#24 THINGS I HATE ABOUT TRUMP: HAVING TO MARCH FOR SCIENCE AND FACTS

Today, around the world, people marched for SCIENCE–science, facts, truth, climate change, the environment–yes, that just happened. Why? Because we live in a political time where logic and facts do not always enter into the equation. Some argue that science is not political and should not be political–but–IT IS!

Our leaders should believe in facts and science. Our leaders should protect the environment in which we live and work to improve upon it for our children and generations to come. Passing legislation to dismantle the EPA or eliminate regulations that help to protect the environment so that big businesses and the coal industry can profit is unconscionable.

Leaders have a social responsibility and unfortunately for us, we have a leader who is anti-facts, anti-science, and anti-human decency–he is incapable of doing the “right” thing.

I marched today in Princeton, New Jersey with my family and about 2000 new friends but what I am most in awe of, is how many sister marches took place around the globe–EVERYWHERE. This is truly unprecedented.

“While scientists and their allies have argued about and even occasionally protested on specific political topics over the years, taking to the streets in a sweeping defense of scientific truth itself and its role in policymaking seems considerably broader and, for the research world, more fundamental (1).”

I believe that taking to the streets to march is seen as a last resort for many in the field of science–but alas, it has come to that. #Resist

There were lots of wonderful signs and people; here are just a few.

A post shared by Casi Leahy (@casirn) on Apr 22, 2017 at 1:47pm PDT

A post shared by Casi Leahy (@msmomocracy) on Apr 22, 2017 at 1:46pm PDT

Mother of 3

Nurse

Colts Neck, NJ

Resource:

1 Historians say the March for Science is ‘pretty unprecedented’, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/04/22/historians-say-the-march-for-science-is-pretty-unprecedented/?utm_term=.bae5be1d4a41

April 21, 2017April 21, 2017

#24 THINGS I HATE ABOUT TRUMP: JEFF SESSIONS NOT RECOGNIZING HAWAII AS A STATE

I have talked about Jeff Sessions before and the fact that I felt he was an inappropriate candidate for Attorney General, not only because I believe him to be a huge racist but also because he perjured himself during his confirmation hearing. You can read more about that in this Ms Momocracy post.

Well during an interview with conservative talk host Mark Levin, good old’ Jeff had this to say about the court system shutting down Trump “Muslim Ban”:

“I really am amazed that a judge sitting on an island in the Pacific can issue an order that stops the president of the United States from what appears to be clearly his statutory and constitutional power,” Mr. Sessions said this week in an interview on “The Mark Levin Show,” a conservative talk radio program.

Sally Yates, acting Attorney General back in January, publicly declared she would not defend the immigration law stating she did not believe it was lawful and she eventually lost her job for standing up to Trump. A three judge panel from the Ninth Circuit also agreed with Yates back in February and put a stop to the original ban. This resulted in Trump and his cronies releasing a new “travel ban” that according to Trump, Stepford Stephen Miller and his inner circle was identical and basically a recycled version of the original ban. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson from Hawaii declared the second ban illegal, using Trump and his cronies own words as rationale for the illegality of the immigration ban.

Sessions sides with Don the Con, and sees no problem with a Muslim Ban or a ban that targets cultures or religions. Shocker…

Sessions seems to believe the Hawaiian judge did not have the right to put a stop to the travel ban—that a judge sitting on that “little Pacific island” should not be able to stop the President from doing something illegal—and for that Jeff Sessions’ you are Ms Momocracy’s D-Bag of the Day!

Resources:

Jeff Sessions Dismisses Hawaii as ‘an Island in the Pacific’, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/20/us/politics/jeff-sessions-judge-hawaii-pacific-island.html?_r=0

Acting Attorney General Sally Yates Tells Justice Department Not to Defend President Trump’s Immigration Ban, http://time.com/4654533/acting-attorney-general-sally-yates-immigration-ban-donald-trump/

6 Highlights From the Ruling on Trump’s Immigration Order, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/09/us/trump-travel-ban-ninth-circuit-ruling.html

Hawaii’s Trump travel ban ruling (full text), http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/15/politics/hawaii-travel-ban-ruling-full-text/

April 19, 2017April 19, 2017

#23 THINGS I HATE ABOUT TRUMP: PEOPLE MUST LIE TO LOVED ONES ON DEATHBED

This article was in yesterday’s Washington Post and I have not stopped thinking about it. A man was on his deathbed and in his last moment of life his friends and family connected him with his ex-wife, who he had remained in close contact with and was considered to be his best friend. In order to provide him with comfort so he could pass away peacefully, she decided to tell him that Trump had been impeached and he was gone.

