FUNDRAISING
Apparently Romney raised A LOT of money in June. Duh. He literally has several billionaires clamoring to turn over their entire fortunes to his campaign. Question – where are the Democrat billionaires? Hellllooooo? Or the Democrat multi-millionaires?? Couldn’t a few of you gather in groups of 10 and donate $1 million each? I don’t care if you do it anonymously. Form one of those Super Pacs disguised as a non-profit organization like Karl Rove did and gets to donating. Look if I had it, HE (Obama) would have it – plain and simple. #Obama2012
AND IN PEOPLE GET MAD WHEN THE TRUTH IS SPOKEN NEWS
Remember during the first election when the lovely and truth speaking Michelle Obama said “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country, and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change” and the conservative element raised a total ruckus? Even though every single black person with an ounce of common sense knew EXACTLY what she was talking about???
More recently, former White House correspondent for Politico, Joe Williams, was suspended and subsequently fired from his position at Politico for noting that Mitt Romney’s frequent and unscripted appearances on ‘Fox & Friends’ is very telling about his comfort zone with “people like him” and his awkwardness with “people who are not like him.” Specifically,
“It’s the only time they let Mitt off the leash, so to speak … Romney is very, very comfortable, it seems, with people who are like him. That’s one of the reasons why he seems so stiff and awkward in some town hall settings, why he can’t relate to people other than that. But when he comes on ‘Fox & Friends,’ they’re like him. They’re white folks who are very much relaxed in their own company,” he added. (The Blaze)
Honestly I laughed when I read it. Why did I laugh? Because it’s true. Unfortunately for Joe Williams this arguably extremely true statement (as well as a few other choice tweets) got him dismissed. Once again, conservatives went into a frenzy with charges of racism, etc and Politico felt as though they had to react. Granted, upon further investigation Mr. Williams does seem to be a bit of a wild character BUT that Romney statement was real talk. Deposit Romney in a Baptist church on the South Side of Chicago without a script and let me know how he does. Exactly.
Even more recently (4th of July) Chris Rock tweeted: “Happy white peoples independence day the slaves weren’t free but I’m sure they enjoyed [the] fireworks.” Funny. Except that of course his statement “ruffled” a few feathers. Yawn. Whatever. Fortunately for him he’s a comedian and his spouse isn’t running for President of the United States nor he is employed by, hmm, anyone so there’s no threat of being fired. Awesome.
Given the positioning of both Michelle and Joe, I almost get the backlash. “Almost” in the sense that I see how certain conservative forces realized they could make some noise here and gain a few points for their side but with Chris Rock, really?? So now we can’t make fun of our own history either? Maaaannn, miss me with that nonsense.
Elon James White, host of the web series This Week In Blackness wrote:
I find this Chris Rock backlash absolutely ridiculous. Really? Someone tells the truth and you mad? I’m American. I never claim otherwise. I never give the “We didn’t land on Plymouth rock” speech unless its in a really funny way. But part of being American, to me, is that I have to acknowledge all the bullshit that comes with it. Basically some folks came over, stole other people’s land, killed them, then started a country on the backs of my people, while killing them, and then at some point they freed the slaves but then oppressed them and killed them some more. Do I have the ability to do things here that I wouldn’t in some parts of the world? Yes. But my family paid the price for that in actual blood, sweat and tears. If more people were like Rock and acknowledged the truth maybe we’d be in a better place as a Nation. (Huffpo)
Exactly.
AND WHEN WHITE PEOPLE SPEAK THE TRUTH IT CAN BE VERY HELPFUL
What is funny is that they don’t always have to literally acknowledge the evil they do as it is usually grossly apparent if you are playing even the slightest bit of attention BUT when they do state it out right it’s almost like getting your lying cheating stink face of a boyfriend to finally admit the truth – yes he did sleep with that woman – you’re not actually happy that it is true but you are like “finally the truth you bastard!”
Specifically, Mike Turzai, the Pennsylvania GOP House majority leader, recently confidentially stated that the Voter ID laws were put in place so that Romney could win the 2012 Presidential election.
“Pro-Second Amendment? The Castle Doctrine, it’s done. First pro-life legislation – abortion facility regulations — in 22 years, done. Voter ID, which is gonna allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done.”
Keep in mind that the extremely consistent and loud GOP party line about why Voter ID laws were sooooo necessary was to combat voter fraud which we already knew was complete and utter bullshit.
