President Biden signs 'Advancing Equality for LGBTQI+ Individuals' executive order that aims to crack down on conversion therapy, expand access to mental health resources for LGBTQI+ individuals, and study the disproportionate rates of child removals that LGBTQI+ parents face. pic.twitter.com/LC6bNkkM0m
— The Hill (@thehill) June 15, 2022
Further details:
U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order aimed at curbing discrimination against transgender youth and drying up federal funding for conversion therapy https://t.co/unQNo3DTJm pic.twitter.com/oYWz3EmQpK
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 16, 2022
Jill Biden will give a speech Thursday night at the opening of the Smithsonian's new exhibition on Latino history of the U.S., "marking the first gallery and physical presence of the National Museum of the American Latino," @FLOTUS's office says. https://t.co/d0Kv5SHoYd
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) June 15, 2022
Dorothy A. Winsor
Today’s hearing starts at noon my time, and I just got an email that a 3:00 zoom meeting has been moved to 1:00. Boo!
Baud
Both sides.
WereBear
As someone once said, “Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.”
When I see the damage wrought under the cloak of godliness, it’s amazing that all the things mentioned in the tweets are STILL A THING. When we have more than enough science to settle the question.
japa21
Love me some Joe. He’s not going to let the GQP set the terms, despite the help the NYT gives them.
Baud
“Breakfast will be provided.”
They know how to ensure a full house.
Baud
@japa21:
Agree.
Betty Cracker
I approve of Biden’s ridicule of this state’s puffed up pustule of a governor.
WereBear
@Betty Cracker: I appreciate how, like ourselves, he can’t quite believe it sometimes.
germy shoemanglelr
debbie
What with new info about Ginnie Thomas, etc., has anyone heard there will be additional hearings?
debbie
@Betty Cracker:
How stupid that makes DeSantis look. Pick on a real person who can punch you back, you pussy.
germy shoemangler
@debbie:
I’d be surprised if Liz Cheney wanted to focus on Ginni Thomas. Aren’t the Bushes her friends?
debbie
@germy shoemanglelr:
Collusion?
ETA: Replies are thick with trolls. I can’t tell what’s really going on.
Baud
@germy shoemangler:
I don’t know what they’ll do, but it seems like they are keeping the focus on the inner circle around Trump. Ginni might be an independent actor.
debbie
@germy shoemangler:
I’d bet not now. What Bush would have participated in the coup?
Baud
@debbie:
Well, not in this country.
debbie
@Baud:
Good point.
germy shoemangler
Dorothy A. Winsor
@germy shoemangler: Cripes. Did he think that security footage had been scrubbed?
ETA: I see you already asked that.
Ken
@germy shoemangler: As I recall, early last year some people were saying that there were such tours. Otherwise Loudermilk’s statement would be an example of the “suspiciously specific denial” trope.
artem1s
@debbie: AOT,K – The whole administration – especially Turd Blossom – he was the one to come up with the idea of the states re-certifying the elections to get an EC win. Every single thing TFG did was part of the GOP, JEB campaign playbook. That low energy slob never invented anything himself – he just dug the W administration hole deeper.https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a40278024/january-6-committee-benjamin-ginsberg-florida-recount-2000/
Gin & Tonic
Macron, Scholz and Draghi visiting Kyiv. And a seemingly unequivocal statement from France:
Matt McIrvin
@debbie: Roger Stone was George W. Bush’s good buddy. This was all just an elaboration of all the stuff they pulled ultimately successfully in Florida in 2000. Trump thought he was going to win because he had the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court put Bush over the top. Now the 2000 election was legitimately closer, but really it’s just a matter of degree.
germy shoemangler
O. Felix Culpa
@Gin & Tonic:
Good. It’s about time. Hopefully Scholz gets shaken loose from whatever’s been holding him back too.
JPL
OT, but what is really an OT
Geez I run a few errands and return to the news that Herschel has more children. Although he only speaks about his one son, he has 3 sons and 1 girl. He’s tied at this point with Warnock.
germy shoemangler
Betty Cracker
The Jan. 6th committee might have to avoid the Ginni Thomas issue to keep Cheney and maybe Kinzinger on board — I don’t pretend to know what they’re going to cover or what dynamics are playing out behind the scenes. But I sure as hell hope elected Democrats who are not on the committee make it an issue.
Last night’s NYT and WaPo revelations suggest Ginni Thomas was funneling information about the court’s internal debates to a fucking coup plotter! And Thomas corruptly failed to recuse when he ruled on a relevant case. He is too shameless to resign, but I hope we have high profile Dems out there demanding his resignation nonetheless.
