Tag: Clarence Thomas

SCOTUS Rulings Reinforce Discrimination: Affirmative Action, CO Wedding Website Designer & Student Loans

In the United States, the Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. The judges are supposed to balance the rights of Americans with the existing legal protocol. Supposed is the keyword here.

Last week, SCOTUS ruled in favor of discrimination in three separate cases: A Colorado wedding website designer is allowed to tell gay couples that she will not do business with them based on her own faith. While she is entitled to her rights and opinion, what about the soon-be-wed couple? Are they not entitled to the same? BTW, the man named in the suit is heterosexual, already married, lives in California, and had no clue that he was connected to the case.

President Biden‘s student loan forgiveness plan is now null and void. Come this fall, payments will resume as normal. We all know the value of a college education. But given the overwhelming amount of debt that many have, it makes certain decisions seem impossible. How does one save for the purchase of a home, put money aside for their child’s future, or even go on vacation when a good portion of their paycheck goes to paying off their loans? It is also worth noting that some on the right were forgiven for their PPP loans.

Affirmative action has existed for decades. In short, it opened the door to those who have been denied certain opportunities because of their race, gender, religion, or other factors. As of last Thursday, it no longer exists at the university level. It will no longer be one of the factors that are included in the decision-making process of college admissions.

Clarence Thomas was one of the Judges who voted for the plan’s removal. His ruling with the majority is based on his own experience as a young man. While his opinion cannot be denied, he is ignoring the truth that skin color still plays a role in how one is perceived. The problem is that this allows the schools to give preferential treatment to legacy students (children and grandchildren of alumni) who are mostly white and wealthy. How are we supposed to enforce the value of a post K-12 degree if the majority of our children are denied the opportunity because they are not light-skinned and among the 1%?

In 2023, it’s nice to know that discrimination is alive and well in America.

P.S. Yesterday was the 55th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. In just over half a century, it is obvious that some things have not changed.

Republican Fuckery XVIII: Clarence Thomas Paid Off, Kevin McCarthy’s Usual BS & MI Republicans are Behind the Times

In the moment, it is easy to believe that you are making the right decision. History, however, may say otherwise.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s reputation has taken a nosedive over the past few years (not that it was solid, to begin with. Re: Anita Hill). The most recent scandal is that he has been allegedly bought and paid for by right-wing Real Estate mogul Harlan Crow (the perfect James Bond villain name).

Among the many lavish gifts that Crow has bestowed Thomas are expensive vacations and buying Thomas’s mother’s house so she can live out the rest of her days without worrying about where the next rent payment is coming from. While the latter could be seen as Crow being altruistic, the former is highly problematic. If this isn’t the case for a potential investigation into ethics violations, I don’t know what is.

In other news, Kevin McCarthy continues to prove why he is spineless and a hypocrite. During an interview with CNBC last week about the debt ceiling, McCarthy claimed that Biden has not even tried to negotiate. The truth is that the President has agreed to come to the table. What he will not budge on are cuts to help those who need it the most and ruining our country’s financial reputation.

And finally, nine Republican state Senators from Michigan voted to keep a century old that bill would make it illegal for unmarried couples to live together.

I don’t know about anyone else, I have plenty of friends who lived together before they married. I also know other couples who are not married and happily living together. I have two questions for these state Senators:

  1. Don’t you have more important things to worry about than whether or not a cohabitated couple has said: “I do”?
  2. What era do you think we live in?

If this side of the aisle wants to remain in power and win future elections, I suggest that they stop alienating young voters. The wise person would not ignore their collective voice/vote.

Just another day in America.

Republican Fuckery XVII: The Tennesse Three, MTG comes to NYC, and the 60 Minutes Interview

From a distance, it may seem that democracy does not need tending to. Once established, it can survive on its own. The truth is that it requires all of us to pay attention, specifically when it could go to h*ll in a handbasket.

Earlier this week, in response to the school shooting in Nashville, protestors swarmed the state capitol. Supporting them were three state representatives who are on the blue side of the aisle. One is a Caucasian woman (Gloria Johnson) and two are men of color (Justin Jones and Justin Pearce). The leadership wanted them out. In a telling reaction, Ms. Johnson retained her position. But Mr. Jones and Mr. Pearce were expelled from their seats.

