BLUEDONKEYS
A big-tent website serving all Democrats in Clark County
Rep Vicki Kraft wants to stifle Sex Ed
State Representative Vicki Kraft went out of her way in Olympia recently to testify before the WA Senate Early Learning and K-12 Educastion Committee on Bill 5395 which "would require every public school to provide comprehensive sexual health education, which is currently optional in Washington" (The Columbian, APIL, 02/15/19). The design is to promote healthy knowledge and therefore encourage intelligent response to sexual situations.
Kraft pointed out the similar question raised last fall in Battle Ground. You may recall that County Councilor Eileen Quiring went out of her way to testify at Battle Ground against such sex education.
Kraft thinks "It is teaching young children how to have sex". Chris Reykdal, the WA superintendent of Education, says there is an epidemic of sexual abuse to 1 of 3 girls and 1 of 6 boys and not teaching proper process and respect is dangerous, and that the program does not teach sex, nor promote sex; that is is biology and health based. He equates opting to omit the sex ed curriculum as similar to schools that have eliminated teaching geometry, or about the Holocaust.
Surely providing accurate biologic and medical information is the best way to proceed. Read the article at LINK.
Kraft pointed out the similar question raised last fall in Battle Ground. You may recall that County Councilor Eileen Quiring went out of her way to testify at Battle Ground against such sex education.
Kraft thinks "It is teaching young children how to have sex". Chris Reykdal, the WA superintendent of Education, says there is an epidemic of sexual abuse to 1 of 3 girls and 1 of 6 boys and not teaching proper process and respect is dangerous, and that the program does not teach sex, nor promote sex; that is is biology and health based. He equates opting to omit the sex ed curriculum as similar to schools that have eliminated teaching geometry, or about the Holocaust.
Surely providing accurate biologic and medical information is the best way to proceed. Read the article at LINK.
'GOP tax cuts a scam', says local editor
The editorial page editor of The Columbian filled out his family tax forms recently and reports spending more in taxes this year than last. He asks how that could be possible in light of the 2017 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Enjoy his tongue-in-cheek at LINK.
Trump's full Emergency remarks; and he didn't need an Emergency
Trump say's, "I didn't need to do this"; meaning he didn't need to declare a National Emergency, but did so to move things along faster. He says this in answer to an NBC reporters question about the use of the Emergency mechanism. Hear the complete utterance - LINK. He also says he has so much money, he doesn't know what to do with it. He ties the urgency to the 2020 election. Oh, really?!
The complete Rose Garden speech wherein he finally announced the signing of the National Emergency for the Wall is an unstructured, rambling, unprofessional quantity of remarks ranging through China, North Korea, and finally the drug and human trafficking pouring into the US from the south. The entire speech is available at LINK.
The complete Rose Garden speech wherein he finally announced the signing of the National Emergency for the Wall is an unstructured, rambling, unprofessional quantity of remarks ranging through China, North Korea, and finally the drug and human trafficking pouring into the US from the south. The entire speech is available at LINK.
Stop the count down
The potential for another government shutdown at midnight Friday February 15 has been superceded by a bipartisan budget that Trump has signed. It contains $1.375 billion for enhanced southern border security, but is far short of Trump's demand for $5.7 billion that prompted the 35-day December shutdown.
Trump made a speech in the Rose Garden on Friday (02/15/19) reviewing the situation and announced he is declaring a national emergency to allow him to obtain the money he wants for the wall at a total of $8 billion. An article and parts of the haltingly delivered speech are at LINK.
Pushback to the emergency declaration has started based on the serious implications of his action. It may be unconstitutional. It may be a dangerous precedent for a president to do. It may be illegal. And it is based on a non-existent emrgency and a set of lies told by Trump about drugs, migrants, and human trafficking as if they occur at remote desert crossings. This is known to be not so. The drugs come accress at controlled border crossings in vehicles, and the immigration situation is far below emergency levels.
Trump made a speech in the Rose Garden on Friday (02/15/19) reviewing the situation and announced he is declaring a national emergency to allow him to obtain the money he wants for the wall at a total of $8 billion. An article and parts of the haltingly delivered speech are at LINK.
Pushback to the emergency declaration has started based on the serious implications of his action. It may be unconstitutional. It may be a dangerous precedent for a president to do. It may be illegal. And it is based on a non-existent emrgency and a set of lies told by Trump about drugs, migrants, and human trafficking as if they occur at remote desert crossings. This is known to be not so. The drugs come accress at controlled border crossings in vehicles, and the immigration situation is far below emergency levels.
Speaker Pelosi exhibits control
Speaker Pelosi 'applauds' Trump at 2019 State of the Union Speech
The Speaker of the House for 2019 is Nancy Pelosi and she is doing a great job. She stays cool and in control. Her reactions to Trumps SOTU speech were very much on display on 02/05/19 as she stood, she signaled, she applauded, and she eye rolled - all with minimal drama and maximum effectiveness. For all the innuendoes, read LINK
Trumps legal woes and Trumps 2020 campaign stacking
Two articles appeared in The Columbian 02/06/19 about background news of president Trump.
