Hillary Clinton For President

The bottom line is Hillary Clinton as the former Secretary of State, a US senator, a longtime member of this party and as First Lady is more than qualified to lead and make history as our nation's first female president.
TransGriot, February 16, 2016

That quote was from my Democratic primary endorsement post of her back in February, and with early voting about to start in Texas tomorrow, thought I'd make it clear where I stand in terms of who I am endorsing to become the 45th president of the United States.

Hillary Clinton

It's crystal clear that she is head and shoulders more qualified than any candidate in this race including Jill Stein and Gary Johnson.

Donald Trump?  Please.  He isn't qualified to be a high school class president, much less president of the United States.

It should be obvious to anyone with cognitive ability that Trump is a not ready for presidential prime time.   He is a dangerous, lying authoritarian demagogue who doesn't need to be anywhere near our nation's nuclear launch codes.

With the critical issues facing this country like the Supreme Court, immigration reform, the renewal of the Voting Rights Act, trans rights, police reform, student debt, health care, and terrorism just to name a few of the challenges facing the next president plus a deeply polarized nation, Clinton is the one qualified to handle it and has the experience to do so.

She has been in position to observe two presidents as the First Lady during Bill Clinton's administration, and the Secretary of State serving President Obama.  She is undeniably the person most qualified to run this nation on Day One should she be chosen by the voters on November 8.

Some of you don't like her and I get that.  But also deal with the reality that much of the shade being thrown at her is old GOP smears from the 90's, combined with sexism, misogyny and new smears and lies they came up with in this century.,

The boys have occupied the Oval Office for good or ill for 229 years.  It's past time to have a woman in the Oval Office, and Hillary Clinton is the person who happens to be ready and qualified to make that history.

And yes, I will proud to cast my ballot for her, and here are some of the reasons why..

It's time.  #ImwithHer

Trans Girl Wins Her Fight With A DoDEA Superintendent

Sometimes the worst bullies that transgender kids face are not their fellow classmates, but school administrators and legislators. We had an example of that surface recently from Germany.

Blue is the trans daughter of an Air Force active duty father serving at Ramstein Air Base.  The 11 year old fifth grader came out as trans during the summer and has been accepted by her parents, fellow students and administrators at Ramstein Intermediate School, one of the four schools on the base administered by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)

The DoDEA operates 191 schools in 12 nations, seven states, Guam and Puerto Rico and serves more than 82,000 children of active duty military and DOD civilian families .

She had been given approval to use the bathroom and locker facilities that match her gender presentation by the principal of the school, but that decision was overruled by Liz Dunham, the superintendent of the Bavaria district of the DoDEA.

Dunham told Blue's parents she would either have to use the boys bathroom or a single stall one several flights of floors below her classroom.   When Blue's parents pointed out that there were four other trans students on the base , Dunham according to Blue's mother Jess reportedly didn't care.

Well, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter did care.   So did Ashley Broadway-Mack, the president of the American Military Partner Association who blasted Dunham's trans oppressive attitude.

"All students, regardless of their gender identity, deserve to be able to go to school in an environment free from discrimination and harassment. The Department of Defense school system is currently observing October as National Bullying Prevention Month, yet this superintendent has unacceptably chosen to single out and discriminate against a student because of her gender identity. Transgender youth already face high rates of marginalization, bullying, and harassment, and we urge the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, Mr. Thomas Brady, to immediately step in and correct this unconscionable decision."

And never underestimate or piss off a Mama Bear.

Dunham's decision was overruled, and Blue and all trans students in DoDEA schools will be able to use the bathrooms and facilities that match their gender presentation.

That's supposed to happen tomorrow.   We'll see if it does for Blue and all trans students in those schools and across the DoDEA system.

