Where Is The Compassion???

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, education, History, Law and justice, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry

Two things caught my attention first thing today and thus, it must be time for me to step into my snarky shoes.

Dangerous in Arizona

Wendy Rogers … remember the name, for she is by far the worst political wannabe I’ve seen, and I’ve seen some pretty awful ones lately!  Ms. Rogers spoke at the same white nationalist (KKK) rally last month that Representatives Margie Greene and Paul Gosar spoke at, and Ms. Rogers topped even those two for utter inhumane remarks like this one …

 “We need to build more gallows, make an example of these traitors who’ve betrayed our country.”

Who is this Rogers clown?  She is a state senator in Arizona who was once considered to be a traditional conservative, but apparently drank so much of the former guy’s Kool Aid that her mind has become a toxic fertile ground for the radical right-wing hatred we are seeing so much of in this country today.

When she won her current Arizona State Senate seat in 2020, she had lost five previous elections, so she changed her message to one of hate, of bigotry, of destruction and conspiracy theories.  For example, she refers to the COVID vaccine as a “bioweapon” and is full-on supportive of “The Big Lie” that is still a talking point in some Republican circles, though it has been debunked so many times that it’s a joke.  But all of her messages of hate seem to be working, for she is the biggest fundraiser in the Arizona state legislature, having raised some $2.5 million in 2021.

She has been censured by the Arizona Senate for her remarks, but it matters not to her …

“This censure is nothing more than an attempt to limit my speech. In the end, I rejoice in knowing I do and say what is right, and I speak as a free American regardless of the actions of this corrupted process today.”

Ms. Rogers is only a state senator and you might say she’s irrelevant outside the state of Arizona, but state politicians often aspire to higher office and this is a woman that we do not need in the United States Congress!  As much as I despise the likes of Greene, Boebert, Cawthorn and their ilk, this woman could prove to be twice as dangerous.  Arizona – if you guys want her, then fine, you can have her, but do not let her out of the state!!!

And in Florida … “Don’t Say Gay”!

I have a number of friends who live in Florida, and they are all good people, sensible people, kind, caring and compassionate people.  But obviously they are the anomaly in the state, for it seems the majority in Florida are egocentric, bigoted, homophobic, and cruel, starting with none other than Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who said …

“We are going to make sure parents are able to send their kid to kindergarten without having some of this stuff injected into some of their school curriculum.”

Oh for Pete’s sake, Ronnie … wake up and walk into the 21st century!!!

Clinton McCracken, 49, a teacher at Howard Middle School Academy of Arts, voices his concerns …

“This is a dangerous bill, which basically tells our LGBTQ students that something is wrong with them. This bill says I won’t be able to have conversations or be able to create an affirmative space for my students.”

The bill passed the Florida Senate by 22-17 along party lines.  So … let me get this straight … the lives and well-being of Florida’s children has now become an issue for partisan politics???  I sure as hell am glad that I don’t live in Florida!  What a lot of bigots!!!  Everyone, it seems, must fit into a very narrow box in order to be treated with respect … the box will only hold white, straight, ‘Christian’ people, preferably males.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

81 thoughts on “Where Is The Compassion???”

  1. I’m in Florida, and was a teacher here. Now I’m earning my MSW and have created a site, creatingsafeschools.com to share ways that allies in schools can make their schools safer and more inclusive for LGBTQ students – which makes them safer for all students. I’m interviewing students about their experiences, to put their voices out there! Please share my site, and follow, and like the pages … whatever will get me more views, and spread the message. I have podcasts lined up with GSA sponsors, experts on the Don’t Say Gay bill repercussions, and more students. I’d like every educator to know about my site and the resources. (For instance, some have been surprised to learn that the school CAN NOT force a GSA to call itself something other than a GSA, and if they try, the ACLU and Lambda Legal will take them to court).

    https://creatingsafeschools.com/podcasts/ has my interviews.

    Liked by 1 person

    • As a rule, I disallow comments that promote a website without first asking permission, but what you are doing is such a good, positive thing that I am making an exception in this case. Thank you for what you are doing for young people in your state!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Thank you! I don’t like feeling like I’m being self-promoting, but I have other (personal) blogs that I’ve never promoted because, well, they’re personal. This one I really want to promote because I feel like it’s so important, so I really appreciate your support!

