There are two things dominating the tweets today when it comes to politics, and it’s easy to guess what they are.
One is the ongoing saga of the Mueller investigation. The latest news is that papers relating to Trump real estate deals and Russia have been subpoenaed. The former British spy who wrote the so-called “dodgy dossier” on Trump says that this is where they are likely to find gold (bad pun 🙂 ) if they want to find something on Trump.
The other topic is allegations of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse.
Some relate to people who are already known, such as former judge Roy Moore. He wants to be the new senator for Alabama. GOP leaders are distancing themselves from him and calling on him to pull out of the race. Ivanka Trump has also come out strongly against Moore. Steve Bannon and his cult, on the other hand, continue to support Moore strongly.
Bannon, you may recall, was the one who got those who accused Bill Clinton of sexual abuse to attend the debate between Trump and Hillary Clinton. He was also the only one who said Trump should carry on following the release of the “Pu$$y-grabber” tape.
Donald Trump is trying to keep in with both groups. He refuses to make a comment or answer any questions on the topic at all. The problem is, of course, the large number or accusations he faces himself. At least sixteen women came forward during the election to say there was some form of unwanted sexual contact towards them from Trump. He says they are all lying. If he says anything, he straight away opens himself up to more questions.
By the way, is this the only event ever that Trump doesn’t feel compelled to send out some tweets about?
The latest news is that Democrat Al Franken is guilty of initiating unwanted sexual contact with a woman too. Basically there was a forced kiss and he had a photo taken of him reaching for the woman’s (clothed) breasts while she was asleep. It’s unclear whether he actually made contact. He’s admitted fault and apologized. His accuser has accepted his apology.
Roy Moore’s supporters are now comparing Franken’s actions with Moore’s. There is no excuse for what Franken did. He was wrong. Though many won’t say it, there is some abuse that is worse than other abuse. But as someone who has been a victim of several different types of sexual abuse, I’m not going to back away from saying it. As an example, it seems that at least one of Moore’s accusers was only fourteen and he was in his thirties when the incident is alleged to have occurred. Sexual contact with children by an adult in their thirties is always wrong. And paedophilia is worse than what Al Franken did.
This morning I heard Jesse Watters on Fox News‘s ‘The Five’ say no one in Alabama is attacking the women who are making allegations against Moore. He says that those who are continuing to support Moore are still treating the women with respect. If he believes that’s true, he hasn’t been taking much notice of what’s going on. Either that or, once again, he’s happy to lie in the GOP cause.
Moore himself is saying outright that the women are lying. He his going ahead and standing for election. Most of his putative future colleagues have said that they believe his accusers. Though there is little evidence due to the time lapse, they have a strong level of credibility.
Either way, he is doing enormous damage to his party. In one of the safest red states in the country, the latest Fox News poll has the Democratic candidate, Doug Jones (50%), eight points ahead of Moore (42%). If Moore really cares about the GOP he would resign whether or not the allegations are true.
Some are insisting that Franken is investigated by the Ethics Committee. I have no problem with that of course. However, if they’re going to investigate Franken for his sexual impropriety, they must investigate Trump too. If they don’t it makes it clear that it’s nothing more than a political witch hunt which doesn’t actually care about the real issue – the women who were abused.
Political Tweets
I was really surprised to find out that Wong is Australia’s first openly gay MP. We’ve had multiple openly gay MPs for years in NZ and it’s so common it’s never a factor in elections. We had a trans women MP too. She resigned about 2005 after serving three terms.
Australia’s first openly gay woman Senator Penny Wong cried tears of joy after her country’s pro-marriage equality vote ???? ????️???? pic.twitter.com/JjqI4snJJu
— NowThis (@now this news) November 15, 2017
The reality of the current situation in the US government.
(Via Ann German.)
This Devil’s Bargain has an expiration date:
When Trump and his Base “Eric Cantor,” both McConnell & Ryan in the GOP primaries, and kick them out of Congress.
Or, when McConnell & Ryan turn on Trump (out of self preservation), and Impeach & Convict him.
Whichever comes first. pic.twitter.com/f5xAes7daR
— Jeromne Durango (@Jeromne D) November 16, 2017
This is an excellent speech on the Brexit issue!
Beyond the “I’m the rebel” quote, the clip of Ken Clarke went on to say in his splendid speech is the best summary of the con that was pulled -and continues to be pulled- on the British public by the #Brexit extremists. A vital two minutes, absolutely worth your time and your RT. pic.twitter.com/B2Y2BQh368
— Alex Andreou (@sturdy Alex) November 15, 2017
Well said.