Not Liking The Shady Comments Being Directed At Laverne Over 'Rocky Horror'

 I was parked in front of the television Thursday night watching Laverne Cox play the iconic role of Dr. Frank-n-Furter in the FOX reimagining of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

I was shocked, but shouldn't have been surprised to hear some shady sniping coming once again from elements of trans community about the show.

I guess the only thing that would have made y'all happy is if a white trans actress had played that role instead of Laverne, huh?  

Well boo boo kitties, Black trans people are also actors in Hollywood, so burn that fact into your brains.   Laverne is the one they chose for the role, she has the talent to play it, has a BA in dance, and when the legal drama Doubt finally premieres on CBS I have the utmost confidence she will slay that Cameron Wirth role as well

Damn, here we have the historic moment of a trans person, and even more important to Black Trans World, a Black trans woman playing an iconic movie role in a prime time network television slot, and some of y'all wanna throw shade and be salty about that?  

#StopTheShade, have some seats at your local multiplex and miss me with that BS, okay?  

White trans women have been the center of trans attention ever since Christine Jorgensen stepped off the airplane at JFK in February 1953.

It's not only past time for trans women of color to get some of that spotlight, it's also past time for you vanillacentric privileged malcontents sniping at Laverne for Rocky Horror to realize and burn into your brains there is room for all of us to shine.

I'm appreciating the fact that Laverne once again is making history, and sadly the disappointing shady chatter is proving to me once again why Afrocentric trans events like BTAC are necessary

It's alo proving to me once again that some haters are gonna hate even when it's a trans person of color making that positive history.

Heading To Boston Wednesday

Next week I'm heading to New England and staying in Boston for the first time since my trip to the NABJ Convention in 2014 and Fantasia Fair last year.

The purpose of this upcoming trip is I'm heading up to Harvard University to receive the 2016 Phillips Brooks House Associations Robert Coles Call of Service Award

The Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA) was founded in 1984, and it is a student led nonprofit organization at Harvard that engages 1,600 undergraduate students in 83 social service and action programs that benefit over 10,000 low income people in the Boston and Cambridge, MA areas and beyond.

The programs run by PBHA also include Y2Y Harvard Square, the nation's first youth-run homeless shelter for young adults, many of who are members of our LGBTQ community.

I'm receiving the award on October 28, and so looking forward to breaking out some of my sweaters on this trip, meeting with the PBHA staff and seeing some of my Massachusetts fam.

May also try to go to the JFK Presidential Library while I'm there as well.

See y'all Wednesday.

2016 UH Cougar Watch- Battling SMU

The 6-1 University of Houston Cougars rebounded from their 46-40 AAC West Division conference loss at Navy and falling to number 13 in the rankings to come home to the comfy confines of The Cage and see the defense literally win the game for them in the last 81 seconds.

The Third Ward Defense forced a fumble from Tulsa QB Dane Evans that linebacker Emeke Egbule scooped up and raced 24 yards for a touchdown to take the lead with 1:21 remaining in the game..

 After the UH offense punted.  Tulsa drove from their own 11 yard line to the UH 1.  The defense then made two huge plays with freshman defensive tackle Ed Oliver stuffing a running play for a one yard loss,.

With seven seconds left on the game clock, after blitzing and flushing Evans out of the pocket, kept Golden Hurricane defense end Jesse Brubaker from turning and scoring after he caught a pass on the goal line from Evans and was kept out of the endzone by safeties Khalil Williams and Austin Robinson as the clock expired to cap a thrilling 38-31 win.

It was also redemption for a defense that got shredded for 306 rushing yards in the loss to the Midshipmen and 365 passing yards by Tulsa.  The win also made them bowl eligible for the tenth time in the last 12 seasons.

The number 11 ranked Cougars head up I-45 today to face off at Gerald J. Ford Stadium with an old Southwest Conference rival in the SMU Mustangs.

While the Mustangs are 2-4, and at the bottom of the American West Division standings, they do have weapons on the offensive side to make this a problematic game if the Cougars repeat the turnover filled performance they had in that Navy loss.

