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You are here: Home / Politics / Trumpery / Hail to the Hairpiece / Saturday Morning Open Thread: Good Thing Trump’s So Prolific!

Saturday Morning Open Thread: Good Thing Trump’s So Prolific!

by Anne Laurie|  January 14, 20175:46 am| 122 Comments

This post is in: Hail to the Hairpiece, Open Threads, Readership Capture, Republican Venality, Assholes, I'm Too Big To Cry/Hurts Too Much To Laugh, Not Normal

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(Mike Luckovich via GoComics.com)
.

With the aid of his trusted lieutenants, he’ll gin up new truckloads of bullshit in no time!

Apart from reminding everybody this is Not Normal, what’s on the agenda for the day?
.

This is the first time in modern times where the approval of the outgoing President is dramatically higher than the incoming President. Wow

— Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) January 13, 2017

Spot the outlier: net approval, presidential transition:
Clinton: +70
W. Bush: +36
Obama: +71
Trump: -7https://t.co/eZqQCjjAlh

— Christopher Ingraham (@_cingraham) January 13, 2017

Also interesting: net approval has worsened from December to January.

It's not just Gallup, either. https://t.co/4Q0Ylkv1hB https://t.co/SW5P6iuQUf

— Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) January 13, 2017

I think a lot lately about how when Reagan was slipping away in his second term, the media and the congress acted like everything was fine.

— Schooley (@Rschooley) January 13, 2017

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Previous Post: « Open Thread: Bad-Person LOL of the Evening
Next Post: Putin’s Poodle Attacks John Lewis »

Reader Interactions

122Comments

  1. 1.

    msb

    January 14, 2017 at 5:57 am

    Great cartoon!
    I saw that people are boycotting firms that supported Trump, and that LL Bean has been included on the list owing to one of the family members’ enthusiastic support for Trump. I have shopped with LL Bean a lot; can anyone suggest alternatives? Thanks in advance.

  2. 2.

    PIGL

    January 14, 2017 at 6:01 am

    Good morning, America.

  3. 3.

    Zinsky

    January 14, 2017 at 6:05 am

    @msb: msb: Patagonia is a great liberal company and makes excellent men’s clothing, particularly outdoor-oriented gear. Costco is a cheap alternative too, their clothing is inexpensive and good quality too. Costco also treats their employees very well.

  4. 4.

    amk

    January 14, 2017 at 6:08 am

    he is gonna fill class with crass. what else is he gonna do?

  5. 5.

    Chet Murthy

    January 14, 2017 at 6:09 am

    Anybody know if there’s a list of companies that are run by people who endorsed Cheeto Bandito, or that have associated themselves with his administration? Asking for a friend who wants to know where not to shop.

  6. 6.

    Russ

    January 14, 2017 at 6:09 am

    Sierra Trading, Eastern Mountain Sports have most of what L.L. has and for woolen items there’s Johnson Woolen Mill, Johnson,VT.

  7. 7.

    Comrade Scrutinizer

    January 14, 2017 at 6:16 am

    In non-shopping news: Welcome to the last week of the Republic. Requiescat in pace.

  8. 8.

    magurakurin

    January 14, 2017 at 6:18 am

    Has this tweetstorm from Anonymous made the rounds here, yet. It is a rather interesting condemnation of Julian Assange.

  9. 9.

    OzarkHillbilly

    January 14, 2017 at 6:19 am

    @msb: REI is a good alternative.

  10. 10.

    BellyCat

    January 14, 2017 at 6:25 am

    For you music lovers, here is: “A Complete List of Bandcamp Artists Performing at the Inauguration”.

    Pretty hilarious.

  11. 11.

    Karla

    January 14, 2017 at 6:27 am

    It’s not clear to me that a personal donation of one Bean family member should result in a boycott of the entire LL Bean company. Wasn’t this discussed already in another thread?

  12. 12.

    p.a.

    January 14, 2017 at 6:38 am

    Low numbers? Well just gin up a war. Does anyone think it’s beyond these turds to do it? Remember Göring’s quote. Hell, they’re already working from that playbook.

  13. 13.

    Elizabelle

    January 14, 2017 at 6:38 am

    Hello all. Back to waking up in a state of terror. Thanks Obama.

    @Karla: I don’t mind a bit if it gets people’s attention that colluding with/praising Trump is bad for the bottom line. No idea if the “Trumpcott” will show up in LL Bean’s bottom line (assume their products are popular with red staters too), but it will be interesting to watch.

  14. 14.

    magurakurin

    January 14, 2017 at 6:40 am

    @OzarkHillbilly: Return Every Item was a decent and reliable shop when I lived Portland back in the 80’s and 90’s. I bought lots of stuff there.

  15. 15.

    Betty Cracker

    January 14, 2017 at 6:43 am

    @Chet Murthy: Grab Your Wallet list of companies that carry Trump products or whose owners support Trump can be found here.

  16. 16.

