Category Archives: meta

And we shall know them by their whiny, poorly written, rhetorically deficient, bullshit press releases

13 Monday Aug 2018

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The Missouri Democratic Party State Committee upset a fringe anti-choice group this past weekend.

To recap, an anti-choice amendment was inserted into the party platform at the committee’s meeting early in July. From a member of the platform committee:

“…I served on the MO Dem platform cmte for several months. We drafted a pretty good platform…”

“…still disgusted with the MO Dem Party’s platform fail. Missouri needs more prolife Dems like we *need* another earthquake. We don’t. Dems who do not support access to abortion and the conservative voters they will allegedly attract are the shiny object that distracts from building a platform that appeals to the thousands of voters who stay home because Republicans are regressive bigoted fiends and Democrats are obsessed with appealing to moderately regressive bigoted anti-women fiends…”

There was also an uproar from the base (majority) of party members who contacted their state committee representatives. This past weekend the Missouri Democratic Party State Committee met to reconsider the motion (uh, that’s a parliamentary procedure – used to fix mistakes), with more members of the committee attending the meeting. They reconsidered the motion to approve the anti-choice amendment, removed it, apparently without dissent, and proceeded to approve the original party platform presented by the platform committee.

The representatives on the Missouri Democratic Party State Committee realized they got played and they fixed it. Democrats do that, they fix things.

Missouri Democratic Party Chair Stephen Webber – at campaign headquarters in Columbia, Missouri – August 7, 2018

And, of course, this upset a hack at “Democrats for Life”?:

Missouri Party Chairman Closes Door on Pro-Life Democrats – Eliminates Inclusive “Big Tent” Language Approved By Platform Committee
on 12 August 2018 Posted in Press Releases.

There is an important election coming up that will determine the balance of the U.S. Senate and the future of the U.S. Supreme Court. The election could also determine whether or not there will be impeachment efforts to rid the White House of Donald Trump. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) is in a very close battle, and all Democrats would like to see her continue her tenure in the U.S. Senate.

Missouri Party Chairman Stephen Webber thinks that the best way to support Senator McCaskill and other Democrats in Missouri is to create an unnecessary battle over abortion.

A few weeks ago, there was a meeting to amend the Missouri Democratic Party platform. A vote took place, and the amendment was accepted. The Missouri Democratic Party then said that they welcome Whole Life Democrats in the party. The “conscience language” to include pro-life Democrats did not dilute the abortion-rights plank in the Democratic Party platform.

Unfortunately, it does not appear that the acceptance, along with the compromise language, lasted. Party Chairman Webber held a meeting this morning to strip the inclusive language from the platform because nothing says “We we want your vote” more than overturning a fair process of debate and approval. It is very unusual to remove language unilaterally after a platform has been ratified. It makes you wonder about the kind of pressure supposedly “progressive” groups exerted and why. They know that this removal will cause chaos.

They doth protest too much.

Now, just read that headline for accuracy.

Oh, it’s all just so rich:

“There is an important election coming up that will determine the balance of the U.S. Senate and the future of the U.S. Supreme Court…”

The writer of the press release at “Democrats for Life” actually wrote that. They also wrote this:

Democratic Senators Use Religion to Discredit Pro-Life Judicial Nominee
September 8, 2017
STATEMENT OF KRISTEN DAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF DEMOCRATS FOR LIFE OF AMERICA
Democrats For Life of America (DFLA) expresses its disappointment with Democratic senators and interest groups who are attacking federal court of appeals nominee Amy Barrett for her personal religious views on the dignity of human life at all stages….

Amy Barrett was also one of the right wingnuts who was reportedly on Donald Trump’s (r) short list for the current U.S. Supreme Court vacancy. The press release writer for “Democrats for Life” is definitely not worried about the U.S. Supreme Court the way the vast majority of Democrats are worried about the U.S. Supreme Court.

“…Missouri Party Chairman Stephen Webber thinks that the best way to support Senator McCaskill and other Democrats in Missouri is to create an unnecessary battle over abortion…” It’s called projection. Look it up.

