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Rants and other stuff; The Village, 3/29/23 [1]

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Date: 2023-03-29

Always sound advice.

I started writing this diary on Monday this week, so it’s a bit of a rant. The day that at least 3 children and 3 adults were murdered at a school in Nashville. Days like today are still upsetting and infuriating, and I take some tiny comfort in knowing that I haven’t become fully numb to these shootings. When this happens I want to scream an almost nonstop stream of curse words in what I wish would make a difference to people who vote for republicans and republican politicians.

***

I happen to have MSNBC on and John Heilemann was struggling, as all the guests were, with trying to say something profound and helpful to viewers. He mentioned that before the shooting he was prepared to be speaking about the Waco rally this weekend that he attended. He spoke about the fetishization of guns, and AR15 in particular and how David Koresh’s actions involving purchases of weapons including automatic weapon parts, chemicals and hand grenade parts.

He discusses how Waco was really the start of the current militia movement and how the various groups look to it as the start of the government ‘war’ against them. I even learned the Timothy McVeigh was at Waco, outside the compound, handing out propaganda leaflets. It was only 2 years later that he blew up the federal building in Oklahoma City and murdered 168 people, including 19 children, and injured hundreds more.

Hearing his reporting on the background of the rally was also upsetting because it reminds me that right wing crazies have been desperate to fight our country for so damn long. Jeez, TFG even had an altered ‘national anthem’ playing at the rally with J6 video playing in coordination with the song! Adding to my anger and frustration was seeing this tweet earlier in the day.

x The New York Times writes that “today’s left is less patriotic than the country as a whole.” I don’t know what “today’s left” means or how patriotism is measured. You’re a sap if you subscribe to the New York Times. pic.twitter.com/C1GQXduuZZ — Armando (@ArmandoNDK) March 27, 2023

I literally cannot fathom the logic behind this premise. It’s not only factually wrong, (see J6), but it’s very dangerous. We’ve already seen violence and threats against the left wing across this country. Statements like this one can truly put people’s life at risk. We must not minimize the danger facing individuals, and democratic institutions.

***

In other alarming news, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to weaken Israel’s judiciary. Thankfully, he is running into MAJOR opposition from Israeli citizens and even his own Likud party. People have been demonstrating for over a week in huge numbers. This past Monday he postponed his plans, and hopefully he will continue to get enough pushback that he has to drop those plans. It’s not a good look for any democracy to want to weaken their judiciary systems.

Jennifer Rubin makes a very good point here. I try to limit my use of, “Biden should…/Dems should...” but I think there are diplomatic actions we can take to put more pressure on Netanyahu. Maybe it’s even that he can attend, but not be on a panel.

x Biden should use this opportunity to lean in. Netanyahu doesnt get invited again unless he allows for indep judiciary. It's a core democratic feature. https://t.co/X8098AWGpK — Jennifer "Pro-privacy" Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) March 27, 2023

***

Moving to some better news. Former VP, Mike Pence will have to testify to the Grand Jury that Special Prosecutor Jack Smith is overseeing. He’s a key witness for any prosecution of TFG for actions he took while in office. He’s been working hard to avoid pissing him and his supporters off but, as expected, he will have to testify. Will be interesting to see what he had to say.

x BREAKING: a federal judge has ruled that Mike Pence must testify about conversations he had with trump leading up to 1/6. He can appeal. https://t.co/9AfG2W6KQW — Mueller, She Wrote (@MuellerSheWrote) March 28, 2023

***

Closing with some scenes from VP Harris’ trip to Africa.

x A tremendous welcome from the people of Ghana. pic.twitter.com/KJaXtMnfET — Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) March 26, 2023

x Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff are greeted by Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo and First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo at the presidential palace.



"It's a beautiful evening," she told him as they walked by press. pic.twitter.com/GKaMwKJSPY — Eugene Daniels (@EugeneDaniels2) March 27, 2023

x Listen to those cheers. 😊



Never tell us she's not loved. https://t.co/SY8U2OiiZm — Leaundra Ross 💙💚🏈⚾️ (@LeaundraRoss) March 28, 2023

What’s on your mind this week?

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/3/29/2160549/-Rants-and-other-stuff-The-Village-3-29-23

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