What Now?

[Scribber]

I see your point. I just think that if you WANT a Civil war then that's the way to do it!! The electoral college was set up to prevent a few heavily populated areas from deciding for the whole country. If you look at the counties and states Trump won as opposed to the ones Clinton won, it's not even close. Now I can't stand Trump but until he does something illegal or starts taking rights away....I'm not positive on this but so far he has a woman, a gay man, and a black man as possible appointments. He also has hired many women in positions of power. He may say a lot of stupid shit, does he believe it? Idk how to take him just yet. 

I think the EC going with the popular vote would destroy what little peace remains in this country. All hell would break loose, in a way we have never seen.

That said? Totally unimpressed with his "tokens" -- the bulk are still deplorables.

[JMarie]

And Steve Bannon's been appointed chief strategist and senior counsel.  Tell me again, Trump, how you're going to unite a fractured America.

[Destiny]

Just now, JMarie said:

And Steve Bannon's been appointed chief strategist and senior counsel.  Tell me again, Trump, how you're going to unite a fractured America.

*vomit*

Please tell me that's a joke.

[VelociRapture]

17 minutes ago, Scribber said:

 

I think the EC going with the popular vote would destroy what little peace remains in this country. All hell would break loose, in a way we have never seen.

That said? Totally unimpressed with his "tokens" -- the bulk are still deplorables.

 

I saw someone float an interesting EC compromise on Facebook earlier. They suggested that states shouldn't be winner take all, but should have their votes split based off voting - the idea being that each state would have Electoral Districts that each gave equal numbers of Electoral votes. That way, the EC may match up more closely with the popular vote, while still giving a voice to less populated areas.

 

1 minute ago, Destiny said:

*vomit*

Please tell me that's a joke.

No joke. 

https://www.google.com/amp/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/37970146?client=safari

Is there an emoji that cries, vomits, AND slams its head against the wall all at the same time? Because that's how I feel right now.

This is the WORST election cycle to have forced sobriety during. This baby better grow up to cure every type of fucking cancer or something.  

[JMarie]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/11/12/voters-targeted-electoral-college-members-to-switch-their-trump-ballots-elect-clinton.html

From the comments:

Quote

AlexBarseti 5ptsFeatured

32 minutes ago

I voted Trump and I signed it, regardless of how unlikely it is. I was promised a wall along the entire border, now it's a fence in many parts. Ryan said there is no deportation force, Trump said there would be. Now we are only getting rid of the criminals? I was told they all would be gone, every illegal. They are keeping parts of Obamacare, I was told it would be gone, all of it.I have to pay for you're insurance.  I know a hustle when I see one. I thought I voted for a guy who had a line that would not be crossed. Not even in office yet, it's crossed. I was hustled. I never would have voted for Clinton, but to give this guy my vote in a state where our votes helped him win, what a con this guy is and not even in office yet.

I voted at faithlessnow.com

[Scribber]

Nebraska and Maine split their votes up - they typically go together, but at least they have the option.

That would make so much more sense.

[FakePigtails]

My only fear with split electoral votes is more gerrymandering. It's bad enough when it affects other races.

[GeoBQn]

I am secretly hoping that this is an episode of Sliders, and the gang is coming to come from another dimension any minute now to lead a revolution.

[Cleopatra7]

3 hours ago, Snarkylark said:

I don't support trump or his picks. I was just saying that he has appointed people whom others say he is prejudiced against. That's all. 

Being personally nice to a handful of racial and/or sexual minorities doesn't preclude supporting policies that disenfranchise these groups in the general. This is why the "I have black/Latino/Asian/LGBT friends so I can't be racist" excuse doesn't wash. What good is Trump buddying up with fellow billionaire Peter Thiel going to do when gay and trans teens in the rural South and elsewhere are being thrown out of their homes?

[VelociRapture]

40 minutes ago, FakePigtails said:

My only fear with split electoral votes is more gerrymandering. It's bad enough when it affects other races.

