Today's Tomorrow Cartoon - Did You Say Something?

(click on image to enlarge)


(Tom Tomorrow, via Daily Kos)

Even with some in the media beginning to call a liar a liar, and with more and more editorials warning of the existential danger of a neo- fascist demagogue Donald "Rump" Trump presidency, a disturbingly large segment of the population, both Rump supporters and nominal "undecideds" don't seem to be heeding the blaring horns and flashing lights.  Here's why:  These people are "the Republican base," and it's come home for Rump.  In fact very few of these people seem to care if the demagogue lies, or bashes women, the disabled, Muslims, Hispanic and African Americans, etc. They actually thrill to it and seem to want more threats and violence from their weasel-headed hero. That Rump is in this position is, as Charles Pierce ably put it:

For the balance of this election cycle, and largely due to the presence in it of this ridiculous man and his ridiculous campaign, the American people have proven themselves profoundly unworthy of being called citizens. [snip] 

[On the latest scandal] This likely will occasion another spasm of impotent introspection on the part of our elite political media on the topic of, "Why doesn't any of this stick?" But few of the members of that media will dare to look at the real answer, which is that there is a substantial constituency for what Trump has been peddling and that the elite political media has been pandering to that constituency every day since Trump became a genuine phenomenon. The racism is offensive and the economic insecurity is a dodge. Americans are bored with their democracy and they don't have the democratic energy to do anything about it, so they'll settle for an entertaining quasi-strongman. When they decline, democracies get the dictators they deserve. A country mired in apathy and lassitude gets a dictator who can't even put in the hard work of becoming very good at it. (our emphasis)

Monday Editorial Roundup

In an editorial endorsing Hillary Clinton for President, the Los Angeles Times warns of the "catastrophic" consequences of electing neo- fascist dimwit Donald "Rump" Trump, while also making a strong case for Secretary Clinton.  The full editorial is worth a read;  a few excerpts here:

American voters have a clear choice on Nov. 8. We can elect an experienced, thoughtful and deeply knowledgeable public servant or a thin-skinned demagogue who is unqualified and unsuited to be president.  

Donald J. Trump, a billionaire businessman and television personality, is the latter. He has never held elected office and has shown himself temperamentally unfit to do so. He has run a divisive, belligerent, dishonest campaign, repeatedly aligning himself with racists, strongmen and thugs while maligning or dismissing large segments of the American public. Electing Trump could be catastrophic for the nation. 

By contrast, Hillary Clinton is one of the best prepared candidates to seek the presidency in many years. As a first lady, a Democratic senator from New York and secretary of State in President Obama’s first term, she immersed herself in the details of government, which is why her positions on the issues today are infinitely better thought-out than those of her opponent.

She stands for rational, comprehensive immigration reform and an improvement rather than an abandonment of the Affordable Care Act. She supports abortion rights, wants to raise the federal minimum wage to $12 an hour, hopes to reform the sentencing laws that have overcrowded American prisons, would repair the Voting Rights Act and help students to leave college without enormous debt. Abroad she would strengthen America’s traditional alliances, continue the Obama administration’s efforts to “degrade and ultimately defeat” Islamic State and negotiate with potential adversaries such as Russia and China in a way that balances realism and the protection of American interests. Unlike Trump, Clinton accepts the prevailing science on climate change and considers the issue to be “the defining challenge of our time.”  [snip]

To be a great president, she will have to struggle to overcome her own weaknesses. But compared with Trump’s infirmities as a candidate, her failings are insignificant. It’s absurd — and perilous — to portray this election, as so many are doing, as a choice of the “lesser of two evils” or to suggest that her flaws are in any way on a level with his. [snip] 

 Every presidential race is described as “defining” and “historic.” This time, it’s true. Americans must not sit this election out, but cast their votes for Hillary Clinton over her dangerous Republican opponent, Donald Trump. 

To which we would add one more point: The Supreme Court!