“I told him that everything’s going to be all right,” Teresa Elliott told The Washington Post. “And Donald Trump has been impeached.”

Really, it has come to this. It is time for this buffoon to go. I think we have all had enough and we should not have to lie to our loved ones as they pass away.

Impeach Trump so we can all have some PEACE!

Resource:

She wanted her ex-husband to die with a happy thought; she told him Trump had been impeached, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/04/18/she-wanted-her-ex-husband-to-die-with-a-happy-memory-she-told-him-trump-has-been-impeached/?utm_term=.6eb24403e3a5

April 18, 2017April 18, 2017

HEROES AND HEROES: KATHRINE SWITZER

In 1967 KV Switzer entered the Boston Marathon race as an official entrant. At the time this was unheard of because KV Switzer was a woman, Kathrine. Many people, healthcare providers and other “officials” back then felt that women did not have the physical capabilities, stamina, or endurance to run long periods of time. Short races were OK, but longer races were off limits. In fact, there was a belief that our delicate female lady-bits could not withstand the rigors of the longer race.

KV was assigned the number 261 for her first Boston Marathon run. Needless to say when Kathrine showed up and race officials caught on to the fact that a woman was running about 2 miles into her race, they tried to stop her. Click here to see the iconic photo of one of the race officials trying to grab/push her off the course, her running mates from Syracuse University protecting her. I get emotionally overwhelmed every time I look at that photo.

Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb was actually the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, unofficially. Bobbi had seen the marathon as a spectator with her dad as a child and fell in love with the race and running. Below is her response from a Women’s Running interview (link to article under resources) to receiving a notification from race officials denying her entry in the 1966 race.

“I didn’t know that my running was going to be a social statement until February of 1966. I wrote for my application [to the Boston Marathon] and they wrote back saying, “Women are not physiologically able to run a marathon, and we can’t take the liability.” [At the time, races longer than 1.5 miles were not sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union.]”

I can just hear her saying, “Well I will show you” after receiving that letter. This sheroe hid near the start of the race and then jumped in, finishing with an unofficial time of 3:21:25. Not too shabby.

The Boston Marathon is a premier race; traditionally only the fastest get entry and race spots are coveted by runners throughout the world. Yesterday, Kathrine ran this race again, 50 years after her historic run in 1967. Her race bib number 261 was retired after the run (see link below for information about Kathrine’s running group 261 Fearless). For many, myself included, her run was symbolic, especially in today’s political climate.

She Was Warned.

She was Given an Explanation.

Nevertheless, She Persisted.

I admire Kathrine and Bobbi. I know when I finished my first marathon (not nearly as quickly as they did), I felt like I could do anything. We are strong, we are capable and we deserve equality.

Resources:

First Woman to Enter Boston Marathon Runs It Again, 50 Years Later, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/17/sports/boston-marathon-kathrine-switzer.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&_r=0

THE FIGHT TO ESTABLISH THE WOMEN’S RACE, http://www.marathonguide.com/history/olympicmarathons/chapter25.cfm

50 Years Ago Bobbi Gibb Became The First Female Boston Finisher, http://womensrunning.competitor.com/2016/04/inspiration/bobbi-gibb-first-female-boston-finisher_57599#IM23bQAxYKQuCOMv.97

50 Years Ago Bobbi Gibb Became The First Female Boston Finisher

261 Fearless:

Pronounced TWO-SIX-ONE Fearless, we are a global supportive community which empowers women to connect and take control of their lives through the freedom gained by running. Through a series of non-competitive running clubs and private communication channels, we provide networking, healthy running support and education, and a sisterhood to women all over the world.

