Meme Dump

Meme Dump

It Couldn't Happen Here In America?

As I told Carlos over breakfast yesterday, I can find a showtune to fit every mood, occasion, or story, and after reading this particular news item, the song ‘Something Bad,’ from Wicked, instantly sprang to mind:

“Oh, Miss Elphaba, the things one hears these days

Dreadful things
I've heard of an Ox, a professor from Quox
No longer permitted to teach
Who has lost all powers of speech
And an owl in Munchkin Rock
A vicar with a thriving flock
Forbidden to preach
Now he only can screech
Only rumors, but still enough to give pause
To anyone with paws
Something bad is happening in Oz.”

But the something bad is happening in America …

Summer Boismier, a teacher in Norman, Oklahoma, has resigned her position after being reprimanded for placing the Brooklyn Libraries QR code in her classroom. That code allows people everywhere the ability to download and read the books banned in this country by our public school system. In addition to the QR code, Boismier placed butcher paper over her classroom bookshelves with the words "Books the state doesn't want you to read":

"I saw this as an opportunity for my kids who were seeing their stories hidden to skirt that directive. Nowhere in my directives did it say we can't put a QR code on a wall."

But a parent complained that Boismier was talking about politics in class :::gasp::: and she was reprimanded because Oklahoma's new law, House Bill 1775, says a teacher may not teach anything that makes a student feel uncomfortable on the basis of their race or sex. But Boismier was talking about books, and not even specific books, just banned books.

And in America today speaking of banned books can cause you to lose your job..

Wes Moody, a Norman Public School [NPS] spokesperson, said the issue did not center around the QR code, though he did not specify what the real issue was, though he claims Boismier made "personal political statements" and made a "political display" in the classroom. I imagine that was the "Books the state doesn't want you to read” sign  which is, in fact, the truth.

Enter State education secretary Ryan Walters, clearly a rightwingnut loon, who first said Boismier was fired—she was not—and then backtracked on that, but claimed that by sharing that QR code, Boismier provided pornographic material to her students. And for that lie, he wants her teaching certificate revoked, which the Department of Education says would be the first teaching certificate revocation of its kind in that state. But Ryan Walters wants to make sure that Summer Boismier cannot teach anywhere in this country because she gave her students access to book he deems unacceptable.

“There is no place for a teacher with a liberal political agenda in the classroom. Ms. Boismier’s providing access to banned and pornographic material to students is unacceptable and we must ensure she doesn’t go to another district and do the same thing.”

Now, wait a moment; doesn’t that sound political, if Walters is suggesting only rightwing conservatives teach in public schools? In America is speech only free is it fits the narrow-minded narrative of conservatives?

And while Ryan Walters is a vile human being, even more disgusting is GOP state Senator Rob Standridge, co-author of HB 1775, who says Boismier should be criminally prosecuted for sharing the QR code because book sharing is a crime in America in 2022.

The district, in its statement about Boismier's resignation, said some colleagues shared her concerns about HB 1775:

"Like many educators the teacher has concerns regarding censorship and book removal by the Oklahoma state legislature. However, as has always been our expectation, we want our classrooms to be places where ALL students feel welcome."

How are ALL students welcomed if you remove books about LGBTQ+ American? How are young people of color made to feel welcome when history is scrubbed of the indignities their ancestors suffered?

Linda E. Johnson, president and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library, says the library will continue to support teachers like Summer Boismier:

"The democratic principles on which both our nation and public libraries were founded include the right of every individual to seek information from all points of view. Brooklyn Public Library stands firmly with Summer Boismier and all who champion free expression, intellectual freedom, and the right to read."

And on the upside, a small upside, Heather Hall, owner of Green Feather Book Company in Norman, Oklahoma is stepping up by giving away free T-shirts to NPS students with the QR code to the Brooklyn Public Library's Books Unbanned Project:

"A teacher should not be held responsible for anything at a public library, even if she was the one who made the library more accessible to the students."

Hall believes the shirts don't violate Oklahoma law because students, not teachers, will be wearing them, and NPS spokesperson Wes Moody agreed that, under the school district's dress code, students will be allowed to wear the T-shirts; and Hall added:

"I really hope [the shirts empower the] administration to be brave, to stand up for education, for public education, for the open and free exchange of ideas, and for the hard conversations. As parents, we always have to have the hard conversations, and for us, with the way public education has evolved, sometimes those conversations have to happen in public schools. and as long as they're respectful of all walks of life and all views, I think that it's important to allow kids to have these conversations, particularly around literature."

