Following President Trump’s inauguration, Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde delivered a sermon at Washington National Cathedral imploring the president to show mercy to marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals and immigrants, whose lives had been impacted by his recent executive orders. Budde’s message directly challenged Trump’s policies and contrasted sharply with his administration’s actions. Trump’s dismissive response, describing the service as “not too exciting,” further highlighted the significant ideological differences between the president and the Cathedral. The event underscored the ongoing tension between Trump’s political platform and the Cathedral’s progressive values.
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President Trump signed executive orders aiming to recognize only two sexes (male and female) and eliminate federal DEI programs deemed “radical and wasteful.” The gender order mandates the use of “sex” instead of “gender” in official documents, impacting passports and visas, and restricts taxpayer funding for gender-transition healthcare. A second order targets the dismantling of DEI initiatives within federal agencies, focusing on environmental justice programs and equity-related grants. These actions, announced on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, are framed as a return to merit-based systems, while opponents argue they represent a setback for racial and social justice and anticipate legal challenges.
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Oklahoma is considering a bill that would dramatically restrict the provision of homeless shelters and outreach programs across the state. The proposed legislation would effectively ban all municipalities with populations under 300,000 from offering any services to homeless individuals. This includes owning or leasing land for shelters, a move that would significantly limit access to vital support for a vulnerable population.
This drastic measure would leave numerous towns and cities without the resources to aid their homeless residents, forcing many to travel considerable distances for assistance. Imagine the challenges faced by someone experiencing homelessness in a smaller Oklahoma town—they might have to travel over two hours to reach the nearest shelter located in a larger city.… Continue reading
Chris Hedges’ assertion that capitalists should be barred from healthcare systems highlights the inherent issue of commodifying essential services. This critique extends beyond healthcare to encompass numerous societal systems – from transportation and food to education and the environment – all negatively impacted by capitalist control. The article argues that addressing individual symptoms, like reforming healthcare, is insufficient; a systemic challenge to capitalism itself is necessary. Focusing solely on healthcare reform while ignoring the broader capitalist structure is akin to fighting a bully while allowing most of his attacks to continue.
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MLK Jr.’s daughter: Americans should not ‘retreat or recoil’ after Trump win. This sentiment, urging continued engagement and resistance, is a powerful call to action in the face of what many perceive as a setback for progress. It’s a message that resonates deeply, especially considering the emotional toll of a deeply divisive election.
The exhaustion felt by many is palpable. Years of activism, of fighting for what’s right, can leave one feeling drained and disheartened, especially after a significant political defeat. It’s understandable to want to retreat, to take a break from the relentless battle, to simply focus on self-preservation.
But the call to resist the urge to retreat is not about ignoring the exhaustion or minimizing the pain of defeat.… Continue reading
Following President-elect Trump’s victory, Advocates for Trans Equality, Jewish Voice for Peace, and Reproductive Freedom for All have reported increased community outreach and anxiety regarding potential rights rollbacks. These groups, along with other leftist organizers, anticipate heightened challenges in advancing transgender rights, reproductive freedom, and Palestinian liberation under a second Trump administration. Despite fear, these organizations remain resolute in their commitment to advocacy and building collective power to protect hard-won rights and freedoms. They are urging community members to take proactive steps to safeguard their legal protections while preparing for an anticipated escalation in resistance.
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Dick Van Dyke, the renowned actor, has publicly endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in a video posted on YouTube. The 98-year-old legend read an excerpt from a speech he delivered at a 1964 civil rights event with Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing the need to combat hatred and inequality. Van Dyke, a long-time advocate for social justice, has previously supported Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden in past elections. His endorsement reflects his enduring commitment to promoting equality and progress, acknowledging the strides made while recognizing the ongoing need for change.
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Dr. Hassan Diab, a convicted Lebanese terrorist, has accepted a teaching position at Carlton University in Ottawa, Canada. Diab was found guilty in absentia in a French court for his involvement in a deadly synagogue bombing in Paris in 1980 and sentenced to life imprisonment, but he continues to live freely in Canada. Diab, who denies involvement in the attack, briefly fought extradition in 2008 and fled to Canada following his release from house arrest in France. Diab’s hiring has drawn outrage and condemnation, with critics citing a violation of equality, justice, and dishonoring the victims. A petition calling for his immediate dismissal, led by Bnai Brith Canada, is currently circulating.
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Vance’s recent remarks about the need to cease being offended by racist jokes made at a Trump rally have ignited a firestorm of debate. The insistence that we should toughen up and stop taking offense is not only misguided but it also dismisses the deeply ingrained pain that such rhetoric inflicts on marginalized communities. When Vance says we have to stop getting so offended, it serves as a convenient deflection from the real harm that racist jokes perpetuate.
The idea that we should simply absorb hate speech because being offended is an overreaction runs contrary to basic human decency. If humor is intended to foster connection, then jokes that center on the race, ethnicity, or identity of individuals do exactly the opposite; they create division and normalize prejudice.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood