A Little Reprieve Before the Deluge

PDX

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Monday November 07, 2016 · 5:17 AM PST

2016/11/07 · 05:17

It's almost as if they knew something the GOP didn't...

Tomorrow, Donald Trump will almost certainly lose the presidential election. Bigly. More than likely, he’ll take the GOP-controlled Senate down with him, and possibly the House too (fingers crossed!). Everyone who has worked to secure Democratic victories should be commended; it’s almost over, almost time for that final kick in order to cross the finish line in a strong position.

However, that is not the purpose of this diary. For all the seriousness of this campaign, Donald Trump remains a joke of a candidate, as does the party that allowed the conditions for his nomination to flourish. Starting tomorrow night and early Wednesday morning, he will forever be known as “former Republican presidential nominee...” Donald Trump. I invite you, in an effort to blow off some steam and bring a smile to the faces of our fellow Kossacks, to provide humorous material to fill in that ellipsis.

Poll

38 votes Show Results

What is Trump's Electoral College ceiling tomorrow?

38 votes Vote Now!

What is Trump's Electoral College ceiling tomorrow?

269+

0 votes

250

6 votes

200

19 votes

150

10 votes

100

0 votes

3.14159

3 votes

"I just had no idea that things were so bad for you."

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Monday June 13, 2016 · 11:22 PM PDT

2016/06/13 · 23:22

The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy, instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

King, M. L., Jr. (1967). Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? New York, NY: Harper & Row.

The following (below the jump) came across my Facebook feed last night, written by a gay man who “dated” my sister for a short time in high school. When I read his experience, it ripped my guts out. I sent him a Facebook message, asking if I could (anonymously) repost it, to which he graciously agreed. I then apologized for anything I might have said or done in the past that was hurtful to him. He replied that I was always kind to him and never did anything to offend his sexuality (which I find to be a miracle; 90’s teenagers were total a-holes!) and that he was very thankful for that. We then had this brief exchange:

Me: “I’m not going to insult you by asking if your stories are true; knowing where we grew up, I know they are. I just had no idea that things were so bad for you.”

Him: “That’s the worst part of it, the utter loneliness, knowing that you have to bear this burden alone because you don’t know how someone will react, literally turning from friend to pariah in the space of a two-word sentence.”

After that we said our pleasantries and signed off, but his words stuck with me. Two words, a lifetime of relationships altered or destroyed. Why do we do this to other human beings? Enough! In our thoughts, in our words, in our actions, in every minute of every hour of every day, every one of us has the power: end hate.

Poll

52 votes Show Results

I am...

52 votes Vote Now!

I am...

1 vote

16 votes

4 votes

1 vote

Straight ally

28 votes

Other

2 votes

Keeping perspective re: Scalia's death

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Saturday February 13, 2016 · 6:45 PM PST

2016/02/13 · 18:45

Text message conversation between myself and my sister this afternoon.

Me: Don’t know if you heard, but Scalia died. No joke.

Sis: Yes, got a news alert on my phone.

Me: Having an “Antonin Scalia” news alert could cause a lot of mental anguish.

Me: Unless it’s “Antonin Scalia dead”, in which case you are a terrible person.

Sis: It was just a breaking news alert on one of my apps.

Sis: I do have a “Ted Cruz dead” alert. I am an average person.

Poll

25 votes Show Results

Which remaining GOP candidate would cause you the least anguish if they died?

25 votes Vote Now!

Which remaining GOP candidate would cause you the least anguish if they died?

Cruz

9 votes

Carson

0 votes

Jeb!

0 votes

Rubio

1 vote

Trump

5 votes

Pie

10 votes

What I accomplished on my first day of gov't shutdown

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Tuesday October 01, 2013 · 8:43 PM PDT

2013/10/01 · 20:43

1. Managed to slightly reduce my strategic reserve of Johnnie Walker Red.

2. Made this chart.

Would we even notice if Rs were furloughed too?

Maybe I can finally get the garage cleaned tomorrow?

Poll

37 votes Show Results

How much longer will the government shutdown last?

37 votes Vote Now!

How much longer will the government shutdown last?

1-3 days

1 vote

4-7 days

7 votes

8-14 days

12 votes

15 days or more

17 votes

DoD to reduce civilian furloughs UPDATED w/ message from SECDEF

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Tuesday August 06, 2013 · 11:20 AM PDT

2013/08/06 · 11:20

From Stars and Stripes:

The number of unpaid furlough days the Defense Department will impose on its civilian workers to save money for military operations will be slashed significantly, defense officials said Tuesday.

Poll

36 votes Show Results

Will a budget for FY 2014 be passed by Congress and signed by the President by September 30?

36 votes Vote Now!

Will a budget for FY 2014 be passed by Congress and signed by the President by September 30?

36 votes

Boy Scouts might lift ban on gay scouts

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Friday April 19, 2013 · 10:38 AM PDT

2013/04/19 · 10:38

Per Reuters:

The Boy Scouts of America on Friday moved to partially lift its long-standing ban on gays, with a decision that would allow openly gay youth members but continue to bar gay adults in one of the largest youth serving organizations in America.

