Joe Biden

[cadburymilkchoc]

I saw another thread recently about creepy Biden. With his hair sniffing and touching young girls and telling them no dating until 30 🤮 now I've just seen he has confirmed he is running for president in 2020! God forbid if he gets into the white house. What to others think of this?

Not going well for Uncle Joe:

www.nytimes.com/2019/04/25/us/politics/joe-biden-anita-hill.html

StopThePlanet

Yes!!! I will tell you that I'm rather in despair about the future of this country politically, and I'm not optimistic that anyone on the left will listen to our concerns, but I'm willing to try!

GeorgeFayne

Excellent!! I feel the same way you do. I have to get some sleep - I'll reach out to you this weekend.

@GeorgeFayne I am not American but I've always followed the elections with interest and, in the last election, with concern. I agree with you and if I were American could not possibly vote for a candidate who did not challenge the TWAW myth. It's truly an agonising and deeply troubling situation the US has got itself into. The US regards itself as world leader and yet is on the cusp of destroying all the hard work women have put in over the centuries -- and with the permission and partnership of American women themselves, who are blindly cheering on their own obliteration.
It's beyond belief.

I have no patience for the TWAW erasure of women and I have said as much on here repeatedly.

Considering that the other side (and not just Trump) attacks women‘s reproductive rights, I still think Dems are the ‚lesser evil‘.

I also wonder, whether progressive candidates whose understanding of the world is based on Materialism (material reality) and class analysis are really in the TWAW camp, and if they are, how easily they can be swayed by rational argument.

I very much feel that TWAW is a top down thing and politicians who don’t take Big Money from the Pritzkers&Co may not be all that wedded to the TWAW idea.

3. If you're an American and you care about women's rights and protection under the law, the erasure of lesbians, and the toxic, harmful genderism destroying our children, then you do NOT have a Democratic candidate (or any other, for that matter) to support. They ALL have voiced support of the TRA agenda or the new Equal Rights Act.

I have no idea what I'll do for 2020, save one thing: I'll stay true to my beliefs and only vote for a candidate willing to fight for the future of my daughters as biologic females. Period.

The trans agenda is worth fighting against. But you're living a pretty privileged existence if you think it's the one that will most affect your daughters.

I'm far more concerned about abortion rights/ and access to birth control for every woman. I'm far more concerned about gerrymandering and the republicans answer to racism in my country and I say that as someone who has been against TRA for years.

And I'm really fucking concerned about the fact that 52 women are shot by their partners A MONTH

Stoptheplanet as someone from Florida are you aware the state have the right to hold you hostage in the hospital for your fetus's own good there?

I'm concerned about the fact that in some states women are being held responsible for their miscarriages.

That many states still allow a rapists father access to his child.

The dems need to sort their shit about Trans activism but do not pretend you are voting for women if you vote for anyone who doesn't get Trump out.

As a woman, and a mother of daughters, this should be your biggest concern.

everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-america/#foot_note_27

Women in the U.S. are 21 times more likely to be killed with a gun than women in other high-income countries.

In an average month, 52 American women are shot to death by an intimate partner, and many more are injured.

Nearly one million women alive today have been shot or shot at by an intimate partner.

Approximately 4.5 million American women alive today have been threatened with a gun by an intimate partner

Access to a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times more likely that a woman will be killed.

Black women are twice as likely to be fatally shot by an intimate partner compared to white women.

posters on FWR need to remember

According to Planned Parenthood, birth control pills cost between $15 to $50 a month

As opposed to free in the UK.

Abortion is effectively on demand.

Medical care is free at the point of use.

A birth can cost 40,000 dollars.

People crowdfund to pay for their family to have cancer treatment.

Medical care is the number one cause of bankruptcy for Americans.

American women can't afford to play the same game that British women can.

I have no patience for the TWAW erasure of women and I have said as much on here repeatedly.

