Keep the Supreme Court at eight

Moments ago, Trump announced Neil Gorsuch as the nominee to the Supreme Court seat the GOP stole from now former President Obama.

Now, out of touch conservative interest groups are trying to pressure the Democrats into committing blatant dereliction of duty.

To make it short and to the point: confirming any conservative Supreme Court jurist in the next four years is a blatant dereliction of duty.

The Senate has an absolute obligation to keep the court at eight. We the People will remove, by vote or by expulsion (if necessary) any Senator who votes to confirm Gorsuch or any other nominee who is not a moderate or liberal.

We the People demand that no one fills that seat until Trump is gone from the White House in 2021.

Twitter to roll out new features for reporting abuse, but will any of it arrive on Windows 10 Phone?

San Francisco — Reports are swirling about Twitter readying some new features to combat racist, misogynist and violent abuse on their social networking site.

However, as Windows 10 Phone users, we are left to wonder if we will be left out in the cold again.

As Windows 10 Phone users know, there is still no way to report abuse from the Twitter app, even as we both on here and on Twitter continue to push for a vital update from Twitter allowing us to report abuse from the app.

Boy Scouts to accept transgender boys as scouts and troops on Wednesday, February 1

Irving, Texas — The Boy Scouts of America has announced that they will begin accepting transgender boys as scouts and troops.

The organization announced Monday that it had made the decision to base enrollment in boys only programs on the gender a child or parent lists on the application to become a scout. The organization had previously held a policy that relied on the biological gender of the child.

A spokeswoman for the organization says it made the decision based on states and communities changing how gender is defined.

A transgender boy in Secaucus, N.J., was forced a few months ago to leave his Scout troop after parents and leaders found out he is transgender.

Here’s the catch: Trans boys looking to apply to the boys only programs will have to wait until midnight on Wednesday, February 1, to do so. That’s a little over a day away.

WLTX News 19

 

Bottom Line: people did not march in the Women’s March for funsies

Some woman from Spring, Texas named Christy posted a misogynist screed on Facebook during the six hour long Women’s March in the District of Columbia talking about “how good” women have it here.

If women have it so damn good here, then why did the United States receive an F for the grade on women’s rights for the tenth year in a row?

If women have it so good here, then why Nepalese women have more freedom than women here in the United States?

If women have it so good here, then why they cannot receive proper health care without conservatives harassing them or shutting down clinics that give women the well-woman care they deserve?

The fact and the matter is no matter how much Christy or anyone else like her say it, women do not have it good in the United States. It’s not even close – and I, for one, will no longer sugarcoat this.

The United States, once a leader in women’s rights, no longer ranks in the Top 40 when it comes to women’s freedom. In fact, we are outranked by Finland, Sweden, and other countries like Cuba and the Philippines.

If Trump and the Republicans in both Congress and in the States have their way, the United States will soon be ranked alongside the ranks of Iran, China and Oman.

Just in the last four days alone: Trump reinstated the Global Gag Rule, and the GOP in the House of Representatives passed the unconstitutional House Resolution 7, a standalone bill that would codify the Hyde Amendment into permanent law and prohibit pregnant people from using their own money for abortion services.

So, if you are pearl-clutching in any way about the Women’s March, you are way over your head and in fact, you are drowning.

They did not march on January 21 for funsies.

They marched because their rights are in grave peril.

The immediate threat to freedom is not foreign Islamic nations. The immediate threat to our freedom is Christofascists in Congress, the White House and in the state governments.

It is way past time for us to stop ignoring the Republicans and the grave threat they pose to our rights and start paying attention.

Tenth tornado in CSRA with Emanuel County confirmation

Swainsboro, Ga. — A tenth tornado hit the Central Savannah River Area on Saturday.

Savannah media outlets reported on Wednesday that a confirmed tornado hit Emanuel County early Saturday afternoon, though they did not specify where in the county the twister hit.

On Tuesday, nine tornados were confirmed after local Emergency Management surveyors viewed the aftermath of Saturday’s storms. No tornados hit the area Sunday, despite a Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watch.

Three tornados hit Orangeburg County on Saturday. Two more hit Bamberg and Screven counties, and one each hit Barnwell and Burke counties. A Blackville woman, identified as Joan Fail by the (Barnwell) People-Sentinel, was injured in the twister. She was released from the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg earlier this week.

WTOC 11

Image via The People-Sentinel

Local gun extremist who supported guns in educational institutions resigns after indictment on domestic violence charge

Rainbow Falls — Gun extremist Chris Corley, who supported guns in schools and colleges, has resigned in disgrace tonight.

Jay Lucas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, sent a letter to WJBF-DT News Channel 6.

