Month: May 2020

by William Skink

I went to the place that gives me poems and while sitting beside the flood-stage flow of the Clark Fork river I received this. Amen is the opposite of N Men.

N MEN

lock me in the sock drawer, mama
the needle men are here
the dreams they bring
with pinprick stings
hiss like daddy’s beer

Christopher on the playground
said his dad has a plan
the heart can see
how the mind deceives
but I didn’t understand

all I see are eyes now, mama
and hands that cannot touch
I want to play
but Karen will say
I use it like a crutch

the cartoons have gone feral
like silly Pepe frog
oh what the heck
I’ll channel KEK
and rule from my log

Daddy hasn’t spoken
for 19 days and nights
before going mum
he told me, his son
to teach rabbits how to fight

I’m not sure how to do this
they cannot hold the knives
so instead I said
with our strong legs
we best run for our lives

by William Skink

Don Pogreba, the partisan blogger who tries to pass off his blog as a legitimate news source, used to hate anonymity. He even wrote an entire post on the scourge of anonymous commenters, titled The Psychology of Online Comments, where he said this:

As someone who consumes a fair amount of online news and can’t seem to help but read the comments on stories I know I shouldn’t, I think I have gravitated to the position that anonymity is an overall negative for online discourse. At my own site, for every time an anonymous commenter posts a fair critique of one of my posts like Pogo’s critique of my focus on Republicans in this post, there are six personal attacks, off-topic rants, and unsupported insinuations.

Anonymous (or pseudonymous) comments are generally far worse, but certainly don’t have an exclusive hold on the kind of comments that derail thoughtful discussion of issues.

At the time of this post I was an anonymous contributor to 4&20 Blackbirds, and wrote a response to Don’s disingenuous concern over anonymity. I pointed out that although Pogreba lamented over the negative tone of anonymous comments, he allowed plenty of negativity as long as it was directed at Republicans. A regular commenter back then who went by the handle Pogo Possum wrote this insightful comment:

I left these comments comments over at Intelligent Discontent and thought it worth repeating here for those who are opposed to all anonymous posts. I agree that anonymity is often abused, but there is a call for it at times.

My experience following a number of blogs is that the frequency and degree of moderation/censoring of comments often tends to be directly proportional to the degree the commenter disagrees with the political views and statements of the moderator. Uncivil commenters (even those prone to childish name calling) tend to be tolerated much more if they do so while defending the moderator and trashing anyone daring to raise a counterpoint.

One of my old law professors had a fondness for quoting Justice Black. It is worth considering for anyone thinking of accross the board banishment of anonymous comments.

“Anonymous pamphlets, leaflets, brochures and even books
have played an important role in the progress of mankind.
Persecuted groups and sects from time to time throughout
history have been able to criticize the oppressive practices
and laws either anonymously or not at all… It is plain
that anonymity has sometimes been assumed for the most
constructive purposes.”
Justice Hugo L. Black

For Don Pogreba, it didn’t matter that there are good reasons for a person to use anonymity. When he found out my real name, he didn’t hesitate to out me on his blog. That is how much the partisan blogger, Donnie P., used to hate anonymity.

I say “used to” because Don Pogreba is a momentous hypocrite who no longer has a problem with anonymity. A blogger who goes by the pseudonym “Plains Feminist” has been enjoying Don’s faux news platform for years, and even recently begged their readers for money in a post titled Independent Journalism, Freedom, and Accountability is Patriotic (yes, they are still pretending to be journalists at the rebranded “Montana Post”).

In a different post by Plains Feminist, titled Collateral Damage, a commenter who doesn’t used a pseudonym made an interesting comment. Here is what Lorraine Collins had to say:

When I moved to Montana eight years ago, I didn’t know much about Montana politics but I did get to a rally for John Tester within a few weeks and gradually learned sort of who was who in the state. I soon came across a political blog called Montana Cowgirl which I liked. Because I’d been a freelance writer in several states and three other countries, then a commentator on South Dakota public radio and finally a newspaper columnist in the Black Hills, I thought I’d see about contributing to the Cowgirl so I inquired. The author of that column seemed interested in the idea, but when I asked who that person was, I was told she (if it was a she) would remain anonymous. So I couldn’t contribute to the blog. I don’t believe in anonymous letters or anonymous opinionators. Now I’ve read this piece by someone calling himself or herself “Plains Feminist.” Could it be the same person as the alleged cowgirl? I’ve been a feminist for about 65 years and I’ve had some flak in several places for what I’ve written or spoken about. But I do think one should have the courage of one’s convictions. I don’t think Montana is any more hazardous to a writer than other places I’ve lived. So why not sign what you write? I might pay more attention to what you say.