It would make the Mustangs season if they could pin another loss on the Cougars and wreck their chances of playing in a New Years Six bowl and their chances of repeating as The American champions.

The game will be televised on ESPN2 starting at 6 PM CDT.

TransGriot Update: Cougars were upset by SMU 38-16

Shut Up Fool Awards- Black Panther 50th Anniversary Weekend Edition.

The Black Panther Party For Self Defense was formed 50 years ago in Oakland, CA on October 15, 1966.  What was one of the motivating factors for their founding?   Being fed up with oppressive police tactics in our neighborhoods.  

Despite what COInTELPRO and conservatives try to tell you about the BPP, they were popular and grew rapidly in Black neighborhoods because they had a coherent political message combined with social programs like the free breakfast, free medial care clinics, and an emergency response ambulance program just for starters.  

They were even ahead of the curve on women's rights and gay rights, as this August 1970 speech from Huey P. Newton demonstrates.

The reason I'm bringing up the BPP is because this weekend in Oakland  the founding and the legacy of the Panthers is being celebrated  from October 20-23 at various locations with the theme of 'Where Do We Go From Here?'

All Power To The People!   And now, let's get to our usual Friday business of calling out the fool, fools or group of fools who made the cut for this week's TransGriot Shut Up Fool Awards.

Honorable mention number one is to Donald Trump for just pick a reprehensible comment or lie.

Honorable mention number two is to Dr Elizabeth Dunham the DoD official who overruled principal Mary Salerno  at the US run Ramstein Intermediate School on the Ramstein Air Base and barred a trans teen who is the child of a military officer from using the female restrooms.

Honorable mention number three is Pat Buchanan.  UnKKKle Pat tried to claim in a recent column that the system is rigged against white men.

Really?  In what delusional world?   Donald Trump's presidential campaign is Exhibit A it isn't.

Honorable mention number four is the Rocky Horror remake star Richard O'Brien, who opened his loud and wrong mouth by stating trans women can't be women.

Oh really?  You're neither trans, a woman, or someone who has an PhD in gender issues, so you have zero credibility to speak on the topic of transsexuality.

And once again, the humanity of trans people is not subject to debate or discussion.

Honorable mention number five is Rep. Bruce Babin (R-TX) who doubled down on Trump's 'nasty woman' debate comment by stating 'a lady need to be told when she's being nasty'.

And sometimes, Rep Babin, a Republican needs to be told when they are being a misogynist sexist idiot.

This week's SUF winner is also a Texan in my reprehensible  Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, for trying to rebrand his discriminatory HB2 style Texas Transgender Oppression Act  as a 'women's privacy act'

Naw dude, you ain't fooling nobody with that crap, and I and my Texas trans fam and our allies will do everything in our power to kill it.

And I can't wait to vote you out of office in 2018.

Dan Patrick, shut up fool!

Must See Trans TV- Rocky Horror Starring Laverne Cox On Tonight

Just your friendly TransGriot reminder that while we wait for her debut on the upcoming CBS legal drama Doubt as attorney Cameron Wirth, the reimagined version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show starring Laverne Cox



She talked about her personal connection to the original movie in this Hollywood Reporter article,

The reimagined Rocky Horror Picture Show will be on your FOX television screens starting  later tonight at 7 PM CDT

TransGriot 2016 NFL Picks-Week 7

I had a great Week 6 picking NFL games highlighted by the Texans coming back from their somnambulant first half of offense at NRG Stadium to resemble and NFL offense in the second half to tie and eventually prevail in overtime in this critical AFC South Division game against the Indianapolis Colts thanks in large part to Lamar Miller and the Texans defense.

Now they face an interesting Monday night game with the Denver Texans Broncos in which they'll not only be facing their former coaches in Gary Kubiak and Wade Phillips, but several former Texans.

That'll be on Monday night.  