    CarolDuhart2

    January 14, 2017 at 6:46 am

    #GrabYourWallet is a great source of Trump boycott news and a list of retailers to avoid. And while we are on the subject, buying locally is one way to keep money out of the hands of the Trumpster fire.

  17. 17.

    Sab

    January 14, 2017 at 6:48 am

    @msb: R E I for outdoor gear, Vermont Country Store for clothing and household stuff. I am at a loss for knits now.

  18. 18.

    Sab

    January 14, 2017 at 6:51 am

    @Karla: Illegal donation and she is still on the board of directors.

  19. 19.

    OzarkHillbilly

    January 14, 2017 at 6:54 am

    @magurakurin: Still is as far as I know, but then I was never a fashionable caver. I only went there for the hard gear.

  20. 20.

    Betty Cracker

    January 14, 2017 at 6:55 am

    @Karla: I use the Grab Your Wallet list linked in the comment above as a guideline. I look into why the company is included and make up my own mind about whether to boycott it. For example, they include Amazon because you can buy some of Ivanka Trump’s shitty products through the site. But it’s through 3rd party sellers, and the WaPo is owned by Amazon’s founder, which is a point in Amazon’s favor in my book since WaPo employs some actual journalists. So I am not boycotting Amazon.

    At first, I was set to give LL Bean a pass because its chairman came out with a statement of the company’s political neutrality and pointed out that the wingnut Trump superPAC donor is just one of 10 board members. But then Trump himself jumped into the fray with a tweet earlier this week urging people to shop at LL Bean. I closed my account with them that morning. Until LL Bean disavows his endorsement, I won’t buy from them again. And I used to shop there a lot.

    Bottom line: I guess we’ll all have to figure out where to draw the line for ourselves. But I think Grab Your Wallet is a helpful starting point.

  21. 21.

    magurakurin

    January 14, 2017 at 6:57 am

    @OzarkHillbilly: rock climbing and mountaineering for me

  22. 22.

    magurakurin

    January 14, 2017 at 6:58 am

    @Betty Cracker: bookmarked. thanks.

  23. 23.

    bystander

    January 14, 2017 at 7:01 am

    @Betty Cracker: I think this list leaves me shopping at Bergdorf Goodman. For everything but groceries.

    We have routinely had yardwork done by a neighbor. We like the guy and he did good work. We were deeply dismayed to see a Trump poster proudly displayed in his front lawn during the campaign. We are very conflicted about hiring him in the future.

  24. 24.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    January 14, 2017 at 7:01 am

    @msb:

    REI for activewear.

  25. 25.

    ET

    January 14, 2017 at 7:04 am

    I remember thinking that Dubya’s presidency made his father’s look good by comparison, I never thought another president would make Dubya’s look good. Trump is proving me wrong and he isn’t even president yet.

  26. 26.

    OzarkHillbilly

    January 14, 2017 at 7:04 am

    I was catching up on yesterday’s balloon juice posts when this from the people who gave us “HILLARY!” made me laugh out loud:

    The Committee will follow the intelligence wherever it leads.

    And if it leads no where at all we will call it “LOOK! Shiny thing!!!”

    We will conduct this inquiry expeditiously, and we will get it right.

    Unlike the 17 Hillary investigations.

    When possible, the Committee will hold open hearings to help inform the public about the issues.

    Unless the details might be damaging to the GOP….

    That said, we will be conducting the bulk of the Committee’s business behind closed doors because we take seriously our obligation to protect sources and methods.

    Because 99.9% of what we find will be damaging to the GOP.

    As the Committee’s investigation progresses, we will keep Senate leadership, and the broader body, apprised of our findings.

    NOTHING TO SEE HERE, NOTHING TO SEE. MOVE ALONG NOW.

  27. 27.

    Bruuuuce

    January 14, 2017 at 7:06 am

    Does anyone know if ALEC actually wrote and promoted Arizona HB 2120? It sounds an awful lot like their sort of ratfucking.

  28. 28.

    Baud

    January 14, 2017 at 7:06 am

    @p.a.: I’m not even sure that will work. We’re more war weary now and no one trusts Trump. Not that they won’t try.

  29. 29.

    Baud

    January 14, 2017 at 7:09 am

    @bystander: Home contractors will be impossible if you boycott, unless perhaps you only hire minority owned firms.

    Is anyone boycotting professional sports over Trump?

  30. 30.

    CarolDuhart2

    January 14, 2017 at 7:12 am

    My further thoughts on #GrabYourWallet..

    These people make Bush and his crew look downright competent. And Bush didn’t try to constantly antagonize Americans who didn’t vote for him. And while he was lazy, laziness was something that could be endured.

  31. 31.

    Evap

    January 14, 2017 at 7:13 am

    My daughter works at a local REI. They treat their employees really well and are very customer oriented. Expensive (but good sales) but I try to shop there now. It’s a coop, so if you join you get a certain percentage of the money you spend back.

  32. 32.

    Raven

    January 14, 2017 at 7:16 am

    I like Cabela’s.

