Category Archives: ~ my 2cents …

a repost

just another continued rant on citizenship … from 2013 …

I thought Republicans had finally decided to bury and or sweep the birther issue under a rug somewhere safe. That seems to have lasted for only about two Romney flip-flops or more since he’s back in congress. It is apparent that quite a few Republican members of Congress and some Governors continue to tell Americans that they matter more and, that Birtherism, is real but the War on Women and their Rights to… (You fill it in), are without a doubt much less important than conservative ideology. I would be happy to see Republicans in Congress, actually do the people’s business, as the current group works less and has passed a few bills for #WeThePeople. They are spending money on useless hearings, acting in revenge mode, and constituents mean nothing to them.

Some reminders for any elections coming your way.

Think about this, Trump was in office for 2yrs and the Treasury dept already found its financial self in trouble? What the what? Bad enough that trump deemed Monica Crowley as his choice for Treasury Sec. Who was a fox contributor, lobbyist, or foreign agent of Ukraine who committed plagiarism and probably has no experience in finance?

Yet, despite everything the Republicans have done, our economy is on the mend. Come on you have to know it’s Thanks to President Obama; though slow, our economic recovery is happening without austerity measures though all the filibustering Mitch McConnell and his comrades continue to engage in against progress; austerity was and still is the word, and mission of the new Republican nationalists. Meanwhile, some Americans, seemingly, had the wool pulled over their eyes continually. The ugly truth began to leak out at town hall meetings and finally a smidgen of buyer’s remorse set in as actual plans received a 2nd look and were rejected, but now what with the 115th congress this path to their economic prosperity still deserves a lot of scrutiny from ALL voters because once implemented it looks like only the 1-3% will be happy. And being ignorant can’t be blissful by any stretch of the imagination.

In between all the confusing economic noise, the Republican Party continues to reach new lows in desperate behavior. While Birtherism, on its face, is kind of laughable because who really takes this stuff seriously…right. Nevertheless, the topic, subject … stupid things conjured up through ideology continue to be added to the conservative conversation and list of ‘Religious Conscience’ though some call it religious instinct.

We should all wonder if religion, consciousness, and or instinct should be allowed in the same sentence – conscious thought, considering what Policies the current group of white nationalists seem to be throwing at Americans calls for a response, so prepare repair and put on your marching shoes. The War on women, immigration, workers, minorities, students, voter rights, and religious freedom are Republican issues. The slap of reality, or the rude awakening is … with so many states trying or passing strict negative conservative legislation against the middle and lower class cloaked in big bright new ideas on that path to prosperity that representatives and speaker Paul Ryan pushed became a trifecta reality. The Ryan agenda lasted only about a minute after several bumps, and while he did help push through a tax gift, things fell apart right before Ryan’s eyes. It was apparent trump took an extreme right turn, had a few tantrums, pushed them aside, and now chaos, hate and some actually felt his abuse and misuse of power. This guy is still the face of the republican party … and racism and birtherism continue to be political footballs for fearmongering.

The political Party of NO, the Republican Party of the 21st Century, is no longer our parent’s conservative party foe. It’s when the extreme right switched places with the Dixiecrat’s, and this ideology continues to weave its way into their 21st-century, Southern Strategy today.

We all have to know; that the path conservatives want us all on, could destroy our democracy.

I will admit, I usually consider any conservative pledge laughable -until that ”Purity Pledge” from a group named N.O.M. popped up. Common sense, if any is available, tells you that a pledge to hurt others or exclude them is beyond offensive right, yet, it got signed by all the socially conservative candidates for President. It says to, among other things, commit to practicing exclusion and lest we pay attention to their choice of words “purity.” This thing, written long before trump took office, is not only archaic but this extremely conservative organization wants, “Signers to pledge: never to engage in pre-marital sex or extramarital affairs, end all viewing of pornography and gambling, never to marry a person of the same gender, and never to “favor any government action that would allow for civil unions of people of the same sex”. I don’t know if all Republicans agree with this purity pledge, we all know that a lot of them have been reported, charged, or resigned from congress… They are failing, Mr. Norquist’s pledge. And that, “family values platform,” which also covers birther issues, no less, suffice it to say that conservatives behaving badly and that cliché, “do as I say not as I do; comes to mind as most if all are not that pure if you get my drift. If you believe in social conservatism you will be voting against your own best interest in any election and likely controlled by extreme right policies and that is sad. Thankfully, he is gone.

