The mental and emotional cost of hearing trump’s name every hour all day long in the news is enough to break many of us. Stay strong Robert. We need your cheerful, positivity.
The first two words to think of when listening to anything the former President says is first GRIFT (money is his God) and second PROJECTION (projecting the blame on others). Then go for the Off button.
You're absolutely right, Cathy. But I turn off the sound or change the channel immediately when I see that offensive, immoral malignant narcissist face worming its way onto my TV screen. I had to contend with a malignant narcissist taking hold of a close friend for years. No information I sent or anything I said made a dent in that emotional lock. The break didn't come until their second marriage after the narcissist manipulated a large chunk of money out of my friend's bank account. THAT finally broke the spell. It was a painful and exhausting time for me and the victim's family. So I'm not surprised at Trump's tight grip on a portion of his electorate. And when I see his face, it turns my stomach and I know nothing true or positive will come out of his twisted, evil brain.
Yes, Sorry that you have had to have such intimate knowledge of how a malignant narcissist operates. When I realized in April of 2016 that TFG was the likely Republican nominee for President I spent two weeks studying narcissistic personality disorder for which DT is the poster child (along with Jim Jones). This week Mary Trump was interviewed on MSNBC by Lawrence O'Donnell. She talked about how little emotion the narcissist has - no sadness. That surprised me. Instead he feels self-pity. Limited emotional range! He's a coward. https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/mary-trump-trump-would-likely-surrender-if-charged-because-he-s-a-coward-166165061859
Thank you Cathy. Yes, I saw that show. Mary said he feels self-pity, fear and anger. I also did a lot of reading and learned about malignant narcissists, though my friend wouldn't even consider any of the information I sent.
It is chilling that they have no idea how "normal" people feel in certain situations, so they study others in order to be able to act in a somewhat socially acceptable way. The example I read that really brought this home was if a mother watched her child run out into the street and get hit by a car, the narcissist would not feel anything.
But they would learn that the mother's reaction is what other people would do. That tells you everything you need to know. They have zero ability to feel any empathy for others. And their basic motivation is to fill that empty (unfillable) hole inside where their parents love and their sense of self-worth should have been.
I was also surprised to learn that even if their partners praise them, tell them they love them and do many nice things for them, the MN is not happy. They are happy, however, when they make their partner feel awful. And of course, when they can snag a lot of money for themselves.
You probably know all this Cathy, but I thought I'd put it down here in case others don't realize how lacking in even basic humanity most malignant narcissists are inside.
C C You said it so beautifully. Thank you! I have a hard time imagining such emptiness! Then there is the other side where a person like Beethoven had such a wide and deep emotional repertoire and the skills to put them into music that you can be drawn into their emotional depths, be elated by them and be better for it.
Thanks! the link is to 100-year old Grace Linn speaking at a school board meeting against the banning of books. Her husband was killed in WWII defending out freedom to read.
Thanks for posting this. I saw it yesterday and it brought tears to my eyes. I was also quite upset at the vitriol and scorn in some of the replies. I don’t even reply or post on Twitter anymore.
As you might expect, your reporting of the new "laws" in Florida and Georgia make my blood boil, and my heart break. Mostly I'm so incredibly angry, but also very concerned for those most affected on those states. It's unconscionable. Every single election, including those coming up in Wisconsin, are a chance for us to send a message! Grrrrrr!
My own state of Montana has a supermajority R government and is doing the same. They said no to continuing funding school meals for hungry children, gave yet another tax break to the rich, are ignoring our housing and wages problem, 25% of our nursing homes have closed because Medicaid funding doesn't cover costs, erasing transgender existence by outlawing their medical choices, trying to carve out abortion as illegal, and various Montana-specific other issues in there too. We are a small-population state of roughly 1 million people. Our wealthy governor has opened the state to wealthy people who watch Kevin Costner in Yellowstone and think they can come here and play cowboy. It's disheartening.
I'm so sorry. It's happening everywhere, which I know means that we just have to keep working at change.... Interestingly, I feel like I rarely hear about Montana in the news..... Hang in there, Wendy! Keep us informed!
Please let us refrain from promoting the Republican fiction that they support “biblical” marriage, explaining their opposition to marriage equality as due to it not being “biblical” and therefore against the will of God.
Support for same-sex marriage is rapidly growing across the country. Republicans are pretty much split 50/50 on the issue which has the support of over 80% of Democrats. Majorities of most religious groups also support it with evangelical Protestants and Latter-day Saints lagging. But it doesn’t matter what the majority thinks or wants if your opinion comes directly from God, does it?
Here’s how it works in reality. A person harbors their personal sense of morality. They then project that onto their image of God and mentally reverse the transaction claiming that their own idea is divine.
