07
Dec
16

“You All Belong Here”


128 Responses to ““You All Belong Here””


  1. 1 jacquelineoboomer
    December 7, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    Good evening, Nerdy!

    • 2 Nerdy Wonka
      December 7, 2016 at 7:36 pm

      Good evening, the divine Ms. J’OB!

      Lovely to see you as first! šŸ˜€ šŸ˜€

    • December 8, 2016 at 9:31 am

      It will take everything good and decent that we’ve got in us to go from this to what seems to be coming next… And let’s do our dangedest to make sure we remember that every single time we witness fear, anger, scorn, prejudice, and cruelty – in others and in ourselves. That’s what we’ve been shown for the past eight years; we must never forget!

  2. 6 Nerdy Wonka
    December 7, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    • December 7, 2016 at 9:00 pm

      Listen at our FLOTUS in that speech and tell me she couldn’t be our President 2020. Yes she can. But she has no interest in politics. And I can’t blame her.

    • December 7, 2016 at 9:02 pm

      A lovely speech by our FLOTUS.

    • 9 pkayden
      December 8, 2016 at 4:19 pm

      They still look very much in love after being married for so long. They are a lovely, classy couple. I hope you all went and saw “Southside With You” about their first date. Very proud of how they conducted themselves in the White House and will miss them like hell when they’re gone. Sigh.

  3. December 7, 2016 at 8:06 pm

  4. 12 whenpamelawandered
    December 7, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    ā¤ļøšŸŒ¹šŸ™šŸ»šŸŒ¹ā¤ļø Yes, We Do!!

  5. 13 jacquelineoboomer
    December 7, 2016 at 8:45 pm

    I certainly hope Fareed’s documentary is a fine tribute to President Obama! Not sure how it could be anything less, from my POV.

  6. 14 jacquelineoboomer
    December 7, 2016 at 8:53 pm

    • 15 globalcitizenlinda
      December 7, 2016 at 10:44 pm

      wondering what Mr. Dylan will say on the occasion.

      remembering when he was at the White House, performed his portion, then he left the stage and shook PBO’s hand

      • 16 jacquelineoboomer
        December 7, 2016 at 10:45 pm

        He looked quite choked up, being there with PBO! Can’t say I blame him.

        • 17 globalcitizenlinda
          December 7, 2016 at 11:21 pm

          being in Ohio, there is a chance that you will meet candidates & their surrogates as they search for votes.

          – met SoS when he was candidate and his running mate … will not say his name;

          ;

          not to make you jealousy or anything in this administration alone I have:

          => met and shaken PBO’s hand multiple times and worked his events as a volunteer.

          —– the first time was when he first came to Columbus during the primary. the event was organized by us ordinary people who were his supporters. the staff came in close to the end and made it more professional.

          —– that first time I was so spellbound but I managed to thank him for running.

          —– at the end of the event, we went to the back and took a number of group photos with him having his arms around the group. at the last minute one person managed to push his way between us but I was just next. those are some of my most prized photos;

          —– he autographed his books for me and I gave a copy of each to my parents back home. they have read them multiple times;

          —- I and my close friends have perfected the best position to meet him and shake his hand after the events.

          => met FLOTUS, First Grandma, & the kids when they were with PBO. shook FLOTUS’s hand but the kids did not do the rope-line;

          => special alert : met VP Biden (no glasses but smiling) and shook his hand just a few seconds after shaking hands with PBO at a joint appearance. I took a photo of my friend with VP … but she messed up her chance and didn’t get mine;

          => met Senator astronaut John Glenn and his dear wife;

          — celebrities including Mr. Bruce Springsten & Mr. James Taylor when they accompanied PBO … but just missed Jay-Z when him and the Boss accompanied PBO;

          … other actors, singers, celebrities on the stump.

