Birtherism’s Racist Logic, Anti-Abortion Movement Takes On Trump, and The History of Lesbian Bars

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August 18, 2015

Top Stories


Donald Trump's Big Evolution On Abortion Not Big Enough For Abortion Foes

The Gist: The GOP candidate who once described himself as having “pro-choice instincts” is seen as a major liability by anti-abortion Republicans.

George Zimmerman And 'Muslim-Free' Gun Shop Selling Confederate Flag Prints

The Gist: Zimmerman is helping raise money for the owner of a “Muslim-free” Florida gun store by selling Confederate flags painted with pro-Second Amendment slogans.

Alabama Sorority Deletes Viral Video Showcasing Almost Zero Diversity

The Gist: The University of Alabama’s Alpha Phi chapter deleted a widely panned recruitment video that featured hardly any women of color.

From The Reporter's Notebook


TPM reporter Tierney Sneed looked at the trouble Donald Trump has had gaining the trust of the anti-abortion movement, given his past support of abortion rights and more recent comments he has made on the issue. Also of concern to anti-abortion activists is the possibility that he donated to Planned Parenthood in the past (Trump says he can't remember if he did). "In Trump’s case thats very telling," Lila Rose, an anti-abortion activist, said.

Agree or Disagree?


Birtherism’s obsession with citizenship rules and birth certificates “is just an elaborate mechanism for conveying, without coming right out and saying, that ‘real’ Americans are white.” – Amanda Marcotte

Say What?!


"I don't think that's where Trump was headed. I believe him when he says that he was going to say something about her nose or ears next, and then suddenly realized he should probably drop it."

– New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd said she believes that Trump did not mean to make a comment about Megyn Kelly's period.

BUZZING: Today in the Hive


From a TPM Prime member: "It is also true that Israel aspires to be a democratic state in pursuit of liberal values – and on many counts it has succeeded, and on many counts it has failed. Though I believe the country is judged much more harshly than other countries – even other democracies. For example, for its many warts, it is much better in it's pursuit of liberal values than any other Middle Eastern state. It is not as good as many Western democracies, but on some counts, it is better than others (e.g., it does a much better job dealing with homelessness than we do, and everybody has health insurance). However, Western countries are not very good at liberal democratic values when they are threatened or perceive to be threatened (we, for example, interned Japanese during WWII, there was a wave of hate crimes directed at Muslims following 9/11 and we do not need to mention the history of events regarding people of color and policing), certain types of dress are forbidden in France, etc."

Related: Josh Marshall on the real argument against the Iran Deal.

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What We're Reading


Lesbian bars around the country are closing their doors — a look at their history. (Vice)

A deadly attack in Bangkok signals a break in the uneasy calm of the military junta's grip on Thailand. (Al Jazeera)

Why Obama and Congress turned their backs on food safety. (Politico)


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