Legal. In case you were worried that he wasn't being be pursued, rest easy. here's more to come, and from multiple directions. Mueller ain't done, the Inaugural Committee is under investigation misuse and misappropriation of monies, and the campaign finance probe is still running. That's three things that can discredit Trump. Here's a good summary article - LINK.
Campaign Delegates. Trump's 2020 campaign team is trying to damp down any challenges to his run in 2020 by discouraging GOP contenders, by changing the rules on how nominations and delegate selection functions, and by seeing that dlegates and GOP party leaders are Trump supporters. It shows his fear and vulnerability. Read the article at LINK
Legal. In case you were worried that he wasn't being be pursued, rest easy. here's more to come, and from multiple directions. Mueller ain't done, the Inaugural Committee is under investigation misuse and misappropriation of monies, and the campaign finance probe is still running. That's three things that can discredit Trump. Here's a good summary article - LINK.
Campaign Delegates. Trump's 2020 campaign team is trying to damp down any challenges to his run in 2020 by discouraging GOP contenders, by changing the rules on how nominations and delegate selection functions, and by seeing that dlegates and GOP party leaders are Trump supporters. It shows his fear and vulnerability. Read the article at LINK
SOTU - Good for you?
Okay, we had the State of the Union address from Trump and it was just a tissue of lies and conceit, along with a plea to stop the 'investigations". He called for bipartisanship but did not state how, or acknowledge that he has caused most of the disruption. Read the Associated Press critique at LINK.
For the entire SOTU - LINK
For the entire SOTU - LINK
US Intel contradicts Trump's emergencies
It keeps getting scarier. The collective Intelligence agencies presented their Worldwide Threat Assessment Report on Tuesday (01/29/19). In it they stated the North Korean nuclear threat is unchanged, the Iran nuclear ban is functioning and there is no emergency at out southern border. Reported also was the capability of China to disrupt our natural gas lines and Russia to disrupt our electrical supply grid. Trump disagrees insultingly. LINK
Kamala Harris impresses; Schultz does not
Sen Kamala Harris D-CA
Sen Kamala Harris (Say 'KOM-ala') has hit the ground running. She kicked off in Oakland - her hometown with a crowd of over 20,000. Check out her speech on YouTube, She comes on at 56:30 - LINK
Billionaire Howard Schultz, retired CEO of Starbucks, is toying with a presidential bid. He is talking about running as an Independent, although he says he is a Democrat. Democratic leaders, including Washington State Democratic Chair Tina Podlodowski, are opposed to his choice as an independent. They feel he will draw enough votes nationally as an Independent to split the vote with the Democratic nominee and allow Trump to be President again.
Two facts have surfaced about Howard Schultz recently. Since 2005, he has only voted in 11 of 38 elections. Not impressive. Additionally, his response to Elizabeth Warren's proposed wealth tax was "ridiculous". Her proposal is anything but ridiculous. Income disparity in this country is symptomatic with the reign by billionaire white men and the cause of the degradation of the middle class and the money struggles of all common Americans.
Billionaire Howard Schultz, retired CEO of Starbucks, is toying with a presidential bid. He is talking about running as an Independent, although he says he is a Democrat. Democratic leaders, including Washington State Democratic Chair Tina Podlodowski, are opposed to his choice as an independent. They feel he will draw enough votes nationally as an Independent to split the vote with the Democratic nominee and allow Trump to be President again.
Two facts have surfaced about Howard Schultz recently. Since 2005, he has only voted in 11 of 38 elections. Not impressive. Additionally, his response to Elizabeth Warren's proposed wealth tax was "ridiculous". Her proposal is anything but ridiculous. Income disparity in this country is symptomatic with the reign by billionaire white men and the cause of the degradation of the middle class and the money struggles of all common Americans.
Air Traffic Controllers impacted shutdown
During the 35-day partial government shutdown, thew 14,000 air traffic controllers were expected to work with out pay. Thier rules require them to be especially fit, healthy, and worry free or not to report for work. With all the strife and trying to moonlight to pay bills, absences were high during the shutdown. On the final Friday morning absenteeism caused a shutdown at LaGuardia airport in New York. That is believed to have help push Trump to a shutdown repeal. Read more at LINK.
The effect of the air traffic controllers is also noted by Danny Westneat of The Seattle Times. He also shares a good overview of the shutdown, it's ill-conceived cause and predictable end in an article - LINK
The effect of the air traffic controllers is also noted by Danny Westneat of The Seattle Times. He also shares a good overview of the shutdown, it's ill-conceived cause and predictable end in an article - LINK
Koch Brothers
The Koch brothers are two very rich industrialists who made their money in oil in Wichita, Kansas. They are also the current owners of Georgia-Pacific Paper Company including the Camas WA plant. They rank high on the billionaire scale being somewhere around 12th richest in the world. They are Libertarians and strongly support the Republican party. Interestingly, they do not support Trump.
