I thought this deserved to be FP:
And that, ladies and germs, is how we got Democrats to govern in the 20th century. The New Deal, the Voting Rights Act, health insurance that has to cover mammograms, marriage equality…all of those nice things didn’t just happen because Democrats are nicer, smarter and more enlightened. (Though that has since become true, more’s the pity.)
When I first attended a topical protest, 19 states enforced sodomy laws. Don’t try to tell me protest doesn’t work, because I know it does. I also know that no elected Democrats got in front of the tidal wave for marriage equality until the alternative was to lose their seats.
Light up their phones and faxes, one issue at a time, be consistent, and don’t be afraid to mass. Democrats aren’t going to lead us, but they will follow us.
Here are a few more photos…believe it or not, I still have some…so the good feels shall continue until moral improves (or at least until tomorrow).
From the Kansas March:
My niece and her friends. My niece made all the signs herself, Every time I talk with her, she gives me so much damn hope for the future.
We had 4,000 people show up in front of the Kansas Capital. Lots of pink hats. Warm, wonderful crowd. Even great weather. I’m still kinda buzzing about it. Especially here in Kansas, where it’s always wonderful to find fellow lefties. Whenever I stumble across someone like that in the rural area where I live, it’s like meeting a long lost friend.
You know how I love my links, Valerie made a slideshow of all the great DC photos she had, click here
To find out who this handsome fellow is, you’ll have to check below the fold.
That’s our very own Raven at the Athens, GA march.
The statue is Athena and was installed as part of the Olympics here.
Sara sent this nice collage – she didn’t say where the march was, but then, she didn’t really have to, LOL – and her photo is at the top of this post:
And finally for tonight from Suzanne:
Open thread!
Mnemosyne
I have to go through my stash, but I’m pretty sure I have some pink cotton yarn suitable for summer-weight pussyhats.
And there’s always the option of switching to a kitty headband for those in the hottest climates.
Can’t stop the signal.
TaMara (HFG)
@Mnemosyne: I just ordered rhinestone pussy ears (someone here linked to them on Amazon) perfect for summer protests or fancy balls.
Yoda Dog
That was awesome. I quit smoking, but I wanted a cigarrette after reading that.
One Love. We got this.
PhoenixRising
This tickled me on Saturday. I guess a lot of people had the same idea: Pink hats on your city’s public art. Thanks for the promotion.
Yoda Dog
Raven. You look like the badass that you sound like when I read you.
Mnemosyne
@TaMara (HFG):
I like the idea of sticking with the pink theme, so I would probably lean towards something like this.
Or, if I wanted to be crafty, buying the plastic ones with the hollow ears and either gluing pink lace over the ears or knitting little ear-shaped covers.
TaMara (HFG)
@PhoenixRising: I thought I was too tired to post photos tonight until I read your comment and knew I wanted to front page it.
TaMara (HFG)
@Mnemosyne: Love that.
Yarrow
Raven! Looking fierce! And is that Suzanne and family all in pink hats? Excellent stuff. Love all the photos.
I wonder if the Science March people will go with some kind of distinctive hats?
slag
I’m going to go all Tom Friedman for a second, but my Lyft driver tonight was a Bolivian man who was talking about how bad traffic was on Saturday due to the protests. I asked him why he didn’t join them and he explained that he really thought about it but couldn’t find a place to park his car.
He then told me how upset he was at his family members in Florida who didn’t vote because “Trump is such a clown there’s no way he will win.” I complained that I have no idea how to keep Democrats from falling for this ruse. As if there’s an inverse relationship between the level of sanity of the opposition and our ability to defeat it. So frustrating.
Omnes Omnibus
For people looking for something to do, find a person who needs help and help. Give a little money to someone who needs it. Help a short person get something off a tall shelf. Decency and kindness matter.
Adam L Silverman
Speaking of marches, this should be amusing!
I wonder if Cole is going?
Cacti
Well, shit.