What's that saying about half a loaf? Anyway, the decision is subject to a vote by the National Council on May 20th. I'm not a former scout, so I don't know who sits on this council, but it apparently has 1,440 voting members (no that is not a typo).

(more below the fold)

Poll

14 votes Show Results

Which region of the country do you think opposed the BSA's proposal to lift its ban on gays?

14 votes Vote Now!

Which region of the country do you think opposed the BSA's proposal to lift its ban on gays?

The South

5 votes

The South

2 votes

The South

2 votes

The South

5 votes

BREAKING: Letter containing suspicious substance sent to WH

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Wednesday April 17, 2013 · 8:38 AM PDT

2013/04/17 · 08:38

Literally breaking in the last 10 minutes. Teh Guugel can give you more links, this is the first one I chose.

http://www.nbcnews.com/...

The letter was intercepted at an off-site facility and did NOT make it to the White House. The letter WAS addressed to POTUS.

One of my co-workers is left-leaning but also ex-military and a total CT, so I don't want to give any credence to the tin-foil bridage, but I will point out the following and let the discussion go from there:

4/15 - Boston Marathon bombed
4/16 - Letter containing ricin sent to a U.S. Senator
4/17 - Suspicious letter sent to POTUS

For myself, I pray that these events are random and not co-ordinated.

And on a separate note, bravo to all those who have done their jobs admirably and dilligently to prevent and/or attenuate these events. Government workers in general are good at their jobs and should be appreciated, not scorned and used as leverage in partisan pettiness.

Dear Republicans

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Wednesday August 29, 2012 · 8:39 AM PDT

2012/08/29 · 08:39

Dear Republicans,

Just so you know, the place where you had your anti-"collectivist" festival last night? Sixty-two percent of it was built with taxpayer money. But don't worry, it will be our little secret; I won't do anything like publish that fact in a diary on a hippie communist website like Daily Kos.

Your friend,
PDX

Poll

11 votes Show Results

Will the irony of holding their convention in a publicly-funded arena be lost on Republicans?

11 votes Vote Now!

Will the irony of holding their convention in a publicly-funded arena be lost on Republicans?

Yes

11 votes

What would happen if Harry Reid is right?

PDX

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Tuesday July 31, 2012 · 6:02 PM PDT

2012/07/31 · 18:02

While the part of me that loathes Mitt Romney is enjoying the thick slice of sweet, juicy schadenfreude that Harry Reid served up this afternoon, the scientist/amateur woodworker is interested in the nuts and bolts of how this would play out if it ultimately proves to be accurate.

(Of course, all of this is contingent on Mittens releasing his tax returns, which he will try to stall for as long as possible. But if more stuff like this keeps coming out, he won't have the "luxury" anymore.)

So, for the sake of argument, let's say it's revealed that Mitt paid an average of less than 10% in taxes over the last ten years.

Poll

164 votes Show Results

What do you think Mitt's average tax rate waas over the past 10 years?

164 votes Vote Now!

What do you think Mitt's average tax rate waas over the past 10 years?

More than 10%

7 votes

8-10%

22 votes

5-8%

25 votes

2-5%

33 votes

35 votes

3.1415926%

42 votes

Scientists discover new species

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Friday March 09, 2012 · 10:48 AM PST

2012/03/09 · 10:48

Poll

26 votes Show Results

Will Rush be fired after slandering Sandra Fluke for 3 consecutive days?

26 votes Vote Now!

Will Rush be fired after slandering Sandra Fluke for 3 consecutive days?

At long last, yes!

0 votes

Don't kid yourself.

15 votes

Rush's pie crusts contain powdered oxycodone and Viagra.

11 votes

BREAKING: Pot endorses kettle

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Thursday February 02, 2012 · 12:55 PM PST

2012/02/02 · 12:55

I'm sure this will be covered on the front page, but CNN is reporting that the Donald has endorsed Mittens for president.

Poll

11 votes Show Results

Who has better hair?

11 votes Vote Now!

Who has better hair?

Donald

0 votes

Mittens

3 votes

1991 Billy Ray Cyrus

8 votes

Better way to contact Cantor/Boehner?

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Monday August 08, 2011 · 8:18 PM PDT

2011/08/08 · 20:18

Unfortunately, I was at a conference all weekend and had limited internet access, but this FP post by Joan just stuck in my head for some reason. I have decided I will email Cantor and CC Boehner every day until I get a response (unlikely) or get blocked as spam (much more likely). However, I think it will be more effective if I have their actual email addresses instead of going through the insipid contact form that each Rep has on his/her home page. Does anyone have any idea what their emails might be? I had to email my Rep 2 years ago to request WH tour tix, but unfortunately I don't have the email in my Sent folder anymore. I considered fax also, but email is quicker, free, and I feel like the Reps would be more likely to see them.

Below the squiggle is my letter. Constructive criticism greatly appreciated.

Poll

23 votes Show Results

Which Representative will block my email address first?

23 votes Vote Now!

Which Representative will block my email address first?

Cantor, E. (R-VA07)

22 votes

Boehner, J. (R-OH08)

1 vote

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