#S.C. Johnson

[hometownhistorychicago]

In the late 1930s, Frank Lloyd Wright designed what would be the largest prairie-style home of his career. "Wingspread" was the name chosen for the sprawling complex built near Lake Michigan for the president of the , who also hired Wright to design his company's headquarters. A young John Lautner supervised the construction of this stunning structure which has been beautifully maintained and now functions as a conference center.

Photo: The Johnson Foundation.The Modernist Collection

[stone-cold-groove]

The new floor look is the scuff-free look! Johnson’s floor polish ad - 1956.

[mariacallous]

Democrats unite to protect the first openly transgender member of Congress against GOP measures

Political landscapes are often contentious, but the recent uproar surrounding Representative-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.) has sparked fierce debates and solidified support across party lines. McBride is making history as the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, yet her historic win has come with challenges and Republican pushback.

During recent Democratic caucus meetings, Rep. Becca Balint expressed how colleagues rushed to show their support for McBride. “We have your back,” Balint recalls being told by her peers. This strong support was evident during the orientation event for new House members, where McBride's name was met with thunderous applause.

But not everyone was thrilled with McBride's election. Just days after her victory, Republican lawmakers initiated moves targeting her right to use women's restrooms at the Capitol, labeling their measures as protective of women's spaces. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced legislation aimed at banning transgender women from these facilities. Following suit, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced similar rules covering bathrooms across Capitol Hill.

Kate Redburn, co-director of the Center for Gender and Sexuality Law at Columbia Law School, articulated the current climate within the GOP, stating, “They have laser-focused on transgender inclusion as something they want to roll back.” It appears this focus on discrimination and exclusion against McBride is reflective of broader societal attitudes toward transgender individuals.

The pushback from Republicans has compelled Democrats to rally publicly around McBride. Many see this as not merely supporting her, but also as defending the dignity of the entire LGBTQ community. Balint emphasized the need for Democrats to loudly express their support, ensuring they send the message to Republicans: defiance against discrimination and bigotry is firm.

Johnson and Mace’s actions have stirred heated discussions on civil rights and gender equality. Critics, including Balint, argue these actions are cruelly targeted at McBride, aiming to dehumanize her before even taking her oath of office. McBride's colleagues made clear they’ll unite against this tide of discrimination, and they recognize the wider repercussions for queer representation and safety on Capitol Hill.

The incoming representative has taken the scrutiny and allegations against her in stride, framing her role not as one to focus on these confrontations but rather as implementing solutions for Delawareans. “I’m not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families,” McBride stated, reiteratively impressing her constituents’ basic needs above partisan disputes.

Though McBride acknowledges the intense scrutiny she faces, she is determined to not let it distract her from her goals. McBride's steadfast resolve is also shared by her supporters back home, who feel disappointed by how she has been welcomed to her new role. They maintain confidence in her ability to navigate difficult situations within Congress.

Conversely, reactions to her handling of the Republican measures have not been entirely supportive among some members of the LGBTQ community. Some activists criticized her compromise as capitulation, worrying it might send the wrong message to both the Republican Party and the trans community. The anxiety stems from fears of greater future repercussions stemming from Republican advances, most recently discussed by influential trans figures and journalists.

Specifically, Natalie Boedecker, who identifies as transgender, expressed disappointment with McBride's approach. “Her capitulation sends the wrong message to the GOP and to the larger trans community,” Boedecker indicated. Others echoed her sentiment, expressing feelings of betrayal as they witnessed perceived succumbing to bullying tactics from the Republican leadership.

Balint and other supportive representatives highlight the importance of McBride's presence as part of the legislative process not only for trans rights but for all constituents. They argue continued dialogue and expression of solidarity are the best paths forward. Meanwhile, McBride herself aims to engage positively with both allies and opponents, hoping to demonstrate her effectiveness as a legislator beyond identity politics.

This challenging situation reflects the broader divisions within America today—where identity politics intersects with traditional party lines, bringing to light the urgent need for dignity and respect across all political spectrums. It sheds light on how one representative, emblematic of broader struggles for equality, remains steadfast, even as she navigates the tumultuous waters of American politics.

Democratic leaders contend these tactics against McBride reflect not only targeted bullying but also broader systemic issues of discrimination. Despite the incoming Congress facing numerous pressing matters, such as the economy and social safety nets, the focus laid by the GOP on McBride highlights their strategic emphasis on divisive identity politics.

Moving forward, Republican efforts to curtail transgender rights might not only affect McBride but potentially influence the wider LGBTQ community. It signifies to many the challenges still faced by transgender individuals, particularly those trying to navigate political spaces traditionally dominated by conservative ideologies.

Yet, even amid such adversity, McBride continues to inspire others. Advocates from across the spectrum remain hopeful, viewing her role as pivotal not just for her constituents but for future representation. The continuous fallout from her election attests to the complexity of social justice movements and the resilience required to navigate them effectively.

The mix of overwhelming support and vocal opposition highlights the delicate balance McBride must strike at every turn. Her approaches, whether through strategic compliance or outspokenness, reflect the tough line politicians walk between principle and pragmatism. And as she prepares to take her seat, the real story may well be how she will influence the dynamics of power and representation moving forward.

