Not Even Close to All of This Week.

* Re: Justin Trudeau.

What he did was clearly racist and definitely widely known to be not okay in the early oughts. He is slightly younger than me, and I definitely knew better in the 80's. I was teaching when the incident happened too, and the local public school districts here explicitly banned black face, brown face, etc.. If a kid had come to school looking like that, they'd have been at minimum been stopped on the way in and given a choice of washing their face or going back home. I can't imagine a teacher doing it. Diversity and anti racism training existed in the '90's. So I call bull shit on any claims he didn't know better. He grew up in a political family.

He had to know the likelihood of this being a problem later if he went into politics. I at sixteen knew that a bunch of the sexual decisions I was making meant I could ever run for office and this was the age before the Internet. I knew for sure I was closing a lot of future doors when I started posing nude at eighteen. And these things aren't even wrong. The fact that he did something as wrong as wearing black face in the 21st century as a grown ass man and somehow couldn't predict obvious future consequences raises serious questions about his judgement.

At the same time, I'm going to reiterate what I always say on these occasions: The deciding vote needs to be with the people in the communities he's harmed.

When it is an offense to one of the communities ibelong to, I use the formula: quality of apology + words and actions over time. A. Is the apology sincere? Does it demonstrate a real understanding if the type and magnitude of the harm done? Does it show real understanding of and empathy for the community harmed? B. Has the person not only amended their behavior, but taken positive action to help the community harmed? how well are they listening to criticisms and advise from the community over time?

A non-apology or a half assed apology isn't enough. I need you to prove to me I can trust you and that you aren't doing a quick burst of cheap activism to make it look like you changed before falling back into old patterns.

Every person has to draw their own conclusions about what constitutes enough proof of change. If no one is ever forgiven, then there is no incentive for people to learn and improve. We all fuck up, now and then. I know I do, despite the amount of time and effort I put into reeducating myself and listening o the voices of a variety of communities. At the same time? No fucking way am I going to sit on my hands and let people like Mel Gibson or Gloria Steinem get away with their bullshit without showing any real remorse or amendment. I reserve the right NOT to forgive, just as I reserve the right to forgive people like David Levine and Joy Reid, who fit the above criteria. I get to decide how I feel about stuff that hurts people like me. It's my job to listen when people in a different community are harmed.

Justin Trudeau has not been a good leader of his country. There are a whole host of issues on which he is all talk and no action. He is actively terrible on things like indigenous right and environmental justice. There is reason to think he's somewhat corrupt based on a recent scandal.

At the same time, people of colour in Canada are faced with a similar issue that Governor Northam's constituents in the states were faced with. They need to decide if the alternatives are enough worse to stick with Trudeau, and whether his apology + record on issues that effect their communities cancel out the previous behavior.

That's not my job to decide. I'm not Canadian and I'm pretty fucking pasty. My job is to listen to what people of colour in Canada are saying. So that's what I'm doing.

* "Snakebite 'like hammer smashing my hand':" https://www.bbc.com/news/health-48281557

* "Growing up in Kosovo: I’ve never met a Serb:" https://www.bbc.com/news/av/stories-49727501/albanians-and-serbs-remain-divided-after-the-war

* "China, Solomon Islands establish diplomatic relations:" https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/china-solomon-islands-establish-diplomatic-relations-190921111348417.html

* "As Amazon Smolders, Indonesia Fires Choke the Other Side of the World:" https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/17/world/asia/indonesia-fires-photos.html

* "Protesting Climate Change, Young People Take to Streets in a Global Strike:" https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/climate/global-climate-strike.html

* "Africa’s cities face the harshest outcomes of climate change and its young people know it:" https://qz.com/africa/1712980/climate-strike-protests-in-africa-nairobi-cape-town-lagos/

* "Global climate strike: Greta Thunberg and school students lead climate crisis protest – as it happened:" https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2019/sep/20/climate-strike-global-change-protest-sydney-melbourne-london-new-york-nyc-school-student-protest-greta-thunberg-rally-live-news-latest-updates

* "Students taking lead on protesting climate crisis:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/students-taking-lead-on-protesting-climate-crisis-69533765787

* "Climate strike brings millions around the world into the streets:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/climate-strike-brings-millions-around-the-world-into-the-streets-69538373607

* "Al Roker sees ‘devastating’ effects of climate change in Greenland:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/al-roker-sees-devastating-effects-of-climate-change-in-greenland-69533253647

* "Trump sending troops to Saudi Arabia; military funds sent to wall:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-sending-troops-to-saudi-arabia-military-funds-sent-to-wall-69538373534

