Ummmm....

So, no complaining about the cost from MAGA.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

GOP: Party of hate

Republican attorneys general from seven states have signed a letter to Target, insinuating that the retailer's LGBTQ+ youth content and merchandise may be considered obscene and in violation of law. The letter criticizes Target for offering youth-sized clothing featuring Pride themes and asserts that the states are obliged to “enforce state laws protecting children” from “content that sexualizes them,” including obscenity laws.

  Erin in the Morning

Where have these concerned people been all the time stores have been selling sexy clothing for little girls?

The list of attorneys general who have signed onto this letter threatening Target with promoting “obscene” merchandise are:

Todd Rokita - Indiana Attorney General
Tim Griffin - Arkansas Attorney General
Raul Labrador - Idaho Attorney General
Daniel Cameron - Kentucky Attorney General
Lynn Fitch - Mississippi Attorney General
Andrew Bailey - Missouri Attorney General
Alan Wilson - South Carolina Attorney General

[...]

The letter also suggests that Target may be breaching the law by making decisions that are allegedly “unprofitable” and not in the best interests of its shareholders, citing this as a violation of the company's fiduciary duty.

I don't think Target has any fiduciary problems selling rainbows.

The letter, which is six pages long, does not provide specific details regarding potential legal consequences if Target continues to sell the merchandise in question.

Of course not. Vagueries and inuendos are the better part of intimidation.

Notably, this follows a wave of bills introduced in various states that aim to ban LGBTQ+ content under obscenity laws, including measures to ban drag, ban books with LGBTQ+ characters, and restrict LGBTQ+ content in schools and libraries.

[...]

Earlier this year, Target was the focus of a vehement campaign led by far-right groups for offering LGBTQ+ merchandise. Figures like Matt Walsh played a leading role in this campaign, which resulted in an onslaught of threats, violence, and harassment aimed at the store's employees.

And THAT's what should be pursued in a court of law.

Target, in response, removed the controversial merchandise from numerous locations to safeguard its staff. However, the threats persisted throughout Pride Month.

[...]

Earlier this year, several states either proposed or enacted legislation classifying LGBTQ+ content as obscene. For example, Texas passed a law widely interpreted as banning LGBTQ+ books from schools. Llano County in Texas also enacted a ban on several LGBTQ+ books, which was subsequently blocked by a judge on the grounds of likely unconstitutionality. Moreover, a number of states approved laws categorizing drag — defined by these laws as dressing and performing in a gender different from one’s assigned birth gender — as obscene.

Milton Berle, Jack Lemon, Tony Curtis, Robin Williams, Julie Andrews, Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, and other stage and screen stars are lucky they're already dead.

Among the proposed laws that did not pass were a West Virginia bill that sought to label “exposure to transgenderism” as obscene and a Montana amendment aimed at designating LGBTQ+ internet content as obscene if accessible by minors.

Fortunately there are still some sane and humane jurists.

While most legislation labeling LGBTQ+ content as obscene did not pass this year, advocates are concerned about the growing momentum behind such measures. There is an escalating trend among states in targeting the LGBTQ+ community, particularly on issues pertaining to gender identity.

Gotta hate and punish SOMEBODY. Always go for the group with the least support and power. It's the bigot's way.

The readiness of attorneys general from several states to suggest that even rainbow logos could be deemed potentially obscene indicates the likelihood of further legislative attempts in 2024.

This one is so ridiculous, it made me actually send a letter of my own to Missouri's AG:

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

Coming up

Mass shooter sentenced

I have one question:  How are they going to identify him in his future incarnations?

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

Serious brain rot

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

UPDATE 12:32 pm:

It's official - she's out

The hard-line House Freedom Caucus has voted to remove Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) from its ranks, according to Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), a caucus board member.

  The Hill

Well, almost official.

A spokesperson for the House Freedom Caucus (HFC) would not confirm whether the group voted to remove Greene, pointing to its policy of confidentiality.

“HFC does not comment on membership or internal process,” they said.

Why? Are they a secret society?

"The GOP has less than two years to show America what a strong, unified Republican-led congress will do when President Trump wins the White House in 2024. This is my focus, nothing else,” Greene concluded.

It doesn't sound like even the Freedom Caucus is unified, so...

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

Finally

Sasha - that sounds Russian.

Walt Nauta, the longtime aide to former President Donald Trump who was charged alongside him in the special counsel's classified documents case, has pleaded not guilty to all charges at his arraignment in Miami.

Nauta [...] is facing six counts as part of the criminal case involving Trump's handling of classified documents. The charges include conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements.

[...]

A magistrate judge in Miami warned Nauta's attorney last week that today's arraignment should be considered the "drop dead" deadline.

  ABC

Finally. And I have no doubt he could have retained this particular attorney weeks ago.  

Nauta, 40, was then set to be arraigned last week, but an attorney for Nauta, Stan Woodward, told the judge that Nauta still had not retained local counsel, and was also unable to get to Florida due to travel issues.

Nauta wanted to "express his sincerest condolences to the court," Woodward told the judge.

Condolences? For the court's inability to get him arraigned, maybe.

"He takes very seriously the charges," Woodward said.

Obviously he doesn't.

And I'm ready for some new indictments.

"Body man" has taken on a new connotation for me now.

Is "valet" not macho sounding enough?

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

UPDATE 07/08/2023:

JFC

Well, it IS normal behavior for Trump.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

Independent and Free

To commit mass murder.

Yesterday, July 3:

Today, July 4:

UPDATE 05:31 pm:

UPDATE 07/05/2023:

Elon destroying Twitter - part whatever

And here's Mueller, She Wrote explaining how this is affecting "liberal" accounts.

I don't use the Twitter app.  I go to each person whose account I like to read individually on a web browser.  I don't "follow" anyone.  I do have a Twitter account.  Unverified, of course. And I very rarely use it.  I don't know how this shit is working, but I'm not having any problems doing what I'm doing.  

Elon Musk is a top-notch asshole.  

Here's Popehat on Post.news:

LOL

If you are a Twitter user and want out, Mueller, She Wrote is touting Post.news.  A number of good people are there, mainly holding a space for when Twitter is no longer tolerable I think.  It's a relatively new site, and easy enough to use. I think you can get an account there now without waiting.  I do "follow" people there rather than go to each individual's page.  I managed to get on their list when they were just starting out and testing it and have an account there, but rarely use it either. Just trying to keep options open.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

UPDATE 07/01/2023:

Once again - Elon is acting like Trump.  (Maybe it's the way of all rich narcissists.)

UPDATE 07/03/2023: