Random Political/Social Posting

[pipedreams]

[Schmidt Meister]

Huge sign seen in Texas.

[pipedreams]

[Schmidt Meister]

[ChuteTheMall]

On 9/14/2022 at 9:13 AM, pipedreams said:

 

36 minutes ago, pipedreams said:

[Schmidt Meister]

Why Haven't Linda Sarsour, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib Even Mentioned Iran's Hijab Protests?
As of this writing, heartbreakingly brave Iranian women have been protesting for 10 days and nights in the streets of at least 80 cities. They are risking death for the right not to wear hijab. Women have been burning their hijabs (headscarves) and cutting their hair. They've been heard chanting "Women, Life and Freedom," and "Death to the dictator."
The Iranian mullahs have unleashed the Revolutionary Guard and paramilitary (Basij) forces against them. They have been dragging women by their hair, banging their heads on the ground, tear-gassing, beating, shooting, arresting, and murdering them. Fatality estimates range from 50-400 protesters and bystanders.
These protests were sparked by the Sept. 16 death-in-morality-police-custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman. She was apprehended while in a car with her family because she was, allegedly, wearing her hijab incorrectly. While the police denied beating or torturing her to death, a photo of Amini in a hospital bed reveals her bloodied face. She was in a coma.
Pro-government demonstrators also have been out in force, defaming the women and their male supporters as "Israel's soldiers," and shouting "Death to Israel," and "Death to America." The government has blacked out the internet and arrested journalists.
It is obscene that the Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour and U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashia Tlaib have failed to say anything about these brave Iranian women, let alone offer their moral support.
Sarsour and Omar continue to glorify their wearing of hijab as a protest against white racism and alleged "Islamophobia."
When will this trio condemn the mad mullahs and their murderous morality police? These Twitter queens are rarely shy about sharing their views on the big news stories. But thus far, they've only managed to retweet someone else's words.
Tlaib retweeted a "solidarity" statement from U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who wrote that "the right to choose belongs to us all, from hijabs to reproductive care." Sarsour retweeted another statement against "forced hijab" by a lawyer, Azadeh Shahshahani. Omar retweeted "To be (hijabi) or not (hijabi) is the business of no state or man" by Yasmin Abdel-Magied.
Why can't Sarsour, Omar, and Tlaib speak in their own voices at a press conference? Or in Congress?
When will these high-profile professional defenders of Muslims decide that Muslim women are also worthy of defending? When will they hold Muslim men, who are mis-using or using the Quran to terrify and subordinate Muslim women, accountable?
Too many women around the world are compelled by law and by threats of family violence to wear a hijab or the face-veiling niqab. As I argued in 2010, the burqa and niqab condemn women to an ambulatory sensory deprivation chamber, and violate a woman's right to health, safety, freedom, and dignity. It is also a statement of Islamist power and control over women's bodies and lives. Afghan, Saudi Arabian, and to some extent, Iranian women have also been deprived of sunlight, visual acuity, and any and all spontaneous social lives in the public square.
When I was in Afghanistan, I saw women sweat, stumble, trip, and sometimes fall. If they were not super-wealthy, they were often juggling babies and shopping bags under their flowing garments. In interviews and in memoirs, one learns that face and body veiling also induces anxiety and claustrophobia. Many women have trouble breathing.
Twelve years ago, I did not argue for banning the hijab, a head covering. It does not obscure one's identity, although, in the West, it can still set one apart from others depending on how large, dark, unfriendly, or "forbidding" the hijab is.
However, in Mahsa Amini's honor, I am rethinking that position. As long as one woman anywhere can be harassed, beaten, arrested, or murdered because her hijab has slipped or is seen as improperly worn, Western women, including highly visible activists and politicians like Sarsour and Omar, should consider voluntarily ditching their hijabs. When all women are free to wear or not to wear a head-covering, then, and only then, might women choose what is right for them.
Clearly, the Iranian women and their male supporters find their lives intolerable. They'd rather be dead than continue to live in the prison that Iran has become for all but the ruling mullahs and their hirelings. According to Shadi Sadr, an important human rights lawyer, "They have nothing to lose. They are standing up and saying 'Enough of this. I am willing to die to have a life worth living.'"
The demonstrations, however, are about more than women's rights. Iranians have demonstrated in massive numbers before. In 2009 over election fraud, in 2017 over economic misery, and in 2019 over fuel prices. Each time the government suppressed the uprisings with bullets, tear gas, beatings, arrests, torture, and murder. What might be required for a different outcome to occur?
In a personal interview, my esteemed colleague, Ibn Warraq, points out: "The protesters lack leadership and above all they lack weapons."
Ibn Warraq also points out that "At some point the army would have to flip, refuse to kill their own people."
Is this possible? Can it ever happen?
Are a people who were able to drive out the Shah also capable of driving out Khomeini's mullahs? That is the question.
For all its very serious faults, including using the American flag to fashion a hijab for the marchers, Sarsour was part of a Women's March leadership that drew hundreds of thousands of people. Tlaib and Omar have run multiple successful campaigns.
Imagine if they applied their organizational skills to rallying Americans to take to the streets in support the heroic Iranian women and men who are risking their lives for the freedoms we enjoy in America.
It could show the Iranians that we stand with them, and that moral support might help keep them going. Sadly, we are unlikely to find out.

https://www.investigativeproject.org/9263/why-havent-linda-sarsour-ilhan-omar-rashida-tlaib

[Schmidt Meister]

‘It Should Force Heads To Roll’: NYT Columnist Blasts The FBI Over Matt Gaetz Investigation.