The platform committee did not approve the language. A single anti-choice member of the Missouri Democratic Party State committee pushed an amendment to the party platform prepared by a platform committee using language appropriated from a lunatic fringe anti-choice group. We don’t know if the individual who pushed the amendment disclosed where that language came from when it was presented to the Missouri Democratic Party State Committee. We’re asking now. Was that disclosed at the time of the early July vote?

The Missouri Democratic Party State Committee did vote for the amendment in July (it wasn’t unanimous, that’s for sure) and it was very controversial. Everyone heard from everyone else the instant the word got out about the circumstances.

“…It makes you wonder about the kind of pressure supposedly ‘progressive’ groups exerted and why…”

Oh, that’s rich. It’s called holding those who are supposed to represent you accountable. The why is easy. Because their authored amendment, like their press release, is just so much bullshit.

Nothing says “we want your vote” more to the vast majority of Democrats in Missouri than when the Missouri Democratic Party State Committee realized they were played and had the awareness and gumption to quickly fix it. The Missouri Democratic Party State Committee voted on August 11th to restore the original language of the platform committee (overturning the anti-choice amendment) in approving the platform – with 61 of 68 members voting yes, two abstentions. That’s who “closed the door” on anti-choice fanatics.

And, just in case it slips anyone’s mind:

“…And, by the way, there already is an inclusive stance on abortion. It’s called ‘pro choice.'”

Previously:

The elephant in the room (July 3, 2018)

Against abortion? Don’t have one. (July 6, 2018)

Getting played (July 8, 2018)

And they fixed it (August 11, 2018)

Why here? Why now?

01 Sunday Jul 2018

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We just love this photo. Apparently a lot of other people do, too.

The badass on the right. #resist

Over the past ten days or so we’ve covered a variety of events. A town hall on gun violence in Kansas City, Kansas which included students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida, and several demonstrations against Donald Trump’s (r) policy of separating immigrant children from their parents and placing them in concentration camps – in downtown Overland Park, Kansas; downtown and on the Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri; and in Columbia, Missouri. In the meantime the right wingnut controlled U.S. Supreme Court upheld the latest iteration of Donald Trump’s (r) Muslim travel ban.

On Friday evening we covered a demonstration near the entrance of the Plaza in Kansas City organized by a coalition of Muslim community groups and allies. About 150 people showed up – modest, yet still effective by Kansas City standards. There was the usual Kansas City Police presence.

About an hour into the demonstration a lone Trump supporter, by his flag, showed up. And then later still, a half dozen or so other right wingnuts showed up in matching t-shirts, bearing matching flags and signs, who strutted past the Muslim demonstration.

Checking it out.

A minister engages.

Walking through.

It’s quite simple, really, if you single out a religious minority you’re a bigot. That’s it.

His editor would cut the first line and the fourth line, then call it truth in advertising.

Uh, about that lack of civility…

Diversity fail.

They have Congress, the have the executive branch, and they have the Supreme Court. What makes them so aggrieved that they’d show up to a modest and harmless demonstration like this? That they’re so insecure that they demand absolute fealty to their supreme leader?

Fist bump.

That’s just like Barack and Michelle Obama! Oh, wait….

Sartorial splendor.

Wait, is that guy wearing American flag underpants out in public? Go figure.

Why here? Why now? Why this demonstration and not the others? What was the difference?

Oh, wait…

Previously:

No, we cannot (June 29, 2018)

Children understand (June 29, 2018)

As we are all (June 29, 2018)

Be the badass on the right (June 29, 2018)

KC Rally for Muslims, Immigrants, & Refugees – Kansas City – June 29, 2018 (June 30, 2018)

Public Service Announcement

31 Thursday May 2018

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…Gaslighting is a tactic in which a person or entity, in order to gain more power, makes a victim question their reality. It works much better than you may think. Anyone is susceptible to gaslighting, and it is a common technique of abusers, dictators, narcissists, and cult leaders. It is done slowly, so the victim doesn’t realize how much they’ve been brainwashed…

That is all. Carry on.

What’s next?

15 Tuesday May 2018

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This morning in west central Missouri:

We’ll see. We’re off to Jefferson city this morning.

Previously:

Felony invasion of privacy case against Eric Greitens (r) dropped (May 14, 2018)

“So far, so good…” (May 14, 2018)

Our life on the “D List”

30 Monday Apr 2018

Posted by in meta, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House, social media

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Today:

Tony Messenger @tonymess
The revelation about the $50,000 paid to Al Watkins by @scottfaughn is a much bigger deal (and an unfortunate one) for the reporters working for him @MissouriTimes than it is a game-changer in #GreitensIndictment cases.
4:55 PM – 30 Apr 2018

And, twenty-one minutes later:

Michael Bersin @MBersin
For the record – Show Me Progress https://showmeprogress.com/ does not have $50,000.00 nor do we know anyone with a spare $50,000.00 who would ask us to deliver any checks. Last we looked we had a little over $50.00 in our account. And we intend to keep that. We have bills to pay.
[….]
5:16 PM – 30 Apr 2018

It’s been over ten years. We’re still waiting for our millions from George Soros.

Previously:

Oh, my. (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 2 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 3 (January 11, 2018)

אַ שאַנדע פֿאַר די גוים and *IOKIYAR (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 4 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 5 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 6 (January 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r): not exactly a ringing endorsement (January 12, 2018)

Gov. Eric Greitens (r): piping (January 16, 2018)

Oh, my – part 7 (January 16, 2018)

Waiting… (January 19, 2018)

Oh, my – part 8 (January 29, 2018)

The unanswered question (February 8, 2018)

RSMo § 565.252 (February 22, 2018)

Well, you were the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 22, 2018)

Well, he was the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 23, 2018)

A few words of advice (February 26, 2018)

Eric Greitens (r) and the House – pass the popcorn (March 6, 2018)

Oh, my – part 9 (March 6, 2018)

“That’s not how you spell bare.” (March 7, 2018)

It’s their world, the rest of us only get to live in it (April 8, 2018)

The popcorn is ready (April 10, 2018)

The Report (April 11, 2018)

Call it what it is (April 11, 2018)

Go away, asshole. (April 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r-21): impeach Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Getting ironical about Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Standing ovation (April 14, 2018)

Quid pro quo (April 16, 2018)

It’s a fine mess he’s gotten himself into… (April 17, 2018)

Really, just go away… (April 17, 2018)

HR 6783: Impeachment (April 18, 2018)

Unhinged (April 19, 2018)

Really unhinged (April 19, 2019)

Seriously, just go away already… (April 20, 2018)

He doth protest too much, methinks… (April 20, 2018)

No, Chuck Raasch, nobody’s giving Eric Greitens’ scandals short shrift (April 22, 2018)

Does somebody want to tell them? (April 25, 2018)

אַ שאַנדע פֿאַר די גוים and *IOKIYAR

11 Thursday Jan 2018

Posted by in meta, Missouri Governor

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Yiddish. Hebrew alphabet (read right to left). Germanic language. “A shanda far die Goyim”. An embarrassment/shame in front of the whole (non-Jewish) world. This from an admonition for Jews, from their Jewish community, that one had an obligation to act in a manner to avoid criticism from non-Jews (“the rest of the world”) because an individual’s failings or actions would be unfairly attributed to all Jews. “You’re an embarrassment that reflects poorly on the rest of us” and we’ll suffer the consequences because of your stupidity.

* it’s okay if you’re a republican. An on-line political meme. If a Democrat fails ethically or morally there will be consequences. They will lose their position. They must resign. There will be a political reckoning. If the roles are reversed and a republican fails in the same manner, for some republicans, after a short period of hand wringing and some pearl clutching, all is forgiven, it’s no big deal.

It will be very interesting to witness the resolution of these cultural constants.

Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

The public story is, as of this writing, still under twenty-four hours old. The story broke late last night that Missouri’s governor, Eric Greitens (r), who happens to be Jewish, engaged in an affair. There are elements of this story that continue to swirl about. I expect there will be more – only because that is the nature of our cultural and political environment.