It couldn't happen here in Oz America

Yahoo  NPR  KOSU

Colin Perucco Mentioned Marsha P. Johnson In Class and Some Parents Want Him Fired

Colin Perucco is a Minnetonka Middle School East language arts teacher who teaches a “Person of the Day” segment in his online pandemic class. One day, Perucco highlighted Marsha P. Johnson—an early gay rights activist and drag queen, who was one of the prominent figures in the Stonewall uprising of 1969—and, well, you know what happened.

A parent recorded the lesson and sent it to the Daily Caller—a right-wing news and opinion website co-founded by Fox News asshat Tucker Carlson—telling them that “there is no excuse to bring any of this into the classroom” and that she “finds the political atmosphere of classrooms inexcusable.”

Other parents shot back that the parent’s disregard for the safety of school staff and students was a violation of school policy; recording the online classes is against policy to protect all the students and their families. And those parents, and their children, stood up with, and for, Colin Perucco as the manufactured outrage over the two minutes dedicated to Johnson’s life grew. It even caused the Principal, Pete Dymit, to send an email:

“I want to let all MME families know that I feel Mr. Perucco is an excellent teacher who is highly committed to supporting the academic, social and emotional development of our students. He is loved by his students, respected by his peers, and I look forward to having him as a part of our staff for many years.”

Sadly, while Dymit, students and many parents,  voiced support for Perucco, the school board remained silent, and parents and activists both wonder what message that sends to students and teachers.

One parent wrote:

“It is imperative for our district board to issue a statement stating that they stand with our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community members and that attempts to intimidate and silence teachers who stand for equity and who teach inclusive content will not be tolerated. The board’s silence on this issue to date is unacceptable.”

The only statement given by the board sidestepped Colin Perucco entirely and insinuated that the profile on a legendary Black drag queen and early champion of the LGBTQ+ rights wasn’t “appropriate.”

Luckily, most at the school feel the two minutes was appropriate and plan to march in support of Perucco and to demand the school board do better, noting that Colin Perucco closed that Marsha P. Johnson video lesson by saying this:

“We’re all going through this life together. We are all human beings experiencing the world in very different but also very similar ways. [Let’s] give a little extra grace to the people around us.”

Oh my gosh, what a horrible lesson to teach our children! I guess some parents, and members of the school board need to realize that while we are all not the same, we are very much alike, and rather than tear one another down we should build one another up.

LGBTQ Nation

Tuesday Thought #4

Matt Bevin: America's Worst Governor

Kentucky’s Republican Governor Matt Bevin has once again proven he’s unfit to lead a homeowner’s association, much less an entire state.

During remarks to the Louisville Rotary Club, Bevin responded to a question about what can be done to stem gun violence. He first read the GOP mantra about mental health and firearm safety—as opposed to actual gun control—but then took aim at …wait for it …it’s epic … teachers:

“One thing you almost didn't hear anything about while we had people pretending to be sick when they weren't sick and leaving kids unattended to or in situations that they should not have been in—a little girl was shot, 7 years old, by another kid, because they were somewhere that they weren't intended and because a parent didn't have any option, put them in a situation so that they could go to work, it left these kids in a compromised situation where they encountered a gun and there was not enough awareness."

Bevin seemed to be referencing a March 12 shooting where a 7-year-old girl was shot by her 11-year-old brother inside their home while their guardian, their uncle, was outside. But he didn’t say anything about that, he blamed striking teachers for the death of a child.

Of course, this is not the first time Bevin has claimed teacher protests have put children in harm's way. After a teacher rally in April 2018 shut down dozens of school districts across Kentucky, Bevin told reporters that children were being sexually assaulted or ingesting poisons somewhere in the state because teachers were not in class.

And, of course, as Republican’s tend to do when they put their foot in their mouths, Bevin lashed out at the media for reporting what he … reporting exactly what he said:

"The only thing you all are pumping out there is talking this 7-year-old girl who was shot—really? That's pretty sad. And it's why our state is struggling because we're not focusing on things that are important."

The death of a child by gunshot is unimportant, y’all in Kentucky and so, please remember that your governor—for now, because Bevin, who gleefully praises the NRA for its endorsement is seeking reelection—seems less interested in the death of a child than he is in painting teachers striking for a living wage as the cause of that death.

And it’s ironic, because the first thing NRA-goose-stepping Republicans do when there’s a shooting death in America and people began screaming for stricter gun control, is to shout that this should not be a political issue, and yet here is Matt Bevin doing exactly that.

