More Heroic Youth Activism

This time at the Durban Climate summit.  Another one of those summits where important world leaders get together to make the appearance that they are doing something important only to delay real climate change. 

See what happens when youth are spurred into action by the inaction of the greed generation?  Here she is, 21 years old, on the stage with world leaders at a world wide summit.  And she stands up to interrupt a speech to make her point, one that is honestly more important than anything these imposters had to say.  If you missed it, it was a simple, beautiful message.

"I am speaking on behalf of the United States of America because my negotiators cannot. The obstructionist Congress has shackled justice and delayed ambition for far too long. I am scared for my future. 2020 is too late to wait. We need an urgent path to a fair, ambitious and legally binding treaty. We need leaders who will commit to real change, not empty rhetoric. Keep your promises. Keep our hope alive."

Bravo to her! 

PEACE

8-Year Old Stuns Michelle Bachmann

If you haven't seen it yet, here is your chance.  An eight year old activist stunned Michelle Bachmann on the campaign trail in South Carolina.  Not that its that hard to stun Michelle Bachmann.  I don't want to give away the punchline, but watch the video and you'll understand what makes this such an amazing thing.

In case you missed it, this activist whispered to Bachmann...

"My mommy's gay, but she doesn't need any fixing."

This little kid is my hero.  I don't care if mommy put him up to this, he still had the courage to tell this to a complete stranger, in front of a crowd, in a strange location.  This child's bravery is beyond words.

And apparently its beyond Bachmann's words as well, simply responding "Ba-Bye."  I don't think her campaign prepared her with a canned response, a soundbite, or a one-liner to respond to an eight year old activist who couldn't speak more true.

The Republican party ladies and gentlemen.

Pray the Gay Away (tm)

PEACE

p.s.  I was thinking of including music in at the end of each of my posts in the form of a youtube video.  Its really just for fun and cause I like music.  Thoughts?  Should I do it?  Would it take away from the commentary?

How Many Chances?

I wonder, how many chances do you give somebody to right their wrongs?  Do you believe that somebody should have infinite chances?  Or does there come a point where you lose faith in a person to do the right thing?

I have been thinking about this in two different situations.  The first has been with work.

I have a coworker who is in his forties.  He has been in the industry for over ten years.  He is a full-time employee, receives benefits, and has a regular schedule.  The guy is a complete fuck up.  I don't say that lightly either or with any humor.  This guy is completely incompetent and totally irresponsible.  Some things he has done:

- He was suspended five days but not fired for a case of sexual harassment against a female employee.
- He has had complaints filed against him for his interactions with female customers.
- He repeatedly finishes about 50% of the tasks expected of him, perhaps even less.
- He takes more breaks from work that he is allowed, and takes longer breaks than is accepted in our store policy.  He also does this without permission.
- He has walked off the job a number of times without permission to use the store computers for personal reasons.
- He has ignored and defied his supervisor, saying he was going to do what they said and then effectively not.
- He has left a seven inch work knife on the shelf where customers could have found it.  Luckily an employee found it and not a child.
- He consistently either clocks out early without permission or simply stops working and meanders around for forty five minutes or more before the end of his shift.

And beyond all that, he is constantly talking about the other employees behind their backs.  He says stuff about how they are slackers.  He says they are irresponsible.  How come they get more responsibilities than him?  How come he doesn't get to do the things they do?  The worst part is that I've brought up my grievances with him to my assistant manager, my manager, and shift manager.  All three have refused to do anything, either out of cowardice or simply using the excuse, "Don't let it get to you.  You just do what you need to do and don't worry about him."

Except its not that simple to me.  In a fair work environment, everybody is held to the same standards.  In a fair work environment, those who meet and exceed those expectations are rewarded.  That might be an increase in hours or an increase in pay.  And those who fail to meet even the basic minimum standards get a minimum number of chances before they're fired.  This guy has gotten so many chances and the bosses in power don't do anything about it.

Should I go to my store manager?  Should I give my department managers one more chance to fix the problem and deal with his incompetence?  Should I just go straight to this employee myself?  Actually wondering what to do here.

************************************

Why am I talking about this on my political blog?  It reminds me of a certain political party that starts with R... and ends with Cans.  No, not the Rhubarbicans party.  I'm talking about Republicans.

Republicans have been consistent on a couple of things for a long time now.

(1)  They have been consistently incompetent.
(2)  They have been consistently wrong.
(3)  They have been consistently irresponsible.
(4)  They have consistently accused their opponents of the same wrongdoings that they have done themselves.
(5)  They have consistently been hypocrites.

My question is, should Republicans get any more chances?  Ever again?  We've given them so many, but they just keep fucking up.  We've tried to give them a chance to be responsible, but they seem incapable of it.  They've dragged us into two worthless wars and gotten thousands killed.  They've stolen from the poor and given to the rich.  And worst of all they will never, ever admit they were wrong, instead accusing the other side of their own wrongs.

