So, Exactly what is Sirota's beef with Pete?

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Friday December 30, 2022 · 8:06 PM PST

2022/12/30 · 20:06

Is this a legitimate complaint about his performance as Sec. Of Transportation?

The last three days on Twitter, David Sirota has been throwing his own sort of storm. His frustration and disappointment with the stranding of travelers due the Southwest canceling thousand of flights is valid. The obvious greed by Southwest and their inaction to address the situation, egregious. Their outdated technology and a different model for routing their planes. It backfired, completely.

But the fact that Sirota is tweeting up to 100 times a day, sourcing his own writing as evidence that Buttigieg was warned by officials to act and rampant criticism of Buttigieg's handling of the Airlines prior to the busy holiday travel season.

But this goes beyond attempting to just hold Pete accountable, he's accusing Buttigieg of being highly unqualified and of going soft on the airlines because he will need their donations when he runs for President. Which then points to the fact that this feels like it's more than looking out for the little guy, it feel like a full fledged attack on a future Buttigieg Presidential bid.

Sirota held a poll asking what sort of experience someone should have to be appointed, he wasn’t happy with the results.

Tell me what this has to do with holding Buttigieg accountable? Southwest was the only Airline that really melted down.

And oddly enough, I don't really care about Pete running for President, I doubt he would be my choice, there are much better candidates. He’s not progressive enough for me. But I can't see how this helps push for holding the airlines accountable. The personal attacks, the dark money (which is valid criticism), but why in this context, why now? It's obvious the airline industry has been failing consumers for a long time. The fines that were levied against the airlines just a couple of months ago were a drop in the bucket. And Democrats absolutely need to hold elected and appointed officials accountable as well. But it is certainly fair to point out when something is done. And are Americans mad at him, or is Sirota?

LMFAO — Just a little off? Are Americans really that mad a Pete?

So what's the beef? Am I off base in thinking this is just a preemptive strike? I personally think this does a disservice to those who were stranded. I have friends who were stuck in other states for days. Thankfully they had places to stay.

I'm definitely out of the loop, but am glad that David took time for these last two gems.

Of course Southwest’s business model played a role.

The Right's Attempt to Deplatfom the Left on Twitter

Ellinorianne

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Friday November 25, 2022 · 11:57 AM PST

2022/11/25 · 11:57

Yes, who could have seen that coming?

The right has targeted 5,000 accouns to attack and purge. They're being labeled "Antifa”, but one account that I know personally tagged on this list is a toxicologist and they spend a lot of time debunking myths, posting fun things about toxicology and LGBTQIA issues.

He's also gay and married to another doctor who just happens to be an immunologist.

Of course that doctor has spent the last three years debunking anti-vax rhetoric, medical conspiracies and faces a great deal of online harassment for doing so. They're both incredibly kind human beings who are qualified and have been doing amazing work. I know first hand because they've always been helpful to me when I've been bullied by the right for getting vaccinated and mask wearing.

This isn't just about them.

People here could be on this list. You could be on this list. This is not the beginning, it's going to get worse, because these people have Musk's ear and his help.

Please see what you can do to help. I wish I knew, but we cannot give Twitter up, we just can't. Don't let the right bully those doing important work in the real world, please.

Here is a link to the original tweet.

Homophobia, Violence and the Significance of Twitter

Ellinorianne

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday November 20, 2022 · 10:27 AM PST

2022/11/20 · 10:27

Today feels solumn. I don't really feel good about the world. Someone commented about the fact that what happens on Twitter doesn't matter to most people, but I pointed out that what people are saying impacts their freedoms & safety. It matters to everyone.

Freedom of speech does not cover the continued homophobic rhetoric the right pushes, which has continued to escalate as the LGBTQIA community gains acceptance. Their answer is to spread new lies and unlock outrageous fears, as well as painting allies with the same brush. “They're coming for your children and grooming them to be gay”. Did you know men in dresses and makeup were more dangerous than 18 year olds with guns in elementary schools?

I identify as queer. I'm a groomer, a pedophile and a whole host of projected bullshit that the LGBTQIA community has heard before. But social media has made it extremely easy to spread this fear, to propagate the lies (this kitty litter boxes in bathroos aren't going to clean themselves, more wasted tax payer dollars).

And the outcome is violence against us. It's always been difficult for me to say us. Even though I have dated women and my first love was a woman, I have a daughter

I was married for 15 years. I also am out at work.

But I want to be clear, I am part of this community and I cannot smile today, all I can do is cry.

I don't know how to be any clearer that giving homophobia a platform is dangerous. Voting for people who would take away the rights of people you love, is harm. It's promoting violence, period.