I rebounded from a subpar for me 8-6 to go 10-5 despite the upsets.  Mike on the other hand after cutting my lead in half after his first winning week of the season followed that up with another sub 500 one to give me a five game lead going into this week..

And it's time to build on that momentum and pick this week's NFL games.

Only 15 games on this week's on the schedule, and you long time TransGriot readers know the drill for this TransGriot prognostication contest..

Teams I'm picking to be victorious are in bold print, with the home team in CAPS.   Teams on their bye week are two heading in opposite directions in the reeling Carolina Panthers and the Arlington Dallas Cowboys

There's also another NFL International game happening in London with the Giants and Rams facing off at Wembley Stadium.

Yeah, still hate that NFL franchise up I-45 with a passion  And with them getting off to a 5-1 start, their Harris County Fifth Column is going to be insufferable until they start losing again.
The best Cowboy fan is a silent one.

Focus, Moni..  Eyes on the prize in defending my 2015 title.  Time for this week's picks.   Mike's will be here.

And for those of you wondering where's Eli, he's sitting this season out recovering from a serious health challenge.   Send him your warm thoughts and prayers.  

He did make a preseason Super Bowl pick, and I'll reveal that to you next week.

2016 NFL Week 5 Results                                       2016 NFL Season Record      

TransGriot    10-5                                                      TransGriot    58-34
Mike               7-8                                                       Mike            53-39
Eli                   ---                                                        Eli                 --

Thursday Night Game
PACKERS over Bears

International Game
Giants over RAMS

Sunday Early Games
CHIEFS over Saints
Colts over TITANS
Vikings over EAGLES
BENGALS over Browns
LIONS over Washington
Raiders over JAGUARS
Bills over DOLPHINS
Ravens at JETS

Sunday Afternoon Games
Buccaneers over 49ERS
FALCONS over Chargers
Patriots over STEELERS

Sunday Night Game
Seahawks over CARDINALS

Monday Night Game
Texans over BRONCOS
 

Yes, You Are A Masterpiece

"Tell all those who think that I'm a mistake, that I'm not a mistake. I'm a masterpiece."
-Trinity

My little sis nails it in this quote from her.   In its simplicity it's a quote that her trans elders also need to adopt and role model in their lives.

It's also apropos to discuss it on Spirit Day.

Yes trans people, you are as Trinity said a masterpiece.  We are part of the diverse mosaic of human life.  We have insights on life forged by us spending time on the opposite side of the gender continuum.   And despite all the opposition and irrational hatred being sent our way, we not only survive, but if given the opportunity, we rise about the challenges placed in our paths and thrive.

It's time to not only wtalk the exceptional talk, but walk the walk that comes with it.

So hold your heads up high, my trans siblings.   You are a masterpiece, and never let anyone tell you that you aren't.

Canadian C-16 Trans Rights Bill Passes Second Reading!

Been keeping an eye north of the border tracking the progress of Bill C-16, AKA the Trans Rights Bill that was introduced back on May 17.   It's the first time one of these trans human rights bills is being pushed by the governing majority, and it passed another critical step to becoming Canadian law two days ago.

C-16 had its first parliamentary debate on October 18, and as you probably guessed, the Conservatives in their response speech to Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould sponsor's speech dragged out the bathroom arguments.

They were swiftly debunked by NDP MP Randall Garrison. in his response speech.



As many of you TransGriot are aware of,  MP Garrison has previously filed two private member's bills that have passed the House of Commons only to get bogged down in the Conservative dominated Senate, or spiked by election calls.  C-16 being a government sponsored bill increases its chance of passage.   He has also tabled C-204, another trans rights private member's bill

C-16 would bar discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act against trans people in the areas of employment.   It would also make changes to the Canadian Criminal Code  so that gender identity and expression are added to the nation's hate speech laws.

The House of Commons voted 248-40 to pass C-16 thanks to unanimous support from the Liberals and the NDP with some Conservative legislators voting affirmatively for it.

