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

[aja_christopher]

But what if the Democrats overreach?

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/z...pening-remarks

We all know that Republicans don't care when one of their own breaks the law -- only if Democrats might break the law.

Just like many seem to think voter suppression and racism isn't a real issue in America despite all the scientific studies and date proving otherwise.

At this point one just has to accept that they want to preserve power at the expense of "minority" voters and even democracy itself -- there is never any real effort to address these issues because they benefit from having systemic inequality and injustice working to their advantage in both elections and society in general.

Even when they know the facts, they either give lip service to them or simply pretend they don't matter.

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"Black Women Scientists Missing from Rextbooks, Study Shows"

Scientists featured in textbooks are predominantly white men, according to a study.

US biology textbooks highlighted seven men for every woman scientist.



And black women were not represented a single time in any of the works analysed.

Based on the current rate, it will be centuries before the books used to teach undergraduate biology in the US match the diversity of their readers, say researchers.

"We didn't see any, for instance, black women scientists across any textbook," said Dr Cissy Ballen of Auburn University in Alabama, US.

The study analysed more than 1,000 scientific names featured in seven modern biology textbooks used to teach undergraduates entering science and medicine in the US.

They ranged from historical figures such as Charles Darwin and Gregor Mendel to contemporary scientists such as Jane Goodall.

Overall, 13% of the scientists featured were women, while 6.7% were from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

Previous research has shown the importance of diverse, relatable role models in science, said Dr Ballen. "Not to be able to see anyone like them in these kinds of fundamental textbooks that they're using, I think it would have a really negative effect," she said.

There have been some gains in recent years, particularly where women and Asian men are concerned, said the researchers.

Despite this, the scientists portrayed are not representative of their target audience, particularly among Asian and Hispanic women, while black women were not represented at all.

Textbook publishers are "tasked with balancing an accurate portrayal of history while showcasing contemporary science that reflects a diverse population of learners", they said.

Biology is relatively gender diverse compared with other areas of science, such as physics. In the US, around 60% of biology graduates are women."

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-53158292

[PaulBullion]

I legitimately appreciate the concern. I'm dine.

Narrator's voice:

[PaulBullion]

The trump campaign announced it but he's replacing Kayleigh McEnany. Unless McEnany was also the campaign's press secretary.

Kayleigh is still White House press sec. She had previously held that job for the campaign, and they only now found somebody willing to get on the Titanic and replace her at her old gig.

[aja_christopher]

Republicans don't mind lying to others -- that's why they nominated and elected Trump to the presidency.



What they don't like is getting caught lying, which is why they respect Reagan but act as if Nixon, Bush and Trump are anomolies in their party.

[PaulBullion]

Looks like any predictions that California would be hit less hard by the virus because it's hotter and sunnier, and people use mass transit less than in NY were wrong. Those numbers are scary.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Trump Spends Rally Downplaying Coronavirus And Making Racist Jokes

This is “hopefully the end of the pandemic,” Trump said in Arizona, which is averaging 2,500 new COVID-19 cases a day. The racist joke: "Kung flu". Disgusting. Meanwhile....

**********

Trump Says He Wasn’t Joking About Slowing COVID-19 Testing: ‘I Don’t Kid’

The consistently inconsistent president told another journalist the comment was “semi tongue-in-cheek.” When will people realize Trump doesn't have a sense of humor and meant what he said? It's why he relentlessly attacks Barack Obama who made fun of him nine years ago and NEVER forgot.

**********

Donald Trump Is Using The Pandemic To Push His Anti-Immigration Agenda

The coronavirus didn’t create a need for nativist immigration policies — it simply provided an excuse for them. Using a pandemic from a virus he didn't believe in, then called a Democratic hoax. Hypocrisy, thy name is Trump.

**********

Rudy Giuliani Says Black Lives Matter Wants To ‘Take Your House Away From You’

Donald Trump’s personal attorney said on Fox News that the activist group wants to destroy the government and give away your property “to other people.” I had no idea BLM had that kind of power. Either that or Rantin' Rudy was off his meds when he did that interview.

**********

Democrats Threaten To Block ‘Woefully Inadequate’ GOP Police Reform Bill

“This bill is not salvageable,” Sens. Chuck Schumer, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris wrote in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

**********

Woman Who Deliberately Coughed In Baby’s Face Is Wanted By Police

The baby’s mother said she believes the incident was motivated by race. And motivated by Donald Trump's racism.

[Steel Inquisitor]

Looks like any predictions that California would be hit less hard by the virus because it's hotter and sunnier, and people use mass transit less than in NY were wrong. Those numbers are scary.

Are people really that naive about pandemics? It's not like there hasn't been numerous media about this subject. Or is it that they won't take it seriously unless they're personally affected?

[Mister Mets]

We all know that Republicans don't care when one of their own breaks the law -- only if Democrats might break the law.

