Replies to post #477898 on Tornado Alley (PROG)

[janice shell]

But such people DO NOT WHINE CONSTANTLY.

[newmedman]

Listen dude, people have tried to deal with you rationally for years now.. It's not our problem anymore.. You continually try to debase a certain political party and you do it on purpose.

The fact of the matter is for a lot of people, they could care less what you think because three quarters of the time your pretzel logic makes no sense at all and it's just a big personal pity party.

You think you're smart but you have no clue about the world around you, outside of West Virginia. You could be part of the solution but instead you choose to be the problem and you blame every damn issue in your life on everyone else..

It has become extremely tiring in the last year and you'll never change. You're only one step away from going full Q Anon like some other lunatics on this site.. You should go run and post with them because they will quickly dry your tears.

You're not the only person who has experienced hardship in this world. This is not a group of silver spoon privileged people. We see the same things you do but I think most of us frame it rather differently and don't use comedians or biased opinion writers for our social guidance tools..

[zab]

Democrats just want fairness, like a criminal such as trump being held accountable for breaking white collar crimes.

[blackhawks]

Does anyone show more disdain, disrespect and contempt for others than Trump? His defamation conviction confirms it.

What is disdainful, haughty, imperious in the Bills signed by Biden that are rebuilding America's infrastructure, securing technological competitiveness in the chip industry and making a drug much less expensive for the increasing number of diabetics, particularly among Trump supporters.

And what is more aggressive, imperious and overbearing in a presidential contest than claiming you ARE the retribution for your supporters and your claim you will be a dictator for a day?

And then there's this remarkably disdainful threat, toward democracy and the rule of law, from Trump.

'It's very possible': Trump floats imprisoning his political opponents

Discussing his guilty verdict, Trump said his opponents were going down a "terrible path."

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-floats-imprisoning-political-opponents-rcna155543

Talk about going after his political enemies has been a consistent talking point during his campaign that has started to re-emerge since the verdict.

At the start of his re-election campaign, Trump frequently raised prosecuting President Joe Biden.

“I will appoint a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president in the history of America, Joe Biden, and go after the Biden crime family,” Trump said in June at his Bedminster, New Jersey, residence, just hours after being arraigned at a federal courthouse in Miami on charges related to his handling of classified documents after he left the White House.

Trump also discussed his 2016 opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, and how he did not imprison her. "Lock her up" was a frequent chant at Trump's campaign rallies — often fueled by Trump himself — during that election cycle.

'Holier than thou'? How about less prone to sweeping generalizations, false equivalencies and moral blindness to ALL of the above, than thou?

[arizona1]

Individuals with a superiority complex typically come across as supercilious, haughty, and disdainful toward others. They may treat others in an imperious, overbearing, and even aggressive manner.

Hey, Mr. 12 weeks!

US Senate Hearing Highlights Impacts of 'Horrific Anti-Abortion Crusade'

Sen. Patty Murray described the event as "a close accounting of the trauma Republicans are inflicting on women and families across our
Abortion rights advocates in the U.S. Senate held a Tuesday hearing highlighting the impacts of healthcare bans imposed by the GOP, particularly since the Supreme Court's June 2022 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which reversed Roe v. Wade.

The hearing—titled, "The Assault on Women's Freedoms: How Abortion Bans Have Created a Healthcare Nightmare Across America"—was officially hosted by Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), but he kicked it off by explaining why he was turning things over to Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the panel's former leader.

"Given the subject matter I think it's appropriate for a woman to chair this important hearing and this is an issue that Sen. Murray has been deeply and passionately involved in for many, many years," Sanders said, connecting the fight for abortion access to women's battles for other basic rights, including equal pay and political representation. "Sen. Murray, the gavel is yours."

Murray described the hearing as "a close accounting of the trauma Republicans are inflicting on women and families across our country, and the damage they are doing to basic reproductive healthcare through their horrific anti-abortion crusade."

With Republican politicians' recently implemented abortion bans and restrictions, "they have told women on no uncertain terms, 'You don't control your body, we do.' That is horrifying," she said. "The consequences of the post-Dobbs abortion bans are so much broader and so much more devastating than any one story or hearing can ever do justice."