C-16 was subsequently sent to the Justice and Human Rights Committee.   If it clears committee, it will then be sent back to the House for a third reading vote.

The hope is that C-16 will be in the Senate before the end of 2016

It's A Debate Sweep For Clinton

The final debate was in Las Vegas last night, and once again it was another win for President Secretary Hillary Clinton in which she decisively spanked that behind once again.

Trump came out swinging, but once again proved once again he didn't have the stamina or command of policy to hang with Clinton

And when Trump didn't have an answer to a policy question, he did what he always does: lie, deflect and stall to avoid answering it, and when that didn't work, launched false attacks of Clinton

But the comment that is probably going to sink his campaign for good is not emphatically stating he wouldn't accept the election results  if when he loses

Secretary Clinton talked about this on her campaign plane.



Once again the polls have spoken and backed up what I observed by overwhelmingly stating she won.   I agree.  Another win for Secretary Clinton

Hopefully the debate sweep results in an resounding electoral college win on November 8

It's Spirit Day 2016!

Today is Spirit Day,    It's the day created by Canadian teen Brittany McMillan to wear purple in support of our TBLGQ youth who are being bullied in school settings

WE wear purple to denote our support for our BTLGQ younglings on this day, but the best way to support them will be to kick out all legislators like Dan Patrick, Ken Paxton and Pat McCrory who are demonizing our kids for their selfish political gain

Translation, vote the GOP legislative bullies out of office on November 8 or sooner if your state has early voting.

That's the first  and most important action step step to creating a world in which LGBTQ youth are respected, protected, and it is made clear to friend, foe and frenemy that their human rights are not to be messed with.

20th Annual OutSmart Gayest and Greatest Awards Presentation Tonight

Tonight starting at 5 PM will be the live presentation of OutSmart Magazine's Gayest and Greatest Readers Choice Awards.

OutSmart is our local LGBTQ magazine here in Houston, and this is the 20th year they have presented these awards honoring our local heroes, sheroes and community organizations

The live awards will be presented in the People categories for the Best Male and Female LGBT Business Persons, Favorite Male and Female Commercial Radio Personality,  Favorite Male and Female Community Radio Personality,  Favorite Male and Female Community Hero, Favorite Male and Female Community Photographer, Favorite Male and Female Local Politician, Favorite Male and Female TV Personality, Leading Male and Female Fundraiser, Most Prominent Male and Female LGBT Activist, Most Valuable Male and Female volunteer and Favorite LGBT Philanthropic Organization..

While I was nominated in three categories this year, unfortunately I didn't get enough votes to make the finals.   Maybe next year.

Congratulations to all the people who are finalists for these awards, those who won in other categories this year and good luck this evening.

The live presentation will take place at Rich's Houston, located at 2401 San Jacinto St. near downtown from 5 PM -9 PM.

Texas Early Voting Starts October 24

Since the last presidential debate between Democratic nominee Sec. Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump will be talking place later tonight, it's a nice time to remind all you TransGriot Texas readers that early voting is starting on October 24 in the Lone Star State.

With polls showing that the race is within the margin of error, we have a chance to make happen something that hasn't occurred since I was 14 in seeing Texas go blue.

The last time that happened was in 1976 when Jimmy Carter took the Lone Star State, and now we have a historic opportunity to flip it to blue.

But for that to happen, you must go to the polls and vote.   And don't just start and stop with the presidential race either.  There are other races and positions on the ballot that need your undivided attention, and you need to vote from POTUS to dog catcher

Also as a reminder, thanks to the Veasey v. Abbott case, the Texas Voter Suppression law is DEAD because it was declared unconstitutional.  

The Texas GOP still tried to play that voter suppression game, and got called on it by Nelva Gonzales Ramos, the federal judge overseeing the case ruled they were willfully defying her order.