“I have received and accepted Representative Chris Corley’s letter of resignation. The South Carolina Constitution clearly states that the House of Representatives has the sole authority to expel one of its members for disorderly conduct. Even though I prepared a resolution calling for his removal, I am grateful that the House did not have to take such extraordinary measures and expel Rep. Corley from this Institution.”

The South Carolina Election Commission says the tentative schedule for the special election is as follows:

• Filing for District 84 House Representatives candidates will open at high noon on Friday, February 10.
• Filing closes at noon 11 days later (on Tuesday, February 21).
• If a Primary Election needs to be held it would be on April 11.
• If Run-off is necessary it would be held on April 25.
• The Special Election will tentatively be held on May 30.

As you may well know, Corley was arrested for first-degree criminal domestic violence. He is among the first people in the state to be indicted on the new charge since it was created on July 1, 2016.

The Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons wanted Corley expelled.

Corley’s next court date is Friday, March 3. He faces over 20 years in jail without the possibility of parole if convicted of all charges.

WJBF-DT News Channel 6

At least nine tornados hammer CSRA over weekend, including Barnwell County’s strongest since 1983

Blackville — Storm surveyors confirmed at least nine tornados hit the Central Savannah River Area on Saturday.

The hardest hit counties were Bamberg, Barnwell, Orangeburg and Screven.

Until Sunday night, SOLOMON BLATT AV (SC 3) – which is also known as the BARNWELL-BLACKVILLE HY – was closed to thru traffic. WHITETAIL DR was the designated detour.

The (Barnwell People-Sentinel) shared photos of the damage on their Facebook page.

That tornado then tore through Denmark and Finland along COUNTRY CLUB RD (SC 70). An unidentified Blackville woman was taken to Aiken Regional Medical Centers with unknown injuries after being trapped in her mobile home after it was destroyed on PLEASANT HOME RD (S-6-191). The tornado traveled 14 miles and was rated EF-2. It was the most intense tornado to hit Barnwell County since April 23, 1983.

Another tornado formed on SC 70 (Binnicker Bridge Rd) on the South Fork Edisto River at the Bamberg-Orangeburg County line and it too cut a path of destruction as far as the eye can see. SC 70 is still closed. Denmark residents who want to go to Orangeburg must take US 321 to the Neeses Hy (SC 4) or go to Bamberg on HERITAGE HY (US 78) and turn left on to the MAIN HY (US 301/601).

And those were not the only tornados in either Bamberg or Orangeburg counties. In fact, two more tornados hit SC 70.

The third tornado that hit Binnicker Bridge Rd occurred near its intersection with Cope Road (SC 332). The fourth twister occurred on the easternmost mile of Binnicker Bridge Rd, up to its intersection with Bamberg Rd (US 301/601).

Another tornado slammed far northwestern Bamberg County, near the Sunshine community or 2.5 miles west of Sweden. This twister formed on DALLY RD, near its intersection with SPRINGFIELD RD (S-5-29).

While the Central Savannah River Area of South Carolina bore the brunt of the storm, four more tornados hit Central Georgia.

In Burke County near Waynesboro, a tornado hit near Georgia Highway 24, destroying sheds.

The initial two tornados in the area occurred in Screven County: one near Woodcliff and another northeast of Sylvania City Limits.

Confirmed: 2 tornadoes hit Screven Co. Saturday. #gawx @WSAV @KyleDennisWx @wsavleeh @WSAVariellas pic.twitter.com/IvT8UFgqZm

— Kris Allred (@WSAVKrisA) January 24, 2017

 

The clean up efforts continue locally. For the homeless, it will be getting colder come Friday morning.

Unable to go to the main event in DC? Women’s March is hosting events in Augusta and Statesboro!

If you are unable to make it to the main Women’s March in Washington, DC, do not despair. There are two events happening locally on Saturday.

The first event is happening in Statesboro on the campus of Georgia Southern University. It will take place at high noon on Sweetheart Circle. Here’s how to get there.

From Santee:

Head southbound on Five Chop Road (US 301) to Orangeburg. Once in Orangeburg, turn left onto Stonewall Jackson Blvd (US 601 Truck).
Remain on Stonewall Jackson Blvd until the intersection with Old Edisto Dr (US 301/601/SC 4).
Turn left on to Old Edisto Dr.
Remain on US 301/601 through Bamberg. Then, hang right when the two highways split to remain on the MAIN HY (US 301).
Remain southbound on US 301 for 78 miles, until you are in the Statesboro City Limits. By now, you have crossed the entirety of Allendale County, the state line, and have also been through Screven County.
Remain straight and you will hit US 301 Business, which is also known as East Parrish St. Remain straight until its intersection with North Main St. Turn left on North Main St.
Remain on North Main St, which will become South Main St. Turn left on to Fair Road (GA 67).
From there, turn right on to Chandler Rd, which will take you to the Georgia Southern Campus, where the meet up will occur.