(Via Ann German.)
“How could a woman possibly still be upset about being assaulted 40 years ago?” – the new rallying cry of ppl so upset that their great-great-grandparents lost a war that they’re still crying about some shittily made statues to racist traitors.
— Razorblade Snowflake (@Keffy) November 15, 2017
Human Rights Tweets
You go girl!
(Via Ann German.)
I’ve been erasing/fixing celebrity sexual abuse statements. Here is Louis CK’s. #louisck #metoo pic.twitter.com/LcmvhKDfSB
— Isobel O’Hare (@isobel ohare) November 12, 2017
Gun Safety Tweets
The last four lines of this poem say it all.
Good morning, @shannonrwatts, thought you’d appreciate this poem just written by a colleague of mine who would rather spend his time writing fanciful children’s books instead of this. @GlennonDoyle pic.twitter.com/tly8mYYb9X
— jayewatson (@jaye watson) November 15, 2017
Science Tweets
I don’t personally advocate the use of marijuana, and it’s still illegal in New Zealand. However, I agree that it is safer than both alcohol and cigarettes, and should be legal.
Newsflash: Marijuana is safer than alcohol, studies show pic.twitter.com/YPazme0wWX
— NowThis (@now this news) November 15, 2017
Very cool!
Creating a mirror using silver nitrate pic.twitter.com/ujd5i8e6fh
— World and Science (@World And Science) November 17, 2017
Interesting.
Credits: @businessinsider pic.twitter.com/lcWyrjllTe
— Science (@scien mag) November 17, 2017
Science is cool!
This boy was suffering from a rare disease that made him lose 60% of his skin. So scientists grew him some more in a lab. pic.twitter.com/l2Yaw0UImi
— AJ+ (@aj plus) November 17, 2017
Space Tweets
I want to go to Mars, though not permanently. I hope that’s possible in my lifetime.
Empower humans on the Red Planet! We’re testing a key energy source that could help future human crews transform Martian resources into oxygen, water and fuel: https://t.co/FRTwJgFCE4 pic.twitter.com/IIHTXpEzTm
— NASA (@NASA) November 17, 2017
Food Tweets
The Google translation for this tweet wasn’t very helpful:
Screening at that time, the prettiness of the kamata-Kun is struck by the early jam and I’s biggest buzz slowly became is Switzerland dating over the sad past contractors taken temporary account and somehow erased their Tweets.
上映当時、蒲田くんの愛くるしさに心を打たれていち早くジャムパンにし、私史上最大のバズりとなったのですが、スイスの出会い系業者に一時アカウント乗っ取られて何故かそのツイートを消されるという悲しい過去を越え…今こそ再掲する#シン・ゴジラ #平和なシン・ゴジラ pic.twitter.com/sE7DCZy47z
— SaOryzae (@ory zae 07) November 12, 2017
However, the Tweeter turned out to be a pretty wonderful person, and Ann German was able to get the recipe:
Happy birthday!!! I’m so glad to read your comment. I’ve painted the recipe for you. I wish you will enjoy baking cute “Kamata-kun”! pic.twitter.com/EF5QHPbA4Y
— SaOryzae (@ory zae 07) November 15, 2017
History Tweets
Now that’s something I never thought I’d see – a chair made out of a grizzly bear!
Seth Kinmаn, one of the eаrliest settlers of California, sitting on a chair he made out of a grizzly bear. pic.twitter.com/tcnssifhoV
— History Lovers Club (@history lvrs club) November 15, 2017
How do you encourage your child to wear their gas mask? Now you know! #OnlyInTheUSA
Mickey Mouse Gas Mask, 1942. pic.twitter.com/sYq3uviE8y
— History Lovers Club (@history lvrsc lub) November 17, 2017
Wonderful!
Jim Morrison of The Doors handwritten lyrics for Riders on the Storm. pic.twitter.com/pI4SF8yaJS
— History Lovers Club (@history lvrs club) November 17, 2017
The original phallic symbol! A sword this long was making up for something!
Sword of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, 1496. pic.twitter.com/ogX237wkPK
— History Lovers Club (@history lvrs club) November 16, 2017
Art Tweets
Cool idea!
