tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237446155472519339.post4458704414863123866..comments2024-03-28T13:58:54.780-04:00Comments on Rhonda's Escape: Vote Like Your Rights Depend On It.rhonda's escapehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16333998589746919994noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237446155472519339.post-82260383311900883262018-11-05T08:33:16.609-05:002018-11-05T08:33:16.609-05:00There was one more thing I wanted to say about thi...There was one more thing I wanted to say about this election, and also for the elections in the future.<br /><br />And in what I write, I'm not casting blame or aspersions on anyone for past votes or political affiliations since people walk different paths in life.<br /><br />But, for the life of me, I cannot understand why a transgender person would vote Republican. Not just how could they vote for Donald Trump but Republicans in general.<br /><br />(Now, for full disclosure, where I used to live in New England a quarter century ago, I did vote for a couple of highly progressive Republicans. But never for federal office.)<br /><br />We transgender women and men are in a very unique position. We are asking our fellow Americans to support our rights. What are we doing for other vulnerable groups and *their* rights?<br /><br />I heard from a transgender person recently who said, essentially, "I wish Trump would protect transgender people, but other than that, he's done a lot of good."<br /><br />That exposes a huge blind spot. How can we ask for transgender rights while turning a blind eye to what Republicans have been doing to women in general? People of color? Immigrants? Children in cages? Religious minorities? Jews being slaughtered where they pray?<br /><br />That would seem deeply hypocritical.<br /><br />And it would be to ignore history to say that Republican racism began with Trump. He has been only the one to use it most overtly.<br /><br />In truth, it goes back generations..<br />at least to Richard Nixon.<br /><br />Ronald Reagan really stoked racism when, in 1980, he chose to kick off his campaign in Neshoba County, Miss.<br /><br />Neshoba County had been the site in 1964 for Freedom Summer white supremacists killed three civil rights activists. When Reagan visited in 1980 in front of nearly white audience, Reagan didn't mention those killings at all, basically giving the community there a pass for what occurred there.<br /><br />Of course, let's not forget George H.W. Bush's "Willie Horton" ad and Jesse Helms' "white hands" ad, in which white hands crumble up a job rejection letter because an African American person had gotten that job instead.<br /><br />Those are just a few examples of Republicans stoking racial Animus.<br /><br />I prefer to work toward a society of dignity and respectful inclusion for all, whether transgender, disabled, immigrant, or other status.<br /><br />Just something to think about as we vote tomorrow.Janet Ybarranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237446155472519339.post-82508581557070959402018-11-05T08:00:45.915-05:002018-11-05T08:00:45.915-05:00Thanks Janet. A great Washington Post link. Well...Thanks Janet. A great Washington Post link. Well worth reading. rhonda's escapehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16333998589746919994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237446155472519339.post-8898349662765821702018-11-05T07:22:26.131-05:002018-11-05T07:22:26.131-05:00I wanted to let people know who are voting Tuesday...I wanted to let people know who are voting Tuesday, who may be voting in red states run by Republicans who are doing some form of voter suppression (ie purging voter rolls, voter ID, exact match, etc) that there is help.<br /><br />Call (866) OUR-VOTE or visit<br />https://866ourvote.org<br /><br />to make sure that your vote counts.Janet Ybarranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2237446155472519339.post-35112822984045387392018-11-05T07:12:32.813-05:002018-11-05T07:12:32.813-05:00In the spirit of your article today, Rhonda, I tho...In the spirit of your article today, Rhonda, I thought I would share this essay from Max Boot. Mr. Boot is a former Republican who advised Mitt Romney and John McCain during their presidential campaigns...<br /><br />Vote against all Republicans. Every single one.<br /><br />https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/sick-and-tired-of-trump-heres-what-to-do/2018/10/31/72d9021e-dd26-11e8-b3f0-62607289efee_story.html?utm_term=.76efe457dec8<br />Janet Ybarranoreply@blogger.com