Considering that the other side (and not just Trump) attacks women‘s reproductive rights, I still think Dems are the ‚lesser evil‘.

I also wonder, whether progressive candidates whose understanding of the world is based on Materialism (material reality) and class analysis are really in the TWAW camp, and if they are, how easily they can be swayed by rational argument.

I very much feel that TWAW is a top down thing and politicians who don’t take Big Money from the Pritzkers&Co may not be all that wedded to the TWAW idea.

deepwatersolo great comments! You've summed up a lot of my thoughts on this. I think the current iteration of the GOP is intensely authoritarian, plutocratic, misogynistic, racist, regressive and dangerous. I don't think the Democrats are perfect by any means, but they support voting rights (which is more than I can say for most Republicans), and some of them are pretty good on most issues.

I don't have any real hope that any Democratic candidate will dissent from the TWAW orthodoxy right now, but I do have some hope that some of them would be willing to listen to women's concerns down the line. Is this a great situation? No, far from it.

I think Pumpkin is right to point out that the situation on the ground is very, very different in the US than it is in the UK. [Though I winced at the "game" phrasing. I am full of admiration for the British women who have organized relentlessly to protect female rights, often at great personal cost. I might've said "strategy" instead. Sorry if this seems like nitpicking.]

Both are two sides of the same authoritarian coin.
Trump was the candidate they used to soften up the beachhead. People will think that whoever follows him will be an improvement.

I'd like to point out that many people now say that while Democrats cant tell you what a woman is they are the best choice for the next President because they are the lesser of 2 evils.
You have been moved several steps towards the cliff edge and you haven't noticed. This isn't normal.

I think it's also important to understand that some of the issues are framed differently in the US. Domestic violence agencies and rape crisis centers serve men as well as women and people of all gender identities and have for a long time. Also our free speech protections in the US are greater. The police won't be knocking at your door for misgendering someone.

For me, issues of women's reproductive rights, racial injustice, and economic inequality are paramount and will determine for whom I vote.

Though I winced at the "game" phrasing. I am full of admiration for the British women who have organized relentlessly to protect female rights, often at great personal cost. I might've said "strategy" instead. Sorry if this seems like nitpicking.]

When I say playing the game I dont mean activism. I have nothing but respect for activists fighting the TRA agenda. I try and do my bit, myself. What I mean is having the privilege of voting for a different party to my normal values in order to make a point. I'm American but have spent a large portion of my adult life in the UK. I can't actually vote here in the UK but even as a lefty I'm probably happier with Theresa May than I would be with that dick splash Corbyn. But my children and I have access to free health care, free birth control, free abortion, long term maternity leave, strict gun laws. It's just very different and the two countries are far too different for a one size fits all response to the TRA bullshit.

Unfortunately, it may come down to Americans holding their nose and voting dem.

I agree with you and if I were American could not possibly vote for a candidate who did not challenge the TWAW myth

Thank you for that Lamaha. I won't tow the line and I do not appreciate some of the other posters stating what I 'should' be focused on. We don't know each other on MN and we don't know what challenges others have experienced to come to their 'most important' issues.

The US regards itself as world leader and yet is on the cusp of destroying all the hard work women have put in over the centuries --with the permission and partnership of American women themselves, who are blindly cheering on their own obliteration

Some are knowingly towing the line, some are unaware and towing the line, some ignore it or unaware and don't tow the line, and then there are women like myself.

I don't tow the line, I am actively canvassing by speaking to my neighbors, friends/friends of friends, family, family friends, acquaintances, and strangers - at times putting myself at some risk.

You replied "^this" to a post that said if you are an American who cares about women you don't have a dem candidate to vote for.

So you're fine with telling women what they should focus on when it suits you.

This is the feminism board. I don't need to know anyone personally to know that the issues I listed about affect more vulnerable women than anything else.

There is nothing wrong with being against TRA, but don't dress it up as feminism if you are prepared to throw women under the bus for that cause.

