Senate unanimously passes bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday

[Ban Hammer 13,429]

Congress Passes Law To Recognize Juneteenth, The Day Republicans Freed All The Democrats' Slaves

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Senate has unanimously passed a resolution to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday, commemorating the glorious day Republicans freed

the last of the Democrats' slaves. 

 

"We are so proud to show the world how not racist we are by officially recognizing the day the Republicans came charging in to free all our slaves," said Senate Democrat

Chuck Schumer. "Yeah-- we Democrats did a little 'whoopsie' with that whole slavery thing, but the Republicans corrected it. Thanks, Republicans!" 

 

more at https://babylonbee.com/news/congress-passes-law-to-recognize-juneteenth-the-day-republicans-freed-all-the-democrats-slaves

[moxy 1,051]

Yeah, it's the Babylon Bee, but it's funny how many Republicans actually claim credit for, and damn the Democrats for, slavery. In fact (and I'm sure I'm not saying anything we don't already know) both party's platforms were 180 degrees from where they are now back then. Lincoln would be a Democrat today. Trump would be a Democrat in 1865.

 

Having said that, yes, there is blood on everyone's hands from slavery, Democrats, Republicans, Constitutional Unionists, Whigs, whatever. Our founding fathers owned slaves. Hell, Thomas Jefferson raped his slaves. Nobody has the high ground from that era.

[Dashinka 24,635]

15 minutes ago, moxy said:

Yeah, it's the Babylon Bee, but it's funny how many Republicans actually claim credit for, and damn the Democrats for, slavery. In fact (and I'm sure I'm not saying anything we don't already know) both party's platforms were 180 degrees from where they are now back then. Lincoln would be a Democrat today. Trump would be a Democrat in 1865.

 

Having said that, yes, there is blood on everyone's hands from slavery, Democrats, Republicans, Constitutional Unionists, Whigs, whatever. Our founding fathers owned slaves. Hell, Thomas Jefferson raped his slaves. Nobody has the high ground from that era.

We always get the Parties have changed.  Sure they have, but considering the fact that the Democrats are still pushing very divisive and racist policies (CRT), I think they maintain their core beliefs.

[yuna628 9,687]

I will point out that Trump once stated that he thought Juneteenth as a holiday would be a very good idea and the bill had wide support in both houses. So what exactly is the big deal? Nothing divisive about it and people have been celebrating it unofficially for years. Enjoy your day off if you get it. Americans will largely just treat it as a day off to go run errands, maybe eventually an excuse to blast fireworks, and you know at some point stores will jump in and offer 'discount sales'... just like any other holiday.

1 hour ago, moxy said:

Yeah, it's the Babylon Bee, but it's funny how many Republicans actually claim credit for, and damn the Democrats for, slavery. In fact (and I'm sure I'm not saying anything we don't already know) both party's platforms were 180 degrees from where they are now back then. Lincoln would be a Democrat today. Trump would be a Democrat in 1865.

 

Having said that, yes, there is blood on everyone's hands from slavery, Democrats, Republicans, Constitutional Unionists, Whigs, whatever. Our founding fathers owned slaves. Hell, Thomas Jefferson raped his slaves. Nobody has the high ground from that era.

There were many that had a potential high ground back then if there needs to be one that is. Abolitionism was a thing, and by Lincoln's time, people were willing to put their lives on the line for the cause. My dad's family were here pre-Revolution, and let me tell you their experiences put them in the abolitionist category. They knew what it was like to be in bondage and were having none of it for any human. I like to think to myself that Lincoln would probably not be from either party today, nor would any of those who believed in his principles.

[moxy 1,051]

7 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

There were many that had a potential high ground back then if there needs to be one that is.

I meant politicians in general. But yeah, obviously if there hadn't been people and organizations rallying around abolition, it wouldn't have happened.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

3 hours ago, moxy said:

Republicans under Trump demanded an end to forever war. But AUMF was sponsored by a Dem, so I guess forever war is ok now. (for the no-voters anyway)

I know, some NC Republicans that I thought would have voted Yes in fact voted against the bill. While some NC Republicans who voted for it even though I thought they wouldn't. I am really pissed off at Rep. Buds with his No vote and I let him know it as well. Since he is running for Senate he can't be primaried, but this vote almost made sure that I wouldn't vote for him in the primary. 