With eyes on her, the story of Sarah McBride serves as both a challenge and beacon for change, demonstrating the significant societal shifts underway as previously marginalized groups gain voices and visibility.

The stakes are high—how will McBride navigate this uncharted territory? What will her leadership look like amid scrutiny? For now, only time will tell how her tenure will shape the future of queer representation within the halls of Congress.

Nevertheless, the stage is set for what many hope will be a reformation of engagement within the political system. The vigor of civil rights protections and the legitimacy of marginalized identities will likely remain at the forefront of discussion as McBride embarks on her mission to serve Delaware and the trans community at large.

[primordialsoundmeditation]

Once again the trees are about to show us the quiet magic of new beginnings

- S.C. Lourie

Art by Erika Pochybova Johnson

The Heirloom Gardener John Forti

[thesaurushouseofdesign]

Price Tower, Bartlesville, Oklahoma (1952-1956)

The Price Tower is a nineteen-story, 221-foot-high tower built in 1956 and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

It is the only realized skyscraper by Wright, and is one of only two vertically oriented Wright structures extant; the other is the S.C. Johnson Wax Research Tower in Racine, Wisconsin.

The Price Tower was commissioned by Harold C. Price of the H. C. Price Company, a local oil pipeline and chemical firm.

It opened to the public in February 1956.

[bignaz8]

In the late 1930s, Frank Lloyd Wright designed what would be the largest prairie-style home of his career. "Wingspread" was the name chosen for the sprawling complex built near Lake Michigan for the president of the S.C. Johnson company, who also hired Wright to design his company's headquarters. A young John Lautner supervised the construction of this stunning structure which has been beautifully maintained and now functions as a conference center.

📷 The Johnson Foundation.The Modernist Collection

I've been here. It's gorgeous! ❤️

[abwwia]

Ruth Gikow, The Kitchen, 1960, oil on canvas, 40 x 60 in. (101.6 x 152.3 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.

[muddypolitics]

(via House Speaker Johnson Announces Transgender Bathroom Ban—on Trans Day of Remembrance – Mother Jones)

On a day meant to commemorate the transgender people who have been murdered in violent acts of bigotry, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) have united in bringing their transphobia to Congress.

[dertaglichedan]

Ziploc hit with class-action lawsuit for allegedly misleading claims: 'Leading consumers to believe they are … without risk'

The maker of Ziploc bags has been hit with a class-action lawsuit after a consumer alleged that two of the brand's primary selling points — that the bags are "suitable" or "safe" to use in the freezer and microwave — were misleading and placed people at elevated risk of exposure to microplastics.

What's happening?

According to About Lawsuits, complainant Linda Cheslow filed suit against Ziploc maker S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. in California on April 25. As a class-action lawsuit, the filing also names "all others similarly situated" — i.e., people who use Ziploc bags — as co-plaintiffs.

Ziploc bags already have at least one environment-related strike against them, as they are typically a single-use plastic item. On top of that, the lawsuit maintains that the brand's parent company engaged in a "material omission" when labeling Ziploc bags "microwave safe" and "suitable for freezer use."

The suit contends that "in reality," Ziploc bags and containers are made with polyethylene and polypropylene — two manufacturing materials, the filing indicates, that "scientific and medical evidence shows release microplastics when microwaved and frozen."

As such, Ziploc bags are alleged to be "fundamentally unfit for microwave and freezer use" despite their labeling, which has been "leading consumers to believe they are fit to be microwaved and frozen without risk of microplastics leaching into their food." Consumers may have "unwittingly exposed themselves and their families to undisclosed microplastics during routine kitchen practices," per the filing.

[lenbryant]

(Long post) Democrats rally behind first out transgender member of Congress, decry Republican attacks

By Kevin RectorStaff Writer 

At a Democratic caucus meeting Tuesday, Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) watched as colleagues approached and offered their support to Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.), who will soon be sworn in as the first out transgender member of Congress.

“We have your back,” Balint recalled her fellow representatives telling McBride. “We stand with you.”

Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) in 2022.

(Amanda Andrade-Rhoades / Associated Press)

According to Balint, co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, many Democratic members are excited to welcome and meet McBride — not just as a queer history-maker, but as a new colleague whose reputation as an effective state legislator in Delaware preceded her to Washington.

The support has been intentionally loud, Balint said, because Democrats also want to send an unequivocal message to House Republicans who have targeted McBride with comments and actions in recent days that Democrats “are not going to retreat” on transgender rights.

“We have to absolutely recommit ourselves to this fight, for protecting everyone’s inherent dignity,” Balint said.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) leaves the speaker’s office at the Capitol in 2023.

(J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

Mace said her measures, which would require approval, are to protect women and girls, then launched a new line of merchandise to profit off her stance. She has previously espoused support for LGBTQ+ rights.

In issuing his bathroom rule, which falls under his purview as speaker, Johnson said, “Women deserve women��s-only spaces.” He also noted that all members have private bathrooms within their offices — though those can be far from the House floor.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) speaks at an October campaign rally for Donald Trump.