          –Of course talked to a number of Secret Service agents to thank them for doing a good job … they mainly just shook their heads and promptly ignored us so they could concentrate on their jobs. yes, most are as imposing as they look on video/TV

          • 18 jacquelineoboomer
            December 8, 2016 at 11:10 am

            I bow in your presence, lucky you. Not jealous – much – just so very happy for you!!!! You could write a book on “how to work a rope line”!!! What memories you have to cherish. ā¤

          • 19 pkayden
            December 8, 2016 at 4:32 pm

            “I took a photo of my friend with VP … but she messed up her chance and didn’t get mine”

            End of that friendship.

            But seriously, you’ve met a lot of great people. Jealous that you’ve met PBO and FLOTUS and our VP. Good for you!!

      • 20 arapaho415
        December 7, 2016 at 10:56 pm

        GE GCL.

        Awards ceremony is this Saturday, and it looks like Bob Dylan won’t be present to accept the award:

      • 24 Obama Grandmama
        December 8, 2016 at 12:13 am

        I thought I heard Dylan said he was not going to attend the Nobel Prize presentation.

  7. 25 jacquelineoboomer
    December 7, 2016 at 8:59 pm

    Joan Walsh has had it, like the rest of us.

  8. December 7, 2016 at 9:13 pm

  9. December 7, 2016 at 9:19 pm

  10. December 7, 2016 at 10:17 pm

    Where is everyone? I’m watching the CNN special. What a man! What a President?! Love Him! šŸ˜šŸ’•

  11. 32 arapaho415
    December 7, 2016 at 10:21 pm

    GE TODville.

    This year’s election has been an embarrassment to the United States, and it’s not getting any better.

    Report from Michigan recount:

    “Across the state, scores of precincts can’t be recounted because the number of ballots in the box doesn’t match the number of voters in the pollbook.

    In those cases, the certified vote tally from the canvass stands.”

    From @mattdpearce’s Twitter timeline.

    • 33 globalcitizenlinda
      December 7, 2016 at 10:53 pm

      there has always been a call to get involved in conducting the election as staff, poll workers etc.

      most of us do not heed that call and leave it to a few workers who are often overwhelmed;

      tactics that suppress people’s right to vote must be challenged more vigorously.

      protecting the right to vote should also focus on getting updated machines for all precincts, a verifiable paper trail of each electronic vote, minimizing the number of ballots that are routinely thrown out for one reason or another.

    • 35 Obama Grandmama
      December 8, 2016 at 12:22 am

      Were the precincts that were miscounted or not matching ballots and numbers of voters in the book minority or likely Dem districts?

  12. 37 arapaho415
    December 7, 2016 at 10:52 pm

    One more.

    Since the election it’s been like living through an endless Twilight Zone episode, where up is down and down is up.

    I had dystopian vision for this country and the world on election night, and it hasn’t gotten any better — in fact, the consequences could be unspeakably horrifying for so many people in this country, our precious landscape and in terms of global chaos. And all because of GOP greed and un-American cowardice — elected GOP officials are motivated in their quest to pay no taxes and dismantle every health safeguard (aka regulations) and snatch away any benefit to those in need.

    Speaking as a Japanese-American, this Newt Gingrich tweet makes no sense at all. Trumpaloons want to strip all Muslims of all worldly possessions (except for what they can carry) and ship them to internment camps like the US did to Japanese-Americans after Dec 7, 1941. But now Gingrich is praising the Japanese attacks? Will he be praising the Sept 11 murderers next?

    • 38 jacquelineoboomer
      December 7, 2016 at 11:18 pm

      Hang in there – the good part is we are not alone in our thinking on these topics! Goodnight, Arapaho – and TODville.

    • 39 globalcitizenlinda
      December 7, 2016 at 11:31 pm

      I saw this earlier today. I sent him a tweet in response. I suspect that he promptly blocked me after that … was my first time ever communicating with him

    • 40 pkayden
      December 8, 2016 at 5:09 pm

      This is very odd. Why is he praising the Japanese attack which led to American’s involvement in WWII? Strange indeed.

