After the second round of voting, 16 more Dinguses have been eliminated. Notable eliminations this round are Nancy Mace and Ted Cruz, both of whom have been Dingus of the Week multiple times.
View the Results (so far) -> http://sht.ac/FqTjQI [scroll to the right to see results for each round so far]
I FORGOT TO PUT THE LINK IN THE NEWSLETTER! I updated. But also, I am pinning Beau's comment so everyone knows where to vote. I might also send out an update next week. I am so sorry!
I'll keep the voting open an extra day until Thursday as well! I've been closing it at noon on Wednesdays to give myself wiggle room for setting up the next ballot, but it takes way less time than I thought it would.
One of the speakers yesterday said something along the lines of "why do women's rights only matter when they're being used to take away the rights of trans people" and I think everyone needs to hear that statement. What's happening here is horrific but this is my home too and I won't stop fighting for the people in it.
Up here in the Minnesota House on Monday we’ll be voting on a bill to “defend girls in sports” an anti-trans girls bill (never mind trans boys’ existence) that cannot pass into law. It’s being used as a lightening rod for anti-trans “activists” to come and make a media frenzy while actually putting trans kids in real potential danger. What a waste of life force for these scared and fearful Republicans.
I'm so bitterly disappointed in Iowa. Formerly a leader in civil rights--one of the first states to integrate education, for instance--now taking civil rights away from vulnerable Iowans. It's disgusting.
And then in my local radio station (Z102.9, for Eastern Iowans), on their "Feeling Allright!" section of news, they announced that Governor Reynolds has declared today "A day of kindness." Did I shout obscenities in my car? Yes. The absolute hypocrisy of declaring a day of kindness less than 24 hours of after voting to take away civil rights is so astonishing, so galling.
I'm mad as hell today, and no amount of singing along to Hot Chelle Rae on my drive to work seemed to help.
Thank you for the work you do, both in calling out these ghouls and in advocating for abortion rights in a red state. I hear liberals asking "why would you live there?" which isn't a solution. Someone has to fight from within. And I'm grateful for those who do.
And, like, where are people in red states supposed to go? The West Coast and New York have both housing affordability and access crises, as does purple Colorado. I think my state (Illinois) is getting up there, too. We are blue thanks to Chicago but we're always one governor away from skewing red. All this to say: Leaving can be the answer, as in cases of personal safety for trans folks, but it's not the solution for everyone.
It's like existing in online spaces - if all of the progressives leave, those spaces devolve into extremist hellscapes. Which is fine in some cases; let them have X. But I've stayed on Substack because it's the best product fit for what I do, and I can fight for the company to do the right thing from within.
Even purple-lite Arizona (Phoenix is blue, as is Pima County) is getting pricey. In Tucson, not exactly a hot bed of high paying jobs, the average home price is 500k!
That’s where we’re moving. We’ve been there twice and going again in April. We’re making connections with school (SIU) and community groups. We loved the vibe of the town. It’s shabby but houses are dirt cheap. If you telecommute or don’t need a job it’s great
Come to Southwest Virginia--a red part of a mostly blue state. Not expensive and state politics are overall good, even if local and district politics are not awesome, to say the least. You will be embraced by the liberal minority here, but if you have young children, be careful to research the school district carefully first.
I am also grateful for lyz's work calling out these ghouls. Living in a red state is really scary - in my neighborhood I am literally surrounded by red hatted sadists who are delighted with what is going on. Standing up to them is frightening but reading lyz always gives me some gumption to stay involved locally in what is going on here in TN. I don't consider myself particularly brave but I have some faith that small efforts locally can make a difference. Showing up for school board, attending town council meetings, talking with neighbors about how these things will affect all of us eventually. I hate this timeline but here we are and lyz's community is helping me envision the ways I can fight back.
People unsubscribing in “defense” of Yglesias is probably mostly a gender tell. I ripped one of his substack posts rationalizing guys who didn’t want to vote for Harris. It was, in Yglesias style, a long meandering column. I reduced it in the comments for him to “simple racism and misogyny.” One of his cowriters criticized me saying literally “telling guys they’re stupid won’t change how they vote.” No it won’t, but the truth is the truth and Matt and his accommodating, rationalizing fellow-minded bros can just suck on that.