[Dashinka 24,635]

2 hours ago, yuna628 said:

I will point out that Trump once stated that he thought Juneteenth as a holiday would be a very good idea and the bill had wide support in both houses. So what exactly is the big deal? Nothing divisive about it and people have been celebrating it unofficially for years. Enjoy your day off if you get it. Americans will largely just treat it as a day off to go run errands, maybe eventually an excuse to blast fireworks, and you know at some point stores will jump in and offer 'discount sales'... just like any other holiday.

There were many that had a potential high ground back then if there needs to be one that is. Abolitionism was a thing, and by Lincoln's time, people were willing to put their lives on the line for the cause. My dad's family were here pre-Revolution, and let me tell you their experiences put them in the abolitionist category. They knew what it was like to be in bondage and were having none of it for any human. I like to think to myself that Lincoln would probably not be from either party today, nor would any of those who believed in his principles.

Has there been anyone here railing against this new Federal Holiday?

Edited June 18, 2021 by Dashinka

[Boiler 45,731]

13 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Has there been anyone here railing against this new Federal Holiday?

There was somebody very upset their interview was cancelled on one day notice and will now have to wait months.

[moxy 1,051]

28 minutes ago, Boiler said:

There was somebody very upset their interview was cancelled on one day notice and will now have to wait months.

Dang. That does suck.

[nykolos 711]

I wonder if Sen. Robert Byrd were alive today, would Joe Biden include his best friend in the signing ceremony?  Robert would have to leave his hood at home though, that wouldn't go over too well.

 

 

 

[nykolos 711]

From 1942 to 1945, over 120,000 Japanese were imprisoned in internment camps, almost 70,000 were US Citizens, Imprisoned just for being Japanese.. Where is there Holiday?  or do Democrats only grant Federal holidays to races that vote Democrat?

 

 

[Crtcl Rice Theory 2,432]

1 hour ago, nykolos said:

From 1942 to 1945, over 120,000 Japanese were imprisoned in internment camps, almost 70,000 were US Citizens, Imprisoned just for being Japanese.. Where is there Holiday?  or do Democrats only grant Federal holidays to races that vote Democrat?

 

 

An actual Interment camp survivor weighs in

 

 

 

Edited June 19, 2021 by CanAm1980

[yuna628 9,687]

22 hours ago, Dashinka said:

Has there been anyone here railing against this new Federal Holiday?

Online yes. But it appears it didn't take too long for it to show up on VJ as well.

[nykolos 711]

I'd like to know why Obama didn't grant Ms Opal's request in 2016 when the 89 year old Woman attempted to walk 1400 miles from Dallas to DC?.. And where was VP Joe Biden to nudge it to the Presidents desk? Slavery must not have been so important to Obama or Joe then, it's only important now,  politically and in June of 2022  "Remember what I did for you".

 

[moxy 1,051]

6 hours ago, nykolos said:

I'd like to know why Obama didn't grant Ms Opal's request in 2016 when the 89 year old Woman attempted to walk 1400 miles from Dallas to DC?.. And where was VP Joe Biden to nudge it to the Presidents desk? Slavery must not have been so important to Obama or Joe then, it's only important now,  politically and in June of 2022  "Remember what I did for you".

I know it's a favorite right-wing talking point to say Obama was racist (although the far right usually accuses him of being racist against white people, so this is at least a new spin), but you might remember that Republicans controlled the Senate in 2016. Obama wasn't able to get a hearing for a Supreme Court nominee, much less get Juneteenth legislation to his desk.

 

Opal Lee's petition was directed at both Congress and the President btw. So if we're going to hold Obama accountable for not signing Juneteenth into law (which, as mentioned, he Constitutionally could not have done), maybe also also hold then Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell accountable as well.

 

Having said that, I'm happy that at least one of my right-leaning friends here on VJ are supportive of Juneteenth. Good stuff.