WIN of the WEAK

WIN of the WEAK (Aug.13/2016)

A count-up of five stories that celebrate 'Progressive Wins' or 'Weak Excuses'; or are just plain full of irony and much needed comic relief.

WIN of the WEAK: WEAK NBC Commentator Sparks Controversy By Refusing To Call Gymnast Simone Biles' Adoptive Parents her 'Parents'

Apparently someone didn't get the memo; It is the year 2016, but not at NBC Sports. Families come in all shapes and sizes, all possible configurations and skin colour or ethnicity may a part in that. But when a young athlete, Simone Biles, a woman of colour, nailed some of the most remarkable gymnastic routines seen at any Olympic Games, going on to win several events, NBC felt the need to explain that the family supporting Biles was actually her 'adoptive family'. Why is this a WEAK excuse for journalism? Because to Simone and her Parents, they are a family in every way that matters. Rather than asking Simone about her family, the network felt the need talk down to their audience. There is obviously room to improve in the reporting about what NBC must see as a 'non-traditional' family, but by directing the dialogue to helpful facts or information about adoption, or asking the adoption community how they wish to be represented, they miss out on an opportunity to have a really important and necessary conversation. This is the sort of think that makes us all WEAK as a society.

Simone cleared up her feelings on the matter later in the week while being interviewed by Us Weekly magazine. This girl is a champion, through and through, something quite obvious when she responded with this absolute WIN of a statement;

“I personally don’t have a comment,” the gymnast told Us Weekly exclusively on Tuesday. “My parents are my parents and that’s it.”

Number Two: WIN Jimmy Dore Hilariously Eviscerates Bill O'Reilly Over "Whitehouse Slave" Comments

After FLOTUS Michelle Obama's momentous speech at last week's DNC Convention, in which she spoke passionately about waking up each day in a house 'built by slaves', the ever crude and endlessly tone deaf O'Reilly felt the need to correct the First Lady's assertions. His arguments about the 'slaves' being 'well treated' according to his research illustrated exactly how biased O'Reilly is on the subject of human slavery, which was sadly predictable. What makes this segment of The Jimmy Dore Show so hysterical is that while pointing out the sheer hypocrisy of O'Reilly, his absolute detachment from reality, Jimmy makes us laugh at a very difficult period in American history, while reminding us that we still have a very long way to go. This may be my favorite Jimmy Dore video analysis to date and makes it an absolute must-watch Progressive WIN.

Number Three: WEAK Donald Trump 'Jokes' About A Second Amendment Solution if Hillary Clinton Chooses Future Supreme Court Justices

Another day, another reason for any remaining doubt about candidate Trump's allegiance to country or constitution to be shattered. This week brought on a barrage of bizarre comments from Trump himself, his campaign releasing incongruent explanations for said comment or it's true meaning, and the man seeming to double down against the advice of his campaign managers. Rumors continue to swirl about the discord within the campaign staff itself, but the fallout on the side of Trump's fellow Republicans has been deafening. Not only has RNC Committee Chair Reince Priebus even introduced Trump at one of his many rally stops. It's clear that their is no bottom to the GOP party, they are not willing to risk a four year Clinton presidency to preserve their party or any shred of integrity they might still have. But far worse than Trump's normal lies and conspiracy theories, he seemed to cross a line this week when he put a call out for a 'second amendment solution', a barely coded call for an assassination attempt should Hillary Clinton begin to nominate liberal supreme court justices for consideration. If there is a more dastardly and despicable volley of words from a Presidential candidate, I don't know that I have ever seen recorded proof. The man reeks of, to paraphrase MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, "talk big and carry a teeny tiny little stick." Yes, Mr. Trump, you are WEAK.

Number Four: WIN A South Korean Athlete Takes a Selfie With Her North Korean Counterpart

I have to continue to remind myself that there are other things going on in the world, things besides the 2016 US Elections. While the results of the Election will have major repercussions around the world, there are still other reasons to have hope. For a few moments theses two teenagers were acting exactly like teenagers. Lee Eun-ju of South Korea and Hong Un-jong of the North took a quick shared selfie during a practice session. But the media noted that this one image is the perfect summary of the purpose and pride of the Olympic Games, since technically North and South Korea are still at war with each other. While I don't imagine that this small, normal, gesture is not a potential political hot potato for one or both of these athletes, I do love the apparent heart and sheer normalcy of fellow gymnasts taking a snapshot to help them remember a very remarkable moment in both of their lives. A lovely WIN of a moment.

