Last night, President Trump announced his nomination for Justice of the Supreme Court, to replace Justice Scalia (Scalia’s unexpected death left the Supreme Court shorthanded since last year. The Republican Congress, led by Mitch McConnell refused to give President Obama’s nominee a hearing, citing that it was Obama was a “lame duck,” referring to his last year in office, and insisted that the people should have a say in who was selected. This was unprecedented. Opinion: President Obama continued to work his last year – Congress should have done their job. It was a political move to ensure a conservative judge was selected to replace the loss of a conservative judge on the bench) .
Trump selected Neil Gorsuch, reported (as expected) to be a conservative-leaning pick. He is the youngest nominee ever (49), which would ensure a conservative on the bench for many years to come. I don’t know much about Gorsuch yet, so I will not take a position until I learn more. I hope to be pleasantly surprised.
From Gorsuch: “It is the role of judges to apply, not alter, the work of the people’s representatives. A judge who likes every outcome he reaches is very likely a bad judge, stretching for results he prefers rather than those the law demands.”
Black History Month
February is Black History Month.
13 Days in, and Trump could not have a meeting about Black History Month without gloating over his win (it’s been 3 months), vowing to win bigger next time (at least 51%), and complaining about the media.
I don’t believe I saw Bannon in this one. But then, why would a white supremacist attend a meeting attended by mostly black people?
Note that when it comes to actual historic figures, he has to read from his notes – doesn’t mention any of the actual contributions to history.
The people in the room are all self-proclaimed Trump supporters. I’d be more impressed if he took a risk and met with people who have real issues to discuss, and who may not necessarily agree with him. Otherwise, this is little more than an ego boost. AKA, “what my African Americans have done for me.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLFe-cDxGxY
On a humorous note: if you stop the video at :24 in, you’ll see Trump supposedly doing a hair sweep. With his middle finger. So, either he’s giving the media a silent salute, or someone needs to teach him what finger to use for his hair sweep. The world is watching.
Today contained more fallout from the Immigration Ban Executive Order from the weekend.
Every Democrat Representatives from the House, and many of the Democratic Senators showed up on the steps of the Supreme Court and held a rally against the immigration order.
Today I responded to a meme a friend on Facebook posted. It essentially compared the immigration ban to the wisdom of locking your doors to keep the people inside the house safe from the people who may knock on the door.
Here is my response:
“It’s one thing to have someone knock on your door, and make them wait before letting them in while you check their credentials.
It’s completely another to invite them into your home, rent them a room, let them get to know you and the people around you, support them emotionally while they get a job, friends, and a pet, and then after several years, change the locks, keep their stuff, take away their job, starve their pets, and send them away because you found out they used to live in the Bronx, even though that fact was already vetted on their Rental Application.”
There was some back and forth, and insisting upon some small number of people who were affected (exact wording and numbers matched one of Trump’s tweets).
I requested sources for her information, and provided some information of my own, citing the Washington Post. She rejected my source, saying she didn’t feel it was a neutral enough source. I asked for better — 3 times — and was rewarded with unfriending.
I understand that I asked hard questions. I believe I did so without being rude. I did not call names, I did not imply stupidity. I requested facts and sources. This always seems to shut down the discussion. This was the first time I’ve been actually unfriended.
It is my sincere belief that if we surround ourselves with people who think exactly like we do, we will never learn. We will remain stagnant in our knowledge, and perhaps even become more ignorant because we do not challenge ourselves and our thoughts. No one will tell us that we are wrong, so why should we question ourselves? It is far easier to question and accuse others.
Discuss. Argue. Passionately. But don’t be rude, disrespectful and bully. Review your sources, and share them if you believe they are accurate. When questioned or challenge, take a look and see if they’re right.
When I was about 9 years old and attending Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Westfield, New Jersey, we had a great music program. My music teacher’s name was Mrs. Northover. She taught us to play the recorder (which I still play more than 40 years later), and taught us a number of wonderful songs, many of which we sang during school events, and for our parents.
One of the many songs that I have distinctly remembered over the years is Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor. I remember it for many reasons, one of them being the lesson that we were taught about the song’s origin. It is the poem that is engraved at the feet of the Statue of Liberty.
Give me your tired, your poor.
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Above this, the plaque also says:
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand a mighty woman with a torch, whose flame is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome
The Republicans have either forgotten or ignored this. And yes, I call them out on this, for they have created this Administration. They voted for it, and they have supported this very specific campaign promise. For all of their talk of Patriotism, they have ignored the universal symbol of freedom and democracy that is our own Status of Liberty, and has been since its dedication on October 28, 1886. Anyone who has ever visited Ellis Island and taken the tour (Walking in Immigrant Footsteps), searched for the name of an ancestor in the great archives has felt the awe the National Monument inspires.
