Saturday, November 26, 2022

Tweets Of The Day

 

NYT reporter who wouldn't use "lie' to describe Trump's lies strikes again --



Happy heartburn! -- 


 


Spread this anti-law and order message from fascist MTG --

 


House Republicans, you need to add Nick "The Prick" Fuentes! -- 



Time to get a hold of your Senators on this --

 


Marking Russia's genocide against Ukraine 1932-33 today -- 



Wait until low tide comes --

 

 

 

Today's Cartoons

 

(click on images to enlarge)

(Pat Byrnes, caglecartoons.com)

(Rick McKee, caglecartoons.com)

(Jimmy Margulies, jimmymargulies.com)

(Chris Britt, gocomics.com)

(Christopher Weyant, Boston Globe)

(Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News)

(John Auchter, MichiganRadio.org)

(John Branch, Houston Chronicle)

(Peter Brookes, The Times, London)

(Martyn Turner, Irish Times, Dublin)

(Lars Kenseth, The New Yorker)


Trump Hosts Anti-Semites For Dinner




Guess who's coming to dinner at Mar a Lago? It wasn't particularly surprising to read in multiple places and on Twitter that the Malignant Loser hosted an anti-Semite rap buffoon and a Holocaust-denying bigot for dinner at his Merde O' Lardo golf club earlier this week. Anti-Semite Kanye "Jackass" West brought along notorious white supremacist and Holocaust-denier Nick "The Prick" Fuentes to meet the chief con man and demagogue, who is getting blasted for entertaining the deranged, far-right duo. Per CNN:

"In a text message conversation tweeted by West on Thursday, he and Fuentes said they both met with the former president. A source confirmed to CNN Trump’s dinner with Fuentes and West, who became engulfed in controversy after repeating antisemitic conspiracy theories and making other offensive claims during an appearance on a podcast in October.

A source familiar with the dinner said that Fuentes was a guest of Kanye’s and was not invited by the former president." (our emphasis)

West is a mentally disturbed anti-Semitic bigot, something that the Malignant Loser surely has figured out over the past 6 months of West's public, hateful diatribes. Anyone that West would bring to meet with the Malignant Loser should have raised red flags with his gatekeepers. We don't believe the Malignant Loser's claim not to know who Fuentes is, one of his most prominent loyal backers on social media and the leader of the white supremacist "Groyper" movement. Here's more in the CNN report on Fuentes:

"The Anti-Defamation League has identified Fuentes as a White supremacist and he has been banned from most major social media platforms for his White nationalist rhetoric. Fuentes was present on the grounds of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and he has promoted Trump’s unsubstantiated claims about fraud in the 2020 election. The House select committee investigating the events of January 6 issued a subpoena to Fuentes in January."

The Malignant Loser's in damage control mode now, with one anonymous long-time advisor calling the scandal "a fucking nightmare," adding, "If people are looking at [Florida Gov. Ron] DeSantis to run against Trump, here's another reason why."  

BONUS:  After Trump's "I don't know this guy" diss, Fuentes' fee fees are hurt:

 

 

 

QOTD -- Rocky Mountain Low

 

"During the Trump presidency and into 2022, a lot of Republican candidates believed that what appeals to the Fox News audience would appeal to enough people in the entire electorate, districtwide or statewide, to win a race. The midterms showed how mistaken that is;  [chaos/ coup caucus Rep. Lauren] Boebert hanging on to her seat by her fingernails suggests that the outlandish, in-your-face, larger-than-life social-media viral personas that attract Trump and perhaps the network’s bookers is just barely enough to get you to 50 percent in a Republican-leaning district." -- Jim Geraghty, Washington Post, writing about how the Republican "angertainment" style of governing led to diminishing returns in statewide and Congressional races in Colorado in the 2022 mid- terms.  Geraghty describes Republican angertainment as "an approach to governing that mistakes 'owning the libs' for getting things done for constituents." 

