416 Comments

I would refer those people opposing the posting of the Ten Commandments in classrooms to the King James Version of the Constitution, specifically the section outlining the divine right of Republicans. /S

There was a time when Americans could rely upon the federal court system and the Supreme Court to protect freedoms, but no more. All that has been tossed out the window in the name of conservatism, and judges who never gave up on feudalism.

Expand full comment

Freedom to impede others' freedoms is still freedom.

Expand full comment

It tells a lot about Landry. He thinks that the ten commandments are so boring, uninteresting and trivial that all one has to do to ignore them is to look away. And yet, a book with a gay character is so interesting and alluring, that the only way to prevent a child from looking at the book, it to physically remove it. That if a child had physical access to such a book, they would be drawn to it like a nail to a magnet, and the power of such a book would change that child's life in important and dramatic ways. But the ten commandments are so weak and trivial, that as soon as you look away, they disappear like a fart in the wind.

Expand full comment

And then Landry telling parents if they don't want the Ten Commandments in the classroom, their child shouldn't look at it.

Why can't that also apply to books they don't like and trans kids? Just don't look!!

Expand full comment

Because it's about power and control over who and what people are allowed to be. They see the books they don't like and the fact that trans kids exist as challenging their power. They know that having the ten commandments posted IS indoctrination, they just want it to be THEIR indoctrination to show we who do not think the way they do that we do not count.

Expand full comment

As Dennis Praeger said, that's "good indoctrination"

Expand full comment

I'm willing to bet that after awhile, the kids won't even notice it.

Expand full comment

Cooties.

Is your new avatar a sunflower ?

Expand full comment

Yes, Kansas' state flower!

Expand full comment

My personal avatar on my phone is a sunflower. I’m not from Kansas, but I grow them every year in my garden.

Expand full comment

I LOVE sunflowers, grow them every year. And we have a wild variety that grows along the roadsides.

Expand full comment

Not to worry, the kiddos can barely read it anyway. This year's seniors read and write at or below federal standards.

Expand full comment

• 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑟𝑦. Hmmm, perhaps suggesting that injury MAY occur once the displays are posted? Isn't it a good idea to AVOID injury wherever possible?

• 𝐼 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑟 𝑣𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑙, 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑏𝑖𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡. Which can also be called: The Tyranny of the Majority. You might want to ask the Jews of Germany, around the 1930s and 40s about that.

• ... 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑦 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑗𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠. See above.

As to that poster with Heston and Miranda, I wonder if Lin Manuel consented to the use of his image, regarding that. I'm willing to bet he knows NOTHING about it.

And once again, we have a Republican stooge, playing to his Christian base and ignoring those who may believe differently or not at all, regarding his deity.

Expand full comment

I think there are copyrights to the list below him, as well. Maybe Miranda needs to be informed if he is not already aware.

Expand full comment

Yes. That would be "actual injury"

Expand full comment

"...democracy actually means majority rules."

Finally, an appropriate place to yell THIS ISN'T A DEMOCRACY, IT'S A REPUBLIC!

Expand full comment

A Republic is a form of Democracy. 🙄

Expand full comment

Democratic Republic! Brilliant!

Expand full comment

𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑦 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑗𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠...... But we have to keep the senate ad te electoral college the way they are so that rural voters aren't silenced.

Expand full comment

Which is just about the only way Republicans can maintain any form of power these days ... 😝

Expand full comment

Baby Bush and Trump never would have sat in the White House if the outdated and useless electoral college wasn't still in place. Both lost the popular vote.

Expand full comment

True enough ... and getting shut of the EC will be difficult at best.

Expand full comment

Years ago they passed a law in that state to allow tax dollars to fund religious schools. A Muslim school asked for money and the person who wrote the law said, "I thought 'religious' meant 'Christian'!" and proceeded to cancel the law she wrote. They're admitting it's about using the power of the state to establish a Christian theocracy.

Expand full comment

Isn't it amazing what happens when some clueless believer gets the god-glasses pulled from their eyes? 😏

Expand full comment

We REALLY need to start requiring civics classes again.

Expand full comment

You noticed that, too, didja? [sigh]

Expand full comment

I noticed that years back. I was most impressed by a Republican representative who said that someone should create a law about something that he disliked. So impressed that I wrote him to remind him that his job is to create laws, not just soak up as much money as possible from special interest groups.