(Alex Brandon / Associated Press)

Access to bathrooms has long been an issue for women at the Capitol, which originally operated on the presumption that legislators were men. Only after more and more women won seats in Congress and called out the dearth of facilities for them did the issue get resolved.

With the latest measures targeting McBride, Democrats say they are struggling to combat fresh discrimination in the same sphere — a backsliding they view as particularly cruel for its targeting of a single incoming legislator, and extra alarming for its potential to harm other queer people who visit or work in the Capitol.

“This incredibly craven and cruel attack directed at [McBride] was certainly intended to dehumanize her before she has even been sworn in, but it actually doesn’t just affect our first trans member of Congress,” Balint said. “It impacts all of the people who work on Capitol Hill who identify as trans and nonbinary. It impacts the reporters who cover the Hill that identify as trans and nonbinary. And it also impacts every single one of our constituents who come into the halls of Congress to meet with us.”

Speaking out in opposition to the measures is about supporting McBride, who is “a serious legislator” and wants to get to work on a range of tough issues without having to worry about where she can get to a toilet, Balint said. But it is also about “showing the LGBTQ community across the country that we are standing up for them and pushing back.”

The debate follows an election cycle steeped in anti-transgender rhetoric, when many Republicans — including President-elect Donald Trump — took to ridiculing Democrats over their support for transgender equality as a central campaign message, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars in collective ad spending.

“The Republican Party has laser-focused on transgender inclusion as something that it wants to roll back, and so the exciting addition of the first openly trans member of Congress has prompted a hideous response — which is [for them] to participate in an ad hominem attack that takes the form of exclusion,” said Kate Redburn, co-director of the Center for Gender and Sexuality Law at Columbia Law School.

Democrats have at times struggled to respond to the barrage of Republican attacks. However, in the last week, they seem to have landed on an approach out of McBride’s own playbook in Delaware — where she won a statewide congressional seat not by running away from her transgender identity and support for queer rights, but by contextualizing them alongside other important issues, such as the cost of living and access to healthcare.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) said she will be proud to serve alongside Rep.-elect Sarah McBride.

(Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press)

“They should take a page out of Rep-Elect McBride’s book,” Pressley wrote, “and focus on actually governing.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) similarly questioned Republicans’ decision to start the next Congress by “bullying” McBride instead of focusing on real issues. “This is what we’re doing?” he said.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), who has a transgender grandson and has been outspoken against past anti-LGBTQ+ measures, hit a similar note in an interview Thursday, in which she called the Republican measures attacking McBride “absolutely outrageous” and “completely out of line.”

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) called the measures attacking McBride “absolutely outrageous” and “completely out of line.”

(Andrew Harnik / Associated Press)

In her own remarks, McBride has acknowledged what many view as the bigotry at the root of the Republican measures, but also tried to refocus the conversation on getting things done for her constituents. 

“I’m not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families,” she said in a statement Wednesday. She said Johnson’s rules were an “effort to distract from the real issues facing this country,” but that she wouldn’t let them distract her — even as she follows them.

On Thursday, she made clear that she will work to ensure Capitol Hill is safe for everyone, including her LGBTQ+ constituents, but doesn’t plan on allowing “a right wing culture war machine” to turn her identity “into the issue.”

Lisa Goodman, a longtime LGBTQ+ activist in Delaware and friend of McBride’s, said the representative-elect’s family and friends back home “are disappointed that this is how people who are going to be her colleagues are greeting her.”

But they aren’t worried, Goodman said, because they know McBride is capable of navigating such waters.

“She can handle these attacks and keep focused on what is the big picture — what is important in the big picture — like no one I have ever met,” Goodman said.

Goodman said McBride has a rare talent for winning over people, which will serve her well in the coming months, as she gets to know her new colleagues — Democrats and Republicans alike.

“She’s just a deeply good person, and my hope is that, as her Republican colleagues in Congress get to know her, they will see her as a person and not as some unknown member of the trans community who they feel it’s OK to attack,” Goodman said.

Balint said several Republican House members have told her in private that they support the LGBTQ+ community and don’t support divisive policies. She said she hopes McBride’s kindness and humanity in the face of such attacks will bring those Republicans to her side — and maybe even inspire them to take a stand for her.

“It is their time to finally show some courage,” Balint said. “I’m asking them to stand up for the basic, inherent dignity of all of us here in this building.”

Times staff writer Andrea Castillo, in Washington, contributed to this report.

Rep. McBride's grace and political savvy are good signs for trans rights everywhere. If anyone can enlighten these conservative weirdos, she can. At least the ones that aren't there just to be culture warriors.

[skellybonesandtrees]

As Donald Trump recovers from an assassination attempt and Republicans head to Milwaukee for his coronation this week, the GOP elite has rallied around a new messaging strategy: emotionally blackmailing Democratic politicians, journalists, Hollywood celebs, and numerous other Trump critics into shutting up about the former president’s openly authoritarian vows and his extreme policy agenda.

