I Didn't Say It ...

David Harbour, Stranger Things actor, accepting the Best Ensemble honors at the SAG awards last weekend:

"This award from you, who take your craft seriously and earnestly believe, like me, that great acting can change the world is a call to arms from our fellow craftsmen and women to go deeper and, through our art, to battle against fear, self-centeredness and exclusivity of our predominantly narcissistic culture. And through our craft, cultivate a more empathetic and understanding society by revealing intimate truths that serve as a forceful reminder to folks that when they feel broken, and afraid and tired they are not alone. We are united in that we are all human beings, and we are all together on this horrible, painful, joyous, exciting and mysterious ride that is being alive. Now, as we act in the continuing narrative of 'Stranger Things,' we 1983 midwesterners will repel bullies, we will shelter freaks and outcasts—those who have no homes—we will get past the lies, we will hunt monsters and when we are lost amidst the hypocrisy and casual violence of certain individuals and institutions, we will as per Chief Jim Hopper, punch some people in the face when they seek to destroy the weak, and the disenfranchised and the marginalized and we will do it all with soul, with heart and joy."

Free Speech! Brilliant speech!

Resist!

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Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Senator, on _____’s choice for Supreme Court Justice:

"President _____* had the chance to select a consensus nominee to the Supreme Court. To the surprise of absolutely nobody, he failed that test. Instead, he carried out his public promise to select a nominee from a list drawn up by far right activist groups that were financed by big business interests. Judge Neil Gorsuch has been on this list for four months. His public record, which I have reviewed in detail, paints a clear picture. Before even joining the bench, he advocated to make it easier for public companies to defraud investors. As a judge, he has twisted himself into a pretzel to make sure the rules favor giant companies over workers and individual Americans. He has sided with employers who deny wages, improperly fire workers, or retaliate against whistleblowers for misconduct. He has ruled against workers in all manner of discrimination cases. And he has demonstrated hostility toward women’s access to basic health care. For years, powerful interests have executed a full-scale assault on the integrity of our federal judiciary, trying to turn the Supreme Court into one more rigged game that works only for the rich and the powerful. They spent millions to keep this seat open, and Judge Gorsuch is their reward. Every day, our new President finds more ways to demonstrate his hostility for our independent judiciary, our civil society, and the rule of law. Now more than ever, America needs Supreme Court justices with a proven record of standing up for the rights of all Americans—civil rights, women’s rights, LGBT rights, and all other protections guaranteed by our laws. We don’t need another justice who spends his time looking out for those with money and influence. Based on the long and well-established record of Judge Gorsuch, I will oppose his nomination."

Brava, Senator Warren State it plainly and clearly that this man is unqualified for SCOTUS.

*Since I won’t say, or even print, that name, I removed it from Warren’s quote.

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Mahershala Ali, accepting his SAG award for Outstanding Actor in Moonlight:

“I think what I’ve learned working on Moonlight is we see what happens when you persecute people. They fold into themselves. What I was so grateful about in having the opportunity to play Juan was playing a gentleman who saw a young man folding into himself as a result of the persecution of his community, and taking that opportunity to uplift him and tell him that he mattered. And tell him that he was okay. And accept him. And I hope we do a better job of that. When we get caught up in the minutia, in the details that make us all different, I think there’s two ways of seeing that; there’s an opportunity to see the texture of that person, the characteristics that make them unique. And then there’s the opportunity to go to war about it. And to say that that person is different than me, and I don’t like you, so let’s battle. My mother is an ordained minister. I’m a Muslim. She didn’t do backflips when I called her to tell her when I converted seventeen years ago. But I tell you now, you put things to the side. I’m able to see her. She’s able to see me. We love each other. The love has grown. And that stuff is minutia. It’s not that important.”

Diversity is not a bad thing; in fact, it’s one of the very good things about this country that President _____ seems poised to destroy.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger, responding to _____’s whining at the National Prayer Breakfast ... the National Prayer Breakfast ... that Arnold’s Apprentice ratings are bad:

"Hey Donald I have a great idea. Why don’t we switch jobs? You take over TV, because you’re such an expert in ratings, and I take over your job, and then people can finally sleep comfortable again. Hmm?"

Wow; President _____ didn’t ask the crowd to pry for peace, to pray for a robust economy, to pray for the environment. Instead he asked them to pray for the star of a reality show that he produces. He asked for payers to make the ratings go up which in turn will add money to _____’s wallet. That’s his prayer ... himself.

I.Am.Disgusted.

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