Number Five: WEAK Hillary Clinton Continues To Endorse 'Troubled' House Candidate Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Despite recent evidence linking Wasserman Schultz to what essentially amounts to a smear campaign against the wildly popular Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton is still rooting for her 'gal pal' to return for a 7th term in that office. Adding further insult to the injury perpetrated against Millennials in particular, but certainly extending to all Bernie Supports. It would appear that candidate Clinton thinks she's got this election in the bag, and by continuing to support (and silence?) Debbie Wasserman Schultz, she is basically giving all those who support Wasserman Schultz' direct competitor, in the person of Tim Canova, the middle finger. It would have been far more appropriate for Wasserman Schultz to have separated herself from the Clinton inner-circle, and to drop out of her race while publicly apologizing for any role she, or her office had in manipulating the Democratic primary process. That would have been the right thing to do, and any other year, it would be a larger issue. Unfortunately, with a reckless baffoon heading the Republican ticket, the Democrats seem to think they can get away with murder while the media focuses on blunder after blunder from the Trump camp.  Perhaps Clinton has every right to think thusly, the strategy seems to have been working fine for her up until now. Secretary Clinton, this reveals just how WEAK your morals and ethics really are.

When the Joke is Over

I admit that when Donald J. Trump announced his candidacy for President of the United States it struck me as absolutely absurd. Here was a man I have watched, over my 43 years on this planet, do outrageous things, say worse, and repeatedly cloak himself in the stink of one failed business after another. I remember in the 1980s, my parents somehow got ahold of a copy of a "Trump" board game, it sat in it's black box with the giant golden monogram of the man's name taking up major real estate on the boxtop. We never once played it, the rules were confusing and it was a gimmick, just like everything else Donald Trump did. It was about using that Trump name to make a buck, screw the consumer, and laugh all the way to the bank.

When Trump began his Twitter career and his turn as a Fox News 'source', I know it escaped my notice. I remember him mainly for his serial relationships, odd fetish for anything gold-plated, and for his grandiose personality from television appearances that culminated in his turn as the big man in charge on 'The Apprentice" back in 2004. I personally found him to be grossly misogynistic, petty, and a self-inflated child. His ego was out of control most turns around his boardroom table, and I must admit it held little appeal for me after the first season. Trump is Trump, he doesn't get wittier or more charming, he doesn't get more magnanimous or more likeable, he was a bully and a blowhard, but in the world of television, he was just a blip on the reality television horizon.

But now things are different, the world is different, and by legitimizing his campaign the mainstream media and all of us who consume it's manufactured news, full of bias, brought this on ourselves. The GOP loved the dash of Hollywood appeal Trump brought to their debate stages, making it must-see TV like never before. By lowering themselves to his level, each of Trump's opponents fell into the trap one by one. They were all unwitting contributors to their own demise, each taking the bait and trying to out-insult the other. It was comical, but we all figured it would end. How was this troglodyte, this well known bullshit artist managing to take-down career politicians. While those of us who saw Trump for the bully he was were aghast, an angry public was looking for an underdog to root for. Trump zeroed in on the lowest common denominator qualities of the 'angry white American male', a group that despite being in a most-privileged category in society was looking for a man who would speak to their most base insecurities and deep seated fears. Fears that must only occur to those who feel threatened by women, minorities, immigrants, and the educated. Fears that those in progressive mainstream society were hopeful to leave far behind, the sooner the better.

So here we are in August, and somehow despite all rational arguments, the weight of his massive record of failures, and trust-fund baby antics, Donald J. Trump is now the Republican Party nominee for President of The United States of America. The rush may be to suggest that I am a liberal, a progressive, a Canadian socialist, a hater, but I have no dog in this race. I am not able to vote in the American elections, and frankly right about now I would be rocking myself in a corner somewhere in the face of a possible Trump or Clinton presidency. The world is watching, and we aren't laughing.

Those of us who have studied some of the darkest periods in history are watching events repeat themselves daily, from calls to ban or 'surveil' entire religions, mocking of the differently abled or ill, to more blatant racism thinly disguised as a jab at illegal migration. It echoes close to the bone, it is painful and frightening to watch, and it scares me. It scares me. If you can't see the signs, I promise you, they are there in flashing red letters.

