Archive for the ‘Progressives’ Category

COLUMN: Democrat vanguard of the Progressives stuck in denial – Jacksonville Daily News

Mike McHugh

Ever since President Donald J. Trump soundly defeated Hillary Clinton on Nov. 8, Ill bet many low-information voters and other empty-minded citizens have learned more about civics than they did in all their years inside public school classrooms. In the ensuing hours after the election, Trump critics were quick to lay the foundation to delegitimize his victory by pointing out that Clinton won the popular vote despite the fact that Trump far exceeded the required 270 Electoral College votes needed to win. Analogies were quickly proffered to debunk the ignorance and quell the sour grapes by illustrating this point at a level that most could understand. It was pointed out that in a football game when the number of total offensive yards gained by the losing team exceeds that of the winning team it has no bearing on the final score or who is the winner or loser of the contest. In presidential politics its all about Electoral College votes.

But that didnt stop the detractors.

The Trump detractors were given another civics lesson in December when it was learned that an effort was underway to derail the Electoral College vote. They soon learned what most of us already knew that the November election was merely a crucial but the final step in certifying who occupies the Oval Office. It is in December when the Electoral College delegates convene in their respective state capitols to cast their votes. In past conventions, the will of the people on Election Day is usually mirrored by the Electoral College delegates actions when it comes time to perform their duty. Trump prevailed and Clinton lost in this procedure.

But it didnt stop the detractors.

In many states where Trump triumphed, Electoral College delegates were lobbied, cajoled and in some cases threatened if they followed through and cast their vote for Trump. There were very few delegates who strayed from their duty and Donald Trump was certified the victor.

But the detractors remained unsatisfied.

Attempts were made by radical, anarchist organizers to disrupt the Jan. 20 Inauguration in Washington, D.C. Local colleges welcomed radical organizers to hold closed door meetings on their leafy Northwest campus the weekend before the week-long festivities began in the nations capital. On Friday morning, hours before Trump was sworn in, tiny mobs of rabble rousers assembled blocks away from the parade route. Some wearing masks searched for targets to attack while others stalked vulnerable objects to use as props and video footage to be used later on their social media sites to prove to their parents back home that their trip to D.C. was indeed productive. Few minds were changed and over 200 miscreants were arrested for their protests as innocent trash receptacles were set ablaze and defenseless shop windows were shattered by members of the masked mob.

Despite their Inaugural Day hissy fit, the resistors continue to foment vitriol toward the president and their countrymen, appearing daily to protest their cause du jour in the protective enclaves of those tiny blue islands on each coast that are holding back the enormous red ocean that covers the rest the lower 48 states.

President Trumps appears undeterred by the uncivil and sometimes criminal behaviors of these professional agitators drafted into action from the Idle-class, Hollywood liberal elite and Democrats on Capitol Hill who appear to have become delusional from their long-term bout of Potomac Fever. They seem to have been swept away on the river of denial, unable to come to grips with the fact that they lost to Donald Trump and their party is out of power and in the minority quite possibly for a very long time.

Still, so-called resistors remain unrelenting.

Heres what draining the swamp is beginning to reveal to those who havent already realized it: There is an elite class of media types, well-heeled entertainers along with a small band of idle-class Americans who act as mercenaries, filling the role of professional demonstrators who are marching and being paid by Trump detractors. These useful idiots and fellow travelers in the progressive movement are more than willing carry the progressive banners.

Democrats love a big, inefficient, slow-moving government. Their battle against Trumps cabinet pick Betsy DeVos to run the Department of Education is less out of their concern for the children than it is out their commitment to the teachers unions. The irony in Democrats disapproving of this candidate who was confirmed last week is rich. The debate over public versus private schools isnt hard to understand. Every parent wants what is best for their children and sadly in many communities, both urban and rural, the public schools are in deplorable condition. School choice in the form of vouchers giving parents the choice and means of where to school their children should be an option open to all, not just the wealthy. Where was the outcry from teachers unions when the Obamas avoided public schools and shuttled their daughters off to Sidwell Friends a private D.C. school with annual tuitions that rival major universities even as he was shutting down opportunity scholarships for the poor in Washington, D.C. By the way, this is the same Washington school where Chelsea Clinton matriculated before enrolling at Stanford University.

Note, too, radicals have their sights set on blocking Trumps Executive Order on temporarily blocking refugees from seven Middle Eastern countries that have a high propensity for terrorism. The order calls for extreme vetting. I applaud Trump for understanding that his duties as president include a duty to protect all Americans from enemies. So what if a few refugees were temporarily inconvenienced on their one-way flight to the United States or may have to wait a couple months before they can arrive.