  33. 33.

    geg6

    January 14, 2017 at 7:27 am

    @Baud:

    I don’t have to, thank FSM. Dan Rooney is a Hilbot.

    ETA: And Mario Lemieux is Canadian and Ron Burkle is a Dem donor, so I’m safe on the hockey front, too.

  34. 34.

    bemused

    January 14, 2017 at 7:29 am

    Duluth Trading Company. We recently had dinner with friends (stocky male friend with leg issues, one fused ankle) and they love their products. He raved about DTC undies, only undies that are comfortable for his body shape and don’t stretch out like most. He wears their compression socks due to leg swelling by end of day if he is on his feet too long. DTC has 3 types of compression socks, light and medium weight and wool. The socks he was wearing that evening must have been wool as it was bitter cold and looked very cozy warm. They said products are more expensive but worth it.

  35. 35.

    mai naem mobile

    January 14, 2017 at 7:33 am

    @Bruuuuce: it sounds like it’s a nut job legislator. If not, it sounds more like a Kris Kobach written kind of law.

  36. 36.

    OzarkHillbilly

    January 14, 2017 at 7:33 am

    With act of sanity, Greitens resets the gun debate in Missouri More than a little sarcasm in that headline. If you want to know how absolutely and completely insane the Misery GOP is, click on thru. Then go ahead and laugh at us. I do.

  37. 37.

    Gindy51

    January 14, 2017 at 7:36 am

    @CarolDuhart2: Not necessarily. At least not in my town. Well over half the merchants in sported Trump banners in their store fronts…..

  38. 38.

    J R in WV

    January 14, 2017 at 7:37 am

    @Betty Cracker:

    I have lots of clothing and gear from LL Bean, have been buying from them for 40+ years.

    I too unsubscribed from their email, and sent them a contact message telling them why I was going to stop doing business with them. Here’s a reply I got from their customer service folks:

    Dear J R,

    Thank you for contacting L.L.Bean and for taking the time to share your views.

    For the last 105 years L.L.Bean has been singularly focused on offering high-quality, satisfaction-guaranteed products and outstanding customer service in the Maine tradition. This commitment has allowed us to not only employ 5,000 hard-working people, but also donate tens of millions of dollars to non-profit organizations promoting environmental stewardship, educational attainment and a host of other worthy causes at the local, state and national levels.

    L.L.Bean has been a family-owned business since it began back in 1912. It all started with one man, Leon Leonwood Bean, but now spans five generations and multiple branches of his offspring. As with most families of this size, the views of L.L.’s family members cover nearly the entire political spectrum. And as every member of this very large family would agree, no single person represents the values of the company that L.L. built.

    Unfortunately, some have attempted to attribute the personal political activities of one member of a five-generation ownership family to our entire company.

    L.L.Bean does not endorse political candidates, take positions on political matters, or make political contributions. Simply put, we stay out of politics. To our customers, employees and community-partners, we regret any undue negative attention that this situation attracted. We remain steadfast, however, that the company has at all times honored our long-standing focus on our products and customers, and not partisan politics.

    We hope you find this background information helpful. You are a valued customer and we ask that you will continue to support our business.

    Sincerely,

    Marjorie
    L.L.Bean Customer Service

    It isn’t quite a repudiation of Trump’s comments, but no one can stop Trump from making comments. The woman in question is on the board of directors because it is a family business, and their by-laws make her a member of the board because she is a member of the family that owns the business.

    So now I’m torn…

    Cabela’s seems pretty republican to me, esp. compared to Beans. My very right wing nut bro loves Cabela’s. I confess that I buy some stuff there, because it isn’t available at other local stores. Stuff I can get at locally owned businesses – that’s where I buy that stuff.

  39. 39.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    January 14, 2017 at 7:40 am

    @CarolDuhart2:

    Don’t kid yourself – Trump operates at a level of lazy that will amaze.

    Mediocre white men born to great wealth practically work at laziness. It is where they live – their true milieu…

  40. 40.

    Bruuuuce

    January 14, 2017 at 7:41 am

    @mai naem mobile: Thanks. Although the legislator being a total nut doesn’t preclude (and may predispose) him to listen to ALEC or Kobach or other nutjobs with antieducation agendas.

  41. 41.

    Baud

    January 14, 2017 at 7:42 am

    @J R in WV: I don’t shop at Bean, but this seems like it’s worth a temporary boycott to send a message, but maybe not a permanent one.

  42. 42.

    bystander

    January 14, 2017 at 7:42 am

    @Baud:

    Home contractors will be impossible if you boycott, unless perhaps you only hire minority owned firms.

    That’s the sad truth in this rural area. We are way too old to be up on ladders.

  43. 43.

    JPL

    January 14, 2017 at 7:43 am

    @Karla: The fact that owners donate to a candidate doesn’t bother me
    personally. What does concern me though, is Trump’s tweet. By picking winners and losers, he is leading us down a slippery slope. If ll bean’s sales increase, other companies will be forced to tow the line, or lose sales. It might not be LL Bean’s fault, but I can’t in good conscience support them.