I am not a fan of Hillary Clinton, nor am I a fan of the American two-party system, but Donald J. Trump is not a statesman, not a leader, not an inspirational figure. He is a con and a grand hoax on the most vulnerable in society. Those looking for real hope and change, those that actually believe he is a man of the people have the most to lose. He is playing games with the fate of America, and the world, our safety and our respectability. 

The Joke is over, we created this monster, and now he has come home to do exactly what he became famous doing, dividing people into categories, inciting and condoning violence of all sorts, and spouting hatred and outright lies with absolutely no consequences. While Trump sees this as his biggest gamble yet, one that has nothing to do with his long track record of party swapping and donating to prominent Democrats, including the Clintons, those watching from the sidelines are wondering how this horrible roller coaster will end. I am not laughing anymore, and I have to wonder about the mental stability of those that find this to be one big joke. It's time someone with the power to stop Trump stepped up to the plate and said publicly, "this man does not represent Conservatives, he does not represent the GOP, and he does not represent America". Unless of course, he really is exactly the politician that America deserves. I have to hope, with everything that I am, that this isn't the simple, ugly, truth of the matter.

Are We 'Progressives' or 'Regressives'?

Yesterday I read the actual Republican Party Platform as posted online, just for kicks. As I was reading through an endless list of punchy titles (I actually physically recoiled several times), it struck me just how un-American this document seems. So many barely veiled religious references, the discussion of removing essential resources from those most in need, I actually has a visceral reaction to what I was reading. What shocked me most of all was the negative, narrow, limited vision of what America could be.

The third paragraph of the GOP platform 'preamble' states in no uncertain terms the "the American dream is at risk." This is followed by reams of positions that seem to be entirely regressive, not just a matter of maintaining the status quo. For instance, the platform seeks to eradicate abortion access, ban pornography, and return to a traditional judeo-christian definition of marriage as that between a man and a woman exclusively. In the same vein it seeks to reduce taxation on corporations as a means of remaining globally competitive, preventing something the GOP refers to as debt explosion, while at the same time suggesting that it is critical that the United States has a highly trained and skilled workforce. I'm not sure if the GOP missed the memo about the state of the student debt crisis, but they apparently think that highly trained and skilled workers evolve in an education vaccum. Does that even resemble the American anyone wants, knows, or loves? I doubt many dictatorships could top this initial 'wish list'. It seems so backwards that I can only say it is the exact opposite of a progressive way of thinking, it is infact a regressive way of thinking and acting.

Out of fairness, I also looked into the Democratic Party Platform. Here the difference are stark just in the choice of words and the broad range of ideas and issues presented. For instance, the Democratic document speaks of "too many being left out or left behind" in the current political climate. I think all Americans can identify with that sentiment, which is why candidates like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders hold so much appeal as outsiders. The platform focuses more on ways to help America achieve the so-called 'American Dream', as opposed to stressing that the concept is under attack. With the help of Bernie Sanders guiding the platform in a progressive direction, one at least feels somewhat hopeful when coming away from the document, even if they note (rightly so) that it is still not progressive or proactive enough. It's not that I am all about an exclusively progressive outlook for the Democratic Party of the future, but currently I am caught by just the differences in tone. This is not about the presidential candidates, it's just about the ideas and language in the document as presented. While reading this second document, I came away with a very different feeling.

America is not about one side of the aisle or the other, it's about the very best of ideas coming together. I understand the two-party system, the checks and balances, and that no single party has yet managed to achieve an entirely 'utopian' [if we take their platforms to be a model] society. The red team wins some games, sometimes it is the blue team. The balance is what we see today, it is 'western' culture, this mix of ideals and ideas. However, what happens when this system breaks down? 

What if, let's imagine for a moment,  the blue team uses steroids or other performance enhancing drugs, and the red team does not (or vice versa), would we be ok with that? You can easily see these 'influences' as a matter of the moneyed interest driving candidates to vote against their constituents interests. What if it happened for eight years in a row. America would look very different, as it always does, when a two-term President with a majority house and senate leaves office.

Human Beings are fascinating creatures when you think about the way we form societies. For example, the power of the US Supreme Court is pivotal for shaping policy and precedents. We need to recognize our own limitations, but also give ourselves enough credit for having the bravery to reach higher and be better. This wired-in world is so different from the one that I was met with back in the early 1970s. With information comes knowledge, knowledge bringing empowerment, it gives us a more realistic picture of the actual urgency and priority of issues.