I can't remember what state or county. I saw someone mention that where they live has a third party non-partisan group redraw voting district lines after each census. It helps to avoid gerrymandering that way. It was passed into law in that area somehow. I would LOVE to see something like that happen nationwide. It wouldn't be perfect, but far better than letting either major party decide.

If it was setup like that then it might work. 

My husband also suggested having "bonus" votes for each state. For instance, California has 55 votes. You setup ten districts each with five votes. Whichever party wins the majority of the districts will then receive the five remaining bonus votes. He thinks it could help keep the EC votes closer to the popular vote results, while still allowing rural areas to feel they have a say.

[RoseWilder]

Since the Republicans are about to do their best to destroy the environment, I think it's important to remember that we vote with our dollars as well. I'm working on trying to find more information on companies that are environmentally friendly as well as ones that aren't. 

I don't have a lot of time to research it tonight, so the only thing I've found so far is a list that's 7 years old: 

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-15-best-companies-for-the-environment-2009-9?op=1/#dell-14

I'm also working on doing more environmentally friendly things at home. I'm embarrassed to admit that I haven't tried very hard up until now. But in the last few days I've: 

1. increased the number of reusable bags I own and got a basket for them to keep in my car so I'll have them with me at all times

2. got a water pitcher that filters water, as well as a travel one, so that I can stop using plastic bottles

3. bought supplies so that I can start making my own homemade, chemical-free cleaners

I'm sure there are many more things that I can do, so if anyone has any suggestions, please share. 

[SassyPants]

I'm not buying that a true democracy, 1 person, 1 vote is less fair than the EC and democratic republic. It's as if the FF did not trust the voters and had to devise an escape hatch.

As it is, the EC votes are not balanced. Comparing the populations of WY, ND and CA and the number of EC votes that each state receives,  it's obvious the numbers (aka votes and voters) are not equally represented in the EC.

[GeoBQn]

My friends in Iowa City are reporting some extremely scary shit.  Immigrants are getting notes under their doors, saying it's time to pack up and go.  LGBT people are getting hateful notes stuck in their cars as they are parked in their home driveways.  Today there was a group of aggressive guys with guns and confederate flags loitering in front of the mall where my friend has her children in daycare.

My friend is worried about me in NC, but I haven't seen or heard about anything like that.  (The KKK is planning a rally in the state, but they won't say where.)

[RoseWilder]

We need an American version of this: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Funding_Hate

[Snarkylark]

3 hours ago, VelociRapture said:

Exactly.

@SnarkylarkI know you said you don't support Trump or what he stands for. I wasn't trying to accuse you of that and if I gave the wrong impression, then I'm sorry.

I am trying to explain that his decision to include Thiel means nothing though because Thiel is not the type of person who is going to try and fight for the LGBTQ community. And even if he was, the inclusion of Gingrich (NOT Ginsburg!), Carson, Pence, and Blackwell pretty much cancels out any positive influence he could have had.

No, no. I got what you meant. No worries. 

1 hour ago, RoseWilder said:

Since the Republicans are about to do their best to destroy the environment, I think it's important to remember that we vote with our dollars as well. I'm working on trying to find more information on companies that are environmentally friendly as well as ones that aren't. 

I don't have a lot of time to research it tonight, so the only thing I've found so far is a list that's 7 years old: 

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-15-best-companies-for-the-environment-2009-9?op=1/#dell-14

I'm also working on doing more environmentally friendly things at home. I'm embarrassed to admit that I haven't tried very hard up until now. But in the last few days I've: 

1. increased the number of reusable bags I own and got a basket for them to keep in my car so I'll have them with me at all times

2. got a water pitcher that filters water, as well as a travel one, so that I can stop using plastic bottles

3. bought supplies so that I can start making my own homemade, chemical-free cleaners

I'm sure there are many more things that I can do, so if anyone has any suggestions, please share. 