Look for two years of that with Republicans taking over the House in January.  May they reap the same results as Republicans in Colorado.


Friday, November 25, 2022

Today's Cartoons

 

(click on images to enlarge)

(Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

(David Horsey, The Seattle Times)

(Pat Bagley, The Salt Lake Tribune)

(Mike Smith, Las Vegas Sun)

(Michael de Adder, Washington Post)

(Arcadio Esquivel, CartoonArts, Costa Rica)

(Ed Hall, Artizans.com)

(Banx, Financial Times, London)

(Ellis Rosen, @EllisRosen)


Tweets Of The Day


Hypocritical weasel- in- a- red- vest Glenn Youngkin goes with the standard deny, deflect, diffuse GQP patter --

 

 


"=hic= I'm a conservative Republican =hic=" (we could've guessed) --

 


Turkeys seen flocking at Mar-a-Lago --

 


 

What's that Musk-y smell?  The fascist fabulist --

 

 

The mullahs make their move --

 

 

Happy Friday! --

 

 

 

Run, Pillow Guy, Run!




If nothing else, the 2022 midterms were a rejection of 2020 election denying / Big Lie-peddling candidates like Kari Lake and Doug Mastriano. The Malignant Loser's stock has subsequently fallen among his supporters / enablers, but not for one zealous, daffy cultist of his: crazy former crack addict and Mein Pillow Guy Mike Lindell. Lindell, who has been sued by Dominion Voting Systems for over a billion dollars for lying that their company's voting machines were rigged against Trump in 2020, hasn't gotten the picture yet. Finding that his rants about the 2020 election are being ignored and ridiculed, he was making noises about challenging the spineless Trump acolyte Ronna Romney McDaniel (her full name) for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee:

"At first, pillow salesman Mike Lindell said on 'Frank TV' this week that he is thinking of challenging Ronna McDaniel for her role as the Republican National Committee chair. Lindell said his fans support him in this endeavor, but he added that he would have a word with God about that.

'One of the things I will tell you, you know, [we] will never ever stop to get rid of these machines and make this the best elections in world history in our country. We need someone everybody, and I would step into that if God willing.'" (our emphasis)

After the Lawd (for Lindell, it's the Malignant Loser) apparently gave Lindell the green light, he's reportedly running for the job of overseeing the internecine war within the Republican / Seditionist / Putin party. We eagerly support the Mein Pillow Guy's run for that office, in hopes that he'll use the platform for further attacks on the voting systems and add the RNC to the list of defendents being sued for billions. Go, Pillow Guy, go!

(photo: Don't ask where those thumbs have been/ Stephen Crowley / NYTimes)

 

Weekend Music Twofer

 

It's well established that early rock 'n' roll pioneer Buddy Holly influenced generations of musicians worldwide during his life and after his untimely death in 1959.  Some honored him by doing covers of this songs, like the Rolling Stones and Beatles.  His influence was also borne out in music written by others.  Here's both a cover of one of Holly's songs performed live by the Beatles, "Crying, Waiting, Hoping" (1963), and an original song written by American Buddy Kaye and Scotland's Tommy Scott and performed by Eden Kane, "Boys Cry" (1964), which peaked at #8 on the UK charts that year.  We think you'll discern the commonalities.  Hope you enjoy 

What's That Musk-y Smell? It's Amnesty!




Wingnut billionaire and maker of exploding cars Elon "Space Karen" Musk is getting desperate to get revenue and eyeballs for Twitter, which he has been driving into the ground. After walking away from a pledge to moderate content by appointing an advisory council, Musk's policies are causing hate speech purveyors and right wing conspiracy mongers back on the social media service. Now he's going a step further in offering "amnesty" to some of the worst of them, per the Associated Press:

"New Twitter owner Elon Musk said Thursday that he is granting 'amnesty' for suspended accounts, which online safety experts predict will spur a rise in harassment, hate speech and misinformation.

