Good Day, Gnuville!
This is your regular reminder to avoid focusing on individual freakout stories but look at the bigger picture: the Republican party is cracking up; TFG is decompensating madly and Joe and the Democrats are reaching more and more voters.
I am having a few problems with the DK editor and am starting to worry about being able to post this GNR. So, I am going to tidy up a few loose ends and just get it queued up and hope for the best! Sorry it’s not as long as usual and not sure if there will be any music either. My trouble is with putting in stuff like photos and videos. So we shall see. It looks like the items I had already put in the draft several days ago are still there, but I haven’t been able to add anything late Monday except some text.
Not sure how long that will last, so I am going to stop and get this queued just in case. Apologies if this GNR isn’t quite like a normal one! CG’s section is pitiful! She is quite embarrassed about it — but if I cannot get it finished before we have to go to bed, I promised her that her section will be all the better in the next GNR!
Happy Tuesday, Gnuville! And if you are voting in a primary today (hello Georgia!), GOTV!
🚚 Democrats Deliver 🚚
President Biden lays out his priorities: make govt work for ordinary people
Biden unveils a budget that would cut costs for families and hike taxes for the rich, Rachel Treisman and Franco Ordoñez, NPR, March 11, 2024.
The White House unveiled a new $7.3 trillion federal budget proposal on Monday, a plan that would hike taxes on billionaires and large corporations to pay for programs that would cut costs for families.
Presidential budgets generally are not blueprints for bills that will ever become law. Presidents are required by law to release a budget and the practice has become an opportunity to put price tags on White House spending proposals. It's up to Congress to pass actual spending bills, since it has the power of the purse in the Constitution.✂️
The budget builds on the State of the Union address Biden delivered last week, in which he outlined his administration's accomplishments and made the case for voters to reelect him, with a heavy dose of economic populism. It included tax credits for first-time homebuyers.
Speaking to the National League of Cities Monday, Biden said his plans would raise billions of dollars to help provide things that Americans need, like childcare, while also cutting the deficit.
"Look, I'm a capitalist. If you can make a billion bucks — wonderful," Biden said. "Just pay your fair share, man."
Young voters helped elect Biden in 2020. His campaign is courting them again in 2024, Elena Moore, NPR, March 11, 2024.
The campaign is launching Students for Biden-Harris, a program focused on building a large volunteer base of young supporters using different student-run groups nationwide.✂️
Students for Biden-Harris is the formal start of a youth outreach strategy led by Levenson. She said the launch begins a recruitment blitz for volunteers, and the campaign then plans to help students start chapters or presences at their high schools and colleges and work with these volunteers throughout the cycle.
It's one of several efforts that the campaign is making to engage with young people ahead of the election. These include using "relational organizing," where volunteers will be given campaign materials to send directly to people in their communities—which will be part of both Students for Biden-Harris and other initiatives to reach young people not in college.✂️
The Students for Biden-Harris launch comes the same day Biden received a series of endorsements from over a dozen organizations that work with young voters, including Voters of Tomorrow, NextGen PAC and Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
Democratic Mayor’s priority restored to Chicago ballot
Plenty of wealthy interest groups fought this vehemently, but getting this question on the ballot (and keeping it there) is a big win for Mayor Brandon Johnson and all the people who want to see real action on homelessness. In addition, this measure, if it were to become law, would actually lower taxes for the vast majority of Chicagoans, while significantly raising a fund to address the plight of Chicago’s unhoused people.
Illinois appellate court says ‘Bring Chicago Home’ referendum votes will count, Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel, WBEZ Chicago, March 6, 2024.
An Illinois appellate court ruled Wednesday that Chicago voters will be able to decide whether the city should raise a one-time tax on high end properties to fund homelessness prevention.
The unanimous decision from a three-judge panel reverses Cook County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Burke’s ruling, who last month sided in favor of real estate groups and properties owners opposed to the tax and invalidated the ballot measure. The reversal is a major win for organizers behind the so-called Bring Chicago Home campaign and Mayor Brandon Johnson, but it may not be the end of the legal fight if real estate groups appeal the decision. The March 19th primary election is less than two weeks away.
