked audio: Republican senator in key race joked about Hillary Clinton being shot
...Here's another deplorable--looks like we're gonna need a bigger basket.
    
No, "Blacks for Trump" isn't the work of white supporters faking diversity. It's worse.
...We're talking "crazy cult bigger basket" worse. Ugh.
    
Mississippi black church burned, vandalized with "Vote Trump" just days before election
...It was burned, too. But they don't know yet whether the fire was arson and/or whether it was done by the same Trump supporter vandals who defaced the side of the building.
     
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Someone posted this on CADOF...
Clearly, I'm not the only one who's pissed...
No, friend...
We will ALL get what THEY deserve
even though we DON'T deserve it!!!!!
I'd better get my passport in order
in case I need to set up dual citizenship somewhere.
I can't stand the thought of being stuck here
without a safety net if Trump gets in.
...Srsly, FUCK THAT.
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Mailbag
     
From Daily Kos--NATE SILVER FBI EMAILS TRUMP GAH!

With only a week until Election Day, Virginia is still a battleground state. To win, we need a large turnout of African American voters.

To this end, the NAACP has identified precincts that are 65% African American or greater, and have a voter turnout percentage between 57% and 83%.

Further, in order to reach these voters and remind them to turn out to the polls, our friends at People Demanding Action set up a virtual phonehanking system that allows you to make phone calls from the comfort of your own home.

Sign up to do virtual phonebanking in Virginia with People Demanding Action. After you sign up, you will be sent the information you need to make calls, including an instructional video.

Can't make calls? Please, chip in $3 to the Daily Kos Get Out the Vote Fund and help us sign up more volunteers.

If you have ever done phonebanking before, this is a treat. Many of these voters haven't been called since 2012 and they appreciate someone taking the time to remind them that their vote is important.

To phonebank for People Demanding Action, you will need a computer/tablet and a phone. The virtual phonebanks are open every day of the week from 11am to 9pm Eastern, and you can make phone calls from anywhere.

After you sign up, you will be sent the information you need to make phone calls, plus a video that shows you how virtual phonebanks work. In just a few minutes you'll be ready to make calls and help stop Donald Trump once and for all.

Sign up to do virtual phonebanking in Virginia with People Demanding Action. After you sign up, you will be sent the information you need to make calls, including an instructional video.

Can't make calls? Please, chip in $3 to the Daily Kos Get Out the Vote Fund and help us sign up more volunteers.

Keep fighting,
The Daily Kos Team
        
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CREDO Action
Tell President Obama: Stop the Dakota Access oil pipeline. #NoDAPL
The petition to President Obama reads:
"The Dakota Access pipeline would fuel climate change, cause untold damage to the environment, and significantly disturb sacred lands and the way of life for Native Americans in the upper Midwest. Direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to revoke the permits under 'Nationwide Permit 12' and stop the Dakota Access pipeline once and for all."
Add your name:
Sign the petition ►
       
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From SumOfUs--Stop the AT&T merger with Time Warner

AT&T is poised to buy Time Warner for $85 billion. If we let this happen, it will create a single, gargantuan Internet, TV and media monopoly.

That means higher prices, less choice, and even worse service.

This consolidation of power will be a total disaster for internet and TV users. Apart from paying more for a whole lot less, it could also lead to more predatory practices -- just last week AT&T was caught spying on Americans for profit.

We know we can stop it. After all, we did it the last time Big Telecom tried to put all the media power and profit in just a few hands -- when tens of thousands of SumOfUs supporters helped stop the Comcast-Time Warner merger.

Can you help do it again? There is no time to spare – we need to send a message today.

Tell regulators to stop the AT&T and Time Warner monster merger.

AT&T is the biggest provider of pay TV and Time Warner owns CNN, HBO and Warner Bros. Any of Time Warner’s competitors will find it suddenly a whole lot harder to get their content across AT&T’s massive wireless and broadband networks.

We've fought hard to stop Internet slow lanes in the past and there's no way we're going to let AT&T throttle any competing content provider while letting Time Warner products fly on through.

It will also make it a whole lot easier for AT&T to collect data from its consumers. AT&T was busted in 2013 for tracking every call, text or other communication going through its network since 1987 -- a database in the trillions bigger than anything the NSA has on Americans. And a recent investigation found that AT&T is not only handing over this information to law enforcement when it doesn't have to, it's profiting from our private data by selling its services to federal agencies.

This merger is bad for our privacy, bad for our pocketbooks and definitely bad for the Internet. Tell the regulators to stop it.

SumOfUs has been fighting for free speech and freedom of information and against disastrous corporate mergers since our inception. Our work for Net Neutrality helped keep the Internet open and accessible to dissenting voices and helped preserve the free exchange of information and ideas. Currently, we are doing all we can to stop the Monsanto and Bayer mega-merger that would put the control our food system to one giant corporation. Please take action now to stop another dangerous merger between AT&T and Time Warner.

