June 4, 2014

Excellent read. But I think they do have an 'action' group now, the Open Carry group.

I'm sure you've seen these links before, but I'm passing it on to people. The article in the OP does go into forming a groupthink and blaming others but not on their rights as men.

The ones acting out with legal permission are hiding behind 'patriotism, freedom, liberty' and their 'second amendment rights.'

The fusillade of abuse women receive from them isn't about those issues. It was painstakingly nurtured into pure poison, and it's ruining young men who fall into their groupthink:

When Words Become Bullets: Elliot Rodger and the Patriarchal Id

http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2014/05/28/words-become-bullets-elliot-rodger-patriarchal-id/

This one may be a trigger for some DUers. But it's worth the full read, plus the videos. It has many links worth going to as it pulls all the different threads together:

Spitting, Stalking, Rape Threats: How Gun Extremists Target Women

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/05/guns-bullying-open-carry-women-moms-texas

Sorry if these have been posted before, but I think they both, particularly the second one, show what most have suspected but have not seen explained so well. The MRA are not about the rights of men except their right to use and abuse women which is not even a worthwhile effort to most people.

June 3, 2014

Thanks for the excellent gif!

Soon to be followed by:



Another day, another GOP game...

June 3, 2014

Treestar, it's called 'crazymaking.' That's what is being done by those trying to shut us down.

Crazymaking is also called Double Bind, a method of controlling communication:

Double Bind

Double bind theory was first described by Gregory Bateson and his colleagues in the 1950s.[1]

Double binds are often utilized as a form of control without open coercion—the use of confusion makes them both difficult to respond to as well as to resist.[2]

A double bind generally includes different levels of abstraction in the order of messages and these messages can either be stated explicitly or implicitly within the context of the situation, or they can be conveyed by tone of voice or body language. Further complications arise when frequent double binds are part of an ongoing relationship to which the person or group is committed.[3][4]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_bind

Mental Abuse – Tell Tale Signs of Crazy-Making Psychological Abuse

By Mack LeMouse

In a relationship there are many different forms of abuse that can be inflicted - emotional, verbal, physical and mental. Of all of them mental abuse is perhaps the most abstract and difficult to define or even identify, but can also be one of the most cruel and damaging whereby the individual begins to question their very mind and leave you feeling confused, stressed and even depressed.

Mental abuse can take many forms, but mostly it consists of a series of ‘mind games’ that can be traumatic for the victim. This can mean scare tactics, emotional blackmail, unpredictable mood swings, random acts of cruelty, humiliation, ignoring your emotions, flirting with strangers, being condescending or demeaning of your feelings, lying or even theft. An example of mental abuse then could be to go out for long periods of time without telling your partner and then yell at them when they inquire as to where you were. At the same time you might shout if they go out, or continuously ring them for checks as to where they are. Another completely different example could be to steel a partner’s money then accuse them of paranoia if they ask where it is gone. Similarly you might force sex when they are tired and tell them they are a bad partner if they do otherwise, or shout at them and tell them they are useless only to them come back and act as though nothing had happened. Or they might insult you viciously in front of your friends. All these are examples of mental abuse and all of them are damaging.

Essentially it is treating the individual not as someone you love but as someone you resent, or a stranger, or switching between extremes. This then leaves the victim unable to relax and constantly on their guard and as such this can give way to severe stress, paranoia, or other similar issues. If you then complain about the situation you will be told you are being stupid or overly sensitive and in your current mental state you might be inclined to listen. This in itself is a form of mental abuse that can be damaging and can also prevent you from escaping from the situation.

To recognise mental abuse in your relationship then see if you feel this way. Do you trust your partner? Do you feel relaxed around them? Do they trust you? Are they supportive? If you find that your partner makes you unsettled and nervous then something is certainly wrong. In many cases it will simply be that your partner themselves is mentally unstable and so unwittingly takes it out on you. In others they will feel insecure and feel the need to control you or torment you to make themselves feel better. In either case it is unacceptable and you should ensure that you separate from them, either permanently or until they’ve had help. Most importantly of all you mustn’t respond to it and mustn’t let it affect your sense of self.

http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/12799/1/Mental-Abuse--Tell-Tale-Signs-of-Crazy-Making-Psychological-Abuse.html

IOW, don't feed the trolls.

June 3, 2014

Just leave out that the goals are the same and the Kochs fund their think tanks. Nope, nothing there

BERNIE SANDERS Uncovers 1980 Koch Agenda- "What Do the Koch Brothers Want?"

In 1980, David Koch ran as the Libertarian Party’s vice-presidential candidate in 1980. Let’s take a look at the 1980 Libertarian Party platform. Here are just a few excerpts of the Libertarian Party platform that David Koch ran on in 1980:

“We urge the repeal of federal campaign finance laws, and the immediate abolition of the despotic Federal Election Commission.”