“I’ve said all along that the people of Chicago should determine how we address the unhoused crises in Chicago,” Johnson said at an unrelated press conference Wednesday afternoon. “Organizing in this city is a major part of what has helped transform our city over the course of decades. That history is still intact. I’m encouraging everyone to vote in this upcoming election cycle.”
😫😡 Republicans in Disarray 😡😩
MAGA Republicans are driving out any remaining sane Republicans.
GOP C-SPAN caller stuns Andy Biggs: 'I'm going to vote for Biden because I'm Christian', David Edwards, Raw Story, March 11, 2024.
On Monday's edition of C-SPAN's Washington Journal program, a Republican from Connecticut named Nick told Biggs he was making his first call to the network.
"I just wanted to speak with Mr. Biggs about the concept of being a Republican," the caller said. "And I've got to say, the state of this union is tremendous. We're strong. We're doing well."
"And the divisiveness that I've seen from my party in the past 40 years has got me kind of puzzled," he continued. "I just registered as a Republican two months ago for the fifth time, Mr. Biggs."
"And I'm just going to leave you with this comment, and that is that I register as a Republican because I'm a conservative, and I'm going to vote for Joe Biden because I'm a Christian."
For his part, Biggs suggested the caller should not be part of the Republican Party.
They’ll drive away women, too
Opinion Katie Britt’s big fail shows why the GOP can’t connect with women, Karen Tumulty, Washington Post, March 11, 2024.
A housewife? Britt is a lawyer, one who served on Capitol Hill as chief of staff to her predecessor, Richard C. Shelby; who headed Shelby’s task force on judicial nominations; and who was deputy manager and communications director of his reelection campaign. She was also the first woman to lead the Business Council of Alabama, which is the state’s chamber of commerce, as its president and chief executive.
How Britt was presented to a national audience, however, says a lot about why the GOP struggles to connect with suburban women. Her breathy, overwrought delivery would have embarrassed any self-respecting high school drama club.
And the setting sent another message that was not helpful at a moment when Republicans are trying to shake their image as a party that wants to send women backward in time. As veteran GOP pollster Christine Matthews put it on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter: “Not sure whose genius idea it was to put a U.S. Senator in the kitchen to deliver the response to the #SOTU. In the panel work I have done w/swing women since 2014 we have tested ads like this — ie women talking health care in the kitchen — and it just sets women voters off.”
They are turning on each other part 25738….
And this particular example of infighting is hilarious because it has so many layers. First TFG’s thin skin and compulsive need for praise causes him to lash out at POTUS to claim credit for the speedy development of the Covid vaccines (and the MRNA technologies that have amped up treatments for many other things, too). He can’t stop himself nor even think deeply enough to realize that claiming credit for that would anger the MAGA conspiracy theory types whom he also encouraged. Haha TFG is such a weak loser. (Note: Alex Jones is also a loser and everything he says and does is a grift — he will stir up attention with this nonsense and pretending to push back against TFG, but there’s nothing truly in it, FYI. Still it is amusing and all part of the churn and chaos of the Republican party. The MAGA base laps it up, but centrist Rs and Independents are more and more repulsed).
Alex Jones declares he'll 'go on warpath' against Trump over ex-president's latest brag, Sky Palma, Raw Story, March 11, 2024.
Trump was angry over Biden's claim that the "pandemic no longer controls our lives," and that the vaccines that "saved us from Covid are now being used to help beat cancer."
In a post to Truth Social, Trump declared, "YOU’RE WELCOME, JOE," adding in all caps, "NINE MONTH APPROVAL TIME VS. 12 YEARS THAT IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN YOU!" ✂️
"I love Trump but this is BS!" Jones wrote on a post to X. "The so-called vaccine is a biological weapon! Good news is people are awake and not even 45 can sell it."
Jones followed up this weekend with an extended rant on his show where he attacked Trump's post and gave him a warning.
