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Thursday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 01:23:20 PM EST
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I hope everyone here is staying safe and healthy, and still wearing a mask in public.

It's time for a new open thread, all topics welcome.

< Floyd: Charges Expanded, Obama to Speak | COVID-19 in U.S. Passes 2 Million >

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    • Thursday Open Thread | 200 comments (200 topical)
    Change a few letters... (5.00 / 3) (#4)
    by Repack Rider on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 06:22:00 PM EST
    Der Fuhrer hid in a bunker and had brown shirts.

    Der Furor hides in a bunker and has brown shorts.

    Trump gets his Tonton Macoute (5.00 / 3) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 08:30:40 AM EST
    The Story Behind Bill Barr's Unmarked Federal Agents
    The motley assortment of police currently occupying Washington, D.C., is a window into the vast, complicated, obscure world of federal law enforcement.

    To understand the police forces ringing Trump and the White House it helps to understand the dense and not-entirely-sensical thicket of agencies that make up the nation's civilian federal law enforcement. With little public attention, notice and amid historically lax oversight, those ranks have surged since 9/11--growing by roughly 2,500 officers annually every year since 2000. To put it another way: Every year since the 2001 terrorist attacks, the federal government has added to its policing ranks a force larger than the entire Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
    Ozark and portrayals of "my people" (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 10:56:38 AM EST
    I realized I put this off for so long because part of me was a bit worried about the portrayal of myself and my neighbors.

    I love the great movie Winters Bone.  And it was so realistic it was creepy.  But not very balanced.  There has been a trend in movies and tv forever to makes the woods threatening and any one who lives in them at best a pathetic moron and at worst a dangerous lunatic.

    But I love this.  It's like they made a decision that if they were going to set it there they would need characters a little less one dimensional.

    No problem with trailer trash characters.  There are plenty of us.  I just don't like it when they are all stupid.

    Here my favorite character is the white trash blond who steals the money in the first few episodes.  In fact she is the only character who seems to have any idea who she really is or what she is doing.

    And on the subject of "my people", the gay FBI agent and the homophobic hillbilly is just the best.

    I love this.

    Ruth is definitely the best character (5.00 / 4) (#33)
    by CST on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 11:23:30 AM EST
    There's a reason she won an Emmy. Ozarks is a gem. None of the characters are one dimensional, not even the kids, and Laura Linney is a real treat as well.

    I get it though, it's why I can't stand most "Boston" movies that pretend the city got stuck in the year 1992.  Good Will Hunting gets a pass for at least being made in the 90s but the rest of them are obnoxious and there is no need for any characters to have Boston accents.  It doesn't make it authentic, it's just a sign of people who moved to L.A. in the 90s and are nostalgic for a place that no longer exists.

    Parent

    Agreed. (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 11:57:02 AM EST
    Ozark is great. Also, the characters. Helen and Darlene.

    Parent
    On a related subject (none / 0) (#39)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 01:04:13 PM EST
    I just saw my governor on MSNBC.  Chuck Todd was doing everything he could to make him look bad.  While Hutchinson was trying to do positive spin they kept showing the chart of cases increasing in my state.

    Ok.  Fine.  I get it.  Here's the thing.  I have come to think Hutchinson is far from the worst we could do.  See Cotton, Tom.  I think the guy has tried to do this right.  Generally.  And it tweeks me to se smarmy Chuck Todd try to shade the fact he participated in a BLM demonstration.

    Whatever

    He said something important.  He was trying to explain the contact tracing was showing the increase in cases are NOT coming from places like nail salons or gyms.  

    This I think is absolutely logical and predictable.
    Those places, businesses, are wearing masks and being aware.  The spread is coming from the morons who never masked and never cared.  

    We need to remember that when the second wave comes.  It's probably not, at least here, from open businesses.  It from the open mouths of mouth breathers.

    My words.  Not his.

    Parent

    I started out as a graphic designer (none / 0) (#88)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 07:12:30 PM EST
    And it was always what I did best and liked most.

    That thing with the "O" and the icons representing the contents of the episode is f'ing brilliant.

    Parent

    It does (none / 0) (#93)
    by jmacWA on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 05:01:14 AM EST
    catch my eyes on every episode, and I'm not the most observant person so I guess it must be good.

    Parent
    OMG... (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by desertswine on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 01:47:56 PM EST
    this is the creepiest picture I've seen today.

    The Omen V is out? (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Yman on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 02:03:04 PM EST
    No doubt he thinks it looks great.

    Parent
    Baby gate trending (5.00 / 3) (#57)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 04:42:48 PM EST
    Wall built around WH.

    Aww isn't this cute!" Twitter user @H0telr0meo wrote in one widely shared tweet. "Little #BunkerBoy now has his own #BabyGate."

    The pigs are flying (5.00 / 3) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 06:38:23 PM EST
     Zuckerberg says Facebook will revisit policies in wake of Trump backlash
    The announcement comes after the tech giant's inaction on the president's posts sparked uproar, in and out of the company.

    Question (5.00 / 2) (#73)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 08:53:39 PM EST
    What do you call 57 cops who quit because their nazi tactics are called out?

    Answer:  a start


    57 Buffalo cops resign from special squad after 2 suspended for shoving 75-year-old protester to the ground

    Fifty-seven resigned in disgust because of the treatment of two of their members, who were simply executing orders," Buffalo Police Benevolent Association president John Evans told WGRZ.
    "Executing orders" (none / 0) (#79)
    by Zorba on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 08:20:20 AM EST
    Hmmmm.  Where have we heard this before?
    It wasn't considered a legitimate defense at Nuremberg.  

    Parent
    This is so great (5.00 / 2) (#75)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 09:03:36 PM EST
    visible from space AND the White House

    Called a big yellow middle finger to Trump.  She also officially changed the name and street signs to Black Lives Matter Plaza

    Lincoln Project (5.00 / 2) (#76)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 09:14:50 PM EST
    The Coward And The Commander

    Re-watched Selma tonight. (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 11:39:13 PM EST
    Interesting to hear the word "dominate" from Wallace's state police commander. Gee, where have I heard that lately?
    155 years after the Confederacy surrenders (5.00 / 3) (#82)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 04:41:15 PM EST
    Marine Corps Bans Confederate Flag From Public Display

    The Marine Corps said it will no longer allow its troops to display the Confederate battle flag.
    ...

    Marines will no longer be able to display the flag in public and on items including bumper stickers, clothing and mugs.
    Took `em (5.00 / 3) (#90)
    by Zorba on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 07:56:08 PM EST
    long enough.

    Parent
    Navy joins Marines (none / 0) (#177)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 05:31:35 PM EST
    But the most surprising IMO is NASCAR.
    NASCAR bans Confederate flag from all events after public pressure: report

    Not surprising is the reaction.
    NASCAR fans explode with anger over Confederate flag ban: `Good luck on filling those stands'

    Parent

    They are (none / 0) (#178)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 06:00:20 PM EST
    removing it from the Mississippi state flag

    They are the last state to do it.  They are probably used to being last.  We in AR have always been grateful for Mississippi.

