165 Comments
Jan 30, 2023Liked by Joyce Vance

It is time for every young girl and boy, every mother and father, every man and woman to yell STOP, you have gone too far with the vile intrusion on a young girl's most personal and monumental change of life, period. I tremble that a state would condone such madness. Even though I had been told what to expect, I remember how difficult it was for me to let my mother know "what was happening to me." She, of course, was reassuring and helpful in the technicalities required for this transition. I cannot imagine, at all, that I would have been willing to share such natural occurrences of life with busybody people who had no concern for me. Whose only objective was to put girls under the thumbs of masculine misogyny. Yi yi yi yi. What are we to do? Can life for girls and women be any more vile and despicable? And to think that maybe even some women in Florida are following in lock step with the cretons. Fathers and Mothers, please rise up. Protest this madness.

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Andrea, your message reminded me of what it was like to be an 11 year-old girl in 1960 Cincinnati. My mother was uncomfortable talking about the changes a girl's body goes through, so those changes happened to me without warning. Mom was at work one Saturday when, quite seriously and absolutely certain, I told my father I was bleeding to death. I will always love him fiercely because he didn't laugh. Instead, this under-educated manual laborer explained how a girl's body works and how to use Mom's supplies. How would I share anythiing about my cycle with the school system?

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Jan 30, 2023·edited Jan 30, 2023

Bluedurham

Thank you for sharing your memory. I hope the cretons in Florida stop their detrimental policy.

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It’s a monumental move toward autocracy. Give them the keys??? Majority of Republicans do not seem capable of thinking for themselves despite their fancy degrees... well many of them.

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You shouldn't have to. At all. And this madness MUST stop. We are the ones who will have to do just that. As Andrea said, yell STOP as loud and as often as you can.

Talk to everyone you know, tell them about this madness. Never stop talking about it until these madmen (and women) are exposed for the nazis they are. We must never allow anyone to normalize this despicable behavior.

These people must be voted out, and never allowed to hold a position in our federal gov't. Ever.

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Celeste: "We must never allow anyone to normalize this despicable behavior." Thank you.

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For starters all females might consider relocating to a blue state.

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Good idea! And brothers, and sisters, mothers, and fathers.

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That's not the ideal solution. Then, there would be no one left there to fight for those who have no idea what they are about to lose. Many of those who side with these fascist ideas are not thinking about what their lives would be like, just like those in Germany in the 1930's.

As fellow Americans, they need us to help them from themselves, to show them the truth.

At any rate, ALL those who would choose to leave are welcome here in Maryland.

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founding

I commented earlier that Hoover has the most diverse student body in the state. This move is so obviously racist and uncalled for that it sicken me🤢

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I love the idea of passing out copies of a banned book in the place where it is banned.

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👏👏👏👏👏👏

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I don’t think Merrick Garland will ever prosecute Trump. I saw the repulsive Jim Jordan w/Chuck Todd today, dodging as usual. The McGonigal story weakens my faith in institutions further. MTG now has assignments on crucial committees. DeSantis seems to be getting away with whatever intrusive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant moves he pulls. He is Trump with a better education and sans women on the side.The murder of Tyre Nichols was beyond heinous... my heart is breaking this week. My first vote was in Nixon v. McGovern: I have no hope that I will see a female President in my lifetime. I just wish Sally Yates was AG.

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I think Garland is going to indict and convict. I have faith he knows the country needs it, and this is his true moment of destiny.

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I think he is a deer caught in the headlights of history. Frozen. He knows there is danger but can’t move.

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I think he has much more spine than many give him credit for. The repeated emphasis that no person is beyond the rule of law gives me confidence he knows where this task leads. But, of course, the real actor here is Jack Smith. He is a pit bull. And I suspect he will deliver a compelling argument to Garland.

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"When you strike the king, you must kill him." If the DoJ indicted and tried Trump, and he got off, he would be more powerful than ever.