- There have been no incidents of voter fraud in Pennsylvania.
- Turzai just admitted the real reason why this law was passed.
Voter ID laws tend to disenfranchise youth, minority, low-income and elderly voters – people who do not typically vote Republican. In Pennsylvania this law has the potential to affect more than 750,000 citizens. Let me repeat – 750,000 possible democratic votes. In a tight election numbers like these will make all the difference in the world.
Until these laws are changed the primary recourse we have is to make sure people are able to get the proper ID. If you live in one of these states and are interested in doing your part in this campaign please please PLEASE check in with an Obama campaign office in your area and see if you can help people navigate the system. We’ve got to stay in the fight.
SPEAKING OF EVIL-DOERS…
As far as I’m concerned attempts to severely handicap the voting process for American citizens is pure evil and a throwback to segregation. And even though this man is not directly attached to “Operation Disenfranchisement” he is a key face of the conservative movement and I think this photo is the most dead on face of evil in an otherwise ordinary looking human being that I have seen in a long time. Look at him:
This is Grover Norquist who is primarily known for making Republican politicians sign his anti-tax oath more patriotically referred to as “the Americans for Tax Reform pledge.” In essence he makes GOPers pledge to never vote for tax increases. Well isn’t that helpful to the country? God forbid we raise taxes while waging two wars to you know like pay for those wars. #heavysarcasm.
Anyway the dude looks evil to me and you should not vote for any GOP candidate based on this guy’s face alone. Evil I tell ya, EVIL!
Moving on…
SCIENCE
There was big news in the scientific community this week. Scientists confirmed they had discovered a new particle bearing the hallmarks of a Higgs boson. A “Higgs” what you ask? Exactly. Also know as “The God Particle” the Higgs boson “is a theorized sub-atomic particle that is believed to confer mass.” Brain still muddled? How about this explanation:
“The Higgs boson helps to explain how fundamental particles gain their mass, a property that allows them to bind together and form stars and planets rather than whiz-zing around the universe at the speed of light. It is the last undiscovered piece of the Standard Model that describes the fundamental makeup of the universe.”
Did that help? Look do not feel bad if it didn’t as this is how I spent part of my week trying to decipher what this damn thing is, why it is so important AND if there was a way to coherently in non-science geek speak communicate this information to others. I gave up. I kinda get it but umm you see I used a lot of quotes right? Right. Now let’s hear from more confused people:
IN NOT NEWS GAY NEWS…
Anderson Cooper publicly said he was gay. He never said he wasn’t gay he just simply never addressed it publicly.
“I have always been very open and honest about this part of my life with my friends, my family, and my colleagues. In a perfect world, I don’t think it’s anyone else’s business, but I do think there is value in standing up and being counted. I’m not an activist, but I am a human being and I don’t give that up by being a journalist.”
Now he feels as though staying mum about it was doing more harm than good.
“It’s become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something – something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true. I’ve also been reminded recently that while as a society we are moving toward greater inclusion and equality for all people, the tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible.” (Huffpo)
Alrighty then A Coop, good for you. Don’t worry my mom is still a big fan.
IN ACTUALLY THIS IS NEWS GAY NEWS
R&B singer Frank Ocean announced this week that his first love was – wait for it – a man. Four points:
(1) Some of you are probably thinking “who??” Fair enough. See below. If you still don’t recognize him it’s no big deal because now you are in the loop. You’re welcome.
(2) Traditionally the Hip-Hop community is not known for its tolerance of “the gays” (ahem) and is instead (and unfortunately) more known for its homophobic stance (sigh) so for Franky Frank to make this declaration is actually kinda a big deal, like revolutionary-ish and whatnot.
(3) You should totally read his entire post about his experience. Quite touching it is. Here are a few excerpts:
In the last year or 3 I’ve screamed at my creator, screamed at the clouds in the sky, for some explanation. Mercy maybe. For peace of mind to rain like manna somehow.
4 summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide… Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping.
I don’t have any secrets I need to keep anymore. … I feel like a free man. If I listen closely. I can hear the sky falling too.” (FrankOcean)
And (4) cats have really rallied behind this dude. This just might be a real turning point in hip hop… Live and let live. #thefuture
JON STEWART’S “MOMENT OF ZEN” STARRING MIKE TYSON
I was behind on my Daily Show viewings and spent part of yesterday catching up. I gleefully stumbled across this nugget:
Now go forth and be the weekend!
