Just a snippet from Matthew, Monica.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

Sounds like you may have a little snowflake on your hands. My grandchildren are being raised to be self sufficient, to think for themselves, to "get what you get and you don't throw a fit". To realize if you want to be a winner, you have to work harder and longer for that privilege...in other words you're not declared a winner just for showing up! I'm not sure who has the problem (your son or you) if a picture of a little girl baking cookies for the Jump Rope for Life campaign is troublesome. That's just creepy!

Matthew would be disappointed, Monica. "Snowflake" is a cheap shot. You got me. :-)

I see you've been Googling the Bible again Lisa. Haven't I read in at least one, maybe more of your posts that you aren't a Christian?

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Romans 2:1

Snowflake is a cheap shot? Really? I learned the term here, on this forum, during this political campaign and it's described as an overly sensitive person incapable of dealing with any opinions that differ from their own. I'm sorry, but if he's highly offended by a little girl baking cookies, something isn't right here.

Would he be cool with his father dressing up like a woman and using the women's bathroom because today dad identifies as a woman?

All I have done on these two posts is stand up and voice my beliefs. They aren't popular here. Again, it's ok for the other side to make snide remarks, posts pictures/memes, make fun of conservatives, etc. Hell hath no fury like a pissed off Liberal.

Lisa, omgosh, I've read post after post of your judgmental statements. No wonder you rarely read any Rep or Christians post their conservative views on this board. As a old friend of the family once said, "that'll go over like a turd in a punch bowl!"

Your Fly Over Peon ;)

You brought up "snowflake" here, Monica. You seemed concerned about the young female in your life above, not my son. My son's father doesn't dress like a woman--goodness, I'm not sure where that comes from! Is that a fear you have? What in the world would ignite you to bring that into this discussion? Are you worried about a male in your life who dresses up? Perhaps some underlying concerns there?

I'm not a liberal. I vote on issues, and I don't automatically side with Democrats. That's your own assumption.

Keep passing your judgements. I agree--hell hath no fury.

Monica, since you brought up fathers dressing like women, perhaps you can learn more from this link below. I pray for anyone in your life who veers outside of the tight spectrum you define for them.

http://www.hrc.org/resources/understanding-the-transgender-community

Yes I did bring up snowflake. Can you show me where I have a concern about the young female in my life? My concern was for your son. That the picture I posted would be offensive to him because she was baking cookies! I wondered if he would be so horribly upset with a female baking cookies, if perhaps he's be ok if his dad dressed up like a woman and went into a woman's bathroom. Maybe you need to re-read my post. And I asked that because apparently someone in his life is making sure there are no stereo-types (not that I consider a little girl baking cookies anything other than perfectly normal and innocent). Oh, you used the word pigeon-hole. That's why I wondered if dad dressing up like a woman would be more agreeable with him and you. No, I don't know any man that cross dresses and "identifies" as a woman....thank goodness! But yes, men and women sharing bathrooms does concern me.

No stereotypes in his life? You promoted it, and the type of "MAN" to be married.

You have no idea what kind of men I'm raising. Don't you DARE question how I'm raising my children.

I'm not the one who brought up transgender issues. You accused my son's father of dressing like a woman as if that was shameful. I have no idea where you got that idea, but that's from your own perspective. You own that, Monica. Deal with it.

No thanks. I'll pass on the reading. If anyone in my family chose the lifestyle of the opposite sex, I would still love that family member. I would not banish them from my life. Many years ago I might have but I've changed my mind about that. I would not approve of his/her choice. And because .1 or .01% of the population decides to be something they're not, why does 99.9% of the population to have to change? That's not really a question. You don't have to answer.

You wonder why people question Christians and Trump voters. Go look at your posts in this forum, Monica. You promote stereotypes, bigotry, hatred and ignorance.

I think the children you posted above are beautiful people. I would NEVER accuse them of any derogatory accusations that you have assumed on my son.

Oh, but you're a "victim" of the liberals.