Since 2001, many Americans have been and continue to be inconvenienced every time they take a commercial flight from the time they enter an airport, remove several articles of their clothing, submit to searches of their person and belongings and are X-rayed and sometimes interrogated. All this because fanatical extremists decided to wage war on the civilized world. Yes, we know all about being inconvenienced.

In 1992, Presidential candidate Ross Perot asked us to listen for a giant sucking sound in the debate over NAFTA. Today, it seems that there is a giant sucking sound that could be explained in one of two ways: Perhaps its the sound of a swamp starting to drain or it could be the sound of the progressives little red balloons being deflated.

Swansboro resident Mike McHugh is an advertising account executive with The Daily News. Readers can email him at: mike.mchugh@jdnews.com.

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COLUMN: Democrat vanguard of the Progressives stuck in denial - Jacksonville Daily News

Washington, DC progressives screening out Trump-supporters in ads for roommates – Hot Air

posted at 5:21 pm on February 10, 2017 by John Sexton

The New York Times reports people posting ads for roommates in Washington, D.C. are adding a new caveat: Trump supporters need not apply:

In one recent ad, a couple in the area who identified themselves as open-minded and liberal advertised a $500 room in their home: If youre racist, sexist, homophobic or a Trump supporter please dont respond. We wont get along.

In another, two women in their 20s were searching for a roommate to take over a lavender-colored room in their Columbia Heights apartment for $550. The women detailed their love of happy hours, a good Netflix sesh, pho and tacos.

Were open to any age/gender identity/non-identity, they added, so long as you didnt vote for Trump.

Washington, D.C. lists political affiliation as a protected traitbut Sheila Salmon, a housing lawyer, tell the Times, Would it truly be rejection or discrimination on political affiliation? She adds, I think theres a reasonable argument to be made that its not. In Salmons view, screening out Trump supporters is the same as saying you dont want any nonsmokers.

It would certainly be interesting to see if this would hold up in court. What is the point of making political affiliation a protected trait if supporting the candidate for one of two major parties does not constitute political affiliation?

Keep in mind that not all of the traits protected by housing law are of the immutable variety, i.e. race, national origin, skin color, etc. Other traits such as religion, and gender expression have some element of choice involved. Political affiliation, like religious affiliation, is not immutable but is often a matter of deeply held conviction.

Its revealing that there is still one group of people against whom someprogressives are eager to discriminate. The desire by some on the left to remain inside the progressive bubble at all times seems childish, even if its not illegal.

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Washington, DC progressives screening out Trump-supporters in ads for roommates - Hot Air

How Troy Jackson’s son thinks progressives can try to draft his father for governor – Bangor Daily News

Good morning from a cold, post-blizzard Augusta, where Maine Democrats are on the hunt for someone to lead them out of the political wilderness after the 2016 cycle that brought you President Donald Trump, aided by a win in the 2nd Congressional District.

Its leading to calls among Democrats to draft Maine Senate Minority Leader Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to run for governor in 2018. The longtime lawmaker has only gained stature in the party of late as the top surrogate here for Bernie Sanders during the presidential caucuses.

The Vermont senator beat eventual Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton easily in Maine. Jackson, a plain-speaking logger and labor Democrat, is perhaps better positioned than any state-level politician to capitalize on the Sanders-type brand now having a moment in the party.

Until now, Jackson has ruled out running to replace the term-limited Gov. Paul LePage in 2018, citing the financial toll of his unsuccessful 2014 primary run for the 2nd District, which was marked by big-money Democratic groups who rallied behind Emily Cain and against Jackson.

But these fresh calls have gotten the attention of Jacksons son, Chace, who authored a public Facebook post on Thursday saying people have been expressing this sincere hope that his father will run, but I dont know what he ought to do and we really dont talk about it.

Noting that hell catch hell for writing the post, Chace Jackson laid out what progressives should do to draft his father, including avoiding a repeat of 2014 by not only lobbying him, but urging legislators, progressive groups and Sanders political organization to get behind him.

Imagine how dominant a Jackson campaign could be in a primary by fusing the massive base of Portland progressives with rural populists in Aroostook, Oxford, and elsewhere? he wrote. Thats not just a winning primary campaign, thats the nucleus of a winning Democratic (coalition) against the Republican nominee and a new dawn for Maine Democrats.

Its worth noting that former U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud tried that in in 2014 and lost to LePage, who got more support in Michauds own 2nd District. That longtime blue-collar Democratic district helped elect Trump and is represented now by second-term Republican Bruce Poliquin.

Any Democrat will have a hard time turning the rural tide, but Sanders win may have showed a path forward for the party in Maine. Whether Jackson will be that movements chief standard bearer will be a top question in state politics this year. Michael Shepherd

With tips, pitches, questions or feedback, email us at politics@bangordailynews.com. If youre reading The Daily Brief on the BDNs website or were forwarded it, click here to get Maines only newsletter on state politics and policy delivered via email every weekday morning.