  13. 41 jacquelineoboomer
    December 7, 2016 at 11:16 pm

  14. December 8, 2016 at 2:08 am

    Goodnight TOD …

    My letter:

    Dear Elector,

    The Framers intended for you to protect America from a a demagogue, a scam artist, a person deeply conflicted by their relations with ANY Foreign power – be it governmental, business, or/and political.

    Their concern was that such a person would win the POPULAR VOTE. In other words, even if the cornerstone of our democracy – One Person, One Vote – happened to result in such a person being the victor in the National Election, YOUR responsibility would be to NOT Elect that individual President. That is precisely why they created the Electoral College.

    They certainly NEVER conceived of the LOSER of the popular, vote who also met their stringent criteria for rejection, being the person the Electoral College would actually Elect President.Secretary Clinton WON the Vote.

    She is vastly qualified.

    She is not indebted to even one Foreign governmental, commercial, political entity, nor to any individual.

    She is not a demagogue.

    Thus, it is inconceivable that even one of you would consider Electing the type of person that the Framers sought to have the Electoral College prevent from being President – especially when that person LOST the Vote.

    You are responsible for the fate of our democracy, our civilization & humanity itself.

    Please put aside any partisan objectives or biases and preserve the American Promise of Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness for EVERY US citizen.

    Sincerely,
    Bob

  15. 45 globalcitizenlinda
    December 8, 2016 at 8:04 am

    Good Morning Everyone!

    Have a fantastic day

  16. 46 desertflower
    December 8, 2016 at 8:32 am

    Morning everyone.

    • 47 arapaho415
      December 8, 2016 at 9:30 am

      GM DF.

      Despite @LOLGOP’s Twitter handle, he is able to dig deeply in only 10 words.

      Haven’t read this article (because of WaPo paywall limits, rarely click through to read their articles 😦 ), but this a real, tangible consequence of 2016 election:

      MSM management/corporate sponsors continue to prop up DJT/Bannon/Flynn authoritarian kleptocracy, delivering news as if this powerful group of white supremacist madmen have any agenda at all beyond dismantling all regulations, privatizing functions of government that provide public service to its citizens (including selling off our beloved, irreplaceable natural wonders) trampling on the First Amendment and self-enrichment.

      #VigilanteAuthoritarianKleptocracy for the next four years.

      • December 8, 2016 at 10:30 am

        And Jones should have told them if you step one foot toward me or my family I will blow your head off. Speak to those bigots the only way they understand.

  17. 51 desertflower
    December 8, 2016 at 8:51 am

    http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/308358-last-minute-fight-over-buy-america-provision-emerges-in-water-bill

    A last-minute fight over a ā€œBuy Americaā€ provision has erupted in the final negotiations over a waterways bill.

    At issue is language included in the Senate-passed version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that would require American iron and steel products be used in projects assisted by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

    Sources familiar with the negotiations say Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is actively pushing to strip the provision from the bill.

  18. 53 desertflower
    December 8, 2016 at 8:56 am

    The message…and Jennifer Hudson:) That woman sure can sing…

  19. 54 desertflower
    December 8, 2016 at 9:08 am

    Smile…a little diversion:)

  20. December 8, 2016 at 9:19 am

    Good morning TOD folks. Have a beautiful day. I am enjoying these last few days with such pride and sadness inmy heart . The contrast between incoming and outgoing is too stark. Thanks Nerdy for all you do

  21. December 8, 2016 at 9:24 am

    From BJ’s Richard Mayhew:

    Death spirals all around
    by Richard Mayhew
    at 6:04 am on December 8, 2016.

    We’re going to see how the Republican Party can create a death spiral in the individual market in sixty days or less. They have a few choices:

    First Philip Klein in the Washington Examiner wants to create one the old fashion way:

    In contrast, Republicans could immediately freeze enrollment — allowing those who already have insurance through Obamacare to continue receiving subsidies, but preventing new enrollees from receiving any (though they’d still be free to purchase insurance on their own if they aren’t seeking subsidies). The current open enrollment period for privately-administered insurance ends on Jan. 31, so that would be a natural cutoff point.

