Friday: Keep on Keeping On
Posted: February 7, 2014 Filed under: morning reads 77 Comments
Good Morning!
Republican politics has gotten so disgusting that it’s difficult to believe we live in a civilized country any more. The extreme, angry right wing has completely taken over the party and the result is not pretty. Here’s proof!
Those were the strong sentiments that some conservatives expressed on Twitter this week after prominent women’s rights activist Sandra Fluke announced that she might seek a California congressional seat (she’s decided to run for the state Senate, instead).
That news caused the misogynists on Twitter to go absolutely bonkers. They fired a volley of nasty, sexists tweets at Fluke, who testified before Congress in 2012 in support of requiring all insurance polices to cover contraceptive services. You may recall that this fairly mainstream position prompted Rush Limbaugh to call Fluke a “slut” on his national radio show.
As the crazed reaction to Fluke’s news demonstrated, political slut shamingcontinues unabated. It is any wonder so many talented women reject politics as a profession? They know they’ll be called “whore” and “slut” simply for offering themselves as candidates. That’s a kind of sexually charged abuse almost never directed at male politicians.
Here is a taste of the ugly tweets about Fluke, with some sexist tweets aimed at other female politicians tossed in for good measure.
Read ‘em and weep.
It looks like we may have a Hillary/Paul Ryan presidential race.
On the substantive side, Ryan sure seems like he’s setting himself up for a run. There’s his steady series of “unheralded” anti-poverty outreach trips that always manage to be just heralded enough to get sympathetic press coverage. He brokered a budget deal with Patty Murray that was businesslike and low-drama but didn’t alienate the tea party crowd too badly. Today, in a hearing about the CBO’s report on Obamacare, he acknowledged that the report didn’t say that employers would be cutting jobs—points for intellectual honesty!—while also calling Obamacare a “poverty trap”—points for demagoguery! This is all stuff that seems very delicately calculated to stay in the good graces of the tea party base while building up plenty of policy substance cred that will keep him attractive to moderate voters.
What is it about journalists that think any one that talks across the aisle–even if it is to make an unconscionable deal–is worthy of 
consideration? Paul Ryan and his cronies create an environment where this happens.
An 11-year-old boy attempted suicide late last month and remains in critical condition in North Carolina.
Michael Morones, who was reportedly teased immensely by schoolmates for his love of “My Little Pony,” may have possible brain damage and currently needs a tube in his throat as a result of the suicide attempt.
“He’s the kid that never walks. He dances everywhere,” Morones’ mother, Tiffany Morones-Suttle, told reporters. “He’s so full of energy. He’s always on the move… We won’t know for months how much is going to heal. It could even be years before we find out what potential for healing he has.”
“My Little Pony” is a television and film series historically marketed towards young girls, but with an enthusiastically dedicated male fan base on a global level. Called “Bronies,” these teenage and adult male fans of the show have their own community and culture, thanks largely to the Internet and social media. The wide-spread influence of “Brony” culture has inspired massive conventions and meet-ups both in the United States and abroad.
“[My Little Pony] teaches the most basic moral values to a lot of complex thoughts,” Shannon Suttle, the boy’s stepfather, told reporters.
“Michael was upset because the kids were calling him gay for liking a girls’ TV show,” ChicagoNow.com reports Suttle said. “His mom and I, well, we told him that it didn’t matter what other people think. It only matters what he thinks.”
According to Morones’ parents, the bullying hasn’t stopped even after their son’s suicide attempt. On Sunday bullies reportedly left hurtful comments about Morones on a “generally supportive website.”
The Senate failed to move forward on a three-month extension of assistance for the long-term unemployed on Thursday, leaving it unlikely that Congress would approve the measure soon while undercutting a key aspect of President Obama’s economic recovery plan.
Fifty-nine senators, including four Republicans, voted to advance the legislation, falling one vote short of the 60 needed to break a Republican filibuster effort.
Republicans and Democrats, many from the nation’s most economically depressed states, had been trying to reach a solution that would allow people who have exhausted their unemployment insurance to continue receiving benefits as long as the government offset the $6 billion cost.
Ultimately, how to pay for the program proved too big a hurdle for senators to overcome.
“We’ve given them everything they wanted. Paid for,” said Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, flashing his irritation at Republicans who blocked the bill.