Here is a sampling of what the Bible actually says about marriage.
Marriage shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women. (Gen 29:17-28; II Sam 3:2-5.)
Marriage shall not impede a man’s right to take concubines in addition to his wife or wives. (II Sam 5:13; I Kings 11:3; II Chron 11:21)
A marriage shall be considered valid only if the wife is a virgin. If the wife is not a virgin, she shall be executed. (Deut 22:13-21)
Marriage of a believer and a non-believer shall be forbidden. (Gen 24:3; Num 25:1-9; Ezra 9:12; Neh 10:30)
Since marriage is for life, neither the Constitution nor any state law of shall permit divorce. (Deut 22:19; Mark 10:9-12)
If a married man dies without children, his brother must marry the widow. If the brother refuses to marry the widow, or deliberately does not give her children, he shall pay a fine of one shoe and be otherwise punished in a manner to be determined by law. (Gen 38:6-10; Deut 25:5-10)
In lieu of marriage (if there are no acceptable men to be found), woman shall get her father drunk and have sex with him. (Gen 19:31-36)
Of course, none of the self-righteous Republicans who will provide no other reason for opposing same-sex marriage other than its supposed biblical endorsement supports any of these scriptural examples.
A “bigot” is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices claiming them as absolute truth, especially one who exhibits intolerance and animosity toward members of a group. Bigotry may be directed towards those of a differing sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, nationality, region, language, religious or spiritual belief, political alignment, age, economic status or medical disability.
Legend has it that the first Duke of Normandy refused to kiss the foot of the French king Charles III, uttering the phrase bi got, borrowing the Old English equivalent of our expression by God. Bigot was used by the French for the Beguines, members of a Roman Catholic lay sisterhood. Frome the 15th century on Old French bigot meant “an excessively devoted or hypocritical person.” Bigot is first recorded in English in 1598 meaning “a superstitious hypocrite.”
If you deny this to some of your fellow citizens, and provide no justification other than self-righteous hypocrisy, there is a word for you.
Basically, Republicans support strong protections for bigots. But we must not echo their claims of biblical authority. Their bigotry is their own and we must make them own it.
Um, I think you make my point with the first citation. Conservatives cite that passage as support for the nature of marriage as commanded by God. They ignore what they don't like in the Bible.
But as long as you are quoting the Bible's statements that contradicts the alleged morality commanded by God, we should include this statement by Jesus:
In Matthew 19:12. Jesus says, “There are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
The quote seems to refer to differently gendered people at birth and says, "The one who can accept this should accept it."
If they believed in "biblical" marriage, white evangelicals wouldn't have the highest divorce rate of any group in America. Hypocrites all.
For the Christians who are upset, the white evangelicals are NOT Christians. They are Fundamentalists, a heresy supporting misogyny, patriarchy, militarism, violence, inequality, which masquerades as "christianity," "judaism," "islam" or "hindu" but is its own religion.
"Marriage shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women. (Gen 29:17-28; II Sam 3:2-5.)" This sure seems to be endorsing plural marriage.
As a Swedish citizen I take for granted American agencies are able to access all information about me that American companies are collecting, without any legal protection whatsoever. Since I am gradually learning that there is no justice in the US, this is as frightening as with China, in the new world of big corporations.
1. Fuddy Duddy oldster I may be, but apart from its security implications, banning Tik Tok is something that will benefit one of the failings with current American culture. It is wildly popular with pre-teens and teens. They spend HOURS on it. And from observations of my own grandchildren, and those of friends with that age children and grandchildren, it has taken the place for many bright kids of plain old reading. This in families where the parents read themselves a lot. That effect in itself is not a valid reason for banning, but I can't help but think the extra time those kids will now have could turn some back to the satisfying and whetting of curiosity of y'know, books. (I know there are a lot of other factors lessening the interest in reading, but having at least one go away would help.) A ban, however, might well lead to divestment of the Chinese ownership of the platform.
2. I may be wrong, but I understand that the actual statute for Don't Say Gay specifies grades 1-3. If that is so, how is Florida getting away by extending that by regulation alone? The GOP certainly howls about any possibility that the federal government might exceed its statutory authority in making regs. How will the supremes react if they whop student loan relief on that particular ground?
3. Keep an eye out on Florida House Bill 1421, the most godawful anti-trans bill I have yet to see. It isn't before the full house, but is moving towards it.
By the way, here is a poem-ette I composed late tuesday, with a little help from my friends:
We were revisiting Ruby Tuesday last night at my weekly song-writing session - released during my SR year in high school, just before the start of the Nixon regime, when the '60s lost its luster.
I remember the invincible spirit we had then; we eventually brought Nixon to heel, and will do the same with the traitorous criminal trying to steal and ruin our world today.