A recent fundraiser by brother Charles (brother David has retired with poor health) raised upwards of $64 million dollars. The Koch Foundation partially funds the Olympia WA Freedom Foundation. 17th LD State Rep Vickie Kraft is associated with the Freedom Foundation. An article about their recent fundraiser appeared in The Columbian (01/26/19) - LINK
A recent fundraiser by brother Charles (brother David has retired with poor health) raised upwards of $64 million dollars. The Koch Foundation partially funds the Olympia WA Freedom Foundation. 17th LD State Rep Vickie Kraft is associated with the Freedom Foundation. An article about their recent fundraiser appeared in The Columbian (01/26/19) - LINK
Venezuela?!
The country of is Venezuela is located right at the top of South America in the East side so it has both Caribbean and Atlantic coasts. It has the worlds largest oil reserves. Currently there is significant unemployment an rampant inflation. The current President is Nicolas Maduro. He is challenged by the opposition leader Juan Guaido who has declared himself the person in charge because Maduro was elected in a fraudulent election. The European Union has said "they would follow the US and others in recognizing Guaido unless Venezuela calls new presidential elections within eight days". The Russians support Maduro. The Venezuelan Foreign Minister says they are a sovereign nation and for everybody to stop trying to interfere. The article is at - LINK
Here also is a good BBC article on the overall Venezuelan situation and includes some why's - LINK
Maduro, on Wednesday, had given the US embassy crew 3 days to leave but rescinded that order on Saturday and instead established a 30 day window for a "US interests Office" to open talks with the US.
These international conflicts are always about money. So the question remains, why has Trump jumped so fast to side with Juan Guaido? Is it oil, or just Trump being arbitrary? Is it just a distraction? Is it important?
Here also is a good BBC article on the overall Venezuelan situation and includes some why's - LINK
Maduro, on Wednesday, had given the US embassy crew 3 days to leave but rescinded that order on Saturday and instead established a 30 day window for a "US interests Office" to open talks with the US.
These international conflicts are always about money. So the question remains, why has Trump jumped so fast to side with Juan Guaido? Is it oil, or just Trump being arbitrary? Is it just a distraction? Is it important?
The Columbian Editorial Sun Jan 27
Editorial Page Editor Greg Jayne has summarized the recent shutdown perfectly - emphasizing that Trumps tantrum for Wall funding did not occur until the Democrats took over the House. Oh yeah - then Trump can blame the Dems for the lack of funding, the shutdown, yada, yada. Only it didn't work that way. Read the entire editorial - LINK
Bulletin - Government reopened for 3 weeks.
Trump got no money for the ridiculous Wall in the Fri 01/25/19 agreement to reopen the federal government for three weeks while bipartisan congressional negotiations are held to consider the best approaches for southern border security and immigration policies in general. An initial report is at LINK.
So many things to know about...
- The news is full of stuff to absorb:
1. Trump is cruel. - Eugene Robinson is a well spoken, black op/ed writer for the Washington Post and appears on MSNBC often. His editorial of 01/21/19 appeared in The Columbian - LINK. He talks about the meanness of Donald Trump and his clear actions as a bully, and the repercussions to the country.
2. Venezuela -US Strife. - Trump has told Venezuela that he supports the opposition leader, Juan Guaido, as head of their country. The current head of the country, Maduro, has ordered the US Embassy in Venezuela closed and all US staff to leave. An AP article in The Columbian (01/25/19) says, "Tensions have soared between the two nations after Trump recognized Guaido - LINK.
3. Democratic Presidential Runners 2020. - There are several people running for President in 2020 that have already announced. Others are on the verge. So far the announced list is:
- John Delaney - Former US Rep from MD
- Amy Klobuchar - MN Senator - Rachel Maddow interview
- Richard Ojeda - Former W VA Senator - Campaign Suspended
- Andrew Yang - Tech Exec
- Julian Castro - Mayor of San Antonio
- Cory Booker - NJ Senator
- Kamala Harris - CA senator - LINK to Rachel Maddow Video
- Kirsten Gillibrand - NY Senator - Link to Rachel Maddow interview
- Tulsi Gabbard - HI US Rep
- Elizabeth Warren - MA Senator - Link to Rachel Maddow interview
Jay Inslee (WA Gov) is campaigning in New Hampshire and is expected to announce soon - LINK to article.
4. Union Boost. The Supreme Court decision on Janus vs AFSCME went positive for the union, surprisingly, and thanks to Judge Samuel Alioto. Read the editorial by Dana Milbank of the Washington Post - LINK
1. Trump is cruel. - Eugene Robinson is a well spoken, black op/ed writer for the Washington Post and appears on MSNBC often. His editorial of 01/21/19 appeared in The Columbian - LINK. He talks about the meanness of Donald Trump and his clear actions as a bully, and the repercussions to the country.
2. Venezuela -US Strife. - Trump has told Venezuela that he supports the opposition leader, Juan Guaido, as head of their country. The current head of the country, Maduro, has ordered the US Embassy in Venezuela closed and all US staff to leave. An AP article in The Columbian (01/25/19) says, "Tensions have soared between the two nations after Trump recognized Guaido - LINK.