It is the mission of 261 Fearless to bring active women together through a global supportive social running community – allowing fearless women to pass strength gained from running onto women who are facing challenges and hence sparking a revolution of empowerment. 261 is the symbol that unites us as empowered runners.

» learn more about 261

April 16, 2017

#22 THINGS I HATE ABOUT TRUMP: WILL NOT RELEASE HIS TAXES

Happy Easter to those who celebrate. I thought you might enjoy this 2015 Easter tweet from Don the Con:

Yesterday marches took place around the country, protesting Trump’s refusal to release his taxes. Since the 1970s, Presidential candidates have released their tax returns to the public in an effort to maintain honesty and transparency. In fact, every President going back to Gerald Ford has released their tax information. During the elections, Trump claimed he could not release his taxes because he was under audit. He eventually declared that only the “fake news” media wanted his taxes and the public did not care—uhh, YES WE DO!

Yesterday people took to the streets to demand that Trump release his taxes. Hundreds marched outside Mar-a-Lago and elsewhere and Trump took to Twitter to express his anger, as usual.

Yesterday the Electronic Privacy Information Center (yes, that is a thing) filled a suit against the IRS for failing to release the information as per the Freedom of Information Act. Why won’t Trump release the information? He said he would and then he said he won’t?

What has he got to hide? I can’t wait to find out.

Resources:

Trump asks why people are still talking about his taxes a day after protesters asked for his returns, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/04/16/after-a-day-of-marches-trump-asks-why-people-are-still-talking-about-his-taxes/?utm_term=.bc7b0dc9ffb2

Protesters Use April 15 To Demand Trump’s Tax Returns, http://www.npr.org/2017/04/15/524122918/protesters-use-april-15-to-demand-trumps-tax-returns

April 15, 2017April 16, 2017

SPICER EASTER BUNNY

It has been quite a week for the White House. Between the rumored fighting of Brietbart Bannon and Kushner (where Bannon is targeted as the loser), the bombing of Irag-whoops, I mean Syria, dropping the Mother of All Bombs (MOAB) on Afghanistan (only killing 36 with a bomb which is said to be the strongest, only second to a nuclear bomb), Trump playing bully with unstable North Korea via tweets and then heading to Mar-a-Lago, and finally Spicy Spicer’s “whoops a daisy” reference to Hitler, stating that not even Hitler used lethal gas to kill his people… Well, it has been a long week.

You would think that the White House would be looking forward to the Easter Egg Roll. The event is thought to be the biggest traditional event held annually and requires lots of planning and coordination, none of which it seems the new administration has put forth. It will be interesting to see if Spicer reprises his role as the Easter Bunny. I bet he wishes he could forgo his role as Press Secretary and be the bunny full time.

Resource

The White House’s Easter Egg Problem Gets the Late-Night Treatment, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/13/arts/television/jimmy-kimmel-white-house-easter-egg-roll.html?_r=0

The Latest Test for the White House? Pulling Off Its Easter Egg Roll, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/11/us/politics/white-house-easter-egg-roll-trump.html

April 12, 2017

# 21 THINGS I HATE ABOUT TRUMP; ANTISEMITISM OR INSENSITIVE

Examples of the Trump Administration’s Anti-Semitism ……or not? What do you think?

1. Running a campaign that had vague veiled antisemitic messages. Was this purposeful, an appeal to Trump’s alt-right, white supremacy, base? Many thought so at the time. Many also thought Brietbart Bannon was behind this type of campaigning and I think they are right.

2. It was no surprise that after the election, there was a rise in antisemitism around the country. Many reporters would press Trump for a response to the rise in antisemitism and hate crimes. Here is a great example on how that typically went.

Yup, he would change the subject, talk about his large electoral vote win, claiming it was bigger than Obama’s (which was a lie), or when really pressed he issued a curt, “Stop it” into the news camera during a 60 Minutes interview on CBS. As you can imagine, that “stop it” was just as ineffective as when used with a toddler.

