Where the HELL has the #GOP been?
Here we are in the land of the rebellious colonials depending the Brits, The Guardian, Reuters, the BBC to tell us the truth about our own government!
Thank you to the BBC for having more backbone than ABC and all the legal firms that just rolled over at the beginning of President #StableGenius 2.0
Thank you to Reuters for looking at satellite images of all the damage to oil production infrastructure at the beginning of the US / Israel assault on Iran.
And thank you to the Guardian for relentless attention to LOTS of important issues.
Full disclosure. RantWoman is a fan of Francesca Florentini and definitely shares a concern about anyone being too close to Liz Cheney and thinking she is their friend instead of a sometimes valuable ally.
Why take advice from people who lost to Trump TWICE?"
Thoughts for everyone promising to deal with extremists even when the "extremists" win elections by speaking to what voters want.
Please bear with RantWoman's spell of VERY BAD FRIEND commentary
The Nobel Prize
Once again, the Nobel committee has bypassed President #StableGenius, this year recognizing an indefatigable judge on the International Criminal Court. A WOMAN. No country to invade but unfortunately for the rule of law another justice-related organization for the US government to harass.
Further Quaker specific snark: President #StableGenius still has a long way to go to top Quaker luminary Floyd Schmoe's decades-long campaign of entitlement based on his work rebuilding houses in Hiroshima after the US dropped the atomic bomb on the city. If President #StableGenius started practicing Quaker worship, would his odds improve? How much repentance and Quaker worship would it take???
The Execution of Major Hasan
Redundant but RantWoman is going to say it anyway: The world is justifiably outraged that the Secretary of #WarCrimes wants to livestream the execution by firing squad of Nidal Hasan, the arguably severely mentally ill army psychiatrist responsible for a mass shooting at Fort Hood. (tagging #NDEAM)
RantWoman cannot imagine what it must have been like to be in his shoes trying to treat people responsible for terrible violence against his co-religionists and we are not even going near the wisdom of any war in the first place.
RantWoman is also moved by social media posts by trauma responders who patched him up in the middle of a mass casualty event when no one knew who was who. RantWoman admires the standard of "that's what we do."
Most of all, Mr. Hasan cannot be allowed to become a martyr. The US already has more than enough enemies in the Muslim world and only really SICK people want our very own US version of beheading videos!
Random snarky comments before attempting to digest nuance:
Libertarians are always good for keeping a conversation out of some possible ruts.
Shout out to Sen. Graham for celebrating the fact that all three people on the stage including the Libertarian are women.
RantWoman promises to find some male candidates whose hair merits opining but does want to observe that all the candidates looked professional. RantWoman especially appreciates that Sen. Graham seems to have gotten a bit of a makeover about both hair and glasses. As an aside, RantWoman will be happy to narrate an exhaustive description of her own visual experience and how with 3X magnification and a 27" monitor she is in a position to comment on people's hair.
RantWoman was not fully tracking the context when Sen. Graham exclaimed "My husband imports toy guns from China." REALLY? Get 'em started early with gun violence training." MAYBE RantWoman will revisit the context.
Concise Clip about the war on Iran. Senator Graham appears to have drunk the Koolaid being poured out by President #StableGenius and the Secretary of #WarCrimes. Iran was abiding by the #JCPOA until #DonSnoreleone tore up the agreement.
God knows: there is probably no point in trying to insert comments about nuclear deterrence or a global nonproliferation regime into debate time limits. Plus, there are plenty of active wars just now, none of which, THANK HEAVEN, have involved actual nuclear weapons.
This is an interesting presentation of additional commentary intercut with the other candidates' questions. RantWoman did not have a great experience with the audio but is linking it here just as an artifact.
Beyond "Russia always lies," check other sources about the Irkutsk plague issues
really pointed commentary about the war on Iran, diesel prices, and how President #StableGenius wa is allowing Russia to make way more money on the oil market.
Readers who don't like the way police officers think, just DON'T WATCH THE VIDEO unless you care about endless ICE / DHS efforts to spin, spin, spin rather than provide and interact with facts.