There are reports that well before the November 2016 election individual(s) within the Missouri Democratic Party was/were contacted by the husband of the other party. We don’t know the entire story of how many individuals or exactly all of the who within the Missouri Democratic Party and Chris Koster’s (D) gubernatorial campaign knew at the time. We might never know the answer to that. The reports indicate that those individual(s), out of deference to the husband and/or concern for the children of the other family and perhaps other, more practical concerns, decided to not use the information. That is an ethical and moral choice.

And then, we consider the “what if”. If they story of Eric Greitens’ (r) hypocrisy had come out in September 2016 would he still have won the election for governor? If not, would Governor Chris Koster (D) have signed the same bills and cut the same essential social support programs in the state? I think not. The consequences of Eric Greitens (r) assuming his office had significant consequences for more than the handful of individuals in those two families. That, by definition, is what happens when we elect an individual to a powerful public office.

Election have consequences. Throw the anvil.

Sadly, perhaps the only people who are somewhat thankful right now are the Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri Corn Growers Association, the Missouri Soybean Association, and organized labor.

Previously:

Oh, my. (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 2 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 3 (January 11, 2018)

Good riddance to 2017. Don’t think 2018 is going to be any better.

31 Sunday Dec 2017

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All the badness of 2017 started in 2016. And way before then.

Then Secretary of State Jason Kander (D) had a thing or two to say to the republican majority in the Missouri House on the first day of the 2017 legislative session. They got upset.

Secretary of State Jason Kander (D) waiting to address the Missouri House at the opening of the legislative session – Jefferson City – January 4, 2017.

Secretary of State Jason Kander (D): [….] I know I’m not who you came to hear and I know that none of this was what you wanted to hear. But I am your Secretary of State for a bit little longer, and as a result I feel a responsibility to tell you that even though you have the power to take away the right to vote from the citizens of Missouri, you that shouldn’t.

And that if you choose to follow the example of Wisconsin or North Carolina, well then, I guess we’ll see you in court. [….]

On the day of the inauguration of the current administration around 2,000 people showed up at the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City for a rally and protest march.

There should have been more.

Anti-Trump march in Kansas City – January 20, 2017.

On the next day for the Women’s March 10,000 people showed up in Washington Square Park in Kansas City to protest the new administration.

There should have been more.

Women’s March – Kansas City – Washington Square Park – January 21, 2017.

Less than ten days into the new administration 1,000 people showed up at the International Terminal at Kansas City International Airport to protest Trump’s first Muslim ban.

There should have been more.

Trump Muslim ban protest at Kansas City International Airport – January 29, 2017.

Anti-Trump March in Kansas City – March 4, 2017.

The belief in and hope for “bipartisanship” and “compromise” with people in control in our current political environment who neither believe in nor hope for bipartisanship is as useful in modern American politics as signing a petition.

There are some people who will never vote for any Democratic party candidate. Ever. Accept that. Act accordingly. Don’t waste your time or energy.

Pro-Trump rally and march in the rain in Jefferson City – March 25, 2017.

Interestingly, in our current political environment not one republican member of Congress representing Missouri has seen fit to hold open (and accessible) public town halls for their constituents. Do you ever wonder why? There are no consequences for them. And we let them get away with it.

Yet, in 2017 Senator Claire McCaskill (D) held fifty open public town halls across the state in areas that Donald Trump carried in the 2016 election. People in the City of St. Louis and in Kansas City will be waiting for their turn in 2018.

Call you Senators and Representative. Visit their offices. Tell them what you think. Often. Demand their accountability in open public town halls.

At a Senator Claire McCaskill (D) town hall– Parkville, Missouri – April 13, 2017.

March for Science – Kansas City – April 22, 2017.

Climate March – Kansas City – April 29, 2017.

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) before speaking to the Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus – Kansas City – May 6, 2017.

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r), in the 4th Congressional District, has glued herself to Donald Trump and his agenda. Сделать Америку великой Снова.

There is a challenger, but she, too, like previous challengers will be grossly underfunded in the race against an entrenched incumbent funded and beholden to special interests.

Find something constructive to do for the Democratic Party challenger. Then do it. Then repeat.