Since the deadly shooting at a Pennsylvania rally Saturday, prominent conservatives have been working to blame the incident on Trump’s enemies for labeling him a “fascist” and for fanning heated “rhetoric” that, in their telling, caused the would-be assassin to shoot at the former and perhaps future American president. “When the message goes out constantly that the election of Donald Trump would be a threat to democracy and that the Republic would end, it heats up the environment,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Sunday, adding: “It’s simply not true. Everyone needs to turn the rhetoric down.”

Two of the finalists on Trump’s vice presidential shortlist quickly blamed the assassination attempt on talk about his authoritarian plans. “The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,” Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) wrote Saturday night. “That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.” Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said the attack on Trump was “aided and abetted by the radical Left and corporate media incessantly calling Trump a threat to democracy, fascists, or worse.”

Top Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Sunday he had been “worried about this for a very, very long time,” adding: “You know, if he wins, democracy is not going to end. He’s not a fascist. He represents a point of view that millions share. The rhetoric is way too hot.”

These messages are all part of a deliberate strategy. Within the first three hours following the failed assassination of the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee, three sources close to Trump were already feverishly detailing to Rolling Stone how Republicans could use the shooting to their political advantage — whether for potentially mammoth fundraising, propaganda about Trump being “tough” and a “fighter,” or attacks on Democrats as belonging to the actually violent party every time they bring up things like the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot that Trump instigated.

Such plans were hatched hours before it became public that the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was a registered Republican; his motive has continued to elude law enforcement and even his own neighbors. The lack of clarity has done little to deter MAGA and conservative leaders from scapegoating their preferred enemies list. 

The attempt on Trump’s life does nothing to change the reality that he is — in fact — running on an openly authoritarian platform. Trump and his closest allies are pledging to punish President Joe Biden and other top Democrats and jail his political opponents; unleash the National Guard and active-duty troops on Democratic-controlled cities whenever he wishes; end the Justice Department’s independence so he can use it to crush his foes, shut down his criminal cases, and erase any hope of accountability for his alleged crimes; retaliate against media outlets that cover him negatively; deport pro-Palestine protesters; oversee an unprecedented crackdown on immigrants, potentially erecting a vast network of camps on U.S. soil; further institutionalize his anti-democratic lies and conspiracy theories that led directly to the Jan. 6 attack; and even invade and bomb Mexico if he feels like it.

Trump has quite literally pledged to be a dictator on “day one.” He later reiterated that he intends “to be a dictator for one day” — arguing such power would be necessary to erect a border wall and “drill, drill, drill.” On the campaign trail, the former president has evoked the rhetoric of Adolf Hitler, accusing immigrants of “poisoning the blood of our country.”

Saturday’s assassination attempt also does not change the fact that Trump has repeatedly and very publicly endorsed political violence over the years. Trump is calling now for “peace” and “unity,” but he has a lengthy track record of downplaying or excusing the harm done to the victims of pro-Trump violence — to the point that late last year he was onstage mocking House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi’s husband after he was brutally attacked by a Trump-supporting conspiracy theorist wielding a hammer.

Trump has frequently promised to pardon the pro-Trump rioters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6. He recently shared a meme demanding a televised military tribunal for former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), the vice chair of the House Jan. 6 committee.

And though Trump allies are chastising Democrats today for calling Trump a fascist or an authoritarian and claiming that such rhetoric causes violence, Trump has routinely called liberals and his enemies “fascists,” going as far as to trash them as “thugs” and “vermin within the confines of our country” at his 2024 campaign rallies.

Trump has campaigned as a populist strongman — that didn’t change overnight.

Link

[mariacallous]

Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.), soon to be the first transgender member of Congress, was targeted by multiple Republican measures to bar transgender women from using Capitol bathrooms that align with their gender identity.

Democrats have rallied to McBride’s defense, accusing Republicans of bullying McBride and attacking other LGBTQ+ people who work at and visit the Capitol.

Democrats have tried to refocus the conversation on other issues important to voters, such as healthcare and the high cost of living — taking a page from McBride’s own political playbook.

At a Democratic caucus meeting Tuesday, Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) watched as colleagues approached and offered their support to Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.), who will soon be sworn in as the first out transgender member of Congress.

“We have your back,” Balint recalled her fellow representatives telling McBride. “We stand with you.”

At a Thursday event where incoming House freshmen got assigned offices, McBride’s name was met with the loudest applause.

According to Balint, co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, many Democratic members are excited to welcome and meet McBride — not just as a queer history-maker, but as a new colleague whose reputation as an effective state legislator in Delaware preceded her to Washington.

The support has been intentionally loud, Balint said, because Democrats also want to send an unequivocal message to House Republicans who have targeted McBride with comments and actions in recent days that Democrats “are not going to retreat” on transgender rights.

“We have to absolutely recommit ourselves to this fight, for protecting everyone’s inherent dignity,” Balint said.

On Monday, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) filed a resolution that would prohibit transgender women from using Capitol bathrooms that align with their gender identity. On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced a similar policy for Capitol bathrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms. The same day, Mace filed a bill that would expand such bans to federal facilities across the country.

Mace said her measures, which would require approval, are to protect women and girls, then launched a new line of merchandise to profit off her stance. She has previously espoused support for LGBTQ+ rights.