3. Democratic Presidential Runners 2020. - There are several people running for President in 2020 that have already announced. Others are on the verge. So far the announced list is:
- John Delaney - Former US Rep from MD
- Amy Klobuchar - MN Senator - Rachel Maddow interview
- Richard Ojeda - Former W VA Senator - Campaign Suspended
- Andrew Yang - Tech Exec
- Julian Castro - Mayor of San Antonio
- Cory Booker - NJ Senator
- Kamala Harris - CA senator - LINK to Rachel Maddow Video
- Kirsten Gillibrand - NY Senator - Link to Rachel Maddow interview
- Tulsi Gabbard - HI US Rep
- Elizabeth Warren - MA Senator - Link to Rachel Maddow interview
Jay Inslee (WA Gov) is campaigning in New Hampshire and is expected to announce soon - LINK to article.
4. Union Boost. The Supreme Court decision on Janus vs AFSCME went positive for the union, surprisingly, and thanks to Judge Samuel Alioto. Read the editorial by Dana Milbank of the Washington Post - LINK
Open the Government, Donald.
Do you not care anything about the people of the USA? Are you really only only interested in satisfying your ego with a phony campaign promise of a ridiculous and ineffectual Wall? Oops, forgot who I was talking to!
Trumped up...
"If you're far enough removed to see the Federal Government shutdown from 10,000 feet - meaning you're not behind in your rent because of it - then the scenarios playing out are interesting, illuminating and sort of comical.
Trump made the ridiculous promise to his base that he would build a wall - "a big, beautiful wall", on our southern border. Moreover he promised that Mexico would pay for it, but we all knew that wouldn't happen.
When he didn't get The Wall money approved by Congress, he wouldn't sign the budget and thereby unfunded about 20-25 of the federal government and let those offices and employees shutter or work unpaid, affecting about 800,000 people. This amounts to a pretty big temper tantrum on his part affecting a lot of people.
For the last 2 years his party has been in control of Congress and therefore budgeting. They provided him with a few dribs and drabs of money to add Patrol personnel and do some security work, but not much for Walls. From that it would appear the Republican-controlled Congress of the last 2 years did not support the Wall project very strongly. Now the Democrats control the House and Trump has waited until their control was imminent to make a standoff over $5.6 billion for The Wall. He waited until now so he could blame the Democrats because he knew the R's were not going to allocate the money either.
The Democrats are not for open borders or opposed to southern border security, and the bills and projects they have supported over the past 2-3 years demonstrate that. The Democrats, like so many Americans, including the Congressional R's apparently, do not think $5.6 billion for a Wall (be it steel, concrete, or whatever) is a wise way to spend money. Other techniques can have better capabilities in preventing illegal border crossings by humans and yet protect the property rights and the animal migrations that exist along the border and the Rio Grande in particular.
So Trump has made a 'trumped up' charge that there is a national emergency on the southern border and illegal aliens and drugs are pouring over the border. He quotes some bogus statistics to support that idiotic idea. He has been on TV once to tout the "emergency" and will do so again on Saturday January 20 at 3:00 PM Eastern. Oh my! What lies will he tell?!
Trump said he'd 'wear the mantle" and own the shutdown. That, like most of his promises, lasted a day or so, and then it became the Democrats fault and the Democrats who were endangering the country from the dire immigrant emergency. So House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, no newcomer to politics, 'trumped up' her own scenario. With the Government shutdown, there isn't enough security available to make the State of the Nation Address safe to give in the House of Representatives. Two can play the game it seems.
Trump responded by preventing Nancy Pelosi and her team from using a military plane to fly to Afghanistan and Brussels for a fact gathering mission. He said they need to stay home during the Shutdown - even though he went to the Middle East right after Christmas during the Shutdown.
All of which is a sad way to run the biggest, best country on Earth. One keeps searching for rational solutions to use. But 'rational' is not a word one can use concerning our irrational president.
INTERESTINGLY, The Columbian editorial (Sun Jan 20,2019) says some very similar things. Check it out at LINK
Shutdown Clock Stopped at 34 Days!
The Federal Government Shutdown began before Christmas last year and continued until Friday January 25, 2019.
Election is over - What next?
The Blue Wave did happen!...nationally!
It just wasn't evident in Clark County.
Nationally, Democrats must stand up and stand firm in the House and stop the degradation and destruction of our country and our morals and ethics.
THIS month - December - all the LD's (17, 18, 49) are electing officers. It's a 2-year term 2019/2020 - so it carries us thru the upcoming presidential election. Very important to elect officers that will be cognizant of pursuing candidates that are not only capable of doing the job but can win the election. No point in putting up a candidate that is uber-left and 'ideal', but cannot get 50+%. and actually win the office!
Kavanaugh at all costs for the R's
Kavanaugh was confirmed by the Senate 50-48. Closest vote ever on Supreme Court Confirmations.
The R's have bet their political lives on this vote. They voted like like good little machines in lock step formation. Just one or two viable brains? - Nope!