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Same thing is true of any criminal prosecution. Failure to convict emboldens the criminal.

Failure to indict also emboldens the criminal.

Ignoring rampant criminality emboldens the criminal.

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I know. Happened twice with impeachment.

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Every day brings something even more surreal from the gop. Having seen the former president’s disjointed rhetoric on why he’s running again for president, has chilled me to my core. And how are the gop going to make America great again? Going after the DOJ/FBI?

The whole situation regarding the rights of girls and sports participation in Florida is an invasion of their rights.

The whole world is facing Fugazi at the moment. I’m afraid, astonished and embarrassed by members in local/city/state and federal government who are completely delusional and believe in trump.

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Co-sign. I just posted something similar on here. I really can't take this fascism anymore.

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To endure this mess we all need to stick together and let it play out. The republicans are just rattling their antlers. The don’t work on policy so all they can do is try to muddy the waters. They are simply trying to divide us and create fear. We must be strong together and call these things out and do what we can. We have the power to get through this. Shut out the noise. That’s all it is. They can’t pass any legislation so they create noise which is irrelevant.

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You are right. The R's are never going to govern. We cannot let our guard down. Otherwise, they will continue to chip away at the fabric of this country. The more they chip, the longer it will take to repair the damage. We need to stay above the noise, and let the country know about every bad step they take. As you say, STICK TOGETHER!

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Could almost go paragraph by paragraph with a Comment.

Wanting to know about girls periods! Who the hells business is that?

Jim Jordon and his committee that is going to be a real pain in the ass. 2 years of political propaganda. I see a lot of deep breathing and calming remedies in my future.. thank you in advance for keeping sane with writings.

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Here's hoping that Jimbo goes Full Jordan. Perhaps it will shock some of the fence-sitters (self-admiring Independents, I'm thinking of you) into giving up on the GOP really being a serious political party, as opposed to a corrupt, pre-adolescent frat-house sans adult supervision.

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Brilliant!

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Ignore them.

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As Jordan and the gop are acting petty, why not open an investigation on him. In regards to his knowledge of sexual abuse regarding Jerry Sandusky.

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He is a double talker. He talks really fast. Never any substance. Investigate that.

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Much depends on how effectively the Dem members of the committee (whoever they turn out to be), other Democratic officeholders, legal commentators (like Joyce), historians (like Heather Cox Richardson), and others are able to get the word out about what Jordan & company are up to. They're so convinced that the ends justify the means that they're bound to make stupid statements and do stupid things. We need to capitalize on every one of them.

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I hope Democratic representatives adopt more visual and direct action methods, such as any time they are in committees holding up posters of the January 6th assault with a photo of, for example, Jim Jordan superimposed on the attack...with the word SUPPORTER and the label AMENDMENT 14 PART 3 VIOLATOR.

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I think that I AM going to go paragraph by paragraph with comments. Overwhelming amount of bad news, and this will help me to digest it (speaking of meals for 2/2).

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It’s just creating a solid platform for dems.

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Joyce....maybe you could devise some kind of Chickens Ground Hog Day. Put out a special treat and see how long it takes them to scratch around and eat it. You can invent your own outcome for winter.

I cannot express anything but extreme shock at the info on checking girls' periods. So horrendous. Another sign of the rise of the Christian Taliban.

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Yes, that's the right term for it.

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It would be better than keeping a groundhog in a cage all year just to let him out long enough for a stupid "tradition." That's what happens in PA. I just signed a petition last night demanding this inhumane practice be stopped.

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It's not harmless or cute. It's horrible. How will we ever become humane people if we condone things like this? I'll bet that nobody here ever took a moment to wonder just where that hapless groundhog comes from every year.

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I don't have it anymore, sorry.

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We must follow this thread and act accordingly.

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Clearly, for Groundhog Day, you must eat something that repeats on you! 🤣

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how about cucumbers? anything with chili powder? horseradish?