You make me sick.

No, I didn't. It's your turn to red-read what I wrote. The only thing I said in this thread about a man is our daughter married a man much like her father. I really didn't question what kind of men you are raising. I was (and still am) shocked that a picture of a little 8 year old girl baking cookies for a cause is cause for your son to find it "highly offensive"

Well take two aspirin and call me in the morning (but not before 10)

My son doesn't read this forum. I do. And I've read your accusations against him.

Lisa, you're a piece of work! First, to drag your child into this...WOW. Who does that? I hope his reading comprehension is better than yours. Again, my concern is that your son is highly offended by a picture of a little girl baking cookies! He didn't come up with that on his own. And I did NOT accuse his father of dressing in women's clothes. YOU accused me of saying that. I just asked if that image would be less offensive because I'm SO shocked that seeing a girl bake cookies is so upsetting to him. I guess that means you're not buying a pkg of cookies for a good cause :/ DO go back with a clear mind tomorrow and re-read what I said.

Your posts above speak the truth, Monica. No pics of my son, but your words about him are there.

You accused my son's father of dressing up like a woman, Monica. I have no idea where you got that idea. I support transgender issues, but the way you phrased it was derogatory, as if to demean my son.

My son and his father have more integrity and respect for their fellow citizens than you demonstrate here in this forum. This is why I pray for those in your life.

Geez :o

My apology OP for the hijack. I never in a million years thought a picture of an 8 year old baking cookies would get so out of control!

It's not the picture of an 8-year-old baking cookies. I think she's beautiful and lovely.

I give up. I can't have a conversation with someone who can't comprehend or is purposely putting words in my mouth. First you said your son would be highly offended by my picture. The only picture I had posted at the time was of an 8 year old girl making cookies. And you said he loves cookie dough as much as anyone...whaat? What does that have to do with her making cookies? And now you say it's not about baking cookies, you think she's lovely and beautiful (thank you!) I feel like I'm conversing with Jekyll and Hyde. Can't keep up. If you were so concerned about your son's feelings (seeing an 8 year old bake cookies) perhaps you shouldn't have shown it to him.

I never showed it to him, and he doesn't read this forum, as I explained above. You made a statement about girls, and I stated that my son would fit into that stereotype that you promoted. You then proceeded to question his father as a cross-dresser or transgender, as if there was something wrong with my son's upbringing.

Can't keep up? Then don't make your accusations. And don't make statements about children of posters, like my son. I never stated anything negative about the children you posted above.

You "Christian," you.

Re: sanctity of life, did you know miscarriage claims the lives of far more 'unborn children' than abortions? 30-50% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, 10% of pregnancies with confirmed heartbeat end in miscarriage. God is the biggest abortionist of all I guess. - signed three miscarriages and prochoice.

Lisa, please continue to Google away at the scriptures! There is infinite beauty and wisdom there, in spite of how those of us who claim identity in Christ so miserably fail to live up to it.

I've been thinking about this a lot and I want to ask those of us here who do claim that identity to be very mindful of how we treat those here who do not share our beliefs. How much damage we inflict with these careless, thoughtless, smug words of ours! And yes, I absolutely include my own stupid self here. We are called to continually give our ego over to our higher power so that He can work in us, through us, and around us. What wonderful opportunities to be Christ's voice might we be completely shutting down because of our willful refusal to simply be kind, tolerant, and undemanding? Think about it and pray about it, please, I will.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart." -Jesus the Christ

Ida, even as a non believer I believe in your above words. Belief in God is a wonderful tool to bring out the goodness in people much more often then it has been a tool to bring forth some ugliness too. I believe goodness is intrinsic to all people and wether a belief in God or just a belief in goodness brings out our best intentions does not matter it only matters that we attempt to be tolerant of all not just those who mirror us.