The commonality between birthers, and birthrights citizenship certainly has to be the economy, and austerity or the lack of it or any of the combinations out there …believe this … the latest comments coming from social conservatives are code for: we are against “the other”. It should make us all stop and reassess not only the beliefs of these conservatives voted into positions of power and Public Service, but we must all challenge them, their beliefs V the oath they take, and the public servants they profess to be. We all know this group has managed to get away with attacking women, gays, the undocumented, and minorities with legislation that will and has disenfranchised them in some way. We must remember the past like when voters crossed into Blunt territory – pun intended and luckily, blunt was tossed out. I wonder if anyone else wonders or imagines how often these fools must meet, to plan and cover each other on the local state, and federal levels. Republicans used to decry they want a smaller Government, yet their current legislation policies include controlling half the population while enjoying enormous tax breaks… again, remember the house of Bush, and what happened when he gave friends tax breaks? It bares reminding that anything done to one part of our system affects another…our system is interlocked, thus anything done adversely affecting our economies has a great chance of forcing us into austerity

In the fight for election 2016, it was not clear what trump stood for, but as the weeks months and a year or two passed; it was obvious that you only needed to wait until 3am …because it could change. I don’t know about you, but I have a different understanding about how a POTUS should behave or be, and it wasn’t that guy that gave doom, gloom, and nasty speeches, or vile racist comments that got media coverage of him smacking his lips, slurring his words and spewing a lot of inaccurate statements to his audience about Real Americans. He didn’t do much, but flip-flop toward the 1% since Jan.20.

Thankfully, trump didn’t get two terms, but given all his babbling: his comments on Race, Gender, the poor or low-income, and Immigrants, should not be ignored or forgotten at the Voting Booth. If not for the sake of our nation but for the next generation of what will definitely be … a more diverse group

The sole mission of this Republican Party of No – is to turn back the clock … It is beyond offensive and will affect all our family’s past, present, and future.

Nativegrl77

~ my 2cents ...

Marxism? Socialism? What ism are you?

03/11/2023 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

beaseedforchangestickersGREEN just another rant …

So, is anyone else finding it almost amusing to see how easy folks seem to throw out labels to describe the actions comments, and stances of candidates of the Democratic Party in a time when this government is seemingly in a kleptocracy moment while living a kakistocracy with a wannabe autocratic tendencies…

trump, is NOT popular and lost that vote by approximately 3Million. The plan to change America was set a while back, and it appears or seems Mcconnell and the other republicans like paul ryan were waiting for their chance …. and if you remember ryan’s comments, he said something about how he has been waiting for a “Unified republican government”. Thing is, no one really wanted that acting gig until the birther grabbed us by the …bleep and while setting all our government agencies on fire, the rule of law, regular order, and norms being replaced with dic-tator wannabe behavior. NOW, we need to trust the Democratic Party because our morality seems at risk each day in the hands of republicans! This makes you think back to at least POTUS41 … Not too long because you’ll get sick, but then reality steps in as POC continue to be targeted, police seem triggered more than ever and the problem of a certain group of males continues to gain access to guns hurting others and in most cases, themselves and that is a shame. We have more kids, babies, Seniors, POC massacred at malls, kids in school lockdown,but nowhere to hide, and never ever forget all the babies who have died. There are lockdown drills, some states have given teachers guns yet, and another mass shooting occurs, but nothing changes. There was a case of a teacher threatening to shoot her students after having just had training… It makes you wonder what could go wrong and sadly more unarmed black men and women are dying or are dead!