The billionaire’s announcement came after he asked in a poll posted to his timeline to vote on reinstatements for accounts that have not 'broken the law or engaged in egregious spam.' The yes vote was 72%.

'The people have spoken. Amnesty begins next week. Vox Populi, Vox Dei,' Musk tweeted using a Latin phrase meaning 'the voice of the people, the voice of God.'"  (our emphasis)

Great Caesar Musk has spoken in Latin again, no less! Let more deranged ruffians in, as long as they don't mock or criticize Caesar Musk!

"Musk used the same Latin phrase after posting a similar poll last last weekend before reinstating the account of former President Donald Trump, which Twitter had banned for encouraging the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Trump has said he won’t return to Twitter but has not deleted his account.

Such online polls are anything but scientific and can easily be influenced by bots." (our emphasis)

The fake bot polls and Musk's ruthless firing of staff and bullying others to leave, notably those who have monitored content for hate speech and bigotry, are having disturbing consequences:

"In the month since Musk took over Twitter, groups that monitor the platform for racist, anti-Semitic and other toxic speech say it’s been on the rise on the world’s de facto public square. That has included a surge in racist abuse of World Cup soccer players that Twitter is allegedly failing to act on.

The uptick in harmful content is in large part due to the disorder following Musk’s decision to lay off half the company’s 7,500-person workforce, fire top executives, and then institute a series of ultimatums that prompted hundreds more to quit. Also let go were an untold number of contractors responsible for content moderation."  (our emphasis)

Meanwhile, Tesla's value is imploding, having lost billions in market capitalization in the past year as he distractedly tinkers with his latest toy, which he seems perversely determined to break. 

BONUS:  Neither fish nor fowl, but foul --

 

 

(photo: Britta Pederson/AP)

 

Thursday, November 24, 2022

Today's Cartoons

 

(click on images to enlarge)

(Pedro Molina, Counterpoint)

(Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

(Kevin Kallaugher, Counterpoint)

(Michael de Adder, Washington Post)

(Tjeerd Royaards, Cartoon Movement, Amsterdam)

(Matt Wuerker, Politico)

(Asher Perlman, @asherperlman)


Helping Ukraine -- Verified Charities

 

Because the evil that Putin's Russia does continues, we'll be periodically running this list of verified charities for providing aid to Ukraine for as long as necessary.  (Please consider on-going donations.)  

Via The Philadelphia Inquirer, this is a (partial) list of verified charities that are helping the people of Ukraine:


World Central Kitchen 


What they do:  They have served more than 100 million meals and have teams active in 230 cities and towns in Ukraine. They have also built a logistics network of delivery vans, trucks, trains, and warehouses  throughout the country, delivering over 11 million pounds of food to families—sometimes in areas completely cut off due to fighting and near the Russian border.


How you can help:  There are many ways to donate to WCK;  see their website.  This is a registered nonprofit, so donations are tax deductible.


🌐 wck.org 


Project HOPE


What they do: Founded in 1958, Project HOPE responds to humanitarian emergencies and disasters. Currently, according to the group’s website, the group is aiding those in Ukraine by mobilizing its emergency teams and “sending medical supplies and standing by to provide health screening and care for refugees.”


How you can help: Donate on the group’s website. This group is U.S. registered, so your donation is tax deductible.


🌐 projecthope.org


GlobalGiving


What they do: GlobalGiving uses its funding to support local nonprofits working in affected areas. Currently, “GlobalGiving’s local partners in Ukraine are bringing relief to displaced families and people in high-risk areas.” According to the group, your donation will support refugees with food, shelter, and clean water, as well as providing health and psychological support.


How you can help: Donate to the group’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund online. This group is U.S. registered, so your donation is tax deductible.


🌐 globalgiving.org


UNICEF USA


What they do: Over 510,000 children have been affected by the conflict so far, and the UNICEF emergency response is working to address their needs by preparing health, hygiene, and emergency education supplies, as well as distributing safe water to affected areas, providing children with psychosocial care, and helping kids separated from their families. At the moment, UNICEF is trying to raise $66.4 million to be able to continue their programs and offer immunization, healthcare, child protection, and cash assistance.