This GenXer wants to let you know that you have no idea what TikTok is. People have built businesses on the platform. GenZ helped Biden win the presidency mobilizing on the platform. The LGBTQ+ has a huge supportive family on the platform. When TFG was holding his stupid rallies, ppl organized on TikTok and reserved a majority of tickets guaranteeing small turnout.
I’ve learned about Excel, taken tours of Svalbard, met people IRL. This is a community just like the one that engages here. Just because you don’t understand it, doesn’t make it any less valid. And for sure the republicans questioning the CEO TRULY had no clue.
This very platform you’re and the device you’re eagerly engaging with has the same issues. The only way to avoid spying eyes is to live off of the grid.
So please, everyone, in the interest of not sounding exactly like people that only watch Fox, don’t bash things that you don’t even have any experience with.
I can see the Board thinks they can extend the ages covered. But I just read the statute--it is very explicit about the grade. So what the Board is doing is a actually amending the statute without using the legislature. Normally, and administrative body doesn't get to say "Did they say 3rd grade? They must have meant 12th and so we will take it as done." It's like a statute saying "the drinking age by law is 21" and having an agency set up rules allowing sales to 18 year olds.
But this is Florida. The part of the map that says "here be monsters."
so he is saying that age appropriate for a twelfth grader is defined as what is age appropriate to a third grader? The statute talks about a "manner" that is not age appropriate, "according to state standards." It doesn't BAN discussion past grade 3.
What state standards? The statute doesn't talk about "expressly allowed" by state standards. I suspect few "state standards" expressly allow discussion of most things. Is there a state standard that expressly allows discussion of, say, quantum theory? Ideas of the multiverse? Or the proper use of the Oxford Comma? How about Communism? That's something DeSantos-ites don't like. Is teaching about it indoctrination?
All this apart from the fact that a lot of 12th graders are actually 18, and freakin' adults.
I just checked the Florida standards. Could find nothing on quantum theory or the multiverse. Relativity, yes. Lots on punctuation but nothing specific on the Oxford comma. Nothing on epidemics or pandemics, either. Nor 9/11 nor terrorists.
Love that poem! If TT is banned, a connection to young people interested in politics. I remember some epic shade they threw on GOP candidates. If it is banned, they will find another platform, not books.
As a voracious reader, I would bet that if the technological alternatives had been around then, where you don't have to imagine the pictures in your mind the words inspire, would have ended reading then too. And as a reminder of what the good old days were really like, I am pretty sure I read more books in a year in high school than the rest of the class, combined. (not the class I was in, all the classes in that graduation year group) But that was because being what is now known as Aspergian and was then just thought "weird" I was one of those rejected by the morons, so I had a lot of time on my hands that was better-spent than they did (I am the only member of my high school class who has created things that will outlive me)
Robert Hubbell does what so few politicians, journalists, religious leaders, corporate CEOs and American citizens in general are loath to do: admit when they have made a mistake. A lot of Americans took the Golden Haired demagogue's bait in 2016, and now in the aftermath of his disastrous criminal tenure as president, most won't acknowledge their error so as to not lose face and disturb their fraught perception of reality. Hubbell by contrast, comes right out and says that he bought Trump's bullshit about being arrested last week and upon realizing he had been duped again by the pathological liar, vowed to learn from his mistake. If we had honest leaders in this country like Hubbell who stood in the light of truth without fear or the tendency to influence other peoples' perceptions with guile and subterfuge, we'd have a functional democracy. There is a word to describe human beings like Robert Hubbell--the word is "honorable." It's too bad we don't have more people like him running the country.
The most horrible part of the multi-state GOP attack on LGBTQ people is that the pendulum was already swinging in favor of the open acceptance of the lifestyle of LGBTQ throughout American life. If a Don't Say Gay attitude becomes acceptable, what of all the people who have already revealed their preference? Now the anti-gay/transgender vigilantes have easy pickings, don't they? The DEI policies of companies that felt compelled to publicize their acceptance of all personal lifestyles will be pressured otherwise. The school-aged children who felt safe to be open about who they are won't be able to hide anymore and will fear being targeted. This is a horrible thing that is being invited to hurt so many more people than before gay rights found safety in America. They were promised safety, took a chance to be themselves, and now what? Talk about confusing! Talk about danger!
Back to Merrick Garland for a moment. I find it interesting that it's the foot soldiers in the hard right driven insurrection attempt who are getting their comeuppance and going to jail. Like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. But it seems like the big shots like Eastman, Giuliani, Don Jr, and Michael Flynn are not paying a price. And, I suspect, Mike Flynn is, irony of ironies, still getting his government pension while he seeks to over-throw that same government.