I very much feel that TWAW is a top down thing and politicians who don’t take Big Money from the Pritzkers&Co may not be all that wedded to the TWAW idea.

They all take money from groups they shouldn't - it's how politics works here. I don't think it's all top-down though - social media has a huge impact and tight hold when it comes to groupthink, and people want to be 'on the right side of history' and fall in with others claiming to be there. BUT I agree with you in that not all Dem candidates may not be wedded to TWAW this is why I implore my fellow US citizens to join me (or write their own) in writing to our candidates to get them to consider stepping into the light.

What I mean is having the privilege of voting for a different party to my normal values in order to make a point.

Ah, I see. Thanks for clarifying, Pumpkin, this makes sense to me.

Domestic violence agencies and rape crisis centers serve men as well as women and people of all gender identities and have for a long time. I mean, not all of them. The Hope Center women's shelter in Anchorage is in court for their decision to turn a violent male person away (with cab fare, mind you). From the other side, Naomi's House women's shelter in Fresno CA has faced a lawsuit from women who were forced to share sleeping quarters and showers with a male person who leered at and terrified them. I would not say that it is taken for granted in the US that homeless or DV shelters in America will have mixed-sex facilities.

Stop I agree with you about writing to the candidates and our representatives (and encouraging others to do so). I think that has a chance to bear fruit in the future. It just seems bleak for the short term.

The trans agenda is worth fighting against. But you're living a pretty privileged existence if you think it's the one that will most affect your daughters.

Using the TRA 'privilege mantra' to attempt to silence others is divisive and not conducive to discourse.

I'm far more concerned about abortion rights/ and access to birth control for every woman. I'm far more concerned about gerrymandering and the republicans answer to racism in my country and I say that as someone who has been against TRA for years.

Great, good on you - seriously, you have right to focus on your primary concerns and I support you in your choices. And I will fight this fight for you if you don't want to participate - I'm happy to do so.

Abortion rights are in danger - that is obvious. As of yesterday in our state capitol on the House floor abortion bills were being argued. I'm not complacent I actively participate in pro-choice activism and write representatives as well as POTUS and SCOTUS. Insanely important issue but it ties in with being able to define myself.

And while birth control is an issue (20mil women don't have a range of choices in their localities, 46mil do) with the ACA health plans birth control is much easier to attain and without out-of-pocket expenses. Several states allow pharmacists to write BC Rx and freethepill.org/online-pill-prescribing-resources/ lists many online resources that do assessments online and write the Rx. There are apps that also offer Rx and mail-order BC. There is work to be done still but it is not the most important issue IMO.

Racism is pervasive - I have written on FWR about it to the point I have been called intersectional and somewhat ignored on some threads as a result.

If we allow men to take our place as women they will decide what our rights are from inside our camp. You think women of every color face denigration, marginalization, and oppression now imagine how it could look if we could no longer call ourselves women (we're almost there... women are traitors to TRA when not towing TWAW).

TRA ideology IMO poses more of a threat to prepubescent girls right now - today - than abortion rights and birth control access. They are in danger - little girls being pushed to give up boundaries and give in to lies that confuse who they believe themselves to be and who they can be. If TRA ideology prevails abortion and contraceptives may cease to matter for many of today's girls or be decisions that TW make for them through policy.

Stoptheplanet as someone from Florida are you aware the state have the right to hold you hostage in the hospital for your fetus's own good there?

Please don't patronize me, I can't be scared into submission. The ACLU did a lot of work on this - I followed it the whole way. www.aclu.org/news/florida-court-upholds-right-pregnant-woman-determine-medical-care No updates, overturn, or changes to this have happened since 2010.

Access to a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times more likely that a woman will be killed.

Yes and this is part of why I volunteer on the financial board for a DV charity that houses, feeds, and safeguards women and children who face these issues. I spend more than 10hrs a week volunteering to create more resources as well as contacting state/local representatives to safeguard the vulnerable.