Just like many seem to think voter suppression and racism isn't a real issue in America despite all the scientific studies and date proving otherwise.

At this point one just has to accept that they want to preserve power at the expense of "minority" voters and even democracy itself -- there is never any real effort to address these issues because they benefit from having systemic inequality and injustice working to their advantage in both elections and society in general.

Even when they know the facts, they either give lip service to them or simply pretend they don't matter.

The overreach comment was in response to someone who thinks that sending Mitch McConnell and others to jail is the only solution. As I've said before, I doubt Democrats are going to try that, so I wasn't accusing them of overreach. I suggested that the thing a poster here wants to see (which no one else seemed to disagree with) would be overreach.

Narrator's voice:

It was a typo. I meant to say fine.

Do you think irrational right wingers, Confederacy lovers and garden variety racists will accept that rationale?

The irrational (which would include confederacy lovers) are probably not going to accept a rationale.

Garden variety racists would probably think it would be fine if someone had left a noose.

There are other categories of people whose response is going to depend on how those who were mistaken reflect upon their error, and its implications.

[XPac]

Are people really that naive about pandemics? It's not like there hasn't been numerous media about this subject. Or is it that they won't take it seriously unless they're personally affected?

I think with everything else going on in the world, people just aren't taking the pandemic seriously anymore. When you're seeing crowds in the hundred or thousands protesting, social distancing pretty much becomes moot. At this point there's probably nothing that can be done except take the hit, hope it's not TOO bad, and ride it out.

[aja_christopher]

I think with everything else going on in the world, people just aren't taking the pandemic seriously anymore. When you're seeing crowds in the hundred or thousands protesting, social distancing pretty much becomes moot. At this point there's probably nothing that can be done except take the hit, hope it's not TOO bad, and ride it out.

Or Republicans could pass legislation that mandates face masks and addresses police brutality with legislation that gets people to stop seeing the need to risk their lives protesting injustice in their government in the first place.

They could also stop closing polling stations and spreading lies to the general public regarding mail in voting and voter fraud.

And remove "leaders" who don't even see fit to wear masks in public instead of constantly defending or deflecting from their irresponsible behavior.

But that's not an option because Republicans don't hold their own accountable.

[XPac]

Or Republicans could pass legislation that mandates face masks and addresses police brutality with legislation that gets people to stop seeing the need to risk their lives protesting injustice in their government in the first place.

They could also stop closing polling stations and spreading lies to the general public regarding mail in voting and voter fraud.

And remove "leaders" who don't even see fit to wear masks in public instead of constantly defending or deflecting from their irresponsible behavior.

But that's not an option because Republicans don't hold their own accountable.

We were specifically talking about predictions about how hard hit California would be, and that's a pretty blue state. So repulbican and democrats can probably take the credit and the blame for their handling of coronovirus and the protest.

But like you said, some people feel the need to risk their lives protesting injustice, which is understandable, so nothing can really be done one way or the other. All we can do is take the hit and ride it out. Hopefully it won't be TOO bad.

I do think since people are protesting anyways, they might as well open up the economy completely though. Social distancing is dead anyways, so people might as well be able to go to work and pay some bills.

[aja_christopher]

We were specifically talking about predictions about how hard hit California would be, and that's a pretty blue state. So repulbican and democrats can probably take the credit and the blame for their handling of coronovirus and the protest.

We're way beyond the "both sides" argument when you have a Republican president who suppresses health agencies and won't wear a mask.

It's not Democrats setting that example and denying legislation aimed at curbing the virus -- it's Republicans.

Anyway, I know better than to sit here and waste time arguing about this -- time to just watch it play out to it's conclusion.

The same conclusion that happens virtually everytime Republicans get into power over America in the modern era.

[XPac]

We're way beyond the "both sides" argument when you have a Republican president who suppresses health agencies and won't wear a mask.

It's not Democrats setting that example and denying legislation aimed at curbing the virus -- it's Republicans.

Anyway, I know better than to sit here and waste time arguing about this -- time to just watch it play out to it's conclusion.

The same conclusion that happens virtually everytime Republicans get into power over America in the modern era.

Blaming the white house, while valid, isn't enough as state and local government can obviously enact legistation on it's own. Point being if there's plenty of blame to go around.

But yes... arguing about it is a waste at this point. As far as the pandemic goes, damage done. The measures that were taken were probably too little to late, and what response they did put up likely is moot once social distances took a back seat. All any of us can do at this point is just take the hit.

[Kirby101]

Are people really that naive about pandemics? It's not like there hasn't been numerous media about this subject. Or is it that they won't take it seriously unless they're personally affected?

What do you think?

[XPac]

What do you think?

You'd think they'd at least be handing out MAGA face masks or something to the crowd. Politics aside, it's a pretty scary sight to see large crowds like that, with so few face masks. Finding someone wearing a mask is like trying to finding Waldo.

But I think like it or not social distancing is pretty much done. We just gotta cross our fingers and hope for the best.