So if we have any one party with an eight year stranglehold on government, eventually a lot on their wish list is brought forward for debate. Let's step away from the American two-party system, and open the doors to other parties, independents like Bernie Sanders, and imagine how remarkable these debates would be if instead of just two teams on the field, we see a round-robin tourney of multiple viewpoints representing the nuanced positions that real people, the voters in this case, care about. That is where ideas like the Brand New Congress hold great appeal for those who can see beyond the two-party system. Even if the small handful of independents or third parties in congress can't sway the vote, at least their positions can be heard and evaluated by the people. That is the America I want to see, the America that the people deserve, and the America that is bound in the living breathing document that is the United States Constitution. So the question we should really be asking is not if we are Democrat or Republican, but are we Progressive or Regressive as a society.

WIN of the WEAK

WIN of the WEAK (Aug. 6/2016)

[I'm hoping to make this a recurring theme as a weekly item. Please weigh in with your thought.]

A count-up of five stories that celebrate 'Progressive Wins' or 'Weak Excuses'; or are just plain full of irony and much needed comic relief.

WIN of the WEAK: Netflix Accidentally Put Aziz Ansari Subtitles on a Nature Documentary and the Results Are Amazing

Source: Imgur

This small gaffe on the part of Netflix is almost entirely harmless and says an awful lot about what is going on with millennials and progressives in one hilarious moment. By combining the power of online entertainment as opposed to the entire television lineup of commercial media, a BBC Nature documentary showing an individual that is engaged and at the minimum curious about life on the planet, and the introduction of comic-relief by a talented comedian who also happens to be one of the first brown comedian to achieve a wide - and much deserved - level of acclaim, this situation is so full of WIN. Or maybe I am reading too much into a technical glitch.

Number Two: WEAK Donald J. Trump Brought to Heel by the GOP, Instead of being Disavowed

While I watched in mild surprise as Donald Trump read from a prepared list of talking points leading to his clear endorsements of high ranking Republicans, Speaker of the House Sen.Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) and Sen, John McCain (R-Arizona), I felt that that the Republicans were missing the larger picture, that this last ditch effort was just delaying the inevitable. If the GOP actually holds to its own platform and traditional christian values to have value, the continual embrace of a man like Donald Trump are not only destroying the Republican Party, but also reckless and highly un-American. Anyone left with any moral compass needs to do what is most difficult but most necessary for the sanctity of life in America. Perhaps that is the real take-away.

Number Three: WIN Most Americans Ages 18-30 Say Neither Political Party Represents Them, Poll Shows

A GenForward Poll out this week indicates that young millennials in particular are choosing issues over party loyalties by saying that neither the Republicans nor the Democrats represent their values. Specifically, only 28 percent of young adults overall are saying the two parties do a good job of representing the American people.This is a huge signal to the Progressive movement that it's future is in increasingly secure hands. When the issues and the realities facing the most people are the driving force behind policy creation, as opposed to a top-down approach, the movement moves forward and we see actual change in the priorities of politicians and corporations.

Number Four: WIN* GOP Convention Scared this Veteran more than Afghanistan

I call this op-ed by Christopher Carey a WIN for one very simple reason. It clearly presents precisely the problem facing every veteran, military serviceperson, or military family in America at this moment in history. These people are American patriots who respect the office of Commander in Chief of the United States. Their respect for this office is hinged upon the belief that the person calling the shots needs to fully understand the supreme responsibility of the office and can respond in the nuanced ways to threats while simultaneously minimizing the cost of human lives, American lives. It is the lives of all Americans that are on the line, and that is not something a man who has been on the front lines doing the very hard job of protecting home and humanity wants in the hands of a nihilistic narcissist like Donald J. Trump. These are the most powerful checks and hits that will drive voters away from a Trump candidacy and into examining other options up and down ticket.

[*Let me officially state that I deeply respect the service of this veteran and abhor any situation that would place such a fear into the heart of anyone.]