    Parent

    Changes (5.00 / 1) (#194)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 09:30:44 PM EST
    LeBron James and Other Black Athletes and Entertainers Form New Voting Rights Group

    NBA player LeBron James has joined a team of other black athletes and entertainers to form More Than a Vote, an organization that will dedicate at least part of its efforts to safeguarding African-American voting rights.
    ...
    "Yes, we want you to go out and vote, but we're also going to give you the tutorial," James said. "We're going to give you the background of how to vote and what they're trying to do, the other side, to stop you from voting."

    US Soccer to allow players to kneel during anthem

    U.S. Soccer's board of directors voted Wednesday to end the league's ban on kneeling during the national anthem as protests engulf the nation over the death of George Floyd.
    ...
    NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also released a video last week apologizing for not recognizing players' protests against police brutality sooner. Kneeling during the national anthem has been a major point of contention between some team owners and players in the past.

    "We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest," he said

    A start...not nearly enough but a start.

    Parent

    The article says (none / 0) (#198)
    by leap on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 09:52:42 PM EST
    In order for this to happen it would take a vote of two-thirds of the house (80 of the 120 representatives) to vote in favor of the resolution.

    That doesn't sound very promising, what with all the racist Republicans.

    Parent

    Confused (none / 0) (#199)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 10:01:26 PM EST
    Don't think anything in my post deals with a resolution. Was this reply  intended for a different comment?

    Parent
    Possibly about my optimistic (none / 0) (#200)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 10:16:04 PM EST
    Comment about Mississippi.

    If so, yeah.  Republicans.

    Things change.  I think this will happen.

    Parent

    The linked article says (none / 0) (#193)
    by Peter G on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 09:29:04 PM EST
    it's just a proposal. We shall see if it comes to pass.

    Parent
    I think it (none / 0) (#196)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 09:36:56 PM EST
    Will.

    Parent
    GOP strategist (none / 0) (#187)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 07:56:06 PM EST

    "I'm a 7th generation Mississippian. I've helped elect Governors and Senators in MS, AL, GA, TX, OK, NC and FL. Trump will lose more white voters with his Confederate defense than gain. Majority very much want to move past Civil War and hatred, not relive it. NASCAR gets it. Trump doesn't."

    -- GOP strategist Stuart Stevens, on Twitter.



    Parent
    Let's hope (none / 0) (#188)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 08:01:17 PM EST
    he is right. Moving forward rather than staying stuck in the past is way past due.

    Parent
    Former Secretary of State, (5.00 / 1) (#121)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 04:18:17 PM EST
    Colin Powell, said on CNN's State of the Union, that he will vote for Biden.  "We have a Constitution and we have to follow that Constitution and.the President has drifted away from it".  

    For those who missed this Show, Trump was helpful in getting Powell's statement out by tweeting " Colin Powell, a real stiff who was very responsible for getting us into the disastrous Middle Eastern Wars, just announced he will be voting for Biden"

    The importance of the coming election makes Powell's statement a very welcome one.  However, when focused on Powell and his role in the Iraq war (cf. UN speech with visuals and all), I find myself in the unbearable position of agreeing with Trump. Not so much a stopped clock is right
    twice a day situation than Mussolini made the trains run on time (at least for the more politically advantageous lines).

    Now, I need to go lie down with a wet cloth to my head until this uneasy feeling passes.

    John (5.00 / 1) (#156)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 12:53:38 PM EST
    Gleeson filed his brief in the Flynn case, and it appears it is quite a doozy
    Gleeson described the DOJ's explanations for dropping the case as "not credible," saying that it was involved in "corrupt, politically motivated dismissals."
    The government request (none / 0) (#168)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 04:34:42 PM EST
    to drop charges against Flynn should be denied by the Court because there is clear evidence of a gross abuse of prosecutorial power.  And, the government has engaged in highly irregular conduct to benefit a political ally of Trump.

    And, recommends adding two perjury charges (Russia and Turkey) for consideration in the sentencing.

    Parent

    Such an excellent brief. (none / 0) (#183)
    by oculus on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 07:45:09 PM EST


    Parent
    Full text here to savor (5.00 / 1) (#191)
    by Peter G on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 09:22:07 PM EST
    for those who are so inclined (82-page PDF; brief is 71 pages).

    Parent
    "taxes the credulity (none / 0) (#189)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 09:13:18 PM EST
    of the credulous",---the incredible claim that Barr's DOJ can't prove that Flynn provided false statements. No proof needed, they have Flynn's guilty plea under oath in open court, twice.  And, the transcripts.  Former federal judge Gleeson's brief is a persuasive and impressive legal scholarship.

    Parent
    Despite the best efforts of Dem governors (1.00 / 4) (#27)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 10:14:08 AM EST
    Jobs coming up and unemployment going down.

    That must be why all the states with Republicans (5.00 / 4) (#29)
    by CST on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 10:22:00 AM EST
    Have such low unemployment rates.

    Oh wait.

    Parent

    Everybody is happy (5.00 / 3) (#32)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 11:17:45 AM EST
    Trump just now


    Trump's comment 'this is a great day' for George Floyd draws immediate outrage

    Like I said.  Thank god he steps on his own d!ck 5 times a day.

    Parent

    George Floyd (none / 0) (#40)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 01:09:38 PM EST
    was not available for comment.  But, Trump rebutted criticisms by emphasizing the economy, stating that he is changing course since his campaign gurus have advised that a military takeover is not polling well.

    Parent
    To be fair ... (none / 0) (#44)
    by Yman on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 01:35:00 PM EST
    ... that can't be easy.

    Parent
    Metaphor (none / 0) (#46)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 01:37:36 PM EST
    🙈

    Parent
    Are you insinuating Demcratic (5.00 / 4) (#34)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 11:24:46 AM EST
    governors WANT their people unemployed?

    That idea is stupid beyond belief. My state has an  income tax. People not working means no tax revenue. The casinos are still closed. Another revenue source gone for now. Governor Wolf needs people back to work so the state has the money to operate and provide services.

    Parent

    Social distancing and lockdowns for workers (1.00 / 3) (#38)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 12:40:52 PM EST
    Anything goes for allied protesters.

    Parent
    Says who? (none / 0) (#47)
    by Yman on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 01:38:53 PM EST
    I know making $hit up is your specialty, but you really need to up your trolling game.

    Parent
    Here's one. (none / 0) (#63)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 06:24:22 PM EST
    Out door groups limited to 12 unless protesting then limited to 100. No doubt this is guided by The Science.  😉

    Maybe I missed it but I've yet to find a protestor ticketed for violating stay at home dictates.

    Parent

    Here's one. (none / 0) (#64)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 06:30:17 PM EST

    Just one example:  Groups limited to 12 unless protesting, then 100. No doubt dictated by The Science rather than politics.  

    Maybe I missed it but I've yet to find a protestor ticketed for violating stay at home dictates.

    Parent

    "Just one example" (none / 0) (#68)
    by Yman on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 06:48:03 PM EST
    Meaning - I'm gonna act like there's more, but it's all I could find.  But hey - congrats on figuring out how to post a link to ... a screenshot of something.

    Sad.

    Maybe I missed it but I've yet to find a protestor ticketed for violating stay at home dictates.