  44. 44.

    Raven

    January 14, 2017 at 7:43 am

    @J R in WV: I think Bass Pro bought them.

  45. 45.

    Gindy51

    January 14, 2017 at 7:44 am

    @bystander: Don’t, you can find great workers who don’t support Trump. You just have to look harder. I won’t hire ANYONE who supported the thing. I make sure to work something political into every conversation with a trades person just to see where they land. If they support the thing, I do not hire them and I spend buckets and pay immediately for services rendered, unlike the thing they supported.

  46. 46.

    Baud

    January 14, 2017 at 7:48 am

    @Gindy51: That’s excellent. I’m not sure I have it in me to impose that standard on everyone, but I can acknowledge the heroes in our midsts.

  47. 47.

    CarolDuhart2

    January 14, 2017 at 7:48 am

    @Gindy51: Next town over? I feel for you. There must be a “good list” to go with the boycott list. In addition to that, there’s a list of companies that have withdrawn advertising from Breitbart (another list) that you could use.

    What I meant by Bush’s laziness, was that he would absent himself for a time and at least leave us alone. People were free to live their lives for the most part.
    Trump is determined to go out of his way to antagonize people and show his ass.

  48. 48.

    CarolDuhart2

    January 14, 2017 at 7:50 am

    And if there are minority owned contractors, this would be a good time to patronize them. They could use the work.

  49. 49.

    Booger

    January 14, 2017 at 7:52 am

    @Raven: IIRC, Cabela’s is one of those companies that extorts local taxes in exchange for locating a facility. YMMV.

  50. 50.

    CarolDuhart2

    January 14, 2017 at 7:55 am

    National Organization of Minority Contractors. And if there’s a Union, they may know a few. Or the local black/minority church may have some names and recommends. The NAACP (local) may have a few.

  51. 51.

    OzarkHillbilly

    January 14, 2017 at 7:58 am

    @Raven: Neither Bass Pro nor Cabela’s are on the grabyourwallet list.

  52. 52.

    ThresherK

    January 14, 2017 at 8:00 am

    @Booger: In central CT that’s true. I feel I should get to sleep over in a display tent and catch my dinner in their practice pool, for what the state paid them. It’s only a store.

  53. 53.

    OzarkHillbilly

    January 14, 2017 at 8:01 am

    @Booger: Just like every other corporate behemoth.

  54. 54.

    Sab

    January 14, 2017 at 8:03 am

    @J R in WV: I love llbean products. I have been buying from them for fifty years, but not anymore. I don’t mind that one of them is conservative. I don’t blame them for Trupmps tweet. I do mind that she could afford to give sixty plus thousand dollars and couldn’t be bothered to follow the campaign finance laws because she is so rich she didn’t think the rules applied to her. That is Trump family or DeVos family behavior and I am not willing to accept it as normal. If her family gives her a pass for besmirtching a century old respected name, then fine for them but I don’t have to support them by buying their stuff.

  55. 55.

    Betty Cracker

    January 14, 2017 at 8:03 am

    @J R in WV: Commenter Ghost to Most also wrote LL Bean and got the same response. Trump put them between a rock and a hard place, and they can thank Crazy Auntie Liberty for that.

  56. 56.

    JPL

    January 14, 2017 at 8:04 am

    @OzarkHillbilly: How’s the weather?

  57. 57.

    JPL

    January 14, 2017 at 8:06 am

    @Betty Cracker: It will be interesting to see if I get the same response, because my note had to do with the slippery slope that our President elect is creating by picking winners and losers. I plan on boycotting companies that Trump supports.

  58. 58.

    JJ

    January 14, 2017 at 8:11 am

    First Trump dream. Ugh.

  59. 59.

    bemused

    January 14, 2017 at 8:12 am

    @Gindy51:

    At least those banners made it easy to identify the business owners as Trumpbots. Don’t see much that in MN so makes it harder to know who to boycott locally although you pretty much already know who is a rabid wingnut in small towns.

  60. 60.

    Another Scott

    January 14, 2017 at 8:14 am

    @OzarkHillbilly: Cabelas was a talisman in the various gun debates and are worth avoiding for that reason.

    In the GYW spreadsheet, I see that they say don’t boycott Facebook, basically because it’s too big and too many people use it. That strikes me as maybe another reason to boycott it instead…

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  61. 61.

    OzarkHillbilly

    January 14, 2017 at 8:14 am

    @JPL: Icy. Still raining, still freezing. We had about 3/8″ accumulation yesterday (only heard a couple branches come down) never did lose power, not sure about the overnight accumulation (just getting light now). I’m really surprised I am able to be here this morn. I expected the ice accumulation on our satellite dish to put the kibosh on my morning perusals.

  62. 62.

    rikyrah

    January 14, 2017 at 8:16 am

    Good Morning Everyone ???