Harris County clerk Stan Stanart (R) is also being investigated by the court as well.   Time to replace him anyway on November 8 with someone who will fairly administer the election system in our county.

In case you're wondering, Judge Ramos is an Obama appointee.  Presidential elections matter, especially when it comes to the federal judiciary.

You do not need a photo ID to vote if you don't have one. You will need to be registered and have your blue voter registration card, and sign a statement swearing you are the person appearing to vote before you will be allowed to..

I'm looking forward to doing my civic duty and gleefully saying, "You're fired" to every Republican on my ballot, and can't wait until 2018 to do the same to Dan Patrick, Ken Paxton and Greg Abbott.

Back to focusing on the task at hand in this 2016 election.  

In Harris County, (the city of Houston's county for you non Texans) early voting will be in various locations, and have different times for different periods.   From October 24-28, the early voting polling centers will be open from 8 AM-6 PM.

On Souls To The Polls Weekend, on Saturday the early voting locations will be open from 7 AM-7 PM on Saturday, October 29, and on Sunday, October 30 from 1-6 PM

From October 31-November 4, the polls will be open from 7 AM-7 PM.

Check your local county clerk website for the times and early voting polling locations for your part of the Lone Star State.   You can also check the Texas Secretary of State website for more information about our upcoming election.

Last Clinton-Trump Debate Tonight

Live from the University of Nevada Las Vegas campus later tonight, it's the final 2016 presidential debate between Sec. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

The 90 minute live debate will be once again broadcast with no commercial interruption on twelve broadcast and cable networks  

The first two debates at Hofstra and Washington University were resounding Clinton wins, and the unforced errors by Trump didn't hurt.

She goes into this one seeking to not only sweep the debates but in this battleground state throw the knockout punch in a critical presidential race that is increasingly trending in her favor and in which much of the country is already early voting in advance of November 8.

And I'll be doing so when early voting starts on October 24 in Texas, in which a Democrat has their best chance of winning this state since 1976 when Jimmy Carter carried the Lone Star State.

The debate is scheduled to cover in the six 15 minute segments Debt and Entitlements, Immigration, The economy, the Supreme Court, Foreign hot spots, and fitness to be president

What I'm skeptical about for this final debate is how much policy will be discussed.

What I am skeptical of is the moderator will be Chris Wallace from FOX Noise.  It will be the first time someone from FOX has been tapped to moderate a debate, and he raised some eyebrows when he said his job wasn't to fact check the candidates, then quickly recanted on that.

He also has a troubling history of making sexist comments and remarks himself.

And I disagree.  Part of your job as moderator when one candidate has a demonstrated history of non-stop lying is to call lies out, and lets see how well Wallace does in doing so and keeping things moving.

It will also be interesting to see later tonight what shenanigans Trump pulls this time in an attempt to psyche out Clinton/

They rumble, er debate starting at 8 PM CDT.
.

Naw Gay Community, Ain't No Forgiving That Oppressive Flag Or What It Reps

Once again we have another example of what non-white TBLGQ community members complain about when we note that being gay is far too often centred in whiteness and white privilege.

And once again we received a reminder of it.

Over the weekend a picture of a Trump supporter surfaced sporting a bumper sticker on their vehicle that combines homophobia and racism.   It shows a Confederate flagged stick figure kicking a rainbow flagged stick figure with the words 'Trump 2016' under it.

That Trump sticker by itself was foul enough, but it resulted in someone coming up with a graphic combating it that is a nonstarter for TBLGQ people of color.

You know, the same people who are part of this community and helped play major roles in jump starting the movement for our human rights success

So what's the problem with this forgiveness graphic at the top of this post?   Plenty

The Confederate flag is not only the banner of white supremacy, it was the battle flag for a failed armed rebellion that fought a treasonous war against the federal government to ensure that people who share my African heritage would stay perpetually enslaved to them.  

