All purpose news and politics thread part VI: This Is Not The Time For Posing

[numberthirty]

I'm not posing a question. I'm saying there is no such thing as a responsible gun owner, only people who think they're responsible and some of those who are lucky enough to not find out differently.
I'm also saying the narrative is being used as one of the multiple excuses for not addressing the same problem you're referring to. Not sure how that makes me part of the problem.

Pretty simple.

Anyone who actually is saying what is in green?

They are already making absolutely certain that the responsible gun owners who actually are the bulk of gun owners are going to listen to right around "None..." of what gets said after that.

It's taking one more step to make damn sure things stay the jacked up way that they are right now.

If someone can't take a step back, and even think that reality over?

Yeah, that makes them a part of the problem. They are blowing on cement that is already just about dry.

[Jack Dracula]

Pretty simple.

Anyone who actually is saying what is in green?

They are already making absolutely certain that the responsible gun owners who actually are the bulk of gun owners are going to listen to right around "None..." of what gets said after that.

It's taking one more step to make damn sure things stay the jacked up way that they are right now.

If someone can't take a step back, and even think that reality over?

Yeah, that makes them a part of the problem. They are blowing on cement that is already just about dry.

Are you saying that these people who in every other way would very likely admit that they aren't perfect and can make mistakes will become offended to the point of non-complicity when it comes to that one singular thing? Not just that, but the mere suggestion of it somehow makes the reality that children are being killed in their classrooms while none of these people are voicing opposition somehow worse because I'm "stepping on their toes". That somehow pointing out the flaws in peoples thinking may be making the problem worse is actually making the problem worse. Is that the argument you're making?

[numberthirty]

Are you saying that these people who in every other way would very likely admit that they aren't perfect and can make mistakes will become offended to the point of non-complicity when it comes to that one singular thing? Not just that, but the mere suggestion of it somehow makes the reality that children are being killed in their classrooms while none of these people are voicing opposition somehow worse because I'm "stepping on their toes". That somehow pointing out the flaws in peoples thinking may be making the problem worse is actually making the problem worse. Is that the argument you're making?

I'm saying that seemingly having the need to tell these folks that responsible gun ownership is a myth is only going to build walls even more solid and higher than the ones that already exist.

There's no reasonable version of things where those heels being even more dug in so that one guy can believe he is right about one incredibly small point that doesn't really have anything to do with the issue at hand isn't going to make an already existing problem into an even worse one.

Not an argument. The actual reality of things.

[Jack Dracula]

I'm saying that seemingly having the need to tell these folks that responsible gun ownership is a myth is only going to build walls even more solid and higher than the ones that already exist.

There's no reasonable version of things where those heels being even more dug in so that one guy can believe he is right about one incredibly small point that doesn't really have anything to do with the issue at hand isn't going to make an already existing problem into an even worse one.

Not an argument. The actual reality of things.

It’s a narrative being used by dishonest people to hinder positive change, so your opinion it’s a small point isn’t valid.
God forbid we’d hurt the feelings of those people while they’re working so hard speaking out and lobbying politicians to ban certain weapons and enact new laws. Their outrage at the recent mass shootings these past few weeks has been deafening. You’re right, best I not offend anyone and worsen the problem by reminding them they’re fallible human beings.

[numberthirty]

It’s a narrative being used by dishonest people to hinder positive change, so your opinion it’s a small point isn’t valid.
God forbid we’d hurt the feelings of those people while they’re working so hard speaking out and lobbying politicians to ban certain weapons and enact new laws. Their outrage at the recent mass shootings these past few weeks has been deafening. You’re right, best I not offend anyone and worsen the problem by reminding them they’re fallible human beings.

Again...

The dope that shot himself in the hand at the range by pointing a laser site at his own hand?

He was never a responsible gun owner in the first place.

That's before you get to that he has right around "Zero..." to do with the root causes of the mass shootings that are taking place.

[numberthirty]

https://news.wttw.com/2023/01/25/pus...nother-chicago

Push to Reopen Public Mental Health Clinics Closed 11 Years Ago Defines Another Chicago Mayor’s Race

[JackDaw]

The Isla Bryson case in Scotland is raising some questions in relation to transgender laws.

A brief background: Scotland recently passed a law effectively making gender re-assignment by self election very straightforward. (This law is being challenged by UK government, on basis that it impacts on all the UK, not just Scotland.)

An individual (Isla Bryson) awaiting trial for rape, elected to transition to female while awaiting trial for raping 2 women. At the trial Bryson was found guilty…and therefore question arose as to whether she should be held in a men’s or women’s prison while judge was considering sentence to impose.

Initial decision was to hold her in a women’s prison, but this has now been reversed because of public reaction to decision. It’s happening currently…so I’m not sure how this reversal occurred. (It would certainly worry me if reversal was effectively made by a politician.)

[Tendrin]

The Isla Bryson case in Scotland is raising some questions in relation to transgender laws.

A brief background: Scotland recently passed a law effectively making gender re-assignment by self election very straightforward. (This law is being challenged by UK government, on basis that it impacts on all the UK, not just Scotland.)