  63. 63.

    debbie

    January 14, 2017 at 8:16 am

    @J R in WV:

    I’ll be a lot happier when she’s prosecuted (or whatever it is they do) for going over the limit with her donation. I can’t see holding it against LLBean. This is nothing like Peter Thiel.

  64. 64.

    Baud

    January 14, 2017 at 8:17 am

    @rikyrah: Good morning.

  65. 65.

    debbie

    January 14, 2017 at 8:18 am

    @Booger:

    Yep, just like Amazon. And practically every other company in a position to work a deal.

  66. 66.

    El Caganer

    January 14, 2017 at 8:21 am

    Found this link on my screen when I went to check the weather a few minutes ago.

    http://reverbpress.com/news/donald-trump-exposed-secret-russian-sex-life-2001-interview/

  67. 67.

    FlyingToaster

    January 14, 2017 at 8:22 am

    I’m not boycotting Bean’s (though I’m not buying anything either; our big Bean purchases are always back-to-school), but I am continuing to boycott Facebook.

    LL Bean is a good employer, treats their employees like human beings, and the company doesn’t control either the private actions of their board members or the tweets from Cheeto Jesus. Trump’s hoping to have an effect on LLBean, and use that as an example to other private companies. Good or bad. Look at LockMart.

  68. 68.

    JPL

    January 14, 2017 at 8:25 am

    @efgoldman: I’m not boycotting Bean because of a donation. I’m boycotting because our president-elect is trying to encourage other companies to fall in line behind the great leader. Isn’t there a name for what he is trying to do? hmmm

    fyi.. He is tweeting about John Lewis according to nbc news.

  69. 69.

    JPL

    January 14, 2017 at 8:26 am

    @OzarkHillbilly: So far so good. I didn’t expect that you’d be commenting this morning, either.

  70. 70.

    Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism

    January 14, 2017 at 8:27 am

    @FlyingToaster: Yes. And if the sales at LLB jump after that endorsement, it will put pressure on other companies to fall into line hoping for a similar endorsement.

    We don’t have to contribute to creating the impression that supporting the deadbeat is good for the bottom line.

  71. 71.

    Peale

    January 14, 2017 at 8:27 am

    @p.a.: I wouldn’t put it past them to start a war with Mexico simply to make them pay for that wall and the bonus it will give them to round up massive numbers of Mexican Americans as enemies of the state.

  72. 72.

    Another Scott

    January 14, 2017 at 8:27 am

    @El Caganer: Interesting. Thanks for the link.

    Cheers,
    Scottl

  73. 73.

    OzarkHillbilly

    January 14, 2017 at 8:29 am

    @Another Scott: Well, Cabela’s sells guns. I own guns. (tho as one who refuses to CCW and refuses to own a military grade weapon, I might be considered that ultimate oxymoron, a “sane gun owner”) I don’t pick my places to shop based on the politics of the customers. If I did that I’d have to drive 150 miles round trip for a gallon of milk. Don’t know what part Cabela’s may have played.

    All that said, I don’t shop there. No reason other than I don’t need to.

  74. 74.

    JPL

    January 14, 2017 at 8:30 am

    Trump’s morning tweets
    Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to……
    mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk – no action or results. Sad!

    INTELLIGENCE INSIDERS NOW CLAIM THE TRUMP DOSSIER IS “A COMPLETE FRAUD!” @OANN

  75. 75.

    Louise B.

    January 14, 2017 at 8:32 am

    I’m not boycotting – I’m just realigning my personal supply chain to conform with my values.

  76. 76.

    laura

    January 14, 2017 at 8:33 am

    @rikyrah: Good morning Rikyrah.

  77. 77.

    FlyingToaster

    January 14, 2017 at 8:33 am

    @Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism: And if sales at LLBean drop, Trump will use that to trumpet the iniquities of liberals punishing “his” supporters.

    The best thing that could happen in response to Trumptweets is nothing. No change in sales. No change in customers. Nothing. Ignore the bastard.

  78. 78.

    OzarkHillbilly

    January 14, 2017 at 8:35 am

    @Peale: They’ll never do that. They’d have to mow their own lawns.

  79. 79.

    raven

    January 14, 2017 at 8:36 am

    @OzarkHillbilly: I don’t know about “military grade”. My 30-30 Winchester was THE assault rifle used by police for many years.

  80. 80.

    JPL

    January 14, 2017 at 8:36 am

    @FlyingToaster: Well if liberals are punishing his supporters, other companies wouldn’t be so quick to promote the leader.

  81. 81.

    zhena gogolia

    January 14, 2017 at 8:36 am

    @JPL:

    That’s my bottom line too. If he publicly endorses them, I’m out, unless they publicly repudiate the endorsement.

  82. 82.

    zhena gogolia

    January 14, 2017 at 8:38 am

    @efgoldman:

    That’s great. I pay no attention to pro sports and do not watch WGBH.

  83. 83.

    bemused

    January 14, 2017 at 8:39 am

    Is Trump in twitter detention?

  84. 84.

    raven

    January 14, 2017 at 8:40 am

    @OzarkHillbilly: Proof!