He said Democrats would keep pushing to extend the benefits, which expired at the end of last year, cutting off more than 1.3 million Americans. That number has since grown to more than 1.7 million.
Democrats hope to turn the issue into an election-year cudgel and have accused Republicans of ignoring people who are out of work. Republicans have balked at that as political smoke.
“We know it’s a political game,” said Senator Orrin G. Hatch, Republican of Utah. “We know they’d like to bring it up every three months and bash Republicans with it.”
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Terrific post, Dak. I can totally identify with your desire to get away from all the stupidity. The Republicans are the worst, but I’m pretty fed up with the stupidity on the “liberal” side too.
The way all the Obama supporters of 2008 have been co-opted by libertarians like Glenn Greenwald, David Sirota, and Conor Friedersdorf is just sickening. Suddenly people who claim to be “left” are completely anti-government. WTF?!
Thanks also for sharing the Michael Marones story. How can people be so fucking mean to a little boy? It seems the “Brony” culture is actually quite widespread–nothing to do with being gay, as if there would be something wrong with that. I wish Michael’s parents had gotten him out of that school, but it sounds like they were pretty supportive of him. I can’t stand it when I hear stories of such cruelty to children! Bullies should be suspended from school.
Great post indeed! I couldn’t agree more with a comment but allow me to say that not all the Obots from ’08 have fallen for the GG mish mash. For instance Booman, SteveM, and most people at balloon-juice seem to see through it. It’s the more immature dudebro group which seems to be all upset now, but they are a minority.
Definitely not all. I’m surprised at Booman, but good for him. A lot of Daily Kos alums are now Greenwald cultists, especially the Firedoglake contingent.
The FDL contingent are absolute dingbats! But most of them, had done a 180 against Obama before the GG scoops, so it’s just another excuse.
Jobs report from Bloomberg:
The U.S. Labor Market Cools, And It’s Not Just the Weather
The loss of government jobs is a big problem:
Earth to politicians: Austerity doesn’t work, and it will never work!
I really hope the Democrats jump on that message and run on it, but I’m not gonna hold my breath. Too many of them seem in thrall of the WaPo editorial pages.
Another problem is the continued attacks on pensions and benefits for federal and state, and county government workers. Much yammering from private sector CEO types (who have very fat benefits & pensions themselves) about the excesses.
Granted, the lower-end jobs in government are generally better paid than in the private sector, thanks to more unionization, but the mid and upper range jobs are less well paid than in the private sector. Offering reasonable healthcare and pension benefits was a way to make up for that. Now that’s going away.
Continues to boggle the mind that the austerity freaks think the economy will improve if everyone but them has less money.
Why do they keep pretending they are surprised? They must think we’re all so stupid we haven’t figured it out.
I think the nyt article that showed how all consumption gains recently come from a small group of the richest explains it. The American economy depends on a healthy middle class and the political wars led by the republicans are killing the middle class.
Democratic candidates need to carry a summary of that article around in their pocket and use it running for election. Not doing so is political malpractice.
Great morning post Dak.
Speaking of just wanting to “get away”. The time may have officially arrived
From JMG:
“Tennessee GOP state Sen. Brian Kelsey has introduced a bill that would legalize anti-gay discrimination on the basis of “sincere religious beliefs.” Similar bills have recently been filed in several other states. From the text of Kelsey’s bill: Religion and Religious Organizations – As introduced, permits persons and religious or denominational organizations, based on sincere religious belief, to refuse to provide services or goods in furtherance of a civil union, domestic partnership, or marriage not recognized by the Tennessee Constitution. – Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 36.”
This bill really amounts to a ShutTheFuckUp law. As long as L/G’s don’t ask for equality, don’t demonstrate their commitment, marriage and.or partnership in public while in the process of shopping, looking for housing, employment, eating out, or any other activity that HUMAN BEINGS do, we can stay in Tennessee.
Back to the caves!!!!
Russia’s anti-gay laws coming to a tea party near you. Holy shit.
I was just going to say the same thing. It sounds a lot like Russia’s laws.
They cheer and applaud the anti-gay laws of Putin’s Russia on the one hand while abhorring communism on the other. Their ideological valuation systems are so screwed they don’t know whether to shit or go blind.
It’s not communist any more. It is a haven of crony capitalism and thuggery. Plus, the churches are back … remember poor pussy riot? Right up today’s Republican alley.