Thanks for all that you do,

Nicole, Toni, Angus, and the rest of the SumOfUs team



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More information:

The AT&T-Time Warner deal would be a disaster for the public interest, LA Times, Oct 24, 2016
AT&T Is Spying on Americans for Profit, New Documents Reveal, Daily Beast, Oct 24, 2016
    
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There's a new petition taking off on Change.org, and we think you might be interested in signing it.

Petitioning United States Department of the Interior

Stop the Auctioning of Wayne National Forest for Oil

Petition by Nathaniel McCarthy
Cleveland, Ohio
4,076
Supporters
It started with the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). We have proven that through peaceful protest, we can fight back against fracking, which can destroy wildlife, poison water sources, and even push forward climate change. Even so, companies silently continue to push fracking in other areas, Even a national forest. 
Wayne National Forest is located in Southeastern Ohio. Among rare plants and abundant wildlife, a large portion of the Wayne runs along the Ohio River, which supplies drinking water to over 5 million people. This forest is still in danger of fracking, however. The United States Bureau of Land Management is holding an auction to lease off 1,600 acres of the forest with special interest to oil companies. These companies will drill wells, extract oil, and leave once the lease is up. But that is still enough time to leak into the Ohio River, poisoning millions of people, just like the DAPL risked. 
We cannot let this auction move forward. We, a group of Ohioans, are going to present the BLM with 33 files of protest, one for each parcel of land being auctioned, no later than November 14th, 2016. Our goal with this petition is to express the gravity of this situation in order to avoid a large-scale protest similar to the DAPL Protests. We cannot risk the rare plants, wildlife, or quality of water for even more fracking. 
       
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Daily Kos Liberation League

For the first time in years, the security and integrity of Maricopa County, Arizona elections will not be safeguarded by nonpartisan election monitors.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it won't send federal election monitors to Maricopa County, citing the 2013 Supreme Court Shelby County v. Holder decision that gutted important provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

In Maricopa County, AZ no DOJ monitors means Sheriff Arpaio -- a Trump supporter who is currently under investigation for racial profiling and running for re-election -- is in charge of guarding the ballots. With more than 1.4 million votes at risk, we cannot let him do it unwatched.

Tell the Dept. of Justice: Don't leave voters at the mercy of Sheriff Arpaio. Send federal election monitors to Arizona on Election Day.

Arizona was one of the nine states that the Supreme Court decision freed from getting advance approval for changes in voting procedures. And in the first presidential election since, Maricopa County, a heavy Latino area, has been plagued with electoral malfeasance:

  • In March during the presidential primary, officials reduced the number of polling places by 70 percent. Voter lines were several hours long.
  • Less than a month later, Maricopa County printed 2 million ballots with the wrong Spanish-language description for Prop 123. Taxpayers spent $400,000 to correct the mistake.
  • Just weeks ago, the wrong polling address was printed on election materials mailed out to roughly 3,500 voters in two Tempe precincts with high Democratic party registration. To date, officials aren't planning to mail corrections, just pledged to have the correct polling site on future materials.
These incidents -- combined with the likelihood of Trump supporters attempting to intimidate voters on Election Day -- add to growing misgivings about the integrity and security of this election. The DOJ's decision to be absent on Election Day is dangerous. Join us in calling on them to reverse their decision and send election monitors to Maricopa County.

Tell the Dept. of Justice: Don't leave voters at the mercy of Sheriff Arpaio. Send federal election monitors to Arizona on Election Day.

The Shelby ruling did not specifically address the DOJ's authority to send observers inside polling places. But the Justice Department is using the broadest interpretation of the ruling -- believing that they are prohibited from sending observers into jurisdictions unless there is already a relevant court order regarding voting practices.

Some legal scholars question the Dept. of Justice's interpretation, including Derek T. Muller, a conservative scholar on election law at Pepperdine University School of Law. Muller said he believed that the Justice Department could legally send observers to jurisdictions not specifically covered by court orders.

Considering what is at stake in this election both nationally and locally, Maricopa County voters deserve to know that their vote will be protected against intimidation, discrimination or obstruction. Join local activists in calling on the Dept. of Justice to protect democracy and not leave this election in the hands of Sheriff Arpaio.

Tell the Dept. of Justice: Send federal election monitors to Arizona on Election Day.

Keep fighting,
Monique Teal, Daily Kos


P.S. Please help keep Daily Kos strong by chipping in $3.
       
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CREDO action
Tell AARP: Stop the right-wing scare tactics about Social Security
The petition to AARP reads:
"Social Security is the most effective anti-poverty program in our nation’s history, with tens of millions of seniors relying on it. Stop using right wing fearmongering about Social Security’s future that could lead to damaging cuts to the program."
Add your name:
Sign the petition ►
      
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From Maryland PIRG--Don't let the EPA shirk reviewing Round-up

Is the Environmental Protection Agency giving in to Big Ag and Monsanto?