3. Then there was National Holocaust Remembrance Day where the White House releases a press statement that does not mention the 6 million Jews who suffered and died during the holocaust or antisemitism. When the press and public questioned this omission the WH released the following statement:

Hope Hicks, the Donald Trump administration spokeswoman, told CNN that, “despite what the media reports, we are an incredibly inclusive group and we took into account all of those who suffered.”

All who suffered??? Why couldn’t you mention the jews on holocaust remembrance day….REALLY!!! This seemed purposeful.

4. Trump did not attend the Passover dinner at the WH; in fact, neither did his daughter, Ivanka, or his son in law, Jared, who are supposedly observant jews. What kind of message is that. Shame on them.

5. Yesterday, Spicey Spicer, misspoke during a press conference and it was a doozy.

“We didn’t use chemical weapons in World War II. You know, you had a, you know, someone as despicable as Hitler who didn’t even sink to using chemical weapons,” Spicer said.

Yup, that just happened…not much of chance of recovery after that slip…unless you are in the Trump administration where people seem to tolerate, accept, and normalize horrible, offensive, behavior and comments on a daily basis.

Resources:

White House nixed Holocaust statement naming Jews, http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/white-house-holocaust-jews-234572

White House Says It Deliberately Omitted Jews From Holocaust Remembrance Day Statement, http://time.com/4652863/white-house-statement-holocaust-remembrance-day/

Donald Trump’s conspiracy theories sound anti-Semitic. Does he even realize it? https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/10/26/donald-trumps-conspiracy-theories-sound-anti-semitic-does-he-even-realize-it/?utm_term=.90031f516278

The White House hosted a Passover Seder, but without President Trump, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/04/10/the-white-house-will-host-a-passover-seder-president-trump-probably-wont-be-there/?utm_term=.dd36a54f41cd

Spicer: Hitler ‘didn’t even sink to using chemical weapons,’ although he sent Jews to ‘the Holocaust center’, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/04/11/spicer-hitler-didnt-even-sink-to-using-chemical-weapons-although-he-sent-jews-to-the-holocaust-center/?utm_term=.9d9dd6e579b1

April 9, 2017April 9, 2017

THANK YOU, SCOTT; LIBERAL SLACKTIVISM

Last night on Saturday Night Live, Lewis CK performed the following skit, called, “Thank you, Scott.”

The skit hit close to home for many liberals today, myself included. After the election, an election where the majority of Americans did NOT vote for Trump, many liberals were left dumbfounded. How did Trump get elected? Was it the “forgotten” men and women in rural central America that elected him and why did they feel “forgotten”? Was the Democratic party out of touch with America? Was social liberalism declining in the face of nationalism? —–Nope, not really. Those things may have been variables, but they were not reason enough for an electoral win. I believe the real reason Hillary lost is that liberals became complacent. We had a lovely 8 years with a President who was educated, intelligent, who understood social service and foreign policy and we thought the 8 years with Bush were long behind us. We never thought it possible that a schmuck like Trump could be elected…and then the unthinkable happened.

We had grown complacent. I mean after all, we had seen the acceptance of gay marriage, “Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell” was repealed, affordable healthcare for all, economic growth at an all time high and unemployment at an all time low (especially significant post Bush administration), Osama bin laden was killed, Sonya Sotomayer was confirmed to the Supreme Court and countless other accomplishments. All of these accomplished without the assistance and support of the Republican Congress, who bad-mouthed and fought Obama tooth and nail. For many of us liberals, the hatred towards Obama felt racist which only further divided us from our right-leaning friends. We lived through an era where SCIENCE WAS REAL, facts mattered, black lives mattered, police mattered, climate mattered—-so this, this $hit show we now find ourselves in was unimaginable and most of us would gladly welcome Bush back into office. Well, if it meant we could get rid of Trump.

The majority of Americans, including Trump, thought his Presidential bid would never amount to a win. Everyday on the campaign trail as Trump displayed his severe character flaws for all the world to see, we became more secure with the idea that this buffoon could never be elected. A pussy grabbing, misogynistic, racist, incompetent businessman, adulterer, and narcissistic liar could never be President. We were firm in our belief that no one was dumb enough to vote for this shyster.

