#Politics Listening to a livestream feed from an Alabama radio station. They claim that African-Americans will vote en masse for #Trump in November because "Democrats are about to ban menthol cigarettes."
(Which would be a pretty neat trick with Republicans in the House majority.)
Turns out the truth is that nation's oldest group representing Black physicians just sued the FDA because the agency had *not* banned menthol cigarettes.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/02/health/menthol-tobacco-fda-lawsuit/index.html
#Politics Just came back from ten days in California, meaning I was exposed to #Trump conspiracy theories while I travelled.
I overheard a Trumper claim that #California had passed an "exit tax." He claimed that, to move out of California, one must pay a tax.
Turns out there *is* such a tax, but it only applies to individuals who make $30 million+/year. Even so, you pay only 0.4% on the amount *over* $30 million.
If you make $50 million, your tax would be $80,000.
https://www.luxuryrealestate.com/blog/2024/02/13/21239-understanding-ca-exit-tax
#Politics And then there was the evening with a Trumper relative who claimed that "electric vehicles are a scam," that "there's plenty of oil and coal," and "government shouldn't pass laws choosing one side over the other, the market should decide."
I learned long ago not to take the bait.
@LnzyHou People like that are just looking for attention. I once walked out of his house in the middle of dinner because he was spewing racist epithets. I asked him to stop. He repeated it thinking I would let slide. I got up and walked out. He followed me into the driveway, apologized, and asked me to come back. I did this in front of his family; I think it embarrassed him.
There's a reason why I visit only once every five years.
@LnzyHou My mother grew up in New Orleans. Her emotionally distant mother hired an African-American women to raise her three children. My mom said many times that she considered the nanny to be her mother.
Thankfully I was raised not to discriminate, because of her experience.
We were friends with an African-American family in the neighborhood. The other neighbors tried to vote them out of the neighborhood.
@WordsmithFL well that sounds excruciating.
good show you can limit your exposure that way.
@rpardee I've dropped out of my life in recent years several people I care about but who are toxic. Two got the boot for racist remarks.
@WordsmithFL
I grew up with the N word frequently spoken. No amount of begging changed my father’s behavior. Then I got married and had children. Told him if he said it again I would walk out. He said it again. I packed up my baby & went home.
Never again.
Imagine my amazement to learn he voted for Obama. Twice.