Over the weekend, after President Trump’s Executive Order went into effect, travelers with valid visas and legal permanent residents (green card holders) from the seven targeted countries specified in the Executive Order were either prevented from boarding planes bound for the United States, where they live, or were detained indefinitely and threatened with deportation by Border Control after they landed in the United States. The order was penned and signed with no legal guidance of the Office of Legal Counsel. It is a clear vote of “no confidence” for the vetting already in place for those who already have visas and green cards.
These are people who have lives here. Many of them have had lives here for several years. They have jobs, homes, families, pets, friends, loved ones. And with the sweep of a pen, suddenly they have nothing. They cannot return to their jobs, their homes, their pets, families, loved ones, or even the belongings that they have acquired over the years. Things that are theirs. This is an abomination, a massive violation of human rights, as well as violation of our own U.S. laws against discrimination (1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, banning discrimination against immigrants on basis of national origin, for one).
The beautiful: In airports all over the United States where people were detained, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and large crowds of people gathered in protest. Lawyers showed up, volunteering their services (the Border Control refused to allow them access to the detained). A federal judge in New York (U.S. Judge Ann M. Donnelly) blocked part of the executive order, citing that removing travelers who arrived in the airports “violates their rights to Due Process and Equal Protection guaranteed by the United States Constitution.” Some Democratic Senators (Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris) joined protesters at the airport. Democrats have promised to introduce legislation to stop the order. At 6:00 p.m. today, Democratic lawmakers will meet on the steps of the Supreme Court to show solidarity with legal attempts to block the travel ban.
Homeland Security has largely ignored the injunctions set in place by Federal Judges. This is an important sign, and something that we should be paying close attention to — the Executive Branch is ignoring our Judicial Branch of government. The Judicial Branch was put in place to stop the Executive Branch from overreaching. If the Executive Branch is going to ignore the Judicial Branch, then it becomes nothing short of an attempted government coup. This cannot be tolerated.
Who has spoken out?
Although a few have remained silent, the majority of Democrats have spoken out against the ban.
Some Republicans have opposed the order. John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Ben Sasse. Several others have simply called for the President to “retool,” or revise the order.
Make no mistake. This is a Muslim ban. These people are being withheld because they are assumed to be Muslim. This is what Trump promised. This is what his supporters wanted. This is what the Republican party has created.
I call for all Republicans to denounce this Executive Order and call for its repeal.
In the midst of all of the political atrocities taking place by Republican-approved activity in America, I have been blessed with a shining star, a reason for celebration.
21 years ago, today (January 29th), a child was born. Nature decided he was ready, even though he didn’t agree. If he had his way, he probably would have stayed warm quiet, and comfortable for a few more weeks. But enter the world, he did, full of curiosity, but at the same time clinging close to his family. He was a Momma’s boy then, and I hope he will always be a Momma’s boy to some extent.
We have tried to raise him with love, compassion, and respect for his fellow humans. We have tried to instill in him the qualities that he will need to both survive in the world, and to do his part to make it a better place. I believe we have succeeded. He is kind, thoughtful, generous, and a good friend. He has learned a great many valuable life skills that will come in handy in the coming years. He is dedicated to a lifetime of learning, and working hard.
Recently, we moved, once again requiring Matthew to jump into a world he was not quite ready to enter on his own. This time, he has friends as well as family to lean on as he navigates life as an adult. So far, he is proving himself more than capable once again.
I hope and pray that in today’s world, we will continue working to make the world a better place for Matthew, and for all of our children. We need to move forward, not backwards.
More and more, I am seeing a movement arise which is being called “the Resistance.” This appears to have started with the Women’s March, but I suspect its true origins lie with Bernie Sanders, and his effort to get people mobilized. It’s exciting to see. It seems a group of scientists is also planning a march on Washington. Does Computer Science count? If so, perhaps I’ll join!
Alternative Accounts
When the government shuts down the dissemination of factual information in an attempt to replace it with “Alternative Facts,” the people will find a way.
Over the past few days, starting with the National Park Service, a number of “Alternative” Twitter accounts have emerged, in light of Trump’s directive for them to stop tweeting information – factual information – about actual science.
Another group to follow – March for Science (@ScienceMarchDC). They’re planning a March, too!
Voter Fraud
Trump is claiming that millions of people voted illegally, causing him to lose the popular vote. On the outset, this seems petty and counter-productive (he did win, after all). However, he and Pence have vowed to launch an investigation of “voter rolls,” will Democrats fear may result in a change in voter registration rules that will result in the disenfranchisement of minority voters who tend to vote Democrat.
No American should be prevented from voting. Period.