The EPA just postponed four days of hearings that would’ve reviewed whether glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup, causes cancer.

Now, we’re hearing that the delay could be because a trade group for the chemical industry took exception to some of the scientists who were to serve on the EPA panel -- scientists considered international experts with decades of experience to their names.1

The EPA may have given up this time, but we can’t let them yield any further to industry pressure. Make sure they reschedule the hearings as soon as possible.

The trade group even went so far as to say that “any person who has publicly expressed an opinion regarding the carcinogenicity of glyphosate” should be kept off the panel.2

Enough is enough.

The EPA needs to stand up to Monsanto and their Big Ag allies, and reschedule these hearings, now.

Sign our petition to the EPA.

These hearings are happening at a critical moment.

The chemicals in Monsanto's Roundup have been linked to serious health risks, including cancer and reproductive problems.3 Now they're showing up in our rivers and in our food supply.4,5

With each day that passes without these hearings being rescheduled, we subject more and more of our rivers, land, wildlife and bodies to these chemicals.

We can’t wait another day to ban Monsanto’s Roundup. Take action, now.

Thank you,

Emily Scarr
Maryland PIRG Director


1. Carey Gilliam, “EPA Bows to Chemical Industry in Delay of Glyphosate Cancer Review,” Oct. 19, 2016, The Huffington Post
2. Ibid.
3. Sharon Lerner, "New Evidence About the Dangers of Monsanto's Roundup," May 17, 2016, The Intercept
4. "Glyphosate Herbicide Found in Many Midwestern Streams, Antibiotics Not Common," Page last updated July 15, 2016, U.S. Geological Survey
5. Emily Cassidy, "'Extreme levels' of Herbicide Roundup Found in Food," Apr. 18, 2014, Environmental Working Group
     
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From SumOfUs--Bee scientist under gag order...help!

When your whole career is at risk because your research threatens corporate profits, can you imagine how comforting it is to know that there are so many people out there, that have never even met you, who care about you?

I'm hoping you can join other SumOfUs members today to support Dr. Jonathan Lundgren as we keep fighting to save our bees together. Believe me, every single dollar is noticed and sends an incredibly powerful message of support.

Can you donate today to fight back against bee censorship?


Thanks for all that you do,
Paul
      
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The New York Times says the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania is almost a pure toss-up—and this is the race that could decide control of the Senate.  Will you chip in $15 to help take back the Senate?
Donate Now
For months the polls have gone back and forth in Pennsylvania, where Democrat Katie McGinty is challenging incumbent anti-choice Senator Pat Toomey.
Now with the election one week away, The New York Times says McGinty has a 54 percent chance of winning—which is as close to a pure toss-up as it could be.1
This could be the race that takes control of the Senate away from anti-choice Republicans. That's why we're redoubling our efforts to turn out every vote for Katie McGinty and for reproductive freedom.
Sen. Toomey couldn't have a worse record on reproductive rights and defending women.
He failed to denounce Trump even after Trump bragged about sexual assault. He supports banning abortion after 20 weeks and allowing employers to deny contraceptive coverage to employees. He wants to throw doctors in jail for abortion and repeal Roe v. Wade.2
A McGinty victory won't only add another critical pro-choice voice to the Senate. It could also be the race that tips control of the Senate from the extreme GOP, which wants to defund Planned Parenthood and would rather leave the Supreme Court shorthanded than confirm nominees while Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton are in the White House.3
In the final week of the election, turnout efforts will make the difference in this pivotal race. Studies show that a tactic like ours—talking to voters, person-to-person—is the best way to get them to the polls.
Thank you for helping to make reproductive freedom real for all women.
Ilyse G. Hogue
President, NARAL Pro-Choice America
DONATE NOW

Sources:
1. Who Is Winning in Pennsylvania?, The New York Times, November 1, 2016
2. Pat Toomey & Donald Trump: Dangerous. Reckless. Scary., NARAL Pro-Choice America, accessed November 1, 2016
      
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As a starring character on “West Wing,” I knew its storylines could stretch political reality a bit. But looking back, the most scripted part was Republicans acting like rational lawmakers.

With Mitch McConnell at the helm, the Senate GOP’s dramatic episodes are now unprecedented. From historic obstruction of the Supreme Court to threatening government shutdowns in hopes of defunding Planned Parenthood’s lifesaving services.

Worst of all, they’ve stood with a rodeo clown like Donald Trump over and over again despite his racism, xenophobia, and hostility towards women.

In just seven days, this country can declare we’ve had enough, but I need your help to make sure that happens. Will you stand with me and the DSCC today for Democratic victory this November?