Speaking of centrist Rs and Independents growing repulsed by TFG et al…
I don’t know if I will be able to find a clip, but on the PBS newshour this weekend, I saw an interview with two Republicans — that guy from VA, Denver Riggleman and another guy from Arizona, I think, but I didn’t catch his name unfortunately (I hope I can find a clip). Update: BARRETT MARSON from Phoenix
Anyway, they were both talking about how anyone who questioned TFG’s behavior or the MAGA movement or Jan 6 or whatnot were being pushed out of the party (which we all have seen, of course) and they called out TFG and the Republican party for going along with the madness of MAGA. And near the end of the interview, the guy from Arizona indicated that he would probably be voting for Joe Biden in November because at least he wants my vote! Riggleman also indicated that people like himself and Marson — and moderate Rs and Independents DO have a home right now — he said it’s time to make a decision, Vote for Biden or vote for insanity! It was a great interview.
Even though I was working on something with that on in the background, these statements really caught my attention!. Gnusies, there ARE Independents and disaffected Republicans who can be brought into our big Democratic tent! I’m not advocating wasting resources trying to win over MAGA voters, but the squishy middle of so-called moderate Republicans and Independents really are often repulsed by TFG and the MAGA ugliness and chaos. As Marson said, people want a “sunnier” outlook. They don’t want TFG’s dark, self-obsessed, vengeful vision of the future.
(Unfortunately I could not find a clip, darn it. If I manage to locate one before I post this GNR, I will put it in here)
Update!!: I found it! The interview starts at 10:39
Liz Cheney is a Republican but at least she has principles
'Liz Cheney is taking Mike Lee to Church' on his past claim about Trump's 'illegal' acts, David McAfee, Raw Story, March 10. 2024.
(Cheney) then said (to Lee), "You should take a break from spreading lunacy to read these remarks by Dallin Oaks," and linked to a speech from the Mormon president. Lee is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The remarks are focused on the importance of the Constitution.
"I testify of the divinely inspired Constitution of the United States and pray that we who recognize the Divine Being who inspired it will always uphold and defend its great principles. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen," Oaks wrote.
In response to Cheney's message, a former conservative Republican wrote, "Liz Cheney is taking Mike Lee to Church.....sending him a talk from an LDS General Authority about the need to defend the Constitution."
"I hope Mike reads it," the user wrote. "Then maybe he can read Alma 2 and remember that the bad guys are the ones who tried to overthrow democracy."
TFG’s legal morass deepens
Exclusive: ‘Trump Employee 5,’ who unknowingly helped move classified documents, speaks out, Katelyn Polantz, Kaitlan Collins and Jeremy Herb, CNN, March 11, 2024,
A longtime Mar-a-Lago employee who is a central witness in the investigation into former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents is now speaking publicly because he believes that voters should hear the truth about his former boss and the case before the November election.
Brian Butler, who is referenced as “Trump Employee 5” in the classified documents indictment brought by special counsel Jack Smith, told CNN in an exclusive interview that he doesn’t believe the criminal case against Trump is a “witch hunt,” as the former president has claimed.
Butler gave testimony to federal investigators that informed crucial portions of last year’s criminal obstruction charges against Trump and his two co-defendants, Walt Nauta, a personal aide to Trump, and Carlos De Oliveira, a property manager at Mar-a-Lago who had been Butler’s closest friend until recently.
‘This Type of Witness Is Gold’: Elie Honig Marvels at Ex-Trump Employee Recalling How He Moved Boxes of Government Documents, Michael Luciano, Mediaite, March 11, 2024.
So, this type of witness is gold for prosecutors and there’s a few reasons for that. First of all, this person has insider access. He’s literally inside the room… He’s there when boxes are being loaded onto the plane. And one of the challenges for prosecutors here is explaining exactly where these documents were moved, and when, and by whom. And this person can give us exactly why.
Second of all, he’s a person who appears to be unbiased. He doesn’t seem to have any reason to have an axe to grind with Donald Trump… He’s a longtime two decades-long employee of Donald Trump and the Trump Organization. Just based on the snippet that we just saw, he does not appear to be angry or resentful towards Donald Trump.