What's happening at Twitter is not unimportant, giving Trump a bullhorn also let's his supporters know that what they believe is protected speech and valid. Every single politician that promotes legislation to limit our rights, that demonizes the LGBTQIA community is complicit in this attack. They are complicit in the continued oppression of every marginalized community in this Country. And yet they not only have a platform on Twitter, they serve in our government.

How do we not despair? How do we not feel unsafe?

If you are an ally, please be present, be patient and understand how hurt and angry we are today, but also every other day. Please hold space for our anger, listen, let us cry, or cry with us. I know I can't speak for every LGBTQIA person, and that's not my intention, but it's important for me to acknowledge that this is my community. And the ache I feel is so very painful and runs deep.

Mango Mussolini is back

Ellinorianne

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday November 19, 2022 · 5:40 PM PST

2022/11/19 · 17:40

After a ridiculous vote, Musk brings Trump back to Twitter, just in time to poor gasoline on an already burning building. How appropriate.

Everyone likes a great comeback, but of course we should be indicting Trump, not giving him a bigger bullhorn.

Let them eat Pee Cupcakes

Ellinorianne

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday September 05, 2020 · 4:18 PM PDT

2020/09/05 · 16:18

Oh, you know, or cupcakes inscribed with the word “pee” because we’re adults and what’s a little silliness.

Okay, well it wasn’t an adult who wanted this, it was my sixteen year old daughter and she’s had a rough few months. Her step mother died, oh and her step grandmother and she’s spent the last month with her father trying to be there for him. He’s not really been himself, so she’s also had to ask him not to take his grief and pain out on her, you know, establishing boundaries. She’s kind of awesome and in many ways mature beyond her years.

So when her friends canceled a birthday party and she said, “Can I eat the birthday cake” and I said, “NO!”, because teenagers are fickle as fuck and you know, when someone asks where that cake is, I want to be able to materialize some sugar laden carbs, I decided to order her own confections.

Let’s order cupcakes!

I give her the app, and of course, she’s bright, but she’s mischievous and she adds the inscription, “pee” on her cupcake.

Uh, first instinct. No. Fuck no.

Then I think, if this is her one act of rebellion, this is her way of blowing off some steam? Why not? And, you know, it’s stories for the people working at the damn cake shop.

Of course, then I get a call from DoorDash asking if that’s what we really want, you know, awkwardly, the poor woman on the other side of the line, she asks, “PEE?”. Yeah, my teenager was being silly, that’s what she wants. She says, “Okay”.

Then a few minutes later I get a call that the management at said cupcake shop refuses because it’s “offensive”. Which did occur to me, but I had also shrugged it off, because she didn’t choose, “fuck” or something else much MORE OFFENSIVE.

I of course said that’s fine. Leave it off and no, we didn’t NEED something inscribed on the damn cupcake.

But really, is the word “pee” offensive? I wholeheartedly concede it’s immature and a childish, but OFFENSIVE? I of course took to the internet to get a second opinion.

“Pee is an informal but common word that means "to urinate." Of all the slang words for bodily functions, this is one of the least offensive. Though it's not very naughty to talk about peeing or taking a pee, this term is a little childish. However, saying "I have to take a peepee!"

pee - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com”

Yeah, I thought so.

Words people, basic human functions, offensive.

And we wonder why we get so worked up about things and so damn shamey.

Note — Yeah, it’s been a hot second and this is old. I haven’t been writing for lots of reasons. But felt this was funny enough to share.

Ashley Judd delivers a powerful message

Ellinorianne

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Sunday January 22, 2017 · 3:38 PM PST

2017/01/22 · 15:38

I am a nasty woman. This shook me to the core, I want to show everyone this because she touches on so many issues that are OUR issues, that affect all of US.

YouTube Video

I am a feminist. I stole this list from a friend on Facebook:

I hope your feminism includes:
- sex workers
- fat women
- transgender women
- Muslim and other hijab wearing women
- the #blacklivesmatter movement
- latinx women
- women who choose to not take birth control or have abortions
- masculine of center women, butches, genderqueer, or non-binary women
- women and families on welfare, food stamps, and government support
- women with physical and mental disabilities
- non-monogamous women
- stay at home parents If not, stop calling yourself a feminist

What I witnessed at a Women's March in Laguna Beach, CA

Ellinorianne

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Saturday January 21, 2017 · 7:09 PM PST

2017/01/21 · 19:09

I had the honor and privilege to attend a women’s march in Laguna Beach California today. It was a bright, beautiful California morning and there was so much love in the air. I made a point of hugging many strangers and encouraging them to hug each other. This was about positivity, empowerment, encouragement and speaking truth to power. I found it hard for myself to stand in one place with a sign, so I wandered often taking photos and making my little joke that I ASKED FOR CONSENT FIRST :)

The most inspiring sight for me was the range in ages, from the very young to the very old, standing together. And all the support from those driving by, so many men honking in solidarity.