Josh Lyman’s polling savvy stuck with me and I’m telling you the stakes of the Senate couldn’t be higher as Republicans lead swing states with razor-thin margins.

Thanks to billionaire special interests, they’ve yet to face the consequences of their moral bankruptcy. But the Democratic grassroots can change that by getting loud enough $1 at a time.

When all of us chip in, we can defeat Republicans, their dark money allies, and retake the Senate. Please join me and the DSCC today to elect Democrats coast-to-coast:

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately:

Pitch in $35 IMMEDIATELY >>
Pitch in $50 IMMEDIATELY >>
Pitch in $75 IMMEDIATELY >>
Pitch in $100 IMMEDIATELY >>
Pitch in $150 IMMEDIATELY >>
Or donate another amount.


Thank you,
Bradley Whitford
     
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VoteVets
Wow, what a tremendous response. We've raised more than $15,000 for Doug Applegate's campaign in the last twenty-four hours alone.

But if you were going to ever give, or give again, to Doug's campaign to defeat Darrell Issa, now would be the best time. It allows him to put those resources to work because people are voting right now.

 

All my best,

Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran and Chairman
VoteVets
       
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Bad Craziness at Standing Rock Bad Craziness at Standing Rock

Militarized police confronted and began forcibly removing Native and Indigenous activists and their allies, known as the Water Protectors, who were peacefully demonstrating against the Dakota Access Pipeline on the ancestral homelands of the Standing Rock Sioux. Private and local security have increasingly resorted to aggressive tactics such as dogs, pepper spray, low-flying helicopters, and roadblocks to intimidate and invoke fear.

Stand with the Water Protectors by calling on President Obama to investigate and address rights violations associated with the Dakota Access Pipeline and to reject the pipeline once and for all.
              
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As the Obama Administration nears the end, the President is using his executive authority to finalize one more rule that will close a tax loophole – this time to strengthen the Estate Tax.

We really need your help to get this past the finish line as virtually all conservatives in Congress, the Chamber of Commerce and other wealthy interests are trying to block it.

Click here to send a comment to the U.S. Treasury Department in support of a proposed rule that would strengthen the Estate Tax. The wealthiest 0.2% of families must pay their fair share of taxes.

One hundred years ago, the U.S. Congress established the Estate Tax to curb the passing down of extreme family wealth from one generation to the next. Dynastic wealth was a major concern then, as it is today.

Today, the Estate Tax affects just the wealthiest 0.2% of estates – those worth more than $5.5 million.

Over the years, the Estate Tax has been riddled with loopholes that allow the wealthiest families to pay, on average, an effective tax rate of just 17%.

The Treasury Department’s proposed rule would close just one of these loopholes and generate up to $18 billion over 10 years. This could be used to end family homelessness ($11 billion over 10 years) and help one million young people get their first jobs ($3.5 billion).

Comments from the public in support of rules like this really make a difference. Federal agencies look to the public record of support or opposition when determining whether to move forward or trim their sails. We say full steam ahead, and we need you to as well.

So please join Americans for Tax Fairness in calling on the Treasury Department to use its executive authority to close this Estate Tax loophole that only benefits the wealthiest 0.2% of families.

Together, let’s create a tax system that works for all Americans, not just the wealthy few.
Thank you,
Frank Clemente
Executive Director
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Democracy Now!

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Daily Kos
     
  • Another Donald Trump recording emerges ... and this time it's a mob connection
  • FBI investigation fails to find evidence, but relies on alt-right propaganda
  • Watch Hillary slam heckler: 'I'm sick & tired of .. behavior of people who support Donald Trump'
  • This election is far from over, as more than 10% of the country is still either undecided or leaning toward third party candidates. Please, sign up with MoveOn to start calling undecided swing state voters from home.
  • Can't help get out the vote for Democrats? Chip in $3 to the Daily Kos Get Out The Vote Fund now.
  • Iowa police shooter a Confederate-flag-waving racist
  • Obama on Comey: 'There is a norm that ... we don't operate on innuendo'
  • Comey's meddlesome efforts have energized Republicans, but Trump is still losing big
  • 'I now add you to the list of people who have victimized me,' teen writes in open letter to Comey
  • House Freedom Caucus holding secret meeting, which isn't so secret since someone blabbed to Politico
  • Church burning in Mississippi investigated as a hate crime
  • Cartoon: If the media covered climate change the way it covers Hillary's email
  • Sign if you agree that our right to vote matters -- and pledge to exercise your right!
  • Bundys say another standoff may be coming if feds follow through with new Nevada National Monument
  • Cartoon: 400 days of bummer
  •      
  • Someone fed the NYT information to quickly kill emerging Trump/Russia stories ... was it Comey?
  • The Trump Russian connection is real, so is anger with James Comey
  • Clinton uses adult 'Daisy' in new ad to link Trump, Goldwater and nuclear weapons
  • We can create a big blue wave on November 8th and elect progressive Democrats down the ballot. Click here to sign up with PCCC and Daily Kos to make phone calls for the House or Senate candidate of your choice.
  • These 11 races will give you the most bang for your buck with just six days to go. Chip in $1 to each now to help Get Out The Vote for Democrats.
  • This is why America cannot elect Donald Trump. A tragic murder of a young Saudi college student.
  • New Clinton ad shows Trump—in his own words—as jerk husband, sexual predator, and bully
  • Florida is now starting to see a surge of African American and Hispanic early voters
  • Must watch: Samantha Bee traveled to Moscow, met with hackers trying to influence the U.S. election
  • Libertarian VP candidate reads paragraph from Orwell's 1984: "Welcome to Donald Trump's America, everybody."
  • Early voting is down among black North Carolinians because Republicans designed it that way
  • Frustrated you don't live in a swing state? No matter where you live, MoveOn has a great way to help their on-the-ground efforts to defeat Donald Trump and take back the Senate.
  • A week to go, and a debate over demographics breaks out
  • It's November... It's finally, really November...
                  