You don’t politicize the shooting death of a child … of anyone.

Courier Journal

Michael Neri Shuts Down Homophobic Mom Who Pulled Her Kids From His Class

Michael Neri is a drama teacher who runs the runs Talking Props Theatre School, a performing arts school for children ages 8 to 13, in Kidderminster, England. But here was no drama in his response to a mother who pulled her two children from his school after learning that Neri is :::gasp::: a homosexual!

The unnamed mother texted Neri:

“Hi Michael.

Following our chat this week, I have decided that ____ and ____ will not be attending class on Monday.

You have a strong reputation for performing arts which encouraged me to sign my children up for classes. I have recently learned of your lifestyle and as a Christian I cannot allow my children to be influenced by unconventional ideas. It is our belief that a man should marry a woman. I look forward to receiving my deposit which can be posted to me via checque.

Regards _____”

And Michael Neri responded:

“Hi _____,

I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed to hear this. I pride my students on the love and respect they have for others and their passion for equality. You would only be infringing upon our family.

As far as I’m aware, my sexuality doesn’t affect my ability to teach, just like it wouldn’t affect a doctor’s ability to treat one of your children should they become unwell. I’m sure your children’s health would come first, should they need emergency treatment, or would you need to check their doctor’s lifestyle prior to their life-saving operation?

I wish you luck in finding an appropriate stage school that meets your needs, however from my experience I find that theatre without gays is like cooking without spices (just my opinion).

I hear StageCoach are enrolling but their teachers have been known to wear mixed fabrics  which I’m sure you are aware is forbidden in the bible (Leviticus 19:19).

Please feel free to come see our Musical ‘Happy Days’, confetti will be used in the finale but please rest assured that this is not an attempt to corrupt your Christian lifestyle.

We just love glitter.

Unfortunately, deposits are non-refundable but don’t worry, your deposit has been donated to Stonewall, an LGBT charity.

Regards, Michael”

I just hope they donated in the bigot’s name … and put confetti in the envelope.

Good

Tuesday Thought #2

The Funny Papers

Drew Sheneman, Adam Zyglis,Steve Breen, David Horsey, Mike Smith, Randy Bish, David Fitzsimmons, Steve Benson, Nick Anderson, Steve Sack

Bobservations

Well well well…yesterday one of the nation’s largest sports retailers, Dick’s Sporting Goods, announced it was immediately ending sales of all assault-style rifles in its stores and that they would no longer sell guns to anyone under 21 years of age, regardless of local laws.

And then Walmart announced the minimum age to buy guns in their stores would be raised to 21.

And so it begins …

For eight years we endured gun nuts and the NRA telling Americans that Obama was coming for their guns and yet that never happened.

And now the NRA’s $30 million man, _____, has said he favors taking guns away from people who might commit violence before going through legal due process.

And yet I’m not hearing outcry. Why?

And we all know _____ wants to arm teachers, but maybe he needs to give that some thought … or any thought.

Jesse Randal Davidson, a teacher from Dalton High School in Georgia was arrested yesterday after firing a handgun inside his classroom and sending panicked students running for their lives.

Armed teachers.

Donald Trump’s closest adviser, former model …. Yes, I said “model” …  Hope Hicks is resigning one day after she testified for eight hours before the House Intelligence Committee, telling them she had to tell white lies for Trump.

She admitted she lies for the president. Again, where’s the GOP outrage?

I remember a few weeks back when people, including myself, poked fun at Michele Bachmann for saying she was waiting for a sign from God to tell her if she should run for Al Franken’s former Senate seat,

God told her no. This week, Oprah, still pushing that ‘Will she or won’t she’ bullshit, says she is also asking God to tell her if she should run:

“I went into prayer… ‘God, if you think I’m supposed to run, you gotta tell me, and it has to be so clear that not even I can miss it.’ And I haven’t gotten that.”

Um, yeah, Oprah, cuz God doesn’t want you to run, so why not close your cakehole, because I’m sure it’s filled with cake, and be quiet.

In What The Hell Was He Thinking News … last week Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner drank a glass of chocolate milk to demonstrate his belief in diversity:

“It’s really, really good. Diversity!”

It all happened because of Hyatt Hotels diversity and inclusion executive Tyronne Stoudemire, who appeared with Rauner at Chicago’s Thompson Center to discuss workplace diversity at a Black History Month event. Stoudemire, who is black, poured a glass of milk to represent the white men who lead most organizations:

“This chocolate syrup represents diversity.”