    I know, right?  All those ammo$exuals prancing around pretending to be tough guys at the "Reopen" protests should've been ticketed and had their compensation toys taken away ... right?

    Heh.

    Parent

    You must have missed the governors (none / 0) (#99)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 09:11:10 AM EST
    Joining the protests and ignoring stay at home and Social distancing.

    Parent
    You must have ... (5.00 / 2) (#101)
    by Yman on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 09:54:54 AM EST
    ... forgotten how to link again.

    BTW - Stay at home orders don't apply to the governors, Einstein.  But I appreciate the excellent leadership on their part.

    Too bad they didn't lock up the ammo$exuals who were "protesting" in order to threaten legislators/governors and because they can't go to their local bar.

    Parent

    Rules for thee (none / 0) (#106)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 11:24:07 AM EST
    But not for me.

    Parent
    Now you just sound like (5.00 / 2) (#108)
    by CST on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 11:51:50 AM EST
    A cop.

    Weird how all the lack of rules in Republican states didn't save them from high unemployment.  Almost like you're full of $hit.

    Parent

    No kidding (5.00 / 2) (#126)
    by Yman on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 08:46:15 PM EST
    They're the governor of their states, respectively.  Like many other essential workers, they have to do their jobs.

    Or in Trump's case ... go golf.

    Parent

    Excellent! For once I agree with you ... (none / 0) (#138)
    by Erehwon on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 01:24:01 PM EST
    Seven words that capture the Republican way of life! Good job!

    Parent
    So... (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 01:31:08 PM EST
    .....big government works.

    Parent
    For big government. (none / 0) (#45)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 01:36:19 PM EST
    No doubt.

    Parent
    Yes, the best (none / 0) (#37)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 12:02:17 PM EST
    efforts of Democratic governors to keep their citizens alive so they could be employed.  The dead are not as productive.

    Parent
    So (none / 0) (#48)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 01:43:12 PM EST
    Governor Walz's memorial service in violation of his own directives for the rest of the state unnecessarily  risked innocent attendees lives for his own political purposes by your lights. Correct?

    Parent
    I'm still trying to figure (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by jondee on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 04:24:23 PM EST
    out what you're getting at, Abdul.

    That is, if you even know yourself.

    Some conspiracy on the part of Democrats to do harm to the country simply to make Orange Jesus look bad?

    Parent

    Despite the worst efforts ... (none / 0) (#43)
    by Yman on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 01:32:39 PM EST
    ... and sheer incompetence of the Moron-In-Chief, he's only managed to take the unemployment rate from 4.7% to 13.3% ... so far.  All while massively increasing the budget deficit and national debt and 105,000+ dead ... again ... so far.

    Are we done "winning" yet?

    Heck'uva job, Pu$$y-grabber!

    Parent

    Thank you (none / 0) (#54)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 02:24:44 PM EST
    For coming by and reminding us how idiotic and obnoxious conservatives are. We have 40% of the workforce in GA applying for UE. Everything Trumpets touch dies.

    Parent
    Rudy Giuliani versus Piers Morgan (none / 0) (#1)
    by RickyJim on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 02:22:10 PM EST
    Link

    Why did Morgan feel the need to jump in (none / 0) (#5)
    by Peter G on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 06:35:28 PM EST
    over his female colleague, who was handling Rudy's demented rant just fine, and then never let her get a word in edgewise again, for the remaining ten minutes of the segment?

    Parent
    Uhmmmm, (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by leap on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 08:40:10 PM EST
    that is surely a rhetorical question, correct?

    Parent
    The Trump Campaign (none / 0) (#2)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 04:16:37 PM EST
    is fund-raising by selling "Camo Keep America Great" hats. Please join the "Trump Army"... The plea is you will be the president's first line of defense when fighting off the Liberal MOB. Pretty scary, seems to be calling for a civil war--the Deliverance wing of the party, which is almost all of it, will be more than accommodating.

    I guess the MAGA camo hat.. (none / 0) (#3)
    by desertswine on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 05:41:06 PM EST
    is the new version of the old fascist armbands.

    Parent
    The Jericho Walk (none / 0) (#6)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 06:54:54 PM EST
    just another government agency after all

    Ain't seen Mama speak in tongues in years!

    The Horbowys had gathered in Tallahassee, Florida, to watch live as Trump walked from the White House to St John's. "My mother just shouted out, `God give him strength! He's doing a Jericho walk!'"

    A Jericho walk, in some evangelical circles, refers to the biblical book of Joshua, where God commanded the Israelites to walk seven times around the opposing city of Jericho, whose walls then came crashing down.

    Horbowy already supported Trump politically - he heads the local chapter of a pro- Trump motorcycle club and is campaigning for a seat in Florida's state senate - but when Trump lifted the Bible, Horbowy and his family felt overcome spiritually.

    "My mother started crying. She comes from Pentecostal background, and she started speaking in tongues. I haven't heard her speak in tongues in years," he said. "I thought, look at my president! He's establishing the Lord's kingdom in the world."

    Guardian

    What I don't get (none / 0) (#18)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 08:05:09 AM EST
    Is how they managed to

    had gathered in Tallahassee, Florida, to watch live as Trump walked from the White House to St John's

    When no on, including the people walking with him supposedly did know he was going to do it.

    Do they get a warning by visitation?  Secret decoder ring?

    Parent

    I am having trouble understanding what Barr (none / 0) (#7)
    by Peter G on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 07:05:07 PM EST
    is trying to say: "'While the vast majority of police officers do their job bravely and righteously, it is undeniable that many African Americans lack confidence in our American criminal justice system,' Barr said at a news conference. 'This must change.'" Which is it that he wants to change? Does he want most police to stop doing their jobs properly? Or does he want African Americans to stop raising questions about the fairness of the criminal process? Or both?

    Regrettably, (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 08:20:03 PM EST
    if the most diabolic interpretation of Barr is taken, we will understand him.  Sounds like Barr is placing the blame on Black Americans.

    Parent
    Yes (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 08:21:58 PM EST
    They need to get some confidence.

    Parent
    He wants them to pretend they can trust (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 08:21:16 PM EST
    All police officers. He wants them to agree that they have confidence enough for everyone to just go home, with no real changes taking place.

    Parent
    Did you see Cuomos little pearl clutching (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 08:42:49 PM EST
    Performance?

    I think the Cuomo for president talk is over.


    On Thursday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, an erstwhile progressive, denied having seen viral footage of protesters "being hit with batons" on Wednesday night. "I have not seen the videos that you referred to or seen those accounts, but if there is anything that needs to be reviewed, it will be," he told a reporter. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo later called a reporter's question about police having hit peaceful protesters with batons a "hyperpartisan attack." Said Cuomo: "They don't do that."


    Cuomo, de Blasio Say They Haven't Seen Videos of the NYPD Abusing Protesters, so We're Posting Them Here to Be Helpful

    Parent

    The NYPD (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by CST on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 09:04:45 PM EST
    Is completely out of control.

    And it's clear that DeBlasio and Cuomo are far too chicken$hit to do anything about it.

    There's no excuse for ignorance at this point beyong the willful kind.