A pro tip – in October 2018 don’t complain to anyone who’ll listen that the Democratic Party candidate doesn’t have enough yard signs out. Empty lots don’t vote.

Renee Hoagenson (D) – at an open public campaign town hall in Warrensburg – June 13, 2017.

If you want to accomplish any good in 2018 don’t waste your time and energy preaching to the choir on social media or signing petitions no one reads.

1) Make sure you’re registered to vote. 2) Be certain you have the required ID to vote. 3) Make sure everyone you know and all the potential voters you help to register to vote have the required ID to vote. Provisional ballots aren’t worth shit. Solve ID problems before the fact. 4) On Election Day in 2018 drag your sorry ass to your polling place and vote. Then drag the sorry asses of your friends and the people you registered to vote to their polling places so that they do actually vote.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s (r) voter photo ID tour – Warrensburg – June 16, 2017.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) – town hall in Lee’s Summit – June 17, 2017.

“Rule #4: Be outraged. [….] it is essential to maintain one’s capacity for shock. This will lead people to call you unreasonable [….] It is no fun to be the only hysterical person in the room. Prepare yourself.”
– Autocracy: Rules for Survival – Masha Gessen

Planned Parenthood #PinkOut demonstration in Kansas City – June 21, 2017.

Elections always have consequences. Ask Supreme Court Justice Merrick Garland about that when you get the chance. Ask the 1% about that, too. Ask any public school classroom teacher.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) – town hall in Versailles, Missouri – July 5, 2017.

March to Give Keystone XL the Boot – Lincoln, Nebraska – August 6, 2017.

Don’t waste your time trying to engage fascists or Nazis in “constructive” dialogue. They’re fascist and Nazis for a reason, not because of “economic anxiety”.

“Rule #5: Don’t make compromises. [….] In an autocracy, politics as the art of the possible is in fact utterly amoral. [….]”
– Autocracy: Rules for Survival – Masha Gessen

Kansas City for Charlottesville, Virginia – August 12, 2017.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) – Labor Day rally and march – Kansas City – September 4, 2017.

In support of DACA – Kansas City – September 5, 2017.

“Rule #2: Do not be taken in by small signs of normality. [….] …history has seen many catastrophes, and most of them unfolded over time. That time included periods of relative calm. [….]”
– Autocracy: Rules for Survival – Masha Gessen

None of this is normal. Act accordingly. Given the last two years I’m not holding my breath.

Previously:

The Political Year in Pictures – 2017 – part 1 (December 28, 2017)

The Political Year in Pictures – 2017 – part 2 (December 28, 2017)

Our top ten traffic posts for 2017 (December 29, 2017)

Our top ten traffic posts for 2017

29 Friday Dec 2017

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We wrote a lot of stories and posted a lot of photos in 2017. These were the posts which generated the most traffic during the last year:

1. Well, you asked (February 15, 2017)

Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

Missouri Governor Eric Greitens (r) engaged the public and media through the filter of social media in his second month in office. Much hilarity ensued. Not much has changed.

2. The 1440 Clock Project – two minutes in Warrensburg, Missouri (March 20, 2017)

Hugo Kriegel (rght) painting 09:38 for the 1440 Clock Project.

An artist from Paris, France (by way of New York City) painted two large public art works in Warrensburg, Missouri as part of an ongoing ten year worldwide project.

3. Secretary of State Jason Kander (D): at the opening of the legislative session (January 4, 2017)

Secretary of State Jason Kander (D) addressing the Missouri House at the opening of the legislative session – Jefferson City – January 4, 2017.

Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander (D) had a thing or two to say in his formal role opening the new legislative session. Right wingnut republicans in control of the House were not pleased.

4. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): alt-reality (February 6, 2017)

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) will probably never hold an open public town hall in the 4th Congressional District.

5. Roy Blunt’s (tele) town-hall: What he said and what he didn’t say (May 25, 2017)

Senator Roy Blunt (r) will probably never hold an open public town hall in Missouri. We sense a pattern here.

6. Women’s March – Kansas City – Washington Square Park – January 21, 2017 (January 21, 2017)

from the vantage point of The Link (covered overhead walkway between Crown Center and Union Station).