Stoudemire squirted chocolate syrup into the glass and it instantly sank to the bottom.

“When you look at most organizations, diversity sits at the bottom of the organization. You don’t get inclusion until you actually stir it up.”

Rauner then stirred the syrup into the milk, turning it brown, and he took a sip and pronounced it good.

Seriously.

I like Dianne Feinstein, one of the nation’s best-known and longest-serving politicians, but let’s face it, even she needs to go sometime. She is 84-years-old and has been serving as the senator from California since 1992.

This week at their state convention, did not endorse Feinstein for reelection. Fifty-four% of delegates endorsed Feinstein’s opponent, state senator Kevin de León, a Democrat from Los Angeles, while just 37% supported Feinstein.

Feinstein has done a wonderful job, but if she wins reelection she’ll be 91 at the end of the next term. Don’t we need some new blood in the Senate?

So, Delta decided to no longer offer discounts to NRA members and the Georgia GOP—the same GOP that begs folks not to politicize gun deaths—has blocked a lucrative tax break bill that would benefit Delta Air Lines because Delta chose to say No to the NRA.

Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle says he will not support tax legislation that help the airline “unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with the NRA.”

Huh, extortion much?

Delta, which has been based in Atlanta for nearly 80 years, is the state’s largest private employer, with 33,000 workers statewide and $300 million in state and local tax revenue annually.

And, if Democrats elsewhere have it their way, that could all end …. see, after the Georgia GOP threatened Delta, Democrats in other states responded by publicly wooing Delta.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam Tweeted: 

“Virginia is for lovers and airline hubs.”

Kathy Hochul, the lieutenant governor of New York also Tweeted: 

“You’re welcome here any time. Move HQ to where you’re appreciated?”

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin Tweeted at Delta:

“Let’s Chat.”

Careful who you threaten Georgia.

Sorry, not sorry, but former drug company executive and asshat Martin Shkreli will be held responsible for $10.4 million in financial losses when he is sentenced for defrauding investors.

U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto rejected his argument that he did not cause any losses because his investors eventually came out ahead. The ruling could mean more prison time for Shkreli, since the amount of financial loss plays a major role in federal sentencing guidelines.

Again, sorry, not sorry.

In Hypocrisy news … Kentucky Kounty Clerk Kim Davis has written a book—and I didn’t think she could even read—called Under God’s Authority: The Kim Davis Story in which Kimmy details her personal experience from the moment Kentucky’s governor ordered the state’s county clerks to issue same-sex marriage licenses, throughout her arrest and release from jail.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee calls it “a great read!”

Bigoted Franklin Graham says, “in a culture that demeans people who obediently follow Jesus, Kim Davis drew on His strength as she experienced—and endured—persecution from the culture, the court, and the crowds, and survived to tell about it all in her compelling book Under God’s Authority.”

God says “The fuck you talkin’ bout Kim? How many sanctified marriages have you had and how many spouses did you cheat on? Siddown.”

So, my boss’ son also works with us, and, well, you know how I am … the other day at work he was showing a picture of his mother to a co-worker who remarked how young Mama looked.

Son said, “When I was in high school people thought she was my girlfriend.”

I said, “Well, that’s because you went to prom with your mom.”

Son said, “I didn’t go to prom with my mom!”

I said, “Oh yeah, that was Homecoming, you went to prom with your sister.”

And I’m still employed.

Republicans are worried that former state Senator Steve Montenegro will “pull a Roy Moore” and lose a reliably red Arizona congressional seat if he wins Tuesday’s special primary election. Montenegro is running for a seat vacated by GOP Congressman Trent Franks who announced he was resigning t after the House Ethics Committee began investigating accusations of sexual harassment against him; Franks offered a staffer $5 million to carry his baby.

But Montenegro, a married minister, admitted that he had exchanged in a sexting relationship with a junior state legislative staffer for months, including receiving nude photos from the woman. The woman says those exchanges followed conversations during which Montenegro “groomed” her for an affair.

Arizona? Say No Moore to Montenegro.

Okay … to be completely honest, while I am no fan of cheating GOP ministers, Montenegro is hot.

And a palate cleanser … staring with Marcc Rose, playing Tupac in Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G.. Then there’s the always adorable Chris Pine from Wonder Woman … yes, we just saw Wonder Woman. And lastly Lucien Laviscount, gosh, I love that name, it sounds like a vampire, who was the only good … shirtless … thing in a horror film called The Bye Bye Man.

Just sayin’.