PumpkinLatteMyArse

You replied "^this" to a post that said if you are an American who cares about women you don't have a dem candidate to vote for.

I did and I maintain my position. I also don't have a Rep candidate as their party line is against pretty much everything I believe/think. FYI I vote with my conscious not a party. I don't care about party lines, I don't like the system and what comes with it.

So you're fine with telling women what they should focus on when it suits you.

That is rude, untrue, and divisive. While I agree with the poster I ^[t]his(ed) at they nor I stated that women have to or should see things this way.

This is the feminism board. I don't need to know anyone personally to know that the issues I listed about affect more vulnerable women than anything else.

Ok fair enough. I find that supporting a candidate that declares TWAW is about as unfeminist as you can get - like I've said before (on other threads) none of the candidates (incl. incumbent) care about us or our rights beyond their own kin/friends. I'm a woman and I have experienced/faced some things that you state are the most important issues, why is my voice less important than yours? I tend to be a macro divergent thinker so perhaps we come at this differently. My thoughts/perspectives are no more valid than yours.

I think I have a good handle on what affects girls and women as well and I also think we can agree to disagree without discrediting each other's perspectives. Putting yourself in another's shoes is paramount to compromise and making progress.

There is nothing wrong with being against TRA, but don't dress it up as feminism if you are prepared to throw women under the bus for that cause.

Why are you so combative? Why can't you address something without 'othering' me? We are all unique. My perspective comes from being a woman who has experienced 1st world oppression in most aspects of my life. I am a survivor not a victim and encourage other survivors to stand up and be heard. I have never and will never throw women under the bus. I feel you have actively thrown me under the bus with your rhetoric.

GrinitchSpinach

Stop I agree with you about writing to the candidates and our representatives (and encouraging others to do so). I think that has a chance to bear fruit in the future. It just seems bleak for the short term.

Thanks - I hope many participate. I am doing this with or without support. Writing to them is not my only plan but it is the beginning and has to be completed far pre-elections while we have time to bring people to the light. I have other irons in this fire but I have to get these letters out soon so I can spend more time on my related grassroots projects.

In fairness, StopThePlanet your comment was somewhat all or nothing with the "who cares about women" part. It was a bit "othering" in itself. It certainly suggests a one-issue perspective by which you judge a political landscape that contains a lot of complex issues for women, like reproductive rights that are under attack and in grave danger of being set back 50 years or so.

The comment you ratified with 'this' I should have said.

Using the TRA 'privilege mantra' to attempt to silence others is divisive and not conducive to discourse.

I'm not attempting to silence you. Be a grown up. Respond to what is said. if you don't have to worry about any of these issues you are leading a very unusual privileged life. It is fine to discuss privilege when one actually receives it. TRA agendas have nothing to do with actual privilege. So it is you who is trying to cut down conversation with a bad argument. My British husband and I made a decision to return to the UK because we couldn't afford to have our baby there. That is post ACA thank you. Though at the time it was almost impossible to even get any decent information about the ACA in Florida as the Republican governor was blocking it. The abortion I had safely, legally and free in the UK. The years of free birth control I received in the UK. That's what normal real Americans deal with. The Danielle Muscatos of the world don't even get a mention in the top ten of shit I was dealing with.

I'm far more concerned about abortion rights/ and access to birth control for every woman. I'm far more concerned about gerrymandering and the republicans answer to racism in my country and I say that as someone who has been against TRA for years.

Great, good on you - seriously, you have right to focus on your primary concerns and I support you in your choices. And I will fight this fight for you if you don't want to participate - I'm happy to do so.

You are not fighting this fight for me. Or any woman. I will likely go back to Florida at some point to live with my children. If I can't do that because we have lost the ability to make our own health choices you haven't "fought for me". Don't even pretend you have. Even if my daughter was an elite athlete who was going to lose her spot on a team and uni. Even if that, her ability to access birth control, safe abortion, medical care and to not be shot would still be important.