  85. 85.

    FlyingToaster

    January 14, 2017 at 8:45 am

    @JPL: LL Bean doesn’t support Trump. One of their 10 board members does. Their board members span the spectrum from Hillbots to Trumpistas. The company doesn’t endorse anyone, and keeps saying so.

    So, as posted above, stop watching WGBH produced programs. No Sherlock for you!

    I am so tired of the Purity Pony parade.

  86. 86.

    OzarkHillbilly

    January 14, 2017 at 8:45 am

    @raven: Heh. And my bolt action .30-06 was the definitive military rifle for over 50 years.

  87. 87.

    JPL

    January 14, 2017 at 8:46 am

    @FlyingToaster: I’m not boycotting because of Linda Bean. I’m boycotting because of Trump and his trying to have all companies, support him or gain his wraith. Whether you like it or not Trump’s tweets move the market.

  88. 88.

    debbie

    January 14, 2017 at 8:49 am

    @JPL:

    How is he going to fit all his presidenting duties around his tweeting time?

  89. 89.

    Ksmiami

    January 14, 2017 at 8:51 am

    @Comrade Scrutinizer: everyone wear black on Jan 20th. It’s a funeral for our country

  90. 90.

    debbie

    January 14, 2017 at 8:52 am

    @Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism:

    I’m not sure many of his followers can afford LLBean and will keep shopping at Walmart. One thing that could be harmful would be if they ordered stuff to increase the business and then turn around and return what they had ordered.

  91. 91.

    JPL

    January 14, 2017 at 8:52 am

    @debbie: Steve Bannon will rise to the occasion. After reading his tweets about Lewis, I have an urge to take a hammer to his phone, and I’m not the type to just break stuff.

  92. 92.

    Kay

    January 14, 2017 at 8:53 am

    I’m torn about it because lots and lots of Republicans who are or were Trump supporters hire me and I’m a “public” Democrat in the sense that I’ve had local Party positions and been in the local newspaper. The newspaper sometimes calls me for “area Democrat” quotes probably just because they know where to find me and, you know, you need ONE for balance :)

    You see the other side of it if you’re a political minority. It gets complicated on a personal level. We have a long term employee who is terrific and although she doesn’t talk about politics and I would never ask her, I would bet 100 dollars she voted for Trump if the bumper sticker on her husband’s truck is any indication. We have another employee who is also very good and she’s the polar opposite- she announced early on she “hated” Trump, just volunteered this to the office at large, which made me laugh.

    When we were canvassing for John Kerry we used the law office as a meeting place evenings and weekends and we had employees of the local medical group tell us they parked across the street at the supermarket because they didn’t want their physician-employers to see their cars in our lot, which really upset me.

    I don’t know what to think about it. It’s appealing to me with Trump because he’s so easily baited and I know this stuff drives him fucking crazy which I thoroughly enjoy, but it is hard to approach it with any consistency.

  93. 93.

    debbie

    January 14, 2017 at 8:54 am

    @JPL:

    More information on this OANN. Hope it hurts Fox.

    ETA: Though I guess it doesn’t since they’ve been around for a few years.

  94. 94.

    FlyingToaster

    January 14, 2017 at 8:54 am

    @JPL: LLBean is not a publicly traded company — unlike LockMart or Boeing or Carrier or Ford. There’s no “market” to be moved.

    Linda Bean will not be hurt if there’s a boycott. None of the 50 family members who own the company, with 10 being “on the board”, will take a paycut.

    But the people who make the boots and do the accounting and work in the retail outlets will be hurt, because they’ll be laid off.

    And THAT is just plain wrong.

    If we want to keep Trump from “moving the market”, then we have to stop responding to his bullshit.

  95. 95.

    Baud

    January 14, 2017 at 8:57 am

    @Kay:

    The newspaper sometimes calls me for “area Democrat” quotes

    That’s horrible. You deserve to be called a “senior Democratic strategist.” Maybe you don’t criticize Dems enough for that honor.

  96. 96.

    debbie

    January 14, 2017 at 9:00 am

    @JPL:

    I think more people should speak up as Lewis has. It’ll drive Trump crazy, and he’ll be so busy tweeting so many rebuttals to so many people that maybe he’ll overload and self-explode his head. Or something similar.

    And really, where do his tweets come from, his mouth or his heart? We need to know, Bagdhad KellyannBob.

  97. 97.

    tybee

    January 14, 2017 at 9:02 am

    @msb:

    cabelas

  98. 98.

    JPL

    January 14, 2017 at 9:06 am

    @debbie: This is from the article

    “But those who consider themselves liberal have a half dozen or more choices on TV each day from which to get their news.”

    We do?

  99. 99.

    Kay

    January 14, 2017 at 9:09 am

    @Baud:

    I’m not professional enough about it to be “senior Democrat strategist”. They called me on election day in 2010 for a quote about “high turnout” and I snapped at the reporter because I knew we were losing. I was like “who told you there is high turnout, because I think I know where you’re getting this” – he was really taken aback. I felt bad. They ask me about “high turnout” because it’s an R county so high turnout is bad for me in statewide elections.