An individual (Isla Bryson) awaiting trial for rape, elected to transition to female while awaiting trial for raping 2 women. At the trial Bryson was found guilty…and therefore question arose as to whether she should be held in a men’s or women’s prison while judge was considering sentence to impose.

Initial decision was to hold her in a women’s prison, but this has now been reversed because of public reaction to decision. It’s happening currently…so I’m not sure how this reversal occurred. (It would certainly worry me if reversal was effectively made by a politician.)

Unsurprising that TERF Island is having trouble with this.

[Tendrin]

Fundraising committees associated with George Santos listed a new treasurer on Wednesday.

But the man listed said he doesn't work for Santos, and his name was signed without his consent.

A legal expert told ABC News that this could be against the law.

When fundraising committees associated with Rep. George Santos' campaign filed amendments to their statements of organizations on Wednesday, they notified the Federal Election Commission of a new treasurer.

But that treasurer, Thomas Datwyler, now says he doesn't work for Santos, informed the campaign that he didn't want to work for them, and was listed as serving in the position without his consent.

This just keeps getting crazier.

[worstblogever]

This just keeps getting crazier.

There's also a Santos story out where they found a Facebook comment he made in 2010 where he LOL'ed about killing Jews. But it's okay because he's Jewish. Or... Jew-ish.

And another story about him being a terrible roommate, and kicking a roommate out and keeping that guy's IKEA furniture.

I mean, the "falsifying the name of your campaign treasurer" one is definitely a crime. The anti-Semitism is "holy crap" appalling, but legal. And the last one... he's just a predatory jerk, but we knew that based on stealing the money for a veterans' dogs' surgery.

[worstblogever]

On this date in 2015, 2016, 2017, as well as 2018, “Fanatical Republican Extremist of the Day”posted profiles of Jodie Laubenberg, of the Texas House of Representatives, who for over a decade, has shown amazing hypocrisy on her supposed pro-life stance. She can undauntingly push for legislation that would close all abortion clinics in Texas, but at other times, has screamed at Democrats on the floor over the Texas House when debate over health insurance covering pre-natal care comes up and she wants children's health insurance and pre-natal insurance to go unfunded because "there's no money for it". She also once argued against an anti-abortion bill having exceptions for rape and incest in it because "the emergency rooms they have what’s called rape kits, that the woman can get cleaned out, basically like a D and C.” Politifact gave that statement that rape kits end pregnancies its own rare "Pants of Fire" rating, because yes, it's that ridiculous. Laubenberg has also compared Planned Parenthood to Nazis eugenics scientists, because Godwin’s Law is never far from the lips of an anti-abortion lunatic like her. In August of 2017 Laubenberg announced that this would be her last term in the Texas House of Representatives, and after 16 years of trying to criminalize abortion and harass the LGBTQ community, she will fade away into retirement.

It was on this date in 2019, 2020, 2021, as well as 2022, “Fanatical Republican Extremist of the Day” profiled Kyle Biedermann, a member of the Texas House of Representatives representing District 73 who is the fella on the right in the above photo dressed up for Halloween as “Gay Hitler”. Now, we’re already off to a great start for this profile, just based on that image, but even Biedermann’s explanation as to why he had a photo of himself dressed up as the Flamboyant Fuhrer for Halloween on his Facebook page during his first run for office back in 2016 is… bothersome. He responded to this first controversy by saying he was “not gay and never have been. Don’t know anything about Swingers Clubs and no desire to find out.” Now, at this point, Kyle Biedermann as a political outsider rushing into Texas politics might seem like he’d be a long shot on the ballot… and then word also came out regarding his history of mental instability. Court documents from Biedermann’s divorce detailed several incidents where he verbally and physically abused his wife, and was negligent as a father, trying to avoid taking his daughter to the hospital when she broke both her wrists because he didn’t want to pay for any medical bills. The judge ordered him to stay away from his wife and not to contact his daughters by telephone… Somehow, Biederman survived in the GOP Primary, getting 40% in the initial round of voting. In the final primary vote, he got 55% over incumbent Texas state legislator Doug Miller, and went on to raise hell at the state capitol, immediately joining the Texas House Freedom Caucus, with such luminaries as FRED alumni like Jonathan Stickland and Tony Tinderholt. How, based off of the “Gay Hitler” photo and being a documented domestic abuser that this guy could still find his way into office… well, there are reasons we have to pause from writing this blog sometimes to pour out a stiff drink, and Kyle Biedermann sure is one of them. Now, when we say that Kyle Biedermann joined the Texas House Freedom caucus and started raising hell, rest assured, we’re not saying he’s subtle. Only a few weeks into his freshman term in the state legislature, he sent out a deliberately offensive “survey” on Texas Muslim Day at the state capitol to mosques statewide that demanded a response from Muslim leaders about their beliefs in Shariah law, their opinions about if the Muslim Brotherhood should be designated as a terrorist organization, and about ideological organizations that claim to oppose Islamic extremism. If that weren’t enough to show he’s a bit intolerant, there’s also Biedermann’s obsession with ending the Texas Dream Act, which would effectively end in-state tuition for any student who came to the United States illegally (obviously not intending to exclude those who were brought here as children whether they were willing or not). And, we’ll add that Biedermann co-sponsored HB 3859, a bill to allow adoption agencies in Texas to refuse to place children with same-sex parents, because you just knew that “Gay Hitler” thing wasn’t a one-off of homophobia. It’s like he’s playing to bigots across the board, or something… Case in point, in 2019, Biedermann filed legislation to protect Confederate monuments, and pretending there’s a slippery slope where people will tear down the Alamo or World War II memorials, of which, there are zero calls for. Biedermann has also been caught using Facebook to anonymously manipulate public opinion in his favor, even on issues as simplistic as nixing money that would have been spent on the construction of sports fields for youths to play on in the city of Fredericksburg. Kyle Biedermann managed to be re-elected in 2020, coasting to victory in November with 75% of the votethen promptly sponsored legislation to have Texas secede from the United States and return to being its own independent nation. Biedermann was identified as having taken part in the seditious activities in Washington, D.C. on January 6th. Both Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called on him to resign, because while those two nitwits spent weeks spreading election fraud conspiracy theories, actually believing the lies and running around the capitol is a bridge too far, even for them. And no, Biedermann did not have much in the way of regrets for his actions in the capitol on 1/6, because only two days later, he was still grousing about the election results, and calling for #Texit, where Texas would leave the union rather than be governed by a Democratic president. Biedermann has refused requests from reporters seeking his e-mails leading up to January 6th, and he likely has been refusing to cooperate with any official investigators who were looking into them, as well. He has no remorse regarding what happened that day, given his comments in August 2021, and that he sponsored a bill in the Texas state legislature to try and get the state to secede from the United States during the current session. Kyle Biedermann, seditious wanker that he is, did not run for re-election in 2022 in November. As such, we will set aside his profile at this time to cover another wacky Republican today instead. (Current crazy/stupid scoreboard, is now 1180-55, since this was established in July 2014.


