Donald Trump Completes Final Lap, Electoral College, to White House
The Electoral College has affirmed Donald J. Trump as the nation’s 45th president, pushing him past the 270-vote threshold for election, with scant evidence of the anti-Trump revolt among electors that some of his critics had hoped would occur.
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I will NOT “Come Together” for a man so wholly unqualified as Mr. Trump, a man who assaults my friends, my loved ones and the very social fabric upon which our democracy is bound.
I will NOT respect a man who so thoroughly disrespected President Obama with his racist conspiracy theories.
I will NOT respect someone who campaigned on open racism and bigotry and won because our idiotic system allows the person with the most votes at the end of the day to lose sometimes.
I will NOT “hope he fails” as Limbaugh said of Obama when he was elected because I know when an American President fails so does America, but I understand that Von Clownstick is not like George W. Bush or John McCain or Mitt Romney who were all far better men than he is. I will not hope he fails because I am certain he shall.
I will NOT normalize this man no matter what anyone tells me.
Michael Moore said it best; this wasn’t just an election ― this was a referendum on bigotry. And, bigotry won. The Alt-Right is already celebrating. The Alt-Right who exists under the guise of an ambiguous title, but is nothing more than a white supremacist nationalist group who seek a to rid this country of anything deemed as “other.”
At last, someone, somewhere is developing the guts to come out and tell this ’emperor’ that he has no clothes!!
This ‘man’ doesn’t represent the USA!
This man doesn’t represent me.
I strongly believe there are plenty others out there who feel the same way I do.
Sure, he has a base. That base has always been there but they remained in the fringes.
They were hiding.
This ‘man’ has opened the door for hate, bigotry, racism, xenophobia, misogynistic views, cheating, dishonesty, tax evasion, bullying and so much more to come out to the forefront.
Those embracing his ideas are indeed deplorable because these values and ideas are deplorable.
“El silencio otorga.”
“Silence is/implies/gives consent.”
This means your silence makes you complicit and you tacitly agree.
It’s a shame that it may take the threat of taking federal money away from a state’s budget. It’s shameful that bigotry and discrimination is setting up shop in so many states in this country.
It first starts by setting shop in the minds of the intolerant American citizen.
We are all created equal!
Isn’t that a basic pillar of the American Constitution? This country was created based on that very same fact.
The second paragraph in the Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
U.S. Justice Department officials repudiated North Carolina’s House Bill 2 on Wednesday, May 4, telling Gov. Pat McCrory that the law violates the U.S. Civil Rights Act and Title IX – a finding that could jeopardize billions in federal education funding.
The department gave state officials until Monday, May 9, 2016, to respond “by confirming that the State will not comply with or implement HB2.”
The letter says HB2, which pre-empted Charlotte’s anti-discrimination ordinance, violates Title IX, which bars discrimination in education based on sex, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which bans employment discrimination.
If the finding is upheld, North Carolina could lose federal education funding. During the current school year, state public schools received $861 million. In 2014-2015, the University of North Carolina system got $1.4 billion.
When hatred takes human form, it looks a lot like the founder and chairman of the Liberty Counsel Matthew Staver
You may recognize him as the lawyer for the infamous Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis who refused to do her job because her hatred was too big a burden to bear so she chose prison instead.
She just couldn’t stand the thought of two loving people of the same gender getting married, so she showed us just a taste of what was about come in terms of hating the LGBT community.
And she had Staver as her equally bigoted lawyer.
What’s come since Davis’ hissy fit has been a string of anti-LGBT bills disguised as “religious freedom” laws, and Staver is the man behind the hate nationwide. CBS News investigated and came to find out that it’s been Staver leading this zealous crusade.
From laws prohibiting transgender individuals from using the proper bathroom to allowing businesses the right to refuse service to the LGBT community, Staver has been there through it all.
Yet, he cleverly words his hatred as such:
“It is only about being free to pursue your faith.
We have no interest in discriminating against anyone.”
No, Staver, the First Amendment already guarantees your freedom to pursue your faith, what you’re doing is helping states all across the nation write laws to specifically discriminate against LGBT individuals.
You are making it legal to deny service or evict tenants based on sexual orientation. This legislated hate is taking away the freedom of LGBT citizens to grant the freedom to legally discriminate to religious zealots afraid gay money has gay cooties.
And God forbid a transgender person needs to pee.
Oh, and get this, Staver doesn’t think businesses are really going to pull out of the states that have enacted these laws. He’s supposedly calling their “bluff.” He’s about to be in for a rude awakening, because being on the wrong side of history has never boded well for any bigot. His hatred for the gay community is bizarre. If he wants freedom, live and let live. It really can be that easy.