I bought two copies of this book for our church's library. I attend a United Church of Christ, probably the most progressive of all the protestant denominations. If you are looking for an "organization" to join to fight Christian Nationalism, I suggest you check us out. The denomination is very active in the social justice movement, as well as LGBTQ+ rights. In our church we say at the beginning of service, "No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here." We say it every Sunday, and we mean it. (One UCC pastor that I know is married to an atheist.) As an evangelical once said in a derisive tone, "Those UCC folks will take anybody." To which we say "Yes, absolutely!"
Dear Robert … First, thank you for your mention yesterday that TonytheDemocrat was still asking for postcard writers. I thought their deadline had already passed.
Good news!!! #1
I immediately wrote to my fridayaction.org team for another round of writing - right away 1/3 emailef back “Yes! “ I expect more yesses today. Also, at least 1 person on my team was doing fridayaction WI phone banking last night. #2 Thank you for mentioning the nationwide rallies against big banks support of climate destruction by funding of fossil fuel companies instead of transitioning their support of green energy. We had a poignant, passionate and well attended demonstration in Northampton where CHASE bank is attempting to open a new branch in the center of town. We were one of more than 100 such denonstrations nationwide! Multiple climate justice groups were involved., Third Act for activists over 60 and up included. Your moto totally applies!!! Thank you!!!
That’s great that you are still writing postcards. I am too! If you want to check deadlines or new campaigns on PostcardsToVoters.org just check with Abby however you get your postcards (slack, email,text). Also the confusion about the deadline could be because when you request addresses there is always a deadline three days from the date you get them. This is because the cards should be done in that time frame. But that doesn’t mean the campaign will be over then. Also the message or address list for the campaign can sometimes change. That’s why I recommend just getting the amount you can do in a day or so, mailing those and then getting more
That’s fantastic! If you (or anyone else) would like company when you write please join us at MarkersForDemocracy.org. We meet on Zoom Monday Tuesday and Friday mornings and Wednesday night and Saturday morning with our sister groups Team Min and the Downtown Nasty Women Social Group
Deb, I have a Native American gay friend who grew up on the Turtle Mountain reservation in North Dakota. I will never forget the day that Daryl explained to me that in his Native language (Ojibwa) there are six genders. Made so much sense. (Can’t open the NYT article as I no longer subscribe)
Sheila, do you want to see it? I can gift it to you if you send your email. And yes, I’ve read that about various Native cultures (in Mexico as well as US). I wonder if anyone has written a book about this topic. So interesting.
Deb, thank you for the offer! My neighbor subscribes so I asked her to gift it for me. Very interesting; thanks tor highlighting it. As for a book, don’t know of one. But I’ll check with Daryl. Thanks again.
Keep doing what you do Robert!! I so appreciate your intelligent and even handed discussions. Christian nationalism is a pox on this country and you are right to call it out.
About China's national intelligence law that Robert has quoted, also beware of computers made in China. Lenovo, a high quality brand, has been subject to this law since it went into effect. I was doing work in China at that time, and when it was time to buy a new laptop, chose a non-Chinese brand, will never buy one again. It's no joke.
The mental and emotional cost of hearing trump’s name every hour all day long in the news is enough to break many of us. Stay strong Robert. We need your cheerful, positivity.
The first two words to think of when listening to anything the former President says is first GRIFT (money is his God) and second PROJECTION (projecting the blame on others). Then go for the Off button.
You're absolutely right, Cathy. But I turn off the sound or change the channel immediately when I see that offensive, immoral malignant narcissist face worming its way onto my TV screen. I had to contend with a malignant narcissist taking hold of a close friend for years. No information I sent or anything I said made a dent in that emotional lock. The break didn't come until their second marriage after the narcissist manipulated a large chunk of money out of my friend's bank account. THAT finally broke the spell. It was a painful and exhausting time for me and the victim's family. So I'm not surprised at Trump's tight grip on a portion of his electorate. And when I see his face, it turns my stomach and I know nothing true or positive will come out of his twisted, evil brain.
Yes, Sorry that you have had to have such intimate knowledge of how a malignant narcissist operates. When I realized in April of 2016 that TFG was the likely Republican nominee for President I spent two weeks studying narcissistic personality disorder for which DT is the poster child (along with Jim Jones). This week Mary Trump was interviewed on MSNBC by Lawrence O'Donnell. She talked about how little emotion the narcissist has - no sadness. That surprised me. Instead he feels self-pity. Limited emotional range! He's a coward. https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/mary-trump-trump-would-likely-surrender-if-charged-because-he-s-a-coward-166165061859
Thank you Cathy. Yes, I saw that show. Mary said he feels self-pity, fear and anger. I also did a lot of reading and learned about malignant narcissists, though my friend wouldn't even consider any of the information I sent.