Back to the Wall
House Republicans have proposed a 20% tariff on all goods coming in to the U.S. from Mexico. This is to ensure that “Mexico” pays for the wall. They sure thinks we’re a special kind of stupid. That means that Americans will pay for the wall twice.
On Day 6, Donald Trump began showing the world that he intends to keep his promise to “put America First” by addressing immigration and sealing of our borders.
On Day 7 – I found and bookmarked the Presidential Actions web page. I have shared this link in multiple places on FaceBook with the text , “The best way to battle “Fake News” and “Alternative Facts” is to see for ourselves. The media interprets documents for us, and tells us what they want us to think.”
“Let’s see for ourselves. Here’s a link to the Presidential Actions page. It contains links for the text of Executive Orders, Presidential Memorandums, and Proclamations. Much of what we have been discussing about Trump’s activities is all here.”
“I recommend you bookmark this site and refer to it. Be sure to read text before getting into discussions, so that you can quote and stay on point about anything that you disagree with.”
Concerns:
Immigration – Trump has run a campaign of racism against Mexican immigration. He has referred to Mexican Immigrants at rapists and murderers. There are always people who commit crimes, and some commit violent, heinous crimes. These people should be captured and punished. But they aren’t all Mexican. Any immigrant, legal or illegal, who commits a violent crime should be punished. I am hesitant to suggest that all be sent back to their country of origin because other countries may apply a death penalty, which I am not necessarily comfortable with. Certainly, immigration laws should be enforced. But America should also be a compassionate country, and should review policies that would tear families apart, or that make it overly difficult for our neighbors to obtain entry into our country.
Refugees – Yes, we are at risk of terrorist attacks. The President ran on a platform of fear of ISIS. Our biggest threats from ISIS have not come from immigrants. They have come from Americans who have been radicalized. It makes more sense to address the issue of radicalization and what causes it, than it does to abandon compassion as a nation. Yes, all refugees should be vetted (as they already are), but they should not be denied simply on the basis of where they come from, especially when they have no way to return to their homeland.
The Wall – Donald Trump has ordered the construction of the wall he wants built between the United States and Mexico. This is a 2,000 mile wall, which Trump has promised during his campaign would be “higher than the ceiling” of the venue where he was speaking. In fact, he has proposed a 40-foot wall.
But, what will this cost?
Trump, himself, has estimated the wall will cost $5-10 billion dollars, payable as a “one-time payment” by Mexico. This figure is widely disputed, and is projected at least twice Trump’s estimate. Mexico isn’t going to pay for the wall. We are. $20 billion dollars worth.
Keystone Pipeline: According to the Associated Press, Donald Trump signed a series of executive memorandums to revive the Dakota Access Pipeline, citing that it would provide 28,000 construction jobs. In the video, he caveats that it would be subject to renegotiation of terms.
He wants the pipes to be made in the United States. He says it will put a lot of steelworkers back to work. According to Reuters, the requirement to use domestic steel would “violate 70 years of settled international trade law.”
My greatest concern is over the Dakota pipeline, which has been the site of great protest and loss of human rights. We need to protect the rights our all citizens, including Native Americans, and we need to protect our water, which becomes more and more precious every year as the global population continues to grow, and our water sources shrink.
The Trump Administration instructed the EPA to freeze its grants and contracts. I’ve been informed by my son, who works in the environmental industry, that this is normal during the transition of power between presidents. The purpose is to give the new administration time to review the contracts, understand what’s going on, and possibly make changes. It’s the “make changes” part that could cause the problem. This is an administration that denies climate change and has already shown itself to engage in cronyism, so there could be a pretty big impact on where grants and contracts go. For now, wait and see.
Note – all of the Executive orders I have read include a caveat that the order does not override existing laws. So, in some ways they are opinion and directives to set policy, preference, and priority. However, “preference and priority” can impact the weight a reviewer places on environmental impact reports, basic science, and other factors that weigh into a decision. My concern is that the Executive Order may give someone permission to turn a blind eye to important factors.
Learned about Senator Chris McDaniel (R) from Mississippi. He fearlessly posts misogynistic messages on his Facebook page, which he clearly uses as a bully pulpit. Example:
Why post this here? Because I don’t want this to get lost. It needs to be visible, and it needs to be remembered.
Senator Chris McDaniel is clearly Pro-Life. That’s wonderful. It’s not a problem for me. I understand the passion that people who take a Pro-Life stance have about the unborn child.
I am a mother. I have been pregnant. I have gone through infertility, so both of my children were desperately wanted, and I cannot imagine ever having wanted to have an abortion.
But I am not every woman. I am a white woman, raised in an upper middle class family. I have always known that had I gotten pregnant as a teen and chosen to continue my pregnancy, I would have had the support of my family, even if they had been embarrassed or disappointed. They would have continued to love me and love my child, and they would not have allowed either of us to go hungry.
