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Friday Link Encyclopedia: The No Freaks Edition

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Clarissa

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November 25, 2016

To honor the festive spirit of the season, there are only good articles today. No freaks!

“Many areas which voted for Trump just decided to give themselves a tax increase to make gentry class, wealthy, and rich people even better off. They just enriched the ‘coastal elites’ that they so very much despise.” Ironic, indeed. But hey, it’s their funeral. I hope they enjoy it.

Timothy Snyder is amazing. Read his advice for the Trump era.

[Ukrainian] The Ukrainian government is helping Israel to put out the horrible fires.

Short and funny about Thanksgiving.

[Russian] Can you guess who is the only politician who is loved more than Putin in Russia? He has a 90% approval rating where Putin only gets 86%. Yes, of course, it’s Donald Trump.

A very good article on neoliberalism.

A book on how to raise an entrepreneur turns out to be great in spite of the horrible title. I was prepared to hate but had no reason to.

And now, sorry, I just have to post some freakdom, too, because this is getting too saccharine for me.

The CNN has been wondering if Jews are people.

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41 responses to “Friday Link Encyclopedia: The No Freaks Edition ”

el

November 25, 2016

Why is the following not on top page of every newspaper? I mean this quote:

\ President Donald Trump is set to give America’s richest 1% an average annual tax cut of $214,000 when he takes office … Single-parent families would suffer the most because Trump would lower the minimum of tax-free earnings to $15,000 per adult no matter how many children in the household.

Why is everybody talking about “Twitter war with the cast of the hit Broadway musical Hamilton”? If Trump won, it does not mean everybody should roll on one’s back for him like a dog for an owner. I think bad publicity and widespread protests would make a difference, but some progressives are happier talking about trans bathrooms, why Clinton lost, etc.

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1. Clarissa
  
  November 25, 2016
  “Why is everybody talking about “Twitter war with the cast of the hit Broadway musical Hamilton”? If Trump won, it does not mean everybody should roll on one’s back for him like a dog for an owner.”
  
  I’m with you 100%. This is precisely what I was saying yesterday: people are being sicced at each other, like dogs, while they are being robbed blind. Class conscience does not exist. People vote for a billionaire because they believe he is one of them and against the elites. It’s deranged.
  
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el

November 25, 2016

Would you want Obama to do that?

\ Obama Can and Should Put Merrick Garland on the Supreme Court
The outgoing president has one final trump card—and he should play it.
…
Based on everything we know about Obama’s temperament and politics, he won’t resort to this. But given how Republicans relentlessly obstructed his efforts for eight years, he would be completely justified in playing one final trump card. And there’s a cost to ignoring that card. The fact that Democrats prefer to maintain governance norms, even while Republicans break them time and again, inescapably pushes the policymaking apparatus of the country to the right.

https://newrepublic.com/article/138787/obama-can-put-merrick-garland-supreme-court

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1. Clarissa
  
  November 25, 2016
  “The fact that Democrats prefer to maintain governance norms, even while Republicans break them time and again, inescapably pushes the policymaking apparatus of the country to the right.”
  
  That’s a strange, strange logic.
  
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2. Dreidel
  
  November 25, 2016
  
  As the article clearly states, a recess Supreme Court appointment would be valid ONLY for one year — it would expire at the end of the next senate session. Then Trump would appoint whomever he wants to fill the vacancy.
  
  So appointing Garland would be a stupid, useless gesture.
  
  Liberal writers in magazines like “The New Republic,” “The Nation,” etc. are still shell-shocked almost three weeks after Trump’s victory, so they’re currently writing a lot of hysterical nonsense like this article.
  
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  1. Clarissa
    
    November 25, 2016
    
    The Supreme Court is useless no matter who is appointed. It’s grown completely trivial. All it can do is adjudicate petty, ridiculous toilet-type tiffs.
    
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el

November 25, 2016

Another article and photo which should be on front page:

\ Nepotism laws prohibit Ivanka from taking a formal role in the White House. But Trump is choosing to send a clear signal to Japan and the world — when you deal with Ivanka, you are dealing with someone who has my ear as president.

Let’s suppose one of Trump’s companies would like to open a hotel in Japan and is seeking permits. Would the Japanese government deny them and risk the ire of the President of the United States?
…
Since Trump will retain ownership in his businesses, Ivanka’s success will mean money in Trump’s pocket. The Trump transition did something similar when it leaked word that Trump had requested security clearances for Ivanka, Eric and Donald Jr.

https://thinkprogress.org/this-isnt-just-a-photo-of-ivanka-trump-it-s-a-middle-finger-to-democracy-750e91a3c0c#.mmf5octod

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1. Clarissa
  
  November 25, 2016
  
  The nasty broad was actually sitting there, modeling the jewelry and the clothes that she sells as part of her fashion line. This was a marketing opportunity for her.
  