True. It’s not Putin’s communist Russia in word, but it is a strange hybrid of old-time Kremlin oppression and new-wave vulture capitalism in deed. I watched a piece on TV last evening about the Russia’s tolerance of overt expressions of hatred and oppression toward people in the L/G community. Many L/G’s who were out of the closet and living open lives just a couple of years ago, have returned to the closet and are trying to figure out how to get out of Russia. And then there are those who can’t get out of Russia because the can’t afford to leave or are too old to leave.The ugliest aspects of the communist state of the USSR is still alive in it’s leadership.
They arrested 4 gay activists at the opening. Just saw it on my twitter stream from a Canadian TV station.
“Plus, the churches are back”
Yes they are and the Russian Orthodox church leaders are openly encouraging the homophobia.
My point, which was poorly made, was that the GOP has spent decades fear mongering about the country they now put up on a pedestal for it’s Gay Hate Laws.
Even 5 year old children aren’t sparred the wrath of the gay haters.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/06/5-year-old-actress-gets-death-threats-over-her-disney-shows-gay-characters/
Speaking of Russia … the opening ceremonies supposedly glitches. I think if I were the bobsled team or the ski jumpers I would be very afraid of using the courses.
My “sincere religious beliefs” tell me to grab Sen Kelsey and drop him into a sinkhole.
My sincere belief says I should help you. 🙂
10 LGBT protesters arrested in Moscow for singing their countries Anthem and waving the Rainbow Flag.
We have a toxic one down here you could use.
I was thinking……..you know how that goes………….Dak, Mouse, BB……….anybody want to do a house exchange, so they can get away, I am all for it, just saying I have a large home. In Boise, you’d be surrounded by Mormons, but don’t let that stop you from hitting the road.
I called Rep. Lynn Luker of Boise, who is a Mormon, and has a bill proposed that does the same thing you are talking about Mouse. I didn’t realize that 43 gay rights protesters were arrested couple days ago. His bill is pending in the house committee, and I have called him to stop the discrimination and hate. He need to get booted out.
It’s disgusting.
It is disgusting Fannie. Two days ago I wrote a flaming email to my Congressman who is co-sponsoring a bill in the U.S. House HR3829 State Marriage Defense Act of 2014.
It’s as if my partner, my friends and I take two steps forward, ten steps back. Today I feel like we’re back in 1974.
Yup, I know that feeling.
Louisiana is poised to close down all of our abortion clinics via trap laws. We are on the verge of returning to the Dark Ages.
It’s heartbreaking, but that’s happening in every southern state and some of the Midwest and western states too. Younger women must take up the cause, but I’m not sure what it will take to motivate them except to get up one morning to find that the reproductive freedoms and civil rights won for them by other women are gone. The 18-40 yr old female is a huge demographic but I don’t think the majority of them truly understand how much power they have. They don’t remember what the world of “Mad Men” was REALLY like, nor do they remember when BC and abortion were not available or were illegal. They may find out the truth of the Mad Men world sooner rather than later if they don’t wake up
Breaking news:
For more information… http://www.politico.com
Where does TBOTP find writers that stupid?
The Snowden Era of Journalism
Though he manages to work “bipartisan” in, even Ron Fournier understands the CBO report and the real problems. Didn’t mention leadership once.
National Journal: A Brutal Translation of the ‘Disincentive to Work’
So true.
I thought I lived in the ass of the US but NO, you’ve got to read these stories to believe them.
Oklahoma restaurant won’t serve ‘freaks,’ ‘f*ggots,’ the disabled and welfare recipients
Oklahomans belittle poor ‘wuss’ kids without coats after schools close over frost bite fear
I’ve read them and I’m still having trouble believing them.
I called the school, all this complaining is coming from other parents at the school. The principal is in meeting with the school board. I let the clerk know that I supported him and would write letters, etc. And would be happy to send money for coat for those children.
That’s what all screwed up, PARENTS.
Yeah … Oklahoma is vile.
OMFG. You know, Virginia is not the bluest state in the union and we have more than our share of right wing haters, but if the schools had to be closed because so many kids didn’t have coats somebody, whether a pool of churches and charities or just some people with money, somebody would get those kids coats. The richest nation on the planet and we have to close schools because kids don’t have coats? What the hell?
I can’t force myself to read the restaurant one.