* 45 is threatening genocide against civilians. "Trump says he could end Afghanistan war quickly but ‘tens of millions’ of people would die:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-says-he-could-end-afghanistan-war-quickly-but-tens-of-millions-of-people-would-die/2019/09/20/016fdd9c-dbcb-11e9-a688-303693fb4b0b_story.html

* "Trump Announces Sanctions on Iran Central Bank for Saudi Attack:" https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-20/trump-says-u-s-sanctioned-iran-s-national-bank-for-attack

* "Trump administration reaches deal to send asylum seekers to El Salvador in an effort to deter migrants from entering the United States:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/trump-administration-reaches-deal-to-send-asylum-seekers-to-el-salvador-in-an-effort-to-deter-migrants-from-entering-the-united-states/2019/09/20/17350a16-dbbd-11e9-ac63-3016711543fe_story.html

* "Trump admin ignored evidence of climate change's impact on migration:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-admin-ignored-its-own-evidence-climate-change-s-impact-n1056381

* "Trump admin. ignored own report on climate impact on Guatemalan migration:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/trump-admin-ignored-own-report-on-climate-impact-on-guatemalan-migration-69531205621

* "Whistleblower complaint about President Trump involves Ukraine, according to two people familiar with the matter:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/whistleblower-complaint-about-president-trump-involves-ukraine-according-to-two-people-familiar-with-the-matter/2019/09/19/07e33f0a-daf6-11e9-bfb1-849887369476_story.html

* "Ukrainian Official: Trump Looking for Dirt ‘To Discredit Biden’:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/ukraine-is-ready-to-investigate-bidens-sonbut-only-if-theres-an-official-us-request

* "Giuliani denies asking Ukraine to investigate Biden -- before admitting it:" https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/19/politics/rudy-giuliani-joe-biden-ukraine-cnntv/

* "Trump pressured Ukrainian president to investigate Biden's son, reports say:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/20/trump-ukraine-biden-election-help-hillary-clinton-claims

* "New details emerge as Trump fights to quash whistleblower report:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/new-details-emerge-as-trump-fights-to-quash-whistleblower-report-69440581783

* "Schiff slams DOJ for isolating intel community whistleblower:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/schiff-slams-doj-for-isolating-intel-community-whistleblower-69431365984

* "Trump corruption mars U.S. relationship with Ukraine: McFaul:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-corruption-mars-u-s-relationship-with-ukraine-mcfaul-69540933808

* "Whistleblower process breaks down against covering for Trump:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/whistleblower-process-breaks-down-against-covering-for-trump-69540421782

* "Former CIA chief of disguise weighs in on whistleblower case:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/new-details-on-whistleblower-complaint-against-trump-69568581805

* "Legal expert says probe needed into Pence on Ukraine allegations:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/pence-possibly-implicated-in-trump-ukraine-allegations-69570117975

* "Pelosi backs changing the law to allow a sitting president to be indicted:" https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/20/pelosi-president-indicted-trump-1506664

* "Hayes presses top Dem on White House delight in impeachment woes:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/hayes-presses-top-dem-on-white-house-delight-in-impeachment-woes-69316677781

* Seriously, this is scary autocrat stuff. "Trump lawyers argue Trump can't be investigated or prosecuted:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-lawyers-argue-trump-can-t-be-investigated-or-prosecuted-69439557815

* "12-year-old activist: science-based climate plan needed:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/12-year-old-activist-science-based-climate-plan-needed-69532741955

* "Climate crisis affecting young people:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/climate-crisis-affecting-young-people-69532741995

* "Zero Hours left to address climate crisis:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/zero-hours-left-to-address-climate-crisis-69533253707

* "Work on climate change can lead to abundant future:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/work-on-climate-change-can-lead-to-abundant-future-69532229934

* "White House to withdraw Trump's nominee to head FEMA:" https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/18/politics/jeff-byard-fema-nominee-withdraw/index.html

* "California and 23 other states sue Trump to stop ban on auto emissions standards:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/20/california-and-23-other-states-sue-trump-to-stop-ban-on-auto-emissions-standards

* "Trump admin. sabotages California and automakers’ efforts to reduce emissions:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/trump-admin-sabotages-california-and-automakers-efforts-to-reduce-emissions-69530693811

* "Exxon knew about climate change long ago:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/exxon-knew-about-climate-change-long-ago-69425221832

* "Al Gore: Changing light bulbs is important, but not as important as changing laws:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/al-gore-changing-light-bulbs-is-important-but-not-as-important-as-changing-laws-69426757781

* "Al Gore on bringing honesty and determination to the climate fight:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/al-gore-on-bringing-honesty-and-determination-to-the-climate-fight-69427269865