The editorial also makes quick work of the "Scary Gary" Johnson and Dr.! Jill "WiFi" Stein campaigns, rightly saying that "a vote for either is merely one less vote for the only candidate who can defeat Trump."

The New York Times noted in its endorsement of Secretary Clinton that it would follow with an editorial detailing why Rump should not be elected.  Yesterday, it published those reasons.  Again, a few excerpts:

Now here stands Mr. Trump, feisty from his runaway Republican primary victories and ready for the first presidential debate, scheduled for Monday night, with Hillary Clinton. It is time for others who are still undecided, and perhaps hoping for some dramatic change in our politics and governance, to take a hard look and see Mr. Trump for who he is. They have an obligation to scrutinize his supposed virtues as a refreshing counterpolitician. Otherwise, they could face the consequences of handing the White House to a man far more consumed with himself than with the nation’s well-being. 

Here’s how Mr. Trump is selling himself and why he can’t be believed.

The editorial goes on to expose Rump's so- called "virtues" as the laughable fronts that they are: his prowess in the financial world, his straight- talking, his negotiating skills, his being an agent of change.  But the final test is character:

Voters attracted by the force of the Trump personality should pause and take note of the precise qualities he exudes as an audaciously different politician: bluster, savage mockery of those who challenge him, degrading comments about women, mendacity, crude generalizations about nations and religions. Our presidents are role models for generations of our children. Is this the example we want for them?

It's almost beyond belief that this evil demagogue is within striking distance of the Oval Office. Whether he makes it there or not will be a test of civic responsibility and citizenship that Americans will either pass or fail.  Forty- two days to go.

Break Time

We'll be taking a little break from blogging.  We'll see you back here soon.

Tweet Of The Day - Very Orange Skittle Edition

Another great response to the deplorable tweet by evil spawn Donald Trump, Jr., comparing Syrian refugees to a bowl of Skittles, coming from former "Seinfeld" writer David Mandel:

This image says it all. #ImWithHer @HillaryClinton pic.twitter.com/D8NRJU8S7b

— David Mandel (@DavidHMandel) September 21, 2016

New York Times Endorses Hillary Clinton (UPDATED)

As expected, the New York Times is endorsing Hillary Clinton, making the case for her, and promising to deal with the "worst nominee put forward by a major party in modern American history" Donald "Rump Trump in a Monday editorial:

In any normal election year, we’d compare the two presidential candidates side by side on the issues. But this is not a normal election year. A comparison like that would be an empty exercise in a race where one candidate — our choice, Hillary Clinton — has a record of service and a raft of pragmatic ideas, and the other, Donald Trump, discloses nothing concrete about himself or his plans while promising the moon and offering the stars on layaway. (We will explain in a subsequent editorial why we believe Mr. Trump to be the worst nominee put forward by a major party in modern American history.) 

But this endorsement would also be an empty exercise if it merely affirmed the choice of Clinton supporters. We’re aiming instead to persuade those of you who are hesitating to vote for Mrs. Clinton — because you are reluctant to vote for a Democrat, or for another Clinton, or for a candidate who might appear, on the surface, not to offer change from an establishment that seems indifferent and a political system that seems broken. 

Running down the other guy won’t suffice to make that argument. The best case for Hillary Clinton cannot be, and is not, that she isn’t Donald Trump.

The best case is, instead, about the challenges this country faces, and Mrs. Clinton’s capacity to rise to them.

There follows a thorough description of the passion, service, temperament, and tenacity Ms. Clinton would bring to the Presidency in these dangerous times (a good read).  It concludes with a not- subtle swipe at toddler Rump:

Through war and recession, Americans born since 9/11 have had to grow up fast, and they deserve a grown-up president. A lifetime’s commitment to solving problems in the real world qualifies Hillary Clinton for this job, and the country should put her to work.

"... a grown up president."  What a state of affairs we've reached when only one of the candidates running for president can clear that minimal threshold (and, yes, we're including "Scary Gary" Johnson and Dr.! Jill "WiFi" Stein).  Luckily, we Democrats have that candidate in Ms. Clinton.