    Parent

    Apoarently Gov. Cuomo did see the (none / 0) (#14)
    by oculus on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 10:01:03 PM EST
    videos after this mornings presser and he made a statement.

    Parent
    What did he say? (none / 0) (#15)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 10:12:07 PM EST
    "Oh! Look at that! I guess they DO do that!

    Who knew?

    Parent

    Per Zack Fink on (none / 0) (#16)
    by oculus on Thu Jun 04, 2020 at 10:56:00 PM EST
    Twitter:

    Apparently @NYGovCuomo has now seen the video from Cadman Plaza last night? Earlier today he said he hadn't, but just now on @AlanChartock Cuomo says `everything that could have gone wrong has,' including `police bashing protesters with batons.'

    Parent

    Wonder what he will say (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 07:58:28 AM EST
    About cops knocking a 75yo man down and stepping over him while he bleeds from his ears.  The police said he tripped and fell.

    GRAPHIC VIDEO: Two Buffalo police officers suspended after elderly man shoved and injured

    Doing it is bad enough.  The indifference is worst.  The lie about tripping still worse.

    Ok, rhetorical.  I know what Cuomo said.  A version of thoughts and prayers.
    A version of Susan Collins on Trump.

    Saying "it's just awful" ain't gonna cut it.

    Parent

    Here's what should happen (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 08:09:35 AM EST
    The guy who shoved him, fired.  The guy who stopped another from checking him, fired.

    Everyone who saw it and did nothing suspended "pending an investigations"

    Parent

    It's the constant gaslighting (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by CST on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 08:37:48 AM EST
    By the police that is really insane.  They are on video.  It just goes to show that they are not trustworthy witnesses in any sense of the word.

    We need to make body cams mandatory yesyerday, and anyone who turns it off can have that admitted as evidence against them, and the lack of one needs to be a fireable offense from any police work.  The police cannot be trusted.

    The police work for the state, the state works for citizens.  These are our employees.  They have forgotten that and it's past time that they were reminded.

    Parent

    Politicians are as terrified (none / 0) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 08:50:43 AM EST
    Of police unions as republicans are of Trump.

    They cringe in fear of the label SOFT ON CRIME.

    Parent

    Agreed... BUT (5.00 / 2) (#28)
    by jmacWA on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 10:14:36 AM EST
    They cringe in fear of the label SOFT ON CRIME.

    This is total horse pucky.

    This shows the power that is gained by constantly repeating the same things for 40+ years.  It wasn't true in the 60's and it's not true now.  In fact it is my perception the NYC cops in the 60s & 70s were more calm and understanding than what I have been witnessing in the last week.  I went to school a block away from the 88th precinct and I would say they were not what I saw at all last weekend at the time I was in the neighborhood (69-73)

    Parent

    You'd think (none / 0) (#26)
    by CST on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 10:00:37 AM EST
    They would realize that now is the time to grow a spine.  I can't imagine this is helping their political futures at this point.

    Parent
    I like the talk (none / 0) (#30)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 10:29:43 AM EST
    That the proposed reforms would make lying by police a serious offense.

    Even if it is flabbergasting it has not always been.

    Parent

    I just saw Cuomo (none / 0) (#35)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 11:33:32 AM EST
    he is shocked shocked

    Parent
    You are misrepresnting what Gov. Cuomo (none / 0) (#71)
    by oculus on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 08:39:44 PM EST
    said at today's presser.

    Parent
    Nice to know we can still be (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 07:16:53 PM EST
    "Major instigators"

    Buffalo mayor calls 75-year-old shoved by police officer a 'major instigator' during protests

    I guess he wants his 57 whiney cops back.

    Parent

    Love the qualifier (5.00 / 2) (#94)
    by Yman on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 07:18:03 AM EST
    "He was trying to spark up the crowd of people," Brown said. "Those people were there into the darkness. Our concern is when it gets dark, there is a potential for violence. There has been vandalism, there have been fires set, there have been stores broken into and looted. According to what was reported to me, that individual was a key and major instigator of people engaging in those activities."

    So the 75 year old Catholic Worker Movement/affordable housing advocate guy was instigating looting and riots?  Says who?  The police who said he tripped and fell?

    I call bu//$hit.

    Parent

    Hopped up (5.00 / 1) (#97)
    by KeysDan on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 08:43:19 AM EST
    on Metamucil.   A danger to police.

    Parent
    Worth noting that even (5.00 / 1) (#111)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 01:14:47 PM EST

    If he actually was an "agitator" and "major instigator"

    It's not ok ok for 20 cops to step over a 74yo guy who's heard they just cracked on the sidewalk so that he was visibly bleeding from his ears.

    And say he tripped

    Parent

    Also (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 09:25:58 AM EST
    It was not dark.

    Parent
    Not to mention (5.00 / 2) (#104)
    by Yman on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 10:08:20 AM EST
    If he actually was an "agitator" and "major instigator" of rioting/looting, then they should have grabbed him, handcuffed him and taken him away.  Instead, they knock him over and very seriously injure him, then lie about it.

    Some reporter needs to ask him what "evidence" they have.  The Buffalo PD and the mayor have zero credibility.  He needs to resign.

    Parent

    Does not surprise me at all, that he (5.00 / 7) (#109)
    by Peter G on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 12:02:31 PM EST
    would be a Catholic Worker. I recognized the nature of his action immediately from the video. His tactic of walking toward and then standing his ground in the face of oncoming armed police, and even trying to hand one of them a pamphlet (at least that's what I see in the video) is class satyagraha. Radical, fearless nonviolent direct action.

    Parent
    The man has a lot of guts (5.00 / 2) (#112)
    by jondee on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 01:51:45 PM EST
    l'll say that.

    My experience with men in a certain age range in uniform has been negative enough that they only ones I don't avoid like a pitbull off it's leash all play for Barcelona FC.

    Parent

    Yup (none / 0) (#60)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 05:42:56 PM EST
    Disappointment!

    Parent
    Does anyone know (none / 0) (#50)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 01:57:44 PM EST
    What does it cost the states to deploy National Guard troops to D.C..

    Missouri , along with other red states, is deploying hundreds of our National Guard to D.C. at the same time he is slashing our state budget by at least $700 million. Services that provide benefits to our residents like education are getting cut. If the states are paying for this PR stunt, it is not a good trade off IMO.

    Parent

    We don't understand how this can (none / 0) (#61)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 05:48:36 PM EST
    Legally be done without them being federalized, like they must do when they deploy any National Guard into combat since Dubya.

    But hell, the Pentagon reports on almost nothing, Esper won't answer to the House. They do what they want. We are going to have to have a commission like we did for Nixon. And there must be prosecutions or we won't recover well or quickly from this.

    Parent

    We don't understand how this can (none / 0) (#62)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 05:48:46 PM EST
    Legally be done without them being federalized, like they must do when they deploy any National Guard into combat since Dubya.

    But hell, the Pentagon reports on almost nothing, Esper won't answer to the House. They do what they want. We are going to have to have a commission like we did for Nixon. And there must be prosecutions or we won't recover well or quickly from this.