Unable to get traction through elections, they had to go other routes. Such as Citizens United which they support, and discouraging the vote among Democrats. And the Bircher CTers are a constant presence that has gone mainstream, not to mention their promoters in all the television and radio broadcasts. Nope, nothing to see here.

“We favor the abolition of Medicare and Medicaid programs.”

This is where the positive spin takes its toll, about how great fundraising is and how we should all figure out our health off websites that are often anti-Obama and despise Democrats. Oh, if only those people on those problems didn't pay taxes, they'd be able to afford their medical care themselves. And don't forget all those lazy old folks in hospital beds who should just jump and get to work, already!

“We oppose any compulsory insurance or tax-supported plan to provide health services, including those which finance abortion services.”

Keeping that liberty and freedom relegated to the right class of people who can afford all of that, and women don't need legal protection to keep the church and state out of their most intimate body parts, they must not understand that it was the 14th and not the 4th that gave them autonomy. TSA, NSA, touching a man's 'junk' or telling him anything is an outrage, but jamming an ultrasound probe up into a woman is allrighty. Not one protest. The silence would be deafening, but we heard the lack of support in contrast to the theocrats and those who see human beings as commodities loud and clear. 'Thanks for nothing.'

“We also favor the deregulation of the medical insurance industry.”

Well, that worked out so well before, didn't it? A peek at the movie SICKO shows the glory of that great idea.

“We favor the repeal of the fraudulent, virtually bankrupt, and increasingly oppressive Social Security system. Pending that repeal, participation in Social Security should be made voluntary.”

That's why I don't listen to squalls about changes to that system by those who parrot the rest of the line in the myriad of ways. The GOP has fought Social Security since its inception, called it a ponzi scheme, on the verge of bankruptcy, etc. for over half a century and kept so many from dying or being homeless. It is the greatest achievement of Democrats in terms of universality. It's not even as generous as the social democracies. Strange definition of oppression they are pushing there.

“We propose the abolition of the governmental Postal Service. The present system, in addition to being inefficient, encourages governmental surveillance of private correspondence. Pending abolition, we call for an end to the monopoly system and for allowing free competition in all aspects of postal service.”

Really now. And who did the private carriers call to get their packages delivered last Christmas because the profit driven companies didn't have enough infrastructure? Because it would eat into their profits? It wasn't the Ghostbusters they called.

The so-called survelliance aspect of the post office is less than what's online. But that's always their bogeyman but they don't care about the corporations stealing all of your data and selling it off to people who want to make money off of you, illegally.

“We oppose all personal and corporate income taxation, including capital gains taxes.”

“We support the eventual repeal of all taxation.”

“As an interim measure, all criminal and civil sanctions against tax evasion should be terminated immediately.”

Gee, I wonder how that is going to help income equality. It must be.... Nope it won't. The richest brothers on the planet don't want to pay their fair share, and want the rest of us to give them our nation's parks, schools and the rest of it over to their cronies. How very clever and 'enlightened' of them. See what's next, that model of prosperity that will create equality for all Americans. Uh, NOT:

“We support repeal of all law which impede the ability of any person to find employment, such as minimum wage laws.”

No minimum wage laws. Uh, I think we saw this plan in action before. It's called slavery, the real kind, not the 'slavery' of paying taxes and the 'slavery' of being told you can't do whatever you please to other people, the environment and all of that. They naturally believe that working hard will make you rich and free. Tell that to the generations of black slaves in this country who worked hard for no minimum wage and got rich and free. Oops, it didn't work that way. It took a Civil War to even begin to change that, and don't darecall yourself a slave and ride on the backs of their misery. Just quit it, Libertarians.

“We advocate the complete separation of education and State. Government schools lead to the indoctrination of children and interfere with the free choice of individuals. Government ownership, operation, regulation, and subsidy of schools and colleges should be ended.”

“We condemn compulsory education laws … and we call for the immediate repeal of such laws.”

“We support the repeal of all taxes on the income or property of private schools, whether profit or non-profit.”

But not the separation of church and state huh? And guess who the burden falls on when education is not funded or supported? Oh, forget it, those people don't exist. Tell 'em to pull up their bootstraps and get going. Too bad they won't have the tools to do so. Let Social Darwinism take care of them or make sure they never have a chance to learn their lives could have been so much more.

“We support the abolition of the Environmental Protection Agency.”

“We support abolition of the Department of Energy.”

“We call for the dissolution of all government agencies concerned with transportation, including the Department of Transportation.”

“We demand the return of America's railroad system to private ownership. We call for the privatization of the public roads and national highway system.”

Because we wouldn't want to trample on the rights of those polluting, fracking, and grinding people's lives down to dust or their constitutent mineral parts, just as nature intended, uh?

“We specifically oppose laws requiring an individual to buy or use so-called "self-protection" equipment such as safety belts, air bags, or crash helmets.”
“We advocate the abolition of the Federal Aviation Administration.”