And now, the cherry on top. Here is hypocrite-blogger-journalist-wannabe Don “Pogie” Pogreba defending his Plains Feminist:

Hi, Lorraine.

I understand your point of view, but none of the writers here are doing this as their profession, and some would find it difficult to write without using a pseudonym. That’s why Plains Feminist does so. I hope you will consider the merits of her arguments in this and other pieces, even if you’d prefer to see a real name.

Thanks,
Don

Oh the glorious hypocrisy of it all!

If someone were to present me with the true identity of Plains Feminist, here is what I would do with it: nothing.

I wouldn’t out an anonymous blogger because, unlike hypocrite Don Pogreba, I understand why someone would need anonymity to write critically about what they know.

by William Skink

One of the symptoms of TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) is the persistent belief that Joe Biden is a viable candidate for the presidency. TDS transforms any controversy into a Trump-backed effort to keep Trump in the White House.

Katha Pullitt, writing for The Nation, has a particularly bad case of TDS. She would vote for Dementia Joe even if he boiled and ate babies. I’m not kidding. Here is how she opens her article, titled We Should Take Women’s Accusations Seriously. But Tara Reade’s Fall Short:

I would vote for Joe Biden if he boiled babies and ate them. He wasn’t my candidate, but taking back the White House is that important. Four more years of Trump will replace what remains of our democracy with unchecked rule by kleptocrats, fascists, religious fanatics, gun nuts, and know-nothings. The environment? Education? Public health? The rights of voters, workers, immigrants, people of color, and yes, women? Forget them. And not just for the next four years: A Trump victory will lock down the courts for decades. I cannot believe that a rational person can grasp the disaster that is Donald Trump and withhold their support from Biden because of Tara Reade.

Since Democrats abhor pussy grabbers, it’s supremely awkward they have to contort their morality to accept a pussy grabber as their candidate. That is why Tara Reade must be destroyed. And women like Katha Pullitt will help accomplish this task so a different old white male with roaming hands can steer this Titanic that is America.

Read the whole article if you want to see how Biden apologists add a little asterisk to their previous BELIEVE ALL WOMEN.

Democrats are trying to depict all the controversies that have plagued Biden’s campaign as desperate efforts from the Trump camp to toss whatever they can at the wall to see what sticks. Yet some of these controversies just won’t die, like Burisma.

Yesterday some very interesting phone calls were leaked by Ukrainian MP Andrii Derkach. These calls are purportedly between Biden and Poroshenko. Here are some of the more damning moments from these calls:

The leaked calls begin on December 3, 2015, when former Secretary of State John Kerry starts laying out the case to fire Shokin – who he says “blocked the cleanup of the Prosecutor Generals’ Office,” and sated that Biden “is very concerned about it,” to which Poroshenko replies that the newly reorganized prosecutor general’s office (NABU) won’t be able to pursue corruption charges, and that it may be difficult to fire Shokin without cause.

Later in the leaked audio on February 18, 2016 – less than three months after the Kerry conversation – Poroshenko delivers some “positive news.”

“Yesterday I met with General Prosecutor Shokin,” says Poroshenko. And despite of the fact that we didn’t have any corruption charges, we don’t have any information about him doing something wrong, I specially asked him – no, it was day before yesterday – I specially asked him to resign. In, uh, as his, uh, position as a state person. And despite of the fact that he has a support in the power. And as a finish of my meeting with him, he promised to give me the statement on resignation. And one hour ago he bring me the written statement of his resignation. And this is my second step for keeping my promises.”

To which Biden replied: “I agree.”

Four weeks later on March 22, 2016, Biden says “Tell me that there is a new government and a new Prosecutor General. I am prepared to do a public signing of the commitment for the billion dollars.”

Poroshenko tells Biden that one of the leading candidates is the man who replaced Shokin, Yuriy Lutsenko who later said in a deposition that Hunter Biden and his business partners were receiving millions of dollars in compensation from Burisma.

Then, on May 13, 2016, Biden congratulates Poroshenko on “getting the new Prosecutor General,” saying that it will be “critical for him to work quickly to repair the damage Shokin did.”

“And I’m a man of my word,” Biden adds. “And now that the new Prosecutor General is in place, we’re ready to move forward to signing that one billion dollar loan guarantee.”