Expand full comment

I have a niece and nephew that graduated from Florida public schools, that are dumber than a doorknob. I taught them about the Holocaust. I even gave them books about teenagers experiences with the Holocaust to share in their classes. The number #1 goal of the GQP is keep them functionally illiterate. As stated by the newly founded Heritage Foundation in 1980 in their Southern Economic Development Model (www.epi.org).

Expand full comment

That's why the Satanic Temple is so wonderful when they show up and demand a poster listing their beliefs. It really shakes these Christofascists up.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Aug 6
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

Similar thing happened in one of Chicago's far NW burbs, a city council considered the idea of an opening prayer. Then it was pointed out other religions would also be allowed.

Guess what, the idea ended. They didn't like the idea of being forced to listen to the prayers of other religions. I don't think they took that last step to realize other people wouldn't want to be forced to listen to their prayers either.

Expand full comment

""I did not know that the Ten Commandments was such a bad way for someone to live their life," Landry said."

With all the language that supports slavery, yeah, I would say the ten commandments are a bad way to live life. The way the commandments discuss women is pretty dehumanizing and misogynistic.

Besides, the first few are all about acknowledging the superiority of a god not everyone believes in. So, hello, plenty of folks will find issue with living their life by the ten commandments.

Expand full comment

I am not even close to support the 10 commandements as such. There are a few good sentences, buy mostly it's bullshit.

Expand full comment

Actually it says 'thou shall not have other Gods before me' which indicates that there are other Gods. And it goes on to say that this God is a jealous God. Which implies insecurity and again affirms the presence of other Gods (and Goddesses which is actually what the Bible is completely against).

Expand full comment

White Nationalists/ Dominionists are trying mightily to cram their beliefs down everybody's throats. I never believed in god and announced I was an atheist at age 10. I would be offended if I were in one of those classrooms as a kid, now. And this is the KJV - There is a substantial RCC presence in LA. I suspect they don't approve of this version.

Expand full comment

You are right: the catholic version (which I could recite by the tme I was in second grade) is quite different. However, considering that the religious right is now a strategic coalition between catholics and evangelical protestants, there were probably at least a few catholics in the LA legislature who voted for this idiocy. Keeping their eyes on the prize, dontcha know. Which is why I keep saying that, within 24 hours of them taking power, they'll be murdering each other in the streets over minor points of conflicting mythology. They are the most intolerant people I know.

Expand full comment

reichwing christianists are completely judgemental and totally intolerant of diverse opinions.

Expand full comment

It's a tradition. Let's just hope they will be too occupied with their Battle Royale to remember the non christians.

Expand full comment

I never took you for a radical optimist. :)

Expand full comment

I sailed one in sports in 5th grade. Does that count ? 😁

Expand full comment

They are already preparing to rid themselves of those annoying priests and Bishops...

Expand full comment

I look forward to the Baptists and Catholics fighting over power in LA.

Expand full comment

Historically the Catholic vs Protestant Wars never concluded. They were disarmed by the Enlightenment and Democracy. I expect them to resume if the Christofascists take over the Government. And I would bet on the Catholics with 1000 years of rule, the Inquisition, Crusades, and currently control of the Judiciary. Evangelicals are the despised Puritans that no one liked. They kill all joy.

Expand full comment

The continued long after the Enlightenment in some countries. See Ireland.

Expand full comment

Christian Nationalism is all about protecting their white privilege and the wealth that comes with it. Their God is a malignant narcissist with a touch of sadism. Is that why they're drawn to Agent Orange?? 🤔

Expand full comment

LOL, in some Catholic schools they virtually tell you the Bible is a lot of myth, etc. Not that you should not obey the Ten Commandments. But they don't think about them I the same way. So it's just one version of Christianity that they're pushing here.

Expand full comment

"The Plaintiffs cannot prove that they have any actual injury."

Something in your Constitution about not endorsing a religion.

"then a Ten Commandments poster with a pentagram in the background"

Why not an hexagram instead, histoire de rappeler d'où les 10 commandements viennent.