On SNL last week, Weekend Update commentater Michael Che said, "I just want to remind everybody that all this yelling and crying happened at this dude’s job interview, typically, when you’re asked about a sexual assault and your drinking problem at a job interview, you don’t get the damn job.”He added: “I don’t know if Mr. Kavanaugh actually has a history of assault or if he actually has a drinking problem, but I do know that he might. And you shouldn’t be on the Supreme Court if you might. You shouldn’t be on the ‘People’s Court’ if you might.” Too prophetic!
Che went on to say,"Why does it have to be him? You can’t just pick another dude from your Illuminati lizard meetings? Are Republicans so pro-life that you don’t even have a Plan B for this?”. The answer to this question is really interesting.
Kavanaugh was the only choice the R's could squeeze in before they LOST one or more chamber of the Federal Congress next month. They have deemed the midterms a loss!. To get the lifelong appointment of unruly, radical-right, partisan Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court bench, they ceded the election of next month.
The Republicans, in the face of the "credible" testimony of Dr Christine Blasey Ford, adjusted their perception of her to say, "Yes, she did have an ugly experience but it must have been with someone other than Kavanaugh." Ignore and distort the truth. This confirmation wasn't a court case requiring proofs - it was a job interview. If you smell something fishy, move on to the next candidate. But no time for that.
So put this trumped-up Supreme Court confirmation hearing on your long list of Republican lies that ignore fairness, honesty, and the credos of our country, and VOTE to make the Blue Wave taller and more real, and bring 2 people to the voting booth, or ballot, in our case.
The R's have bet their political lives on this vote. They voted like like good little machines in lock step formation. Just one or two viable brains? - Nope!
On SNL last week, Weekend Update commentater Michael Che said, "I just want to remind everybody that all this yelling and crying happened at this dude’s job interview, typically, when you’re asked about a sexual assault and your drinking problem at a job interview, you don’t get the damn job.”He added: “I don’t know if Mr. Kavanaugh actually has a history of assault or if he actually has a drinking problem, but I do know that he might. And you shouldn’t be on the Supreme Court if you might. You shouldn’t be on the ‘People’s Court’ if you might.” Too prophetic!
Che went on to say,"Why does it have to be him? You can’t just pick another dude from your Illuminati lizard meetings? Are Republicans so pro-life that you don’t even have a Plan B for this?”. The answer to this question is really interesting.
Kavanaugh was the only choice the R's could squeeze in before they LOST one or more chamber of the Federal Congress next month. They have deemed the midterms a loss!. To get the lifelong appointment of unruly, radical-right, partisan Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court bench, they ceded the election of next month.
The Republicans, in the face of the "credible" testimony of Dr Christine Blasey Ford, adjusted their perception of her to say, "Yes, she did have an ugly experience but it must have been with someone other than Kavanaugh." Ignore and distort the truth. This confirmation wasn't a court case requiring proofs - it was a job interview. If you smell something fishy, move on to the next candidate. But no time for that.
So put this trumped-up Supreme Court confirmation hearing on your long list of Republican lies that ignore fairness, honesty, and the credos of our country, and VOTE to make the Blue Wave taller and more real, and bring 2 people to the voting booth, or ballot, in our case.
County Councilor Chair Race -Holt >YES, Quiring > NO. Lentz > YES, too!
Eileen Quiring is a Madorite. That is to say she supports the divisive points of view held by her predecessors Tom Mielke and David Madore. It's impossible to forget how terrible and self-centered Madore was and how quickly the electorate strove to vote him out.
Quiring states she supports Madore's and Mielke's policies in The Columbian Editorial Board interview (LINK - 54:36).
Vote for Eric Holt for Clark County Council Chair.
AND Quiring is anti-LBGTQ. She went to the Battle Ground School Board Meeting expressly to reduce student availability to transgender discussions. That episode with her comments is in "All Politics is Local" - LINK, (07/25/18, Jake Thomas).
Vote for Eric Holt for Clark County Council Chair.
MOREOVER, Quiring seems in opposition to replacing the I-5 bridge?! A Columbian article picked this up. (The Columbian, Katy Sword, 08/23/18) - LINK.
In the article cited above, Quiring and Jeanne Stewart were the only dissenters about an I-5 Bridge resolution from the County Council. This is a good place to plug Temple Lentz as a superior replacement to Jeanne Stewart come November 06, 2018.
Vote Eric Holt for Clark County Council Chair!
Vote Temple Lentz for Clark County Council, District 1.
Quiring states she supports Madore's and Mielke's policies in The Columbian Editorial Board interview (LINK - 54:36).
Vote for Eric Holt for Clark County Council Chair.
AND Quiring is anti-LBGTQ. She went to the Battle Ground School Board Meeting expressly to reduce student availability to transgender discussions. That episode with her comments is in "All Politics is Local" - LINK, (07/25/18, Jake Thomas).
Vote for Eric Holt for Clark County Council Chair.
MOREOVER, Quiring seems in opposition to replacing the I-5 bridge?! A Columbian article picked this up. (The Columbian, Katy Sword, 08/23/18) - LINK.