Woman Uses 13,000 Pennies To Renovate Old Floor And Turn It Into Stunning Patterns https://t.co/PtgW01SYgj
— Architecture (@arch pics) November 14, 2017
Wow!
Stunning work pic.twitter.com/c0VakC8aLn
— Calligraphy & Art (@Calli graph istic) October 9, 2017
Gorgeous!
Space glass pic.twitter.com/G90M7YmP48
— Calligraphy & Art (@Calli graph istic) October 15, 2017
Good News Tweets
I wasn’t sure where to put this, so I made up a new category.
These women are fighting animal poaching in South Africa pic.twitter.com/NqsWlJnPRa
— NowThis (@now this news) November 15, 2017
I like this message. I think there’s nothing more important than encouraging children to read.
????Don’t tell children what they should be reading????
????Let them choose????
????Don’t judge their choices???? #ReadingForPleasure #childrensbookweek pic.twitter.com/ef3Bpk1GY0— Laura (@272BookFaith) November 13, 2017
And this.
In #ChildrensBookWeek, we love this #WednesdayWisdom from @PhilipPullman! Stories can make such a difference ???? pic.twitter.com/62GW30pVQ8
— BookTrust (@Book trust) November 15, 2017
Scenic Tweets
There’s lots of beautiful scenery in Australia. For some reason it always surprises me to see it though.
An amazing view in North Queensland, Australia… Perfection! pic.twitter.com/75Z4PvvPOu
— Life on Earth (@planet epics) November 15, 2017
Anyone looking for a new home?
You can now own the house where John Lennon wrote some of The Beatle’s biggest hits pic.twitter.com/DfD9YAxvTq
— NowThis (@now this news) November 17, 2017
Freshwater Tweets
This is wonderful!
‘Water voles the movie’: #WaterVoleWeds #Nature #RatedAwww
–https://t.co/gt1MC2jHQk— Amy Carparelli (@Amy Amy lou1 993) November 15, 2017
Look what’s hungry!
???????????? Follow me ☺ ???????????? pic.twitter.com/PsBe9TGRij
— Life on Earth (@planetepics) November 17, 2017
Insect Tweets
Very cool!
You can’t get amblypygids (whip-spiders/tailess whip scorpions) wet. They produce cuticular secretions that form an external super-hydrophobic crust.
Amblypygids are actually neither spiders nor scorpions, but are closely related to both.
Paper: https://t.co/eE6vED0QQj pic.twitter.com/wP5gSJJLQp
— Richie Howard (@Ecdysozoan) November 15, 2017
Here’s looking at you kid!
Portrait of a native male Stagmomantis carolina found in my back garden. A nice illustration of the “pseudopupil” effect common to mantid eyes – a major reason they seem so aware and intelligent to me. 10-shot handheld focus-stack. pic.twitter.com/MsNWd7NueB
— Thomas Shahan (@Thomas Shahan) November 15, 2017
Mighty beast of the insect world!
A horned longhorn beetle (Tybalmia caeca) from Costa Rica getting ready to clash head-on. Those horns are used in fighting other males for establishing territories and mating with females. pic.twitter.com/o7eN9q3jr8
— Gil Wizen (@wizen trop) November 15, 2017
Bird Tweets
That’s a good looking Kakapo!
Morning spend talking #kakapo cloacitis with vet staff @aucklandzoo and collaborators around world. Lots of research angles. #conservation pic.twitter.com/1kOSzDOzyh
— Dr Andrew Digby (@takapo digs) November 16, 2017
Another endangered parrot species! They’re too cute for their own good.
Parrot of the Day 17 Nov: Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), aka red-vented cockatoo, Philippines. Critically Endangered. Pic by “Peter O” via @ibirdcollection pic.twitter.com/Rs9CfMkM6p
— Parrot Of The Day (@Parrot Of The Day) November 17, 2017
Look at this dude stepping out!
@ParrotOfTheDay We get lots of Red Rumped Parrots visiting our block. Captured this guy on his way to give treats to his partner ???? pic.twitter.com/rhHd7iwOTG
— Kim Kreuzer-Cofield (@kreuzn) November 16, 2017
This one goes into the favourite videos of all time collection!
Fucks given.. Zero. pic.twitter.com/xmyruYzzsV
— Life on Earth (@planet epics) November 17, 2017
Jimi the Kaka goes home from hospital!