On the same day of massive national protests and marches on the day after the new administration came to power 10,000 people showed up to protest at Washington Square Park in Kansas City.

7. When people who aren’t Nazis march without tiki torches in broad daylight in Kansas City (August 12, 2017)

Women’s March – Washington Square Park – January 21, 2017.

In the aftermath of Charlottesville, Virginia. Sarcasm is one of our specialties.

8. Oderint dum metuant (May 11, 2017)

Let them hate, so long as they fear. Newbie “activists” get used by Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) and her staff, getting nothing in return. And, an open public town hall in the district will probably never happen.

9. Mark Osmack’s gonna be a contender (August 19, 2017)

A post on one of the Democratic Party challengers in the 2nd Congressional District generated a number of comments from one of his rivals.

10. You got that right (March 28, 2017)

“I am a deplorable” – Trump Teabagger rally in Jefferson City – March 25, 2017

A small rally and march on a rainy day in Jefferson City in support of Donald Trump.

Previously:

The Political Year in Pictures – 2017 – part 1 (December 28, 2017)

The Political Year in Pictures – 2017 – part 2 (December 28, 2017)

The Political Year in Pictures – 2017 – part 2

28 Thursday Dec 2017

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The continuation of our retrospective.

July:

Fireworks.

“Booms and Blooms” – Powell Gardens, Kingsville, Missouri – July 1, 2017.

Getting closer (July 3, 2017)

Again, someone from Missouri in Congress isn’t afraid of holding open public town halls.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) [2017 file photo].

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D): even more town halls (July 5, 2017)

Claire McCaskill Town Hall Meeting in Eldon Missouri – video by Jerry Schmidt (July 5, 2017)

On Health Care – Claire McCaskill Town Hall Meeting in Eldon Missouri – video by Jerry Schmidt (July 8, 2017)

Constituents show up, Roy Blunt (r) doesn’t.

“healthcare not wealthcare”

Talking about health care at Sen. Roy Blunt’s (r) office in Kansas City – July 14, 2017 (July 14, 2017)

In Arizona.

“Our Lives on the line” rally, Rudy Garcia Park, Tucson, Arizona, July 29, 2017.

But it’s a dry heat (July 29, 2017)

August:

A Keystone XL pipeline protest and march in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Banners leading the march.

March to Give Keystone XL the Boot – Lincoln, Nebraska – August 6, 2017 (August 6, 2017)

Joye Braun, Indigenous Environmental Network – March to Give Keystone XL the Boot – Lincoln, Nebraska – August 6, 2017 (August 7, 2017)

March to Give Keystone XL the Boot – Lincoln, Nebraska – August 6, 2017 – more photos (August 7, 2017)

After Charlottesville, Virginia.

Confrontation.

Kansas City for Charlottesville, Virginia (August 13, 2017)

Well, the plan was to hold fifty before the end of the year.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) – Warrensburg, Missouri – August 17, 2017.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) – town hall in Warrensburg – Press Q and A – August 17, 2017 (August 17, 2017)

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) – town hall in Warrensburg – August 17, 2017 (August 18, 2017)

There was a solar eclipse.

End of totality. F 4, 1/15, ISO 200, 200 mm.

That was some solar eclipse (August 22, 2017)

After Charlottesville, Virginia.

“Not today”

Somebody cared enough to try (August 24, 2017)

Donald Trump in Missouri.

“…Predator Trump” photo: Jerry Schmidt

Protesting Donald Trump (r) in Springfield, Missouri – August 30, 2017 (August 31, 2017)

September:

On Labor Day.

“We are worth more”

Labor Day rally and march in Kansas City – September 4, 2017

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) protest in Kansas City.

“No human is illegal”

In support of DACA – Kansas City – September 5, 2017 (September 5, 2017)

We did a gallery show.

In the gallery – part 3 (September 26, 2017)

Sunrise.

Sunrise.

The Earth says hello (September 29, 2017)

October:

A butterfly or two.

American painted lady or American lady (Vanessa virginiensis). F 9, 1/4000, ISO 3200, 200 mm.