"at least November 15"

🖕

Expand full comment

If the Bible and the 10 Commandments must be displayed in every Louisiana classroom, then other religions have the right to post their books and their rules in classrooms too. Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and all the religions matter too and are just as " good" as Christianity.

Expand full comment

I have got one set of commandments fitting for classrooms "Listen, learn, share".

Expand full comment

I have a t-shirt:

Be Kind

Tell The Truth

Drink Good Beer

Expand full comment

I admit that I lie sometimes. Mostly when my mum greets me with "Sister name, so good to see you". Telling her I am not her sister, she died 20 y.a. would be mean.

Expand full comment

Make mine Guinness ... or maybe Killian's Red.

Expand full comment

London Porter for me please.

Expand full comment

I like a good porter. Would love to try one some day.

Expand full comment

I have one that says:

Eat here.

Drink here.

Fauquier.

That last one is the name of a county in Virginia. Pronounced "faw Keer"

Expand full comment

Faux kir ? They make it with water instead of wine ?

Expand full comment

👍

Though I will pass on the third, unless I van drink it with lemon. Too much sugar.

Expand full comment

The Satanic Temple's principles are pretty good too. Much better than "shut up and sit down",which is what the christian 10 commandments amount to in a classroom.

Expand full comment

My favorite is the one about bodily autonomy.

Expand full comment

Yes, I like that one, too. Back in my pagan days (1970-71, for a few months), people used to encapsulate that as "An ye harm no one, do as thou wilt." Or, to put it more bluntly, stay out of other people's business when it's none of yours. These busybodies (in LA and elsewhere) have yet to learn that grade-school rule.

Expand full comment

I know a slightly different version.just right for you "Love as thou wilt".

Expand full comment

But I have already wilted.

Expand full comment

Listen, learn, share. Very nice! And one more-- think with an open heart and open mind.

Expand full comment

It's fitting with the Goddess I worship.

Expand full comment

I'm sure She's very nice.

Expand full comment

Well, she is less demanding than my Dogesses 😁

Expand full comment

Of course. But to those people equal treatment is when they decide and everybody have to accept it.

Expand full comment

To all the right-wing snowflakes out there. If drag shows upset you and make you cry don’t go to them and don’t watch.

Expand full comment

But watching the drag queens gives a pleasant, tingly feeling down there, that's what they're so upset about. But they can't not watch. They enjoy the sinful feeling too much.

Expand full comment

Jesus says NO TINGLY FEELINGS ALLOWED!!! NO!!! NOT FOR THE OPPOSITE SEX, EITHER!!!

Expand full comment

And doesn't the bibble say something about "know thine enemies" or Am I conflating the bibble with another source?

Expand full comment

For the Christians among the righties:

Your Jesus tells you to pluck out your eyes if you see anything that offends you. It’s a wonder you’re not all blind by now.

Expand full comment

💯💯💯

Expand full comment

Maybe what they should try is putting up some commandments in their own offices. Like, I don't know, say...

Thou shalt not lie

Thou shalt not commit adultery

Love thy neighbor as thyself

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

Maybe try living your religion rather than resorting to performative christianity. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8-9)

Of course christians can counter:

You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. (James 2:24)

So, which is it?

Expand full comment

How are they supposed to do their jobs? Govern with compassion and empathy? Might as well turn the country over to Taylor Swift.

Expand full comment

Well... legal proceedings would be a lot less snoozeworthy with her in charge, that's for sure.

Expand full comment

Since Taylor Swift appears to at least give two shits about other people, this idea couldn't be worse than what Mango Mussolini and the ReichWing have planned if he takes over in November.

Expand full comment

I would wager that she'd do a much better job of it.

Expand full comment

I know. It's a huge ask. Governing without either is more efficient.

Expand full comment

I wouldn't call what they're doing governing.

Expand full comment

Which is it? Either ... or neither. As with so much of the rest of the bible, it is self-contradictory, saying ONE thing in ONE place, and the exact OPPOSITE elsewhere. Steve Wells of the Skeptic's Annotated Bible has documented over 400 such contradictions.

Expand full comment

It makes cherry-picking much, much easier. That way they're never wrong.

Expand full comment

Pre-CISE-ly!

Expand full comment

Less Bible crap, more attention to the job they are elected to do...the day to day business of running the country and serving the public's best interest.

