Intolerance

 House Democrats sang "We Shall Overcome" as Rep. Al Green was censured for lese majeste.  All, I assume, except the ten who voted with the Republicans for reasons which would have been unfathomable to John Lewis or Fannie Lou Hamer or anyone else with a conscience.  Overcome what?  The Tremulous Ten were Ami Bera (CA), Ed Case (HI), Jim Costa (CA), Laura Gillen (NY), Jim Himes (CT), Chrissy Houlahan (PA), Marcy Kaptur (OH), Jared Moskowitz (FL), Marie Glusenkamp Perez (WA) and Tom Suozzi (NY).  Last December CNN identified Moskowitz as a possible director of FEMA, but the acting director is a reality TV geek called Cameron Hamilton and the DOGE vandals will probably destroy it anyway, so, not an excuse, Jared, you just punked out.  Keep needling James Comer and some people will forget you also supported the censure of Rashida Tlaib.

Speaking of punking, The Leader's now-you-see-it-now-you-don't tariffs are making the financial markets so crazy that people are beginning to think he's just creating opportunities for himself and other crooks to sell short and make a few extra millions.  The 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada was supposed to kick in Tuesday, postponed until today.  Then automakers got a one-month exemption after a friendly conference call with executives of GM, Ford and Stellantis, probably to agree on their donations to the Trump Library and Casino Fund.  It's not so much a trade policy as a protection racket.  But Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent assured the Economic Club of New York that Americans have no right to "cheap goods" -- all they have to do is get as rich as he is, and they can afford all the groceries and prescription drugs they want.  It's probable that nobody at the ECNY is sweating next week's paycheck or the possible loss of Medicaid.

Doug Ford is not playing that game.  The premier says Ontario will add a 25% surcharge on electricity next Monday, meaning that customers in Minnesota, Michigan and New York will pay more.  Moreover...

It looks like Napa Valley and Jim Beam won't be slaking Ontario's thirst for a while.  

Calling it "a publicity stunt that will backfire," Kulturfuhrer Ric Grenell denounced Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller for cancelling their production of Hamilton at the Kennedy Center.  "The Arts are for everyone -- not just for the people who Lin likes and agrees with," Grenell wrote blandly, after cancelling the Washington Gay Men's Chorus and banning "anti-American propaganda" like drag artists.  "Lin-Manuel is intolerant of people who don't agree with him politically."

It's part of a wider effort in this topsy-turvy reality to portray Democrats as the real haters.  "There are a lot of people driven by hatred, which is what I think causes them to become Democrats in the first place," pronounced Glenn Grothman (R-WI).  "They want a revolution, they want America to permanently change."  Bet your ass we do.  The Christian nationalist admits he wants to "revert to how it was in the Sixties," which means he can't remember how it was in the Sixties.  The Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, Medicare, Stonewall, the peace movement and Woodstock are not among his fond memories.  

Grothman should be gratified that Tennessee state rep Monty Fritts has introduced a bill to make July "a month of fasting and prayer."  Fritts is just full of love unless you're a migrant or want to commit same-sex, interfaith or interracial marriage in the Volunteer State.  The timing seems fortuitous -- this year Tennessee will commemorate the centenary of the Scopes trial, when John Scopes was prosecuted for the crime of teaching Darwinian theory in Dayton.  If the Grothmans and Frittses had their way, it would be prohibited by Constitutional amendment.  

"Read this email immediately," was the subject line in a communication to 180 people fired from the CDC by the Musk gang.  "You should return to duty under your previous work schedule.  We apologize for any disruption that this may have caused."  Well, since you put it so graciously...It's possible some of them have found other employment.  Have you heard of the Thousand Talents program?  It's China's aggressive effort to recruit all kinds of scientific and technical experts, and it would be exactly what the Trump thugs deserve.  Don't worry, we'll always have fasting and prayer.

I'm tired, probably from all the hating I have to do.  I'll finish with a message from my favorite member of Congress (both houses), Jasmine Crockett.  She's fearless, and she brings the alliteration:

"It's been a long day...but in short, bullies ain't shit!  I don't care what title you hold!  This isn't some long gone reality TV show or failed casino...this is war!  How dare a draft dodging dumb dupe humiliate an ally and berate an actual brave man who has actually been on a battlefield for his people?  Let me say this to the WORLD, I am sorry that the bright light America used to be is dimming."  (March 1, 2025)

You heard the lady -- this is war.