UPDATE:  Maybe they should pass the word to their Trump- promoting "news" operation.

The Siberian Candidate's Apparatchik

Reports that U.S. intelligence officials are investigating communications between Carter Page, one of neo-fascist demagogue Donald "Rump" Trump's foreign policy advisors, and senior Russian officials should not be a great surprise. After all, Rump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, represented the pro-Kremlin former government of Ukraine, and his military advisor, General Michael Flynn, has close ties to Russia's military leadership. That doesn't even cover Rump's presumed financial entanglement with Russian oligarchs and financiers, or his stated admiration for the Russian autocrat Putin, or Russian intelligence's hacking of the DNC to embarrass Secretary Clinton on the eve of the Democratic convention.

With Page, however, there are reports that he's sought to cut back-channel deals with Russia that would undermine U.S. policy, specifically a promise to lift economic sanctions if Rump were to be elected. Page, who was identified by Rump last March as a member of his "foreign policy team", heads a company that arranges oil and gas deals with Russia and Central Asian countries, and who would financially benefit from warmer relations between Russia and the U.S. On Russian soil, Page has also made critical comments about U.S. foreign policy and had praise for Putin.

Rump's candidacy has been called a "clear and present danger" to this country, and the growing web of his and his aides' connections to our Russian adversaries has to be exposed thoroughly and quickly so that voters can assess the national security calamity that would follow with his election.

(photo: Rump wears another furry animal on his head)

Ted Cruz Will Vote For Trump, After Losing Battle With "Conscience"

From the (oxymoron alert) principled conservative who said this:

"I'm not in the habit of supporting people who attack my wife and attack my father," [Sen. Ted] Cruz told members of the Texas delegation. "That pledge was not a blanket commitment that if you go and slander and attack Heidi that I'm going to nonetheless come as a servile puppy dog and say, 'Thank you very much for maligning my wife and maligning my father.'"  (our emphasis)

We now have this:

"After many months of careful consideration, of prayer and searching my own conscience, I have decided that on Election Day, I will vote for the Republican nominee, Donald Trump," Cruz wrote in a Facebook post.  (our emphasis)

As Charles Pierce put it,

Sit, Ted. Beg. Now roll over. Who's a good servile puppy dog? 

And, yes, you may have another.

There was more justifiable mockery:

"Ted Cruz and his conscience amicably part ways"

Vote your conscience even if your conscience tells you to vote for people who humiliate and degrade your family.

— Brian Beutler (@brianbeutler) September 23, 2016

Wow, turns out I respect Ted Cruz' wife & dad more than Ted Cruz does.

— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) September 23, 2016

very concerned about the potential Cruz endorsement of Trump because if Cruz is anything it's loved and respected

— maura quint (@behindyourback) September 23, 2016

And, we end with this, yet another lie from neo- fascist moron Donald "Rump" Trump (spoiler alert: he did accept Lyin' Ted's endorsement yesterday):

Trump on a potential Cruz endorsement this summer:

"If he gives it, I will not accept it." pic.twitter.com/Jwg34kHFv8

— Joe Perticone (@JoePerticone) September 23, 2016

Scary Quote Of The Day - Bow Down To Your Master!

(Attribution:  www.democraticundergound.com)

Mini- moron helps illustrate The Boss' observation (below).

Accurate Quote Of The Day - "Under Siege"

“Well, you know, the republic is under siege by a moron, basically. The whole thing is tragic. Without overstating it, it’s a tragedy for our democracy. When you start talking about elections being rigged, you’re pushing people beyond democratic governance. And it’s a very, very dangerous thing to do.”  Bruce Springsteen, celebrating his 67th birthday yesterday slamming neo- fascist "moron" Donald "Rump" Trump.  Happy Birthday to The Boss!  Keep swinging!