A brief moment of peace for a chaotic world (October 2, 2017)

Danaus plexippus.

Monarch (October 14, 2017)

Leaves.

In the wind (October 25, 2017)

November:

Hillary Shields (D).

Hillary Shields (D) – November 7, 2017

Hillary Shields (D) in the 8th Senate District: Sunday field operation (November 5, 2017)

Hillary Shields (D) in the 8th Senate District: Sunday field operation – a few words from Jason Kander (D) (November 5, 2017)

Hillary Shields (D) (November 7, 2017)

Vicky has an opponent.

In Warrensburg – November 11, 2017.

Organizing for 2018 (November 11, 2017)

December:

Fear.

“We’d better get back ’cause it’ll be dark soon and they mostly come at night. Mostly. “ (December 1, 2017)

A display.

Again: “…Compulsory unification of opinion achieves only the unanimity of the graveyard…” (December 11, 2017)

Anxiety.

Still waiting to be interviewed by The New York Times about their economic anxiety (December 18, 2017)

That was the year that was.

Previously:

The Political Year in Pictures – 2017 – part 1 (December 28, 2017)

The Political Year in Pictures – 2017 – part 1

28 Thursday Dec 2017

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It’s been another very interesting year for us.

We took a lot of photos in 2017. Many having to do with the aftermath of the 2016 general election.

Over the course of the last year we covered a number of government and political events in Missouri (and elsewhere), in the process taking thousands of photographs. Most of them didn’t make it into the blog. Some of the things we saw and heard made us smile, made us think, made us gasp, made us hope, and made us despair.

We thought we’d provide a retrospective of some of the pictures and stories we consider to be memorable.

January:

Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander (D) upsets the republicans on the opening day of the legislative session.

Secretary of State Jason Kander (D) addressing the Missouri House at the opening of the legislative session – Jefferson City – January 4, 2017.

Secretary of State Jason Kander (D): at the opening of the legislative session (January 4, 2017)

Women take the lead. They always do.

Women hold up the sky…

Anti-Trump march in Kansas City – January 20, 2017 (January 20, 2017)

Anti-Trump march in Kansas City – January 20, 2017 – part 2 (January 21, 2017)

Anti-Trump march in Kansas City – January 20, 2017 – part 3 – marching (January 21, 2017)

Rise up.

Women’s March – Kansas City – Washington Square Park – January 21, 2017 (January 21, 2017)

Women’s March – Kansas City – Washington Square Park – January 21, 2017 – part 2 (January 22, 2017)

Women’s March – Kansas City – Washington Square Park – January 21, 2017 – part 3 (January 22, 2017)

Another salvo in the “War on Christmas”.

Hannah Kelly (r) [2017 file photo].

HB 696: Now you’ve gone and done it. You’ve really upset the Pastafarians. (January 23, 2017)

Just nine days into the new administration.

“Not this time” – Trump Muslim ban protest at Kansas City International Airport – January 29, 2017

Thankful.

Trump Muslim ban protest at Kansas City International Airport – January 29, 2017 (January 29, 2017)

February:

Meeting with constituents. On immigration.

A crowd mic.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) – Immigration Town Hall in Kansas City – February 4, 2017 (February 5, 2017)

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) – Immigration Town Hall in Kansas City – press statement – February 4, 2017 (February 5, 2017)

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) – Immigration Town Hall in Kansas City – press Q and A – February 4, 2017 (February 5, 2017)

Not meeting with constituents.

“…Subject startles easily at the sight of concerned consituents…”

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): about those missing public town halls (February 9, 2017)

Meeting with a few constituents.

(left to right) Denny Hoskins (r), Glen Kolkmeyer (r-53rd Legislative District), Dan Houx (r-54th Legislative District).

A stylized dance (February 17, 2017)

More useless legislation from the right wingnut republican controlled Missouri General Assembly.

Pre 1973 medical instruments.

HB 1014: the exhibit should include pre 1973 medical devices (February 22, 2017)

What can we say? We were in the right place at the right time.

Stormy weather (February 28, 2017)

March:

A sign.