* "Sen. Schatz: ‘We just have to beat” Republicans in 2020 to fix the climate:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/sen-schatz-we-just-have-to-beat-republicans-in-2020-to-fix-the-climate-69317189651

* "2020 candidates take action on the climate crisis:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/2020-candidates-take-action-on-the-climate-crisis-69424197633

* "Bernie on climate crisis: ‘I would use all the executive powers that we have’:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/bernie-on-climate-crisis-i-would-use-all-the-executive-powers-that-we-have-69425221673

* "LGBTQ Presidential Forum: Where the 10 Candidates Stand:" https://www.advocate.com/election/2019/9/19/lgbtq-presidential-forum-where-10-candidates-stand#media-gallery-media-11

* "The Advocate's LGBTQ Presidential Forum: Top 10 Moments:" https://www.advocate.com/election/2019/9/20/advocates-lgbtq-presidential-forum-top-10-moments#media-gallery-media-11

* "Joe Biden Denies 1994 Crime Bill Increased Incarceration Rates:"https://www.advocate.com/election/2019/9/20/joe-biden-denies-1994-crime-bill-increased-incarceration-rates

* "Joe Biden called out at LGBT forum for saying Mike Pence is a “decent guy”:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/09/21/joe-biden-lgbt-forum-mike-pence-decent-democratic-candidates-2020/

* "Why Bill de Blasio’s Campaign Failed (Hint: Nobody Liked Him):" https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-bill-de-blasios-campaign-failed-hint-nobody-liked-him/

* "Meet the queer pro-gun veteran who’s running for Congress:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/09/19/janessa-goldbeck-pro-gun-queer-military-veteran-congress-california/

* "In reversal, McConnell backs new money for election security:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/in-reversal-mcconnell-backs-new-money-for-election-security-69439045949

* "Trump admin reverses course on deporting ailing immigrant kids:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-admin-reverses-course-on-deporting-ailing-immigrant-kids-69439045935

* "Gay Cuban Journalist Granted Asylum in U.S.:" https://www.advocate.com/news/2019/9/20/openly-gay-cuban-journalist-granted-asylum-us

* "Jackie Kay on growing up gay in 1960s Scotland: ‘I really did think I might be the only black lesbian in the world’:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/09/19/jackie-kay-scotland-poet-laureate-black-lesbian-coming-out/

* "Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey - "She Said" & Breaking the Harvey Weinstein Story - Extended Interview:"

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* "'He might go on to hurt someone else':" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/-he-might-go-on-to-hurt-someone-else-69443141804

* "Rigorous journalism stopped Harvey Weinstein, started a movement:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/rigorous-journalism-stopped-harvey-weinstein-started-a-movement-69443141844

* They need to fire a whole lot of people starting at the top. "‘How can you be lesbian and Christian?’ Home Office using religion against LGBT asylum seekers, says report:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/09/20/home-office-asylum-lgbt-religion-study-metropolitan-community-church-london/

* "Indonesia’s ‘gay sex ban’ is a ‘human rights disaster’ for LGBT people:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/09/20/gay-sex-ban-indonesia-human-rights-disaster-lgbt-joko-widodo/

* "Hospital receptionist refused to acknowledge woman's same-sex partner: 'I'll just put friend':" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/09/20/healthcare-lgbt-women-barriers-report/

* "Gay couple had the absolute best response to religious protesters who targeted Rocky Horror Show:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/09/19/gay-couple-rocky-horror-show-religious-protesters/

* "‘You f**king queer p**fs’: Gay bakers sent hate-filled homophobic letter:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/09/21/you-fking-queer-pfs-gay-bakers-sent-hate-filled-homophobic-letter/

* "Man fired and made homeless for being gay in South Korea:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/09/21/south-korea-gay-man-abuse-mother-fired-homeless/

* "Betsy DeVos to promote school that bans trans students and gay teachers:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/09/19/betsy-devos-education-secretary-trump-harrisburg-catholic-school-anti-trans-gay/

* "Antigay Florida Church Can Be Labeled 'Hate Group,' Judge Rules:" https://www.advocate.com/religion/2019/9/20/antigay-florida-church-can-be-labeled-hate-group-judge-rules

* "Duke University Rejects Student Group Over Homophobic Policy:" https://www.advocate.com/news/2019/9/20/duke-university-rejects-student-group-over-homophobic-policy

* "We Are Not Being Sensitive, You're Being Obtuse .:" https://transgriot.blogspot.com/2019/09/we-are-not-being-sensitive-youre-being.html