J R in WV
@O. Felix Culpa:
Perhaps TFG isn’t the only world leader being owned and operated by Putin’s GRU?
What a conspiracy this is, beats Tom Clancy hands down. Nothing fiction comes up with can exceed the bizarre events of reality just now!
germy shoemangler
@JPL:
Ken
@O. Felix Culpa: My cynical side says Deutsche Bank is behind Scholz’s reservations. But the side that likes a good joke is thinking back to that tweet from a German, a couple months ago; something like “Let’s make sure we’re absolutely clear on this – the world wants Germany to build up a huge army and attack Russia?”
JPL
@germy shoemangler: A democratic PAC should step forward with an ad now. Warnock can’t do it, but an outsider could. Maybe show all of Herschel’s insights to being a good father, and then ask how many children does Herschel really have.
I’m sure they are busy paying off others as I type.
debbie
@artem1s: @Matt McIrvin:
Thanks to you both. My annoying tendency to block out things I hate to know wins out again
ETA: Is this the kind of thing they’re writing legislation to prevent in the future?
germy shoemangler
The latest news I saw is that the committee members are debating whether to mention her activities or not:
Another “sources say” article, but who knows?
https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/25/politics/house-january-6-committee-ginni-thomas/index.html
debbie
@Gin & Tonic:
Any apology for his bullshit statements about territorial compromises?
O. Felix Culpa
My Secretary of State, Maggie Toulouse Oliver, interviewed by Rachel on the Otero County Commissioners (including insurrectionist and Cowboy for Trump Couy Griffin) refusing to certify the primary elections because they “feel” the Dominion voting machines are rigged:
https://twitter.com/NMSOSMaggie/status/1537258893608464387
FYI, Maggie is up for reelection this year. She’s whipsmart and capable and has done everything in her power to expand voting access. Here’s her website if you have a few coins to throw her way.
Mike in NC
This will be the centerpiece of Ron DeSatan’s 2024 campaign to make America look like Alabama in 1950: waging war on everybody who isn’t white and straight.
O. Felix Culpa
@J R in WV:
No kidding. I’m not in favor of scary bad fiction escaping the covers of a book and entering real life. I have wondered about Scholz’s motivations. Obviously Germany’s regrettable dependence on Russian gas is a factor, but I don’t think it’s a sufficient explanation for his behavior, especially when a majority of Germans support aid to Ukraine.
O. Felix Culpa
@Ken:
Heh. Deutsche Bank is evil. Maybe they’re playing a role. Who knows?
I saw that joke early on too, and it reflects an unexpected shift in world events. Unfortunately it doesn’t explain why Scholz is blocking other countries from sending their German-sourced military equipment to Ukraine. The guy needs a swift kick.
debbie
@O. Felix Culpa:
Especially after all the years of Germany’s version of “never again.”
debbie
Thread, speaking of never again:
sdhays
We keep being told that leaking at the Supreme Court is the worst thing evah to happen to that institution, so I assume we’ll see a similar flood of commentary over how Ginni Thomas has destroyed the Supreme Court and there must be consequences!
sdhays
@O. Felix Culpa: Kamil Galeev had an interesting point the other day that Germany has been closer to Russia for a longer time than is generally understood. West Germany was a conduit for (then) powerful IBM computers to the Soviet Union in the 80’s, getting around US sanctions. Apparently, the Defense Dept. and the Commerce Dept. had words over this.
O. Felix Culpa
@debbie:
Good thread. Many in the LGBTQ+ community are questioning whether to attend Pride events this year, given the threats of violence.
debbie
Fox poll proving the GOP doesn’t even listen to their own supporters anymore:
Check the screen grab. It shows 82% support raising the age for assault weapons to 21.
debbie
@O. Felix Culpa:
Tough call for sure, unless organizers can arrange security.
O. Felix Culpa
@debbie:
It only takes one bad guy (and it’s usually a guy) with a gun, resulting in many dead and wounded, even if the cops or other security are inclined to respond. Which apparently is neither their duty nor guaranteed.
Cameron
I think Clarence Thomas should be offered the choice between resigning or being impeached. He has to go. And his departure might be an improving lesson for some of the other toads squatting on the court.
debbie
@O. Felix Culpa:
Yes, it does, but we mustn’t let them intimidate us.
O. Felix Culpa
@debbie:
Perhaps cis het allies should turn out in force and parade instead. That would be a great way to show that they can’t intimidate us. There are other ways to fight intimidation besides vulnerable individuals and groups making themselves a target for the haters.