    Do you know who is extremely likely to buy community rated, guaranteed issue insurance with a subsidy? People who are very sick.
    Do you know who is extremely unlikely to buy community rated, guaranteed issue insurance without a subsidy? People who have reason to believe they are very healthy.

    This proposal will get the individual insurance market to look like the individual markets from the mid-90s in the non-subsidized, non-mandated guarantee issue states. Super high premiums and very sick risk pools. And since insurers set their 2017 rates with the assumption that subsidies are available for Special Enrollment Members, they will lose a lot of money.

    Means #2 is just pulling the Cost Sharing Reduction subsidies. Insurers will flee the market. The American Academy of Actuaries have their hair on fire as they look at the impact of Congress not funding Cost Sharing Reduction subsidies after January 20th.

  22. December 8, 2016 at 9:26 am

    Uh huh
    Uh huh

    The Right’s War on Unions Will Finish Us Off
    by Martin Longman
    December 7, 2016 4:25 PM

    Of course the Republicans are going to launch a new assault on unions, and it’s going to be devastating. Unions are a key pillar on the left, especially among progressives. It took me a little while to learn this. I grew up in Princeton, New Jersey in a family filled with professors. My progressive values stemmed not from firsthand knowledge of the plight of the coal miner or steel worker or government bureaucrat, nor from any personal experience of being a racial or religious minority, or even a woman. The scientific ethos of academia was my point of entry to opposition to the right-wing in this country. Everyone starts from some place.

    When I left my hometown, I moved to Los Angeles where I found an even more diverse community than the one I had grown up in, and one with a wider chasm between the rich and poor. I went on to work for ACORN and expand my knowledge about what the urban poor and minorities face in terms of our criminal justice system, local governance, education, and employment opportunities.

    Working with labor was my last stop along the way. I didn’t originally see unions as necessarily my natural allies or see their causes as my causes. There was overlap in many areas, but maybe we didn’t see eye to eye on the importance of the environment, for example. It was only when I realized how essential they were to getting political power that I began to understand that I needed them to be strong and motivated and effective.

    It was then that I understood that academic progressives don’t have the option of picking and choosing which labor issues to support, but we need to have their backs so that they’ll have our backs.

  23. December 8, 2016 at 9:28 am

    To anyone who watch it ,how was the CNN special about President Obama Legacy?

  24. 60 JER
    December 8, 2016 at 9:31 am

  25. December 8, 2016 at 9:41 am

    Quick Takes: Republicans Still Can’t Agree on a Plan to Repeal Obamacare
    by Nancy LeTourneau
    December 7, 2016 5:27 PM

    When I wrote yesterday about the chaos among Republicans on the particulars of their ā€œrepeal and delayā€ strategy on Obamacare, it was before top Senate Republicans met with Pence to hash things out. Apparently meeting with the vice president elect didn’t help much.

    After meeting with Vice President-elect Mike Pence on Tuesday to hash out plans to repeal Obamacare, top Senate Republicans are no closer to resolving an issue that’s splintering the GOP heading into the start of Donald Trump’s presidency: how long to give themselves to replace the law…

    ā€œThe view on that probably is in a constant state of evolution, based on who you talk to,ā€ said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 3 GOP leader. ā€œThe question is: What’s that duration? Structurally, it’s at this point an open question. We’re hoping to get some direction.ā€ā€¦

    The length of the transition is pitting hard-line conservatives such as Sen. Ted Cruz and members of the House Freedom Caucus, who favor a relatively speedy replacement, against Senate leaders who are pushing the three-year option.