Murray mentioned a story shared by Dr. Neelima Sukhavasi last month when Louisiana lawmakers were considering whether to add rape and incest exceptions to the state's strict abortion ban (they didn't). Recalling a rape survivor giving birth, the OB-GYN said, "One of these teenagers delivered a baby while clutching a Teddy Bear—and that's an image that once you see that, you can't unsee it."

The senator stressed that "these nightmares are happening across our country and there are so many other stories that go untold."

"It is harrowing to think that we live in a reality where forced pregnancy has become so widespread and so rampant that only the most dystopian stories get national attention—but the stories of all the other women who are confronted by these bans, their pain, their heartbreak, their anger and fear, are also horrific, valid, and an important part of the conversation," she continued. "A forced pregnancy does not have to make headlines to make someone's life a living hell."

The committee heard from two Physicians for Reproductive Health fellows who provide abortion care—Drs. Nisha Verma of Georgia and Allison Linton, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin—as well as Guttmacher Institute acting co-CEO Destiny Lopez and Madysyn Anderson, a patient who had to leave her home in Houston, Texas to end a pregnancy.

The panel also heard from two witnesses called by Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a gastroenterologist who calls himself "unapologetically pro-life": Indiana-based Dr. Christina Francis, CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Melissa Ohden, founder and CEO of the Abortion Survivors Network.

Anderson was the first to provide testimony. She spoke about finding out she was pregnant during her senior year at the University of Houston, shortly after a breakup. She made an appointment at a nearby Planned Parenthood clinic, where she found out she was 11 weeks pregnant—too far along to get an abortion in Texas, even before the Dobbs decision.

"I called 20 different clinics after my first visit. Yes, 20. I called surrounding states and even as far as the Dakotas. No one could see me right away. The earliest I could be seen was two weeks later at Jackson Women's Health Organization in Mississippi," she said. "My dad took off work and we drove 720 miles and spent 13 hours on the road. We spent five hours in a hotel trying to sleep before my first appointment just to turn right around and go back home."

Because of Mississippi laws at the time, she had to make another trip for the procedure. In addition to missing hours of work and an internship—and having to disclose the reason to her boss and professors—Anderson had to pay $2,850 for her appointments and travel. She said that "there is no dollar value I can put on the stress of managing everything."

As of May 1, 14 U.S. states had total abortion bans and 27 states had prohibitions based on gestational duration, according to Lopez's group, which tracks reproductive rights policies. Some states are going even further. Louisiana, for example, recently passed a law to classify two drugs used in medication abortions—mifepristone and misoprostol—as controlled dangerous substances, a move opposed by hundreds of healthcare providers.

Lopez emphasized that the drugs are "safe and effective," and framed the Louisiana law as "simply an effort to make abortion more difficult to attain," which she said will impact "folks who are already marginalized" by our healthcare system.



Verma similarly stressed that "medication abortion is incredibly safe and effective" and warned of misinformation shared by people including Cassidy's witnesses about topics such as so-called "abortion reversal," recalling one study that had to be stopped early because participants were experiencing dangerous bleeding.

The doctors talked about a range of other related issues including difficulties treating patients post-Dobbs; the fact that, as Linton put it, "we already have maternity care deserts" and they are expected to increase, as doctors flee states with restrictions; and, Verma noted, the distances that people are forced to travel for abortion care are "getting further and further."

The Supreme Court—whose makeup remains the same as when the Dobbs decision was handed down—is currently weighing two cases that could further restrict abortion care nationwide: one involving mifepristone and another regarding whether abortions are considered "necessary stabilizing treatment" for patients experiencing emergencies.

In Congress, Republicans continue to push for restrictions on abortion—and advocates warn that in vitro fertilization and contraception are also at risk. Reproductive rights are also dominating the contest for the White House, with former GOP President Donald Trump bragging about the role he played in reversing Roe.

Democratic President Joe Biden, meanwhile, continues to emphasize that he supports abortion rights. Murray made clear during Tuesday's hearing that party members are determined to keep fighting for reproductive freedom.

The divided Senate is set to vote Wednesday on the Right to Contraception Act. Speaking after the hearing, Murray said that "the message here is a simple one: Do you support the right to contraception, or not? The vast majority of Americans absolutely do. Overwhelmingly! But what about Republicans?"