Geminid
@debbie: Virginia Democrats made good use of the gun safety issue in the 2017 and 2019 elections. Once they won a majority in the General Assembly they passed six gun control laws in 2020.
I think gun safety will be a good issue for us in 2023. There is a new district map, a more neutral one than the one Republicans put in place in 2011. It will give more strength to growing suburban districts where gun safety is a big concern.
I think gun safety is a good issue in suburbs nationwide, and these areas are where many elections are decided.
rikyrah
Good Morning Everyone
rikyrah
What did Clarence know and when did he know it??
Lindy Li (@lindyli) tweeted at 2:14 AM on Thu, Jun 16, 2022:
Lead insurrectionist John Eastman clerked for Clarence Thomas
Lead insurrectionist Ginni Thomas is married to Clarence
Clarence was the ONLY Justice to vote to prevent Jan 6 investigators from accessing Trump docs
Clarence is corrupt beyond repair. Long past time for him to go
(https://twitter.com/lindyli/status/1537332897601945600?t=qoja5PZ2iGMxY0hC_A4zaA&s=03)
O. Felix Culpa
Right-Wing Groups Target Pride Events Amid Rising Anti-LGBTQ Rhetoric
Sister Golden Bear has written about the attacks on the Drag Queen Story Hour. It’s part of a larger pattern:
[snip]
germy shoemangler
rikyrah
Uh huh
Uh huh
Matt Angle (@LSPmatt) tweeted at 7:26 AM on Wed, Jun 15, 2022:
Note to media who are falling all over themselves reporting on the TX CD34 Special Election win by Flores. Flores LOST the Hispanic vote. She was elected on the strength of overwhelming Anglo support.
https://t.co/Y2VThDPXJG
(https://twitter.com/LSPmatt/status/1537048977492811779?t=MYc8AoKRqzIT0GKrbxlF-A&s=03)
O. Felix Culpa
@rikyrah:
Interesting. And good morning to you!
OzarkHillbilly
@Cameron: Short of CT’s death, there is no way in hell the GOP would allow Biden to replace Clarence Thomas, and it can’t be done without some GOP.
Also, he’s relevant. I suspect he’s enjoying it.
ian
@O. Felix Culpa:
Just read that the New Mexico Supreme Court told that board to go eat sh*t and that they had to certify
O. Felix Culpa
@ian:
Yes, the NM Supreme Court ruled that the commissioners must certify, which as of yesterday, they were still refusing to do. Maggie has therefore made a criminal referral to the state AG.
Ironically, the processes for checking the validity of the votes–such as a recount–can only be activated after certification. So maybe this stunt isn’t really about the specific vote outcomes in this primary? Tis a mystery.
Betty Cracker
@Cameron: Exactly right.
Betty Cracker
@OzarkHillbilly: I wonder how much Thomas would enjoy impeachment hearings about his wife sharing court business with coup plotters and his failure to recuse himself from decisions where her communication with said coup plotters was an issue? Let’s find out!
O. Felix Culpa
@Betty Cracker:
I’ll bring the popcorn.
Baud
@rikyrah: Good morning.
piratedan
@O. Felix Culpa: IIRC one of the county Commissioners is scheduled for a hearing in DC because he was involved in assaulting the Capitol on Jan 6th. It does cause one to speculate don’t it.
sdhays
Not that it matters to these jackasses since the real problem is that they don’t want to believe Tramp is a LOSER, but it still pisses me off how cavalierly concerns about the security and accuracy of votes were waved away when the country went on an expensive binge of switching to unverifiable voting machines. Most of the issues have been addressed in most jurisdictions (at considerable added expense), but it’s just so stupid that so much was invested in equipment that could only cause problems – and it was obvious that they would.
Sister Golden Bear
@germy shoemangler: Thanks for sharing.
As far as celebrating our wins… this is bittersweet for me.
I’m thankful that Biden signed it. But I also remember how TFG’s rolled back similar LGBTQ+ protection-related EOs from the Obama administration. EOs are good, but we really need laws. And no I’m not blaming Biden, and given the current SCOTUS, I don’t have a lot of faith that they wouldn’t be overturned.
But if your rights can be kicked around like a political football between administrations, or the courts, or repealed by voter (Prop Hate anyone) are they truly rights?
Yes, I’ve been really salty lately, but this shit is exhausting. There’s been at least 320 anti-trans bills introduced this year alone by Republicans, and the rhetoric is escalating significantly.
Quite an experience to live in fear, isn’t it?