Please enjoy all the beautiful people I saw today. I was re-energized and felt that this was a powerful moment for all of us to remember that we can choose to speak, to demonstrate and to push back. We are powerful when we stand together.

Dear Barack and Joe

Ellinorianne

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Thursday January 19, 2017 · 6:59 PM PST

2017/01/19 · 18:59

Mr. President and Mr. Vice President, I want to sincerely thank you both for all you have done for our Country over the last eight years. THIS progressive is grateful for the progress you have made.

Progress.

I am proud of both of you and for what you have stood for while you occupied the White House regardless if I did not always agree with the Administrations stance on some issues. You still furthered many causes and for me, progress is what is most important.

“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”

― Martin Luther King Jr.

As a mother of a young woman, I know you have furthered many causes that affect her, from Joe’s speaking out against rape culture in our Country’s higher education system and his outspokenness for men to end violence against women. I know you have called yourself a proud feminist Joe, even with your graying hair, having learned how important women’s issues are to all of us.

And Barack, you have done so much to push forward women’s issues. In 2009, you created the The White House Council on Women and Girls.

the President underscored that the purpose of the Council is to ensure that each of the agencies in which they're charged takes into account the needs of women and girls in the policies they draft, the programs they create, the legislation they support and that the true purpose of our government is to ensure that in America, all things are still possible for all people.

Imagine that? Taking into account the needs of women and girls in all the policies drafted by OUR government? OUR NEEDS. Thank you sir.

Obama also created an Ambassador at Large for Global Women’s issues. GLOBAL WOMEN’S ISSUES, because until all of us, until all our sister’s issues are addressed world wide, we cannot be equal to men. So many outside of the United States suffer merely because they are WOMEN.

Of course you know, Barack signed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and to me, the most important thing he has done is empowered his amazing wife to address women’s issues throughout his Presidency. Michelle Obama has addressed women and girl’s health and education issues all around the world, that in educating girls, you empower them. She has also been an amazing example of what a first class First Lady should be, she has made me so very proud to be an American. We have been blessed to have her and I could go on for days about all the things I admire about her.

Thank you both as well for your support of the LGBTQ community in making progress for their equality in our society. From not just legislation, but from your embracing the community in all parts of your administration. A rainbow lit White House, Joe officiating the marriage of two staffers, to issuing your executive order on transgender bathroom use. Success or failure, there has been so much progress.

And, I am grateful for the example you have set for so many of what it means to show grace under fire, to be compassionate and caring, to show humor and humility. I am proud of my Country because you have both made us better for having you as our President and Vice President.

I refuse to be disappointed in your administration, I refuse to nitpick when I sincerely believe you did the best that you could. This very proud Sanders’ supporter knows that you worked for progress and compromised because you felt you needed to in order to move the country forward, in order to reach towards that bend, towards justice.

There have been many tears as I see the goodbyes and the last of this or that. My heart is full and breaking. I may never get to thank either of you in person, but I wanted to be sure that I wrote something out, which isn’t even the beginning. There is so much more.

But I need to say something, to acknowledge how very grateful I am for the both of you and your amazing wives, your families, your service and sacrifice. So many say that you could have done more, that you should have done more, but they aren’t willing to put themselves out there and do it, run for office (And having an ex-husband in office, I know first hand it is NOT easy). I know why too, because it’s really f****** hard! The standards are so very high. It’s easy to criticize, it’s so much harder to deliver results.

Thank you both from the bottom of my heart. Even though I do fear for the future, I have hope, I can’t seem to shake it. I am what some may call a die hard optimist with pragmatic tendencies. I’ve been through so much myself (That’s another sob story) and yet, here I still am, able to write to you and thank you.

I will never forget my then 5 year-old daughter looking at the cover of “The Audacity of Hope” and asking why there was a President on the cover of a book? This was before you had even clinched the Democratic nomination in 2008, she knew then you were going to be President. You have influenced many young people and this is why I have hope as well, you set an amazing example for them on what it means to be true to what you believe and to move world forward. I sincerely hope that you will continue to work towards justice and to inspire so many.

Thank you so much.

What 2016 taught me

Ellinorianne

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday December 30, 2016 · 11:55 AM PST

2016/12/30 · 11:55

It's all how you choose to see things, Gary Fisher's tweet made me smile.

As we lost so many authentically cool people and when lies seemed to Trump the truth I took away one thing away from this fucking awful year. I plan on making 2017 better.