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Other films to recommend - though not fun like "Groundhog Day" - are "good night, and good luck," "Trumbo" w/ Bryan Cranston, and "All the Presidents Men". They are about speaking truth to power and standing up to tyranny. Great acting, true stories, huge lessons for us.

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I honestly don't know if I can take anymore of this fascism Joyce. It feels worse than ever before. It's eating at my soul and mental health. I'm about to have my 52nd birthday and I don't see a bright future for me or anyone else who cares about democracy and equality. Everywhere I look in red states across America they are attempting to erase my entire LGBTQ community and overall really anyone who isn't a white cishet MAGA GOP voting Christian. When I read this story today, that was the final straw. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/home-school-nazis-telegram-dissident-saxon_n_63d596c4e4b01a43638e6a0a that broke me. We are backsliding in every way imaginable and those in positions of power won't do anything to stop it.

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author

This is a tough time to live in. But I see signs of home in the way Americans voted in the midterm elections. I think we're going to have to be smart and prepared in 2024 to come out on top of people who want to suppress the vote, but if we can stay on top of the issues, work to educate folks, and get registered and vote, I think we can push forward. Nolite te Bastardes Carborundorum.

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There's so much I can't share on a public forum that's making things worse for me personally. One thing I can talk about is the fact that I slipped and fell while walking on the pavement when it was snowing this past Wednesday morning here in Chicago and I still can't walk properly. There's just so much stuff compounding upon itself in my life. Thanks for responding Joyce. You are an all around amazing person.

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I'm so sorry about your difficult personal issues, Carrie. I know you're not alone in that situation. I hope you take it one day at a time...or one hour at a time if necessary. And unless you feel compelled to keep up with the news, it's a good idea to take a break from it. Remember, most of us were horrified and stressed out for the four years that the former president spread lies and created chaos. But as it turned out, we managed to elect Joe Biden, who restored some sanity and did many amazing and great things for this country. I certainly realize bad things can happen with our political situation. But we can also overcome it eventually. So for the sake of your peace of mind and health, maybe try accepting that we may well improve this mess in time, and then shut it out so you can take care of yourself. Best of luck!!! Wishing you peace and healing.

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Thank you CC, Yes, I need a break from the news.

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We live in a state without snow. As I age, and with Parkinson's, I often wonder what the winters would be like for me if I moved up North. Unfortunately, you prove the point. I am terribly sorry that you got hurt, and hope the you will feel much better soon.

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Thank you so much for your kind words.

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Hi Carrie

Please take care of yourself-- we need your passion and commitment in this moment to protect our ability to live and love freely in our country -- and to collaborate to strengthen our democracy. And fight for our rights. I no longer take things for granted. Even democracy. Agree life is hard now for many ... and I feel overwhelmed sometimes by the pain of grieving families, frightened kids. We are a community here. Serious and thoughtful and blissfully silly too. Keep safe.

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Thanks Lor. I really think I need a break from following American politics at the granular level to be a more effective activist going forward. I'm also suffering from the winter January blahs which affects my mood.

Stay safe yourself!

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That’s why my New Year’s resolutions include writing 10 postcards a week for the group “Tony the Democrat”. Encouraging Democrats to get out and vote no matter how insignificant they may think a local election will be. Your suggestion, Joyce!!

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Illegitimi Non Carborundum. Bastardi non Attritari. Used to have those on my coffee cups in the Navy.

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Great response Joyce. I second it 🇺🇸

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Remember the pendulum always swings back. Focus on how delicious their comeuppance is going to be. Like a big chocolate eclair squished in the middle.

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I'm trying. It's just getting so hard to believe anything good will happen.

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The Buddhist have a saying I repeat so often my husband teases me about it... I ask, Is this Joyful Participation in the Sorrows of the World, yet? Hang in there, you are not alone.

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Thank you Lynn.