    ā€œIt took six years to get into this mess; it’s going to take us a while to get out of it,ā€ said Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas). ā€œOne thing I know for sure is we can’t fail to deliver on the promise to repeal Obamacare.ā€ā€¦

    ā€œThe sooner we can get rid of it, the better,ā€ said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the outgoing leader of the Freedom Caucus.

  26. December 8, 2016 at 10:23 am

    Stung by criticism, Trump goes after local union leader
    12/08/16 08:00 AM
    By Steve Benen

    Donald Trump should be incredibly busy. The transition period is limited, as we talked about the other day, presidents-elect are expected to maintain a rather grueling schedule, choosing a cabinet, attending security briefings, staffing a White House, speaking to international leaders, shaping a policy agenda, and even preparing for his inauguration. Every hour of every day counts.

    Trump, however, hasn’t yet learned the value of focusing his attention on what matters most. He instead likes to take time complaining about Broadway productions, sketch-comedy shows, and as of last night, local union leaders.
    President-elect Donald Trump pledged to be ā€œso presidential you will be boredā€ during the election, but he continues to keep Americans on their toes after again taking to Twitter to battle his most recent critic.

    Chuck Jones, president of United Steelworkers 1999, told NBC News that he had been harassed and threatened in the wake of Trump’s latest attack – a broadside against Jones leadership of union workers at a Carrier manufacturing plant in Indiana that took center stage last week.

    It should’ve been a relatively minor story. Trump made claims about the Carrier deal that were demonstrably untrue, and Chuck Jones spoke up about it – as American citizens are still free to do. Last night, the labor leader appeared on CNN to ā€œcorrect some of [Trump’s] math,ā€ and soon after, the president-elect who lacks impulse control decided it’d be a good idea to go after Jones directly.

  27. 71 carolyn
    December 8, 2016 at 10:52 am

    Trump had better get used to criticism. It’s just starting. He’s had a free ride so far, and thinks he is perfect. He is soon going to have to deal with the reality of constant criticism, and it will be fierce. He is not emotionally or psychologically equipped to deal with it, except to strike back like a nine year old. This is disgusting and pathetic to watch, and will, eventually bring him down I think. He is not an adult.

  28. 72 jacquelineoboomer
    December 8, 2016 at 11:04 am

    It has begun.

  29. 75 0388jojothecat
    December 8, 2016 at 11:43 am

    Good Morning TOD family, lurkers, Nerdy Wonka thank you so much for maintaining our place of sanity and all that is PBO šŸ™‚

    I noticed I have not seen posts from Dudette…….has anyone heard from her lately or can get in touch with her? Hope you are well Dudette and any other TOD’ers who are just lurking but can’t or have not posted lately. I love you ALL!

  30. 80 jacquelineoboomer
    December 8, 2016 at 12:27 pm

  31. 81 vcprezofan2
    December 8, 2016 at 12:44 pm

    Hi, everybody!

  32. 82 vcprezofan2
    December 8, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    Meet one of Canada’s ‘civil rights’ icon.

  33. December 8, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    Jeff Sessions’ record on desegregation draws fresh scrutiny
    12/08/16 10:42 AM
    By Steve Benen

    Shortly after Donald Trump chose Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) as his choice for Attorney General, the president-elect’s team put together talking points for Senate Republicans, urging them to sing the senator’s praises. In particular, Team Trump asked GOP lawmakers to say Sessions has a ā€œstrong civil rights record.ā€

    Given the senator’s actual civil rights record, it’s a tough sell.

    But as Politico reported., the talking points were also more specific in some cases, noting that Sessions also ā€œled desegregation lawsuits in his home state.ā€ Trump’s spokesperson pushed the same line with reporters recently, claiming the Alabama Republican ā€œfiled a number of desegregation lawsuits in Alabamaā€ during his tenure as a U.S. Attorney.

    But did that actually happen? The Atlantic’s Adam Serwer did some interesting digging into Sessions’ record.