—Boy were we, was I, wrong. I actually had champagne chilling election night. I went to work that day early to vote. I left my house high on emotions, wearing my pantsuit, screaming, “I am off to vote for the FIRST female President” to my family as I headed out the door. I was excited and could not wait to watch the results. That night I must have asked my husband a hundred times as we started watching the results roll in, “There is no way, right, no way he can win.” As the night wore on, it became obvious that many Americans did not feel the same way I did. I went to bed early, champagne undrunk, only to wake at 2:30 am to check my phone. I remember waking my husband saying, “She conceded, she conceded; it is over.” He moaned and cried out in frustration and then rolled over and went to sleep. I did not sleep.

I know my conservative “friends” joke about us snowflakes crying about how Trump won, but I am not ashamed to admit it. I cried, I sobbed. I honestly don’t know how I made it through work the next day. I just wanted to go home and drink that champagne and get bloto. I am in the service industry, I am a nurse and my career is based on helping and supporting others, but my actions felt superficial, mundane and surreal that day. I found solace on Pantsuit Nation on Facebook. I had only found that group a few days before the election and I wish I had found it sooner. The day of election the posts from Americans going off to vote with their children, mothers, grandmothers, families—-made me “happy cry”. I was moved to tears by the thought of our older generation being able to vote for the first female President. I kept thinking about how much this must have meant to them. The photos and posts were my therapy after the election. Living in a Republican strong-hold in Monmouth County, NJ, I felt like I had no one to talk to, other than my husband. My husband is a banker and identified as a soft Republican when I met him but twenty years together has changed this man. His perspectives have changed. He always jokes that I would have divorced him if he voted for George W. Bush but thankfully we never had to test his theory out. As his views broadened, his empathy and willingness to fight for others grew. The narrow paradigm he grew up in changed; we changed together. He switched his affiliation from Independent to Democrat to vote in the 2008 Democratic Primary, as did I. I was always registered as an Independent prior to 2008, even though my policies and beliefs lean far left, as a young adult and even now, I believed I would always vote for the best, most qualified applicant. I guess in this election I was hoping others felt that way too regardless of their political affiliation but alas the most qualified, experienced candidate did not win.

After the election, I got more vocal. I realized in my own complacency that I had not stood up for Hillary. Sure, I voted for her but I did not scream it from the roof top. I did not talk about why I supported her or why I thought she was the better candidate? I did not want to discuss with the crazy person or my father (love ya, Dad, but not your politics) that Hillary did nothing illegal and we did not have to worry about “locking her up”? I did not want to confront my ignorant friend who believes climate change is a hoax, or that person I went to high school with that posted offensive memes that included things like, “Trump that Bitch” or rants that made no logical sense? I did not want to debate anyone and in the same sense, I did not want to offend anyone. I kept quite about my politics. When did talking politics become rude?

It was not like after the election, “the gloves came off” and I was willing to bring everyone to the mats. I would like to believe the awakening was more organic and less retaliatory. I knew that becoming vocal was not going to change the outcome of the election, but I was not willing to stay silent anymore. Silence is why I think Trump was elected, silence and complacency.

After the election I warned my Facebook friends that I was going to speak my mind, I would call out injustices, I would share stories I felt relevant, I would call out Trump on his bad behavior but I also protested, marched in DC and started making phone calls and sending postcards to my congressional representatives and Trump. I got active but as I hold the mirror up to myself, as Lewis CK suggested in his skit, I could do more—and I will continue to #RESIST.

I am Scott but I am also a resister.

Mother of 3

Nurse

Colts Neck, NJ

Resource:

Watch S.N.L. and Louis C.K. Tear Into Meaningless Liberal Slacktivism, http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/04/snl-video-slacktivism-thank-you-steve-louis-ck

April 8, 2017April 8, 2017

JARED KUSHNER RESPONSIBLE FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Middle Eastern War Zone Chique–preppy blue blazer coupled with dessert colored khakis and the standard issue blue striped button down. The Trump-Terror T-Time Flak Vest is new from Vineyard Vines will soon be available in golf green (this is a satirical comment; please forgive me Shep & Ian). Photo credit: DOMINIQUE A. PINEIRO

Trump has made Jared Kushner, his son-in-law, his principle Middle East advisor; making him responsible for peace in the Middle East.