ETA, I just want to say I do not judge believers, I wish I were one. I lack the ability to suspend my disbelief and this lack leaves me sad in many ways. I hope my words express my real respect for those who do believe. You have an ability I do not process and I think you are lucky to have that power.

roarah, I appreciate your kind words. I agree that goodness is inherent in every single person. Just to be clear, my post above was specifically to those here who claim to follow Christ, because even though there can be any number of theological and ideological differences between us, the one thing we cannot deny is that we are to be known by our love.

As far as having an "ability" to believe, well, all I can say to that is that it's supernatural and is not something I've brought about on my own. I spent a good deal of time in disbelief and outright rejection of many aspects of the faith I grew up with, but I had some experiences that turned my eyes to God in a new way that made faith relevant in my life. We each find our path in our own time, and I'm not arrogant enough to say that I feel everyone on the planet should "come to Christ" because I have. That's not mine to say at all, and really my only obligation is to love and treat others with the same kindness and respect that I crave for myself, no matter what belief system they adhere to.

This is really neat:

After they marched, 500 women learned how to run – for office

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article128112534.html

Part of effective political action before, during and after protests is organization. For example, we all look at Rosa Parks and the popular conception is that she was "tired" that day and just happened to stand up for her rights. Instead, she had recently attended a civil rights event, was bailed out by the NAACP, and the boycott was organized by the Womens' Political Council and NAACP. NAACP picked her as a test case because they thought she would be a likely candidate to persist and win a court challenge. "Parks was considered the ideal plaintiff for a test case against city and state segregation laws, as she was seen as a responsible, mature woman with a good reputation. She was securely married and employed, was regarded as possessing a quiet and dignified demeanor, and was politically savvy."

Even then the Montgomery bus boycott lasted over a year...amazing organization and political will on the part of the community.

robo, since you liked the movie Hidden Figures, I'd strongly suggest you read the book, which was actually much better. But it details much of the civil rights mvt from WWII on, including a lot of detail about the boycotts of the 50s and 60s.

It's a very interesting (and currently rather chilling) read.

This is a long thread so I hope this doesn't get lost. But the next steps are already being planned. You can find out more here:

Women's March 100: 10 Actions in 100 Days

Id give it a new post, Annie

Here is a good article, a bit long, about the risk of adopting the same sort of "uncivil discourse" that so riles me about T.

After reading it, I realized that I was being pretty contemptuous of "jerks in flyover states" whose votes determine the election disproportionately, via the electoral college, and effectively make my vote inconsequential.

That was a textbook example of contempt. Upon reflection, not a good look. I apologize. I still disagree with them and the system, but it was OTT.

FWIW, think about this:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/23/opinion/our-new-age-of-contempt.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-right-region&region=opinion-c-col-right-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-right-region

Mtn... thanks for posting the link to that piece. Certainly food for thought. Reading through the comments was interesting as well. I too am struggling with my contempt.

I used to live in a flyover state. Without moving, I now live in a swing state. How did that happen? I, and other like minded folks worked for many years to elect people who believed in good education. That brought businesses in who needed educated workers and educated workers who wanted a good education for their children. At least in the portion of the state where I live. Change takes time and effort, but it can happen. It also takes eternal diligence to keep our elected officials supporting good education.

Thank you for sharing the piece, Mtn.

I find it difficult to control the outrage in my posts/responses at times (like during today's press conference)-- but I will continue to work at it because I can't let contempt become my political language.

I am going to borrow from Michelle Obama for my mantra, "when they go low, we go high"

Our feelings were very raw after losing the election, and now they are raw this week as we lose the Obamas, who many of us loved. During both these times on this forum, a select few took it upon themselves to gloat or to constantly come back to threads to pick. I don't think badly of anyone who responded to them in less than proud terms. I do think less of those others. This is a remarkable group of women in this little spot on the web. Be proud.

