(click on images to enlarge)
(Nick Anderson, Washington Post Writers Group)
(Jeff Bagley, The Salt Lake Tribune)
(Drew Sheneman, Tribune Content Agency)
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Today's Cartoon Threefer
(click on images to enlarge)
(Nick Anderson, Washington Post Writers Group)
(Jeff Bagley, The Salt Lake Tribune)
(Drew Sheneman, Tribune Content Agency)
QOTD: Coach Kerr's Smackdown Of Trump
Yesterday, the NBA's Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr had what might be the best retort to bigoted dotard and bum Donald "Rump" Trump's unhinged call for players who kneel during the national anthem to be fired, when Kerr said:
“The idea of civil discourse with a guy who is tweeting and demeaning people and saying the things he’s saying is sort of far-fetched. Can you picture us really having a civil discourse with him?....How about the irony of, ‘Free speech is fine if you’re a neo-Nazi chanting hate slogans, but free speech is not allowed to kneel in protest?' No matter how many times a football player says, ‘I honor our military, but I’m protesting police brutality and racial inequality,’ it doesn’t matter. Nationalists are saying, ‘You’re disrespecting our flag.’ Well, you know what else is disrespectful to our flag? Racism. And one’s way worse than the other.” (emphasis added)As NBA star Chis Paul tweeted yesterday, Rump isn't man enough to confront the African-American players he's demeaning face-to-face, so he lets his little fingers do the talking.
NFL Owners, CEOs Speak Out Against Trump's Un-American, Divisive Comments
Contrary to our and Jemele Hill's expectations, a number of NFL owners are speaking out against neo- fascist racist Donald "Rump" Trump's vulgar and un- American comments in Alabama on Friday and subsequently about players who protest police violence in African American communities.
New England Patriots owner (and Rump supporter) Robert Kraft (click on image to enlarge):
Statement from #Patriots Chairman & CEO Robert Kraft: pic.twitter.com/f5DJeK0Woj— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 24, 2017
San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York:
— Jed York (@JedYork) September 23, 2017
New York Giants owners John Mara and Steve Tisch:
NY @Giants call POTUS comments "inappropriate, offensive and divisive" pic.twitter.com/rfSuiJSjP5— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) September 23, 2017
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross (click on image to enlarge):
Statement from Miami Dolphins Owner and Founder of Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) Stephen Ross. pic.twitter.com/6W3mXwJO6M— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 23, 2017
Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy:
"It's unfortunate that the President decided to use his immense platform to make divisive and offensive statements about our players and the NFL. We strongly believe that players are leaders in our communities and positive influences. They have achieved their positions through tremendous work and dedication and should be celebrated for their success and positive impact. We believe it is important to support any of our players who choose to peacefully express themselves with the hope of change for good. As Americans, we are fortunate to be able to speak openly and freely."
Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti:
Statement from Owner Steve Bisciotti. pic.twitter.com/bdKWJ4UpCy— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 24, 2017
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank (click on image to enlarge):
Expect to see widespread displays of solidarity today with Colin Kaepernick and other players who have taken a position of conscience and exercised their rights as American citizens (like this).
UPDATE: Welp, looks like just about every team owner has come out for the players' constitutional rights and against Rump's authoritarian claptrap.
Saturday, September 23, 2017
21 States' Elections Targeted In 2016
The Federal Government notified 21 states late yesterday that their election systems were targeted by hackers during the 2016 election campaign, including several key battleground states that neo-fascist demagogue Donald "Rump" Trump won. Rump's Department of Homeland Security dragged their feet in making the notifications to the states, delaying efforts by those targeted states to improve their cyber security. One of the states -- Illinois -- has confirmed that their election systems were actually breached. Election officials in at least two states (Wisconsin and Alaska) have confirmed that the hackers were connected with the Russian government.
Rump has consistently denied Russia's involvement to benefit him in the election, repeatedly calling such involvement a "hoax," despite every U.S. intelligence agency confirming it and new evidence that social media like Facebook were used by Russian operatives to plant fake news and rumors to benefit him. There's also evidence of Rump's campaign officials, namely the odious fascist Seb Gorka, involved in a Russian-sponsored Twitter account pushing false information damaging to Secretary Clinton.
LeBron Slam Dunks Trump's White House "Disinvite" To Stephen Curry (UPDATED)
Yesterday, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry indicated he would not vote to attend a White (Supremacist) House event honoring Golden State's winning the NBA Championship. Then, shortly after calling former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick a "son of a bitch" for kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem in protest against police brutality in the African American community, fat ass racist dotard Donald "Rump" Trump decided it'd be smart to lay one up against Curry:
Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
If by "hesitating" you mean "saying hell no."