In issuing his bathroom rule, which falls under his purview as speaker, Johnson said, “Women deserve women’s-only spaces.” He also noted that all members have private bathrooms within their offices — though those can be far from the House floor.

The day prior, Johnson had responded to a question about the issue by stressing the need to “treat all persons with dignity and respect.”

Access to bathrooms has long been an issue for women at the Capitol, which originally operated on the presumption that legislators were men. Only after more and more women won seats in Congress and called out the dearth of facilities for them did the issue get resolved.

With the latest measures targeting McBride, Democrats say they are struggling to combat fresh discrimination in the same sphere — a backsliding they view as particularly cruel for its targeting of a single incoming legislator, and extra alarming for its potential to harm other queer people who visit or work in the Capitol.

“This incredibly craven and cruel attack directed at [McBride] was certainly intended to dehumanize her before she has even been sworn in, but it actually doesn’t just affect our first trans member of Congress,” Balint said. “It impacts all of the people who work on Capitol Hill who identify as trans and nonbinary. It impacts the reporters who cover the Hill that identify as trans and nonbinary. And it also impacts every single one of our constituents who come into the halls of Congress to meet with us.”

Speaking out in opposition to the measures is about supporting McBride, who is “a serious legislator” and wants to get to work on a range of tough issues without having to worry about where she can get to a toilet, Balint said. But it is also about “showing the LGBTQ community across the country that we are standing up for them and pushing back.”

The debate follows an election cycle steeped in anti-transgender rhetoric, when many Republicans — including President-elect Donald Trump — took to ridiculing Democrats over their support for transgender equality as a central campaign message, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars in collective ad spending.

“The Republican Party has laser-focused on transgender inclusion as something that it wants to roll back, and so the exciting addition of the first openly trans member of Congress has prompted a hideous response — which is [for them] to participate in an ad hominem attack that takes the form of exclusion,” said Kate Redburn, co-director of the Center for Gender and Sexuality Law at Columbia Law School.

Democrats have at times struggled to respond to the barrage of Republican attacks. However, in the last week, they seem to have landed on an approach out of McBride’s own playbook in Delaware — where she won a statewide congressional seat not by running away from her transgender identity and support for queer rights, but by contextualizing them alongside other important issues, such as the cost of living and access to healthcare.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) wrote on X on Tuesday that she is proud to serve alongside McBride, and that it was “disappointing to see Republicans pull stunts” attacking her.

“They should take a page out of Rep-Elect McBride’s book,” Pressley wrote, “and focus on actually governing.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) similarly questioned Republicans’ decision to start the next Congress by “bullying” McBride instead of focusing on real issues. “This is what we’re doing?” he said.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), who has a transgender grandson and has been outspoken against past anti-LGBTQ+ measures, hit a similar note in an interview Thursday, in which she called the Republican measures attacking McBride “absolutely outrageous” and “completely out of line.”

“What a ridiculous focus this is,” she said. “There are needs of many, many Americans who don’t have the healthcare that they need, seniors who can’t afford their medications. Those are the things that we should get to work on, that I’m sure Sarah would want to get to work on — and this is just off the deep end.”

In her own remarks, McBride has acknowledged what many view as the bigotry at the root of the Republican measures, but also tried to refocus the conversation on getting things done for her constituents.

“I’m not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families,” she said in a statement Wednesday. She said Johnson’s rules were an “effort to distract from the real issues facing this country,” but that she wouldn’t let them distract her — even as she follows them.

On Thursday, she made clear that she will work to ensure Capitol Hill is safe for everyone, including her LGBTQ+ constituents, but doesn’t plan on allowing “a right wing culture war machine” to turn her identity “into the issue.”

Lisa Goodman, a longtime LGBTQ+ activist in Delaware and friend of McBride’s, said the representative-elect’s family and friends back home “are disappointed that this is how people who are going to be her colleagues are greeting her.”

But they aren’t worried, Goodman said, because they know McBride is capable of navigating such waters.

“She can handle these attacks and keep focused on what is the big picture — what is important in the big picture — like no one I have ever met,” Goodman said.

Goodman said McBride has a rare talent for winning over people, which will serve her well in the coming months, as she gets to know her new colleagues — Democrats and Republicans alike.

“She’s just a deeply good person, and my hope is that, as her Republican colleagues in Congress get to know her, they will see her as a person and not as some unknown member of the trans community who they feel it’s OK to attack,” Goodman said.

Balint said several Republican House members have told her in private that they support the LGBTQ+ community and don’t support divisive policies. She said she hopes McBride’s kindness and humanity in the face of such attacks will bring those Republicans to her side — and maybe even inspire them to take a stand for her.

“It is their time to finally show some courage,” Balint said. “I’m asking them to stand up for the basic, inherent dignity of all of us here in this building.”

