Poor Bernie at the inauguration! He’s old and cold, and looks kind of sad, so everyone tried to cheer him up with these pictures. I’m sure he’s taking them in the way they are meant — not mean-spirited at all. Here are some of my favorites. Click on them to enlarge.
Whenever you hear one of the Republican apologists telling us all how we should put the past violence aside and get along — or worse yet, we shouldn’t impeach because it would cause more violence — imagine in your mind a t-shirted male abuser talking to the woman on the floor who has just picked up a weapon to defend herself.
It fits perfectly. It’s the language of the abusers.
Merry War on Christmas, everybody!
Anger drives ratings, as Fox News is well aware. And that’s why they created the War on Christmas. Those poor Christians, being attacked and persecuted and treated terribly — how awful it must be to be a discriminated against majority. All those laws requiring people to never say “Merry Christmas” … oh wait.
cartoon by Rob Tornoe
Every example Fox News gives for a “War on Christmas” always boils down to something like “They won’t let us force kids to sing our religious songs!” or “They say ‘Happy Holidays’ which acknowledges that not everyone is a Christian and therefore they are attacking us!” or “They are refusing to allow us to use their money (taxpayer dollars) for a religious display.”
So for eight years now, I have challenged anyone to give me an example of a real “attack on Christmas,” because every one of these examples is, in reality, fought in defense. You wouldn’t even hear about them if these particular Christians weren’t trying to require everyone to obey their beliefs.
Acknowledging other beliefs by saying “Happy holidays” does not diminish the belief in Christmas one bit. Those who complain are just mad that you aren’t treating them special. That’s hardly a war — it’s the temper tantrum spoiled kids get when you give attention to someone else.
Or else they’ll point out one misguided grinch who complains about a decoration or something as if that was evidence of a vast, coordinated attack. Last year, they trotted out an elementary school principal who, in an effort to avoid controversy, banned even secular representations of Christmas such as Santa Claus and Christmas trees. She changed her position once people complained, but that was hardly a “war on Christmas” as much as it was someone who understood that religion does not belong in a public school but mistakenly went too far.
And this in no way prevented any family from celebrating their religion in any way they wanted to on their own.
So there’s my yearly challenge: find me one example of anyone trying to prevent people from celebrating a religious Christmas. Just one.
I have a feeling I know what the result will once again be.
EDITED TO CLARIFY: I’m talking about the US only; clearly there is a war against various religions in other countries
(And yes, of course, just to clarify: #notallChristians)
I was a recent guest on Science Babe Yvette Ross’ blog, where we discuss the Constitution, politics, the election, cats, and other important topics. Check it out!
I have to admit that the polls look good going into this election, but you have to keep in mind that polls do not take into consideration cheating. Republicans have made their election strategy clear: They’re willing to do anything to win this election (except get the most votes).
We’ve already seen voter intimidation encouraged by the President; fake mail-in drop boxes set up to steal ballots; the closing of precincts; forcing people to drive hundreds of miles to drop off their ballots; and numerous lawsuits having the prime purpose of making sure the will of the people is not heard.
The only way to counter all this is with a massive vote that overwhelms all the tricks they are using.
But to the polls: Some people are saying “Yeah, Biden is ahead, but so was Hillary at this time.” That’s only true in certain places. Overall, Biden has been ahead of Trump consistently, which is unusual in a Presidential campaign. Here, look at this (from Real Clear Politics):
Trump has never hit a 50% approval rating as President. His highest scores are still lower than Obama’s lowest scores. His following is limited, and it’s even less this time. Some of those who supported him last time are abandoning him now, and he hasn’t appealed to any new voters.
But what about four years ago when we all said the same thing? Here’s how it looked then:
So what happened? Some of it was polling itself — many people didn’t want to admit they were voting for the racist incompetent idiot and wouldn’t tell the pollsters. Some of it was us being so confident we didn’t all get out and vote. Some of it was our terrible Electoral College (because, after all, the polls showed her ahead by 3% and she did get 3% more than Trump, just not in the right states). And some was the fact that Clinton, unlike Biden, started out with negative ratings and never really appealed to many voters.
But this time we’re ready and voting — but so are the Trump people. And they’re cheating. So don’t get complacent and don’t get comfortable. Vote!
(According to fivethirtyeight.com, this is what the Electoral College results would be if the election was held today and all the polls were completely accurate:)
by Guest Blogger Peter David
I have to admit, it amuses me that the right wing has suddenly developed the one thing that they previously despised: empathy.
It’s just fascinating. When Trump sneered at Hillary’s pneumonia, they cheered. When Trump memorably lampooned a journalist who had a physical handicap, they roared with laughter. When Trump attacked the mourning parents of a fallen Gold Star warrior, they nodded in agreement.
But suddenly their noble leader is downed with Coronavirus, and their hackles are up. Granted, left wingers shouldn’t be chortling in delight over the fact that he’s down with the virus he dismissed as a Democratic hoax. They shouldn’t wish him dead. However, making the comment that this was inevitable–that when you ignore the advice of scientists, downplay the disease’s viciousness and have both yourself and your minions ignore the steps you should take to avoid contracting it–that’s a valid point to make. Commenting on the fact that Trump basically brought this on himself is a legitimate observation. Yet suddenly the right wing, who delighted in their leader’s bullying tactics, have melted as snowflakes typically do.
Joe Biden has wished Trump well. Does anyone think that if the situation were reversed, Trump would do likewise? Of course not. If Biden were downed with Covid, Trump would be the very first out the gate to deride him and hold him up as proof that scientists don’t know what they’re talking about. “So much for his masks!” he would declare. It would be held up as proof that Biden is weak, run down, susceptible to a disease that knew better than to try and tangle with Trump. Furthermore his campaign would produce “Biden is sick” ads that would run 24/7.
Currently the Biden campaign has pulled all its Trump attack ads. If Biden were down with it, Trump’s campaign would step up the attack ads. Indeed, they’re currently continuing with their attack ads even though Biden has backburnered his. And yet still the butt-hurt right wing howls over the mistreatment and lack of sympathy they’re receiving from the left. Where is the empathy that they, who have never extended it, are now not receiving in turn? They have repeatedly expressed their contempt for even the concept of the moral high ground; so why isn’t the left sticking to that now?
Why don’t we show them how people in a civilized society should behave, so that they can view it as a sign of weakness and continue to come up with plans to “own the libs” in their deeds and actions?
Even better: they continue to try and blame things on Biden. If Biden were a gentleman, declared one pundit, he would postpone the election. Even though no election has been postponed in the history of the country. Even though Biden has as much power to postpone an election as I do. Even though millions have already voted. Even though if Biden were ill instead, Trump would laugh at the idea. Instead we’re getting the sentiment of, “How unsympathetic to an illness can those lousy Democrats be?”
Exactly this unsympathetic: For months we’ve been worried about an October surprise. Well, we got it. And the surprise is, it isn’t remotely surprising. It was inevitable.
The right wing wants sympathy? Let’s give them as much sympathy as Trump gave John McCain, dying of brain cancer. Or Herman Cain, dying of misplaced faith. It’s one of the oldest sayings in the book, right wing: What goes around comes around.
Peter David is a writer whose novels include many of his own stories as well as novels in the world of Star Trek and Babylon 5 (and others). Besides novels, Peter has written comic books (Incredible Hulk, Aquaman, Supergirl), television shows (Babylon 5, Space Cases, Ben 10), short stories, blogs, and more. Check out his web page and his wikipedia page and prepare to be overwhelmed.
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