With each loss, from Bowie to Fisher, I came to the realization that I didn’t want to be those amazing people, I wanted to be more like my amazing self. Each of those icons were loved because they had learned the most important lesson in life, to be their most authentic self. And most importantly, they had channeled that authenticity through their art and shared pain, loss and joy through that art and touched MILLIONS in doing so.

This is why losing them has felt so intimately gut wrenching.

David Bowie wrote songs that taught us how to be our own heroes and showed us that you can be yourself while wearing different personas. He was glamorous yet down to earth, a star man for the ages and yet so amazingly HUMAN. He felt otherworldly because he represented the most vulnerable in us.

I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing, will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be heroes, just for one day

And you, you can be mean
And I, I'll drink all the time

'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact
Yes we're lovers, and that is that

Though nothing, will keep us together
We could steal time, just for one day
We can be heroes, forever and ever
What'd you say?

I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, forever and ever
Oh, we can be heroes, just for one day

I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing, will drive them away
We can be heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day

Heroes by David Bowie

Carrie Fisher, well, she was just a powerhouse of a woman. She spoke of her substance abuse and her mental health issues with such fucking bluntness that it would leave some people clutching their pearls. I adored it, because it meant that people had to keep looking. She normalized being bipolar, something that many people still don’t understand and fear. There are many bipolar people who point to her for making them feel “normal”. WHICH FOR FUCK’S SAKE, they are. Having a mental illness is normal. Just like having any other kind of health issue, it’s chemicals, it’s science. We must erase stigma so that less people suffer from shame and receive the treatment they so badly need. Carrie Fisher refused to be anything other than herself and she frequently told people who didn’t accept this to promptly go fuck themselves. (And let’s not forget Patty Duke, who also helped normalize mental health issues, she too passed away this year).

Carrie giving her favorite one finger salute.

I could go on forever about why I loved Carrie Fisher, she was a brilliant mind with her sharp wit and eye for word play. She just shined.

The loss of Michelle McNamara was shocking, Patton Oswalt losing his wife at such a young age really hit a lot of people hard. The thought of Patton raising his young daughter on his own touched many and how he handled his grief publicly really touched many people, I know it did for me. He brought such grace and dignity to grieving and such vulnerability.

I recently saw Patton Olswalt at Largo in LA do some stand up comedy and he really struggled. His struggle was our struggle. A few times he just stood there, in apparent tears just exclaiming, “FUCK, fuck, fuck fuck”. All I could do was relate to this outburst because it was in response to the election to Trump and just how fucked up this year appeared to be to us all. He welcomed all of us to join in his despair, to collectively mourn with him. It was cathartic to laugh, to tear up and to just FEEL together.

But not only is he brilliant in his mourning but in his political commentary. Just so fucking SMART. We are better for having Patton Oswalt in the world.

This fucking election. Fucking Trump.

These newest revelations, that Russia hacked the election. Piles of evidence, teetering up to the sky. That Russia ALSO hacked the RNC and are holding them over a barrel because of what they know. Which would be hilarious if it wasn't so frightening. And the boiling chaos that's resulting from it. I've got conservative friends actually DEFENDING Russia on this. I've got progressive friends gloating that we've finally had done to us what we've done to other countries. That Hillary somehow deserves this. That WE somehow deserve this. That infuriating cliche about, "It's actually GOOD if Trump destroys everything it'll start a revolution BLAH BLAH BLAH FUCKING BLAH..."

And in the middle of it all is Trump -- bloated, grinning, oblivious, wearing his cheap baseball cap and ruining people's lives with his Twitter. While all around him -- smarter, better, exhausted people scramble around, trying to sweep up a china shop he keeps stumbling through, laughing the whole time at these stupid nerds picking up the broken pieces on the ground. Losers. Weak. Trump doesn't spread evil. He doesn't even spread chaos. Evil and chaos are beyond his abilities.

He spreads MEDIOCRITY. And anyone who gets near him gets dragged into the same sloppy, tossed-off, first-draft shitscape he lives in.

Except this time, it's the entire country who got too close to him. We're about to become, as a nation, as garish and pathetic as one of his hotel suites. Balsa wood under gold spray paint. A chandelier over a toilet. Knock-off Haviland and Parlon china on which to serve a Big Mac. And the people MAKING the Big Macs getting screwed, stripped and exploited while the predators high-five on their private jets.

In nine days the electors make their choice. Let's hope they choose to save us from our grope-y, racist uncle who just won $50,000 playing scratch-offs.