Rump was then posterized by more basketball royalty:
U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017
With everything that's going on in our country, why are YOU focused on who's kneeling and visiting the White House??? #StayInYoLane— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 23, 2017
And I doubt he's man enough to call any of those players a son of a bitch to their face...— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 23, 2017
Bum Rump may want to stick to a game he knows:
via GIPHY
UPDATE: We'll give the last word to Robin Lopez of the Chicago Bulls:
It's ok @warriors, in a few months @realDonaldTrump probably won't be able to visit the White House either— Robin Lopez (@rolopez42) September 23, 2017
No Time For Complacency - Rally Against Obamacare Repeal
Over the coming days, people are mobilizing to make sure the latest Obamacare repeal atrocity -- the Graham- Cassidy bill -- is dead. Even though Sen. McCain has said he will vote "no" on the bill, the situation remains fluid and dangerous. We need to continue to make those calls, send those emails and participate in events.
There are 87 #KillTheBill events scheduled for this coming week around the country.
You are still urged to call or email your Senators (especially the Republican critters) to let them know you'll be remembering their vote at election time.
Remember, these repeal bills are wildly unpopular, except with the extreme right- wing plutocrats that line the pockets of Republican pols:
NEW WaPo-ABC poll: The Cassidy-Graham bill probably won't become law. More than half of America is good with that. https://t.co/MamCLLNHuF— Amber Phillips (@byamberphillips) September 22, 2017
Let's use our time in the next week to make sure that "probably won't become law" becomes "is as dead as Bill Cassidy's eyes."
Trump's Strange Rally Last Night (UPDATED)
Last night at an Alabama rally for Republican Sen. Luther "Very" Strange, deranged dotard (heehee) Donald "Rump" Trump flailed at a number of favorite targets in a rambling, hour- and- a- half crock of a monologue: "Crooked Hillary"... Sen. John McCain ... "Little Rocket Man" Kim Jung-Un ... Colin Kaepernick?
Government figure says he hates when people exercise their Constitutional right to free speech: pic.twitter.com/GCIS9CMLSY— jordan 🌹🌹 (@JordanUhl) September 23, 2017
Shifting oddly into a fake Southern accent (!) at times during the speech, Rump actually took time to throw this rotting red meat into the heavily soiled cage containing his knuckle- dragging, white yahoo base. Being students of the Constitution (Second Amendment only!), they loved it, as Rump knew they would.
NFL players, sports analysts, activists and civil libertarians not so much:
The behavior of the President is unacceptable and needs to be addressed. If you do not Condemn this divisive Rhetoric you are Condoning it!!— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) September 23, 2017
Trump stay in ur place... football have nothing to do wit u smh— Zach Brown (@ZachBrown_55) September 23, 2017
Trump!! 😔😔😔😔😔😔😔— Thomas Davis (@ThomasDavisSDTM) September 23, 2017
I can’t take anything our Celebrity in Chief says seriously. He’s a real life clown/troll 🤡— George Iloka (@George_iloka) September 23, 2017
#Kaepernick we riding with you bro ✊🏾— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) September 23, 2017
Very revealing that the harshest language Trump has ever used as President was reserved for Black men protesting injustice. https://t.co/v2I6tf5ZHq— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) September 23, 2017
Trump was quicker and more vehement in his hatred of Colin Kaepernick’s non-violent protest than he was of Nazis. Take note of that.— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) September 23, 2017
Prediction: Not one NFL owner, not Roger Goodell will say one word about what he said about Kaep or other NFL players. Not. A. One. https://t.co/tBv3Q5FZHp— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 23, 2017
To be clear, Colin Kaepernick's "crime" is protesting systemic racism and police brutality. Trump called him a "son of a bitch" tonight.— Ben Gardner (@BenGardner87) September 23, 2017
We know who the real son of a bitch is, though.
UPDATE: Well, Jemele was wrong about Roger Goodell at least (though he didn't name names).
Friday, September 22, 2017
Trump, Republicans "Insane In The Membrane" Cover
The next Newsweek cover (subtitle: "How the right lost its mind, sold its soul and embraced Donald Trump", something we would submit happened well before -- and directly led to -- Trump):
(click on image to enlarge)
BONUS: We eagerly await the publication this Fall of The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump -- "the work of 27 psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health experts to assess President Trump’s mental health." Hmmm. "Dangerous." Wonder what they'll conclude...
Today's Cartoons
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(Darrin Bell, Washington Post Writers Group)
(Matt Davies, Newsday)
(Matt Wuerker, Politico)
(Jeff Darcy, Cleveland Plain Dealer)
McCain Won't Vote For Graham-Cassidy
Sen. John McCain declared his opposition Friday to the GOP's last-ditch effort to repeal and replace "Obamacare," dealing a likely death blow to the legislation and, perhaps, to the Republican Party's years of vows to kill the program.
"I cannot in good conscience vote for the Graham-Cassidy proposal," McCain said in a statement, referring to the bill by Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.
