Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg: How Disappointed to Hear My Hero Say Such Things

In an interview with Katie Couric, Justice Ginsburg stated that she thought that the football players protesting by kneeling during the National Anthem were "dumb, disrespectful and stupid" and that "if they want to be stupid, there's no law that should be preventive."  I have also viewed Justice Ginsburg as hero of the Constitution, liberty, justice, fairness, scholarship and progressive wisdom; however, I am lost at her comments in regards to the NFL football players' protest.  I ponder if Justice Ginsburg knows what these NFL players of color are protesting.  If not, let us be clear here.  

The NFL is greatly composed of men of color (with mostly white owners which is reminiscent of slavery as there absolutely should be, at minimum, fifty percent Black owners of teams, which is another issue), and these men are reflecting upon the manner in which men of color, particularly African-American men, have been killed, and in some instances, outright murdered, by law enforcement.  Essentially, these NFL players also could be victims of some wayward, bias, prejudiced and quick-trigger-fingered law enforcement officer.  These NFL players are using their status not only to address an issue that they could be victims of, but an issue that so many like them face on a daily basis in this country.  There is no way that anyone could defend each and every execution of these men of color by officers in this country.  In fact, some of these very officers are facing criminal charges as a result of their conduct.

I honestly believe that African-American men, in particular, are targeted by some (not all) law enforcement officers.  Some law enforcement officers' targeting anyone is more troubling for many reasons. The public has entrusted these officers to uphold the law and has given officers an immense degree of power, including the benefit of the doubt in questionable instances of officers dealing with the public.  While I am profoundly disappointed with Justice Ginsburg's statements, I suspect that she, a woman of high character and moral integrity, likely does not understand precisely why these men in the NFL are protesting.  If she did, I suspect that the Justice Ginsburg, who I have come to know and admire, would never call these men "dumb, disrespectful and stupid."  Before I would ever utter such disappointing words, I would have simply said nothing. 

Donald Trump - Really?

As part of Mainstream Politics Returns - the Dungeon, I realize the room is designed and feeds off pure "shock jock" political discussions.  In other words, the room is designed purely for entertainment, and at no time is the room to be used to do or advocate actual harm to chatters. Everyone in the room says things that push the envelope even if we, as is generally employed by me, do not actually believe our political position; the room is mere entertainment, akin to radio.  However, and in all grave seriousness, I am utterly, outrageously, contemptuously and jaw-droppingly appalled with Donald Trump's comments about women.  Let me say this: I readily admit that I am bias.  I am bias against people who attack people of color, particularly mestizo hispanics and african-americans, jews, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, the disabled, children and the elderly.  I must admit, too, that I am bias against people who attack women, as I am a male feminist. I also realize that none of us, me included, are above criticism.  I believe in self-introspection and fair analysis of even groups I am fervently in favor of and one-hundred percent support.  However, Trump's latest remark about women was not for mere "shock jock value" nor was it "fair criticism or analysis!"  Trump's comment that rich and famous men can "grab them [women] by their p***y" was appalling, repulsive, derogatory, dehumanizing, demeaning, disgusting, denigrating, insulting, bombastic, indefensible, destructive, offensive, pathetic, low class, vile, repugnant, revolting, depraved, debased and the height of sleaze from a sleazy man!

How anyone can overlook, minimize or marginalize such comments is equally contemptible!  Yet, contemptible is precisely what Donald Trump continued engaging in when he stated at the 2nd presidential debates a 2nd appallingly crass remark that his comment about women was mere "locker room talk".  Huh?  What "locker room" has Trump been going to?  I realize, from reviewing other articles, Trump enjoys visiting women's "dressing rooms," but I am totally unaware of any "locker room" that engages in that type of language.  I, personally, have never heard men talk this way in any locker room although I have heard a lot of "macho" language, such as a guy slept with 150 women in one night.  In fact, I cannot imagine what type of man would make such vulgar comments.  On second thought, I can, his name is Donald "Sleazeball" Trump!  After Donald Trump viciously assaulted women, Donald Trump's attempt to excuse his language as "locker room talk" attacked men.  Speaking in general, Deniro called Trump a pig, punk and bozo who Deniro would like to punch in the face!  I suspect that if Trump said the "grabbing women" comment around me that I, too, would have an immense desire to punch Trump in the face!  And I equally suspect that if Trump entered a locker room and tried justifying such deplorably sexist and misogynist language as mere "locker room talk," some guy just might punch Trump right in his big, fat face!

Hillary Clinton All the Way!  (I honestly wish you would have chosen Bernie Sanders as VP.)