Patton Oslwat’s Facebook Pate

Gene Wilder. I always had an affinity for this man. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory came out on the same day I was born, July 1, 1971. He was an actor, not a comedy actor. He didn’t see a distinction between the two and regularly took offense when people asked him about it. And he’s right. Comedy is HARD and Gene Wilder made it look amazingly easy. He appeared in comedies that pushed boundaries and that were magical part of our childhoods and he understood how important it was not to break the magic. The fact that he teamed up with one of my favorite human beings is part of my love for him, Mel Brooks is a magic man and I do believe Blazing Saddles to be before it’s time.

YouTube Video

Leonard Cohen, there are just no words for the loss of this man. Yes, many of the losses were souls that wandered this earth for many years, yet their loss was still profound for me. Leonard Cohen was part of the soundtrack of my life. He wrote so many songs that I listened to over and over again. He was just a legend.

YouTube Video

Other notables for me:

Prince
Lady Chablis
Alexis Arquette
Edward Albee
Gwen Ifill
Florence Henderson
John Glenn
Ron Glass
George Michael
Richard Adams
Alan Rickman (if you haven’t seen Truly, Madly, Deeply, you are missing out).
Harper Lee
Umberto Eco
George Martin
Gary Shandling
Anton Yelchin (This was just so heart wrenching, it’s beyond words)

So, what is my take away? Many of the people that we lost that touched me so profoundly had been themselves in the most amazing sort of way. They were authentic and true and they had lived their lives in the manner to which they saw most fit.

I never at one point though, boy, I really want to be like them. I have decided that I want to be more like me. As someone who has struggled for so long with so many fucking issues, I’ve come to realize something so very profound, I have buried myself in so much bullshit and I have tried to be everything but who I am.

I am a child of an alcoholic and a survivor of sexual, verbal and emotional abuse. That poor little inner child is so far buried that she has been afraid to come out for, well, forever. I have struggled to lose weight and become healthy and have been plagued with chronic health issues ever since the birth of my only child since 2003. This year has been particularly difficult because all of them have gone into full overdrive and I’ve missed work and have been overridden with medical bills. 2016 has been horrible for so many reasons beside the election of Trump and all the reasons people have been able to point to, I’ve been barely able to keep my head above water. I suffer from anxiety and depression and am constantly paralyzed by fear. Being a single parent with health issues living in Orange County where it ain’t cheap to keep up, I’ve just been, well, fucking terrified. What if I get sicker? What if I can’t keep up?

Fuck that noise.

So, the take away. I need to stop identifying myself as the fat, single sick mom who is struggling, or at least stop making that be my weakness. I have overcome some serious shit! I need to wear this like a badge of honor! I need to start thinking like the fucking warrior that I am and use what I’ve learned to grow, learn to use all the loss and pain as my teacher, not my torturer.

How can I take all this and make it my friend, not my enemy? How can I take the talents I have and use it for good?

I haven’t been writing in, well, for too long. I haven’t been reaching out because I sincerely believed that I was just unloved and unliked. That’s a bullshit meme that’s been swimming around in my noggin for too long. Erase that right away.

I am smart, and funny and dammit, I can use these powers for good. I can take all this heartache, all this asshattery and use it to change not only my world, but maybe I can change someone else’s world, change someone else’s perspective. Maybe yours?

Are you going to let 2016 win or are you going to learn from 2016? It’s all up to you?

What is your take away?

Climate Denial is the official stance of the Trump administration

Ellinorianne

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday November 28, 2016 · 8:57 PM PST

2016/11/28 · 20:57

As arctic ice levels hit another epic low and we come near to the end hottest year on record, Reince Priebus ensures us that Trump’s official stance on climate change is that it does not exist. Nope, it’s not man made nor of any concern to his administration.

Priebus appeared on the latest Fox News Sunday to explain Trump’s apparent “major flips on policy this week in an interview with the New York Times,” as host Chris Wallace put it — including the apostasy of possibly having “an open mind” about “pulling out of the Paris climate agreement.”

Trump is appointing countless climate science deniers to key positions, which tells you vastly more about what he believes and what he’ll do than his latest semi-coherent ramblings. As I wrote last week, Trump’s repetition of the phrase “open mind” during his Times interview was meant to distract from his constant repetition of long-debunked denier talking points (and it worked).

Priebus confirmed Trump wasn’t being forthright with the Times, telling Wallace, “As far as this issue on climate change — the only thing he [Trump] was saying after being asked a few questions about it is, look, he’ll have an open mind about it but he has his default position, which most of it is a bunch of bunk, but he’ll have an open mind and listen to people.”

Think Progress

Climate change is a “bunch of bunk”. You know, all those scientists that agree are just full of shit. And since Trump intends to cut funding to Nasa’s climate research because it’s become too “politicized” we can be assured with that, what good will him having an open mind do?