Norwex has great products for cleaning that only use water. E-cloth is a less expensive alternative but I prefer Norwex. 

[Scribber]

On 11/11/2016 at 4:20 PM, formergothardite said:

Point out that they probably don't actually treat a fetus like a baby. Are they wanting every single woman who miscarries investigated for child murder? If a woman does something that might bring harm to a fetus do they want her investigated for child neglect? Are they wanting the mother of still born babies to immediately be investigated for murder? I have found that that usually stumps them and they are forced to admit that there really is a difference between a fetus and baby who is already born. And if they are supporting the GOP policies that cause more abortions, it is always handy to point out that the way they vote is killing babies. 

I think the democratic party needs to not just push being pro-choice, but also push that the want to have policies that lower abortion rates. There are still huge amounts of people who only hear "the democrats want to kill babies". They really need to be more vocal on discussing fact based ways to lower abortion rates and then push the GOP into the position to defend their policies that raise abortion. 

 

 

I wish I could give you a million points for this bolded bit!! 

I have lost many friends (real, not just Facebook) this election season - one of whom asked me why I want to kill babies. SERIOUSLY!?!? She followed my infertility journey. Our oldest children are  4 days apart, She has had 2 more since. I have desperately wanted more. And she thinks I just want to kill babies?!?!?!  (And yes, this is an educated woman who is generally intelligent who is THAT STUPID.) 

So many people voted specifically "For the babies" this go-round. (At least most of the conservatives I know! Only the absolute fundies bought that "He" is great. Most just voted for the conservative court pick because they want to abolish abortion.) 

[Snarkylark]

From Trump's 60 Minutes interview:

Opposition to LGBT rights has been a part of the Republican platform for decades, but Trump signaled that he doesn’t want to continue that fight. When Stahl brought up the LGBT community, he proudly replied, “I mentioned them at the Republican national convention.” And he’s not planning to oppose gay marriage in the courts, he says: “It’s irrelevant, because it’s already settled. It’s done. I’m fine with that.”

I have to wonder about abortion rights, too, because that has already been settled in the SC. But then he did make a comment about the decision going back to the states and that a woman may have to leave her state to get an abortion. I don't know if this guy is up, down, or sideways! 

[PreciousPantsofDoom]

1 hour ago, Snarkylark said:

 

Norwex has great products for cleaning that only use water. E-cloth is a less expensive alternative but I prefer Norwex. 

Not trying to derail the political discussion, but don't get me started on  Norwex.  The quality of the fabric in the  cleaning cloths is good, but the bullshit Norwex fanatics will try to tell you about how the silver content in the cloths will magically sanitize all that it touches makes me crazy.  Yes, the silver should help inhibit growth of the nasties within the cloth itself, but it won't make your floor/bathtub/toilet germ free just because you wiped it with a fucking expensive cloth.  ARGH. 

Norwex =/= the mystical purifying cleaning cloths of Jesus.

 

OK, back to politics. ..

[Snarkylark]

9 minutes ago, PreciousPantsofDoom said:

Not trying to derail the political discussion, but don't get me started on  Norwex.  The quality of the fabric in the  cleaning cloths is good, but the bullshit Norwex fanatics will try to tell you about how the silver content in the cloths will magically sanitize all that it touches makes me crazy.  Yes, the silver should help inhibit growth of the nasties within the cloth itself, but it won't make your floor/bathtub/toilet germ free just because you wiped it with a fucking expensive cloth.  ARGH. 

Norwex =/= the mystical purifying cleaning cloths of Jesus.

 

OK, back to politics. ..

Yes, you are correct. The silver helps to sanitize within the cloth. It does not sanitize surfaces. Norwex admits to that and so do the consultants who know what they're talking about. The cloths themselves pick up most bacteria. 

[SilverBeach]

5 hours ago, Scribber said:

 

I think the EC going with the popular vote would destroy what little peace remains in this country. All hell would break loose, in a way we have never seen.

That said? Totally unimpressed with his "tokens" -- the bulk are still deplorables.

