Immigrant Voter Fraud Fears Didn't Materialize

sixkindsofbullshit:

It is rare that I begin (what I hope is) a coherent argument with a “Fuck You!”, and even rarer still that I include a “and the horse you rode in on!”, but this is just such a case. If you listen to this story from NPR you will learn that certain conservative anti-immigrant groups got their knickers in a big twist during the recent election, suggesting that large numbers of undocumented immigrants would turn out to vote, illegally. What’s worse: they would be voting Democratic. The solution, according to these groups, is vigilance at polling stations and going through voting records to check the citizenship status of those who voted Democratic. 

First of all, it seems patently absurd to think that any undocumented immigrant would want to risk drawing attention to themselves by voting. Secondly, how is it that these asshats are able to go through voting records to check on anyone’s citizenship status? Why bother to give us private voting booths if the record of our votes, including our names, addresses and all that, can be reviewed by anyone and his dog at a later date? 

Is “immigrant voter fraud” really the biggest thing we need to worry about during elections? Really? What about corporations being able to make unlimited donations and spend without limit on attack advertising? What about physical assaults on protesters by candidates’ campaign personnel? What about all the other shenanigans we hear about? 

Fuck you, Ban Amnesty Now and ALAPAC, and the horses you rode in on…

Target Target

You know me: I’m the last one to speak up or protest about something…in some alternate, parallel universe, maybe. Here, on this planet, I won’t hesitate to call out bullshit when I see it. So it was, that on the weekend I decided to target Target. Some of you will know that Target recently donated $150,000 to MN Forward, an ultra-conservative political action group that, among other things, opposes gay marriage. Target’s CEO also personally donated $2,000. At the same time Target says inclusiveness is a core value for the company. Interesting, thought I. So, I went to a local Target store here in good ol’ Texas and filled a shopping cart with all kinds of neat stuff. I had clothing and electronics and food and toys in that cart. The sales clerk rang everything up and it came to $1,318.47.

Before tendering payment I asked to speak to a manager. The manager arrived and I asked her if she was aware of Target’s substantial donation to the ultra-conservative group in Minnesota. She said she was, and that there had been a memo about it. I told her that I disagreed with Target’s position to support such a group, and that I did not want my dollars used in such a way, even indirectly. I told her that I would not be completing my purchase and I would not be visiting Target again.

I asked the manager to let head office know, and strode off, leaving a few people confused (or more confused) and one lady applauding.

Now I have to find somewhere else to shop. Perhaps I’ll try Wal-Mart…

from get @baffled