“We advocate the abolition of the Food and Drug Administration.”

Note context of 'grinding people's lives down to dust or their constitutent mineral parts' posted above.

“We support an end to all subsidies for child-bearing built into our present laws, including all welfare plans and the provision of tax-supported services for children.”

“We oppose all government welfare, relief projects, and ‘aid to the poor’ programs. All these government programs are privacy-invading, paternalistic, demeaning, and inefficient. The proper source of help for such persons is the voluntary efforts of private groups and individuals.”

Ah, the freedom to tell others to FOAD, tell them to not 'breed' and then to get on their knees and beg churches and others to take care of them. Note, no freedom of thought being allowed for those benefiting by this alleged liberty there. And those who promote the hate of all these things, have never benefited in any way. Sure they didn't. The Kochs still get federal tax money and many Libertarians think their own pipeline to federal dollars is sacred. Those other people... not so much.

“We call for the privatization of the inland waterways, and of the distribution system that brings water to industry, agriculture and households.”

Wow, nice way to get right in the face of Americans and pay the oligarchs directly. And whatever they demand be paid. If you can't pay, see their unwritten, but often voiced doctrine, FOAD.

“We call for the repeal of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.”

Spoken like someone who never did a hard day's labor and wants to get their profits no matter how many lives are destroyed. More FOAD.

“We call for the abolition of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.”

Because poison in your food is good for your health, don't you know?

“We support the repeal of all state usury laws.”

Well, gee whiz. Guess who stands to make some money off of that while enjoying the liberty and freedom of impoverishing others?

In other words, the agenda of the Koch brothers is not only to defund Obamacare. The agenda of the Koch brothers is to repeal every major piece of legislation that has been signed into law over the past 80 years that has protected the middle class, the elderly, the children, the sick, and the most vulnerable in this country.

..................................

Tomorrow it will be Social Security, ending Medicare as we know it, repealing the minimum wage. It seems to me that the Koch brothers will not be content until they get everything they believe they are entitled to.

Our great nation can no longer be hijacked by right-wing billionaires like the Koch brothers.

For the sake of our children and our grandchildren, for the sake of our economy, we have got to let democracy prevail.

Bernie Sanders. of course, is a statesman. OTOH, I am an allegedly anonymous poster on a political message board and don't have the job of having to talk to these almost cartoonish villians and try to mitigate the price of the extortion they demand. So I'm not gonna be nice here.

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/koch-brothers
interesting stuff here too:
http://www.historycommons.org/context.jsp?item=a7980koch

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024806298

June 3, 2014

Snagging some cranberries in Washington:

They start out small:



Lots and lots of cranberries!



Very nice when they come into the stores.

June 3, 2014

Too bad they gave up healthy eating:

June 3, 2014

Well, that Thomas Jefferson weren't no real American patriot, you know!

Yup, them Teabaggers could teach him a thing or two...

June 3, 2014

Warning: Graphic image. BTW, these children were saved.

June 3, 2014

It's very telling that there is no credit given for things that matter most to Democrats, such as

the short list by MrScorpio.

When things on that list are accomplished, they get no respect. I can only derive from that behavior that those ideas likewise are not being respected.

The ones who scream about civil libertarian memes and the Bill of Rights, are blind to the fact that those applied to white, male, slave-holding property owners and not the rest of us as those rules were of no use for everyone.

They don't get excited when those not protected in the original Constitution get anything. It took a Civil War and many amendments to get what the Constitution and the Bill of Rights did not give us and which they never ever post about.

There is a very narrow range of topics they get outraged over, as if they are suddenly in the cross hairs, but others have always been targets.

Yes, something definitely wrong here, and those who continue to degrade those who are working to do right by us, are not for us. That's my sad conclusion, thus not buying anymore bullshit.

June 3, 2014

Those who daily drip venom on all Democrats and Obama, then say, I always vote Democrat, are LOL.

Whoever believes a person can just turn it off IRL needs to consider, can anyone live with such cognitive dissonance as to say these things and not reflect it there?

I meet many Democrats, and NOT ONE has attacked Democrats and Obama the way they are here, saying they should be raped and calling them names. They are our candidates who we voted for to do our will, but know the obstacles, as we have them locally, too.

In the real world, ideas are discussed, not broadbrushes and accusations. What really works is the main interest. People make sure their ideas are represented in their state platform. They give their insight on issues, they don't self-flagellate. We're trying to elect Democrats in the real world, not have a pissing contest.

It is illogical to believe people who are so well practiced in their constant anti-Democratic Party, anti-Kerry, anti-Holder and anti-Obama rhetoric aren't that way in real life.

People talk about politics in real life. Can one believe the bashers here don't tell others there in real lifehow bad Democrats are? Why would they let all that rhetoric go to waste?

It doesn't add up. I stopped believing them a while ago.