I know some of you don’t care for this guy. But I would ask you to listen anyway. He talks about what Republicans are trying to do with states rights and controlling people even in the bedroom. He talks about what they are trying to overturn in the constitution. Pretty important stuff.
JD Vance says transgender rights drives looming conflict in Ukraine
IF YOUR TIME IS SHORT
Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance said the State Department’s focus on transgender rights is inflaming the conflict with Russia in Ukraine.
Russia has placed as many as 150,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders.
Russia has said Ukraine’s ties to NATO are a key threat to Russia’s national security.
As the prospect of a ground war hangs over Ukraine, Ohio Senate hopeful JD Vance said he doesn’t “really care what happens to Ukraine, one way or the other.”
Speaking to former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, Vance, a Marine veteran, said there’s no reason for U.S. military intervention.
“We didn’t not serve in the Marine Corps to go and fight Vladimir Putin because he didn’t believe in transgender rights,” Vance said Feb. 19. “Which is what the U.S. State Department is saying is a major problem with Russia.”
Vance went on to say he is “sick of Joe Biden focusing” on Ukraine at the expense of dealing with problems on the border with Mexico.
Whatever the troubles on America’s southern border, Russia’s transgender policies are not affecting the current tensions in Ukraine.
The U.S. and its NATO allies estimate that since last spring, Russia has moved as many as 150,000 troops within striking distance of Ukraine’s borders.
“That is by any means, by any estimate, a massive number of forces,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said Feb. 16. “We also know that the Russians have capabilities when it comes to electronic warfare, when it comes to aerial capabilities, any number of tactics they could employ, whether on their own or together as part of a broader onslaught.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said a Russian attack could come at any moment, if Russia wanted.
“They have enough troops and enough capabilities to launch a full fledged invasion of Ukraine with very little or no warning time,” Stoltenberg said Feb. 17. “That is what makes the situation so dangerous.”
President Joe Biden has said the warnings of war are aimed at forestalling it.
“We’re calling out Russia’s plans loudly and repeatedly, not because we want a conflict, but because we’re doing everything in our power to remove any reason that Russia may give to justify invading Ukraine and prevent them from moving,” Biden said Feb. 18.
Europe hasn’t seen sustained warfare on its turf since the breakup of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, and that didn’t involve the prospect of Russian forces driving combat operations. With Ukraine, the potential scale of a military conflict is orders of magnitude bigger.
“I went in yesterday and there was a television screen, and I said, ‘This is genius.’ Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine — of Ukraine — Putin declares it as independent. Oh, that’s wonderful.
“I said, ‘How smart is that?’ And he’s gonna go in and be a peacekeeper. That’s the strongest peace force. We could use that on our southern border.
“That’s the strongest peace force I’ve ever seen. There were more army tanks than I’ve ever seen. They’re gonna keep peace all right.
“No, but think of it. Here’s a guy who’s very savvy. Here’s a guy that says, you know, ‘I’m gonna declare a big portion of Ukraine independent,’ he used the word ‘independent’ and ‘we’re gonna go out and we’re gonna go in and we’re gonna help keep peace.’
“You gotta say that’s pretty savvy. And you know what the response was from Biden? There was no response. They didn’t have one for that. No, it’s very sad. Very sad.” – Donald Trump, speaking today on the podcast of cultist Buck Sexton.
Trump says Putin's military move on Ukraine is "genius."
"Putin is now saying, 'It’s independent,' a large section of Ukraine. I said, 'How smart is that?' And he’s gonna go in and be a peacekeeper… We could use that on our southern border."
Democratic lawmakers and activists are decrying a proposed amendment they say would require schools to inform a parent of their child’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The amendment is among a slew lawmakers will consider Tuesday on a measure opponents are calling the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The bill (HB 1557) seeks to closely regulate LGBTQ instruction and conversation in the classroom.
It would restrict primary schools from “encouraging classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity.” It also would allow parents to sue over alleged violations. Levy County Republican Rep. Joe Harding is the bill sponsor. He is also sponsoring the amendment.
Read the full article. The full Florida House votes tomorrow.
If you want a sense of what kind of guy @josephbharding is, he recently promoted a tweet claiming "the left is having full-blown meltdowns" about his bill because "teachers are not going to be able to groom kids anymore in Florida." pic.twitter.com/bju9ltiY6H
I am absolutely disgusted with @josephbharding. If you have already determined that outing a student would result in abuse, abandonment, or neglect, then there is NO WAY to make a "safe, supportive, and judgement-free environment" that involves that parent. #DontSayGayhttps://t.co/w5GHWRjlaw
Donald Trump’s new social media platform is facing some legal issues almost immediately, coming from a rather unexpected source—a solar power company based in the U.K.
The app (created by the Trump Media and Technology Group, TMTG) is right-wing “free speech” originated social media app similar to Gettr, Parler or Gab, and was set up by Trump after he was banned from all other mainstream social media sites in the wake of the January 6 attack.
However, upon its launch in the Apple app store, other social media users noticed that Truth Social’s logo—a purple square with a white “T” and a turquoise square in the bottom right—is almost identical to that of a British green energy company, Trailar.