"One of the Republican witnesses at our hearing this morning—someone Republicans chose to bring in to represent their arguments—is actively working to ban basic forms of contraception," she noted. "That should tell you a lot."
https://www.commondreams.org/news/congress-abortion?utm_source=Common+Dreams&utm_campaign=c2aedf9a6f-Top+News%3A+Tue.+6%2F4%2F24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-3b949b3e19-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

[fuagf]

B402, it's about time you understood that all of us to different extents, in our own self interest. That goes for all of us. Key is though, to different extent.

'Individuals with a superiority complex typically come across as supercilious, haughty, and disdainful toward others."

Your video held some truths, though why such a narrow focus. Why be soooo lacking in balance. Some liberals in some areas, the video is right, act and legislate against the encroachment of more housing density. You do understand, i hope, that some liberals are more hypocritical about much, including professed values, than others. You must accept the same situation exists in the conservative camp. In both moderates and extremes exist. Right. California got a brief conciliatory crumb at the end of your video, i do have an article on tab on that. Yes, i do have it when i say i have it. In California some Democrat legislators are doing their best to help ease the housing shortage.

And on taxation, again the vast majority of US states have a regressive tax system Florida the worst according to some. California among the least regressive the data says. Again yes i have evidence, in spite of the Trumpian accusation you made against me a couple of days ago.

Thing is we all live in capitalist countries. The U.S. arguably the toughest form of capitalism. Australia somewhat less severe. It's the system.

So you - start with the fact that we all act in our own best interest. Then accept some more than others. Then ask, in America do blue states aid red states more in terms of financial aid, or vice versa. You know the answer. Then why.

Then - ask, from a genuinely open and caring perspective - is it Democrats or Republicans as two big tents who work harder, and who legislate better, to preserve the safety net which helps to support those in the most need. To make things more equitable, as you profess is important to you. You know the answer.

And ask, is it Democrats or Republicans who nationally, on balance, work harder to create a more equitable and usefully informative and valuable education system. You know the answer there too.

Your video had one tiny focus, and though it holds much truth to most it would appear to be no more than ta hit on hypocritical Democrats. On hypocritical liberals. Could they have approached their concern in a more useful manner.

I say, looking at the bigger picture it is unarguable that it is Democrats/liberals more than Republicans/conservative who are making the greater effort to 'fix' the system of government you have. To make America more equitable as you say you would like it.

On balance Democrats are way out ahead.

Soooooo to Times picked comments at the top of the comments list of the Times article on your video:

Kevin McCloy commented November 9, 2021
Kevin McCloy
Long Beach, Ca.Nov. 9, 2021
Times Pick

1-There are more empty houses in California then there are homeless people, meaning the problem is that people hold on to housing as a commodity. We don't necessarily have to build more.

2-Most Californians don't live in Palo Alto. There is a class element you have forgotten. Yes the rich yuppie types are hypocrites, but most Californians live in places like Long Beach or Richmond, not Palo Alto, or Santa Monica

Diego commented November 9, 2021
Diego
South America Nov. 9, 2021
Times Pick

The US is a country that rewards economic success and punishes economic failure. The system is tailored to protect the interests of the middle class, which embodies the so-called American Dream, and punish, or at least ignore, the poor. This has always been the case, and it transcends political parties. The Republican party is just worse, while the Democratic party is just more hypocritical. That being said, many of the problems of Democratic states are of national scale, and don't lend themselves so easily to local solutions. A more successful local economy is going to create more jobs and migration, leading to housing crises, regardless of policies. But the video is right in pointing to the disgraceful hypocrisy of Democrats. The really taboo subjects of American politics are those that affect the interests of the middle class, or the military-industrial complex. Good luck in finding politicians with the courage to talk about them.

Bruce commented November 9, 2021
Bruce
Los Angeles Nov. 9, 2021
Times Pick

@Matt The editorial addresses hypocrisy. Californians who vote Democratic in many locations say they support the creation of more housing, but their actions betray what they say. In Chicago, Illinois, Democrats say they support equal education opportunities, but their behavior days otherwise.

It is hypocrisy that denies fair taxation in America, fair provision of public services, and adequate, quality housing for everyone—what Democrats SAY they want, but they support the opposite.