Shelly Luther
Welcome to what is the 1180th original profile here at “Fanatical Republican Extremist of the Day”, where we’ll be discussing Shelly Luther, a 2022 candidate for District 62 of the Texas State Senate who became infamous for going to jail for ignoring a judge’s cease-and-desist order, refusing to close down her beauty salon during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, then railing about Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s mild response to the pandemic by calling him a “tyrant governor”, which if you’re wondering is why she went with the “COME AND TAKE IT” T-shirt that had a blow dryer instead of a gun.

The entire incident ended up helping Luther grift to conservatives looking to wank themselves to anti-Covid measures, to the tune of half a million dollars, and got ultimate douchebag Sen. Ted Cruz to come back from Cancun to get a haircut because “to hell with big government tryin’ to save lives!”

She’s garbage in another way, as she lamented that, as a former teacher, before she left to become a hairdresser, she was expected to actually prevent the bullying of transgender children. The quote:

”I am not comfortable with the transgenders. The kids that they brought in my classroom when they said that this kid is transgendering into a different sex, that I couldn't have kids laugh at them … like, other kids got in trouble for having transgender kids in my class.”

Her infamy wasn’t enough to get her out of the GOP Primary for this seat, and she lost 41% of the vote. We’re hoping this was the peak of her notoriety, and this is the only time we have to make mention of her posturing and antics.

[Handsome men don't lose fights]

There's also a Santos story out where they found a Facebook comment he made in 2010 where he LOL'ed about killing Jews. But it's okay because he's Jewish. Or... Jew-ish.

And another story about him being a terrible roommate, and kicking a roommate out and keeping that guy's IKEA furniture.

I mean, the "falsifying the name of your campaign treasurer" one is definitely a crime. The anti-Semitism is "holy crap" appalling, but legal. And the last one... he's just a predatory jerk, but we knew that based on stealing the money for a veterans' dogs' surgery.

Liars like Santos are obsessed with controlling how they're perceived by others. Having his true character exposed to the world like this must be killing him. It's so beautiful.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Let's meet Rollan Roberts II, an anonymous Republican from West Virginia who set the record for shortest ever presidential campaign:

A Republican Presidential Candidate’s Pregnant Wife Fainted at His Announcement Speech



After his wife collapsed, it took Roberts a good five seconds (I counted) to leave the podium and go to her aid, as if he was hesitant to stop speaking. Talk about compassionate! If that doesn't kill a campaign dead before it even begins, I don't know what would. To quote a line from an old Richard Pryor routine: he came and went at the same time.

[InformationGeek]

In incredibly pointless and stupid news, Ted Cruz tried to introduce a bill that would make Capital Hill vending machines accept only cryptocurrency.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

In incredibly pointless and stupid news, Ted Cruz tried to introduce a bill that would make Capital Hill vending machines accept only cryptocurrency.

My guess? Cruz has a stake in crypto which, in turn, would line his pockets. When in doubt, follow the money.