"I believe we could do better working together, Republicans and Democrats, and have not yet really tried," he said. "Nor could I support it without knowing how much it will cost, how it will affect insurance premiums, and how many people will be helped or hurt by it."Since it's never over until it's over, we await word from other critical Senators to make sure Obamacare repeal is dead -- for now. You can contact Sens. Murkowski or Collins (here's the Senate directory one more time, with phone numbers and email); please keep in mind both are at a minimum neutral or leaning against Graham-Cassidy, so please be your usual polite selves!.
BONUS:
Thank you @SenJohnMcCain for being a hero again and again and now AGAIN— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) September 22, 2017
Billionaire Money Behind Graham-Cassidy
The shameful Graham- Cassidy Obamacare repeal bill that would wreck the U.S.'s health care system is opposed not only by every major health organization, but is very unpopular as more of its provisions are made known. The Rethuglicans' public rationale, as infamously expressed by withered Sen. Chuck "Ass Is Grass" Grassley, is that they made a promise to their ignorant, Obama-loathing base to "repeal and replace," so they have to fulfill it no matter the damage they'll do.
There's a more prosaic and cynical rationale, too: as we noted on Wednesday, mega-donor wallets will snap shut if they don't come up with a repeal of the Affordable Care Act. In June at the Koch Network conference, the Rethugs were told to get a repeal bill done this year, or their contributions would be cut off, a threat that has been repeated since then in numerous contacts. As Eric Levitz writes in today's New York Magazine:
"Graham-Cassidy would cut federal spending on insurance subsides and the Medicaid expansion by an estimated $243 billion between 2020 and 2026. That is neither what Republicans campaigned on, nor what their constituents want. But it is what their most affluent donors want — or at least they believe it moves the ball in their desired direction. While Republican voters are broadly supportive of Medicaid — and many GOP senators from Medicaid-expansion states have touted their support for the policy — the conservative donor network funded by the oil billionaires Charles and David Koch has been unequivocal in its opposition to the federal program."The Koch's and their ilk seem to have found at least one visible bag man: the detestable bigot Rick "Frothy Mix" Santorum, who, among other scams, runs a PAC -- "Patriot Voices" -- to collect dark money to spend on far-right causes. According to reports, Santorum had a pivotal hand in drafting the Graham- Cassidy bill, despite being out of the Senate since 2006. If you think Santorum was acting as an independent agent without the backing of that dark money, we have a jar of moonbeams to sell you.
The tell in all of this is that despite broad public and institutional opposition, the Rethugs are charging ahead, not so much to "keep a promise" as to keep those big donor wallets open, and their miserable careers alive....for now.
BONUS: New York Times also reporting that Rethugs are glum that big donor money will dry up. Sad!
Weekend Song
If you've been watching the Ken Burns/ Lynn Novick "The Vietnam War" documentary on PBS this week (and we hope you have), you'll have heard Bob Dylan's "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" in the opening episode. Written in 1962, it's been described as a "protest song" that covers a lot of ground: "injustice, suffering, rising seas, pollution and warfare." Even without the connection made by the film, it struck us as a foreshadowing of the natural events of recent months: the devastating Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and the earthquakes in Mexico. The tragedy of Vietnam was the result of human misjudgment, ignorance, self- deception and stubborn egotism playing out over decades, human frailties that seem to know no end, for which we all end up paying. We're featuring it as an encore (having posted it almost a year ago on the occasion of Dylan's Nobel Prize for Literature).
Late Night Continues To Blast Republicans On Obamacare Repeal, General Awfulness
Jimmy Kimmel continues to be the voice of truth on the sociopathic Republican effort to repeal Obamacare with the egregious Graham- Cassidy bill. (His lines about the clueless dimbulb in the White (Supremacist) House are priceless.) Please share (and call your Senators if you haven't already, please):
BONUS: Seth Meyers also weighs in on Trump's ignorance and Republican hypocrisy and shamelessness.
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Republicans' Pitch To Alaska's Murkowski: If You Like Your Obamacare, You Can Keep Your Obamacare
A new standard in transparent hypocrisy has been set, ladies and gentlemen:
OMG. the @GOP's attempt to buy Murkowski's #GrahamCassidy vote is literally just...— Jesse Lehrich (@JesseLehrich) September 21, 2017
OK ALASKA CAN KEEP #OBAMACARE https://t.co/WMMsl670cg pic.twitter.com/zhXWCX923q
That would be the same "failing" Obamacare these sociopaths are so eager to repeal for everyone else.
Also, Republicans are too principled to try any of those "Cornhusker kickback" or "Louisiana purchase" maneuvers, oh yes indeedy!
Today's Cartoons - Repeal And Disgrace
(click on images to enlarge)
(Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press)
(Steve Sack, Minneapolis Star Tribune)
(Rob Rogers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
(Jack Ohman, Sacramento Bee)
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