    The Atlantic could not find evidence Sessions filed any new school desegregation lawsuits. Searches of the legal databases Westlaw and PACER found no evidence that any new school-desegregation lawsuits were filed in Alabama’s Southern District by Sessions between 1981, when Sessions became U.S. attorney in Alabama, and 1995, when he became Alabama attorney general, though it is possible that the records exist but are not in those databases. The Atlantic could find no reference to the claim in the transcripts of his 1986 confirmation hearing.

    Former Justice Department officials and civil-rights experts expressed puzzlement when asked about the claim, in part because nearly every school in Alabama was under desegregation orders by the 1970s, years before Sessions became U.S. attorney.

  34. December 8, 2016 at 1:01 pm

    Democrats Drop A Bombshell Report That Exposes Trump’s Planned Devious War On Seniors
    By Jason Easley on Mon, Dec 5th, 2016 at 12:43 pm

    The first peek at what the incoming Trump administration has planned can be found in HHS nominee Rep. Tom Price’s budget plan, and what the new administration is signaling is nothing less than a war on the nation’s seniors.

    The report by the Senate Budget Committee Minority Staff provided a great deal of insight into four areas of Prices’s budget that equal a war on seniors:

    Sneaking massive benefit cuts through the back door – The Price proposal includes a devious plan that would likely trigger deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other priorities, while avoiding the need for members of Congress to vote directly for the cuts. The Price plan does this by automatically triggering a process to establish caps on spending and debt levels upon approval of a budget resolution, with the threat of sequestration cuts to enforce those limits. This, for the first time, would allow the Republican majority to ram through cuts to Social Security (among other programs) using a special fast-track process that denies Senate Democrats their normal rights to defend these programs and ensure an adequate opportunity for public input. If Republicans were to pass President-Elect Trump’s tax plan, the resulting increase to the deficit, under this plan, could require cuts to Social Security and Medicare of 13.5 percent, meaning the average Social Security beneficiary would lose more than $2,000 a year. [CAP,10/18/16]ā€Ž

    Rigging the budget process to cut earned benefits– Currently, if Congress fails to offset the cost of mandatory spending or new tax breaks, this can trigger across-the-board cuts, or sequestration. However, Social Security is exempt from these cuts, and Medicare is subject to only limited cuts (of 2 or 4 percent, depending on the type of sequestration). Meanwhile, consistent with a previously long-standing bipartisan consensus, most assistance to Americans with the greatest needs is completely protected. By contrast, the Price plan would subject ā€œall programsā€ to sequestration, ā€œwith limited exceptions such as interest payments, Article I judges’ salaries, and intragovernmental payments.ā€ On its face, this could mean that in the future, seniors, the disabled, and others in need could be forced to pay the price, with deep cuts to promised benefits that many earned through a lifetime of hard work.

    Unraveling longstanding guarantees to those who rely on Medicare, Social Security, Unemployment Insurance and other Benefits – Price’s proposal calls for a non-amendable fast track process to end longstanding guarantees to our nation’s middle-class workers, seniors, children, the disabled and millions of others who rely on Medicare, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and other benefits. Instead, these Americans would have to fight annually for these benefits in the uncertain appropriations process, with no assurance their hard-earned benefits will be there at the end. Given the Republican Congress’s long record of failure to even consider appropriations bills on time, this could threaten the security of millions who rely on promised benefits. Meanwhile, Price proposes no similar process to eliminate wasteful special interest tax loopholes.

    Rigging the budget with a fast-track for billionaire tax breaks – The Price proposal would repeal the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act, which imposes fiscal discipline by restricting Congress’s ability to enact deficit-financed tax breaks and direct spending. This would free Congress to hand out massive new breaks for billionaires and large corporations, while driving up the deficit and laying the groundwork for future Republican demands for additional cuts to middle class benefits.

  35. December 8, 2016 at 1:07 pm

    Good morning TOD …

    #NEOCONSTERS are rejoicing …. weapons profiteers already ordering their 4th super yacht …

  36. December 8, 2016 at 1:35 pm

  37. December 8, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    • 96 Obama Grandmama
      December 8, 2016 at 5:43 pm

      Painting insults with a broad brush sometimes makes that person on the level with the original abuser.