The Truth Social logo even has the left side of the “T” cut off in the exact same way as Trailar’s, a company which fits solar mats on top of commercial vehicles across the globe, in order to save on fuel, CO2 emissions and maintenance costs.
In a statement to Newsweek, Trailer confirmed that it is now “seeking legal advice” to determine the best course of action after being made aware of the similarities between Truth Social’s logo, and its own logo.
“Based on recent news brought to our attention by various media outlets, showcasing the similarities between our own Trailar logo and the Truth Social logo, we are now seeking legal advice to understand next steps and options available to protect our brand,” said Matthew Summers, head of marketing, Trailar.
“Trailar has no affiliation or connection with the Truth Social network site, with our business firmly focused on decarbonising global transport through the use of solar and data driven technologies.”
In a tweet, the company added: “Great to see Donald Trump supporting a growing sustainability business! Maybe ask next time?
The logo is not the only issue which has affected Truth Social on its launch day.
While a number of prominent right-wing figures have been urging people to following them on their new accounts, tens of thousands of people have been placed in queues while trying to register their profiles, whereas others are seeing frequent error messages.
As of Monday morning, it was reported that more than 170,000 people were currently on the waiting list to register a new account with Truth Social.
The app is currently not available on Android and there is no corresponding website for users to access.
Former Congressman Devin Nunes, a California Republican who resigned to become chief executive officer of TMTG in January, previously said he expect it to be fully rolled out by the end of March.
A phone screen displays the Truth Social app in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2022. A British company is considering legal action as the logo for Donald Trump’s new app is almost identical to its own.STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
tRump couldn’t help himself, he had to steal, he had to take something that belongs to someone else. And the cult thinks he is such a great businessman.
Harold Hamm, one of the wealthiest oil execs in America, recently doled out an estimated $2.3 billion to each of his five children…completely tax-free.
It is hard to overstate how damaging trickle-down economics has been for the American economy. It has eviscerated our tax code and empowered a class of oligarchs that dominate our political system.
The right calls anything that helps the public socialism. Republican block any attempt to require the upper wealthy pay their share of taxes so the country can have more than the bare minimums of survival. The country did best when the upper class paid more in taxes including wealth taxes. The country had the money to expand and create, to do things that astonished the world. Now a we have multimillionaires and billionaires paying next to nothing ruling the country while 80% of the people struggle for a decent quality of life. 40% of the country couldn’t handle an unexpected $400 expense. We need to do better on the messaging and help people see they have been lied to by the wealthy to steal the countries assets.
The end of privilege feels like loss for so many.
Mark my words: if Russia invades Ukraine, the same Republicans in Congress who were silent when Trump cozied up to Putin will criticize Biden to no end.
Before GOP leaders pass their next trim to voting rights, they should visit Philly’s Constitution Center’s Xcllnt exhibit on Reconstruction. Republican Congress passed historic voting rights. pic.twitter.com/gy0O0yodJz
“It’s really, massively stupid not to welcome vaccination,” the 98-year-old Munger said. “We probably have 30% of the people in the country that think vaccination is evil and [is] coming after them like the hobgoblins. It’s not good that there’s that much ignorance left.”
Republicans attract the ignorant, then weaponize their self-interests and sadism.
Always reasonable to oppose US intervention overseas but the formulation "I don't give a shit if other people die" always reflects a hollow, immoral politics. https://t.co/4NYBbQYkse
Putin doesn’t have all those troops in Belarus and Crimea to just invade the Donbas.
Strategically, I would think Putin would want to make them fight on multiple fronts at once, too — I’m still expecting Kyiv to be targeted https://t.co/hokKdQPC0u
“So I’m gonna break into your house and take what I want, and if your dog bites me, you’re responsible for me burning down your house” https://t.co/YnqIDeoqPr
FFS, corps are having record profits, CEOs & execs are getting big bonuses and raises. The supply chain is breaking down, slowing products from the Wall Street bottom liners outsourced factories to the market, decreasing supply and driving up prices even further. The Owning Class is engaged in wholesale looting, and Real Leftist Ted Rall is putting this drivel out? GTFO.
Wages are up and people are still buying. If people are willing to spend over retail for vehicles and such, inflation will continue. The white supremacist backed road blocks impeding commerce between the USA and Canada certainly didn’t help do anything good to slow inflation. Republicans are desperate to find an issue they can run with. One fizzle after another. Hillary still seems the best bet for them.
The protesting truckers were a small percentage of all the truckers in Canada. The truckers union and the majority of truckers condemned the protest. It wouldn’t have stopped food deliveries nor caused shortages in grocery stores. This cartoon is about fear. Be afraid, don’t let the government require vaccines or you will go hungry.
The slogan is awkward but it is correct. The police have become too militarized with too many non-law enforcement jobs required of them. Right now the police are more occupying army than protectors of the people. Police shouldn’t be the primary ones answering mental health calls, they should only be a back up to the mental health workers trained for that job. Several places have tried switching to having trained professionals answer those types of calls and it works. Right now in many areas of the country the police have become gangs, thugs demanding ever higher pay, perks, and military gear. Time to get back to what core policing really is and leave the video game commando tactic to the gaming consoles. Civilian boards should be in charge of police investigations, No excuses for body cams not on or worn. It is time for civilians to be in charge, not the gangs of cops. A national database for bad cops and those in that data base do not get rehired if they are fired for cause.