That Confederate flag also became during the African American Civil Rights Movement the permanent symbol of resistance to defiant Southerners and white supremacist hate groups opposed to ending Jim Crow segregation.

There is no hugging or forgetting the fact that these white supremacists wish for me and my people to not exist, and me being unapologetically trans also heightens their hatred as the Klan anti-trans recruiting leaflets popping up back in May demonstrates.  

It's also an intersectionality fail in that it cluelessly fails to acknowledge that flag's negative history, and also make the connection that for Black trans, bi and same gender loving people, that flag is as odious to us as the Nazi swastika banner.

 And I ask the obvious question, when did non-white BTLGQ people get erased as being part of this community?  

It is not incumbent upon the people who are being oppressed to forgive their oppressors.  That's where this graphic fails.

Decided To Take An Unannounced Internet Break

In case you're wondering why I hadn't been posting at my normal schedule here on the blog, just stepped away and needed to do so because I was a little burned out over the election news combined with writers block.

So I just fired up one of my computer games and tuned everything out to refresh, recharge and get refocused for the homestretch of the 2016 presidential cycle and the battles to come in 2017 and beyond.

Turning off CNN, MSNBC, the BBC, FOX Noise (when I need comedic relief) and The Net also allowed me to also recharge the creative batteries.

So yes, I'm fine.  I'm even feeling better now that I've had that little break and on top of it, am creeping closer to another interim weight loss goal.

And yes, I have a lot to say and write before this campaign is done/

Naw GOP, This Election Isn't 'Rigged'

I have been amused to hear Donald Trump claim with three weeks to go that this election is 'rigged' against him.

Naw dude, you need to take accountability for the fact you are the worst major party candidate and most unqualified for the Oval Office in modern times and Hillary Clinton is beating that behind because she's light years more qualified and running a better campaign than you are.

So lets examine that claim that this election is rigged.  It's a tired conservafool campaign refrain that ignores the facts that this nation is not center-right, it's center left.   It also ignores the reality that the GOP has worked mightily since the 1960's to piss off large blocs of non-white Americans.

You didn't help by running a campaign demonizing Latinx, Black, Muslim and Asian voters in this presidential election cycle.

And lest be real, the people who administer the elections in many parts of the country like governors and secretaries of state are from your party.  It's also on record that the Republicans have long been on a mission to suppress voter turnout of African American and  Latinx voters, with the latest suppression tool being the Voter ID laws passed by Republican controlled legislatures.  

You have also made it your mission in Conservaworld to kill the 1965 Voting Rights Act. that ensures that marginalized people can cast their ballots.   As a matter of fact, one of the ways that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts made his money was looking for ways to eviscerate the VRA.

The in person impersonation voter fraud meme the GOP pushed the justify the passage of these voter suppression measures has been proven to be false.

With all your angry low information followers out there, it is frankly dangerous to the integrity of the American electoral process to be pushing the lie that this election is 'rigged' against you when you haven't done anything substantive (thank God) to win it.

When you piss off large swaths of the electorate while only appealing to your shrinking base of white voters, you're going to lose.

So naw Donald and every Republican pushing that lie.  If you're claiming the system is rigged, then  by extension, you are the architects of the rigging since you control in many states the electoral process in the states you control.  That's all the more reason for Americans to say 'You're Fired' to Republicans at all levels of government on November 8

First Lady Michelle Obama Calls Out Trump's Treatment Of Women In NH Speech

First Lady Michelle Obama was tellin' it like it T-I-S is about a certain Republican sexual predator running for the presidency.

“The measure of any society is how it treats their women and girls. I can’t believe that a candidate for president of the United States has bragged about sexually assaulting women. This kind of violence and abuse and disrespect to women… This is not something that we just sweep under the rug as another disturbing footnote in a sad election season. The shameful comments about our bodies, the disrespect to our intellects, the belief that you can do anything to a woman. It’s cruel. The truth is it hurts. We are drowning in it.