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How Troy Jackson's son thinks progressives can try to draft his father for governor - Bangor Daily News

Shenandoah Progressives meet, talk of their mission to fight for equality – The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER The day after President Donald Trump was elected, Winchester residents Jennifer Eden and Rachael Schoellen started Shenandoah Progressives.

According to the groups Facebook page, The purpose of this group is to promote progressive political action and social justice in the greater Shenandoah Valley area.

About 35 members attended the groups second meeting at the Hideaway Cafe on Friday night.

Blindly following a president is not American, Eden, 35, said. Standing up for the founding principles of this country is American. If we feel those principles are being squashed, its our obligation as patriots to stand up against it.

The group does differ from those similar in the area. Eden said instead of resisting the Trump presidency, she wants to see the group focus on progressive movements beyond the years of this administration. She also pointed out there is no mention of Trump in their mission statement.

While his election was the catalyst for starting the group, I had issues with the last administration and the administration before that, she said.

With President Obama, Eden was unhappy that he didnt undo the Patriot Act, which she said was a threat to civil liberties, and she didnt like the drone campaign.

Through Shenandoah Progressives, Eden wants to reach out to other groups in the fight for equality including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Winchester chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

We want to push forward with progressive ideals and equality for everyone, Eden said. I want a safe, open space where all voices can be heard.

In attendance at Fridays meeting was Pam Kennedy, a Frederick County Democrat in her mid-60s, who is exploring her avenues to promote positive social change. Although President Trump has been in office for three weeks, Kennedy said it feels like three years.

I am appalled, horrified and aghast at what is happening to our country, she said. There is nothing he has done in a positive way. It has all been destructive. Thats why Im here tonight.

Winchester resident Matthew Chonko, 28, was thinking about joining a progressive group in the area when he saw information about the meeting for Shenandoah Progressives in The Winchester Star.

I think there is a resistance of civic engagement on the left and the right, he said. Its important to be part of it. I support progressive values and the progressive idea.

Chonko is a language arts teacher in Berkeley County, W.Va.

I saw this as a good opportunity to get involved, he said. To be with like-minded people and have a positive impact in the community.

Eden presented members with a variety of committees they could join to promote the groups mission in the area. Members had the option to join committees focusing on local community outreach, equality and human rights, health care, the environment, education and legal reform.

We feel attacked from all sides, Eden said. In a committee we can focus on one issue, or two.

The committees will function as an autonomous group. Meetings of the Shenandoah Progressives will take place every six to eight weeks and will be announced within the Facebook group.

The first Shenandoah Progressives meeting was held in November, but Eden said they decided to pump the breaks until after the inauguration. After President Trump was sworn in the group grew in size and now has 545 members on Facebook. Members include residents of Washington, D.C., and Harrisonburg.

The group was also instrumental in organizing the Winchester Womens March on Jan. 21, which drew 1,300 people downtown.

The Shenandoah Progressives is holding a postcard party at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Hideaway Cafe. They will send postcards to members of Congress, senators and the White House. The issues addressed will depend on the person writing the postcard. Scripts and a list of issues will be available for those who dont know what to write.

Shenandoah Progressives is not affiliated with a larger group.

We are our own thing, Eden said. We can shape this group however we want. We have a lot of flexibility of what we can do and how we can grow.

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Shenandoah Progressives meet, talk of their mission to fight for equality - The Winchester Star

progressives | Christian Coalition

As our fearless leader appeases his way through the Orient, the families of the victims at Fort Hood are left picking up the pieces of their broken lives. The massacre hardly made a blip on Obama's radar, his administration is trying desperately to portray this as your garden variety slaughter, but for those of us with a brain, this attack is not so insignificant, no it's enormous. This was a terror attack that probably could have been avoided, if not for our societies ingestion and acceptance of political correctness, the proper steps would have been taken long ago to imprison this slug.

The military is consumed by PC fear, liberals have been quite successful in their campaign for loathsome white guilt. They've created an atmosphere of tolerance for the intolerable. This sworn Islamic soldier penetrated our military, and with their careers in the balance, our guardians looked away, and for that 13 hero's are dead.

Liberalism infects everything it comes in contact with. The liberal elites, like President Obama, Harry Reid, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Nancy Pelosi and others take pleasure in controlling their naive left wing minions. The elite's pander to this peace, love, and happiness crowd, making slaves of millions. They don't believe in any of it. These are progressives in liberal clothing, sure they believe in abortion, not because it's a women right, but because it controls the population and supports selective breeding, weeding out the less desirable.

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progressives | Christian Coalition