Skraarrk! Jimi the kākā returns to the wild after 3 months of care by @aucklandzoo staff & Native Bird Rescue volunteers: https://t.co/YZNp4hAeqA pic.twitter.com/n78nhwZEdu
— Sirocco Kākāpō (@Spokes bird) November 17, 2017
Dog Tweets
Serves him right!
(Via Ann German.)
#WhatYourDogIsThankfulFor – “Karma, baby! Oops, I mean ‘Woof.'”#DogsOfTwitter pic.twitter.com/2nVmumj1HK
— Brushing Off (@Brushing Off) November 16, 2017
Cat Tweets
I’ve put this one is before, but I just adore it!
Witness a hunter so poised, so deadly, that nothing can escape its merciless attack. pic.twitter.com/KxPlJ6ehYg
— Dick King-Smith HQ (@Dick King Smith) November 15, 2017
A kitty with heart!
I recently adopted this kitty from a rescue group. She has a heart on her belly. pic.twitter.com/jdEXpJqpFg
— Awwwww (@Awwww Cats) November 16, 2017
A couple of real cuties!
Hello hooman, let me introduce you to my little marshmallow… pic.twitter.com/jnFsnIXawj
— Emergency Kittens (@Emrgency Kittens) November 14, 2017
Ha ha!
Local book store has a shop #cat with a lot of personality… pic.twitter.com/JIk7AXZ2GT
— Emergency Kittens (@Emrgency Kittens) November 14, 2017
Now, how are you getting out again?
Well that’s the cutest “Kitkat” I ever got from a vending machine !! pic.twitter.com/HH4lFUmrJl
— Emergency Kittens (@Emrgency Kittens) November 14, 2017
What a gorgeous kitten!
I think some one is ready for a belly rub… pic.twitter.com/8jKMYkl48I
— Emergency Kittens (@Emrgency Kittens) November 13, 2017
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As usual, I’m enjoying and learning from all the tweets. I’m fascinated by Roy Moore and the response of the deep-end Evangelicals in Georgia it’s like watching a train wreck. I can’t believe how twisted and hypocritical they are — they’ve become so enslaved to the ‘horrors’ of abortion and the LGBTQ movement that they no longer judge a person by his or her moral fiber; the only things they care about is whether or not someone is against those things. So child molesters are fine! Just as long as they’re anti-abortion and consider homosexuality a sin. God forbid that the girl should get pregnant (no contraceptives, of course). They have other equally obscene justifications for older men who have a predliction for what used to be called “jail bait”. I know it’s said that the Lord works in mysterious ways, but this is too mysterious for me. Yet they cite the Bible as justification — Mary and Joseph and all that. They’re also quick to condemn Muhammad as being a child molester for marrying Aisha, yet their ‘moral theology’ proves not to be so different to that of ISIS.
Here’s a frightening article about some of Roy Moore’s supporters: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/roy-moore-boasts-of-endorsements-from-neo-confederate-secessionist-activist-who-says-its-ok-to-murder-abortion-providers/
Here’s another pertinent article https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/11/evangelicals-sexual-politics-roy-moore/546089/
It makes me smh when they say things like, “It looks hypocrisy.” It effing looks like hypocrisy because it is hypocrisy!!!
The hypocrisy of the Evangelicals in this is incredible to me. It also no longer surprises me. They are the strongest supporters of Trump despite his appalling treatment of women. They actually don’t think women should be treated as equals anyway. That is not what “respecting women” means to them. Men are supposed to be in charge in their Biblical world view.
Their opposition to abortion is also contrived. I note in the video in the link that they refer to Augustine as their authority to oppose abortion. Normally, they don’t use Catholics as an authority as they think Catholics are blasphemers, but they can’t use the Bible because there’s nothing there. The only thing in the Bible about abortion is Numbers 5, and that says that the Lord will cause an abortion in a women who got pregnant through being unfaithful to her husband.
I laugh sardonically that they would cite Augustine. The fundamentalists used to consider the Catholic Church to be the Whore of Babylon. They didn’t think much of the Jews, either, but what the hey. I just found another fascinating and pertinent evaluation of Roy Moore, by Randall Balmer, John Phillips Professor in Religion and director of the Society of Fellows at Dartmouth College, titled”I know Roy Moore. He’s always been a con artist.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/roy-moore-is-a-fraud/2017/11/17/45c0edfe-caf9-11e7-8321-481fd63f174d_story.html
That’s a good article! I tweeted another one from Right Wing Watch yesterday (I’m on the wrong device to link to it). They’ve done a full analysis of him that brings together all their previous articles.