A New York Times columnist attributed the FBI investigation into Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to “political bias” in a Monday column.
Columnist Bret Stephens wrote that the FBI is losing public trust due to what he described as its increasingly partisan activities, including the Russian collusion probe and the handling of former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s emails. He also wrote that the investigation into Gaetz, which seeks to determine whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, is a “disgrace of the ages.”
“The investigation of Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, which looks like it’s about to fall apart, (Update: Has fallen apart.) is an FBI disgrace of the ages. It should force heads to roll,” Stephens wrote. “And Congress needs to appoint a Church-style committee or commission to reform the bureau. After … James Comey’s disastrous interventions with Hillary Clinton’s emails, and the bureau misrepresenting the facts to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court as part of its investigation of Trump and Russia, something dramatic has to change to save the F.B.I. from continuing to lose public trust.”
Stephens then accused the FBI of unfairly accusing the Florida lawmaker of the most “heinous behavior imaginable” over his politics.
“I’m upset by a longstanding pattern of incompetence tinged by what feels like political bias,” he wrote. “I don’t like Gaetz’s politics or persona any more than you do. But what we seem to have here is a high-profile politician being convicted in the court of public opinion of some of the most heinous behavior imaginable, trafficking a minor for sex, until the Justice Department realizes two years late that its case has fallen apart. We have a presumption of innocence in this country because we tend to err the most when we assume the worst about the people we like the least.”
The investigation originated from a corruption probe into Seminole County, Florida, tax collector Joel Greenberg, a former political ally of Gaetz. Greenberg pleaded guilty in May 2021 to sex trafficking a minor, identity theft and fraud. He alleged that the Florida representative paid him through Venmo for sexual liaisons with women, one of whom was just 17 years old.
Gaetz denied any wrongdoing and alleged that he and his family were targets of a $25 million extortion scheme in March 2021. He also alleged that the scheme involved a former Department of Justice (DOJ) official named David McKee and that existing recordings reportedly made at the FBI and DOJ’s request would prove McKee’s involvement and that the allegations against him are false.
Prosecutors at the DOJ reportedly believe Gaetz would not be convicted at trial due to witness credibility errors.

https://dailycaller.com/2022/09/26/nyt-columnist-fbi-matt-gaetz-investigation/

[Schmidt Meister]

Fake Meat Sales Plummet On High Prices, Woke Messaging.
A few years ago, life was good for the fake meat industry. Beyond Meat had been given vast amounts of real estate in grocery stores, and had scored a deal with Burger King to sell “Impossible” Whoppers. McDonald’s rolled out a McPlant burger (which was quietly shelved last month). Snarky woke advertisements permeated the airwaves and inter-webs as plant-based ‘meats’ were on the rise. In fact, Beyond Meat was valued at over $10b in 2019, more than Macy’s or Xerox, with the most bullish investors claiming that plant-based meat would make up 15% of all meat sales by 2030.
Now, as Bloomberg reports, the fake meat industry is getting ground into hamburger, and that doesn’t include cannibalistic nose-biting execs, according to Deloitte Consulting, LLC.
“Proteins that were cheaper on a price-per-pound basis did fare better,” said Parker, who noted that semi-vegetarian shoppers who used to opt for the alternative product will now choose the less-expensive real thing. In short, people are less willing to pay a premium for fake meat, especially considering that ‘taste and health concerns’ are playing a role.
According to Deloitte, the fake meat industry has a perception problem. Based on a July survey of 2,000 consumers, there’s been a decline in the belief that plant-based meat is actually healthier and environmentally sustainable vs. meat from animals.

https://summit.news/2022/09/27/fake-meat-sales-plummet-on-high-prices-woke-messaging/

[Schmidt Meister]

Fox-Bashing Chris Wallace Sees Another Show of His in the Dumper.
Chris Wallace’s debut as the host of his own celebrity interview talk show on struggling cable news outfit CNN proved to be a dud in the ratings.
Sunday night’s premiere of “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace” was watched by just 401,000 viewers, which is down 29% from the 2022 average for the 7 p.m. Eastern time hour, according to the latest television ratings from Nielsen Media Research.
Wallace’s show also drew just 44,000 viewers in the advertiser-coveted demographic of viewers between the ages of 25 and 54, according to Nielsen. That’s 64% off of the average for that hour.
In his debut episode, Wallace, who apparently is trying to rebrand himself into a broadcaster who goes beyond just politics, received less-than-stellar reviews for singing along with Shania Twain to the tune of her hit single “Man, I Feel Like a Woman.”
Next week’s episode features Wallace quizzing retired baseball slugger Alex Rodriguez over his dating history.
The ex-“Fox News Sunday” host was trounced by the competition at his former workplace.
Former Congressman Trey Gowdy, who hosts “Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy,” generated an audience of 1.3 million, more than three times Wallace’s viewership, according to Nielsen.
In the 25-54 demographic, Gowdy nearly doubled Wallace, drawing 78,000 viewers.

