DL Open Thread Monday May 1st 2023

What’s the over/under for how many elections the DEGOP is going to lose under the new radical MAGA administration?   The Monday’s top two stories may provide some answers.  

Murray Blame Game Starts Minute 1 of Day 1

Murray wasted no time sloughing off responsibility for the DEGOP’s impending losses to a not yet hired executive director and “several committees.”  

“…we have to hire an executive director, our bylaws require it. … I’ve got to start there,” Murray said. “And that’s the person who’s going to be responsible for herding all of the cats. I have to operate more at a strategic level. We have several committees that we’re going to form. And I’m excited about that.”

She’ll be thinking big thoughts.  Terrific.   Yesterday I mentioned a preview she gave as to what big thoughts she might be thinking – MORE GUNS!  Just what the electorate is clamoring for.  

DEGOP’s MAGAt Turn Roils Factions

Not long after the Murray win, Mike Long, Republican Chairman of the 35th ED, resigned from that position and from the Republican Party over physical intimidation and threats directed at his wife.

In a public Facebook post, long stated, “Because of (the intimidation) I feel it necessary to remove ourselves from any form or function of the GOP on any level. … I resign my seat as EDC of the 35th district.   We have given countless hours, volunteering in many ways for many people to help better our state.  Unfortunately, we will not continue our generosity to these organizations.”

Being Poor is Expensive

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Not even at Waffle House. Even though I make $2.92 an hour, I’m docked $3.15 per shift for a “meal credit,” regardless of whether or not I eat anything.  I basically work an hour for free.The special non-slip shoes I had to buy before my first shift cost me $28.  Each week around $3.75 is taken out for taxes. These expenses all add up, overtime. In some ways, I’m paying for the privilege of working at a restaurant.

…After almost nine shifts, Waffle House had paid me about $320 post-taxes. When I added that to my tips it came to a little over $660 — or $12.24 an hour.

But when you factor in the costs of employment — my startup costs, the commute, taxes, and my shift meal – my hourly rate is much lower. The amount of cash I actually have on hand is closer to $9 per hour, not $12.

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On this day in 1866

The white majority in Memphis Tennessee rioted and went on a racist murder/terrorism rampage targeting the community’s black population.   All told, 46 Blacks (most of them Union veterans) were murdered, more than 70 wounded, 5 Black women raped, and 12 churches and 4 schools burned.

Strange how I never learned about any of that in school.  It is almost as if my history teachers had an agenda.  It’s like they didn’t want me to feel awkward or sad about being white, because you know…hearing about atrocities committed by white people is bad  for white kids.  

I have a bad habit of wanting to get into all political conversations with my boxing gloves on.  I think that is mainly because Democrats were so late in lacing up the gloves in the face of the Republicans outright hatred and hostility posing as politics.   

The attached video is an antidote for that feeling impulse.   It is long but worth watching the whole thing.  

Mom's of Liberty on school board tried to explain to the NAACP why she disagreed with diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is why I bring awareness! ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/aGEtEBWH9z

— Kenny Akers (@KeneAkers) April 30, 2023