  • Krugman nails it with a Tweetstorm
  • Scott Walker accidentally kinda endorses Hillary Clinton
  • Why is the FBI releasing old Bill Clinton files one week before the election?
  • There's one week to go and these 11 races will give you the most bang for your buck. Chip in $1 to each now to help Get Out The Vote for Democrats.
  • YIKES: Ex-spy tells FBI that Russia has been 'cultivating' Donald Trump for years
  • Rant: Dear white people: Stop asking for black voters (and other POC, for that matter) to save you!
  • The Ku Klux Klan makes it official, endorses Donald Trump saying 'Make America Great Again'
  • Federal judge orders RNC to detail 'ballot security' efforts with Trump campaign
  • Maybe now Democrats will stop appointing Republicans to key administration spots?
  • Make a plan to vote on Tuesday, sign up for reminders, tell your friends and family. Whatever you do, pledge that you will V-O-T-E in this election. The stakes are too high.
  • Something stinks in Coffee County, Georgia, as activist grandmother is prosecuted for voter fraud
  • Spies, servers, and scandals: Donald Trump and Russia
  • It takes zero information to start the Clinton 'scandal' machine, and the machine has no brakes
  • Over six million Americans can't vote due to felony convictions, including one in 13 black people
  • Hillary just dropped this to 10 million followers
  • Yes, the 'Green' Party has endorsed Trump over Clinton
  • Trump's campaign chair tricked him into meeting Mike Pence by pretending Trump's jet was broken
  •       
  • An Elderly Black Woman Voted in Texas Today
  • Thanks, Donald, for finally waking up the Latino vote!
  • North Carolina Republicans try to stop 100-year-old Grace Bell Hardison from voting
  • Add your name: I am ready to make phone calls from home with MoveOn to defeat Donald Trump and the Republican Senate Majority.
  • Standing Rock Update: Arson fire started near Oceti Sakowin Camp
  • Nevada's tea party secretary of state rejects Indian tribes' request for reservation polling sites
  • Cops, Nat'l Guard use sonic device to disperse Water Protectors, concussion grenades to scare bison
  • Relentless suppression: Some states still ignoring court orders regarding voting procedures
  •         
  • Hillary just dropped this to 10 million followers
  • Yes, the 'Green' Party has endorsed Trump over Clinton
  • Trump's campaign chair tricked him into meeting Mike Pence by pretending Trump's jet was broken
  • Electing Hillary Clinton is not enough. She needs a progressive posse in Congress. Join PCCC and Daily Kos to make get-out-the-vote phone calls
  • Can't make calls? Chip in $3 to the Daily Kos Get Out The Vote Fund to help get Democrats to the polls.
  • Man who taunted 'Jew-S-A!' chant and other anti-Semitic messages, now says it was his Mexican accent
  • The Trump Organization seems to have an email server that linked exclusively to a Russian bank
  • One week to go, Trump's Russia problems & tax problems get worse
  • Source: Comey thought it was too political to say Russians were meddling in election
  • Ohio and Iowa show signs of life for Democrats
  • Trump's tax dodge wasn't 'smart'—it was a billion dollar cheat
  • Have you voted yet? Click here to pledge to vote and to help others vote!
  • Emails, Russia, voter intimidation, and deplorables
  • Four months of solid work from David Fahrenthold confirms: Donald Trump is a lying sack of Scrooge
  • Several states could make elections fairer and voting more accessible via the ballot box this year
  • Donald Trump destroyed emails, recordings, documents in defiance of court orders
  • Prankster vandalizes Ohio Democratic headquarters with manure—Democrats' response is classic
  • WaPo: Donald Trump owes $767,000 to a pollster hired by the campaign and is now refusing to pay up
  •              
  • AZ teacher to Muslim student: 'I can’t wait until Trump is elected. He’s going to deport all you'
  • Cartoon: The return ...
  • Mike Pence's 'religious freedom' law used as a defense for child abuse
  • Harry Reid makes most serious accusation of the campaign: Comey covering up Trump–Russia connection
  • Ohio and Iowa show signs of life for Democrats
  • Stop Trump? Support Hillary? Pledge your vote and recruit friends on Brigade, the social network for voters! sponsored
  • No, sorry, no 'tightening' here (at least not yet)
  • 'Who is the power behind the Manchurian Candidate?'
  • How much hazy innuendo can you get into an early voting story? The New York Times explores.
  • One big reason I look forward to Hillary's presidency: She knows what Republicans really are
  • The real bombshell in Harry Reid's letter
  • The brutal genius of Harry Reid's letter
  • Comey did exactly the wrong thing; meet the GOP's Trumpkins
  •               
    ******************************************** 