In the article cited above, Quiring and Jeanne Stewart were the only dissenters about an I-5 Bridge resolution from the County Council. This is a good place to plug Temple Lentz as a superior replacement to Jeanne Stewart come November 06, 2018.
Vote Eric Holt for Clark County Council Chair!
Vote Temple Lentz for Clark County Council, District 1.
Blue Wave? What's a Blue Wave!
A Blue Wave is a thing of beauty. It's a wave of woke, informed Democrats voting because they know their vote will count in the mid-terms toward stabilizing this country by taking back the Federal House and Senate, and many other statehouses and political jobs everywhere.
Can It happen? Of course!. It can happen, BUT only IF DEMOCRATS VOTE!
Do you want it to happen? Of course you do. Work for your candidates by talking at the dinner table, at the grocery store, over your bridge game, wherever, and urge people to take charge, oust the people who won't do their job and get this country up off its back. Get them to VOTE!
When you think about it, Trump is so in-your-face, he's daring us to fight back and do our jobs! Let's do it!
Can It happen? Of course!. It can happen, BUT only IF DEMOCRATS VOTE!
Do you want it to happen? Of course you do. Work for your candidates by talking at the dinner table, at the grocery store, over your bridge game, wherever, and urge people to take charge, oust the people who won't do their job and get this country up off its back. Get them to VOTE!
When you think about it, Trump is so in-your-face, he's daring us to fight back and do our jobs! Let's do it!
Trump was Drumpf
Donald Trump's paternal grandfather, Frederich Drumpf, migrated from Germany to America in 1885 and changed his name to Trump in 1898.
Snopes quote: "His paternal granddad — who came to America at 16 with little more than a name he later changed — lived a true rags-to-riches life, leaving his widow and three kids a modest fortune when he died, new recor6s show.
Fred Trump, born Friedrich Drumpf, in Kallstadt, Germany, in 1869, had an estate worth $500,000 in today’s dollars when he died in Queens on May 30, 1918, at age 49."
Well that's a fun fact, but what's the point?
The point is that, Donald Trump, like anybody other than native Americans, has a family history of migration to this country. It is completely hypocritical to have your ancestors migrate to this country and then initiate a "zero-tolerance" immigration policy. The greater percentage of the US population is of migrant origin. And many folks are proud of their foreign heritage and celebrate it, or search it out in DNA analysis. Every week brings a new low from our unqualified president.
Snopes quote: "His paternal granddad — who came to America at 16 with little more than a name he later changed — lived a true rags-to-riches life, leaving his widow and three kids a modest fortune when he died, new recor6s show.
Fred Trump, born Friedrich Drumpf, in Kallstadt, Germany, in 1869, had an estate worth $500,000 in today’s dollars when he died in Queens on May 30, 1918, at age 49."
Well that's a fun fact, but what's the point?
The point is that, Donald Trump, like anybody other than native Americans, has a family history of migration to this country. It is completely hypocritical to have your ancestors migrate to this country and then initiate a "zero-tolerance" immigration policy. The greater percentage of the US population is of migrant origin. And many folks are proud of their foreign heritage and celebrate it, or search it out in DNA analysis. Every week brings a new low from our unqualified president.
Looks like Trump is in his own crosshairs
Not much question our president is a man-child, narcissistic sociopath who loves no one but himself. And Robert Mueller is taking a calm, step-wise approach to uncover Trump's collusive ties with Russia. But here at home he may have overloaded his own ability to lie. He has threatened to let the government go into shutdown if he does not get funding for his boondoggle wall on the Mexican border. The money he is looking for - somewhere in the range of $40 billion - has been earmarked by him to come from Homeland Security funds especially FEMA. Now FEMA is in the years-long business of serving and resurrecting the Gulf Coast - again. Oh, if it were only possible that he could think strategically and decide that the wall is out because the money is so much more necessary for the humanitarian efforts in Texas and Louisiana. There's some unfulfilled hope for ya!
Put some cream on the Bern and get real
Here's a Blog piece by Marcus Silva who is very concerned about how Democrats and the Democratic Party needs to act to stay in the game and win Congressional races in 2018. The message is stop worshiping the past and stand up and act like strategic Democrats. LINK to Article
Wake Up Bernie-or-Bust People: You were Conned
A worthy article from the Democracy Guardian, J. Nori, May 04, 2017, that says Bernie is a grump, and is not the messiah his followers blindly adore. A good read. LINK
Something to consider when told that "Bernie could have won over Trump". That is that Bernie was\n't in that race - he'd already LOST.
Something to consider when told that "Bernie could have won over Trump". That is that Bernie was\n't in that race - he'd already LOST.
A good article on why tax cuts are wrong...