How you can help: Donate on the UNICEF website. UNICEF USA is U.S. registered, so your donation is tax deductible.


🌐 unicefusa.org


International Medical Corps

What they do: International Medical Corps helped Ukrainians during conflict in 1999-2000 by delivering medicine and training more than 500 local doctors and medical staff. In 2014, they partnered with the Ukraine Ministry of Health to support mobile health services and train medical professionals on preventing and controlling infections. As the crisis develops, the International Medical Corps has added mental health counseling to the services available for the community.


How you can help: Donate on the group’s website. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


🌐 give.internationalmedicalcorps.org


United Help Ukraine


What they do: United Help Ukraine receives and distributes food donations and medical supplies to people in Ukraine. The group’s current priorities: Aiding Ukrainian soldiers and their families, helping displaced people from Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, and raising awareness of the current situation.


How you can help: Donate via PayPal, or by check payable to United Help Ukraine, Box 83426, Gaithersburg, Md., 20883. This is a registered nonprofit so all donations are tax deductible.


🌐 facebook.com/UnitedHelpUkraine.org


Revived Soldiers Ukraine

What they do: This nonprofit provides medical aid for people affected by military conflict. The group buys medication and medical supplies, helps support army hospitals, and works to improve the living standards for soldiers and their families.


How you can help: Donate directly through the group’s website, through PayPal or Patreon, or make it your preferred Amazon nonprofit, which donates 0.5% of the amount of your Amazon purchases to the group. This group is U.S. registered, so your donation is tax deductible.


🌐 rsukraine.org


Sunflower of Peace


What they do: Sunflower for Peace offers medical assistance to Ukrainian orphans, people displaced by war, and people heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. In February 2022, the group started asking for donations to prepare first aid medical tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front lines. These kinds of backpacks — usually handled by Marines, special military forces, and military groups — are used to save lives in areas without access to hospitals or emergency care.


How you can help: Donate on Facebook. This group is U.S. registered, so your donation is tax deductible.


🌐 facebook.com/sunflowerofpeace


The KYIV Independent


What they do: The KYIV Independent is an independent media outlet reporting in English. The organization has been covering the Russia-Ukraine conflict, doing fact checking, and reporting on human rights. Since the group is not affiliated with any government and reports in English, it is becoming an important window into what’s happening in Ukraine right now.


How you can help: Since its creation in 2021, The KYIV Independent runs mainly on donations. Donate through GoFundMe or Patreon.


🌐 kyivindependent.com


The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews


What they do: This group runs an emergency program with $1 million in funding that helps the approximately 300,000 Jewish people in Ukraine. The fellowship has staff and volunteers on the ground in Ukraine, and also funds the country’s Jewish organizations to give Ukrainian Jews the chance to move to Israel. Funds are also used to provide the Ukrainian Jewish community with food, medicine, and heat. This group is U.S. registered, so your donation is tax deductible.


How you can help: Donate online.


🌐 help.ifcj.org


Voices of Children


What they do: Voices of Children provides psychological and psychosocial support to children affected by war. Their main focus is on the front lines in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Donations help finance art therapy and mobile psychologists, and help families in need.


How you can help: Donate directly on their website.


🌐 voices.org.ua


Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe (CARE)


What they do: Created in 1945 to help people overcome the devastation of WWII, CARE’s works to end poverty, and achieve equity and social justice worldwide. In Ukraine, the group is working on providing girls, women, and elderly people with water, food, and hygiene kits. They currently have a Ukraine Crisis Fund specially focused on continuing their work in the country, and providing psychological support, recovery, and cash assistance.


How you can help: Donate using a credit card or through PayPal on their website.