    ******************************************** 

    AlterNet
        
    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    "Oh, I think this guy's trying to let people know I'm a Jew." READ MORE»


    By Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet
    He criticizes the FBI and defends her character. READ MORE»


    By Kali Holloway, AlterNet
    Appalling racism is on full display in this misguided plot. READ MORE»


    By Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!
    A federal jury in Oregon on Thursday acquitted antigovernment militia leaders of conspiracy and weapons charges, which shocked federal prosecutors.  READ MORE»


    By Amanda Marcotte, Salon
    Trump built his business around judging, marketing and leering at women. How would he approach the presidency? READ MORE»


    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    The 2012 book could have been titled "Symbolic Penis," quipped Colbert. READ MORE»


    By Kali Holloway, AlterNet
    Glamour magazine named 'Emily Doe' one of its Women of the Year. READ MORE»


    By Erin Corbett, Raw Story
    Even if she does win, watch out for "outbreak of conservative male grievance." READ MORE»


    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    The comedian also gave kudos to mothers in America, a country led by "240 years of fathers." READ MORE»


    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    "He is intending to blow up the system." READ MORE»


    By Gretchen Burns Bergman, AlterNet
    By voting in favor of legalization and regulation you are in good company with a broad ranged coalition of supporters. READ MORE»


    By Richard Eskow, Blog for Our Future
    "Government isn’t the problem here. It’s the solution." READ MORE»


    By Keith Knight, AlterNet
    The amount of money being poured into election ads could be funding schools and housing.  READ MORE»


    By Peter Menniti, AlterNet
    Threat to break with Paris agreement provokes call for “wise” environmental stewardship from world’s biggest polluter. READ MORE»


    By Mandy Fabian, The Huffington Post
    The director of "The Young Hillary Diaries" explains she's "not a propagandist. Just a feminist." READ MORE»
          
    By Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet
    Trump's ties to Russia are under FBI investigation—yet Clinton's "unknown" emails get revealed by FBI head Comey and suck up the attention. READ MORE»


    By Adele M. Stan, AlterNet
    The director of the FBI is acting so as to harm the very process of democracy. READ MORE»


    By Ann Jones, Tom Dispatch
    Trump reminds this writer of the infamous narcissist Joel Steinberg, who killed a child and battered a woman and still thinks he is a victim. READ MORE»


    By Kali Holloway, AlterNet
    He initially tried to blame hackers, then thought better of it. READ MORE»


    By Robert Kuttner, The American Prospect
    The decline of the white working class is a key part of the story. READ MORE»


    By Sophia Tesfaye, Salon
    A judge wants the RNC to open up about how they're working with Donald Trump to watch the polls on Election Day. READ MORE»


    By Jeremy Sherman, AlterNet
    Fighting a pig, you will get dirty and risk becoming a pig yourself. READ MORE»


    By Sophia A. McClennen, Salon
    Donald Trump isn't the only one to lie with impunity. Logic, facts and intelligence are the losers in this election. READ MORE»


    By Michael Arria, AlterNet
    The same study showed that women were taken on longer, more expensive routes. READ MORE»


    By Stacy Bannerman, AlterNet
    "I kept waiting for him to come home, and when he finally did, he wasn't alone." READ MORE»


    By William Hartung, TomDispatch
    Until Americans let go of the urge to go and do whatever they want with the military, overspending is here to stay.  READ MORE»


    By Tom Boggioni, Raw Story
    Meet "The Trump-churian Candidate." READ MORE»


    By Lizette Borreli, Medical Daily
    Reefer-reddened eyes may hold a surprise.  READ MORE»


    By Ilana Novick, AlterNet
    The increase in demand comes just as droughts tighten supplies and increase prices.  READ MORE»


    By Brian McFadden, AlterNet
    Some very sad tales. READ MORE»
          