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          • Thank you! I’m really passionate about it. I’ve seen so much pain caused. One of my interviews, with Nafeeza, she was actually told that she should die. Because she is bisexual. Who says that to another person? I’m determined to make this better, as much as I can.

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            • Just keep on keeping on — we know our voices are small, but you just never know when you might get through to someone. Even if you cause one person to stop and think, change their views, then … Mission Accomplished! If one person changes their mind, then perhaps they convince others to do the same and … before long, perhaps you’ve had a positive effect on hundreds! That idea is what keeps me doing what I do.

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    • I have no idea where they came from! I think they came slithering out from rocks in 2008 when we elected our first Black president, and each year more and more of them come slithering out. I’ve tried to figure out how to put them back under the rocks, but they’ve grown fat and won’t fit anymore! Yes, it is terrible and I’m just … tired … of the lack of humanity in this world. xx

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  4. Compassion of any kind has pretty much left the Republican Party Jill. After 4 years of you know who, it’s clear lack of compassion is the point. Disgusting and despicable

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  5. I don’t believe sex education (or what passes for sex education) belongs in elementary school either (especially the gender ideology crap) but the WAY states like FL word their laws & demonizes people in the process is egregious.

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    • Well, here’s the thing … there are young children who don’t feel quite right in their own skin, who identify more with the ‘other’ gender, but they can’t talk (or feel that they can’t talk) to their parents about it. The next best option would be a compassionate teacher, but under Florida’s law, that couldn’t happen. Nobody is advocating for “sex education” per se, but for open communication, for not making a child feel demonized.

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  6. Talking to a base may get you applause from your safe audience, but it takes true courage and resolve to try to win over folk across the whole board.
    This is why it is essential for folk who believe in equality, respect, tolerance and compassion to not give up, to battle on and not opt out of whatever system they have.
    In the absence of all evidence to the apparent contrary we will keep on

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  7. Pingback: Where Is The Compassion??? |jilldennison.com | Ramblings of an Occupy Liberal

  8. Jill, the question for Ms. Rogers is does that mean you would advocate hanging those who plead guilty or are convicted of seditious conspiracy for their role in January 6 insurrection? Would that include the former president if he is found guilty? Given what she advocates those are legitimate questions. As for legislated discrimination in Florida, this is par for the course with the Florida governor and legislators. I am weary of people who are elected catering to crowd that demonizes people. That is not what our country is all about. Someone has the right to be gay, just like they have the right to say inane things. Keith

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    • All they care about is being in power, Keith. They will say and do whatever it takes. And right now what it takes is being a bigoted biased racist! They think the way to power is through the colour of their skin. And right now, it seems they are “right”!

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    • Good question for Ms. Rogers, and I suspect she would take the position that they were the victims — a statement I find truly ludicrous, but I’ve heard it said numerous times. The ‘trucker convoy’ leaders said they wouldn’t go into D.C. because they were afraid of being made victims like the January 6th ‘peaceful protestors’ were! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Oh heck no, Keith … not a single Republican, let alone a conspiracy theorist like Ms. Rogers, would say that Trump is guilty of ANY wrongdoing! He’s a saint, dontchaknow? Sigh … I’m getting cynical these days, aren’t I? Gee, I wonder why? Yes, this is par for the course for DeSantis, but it is hurting children and that needs to stop … that, for me, is the final straw! I, too, am weary of people demonizing others who might not look or think quite like them. But I’m still in fighting mode … especially when it comes to hurting children. Imagine the young child who feels somehow different and needs somebody to tell him it’s okay … but the schools insists he fit into a certain narrow box … sigh.