  It’s funny, really. Meaningless and impotent national governments now only serve as marketing opportunities for smart entrepreneurs. The future president of the US and the leader of Japan are props to sell stupid baubles.
  
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el

November 25, 2016

Another important thing to pay attention to and protest, if it comes true:

The Trump Era Will Be A Disaster For D.C. Residents

Not for Wor-shing-tun, but the people who live here. For those who don’t know, the District of Columbia has no Senate representation at all and one non-voting House delegate. To boot, Congress can override any legislation passed by the D.C. Council. Typically, Republicans have used this for grandstanding with their constituents back home–with D.C. residents paying the price. One vile example is the refusal to fund needle exchanges. Hundreds of D.C. residents between 1998 and 2007 contracted AIDS simply because clean needles were unavailable.

Well, as Colbert King notes, it’s about to get worse

The Trump Era Will Be A Disaster For D.C. Residents

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Paul

November 25, 2016

Poor Clarissa. You never learn.

That same media that is running down Trump lied through it’s teeth at stupid people like you and told you that your clot headed cankle – Hillary Clinton – was gonna win the election and put serious vagina in the oval office. Now they are lying about Trump, pulling ‘stories’ out of their assholes – and you eat it up like it’s ice cream.

The wheels are coming off that neo-liberal train and the wreckage is gratifying to behold. Yeah – life is gonna get rough for the union pooch screwers, the snivel servants and the shiftless gubbiment workers – and I shall enjoy every moment of their pain and discomfort.

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1. Clarissa
  
  November 25, 2016
  
  Wow, the news about getting your taxes raised to lower mine and all the rest of us, liberal elites, must really rankle. But I think it’s only fair that the rest of your dwindling wealth should be taken away by the Trump administration and given to smart successful immigrants like me.
  
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  1. Stringer Bell
    
    November 25, 2016
    
    So much trauma and bitterness in his words. And his side won!
    
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Stringer Bell

November 25, 2016

Timothy Snyder’s article is great, but his propornot advice is horrifically bad. This new propornot service came out of nowhere. What we know is that it has indiscriminately labeled a lot of liberal websites as fake.

Blackagendareport? Truthout?

This is just bad. Why are we giving the comically inept washington post this much power?

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1. Clarissa
  
  November 25, 2016
  
  I haven’t had time to look into that website yet so I just don’t know. In theory, such a service is sorely needed but it has to be run by honest people.
  
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  1. Stringer Bell
    
    November 25, 2016
    
    Yes, a service like that is needed but this is not it. They’ve been caught lying already. Claiming that they have the backing of snopes and other investigative journalism/verification sites when they don’t.
    
    https://twitter.com/EliotHiggins/status/802166958426914816
    
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    1. Clarissa
      
      November 25, 2016
      
      Problem is, most people have no idea that they are repeating propaganda. Take Dan Miller. He clearly has no idea who’s been feeding him all these stories. And he won’t believe if you tell him.
      
      I have also been caught a few times and only later realized that I’d been manipulated.
      
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  2. Stringer Bell
    
    November 25, 2016
    
    So, the dumbasses at washington post have granted complete anonymity and instant credibility to a group that’s going to decide which news sources to consume and which ones to avoid.
    
    Journalism in 2016! Just post cat videos. You’ll probably make more money and do less damage to our democracy.
    
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    1. Clarissa
      
      November 25, 2016
      
      Turns out that Morning Joe was actually advising Trump during the campaign. I know he was a supporter because I watch the show but I had no idea he was this nakedly corrupt.
      
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      1. Stringer Bell
        
        November 25, 2016
        
        It’s ironic that republican idiots always bitch about the ‘liberal’ media when it’s the media that helped Trump get elected.
        
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        Clarissa
        
        November 25, 2016
        
        The media have disgraced themselves beyond belief. What a shame. And the worst part is that nobody has had to threaten them or curtail their freedom of speech. They handed it over of their own free will.
        
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Shakti

November 25, 2016

Bang Bang! Give me fame
Shoot me up to entertain
I am a semi-automatic lonely boy
You’re dead! I’m well fed
Give me death or give me head
Daddy’s little psycho and Mommy’s little soldier

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Shakti

November 25, 2016

LMAO. “I hope my quasi-socialist taxpayer subsidized health care stays the same but if not I’m ok because I qualify for some other quasi-socialist taxpayer subsidized health care.” Just admit you don’t actually value treating your chronic disease that much.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/25/health/florida-affordable-care-act-obamacare-trump.html

Dalia Carmeli, who drives a trolley in downtown Miami, voted for Donald J. Trump on Election Day. A week later, she stopped in to see the enrollment counselor who will help her sign up for another year of health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

“I hope it still stays the same,” said Ms. Carmeli, 64, who has Crohn’s disease and relies on her insurance to cover frequent doctor’s appointments and an array of medications….
Some of them, like Ms. Carmeli, voted for Mr. Trump. She pays $45 toward her monthly premium, with a subsidy of about $600 covering the rest. She is looking at a new premium of $171 if she keeps her current plan, but she believes that she will find a more affordable option.