    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    Could it be that the man who aspires to the highest office in the land has this problem? READ MORE»


    By Leo Gerard, AlterNet
    There's a two-headed beast Donald Trump calls voter fraud and rigged elections.  READ MORE»


    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    After echoing Trump's "Second Amendment people" threat to Clinton, Richard Burr at least apologized. READ MORE»


    By Ilana Novick, AlterNet
    Complaints included mood change and increased libido.  READ MORE»


    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    "When men are ambitious, it's just taken for granted. When women are ambitious, [people ask] 'Why?'" READ MORE»


    By Donald Kaufman, Truthdig
    They continue to employ Corey Lewandowski. READ MORE»


    By Jen Hayden, Daily Kos
    It’s unclear why any contractor would think they’d be paid in full for services rendered. READ MORE»


    By Dan Zukowski, EcoWatch
    Less than two months after the Colonial Pipeline in Shelby County, Alabama, spilled 336,000 gallons of gasoline, it exploded. READ MORE»


    By Brendan Gauthier, Salon
    Despite the stench, Warren County Democrats' October surprise could prove to be a blessing in disguise. READ MORE»


    By Matt Bors, AlterNet
    The road to the polls include a crawl through the desert and dodging a crowd shouting insults. READ MORE»


    By Alexandra Rosenmann, AlterNet
    "Anthony Weiner's penis might destroy two political careers."  READ MORE»


    By Chris Conrad, The Leaf Online
    And that's not the only dirty dealing from people who paint themselves as pot lovers but always come out against legalization initiatives.  READ MORE»
         
    By Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet
    Comey's agency is filled with Trump supporters.  READ MORE»


    By Lynn Stuart Parramore, AlterNet
    Baby Bonds can restore fairness for black citizens who have been held back from economic security by centuries of prejudice.  READ MORE»


    By Sarah Lazare, AlterNet
    Two separate incidents in Kansas and California are raising alarm. READ MORE»


    By Heather Digby Parton, Salon
    Beltway insiders swooned over Comey's "nonpartisan" reputation—but his career tells a very different story. READ MORE»


    By Isaiah J. Poole, Other Words
    Progressives in states like Maine are working to heal the divisions of wedge politics practiced by politicians across the nation. READ MORE»


    By R. Jeffrey Smith, The Center for Public Integrity
    Will we be less safe during the next administration? READ MORE»


    By Nikki Gloudeman, The Establishment
    It's important to own what you do. READ MORE»


    By Travis Gettys, Raw Story
    Famous author Salman Rushdie reminded voters of this fact. READ MORE»


    By Kylie Cheung, The Frisky
    According to the study, for decades, men have been far more likely to drink heavily than women. READ MORE»


    By Wenonah Hauter, Yes! Magazine
    Washington state is considering putting a price on carbon emissions. This will not fix our climate problem and, in fact, will help fossil fuel companies continue to profit from it. READ MORE»


    By David Swanson, AlterNet
    The F-35 is a weapon of offensive war, serving no defensive purpose. READ MORE»


    By The Solutions Project, EcoWatch
    The solar trailers will provide clean energy to power medical tents and other critical facilities for Native American protesters and their allies at the encampment. READ MORE»
            
    ********************************************
     My Tea Party Christian friend insisted
    on getting the best surgeon in the area
    when he needed his shoulder fixed.
    He did not let some uneducated, ignorant
    moron off the street
    who knows nothing of human anatomy
    and who cares even less
    cut him open.
    Running the world's lone superpower
    is a complex job
    that demands knowledge and diplomacy.
    So, why does my Tea Party Christian friend
    want some uneducated, ignorant
    moron off the street
    who knows nothing of government
    and who cares even less
    in the Oval Office?
    ...and his bank account is smaller than he claims.
    Just like his dick.
    He wants to grab women's pussies?
    They need to demand to see his dick
    so they can point and LAUGH.
    ******************************************** 

    Movies!

    Secular Talk on James Comey's disgusting double standard in his dealings with Trump and Clinton. Kyle bitches about Democrats' red-baiting, but our own intelligence agencies confirmed that it was Russia doing the hacking. Please, Kyle, do your homework--even Chris Wallace confirmed Hillary's statement to that effect during the third debate. Even so, I don't fucking care if Hillary and the Dems are handing out the nuclear codes like candy--I'LL NEVER VOTE FOR THE ORANGE ASSHOLE, m'kay? Speaking of Wiener's e-mails, most of the ~650,000 e-mails are Wiener's; only some 10,000 relate to Huma Abedin.

    Keith Olbermann: the e-mail debacle is worse than Watergate but for totally different reasons than Donald Trump pretends

    Keith Olbermann asks if Donald Trump, Putin's useful idiot, is a Russian agent

    MSNBC discusses MoJo's article on Russia grooming Trump. The Washington Examiner’s Susan Ferrechio does a great job of destroying her own credibility by being defensive and not letting David Corn speak by interrupting and shouting him down. Thanks for showing us so clearly whom to believe, Susan.  