It is chilling that they have no idea how "normal" people feel in certain situations, so they study others in order to be able to act in a somewhat socially acceptable way. The example I read that really brought this home was if a mother watched her child run out into the street and get hit by a car, the narcissist would not feel anything.
But they would learn that the mother's reaction is what other people would do. That tells you everything you need to know. They have zero ability to feel any empathy for others. And their basic motivation is to fill that empty (unfillable) hole inside where their parents love and their sense of self-worth should have been.
I was also surprised to learn that even if their partners praise them, tell them they love them and do many nice things for them, the MN is not happy. They are happy, however, when they make their partner feel awful. And of course, when they can snag a lot of money for themselves.
You probably know all this Cathy, but I thought I'd put it down here in case others don't realize how lacking in even basic humanity most malignant narcissists are inside.
C C You said it so beautifully. Thank you! I have a hard time imagining such emptiness! Then there is the other side where a person like Beethoven had such a wide and deep emotional repertoire and the skills to put them into music that you can be drawn into their emotional depths, be elated by them and be better for it.
Forbearance, and perseverance, are the price of freedom. "Keep calm and carry on," as the British say.
I just want to share this. Meet Grace Linn. Be Grace Linn. https://twitter.com/NikkiFried/status/1638901417992765441?s=20
Thanks! the link is to 100-year old Grace Linn speaking at a school board meeting against the banning of books. Her husband was killed in WWII defending out freedom to read.
OMG! 👏🤸♀️🤗💐 And I found a pic of it https://i.redd.it/vlh4hdi4tepa1.jpg
Thanks!!!!!
Oh WOW!! What a powerful message to wear!!!!
Thanks, Gailee. Yay for Grace Linn!
A great lady! With a great name: Grace!
Thank you Gailee! This made my day!
Thanks for posting this. I saw it yesterday and it brought tears to my eyes. I was also quite upset at the vitriol and scorn in some of the replies. I don’t even reply or post on Twitter anymore.
I've learned to not reply, but read to try to gauge the # of the willingly ignorant who are, tragically, voters.
What an inspiration she is. I’m glad you shared the link.
Spectacular and so very inspiring!! Thank you for sharing this.
You are.
That is exactly why You Are ✨✨✨✨✨
As you might expect, your reporting of the new "laws" in Florida and Georgia make my blood boil, and my heart break. Mostly I'm so incredibly angry, but also very concerned for those most affected on those states. It's unconscionable. Every single election, including those coming up in Wisconsin, are a chance for us to send a message! Grrrrrr!
My own state of Montana has a supermajority R government and is doing the same. They said no to continuing funding school meals for hungry children, gave yet another tax break to the rich, are ignoring our housing and wages problem, 25% of our nursing homes have closed because Medicaid funding doesn't cover costs, erasing transgender existence by outlawing their medical choices, trying to carve out abortion as illegal, and various Montana-specific other issues in there too. We are a small-population state of roughly 1 million people. Our wealthy governor has opened the state to wealthy people who watch Kevin Costner in Yellowstone and think they can come here and play cowboy. It's disheartening.
I'm so sorry. It's happening everywhere, which I know means that we just have to keep working at change.... Interestingly, I feel like I rarely hear about Montana in the news..... Hang in there, Wendy! Keep us informed!
Please let us refrain from promoting the Republican fiction that they support “biblical” marriage, explaining their opposition to marriage equality as due to it not being “biblical” and therefore against the will of God.
Support for same-sex marriage is rapidly growing across the country. Republicans are pretty much split 50/50 on the issue which has the support of over 80% of Democrats. Majorities of most religious groups also support it with evangelical Protestants and Latter-day Saints lagging. But it doesn’t matter what the majority thinks or wants if your opinion comes directly from God, does it?
Here’s how it works in reality. A person harbors their personal sense of morality. They then project that onto their image of God and mentally reverse the transaction claiming that their own idea is divine.
Here is a sampling of what the Bible actually says about marriage.
Marriage shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women. (Gen 29:17-28; II Sam 3:2-5.)
Marriage shall not impede a man’s right to take concubines in addition to his wife or wives. (II Sam 5:13; I Kings 11:3; II Chron 11:21)
A marriage shall be considered valid only if the wife is a virgin. If the wife is not a virgin, she shall be executed. (Deut 22:13-21)
Marriage of a believer and a non-believer shall be forbidden. (Gen 24:3; Num 25:1-9; Ezra 9:12; Neh 10:30)
Since marriage is for life, neither the Constitution nor any state law of shall permit divorce. (Deut 22:19; Mark 10:9-12)
If a married man dies without children, his brother must marry the widow. If the brother refuses to marry the widow, or deliberately does not give her children, he shall pay a fine of one shoe and be otherwise punished in a manner to be determined by law. (Gen 38:6-10; Deut 25:5-10)
In lieu of marriage (if there are no acceptable men to be found), woman shall get her father drunk and have sex with him. (Gen 19:31-36)
Of course, none of the self-righteous Republicans who will provide no other reason for opposing same-sex marriage other than its supposed biblical endorsement supports any of these scriptural examples.