I went to your twitter feed — this must be what you were referring to http://www.rightwingwatch.org/report/roy-moore-a-history-of-bigotry-extremism-and-contempt-for-the-rule-of-law/. Super! Every day, I learn something new about him and the world of what I call ‘deep-end’ evangelical/fundamentalist belief. In just the past two days, I’ve come across two enlightening items relating to what might be called a cult of aggressive masculinity of among evangelicals and a vocal celebration of testosterone, along with a valorization of relations between older men and young girls. Well, it sure is in the biblical spirit, so now we know when Roy Moore preaches his crusade and cries that we must return to the bible.
That’s the one.
They’re also the ones who do those creepy father/daughter dances where the girls pledge their virginity to their fathers.
Thanks for these.
I think there should be zero tolerance towards sexual abuse/harassment so Franken should resign. Just like Moore and Trump. He could set a good example by doing so, even though his main accuser doesn’t think he should. Republicans will always prove to be petty, shameless, hypocritical and pure projectionists. Franken should show Americans what it means to take responsibility for your actions (no matter how long ago they were). Though I’m mostly amused watching the republicans pull their hair out over Moore- like Trump, he’s another one of their Frankenstein monsters. They create them then try to run away from their creations.
I found it interesting that on the “Riders on the Storm” lyric sheet, someone (Jim Morrison?) crossed out the guitarist’s name Rob Krieger. Though the song is credited to all the members. Strange.
Loved the kingfisher fishing! Those kind of ironic tweets are always my favorite. And that bouncing kitty! Adorable.
When I wrote this comment this morning, I thought more than one person had exposed Franken. Now it seems it is only one (so far). So if no one else steps forward, or if the ethics committee doesn’t find anything (it will be interesting how that goes) I’d have to forgive Franken and not call for resignation. We’ll see. Either way, he showed a lot more courage and integrety than any republican has on the subject. His apology was sincere and showed a true sense of remorse.
I feel pretty much the same. His apology was good, and if it turns out to be the only bad thing he’s done I can live with him not resigning.
The most notorious womanizer in the history of the United States Senate drowned a young woman and got off scot-free. He remained ensconced in the Senate until his death four decades later (a total of 47 years in office). He was then eulogized by the President of the United States, Hon. Barack H. Obama, as the “greatest legislator of our time” and a “kind and tender hero”. Unfortunately for Mary Jo Kopechne, there was nothing kind or tender or heroic about his actions and inaction on the one occasion when it mattered.
I’ll believe Democrats and liberals are serious about sexual harrassment and abuse when they apologize to the world for not censuring Edward Moore “Ted” Kennedy and expelling him from the Senate. They can warm up with an apology for failing to convict William Jefferson Clinton of the crimes of perjury and obstruction that he perpetrated in order to cover up his own abusive (if not criminal) misconduct.
For what it’s worth, Roy Moore was a Democrat at the time of the alleged misconduct, so if there is guilt by association related to his actions decades ago, it is with the party of Kennedy, Clinton, Biden, Franken et al.
Some Democrats are now saying Clinton should have resigned.
This is not partisan issue j.a.m. Sexual abuse is wrong whoever the perpetrators are. Your reaction above shows that you, like Moore’s supporters, care more about politics than the women concerned.
I agree with HH’s comment and would like to add that Edward Kennedy’s crime and subsequent craven behavior are thoroughly condemnable. He at least came to accept and declare his responsibility and I think felt true remorse. Being the cause of someone’s death in that way, and trying to evade blame, is something he had to live with for the rest of his life. Roy Moore, on the other hand, denies all accusations. His soul is pure as the driven snow.
And, no, Kennedy didn’t go to prison, but I consider that his subsequent work in congress (which you would also surely condemn) as a way that he tried to atone for what was unquestionably a monstrous act (including its aftermath). Your obsession with political tit-for-tat makes me wonder if you’d like to hold a Cadaver Synod https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadaver_Synod for Ted Kennedy? We could exhume his corpse, cart it up to Capitol Hill and have at him.
Cadaver Trials weren’t uncommon in the Middle Ages. Another corpse the Catholic Church dug up, desecrated and posthumously excommunicated for the terrible crime of translating the Bible into English so ordinary people could read it was John Wycliffe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wycliffe#Declared_a_heretic