 

The peace has already been destroyed. I'll say it again, the EC should be used the way it was intended, to keep the unfit from being president. Good people have to stop being afraid of the bad. Fuck em. 

[VixenToast]

Oh the ongoing drama of my life. Housemate and her four kids are planning on moving on Wednesday, her hubs is in the psych ward for an indefinite amount of time and to top it off she found out SHE IS PREGNANT. Whoops indeed, she even took Plan B. She even stated when she took the Plan B that they can't afford a fifth kid right now. Now not only is that still true but she is moving away from here to escape the mental fuck of caring for a bipolar disabled vet for two years. So I stand with her and I ask for good vibes as we procure an abortion, I feel I can safely talk about and request that here.

 Nebraska has been anything but helpful however.  PP is booked. Literally booked. Omfg. They need more. Unless that's a diversionary tactic. As of yesterday a vaginal ultrasound (needed to determine gestation of fetus) showed no heartbeat yet, so it's very very very early, and therefore going to be much easier.  Today she received guilt trip pamphlets, which I haven't read yet. If they are horrendous then I'll post them. Ugh.

this is why the procedure exists: birth control failed and she is NOT a brood mare; she has just witnessed her husband go apeshit (medication adjustment gone wrong) and land himself police escorted to the hospital, a cockroach infestation (and I'm not shitting you, they could easily carry away a dachshund and no one would notice) on top of cat bringing in fleas. Then the decision to start afresh, away from him for a little while, taking only clothes and whatever special things can fit in her car, taking the kids and moving to Arizona to be near her Grandmother.  

Fuck dude, I'd say that woman doesn't deserve any more stress, plus she already has 4 children, one a baby, and her husband is totally ok. So send her some good luck vibes: Nebraska is very pro-life and they dick people around until it's too late.

should this actually offend someone, I'm sorry/not sorry. I feel safe enough among you all to know you won't scream for someone to BURN THE WITCH!!!

[PreciousPantsofDoom]

35 minutes ago, Snarkylark said:

Yes, you are correct. The silver helps to sanitize within the cloth. It does not sanitize surfaces. Norwex admits to that and so do the consultants who know what they're talking about. The cloths themselves pick up most bacteria. 

Perhaps I've been unlucky with the consultants I've encountered because they were fairly full of pseudoscientific bullshit, but that's MLM for you. You are probably right about the Norwex cloths picking up most bacteria, but I'm willing to bet most cloths will do the same.  And the inhibition of bacterial growth within the cloths doesn't work quickly enough to prevent spreading germs picked up by the cloth on one surface from being wiped onto another.  The silver will just make the cloth less icky  the next time that it gets used.  

Look,the cloths  are great for removing particles of dirt, but real sanitizing is done with things,like bleach,  that KILL germs.  I don't really need most of my house sanitized (just clean) but if I ever get a surgeon coming at me with instruments she just wiped with Norwex, I will be in big trouble. 

Last I'm going to say about this here, because this is a political thread and I don't care enough about cleaning cloths to continue to engage.  You just hit a pet peeve of mine to get this much response, tbh!

[Cartmann99]

2 hours ago, RoseWilder said:

Since the Republicans are about to do their best to destroy the environment, I think it's important to remember that we vote with our dollars as well. I'm working on trying to find more information on companies that are environmentally friendly as well as ones that aren't. 

I don't have a lot of time to research it tonight, so the only thing I've found so far is a list that's 7 years old: 

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-15-best-companies-for-the-environment-2009-9?op=1/#dell-14

I'm also working on doing more environmentally friendly things at home. I'm embarrassed to admit that I haven't tried very hard up until now. But in the last few days I've: 

1. increased the number of reusable bags I own and got a basket for them to keep in my car so I'll have them with me at all times

2. got a water pitcher that filters water, as well as a travel one, so that I can stop using plastic bottles

3. bought supplies so that I can start making my own homemade, chemical-free cleaners

I'm sure there are many more things that I can do, so if anyone has any suggestions, please share. 

