I've read the author's book about regionalism in the U.S. and recommend it highly. This is also worth your time if you'd like to understand how we wind up with the winners we do. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/02/19/knight-nonvoter-study-decoding-2020-election-wild-card-115796?cid=apn Half of Americans Don’t Vote. What Are They Thinking? Inside the largest ever survey of the politically disengaged. Photos by … Continue reading Half of U.S. voters don’t vote — why?
Tag: politics
Frightening article about the effect of an acquittal
In general, outside the environmental activity area, I’ve avoided political posts. But this article does a superb job of summing up the consequences of acquitting Donald J. Trump under the legal theories espoused during the trial. Democracy, and its separation of powers, in the United States will — and I mean this literally — will … Continue reading Frightening article about the effect of an acquittal
Even Oprah hasn’t figured out that “black lives matter” applies to Latinx in books
Whether or not she always enjoys her status, Oprah Winfrey has great power by virtue of her fame and familiarity. One area where what she says means dollars in the pockets of small bookstore owners is her periodic recommendation of a book to read. When Oprah speaks out on other issues such as #metoo or … Continue reading Even Oprah hasn’t figured out that “black lives matter” applies to Latinx in books
Failure of governments to fight the climate crisis violate the human rights of its citizens
Amazing judgment out of Netherlands, if upheld, would require the government mandate an abrupt, huge reduction in pollutants and other causes of the climate crisis — to a level 25% below the 1990’s. The economic effects will be massive but only this sort of effort will be sufficient. https://earther.gizmodo.com/courts-grant-a-landmark-climate-victory-that-could-resh-1840553657
Think romance novels aren’t controversial? Think again
There’s little doubt that some passages in romance novels are racist, particularly in years past. But such language was largely ignored until Courtney Milan began pointing out the language. Now she has been disciplined by the Romance Writers of America (RWA) while those who write in an unobjectionable manner have received no censure. While I … Continue reading Think romance novels aren’t controversial? Think again
A list of the bills that have been passed by Congress and totally ignored by the United States Senate
Altho I generally avoid overtly political comments, it's impossible to ignore the hundreds of bills passed by the House of Representatives that the Senate Republicans have chosen simply to ignore. This is not the way our democracy should work. https://www.dailykos.com/story/2019/12/26/1906015/-You-know-that-trainload-of-hundreds-of-bills-Senate-Republicans-have-blocked-Here-s-a-linked-list You know that trainload of hundreds of bills Senate Republicans have blocked? Here's a linked list … Continue reading A list of the bills that have been passed by Congress and totally ignored by the United States Senate
Excellent description of the size and strength of the huge fires in Australia.
Read this to get a grasp of how large the Australian wildfires are — five times the size of New York City. These are beyond uncontrollable. They’re not even trying to control them. https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-monster-a-short-history-of-australia-s-biggest-forest-fire-20191218-p53l4y.html
Link to the House Judiciary Ctte 55-page analysis of standards for an impeachable offense
I'm a big believer in reading source materials rather than listening to a talking head what they think it said. https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/democrats.judiciary.house.gov/files/documents/HCM%20FINAL%20v.3.pdf
Are Uber and Lyft different in protecting their riders?
I've had one driver after another say that they drive for both alternative taxi companies. Somehow tho, Uber maintains the sort of culture in which sexual assault is either accepted or not punished. Am perfectly happy sticking with Lyft. Of course the eventual release of Lyft statistics may show I'm making a big mistake. https://www.npr.org/2019/12/05/785037245/uber-received-nearly-6-000-u-s-sexual-assault-claims-in-past-2-years … Continue reading Are Uber and Lyft different in protecting their riders?
Repressive countries will salivate to get access to social media info that the U.S. government wants to force visitors to provide
With this disastrous immigration requirement applicable even to short-term visitors, the U.S. is laying open tools for helping repressive regimes across the globe. Foreign filmmakers, foreign press, foreign protesters, and more will be effectively unable to come into the U.S. even with an invitation. Our government has no basis for collecting this huge amount of … Continue reading Repressive countries will salivate to get access to social media info that the U.S. government wants to force visitors to provide
How to handle racism at family celebrations
Whether it's racism, misogny, or being homophobic, it's very difficult to avoid tension or even outright arguments in family gatherings where not everything thinks alike (and that's all of them, isn't it?) Just heard from a friend in Twitter who'd already had a blowout. These techniques won't solve everything but they could help. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/11/ibram-kendi-antiracist-talk-to-racist-family-friends-holidays/ A … Continue reading How to handle racism at family celebrations
Can this country survive the demographic changes ahead?
I'm among the many people concerned about the survival of democracy and the Constitutional model for the future of government in the United States. The implicit assumption is that it should be possible to keep things as they've been. In a way, that way of thinking tho is nothing more than a mirror image of … Continue reading Can this country survive the demographic changes ahead?
Abycats' Thoughts 