Number Five: WIN Team Refugees is an Elegant Political Statement that Cannot be Ignored

This Summer at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, there is a new team in the mix. Not a specific region, country, or state, but rather an example of the actual faces and the plight of the modern refugee. A picture in sharp contrast to that currently volleyed about in the political arena. While close to home Trump continues to paint the picture of refugees and immigrants, whether fleeing climate disaster, war, or political and economic shifts, as criminals and rapists. It is the very best foil for Trump's arguments and it is making it's presence felt on the world stage. This small team of 10 athletes was assembled by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and includes members from diverse backgrounds including South Sudan, Syria, Ethiopia, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While I am not naive to the the very real potential that these athletes might be exploited for nefarious purposes, I can't help but be hopeful that if even one person comes to see their brother, sister, son, or daughter among these athletes, the progressive world becomes a richer place indeed. I will be watching with interest to see how the mainstream media and the IOC portray these athletes in the coming days.

Bad News for 'Disgusted' Donald

Most normal people have moments where they are generally offended by something gross or disgusting. Let's face it, life is messy. Most parents or pet owners have cleaned up snot and vomit, not to mention other bodily fluids, the whole deal. At some point you have to plug your nose, put on the latex gloves and get to work. While we all have something or other that absolutely sends us into the 'nope' zone, we generally mature past the point of making a public spectacle every time we are put off by an odor, sound, or sight.

After nearly a year of watching Donald Trump tweet, repeat the same speech over and over, and use his incredibly limited vocabulary of 'the best words', one word has come to symbolize everything that is immature, underdeveloped, and quite frankly alarming about this likely narcissistic sociopath. 'The Donald' uses the word 'disgusting' an awful lot when referring to almost any normal bodily functions, particularly as they relate to women's bodies. Here are some prime examples of 'disgusted Donald' being his rude, self-centered, and sexist self using his most favorite word.

In December of 2015, Trump referred to rival Hillary Clinton's seconds late return to the debate stage after an apparent restroom break 'disgusting'. To a group of adoring approximately 7,500 supporters he said in an almost sing-song voice, "I know where she went -- it's disgusting, I don't want to talk about it." Affecting a look of mock-horror, as the crowd laughed and cheered, Trump continued,  "no, it's too disgusting. Don't say it, it's disgusting."[1]  I am not sure most actual children would say something quite so childish about something as simple as a bathroom break. I defy Donald to try to rush in a restroom break while wearing a pair of Spanx, if you have never worn a pair, it is rather like trying to escape from a straitjacket while suspended over a water tank, as a clock ticks down. In this particular case, I am definitely 'with her'.

This is hardly his most noteworthy use of his favorite word. In 2011, Trump famously called a female lawyer 'disgusting' when she asked for a brief pre-approved break during his deposition. Trump's lawyers had objected to the request. It seems Trump was once again in court facing claims of defrauding investors, when opposing counsel, Elizabeth Beck asked the court for a medical break. Facing this objection, Beck, a breastfeeding mother of a 3-month old infant, took out her breast pump to show the urgency of the situation, one many women can well relate to, particularly in the workplace. Trump's reaction was off the charts, even for him. Beck recalled the incident for an interview on CNN this year, “[Trump] got up, his face got red, he shook his finger at me and he screamed, ‘You’re disgusting, you’re disgusting,’ and he ran out of there”. This from a man that continually asserts that in his organization, women are equally respected and valued for their contributions. Beck referred to Trump's behavior “an absolute meltdown.” Trump's lawyers have agreed with Beck's recollections of the event. [2]

Women aren't the only target of the 'disgusting' label, as Trump made glaringly clear when describing his Republican opponent, Ohio governor John Kasich, in the primaries. In April 2016, having been photographed and interviewed while at several eateries during his campaign stops, Kasich often was seen eating meal after meal. Trump must not have appreciated anyone else being in the spotlight when he opined to an encouraging crowd "I have never seen a human being eat in such a disgusting fashion." The Donald decided us simple folk needed context for his rather below-the-belt attack adding "This guy takes a pancake and he's shoving it in his mouth. It's disgusting. Do you want that for your president? I don't think so. I don't think so. Honestly, it's disgusting." [3]

This is apparently a catch-all term from the Trumpster, as he has painted everything from his media coverage [4], the fatal police shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling [5], and a protester at one of his rally stops [6] as disgusting. Trump seems incapable of nuanced descriptions, seemingly equating the way a man eats with the filmed aftermath of a tragic police shooting. It becomes utterly clear that Trump's language, behavior, and blatant bullying are not just signs of being a 'tell it like it is' straight-shooter, but rather a man incapable of weighing the relative gravity of events while being completely devoid of any sign of human empathy.