A “bigot” is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices claiming them as absolute truth, especially one who exhibits intolerance and animosity toward members of a group. Bigotry may be directed towards those of a differing sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, nationality, region, language, religious or spiritual belief, political alignment, age, economic status or medical disability.
Legend has it that the first Duke of Normandy refused to kiss the foot of the French king Charles III, uttering the phrase bi got, borrowing the Old English equivalent of our expression by God. Bigot was used by the French for the Beguines, members of a Roman Catholic lay sisterhood. Frome the 15th century on Old French bigot meant “an excessively devoted or hypocritical person.” Bigot is first recorded in English in 1598 meaning “a superstitious hypocrite.”
If you deny this to some of your fellow citizens, and provide no justification other than self-righteous hypocrisy, there is a word for you.
Basically, Republicans support strong protections for bigots. But we must not echo their claims of biblical authority. Their bigotry is their own and we must make them own it.
Um, I think you make my point with the first citation. Conservatives cite that passage as support for the nature of marriage as commanded by God. They ignore what they don't like in the Bible.
But as long as you are quoting the Bible's statements that contradicts the alleged morality commanded by God, we should include this statement by Jesus:
In Matthew 19:12. Jesus says, “There are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
The quote seems to refer to differently gendered people at birth and says, "The one who can accept this should accept it."
If they believed in "biblical" marriage, white evangelicals wouldn't have the highest divorce rate of any group in America. Hypocrites all.
For the Christians who are upset, the white evangelicals are NOT Christians. They are Fundamentalists, a heresy supporting misogyny, patriarchy, militarism, violence, inequality, which masquerades as "christianity," "judaism," "islam" or "hindu" but is its own religion.
Wow. Had not read the litany of bliblical description of marriage. Thanks. I think.
"Marriage shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women. (Gen 29:17-28; II Sam 3:2-5.)" This sure seems to be endorsing plural marriage.
As a Swedish citizen I take for granted American agencies are able to access all information about me that American companies are collecting, without any legal protection whatsoever. Since I am gradually learning that there is no justice in the US, this is as frightening as with China, in the new world of big corporations.
excellent post. Three observations:
1. Fuddy Duddy oldster I may be, but apart from its security implications, banning Tik Tok is something that will benefit one of the failings with current American culture. It is wildly popular with pre-teens and teens. They spend HOURS on it. And from observations of my own grandchildren, and those of friends with that age children and grandchildren, it has taken the place for many bright kids of plain old reading. This in families where the parents read themselves a lot. That effect in itself is not a valid reason for banning, but I can't help but think the extra time those kids will now have could turn some back to the satisfying and whetting of curiosity of y'know, books. (I know there are a lot of other factors lessening the interest in reading, but having at least one go away would help.) A ban, however, might well lead to divestment of the Chinese ownership of the platform.
2. I may be wrong, but I understand that the actual statute for Don't Say Gay specifies grades 1-3. If that is so, how is Florida getting away by extending that by regulation alone? The GOP certainly howls about any possibility that the federal government might exceed its statutory authority in making regs. How will the supremes react if they whop student loan relief on that particular ground?
3. Keep an eye out on Florida House Bill 1421, the most godawful anti-trans bill I have yet to see. It isn't before the full house, but is moving towards it.
By the way, here is a poem-ette I composed late tuesday, with a little help from my friends:
Good-bye Lardy Tuesday
Who could hang a perp on you?
Now we wait for every new day
Never going to miss you.
Very cool lyrics!
We were revisiting Ruby Tuesday last night at my weekly song-writing session - released during my SR year in high school, just before the start of the Nixon regime, when the '60s lost its luster.
I remember the invincible spirit we had then; we eventually brought Nixon to heel, and will do the same with the traitorous criminal trying to steal and ruin our world today.
"...Ain't life unkind?".
This GenXer wants to let you know that you have no idea what TikTok is. People have built businesses on the platform. GenZ helped Biden win the presidency mobilizing on the platform. The LGBTQ+ has a huge supportive family on the platform. When TFG was holding his stupid rallies, ppl organized on TikTok and reserved a majority of tickets guaranteeing small turnout.
I’ve learned about Excel, taken tours of Svalbard, met people IRL. This is a community just like the one that engages here. Just because you don’t understand it, doesn’t make it any less valid. And for sure the republicans questioning the CEO TRULY had no clue.