[sportluxnews]

Key House committee advances Trump agenda bill after appeasing conservatives Key House committee advances Trump agenda bill after appeasing conservatives WASHINGTON — The House Budget Committee advanced President Donald Trump's multitrillion-dollar domestic policy package Sunday night, two days after a group of conservativesvoted to reject it. The vote was 17-16 along party lines, with the four Republicans who opposed the bill in committee on Friday voting "present." The outcome is a positive sign for the massive party-line bill after a significant setback on Friday, but it will still need changes before securing the votes to pass the full House. And if it does, it will faceplenty of challenges in the Senate, where Republicans have made clear it won't pass without major changes. The package includes a major spending increase for immigration enforcement and the military, while extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts (which are slated to expire at the end of this year). It includes a series of cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and clean energy funding in order to pay for the trillions of dollars in tax cuts and new red ink. The successful vote was a product of Republican leaders making inroads over the weekend with conservative hard-liners who said the bill fails to achieve meaningful spending cuts and will increase the U.S. deficit. Those conservatives have insisted that Medicaid work requirements take effect immediately, and the clean energy tax credits be eliminated sooner. "I'm excited about the changes we made, and I will vote present," one of the conservative hardliners, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said before the vote. He ignored questions from committee members on what changes he was referring to. Norman, along with Reps. Chip Roy of Texas, Andrew Clyde of Georgia and Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma — all voted "present." Those four voted against the bill on Friday, preventing the bill from advancing. The committee's top Democrat, Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., began by asking Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, the chairman, to be transparent with the committee on what "side deals" were struck to flip votes. "Deliberations continue at this very moment. They will continue on into the week, and I suspect right up until we put this big, beautiful bill on the floor of the House," Arrington said. "We're not going to disclose the deliberations. I'm not sure I could disclose all the deliberations." "I don't know anything about the side deals or any deal," he said, while adding that there is no score on deficits and impact from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Arrington added in response to inquiries about what changed in the bill, "There are no formal or final changes." House GOP leaders struck an optimistic note earlier in the day. "We're on track, working around the clock to deliver this nation-shaping legislation for the American people as soon as possible. ... This really is once in a generation opportunity that we have here," Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said during anappearance on "Fox News Sunday"earlier in the day. He said he expects the package will move to the Rules Committee by the middle of the week and to the House floor by the end of the week, so that House Republicans can meet their self-imposed Memorial Day deadline. via Blogger https://ift.tt/yldexPu May 19, 2025 at 06:07AM

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Andrew Perez and Asawin Suebsaeng at Rolling Stone:

As Donald Trump recovers from an assassination attempt and Republicans head to Milwaukee for his coronation this week, the GOP elite has rallied around a new messaging strategy: emotionally blackmailing Democratic politicians, journalists, Hollywood celebs, and numerous other Trump critics into shutting up about the former president’s openly authoritarian vows and his extreme policy agenda. Since the deadly shooting at a Pennsylvania rally Saturday, prominent conservatives have been working to blame the incident on Trump’s enemies for labeling him a “fascist” and for fanning heated “rhetoric” that, in their telling, caused the would-be assassin to shoot at the former and perhaps future American president. “When the message goes out constantly that the election of Donald Trump would be a threat to democracy and that the Republic would end, it heats up the environment,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Sunday, adding: “It’s simply not true. Everyone needs to turn the rhetoric down.” 

Two of the finalists on Trump’s vice presidential shortlist quickly blamed the assassination attempt on talk about his authoritarian plans. “The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,” Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) wrote Saturday night. “That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.” Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said the attack on Trump was “aided and abetted by the radical Left and corporate media incessantly calling Trump a threat to democracy, fascists, or worse.” 

Top Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Sunday he had been “worried about this for a very, very long time,” adding: “You know, if he wins, democracy is not going to end. He’s not a fascist. He represents a point of view that millions share. The rhetoric is way too hot.” These messages are all part of a deliberate strategy. Within the first three hours following the failed assassination of the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee, three sources close to Trump were already feverishly detailing to Rolling Stone how Republicans could use the shooting to their political advantage — whether for potentially mammoth fundraising, propaganda about Trump being “tough” and a “fighter,” or attacks on Democrats as belonging to the actually violent party every time they bring up things like the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot that Trump instigated.

[...]

The attempt on Trump’s life does nothing to change the reality that he is — in fact — running on an openly authoritarian platform. Trump and his closest allies are pledging to punish President Joe Biden and other top Democrats and jail his political opponents; unleash the National Guard and active-duty troops on Democratic-controlled cities whenever he wishes; end the Justice Department’s independence so he can use it to crush his foes, shut down his criminal cases, and erase any hope of accountability for his alleged crimes; retaliate against media outlets that cover him negatively; deport pro-Palestine protesters; oversee an unprecedented crackdown on immigrants, potentially erecting a vast network of camps on U.S. soil; further institutionalize his anti-democratic lies and conspiracy theories that led directly to the Jan. 6 attack; and even invade and bomb Mexico if he feels like it. Trump has quite literally pledged to be a dictator on “day one.” He later reiterated that he intends “to be a dictator for one day” — arguing such power would be necessary to erect a border wall and “drill, drill, drill.” On the campaign trail, the former president has evoked the rhetoric of Adolf Hitler, accusing immigrants of “poisoning the blood of our country.”

Trump allies are seeking to make Democrats and the non-right-wing media say “Uncle” to force them to stop talking about Trump’s record of dictatorial conduct, fascism, and divisiveness in the wake of the assassination attempt Saturday against him.