  100. 100.

    El Caganer

    January 14, 2017 at 9:10 am

    @debbie: OANN? Aren’t they the ones who also operate the pron site ONAN?

  101. 101.

    El Caganer

    January 14, 2017 at 9:11 am

    @debbie: I think they come from somewhere further down on his body….

  102. 102.

    OzarkHillbilly

    January 14, 2017 at 9:11 am

    @FlyingToaster:

    But the people who make the boots and do the accounting and work in the retail outlets will be hurt, because they’ll be laid off. And THAT is just plain wrong.

    A fly in the ointment of your reasoning: Remember the boycott and disinvestment campaigns aimed at apartheid S. Africa? Pretty sure those hurt black S Africans more than they ever did white SAs, but those campaigns played a not insignificant role in ending apartheid.

  103. 103.

    hovercraft

    January 14, 2017 at 9:31 am

    @JPL:
    Picking a fight with a man most people consider a hero is not smart, then again this is the same asshole who picked a fight with Pope Francis. He does realize that he will become the most criticized, second guessed, ridiculed person on the face of the earth, and that would go for any president, being that he is the shitgibbon, it will be magnitudes worse.

    I don’t shop LL Bean, but we are at war, the shitgibbon is attacking people and any entity that criticizes him, so any one he endorses will feel our wrath. I try to support those he attacks, and I’ll try to avoid any who he lifts up, sorry, I have to support the good guys. A stronger statement from Bean would piss off his hordes I get it, but you cannot have it both ways, you can’t have the benefit his endorsement brings, while claiming to be neutral. Linda should have kept her head down, or resigned.

  104. 104.

    hovercraft

    January 14, 2017 at 9:36 am

    @bemused:
    I thought someone upthread said the John Lewis tirade was on twitter?

  105. 105.

    Kay

    January 14, 2017 at 9:36 am

    It won’t matter with Lewis because media over-rely on “compare/contrast” to the point of idiocy, but there’s a big difference between saying election process was compromised (which has been established, to a greater or lesser degree, but it did happen) and what Trump did.

    Trump said Obama is not who he says he is. Trump’s accusation goes to the core of who the person is.

    What was never mentioned about birtherism was the assumption behind it. The assumption behind it was Obama’s depiction of his entire life was a lie. There’s huge history there for AA’s in the US. They cannot be believed unless a white person validates what they say. That was actual state-sanctioned policy and practice in some places as applied to voting and testifying as witnesses and serving on juries. For Trump not to know this means he doesn’t know anything about US history and doesn’t even consider that AA’s had a wildly different experience in the US than the sons of white real estate developers. Birtherism was profoundly racist. I think it should be documented by historians, studied, used as a lesson.

  106. 106.

    A Ghost to Most

    January 14, 2017 at 9:45 am

    @OzarkHillbilly: Yea well, my .58 muzzle loader was state of the art in 1861!

    As far as LLBean, my problem is with a board member baldface breaking election law because she is rich enough to pay the fine.

    Love the line about realigning my personal supply chain to more closely align with my core values. So bidnessy!

  107. 107.

    PaulWartenberg2016

    January 14, 2017 at 9:45 am

    Okay, I’ve got my blog listed on today’s Mike’s Blog Round Up on Crooks and Liars yay and I am at the UF Gainesville campus for today’s SwampCon geekfest.

    There’s a sh-tton of Steven Universe fans here.

    And a sh-tton of Pokemon Go Stops. THIS IS LIKE PIKACHU HEAVEN.

    Just a note, the last time I was here at SwampCon, Scalia died and the universe exploded. If anything bad happens today, I’ll know this con is jinxed.

  108. 108.

    Kay

    January 14, 2017 at 9:48 am

    @OzarkHillbilly:

    Companies say that boycotts hurt them because it damages the brand, and a brand like LL Bean is valuable.

    Like I said, I’m torn, because I remember how Coca Cola and Pepsi ran as fast they could away from ALEC when they were asked about voter suppression laws that ALEC pushes and I get that- I get why they ran away. That’s an ugly association for a “happy!” brand like they have.

    The other thing people always forget is these brands are multi-national. They sell all over the world. They have lots and lots of customers who are not white people. I personally would stay the fuck away from Trump if I ran a big company. All this bullshit that he spouts about “US companies” utterly ignores a HUGE part of their revenue. NOT white Americans when they’re selling product in India. To me it’s almost proof of what a fucking moron he is. He doesn’t do any thinking – he just talks.

  109. 109.

    Another Scott

    January 14, 2017 at 10:12 am

    @Kay: Well said, Kay.

    And it really doesn’t matter whether he knows this stuff, or believes this stuff or not. It’s impossible to know what people “believe” or “think”, we can only judge what they say and do.

    Jay Smooth (of the famous “How to Tell Someone They Sound Racist” video), created Trump’s America: This is What Happens Now (2:34). It’s well worth watching.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  110. 110.