    Parent

    AG Barr says (none / 0) (#23)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 08:59:01 AM EST
    Trump's walk in the park and photo op was "entirely appropriate".  "The President is the head of the executive branch and the chief executive of the nation and should be able to walk outside the White House, and walk across the street to visit the church."

    Apparently, the trampling of citizens rights in the way of that entirely appropriate trek with gas and flash bombs is like those petals thrown in his path.

    Appropriate question might be (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 09:03:10 AM EST
    If he thinks anyone other than Trump and I guess him

    should be able to walk outside the White House



    Parent
    It would be appropriate (none / 0) (#74)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 09:00:08 PM EST
    If the Episcopal priests could walk up to their church instead of having their access blocked by Bunker Boys enlarged bunker.  

    Parent
    Maybe Trump will visit Derry (none / 0) (#25)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 09:11:17 AM EST
    For a chat with that other clown with orange hair.  IT might be a good replacement for Esper.

    "President Trump is forging ahead with a trip to Maine on Friday, defying a direct plea from the state's Democratic governor to stay home and concerns from Republicans his visit could hurt Senator Susan Collins' re-election bid," Bloomberg reports.

    A Portland Press Herald editorial: "President Trump: We're sorry that you decided to come to Maine, but since you are here, could you do us a favor? Resign."

    Bloomberg

    Press Herald

    Nice (5.00 / 2) (#55)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 02:24:44 PM EST
    If it hurts Collins' re-election bid I'm all for it.

    Parent
    Collins losing endorsements (5.00 / 2) (#182)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 07:18:12 PM EST
    Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has lost the endorsement of top gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety as her re-election prospects wane.Everytown threw its support behind Democrat Sara Gideon, the speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, after backing Collins in 2014, HuffPost first reported.

    Gideon previously earned the endorsement of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, which previously backed Collins and Gideon has also snagged the endorsements of EMILY's List and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

    Rawstory

    Parent

    President Blowhard finally gets his wall (none / 0) (#41)
    by desertswine on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 01:25:46 PM EST
    but its around the white house.

    A beautiful (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 02:05:18 PM EST
    wall.  

    Parent
    Wall? (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by MO Blue on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 05:20:35 PM EST
    Aww isn't this cute!" Twitter user @H0telr0meo wrote in one widely shared tweet. "Little #BunkerBoy now has his own #BabyGate."

    Parent
    And Mexico even paid for it ... (none / 0) (#80)
    by Erehwon on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 12:42:25 PM EST
    ... to keep him locked him in. Alas, I then woke up from my dream!

    Parent
    Arbery case to advance to trial court (none / 0) (#52)
    by McBain on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 02:04:42 PM EST
    Link
    A judge has ruled that the cases against all three defendants charged with murder in the death of Ahmaud Arbery can advance to the trial court. During a probable cause hearing Thursday, Magistrate Court Judge Wallace Harrell found that there is enough evidence for the cases against Greg and Travis McMichael and William "Roddie" Bryan to proceed.

    More...

    "Investigators will be looking at evidence that suggests Ahmaud Arbery was killed because of his race, and a racial slur during or after the crime would be considered evidence of that," Chavis told CBS News.
    They are probably happy (none / 0) (#58)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 05:14:06 PM EST
    that when the second Covid wave hits they can now blame it all on the demonstrations

    Yikes (none / 0) (#65)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 06:35:40 PM EST
    Masses of unmasked or wearing poorly fitting or poor quality masks might spread the virus while shouting and chanting. Tragic. If only there had been some warning.

    Parent
    Unlike, for example, the "liberate (5.00 / 2) (#69)
    by Peter G on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 06:49:49 PM EST
    our state" nonsense protesters. Think how much larger the anti-police brutality protests would be if all the older and the medically vulnerable folks who agree with their message had weighed the public health risks differently and had come out to join the demonstrators.

    Parent
    The pathetic thing about you (none / 0) (#67)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 06:42:23 PM EST
    Is you do not understand, or for some reason want to give the impression you do not, the demonstrators were certainly aware of the risk.  And they considered it worth the risk.  Because unlike you they believe in something.

    Parent
    Perfectly happy (2.00 / 1) (#98)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 09:07:22 AM EST

    Perfectly happy in accepting the risk of spreading the virus to others. How noble. As I recall that was a component of shaming the anti-lockdown protests earlier this year. So much for The Science(tm).  

    Black Livelihoods Matter.

    Parent

    Probably because the "antilockdown" (5.00 / 1) (#102)
    by Yman on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 10:01:17 AM EST
    ... protesters were gathered for a political rally, largely without masks, dismissing the real dangers of COVID-19 and for the purpose of threatening their governors and legislators.

    Not to mention the fact that police brutality, systemic racism and police murders of minorities is slightly more important than Billy Bob getting a haircut.

    Parent

    I guess you are right (none / 0) (#107)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 11:26:13 AM EST
    All the blacks need is a good "mansplain" about what really matters

    Parent
    Started watching the Jeffrey Epstein (none / 0) (#70)
    by McBain on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 07:35:16 PM EST
    docuseries on Netflix.  Good but very creepy.

    Finished the second season of The Oreville.  Excellent combination of sci fi and humor. It's a Star Trek parody/homage. I tried Space Force and Avenue 5 but couldn't get into them.

    I watched it last week. (none / 0) (#72)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jun 05, 2020 at 08:44:22 PM EST
    The case is not usually my cup of tea so when it all was happening I knew the gist  of it without getting into the details.

    You are correct, very creepy. Epstein is a microcosm of everything wrong with this country. Different rules for rich, well connected white people.

    Two takeaways for me. 1) Alex Acosta belongs in a prison cell, 2) Epstein did not commit suicide.

    Suicide seemed completely contrary to this guy's DNA. I believe he was silenced because of who and what he knew.


    Parent

    Hottest May Evah.. (none / 0) (#78)
    by desertswine on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 12:34:09 AM EST
    The Earth just experienced its hottest May on record, scientists said Friday--just a day after it was announced that atmospheric CO2 levels hit a new high.

    The new data comes as global policy makers mark World Environment Day, a moment United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres took to say, "To care for humanity, we MUST care for nature."
    It's hot and windy here (none / 0) (#81)
    by fishcamp on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 02:07:53 PM EST
    with the heat index at 101 degrees and winds at 25 to 30 mph.  On the porch warm rain was blowing in the hot wind.  Very strange...

    Parent
    It was 103 in my backyard yesterday. (none / 0) (#83)
    by desertswine on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 05:57:31 PM EST


    Parent
    Feels like (none / 0) (#84)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 06:14:17 PM EST
    WAs 108 here yesterday.

    Only 99 today

    Parent

    We are dead in the path of wahzisname (none / 0) (#85)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 06:35:13 PM EST
    So it's incredibly humid.  Miserable out side.

    Parent
    Yes, that's Cristobal out there. (none / 0) (#86)
    by fishcamp on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 06:57:38 PM EST
    It's been swirling over Campeche and trying to move north.  Storms all over down here.  ``Tis the season."  

    Parent
    Jealous of your storms (none / 0) (#95)
    by Yman on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 07:21:28 AM EST
    I do landscape photography as a hobby and love lightning shots, but we don't get those kind of storms very often in NJ.

