I'm pretty sure NIMBYism is fueled by racism and rich people shit, which is something that is found in far greater abundance in the wealthy, definitely not progressive suburbs and exurbs

It was also the moment that the party began its earnest transition from merely racist to full on white nationalist (along with contempt for representative democracy its at the core of the US conservative movement)

Pshttt talk about naive. You think the threat is from AIPAC, but only because you've been oblivious to the machinations of Big Wine for too long! ("Big wine"? Maybe "Big Grape" or perhaps "Big Beverage")

B'Tselem are badasses; particularly impressive that they've accomplished anything or even survived as an organization given the hostility they've faced particularly from the state

As someone whose now co-running WFP operations in a large metro who needs to build an army for the left over the course of the next few years, I sure as hell am not going to disrespect or ignore churches and mosques and temples as a potential source of recruits and allies. Certainly worth trying

Absolutely shocking that the left has had so little luck organizing religious people (even those religious people with the most compatible values, culture etc) with this brilliant and very helpful attitude being fairly pervasive

Yeah unfortunately like with everything else, we can't even count on the extreme unpopularity of another overseas military adventure to stop it because like with everything else conservatives don't actually fear voters because they don't intend to ever allow another free+fair national election

Not immediately but I should be forgiven for being distracted by their most recent cycle of election coverage (which was, needless to say, not fucking great)

But just generally, if you're not even willing to try and organize some of the 75 MILLION Americans who are already constantly being exposed to radically egalitarian teachings (and led by a pope teaching about climate change, peace and economic justice) then you're prob not willing to try, period

Which to be clear is all of them including Trump (Trump more than anyone; do you really think that egotistical coward can resist the temptation to strut around the situation room ordering airstrikes?) starting wars and letting others die fighting them is a big part of being an elite Republican

I'm not putting much stock in who he picks specifically to take roles like this... actually let me rephrase that (because it does matter) I'm not counting on this guy to do anything to protect us and the world from Trump and any other GOP chickenhawks who think a war with Iran would be cool

Especially since so much of his ability to win reelections came from using power he already had as governor to force support out of critically important unions and political constituencies, none of which have to do a damn thing for him unless they actually volunteer to put an enemy in office

I seriously doubt there are too many people in the unions and other organizations who miss the good old days of being pushed around by a corrupt, power-hungry sex creep whose primary contribution to NYS politics was scheming to help Republicans keep control of the State Senate

The people at the PAB have done everything in their power to try to fulfill their mandate. If it weren't for the horrible, politically motivated ruling by conservative state judges gutting the agency's statutory enforcement powers the PAB might have been able to truly check this kind of corruption

At the very least he'll face ZERO consequences for decisions and behaviors behind the wheel that make your typical drunk drivers look responsible by comparison (like it is almost impossible to overstate how reckless and negligent this was) however it's not actually the PAB's fault he wasn't punished