Far from an ideal parental role model, Trump's two eldest sons seem to be following right along in their father's inflammatory footprints. Donald Trump Jr. seems particularly disposed to using his father's most favorite of adjectives. In May of this year, Donnie Jr. was in downtown Vancouver, Canada while promoting the highly controversial 'Trump International Hotel and Tower'. Several politicians as well as local residents in the region have openly railed against Donald Trump, calling him a racist, and demanding his name be removed from the development. Donald the younger responded in the most Trump-like way possible, by suggesting the Mayor of the city and members of local city council "should be disgusted by themselves”. Trump Jr. did admit that his father's views are controversial, but doubled down on his wordsmithing by adding “to throw it out there like that, it’s a shame. And it’s disgusting.”[7]

If Donald J. Trump is disgusted by the mere idea of a woman having to use a restroom, he has another think coming. The joke's on Trump it seems, currently many of Trump's fellow Republicans are absolutely obsessed with the topic of public restrooms. Specifically, many GOP conservatives are hell bent on not allowing transgender citizens to freely choose the restroom that they feel most comfortable using. Cries of pedophilia and grown men throwing on a dress and being in bathrooms with little girls are preposterous and statistically non-existent. What we do know is that the GOP seems less concerned with actual facts about pedophilia or the abuse of minors, particularly among its own members, than it does for actually keeping children safe [8]. There is going to be a lot of 'potty talk' around Mr. Trump if he remains the Republican nominee for President. Somebody get that poor delicate turmeric-tinted man a few dozen boxes of latex gloves and a nose plug, and while you are at it, get me some ear plugs. 

Pro-Birth, Pro-Life, or Pro-Choice: My Truth About Abortion

Recently, as I regularly do, I left a comment on a facebook post by Senator Bernie Sanders, a man I admire greatly. In this particular post, Sanders made a very personal statement about his religion and family history. He was likely motivated by the DNC Wikileaks documents that questioned his religion and beliefs, something that should never matter in a country that claims a separation of Church and State. I was disgusted by this cruel 'tactic' to take down a decent man who wants to serve his country in the most selfless way. This post was extremely moving for me. I also identify as culturally Jewish, I was raised that way, and even though I am not religious in my adult life, I still am Jewish in every other way. That's why I felt the need to leave a comment;

My response had me in tears, out of respect for Bernie Sanders and for my own lost heritage, for the man he is and the way he inspires me. I wrote;


Every child and grandchild of the survivors of the Holocaust, and every other act of genocide known to history [and modern times] is proud to stand with you Bernie Sanders and fight for a world where everyone valued for who they are and their right to simply live in peace and raise their children in safety and love. My grandfather was the only survivor of his immediate family too, but for a single cousin who found her home in Michigan. He came to Canada and never heard from his large family of sisters, brothers, their spouses and children, his parents, his whole community again. They lie in a mass grave for simply being Jews, and it still breaks my heart and makes me cry to think of all that lost potential, all the cruelty, humiliation, and the hatred that pitted neighbor against neighbor in the maelstrom of racism, fear and divisive tactics of the Nazi regime. I may not be a practicing Jew in the religious sense, but it is my heritage and my moral compass was set early on when my Zaida, the best man I have ever known, simply loved us and took joy from his grandchildren, never even speaking of the pain and loss, the intolerable cruelty he suffered. He would have loved you Bernie, and I love you, and thank you, for being the very best example of humanity and a true Mensch. You are a blessing to us all.

I didn't actually expect anyone to read it, I am rather verbose. But a few people did comment under mine. The first touched me, the second just pissed me off;

H.A.R. : We all stand with you and within Bernie. We promise we will never let it happen again, never again.

M.A. : If he's such a great guy why is he a supporter of the biggest genocide of our time, that being abortion?

Normally, I do not feed the trolls, but this one was so in my Nursing wheelhouse, I could not stop my fingers, and sarcasm, from flying across my keyboard.

"M.A. He doesn't support 'abortion', pro-abortion is not a thing. No sane person sits around saying, 'damn, there are just not enough abortions happening'. Bernie supports a woman's right to make her own educated decisions about what is right for her person. A decision based on personal religious, ethical, and moral beliefs and what is best for her physical and mental health in the moment. It is called being Pro-Choice. That choice is overwhelming to continue a pregnancy to term. In the rare case where a woman decides that termination of pregnancy is best for her, she will also be given legal access to that medical intervention.