"In my years on the job, cameras were not the enemies."
LOTS of info about how the US navy appears to conduct escort operations. Lots of tips about what to believe or not believe from different monitoring streams
The amount of oil moving is SLOWLY approaching the pre-war movement levels.
Something genuine, troll- and ad-free flows across RantWoman's screen often enough to persuade her to stay. Today via the Korematsu Institute, information about the preparation of the Sadako statue in a city park across a street from University Friends Meeting.
RantWoman is working at as much "homework" before Pacific NW quarterly meeting as can be managed.
The only interest group that has made it onto the online listing is one by two Friends with a leading to address Christian nationalism. Here is the declaration they want to seed group discernment.
If RantWoman were a slightly more responsible commentator, she would go look for the entire interview clipped here. RantWoman is pointedly not offering some observations related to the comments below.
Instead, RantWoman offers the rant she posted in the comments.
Y'all aren't following enough #SCsen social media.
Ralph Norman set an example for #GOP candidates everywhere. He lost the runoff to Darline. He said "I don't like it but I accept it."
A whole bunch of #GOP voters don't like Darline for a bunch of different reasons. Some of them plan to write in Ralph Norman. Some will vote Democrat.
Among Darline's "sins:"
--as Commissioner of the SC Commission for the Blind she, HORRORS, had a strong #DEI program
--She once gave money to Lisa Murkowski
--She supported an SC legislator taking a pro-choice position.
--Her travel budget for the year after the pandemic lockdowns ended was about 10x the previous year when NOBODY was travelling either for trainings to maintain certifications or to serve agency clients.
As a social services professional and head of a state agency, she certainly would have worked closely with the governor. To me that makes the leap to appointing her to fill Lindsay's seat justifiable but I don't live in SC
I get that Darline does not know much about foreign policy. As screwed up as US foreign policy is right now, someone willing to engage about fresh ideas could be really valuable.
But I don't live in SC and I can't tell how hot the supposed hot buttons really are.
***********
RantWoman notes to herself:
--There will be a debate. What questions would RantWoman ask
--SC has a lot of both active duty military and vets. Neither candidate is talking about the war but what strands of discontent are there?
RantWoman continually argues with herself: is the point more and better more professional military that treats all branches, all levels with respect: enough money to live on without SNAP, no forever wars, COMPETENT leadership.
OR can we count on people with military experience to bring important insights and make badly needed improvements for EVERYONE.
And we are not even going to go very near comprehensive revisioning of national security. Anyway, another strong woman on a Congressional ticket.
The short version: NO, Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil and gas infrastructure are not the meain reason that diesel prices are through the roof. That would be the #WarOfChoice in the Middle East
David Reddish is one of RantWoman's favorite snarky flaming queen commentators, but even RantWoman needs a balanced media diet. RantWoman will look for some other accounts of W, Condi and their reflections on 9-11.
RantWoman will also discern about whether to go full snark herself about a number of points. But in the meantime.
RantWoman's first impression of UT governor Spencer Cox was to cringe when he admitted he prayed for days that the person who allegedly shot Charlie Kirk was an outsider. Sorry. The problem appears to be inside the house.
Will RantWoman add his book to her Mean to Read list? Probably not, but RantWoman will definitely cover the situation with prayers for continued dialogue.
RantWoman does not live in TX so maybe the fact that RantWoman is tired of seeing only James Talarico in his ads does not matter. Still, RantWoman would find it unifying to see lots of different faces endorsing Talarico. Just sayin'
RantWoman PROMISES to attempt more content about the latest round of Witkoff Kuchner attempts at diplomacy. The BIGGEST deal: visiting KYIV as well as Moscow.
In the meantime, please enjoy these snippets from the Russian press and consider subscribing yourself.
as the conclusion of lots of other moments that belong to a beloved Friend, not to his murderer. RantWoman will continue to hold N, the man's wife in the Light
Deported: Assorted spouses and parents of active duty US military service members
A man from Afghanistan named Khalil whose deportation is evoking a familiar long litany of furious comments from US troops about how he and his family risked their lives to assist US forces in Afghanistan.