https://nypost.com/2022/09/27/chris-wallaces-cnn-celebrity-talk-show-debut-tanks-in-ratings/

[DAKA]

19 minutes ago, Schmidt Meister said:

Fox-Bashing Chris Wallace Sees Another Show of His in the Dumper.
Chris Wallace’s debut as the host of his own celebrity interview talk show on struggling cable news outfit CNN proved to be a dud in the ratings.
Sunday night’s premiere of “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace” was watched by just 401,000 viewers, which is down 29% from the 2022 average for the 7 p.m. Eastern time hour, according to the latest television ratings from Nielsen Media Research.
Wallace’s show also drew just 44,000 viewers in the advertiser-coveted demographic of viewers between the ages of 25 and 54, according to Nielsen. That’s 64% off of the average for that hour.
In his debut episode, Wallace, who apparently is trying to rebrand himself into a broadcaster who goes beyond just politics, received less-than-stellar reviews for singing along with Shania Twain to the tune of her hit single “Man, I Feel Like a Woman.”
Next week’s episode features Wallace quizzing retired baseball slugger Alex Rodriguez over his dating history.
The ex-“Fox News Sunday” host was trounced by the competition at his former workplace.
Former Congressman Trey Gowdy, who hosts “Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy,” generated an audience of 1.3 million, more than three times Wallace’s viewership, according to Nielsen.
In the 25-54 demographic, Gowdy nearly doubled Wallace, drawing 78,000 viewers.

https://nypost.com/2022/09/27/chris-wallaces-cnn-celebrity-talk-show-debut-tanks-in-ratings/

Chris Wallace   GFY

[Schmidt Meister]

[railfancwb]

9 minutes ago, Schmidt Meister said:

Wonder how much of what the criminals stole made it into the evidence locker room vs how much left in the agents’ pockets for personal use. $86 million in cash reported as seized. How much more was not reported?

[Schmidt Meister]

13 minutes ago, railfancwb said:

Wonder how much of what the criminals stole made it into the evidence locker room vs how much left in the agents’ pockets for personal use. $86 million in cash reported as seized. How much more was not reported?

That's the first thing I thought too. Why else would they go through all the **** they had to go through to raid a bunch of lock-boxes except to steal money and valuables.

[DAKA]

16 minutes ago, railfancwb said:

Wonder how much of what the criminals stole made it into the evidence locker room vs how much left in the agents’ pockets for personal use. $86 million in cash reported as seized. How much more was not reported?

And WE are supposed to TRUST these LYING Mother FxxxxS.. Is this the "TIP OF THE ICEBERG?"  

[minervadoe]

[minervadoe]

[minervadoe]

Breaking news:  "Juvenile" Amish loot another store.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/philadelphia-wawa-mob-police-release-new-footage-ransacking-say-citizens-dont-deserve-it

[Schmidt Meister]

[pipedreams]

Happy Birthday Rush Limbaugh.

[pipedreams]

[pipedreams]

https://dailycaller.com/2022/09/26/italy-giorgia-meloni-prime-minister-liberals/

"“Giorgia Meloni is a danger to Italy and the rest of Europe,” Roberto Saviano wrote at The Guardian, pointing to her use of the slogan “God, homeland, family.”"

 

[pipedreams]

As Hurricane Bears Down on Florida, Biden Shows Just How Petty He Can Be

"during Biden’s remarks this afternoon speaking about the hurricane, he said that he spoke with the mayors of St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Clearwater, “I told each one of them, whatever they need contact me directly.” Again, seeming to go right around DeSantis.

So how juvenile is that? And these are the “adults back in charge”? They’re not even pretending to have a good excuse for Biden avoiding talking to him. If anything, DeSantis should not want to talk to Biden, given how Biden has demonized Republicans. But DeSantis is not a child and puts his state first.

Whether Joe Biden likes it or not, he can’t avoid that DeSantis would wipe the floor with him if they were opponents in 2024. Biden knows that and it looks like it’s getting to him. When you care more about your own personal ego than Americans and the job that you’re supposed to be doing, that’s shameful."

https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2022/09/27/as-hurricane-bears-down-on-florida-biden-shows-just-how-petty-he-can-be-n633668

[Huaco Kid]

9 hours ago, pipedreams said:

Could be.

[pipedreams]

[railfancwb]

1 hour ago, pipedreams said:

Ya know, sometimes anti-trust busts up large companies which have become too monopolistic and restrictive. AT&T knows all about that. There seem to be a number of companies in MSM which have become too monopolistic and restrictive.