This is cool!
Women are using Post-it notes in public bathrooms to remind other women that their vote is private. This is easy, cheap, and effective.
– Jess Piper Read on Substack
The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper
Women are using Post-it notes in public bathrooms to remind other women that their vote is private. This is easy, cheap, and effective.
First some content warning; the article has a warning that it references rape. The article is below, but I’ll leave some space here; the first mention is in the first sentence beneath their warning. The article will be beneath the Xs; I can’t get formatting to leave space. Also, Sen. Marshall lies like a Trump.
Amber Dickinson speaks on reproductive rights at the “Kansas Women for Harris” rally Aug. 22, 2024, in Leawood. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)
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Trigger warning: This story references rape.
LEAWOOD — Amber Dickinson took a personal and vulnerable stand for reproductive freedom as she talked publicly for the first time about being raped.
Before her speech Thursday in Leawood at a rally of “Kansas Women for Kamala Harris,” only a handful of people knew she is a survivor. Through tears, she explained that she was worried she would stand in front of strangers and cry, when she was supposed to be strong.
“But whose definition of strong are we obligated to adhere to? It is time that women create their own definition of strength,” Dickinson said. “Because strength is not sexually abusing women like Donald Trump. Strength is not belittling women like J.D. Vance.”
Dickinson, a political science professor at Washburn University who has written opinion columns for Kansas Reflector, joined speakers who highlighted the ways Harris’ and former President Donald Trump’s policies affect Kansans. The rally was a counter-protest to Vance’s nearby fundraiser, where Republicans claimed he raised $1.5 million.
Dickinson spoke on reproductive rights, highlighting experiences of women in Oklahoma, a neighboring state with a total abortion ban. She spoke of a fetus found in an Oklahoma college residence hall bathroom. She said this is what the future looks like “if you allow wicked men like J.D. Vance and Donald Trump get what they want from us.”
After Dickinson spoke on reproductive rights, other women spoke on gun safety and funding in public schools.
Kristen Blackton, a former middle school teacher and part of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said she witnessed the rise of mass shootings in schools, resulting in her students asking her: “Can you protect us?”
“In our state, in Kansas, the rate of gun deaths has increased 48% from 2013 to 2022 and gun violence also disproportionately affects communities of color, with Black people in Kansas being over two times more likely to die by guns than white people in Kansas,” Blackton said. “This is not normal.”
She talked about legislation introduced by Rep. Linda Featherston, D-Overland Park, that would make safe storage of firearms a requirement. Blackton and other Moms from the group pushed for the bill, which failed to advance.
“Do you know why? We currently have a Republican supermajority in Topeka,” Blackton said. “This means that Republican lawmakers often act like they have no need to listen to their constituents and work across the aisle to improve the lives of Kansans.”
Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, D-Leawood, spoke about Moms for Liberty, a group that is known for challenging books in public schools.
Poskin praised Ruby Bridges, the first Black child to attend formerly a whites-only school after Brown v. Board, as a Civil Rights icon. Poskin said she donated copies of “Ruby Bridges’ Walk to School,” a children’s book written by Bridges, to local elementary schools.
“Moms for Liberty attempted to ban this sweet book from the second and third grade curriculums in the state of Tennessee,” Poskin said. “And if you don’t think it’s coming here, you’re wrong.”
Ten miles away from the Democratic women rally, at Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills, Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance dined with donors who paid $5,000 to $50,000 to attend. Former U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Kansas U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and Oklahoma U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin also were part of the fundraiser.
Mike Brown, chairman for the Kansas Republican Party, called the dinner a “huge success” in the party’s weekly newsletter Friday. Brown said more than 300 people attended, and raised $1.5 million.
On Tuesday, Marshall told KWCH, a radio station in Wichita, that he has heard from Kansans whose top concerns are inflation, border security, and government overregulation.
Pretty neat. by Charlotte Clymer Read on Substack
A few months ago, Substack generously invited thirty or so of their writers to NYC for the opportunity to create some ads for our blogs. I really didn’t know what to expect, but the experience itself with Cash Studios (cashstudios.co) was delightful.
For about an hour, I worked with the staff in their studio on various ideas they had, all of which I found interesting. Moreover, I was quite impressed with their creativity and professionalism. They were kind, curious about my work, and really wanted to bring out my authenticity.
A few days ago, the ads were sent out to all of us, and I was quite blown away by the care and thoughtfulness put into creating them. I feel that Cash Studios did an exceptional job in capturing what I try to do with Charlotte’s Web Thoughts, and I’m thankful to the folks at Substack for this level of investment in my work.
They cut four ads, and I want to share them with all my subscribers, with a humble request: if you have friends, family, colleagues, or whomever you think might connect with my writing, send them one of these ads. Tell them that it’s free to subscribe to the blog, that all they need is an email, and that I don’t spam.
Here are the ads! Enjoy:
I am an admirer of hers, and maybe when I finally grow up, I’ll be as like her as possible. I’ve named my phone after her, just as a reminder. She once said that no one can make us feel inferior without our consent. Many people say/said similar things, but when I first saw she said that, it clicked. I don’t always remember, but mostly I do. We all should. Now, here is Gavin Aung Than’s Zen Pencils for this week. I really appreciate this one, too!