But what about the people that vote for Republicans?  The same people who won't admit that they've voted for the side that was wrong?  Keep voting for the incompetent, irresponsible, hypocritical side?  All because they can never admit they're wrong.

Should we give these voters a chance?  Should we even bother trying to convince them otherwise?  Even bother having those conservations with them anymore?  Or is it just time to accept that they are wrong, and completely irrelevant?

I always used to believe that someone should always get a chance.  But I think I've decided otherwise with Republicans and the people that vote for their incompetence, ignorance, and hypocrisy.  I think they need to be made irrelevant to the political debate in this country.

BUT, what do you think?  Should Republicans be given a chance anymore?  Should people who vote for them be taken seriously anymore?  Or should they be given another chance to change?

AND, what should I do about my awful fucking coworker?  Anything at all?

PEACE

p.s.  I swear to God, working in the corporate retail world is like being in a Dilbert comic strip.... urgh

The 1% Gone Wild!!!

No, there's no topless drunk chicks in this post.  That would be clean compared to the shit that the 1% has pulled off in these three stories.  Here we go!

Number THREE story...

Mortgage lender GMAC pulls a shit move on the people of Massachusetts (why can I never spell this state correctly on my first try?  sigh):

GMAC Mortgage, the mortgage lender of Ally Financial Inc., is exiting the vast majority of its lending in Massachusetts a day after the state sued it and other lenders over its allegedly improper foreclosure practices, a decision the state's attorney general called an admission. 

The nation's fifth-largest mortgage originator said it "has taken this action because recent developments have led mortgage lending in Massachusetts to no longer be viable."

So it must be something pretty bad to make Massachusetts "no longer viable" as a market to help people get homes.  It's got to be something really, really bad to destroy the mortgage market for GMAC to the point where there's just ZERO business for them anymore.

Actually, what happened was the state Attorney General filed a lawsuit against GMAC for illegal mortgage practices.  You know, the same practices that led to thousands of foreclosures and contributed to the crash of the economy.  So the state tries to hold this company accountable (which the taxpayers have a 74% stake in thanks to the bailout) for their crimes, and instead they retaliate.  Its very mafia of them... "You try and hold us responsible, and we'll blow up your house."

***************************************************************

Number TWO  story...

In case you were wondering whether or not Republicans are just stooges of the 1%, here's what they do when they have power in the house:

The House on Thursday approved a bill ending the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) that was set up to ensure states meet certain standards at the voting booth, and ending the public financing of presidential campaigns. The bill passed in a mostly partisan 235-190 vote...

"There is no doubt that a voter suppression effort is underway in this nation," Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) charged on the House floor. "Abolishing the Election Assistance Commission, an agency charged with ensuring that the vote of each American counts, is just another step in the voter suppression effort and would completely remove oversight of the most important process in our democracy."

 
Republicans have said ending the EAC would save $33 million over the next five years. The GOP says the EAC has already served its purpose, and that any work it still does offering guidance to states can be transferred to the Federal Election Commission.

 Really?  REALLY?!?  WTF?  Suddenly you're concerned about $33 million over FIVE YEARS?  *ugh*  Makes me so stabby*.  What's more important to a democracy?  Saving chump change, or oversight of the voting process?  

The only reason the Republicans want to end oversight of the voting process is so they continue with their voting suppression efforts without any obstacle.  And while they do this, they scream about voter fraud, ACORN, etc.  All that is really just code for them to suppress the votes of minorities, the poor, women, and youth.  Don't want power to be taken away from the stooges of the 1% now.

Maybe they want to get rid of this commission because they're afraid their CRIMINAL actions might be found out.  Just saying...

***********************************************

And the Number ONE story...

In a move of dickishness that may rival the levels of Newt Gingrich, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the following:

In a speech at MIT last night to discuss the packed sweepstakes to build a tech campus in New York City, Mayor Bloomberg said he prefers City Hall to the White House. Almost immediately after Mayor Bloomberg dampened recent speculation he’s eyeing a White House bid, he added fuel to the fire by explaining why a mayor would be the best person for the job.

“I have my own army in the NYPD, which is the seventh biggest army in the world. I have my own State Department, much to Foggy Bottom’s annoyance. We have the United Nations in New York, and so we have an entree into the diplomatic world that Washington does not have,” Mayor Bloomberg said.

 "Whatchu talkin 'bout Bloomy?!?"

Uh, so let's get one thing straight Mr. Bloomberg.  The New York Police Department is NOT and will never be your own personal army.  The Police Department won't ever be an army.  I don't know what its like to live in your reality or your world, but I'm pretty sure I know what the police is all about.