From Williston:

Go east on MAIN ST (US 78) until you are in Elko. Turn right on to BAY ST (SC 37).
Remain southbound on SC 37 for the remainder of its length. The highway will become ELLENTON ST, aka US 278.
Remain on US 278 in Barnwell until it splits from SC 3 south of the city limits. At that point, bear right on to SC 3.
Remain on SC 3 until its intersection with BURTONS FERRY HY (US 301) in western Allendale County. Turn right on to BURTONS FERRY HY.
Remain southbound on US 301 until you are in the Statesboro City Limits. By now, you have crossed the state line and have also been through Screven County.
Remain straight and you will hit US 301 Business, which is also known as East Parrish St. Remain straight until its intersection with North Main St. Turn left on North Main St.
Remain on North Main St, which will become South Main St. Turn left on to Fair Road (GA 67).
From there, turn right on to Chandler Rd, which will take you to the Georgia Southern Campus, where the meet up will occur.

From Hampton:

Go westbound on LURAY HY (SC 363) until its western terminus in Luray. Turn left on to SAVANNAH HY (US 321).
Remain on SAVANNAH HY until its intersection with CLYO HY (SC 119). Remain straight on to CLYO HY.
After crossing Jasper County, then you will hit the state line and Effingham County, Ga. At that point, in the Clyo, Ga. City Limits, turn right on to Clyo-Kildare Rd.
Remain on Clyo-Kildare Rd until you are in the Oliver, Ga. City Limits. By then, the road name will have changed to Oliver-Kildare Rd. In Oliver, turn left on to GA 24.
Remain on GA 24. In extreme northeastern Bulloch County, GA 24 will go to the right at Stilson-Leefield Rd. Follow GA 24 by turning right.
Remain on GA 24 until you hit the Statesboro City Limits. At its intersection with the Veterans Memorial Parkway (US 301), turn left.
Remain on the Veterans Memorial Parkway until its intersection with Fair Road (GA 67). Turn right on to Fair Road.
From there, turn left on to Chandler Rd (just past Domino’s), which will take you to the Georgia Southern Campus, where the meet up will occur.

There will also be a Women’s March in Augusta, Ga. That event will happen in Downtown Augusta at Reynolds and 12th Streets.

The Frisky

Sign this petition to demand your Senators to block Jeff Sessions!

If your memory is short as hell, we will refresh your memory.

Jeff Sessions is opposed to basic civil rights. We explained that in this post.

Now, here’s the petition.

window.yepnope || document.write(”);https://www.dailykos.com/extern/action/widgets/v2/letter/send-a-letter-to-us-senators-block-jeff-sessions-from-becoming-the-next-attorney-general?format=js&source=widget

Creating a Monster

There needs to be international laws allowing for sex workers outside of the United States to sue the federal government and any US state government over illegally shutting down the Erotic Services of any classifieds web page.

The Honest Courtesan

With Backpage in the news so much, and various government actors vomiting out so many egregious lies about it, I thought it might be a good idea to recap how this whole shitshow developed from its roots in the previous “sex trafficking” moral panic to the present political circus.  See, while the politicians want you to believe that Backpage is some sort of magical pimp machine the likes of which has never been seen before, the truth is that Backpage ads are the end result of a slow and steady progression of advertising starting roughly a century ago, just after prostitution was criminalized in the US at the height of the last go-round of hysteria over “sex trafficking” (or as it was called then, “white slavery”).  Once brothels could no longer operate openly, escort services appeared, while some women chose to frequent hotels and such and others preferred to take out personal…

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South Carolina has a gun culture problem – and it is way past high time to stop denying it!

Santee AND Greenville — This Martin Luther King holiday weekend has brought two horrible events across the state – one locally – that has brought great shame to the state of South Carolina.

The local event happened on Saturday in the City of Santee. Tyrone Lamar decided it would be an awesome idea to bring his toddler girl along for a drug deal. During the deal, someone spat bullets, one of which hit the girl.

Barnwell AT&T, Lumia 950s robbed by four men

Barnwell — Barnwell County Sheriff’s officers and Barnwell Police Office deputies are looking for a quartet of African-American men who robbed the AT&T in the Dunbarton Plaza and made off with cash and smartphones, including the limited stock of Microsoft Lumia 950s.

The People-Sentinel reported that the robbery happened just before closing.

https://m.facebook.com/thepeoplesentinel/posts/1390415454316509

According to social media reports, this is the third time that particular store was targeted for robbery since January 6.

Call the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office or the Barnwell Police Office if you have any additional information about this.