CBS News investigation finds Kim Davis’ lawyer behind anti-LGBT bills in 20 states
By: David Edwards
After governors in North Carolina and Mississippi recently signed laws limiting the rights of LGBT people, CBS News began investigating why so many anti-LGBT bills were cropping up in state legislatures around the country.
The network found that the conservative group Liberty Counsel had placed lawyers in all 50 states to draft legislation and advise lawmakers on how to rein in the rights of LGBT people in response to a Supreme Court ruling which legalized same-sex marriage in 2015.
CBS determined that bills tied to Liberty Counsel have been filed in at least 20 states so far.
“Well I certainly want to push back against that [same-sex marriage] ruling,” Liberty Counsel founder Matt Staver told CBS News. “It was a wrong ruling. It has no basis in the constitution.”
“The Supreme Court in the 5-4 opinion on marriage in 2015 lit the house on fire,” he added. “All we’re trying to do is control the fire at this point in time.”
Staver insisted that the bills were “about being free to pursue your faith,” and that his group had “no interest in discriminating against anyone.”
He also asserted that companies did not have the guts to go through with boycotts of states that enacted pro-discrimination legislation.
“They’re not gonna follow through,” he declared. “It’s a bluff. They’re not leaving.”
~~Group behind states’ religious freedom laws speaks out~~
~~Published on Apr 13, 2016~~
Lawmakers in several states are passing bills to protect those who cite religious beliefs for refusing to serve or employ people in the LGBT community. These bills began to crop up in state legislatures soon after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage last year. As Dean Reynolds reports, the same group is behind most of the new legislation.
Basically it’s an overt trampling of a group of citizens, in this great country, who simply are “different”. Different because others make them so.
The big kahunas, who live in some of the houses of law, elected by their constituents, are writing, reviewing and passing these draconian laws. These laws are stripping away basic rights of members of the LGBT community in their states.
At the time of this writing, these are the states, which I’m aware, have passed these laws, are attempting to and may be back pedaling now”
North Carolina
Mississippi
Tennessee
South Carolina
I’m afraid others will follow suit.
At least, some people have strongly come forward to clearly state that this can’t be allowed.
I’m waiting for the President to weigh in on this.
Not holding my breath, though.
Rachel Maddow explained the current situation in some of the listed states and speaks with Joel Ebert, political reporter for The Tennessean, trying to decipher what is going on.
Tennessee Passes Anti-LGBT Counseling Bill
Mental health professionals would be allowed to reject LGBT patients based on “sincerely held principles.”
Tennessee legislators on Monday, April 11, 2016, passed a bill that could jeopardize access to mental health treatment for LGBT individuals, part of a string of recent anti-LGBT legislation in the South.
The GOP-sponsored bill, which now goes to Gov. Bill Haslam (R), allows therapists and counselors to reject patients they feel would violate “sincerely held principles.”
Gay rights and mental health advocacy groups have protested the bill and urge Haslam to veto it because it could permit mental health professionals to discriminate against LGBT patients without legal liability.
The bill passed by the legislature is a more discriminatory version of legislation approved earlier this year. That measure stated that therapists and counselors could turn away patients based on “sincerely held beliefs.” The state House last week passed a version that expanded grounds for shunning patients to “principles,” which the Senate approved on Monday.
What The Media Need To Know About Tennessee’s New Anti-LGBT Bill
Here’s what the media need to know about this unprecedented law.
On April 11, the Tennessee legislature passed HB 1840. The bill allows private practice therapists and counselors to reject patients if their “goals, outcomes, or behaviors” would violate the “sincerely held principles” of the provider. The bill now goes to Gov. Bill Haslam (R), who has yet to indicate whether he will sign it into law.
~SUMMARY~
This Isn’t A Typical “Religious Freedom” Bill
The Bill Violates The Ethics Of All Major Counseling Professionals
Anti-LGBT Extremists Are Behind The Push For HB 1840
“As it appears in … full read/full information/full credit”
~North Carolina Anti-Gay Law Backlash A Caution For Tennessee~
Rachel Maddow
~Published on Apr 13, 2016~
Joel Ebert, political reporter for The Tennessean, talks with Rachel Maddow about whether the boycotts and economic penalties (including being blocked by a porn site) being suffered by North Carolina over its anti-gay discrimination law helped Tennessee politicians reconsider a pending anti-trans bathroom bill.
Trump supporter charged after sucker-punching protester at North Carolina rally
A Donald Trump supporter has been charged with assault after multiple videos showed him sucker-punching a protester at a campaign rally in Fayetteville, N.C.