Butch Trucks, one of the drummers and co-founders from the Allman Brothers Band died today. 69 years old.
Omnes Omnibus
@efgoldman: I was probably in Wisconsin.
TaMara (HFG)
Anyone else reading Dan Rather and News and Guts? He’s been on fire.
BillinGlendaleCA
@slag: That happened in CA in 1966, we got Gov. Ronald Reagan.
GregB
After seeing some of the polling for Clementine Caligula, I think we may end up grabbing the rudder before this ship hits the shoals.
Let’s hope Mary Tyler Moore was right:
We’re gonna make it after all.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Omnes Omnibus:
The story of my life, looking for help from the tall.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Adam L Silverman: Or Baud!
Lizzy L
@Adam L Silverman: When you’ve lost the Juggalos…
Omnes Omnibus
@BillinGlendaleCA: I am 5’10”-ish. The Army said 5′ 9 3/4. I am not tall. I do have long arms though, which simulate height in certain reaching situations.
Mike J
@GregB:
Saturday or Sunday afternoon, there should be a pussyhat salute to MTM. 21 people gather at a public spot, spin, and throw their pussyhats in the air.
? Martin
@slag:
This is why making voting difficult is a viable strategy for the right. Democrats would be wise to call hurdles to voting a ‘poll tax’. We recognize people’s time as having value – unless it comes to voting.
slag
@BillinGlendaleCA: It’s at least partly how we got GW as well. Remember Nader’s whole schtick about how anyone should be able to beat the Bush? We defeat ourselves as much as anything else. It’s a problem.
Omnes Omnibus
@Lizzy L: Okay. Finish, because I have no idea where that sentence goes.
Mnemosyne
@Yarrow:
Knowing scientists and mathematicians, they’ll probably wear pink pussyhats knitted by themselves or their colleagues. There is a HUGE crossover between knitters and scientists, and several prominent knitting designers I can think of (like Cookie A) were in science fields before their design careers took off.
Yoda Dog
@TaMara (HFG): Yes. Its beyond refreshing to see someone in the media actually doing their job. I want to shake that man’s hand.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Omnes Omnibus: You’ve got half a foot on me.
Mary G
@BillinGlendaleCA: Yeah, and we tried to warn the rest of the country in 1980.
slag
@? Martin:
It’s also so enjoyable how the “far left” plays right into this strategy. Republicans spend a ton of effort to minimize voter turnout, and the puritans simultaneously convince themselves that voting is for rubes and sell-outs.
It’s about as sensical as “rebelling” by paying a ton of money to Phillip Morris to kill you slowly.
Sometimes I just want to shake people: “Can’t you see that you’re giving them exactly what they want?!?”
khead
I’ve had a horrible, shitty, fucking day. Life has to get better.
So, have some kittehs.
I mean, just hanging with them works for me.
Lizzy L
@Omnes Omnibus: it doesn’t. It fades off suggestively.
I was thinking about the Juggalos marching on Washington to protest DJT. They aren’t actually doing that — but how the hell will a man like him react to the Juggalos? The mind boggles.
phantomist
“To find out who this handsome fellow is, you’ll have to check below the fold.”
Before the fold.
Mike Ehrmantraut?
Lizzy L
@Omnes Omnibus: I finished the sentence, and FYWP eated it. FYWP. I am going to sleep, have a good night y’all.
Mnemosyne
@slag:
This. The con the Republicans are running is, It doesn’t matter who you vote for, and lefties fall for it every. single. goddamned. time.
Omnes Omnibus
@BillinGlendaleCA: Doesn’t mean I am tall. Just taller.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Omnes Omnibus: It’s perspective, to me you’re tall.
amk
go venus williams.
another sister/sister act?
Omnes Omnibus
@BillinGlendaleCA: Fine, if I am in the store, I will get the thing off the top shelf for you.