Another Conservative Paper Backs Clinton

The Cincinnati Enquirer, a conservative paper that for nearly 100 years has only endorsed Republicans for President, broke with that tradition and endorsed Hillary Clinton this afternoon:

"The Enquirer has supported Republicans for president for almost a century – a tradition this editorial board doesn’t take lightly. But this is not a traditional race, and these are not traditional times. Our country needs calm, thoughtful leadership to deal with the challenges we face at home and abroad. We need a leader who will bring out the best in all Americans, not the worst.

That’s why there is only one choice when we elect a president in November: Hillary Clinton." (emphasis added)

While the editorial expresses issues with Clinton, it absolutely blasts neo-fascist hatemonger Donald "Rump" Trump:

"Trump is a clear and present danger to our country. He has no history of governance that should engender any confidence from voters. Trump has no foreign policy experience, and the fact that he doesn't recognize it – instead insisting that, "I know more about ISIS than the generals do" – is even more troubling. His wild threats to blow Iranian ships out of the water if they make rude gestures at U.S. ships is just the type of reckless, cowboy diplomacy Americans should fear from a Trump presidency." (emphasis added)

The Enquirer joins other conservative papers (most recently the Dallas Morning News) breaking from long histories of supporting Republicans for President to support Secretary Clinton. This endorsement might be especially helpful in a swing state like Ohio, where "undecideds" need to be given a nudge.

Weekend Seasonal Music

Since yesterday was the first day of astronomical autumn, we feel it's incumbent on us to feature Antonio Vivaldi's "Autumn" from "The Four Seasons."  This lovely version was shot at the National Botanical Gardens of Wales, and features Julia Fischer on violin accompanied by the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.  Take some time, have a cuppa (or whatevah), relax and enjoy.

Trump's Misogyny (And Your Obligation To "Save The Day")

This is the latest Clinton ad running in battleground states and on cable:



Trump's got the misogynist vote, as well as that of the racists, Islamophobes, immigrant bashers, homophobes, etc.  Will ads like this convince anyone still wavering that Trump would be the most godawful "thing" ever to occupy the Oval Office?

Meanwhile, savetheday.vote has a celebrity- laden spot that encourages registering and voting, but not for Trump.  It's had almost 5 million views in two days (language gets a little salty):

Republicans Aren't Racist, Cont.

Today's example: Charlotte, NC's own Rep. Robert "Pitiful" Pittenger (Racist-NC) talking about the disturbances in Charlotte following the killing of Keith L. Scott by police on Tuesday.

“The grievance in their minds – the animus, the anger – they hate white people because white people are successful and they’re not,” said Pittenger, who then went on to criticize people who receive welfare. 

“It is a welfare state. We have spent trillions of dollars on welfare, and we’ve put people in bondage, so they can’t be all they’re capable of being.”  (our emphasis)

This peckerwood feels unencumbered to vent his un- PC! racism, thanks to neo- fascist hatemonger Donald "Rump" Trump (also "not a racist!").  At any time, it would be appalling.  But this sh*tweasel chose to make his incendiary comments while the Charlotte community is trying to tamp down raw emotions and heal after several days of unrest.

(Photo:  Pittenger and Trump -- what successful white peckerwoods look like.)

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/under-the-dome/article103536037.html#storylink=cpy

Rump's Proposed Assault On Environment (UPDATED)

Yesterday, executives from corporate polluters heard neo-fascist sociopath Donald "Rump" Trump promise that if he's elected, he'll gut environmental protections and open up public lands to their exploitation. Invoking the "America First" slogan originally used by pro-Nazi isolationists in 1930s America, Rump said,

“We need an America-First energy plan. This means opening federal lands for oil and gas production; opening offshore areas; and revoking policies that are imposing unnecessary restrictions on innovative new exploration technologies.”

Sounds like the tired "drill, baby, drill" mantra of one of Rump's early supporters.

As a climate change denier, Rump also pledged to the assembled greedheads that he'll trash the signature accomplishments of the Obama Administration dealing with climate change, the Clean Power Plan, and the Climate Action Plan, the latter of which commits the U.S. to meeting carbon reduction goals along with the international community. But Rump didn't stop there. He also pledged to undo the "Waters of the United States Rule," which governs clean water protection in new wetlands and waterways, and which has opposition from corporate agriculture and fossil fuel companies more interested in polluting upstream water resources than protecting them.