Abortion rights are in danger - that is obvious. As of yesterday in our state capitol on the House floor abortion bills were being argued. I'm not complacent I actively participate in pro-choice activism and write representatives as well as POTUS and SCOTUS. Insanely important issue but it ties in with being able to define myself.

So did I when I lived in America. Does that give you the right to promote an anti-women agenda? Good luck writing to Trump about abortion. That's a good use of time. Ask him nicely to stop grabbing pussies too.

And while birth control is an issue (20mil women don't have a range of choices in their localities, 46mil do) with the ACA health plans birth control is much easier to attain and without out-of-pocket expenses. Several states allow pharmacists to write BC Rx and freethepill.org/online-pill-prescribing-resources/ lists many online resources that do assessments online and write the Rx. There are apps that also offer Rx and mail-order BC. There is work to be done still but it is not the most important issue IMO.

ACA, You mean the act that came in under democrats that Trump called unconstitutional? yeah, that will be fine under multiple republican governments. Sure having easy access to a pill that can literally change your life isn't the most important issue for women.

If we allow men to take our place as women they will decide what our rights are from inside our camp. You think women of every color face denigration, marginalization, and oppression now imagine how it could look if we could no longer call ourselves women (we're almost there... women are traitors to TRA when not towing TWAW).

I fail to see how 200 years of systemic racism and violence against male and female black people is going to be made worse by TWAW, but an entire party who doesn't believe in racism won't make things worse? Good luck trying to convince people of that though.

TRA ideology IMO poses more of a threat to prepubescent girls right now - today - than abortion rights and birth control access. They are in danger - little girls being pushed to give up boundaries and give in to lies that confuse who they believe themselves to be and who they can be. If TRA ideology prevails abortion and contraceptives may cease to matter for many of today's girls or be decisions that TW make for them through policy.

Even if ALLmen self-diagnosed as women, the Democrats are broadly on the side, of no guns, pro birth control, pro-choice. Even if we only talked about pregnant people, none of that would change. The difference is that we will one hundred per cent lose all of our rights under successive republican regimes. The dems, like every political party, are stale, male, and pale. And they still vote for women's rights with the exception of the trans agenda.

Please don't patronize me, I can't be scared into submission. The ACLU did a lot of work on this - I followed it the whole way. www.aclu.org/news/florida-court-upholds-right-pregnant-woman-determine-medical-care No updates, overturn, or changes to this have happened since 2010.

I'm not trying to scare you into submission. I'm discussing an actual case. they also check baby diapers in the hospital after birth so they can go after the mother for using drugs while pregnant. It's interesting you're so happy to quote the ACLU despite the work they are doing for trans activism but not happy to support a democratic candidate? What's your agenda?

Yes and this is part of why I volunteer on the financial board for a DV charity that houses, feeds, and safeguards women and children who face these issues. I spend more than 10hrs a week volunteering to create more resources as well as contacting state/local representatives to safeguard the vulnerable.

That's lovely. I do hope you don't rely on public funding. At least it will free up 10 hours of your week if you do! :)

hy are you so combative? Why can't you address something without 'othering' me? We are all unique. My perspective comes from being a woman who has experienced 1st world oppression in most aspects of my life. I am a survivor not a victim and encourage other survivors to stand up and be heard. I have never and will never throw women under the bus. I feel you have actively thrown me under the bus with your rhetoric.

I have actively thrown you under the bus by disagreeing with you. Well, that's a new one on me.

It certainly suggests a one-issue perspective by which you judge a political landscape that contains a lot of complex issues for women, like reproductive rights that are under attack and in grave danger of being set back 50 years or so

That's how I felt Seneca.

I am going to step back from this thread as I don't think this is productive and drink some gin.

Let's all just agree that it would be ideal if we weren't left with the pussy grabber or the child sniffer as our only options.

Surely there must be a credible female candidate hiding somewhere? America is a big place after all...