A protest organized by a fascist Qanon leader and supported mainly by far right white supremacists with the goal of over turning a law in the US about not being able to cross the US / Canada border without being vaccinated. This was vaccine protest was in a country already 90% vaccinated. The public did not support this, the truckers union did not support this action, and the protest was conducted by a very small percentage of Canadian truckers. It was promoted on social media by foreign governments interested in causing unrest and chaos in the US and Canada. The majority of funding was coming from the US. Which might explain the Confederate battle flag being flown by the protestors.
The so-called “freedom convoy” – which departed for Ottawa on 23 January – was the brainchild of James Bauder, an admitted conspiracy theorist who has endorsed the QAnon movement and called Covid-19 “the biggest political scam in history”. Bauder’s group, Canada Unity, contends that vaccine mandates and passports are illegal under Canada’s constitution, the Nuremberg Code and a host of other international conventions.
Another group, Action4Canada, launched legal challenges to mask and vaccine mandates. In one 400-page court filing, they allege that the “false pronouncement of a Covid-19 ‘pandemic’” was carried out, at least in part, by Bill Gates and a “New World (Economic) Order” to facilitate the injection of 5G-enabled microchips into the population. Both groups are listed as “participating groups” on the Canada Unity website, and sent vehicles and personnel to join the convoy.
Read the full article. There’s much more. Action4Canada’s leader was in a ten-day COVID-related coma until a few days ago.
5G and QAnon: how conspiracy theorists steered Canada’s anti-vaccine trucker protest https://t.co/OeTHphA7Fy
The so-called “freedom convoy” – which departed for Ottawa on 23 January – was the brainchild of James Bauder, an admitted conspiracy theorist who has endorsed the QAnon movement and called Covid-19 “the biggest political scam in history”.
Bauder’s group, Canada Unity, contends that vaccine mandates and passports are illegal under Canada’s constitution, the Nuremberg Code and a host of other international conventions.
Since they have arrived in Ottawa, the extreme elements of the protest have been visible: neo-Nazi and Confederate flags were seen flying, QAnon logos were emblazoned on trucks and signs and stickers were pasted to telephone poles around the occupied area bear Trudeau’s face, reading: “Wanted for crimes against humanity.”
James Bauder, the founder of Canada Unity and the architect of the "trucker" convoy to Ottawa, has said Trudeau “needs too[sic] be arrested and charged for treason, and for participating in committing crimes against humanity.”https://t.co/2pjsTzX8pb
“You spoke about a ‘breakdown of the rule of law’. I invite you to study what happened in our federal elections last June.
“All political parties, with no exception, accepted the results and kept moving forward to strengthen our democracy and freedom of expression.
“When you mention politicians and journalists killed in Mexico, you add your voice to many, including President López Obrador, who condemn these terrible actions and act accordingly to address them.” – Esteban Moctezuma, Mexican ambassador to the US.
Mexico to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz: At least our presidential candidates accept defeat https://t.co/d7NzIBkr9w
📄 Open letter that Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Esteban Moctezuma addressed to Senator Ted Cruz regarding his recent statements about Mexico. pic.twitter.com/1JKR3aRPa4
Gov. Jared Polis, the first openly gay man to be elected governor, expressed concern for LGBTQ youth.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis criticized the GOP for latching onto an issue “the American people have long move past” and accused the party of “overreach.” | David Zalubowski/AP Photo
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, the first openly gay man to be elected governor, criticized the push for anti-LGBTQ laws in Republican-led states.
“Look, words matter. Laws matter. When a group of people, LGBTQ youth, feel targeted by the words and laws that some politicians espouse, of course, it can increase anxiety, depression,” he said during an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.
Just six weeks into 2022, more than 150 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced across the country, according to USA Today. States such as Florida are going as far as prohibiting classroom discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity and requiring teachers to inform parents of their child’s sexuality if they identify as LGBTQ.
Polis expressed concern for the youth that might be affected by that type of legislation, many of whom already are dealing with challenges with their family. Eighty-five percent of transgender and nonbinary youth said their mental health was negatively impacted by the surge of anti-trans bills, according to a recent Morning Consult and Trevor Project poll
The governor criticized the GOP for latching onto an issue “the American people have long move past” and accused the party of “overreach.”
“These hard policies about saying certain youth can’t play sports, and certain people aren’t allowed in certain places, or micromanaging what restroom people use and mandating what they do are really, frankly, un-American and are an example of Republican overreach, which will ultimately hurt their party, if they can’t espouse the full diversity of the American people,” he said.
Scottie's Playtime 
Wages are up and people are still buying. If people are willing to spend over retail for vehicles and such, inflation will continue. The white supremacist backed road blocks impeding commerce between the USA and Canada certainly didn’t help do anything good to slow inflation. Republicans are desperate to find an issue they can run with. One fizzle after another. Hillary still seems the best bet for them.