    Parent
    I (5.00 / 1) (#96)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 08:14:19 AM EST
    do love the intense lighting storms. Count off "a thousand 1, a thousand 2... a thousand 5" and you have a mile. You know they are close when you can't even get past the first "a".

    The truly spectacular viewing is when they move out over the ocean after dark.

    Parent

    Lightening surrounds us during (none / 0) (#103)
    by fishcamp on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 10:03:48 AM EST
    summertime.  The heat rising off the Gulf Stream just offshore brings storms, wind spouts and lightning.  The best shows are the storms over the warm Everglades about 40 miles north east of the keys.  They can last all night and are very colorful.  Night fishing is fun, night diving...not so much.

    Parent
    I've seen some amazing shots ... (none / 0) (#105)
    by Yman on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 10:10:38 AM EST
    ... from down there.  I guess every place has it's own form of natural beauty, but the lightning storms and dramatic clouds in Florida (and the Everglades/Keys) are at the top of my list.

    Parent
    You're so crazy! (none / 0) (#127)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 09:05:54 PM EST
    M is going fishing in the Atlantic tomorrow. They boat out to the drop off and stay the night. I'm not sure I feel secure about this LOL.

    Parent
    Oh, it'll be fine. (5.00 / 1) (#128)
    by oculus on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 11:22:12 PM EST


    Parent
    Busy Darwin Awards season (none / 0) (#87)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 07:09:17 PM EST
    CDC: Some people are drinking and inhaling cleaning products in attempt to fight coronavirus

    Spaces satellite chain (none / 0) (#91)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 09:26:06 PM EST
    Passing in the Southwest a 9:42

    That's 10 minutes from now

    SpaceX launched 60 new satellites into orbit today (Nov. 11). Weather permitting, you just might be able to see the spacecraft swarm soar overhead in your night sky tonight. Of course, you'll need to know where to look
    At least at my house (none / 0) (#92)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jun 06, 2020 at 09:26:25 PM EST


    Parent
    I could only see this (none / 0) (#110)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 12:56:21 PM EST
    Thru the trees.  But pretty cool.

    Still prefer the trees.

    Parent

    We need something better than (none / 0) (#113)
    by smott on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 02:09:59 PM EST
    Defund the Police.
    GOP is going full-hyperbole and pretending Dems mean completely abolish the police, and Trump is already amplifying it and connecting it to "defund the military".

    We do play into Republican hands so often, argh.

    I'd settle for Reform Law Enforcement.
    Or maybe Eliminate Police Immunity

    I dunno.

    There's probably (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by jondee on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 02:20:38 PM EST
    about as many people who want to "defund the police" as there are fat guys in camouflage waiting for the Boogaloo to start..

    Typical GOP election year scumbaggery to focus on some crackpot outliers and try to make it appear as if they represent the entire left.


    Parent

    Willie Horton tactics (5.00 / 1) (#116)
    by jondee on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 02:38:33 PM EST
    scare the crap out of the law abiding, old people, and the vulnerable..

    The left wants to disarm us and drag us back into state of lawless, Godless, anarchy. And to abolish Christmas.

    Parent

    Ok. (5.00 / 1) (#120)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 03:40:00 PM EST
    Especially the Christmas part.

    Parent
    I agree that "defund the police" is a (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by Peter G on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 03:09:46 PM EST
    very badly framed slogan. It absolutely sounds like it means "abolish the police" (which some people apparently agree with, but that's another story), when it is intended to say "reduce excessive and wasteful police budgets that encourage overpolicing and militarization."

    Parent
    This is anecdotal (none / 0) (#118)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 03:21:34 PM EST
    So....

    The guy who does my yard is also a deputy sheriff.  Full military uniform.  He recently drove by me in a Walmart parking lot in full regalia just say hello and I was like ... ok... wtf did I do now.  Until I recognized him.

    He does the yards of lots of people around my neighborhood.  Plus my nephew is also a deputy sheriff.  And a EMT and a volunteer fireman.  

    I just let him know I cut my own grass because it's a nice day and it needed cutting and it was going to rain for a week.

    I did that because I know he relies on the income

    They are not all overfunded personal wise.  

     

    Parent

    Overfunded does not mean (none / 0) (#122)
    by Peter G on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 04:21:25 PM EST
    overpaid. Some are well paid; many are not.

    Parent
    Here's the good news about (none / 0) (#140)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 01:44:35 PM EST
    "Defund the police"
    It's primary champion and head tweeter is going to be the national laughing stock behind the White House baby gates.  In any other universe it would be suicide.  Not just suicidal.  

    That about all the good news I have about this hashtag.  

    Parent

    To be more clear (none / 0) (#141)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 01:48:36 PM EST
    His tweets will not champion the hashtag DFP

    But this is a lifeline for Trump.  Finally something to talk about.

    Parent

    I predict (none / 0) (#142)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 01:50:21 PM EST
    The next time you see Trump he will be surrounded by uniformed police.

    Parent
    My fave thus far (none / 0) (#129)
    by smott on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 06:55:33 AM EST
    #NewBlue

    Parent
    Here is an excellent definition, from (none / 0) (#151)
    by Peter G on Tue Jun 09, 2020 at 08:14:32 PM EST
    an ACLU-PA press release today on the subject of the Philadelphia City/County budget, which nowhere uses the expression "defund the police": "If budgets reveal a city's values and priorities, Philadelphia's values and priorities are significantly misplaced. For years, this city has spent billions on the criminal legal system while human services have starved. The result is a police department that has engaged in abusive and racist behavior repeatedly and without accountability. It is time to minimize the police department's responsibility and outsized presence in residents' daily lives, to greatly shrink its budget, and shift those resources to people-oriented services."

    Parent
    How (none / 0) (#114)
    by FlJoe on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 02:18:14 PM EST
    about police the police.

    Parent
    I'll settle for ... (5.00 / 1) (#152)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jun 09, 2020 at 09:30:03 PM EST
    ... "F*ck the police!" because it pretty much sums up how a lot of people feel right now, anyway. I never thought I'd say this since I work for county government, but the Minneapolis City Council is doing the right thing by defunding, deconstructing and rebuilding the MPD. The bond of trust between current department and the community has likely been irretrievably broken. Get rid of the police commissions and decertify the police unions, too. They've too long been the primary obstacles to real reform.

    ;-D

    Parent

    James Bennett, the guy who ran the (none / 0) (#119)
    by desertswine on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 03:32:41 PM EST
    Tom Cotton op-ed in the NYT, then defended it, then said that he hadn't read it, has resigned his position with the paper.

    He was moved to a different deck chair. (none / 0) (#124)
    by leap on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 05:45:31 PM EST
    n/t

    Parent
    What Could Derail Biden? (none / 0) (#123)
    by RickyJim on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 05:36:40 PM EST
    Trump has to be banking on Biden adopting things like reparations, defunding instead of reforming police and a far left VP choice.  Trump's best chance, however, is for something to happen for which sending in the troops seems reasonable.  Only 5 months left but that is a long time.

    Huh? (5.00 / 2) (#153)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jun 09, 2020 at 09:45:05 PM EST
    Deploy the troops for what? That would be a blatant violation of the Posse Comitatus Act and amount to a military coup to forestall or preclude what looks right now to be an increasingly likely electoral outcome.