This very platform you’re and the device you’re eagerly engaging with has the same issues. The only way to avoid spying eyes is to live off of the grid.
So please, everyone, in the interest of not sounding exactly like people that only watch Fox, don’t bash things that you don’t even have any experience with.
FL HB 1421 is sponsored by our local FL Rep and would force de transitioning for youth after Dec 31.
https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/politics-issues/2023-03-23/the-florida-house-advances-a-measure-to-block-gender-affirming-care-for-minors
Regarding Expansion of Don’t Say Gay:
“ The proposal does not require legislative approval but will instead be voted on by board members of the State Board of Education.”
https://www.wesh.com/article/florida-dont-say-gay-expansion/43390827
I would not be surprised if next step will be banning health care for all…they truly want to “eradicate”.
I can see the Board thinks they can extend the ages covered. But I just read the statute--it is very explicit about the grade. So what the Board is doing is a actually amending the statute without using the legislature. Normally, and administrative body doesn't get to say "Did they say 3rd grade? They must have meant 12th and so we will take it as done." It's like a statute saying "the drinking age by law is 21" and having an agency set up rules allowing sales to 18 year olds.
But this is Florida. The part of the map that says "here be monsters."
Agreed, Susan. As you know, “normally” doesn’t apply in the “freedom” state.
Would love to hear Robert’s thoughts !
According to Ed Commissioner Diaz, “ age-appropriate” in the statue is “confusing” so now they are “ clarifying”.
so he is saying that age appropriate for a twelfth grader is defined as what is age appropriate to a third grader? The statute talks about a "manner" that is not age appropriate, "according to state standards." It doesn't BAN discussion past grade 3.
What state standards? The statute doesn't talk about "expressly allowed" by state standards. I suspect few "state standards" expressly allow discussion of most things. Is there a state standard that expressly allows discussion of, say, quantum theory? Ideas of the multiverse? Or the proper use of the Oxford Comma? How about Communism? That's something DeSantos-ites don't like. Is teaching about it indoctrination?
All this apart from the fact that a lot of 12th graders are actually 18, and freakin' adults.
I just checked the Florida standards. Could find nothing on quantum theory or the multiverse. Relativity, yes. Lots on punctuation but nothing specific on the Oxford comma. Nothing on epidemics or pandemics, either. Nor 9/11 nor terrorists.
Florida politicians don't want an educated electorate.
of course not. But a fair chunk of Florida citizens do.
Love that poem! If TT is banned, a connection to young people interested in politics. I remember some epic shade they threw on GOP candidates. If it is banned, they will find another platform, not books.
a connection to young voters is lost...
good points. I wish there was SOMETHING that could encourage reading for pleasure.
As a voracious reader, I would bet that if the technological alternatives had been around then, where you don't have to imagine the pictures in your mind the words inspire, would have ended reading then too. And as a reminder of what the good old days were really like, I am pretty sure I read more books in a year in high school than the rest of the class, combined. (not the class I was in, all the classes in that graduation year group) But that was because being what is now known as Aspergian and was then just thought "weird" I was one of those rejected by the morons, so I had a lot of time on my hands that was better-spent than they did (I am the only member of my high school class who has created things that will outlive me)
Robert Hubbell does what so few politicians, journalists, religious leaders, corporate CEOs and American citizens in general are loath to do: admit when they have made a mistake. A lot of Americans took the Golden Haired demagogue's bait in 2016, and now in the aftermath of his disastrous criminal tenure as president, most won't acknowledge their error so as to not lose face and disturb their fraught perception of reality. Hubbell by contrast, comes right out and says that he bought Trump's bullshit about being arrested last week and upon realizing he had been duped again by the pathological liar, vowed to learn from his mistake. If we had honest leaders in this country like Hubbell who stood in the light of truth without fear or the tendency to influence other peoples' perceptions with guile and subterfuge, we'd have a functional democracy. There is a word to describe human beings like Robert Hubbell--the word is "honorable." It's too bad we don't have more people like him running the country.
The most horrible part of the multi-state GOP attack on LGBTQ people is that the pendulum was already swinging in favor of the open acceptance of the lifestyle of LGBTQ throughout American life. If a Don't Say Gay attitude becomes acceptable, what of all the people who have already revealed their preference? Now the anti-gay/transgender vigilantes have easy pickings, don't they? The DEI policies of companies that felt compelled to publicize their acceptance of all personal lifestyles will be pressured otherwise. The school-aged children who felt safe to be open about who they are won't be able to hide anymore and will fear being targeted. This is a horrible thing that is being invited to hurt so many more people than before gay rights found safety in America. They were promised safety, took a chance to be themselves, and now what? Talk about confusing! Talk about danger!