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      • Thanks for all the responses to my comment. A rebuttal to what Jill correctly points out as Ms. Rogers response to my question, is “Let me get this straight These folks are pleading guilty to seditious conspiracy with one person found guilty on five counts by a jury and for some reason you do not think they are at fault?” If you recall the movie Billy Jack, do you remember how Billy Jack would rub his eyes when he was responding to an inane comment. I am rubbing my eyes to these folks who are saying it was innocent debate. Keith

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        • ‘Innocent Debate’?
          They have either been prep’d by some ambulance chasing lawyer who will charge mightily for such words.
          OR
          Are wriggling on a hook.
          Short of harsh language the immediate response is one decent Americans do so well….
          ‘Oh, please!’

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  9. Why is it that the biggest idiots have the loudest voices? I am from Canada so I try to stay out of Us politics but sometimes I can’t believe what I hear from these people. (I am not saying that ours in Saskatchewan are any better. )

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    • And Alberta is 10 times worse, at least. And Saskatchewan is bad, isn’t it! Are Canadians really so screwed up in the head and heart? Don’t ask me, I’m Metis! My ideas do not count…

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      • I used to think Alberta was bad but Saskatchewan is getting progressively worse. Our Premier is constantly going on about how EVERYONE (white males particularly) are so frustrated and angry and hard done by – and everything is Trudeau’s fault. So basically white males can do anything (as in the Freedom Convoy) and it is perfectly acceptable and to be encouraged because Trudeau forced them to be asshats. 🤦 (And somehow this makes Trudeau look bad). I am not tied to any political party and I am not Trudeau’s biggest fan but seriously?

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        • Biden can do no right, and neither can Trudeau. But, they will both win their next elections–because stoopid white xian males are not enough to win an election. All they do is inspire normal people to fight against them. They bite their own asses.
          But, yes, Saskatchewan is changing, not always for the better. It seems to be that way all over the world, a last gasp effort to save something that never existed in the first place.
          Peace, dear neighbour, it is only a matter of time.

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              • Yeah, there was a huge bunch of them at Nuremburg in September 1935, in less than ten years there were a lot less of them.
                That was called ‘The Freedom Rally’…..so let that be a lesson to those who shout out Intolerance and only their own freedom….that’s where it gets you…
                We meanwhile Hope in face of all current evidence to the contrary.

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                • We do, but my personal hope is diminishing. The truckers in Canada called their protest the FREEDOM CONVOY, but the only freedom they want is their own freedom from social responsibilty. Anyone and everyone else can go to hell, as far as they are concerned!

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                    • They know nothing, but then, truly, neither do I. I visited Poland (my mother’s homeland) just before the end of Communism. I saw things that boggled my mind. And yet, the people paid them little mind. They were used to them, and they knew protest was dangerous. For the most part they were happy people. But, as they found out, happiness was a relative term. Because, along with freedom came responsibility. And responsibilty meant suffering, for many.

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                    • Being totally honest. Right now I am not sure humans deserve to live. We are the cancer of life on Earth. We have great potential, but the roadblocks are many, and getting worse all the time. Part of me says, this is just the storm before the calm. The old ways are fighting for their lives, but it is only a matter of time until they lose the “war”! I’ve thought that almost my whole life. No, I’ve “known” that my whole life. It was so obvious it hurt to see people fighting the inevitable. EXCEPT, nothing is inevitable. I refuse to believe anything is written in stone, other than that “life is forever.” Not life on Earth, but Life, living beings. Life is the whole basis of my being.
                      So what happened? Donald J. Trump happened. His stoopidity became everyone’s stoopidity. Not “everyone’s,” but so many stoopid people popped out of the woodwork it overwnelmed me! I once estimated the world I imagined would be here before the year 2500. Now, I don’t see it arriving by 25,000. And the turns life can take in that amount of time are too great to make any meaningful predictions. Chaos rules!