Yeah, I know. Very naive of me.

Expand full comment

Christian claim: "As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see the wall right above where the Supreme Court judges sit a display of the Ten Commandments."

Refuting that lie: The 'infamous' frieze by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman? "In a letter on file in the archives of the Supreme Court, Adolph Weinman, the designer of this frieze, states that the tablet visible between the two central male figures, engraved with the Roman numerals 1 - X, represents not the Ten Commandments but the first "ten amendments to the Constitution known as the Bill of Rights."

Oops!

Expand full comment

Whaaaaat?! Christians 𝘭𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 about things?! What is this, a day ending in Y?!

...𝘰𝘩. Right. Carry on then.

Expand full comment

Why let something as trivial and insignificant as the truth ruin a good story?

Expand full comment

I should point out that there's plenty more where this came from. I got the info from those myth busters at Snopes (the Christian lies are are highlighted, followed by non-highlighted reality via Snopes)

snopes.com/fact-check/national-capital/

Expand full comment

O/T: BREAKING!! Kamala Harris has just chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her VP running mate!!

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/06/kamala-harris-vice-president-pick-tim-walz

Expand full comment

Troublesh00ter beat you to it 48 minutes ago. :)

Expand full comment

You're right. He did! :)

Expand full comment

Great minds.....🙃

Expand full comment

Imposition of religious laws on impressionable children is NOT RIGHT.

Expand full comment

Yeah, it is ... and yet people have been doing that to kids (and to themselves!) literally for millennia.

Expand full comment

It is also a violation of our constitutional rights

Expand full comment

Hemant starts the article with the subheading "These posters are an embarrassment".

I thought the article was going to be about some of us that post comments here and I hoped that I wasn't on the list.

Expand full comment

Don't sell yourself short, you're a tremendous embarrassment. - Ty Webb (paraphrase) : )

Expand full comment

I am number 2. I try harder.

Expand full comment

Pardon, you forget Holytape, Maltnothops, Sean, Jim Sanders...

Expand full comment

#1 embarrassing commenter has to go to Mr. Graf.

Expand full comment

Hors catégorie, he is not voluntarily embarrassing.

Expand full comment

I second that motion.

Expand full comment

So #37?

Expand full comment

Try too hard and you'll be struck with enrods.

Expand full comment

OT : Bad news. I have a problem with my eyes. I need to do more exams tomorrow. Most probable treatment if confirmed, injections in the eyes. You see the problem ?

Expand full comment

They will probably sedate you and applya topical numbing agent. If it is like cataract SURGERY you won't feel a thing.

Expand full comment

It's not the pain the problem. It's seeing the syringe. I can barely stay still when DM inject me my insuline and with my eyes closed.

Expand full comment

If they sedate you, you won't see the needles either. Anymore than I saw them suck out the natural lens, cut a slit and insert the artificial lens when I had cataract surgery.

Expand full comment

I was sedated and saw only a blurry greyish nothing. Several hours later I had some pain in my eye. I was in VA Hoptel so I took the elevator to the ER. They called an eye guy who was at Northwestern U at the time. He came in and said some of the surface had hardened and broke away He removed it and no more pain. Took only seconds to remove it.

Expand full comment

Trust me, you don't feel anything but a tiny tiny pressure.

Expand full comment

Again, it's not the pain. I have needle phobia. I can't even change my glycemia sensors without help. I can't see, even less touch an insulin pen.

Expand full comment

For what it's worth, best wishes! 🤞

Expand full comment

Wish me to be blind. It's the only way for me to get injections in my eyes.

Expand full comment

I hear you ... and I wish you had a viable alternative.

Expand full comment

You literally don't feel anything. Easy peazey.

Expand full comment

I had vitrectomy on both of my eyes because of large amounts of floaters. But now not even a single floater. Hopefully everything goes well for you.

Expand full comment

:(

Expand full comment

OT: Vice President Harris selects Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate.

https://apnews.com/live/trump-harris-vp-pick-election-updates

I've met the guy. Smart, competent, capable, experienced, Veteran. I'm pleased with the pick.

Expand full comment

News so nice, it's posted thrice! ;)

Expand full comment

Jamais deux sans trois.

Expand full comment