continuing proofs America is wacko [3]

Yeah, let's disappear Jackson. As for women of stature, Marilyn Monroe is only slightly behind Washington, Franklin and Lincoln as an iconic figure. I'd vote for the classic Marylin air-vent image on the twenty. Definitely an improvement over a scowling Jackson in every way!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2015/06/18/save-alexander-hamilton-dump-andrew-jackson/

you should have Katherine Hepburn, or Bette Davis, or Amelia Earhart, or Peggy Guggenheim, or Georgia O,keeffe, or Britney Speers.

So far I've refrained from posting about the Charleston shooting because I wasn't sure what there was to add, but the refusal of US media and politicians to address the racial element (black church targeted by a white supremacist) is incredibly disgusting.  No guys, it's not a religious liberty issue, or strictly a gun availability issue, and it's definitely not "senseless" or "random".  It's something with a very long history in this country.

Edit: at least Ben Carson, much as I disagree with him on most issues, is willing to touch this one (link).

I haven't paid much attention to the SC situation, but leave it to John Stewart to get it right with no bullshit.

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/stewart-drops-the-comedy-to-talk-charleston-we-still-wont-do-jackshit/

Eldorion wrote:Just what we need: the possibility of losing our best defense against gerrymandering.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/supreme-court-weighs-overturning-dozens-of-congressional-districts-20150302

Following up on this older post ... thank god, Kennedy was the swing vote that saved independent redistricting.

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/redistricting/246425-supreme-court-upholds-use-of-independent-panels-for-drawing

Now to see this spread to more states (including Maryland, which is one of the worst offenders).

As far as the racism issue goes, it's quite a bit more subtle than the white trash/redneck scenario people tend to go to so they can feel it's not them. The guy had a black childhood friend who said he never showed any signs of racism up until they lost contact a couple years ago. His family were liberal, progressive types. Not the type of guy you'd expect to go on a racist rampage.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/charleston-shooting-suspects-childhood-friend-details-upbringing/story?id=31903211

It seems he got 'recruited' via website indoctrination somehow. You have to wonder what happened, but it wasn't the normal racist narrative.

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Chicago-to-Apply-9-Netflix-Tax-134367

http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/07/01/why-do-people-believe-myths-about-the-confederacy-because-our-textbooks-and-monuments-are-wrong/?tid=trending_strip_1

I agree with most everything in that article, but not this line.

History is the polemics of the victor, William F. Buckley once said. Not so in the United States, at least not regarding the Civil War.

To the contrary, Civil War historiography is a perfect example of the winners writing the history books, because the South won the war.  Sure, the Confederacy was defeated, but in the ensuing period of guerilla warfare Southerners succeeded in expelling occupying Union forces and managed to re-establish most of the antebellum order, including slavery in all but name.  And by allowing the seceding states to re-enter the Union normally instead of following the Radical Republicans' suggestion that said states had in effect ceased to exist, Johnson and others undermined the whole idea of Reconstruction and allowed the Southern caste system to persist for the better part of the next century.

Some people might dispute this since the Union won the conventional military conflict, but to them I ask: did the victory in conventional warfare mean the United States won the Iraq War, considering how badly the occupation there went?

Hmmm. Good point Eldo. I'll have to think on that.

I'm just happy if anyone reads my word vomit about news and politics. But if it makes people think, I can't really ask for anything more than that.

Any of you celebrating 4th of July ?

I'll be going over to my cousin's house in a few hours to get a better view of the fireworks they're setting off down town (well, "downtown" by far-flung suburban standards).  He just got a new grill too so I'm sure there'll be burgers and hot dogs and the like.  There was a parade this morning but it's raining and I stayed up late last night so I didn't go.

I fancy a burger now you've mentioned it I bet theres a good display of fireworks We have "Airbourne" in August. airplanes of all shapes & sizes fly up & down the coast line. 1000's turn out for it. And the favourite is usually the Red Devils putting on a dare devil show On the last night ( its a weekend 'do' ) we have a brilliant firework show, paid for by the people who get screwed out of every penny they earn via taxes, tho the council brag & make out its THEM spending out Enjoy your evening out, ( is it evening where you are ? ) At the moment its 8PM.

I'm five hours behind you UK guys, so as of this post it's about 4 PM here. We're probably gonna head out in like an hour or so, maybe a little bit later.

azriel wrote:Any of you celebrating 4th of July ?

Ha! I fucking wish. Just got off work, now I have to go to bed so I can go in at midnight. But it's not all bad because I just have two 3rd shifts and then two days off.

Eldorion wrote: my word vomit

That's a ironic way to describe it Eldo, for 'vomit' it's generally well reasoned, and always coherent, you must be a very polite drunk (I know I am, apparently I actually apologize...though if some of the stories are true that's probably a good thing...) If I try to 'vomit' out a post, it comes out even more nonsensical than usual (hence why I don't 'Norc' much), I have a terrible habit of speaking before I think, and I try not to do the same online If I can help it...

Happy July 4th btw!

Thanks Malick. I'm sure you've noticed how I am with self-deprecation by now. I'm afraid I don't drink, but there are times when I try to be polite.

Hope everyone enjoys the fireworks or other Fourth celebrations!

Yeah, let's continue to do nothing about gun control. Let's see how far that takes us.

http://www.katc.com/story/29621479/reports-shooting-at-the-grand-on-johnston-several-injures

An old, but appropriate article from the Onion that is more real than satirical.

http://www.theonion.com/article/no-way-to-prevent-this-says-only-nation-where-this-36131

I could detect barely a whiff of satire. More sorrowful observation than anything else.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/11767119/Cecil-the-lions-killer-revealed-as-American-dentist.html

There's a special kind of hell for this asshole. Also, figures he's from the southern suburbs. I bet his shit smells better than everyone else.

http://www.startribune.com/what-we-know-about-minnesota-dentist-walter-palmer/318943371/

I try to be open-minded about issues but this guy having a previous poaching conviction on his record removes any sympathy I might have had.  Assuming the details of this current case are true, throw the book at him.