We have had so much Chaos and btw; the whole thoughts and prayers, thing, is NOT enough anymore.

The idea that an activist is actually run over, and some states decide to pass red flag laws but can’t improve background checks, is amazingly offensive. We should all know that even folks belonging to the NRA think better background checks are reasonable, but the gun industry is very strong and so when its fav pr organization says to jump many rs and most do jump … though in this era of trump many instances of violence have erupted, it also will be a timeline few will want to remember in the new year of 2021

We have to remember the bush timeline, aside from the obvious, is sad; the guy acted impetuously then drove our economy into a ditch literally while Wall Street’s “creative accounting procedures” finally came to an ugly head. There was once an epic documentary called House of cards by David Faber on CNBC. It was a cruel reminder and or an awakening at how greed affects the mind; it was a truthful documentation of the nasty journey our economy took … for whom, by whom, and how it (they) brought all of us down with them knowing the Government would pay for it all along …

Unfortunately, the current trump unreality show doesn’t look at all like the one we watched shortly after our financial system collapsed because this is a moment in time when the question below isn’t so far-fetched… or worse a dystopian society?

Are You having an existential crisis?

The existential crisis is something many people may face at one point or another in their lives when the world seems to become less meaningful and purposeful. People may question the inner logic of social systems, of their religion, of everything they have once held true, and they do so while becoming much more conscious of the brevity of life.

What is an existential issue?

Quite simply, these are issues that have to do with the plight of human existence, with the meaning of life, and what meaning, if any, our lives have.

trump has definitely set off a cause and effect with certain behaviors of human nature

… is anyone else questioning their inner selves? Hoping trump supporters are; of what it means to affirm one’s own individual personal choices and the consequences for such choices …and yes in this current hostile environment living an authentic life is important but at risk

If we have to subscribe to labels … idk call me a Marxist who believes in Socialism at this time. lol

I also believe in capitalism, but only with a lowercase c … We need someone who cares, who is socially responsible, and who believes the gap between the haves and none needs to shrink; school me …what can be wrong with caring for all the people of the US … not just the one percent… especially since that one percent has been wheeling and dealing; and that attitude about prosperity trickling down to Main street is still bs .

Obama was not a socialist or a Marxist … he was a centrist, a person whose political opinions may not be extreme: a person whose beliefs fall between those of liberals and conservatives … The question is, what do trump supporters call him now?

Nativegrl77

~ Campaign 2020 - 2021, ~ Culture & History, ~ my 2cents ...

Voting is a Right, NOT a Privilege ~~ The Struggle continues

03/10/2023 Nativegrl77 50 Comments

Time to pass the Voting Rights Act, change redistricting rules, and make it easier for ALL Americans to VOTE

“Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” -George Santayana (16 December 1863 in Madrid, Spain – 26 September 1952 in Rome, Italy) was a philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist.

On March 7, 1965, hundreds of brave unarmed nonviolent women and men dared to March for African Americans’ right to vote.

The fact is, that less than 1% of eligible Blacks could vote or register to vote.

A group of people organized a Peaceful Protest: The March would start in Selma, then move on to the state capitol in Montgomery.

However, as these peaceful protesters tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge to Montgomery the police, seemingly already assuming a defensive posture; some on horses had, looking back, a predetermined tactical intervention plan against protesters. The protesters, mostly young African Americans also walked quietly with a mixture of older individuals and white Students as well: and as they did so; police proceeded to try and control the protesters which quickly resulted in the “excessive use of force.”

As protesters continued, it became clear that the excessive force was now an active use of police brutality and acts of murder; the grotesque beating of a young black leader of nonviolent protesting #RepJohnLewis had his skull cracked open among other injuries to his body. These Montgomery officers were out to do harm as they surrounded and knocked out young protesters using their nightsticks, and sprayed water cannons at close range, while others used tear gas.