We are now at the point where there are no red lines left. This is an all-out white male war on everyone and everything that does not kiss their butts. The cruelty IS the point and they start with the weakest and most marginalized groups they can corner first. I'm going to continue to fight back . Today the main push is no-big box store buy day.
Thanks, Lyz. This was a great column. This vote was not about keeping anyone safe. It was about othering and promoting fear. I am sad for this state of Iowa, and mad at those who know what they are doing is wrong but do it anyway.
The main argument from the bald, old, white man heading up the bill was a need to "protect the laws in place." Not the people...the laws. Otherwise, the mean ol' Court might overturn them like they did before.
i'm absolutely heartbroken. i know so many dear people in the trans community. i also remember when iowa had a much more open and generous outlook on life. these so-called 'christians' are ruining our state.
This news from Iowa is wrecking me. Trans rights are human rights. I see y'all, I love y'all, and we're not leaving anyone behind. Thank you for putting rage and grief into words for us Lyz!
Dingus Madness Update!
After the second round of voting, 16 more Dinguses have been eliminated. Notable eliminations this round are Nancy Mace and Ted Cruz, both of whom have been Dingus of the Week multiple times.
View the Results (so far) -> http://sht.ac/FqTjQI [scroll to the right to see results for each round so far]
Vote in the third round, the Sour 16 -> http://forms.gle/YnUbKKytLYLynjuFA
I FORGOT TO PUT THE LINK IN THE NEWSLETTER! I updated. But also, I am pinning Beau's comment so everyone knows where to vote. I might also send out an update next week. I am so sorry!
I'll keep the voting open an extra day until Thursday as well! I've been closing it at noon on Wednesdays to give myself wiggle room for setting up the next ballot, but it takes way less time than I thought it would.
I wouldn’t call nearly 2-1 in both house and senate votes a narrow majority.
good catch, fixed
It was an amazing article Lyz, I’m sorry my first comment was a complaint instead of a compliment-
I fucking I subscribed from that dingus (iglesias) because of his long standing transphobia. Fucker can go rot.
One of the speakers yesterday said something along the lines of "why do women's rights only matter when they're being used to take away the rights of trans people" and I think everyone needs to hear that statement. What's happening here is horrific but this is my home too and I won't stop fighting for the people in it.
Up here in the Minnesota House on Monday we’ll be voting on a bill to “defend girls in sports” an anti-trans girls bill (never mind trans boys’ existence) that cannot pass into law. It’s being used as a lightening rod for anti-trans “activists” to come and make a media frenzy while actually putting trans kids in real potential danger. What a waste of life force for these scared and fearful Republicans.
That was Iowa 3 years ago- thanks for working to shut that shit down
I'm so bitterly disappointed in Iowa. Formerly a leader in civil rights--one of the first states to integrate education, for instance--now taking civil rights away from vulnerable Iowans. It's disgusting.
And then in my local radio station (Z102.9, for Eastern Iowans), on their "Feeling Allright!" section of news, they announced that Governor Reynolds has declared today "A day of kindness." Did I shout obscenities in my car? Yes. The absolute hypocrisy of declaring a day of kindness less than 24 hours of after voting to take away civil rights is so astonishing, so galling.
I'm mad as hell today, and no amount of singing along to Hot Chelle Rae on my drive to work seemed to help.
WTF is WRONG with that woman?! She makes me so blindingly angry on the daily.
We’re getting the house ready to put on the market and hopefully sell before this goes into effect in July.
I have an opinion about their ‘protection’ — https://coxkaren6.substack.com/p/protection-racket
Also, good for you for doing this work! You’re a hero!
Thank you for the work you do, both in calling out these ghouls and in advocating for abortion rights in a red state. I hear liberals asking "why would you live there?" which isn't a solution. Someone has to fight from within. And I'm grateful for those who do.