      I am seventy years old, a White/ Native American woman proud to live in and own my first home (mobile home) since my husband died. Some might call me trailer trash since I live in a mobile home on an Indian Reservation. Oh, I am a night mouth breather too (at least that is what my dental hygienist says) that likes fruitcake which also seem to be current insults. I suppose being liberal and obese are two other insults and I drank Obama’s Kool-aid. I need to think about not getting dandruff, keeping fresh breath, avoiding double chins, saggy skin, and having Kleenex white teeth. Woe is me as I cannot even keep up with knowing what I need to worry about!

      • 97 globalcitizenlinda
        December 8, 2016 at 11:27 pm

        thank you for expressing this. point well taken.

        your comment has made me think of those times when I fall in the trap of generalizing about what I have automatically stereotyped about others.

        I know that in the scheme of things, this may not be enough but : I am very sorry for those times when I have caused pain to others.

        I will remind myself of trying to be better to others and avoid causing pain

  38. 98 JER
    December 8, 2016 at 2:10 pm

  39. 99 JER
    December 8, 2016 at 2:16 pm

  40. 100 JER
    December 8, 2016 at 2:21 pm

    President and Mrs. Obama will host a holiday “Congressional Ball” this evening.

  41. December 8, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    A Voluntary Army of Union Intimidators
    by Martin Longman
    December 8, 2016 11:57 AM

    Let’s look up Blackshirts on Wikipedia:

    The Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale (MVSN, ā€œVoluntary Militia for National Securityā€), commonly called the Blackshirts (Italian: Camicie Nere, CCNN, singular: Camicia Nera) or squadristi (singular: squadrista), was originally the paramilitary wing of the National Fascist Party and, after 1923, an all-volunteer militia of the Kingdom of Italy. Its members were distinguished by their black uniforms (modelled on those of the Arditi, Italy’s elite troops of World War I) and their loyalty to Benito Mussolini, the Duce (leader) of Fascism, to whom they swore an oath. The founders of the paramilitary groups were nationalist intellectuals, former army officers and young landowners opposing peasants’ and country labourers’ unions. Their methods became harsher as Mussolini’s power grew, and they used violence and intimidation against Mussolini’s opponents.

    So, these folks were nationalists who volunteered to intimidate and use violence against their leader’s opponents, with a particular view toward smashing labor unions. That doesn’t seem too hard to understand. These were the first fascists.

    Let’s fast-forward to yesterday.

    Half an hour after Trump tweeted about [president of the United Steelworkers Local 1999, Chuck] Jones on Wednesday, the union leader’s phone began to ring and kept ringing, he said. One voice asked: What kind of car do you drive? Another said: We’re coming for you.

    He wasn’t sure how these people found his number.

    ā€œNothing that says they’re gonna kill me, but, you know, you better keep your eye on your kids,ā€ Jones said later on MSNBC. ā€œWe know what car you drive. Things along those lines.ā€

    ā€œI’ve been doing this job for 30 years, and I’ve heard everything from people who want to burn my house down or shoot me,ā€ he added. ā€œSo I take it with a grain of salt and I don’t put a lot of faith in that, and I’m not concerned about it and I’m not getting anybody involved. I can deal with people that make stupid statements and move on.ā€

    • 103 Don
      December 8, 2016 at 3:25 pm

      In my local union there were plenty of members that went out and voted for Trump. Its bad enough that we as union members have to fight for everything we get, but what kills me is that we have to beg and plead with our own members not to cut off their nose. Its sickening and deflating that this has to happen.

      • 104 Don
        December 8, 2016 at 3:30 pm

        If I had a nickel for every time a union member would come in our office and talk shit about President Obama I’d be a tax evading millionaire, there were many times that fist were about to start flying. It does something to you, their stupidity is staggering.