    At that point, Trump would likely provoke an open rebellion amongst senior military brass, accompanied by a refusal to carry out what's clearly an illegal order. Heaven only knows what would happen in the streets, but I guarantee you, if you think the protests now are scary, wait'll you seen the turnout if Trump tries to declare martial law.

    Stop living in the 1980s. As most Americans have finally noticed, it's the far right GOP that poses the problem here, not the left.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Minny PD (none / 0) (#125)
    by smott on Sun Jun 07, 2020 at 05:50:13 PM EST
    To be disbanded.
    Holy moley.

    I hope Bob Kroll is the first one to lose his job.

    North Carolina speedway draws thousands (none / 0) (#130)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 10:22:09 AM EST
    by declaring the race is a protest.

    Not the Babylon Bee.

    wow (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by leap on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 12:26:01 PM EST
    Bleachers full of paunchy honkies, sitting shoulder to shoulder, not one mask in sight. Let's check in on them June 22...

    Parent
    Not the first time ... (none / 0) (#131)
    by Yman on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 11:18:59 AM EST
    ... they've done it.  The racetrack owners learned they can get away with it when the sheriff said he wouldn't enforce an "unconstitutional law."  Now these idiots feel the need to mock legitimate protests by putting up a moronic sign.

    Stupid is as stupid does.

    Parent

    Calling a dog a chair does not (5.00 / 4) (#132)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 12:22:49 PM EST
    make the dog something you can sit on. Nor does calling a stock car race a protest give it First Amendment protection. It just makes the promoter a liar and someone who disrespects the Constitution, to boot. In a world that distinguishes between truth and b/s, at least.

    Parent
    The perfect way (1.00 / 2) (#134)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 12:43:30 PM EST
    It's the perfect way to protest the governor's discriminatory policy. Not much different from lunch counter sit ins of old.

    This may be where the idea came from.

    Parent

    I can't decide which you understand (5.00 / 3) (#135)
    by Peter G on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 12:53:10 PM EST
    (or pretend to understand) less: what "discriminatory policy" means or what the SNCC lunch counter sit-ins were about (and the physical abuse, illegal arrests and jailings that the students who engaged in them nonviolently endured to help change this country for the better). Hint: the sit-ins were nothing like attending a stock car race and drinking beer (or swee' tea).

    Parent
    The flouting of (5.00 / 2) (#137)
    by KeysDan on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 01:17:32 PM EST
    the governor's policy is likely based more on political leanings than on real concerns for discrimination--- the treatment of the same differently, not the treatment of the different the same.

    Parent
    Many protestors wear mask (none / 0) (#139)
    by MKS on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 01:39:28 PM EST
    Not something your folks do.

    A key difference.

    Parent

    This (none / 0) (#136)
    by FlJoe on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 01:05:59 PM EST
    story
    Over the weekend, a Virginia man was arrested for driving his truck into a crowd of protesters. It has now been revealed that the accused, Harry H. Rogers, is also the head of the Virginia chapter of the Ku Klux Klan.
    brought to mind this
    He's a drug store truck drivin' man
    He's the head of the Ku Klux Klan
    When summer rolls around
    He'll be lucky if he's not in town...

    Sadly not that much has changed in the last 50 years, at least my memory is still sharp(at least when it comes 60's music trivia)

    Defense Case (none / 0) (#143)
    by RickyJim on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 07:13:44 PM EST
    Attorneys for the two rookies, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, emphasized their place in police hierarchy in the now-fired officers' initial court appearance this past week. They noted both were on just their fourth day as full-fledged cops at the time of Floyd's May 25 arrest, while Chauvin was an authority figure as a designated training officer for new cops.

    "They're required to call him `Sir,'" Lane's attorney, Earl Gray, told the judge. "He has 20 years' experience. What is my client supposed to do but to follow what the training officer said? Is that aiding and abetting a crime?"

    Gray noted that Lane questioned Chauvin's actions during the arrest, and Kueng's lawyer Thomas Plunkett said his client told fellow cops, "You shouldn't be doing this."

    But according to the criminal complaints that detailed Floyd's arrest on suspicion of passing a counterfeit bill, the officers didn't back up their words with actions.

    Lane held Floyd's legs and Kueng held his back while Chauvin placed his knee on Floyd's head and neck. That's when Floyd repeatedly said "I can't breathe, "Mama" and "please." At one point, Floyd said, "I'm about to die." Nevertheless, Chauvin, Lane and Kueng didn't move. And a fourth officer, Tou Thao, continued standing nearby keeping onlookers back.

    Moments later, Lane asked "should we roll him on his side?" Chauvin replied: "No, staying put where we got him." Lane said he was worried Floyd would experience excited delirium, a condition in which a person can become agitated and aggressive or suddenly die, according to the documents.

    "That's why we have him on his stomach," Chauvin replied.

    Link

    Burned out Minneapolis manufacturer moving out (none / 0) (#144)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 08:51:41 PM EST
    Relocating out of Minneapolis. The wages of riot and arson paid in full for this employer.

    Cotton futures (none / 0) (#145)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jun 08, 2020 at 09:50:51 PM EST
    "With his call for the military to be deployed in U.S. cities gripped by protests over police brutality, Sen. Tom Cotton has found himself in a familiar position: Rallying conservatives, enraging Democrats and further raising his national profile amid growing speculation over his future ambitions," the Washington Post reports.

    "The Arkansas Republican has been minted as a political up-and-comer since he entered Congress in 2013, yet he cemented his status as a hero on the right when an op-ed he authored for the New York Times on using the military to deter looting and violent unrest amid the demonstrations provoked an unusual public furor among its journalists, who called it inflammatory. The uproar led to the ouster of the newspaper's powerful opinions editor."

    "That turmoil at the Times has only emboldened Cotton, 43, a relatively junior senator who has nonetheless demonstrated his influence in the Trump era by having the president's ear and embracing key tenets of Trumpism that have, at times, put the men at odds with some in their own party."

    WaPo

    Captain Howdy... (none / 0) (#146)
    by jmacWA on Tue Jun 09, 2020 at 08:30:45 AM EST
    Question for you:

    Any ideas on WHY Cotton has no Democratic Challenger? I get that the GOP tends to take Arlansas, but they did elect Clinton, so it seems odd to me, especially since it seems Cotton is now considering a run for President in 2024, and will use the fact that the Dems ran no one against him as proof that he is electable.

    It's been 30 years since Clinton was (5.00 / 1) (#147)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 09, 2020 at 09:09:06 AM EST
    Elected governor.  He never would be now.  This state has changed a lot since then.  
    One part of the problem is that an awful lot of the people who enthusiastically supported Clinton were what might politely be called conservative Democrats.

    If you remember they were pretty common in the early 90s.  Remember "triangulation"

    They were at best luke warm on Gore.  The hated Obama.

    I am not talking abstractly about this.  My brother in law was an elected Democrat county official.  For decades.  He and my sister were very active in state and local dem politics.  I sometime see disbelief in the faces of people when I tell them the Clintons stayed in their house on at least two occasions I know of.  They used to stay with local activists when they were traveling the state campaigning one of the five times he was elected governor.