I say hell no to surrendering to their dreams of silencing us and instead continue to warn about the real danger to our democratic systems Trump and his acolytes are.

See Also:

Public Notice: Multiple things are true about Trump's shooting

The Present Age: Rewriting the Rules of Engagement: GOP's Attempt to Silence Legitimate Criticism

Vox: This is how you get escalation

The Signorile Report: Do not allow Republicans to silence criticism of Trump

The Status Kuo: GOP Gaslighting and Trump’s Cycle of Abuse

[aimarketresearch]

Home Fragrances Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth Opportunities, Key Drivers and Competitive Outlook

Global Home Fragrances Market - Overview, Size, Share, Industry Trends and Opportunities

Global Home Fragrances Market, By Product Type (Diffuser, Potpourri, Spray, Candle, Electric Air Freshener, Burner, Aroma Oil, Lamp), Form (Liquid, Dry, Solid) Fragrances (Lemon, Lavender, Jasmine, Rose, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Others), End-User (Home Care, Healthcare, Hospitality, Museums, Commercial, Others), Distribution Channel (Direct Sales, E-Commerce, Retail Stores, Others) – Industry Trends.

Access Full 350 Pages PDF Report @

**Segments**

- **Product Type**: The global home fragrances market can be segmented based on product type into candles, air fresheners, reed diffusers, incense sticks, and others. Candles hold a significant share in this market due to their popularity as decorative items that also provide fragrance.

- **Distribution Channel**: The distribution channels for home fragrances include online retail, specialty stores, departmental stores, supermarkets/hypermarkets, and others. Online retail is witnessing rapid growth due to the convenience and variety it offers to consumers.

- **Ingredient Type**: Home fragrances can be segmented based on ingredient type into natural and synthetic. With the increasing trend towards organic and clean products, natural ingredients are gaining popularity among consumers seeking eco-friendly options.

- **End User**: The end users of home fragrances include residential and commercial sectors. While residential consumers use home fragrances for personal spaces, the commercial sector includes hotels, spas, offices, and other businesses that use fragrances for ambiance and customer experience.

**Market Players**

- **Procter & Gamble**: A leading player in the global home fragrances market, Procter & Gamble offers a wide range of products under brands like Febreze and Yankee Candle, catering to different consumer preferences.

- **SC Johnson**: SC Johnson is another key player known for brands such as Glade and OFF! in the home fragrances segment. The company focuses on innovation and sustainability in its product offerings.

- **Reckitt Benckiser Group plc**: Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, with brands like Air Wick and Lysol, is a prominent player in the home fragrances market, offering a diverse portfolio to meet varying customer needs.

- **Nestlé S.A.**: Nestlé S.A. has a presence in the home fragrances market through its subsidiary, Nestlé Skin Health, which offers premium scented products for both personal and home use.

- **S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.**: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., known for brands like Glade and Raid, is a key player that focuses on product innovation and marketing strategies to maintain its position in the competitive market landscape.

The global home fragrances market is competitive, with key players focusing on product innovation, partnerships, and expanding their distribution networks to reach a wider consumer base. Changing consumer preferences towards natural and eco-friendly products are driving companies to develop sustainable offerings. The market is expected to witness continued growth, fueled by urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and the growing importance of home aesthetics and ambiance in consumers' lives.

https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-home-fragrances-market The global home fragrances market is witnessing a shift towards personalized and experiential consumption patterns, driven by the trend of self-care and wellness among consumers. This shift is influencing product innovation and marketing strategies by companies in the market. Customers are increasingly seeking unique and luxurious fragrance experiences, leading market players to focus on creating premium and niche products to cater to this demand. The rise of social media and influencer marketing is also influencing consumer preferences and creating opportunities for brands to engage with their target audience in innovative ways.

One key aspect influencing the market is the emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendliness in product formulations and packaging. Consumers are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, leading to a growing demand for products that are made from natural, ethically sourced ingredients and are packaged in recyclable or biodegradable materials. Companies in the home fragrances market are responding to this trend by incorporating sustainable practices in their supply chains and highlighting their commitment to environmental stewardship in their brand messaging.

Another factor shaping the market is the growing popularity of aromatherapy and wellness-focused home fragrance products. Aromatherapy, which uses natural plant extracts to promote well-being and relaxation, is gaining traction among consumers looking for holistic solutions to stress and anxiety. Market players are leveraging this trend by introducing products that combine fragrance with therapeutic benefits, such as promoting sleep, boosting mood, or enhancing focus. This convergence of fragrance and wellness is creating new opportunities for innovation and differentiation in the market.

In terms of distribution channels, the rise of e-commerce is revolutionizing the way home fragrances are bought and sold. Online retail platforms are offering consumers a convenient and diverse shopping experience, allowing them to explore a wide range of products from the comfort of their homes. This shift towards digital channels is prompting market players to optimize their online presence, enhance their e-commerce capabilities, and engage in direct-to-consumer marketing strategies to capture a larger share of the market.