  42. 105 Don
    December 8, 2016 at 3:21 pm

    So Trump wants to get rid of the EPA, the FDA, and the Department of Education thereby turning America into a dystopian wasteland straight of a Madmax movie. I’m not even sure that a recount will make any difference and I hope I’m wrong, but it seems to me that too many people that could ill afford to vote for Trump went out and voted for Trump.

    • 106 FoxfireTX
      December 8, 2016 at 3:35 pm

      Add to the list the DOL, SBA, DOJ and HHS. I suspect that four years from now, we will not recognize America as the country we loved. We have never seen a cabinet like this, where every department head is anti the agency he will be responsible for governing. Each day is more horrifying the one before it. I am watching/reading less news every day because it is all so depressing. When I think of hard PBO worked to make things better for all Americans and the fact he left the next administration a country that could succeed for generations to come, watching DT blow it all up is just too painful. I sure hope those Trump voters will be happy when everything they have known is gone.

  43. 107 desertflower
    December 8, 2016 at 3:26 pm

  44. December 8, 2016 at 3:41 pm

  45. 114 JER
    December 8, 2016 at 4:09 pm


    SOON: Vice President Biden Delivers Remarks – Sen. Harry Reid’s Official Portrait Unveiling – http://abcnews.go.com/live?stream=2

  46. 116 globalcitizenlinda
    December 8, 2016 at 4:23 pm

    Damn! We have really lost Senator John Glenn

  47. December 8, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    Fuck You and Your ā€œDemocrats Have to End Identity Politics to Winā€ Bullshit

    by John Cole
    at 2:57 pm on December 8, 2016.

    If I read one fucking more thinkpiece, blog post, semi-literate tweet, or facebook forward blaming whatever the fuck ā€œidentity politicsā€ is for Democrats losing the election I am going to lose completely and totally lose my shit and climb a fucking bell tower. I don’t even know what people mean when they say identity politics anymore. So let me ask you:


    Is it identity politics when you cater to white supremacists, the Klan, and neo-nazis to win an election?

    Is it identity politics when you say white lives matter or blue lives matter?

    Is it identity politics when you cheer building a wall to keep out rapey Mexicans?

    Is it identity politics when you intentionally close voting districts in minority areas to suppress the vote?

    Is it identity politics when you pass bills saying you can legally discriminate against the LGBT community?

    Is it identity politics when you threaten a cop for wearing a hijab or try to rip the hijab off people in public?

    Is it identity politics when you call for a ban on Muslims and claim that a government list of Muslims is a good idea?

    Is it identity politics when your healthcare bills do nothing for women’s health but hand out Viagra like skittles?

    Is it identity politics when children of color are disciplined more frequently and severely than white schoolchildren?

    Is it identity politics when your #1 priority is passing bills telling what women can and can’t do regarding their reproductive health decisions?

    Is it identity politics when the justice system systematically incarcerates minorities or when cities set up nuisance policing policies in minority communities?

    Is it identity politics to insist that everyone say Merry Christmas?

    Is it identity politics when you cheer stop and frisk in minority communities?

    Is it identity politics when you claim ā€œcoastal elitesā€ aren’t real Americans and that the heartland is where the ā€œreal peopleā€ live?

    Is it identity politics to pay women less than men (and women of color even less)?

    Is it identity politics to totally lose your fucking shit over a black Santa Claus or a black Jedi or boycott Rogue One because WHO FUCKING KNOWS THESE PEOPLE ARE FUCKING NUTS?

    ***
    No. Of course not. What you mean when you say ā€œidentity politicsā€ is you mean all those groups you want to systematically oppress try to stand up and defend themselves and it hurts your feelings because you can’t have your way. In politics, it’s called COALITION BUILDING.

  48. 123 JER
    December 8, 2016 at 4:41 pm

  49. December 8, 2016 at 6:39 pm

  50. December 8, 2016 at 6:47 pm


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