Bob Walker, a senior Trump campaign adviser, said there was no need for Nasa to do what he has previously described as “politically correct environmental monitoring”.

...

Walker, however, claimed that doubt over the role of human activity in climate change “is a view shared by half the climatologists in the world. We need good science to tell us what the reality is and science could do that if politicians didn’t interfere with it.”

The Guardian

Of course this is one of the most politicized decisions an administration could make, first by lying about the number of climatologists that support the supposition that climate change is man made and secondly, but cutting funding because of the administrations staunch belief that it is not real. This gives them a clear path to continue back peddling on climate treaties and on moving away from our country’s reliance on fossil fuels.

The obvious conflicts of interest from Trump’s international businesses are one of many concerns, but just think about the environmental impact of his business decisions that will also affect communities around the world? Move those wind turbines, they’re a visual blight! LET ME BUILD MY HOTEL ON THIS WETLAND!

The environmental consequences of a Trump presidency is unprecedented at a time when we can least afford such a antiscience, pro-fossil fuel narcissist in one of the most powerful positions in the world.

Environmentalists must not only be vigilant, but we must push back even harder. We must be louder than their lies and their doubt. So much depends on it.

We must tell every representative that backs this cut in funding they will be voted out, that supports this anti-scientific stance that they will be replaced. WE must tell them that we won’t stand for it.

Scared

Ellinorianne

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday November 15, 2016 · 7:30 PM PST

2016/11/15 · 19:30

As my medical bills keep piling up, I find myself having a bit of empathy for Trump voters. I sense a lot of fear and I blame right wing radio for a lot of it. Someone is to blame for the rising cost of their healthcare, for the loss of their jobs and the sense of loss of what they see as traditional American values. Guess who told them who to be angry at? Obama, Democrats, those damn liberals!!!! They want to steal your freedom, your guns, your very personal liberties!!!

No wonder they are scared. They are just as fearful as many Clinton voters are for a lot of different reasons. I don’t, in any way condone voting for Trump, but I do understand that they have seen a lot of loss and that they have been lied to, as well.

Have you heard right wing radio? Have you the fear mongering? It’s their bubble they live in, just as many of us here at Daily Kos live in our little liberal bubble (Thanks Jim), and rarely do the two meet, or overlap. As many were shocked to see (SHOCKED I TELL YOU!), Facebook cultivates two different news feeds according to your political leanings.

Facebook’s role in providing Americans with political news has never been stronger—or more controversial. Scholars worry that the social network can create “echo chambers,” where users see posts only from like-minded friends and media sources. Facebook encourages users to “keep an open mind” by seeking out posts that don’t appear in their feeds.

To demonstrate how reality may differ for different Facebook users, The Wall Street Journal created two feeds, one “blue” and the other “red.” If a source appears in the red feed, a majority of the articles shared from the source were classified as “very conservatively aligned” in a large 2015 Facebook study. For the blue feed, a majority of each source’s articles aligned “very liberal.” These aren't intended to resemble actual individual news feeds. Instead, they are rare side-by-side looks at real conversations from different perspectives.

Many of us live in different worlds merely by our social media and the news we consume on a daily basis. Where we live has a huge impact as well as can be seen by the electoral map! We are segregated in way by our views of the world and in turn, we look to sources to have those views reinforced and social media is happy to do it for us.

Scared. It merely just feeds into fears.

I spent four hours in an ER and it cost $5,000.00.

I didn’t have stitches, anything major, I wanted to make sure I didn’t have a blood clot in my leg. I was given an ultrasound, some blood tests were run and then I was given a bag of saline and a potassium pill.

FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS, so far.

I got a bill from the hospital and for the doctor that works at the hospital separately.

I have health insurance, for me, I have only had to pay $1,000.00 thankfully. BUT THAT IS WITH INSURANCE.

I also have a very good job. My rent though, with the help of child support, is 45% of my take home pay. And I don’t pay much more than what the average rent is for where I live.

Scared.

I have chronic health issues and I am a single parent. I barely have any paid time off because of how sick I’ve been.

Now do you see why I can empathize? I just don’t blame Obama. But if I was given a steady diet of negativity, of anger and of lies, well guess what? I just might.

And as a Sanders’ supporter, I am not a real big fan of the establishment right now either. I see corporate profits grow, the stock market keep rising and yet wages remain stagnate, housing prices keep rising and health care costs just keep going up. Where is my boom? When do I get to partake in all this good stuff?

And if you believe what you read and hear from those right wing hosts, Government regulation is strangling growth. Taxation is making it impossible for companies to keep their money here in the US and forcing them to move it overseas (And yes, I know this is not just something those on the right think). Silly environmental protection is killing energy exploration, alternative energy is a dead end. YOU NAME IT.