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                    • Yeah rawgod. The whole business does test patience, resolve, hope and the rest.
                      I written in several place that if we don’t ‘wise up’ beyond our flaws we will become another extinct species. The problem being no one presses a ‘reset’ button and we just blink out. Millions of innocent, mostly children will know torment and that unsettles my fatalistic approach; ok for me I have five, ten, maybe fifteen years of physical life left, so I miss the show. But can I pass a legacy of destruction down, without at least trying to do something, no matter how small?? Something to help in evolution?
                      As you say, nothing is written in stone, and LIFE, well that just keeps keeping on. The Palaeontological records affirm to that.
                      From an historical perspective Trump is another in a long line of idiots who were propelled by a mass movement, either one which sprung up, or one already ingrained and he was next in line (a sort of ascendant to the Throne of Intolerance and Despair….Europe has been saddled with many a king or prince of that sort).
                      We’re all at crossroads which test resolve, across the world it seems as if Intolerance, and Repression are on the march.
                      But folk keep on keeping on…
                      Example:
                      https://saadiahaq.wordpress.com/
                      A blog well worth visiting to see how the struggle is being fought in another part of the world.
                      One thing about Chaos though- the door swings both ways and those struggling for Equality, Tolerance and Compassion are used to instability, in their uphill task.

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                    • Humans do learn to adapt, especially when at some point a generation comes of age who have never known anything different. That is part of the problem in the U.S. today … the people who understood WWII, Naziism, and the atrocities of war have died off and the generation of today has no connection, no memories of what life was like then, so to them it’s only a story, not reality. That’s why, I think, that we fail to learn the lessons of history … with each generation it becomes less personal, less real.

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                    • My assessment Jill is that Trump trying to be an proper autocrat, would be like a drunk trying to hold a jello on a hot sweaty day.
                      He might have opened the door, but he would have been ‘retired’ when a lot of folk started getting ornery and things got ugly.
                      You just don’t get to rule the USA like that; too big, too many states, too many laws, too many folk with an opinion.
                      You need a few hundred years of ingrained rule to even start and then you still get antsy folk.

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                    • I hope you’re right, but it seems that an awful lot of folk here these days actually like what Trump had to offer and might well have given him the support he needed … might have even burned the Constitution to do it. But, perhaps I’m not giving the sane and sensible ones left among us enough credit.

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                    • Trust me Jill, those folks do not have a clue what they are considering.
                      The paperback fiction novel scenario of a ‘nation being taken over’ by an autocratic regime ‘just like that’ and the next day folk walk with their heads down does not work in reality. Even in those states where one autocracy replaces another nothing goes smoothly.
                      I’ve mapped out a few scenarios in my head and none of them are as simple as the MAGA would like.

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                    • Out of the night that covers me
                      Black as the pit from pole to pole,
                      I thank whatever gods may be
                      For my unconquerable soul.

                      In the fell clutch of circumstance,
                      I have not winced nor cried aloud.
                      Under the bludgeonings of chance
                      My head is bloody, but unbowed.

                      Beyond this place of wrath and tears
                      Looms but the Horror of the shade,
                      And yet the menace of the years
                      Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

                      It matters not how strait the gate,
                      How charged with punishments the scroll,
                      I am the master of my fate
                      I am the captain of my soul.

                      Invictus by William Ernest Henley

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          • I disagree … I think both Biden and Trudeau are good leaders … or would be if they didn’t face constant rebellion and blame for things outside of their control. I certainly trust them more than Trump & Kenney!

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            • Apparently I said something wrongly. The opening lines were not my words, but the words of Republicans, Conservatives, and idiots in general. I guess if you read my comment without reading the comment it replied to, that was missed. Mea Culpa!

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    • Overall, I have enormous respect for Canadians and for Justin Trudeau as well, but I believe that the U.S. has infected Canada to some extent with its own virus of greed and lack of human values. You guys should really close your border to Americans! I have a friend in Alberta who tells me of the troubles there, and it sounds so much like what is happening here … Jason Kenney sounds so very much like Donald Trump that I must wonder if they are related! I think you are the first person from Saskatchewan that I’ve spoken with, as most of my Canadian friends are from B.C., Alberta, or Ontario.

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      • Alberta has always been hedonistic but I think Saskatchewan has become worse. Our Premier and federal politicians from here are such horrid people. They encourage anger and frustration and entitlement here to cause trouble with the rest of the country. Personally, I think it is so no one notices how they are destroying Saskatchewan. Premier Moe is far more like trump than Kenney. He is arrogant, ignorant, totally irresponsible. It’s bad. But there are still decent people around even in Saskatchewan – as there are in the States. 💞

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        • This is the first I’ve heard of Moe … I only know of Kenney through conversations with you, but I’ll look a bit deeper into Moe. A damn shame that people like him and Trump can be elected … it speaks volumes about our societies these days!