    Here's Randi Rhodes's take on Trump's Putin ties and James Comey leaving us all in the dark. I'm sorry, Randi, my love, but I am seriously beginning to doubt Comey's integrity.

    The Young Turks: FUX Noise, the Trump campaign, and the rest of the Republicans are doing their happy dance because "fewer Black people are voting." Could it be because they're being fucking eliminated off the voter rolls and intimidated and otherwise kept from voting through coordinated voter suppression? ...Naaaaah. FML.

    The Young Turks: Donald Trump uses his campaign donations to line his own pockets because of course he does!

    Jerry Springer makes so many good points against Donald Trump that I wish I could shake Springer's hand. Srsly, even my Tea Party Christian friend found himself the best surgeon in the area when he needed his shoulder fixed--what makes him and his ilk think that the best person to run the country, a complex job to say the least, is the one who doesn't know dick about dick?

    I'm with Bill Maher--FUCK false equivalencies!!!!!

    Hey, that's ok, Green Party--Donald Trump doesn't even believe in global warming, so it can never harm you...you're safe now! Aren't you glad you just don't do reality any more? Why, it's just like deciding to believe that cops don't exist if you feel like robbing a bank!

    Oh, but Donald Trump and my Tea Party Christian friend say that oil pipelines are the safest things in the WORLD...and they wouldn't lie and they can't be wrong, now would they? Right, Green Party? You gotta come out and support your boi on this one!

    Donald Trump thinks we have too much free speech--be afraid...be VERY afraid!

    Donald "feckless gormless LOSER" Trump has no idea what Obamacare is or how it works. He doesn't even know what his own organization's health care benefit arrangements are. Idiot.

    The Young Turks: CNN fires Donna Brazile for leaking debate questions to Hillary. Good. Way to delegitimize the debates for Hillary and throw Donald Trump red meat, Donna! Just because you thot you weren't gonna get caught doesn't make it right, duh. Time to toss the insiders and get back to honest-to-goodness investigative reporting, the Fairness Doctrine, and accuracy in the media. We need to penalize the shit out of any media source NOT following good practices because their consistent misinformation for the past thirty years has given us Donald LOSER Trump!

    The Young Turks: just how many Trump supporters are Nazis? This is the video with his alt-right supporters screaming "JEW-S-A!" As Cenk says, why don't CNN or the rest of commercial corporate media just go interview Trump supporters to see which ones fit in the basket of deplorables and which ones are just pissed off that the rich and powerful, like Donald Trump, have rigged the system against them? Just stick a microphone in their faces, Cenk says--they'll be glad to give you a piece of their minds.

    Here's Randi Rhodes's take on "JEW-S-A" plus other great information--don't miss this video! If Donald Trump loses, how much ya wanna bet he stiffs all his surrogates because he doesn't like the results? That's exactly what he did to his pollster--stiffed 'em nearly a million bux because he didn't like the poll numbers they gave him! He must've been expecting the results to come back at 100%, just like in North Korea. No wonder evangelicals lurve Donald Trump--they all believe that reality is whatever you wish it were, regardless of what it actually is!

    MSNBC: the polls are consistent, despite negative news cycles about Donald Trump or Hillary. I confess, that's comforting. Whew. Michael Moore shares his thinking--including confirming that Donald Trump is an unabashed anarchist. I think it-snot just Trump but ALL of the Republicans who are unabashed anarchists. Srsly, why the FUCK do you want to turn over THE GOVERNMENT to ANARCHISTS?!??!?? That's like turning over your car for maintenance to the anti-car luddites who don't think anyone should ever drive EVAR and who actively DESTROY cars to get them off the road. Whiskey tango, folks?!

    MSNBC interviewed Libertarian Veep candidate Bill Weld, who fears for the country if Trump gets in but who refers to Hillary as a businesslike person of high moral standing who's also very honest--and he's worked with her for 40 years, so I like to think he'd know. Weld's opinion of Hillary's honesty is certainly borne out by PolitiFact.

    Funny! Will Ferrell as DUHbya speaks about Donsie Wonsie

    And don't forget these other great Trump lines to make the ladies lurve him:
     “Putting a wife to work is a very dangerous thing.”
    “When I come home and dinner’s not ready, I go through the roof.”
    “A person who’s flat-chested is very hard to be a 10.”
    “She ate like a pig.”
    And, of course..."Grab them by the pussy."

    If Donald Trump gets in, we will be the ungoodest nation on the planet. Bigly.

    Seth Meyers's take on the latest e-mail debacle

    'Til next time, check out these great channels:
    ...or, if you just want something mindless and fun, try Tested
      
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