“Make America Great Again” – in Russian.

A conversation at the flag pole (March 3, 2017)

We just love Kansas City.

“Bullhorn” – March 4, 2017.

Anti-Trump March in Kansas City – March 4, 2017 (March 4, 2017)

Anti-Trump March in Kansas City – March 4, 2017 – part 2 (March 5, 2017)

Anti-Trump March in Kansas City – March 4, 2017 – part 3 (March 5, 2017)

Someone did resist.

[Used with permission.]

A New York tourist destination (March 21, 2017)

Still no open public town halls in the district.

This is what Democracy looks like – Harrisonville, Missouri – March 22, 2017 (March 23, 2017)

Sometimes they march, too.

“I am a deplorable” – Trump Teabagger rally in Jefferson City – March 25, 2017

You got that right (March 25, 2017)

April:

At least one member of Congress from Missouri does open public town halls.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) – speaking to the press – Parkville, Missouri – April 13, 2017.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D): press availability – Parkville, Missouri – April 13, 2017 (April 14, 2017)

What a difference eight years makes (April 13, 2017)

This ain’t 2009 and right wingnut billionaires ain’t paying to rile up teabaggers (April 13, 2017)

Of science.

If I die, I’m taking you with me.

March for Science – Kansas City – April 22, 2017 (March 22, 2017)

March for Science – Kansas City – April 22, 2017 – part 2 (April 23, 2017)

March for Science – Kansas City – April 22, 2017 – part 3 (April 23, 2017)

March for Science – Kansas City – April 22, 2017 – part 4 (April 23, 2017)

On climate.

There are no jobs on a dead planet.

Climate March – Kansas City – April 29, 2017 (April 29, 2017)

Climate March – Kansas City – April 29, 2017 – Sergio Moreno (April 30, 2017)

May:

Anywhere, anytime.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) [2017 file photo].

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D): on Zombie Trumpcare – May 6, 2017 (May 7, 2017)

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D): on Trump and Russia – May 6, 2017 (May 7, 2017)

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D): on Trump’s policies and Missouri – May 6, 2017 (May 8, 2017)

Still no open public town halls in the district.

Closed for meetings…

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r) – Columbia District Office – May 10, 2017 (May 10, 2017)

Jackson County Democrats.

Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) [2017 file photo].

Truman Gala – Jackson County Democratic Committee – May 20, 2017 (May 21, 2017)

Truman Gala – Jackson County Democratic Committee – May 20, 2017 #2 (May 22, 2017)

June:

Hate and bigotry.

Ready to react.

Anti-Muslim protest and counter-protest, Washington Square Park, Kansas City – June 10, 2017 (June 10, 2017)

Anti-Muslim protest and counter-protest, Washington Square Park, Kansas City – June 10, 2017 – part 2 (June 11, 2017)

Anti-Muslim protest and counter-protest, Washington Square Park, Kansas City – June 10, 2017 – part 3 (June 11, 2017)

Some members of Congress have no problem with holding open public town halls in their district.

Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) – [2017 file photo].

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D): town hall in Lee’s Summit – June 17, 2017 (June 17, 2017)

Reproductive health and rights.

Planned Parenthood #PinkOut in Kansas City – June 21, 2017 (June 22, 2017)

Where is Roy Blunt (r)?

Talking about health care at Sen. Roy Blunt’s (r) office in Kansas City – June 23, 2017 (June 23, 2017)

A Sen. Roy Blunt (r) health care story (June 23, 2017)

Photos at Roy Blunt’s Office – June 23 2017 Indivisible – KC Hillary Klofkorn Shields (June 26, 2017)

Talking about health care at Sen. Roy Blunt’s (r) office in Kansas City – June 23, 2017 – signs of the times (June 24, 2017)

What’s the matter with Kansas?

“Resist”

Talking about health care at Sen. Jerry Moran’s (r) office in Olathe, Kansas – June 28, 2017 (June 28, 2017)

Talking about health care at Sen. Jerry Moran’s (r) office in Olathe, Kansas – June 28, 2017 – signs of the times (June 29, 2017)