“Trump is going to keep it for a while, at least the part where if you have a disease you can still get coverage,” she said, adding that she would turn 65 next summer and get Medicare, so she would stay covered regardless.

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1. Clarissa
  
  November 25, 2016
  ““I hope my quasi-socialist taxpayer subsidized health care stays the same but if not I’m ok because I qualify for some other quasi-socialist taxpayer subsidized health care.” Just admit you don’t actually value treating your chronic disease that much.”
  
  I know Crohn’s disease. It’s extremely uncomfortable and requires constant medical attention. If she cares about that less than about Trump’s imaginary revenge against imaginary Mexicans, I find it hard to feel any compassion for her.
  
  When the more naive among us talk about people always acting out of their self-interest, they forget that this self-interest may take some quite outlandish forms. In short, one person’s suicide is another’s self-interest.
  
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el

November 26, 2016

Very weird approach to working with DNA evidence, especially considering the facts described in the first comment to the post:

Working Sort of Hard to Find a Serial Rapist/Murderer
http://www.germanjoys.eu/2016/11/working-pretty-hard-to-find-a-serial-rapistmurderer.html

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1. Clarissa
  
  November 26, 2016
  
  Of course, Germans can’t take their nose-measuring as far as other people. I think it’s clear why. Recent history has shown that they can’t stop in time. It’s like alcohol. If I have a glass of wine, it’s nothing. But if a recovering alcoholic does the same, he’ll probably not be able to stop.
  
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el

November 26, 2016

Оправдание зла
http://trim-c.livejournal.com/1438518.html

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el

November 26, 2016

Short and to the point:

Meet Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump’s choice as Secretary of Education.
http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.co.il/2016/11/meet-betsy-devos-donald-trumps-choice.html

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1. Clarissa
  
  November 26, 2016
  
  Actually, I think the policies she advocates are good. I’ve read miles of papers on the subject and didn’t find a single convincing argument against vouchers. Right now, people are forced to buy ultra expensive houses they don’t need, get into needless debt to get their child into a good school. How is this better than giving them a voucher and setting them free?
  
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  1. Dreidel
    
    November 26, 2016
    
    Betsy DeVos is a promising choice for Secretary of Education. She’ll work to allow parents badly-needed choices like school vouchers instead of forcing their children into inferior public schools which are under the fierce grip of teachers’ unions that are more dedicated to keeping incompetent teachers and status-quo terrible schools running than in the welfare of students.
    
    If you don’t think the current public school system is a mess, take a good look at Chicago, and at Democratic mayor Rahm Emanuel’s struggles with the powerful teachers’ union there.
    
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el

November 26, 2016

Meet The ‘Transabled’: Able-Bodied People Who Identity As Disabled
…
The Post also interviewed St. Thomas University professor Clive Baldwin, who has studied “transability” for years and claims to have identified 37 people who are transabled. “One person we have spoken to wants to become blind, and another wants a penectomy, the removal of his penis,” he said.

Author Sarah Boesveld draws the obvious parallel to transgenderism. “As the public begins to embrace people who identify as transgender, the trans people within the disability movement are also seeking their due, or at very least a bit of understanding in a public that cannot fathom why anyone would want to be anything other than healthy and mobile.”

Baldwin also drew the same parallel. “Society needs to appreciate that however strange it sounds, it isn’t beyond the pale to allow people to align their body with how they feel they ought to.”

http://dailycaller.com/2015/06/02/meet-the-transabled-able-bodied-people-who-identity-as-disabled/

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1. Dreidel
  
  November 26, 2016
  
  This is getting ridiculous! There’s always been a term for able-bodied people who consider themselves disabled.
  
  It’s called “mentally ill.”
  
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  1. el
    
    November 26, 2016
    
    \ There’s always been a term for able-bodied people who consider themselves disabled. It’s called “mentally ill.”
    
    I agree with you, but it is not black and white at all. Not nowadays.
    
    What about men who consider themselves women (or the reverse)? And want all taxpayers to pay for operations to change their bodies?
    
    Why can’t transabled people require me to pay for their operations and for their support once they truly become disabled?
    
    I am almost afraid to be banned for transfobia for writing this comment. At the same time, I am sure Clarissa and others would agree with your definition of transabled as ‘mentally ill.’ So, what is the fundamental difference between those cases? It is a serious question.
    