The decision is that of the person in possession of the gravid uterus and any other person(s) she wishes to include, most often a spouse, partner, family member. Very few women make this decision hastily, they are asked to sign explicit consent forms before having any procedure, which include an explanation about any medical risks, future health concerns, and even a very explicit description of the procedure. She can still change her mind at any time until the actual procedure is initiated. Please note, in almost every State, women must be of legal age to obtain an abortion [without the consent of a parent], they must be within the first trimester of the pregnancy.

In Canada, and I suspect it is similar in the US, if a woman is past her first trimester she often cannot end a viable pregnancy without making an application to a medical ethics board that will evaluate her case. No doctors are mandated to perform the various procedures if their religious or ethical beliefs are in conflict with a woman's request or the ethics board."

But this whole issue has been spinning in my mind since I first responded to M.A. [name withheld to protect the ignorant]. What really pisses me off is this extreme anti-abortion position. Firstly, the term Genocide is not to be used lightly, and it certainly has nothing to do with an elective medical procedure. Genocide refers specifically to the deliberate murder of persons from a particular religion or ethnic group. Secondly, men are certainly entitled to their opinions about a woman's right to choose, but until you have a uterus and are in the position of having no options but to carry a pregnancy to term, even if it will be stillborn or unable to live outside the womb, you don't get to tell me what to do with my body. Most rational men understand this is a very personal issue for a woman and her family.

Those who profess to be militantly pro-life, or anti-abortion, baffle me in their absolute fervor and even violent protests. I respect everyone's right to their own opinions, moral or religious beliefs, but as a nurse who works in High Risk Obstetrics, I have been in the position where I have cared for a family facing the most difficult decision they may ever have to make, the choice to terminate a pregnancy because of a severe genetic or developmental condition. It is heart wrenching to watch a family both welcome and say goodbye to a life they very much love and want. It is not my place to judge these women, these families of varied cultures, religions, and beliefs; no one has that right. I have held tiny fragile stillborns, made handprints and footprints that will be treasured forever, and cried with families while the hospital chaplain said a blessing for them and the tiny dream that wasn't meant to be. It is emotional work and it is meaningful work, and it is important.

But there is more to the pro-life position that bothers me, and that is the sheer hypocrisy that lies in the name of this so-called 'movement'. If you are truly pro-life, that means all life, not just the un-born, but the living children in your own community. The children living at or below the poverty line, those attending sub-par schools, those who need school lunches because there is no food at home. If you are so very pro-life you should be anti-gun proliferation, anti-war, and fight for the rights of children across the country. You should get actively involved by becoming a foster parent, adopting a child in need of a loving home, or just volunteering your time working with kids in need.

What do we see instead? We see that Conservatives and the GOP, the 'family values' party, those who claim to be 'good' Christians, are the ones who want to make safe medical termination of pregnancy almost non-existent in America. The current Republican Party Nominee for President has said that there should be 'punishment' for those who seek legal abortions. These same political actors are the ones who refuse to stop the sale of guns to those on the Terrorist Watch List. In the US, they are gutting school lunch programs, refusing to consider Parental Leave allowances, actively trying to repeal accessible healthcare, and make radical cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. In my opinion, this is absolutely not a pro-life position. In truth, it is a pro-birth position.

Pro-birth is a much more accurate name for this system of beliefs. They want all women to carry all pregnancies to term, and once that child is born, they expect it to be raised in a social justice vacuum. These 'good' GOP Christians pass judgement and point fingers, shaming the very families that they have let down, calling them 'Takers', 'Welfare Queens', or worse. Currently there are close to 400,000 children living without permanent families in the foster care system. Over 100,000 of these children are eligible for adoption, but nearly 32% of these children will wait over three years in foster care before being adopted [1].

This by no means applies to all persons who have a religious or moral issue with abortion, it is a very hot button issue, very personal, very private. It does however apply to those who are trying to 'suck' and 'blow' at the same time. In one breath suggesting they are trying to protect the sanctity of life, and with the next cutting the social programs that new mothers and families desperately need to care for that new life. It is not only un-American, it is devoid of any humanity, any sense of propriety, and is absolutely contradictory to the pro-life narrative.