#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.

@WordsmithFL

I just walk away. They are not allowed to steal my peace ☮️ any longer.

@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.