The Columbian Opinion Editor makes it clear why tax cuts for the rich don't do anything for the middle class, and "given that Trump has only a passing acquaintance with reality', clarifies where we're headed. Read the piece by Greg Jayne, The Columbian, 04/23/17
Paul Ryan - "Destroy Healthcare"
Thanks for being honest, Paul Ryan! PLAY VIDEO HERE
Strategy has to supersede idealism
Pursuit of ideals requires victories. Victories come from employing strategy. Talk against Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell or lack of appreciation for Gov Jay Inslee is not strategic. Every seated Democrat has to be judged on their overall batting average. Over the course of their office, anyone can pursue a result that is not popular with every citizen. Electeds were elected to enact the will of the people and one misstep does not defeat their purpose for being in office.
Some folks are still sore over the term super-delegates which gave high visibility electeds like Murray, Cantwell and Inslee the opportunity to stump for their presidential candidate of choice from a bully pulpit. They all opted for Hillary Clinton for President much to the chagrin of the Sanders supporters.
Sens Murray and Cantwell also indicated a positive position on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), and recently they voted against an apparent opportunity to import drugs in the US at lower prices via a Sanders supported amendment. Further investigation reveals first that Hillary Clinton had opted against TPP which surely would have changed everything, and the cheap drug amendment was not a good choice. There were good reasons to reject the drug amendment that wasn't going to pass anyway, was non-binding, and would have undermined some ACA provisions.
Subsequently, Inslee, Murray and Cantwell have all stood up -loudly- for continued immigration of Muslims. This is why they are there in office as strong Democrats. Anytime good, strong Democratic candidates are opposed by their own party, bad things happen. Very simply, the seat holding a person positive to our wants and needs is lost and replaced by a Republican who will devastate our agenda.
The message is "Keep Cantwell".
Some folks are still sore over the term super-delegates which gave high visibility electeds like Murray, Cantwell and Inslee the opportunity to stump for their presidential candidate of choice from a bully pulpit. They all opted for Hillary Clinton for President much to the chagrin of the Sanders supporters.
Sens Murray and Cantwell also indicated a positive position on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), and recently they voted against an apparent opportunity to import drugs in the US at lower prices via a Sanders supported amendment. Further investigation reveals first that Hillary Clinton had opted against TPP which surely would have changed everything, and the cheap drug amendment was not a good choice. There were good reasons to reject the drug amendment that wasn't going to pass anyway, was non-binding, and would have undermined some ACA provisions.
Subsequently, Inslee, Murray and Cantwell have all stood up -loudly- for continued immigration of Muslims. This is why they are there in office as strong Democrats. Anytime good, strong Democratic candidates are opposed by their own party, bad things happen. Very simply, the seat holding a person positive to our wants and needs is lost and replaced by a Republican who will devastate our agenda.
The message is "Keep Cantwell".
Did you March Saturday?
Women's March January 21, 2017
Do you feel better having done so? Many who marched, or just appreciated the happening of the marches, felt unified, uplifted, out of the doldrums, re-purposed and other such positive reactions. There were many principles expressed on the signs being carried; abortion, personal rights, anti-Trump, Planned Parenthood, I'm with Her, all the freedoms, etc. But the bottom line is that if there was no Trump in the White House, there would have been no marches.
A million people around the world marched against Trump. More people marched in DC on Saturday than attended the inauguration on Friday. Sorry, Donald, but that's the way an awful lot of people feel...about you.
It's hard to put a finger on any one thing that got us to this point; Bernie Sanders weak endorsement of HRC, Bernie followers voting for third-party candidates, unhappiness among moderns that this is first new generation making less than their parents, the Electoral College, and so forth. A very good exploration of attitudes that led us here is portrayed in the 01/11/17 episode of "Blackish". Here's a link to it. It's reviewed as the "most comprehensive examination of the election that pop culture can provide" (Link). Check out the Lucy character's logic that led her to vote for Trump - scary, but viable, and perhaps sums up how he got elected. Enjoy.
But here we are. The dominant theme in the local and national editorials is to resist loss of rights at every turn of the road. Check out the Sun 01/23/17 Columbian Editorial praising the marches - "extraordinary" - and worrying about our future under Trump. The final message - be watchful.
And read WA Post writer Leonard Pitts, "Proud to be maladjusted to President Donald Trump". It is clear that this new circumstance is different and cannot be allowed to be accepted.
A million people around the world marched against Trump. More people marched in DC on Saturday than attended the inauguration on Friday. Sorry, Donald, but that's the way an awful lot of people feel...about you.
It's hard to put a finger on any one thing that got us to this point; Bernie Sanders weak endorsement of HRC, Bernie followers voting for third-party candidates, unhappiness among moderns that this is first new generation making less than their parents, the Electoral College, and so forth. A very good exploration of attitudes that led us here is portrayed in the 01/11/17 episode of "Blackish". Here's a link to it. It's reviewed as the "most comprehensive examination of the election that pop culture can provide" (Link). Check out the Lucy character's logic that led her to vote for Trump - scary, but viable, and perhaps sums up how he got elected. Enjoy.
But here we are. The dominant theme in the local and national editorials is to resist loss of rights at every turn of the road. Check out the Sun 01/23/17 Columbian Editorial praising the marches - "extraordinary" - and worrying about our future under Trump. The final message - be watchful.