The videos, which appeared on social media early Thursday and are shot from different perspectives, show an African American with long hair wearing a white T-shirt leaving Trump’s Wednesday-night rally as the audience boos. He is being led out by men in uniforms that read “Sheriff’s Office.” The man extends a middle finger to the audience on his way out.
Then, out of nowhere, the man is punched in the face by a pony-tailed man, who appears to be white, in a cowboy hat, black vest and pink shirt as the crowd begins to cheer.
The protester stumbles away, and then is detained by a number of the men in uniforms.
John McGraw, 78, was charged with assault and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sean Swain told The Post on Thursday.
McGraw is due in court in April, Swain said. It was not immediately clear if he already has an attorney.
Ronnie C. Rouse and Rakeem Jones attended a Donald Trump rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, as a “social experiment” with several other friends. They were kicked out almost immediately, and one was assaulted as it happened.
Rakeem Jones lies on the ground while being removed by deputies from a Donald Trump rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina March 9, 2016, in a still image from video provided by Ronnie Rouse March 10, 2016. Jones was assaulted during his eviction from the rally, and a man faces criminal charges in the altercation. REUTERS/Ronnie C/Handout via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
Incredible true story of Gold Champion Jessie Owens
I went to the movies yesterday. I had seen the previews of this film and I knew it was a “must-see” for me.
I have seen some reviews. It seems that some critics feel that the film didn’t “perform” as expected. I don’t really follow what critics say. Most of the time, in my humble opinion .. like the weathermen … they are wrong.
I enjoyed the movie thoroughly.
For history buffs, for sports fans and for any interested in periods of time where ignorance, bigotry, racism and prejudice were the “law of the land”
Race is a 2016 biographical sports-drama film. It is the second feature biopic film about African American athlete Jesse Owens, who won a record-breaking four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.
Directed by Stephen Hopkins and written by Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse, the film stars Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Jeremy Irons, William Hurt, and Carice van Houten.
Principal photography began on July 24, 2014, in Montreal, Canada. Forecast Pictures, Solo Films, and Trinity Race produced the film, Entertainment One released the film in Canada, Focus Features and TriStar Pictures in the United States on February 19, 2016, and Square One Entertainment will release in Germany on May 5, 2016. The film was supported by the Owens family, the Jesse Owens Foundation, the Jesse Owens Trust and the Luminary Group.
James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens (September 12, 1913 – March 31, 1980) was an American track and field athlete and four-time Olympic gold medalist.
Owens specialized in the sprints and the long jump and was recognized in his lifetime as “perhaps the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history”.
His achievement of setting three world records and tying another in less than an hour at the 1935 Big Ten track meet in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been called “the greatest 45 minutes ever in sport” and has never been equaled.
At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin,Germany, Owens won international fame with four gold medals: 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and 4 × 100 meter relay.
He was the most successful athlete at the games and as such has been credited with “single-handedly crushing Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy.”
In 1936, Owens arrived in Berlin to compete for the United States at the Summer Olympics. According to fellow American athlete James LuValle, who won bronze in the 400 meters, Owens arrived in Berlin to a throng of fans, many of them young girls, yelling “Wo ist Jesse? Wo ist Jesse?” Many of them had come with scissors and had begun snipping at Owens’ clothing, forcing him to retreat back onto the train.
After that, when Owens left the athletes’ village, he usually had to go with some soldiers to protect him.
In contrast, Adolf Hitler was using the games to show the world a resurgent Nazi Germany.He and other government officials had high hopes that German athletes would dominate the games with victories. Meanwhile, Nazi propaganda promoted concepts of “Aryan racial superiority” and depicted others, including those of African descent, as inferior. Owens countered this by winning four gold medals.
The 2016 presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders, the junior United States Senator and former Congressman from Vermont, began with a formal announcement by Sanders on May 26, 2015, in Burlington, Vermont, which followed an informal announcement on April 30.
Sanders had been considered a potential candidate for President of the United States since at least September 2014.
Although Sanders is an independent, he caucuses with the Democratic Party in the Senate, as many of his views align with those of Democrats, and he has confirmed that he is running as a Democrat.
Born in 1941 in Brooklyn, Bernie was the younger of two sons in a modest-income family. After graduation from the University of Chicago in 1964, he moved to Vermont. Early in his career, Sanders was director of the American People’s Historical Society. Elected Mayor of Burlington by 10 votes in 1981, he served four terms.
Before his 1990 election as Vermont’s at-large member in Congress, Sanders lectured at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and at Hamilton College in upstate New York.
It Is What It Is 