* "High school students staged a walk-out protest over trans-inclusive bathroom policy:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/09/20/bathroom-policy-trans-north-buncombe-high-school-protest-north-carolina/

* "We’re Fighting a New 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' All Over Again:" https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2019/9/20/were-fighting-new-dont-ask-dont-tell-all-over-again

* "Why industry is going green on the quiet:" https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/sep/08/producers-keep-sustainable-practices-secret

* "Historic Midwest floods expose fragile ecosystem:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/historic-midwest-floods-expose-fragile-ecosystem-69534789763

* "US and Canada lose 3bn birds in 50 years:" https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49744435

* "North American bird population down billions over 50 years: study:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/north-american-bird-population-down-billions-over-50-years-study-69541445777

* "Sold for a song:" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/sold_for_a_song

* "Two years on: a photographic tribute to Standing Rock:" https://www.huckmag.com/art-and-culture/photography-2/two-years-on-a-photographic-tribute-to-standing-rock/

* "Trump's Border Wall Visit, Dirty Drinking Water on Planes & A Government Admission About UFOs:"

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* "Justin Trudeau's Blackface Scandal:"

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* "Tensions Flare Over the Saudi Oil Attack:"

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* "We've Got Your Back-2-Congress Supplies:"

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* I forgot to set an alarm, but still made it outside in time to forage Friday. Go me!

I owe my Dreamwidth readers an apology. I'm going through one of those periodic things where I get too tired to continue all at once. I spend all night prepping these and I keep reaching point where there's a huge link backlog, the browser is slowing to a crawl, and my eyelids keep flipping inside out. I need to reboot and I know by the time I have I won't have energy to close out a posting properly. It'll pass, but until then, I'll keep missing days and ending up with massive multi-day posts.

* We have about a week of prescription goosh left. High quality wet food that fits her veterinarian's specification in necessary to Livia staying healthy. Interested in helping with Livia's new Goosh?
I'm looking at Natural Balance Ultra Premium Turkey & Giblets Formula Canned Cat Food, since it's cheaper than prescription, but within specs: https://www.chewy.com/natural-balance-ultra-premium-turkey/dp/33214?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=f&utm_content=Natural%20Balance&utm_term=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-uXqwqPK5AIVB9tkCh3a2wZmEAQYASABEgJuZvD_BwE

or Paypal Lethran@gmail.com or paypal.me/Gwydion It's 47.00 with shipping looks like.

*****
* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.

* "How you can help Hurricane Dorian disaster relief:" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/08/hurricane-dorian-disaster-relief-how-you-can-help

* A small, cheap thing to help climate change if you have little money to spare: https://onetreeplanted.org/products/amazon-rainforest-peru

* How to donate to Rainbow Road: https://www.rainbowrailroad.com/donate

* Master Post For the summer of resistance: https://gwydion.dreamwidth.org/2108368.html

* Here are a bunch of state level links to help people in immigrant detention: https://taibhsearachd.tumblr.com/post/186058182962/woundability-this-4th-of-july-celebrate-the

* Angry about the concentration camps on our Southern Border? Here is a list of useful things you can do: https://medium.com/@togetherandfree/feel-helpless-amidst-the-horrific-immigration-news-youre-not-how-you-can-make-difference-today-108dc42de88e

* "More Organizations to Support Helping Kids in Concentration Camps:" https://thisfinecrew.dreamwidth.org/201920.html

Here is a massive list of things you can do to help refugees inside and outside of the Camps: https://s-leary.tumblr.com/post/185783586806/so-youve-probably-seen-the-post-going-around

* A list of organizations to help you run for office: http://lovingmyselfishard.tumblr.com/post/167330144634/psst-hey

* Have something you want to tell your Congress Critters? If you can not protest in person, here are some other options:

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to the representative of your choice.

This App phones your rep for you: http://takeastance.us/

Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resistbot.io/

* This is a cool person and the clothes are being made from an ethical source. Looking for cool inclusive Pride themed merch? www.nerdykeppie.com

* HorrorMux is open for apping the next story, which is a 1994 Lost Boys type thing. Available Archetypes are here. I'm Martyr/Angel if you want to find me.: http://horrormu.com/index.php/Available

* Help pay for cat food, litter, meds, medical copays: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com or paypal.me/Gwydion

* If you are interested in helping, right now the Cat things we need most are:
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Deterrent-Activated-Repellent-Environmentally/dp/B0721735K9

And: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J669H65/?coliid=I1EUR00IM1I3P&colid=1EVWGXWUM3YU7&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

* Birthday/Solstice master list: https://gwydion.dreamwidth.org/1925021.html