🌐 care.org


International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)


What they do: The Red Cross’s International Committee provides shelter, food, first-aid training, and humanitarian aid around the world. The group has been supporting people in Ukraine for almost a decade and as the crisis continues, they are adding to their help comfort kits for individuals and families in need.


How you can help: Donate to the ICRC on its website.


🌐 icrc.org

 


United Ukrainian American Relief Committee (UUARC)


What they do: Created in 1944, the UUARC was created to help Ukrainians in refugee camps during WWII relocate to the U.S.. They are currently working in coordination with the Ukrainian Embassy to coordinate medical supplies, food, offering shelter, and taking care of injured people and refugee.


How you can help: Donate on their website or send a check to the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, Inc. 1206 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111. For medical donations call 215-728-1630. They are U.S. registered, so your donation is tax deductible.


🌐 uuarc.org


American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)


What they do: The JDC has been helping the Jewish community around the world since 1914; for the last 30 years they have focused on helping Ukraine’s Jewish population. They aid elderly Jewish people, children, and families by providing food, medicine, and utilities. At the moment, JDC is preparing to send psychosocial support to Ukraine as mass displacements increase, as well as delivering food packages, and providing online support.


How you can help: Donate on their website. They are U.S. registered, so your donation is tax deductible.


🌐 jdc.org


 ____________________


If you are at all concerned about giving to these or any other charities, you can verify their authenticity by going to Charity Navigator, which evaluates charitable organizations.

 

Thanksgiving 2022

 

Enjoy some Jim Gaffigan with your dressing (wink), and have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving:

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Today's Cartoons

 

(click on images to enlarge)

(Jen Sorensen, gocomics.com)


(Dave Whamond, caglecartoons.com)

(Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press)

(Pat Bagley, The Salt Lake Tribune)

(Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

(Jack Ohman, Sacramento Bee)

(David Horsey, The Seattle Times)

(John Deering, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

(Pedro Molina, Counterpoint)

(Nick Anderson, Reform Austin News, TX)

(Rob Rogers, Tinyview.com)

(Andy Marlette, @AndyMarlette)


Tweets Of The Day


Dr. Freud, your slip is showing (and, as Walker should know, erections have consequences!) --

 


These are your smug, puerile, too cute by half "political journalists," Naomi Biden White House wedding edition --


 

 

 

 

 

How the media adopted Republican spin on the "red wave" and continues to stand by their duplicity --

 


Republican thoughts and prayers time again -- 

 

 

This is also called "vertigo" (also, we don't like the look of that crack) --

 

 

 

GA Court Rejects Republicans' Suppression Move

 



The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously rejected the state Republicans' attempt to bar early voting on Saturdays, when voters are off work and more likely to vote early. Early voting in 22 counties will begin this Saturday. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports:

"The brief ruling by the state’s highest court Wednesday clears the way for the weekend voting opportunity in 22 counties that plan to open polling places two days after the Thanksgiving holiday. Early voting will be required statewide from Monday through Friday next week.

The decision is a victory in a lawsuit filed by Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock’s campaign as he’s trying to increase turnout ahead of a runoff against Republican Herschel Walker.

Opposition to Saturday voting came from the Georgia Republican Party, the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Republican National Committee, which had asked the court to prevent what it called 'illegal advance voting.' Republicans alleged that state law prohibited Saturday voting if a holiday was within two days beforehand." (our emphasis)

It's also worth noting that opposition came from not-a-hero Georgia Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger, who had provided guidance to counties telling them early voting on Saturday was not allowed, leading to the lawsuit.

The Republican attempt to tilt the voting in favor of their lying, hypocritical candidate Herschel "How Many Abortions" Walker is just part of their years-long attempt to gain advantage by restricting polling places in minority areas, shortening hours to disadvantage working people, limiting ballot drop boxes, and other things to make it harder to vote. This was their latest attempt to curtail voting that would favor Sen. Warnock, and it failed.

(photo: "V" for victory and Warnock. Team Warnock)