Last year, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the state’s fast-food minimum wage increase into law, which meant that employees at fast-food restaurants in the state went from making $15.50 per hour to $20 per hour. While the decision was lauded by many labor activists as part of broader efforts to improve working conditions and address wage disparities, some economists and fast-food industry members expressed concern over how the law would impact restaurants’ operating costs, which could result in reduced hours for workers or even job cuts.
However, according to new state and federal employment data, California’s fast-food industry has added jobs every month this year — including 11,000 new jobs since the wage increase officially went into effect in April. For instance, in May of 2023, there were 742,600 fast-food workers in the state; a year later, there were 743,300 workers.
According to a release from Newsom’s office last week, since raising worker wages, every month this year has seen consistent fast food job gains, and nearly each month has seen more jobs than the same month last year.
“What’s good for workers is good for business, and as California’s fast food industry continues booming every single month our workers are finally getting the pay they deserve,” Newsom said in a written statement. “Despite those who pedaled [sic] lies about how this would doom the industry, California’s economy and workers are again proving them wrong.”
I read these whenever I get ’em. I think everyone should, so give it a try when you get a few minutes. Well, unless you already did; I’m a few days late reading this one! 🌞
At the very beginning I goofed and misspoke the name of the blog, referring to my old blog and old YouTube channel instead of Scotties Playtime blog and channel. Unfortunately I do not have editing software yet, and so I left it in as I would have to dump the entire video and make a new one. Remember I do not use scripts so I don’t know I could do a new one without a mistake either. Also remember it normally takes YouTube a day or more to do the CC for videos. Hugs. Scottie
By Candace McDuffie Published Tuesday 11:48 AM
The Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago on Monday (August 19) at United Center and was quite the celebration. President Joe Biden gave the final address of the night, which was full of resilience and reassurance that Vice President Kamala Harris is going to be our next President Of The United States.
Biden was also proud of his own legacy, which he expressed by sharing a quote from the song “American Anthem” by Gene Scheer: “What shall our legacy be, what will our children say, let me know in my heart when my days are through, America, America, I gave my best to you.”
In addition, the night contained a myriad of moments that uplifted the Black community. Here are the best and Blackest moments from Day 1 at the DNC.
As one of the night’s earliest speakers, former teacher and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson declared his city as the greatest in the world before recognizing the contributions of journalist Ida B. Wells, Rev. Jesse Jackson and this country’s first Black president Barack Obama.
He also expressed excitement about his daughter being able to see a “reflection of herself in the White House” before giving a galvanizing endorsement of Harris.
“What will it take to defeat MAGA Republicans and move our country forward and not backward? It will take everyone, and let me tell you all: Kamala, she’s got us,” Johnson said. “Together, we will build a better, brighter future.”
Iconic civil rights leader Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. received a standing ovation when he made an appearance on the first night of the Democratic National Convention.
Jackson, who stepped down as president of the Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition last year, made history as the second Black American to seek a major-party nomination for President when he ran as a Democrat in 1984.
His historic contributions made it possible for Harris to run today. Jackson, who is currently living with Parkinson’s disease, did not give a speech Monday evening. Instead, he waved and gave a thumbs-up from his wheelchair as he enjoyed the celebration.
The Democratic presidential nominee is scheduled to give a speech at the DNC Thursday night, but Harris made a surprise appearance on Monday to honor President Biden and thank him for everything he’s done for his country.
Entering the stage to Beyoncé’s “Freedom” wearing a tan pantsuit (which some thought was a nod to former President Barack Obama’s biggest fashion moment in 2014), Harris remarked: “Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation, and for all you will continue to do, we are forever grateful to you.”
She then added: “With optimism, hope and faith, so guided by our love of country, knowing we all have so much more in common than what separates us, let us fight for the ideals we hold dear. And let us always remember when we fight, we win.”
In a speech delivered Monday night, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett boldly contrasted Vice President Kamala Harris’ record to that of her presidential opponent Donald Trump. “She became a career prosecutor while he became a career criminal — with 34 felonies, two impeachments and one porn star to prove it!” Crockett said.
She didn’t stop there. “She’s lived the American dream while he’s been America’s nightmare. America, looking at the two choices before you, who would you hire? Donald Trump or Kamala Harris? Kamala Harris has a résumé — Donald Trump has a rap sheet.”
She concluded her speech with a nod to her viral Marjorie Taylor Greene “bleach blonde, bad-built butch body” insult from earlier this year.
“The question before us is: Will a vindictive vile villain violate voters’ vision for a better America or not?” Crockett said to raucous cheers from the Chicago audience. “I hear alliterations are back in style.”
Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, who is also the senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, preached to DNC attendees about unifying for the greater good of the country.
“I’m convinced tonight that we can lift the broken even as we climb. We can heal the wounds that divide us. We can heal a planet in peril. We can heal the land,” he stated. Warnock’s emotional address was exactly what Democrats needed. He also addressed the culture of MAGA and its followers’ attack at the U.S. Capitol building in 2021.
“The line of logic of Jan. 6 is a sickness, is a kind of cancer metastasized into dozens of voter suppression laws all across our country,” Warnock said. “And we must be vigilant tonight, because these anti-democratic forces are at work right now in Georgia and across the country.”
https://www.theroot.com/the-best-and-blackest-moments-from-day-1-at-the-democra-1851626788
Scottie's Playtime 