And finally, if you look at his testimony and you look at the indictment, he appears to be well-supported, corroborated by documents, by certain text chains that are referenced in the indictment, and by testimony of some of the defendants themselves, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliviera. So this is really the kind of witness that you want to build around as a prosecutor.
'Been there done that': Ex-prosecutor says Trump's motion in hush payment case is doomed, Matthew Chapman, Raw Story, March 11, 2024.
Former President Donald Trump's new ploy to delay the New York hush money criminal case is doomed to fail, argued former prosecutor Kristy Greenberg on MSNBC Monday.
The new motion filed by Trump cites his claim to presidential immunity, which he has also used to put his federal election conspiracy case on hold, as grounds to exclude all evidence that came from when he was president, including some provided by his former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen.
Greenberg argues there's a big reason this isn't going to go anywhere: Trump tried a similar argument last year only to see it rejected by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
"Trump's lawyers sought to remove the case to federal court," Greenberg noted. "This very issue was put before Judge Hellerstein, and he said Trump is not immune from the people of New York's prosecution in New York Supreme Court. "
Legal analyst: Trump may have jeopardized his bond with new attack on E. Jean Carroll, Igor Derysh, Salon, March 11, 2024.
“I just posted a $91 million bond, $91 million on a fake story, totally made-up story,” Trump said at a rally in Georgia, adding that the judgment was, “based on false accusations made about me by a woman that I knew nothing about, didn’t know, never heard of, I know nothing about her.”
MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin said that the punitive judgment in the case appears to only have been “enough to make him stop until he was past a point that the judge could no longer order… further consequences for it.”
I'm struck by the fact… he said these things the night after he posted a bond, filed his notice of appeal the judge has long past finalized,” Rubin continued.
"Should E. Jean Carroll and her team want any further relief now their only option is to file another case," she added. "The punitive damage was as great as it was because Donald Trump kept saying it after the initial judgment. The argument they made was that he was not deterred by the first award, and in fact, continued to say it again and again and again."
Rubin said Carroll’s recourse is to “sue again or at the very least to oppose the bond, which is an option that Judge [Lewis] Kaplan gave them.”
“Judge Kaplan said if they want to oppose the bond in any respect, they have until Monday,” she said. “If they do oppose it, it will be in Manhattan federal court."
🔬🌍 🩺 Climate, Science and Health News 💉🌎🔬
Here’s a reminder about the 2024 total solar eclipse. This eclipse will be even better than the 2017 eclipse because the path of totality is almost twice as wide (due to the moon being closer to earth this time). NPR wants people to tell them if/how you might be celebrating this celestial event. You can go to this page Will you be celebrating the solar eclipse? NPR wants to hear from you to share your thoughts and you might be featured on one of their shows! Meanwhile, here is some info about the eclipse from NASA:
How the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Is Different than the 2017 Eclipse, Abbey Interrante, NASA.gov, January 31, 2024.
In 2017, an estimated 215 million U.S. adults (88% of U.S. adults) viewed the solar eclipse, either directly or electronically. They experienced the Moon pass in front of the Sun, blocking part or all of our closest star’s bright face. The eclipse in 2024 could be even more exciting due to differences in the path, timing, and scientific research.
The path of totality – where viewers can see the Moon totally block the Sun, revealing the star’s outer atmosphere, called the corona – is much wider during the upcoming total solar eclipse than it was during the eclipse in 2017. As the Moon orbits Earth, its distance from our planet varies. During the 2017 total solar eclipse, the Moon was a little bit farther away from Earth than it will be during the upcoming total solar eclipse, causing the path of that eclipse to be a little skinnier. In 2017, the path ranged from about 62 to 71 miles wide. During the April eclipse, the path over North America will range between 108 and 122 miles wide – meaning at any given moment, this eclipse covers more ground.
The 2024 eclipse path will also pass over more cities and densely populated areas than the 2017 path did. This will make it easier for more people to see totality. An estimated 31.6 million people live in the path of totality this year, compared to 12 million in 2017. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.