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          • Yes I always say our government is a reflection of who we are. Yikes! If you read anything that Moe said, you will soon find that he never, ever takes responsibility for anything (he is always a hapless victim), that he blames Trudeau for everything, and that he is just so miserable. I don’t think I have ever seen that man smile or even pretend to have an ounce of character.

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            • Moe sounds an awful lot like Trump! Trump never ever took responsibility, even when he mislead the people of the U.S., telling us that COVID wasn’t a big deal, and now we have nearly 1 million deaths, half of which were unnecessary if he had just been truthful. But, when asked about it, asked if he felt any responsibility, he said, “No, I don’t take responsibility.” Everything is always somebody else’s fault. Reminds me of the time my young son came running in from playing with neighborhood kids, saying, “Whatever they say I did, I didn’t do it!”

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    • I’ve been giving that some thought, and really, I think that might be a very good thing! He may have a large following in Florida, but the rest of the country scowls when they hear his name! I think he would not fare well, and he would be an easier candidate to beat than Trump, who seems to have a large cultist following that DeSantis will never likely have. Just my thoughts, though … I’ve been wrong before.

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  12. what the idiot Floridians fail to understand is that all public schools MUST follow Federal laws. When state laws are opposed to the Federal laws, Fed trumps them. While the bigots and uber-religious THINK they have accomplished something, they actually have not.

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    • Just last night I was thinking that I hadn’t heard from you for a while and wondering if you were okay … and then tonight I found this comment from you! I’m so glad to hear from you, my friend!!!

      Yes, you and I both know that federal law trumps (no pun intended …. well, maybe a little bit of one) state law, but the buffoons sitting in the Florida state legislature seem unable to grasp that constitutional fact. Kids of this generation are going to be so under-educated that they won’t be qualified to bus tables at McDonald’s! The courts are going to be filled with cases about such things as this for the next decade. Sigh. Hugs my friend!

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      • still here, just trying to stay calm and mentally healthy. spent a few days in lockup thanks to my big mouth and my “republican legislator”. guy simply can not take the heat.

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        • Really, Suze??? You da woman!!! You must tell me more! Consider those few days in lockup as a badge of honour, my friend! But do take care … I know you’ve got health problems and you don’t need the added stress anymore than I do! Hugs!

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          • yup. Sen Lankford, all about “dealing with Ukraine in a compassionate and Christian manner” voting against assisting them in anyway…so of course I told him (to his very red face) what a total moronic hypocrite he was and that I would personally do everything within my power as a vocal and erudite voter to make sure he wouldn’t be able to win a position as dog pooper scooper…I think I mentioned the orange baboon at one point and the Jan 6th events and commission and my desire for ALL Republicans in office on that day be sent before a firing squad. That MIGHT have been the moment the sec guards got involved. Took three of them to manhandle my butt off the floor and get me in a squad car for a little trip downtown. I remember extremely well my protest days in the late sixties and how to make this 140 pounder feel like four hundred. ya know, Oklahoma jails allow a person tobacco and soda pops so I was having a restful vacation.

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            • I had a weekly newsletter from our U.S. Representative this evening saying essentially what your Senator Lankford said … “help them with thoughts and prayers, but let’s not get involved”! Fortunately, he wasn’t anywhere nearby so I had to settle for sending him an email telling him my opinion, else I might be in jail now too! I’m proud of you, Suze! What did George have to say about it all? Heck, you got to smoke, drink pop, and relax on the county’s dime, plus they had to feed you three meals a day (probably not filet mignon, but still …) — not too bad a deal! Hang in, my friend!

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              • balonga sandwiches, an apple and a soda pop….not bad but three times a day got a bit boring….lol George was proud yet concerned….his words. I think he was concerned the kitchen would burn down in my absence.

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                • Yeah, three times a day would give me cause to go on a diet! I’m sure George was more concerned about your health under the circumstances, but probably the kitchen ran a close second! 😉

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