Omnes Omnibus
Dilemma: If I go to bed soon, I will wake up to a day of remedial training for someone who works under me. I hate this kind of shit. If I don’t go to bed soon, I will wake up to a day of remedial training for someone who works under me while really tired. I am a procrastinator.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Omnes Omnibus: I’d be appreciative.
slag
@Mnemosyne: Not only do they fall for it, they seem to lust after it. It’s as if their great joy in life is getting thoroughly played by the system that they’re far too cool for. I’d be embarrassed for them if I could just get past my irritation with them.
Yarrow
@Omnes Omnibus: Are you conducting the remedial training?
Omnes Omnibus
@BillinGlendaleCA: Cool.
BillinGlendaleCA
@efgoldman: I was too short to reach the sign up sheet.
Adam L Silverman
@Lizzy L: I freed it. It went into the trash for some unknown reason.
And with that I’m to bed!
Omnes Omnibus
@Yarrow: Yes.
GregB
Adam, have you talked about the reports of the FSB cyber intel operatives in Russia who have been arrested yet?
Yarrow
@Omnes Omnibus: Well, it might go better if you’re not tired. On the other hand, the sooner you’re in bed the sooner it will seem like morning arrives. So…
Major Major Major Major
@Lizzy L: there was an interesting profile I read recently by somebody who was studying juggalos and found them to be …not like trump supporters.
Adam L Silverman
@GregB: No. I’ve seen the reports. Also reports of several top level Russian (Intel) general officer deaths in the past few months. But now I’m going to rack out. I’m pooped.
Leaving Texas
@Mnemosyne:
I really hope they do. That way even the casual political observer will say oh the pink hats are out again, this might be important to people. I also love that the hats are handmade and girlish. It counteracts any characterization of these protests as elitist or militant.
Omnes Omnibus
@Yarrow: You see my problem.
Yarrow
@Omnes Omnibus: Yep. It’s a dilemma.
Omnes Omnibus
@Yarrow: 1:00 am my time. I can make that work. If I disappear in the middle of a convo, you will all know why.
Major Major Major Major
@efgoldman: it might have been in Vice. But I wanna say they were interviewing a documentarian?
Larkspur
@Adam L Silverman: Wait wait. How tall are you? Are you “getting things down from a shelf” tall? It is like a survey going on. I’m 5’7″ but I’m good at standing on tiptoes. Now go the f*ck to sleep and pleasant dreams.
Mnemosyne
@GrandJury:
I am going to be laser focused on voting rights and getting people voter ID for the next two years. What is your action plan?
Mnemosyne
@Larkspur:
Me, I’m almost 5’3″, but I’m pretty good at climbing shelves if necessary.
Omnes Omnibus
@Mnemosyne: Probably shitting on FPers like usual. It is derf.
Major Major Major Major
@Mnemosyne: at first blush I thought that said 6’3″ and I was gonna be like…. no?
Yarrow
@Omnes Omnibus: Are you like Cinderella at the ball, except it’s 1:00 a.m. instead of midnight?
BillinGlendaleCA
My neighbor asked if I got rid of my car, said yes. He said his B-I-L has one for sale, I know the car, nope.
ETA: I was more diplomatic than that, I said I was thinking of a Prius.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Major Major Major Major: No, Mnemo’s actually shorter than I am.
Omnes Omnibus
@Yarrow: Basically.
But I am going now.
Ol' Nat
I especially loved three things about the pussyhats: that they were handmade and given away; that all the stores ran out of pink yarn, so mine is actually pink and grey stripes; and that you could see who came to the march together by the fact that their hats were all of the same yarn!
Juice Box
@Mike J: MTM was a fan of Fox News, Bill O’Reilly, and That Man. She would not have wanted a pussyhat salute.
Major Major Major Major
@BillinGlendaleCA: Mnem is about the size of my cat, yes.
amk
aaand sister/sister act it is. Go sistahs.
JordanRules
@amk: Wooohooo!!!
Mnemosyne
@BillinGlendaleCA:
Strangely, a lot of people don’t believe me when I say how short I am. I must have a tall presence or something. :-)
@Major Major Major Major:
In my defense, Samwise is an unusually large cat.
amk
limey humor: Serena stops the clock at 50 minutes.
Peale
@GrandJury: yep. On the plus side, trump has done nothing to peal away people who voted for Clinton. On the minus side, he hasn’t done anything to get more votes. Our stress has to be on governors mansions and state legislatures as bastions against his polIcies. If after all this we still can’t convince our voters to pay attention to their congressman and their governor, I think we’re done for quite some time.
Major Major Major Major
@Mnemosyne: Indeed.
Larkspur
@Ol’ Nat: Yep, all that about the pussyhats is very cool. Plus I no longer hate pink. I realized my pink hatred was reactionary. Although I haven’t found the shade of pink that works for me, probably because my skin color is pinkish, kind of like a pencil eraser color of pink, neither luminous nor fresh, just eraser color. But I will wear some kind of pink anyway. Pink and gray might work, and at my age it would be credible. Now really I’m going to go the fuck to sleep.
NotMax
@Larkspur
Easy-peasy. Just go back through the photos of the newly painted rooms chez Cole until you find the shade of pink you prefer.
/irresistible
Medicine Man
I was so sure Raven was a black dude. I’m too damned literal minded sometimes.
Major Major Major Major
@Medicine Man: I’m not really a Major, either.
BillinGlendaleCA
@Major Major Major Major: What???
BillinGlendaleCA
@Medicine Man: Raven used to use the nym “StuckinRed”, Raven comes from the name of his dearly departed black cocker spaniel*.
*The best dog breed.
NotMax
@Major Major Major Major
Sure you are. In the alternative factverse.
P.S.: I’m not really here.
BillinGlendaleCA
@NotMax: Where’s here?
NotMax
@BillinGlendaleCA
Over there.
jackie
For anyone awake at this hour. Check out the WP front page (web) coverage of Trump’s first TV news conference. The man is now revealing himself to be actually insane! Truly bonkers! (sorry can’t link)
Baud
@Medicine Man: He’s more of a soul brother.
amk
@jackie:
gud gawd. what a train-wreck.
amk
the lying megalomaniac is just the chaff (shock and
aweshock every day) the rethugs will pretend to listen while they scheme away in the dark how to achieve their dark goals.BillinGlendaleCA
@Baud: You’re up early(or late).
Baud
@BillinGlendaleCA: Early.
jackie
@amk:
Thanks for linking that. Someone needs to get him out of there fast. Before he does something even more crazy.
tybee
@Omnes Omnibus:
there are two kinds of people: those who can extrapolate from incomplete dates sets
tybee
@tybee:
goddammit: incomplete data sets
NotMax
Bound to happen.
Sales of George Orwell’s 1984 spike after Trump spokesperson presents ‘alternative facts’While the phrase “alternative facts” reminded many of the terms “falsehoods,” “lies” and “untruths,” it reminded many others of George Orwell’s dystopian, politically-charged novel “1984.”
Not only were people inspired to tweet about that, they wanted to purchase a copy. By early Wednesday morning, the novel was the best-selling book on Amazon.com.
Also, too:
Quinerly
@amk:
Thanks for the post. This should get more coverage. #25amendmentremedies
raven
@Medicine Man: I was at a week long training once and and African American woman asked me if I was married to an AA? “You sure have soul”! I always liked that!
qwerty42
@Adam L Silverman: Schindler seems to have ongoing reports of such deaths.
Iowa Old Lady
@Larkspur: I had to ask for help reaching the OJ at the grocery store this week. The world is not made for 5’2″ little old ladies.
zhena gogolia
Raven, you’re a hunk! I had no idea!
Raven
@zhena gogolia: Now THAT is funny!
Miss Bianca
@Raven: No, it’s not! I pictured you as a dashing blade based on the pics you’ve posted of your salad days, and I see I’m not wrong!