The opponents will never stop. They will seek any means — including unconstitutional proposals — to take away an established right, and a fact of human decency, that woman control their own bodies. This fight will continue at every level of government. When your community is threatened, be prepared to fight back.

Albuquerque Shut That Whole Thing Down – Duke City Fix by bg

This is a longer and more complex story. We were set up to fail in every possible way by the collusion of the City Clerk who provided no early voting sites in half of the City. Voting day locations included mega-churches. University students were denied a voting day location. The Catholic Church opposed us. And yet, we prevailed.

While the inside information may be of interest for Albuquerque citizens, I feel it is important for other communities to appreciate the lessons for next time. Critical information for the next places in the crosshairs of the anti-women movement must be shared. We know messaging needs to reflect the values of the community. Women must lead the effort, young women and women of color are essential. There will be national press and national support. It is expensive. But it is going to remain a pitched battle until we can begin to turn the tide back to women. We must thwart every effort they attempt.

Albuquerque has shown the way. We shut that whole thing down. Other communities can do it, and they will do it too!

Albuquerque Shut That Whole Thing Down – Duke City Fix

I’ve heard several people say “a pox on both their houses,” equating the roles of left and right or House and Senate in our delayed but unresolved political crisis. There are idiots in every group of people. However, it takes two to tango but both have to want to dance.

Responsibility for our ongoing crisis starts with the voters who elected the lunatic fringe, as well as those loonies. Further responsibility belongs to John Boehner for not having the gumption to stand up to a few foaming mouth-breathers. Further responsibility belongs to the rest of the Republican majority of the House for being frightened by the loonies and their deep-pocket backers. Unprincipled cowards all.

When you say “a pox on both their houses,” you have handed victory to those who hate government and will do everything they can to undermine it. Don’t let them win.

“[T]his direct assault on our democracy is entirely the Republicans’ handiwork. Never before has one party insisted that a law of the land be altered or repealed or it shuts the government and refuses to honor the nation’s full faith and credit. The assault is being led by an extremist faction of Republicans that hates the United States government. It is being fueled by Fox News and right-wing yell radio, exploiting the anger and economic insecurities of many Americans. And bankrolling it are a handful of billionaires, led by Charles and David Koch, who have made most of their fortune in hydrocarbons, and who will do whatever it takes to reduce the power of the federal government to tax and regulate.

“Obama and the Democrats cannot back down. We must stand up to this extremism and extortion.” — Robert Reich

[hat tip to Fred Reiner]