Legalectric

I keep seeing #ImWithHer everywhere.  Somehow this is the hashtag adopted by Hillary supporters, maybe even promoted by Hillary Clinton herself.

Given the common use of “I’M WITH STUPID” to the extent that “I’m with…” will be invariably not end well for Hillary, why is this being used?

And it also opens her up to such obvious funnin’!

How stupid can they be?

This is the worst hate crime in U.S. history.

50 Dead in Nightclub Shooting: ‘An Act of Terror and an Act of Hate’

What Happened at the Orlando Nightclub Shooting

Mass Shooting At Orlando Gay Nightclub: What We Know

Omar Mateen Had Concealed Carry License and Security License in Florida

Orlando Shooter Legally Bought Guns Despite Previous Flags by FBI

And on the other side of the country today:

Man with weapons and explosives arrested; was going to LA Gay Pride parade, police say

The spin of much of the reporting and comments focuses on the religion of the shooter, and that’s misplaced and deceptive.  This is a hate crime.  The shooter’s father has reported that his son was very upset over seeing two males kissing recently:

Orlando nightclub shooter inspired by gay hate according to father

Many media outlets are reporting this with an anti-Muslim spin, which is off point.  And those using this spin are avoiding the anti-gay aspect, and that’s off point too.  But given the anti-gay hatred being spewed by so many “Christians” (C-I-N-Os in my view, there’s nothing Christian about hatred), it’s no surprise.  Franklin Graham is a good example, and he’s coming soon to Minnesota:

Franklin Graham’s detestable anti-gay statements

Franklin Graham’s effort to blacklist LGBT-friendly companies…

There’s so much anti-GLBT vitriol, consider the bizarre “Bathroom Brigade Brouhaha” with laws passed and inciting weird incidents of people being tossed out of bathrooms across the country (shouldn’t the concern be about straight male pedophiles?), particularly where in this Minnesotan’s memory, it’s the Sen. Larry Craigs of the world that demonstrate bathroom issues!

Here’s the scoop on anti-gay hate crimes:  FBI statistics in a 2014 report on 2013 hate crimes, as above, show that 21.3% of hate crimes (reported & deemed) are crimes based on the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of the victims.  That’s 1,262 reported crimes identified as “hate crimes” in 2013.  Looking for more current numbers…

On the other hand, this is what our country is about, an expression of American values, people lining up to donate blood:

Bloodbanks at capacity, donors urged to return in coming days

Make America Love Again!

Click for larger view.  This is from the California Secretary of State site, where they’re tallying the votes as the 2.5 million uncounted votes are counted.  Keep an eye on THIS page!  And compare with the LATimes CA Primary page, where they are NOT updating.  Letter-to-the-Editor sent to LA Times!

Bernie has picked up THREE COUNTIES — Glenn County up north, and San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara to the south.  This is just the beginning.  Makes sense that there are such shrill calls for Bernie to drop out.  No.  This is a contested nomination, and it is not over until it’s over.  And from the counties flipping, with 2.5 million votes to count, it looks like calling a winner is premature.  As is so much in this race.

Keep at it, California, count those votes!

Over 640 Xcel Energy customers (households, businesses) are without power here in Red Wing this morning after the storms came whipping through here yesterday afternoon.  Ours was out for a while, maybe an hour, and then back on.  Towards the west end of town, that’s another story, and they’re still without power.

Xcel Energy Outage Map

From the map, it looks like Eau Claire was very hard hit, with 2,300+ customers still without power.

The Dogometer predicted a bad storm about half an hour before it hit, evident when she firmly assumed the position under my desk.  Now she’s back to normal.

Bernie Sanders is the first Presidential candidate that I’ve been able to wholeheartedly support, that I’ve very actively supported, in my how-did-that-happen-so-fast long lifetime of many elections.  I’m anxious, not eager, to see how the national convention plays out.

Yesterday, Clinton said:

“It never feels good to put our heart into a cause or a candidate you believe in and come up short,” she said. “I know that feeling well. But as we look ahead to the battle that awaits, let’s remember all that unites us.”

But Hillary Clinton is the candidate that falls short.  With the twists and spins and tricks of Clinton’s campaign, and knowledge that she cannot pull in crossovers and independents as Bernie could due to her baggage, I’m disappointed beyond placation.  Politics as usual is not acceptable.

Can Hillary Clinton salvage this?  For the sake of the party and the country and each and every one of us citizens, I think she needs to withdraw.

As if…