Government leadership (and laws) encourage real progress on climate
Engineers and HVAC manufacturers are stepping up innovations to meet state and federal goals for reducing carbon emissions. The climate initiatives from the Biden administration and the state of New York (among other states), both compel and encourage reduction of carbon emissions. That’s a carrot and stick approach that is likely to get it done, especially as people get used to better, cheaper solutions and start to demand it.
In New York City, heat pumps that fit in apartment windows promise big emissions cuts, Isabella O’Malley and Ingrid Lobet, AP, March 11, 2024.
Heat pumps, a highly efficient technology that has grown in popularity in recent years to rival gas furnaces, have mainly been an option for owners of houses. But new designs are making them practical for apartments, too, which often rely on inefficient centralized steam boilers powered by oil or gas. That represents a promising climate solution for buildings, whose operations account for 26% of global energy-related carbon emissions, according to the International Energy Agency.✂️
Eric Wilson, a senior research engineer for the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, led a team that analyzed heat pump performance in various electric grid scenarios and found even the lowest-efficiency pump would cut greenhouse gas emissions and save on operating costs in every U.S. state. That analysis didn’t include the kind of pump being tested in Queens because it wasn’t yet on the scene, but Wilson said he would expect similar results.
Most heat pumps require ductwork, which isn’t an option for renters in a unit they don’t own. And ductless systems typically require extensive installation that includes wiring, making a hole in a wall and a sizeable external compressor.
Gradient and Midea, the two companies making the units in the pilot project at Woodside House, downsized it all into something that looks a bit like a window air conditioner but with a much lower profile. Exterior and interior halves drape over a sill to leave the window mostly unobscured. Gradient, one of the companies, says its unit installs in 15 minutes and plugs into an ordinary wall outlet.
Smartphones: Useful information for parents and educators
Maybe it’s time to confidently stand by “put away the phone” rules in certain situations. It’s not only better for family time and school classes, but it is better for kids’ mental health to take breaks from their smartphones. And that’s according to kids themselves! The kids who responded to the Pew survey also said they think the benefits of having the smartphones outweigh the drawbacks, but when you read the whole report and see that nearly every teen in the country has a smartphone — and the social pressure that fact likely engenders — then maybe kids are not the best positioned to have the final say on the topic? Hopefully, there can be a way to limit phone access for short periods when kids really could benefit from the break (like during classes or family meals), while not overly controlling phone use overall, so that the kids can continue to benefit from their use creatively as they report. I think it would be a very difficult balance to find, but I also think it is worth trying to find it.
Most teens report feeling happy or peaceful when they go without smartphones, Pew survey finds, Barbara Ortutay, AP, March 11, 2024.
Nearly three-quarters of U.S. teens say they feel happy or peaceful when they don’t have their phones with them, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center.
In a survey published Monday, Pew also found that despite the positive associations with going phone-free, most teens have not limited their phone or social media use.
The survey comes as policymakers and children’s advocates are growing increasingly concerned with teens’ relationships with their phones and social media. Last fall, dozens of states, including California and New York, sued Instagram and Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features that addict children. In January, the CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies went before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about their platforms’ harms to young people.
3D-printing breakthrough could revolutionize skin and hair reconstruction
People who have suffered horrific injuries, such as in car accidents or fires, could have far better reconstruction options in the not too distant future, thanks to 3D technology. And it may come to fruition sooner rather than later because the same technology might also be able to offer a really good treatment for hair loss, too. Imagine if this technology could make things better for so many people! I feel like the chances are good that we may see this before too long! 🤞🏼
🎩 Many thanks to strawbale for this cool story!
In historic first, scientists successfully 3D-print human skin tissue into open wounds, Kamrin Baker, goodgoodgood, March 8, 2024.
While it doesn’t sound very pretty, this bioengineering milestone could pave the way for major developments in reconstructive surgery — or even human hair treatments.
Current methods of skin and hair reconstruction — like skin grafts — often result in scars, meaning this discovery could lead to a more seamless treatment for humans.
“Reconstructive surgery to correct trauma to the face or head from injury or disease is usually imperfect, resulting in scarring or permanent hair loss,” lead author of the study and Penn State professor of bioengineering and neurosurgery, Ibrahim Ozbolat, said in a statement.