    FlyingToaster

    January 14, 2017 at 10:53 am

    @OzarkHillbilly:

    Remember the boycott and disinvestment campaigns aimed at apartheid S. Africa? Pretty sure those hurt black S Africans more than they ever did white SAs, but those campaigns played a not insignificant role in ending apartheid.

    According to my daughter’s research last year (her year project was Nelson Mandela), the effect on poor South Africans — black or white — was minimal. The biggest effect was on the owners of the extraction industries (rich & white) and customers of same (multinational and rich). The export market for SA has grown from diamonds and uranium to include fruits-n-vegetables and some light manufacturing, which has benefitted the lower rungs of the economy more than the upper. But they were starting out with a system where 95% of their country was desperately poor, and they’ve got that reduced to the low 80s. Not nearly enough.

    Boycotting a multinational for actions by individual board members — maybe, but often not (think the anti-gay family board member of Barilla pasta, and the pro-gay licensee here in the States). Boycotting the locally-owned medical supply place when the son takes over from his retiring dad and starts advertising on Limbaugh — absofuckinglutely. Boycotting a privately-held firm because 1/50th of the firm’s ownership is a wingnut? No. And I’m not giving up on Sherlock because David Koch is all over Channel 2/44 (Local WGBH/WGBX).

  111. 111.

    cmorenc

    January 14, 2017 at 11:06 am

    @msb: REI is a great alternative to LL Bean. Obama’s Interior Secretary was the CEO of REI before her appointment.

  112. 112.

    Msb

    January 14, 2017 at 11:33 am

    Thanks to all who replied to my question, with comments and suggestion. Thanks especially for the suggestions! You’re a really good bunch of neighbors to have.

  113. 113.

    Neldob

    January 14, 2017 at 11:40 am

    @bystander: can you talk sensibly to him? If so that’s a good way to give some info, the other side, food for thought type things.

  114. 114.

    PJ

    January 14, 2017 at 11:43 am

    @FlyingToaster: Effectively, however, they do. Linda Bean supported Trump, so Trump endorsed L.L. Bean. This is what’s known as a quid pro quo. I realize that the rest of the board probably did not want this to happen, but it’s a fact. If L.L. Bean does not publicly distance itself from Trump and his values, and get rid of Linda Bean 1) they are benefiting from Linda Bean’s political activities; and 2) their competitors might believe that they have to publicly support Trump if they wish to get remain competitive. It would be easy enough for L.L. Bean to correct this situation, but they don’t want to alienate Trump supporters, so they will have to live with alienating customers who cannot abide Trump.

  115. 115.

    Neldob

    January 14, 2017 at 11:49 am

    @Gindy51: Might it be better to have a sane conversation with them. Not always possible I know.

  116. 116.

    Chet Murthy

    January 14, 2017 at 11:50 am

    @J R in WV: My 2c: Corps don’t get to evade opprobrium for -some- of their owners/directxors/execs being dirtbags.

    Maybe if Bean starts to suffer, her family will stage an interention. Or banish her to Mar-a-Lago.

  117. 117.

    Chet Murthy

    January 14, 2017 at 12:03 pm

    @FlyingToaster: with respect, I don’t see that this is a question of “purity ponies (leftists judging other leftists and finding them wanting)”.

    Instead, this is “grandpa, what did you do in the war?” This isn’t left-vs-right. This is American-vs-fascism. And every person, every company, will need to be accountable for whether they stood up to Cheeto Bandito.

    One of Bean’s owners donated to Twitler? The -company- needs to disavow her and donate an equal sum to the NAACP (or PP, or some such) and make that recurring.

  118. 118.

    Chet Murthy

    January 14, 2017 at 12:06 pm

    @FlyingToaster: Someone else pointed out that your logic also applies to the boycotts of south africa. Ditto in the Occupied Terrotories.

    By your logic, no rich person will -ever- be penalized for their actions. They get a complete pass.

  119. 119.

    SgrAstar

    January 14, 2017 at 1:27 pm

    @msb: I used to work for Patagonia and very enthusiastically recommend their stuff. Expensive, yes…but top quality and backed by a bombproof warranty. Their commitment to environmental responsibility and fair labor practices is exemplary. Really great company.

  120. 120.

    SgrAstar

    January 14, 2017 at 1:38 pm

    @efgoldman: In my experience as a member of various boards, non-profit boards don’t pay…their board members are volunteers. Corporate board members are paid, and often quite generously. Linda Bean is being recompensed for her participation on the LL Bean board, so I think it’s a worthy statement to express our feelings about that to the company.

  121. 121.

    father pussbucket

    January 14, 2017 at 2:37 pm

    He’ll have no better luck filling the gloves.

  122. 122.

    patrick II

    January 14, 2017 at 3:50 pm

    @debbie:

    I’ll be a lot happier when she’s prosecuted (or whatever it is they do) for going over the limit with her donation

    And when do you think that prosecution is going to happen during a Trump administration?

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