The police, for example, are separate from the military.  The police are paid for by our tax dollars.  The police are there to protect our neighborhoods and communities.  The police are there to enforce the law and protect the citizens that pay for them from abuse.  The power of the police is limited, including in matters of arrest, search and seizure, and use of force.

What they are NOT is your own personal army.

For a view into Mr. Bloomberg's world where he has his own army, let's consider an interesting fact.  Bloomberg is the 12-richest person in the United States with a worth of $19.5 billion.  What can you do with that much money?  Own 88% of your own media company.  What else can you do with that much money?  Oh I don't know, maybe buy your own army...  *sigh*

But all this makes me wonder, does $19.5 billion put the mayor of NYC in the 1% that the Occupy movement is protesting against?  Tough question...

PEACE

*((the "stabby" reference was from a wonderful podcast I listen to called the LiberalOasis.  Please check out their blog and weekly podcast, both very good))

Bachmann's Bachmann Problem

This has been very hard for me to blog about because there's so much STOOPID in Michelle Bachmann's head that it hurts my head. 

Watch this first.  A Republican strategist speaks the truth, and not even on accident!  Which is a rare occasion in itself...

                       

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Then watch this.  What does Michelle Bachmann think about intelligent design in the classroom?  Should it be taught as science along side evolution in our public schools?  I think I'll let her answer!



                      
It's almost as if Michelle Bachmann is doing comedy routine.  Except it would be funny if it wasn't for the pesky fact that Bachmann wants a theocracy.  You know, one of those places where the facts are up to debate.  Where people can choose what's right and what's wrong.  Where traditional Jesus-y thinking rules the day.  But only if you're one of those good, Republican, conservative, Jesus lovers.  Not if you're some left wing, progressive, socialist Christians.  Oh no, then you're even more disturbed than those science-y types.

Even if you are let down by Barack Obama, do you really want a Republican President who believes this kind of idea?

"What is the point of teaching children facts if it only confuses them?  It should be up to the American people to decide what's true!  Doesn't that make common sense?"

 Isn't choice great!  It's the "American Way"!  Yay Freedom!*

 

PEACE**

*((The "American Way" and freedom of choice only applies to white males.  Certain side effects may occur if you are a woman, African-American, brown skinned immigrant, liberal, senior citizen, active soldier, veteran, child, Jew, Muslim, Atheist, homosexual, student, home-owner, homeless, or union member.  Side effects may include imposed religious values in your personal life, lack of reproductive choice, restrictions of voting rights, and attacks on personal character.  The "American Way" is trademarked by the GOP and represents conservative, white, "traditional" values.))

**((and God Bless America))

p.s. Hat-tip to John Amato and CrooksandLiars where this clip of Bachmann was posted.  If anyone can help me with getting the full length clip from CrooksandLiars embedded into my blog that was great.  Otherwise you'll have to click the link to view it.

Romney's Romney Problem

Oh my Gawd!  Two posts in one day!  Can it be?  What could be better than getting two posts in one day from the best new blog on the internet? 

Well, maybe an open faced hot turkey and gravy sandwich...

 

But after you eat that sandwich (with your eyes!), check out the following problem that Mitt Romney has.  And no, its not as bad as Santorum.... or is it?  That's for you to decide.

So not only is Mitt Romney a tool, he also thinks the voters are stupid and can't figure this shit out.  

Now... even if Obama isn't your cup of tea, or if you're a Democrat and Obama has let you down, do you REALLY want to see the words "President Romney"?  Yea...

Oh, and some definitions for "Romney":

- a tool

- blowhard

- flip-flopper

- Shape-shifting, cream-cheese LDS hustler with a spray-on tan.  (my favorite)

PEACE

p.s.  Check out the link to the food blog I posted above.  You WON'T be disappointed.  Spread the blogger love people!

Santorum's Santorum Problem

Rick Santorum has a problem.  What problem is that you might ask?  No, it's not Red Leader from Star Wars silly!
 
It's when CNBC and Yahoo! publish an article about the homes (note, plural) of all the Republican candidates for president.

And I quote:

"In addition to his more modest house in Penn Hills, Pa., Rick Santorum also lived in this two-story residence on 3.76 acres in Leesburg, Va., until 2007. It was purchased new in 2001 for $643,361. The question of Santorum’s residency location was the catalyst for a frothy controversy spanning more than a decade, as detailed here."

Did you catch that?  Any time a presidential contender has a subtle comedic dig taken at him by the lame-stream media, I applaud!  Especially when its Santorum.

Thank you Dan Savage.

PEACE

p.s.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, google "Santorum"... if you dare!  Mwaaa haaa haa

UPDATE:  From the following article, Santorum says the following rather creepy bit:

"I may not be the guy that the girls are initially attracted to when they walk into the dance hall, but ultimately once you get to know all the folks, I'm the one you want to take home to Mom," Santorum said.

 I'm pretty sure that there's not too many mother's who are into Santorum... *cough*.... either way.