jwood718

[jwood718]

“This government isn’t just dismantling democracy brick by brick, it��s now going at it with a bulldozer,” Ákos Hadházy, an independent lawmaker...said at a recent rally, according to Bloomberg. “We are here because we need to act fast to get ahead and stop it.”

Ashifa Kassam writing for The Guardian:

"Hungary adopts constitutional amendment to ban LGBTQ+ gatherings."

The controversial amendment also recognises only two sexes, providing a basis for denying other gender identities

"Hungarian lawmakers have voted through a controversial constitutional amendment that campaigners described as a 'significant escalation' in the government’s efforts to crack down on dissent and chip away at human rights.

Backed by the prime minister, Viktor Orbán, and his rightwing populist party, Fidesz, the amendment passed on Monday along party lines, with 140 votes for and 21 against.

It codifies the government’s recent ban on Pride events, paving the way for authorities to use facial recognition software to identify attenders and potentially fine them.

The amendment, which the government says prioritises the protection of children’s physical, mental and moral development, also enshrines the recognition of only two sexes, providing a constitutional basis for denying the gender identities of some in Hungary.

...Thousands of people have since taken to the streets, blocking bridges and major thoroughfares with chants of 'democracy' and 'assembly is a fundamental right' in weekly protests."

Full story

And of course Orban's self-styled "illiberal" governance is and has been a model of sorts for the likes of The Orange One and The Heritage Foundation. Whither Hungary, so goes the U.S.?

[jwood718]

When I hear stories about prominent law firms capitulate and sign pro-bono deals with the White House, one word keeps coming to mind:

collaborators.

The Stasi are laughing in their graves -- again.

[jwood718]

Aaaaand, the Stasi laugh from their graves--again.

By Robbie Gramer and Nahal Toosi

"The cable encourages State Department employees to report on one another through a tip form that can be anonymous. 'Reports should be as detailed as possible, including names, dates, locations (e.g. post or domestic office where the incident occurred,' the cable reads.

Some State Department officials reacted to the cable with shock and alarm, saying that even if well-intentioned, it is based on the flawed premise that the department harbors anti-Christian bias to begin with, and warning it could create a culture of fear as the administration pushes employees to report on one another."

[jwood718]

I would watch any of those.

It could be a franchise! I'm sure a posse of screenwriters could fashion the throughline from movie to move.

My cartoon for this week’s Guardian Books.

[jwood718]

Oh, of course, I forgot we're going to have the NIH version of the Cass Report:

"'This is very important to the President and the Secretary,' ...referring to President Trump and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ...'They would like us to have funding announcements within the next six months to get this moving.'"

Rob Stein reporting for NPR

"White House orders NIH to research trans 'regret' and 'detransition'"

"The Trump administration has ordered the National Institutes of Health to study the physical and mental health effects of undergoing gender transition, according to an internal NIH memo obtained by NPR.

The directive was shared with NPR by two current NIH staffers who did not want to be identified for fear of retribution. It is from acting NIH Director Mark Memoli, and says the NIH must study the impact of 'social transition and/or chemical and surgical mutilation' among children who transition. Specifically, the White House wants the NIH to study 'regret' and 'detransition' among children and adults who have transitioned...

'Chemical or surgical mutilation? These are deeply offensive terms,' says Harry Barbee, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

'This terminology has no place in serious scientific or public health discourse,' Barbee says. 'The language has been historically used to stigmatize trans people. Even the phrase[s] 'regret' and 'detransition' can be weaponized.'"

Full story with audio button.

[jwood718]

Kennedy, Jr. announces "massive" HHS study to determine the causes of autism and the "epidemic" of cases in the U.S., with results by September.

Sounds like we could have the Cass Report of neurodiversity.

[jwood718]

Well, shit. Talk about saying the quiet part out loud!

Here's an interesting (ahem!) story from Sweetwater, TN's The Advocate and Democrat:

"The Sweetwater Police Department has reported the distribution of 'hundreds' of pamphlets associated with the Ku Klux Klan last week inside the city.

In what appeared to be a widespread effort, potentially by someone from out of town, fliers were distributed across town with what the SPD referred to as a 'racially motivated' message on them...

It also lists phone numbers for 'realms' in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Tennessee and states that it is 'calling all like minded white protestants.'"

Yipes.

Full story

Check out the tags for this story:

Nordicism

Homophobia

White Separatist Groups

Far-right Politics And Christianity

American Fascist Movements

Holocaust Denial

Protestant Organizations

Neo-confederates

Cointelpro Targets

Neo-confederate Organizations

Reconstruction Era

Racially Motivated Violence Against African Americans

Clandestine Groups

Anti-catholic Organizations

Politics Of The Southern United States

Discrimination Against Atheists

Ku Klux Klan

Violence Against Muslims

Alt-right Organizations

Aftermath Of The American Civil War

Politics

Crime

Society Of The United States

Whew!

[jwood718]

Yeah, that poster, that's the one I've been thinking of for the last few weeks.

[jwood718]

The ravens need a spin-off.

Some sketchbook ravens and the cartoon they ended up in.

www.tomgauld.com/art-for-sale

[jwood718]

Oh my yes.

what will it be, boss? the comfort of misery or the pain of change?

[jwood718]

Nice.

this is basically a short horror film

[jwood718]

Oh, Skyler--that little behind of yours needs to catch up: obviously there was no crash! It was just a natural reactionnn to gthweocgjeivm im ghoihfdajo =elkjgl kl;mkkwe;oirjl;kdnf;olalmkcm

see?

Or maybe a drag queen!

[jwood718]

reblogging for that last photo

Some of my favourite recent protest signs

[jwood718]

Couldn't I make the case that what-ever I am is "biological" since what-ever it is was in my brain from birth?

I didn't go looking for it.

[jwood718]

Hmm-

[jwood718]

[jwood718]

Abominable.

I grew up reading Calvin & Hobbes, and one of my favorite running jokes was the snowmen that Calvin would build.