Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

yallerdawg

yallerdawg's Journal
yallerdawg's Journal
October 19, 2015

America is ready for a what?

If "All politics is local" then what are we ready for?

2014 state legislatures post-election.



From Vox: Democrats are in denial. Their party is actually in deep trouble.

The presidency is extremely important, of course. But there are also thousands of critically important offices all the way down the ballot. And the vast majority — 70 percent of state legislatures, more than 60 percent of governors, 55 percent of attorneys general and secretaries of state — are in Republicans hands. And, of course, Republicans control both chambers of Congress. Indeed, even the House infighting reflects, in some ways, the health of the GOP coalition. Republicans are confident they won't lose power in the House and are hungry for a vigorous argument about how best to use the power they have.

Not only have Republicans won most elections, but they have a perfectly reasonable plan for trying to recapture the White House. But Democrats have nothing at all in the works to redress their crippling weakness down the ballot. Democrats aren't even talking about how to improve on their weak points, because by and large they don't even admit that they exist.

Instead, the party is focused on a competition between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton over whether they should go a little bit to Obama's left or a lot to his left, options that are unlikely to help Democrats down-ballot in the face of an unfriendly House map and a more conservative midterm electorate. The GOP might be in chaos, but Democrats are in a torpor.

Any Democrat can get elected?

This country looks like it's ready for a lurch to the left?

It sure looks like a lot of Americans firmly believe there is a difference between a Democrat and a Republican!

Maybe it's time for us to WAKE UP!

October 18, 2015

Alabama license office closures alarms voting rights advocates ahead of 2016

From: The Guardian, Matthew Teague

Governor says office closures are cost-cutting measures but opponents say they are an effort toward disenfranchisement that harkens back to state’s painful past. A series of recent government maneuvers in Alabama may prevent some citizens from voting across large swathes of the state, particularly in poverty-stricken Black Belt counties.

The first of the moves happened a year ago, when Alabama enacted a law requiring voters to present government-issued identification at the polls. The second happened two weeks ago, when the state shut down dozens of driver’s license-issuing offices, leaving 28 counties with no means of issuing the most common form of ID.

The Republican governor, Robert Bentley, says the office closures are a cost-cutting measure. Opponents say they are an effort toward disenfranchisement that harkens back to Alabama’s painful past. A half-century ago, Bloody Sunday in Selma led to the Voting Rights Act, removing obstacles for black voters.


Both sides could be right.

In Alabama’s early history, its agricultural heart became known as the Black Belt because of its dark, rich soil. Now it’s often called that because of the color of its residents’ skin. That was never the intended meaning of the term – but in reality slaves were concentrated in those counties directly because of that same soil.

Likewise, Alabama’s officials may not now conspire to isolate the state’s black citizens – but they make up the vast majority in the affected, impoverished counties.


Much more at: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/17/alabama-voting-voter-id-driving-license
October 18, 2015

In Alabama, Clinton blasts GOP on voting rights

Source: Associated Press By BILL BARROW

HOOVER, Ala. — Presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton is telling black Alabama Democrats that she'd champion voting rights in the White House. She says Republicans are dismantling the progress of the civil rights movement.

Clinton blasted Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley for closing driver's license offices in 31 counties where most residents are African-American. Alabama requires photo identification to vote.

The Democratic front-runner says, "This is a blast from the Jim Crow past."

Clinton also mocked Republican presidential candidates Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush for their opposition to restoring Voting Rights Act provisions the Supreme Court struck down.

About 700 people attended a luncheon for the state's largest black Democratic Party caucus.

African-Americans are crucial to Clinton's campaign. They will likely make up a majority of the Democratic primary electorate in several Southern states.

October 17, 2015

Here's one "thoughtful" person. (HILLARY GROUP)

Not the edited versions - the speech "thoughtful" people listen to!



October 17, 2015

SEC overrated? Or does it just beat itself to death?

For instance, Alabama.

SEC's Ole Miss beats Alabama. Alabama beats SEC's Georgia.

And it keeps on going.

Today, #6 LSU plays #8 Florida. #9 Texas A&M plays #10 Alabama.

40% of the Top Ten is playing half of itself out of Top 10 status today.

And so it goes, week after week.

Then we have the SEC Championship Game. And then possibly 2 more games to win National Championship.

Because of the overall strength and parity of the SEC, I'm beginning to believe SEC Champion is going to become the cream of the crop nationally.

Regardless of record - or playoff invitation.

October 16, 2015

Hillary Clinton Alabama visit: Everything you need to know about Hoover appearance

Source: al.com by Howard Koplowitz



Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be making her first visit to Alabama on Saturday as a 2016 presidential candidate. Clinton will be giving a speech to the Alabama Democratic Conference convention at The Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover.

The event is open to the public but tickets, which cost at least $150, sold out earlier this week. Clinton is scheduled to hold private meetings with supporters at the hotel from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m., when the lunch gets underway, according to her campaign. She's expected to speak at around 1 p.m.

The ADC, which formed in the 1960s and whose mission is to rally African Americans to vote Democrat, endorsed Clinton over then-Sen. Barack Obama in 2008. The group is expected to back Clinton again during the convention.

"Hillary Clinton is right on the issues and Alabama is fortunate to have her visit us, we believe she will be the next President of the United States," ADC Chairman Joe Reed said in a statement from the Clinton campaign.

October 16, 2015

Democrats Name Clinton The Debate Winner In HuffPost/YouGov Poll

A 55 percent majority of registered Democratic voters who watched the debate said Clinton won. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who saw a surge in online interest and fundraising, was a distant second, with only 22 percent saying he was the best of the night.

Clinton also saw an uptick in the proportion of Democrats who say they want her to be the party's presidential nominee. Before the debate, 44 percent of registered Democrats said they wanted Clinton to be the nominee. After the debate, the figure had risen to 52 percent.


More at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/huffpost-yougov-poll-democratic-debate_56203935e4b06462a13b8449
October 15, 2015

Happy Halloween: More on "AHS: Hotel"

This new "American Horror Story: Hotel" season is now approaching the cultish status of Season 1 "True Detective"!

The following link has some threads that source the new story, suggest where it may be going, and who/what may appear next!

Also, some very real creepy scary stuff! to HuffPo!

*likely spoilers?*

Here’s What May Happen in ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’ Based on the Real-Life Hotel



Profile Information

Gender: Do not display
Member since: Fri Apr 4, 2014, 04:21 PM
Number of posts: 16,104
Latest Discussions»yallerdawg's Journal