“With this work, we demonstrate bioprinted, full thickness skin with the potential to grow hair in rats. That’s a step closer to being able to achieve more natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing head and face reconstruction in humans.”
🎶 Music Fun! 🎶
🐩💙 CG’s Picks 💙🐩
Hello Everybody, it’s me Curlygirl! I don’t have any stories to share with you tonight because Mama hogged the computer all day and all night and she was pretty cranky, too!
However, since my section got axed this week, it will definitely be bigger and better next time!
And just for fun, here is a picture of me playing ball when I was younger! (I could still do this today, easy peasy! Mama just won’t let me on account of arthritis in my hip — which I think is dumb!). See you next time!
⚡️ Lightning RoundUp ⚡️
⚡️ 15 YOUTH VOTE GROUPS ENDORSE BIDEN-HARRIS CAMPAIGN, ANNOUNCE INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT REELECTION EFFORTS, Voters of Tomorrow, March 11, 2024.
⚡️Leopards/faces: RNC ‘Bloodbath’ Begins as More Than 60 Staffers Are Terminated Days After Lara Trump Elected Co-Chair, Michael Luciano, Mediaite, March 11, 2024.
⚡️ Biden fires back after Trump threatens “cutting” Social Security, Medicare in “word salad” interview, Igor Derysh, Salon, March 11, 2024.
⚡️ Trump’s Doing Nothing to Win Over Anti-Trump GOP Voters, Matt Lewis, Daily Beast, March 11, 2024.
⚡️ “Traps” of his own making: 'He just keeps walking into traps': Morning Joe buries Trump for latest humiliation, Tom Boggioni, Raw Story, March 11, 2024.
⚡️ Yer Wonkette, My Name Is Katie Britt, And I Am Singing ‘Tomorrow’ From ‘Annie’ In The Style Of ‘Birth Of A Nation’, Evan Hurst, Wonkette, March 8, 2024.
💗 How Can You Help Build Our Democracy Back Better? 💗
Put your beautiful bleeding liberal heart into it! 🥰
Share Goody’s Boosting Biden series on social media — Boosting Biden Series
Democratic litigation hero, Marc Elias was the legal eagle behind the 60 Big Lie losses after the election. Here’s his website, Democracy Docket. You can find information about current cases he is fighting to defend voting rights around the country, as well as actions you can take to help fight voter suppression at the link!
Write to voters around the country with Postcards to Voters. Progressive Muse usually posts an update on current campaigns in the comments and you can also check out the website. It’s easy, fun and it really works to GOTV!
🎩 Also, Goody posted a great list of links a while ago. I am borrowing and adding the latest ones to it 🎩
Fight voter suppression!
What can you do?
HERE’S HOW TO CONTACT CONGRESS:
U.S. House of Representatives:* Telephone: 202-225-3121
* Website: http://www.house.gov/
U.S. Senate:* Telephone: 202-224-3121
* Website: http://www.senate.gov/
Find your member of Congress and contact him or her:
Let them know what matters to you!
Contact your Representative
Contact your Senator
And remember, all politics is local and personal! Let’s work to flip state and local elected positions Democratic! ↓
Sister District Project — organization that is working to help Dems win state legislature races.
Donate to re-elect Joe Biden!
Oh, and don’t forget!…. Share Goody’s Boosting Biden series on social media —
💙 RoundUp WindDown 💙
That’s it for another week from me and CG. Sorry about the lack of music and pictures, Gnusies. I’m not sure what was up — probably something on my end because I don’t know what I’m doing when it comes to computers. But I am able to type and I seem to be able to insert links, so that’s the main thing!
Remember everyone — this is the year we save the country! So, get some rest, eat nutritious food and make sure you feed your spirit as well! The best soul food is fresh air and (when possible) sunshine. Try to get outside every day if you are able. Then, pick a task to help with electing Democrats up and down the ballot in November and get to work! 😄 We are in this together and together we will defeat deranged Donny and his ranting&raving Republicans.
Happy Tuesday, Gnuville! (luckily, I had this music in the draft for days)