This does not happen in a country with a thriving and respected democracy. This happens in a fascist government where the wants and the needs of the average person on the street are ignored by those in power whose only concern is staying in power.

Meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Greene once more proved why she is unfit for office. When she came to New York City earlier this week to support the former guy, she was swamped by protestors. What she experienced this week (and what Ted Cruz also experienced last year) is that we are loud, proud, and not afraid to shit on you if you shit on us.

For some reason, someone at 60 Minutes thought it was a good idea to interview the Congresswoman and air the interview.

Nick Young Wtf GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

I don’t know whose bright idea this was or the reason for the conversation. Either way, it was dumb and gave this woman a platform that was unwarranted. What is worse is that instead of the hard hitting questions that I would have expected from this OG television news program, softball questions were lobbed at her. This is the type of content that I expect from Fox News, not a respected and established show like 60 Minutes.

These people should not be in government. I beg with, I plead with my fellow citizens to get them out of the office before this country goes down the tubes for good.

P.S. Did you hear that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has not been reporting luxury vacations paid for by a 1% Republican donor? It’s time for limits on SCOTUS.

Republican Fuckery Part V: McConnell & Thomas Deligitimize Their Marriages While McCarthy Denies Omar Committee Spot

The true sign of any living democracy is the ability to work with someone across the political aisle, regardless of the number of topics that you disagree with them on.

Last week, Mitch McConnell voted against the Respect for Marriage Act. In short, this legislation protects both interracial and same-sex marriage at the federal level. Not surprisingly, only a handful of Republicans voted with their Democrat colleagues in voting for the law.

I don’t get it. McConnell is married to Elaine Chao, who is AAPI. Back in July, when Roe was overturned, Clarence Thomas (who is married to a White woman, Ginni Thomas) made a similar statement. Basically, they are stating that they are ok with making their own marriages illegal. I used to think that they are/were delusional. Now they appear to be a bunch of fools.

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Meanwhile, Kevin McCarthy has already stated that if he is elected Speaker of the House, Ilhan Omar will be removed from her committee assignments. His reasoning as is follows:

“Congresswoman Omar, her antisemitic comments that have gone forward, we’re not going to allow her to be on Foreign Affairs,” McCarthy told host Maria Bartiromo, referring to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

While her antisemitic utterances cannot and should not be ignored, this is rich coming from McCarthy. One of his party members, Marjorie Taylor Greene, has not been shy about her own anti-Jewish views. Moreover, his attempts to make an example of her were nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

The only way to move forward and heal from the last few years is to come together and work with one another. But that requires both sides to hold out their hand in a proverbial acceptance of one’s differences. That can only happen if the Republicans as a party, are willing to come to the table. As it appears now, that is not happening anytime soon.

It is a Sad Day in America: Roe V. Wade is No More

A few months ago, we celebrated the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. When I wrote that post, I still had hope that the right of anyone with a uterus had the right to decide their own fate. That hope died this morning.

By lunchtime, the federal government had washed its hands of the issue. It is now illegal to have an abortion in America. Each state can now decide if the procedure will be allowed and to what degree. In many states, this means that will be either completely against the law or limited to saving the life of the pregnant person.

American women are officially back in the dark ages, depending on where they live. Thankfully, both my home state of New York and New Jersey are among the handful of states that put the life of the pregnant person over politics. But not everyone is so lucky.

How many women will die from back-alley abortions or putting foreign objects in their bodies? How many females of any age will be forced to give birth to their rapist’s child or carry a dead fetus to term? How many women of color who are already living under hard conditions will have another proverbial plate spinning in the air?

The overturning of Roe is the beginning of a slippery slope. According to Judge Clarence Thomas (who I loathe with a passion), this decision opens the door to taking a second look at other rulings.

Justice Clarence Thomas argued in a concurring opinion released on Friday that the Supreme Court “should reconsider” its past rulings codifying rights to contraception access, same-sex relationships and same-sex marriage.