These kids had no weapons; they did NOT fight back because they were not there to fight, but showed much courage and strength in the face of absolute brutal violence by an adversarial organization minorities are expected to respect. The men in police uniforms, hired to protect and serve citizens, were actually a force activated by the state to show physical power, discrimination, and racism in all its worse forms.

We must never forget that some of our fellow Americans died for our right to vote! This was an attempt to March in peaceful disobedience quickly became an adverse harmful environment to young black and white women and men, students from all backgrounds, and folks who believed voting is a right had to quickly retreat while journalists and photographers became witnesses to the suffering, violence, and death.

The brutal reaction by the police was not only caught on tape, but it also forced then-President Johnson, once against civil rights programs as a Senator, to call on Congress for equal voting rights for all on March 15.

The Voting Act of 1965 became a law on August 6; and is a landmark piece of national legislation in the United States that outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for the widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans in the U.S.

A day that started out peacefully quickly descended into an awful, johnlewisbeatwithknightstick ugly March of death for the right to vote called, “Bloody Sunday”.

Now, some 50 years later, a new “Jim Crow” era has emerged with a major step backward in the fight for civil and voting rights. Conservative states are targeting not only African Americans but Senior citizens, first-time voters, early voting, Students, low-income, immigrants, and the undocumented though Republicans call them (illegals), those who lean left call them Dreamers; some born or brought to the US as youngsters all victims of circumstance are now, voting age. Also, Governors from Republican controlled States allowed election officials to purge voters, people without birth certificates were given limited or completely denied access to the voting booth failing to meet new voter ID regulations, and some were treated like possible (illegals). This is the 21st Century; we should be on a progressive path toward equality for all, not one that will re-engage folks in the act of racism or exclusion leading to suppressing participation in the election process. In 2017, Republicans tried to pass and or enforce new, even stricter voter ID legislation or influence their districts with strange redistricting rules and regulations. While some judges … have struck down some of these restrictive laws that ultimately suppress the vote, it is clear the effort to shut people of colour out of the election process sadly continues.

We need to push back on all attempts to suppress the Right to Vote.

With so much at stake, it is time to stop sitting on the sidelines. If we are going to succeed, Conservative lawmakers NEED to hear our Voices.

We cannot turn back the clock on Voting Rights For the sake of the Next Generation

Thank You for Taking Action

Takeaction2

~ Nativegrl77

~ my 2cents ..., ~ pop culture

a sport not many focus on … Golf & Women of Colour – reminder – Black History

02/17/2023 Nativegrl77

So, I’m flipping through my newest 2015 Essence from back to front because of the horoscope section and as I’m looking I see a section called “trending topics” reporting that the USTA just appointed former tennis player Katrina Adams, President, CEO and chairman of the board and the first African American to fill the role. So, more things have changed in the World of Sports in which women of colour historically have not dominated. While flipping through my 2014 issue of Essence with various fashions it was became obvious that this is not just about fashion, though the title gave me that impression and had to share given the history. In fact, it is about a Woman named Renee Powell and some young Women who were introduced to her and who have chosen her as their mentor. Now, the surprise to most would be that these brightly fashionable women are people of colour and that the article is about golf or as they say, “One of America’s favourite pastimes.” In fact my family lived just a few blocks away from a golf course and while golf wasn’t my choice the history of golf was well known in our house, including a couple of good along with the bad and the really ugly stories of racism. It is a sad day to know that the practice is still alive and well, though tiger woods did shatter the glass ceiling some. The art of discrimination is subtle these days, while the stories of’ the good ‘olé boys club were worse, golf is a work in progress. The article tells us about the ups and downs of Powell’s life and daily experiences as a young girl to becoming one of four African-American women qualifying for golf’s top pro-circuit … The LPGA Tour that included Althea Gibson, LaRee Pearl Sugg, Shasta Avery Hardt and Renee Powell. Their legacy on the links is gone into in depth. They list the youngest pro at 17, four others including the niece of tiger woods who also has a great story, but what is even more exciting is that after Powell retired she now owns her own golf club, is the golf pro. She also teaches and mentors a new generation of girls/women of colour who love the game and are willing to take it as far as they can. Golfing is not cheap, so, if you have an opportunity to donate to your area’s youth sports club or make time to teach train and expose kids of colour to golf … do it!