If you don't want to do anything political, but want to support equality, volunteer for Girl Scouts. You don't have to have a daughter (or be a woman). And you don't have to eat the cookies. You do need to pass a background check. :)

I try to live with a mantra it is always best to be proactive not reactive and I think both anger and more so contempt are reactive actions. I can not always hold back and bite my tongue, just ask my dear husband, but when I do react with anger I try to wait a bit and re think or here reread my thoughts and those of the person I am reacting to so I can alter my own reactions quickly. I like that the what to do next 100 day action ideas seem very proactive and thus hopefully will also be productive.

bernie is praising trump today for one of his executive orders. if he can see common ground with the POTUS we should be able to try to respect each other too I think.

“I am glad the Trans-Pacific Partnership is dead and gone,” Sanders said. “For the last 30 years, we have had a series of trade deals – including the North American Free Trade Agreement, permanent normal trade relations with China and others – which have cost us millions of decent-paying jobs and caused a ‘race to the bottom’ which has lowered wages for American workers. Now is the time to develop a new trade policy that helps working families, not just multinational corporations. If President Trump is serious about a new policy to help American workers, then I would be delighted to work with him.”

Hillary was also vocally against the TPP.

I live in probably one of the bluest districts of blue state, so I also don't find protesting on my own doorstep to be productive and we are suffering a bit from protest overload in this particular neighborhood- we've probably had at least one march, rally, gathering or otherwise per week for nearly the last year, or at least it feels like it. I will say I was impressed with the women's march here. It was far larger than I ever expected (most are small enough to be easily ignored), it was legally permitted (most are not, so it means street closures, traffic control etc. cannot be planned), it remained peaceful and respectful (many others have not) and even tried to lessen it's impact ($10,000 was donated to a food pantry that had to close early that day because of the march).

For myself I would love to be able to work towards reforming or even abolishing the electoral college - that I think could make a huge difference in many ways.

Me too, EP, but google the stories on that by NPR and WAPO. Looks pretty hard considering you need to get the people who benefit from it to vote against it....2/3 of Congress plus 3/4 of the states iirc

Indeed - I don't expect it would be easy, or perhaps even possible in my lifetime and I haven't the faintest clue where one would start, but it the one thing I would most like to work towards, at least at this time.

me too... and I need to investigate it more, as i think some pretty fine minds are working on it, which makes me think there may be some angle

This is quite awe inspiring.. Thanks Greenpeace! Sorry about the impending arrests but I imagine you're all used to it by now. I'm quite impressed the chair of their board of directors is hanging around up there.

Heck yeah, Greenpeace!

Subscribe to the New York Times to help keep a journalist employed.

Call my Senators & Reps in their home office, even if I only talk to staffers.

Here's an interesting website, swingleft.org.

it will help identify swing races in 2018 near you that you can support.

Thanks, robo. I was really surprised. Texas elections were a lot closer than I thought.

Reposting this as encouragement to remain active:

Our vice president today blatantly disregarded the separation of church and state. He proclaimed his religious beliefs while on the clock and inserted his intentions in how they influence his representation of our country.

A complete and utter disregard for our Constitution.

As a democrat who finds Trump to be terrifying, idiotic and an embarrassment to the country as a whole, I didn't think I could ever be offended by anti-trump rhetoric, but honestly I find some of the elitism on this tread deeply offensive. Given the generalization here, I guess I must be jerk just because I do live in a red flyover state, even though I was a poll watcher for the DNC and have voted blue in every election since Jerry Ford. There are many others like me, but not the majority in my state. Many of us even in the flyover states also pay six figures in taxes annually, but our vote doesn't count either.

However, as a poll watcher in very red rural precincts, my eyes were opened a bit. I saw the Trump supporters face to face. I expected hate mongering rednecks. I was wrong. In large measure, they aren't jerks either but hard working middle class feeling left behind and scared for their future. I also saw theminteracting pleasantly with one another and even with the few minorities in their precincts. Do I think they were ill informed and gullible? Of course I do, but they are Americans and I respect their right to vote, even if I personally disagree and think they voted against their own best interest.

Before the mid-terms we will be moving to a swing state, so maybe for once my vote will count.