In a similar vein, Loving v. Virginia could also be overturned. That means that his marriage to the equally loathsome Ginni Thomas could be viewed as illegal.

If they thought we would go quietly into the night, they have another thing coming.

Courtesy of Facebook

We can donate to pro-choice organizations (Planned Parenthood, NARAL, etc). We can march and let our voices be heard. We can vote in November and more importantly, vote blue. Though it is dark, the sun will rise again. We just need to fight for that sunrise.

P.S. Congress finally passed a gun control bill. It speaks volumes about this country that we confer more rights on a weapon than a living, breathing human being.

Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence Book Review

In 1991, when Anita Hill testified that that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sexually harassed her, it was nothing short of earth shattering. Instead of letting the shame destroy her or pretend that it never happened, she took her case to Congress. This brave choice opened the door for victims of similar acts to get justice and ensure that the perpetrators got what they deserved.

Dr. Hill’s new book, Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence, was published in September. Building on her very personal history of experiencing gender violence, she explores such subjects such as bullying, rape, the constant threat to the LGBTQ community, and the mind blowing comparison to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings. In speaking openly about such topics that are often buried under the rug or not taken seriously, she is challenging the reader to speak up, speak out, and ensure that these injustices are finally given the spotlight they should have received a long time ago.

This book is nothing short of mind blowing. If there was ever a fire lit under our collective behinds, this book is the match. Thirty years ago, Dr. Hill opened the door, broke barriers, and inspired multiple generations of activists to stand on her impressive shoulders. She got the ball rolling, it is now up to us to finish the job.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

Reckoning: The Epic Battle Against Sexual Abuse and Harassment Book Review

Since the beginning of human history, men have used sex to gain power over women. But thanks the hard work of generations of women, the power imbalance is starting to even out.

In the new book, Reckoning: The Epic Battle Against Sexual Abuse and Harassment, by Linda Hirshman, explores how women have fought back against sexual harassment and have slowly began to win the war.

Ms. Hirshman starts her book in the 1970’s, when women began to talk to each other and organize against men who took advantage of their female subordinates. She then moves forward in time highlighting a number of accusations of rape and/or sexual harassment against prominent men and the women who were brave enough to go public with the accusations. The list includes the 1991 Clarence Thomas Hearings and the accusations by Anita Hill, the Monica Lewinsky/Bill Clinton Scandal, and the multiple women claimed that Harvey Weinstein took advantage of them sexually.

Reckoning is a perfect title for this book. While telling the story of these brave and bold women, Ms. Hirshman inspires the reader to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. She also pulls no punches, calling out politicians on both sides of the aisle, women who stay silent and men who continue to perpetuate this heinous act.

I absolutely recommend it.

Reasons Why Christine Blasey Ford Should Be Believed

Throughout much of human history, women have been second class. Seen only as submissive help meets to the men in their lives, they had no rights and were often viewed as property. Part of being viewed as property or second class was being forced into an unwanted sexual act that very often left the woman in an emotionally and physically traumatized state.

Thankfully, things are starting to change. One of the women who is helping with this change is Christine Blasey Ford, a high school acquaintance of Judge Brett Kavanaugh who accused him of forcing himself on her when they were teenagers.

Below are the reasons why Dr. Ford should be believed:

  1. Her testimony will have a way in determining if Judge Kavanaugh is ultimately confirmed to join SCOTUS and possibly change the course of American history for the better.
  2. Her testimony will undo the damage that was done to Anita Hill testified about her own sexual assault experience at the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearing 27 years ago.
  3. Her testimony will prove once and for all that the time doesn’t matter. Those who force themselves sexually on another person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of whether it is 36 hours or 36 years since the attack.
  4. It will encourage past and future victims of rape, sexual violence and sexual assault to come forward and be public in their accusations.
  5. It will make those who are thinking of committing such acts think twice, knowing the repercussions of this kind of offense.

As of today, Dr. Ford is scheduled to testify on Thursday. Until then, we can only wait and maybe speculate as to what Dr. Ford may or may not say.

I believe her.

 

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