Digression: OF COURSE RantWoman does not automatically bless the missions the tropops are on. RantWoman does absolutely think service members, their spouses, and unterpreters, local who assis the US do not deserve the nonsens they are receiving from ICE/CBP.
Milo Yiannopoulos, the British commentator who spent years screaming for zero immigration and on-the-spot deportations, is sitting in a Louisiana ICE cell tonight because he overstayed his own visa.
He walked into the country legally in 2019 and never left.
There may or may not be actual popcurn lurking in this cupboard
Popcorn kernel No. 1
If President #StableGenius wants to keep slapping his name e\EVERYWHERE, after the ravages of deregulation, are there no toxic waste dumps, garbage gyres, uranium slag piles, junkyards, Superfund sites... desperately in need of new names?
Popcorn Kernel No. 2
Recently on one of RantWoman's encounters with theologically very different voices, one person talked about "being covered in the blood of Jesus." All RantWoman could think was "Holy murder scene Batman." Who needs to get sent off for remedial metaphor appreciation?
Popcorn Kernel No. 3
RantWoman has been inappropriately wishing for voodoo dolls of certain public figures. RantWoman has been wondering in Quaker terms what could be wished for as far as the purifying power of prayer or sudden spiritual transformation.
Various comments after the SC #GOP runoff.
Ralph Norman concession. "I don't like it, but I accept it." ROLE MODEL for the entire #GOP no matter what the President's enablers might be cooking up. Norman also endorsed Nikki Haley, one reason the President bypassed him for endorsement.
See video below: Darline Graham: "I have a long career working hard for the people of SC...I know what it's like to be poor and struggling in SC."
This is TRUE. She has never run for office but she has worked hard in her profession and is well regarded by counterparts in other states. NO QUESTION she has a learning curve about national security. Sorting that out has to be up to SC voters while I argue with my own state's delegation.
If Darline would stop there and think ...and not just swallow what she is being fed.
A certain war has a lot to do with many economic realities voters are facing. I also lean toward "support our troops. Keet them out of stupid wars of choice" but I have no idea what messaging works in SC.
There is another quote about "government run health care." Lindsay adopted her after their parents died so he could list her as a military dependent. Last time I checked, that is GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTHCARE.
I have not looked at final vote totals but early returns showed that President #StableGenius PLEEEEASE go out and vote" speech probably had an impact in the areas the President won.
Also, interesting and worth looking into for final results: Early returns showed 20% of votes for her came as mail-in ballots and 9 % or something as early voting. If the President himself votes by mail and Darline benefited from measures he is trying to get rid of, should he maybe RETHINK?
Speaking VERY charitably, the President is an old guy who needs friends. Unfortunately, friends sometimes have to tell someone that what they are doing isn't working.
Anyway, the country needs the whole conversation, all the pieces here.
Please note: some of Darline's comments absolutely make RantWoman cringe.
Also, RantWoman receives fundraising emails from Democratic candidate Annie Andrews. Putting serious money behind the Andrews campaign makes sense although RantWoman will stick to her witness about supporting only non-partisan measures to support voter turnout and fight vote suppression.
Darline Graham has decades of professional experience as head of a state agency. She is probably good friends with the governor, She did not know why Taiwan is important in a debate but SHE CAN LEARN.
The President is an old guy who needs a friend. Unfortunately, sometimes it falls to friends to tell someone that what they are doing is no working. Is it too much to hope Darline might be that friend? LOTS of cringeworthy moments during the runoff so I am not making bets.
I have a ridiculous sexist bias though: The news is all Epstein, Epstein, Epstein #GOP pedophiles and pedophile enablers. I think it would be great to have two women going head to head in November. Darline is trying to say things that make me cringe for example about immigration. And I am not excited by her Dem. Opponent claiming that decades of professional work in state government is no qualifiations.
Finally, for everyone in SC who says people out of state should stay the hell out, two points:
Because of Darline's professional background she is known by people in similar roles from other states.