And, like, where are people in red states supposed to go? The West Coast and New York have both housing affordability and access crises, as does purple Colorado. I think my state (Illinois) is getting up there, too. We are blue thanks to Chicago but we're always one governor away from skewing red. All this to say: Leaving can be the answer, as in cases of personal safety for trans folks, but it's not the solution for everyone.
I’m in Missouri and have this conversation all the time with people!
It's like existing in online spaces - if all of the progressives leave, those spaces devolve into extremist hellscapes. Which is fine in some cases; let them have X. But I've stayed on Substack because it's the best product fit for what I do, and I can fight for the company to do the right thing from within.
Even purple-lite Arizona (Phoenix is blue, as is Pima County) is getting pricey. In Tucson, not exactly a hot bed of high paying jobs, the average home price is 500k!
Albuquerque and Reno have also seen drastic increases.
I've been thinking about moving to Illinois due to all this crap. Carbondale seems nice, though economically depressed.
That’s where we’re moving. We’ve been there twice and going again in April. We’re making connections with school (SIU) and community groups. We loved the vibe of the town. It’s shabby but houses are dirt cheap. If you telecommute or don’t need a job it’s great
Carbondale is also surrounded by so much natural beauty. Garden of the Gods, Giant City State Park, Shawnee National Forest.
Sandra, Woodstock in northern IL is pretty great; I live here so AMA if you're considering moving further north.
Come to Southwest Virginia--a red part of a mostly blue state. Not expensive and state politics are overall good, even if local and district politics are not awesome, to say the least. You will be embraced by the liberal minority here, but if you have young children, be careful to research the school district carefully first.
I am also grateful for lyz's work calling out these ghouls. Living in a red state is really scary - in my neighborhood I am literally surrounded by red hatted sadists who are delighted with what is going on. Standing up to them is frightening but reading lyz always gives me some gumption to stay involved locally in what is going on here in TN. I don't consider myself particularly brave but I have some faith that small efforts locally can make a difference. Showing up for school board, attending town council meetings, talking with neighbors about how these things will affect all of us eventually. I hate this timeline but here we are and lyz's community is helping me envision the ways I can fight back.
I think bravery can be defined in so many ways. Keeping to your values and belief that we can shape a better society is brave. Hang in there, friend.
Excellent. One of your best. Thank you.
People unsubscribing in “defense” of Yglesias is probably mostly a gender tell. I ripped one of his substack posts rationalizing guys who didn’t want to vote for Harris. It was, in Yglesias style, a long meandering column. I reduced it in the comments for him to “simple racism and misogyny.” One of his cowriters criticized me saying literally “telling guys they’re stupid won’t change how they vote.” No it won’t, but the truth is the truth and Matt and his accommodating, rationalizing fellow-minded bros can just suck on that.
We are now at the point where there are no red lines left. This is an all-out white male war on everyone and everything that does not kiss their butts. The cruelty IS the point and they start with the weakest and most marginalized groups they can corner first. I'm going to continue to fight back . Today the main push is no-big box store buy day.
Thanks, Lyz. This was a great column. This vote was not about keeping anyone safe. It was about othering and promoting fear. I am sad for this state of Iowa, and mad at those who know what they are doing is wrong but do it anyway.
The main argument from the bald, old, white man heading up the bill was a need to "protect the laws in place." Not the people...the laws. Otherwise, the mean ol' Court might overturn them like they did before.
Excellent point- they needed to get this off the books because their other BS hatey laws (being challenged) were unconstitutional if it remained
i'm absolutely heartbroken. i know so many dear people in the trans community. i also remember when iowa had a much more open and generous outlook on life. these so-called 'christians' are ruining our state.
Thank you for writing this important piece. I don't recognize the state I grew up in any longer.
This news from Iowa is wrecking me. Trans rights are human rights. I see y'all, I love y'all, and we're not leaving anyone behind. Thank you for putting rage and grief into words for us Lyz!
To quote Rep. Jasmine Felicia Crockett, I say to the dingus IA repugnicans, "Fuck off."