Oh and the article on Golf is in Essence and was written by Connie Aitcheson

and … it’s in “Trending Topics” the February issue of Essence

~ my 2cents ...

February 11, 1812 – Packing & Cracking ~ gerrymander~ a repost and reminder

02/11/2023 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Elbridge Gerry (1744–1814), American statesman (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The information below is a historic timeline regarding the Census and Gerrymandering or Packing & Cracking rules

In December 1975, the Congress passed Public Law (P.L.) 94-171. This law requires the Census Bureau to make special preparations to provide redistricting data to the 50 states no later than April 1 of the year following a census (so April 1, 2011, for the 2010 Census). P.L. 94-171 specifies that within 1 year of Census Day, the Census Bureau must send each state the small-area data the state will need to redraw districts for the state legislature.

P.L. 94-171 sets up a voluntary program between the Census Bureau and those states that wish to receive population tabulations for voting districts and other state-specified geographic areas.

Under this program, those responsible for the legislative apportionment or redistricting of each state may devise a plan identifying the voting districts for which they want the specific tabulations and submit it to the Census Bureau.

Beginning in 2005, the Redistricting Data Office of the Census Bureau met with state officials in 46 states. These meetings explained the timeline and programs available for the 2010 Census, providing states the time to prepare and allocate resources in advance of the census. The states also provided the Census Bureau with valuable feedback on census program planning.

The 2010 Census Redistricting Data Program is a five-phase program. During Phase 1 (2005–2006), the Census Bureau collected state legislative district boundaries and associated updates to tabulate legislative districts. This phase also included an aggressive 2010 Census communications plan, with visits to state capitals, to make sure the states were informed and prepared for the upcoming census.

Phase 2 (2008–2010) consisted of the Voting District/Block Boundary Suggestion Project (VTD/BBSP) in which states received TIGER/Line® shapefiles and the MAF/TIGER Partnership Software (MTPS) to electronically collect voting district boundaries, feature updates, suggested block boundaries, and corrected state legislative district boundaries. Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 are voluntary programs that include a step where the state verifies the submitted data.

Phase 3 constitutes the delivery of the data for the 2010 Census. The Census Bureau will deliver the geographic and data products to the majority and minority leadership in the state legislatures, the governors, and any designated P.L. 94-171 liaisons. Once bipartisan receipt of the data is confirmed, the data will be made available online to the public within 24 hours through the American FactFinder. For this census, the P.L. 94-171 data will include population counts for small areas within each state, as well as housing occupied/vacancy counts.

After the Census Bureau provides the data, the states will begin their redistricting. States are responsible for delineating their own congressional and legislative boundaries and their legislatures. Legislatures, secretaries of state, governors, and/or redistricting commissions carry out the process.

Go to www.census.gov for the complete article …

For your information, wiki states, “Gerrymandering is effective because of the wasted vote effect.

The Etymology

First printed in March 1812, the political cartoon above was drawn in reaction to the state senate electoral districts drawn by the Massachusetts legislature to favour the Democratic-Republican Party candidates of Governor Elbridge Gerry over the Federalists.

The caricature satirizes the bizarre shape of a district in Essex County, Massachusetts as a dragon-like “monster.”

Federalist newspapers editors and others at the time likened the district shape to a salamander, and the word gerrymander was a blend of that word and Governor Gerry‘s last name.

Resources: www.Census.gov

and Wiki