Look in the mirror blue states' liberal Democrats.

Lotzapappa commented November 9, 2021
Lotzapappa
Wayward City, NB Nov. 9, 2021
Times Pick

Absolutely wonderful & hard-hitting video. Since forever, the Democratic Party has been the kinder & gentler face of American capitalism, and its hypocrisy is rampant. This is in no way to excuse the even worse Republican Party, just to note the realities of liberal double-talk. It's why I hold my nose when I vote for Democrats, and why I hope, even as I know it won't happen any time soon, that another party that actually represents working and middle-class Americans will come along to challenge our two existing parties.

Matt commented November 9, 2021
Matt
Rochester Nov. 9, 2021
Times Pick

As a middle class renter, I'll never live in a red state again. Very few worker protection rights, very few renter protection rights. (And I'm sure there's others that relate to minotires or women, but I'm neither so I can't vouch for that.)

Having said that, you can't really compare Dem agenda on a national level with Dem agenda on a state level, every state has different needs and a different mix of constituents demanding different things that the state level reps must answer for. Liberals in California are different than liberals in Oregon. It's apples and oranges.

David commented November 9, 2021
David
California Nov. 9, 2021
Times Pick

What nonsense. There is no perfection in this world. Here in California we are well aware of the problems we face. We have one of the most robust economies in the world from agriculture to tech to Hollywood. Many of our problems stem from this success. I wouldn't think about living anywhere else.

Carr Kleeb commented November 9, 2021
Carr Kleeb
colorado Nov. 9, 2021
Times Pick

Boulder CO is one of the bluest cities in the US. We just voted down an amendment to allow more people to rent bedrooms in town. We banned all homeless people from downtown thru various laws and zoning so now they stay in areas prone to flooding. People proudly live 2 or 3 in a 5000ft home. Red or blue, Americans hate poor people and non-white people, and our government reflects that.

greg commented November 9, 2021
greg
Upstate New York Nov. 9, 2021
Times Pick

Maybe the problem is amount of our tax dollars that go to support red states? How about we keep our tax dollars here in the blue states and y'all in the red states learn to get by with the share of federal tax money you actually put in the national pot?

Sue commented November 9, 2021
Sue
CT Nov. 9, 2021
Times Pick

As a retired Bridgeport teacher, I’m glad you showed one of ours testifying to the problems we’ve worked with for years.

Kent Kraus commented November 9, 2021
Kent Kraus
AlabamaNov. 9, 2021
Times Pick

Not all Dems "share" the values that the progressive wing espouses. The party is a big tent.

Andrew commented November 9, 2021
Andrew
New York CityNov. 9, 2021
Times Pick

The Democratic Party is a big tent. Many of whom are center right, but love gay people, so they call themselves liberals.

I've been excoriating San Francisco for years as the biggest den of hypocrisy in the country regarding housing policy. What should be done there is what has been done in New York. Designate a few small historic districts to keep some of the old character and then densify densify densify. I suspect though that SF 'liberals' would rather keep their Victorians than watch their city grow and prosper in a sustainable and equitable way.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/09/opinion/democrats-blue-states-legislation.html#commentsContainer

The article with your video: Blue States, You’re the Problem

Why do states with Democratic majorities fail to live up to their values?

By Johnny Harris and Binyamin Appelbaum

It’s easy to blame the other side. And for many Democrats, it’s obvious that Republicans are thwarting progress toward a more equal society.

But what happens when Republicans aren’t standing in the way?

In many states — including California, New York and Illinois — Democrats control all the levers of power. They run the government. They write the laws. And as we explore in the video above, they often aren’t living up to their values.

In key respects, many blue states are actually doing worse than red states. It is in the blue states where affordable housing is often hardest to find, there are some of the most acute disparities in education funding and economic inequality is increasing most quickly.

Instead of asking, “What’s the matter with Kansas?” Democrats need to spend more time pondering, “What’s the matter with California?”

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/09/opinion/democrats-blue-states-legislation.html

The video could be a wake-up call to some, but i don't see there is much in it
which has not been posted about in similar vein on this board. Or course
to duplicitous conservatives as you it's a tonic. I understand that too.