Sure, that should be easy peasy.

Kushner has been tasked with the following jobs in this administration(2):

Running a new government office, The Office of American Innovation
- Fighting the US Opioid Crisis
- Handling Veteran’s Affairs
- Managing Associated Press Reports
Reforming the criminal justice system
Vague Foreign Diplomat Role (Trump seems to pimp him out using his youth, quiet demeanor and fierce loyalty as a marketing tool; an effort to put forth a more reasonable/moderate front then Breitbart Bannon, Priebus or Miller–although can we just recognize that Miller and Kushner look like they can be fraternity bros)
Brokering Peace in the Middle East

What could possibly go wrong?

This 36 year old family member whose background is based on “real estate development”, who has never held office and has NO, yes, NO, experience in foreign policy has been thrown into the fire. His task list is so unreasonable and ridiculous it makes me feel bad for him, almost. When I first heard Trump was sending him to Iraq and eventually expects him to broker peace between Palestinians and Israelis, I thought for sure, Trump was setting him up for failure.

Also, there is that whole Russian thing.

Trump has alway claimed that he, his campaign staff, transition team and administration had no ties to Russia–well, we all know that is NOT true. With Manafort and Flynn gone, the ties to Russia only seem to multiple. Recently added to the list of those who denied Russian contact and then the facts proved them wrong….you guessed it, Jared Kushner.

This week the NYT’s broke a story about Kushner’s omissions of meeting with Russian Ambassador, Sergey Kislyak (same dude that caused trouble for Manafort, Flynn, Jeff Sessions and Carter Page) and the head of the Russian owned State Bank, a meeting which was arranged by Kislyak (4). Now these omissions, just as damning as Jeff Sessions’ omission when he too denied ever meeting with Russians under oath during his confirmation hearing for Attorney General, are shocking because in order for Kushner to gain top level security clearance, Kushner was asked to disclose ALL encounters with foreign government officials for the last 7 years. Kushner’s omission is particularly suspect knowing that Manafort and Flynn have already been burned for similar omissions.

For now there are lots of speculations and an ongoing FBI investigation—I can’t wait to hear the whole story.

Resources:

President Trump has given his son-in-law the hardest job in the world: making peace in the Middle East. Does he have a prayer?, http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/02/jared-kushners-mission-impossible-214770
Here Are All the Jobs Jared Kushner Is Doing at the White House, http://fortune.com/2017/03/27/jared-kushner-white-house-roles/
Kushner Omitted Meeting With Russians on Security Clearance Forms, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/06/us/politics/jared-kushner-russians-security-clearance.html
More Trump-Russia contacts: Trump met Sergey Kislyak, aide Carter Page went to Russia last year, http://www.salon.com/2017/03/08/more-trump-russia-contacts-trump-met-sergey-kislyak-aide-carter-page-went-to-russia-last-year/

April 7, 2017April 7, 2017

SHEROES & HEROES: JON OSSOFF AKA #JONSOLO

Today’s Hero is Jon Ossoff who is running for the open Georgia House seat left vacant by Health and Human Services Secretary, Tom Price. Constituents of the 6th district in GA will vote on April 18th and there is a chance that Democrats may be able to flip the traditionally red district. Jon has gained nationwide support as Trump and his administrations’ popularity continues to dramatically fall.

Jon is a 30 year old Georgetown graduate who has raised record breaking campaign funds. Yes, he is young but I think we are ready for change.

The Republicans are working hard to keep Jon out of office. Here is an attack ad they are running.

The ad is certainly not high-tech but instead of making Jon look like a drunk frat boy, the clips are endearing and only highlight the normalcy of a college experience. The release of the attack ad sparked the creation and rise of the #JONSOLO hashtag.

Will Trump hate propel Jon into office? God, I hope so.

Today’s Resistance hero is #JONSOLO – may the force be with you, Jon.

Resources: