First, I suppose I should introduce myself. A long-time lurker, I survived the ‘nineties and ‘oughts in red-state Texas on a diet of Buzzflash and Bartcop. Discovered DU and became an instant addict, hooking many family and friends in the process.
Retired from law enforcement for the state several years ago after also working at the VA and as a drug/alcohol counselor. Have a masters and completed everything but a dissertation for a doctorate in psychology. Now live on the family farm with Elvis (he ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog), a cat, 2 kittens, and 30 grass-fed cows. (And yes, I understand the environmental implications, but we try to convert as much land as possible to wetlands, woodlands and native grasses. Still, would not be able to pay taxes and hold on to the place without the agricultural exemption, and I failed at growing asparagus.)
I am so white that I glow in the dark, but my gorgeous grandkids mix black, white and Hispanic in a magical way. Wife passed 3 ½ years ago.
Never a real firebrand, although my wife and I did spend some time supporting Cindy Sheehan in Crawford, TX. I became more active in the Party after retirement. Am now a Precinct Chair and Communications Chair for the County Party and have been a delegate to the State Democratic Conventions.
About half of our locals supported Bernie, the other half Hillary, but after the nomination we all worked our tails off for Clinton. Phone calling, door knocking, letters to the editor and op-eds in the local papers, ads we designed and produced locally and printed in the local rags. And we got creamed, to the tune of something like 85% to 15%. God bless rural Texas.
Battered and bloody, Nov. 8, 2016 was a terribly depressing day. But we picked ourselves up and resumed the fight. We have an active Indivisible chapter (Elvis is an enthusiastic protester, barking out the chants), and continue to write and tweet and fight in whatever way we can. For the first time in years, we even have candidates for many of the local state and federal races.
And this week, for the first time ever, I am tempted to say to hell with it all.
“Zero Tolerance” is now the elixir that is being foisted upon us by Sen. Gillibrand and her merry band. Grab the moral high ground, show how much better we are.
But “Zero Tolerance” is the concept that the right has used to destroy generations of school kids, mostly minority. The stats on the difference in rates of students facing discipline, suspension or “alternative placement” between minorities and whites are both staggering and frightening. And they are no accident.
And “Zero Tolerance” is the concept that the right has used to destroy generations of young people in the War on Drugs, again primarily minority. The criminal justice stats on the difference in rates of arrests, charges, sentences and incarcerations between minorities and whites are both mind-boggling and depressing. And they are no accident.
So, now let’s give the Republicans another area in which they can use “Zero Tolerance” to bash and decimate us. Because “Zero Tolerance” never has and never will apply to wealthy, white Republicans. And in this case, we are using it to destroy one of our own without Republicans having to lift a finger.
Respectfully, but loudly, I call bullshit. No, we do not “have” to believe the women. We do “have” to believe the evidence.
Evidence from a political foe can be valid, but the standard of proof is and should be higher. Same for anonymous sources. Same for those with ulterior motives or the possibility of financial gain.
As so many of you have pointed out, Sen. Franken admitted only to a tasteless joke that was photographed and that was twisted into a blanket confession by, okay, pretty much everyone. The evidence for any of the other allegations was see-through thin and often anonymous, and sometimes from political opponents who, for some reason, wanted a picture with Al.
While I am not a boot-licker for the military, I do find some of their traditions honorable and enlightening. Leaving no one behind, for example. In this case, we had a comrade who was wounded, not even dead. And I guess you could say we didn’t just leave him behind, we formed a squad to go back and shoot him ourselves.
It may be that every allegation about Sen. Franken was valid and righteous. We may never know, except for the possibility that people like Jan Levinson will keep doing the media’s job for them. But with the contrast between the treatment of Sen. Franken and Sen. Menendez, with the self-serving grandstanding by Sen. Gillibrand and the rest, the possibility that the motives of the Democrats who abandoned Sen. Franken were benevolent and pure is, to me, almost nil.
So, I hope to hang around here and maybe vent, get a little support, and perhaps get a bit of mojo back. I hate to think of surrendering this country to the forces of selfishness and greed, but for the first time I am beginning to wonder if there really is a significant difference between the two parties, and whether my heretofore enthusiastic participation makes me complicit. I always thought, if nothing else, Democrats put fairness first.
(Please be patient, this is my first time on chat or forums. Made my first text a couple of months ago, so I am trying. Just read on a thread what kick and rec. mean, but not sure I really get it. Still no clue what n/t is. Looking forward to someday using an emoji.)
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