Scared.

People are scared because they are working so very hard and they aren’t seeing it help them, in fact they are barely getting by. I can empathize with this.

I am scared too.

I just set up a payment plan for some of my medical bills and yet more came. I will probably forgo my 20th College Reunion because I just can’t afford it. It breaks my heart, I so very much want to go.

PEOPLE ARE SCARED. Fear is the biggest motivator.

I know there are a lot of post-election autopsies out there. I am sure I’ve missed a lot of them. I am tired, sick and trying to keep my head above water. But I wanted to express that fear is the worst kind of motivation. Fear of the unknown, the other, and fear of not being able to make your life better no matter how hard you work.

Because our political system has stopped working for WE THE PEOPLE and more for the 1%, this fear is valid. And because so many are fearful, they need someone, anyone to blame.

Trump played into that fear so beautifully. He fed into that fear. He was disgusting and vile and stirred up all that anger and fear and told people it was “change”.

And for many who haven’t been able to acknowledge that fear, change was enough to allow them to turn that other cheek and ignore the racism, the misogyny and homophobia, to be able to abide such vile things then dare get offended when people pointed out that they had just helped elect a highly unqualified, narcissistic demagogue to one of the post powerful positions in the world.

“But I just wanted change.”

Scared.

We are all scared for one reason or another. And as we keep seeing, that fear is valid. I know I don’t have to urge you to donate to an organization that fights racism, or encourage you to be involved in local community outreach to your local Mosque or LGBTQ Community Center.

Just know you are not alone. If you are afraid, please reach out to loved ones and friends. I am trying to do so. I know I will get through this. I have put on my calendar an open house at a local Mosque. I plan on seeing how I can volunteer at our local LGBTQ center or maybe connect with a local PFLAG. I am also hoping to find an organization that helps fight racial inequality. And, even if it’s just a little bit, I plan on donating to Planned Parenthood.

Imagine if we all did this? If we all tried to fight the fear?

Maybe we wouldn’t be as scared?

I have so many thoughts...

Ellinorianne

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday November 10, 2016 · 8:52 PM PST

2016/11/10 · 20:52

And many won’t be popular, but I want to, I must share.

First of all, if you are comfortable doing so, I ask you to post this to your facebook page. I was inspired by friends:

To my female, LGBTQ+, and minority friends: just a reminder that my house is a safe space for you. If you're out and are being harassed, followed, or are in fear for your safety, you are welcome to seek shelter here. I may not be home, but you can call me and I will make it available to you for your use as long as you need to escape what you feel is a threat to you. PLEASE SHARE THIS and let others know you are a safe harbor.

You can modify it to fit you and your circumstances, but let people know you are there for them.

I also called close LGBTQ friends to let them know I was there for them and I loved them and I wouldn’t if it took my last breath, let any harm come to them. I was their ally, I was there for them. This should go for everyone you know who feels unsafe. I personally know of female friends who were verbally assaulted, or almost physically assaulted by Trump supporters who were emboldened. “Hey, lets grab her by the pussy!”.

And, something simple you can do. Wear a safety pin.

The “safety pin” symbol was inspired by the 2014 #illridewithyou movement in Sydney, Australia. where people offered to sit next to Muslims who felt threatened on their commutes — at the time, there was fear of an Islamophobic backlash after a terrorist attack in Sydney left two hostages and the gunman dead (one of the hostages was killed by a bullet ricochet). And its spirit is in line with a guide to stopping Islamophobia that recently went viral and offers solutions to bystanders and witnesses.

There’s now a burgeoning effort in the United States for people to start wearing the safety pin stateside in the face of post-election attacks and harassment. Having to adopt a symbol of anti-violence and anti-bigotry is not exactly what any of us thought we’d be doing in the wake of a presidential election taking place in 2016, but it could be one small way to signal that you’re an ally (regardless of who you voted for) to someone who probably didn’t think they’d be in this vitriolic and volatile situation either.

Another important point, President-Elect Trump is my President.

I know a lot of people will not like that I say this, will disagree and probably be disappointed in me.

But all I can think about are all the people who said that President Obama isn't their President, who spent all their energy obstructing him, insulting him and tearing him down. To this day, they hate him, undermine him and refuse to acknowledge the obvious good he has done to their own detriment. They are actively wishing for the demise of our Country.

I refuse to be that person.