Rump's dangerous ignorance about global climate change is on display in the real-world application of environmental protections here in the U.S., and represents yet another reason why he has to be defeated in November.

UPDATE:  Next Tuesday, the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia will hear arguments from the corporate polluters that the Clean Power Plan should be voided. Appointing Federal Judges that side with the public vs. corporate interests is another example of why voting matters so much.

The Other Danger: Gary Johnson (UPDATED)

Well, there's this:

A recent NBC News/Quinnipiac poll reveals that more than a quarter of young voters—many who had supported the presidential bid of Sen. Bernie Sanders—plan to cast their presidential ballots for Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson.

Gary Johnson?  Gary "What's Aleppo?" Johnson?  Yeah, the legalizing pot guy.  Well, let's see what other "millennial- friendly" positions does the ultra- right Johnson take?

1. He opposes Federal guarantees for student loans.

2. He opposes virtually all forms of gun control.

3. He opposes the minimum wage.

4. He opposes equal pay laws.

5. He opposes collective bargaining for public employees.

6. He proposes cuts to Social Security and "devolving" Medicare and Medicaid to the states.

7. He's a Koch- head.

There's more at Raw Story, if you need further convincing.

Furthermore, as you might expect from a Koch- head, the guy's a climate change crackpot:

Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate for president, takes what he calls the "long-term view" of climate change. "In billions of years," he said in 2011, "the sun is going to actually grow and encompass the Earth, right? So global warming is in our future." 

The former New Mexico governor did acknowledge that humans are making the world warmer in the near term, too—but he doesn't think the government should do much about it. In the same speech, he denounced "cap-and-trade taxation," said we "should be building new coal-fired plants," and argued that the "trillions" of dollars it would cost to combat climate change would be better spent on other priorities.  (our emphasis)

Catherine Rampell cites the Quinnipiac poll and thinks the "crush" some millennials have on Johnson will fade:

[A] tighter race — one, ironically, made tighter largely because of millennial defections from the Clinton camp — changes the calculus. It’s riskier to “throw away” your vote, either by supporting someone who has no chance of winning or by abstaining from the polls altogether.  

See, millennials may not adore Clinton, but they really, really hate Trump. Six in 10 young voters view him “strongly” unfavorably, and the same share describe him as “racist.” Don’t be surprised if their third-party crushes start to fade as the prospect of President Trump begins to feel all too terrifyingly real.

We wish we could be so sanguine.  The shiny object that is Gary Johnson can turn into the presidency of neo- fascist dimwit Donald "Rump" Trump in a little over a month.  Think about that.  Think about what Sen. Bernie Sanders said on September 16:

"This is not the time for a protest vote, in terms of a presidential campaign," Sanders said. "I ran as a third-party candidate. I'm the longest-serving independent in the history of the United States Congress. I know more about third-party politics than anyone else in the Congress, okay? And if people want to run as third-party candidates, God bless them! Run for Congress. Run for governor. Run for state legislature. When we're talking about president of the United States, in my own personal view, this is not time for a protest vote. This is time to elect Hillary Clinton and then work after the election to mobilize millions of people to make sure she can be the most progressive president she can be."  (our emphasis)

On November 8, the only choice is between Hillary Clinton and Rump.  If you think and vote otherwise, it means you're willing to risk an apocalyptic Rump presidency.  Period.

UPDATE:  If you think this guy is playing with a full deck, watch this clip ("Yippee!"):



UPDATE II:  Or how about this:

FFS Gary. pic.twitter.com/ZFDN8d5sOe

— Shoshana Weissmann (@senatorshoshana) September 23, 2016

UPDATE III:  Or as Charles Pierce puts it, "Attention Gary Johnson hipsters: he's nuts." Pass it on.

(Photo:  He just got the dutchie passed from the right hand side.)