February 23, 2021

"It's Time to Impeach Andrew Cuomo" - Democrat Ron Kim

https://www.newsweek.com/its-time-impeach-andrew-cuomo-opinion-1570870

By now, much of the world has seen New York's Emmy-award winning governor and "COVID-19 hero" Andrew Cuomo come under fire for New York's growing nursing home scandal. A March 25 directive forcing nursing homes to take in patients who had tested positive for COVID-19 led to the spread of the disease among New York's most vulnerable population. And then, to cover his tracks, the Governor may have obstructed justice by suppressing life and death data from the Department of Justice; his office underestimated the number of nursing home deaths by up to fifty percent.

These actions, which Cuomo's aid Melissa DeRosa admitted to in a call with Democratic lawmakers that I was on, implicated all of us in the governor's cover-up. It would be the first of multiple attempts to do so.

On a private phone call, the governor berated me, threatened my career, and demanded that I issue a fabricated statement. He wanted me to deny what I heard on the call. "Are you an honorable man?" He yelled. "Who do you think you are?" This, too, was an attempt to rope me into his scheme.

Those of us who have worked with Cuomo are familiar with his tendencies. There is a long pattern of abusive tactics that the governor deploys when the public gets too close to learning the truth: cast a net far and wide, compromise as many unwitting accomplices, threaten retribution, then berate you for having the temerity to stand up.

And that should be that for 2024. Cuomo has been going to town on two Asian-American representatives of late. Not a super great look on the guy.

February 14, 2021

Reminder: You can be your own Valentine today

It's that day of the year where people who are without a relationship or those who are in bad ones may feel a sharp reminder of that fact and feel pangs of loneliness, unworthiness, of unwantedness. This isn't everyone. Some people are 100% content being alone. Many prefer it. If that's you, keep doing what you're doing.

However, if that's not you, remember that self-care is incredibly important. It's one of the most important things we can do for ourselves. In this pandemic, with social isolation taken to a degree unknown in contemporary society, a lot of negative feelings and perceptions have been magnified for a lot of people. It's been a fucking year. People are worn thin and worn down. Self-care is more important than ever.

So, today, be nice to yourself. Do something for yourself, even if it's small. Something just for you, because you deserve someone to be nice to you today, even if it's just yourself.

If you're good, but you know and love someone who you think might be going through it today, take a few and reach out. My mom lost my dad a few years back, and I know this day hits. So, I spent time this morning being completely stupid over the phone, just to get her to laugh.

If you can do something - for yourself or someone else - today, do it.

If you can't, that's ok, too. If getting dressed is all you have in you today, then get dressed. And if you need someone to be nice to you today, ask. People are much nicer than you think.

Just know that people are thinking about you, even if it doesn't feel like it. I'm definitely thinking about you, even if you don't know you. Be kind to yourself.

February 14, 2021

12 Republicans who protected Trump voted against Clinton

Let that one marinate for a moment.

Perjury? Worst thing ever. Insurrection? Meh.

How that isn't on every reporter's lips for the next week will be baffling.

https://www.vice.com/en/article/5dpayb/12-gop-senators-voted-against-clinton-for-lies-about-sex-will-they-convict-trump

(edited because I misread the article a bit)

February 5, 2021

As a Biden doubter

And I was a big one through the primaries and terrified of his nomination. "Shit, another moderate go along to get along. Lovely."

I'm impressed.

Wait, that doesn't capture it.

I am completely fucking impressed.

There's coming hard out of the gate, and then there's tearing the gate to shreds to the point we're not even sure what just happened.

Seriously. What an impressive first few weeks this administration is having. No matter what thing I see where I might start raising an eyebrow, I completely forget about it ten seconds later because his administration did something else that is completely awesome.

And I'll small-note that Schumer has upped his game. I doubted there as well. It's early days, but no ankle-biting from my end. And I'm an AOC progressive type.

Just wanted to say.