Back to Merrick Garland for a moment. I find it interesting that it's the foot soldiers in the hard right driven insurrection attempt who are getting their comeuppance and going to jail. Like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. But it seems like the big shots like Eastman, Giuliani, Don Jr, and Michael Flynn are not paying a price. And, I suspect, Mike Flynn is, irony of ironies, still getting his government pension while he seeks to over-throw that same government.
I would like to recommend the book, "Transforming: The Bible & the Lives of Transgender Christians" by Austen Hartke. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36234500-transforming It is excellent.
I bought two copies of this book for our church's library. I attend a United Church of Christ, probably the most progressive of all the protestant denominations. If you are looking for an "organization" to join to fight Christian Nationalism, I suggest you check us out. The denomination is very active in the social justice movement, as well as LGBTQ+ rights. In our church we say at the beginning of service, "No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here." We say it every Sunday, and we mean it. (One UCC pastor that I know is married to an atheist.) As an evangelical once said in a derisive tone, "Those UCC folks will take anybody." To which we say "Yes, absolutely!"
Dear Robert … First, thank you for your mention yesterday that TonytheDemocrat was still asking for postcard writers. I thought their deadline had already passed.
Good news!!! #1
I immediately wrote to my fridayaction.org team for another round of writing - right away 1/3 emailef back “Yes! “ I expect more yesses today. Also, at least 1 person on my team was doing fridayaction WI phone banking last night. #2 Thank you for mentioning the nationwide rallies against big banks support of climate destruction by funding of fossil fuel companies instead of transitioning their support of green energy. We had a poignant, passionate and well attended demonstration in Northampton where CHASE bank is attempting to open a new branch in the center of town. We were one of more than 100 such denonstrations nationwide! Multiple climate justice groups were involved., Third Act for activists over 60 and up included. Your moto totally applies!!! Thank you!!!
That’s great that you are still writing postcards. I am too! If you want to check deadlines or new campaigns on PostcardsToVoters.org just check with Abby however you get your postcards (slack, email,text). Also the confusion about the deadline could be because when you request addresses there is always a deadline three days from the date you get them. This is because the cards should be done in that time frame. But that doesn’t mean the campaign will be over then. Also the message or address list for the campaign can sometimes change. That’s why I recommend just getting the amount you can do in a day or so, mailing those and then getting more
I've been writing postcards with/for other organizations but just signed up yesterday! 💙
That’s fantastic! If you (or anyone else) would like company when you write please join us at MarkersForDemocracy.org. We meet on Zoom Monday Tuesday and Friday mornings and Wednesday night and Saturday morning with our sister groups Team Min and the Downtown Nasty Women Social Group
"Ancient Judaism Recognized a Range of Genders. It’s Time We Did, Too." From the NY Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/18/opinion/trans-teen-suicide-judaism.html
As a Jew who didn't know this, I found it very interesting reading. The Christian version of the Bible is not the only version.
Deb, I have a Native American gay friend who grew up on the Turtle Mountain reservation in North Dakota. I will never forget the day that Daryl explained to me that in his Native language (Ojibwa) there are six genders. Made so much sense. (Can’t open the NYT article as I no longer subscribe)
Sheila, do you want to see it? I can gift it to you if you send your email. And yes, I’ve read that about various Native cultures (in Mexico as well as US). I wonder if anyone has written a book about this topic. So interesting.
Deb, thank you for the offer! My neighbor subscribes so I asked her to gift it for me. Very interesting; thanks tor highlighting it. As for a book, don’t know of one. But I’ll check with Daryl. Thanks again.
More on addressing climate change: "We know what to do, and we have the solutions we need to do it, so the biggest problems are political. They’re banks, politicians, financiers and the fossil fuel industry itself. We don’t need any magic technology to defeat them, just massive civil society willpower set in motion." https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/mar/24/ipcc-report-we-must-stop-burning-fossil-fuels?fbclid=IwAR3bYT9lElFwW-yIuaNbn9VxKc9HMdcUtgZbHibIoBEIfZ1lh4EDenqfKWM
Keep doing what you do Robert!! I so appreciate your intelligent and even handed discussions. Christian nationalism is a pox on this country and you are right to call it out.
About China's national intelligence law that Robert has quoted, also beware of computers made in China. Lenovo, a high quality brand, has been subject to this law since it went into effect. I was doing work in China at that time, and when it was time to buy a new laptop, chose a non-Chinese brand, will never buy one again. It's no joke.
Lenovo's parent company also supports the Russian invasion (see https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/04/07/opinion/companies-ukraine-boycott.html )
"Don’t let Tucker Carlson or Ron DeSantis tell you otherwise."
I don't let (T)ucker Carlson or Rhonda Santis tell me ANYTHING. ;-)