I know that Trump and Obama are two vastly different human beings, I know this to my very core. I also know that this is a very different circumstance. I see with clear eyes who Trump is, but I will not let my life, my thoughts, nor my heart be driven by fear or hate. I will put my energy into doing positive things, like telling people I love them and I will defend them. I will find ways to create positive change, to work on behalf of others in ways that improves their lives in anyway I can. I will not let this drive me into the very feelings that made some people vote for Trump.

What will you do to focus your energy on positively affecting your neighborhoods, your cities and your Country? How will you channel your anger into doing something good?

And trust me, the people who voted for Trump? They get to own this shitshow. I am very proud of President Obama and what he could accomplish under the circumstances. I don’t think that those who voted for Trump will be able to say the same thing in four years. LET THEM OWN IT.

And then this:

Do I hate people who voted for Trump? Absolutely not! Do I think they are all racists? Of course they aren’t. You know they aren’t, but they sure the fuck enabled racists, sexists and homophobes to come out of their shell.

BUT yes, I am mad he won. I actually outlined the exact reasons.

These are the reasons:

I believe in a woman's right to choose even though I believe abortion is wrong. I fear that Trump will mean the destruction of Roe V. Wade. There is absolutely no reason to make abortion illegal. Education has been shown to reduce unwanted pregnancies!!! Access to safe and effective birth control is dollar for dollar much cheaper and better for men and women!

I believe climate change is real and that there is no such thing as "clean coal" or "safer fracking". I believe investing more money in these dying sources of energy is a dead end, not just for our economy, but for our environment. Sure, it will create jobs, but it will also create more pollution and keep us from creating clean energy alternatives, it will keep us from investing in those important technologies and creating THOSE JOBS.

I believe that there are many good regulations that we have in our Government and fear that the EPA and many other important agencies will be gutted by Trump. He actually called for eliminating the EPA!!! As we face many environmental issues, sure, lets get rid of the Environmental Protection Agency.

I believe that my dear LGBTQ friends have rights, that their equality hurts NO ONE, that repealing marriage equality shouldn't be a priority because marriage equality hurts not one person. I have more than one gay or lesbian friend that is SCARED for their rights now being taken away.

I believe that Trump has no idea how to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US. Most manufacturing jobs are now automated and many jobs are actually already coming back to the US!!! If people knew the kind of jobs that could come back, they would not want them!!! And the other jobs? We don't have people are trained to do them. Trump cannot make any American company bring jobs back and he really seems to lack a fundamental understanding of what those jobs are! The majority of manufacturing jobs are just not going to come back people. Trump sold people a lie.

I believe the wall is a waste of money. Do we really want to spend money on a wall? And how is he going to get Mexico, a poor Country that cannot take care of its own people, to pay for a WALL??? Oh look, hey I have a bridge to sell you.

I believe that he will make our deficit even worse, just as past Republican presidents have. He wants to cut taxes to the very rich and spend half a trillion dollars on infrastructure? He wants to break trade deals, which I heard could cost California alone 600k jobs if we get in a trade war with China. He wants to spend a ridiculous amount of money on the military. He wants to spend, spend, spend. Bond futures are UP! They know it, inflation, debt, it’s coming!

Education. He's all about school choice. Need I say more. Goodbye public education if his plan works. And more debt, he has proposed investing billions of dollars in SCHOOL CHOICE, code for charter schools which takes away from public education funding.

I believe that putting more money into our military is not necessary. Trump has many proposals to build more ships, more planes, grow our forces. Where is this money coming from? WHERE???

I agree with one thing, ensure Veterans get the care they need and deserve. WE SHOULD PAY FOR THIS. But will he get the money? How will he pay for this? Republicans have obstructed spending by Obama!

I could go on, but there are just too many things.

We can decide how to react to this election. We can blame, we can point fingers. WE can certainly mourn and be sad. If you are one of the many people who are scared, reach out to friends and family and LET THEM KNOW. You are not alone. BUT, do not let it go forever.

I want to believe that this can make us better, stronger and bring about a progressive change, because we are the MAJORITY. We can change things. I don’t want to get into how you feel the DNC failed, how Bernie was betrayed, how flawed Clinton was, lets talk about what WE CAN DO to change things rather than dwell on what wrong, unless it gives us answers and the key to MOVING FORWARD.

I plan on volunteering at local organizations that do outreach for minority groups and LGBTQ youth.

I plan on starting a local Drinking Liberally.

I plan on reviving the push for our local community garden.

I plan on visiting my local Mosque to ask how I can help! Please let me learn about your community and how I can be of help.

I am going to march in the Corgi Holiday Parade, well just because. I don’t think Calvin got as many people out to vote as I thought he might.

Calvin at Corgi Beach Day in Huntington Beach, CA

What are you going to do?

AND to END, RIP to the late and great Leonard Cohen.

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