I’ll include the taped calls at the end of the post.

If these calls are authentic, how will Biden apologists deal with this explicit evidence of quid pro Joe? Will they ignore it? Or will they say Biden can eat babies and they will still support him because TRUMP BAD!!!

Is anyone working on a vaccine to help people suffering from TDS?

by William Skink

The man who’s defense against allegations of sexual abuse during a massage was that he kept his underwear on and didn’t like it, and who kept close relations with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein even after his conviction of raping and molesting under age girls, has something to share with you about vaccines and state power:

“[L]et me put it very clearly, you have no constitutional right to endanger the public and spread the disease even if you disagree, you have no right not to be vaccinated, you have no right not to wear a mask, you have no right to open up your business. And if you refuse to be vaccinated the state has the power to literally take you to a doctor’s office and plunge a needle into your arm. If there’s a disease that will kill you, you have the right to refuse that, but you have no right to refuse to be vaccinated against a contagious disease for public health. The police have the power of the Constitution that gives the state the power to compel that”.

— Alan Dershowitz

Have a nice day.

by William Skink

I’m beginning to wonder if our elected leaders are capable of doing anything without first spending money to conduct a survey.

Missoula County may be facing a 6 million shortfall, but that won’t stop them from spending $18,595 on a survey of 1,700 randomly selected residents about how the County delivers services. From the link:

Missoula County is launching a survey this week to gather feedback from residents on their quality of life, the delivery of county services, safety, transportation, the economy and the natural environment, among other topics.

The county is working with the National Research Center to conduct the survey, which aims to help county leaders better understand the needs of the communities they serve, according to a press release.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it more clear than ever that we need to make sure we’re delivering county services and meeting the needs of our residents in the most effective, efficient way possible,” said Commissioner Chair Josh Slotnick in the release.

If our County Commissioners want to know about how they are delivering services, I suggest one cost-effective step they can take is read the news. You see, reading a newspaper doesn’t cost taxpayers $18,595 dollars and, better yet, there is sometimes information about how the County is NOT DELIVERING SERVICES, like, you know, stuff to do with courts:

In Missoula County, Vannatta has been part of the working group to address the concerns that prevent a safe return to in-person functions at the courthouse. Indeed, court calendars have chugged along thanks to the virtual arenas allowed by Zoom and conference calls, while electronic case filings were a part of the judicial infrastructure before the pandemic. But Vannatta’s concerns are in the trials, which need to resolve old cases so those jailed ahead of trial can finally get their day in court.

This is a big deal because a founding document called the Constitution outlines the right of a US citizen accused of a crime to a speedy trial.

For example, let’s say you are facing felony charges for threatening public officials and could spend 10 years in prison if convicted. How would you feel if your day in court is indefinitely postponed? Even worse, if you are poor and can’t afford bail, you could be sitting in jail month after month as Missoula County tries to figure out how to safely follow the Constitution.

So, how else is Missoula County failing to meet the needs of its citizens? Well, all one has to do to see that failure is drive across the Reserve Street bridge.

The sprawling homeless camps under and around the Reserve Street bridge are a visual reminder of Missoula County’s inability to stop people from living in illegal, disgusting encampments. Despite the placement of a dumpster (which has since been removed) and volunteer clean up efforts, the reality is those efforts are like bailing out a swimming pool in a downpour.

If you want a visual, I took this picture last week from the east side of the Reserve Street bridge:

I don’t think it’s any mystery what citizens of Missoula County want. They want the delivery of essential services and fiscal accountability from the people they elect to be good stewards of their tax dollars. They want fair and consistent enforcement of the laws we are all expected to follow.

I don’t think, if given the choice, County residents want their elected leaders to constantly spend tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on out-of-state consultants to survey every little move the County makes.

The reason our elected officials keep doing this is because it provides cover for when public opinion goes south on them. If the public gets pissed about something, they can point to one of the many different surveys and say, WE VALUE PUBLIC OPINION SO MUCH WE SPENT ALL THIS MONEY SURVEYING YOU TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ONLY DOING WHAT YOU WANT US TO DO.

What if the public wants Missoula officials to stop wasting money on surveys? Will there be a question on the survey about whether or not a survey is needed?

Maybe a survey can be conducted about how the public feels about surveys. Then, when the survey is done, the County can return to ignoring public opinion while working on critical issues, like that nice, new home at the fairgrounds for bugs.