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I have this personal conviction and reliance on statistics. It always seems to be that there are a lot more people in the middle of the curve than on the extremes and that the "bell curve of normalcy" will prevail. We saw it in the midterms this year. We will see it again. We are a large country and there are more of us normal people than those who are not. Keep that in your heart and mind for now. It helps me and will help you, too I think.

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Groundhog Day. So glad that you mentioned that occasion. The other topics are too awful for me to linger on 'til daylight. For several years, I had a small party of fun-loving adults at my house that featured pin-the-shadow-on-the-groundhog. Thanks for jogging my memory. I need good memories nowadays. They kindle the embers of hope for us humankind.

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Thinking things that make us feel good helps.

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To keep my mind clear: (1) any way to donate to a fund (you?) to get this wonderful book into the hands of EVERY child in Hoover, whose parents will allow it? I have been involved with an extremely poor "Black" school in a town a couple of hours from Charleston. The children there have cherished every book I've donated. I've focused on every book by a Black author and/or about Black children that I could find. There are dozens. (2) ASKING GIRLS ABOUT THEIR PERIODS??!!! I can't believe it!! Not in MY country! Not in the U.S.A.! Do they also want bloody tampons, so they can be sure the girls aren't lying? This horrifies and sickens me! (3) So we take yet another step toward "1984". "The House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government". Those words chill me to the bone. As with everything done by the repuklicant party, it is pure projection (e.g., Bill Barr's actions) onto the Biden administration. How much damage will Gym & Co. be allowed to do? Hopefully, kev mack is so strung up by the radicals in his party -- suggesting a federal increase in the sales tax! -- that the whole thing will just collapse into a pile of nothing. Fingers crossed, anyway.

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I believe it was Hakeem Jeffries who called the new group for which Gym Jordan will be the head bully and bellower "The House Select Subcommittee for Insurrection Protection." It's a more accurate name.

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Yes, it is! Go, Hakeem!

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Fear is the autocrat playbook. Focus 🧘‍♀️

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Thank you Joyce, as ever.

I was born in france a long time ago, the idea that a school could ask about my period is so ludicrous that you would nearly die of laughter there.

We had classes in geography and history starting six grade, which would continue till senior year. The idea that we could delete a section of history belonging to our country would be ludicrous as well.

I feel considering these two facts, plus the added one that a former president having fomented a coup may still be a candidate make watching these developments here as mind bending as possible 🤦‍♀️😂

I hope the chickens are fine .

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Totally agree and I hope “ the chickens come home to roost” I say this because I am so horrified I can’t express how I feel in a public forum.

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I really don’t think he’ll run. He is just continuing to dupe his supporters into sending him more money.

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lol, I hope you are right.

I wonder if the fact he has only one mandate might deter his appeal with the Republican Party...

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Love the small action of reading protest. Going to share with my small Postcardia gang.

Also... ground hogs are all about the salad. It being minus 3 right now, it might be good to celebrate a collation of grasses, clover, alfalfa, and dandelions a bit later. (Not unlike the TG/Christmas meals my twin would take to the firefighter camp in August because they were seasonal workers! Which reminds me... celebration of any winter hols can be moved with abandon to any time of the year you want. I miss my twin.)

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I'd love to know details about a "Postcardia" group... I'm ready to buy a slew of Mr. Barnes's books and give them away...

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I just bought this book. I was an English teacher for 10 years. I could not take the parents anymore. Half the books I taught have now been banned. Kill A Mockingbird? Really?

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I am very sensitive to what is happening in Florida. My granddaughters will be forced to submit to the Gov clearly abusing his power. How creepy that he would even enter a conversation with teen girls about their periods!

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I highly recommend mass exodus out of Florida. It is no longer the sunshine state 🎭

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Sounds like someone is up to some, "Good Trouble"! Go for it!

It's difficult to come up with comparably irrelevant, yet intrusive! inqiuries for male atheletes, but perhaps asking, "How many times do you grab your crotch during a any single game?" and "Does it ever give you pleasure? " would be a place to start.

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