Also, the people of SC like the people of other states have much to gain from electing a Congress that can work for the US people, not jut get mad and go home when things get hard.
Could Darline pull any of that off? Who knows? I am just tired of everyone in the media dissing her background.
RantWoman is filing this video in the zome of threads RantWoman wants to know more about--even thought the phrase "conspiracy theory" os all over the story
For anyone watching the SC #GOP runoff between Darline Graham (Nordone) and Roger Norman, there are too many cringe-worthy moments to list. RantWoman does not apologize for neglecting all the reasons Roger Norman is terrible. He is. Read up. Perhaps President #StableGenius would not be thrilled that he endorsed Nikki Haley in 2024
During the only runoff debate, Darline mistakenly said there are 50 million people instead of 5 million in SC. RantWoman is tempted to quip, well President "StableGenius is going to wrack up votes one way or another." Was the mistake a teleprompter error or someone else's fault? Either way, cringeworthy.
When asked about why Taiwan matters for US foreign policy, Darline quite candidly said foreign policy is not her thing. Candor for a not a politician politician is ALWAYS to be praised even though one might also desperately wish for better debate prep. Also "I don't know but I can learn" would be exactly on point.
The other part of Darline's non-answer answer: "I support our military," with comments about service by both her brother and her dad. Perhaps it is a good thing that RantWoman was not on scene. RantWoman would have blurted out some version of "Support our military. Keep them out of STUPID wars, Get them adequate provisions. DO NOT FIRE all the competent senior officers. And worst of all, get rid of the lying clueless #SecDef.
To RantWoman, after watching a whole lot of candidates endorsed by President #StableGenius lose in their primaries, after watching the President sink and sink and sink in the polls, it must be hard to stay someone's friend and still try to chart a course that is good for the country and for one's state. It is also amusing to read comments on Twitter / X fighting over who is the better Republican and who is more loyal to the President.
Based on Darline's professional background, RantWoman has the strong sense that if Darline would just reality test what she knows of voters' real experiences against #GOP policies, she could nail LOTS of points that would speak to current realities.
Other than that, RantWoman will also continue to try to rehabilitate the term DEI.
Dedication Empathy Imagination
Diligence Energy Initiative....
Darline followed up her Taiwan oopsie at the debate during an interview with Sean Hannity: they both agreed that lots of people in the US, (probably including President #StableGenius?) also don't know where Taiwan is. And of course, with rhetoric firmly on voters' biggest problems, Darline is 100% against transgender women in women's sports.
Even if a Democratic candidate looks good, RantWoman also HATES a sense of being extorted: "Vote for the Democrats or else." RantWoman is still angling for a sense of a Congress willing to work on serious problems, not just get mad and go out of town whenever things get too hard. Plus, RantWoman does not care whether it sounds sexist to say that it would just be cool for once to have strong women candidates from both parties.
OK, RantWoman has a vivid imagination, and does not vote in SC and ...
As a bonus, welcome to the easily misspelled name club. RantWoman has seen SO many sloppy posts that refer to DarlENE rather than DarlINE.
It's not like Russia is not already "accidentally" lobbing things at the edges of NATO. I t would be really nice if SOMEONE on the current US team understood diplomacy enough to get the US out of the mess it has gotten itself into.
An excellent rundown of all the ways global conflicts as well as the effects of climate change in the Panama Canal or European rivers are affecting oil and food prices.
RantWoman has no topical policy or diplomatic suggestions but hopes this outline gives readers info to counteract streams of media nonsense. RantWoman is also looking into more local food production and a solar battery for some key household needs.
RantWoman disagrees with former Spokan Spokesman Review Columnist Suelanie Madsen abou A LOT but appreciates an authentic voice. DO NOT subscribe to her substack if you are not prepared to read in spite of disagreement.
How to be a good friend in the face of tragedy has been on my mind, and undoubtedly on the the mind of many who have friends affected by the Spokane Complex fires. It was the inspiration for this column.https://t.co/EehLbzjKxmpic.twitter.com/fW9U22yAD6
Jaded US taxpayers are probably all too used to endless #DoD cost overruns and the Department of DEFENSE chronic inability to pass any kind of audit. But $500 Million to do NOTHING is a whole new level of kleptocracy.
So on brandin light of a president who managed to bankrupt SIX casions and a #SecDef known for running two veterans' services into the ground.
Thank you for all your insights.
Clearly allies are a good thing. Wonder who squandered those relationships.
A general calling it a "war?" Shouldn't there be CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL, not just the #SecDef pleading for more $$$ ?
The current state of affairs is fundamentally disrespectful of lots of people doing hard jobs.
(RantWoman is not commenting about the framing of the last 30 years of procurement patterns)
Dude speaks RantWoman's mind, though RantWoman would not be nearly as salty-tongued about it.
lexicography digression: "salty" used to mean basically foul-mouthed. Now "salty" often just means angry, PO'ed... RantWoman mainly has in mind the older usage.
RantWoman is not going to hold back on the other side.
Dear world,
WHY does anyone expect either President #StableGenius or the #DUIHire #SecDef to CARE about the well-being of the troops on the USS Abraham Lincoln. How many cracks about "suckers and losers?" How much whining about troops' physical appearance or the fact that, gasp, there are women in Leadership???
RantWoman is a cynical witch wandering whether the whole drama is just part of an orchestrated campaign to drag money out of Congress for an unpopular and unaccountable war.
Next the catering cart caper.
First, congratulations to #DonSnoreleone for destroying Iranian military infrastructure over and over, especially since you have destroyed the Iranian miliatary so well that you had to scurry out of Ankara via a catering cart for fear that your plane would get shot down. Congratulations! BRILLIANT!
Dear staff and press gaggle mad about flying on a plane President #StableGenius was not on.
Don't y'all have to sign a lot of liability waivers and other paperwork just for the priviliege of being stenographer to the Toddler in Chief. News flash. The President might get shot at. If you are on the President's plane, you might get shot at too. RantWoman wonders whether there was the same military escort for the presidentless AirForceOne as there would be with the President on it? Why would you expect this president to care AT ALL about your well-being????
Sooo, are all the assaults on the global oil and gas trade enough to re-energize moves away from dependence on fossil fuels and toward decarbonization????
Are US defense contractors afraid of Ukraine making Patriot missiles more cheaply than the US does?
RantWoman's instinct is "vote for the woman." RantWoman would SO prefer that Darline Grham had focused more on her experience working in state government in SC than on national GOP talking points.
HOWEVER, here is how Annie Andrews, the Democratic candidate describes the rest of the SC primary field in a fundraising email entitled "Quite the Lineup"
Someone endorsed by Trump, and utterly unqualified.
Dr. Andrews is referring to Darline Graham, younger sister of the late Lindsay Graham.
RantWoman's reaction: "Oh HELL NO." You do not get to proclaim someone with decades of leadership experience in state government unqualified either because of her pedigree or because of her gender. Oh HELL NO!
Someone who lied about being on the Appalachian Trail, while he was actually having an extramarital affair.
Someone with a career of votes against the healthcare, food assistance, and public schools South Carolina families count on.
Quite the lineup, right?
Here's a wild idea: a Senator who's spent her career caring for the communities she’s running to represent, who’s honest, and who will vote to protect your family.
I'm a pediatrician and a mom of three. I've spent decades taking care of kids in this state, I don't take a dime of corporate PAC money, and I'm not running to be another rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s chaos — I'm running for you.
But here's the reality: Whomever Republicans pick out of that mess tomorrow walks away with a multi-million war chest, Trump's machine, and super PACs behind them. The only way we'll be ready to meet that is if our grassroots movement builds up strength — right now.
RantWoman votes in WA, not in SC
RantWoman still thinks it would be just fine if there were two women on the SC Senate ballot.
In the meantime, RantWoman is not sending anyone any money in this race!
Interests: Digital Inclusion, Languages and language access, walkability, accessibility, disaster preparedness.
When in doubt, laugh about something!
http://rantwoman.blogspot.com
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