And read WA Post writer Leonard Pitts, "Proud to be maladjusted to President Donald Trump". It is clear that this new circumstance is different and cannot be allowed to be accepted.
Read A Guest Article about Olympia Lobby Day. It's got insight, and info.
What now?!
The President-Elect, Donald Trump, is a mess. He's up and down on his own issues, he's hiring totally unsatisfactory Cabinet members that hate labor, disavow climate change, and believe fake news stories, to mention a few. Republicans have some separation from Trump, and visa-versa, but the Republican control of the House and Senate means they can run over Obamacare, Planned Parenthood, and entitlements in general while granting more tax cuts to the rich. It's all shaping up for an inglorious, horrifying four years for Democrats, for civil rights, for womens' rights and the progress of the country in general.
Mid-term Congress elections will occur in November 2018, less than 2 years away. It's predictable that the electorate, including Hillary voters, Bernie voters and, especially, disillusioned Trump voters. The electorate will be ready to elect some Democrats for office by that time based on the expected ravaging performances by the Republicans and Trump.
The midterm elections are a real chance to get back the House and Senate for Democrats. To do so Democrats MUST have viable, electable candidates. It's up to all of us to consider whether we should be running, or encouraging people to run that can win, or to support candidates that are declaring to run and are capable of winning. Winning is stressed here because it is often, but naively, thought that the candidate to support is the one with the best ideals; the most left, the one with one hand on the Dems platform. That is a good starting place but not a winning scheme.
If the candidate is scary to the average voter because of their appearance, or their inflammatory rhetoric, or extreme left promises, then they won't get votes. So look at all aspects of the candidate, and choose, and make, a winner. It ain't easy, but it often happens that the one the we'd most love to win is not really capable of winning when you consider the emotional structure of the general electorate.
Remember that voters don't vote with their heads, they vote with their hearts. They don't study the candidates, they don't take any time to understand the candidates, they just vote the one with the best, most fun, rumors, circulating around them. Look at the horrifying influence that Fox News has with their ability to lie, and infer, and lie again. Their forte is to knowingly tell a lie and then the viewers believe it and pass it on to their friends and family as if it was true, and spread the lie-as-truth further..
Look at Trump - he doesn't even really want, or understand, the Presidency. But his phony rhetoric and his ability to use reality TV sound-bite style made him have appeal to the emotional voter . The picture the voters made up in their heads of what a "Great America" looks like was never defined by Trump, but was only what a Great America implied to the listeners' imaginations - one listener imagined their dream house, another their dream boat, another their dream job. Hillary was a liar and grifter and never did anything, but Trump, like our Madore, had caught their imagination. He appeared to be a 'change agent'. That's emotional - voters believe in magic.
We do not have to accept the dceimation of rights and relinquish fairness and equality while Trump holds office. There are myriad ways to protest. Trump is not presidential and he's not our president. A fact proven by the popular vote where nearly three million more voters voted for his opponent.
Mid-term Congress elections will occur in November 2018, less than 2 years away. It's predictable that the electorate, including Hillary voters, Bernie voters and, especially, disillusioned Trump voters. The electorate will be ready to elect some Democrats for office by that time based on the expected ravaging performances by the Republicans and Trump.
The midterm elections are a real chance to get back the House and Senate for Democrats. To do so Democrats MUST have viable, electable candidates. It's up to all of us to consider whether we should be running, or encouraging people to run that can win, or to support candidates that are declaring to run and are capable of winning. Winning is stressed here because it is often, but naively, thought that the candidate to support is the one with the best ideals; the most left, the one with one hand on the Dems platform. That is a good starting place but not a winning scheme.
If the candidate is scary to the average voter because of their appearance, or their inflammatory rhetoric, or extreme left promises, then they won't get votes. So look at all aspects of the candidate, and choose, and make, a winner. It ain't easy, but it often happens that the one the we'd most love to win is not really capable of winning when you consider the emotional structure of the general electorate.
Remember that voters don't vote with their heads, they vote with their hearts. They don't study the candidates, they don't take any time to understand the candidates, they just vote the one with the best, most fun, rumors, circulating around them. Look at the horrifying influence that Fox News has with their ability to lie, and infer, and lie again. Their forte is to knowingly tell a lie and then the viewers believe it and pass it on to their friends and family as if it was true, and spread the lie-as-truth further..
Look at Trump - he doesn't even really want, or understand, the Presidency. But his phony rhetoric and his ability to use reality TV sound-bite style made him have appeal to the emotional voter . The picture the voters made up in their heads of what a "Great America" looks like was never defined by Trump, but was only what a Great America implied to the listeners' imaginations - one listener imagined their dream house, another their dream boat, another their dream job. Hillary was a liar and grifter and never did anything, but Trump, like our Madore, had caught their imagination. He appeared to be a 'change agent'. That's emotional - voters believe in magic.
We do not have to accept the dceimation of rights and relinquish fairness and equality while Trump holds office. There are myriad ways to protest. Trump is not presidential and he's not our president. A fact proven by the popular vote where nearly three million more voters voted for his opponent.