Overall, the global home fragrances market is dynamic and evolving, driven by changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and sustainability trends. Market players that can adapt to these shifts, innovate their product offerings, and engage with consumers in meaningful ways are poised to succeed in this competitive and vibrant market landscape.**Segments**

Global Home Fragrances Market, By Product Type (Diffuser, Potpourri, Spray, Candle, Electric Air Freshener, Burner, Aroma Oil, Lamp), Form (Liquid, Dry, Solid) Fragrances (Lemon, Lavender, Jasmine, Rose, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Others), End-User (Home Care, Healthcare, Hospitality, Museums, Commercial, Others), Distribution Channel (Direct Sales, E-Commerce, Retail Stores, Others) – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2029.

The global home fragrances market presents a diverse landscape with various segments that cater to the evolving preferences of consumers. Product Type segmentation plays a crucial role in distinguishing the different offerings available in the market. Candles are a dominant segment due to their dual functionality as both decorative items and sources of fragrance. Air fresheners, reed diffusers, incense sticks, and other products offer a wide range of options for consumers seeking different ways to add fragrance to their living spaces.

Distribution channels form another key segmentation in the home fragrances market, with options like online retail, specialty stores, departmental stores, and supermarkets/hypermarkets providing different avenues for consumers to purchase these products. The growing prominence of online retail is reshaping the market dynamics by offering convenience and diverse product choices to consumers, leading to increased competitiveness among market players to strengthen their online presence and engagement with customers.

Ingredient type segmentation based on natural and synthetic ingredients reflects the shift towards eco-friendly and sustainable products in the market. As consumers become more conscious of the ingredients used in home fragrances, the demand for natural ingredients is on the rise, driving companies to develop cleaner and greener formulations to meet this growing preference for environmentally friendly options.

End-user segmentation divides the market into residential and commercial sectors, each with distinct needs and preferences. Residential consumers seek home fragrances for personal use and ambiance, while commercial establishments such as hotels, spas, offices, and other businesses utilize fragrances to enhance the customer experience and create inviting environments. Understanding these segmented market dynamics helps companies tailor their offerings to meet the specific demands of each consumer group effectively.

Overall, the segmentation of the global home fragrances market based on product type, distribution channels, ingredient type, and end-user segments provides insight into the diverse market landscape and the opportunities it presents for market players. By strategically addressing the needs of different segments and adapting to changing consumer preferences, companies can position themselves for success in a competitive and dynamic market environment that values innovation, sustainability, and consumer engagement.

Major Points Covered in TOC:

Home Fragrances Market Overview: It incorporates six sections, research scope, significant makers covered, market fragments by type, Home Fragrances Market portions by application, study goals, and years considered.

Home Fragrances Market Landscape: Here, the opposition in the Worldwide Home Fragrances Market is dissected, by value, income, deals, and piece of the pie by organization, market rate, cutthroat circumstances Landscape, and most recent patterns, consolidation, development, obtaining, and portions of the overall industry of top organizations.

Home Fragrances Profiles of Manufacturers: Here, driving players of the worldwide Home Fragrances Market are considered dependent on deals region, key items, net edge, income, cost, and creation.

Home Fragrances Market Status and Outlook by Region: In this segment, the report examines about net edge, deals, income, creation, portion of the overall industry, CAGR, and market size by locale. Here, the worldwide Home Fragrances Market is profoundly examined based on areas

Home Fragrances Application or End User: This segment of the exploration study shows how extraordinary end-client/application sections add to the worldwide Home Fragrances Market.

Home Fragrances Market Forecast: Production Side: In this piece of the report, the creators have zeroed in on creation and creation esteem conjecture, key makers gauge, and creation and creation esteem estimate by type.

Keyword: Research Findings and Conclusion: This is one of the last segments of the report where the discoveries of the investigators and the finish of the exploration study are given.

Browse Trending Reports:

Automotive Battery Thermal Management System Market Medical Writing Market Cervical Cancer Drug Market Sézary Syndrome Market POS (point of sale system) Terminals Market Animation Market Hydraulic Excavator Market Cerebral Palsy Market Wicketed Bags Market Hematology Oncology Market Cell-Based Immunotherapy Market Exosome Therapeutics Market

Automotive Battery Thermal Management System Market Size, Share and Trends Medical Writing Market Size, Share and Trends Cervical Cancer Drug Market Size, Share and Trends Sézary Syndrome Market Size, Share and Trends POS (point of sale system) Terminals Market Size, Share and Trends Animation Market Size, Share and Trends Hydraulic Excavator Market Size, Share and Trends Cerebral Palsy Market Size, Share and Trends Wicketed Bags Market Size, Share and Trends Hematology Oncology Market Size, Share and Trends Cell-Based Immunotherapy Market Size, Share and Trends Exosome Therapeutics Market Size, Share and Trends

About Data Bridge Market Research:

Data Bridge set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.

Contact Us:

Data Bridge Market Research

US: +1 614 591 3140

UK: +44 845 154 9652

APAC : +653 1251 975

Email: corporatesales@databridgemarketresearch.com

[abwwia]

Margo Hoff, Ikon, 1961, oil and collage on fiberboard, 48 x 36 in. (121.9 x 91.4 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., 1968.52.14

#bornonthisday Margo Hoff (14 June 1910 – 17 August 2008) was an American painter. Via Wikipedia