But not every woman is as lucky as I am.
Not every woman wants to become pregnant. This is what birth control is for. Preventing pregnancy is a healthcare issue. A woman has no need to face the choice of abortion if she is not pregnant.
Not every woman has a support system. Many are viewed with disdain when they become pregnant. Some face physical harm from family members; some face the possibility of being thrown out of their homes. Even the members of their churches, supposedly good, Christian organizations, often stand in judgment of them. A woman who is not slut-shamed and has a safe home environment is less likely to have to face the choice of abortion.
Not every woman can afford prenatal care. Planned Parenthood provides prenatal care services to women who need them. The Affordable Care Act ensures that more women have insurance, and therefore access to prenatal care. Women with access to prenatal care are less likely to have to face the choice of abortion.
Not every woman has insurance to cover the delivery of her child. The Affordable Care Act ensures that more women have insurance, and therefore can afford the cost of delivering a child. Women who can afford the medical procedure are less likely to have to face the choice of abortion.
Not every woman can take time off of work to deliver and care for her child. The Family Leave Act protects a woman’s job for up to 12 weeks, but does not guarantee her pay. A woman who cannot pay her bills cannot take time off. A woman who is not desperate about how to pay her bills is less likely to have to face the choice of abortion.
Not every woman has the resources to feed and clothe her child. Even a single mother with a great job still only has one income and is at a great disadvantage financially. Women with financial resources are less likely to have to face the choice of abortion.
Not every woman can come home from work and feed and play with her child, read to him or her, and tuck him or her into bed, to wake up with a smile the next day and be able to take the time to make breakfast and get her child to school. Some women must work more than one job, and often long hours to ensure they can make ends meet, at great sacrifice to their children. Women who have the ability to spend time at home with their children are less likely to have to face the choice of abortion.
Not every woman is pregnant from consensual sex with the father of her baby. Some women are raped, whether by a stranger, someone they know, or even their husband. Each of these situations is equally horrific. A woman who is not raped is less likely to have to face the choice of abortion.
Not every woman who is pregnant has been educated about her body and how and when she can become pregnant. Many religious activists have lobbied strongly against providing critical information about the biology of the human body and how our reproductive organs work to our fertile teenagers. A woman who understands how her body works and when she is fertile is more likely to be able to prevent pregnancy and less likely to have to face the choice of abortion.
Not every woman who is pregnant has an ongoing relationship with the father of her child. But she is usually blamed for this, while the man who has shared her body can choose not to share the outcome of their encounter and can simply walk away. Women who will share parenting with the father of their child are less likely to have to face the choice of abortion.
Yet, it seems to be men who are insisting on making all of the decisions about providing birth control, insurance, healthcare services, public assistance, and education.
Created this site, making sure I have the ability to give sites to others who want to blog about their actions.
Wrote an email to Senator Diane Feinstein’s staff with a few sentences about “Why I marched.” She will use feedback from constituents in her opening statement for tomorrow’s hearing at the Judiciary Committee, during which the Committee is likely to vote up or down on Senator Jeff Session’s nomination to be Attorney General.
Rested. Marching is hard on the muscles, but good for exercise!
Today — influence.
Husband noticed that VoteSpotter was on his iPhone. I showed him how to use it. Like me, he rarely gets involved in politics, although we both vote in nearly every election, and have never missed a Presidential election. He was very interested in what our representatives are doing, and added his own opinion!
I also spent a lot of time writing up many of the issues that I saw on the March, in an attempt to explain it to people who have said they are confused by the purpose of the March. I’ll admit to being very cranky at first — my feeling was the most of the people were being either disingenuous or disrespectful. After all, there has been so much information about the March for months, I really felt people either were living under a rock and didn’t realize it was happening, didn’t care – in which case their “confusion” was sarcastic and disrespectful, or they disagreed – in which case their “confusion” was disingenuous. I prefer honesty.
The big theme of the day was the first Press Conference by Sean Spicer, President Trump’s Press Secretary. This is an angry blast at the media, and very much focused on complaining about reports of the attendance for the inauguration.
The Press Conference was followed later with an interview with Kellyanne Conway (Counselor to the President). She refused to actually answer Chuck Todd’s question about the President sending out Sean Spicer to essentially present falsehoods. It was at this historic moment (4:18 in the following video) that Kellyanne decided to introduce the term “Alternative Facts.” I think I’ve heard it before, but no one jumped on it during the campaign because they didn’t take her seriously. In my opinion, she makes it clear who’s really in charge (see 5:10 when she says, “this is why I’m here at the White House…”).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcBblq-QOo4
Alternative Facts = “I don’t like your facts, so I’ll make up my own” = LIES