I don’t blame you. The coat story gobsmacked me as I have never seen that kind of reaction before. It’s ludicrous and downright scary for people to be so dismissive of the legitimate problems of poor children!
Just like jeebus taught them
everyone knows jeebus didn’t like children, especially needy children.
People who do that can have no moral compass at all!
Jeebus luves him some haters.
I don’t like the sounds of this outbreak of violence.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26086857
Sound familiar? That’s what these rich fools don’t realize. When people get desperate enough, this is what happens. You won’t force poor people to stop needing to eat and live, they will always need to eat and live and they will do that any way they can. They will come for you, rich people. It’s starting.
Spot on it’s all about poverty, and lack of jobs, and injustice, and corrupt politicians out for more power over the people. The held a mock funeral, maybe Americans ought to do the same in every town. Starting with the poison water states (W. Va., N.C. and La. and Texas) and over to Oklahoma………….we need to organize a MOCK national cemetery for the poor and unemployed in this country.
We should see people in the streets here! I wish people weren’t so cowed. But the fear of losing whatever grinding job you have now is a huge factor.
All my snail mail these days is loan and credit card offers and companies trying to sell me insurance… that says something but I am not sure what. all of them are parasite industries.
me 2 and it’s pathetic how many of them there are
Desperate parasite companies trying to live off the fear they want to engender in customers.
A friend of my husband’s recently moved to France and she said when she and her spouse were looking for a place to live, they first asked where the best public schools were because they wanted their kids to be in a good school system. She said the French people looked at her like she was crazy. All the public schools are run at the federal level and all students in France get an equally excellent education. She said they take that whole “egalite” part of “egalite, fraternite, liberte” very seriously. Damned socialists! 😀
That’s a telling story! And the rightwingers keep saying we have the greatest country on Earth. Yeah, for rich people.
Ditto that Luna
In the interest of accuracy, I need to correct my original comment. Apparently it wasn’t a friend of my husband’s, it was in an article he read in Slate.
I guess I need to start paying better attention to him. LOL! Sorry about the mistake!
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford doesn’t like Teh Gay? Hmmmmmmmm!!!!
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/07/rob-ford-bans-rainbow-flag-flying-at-toronto-city-hall-lgbt-people-irrelevant-at-olympics/
Guess I’m not surprised.
Maybe this will be the most GAY Olympics in history/herstory.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/07/olympics-opening-ceremony-gay_n_4746760.html
good thing Russia has no gay men …
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/russian-police-choir-performs-get-lucky-opening-ceremony?ctx=top-moments
nope. no gay men in that chorus, nope , nope. not at all …
Russia has no L/G’s whatsoever, everyone knows that the gay world is absolutely talentless, and that nothing noteworthy happens with the L/G.
Via the Advocate: 22 Russians Who We Won’t Let Vladimir Putin Forget Were LGBT
http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/people/2013/08/06/22-russians-who-we-wont-let-vladimir-putin-forget-were-gay?page=full
http://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2014/02/sandra_fluke_wendy_davis_and_s.html
Robert Mann’s TP article on women politicians and slut slamming … read the comments and weep
Ugh. I can’t go there. It’s hard enough keeping on keeping on. I have to ignore some of the vileness or I’d never get out of bed in the mornings.
They should close down the comment section on newspaper articles and on the Opinion Pages. The folks who leave comments in my newspaper of choice sound like residents of Bridge Trollville. They hate women, LGBT, people of color. They’re overwhelmed with hatred for everything and anything that isn’t a carbon copy of themselves.
At the very least they should be made to use their real names so we can to their houses.
Real names would hopefully either change some tunes or cut down on the comments.
Good article. I didn’t read the comments cause I don’t to burst a blood vessel today.
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/gop-candidate-who-wants-hang-obama-also-wants-democratic-congressmen-tried-treason
What a sensible idea! It would create jobs, too.
Doesn’t look good when your SOTU rebuttal Congresscritter might be siphoning off taxpayer money for other things. Who’d imagine it, ha!
This looks like good news:
Fuck yeah!!!!!
Well we know that’s a lie since the earth is only 4k years old! 😉
Oh this is fugging great …
Kochs take their billions to Louisiana to fight Medicaid expansion
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/02/07/1275870/-Kochs-take-their-billions-to-Louisiana-to-fight-Medicaid-expansion?detail=facebook#
They’re like a plague, just everywhere.