All of us are doing what women have always done. We’re trying to keep our heads above water, just trying to get through it, trying to pretend that this doesn’t really bother us. Maybe we think that admitting how much it hurts makes us as women look weak. Maybe we’re afraid of being that vulnerable. Maybe we’ve grown accustomed to swallowing these emotions and staying quiet because we’ve seen that people often won’t take our word over his. Or maybe we don’t want to believe that there are still people our there who think so little of us as women. So many are treating this as just another day, as if our outrage is overblown. This is not normal. This is not politics as usual. This is disgraceful; it is not tolerable.

It doesn’t matter what party you belong to. None of us deserve this kind of abuse. This isn’t about politics. It’s about basic human decency. We cannot expose our children to this any longer, not for another minute, and let alone for four years. Now is the time for all of us to say enough is enough. If all of this is painful to us as grown women, what do you think this is doing to our children? What lessons do you think this is teaching to girls about their worth?

To dismiss this as ‘locker room talk’ is an insult to decent men. The men in my life are concerned about what this election is doing to our boys and men who are looking for role models. Strong men, men who are truly role models don’t need to put down women to feel powerful.

We need someone who is a united force, someone who will heal the wounds that divide us. I believe with all my heart that Hillary Clinton will be that president. When things get tough, she doesn’t complain. She doesn’t abandon ship. Hillary Clinton has never quit on anything in her life. She is someone who has waited her turn and helped out while waiting! No one could be more qualified for this job than Hillary. We as Americans, we as decent human beings, can come together and declare that enough is enough. We need to recover from our shock and depression and we need to do what women do, we roll up our sleeves and get to work. We need to vote, we need to make calls. We cannot afford to be tired or turned off. On November 8, we have the opportunity to show our children that this country is big enough for us all, and that each of us is a precious part of this great American story and we are always stronger together. We reject hatred and fear. In difficult times we don't discard our highest ideals. That is who we are, and don't let anyone tell you differently!"

Here's a link to the video of the FLOTUS' Manchester, New Hampshire speech

TransGriot 2016 NFL Picks- Week 6

Week 5 wasn't a good one for me or the Texans, and thankfully I was busy with my high school classmates so I didn't have to watch my fave NFL ballers stink up US Bank Stadium

The Vikings are also one of the two NFL squads the Texans have never beaten (now 0-5) in franchise history.  The other is the Philadelphia Eagles (0-4) who they will play next year when the AFC South is matched up with the NFC East.

They are playing a nationally televised AFC South game at NRG Stadium against the Indianapolis Colts, so whatever bad football they played in Minneapolis needs to stay there.

While I went into Week 5 with a four game lead,  it got cut in half because for the first time this season, Mr. Watts won a week outright.

It was bound to happen sometime, and he was definitely motivated after having his first sub 500 week of the 2016 season.

Well, let's get to  NFL Week 6.  Only two teams, the aforementioned Vikings and the Buccaneers are on their bye week, which means that we get to pick 15 games this week.

Y'all know the drill.  Teams I'm picking to win are in bold print with the home team in all CAPS.  Mike's picks will be available for viewing via this link from his blog.

2016 NFL Week 5 Results                                         2016 NFL Season Record

TransGriot  8-6                                                            TransGriot  48-29
Mike          10-4                                                            Mike          46-31
Eli              ---                                                               Eli               --


Thursday Night Game
Broncos over CHARGERS

Sunday Early Games
Eagles over WASHINGTON
PATRIOTS over Bengals
BEARS over Jaguars
GIANTS over Ravens
SAINTS over Panthers
Steelers over DOLPHINS
TITANS over Browns
LIONS over Rams
BILLS over 49ers

Sunday Afternoon Games
PACKERS over Cowboys
Chiefs over RAIDERS
SEAHAWKS over Falcons

Sunday Night Game
TEXANS over Colts

Monday Night Game
CARDINALS over Jets