Most of these you probably already know, but here goes:

Work to reduce or eliminate your usage of paper towels and other disposable products in your home. Choose washable and reusable items as much as possible.

If you work outside the home, bring your lunch to work in reusable containers instead of getting takeout. Bring a few dishes from home to use if your workplace only has disposable items. Ask if your workplace can buy eco-friendly products whenever possible.

Hang your laundry to dry instead of using a clothes dryer, or work to reduce the number of loads you dry in the dryer. Keep the lint filter inside your dryer clean. At least once a year, pull out the dryer and clean away any lint on the dryer or behind it, and also clean the outside vent and tubing. The lint accumulation increases drying time, and could cause a fire.

Replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs whenever possible, and turn off lights when you don't need them. 

Switch to a "tree-free" brand of toilet paper. They are usually made out of bamboo or bagasse.

If you use air conditioning in your home, set your thermostat higher than normal, and do the opposite for heating. Use ceilng fans set on the correct setting for the season, to help distribute the cool or warm air. Wear clothing appropriate for the season to help compensate for the change in temperature.

Try to buy your food locally as much as possible. Grow an organic garden or visit a farmer's market if that is not possible. If you know someone with a garden, ask if you could help them out with something in exchange for some produce. 

Work on increasing your skills so you can try to repair things instead of replacing them. 

Buy things secondhand whenever you can. Put the word out to friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers when you are looking for something specific. Aunt Joan may have a chair in her basement that she's dying to get rid of that would work for you.

Work on reducing the amount of driving you do if you own a car. When you do drive, take time to plan out your trips for the day to save fuel. Do proper maintenance on your car and keep your tires inflated to the correct pressure. Keep your car for as long as possible before replacing it. Drive the speed limit and buy fuel efficient vehicles.

Recycle as much as possible. Choose products with the least amount of packaging. 

Increase the insulation in your home and replace worn weatherstripping as needed. If your windows are old and leaky and you can't afford to replace them at this time, buy some of those window sealing kits with the plastic sheets you shrink with a hairdryer.

Spay or neuter your pets. If you have cats, choose a cat litter that is made out of waste materials like nutshells, paper, sawdust, or other alternatives to clay litters.

Become a vegetarian/vegan, or work to reduce the amount of meat you eat.

[VelociRapture]

6 hours ago, Snarkylark said:

From Trump's 60 Minutes interview:

Opposition to LGBT rights has been a part of the Republican platform for decades, but Trump signaled that he doesn’t want to continue that fight. When Stahl brought up the LGBT community, he proudly replied, “I mentioned them at the Republican national convention.” And he’s not planning to oppose gay marriage in the courts, he says: “It’s irrelevant, because it’s already settled. It’s done. I’m fine with that.”

I have to wonder about abortion rights, too, because that has already been settled in the SC. But then he did make a comment about the decision going back to the states and that a woman may have to leave her state to get an abortion. I don't know if this guy is up, down, or sideways! 

What makes no sense is his argument that marriage equality is settled because the Supreme Court ruled on t already. If that's the case, then why isn't he coming out in full support for abortion rights too? Roe v. Wade should have settled that as well.

While I'm glad he's currently saying marriage equality is fine, he has literally given me zero reasons to believe he won't change his mind about it down the road. And there are other rights that could be taken away or impacted as well - like laws passed promoting conversion therapy or passing FADA or making it extremely difficult for a Transgender individual to receive Transition care or to change their  gender on their passport.

So yeah. Not buying what he's currently selling at all (and I'm not saying you are either.)

@VixenToastI hope everything works out for your friend. What a horrific situation to be in.  

[Terrie]

The problem with pressuring the EC to not elect Trump is that they won't elect Clinton. If anything, they would most likley elect Pence. As much as it makes me cringe, keeping Trump around keeps the Republicans working at cross-purposes.