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    1. Dreidel
      
      November 26, 2016
      
      “what is the fundamental difference between those cases? (‘transsexuals’ and ‘transabled’)”
      
      GOOD QUESTION! The real answer is politics, and a vastly changed view in what is considered normal human behavior versus what is considered mental illness.
      
      Homosexuality was considered by the American Psychiatric Association (and most lay people) to be a mental illness until the 1970s. In the decades since then, a gradual, vast sea-change in acceptance of the gay lifestyle as normal has occurred.
      
      The same push to normalize transsexuals is currently underway, but meeting with considerably more resistance, as liberal political forces (like the Obama Justice Department and Secretary of Defense) try to force acceptance on a population that isn’t yet prepared to accept the “new normal.”
      
      The general idea — that anybody can claim to be anything they please, and nobody can dare question that claim — can obviously be carried to ridiculous extremes. If I’m feeling lazy today, can I call myself “transabled” and use all the convenient “handicapped parking” spots during my holiday shopping?
      
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      1. Clarissa
        
        November 26, 2016
        
        This is simply a logical result of consumerism. People believe they should be able to buy anything. Manhood, womanhood, baby, disability- why not if that’s their consumer choice?
        
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    2. Clarissa
      
      November 26, 2016
      
      They might be crazy or they might simply be bored silly and trying to spice up their lives. Either way, the more the relationship between such people and everybody else is moderated by the government, the clearer it becomes that it’s trying to distract out attention.
      
      As to who’ll pay for this. How many people will actually go through this self mutilation? 3? 30? It’s a trivial number. The socialized medical care, such as it is, will die for other reason, not because of these dumb fucks.
      
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el

November 26, 2016

Gay, Bi, Trans, and Ecosexual?

Over the past few years, some organizations and publications have added a Q, for queer, to the LGBT acronym — and now there are some who say we should add an E, for ecosexual.

The term has been around for much of the 21st century, although its definition can range from those who want to make environmental activism sexy and fun to those who derive sexual pleasure from interactions with nature.
…
While ecosexuals may be gay, straight, or bisexual, cisgender or transgender, some are seeking an alliance with the LGBT movement.
http://www.advocate.com/love-and-sex/2016/11/02/gay-bi-trans-and-ecosexual

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1. Clarissa
  
  November 26, 2016
  
  This is not new. Reinaldo Arenas, a Cuban poet and disdident, had sex with trees.
  
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el

November 26, 2016

Saw the ‘Transabled’ article on a Hebrew news site and thought:

A – At which point can one say somebody is mentally ill and needs help? Saying that about trans people would probably cost a uni prof his job. (Based on the case you linked to in which saying he would refuse to use any pronoun a student requires led to a warning letter from the university.) Will the same protections soon be extended to ‘transabled’? Where does one put a limit on what a (mentally ill?) person may require from the entire society around them?

B – Great thing to use in propaganda against the West, whether in Russia or in Arab countries.

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1. Clarissa
  
  November 26, 2016
  
  Absolutely, this is going straight into “the decadent West” stories. And rightfully so.
  
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el

November 27, 2016

Оксфордский словарь назвал главным словом 2016 года post-truth — прилагательное, «относящееся к таким обстоятельствам или обозначающее такие обстоятельства, в которых объективные факты влияют на формирование общественного мнения меньше, чем воззвания к эмоциям и личным убеждениям».
…
Термин «политика постистины» (post-truth politics) широко использовали англоязычные журналисты, когда писали о референдуме о выходе Великобритании из Евросоюза и о президентских выборах в США.

http://trim-c.livejournal.com/1439193.html

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el

November 28, 2016

Был у нас в зоне такой человек, Шовкуненко. Добрый, по-видимому. Помог мне, почти спас меня. В суровую уральскую зиму 1975 года я вышел в зону из карцерной камеры после четырехмесячной голодовки. Трудно мне было тогда в худых кирзовых ботинках. Даже не в сапогах. Спустя пару дней Шовкуненко подошёл к моему другу Васылю Пидгородецкому и как-то очень тепло сказал: «Ты скажи этому жидочку, пусть подойдет ко мне. Я дам ему хорошие валенки. У меня их несколько пар. Хорошие дам, подшитые».

И вправду дал мне валенки. Спас меня, истощенного, от неизбежной болезни. Добрый был человек. Досиживал он тогда 15 лет, был осужден за усердный труд в каком-то нацистском полицейском соединении, где был немалым начальником. И у нас в зоне он был начальником: нарядчиком и председателем совета коллектива. А в войну, в отечественную, служил немцам верно, был даже удостоен высокой чести участвовать в съезде вермахта в Берлине.

http://trim-c.livejournal.com/1442299.html

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A conservative literary critic and college professor

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