    I was far away for all of this so I never met them then but my sister took me to a rally sometime late in his time as governor and I was introduced to them both.  I saw a better than average typical pol.  My sister said "he's going to be president some day!"

    I said uh huh.

    My brother it law and those like him still vote democratic in local elections.  But he is Trump to the core.

    This is the answer to your question.  It takes a lot of money to run for the US senate.  You need very generous  people to finance a campaign you will almost certainly lose.

    Cotton is a star.  No one (I've seen) is going to take his senate seat.  

    There is a growing blue (in the sense of NEW democrat, not old) sector here.  But it will take years.  Many will have to die off.

    Parent

    Why is your brother in law (none / 0) (#148)
    by MKS on Tue Jun 09, 2020 at 09:14:31 AM EST
    a Trumpite?  

     I tend to believe one's political preference boils down to cultural reasons--especially those who end up on the Right.

    Parent

    Why is anyone? (5.00 / 1) (#149)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 09, 2020 at 09:20:04 AM EST


    Parent
    If your question is (none / 0) (#150)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jun 09, 2020 at 09:21:03 AM EST
    Is he a racist, yes.  He is.

    Not my sister but definitely him.

    Parent

    HBO Max removes Gone With The Wind (none / 0) (#154)
    by McBain on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 10:24:31 AM EST
    until it can return with historical context...
    "These racist depictions were wrong then and are wrong today, and we felt that to keep this title up without an explanation and a denouncement of those depictions would be irresponsible," the spokesperson said.

    The spokesperson added that when the film returns to HBO Max, it "will return with a discussion of its historical context and a denouncement of those very depictions," and will be presented "as it was originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed."

    Why does there need to be a discussion?  People can watch it decide how they feel.  I recently viewed the entire film for the first time and found it to be extremely politically incorrect but still worthwhile.  


    I guess I could ask you (5.00 / 1) (#155)
    by CST on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 12:39:34 PM EST
    Why you feel the need to discuss it.

    As you said, people are still able to watch it and decide how to feel.

    HBO removes movies all the time.  Who cares.

    Parent

    Because it looks like a silly overreaction (none / 0) (#157)
    by McBain on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 12:59:35 PM EST


    Parent
    You're right about that (5.00 / 2) (#158)
    by CST on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 01:59:40 PM EST
    You're just wrong about who is having the silly overreaction.

    Parent
    Great minds (5.00 / 3) (#160)
    by Zorba on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 02:02:24 PM EST
    And all that.  Seems like we're on the same page.  ;-)

    Parent
    Why, yes (5.00 / 1) (#159)
    by Zorba on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 02:01:43 PM EST
    Your own reaction does, indeed, seem like a "silly overreaction."

    Parent
    Say what you want (none / 0) (#163)
    by McBain on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 02:54:01 PM EST
    I think it was was the wrong decision to pull one of the all time classics like that.  It's OK for art to be controversial.  

    Do you actually agree with HBO?  

    Parent

    They pull movies all the time (5.00 / 2) (#165)
    by CST on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 03:40:36 PM EST
    Classics even.  It's called rotation.

    They don't even own the rights, anyone can watch the original anytime they want.

    Of course it's okay for art to be controversial.  It's also okay to add historical context to controversial art.

    Parent

    From my original link (none / 0) (#175)
    by McBain on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 05:14:40 PM EST
    The removal also comes after John Ridley, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of "12 Years a Slave," wrote an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times this week asking HBO Max to take the film out of its rotation.

    Sounds like they caved to pressure.  

    Parent
    Again (5.00 / 2) (#180)
    by CST on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 06:23:51 PM EST
    So what?

    Parent
    It's a step in the wrong direction (none / 0) (#185)
    by McBain on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 07:47:39 PM EST
    Not everything needs to be politically correct. Hopefully, other providers won't follow.  

    Parent
    Why do you care? (5.00 / 1) (#197)
    by Repack Rider on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 09:49:18 PM EST
    "Caving to pressure" is weird nut-speak for "responding to the desires of the customers." When I owned a business, what my customers wanted was important to me.

    How much money do you think HBO will lose over this?

    Parent

    It is Still Listed on Netflix (none / 0) (#161)
    by RickyJim on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 02:21:33 PM EST


    Parent
    So what? (none / 0) (#171)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 04:55:52 PM EST
    Megyn Kelly and the white wingbats were furiously beating the drums of outrage over "Gone With the Wind" all morning long on Twitter. Why? Do they seriously think the GOP's currently perilous electoral fortunes are somehow going to turn on that movie's ultimate fate in HBO Max's rotation?

    Setting aside its indisputable status as Hollywood's all-time box office blockbuster when adjusted for inflation, GWTW is a dated melodrama that's wholly reflective of the era in which it was produced. And just like D.W. Griffith's "Birth of a Nation," it's definitely showing its age.

    For some historical context, we ought to remember that only six months prior to GWTW's Dec. 15, 1939 premiere in Atlanta, the final reunion of some 1,800 Union and Confederate veterans took place in Pennsylvania at the 75th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Gettysburg.

    So, the Civil War as an event was still relatively fresh in people's collective consciousness. Because unless one was a recent immigrant, many Americans who were alive in 1939 had likely known a relative or acquaintance who was a veteran of that conflict.

    Obviously, what was then acceptable to mostly white movie audiences 80-plus years ago is clearly much less so now to today's general public. I think most anyone who's grounded in present reality would agree that GWTW's gratuitous romanticizing of the Confederacy as the Glorious (and Lost) Cause, its viciously stereotypical portrait of African American characters, and its wholesale whitewash of slavery's evils are often cringeworthy to watch, especially if you're black.

    That said, given everything that's presently happening in this crazy country, GWTW being dropped from HBO's rotation is not exactly on my list of concerns right now.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Hattie McDaniel, (5.00 / 1) (#195)
    by desertswine on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 09:32:16 PM EST
    who was the first black person to win an Oscar, was unable to attend the premier of the film in Atlanta in 1939 due to the color of her skin.  Her father, incidentally, had fought in the Civil War with the US colored troops.

    Parent
    Oops! Correction: (none / 0) (#174)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 05:04:50 PM EST
    "For some historical context, we ought to remember that only six months prior to GWTW's Dec. 15, 1939 premiere in Atlanta, the final reunion of some 1,800 Union and Confederate veterans took place in Pennsylvania at the 75th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Gettysburg."

    That should have read "17 months prior to GWTW's Dec. 15, 1939 premiere in Atlanta[.]"

    My bad. I'm a historian, and obviously not a mathematician.

    ;-D

    Parent

    Unbelievable (none / 0) (#162)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 02:24:15 PM EST
    President Trump's campaign is demanding CNN retract and apologize for a recent poll that showed him well behind Joe Biden, CNN reports.

    The demand, coming in the form of a cease and desist letter to CNN President Jeff Zucker, was immediately rejected by the network.

    As they say on Snowpiercer,  be prepared to brace.

    The terrorizing (5.00 / 1) (#164)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 03:07:09 PM EST
    the press is one reason why I think he got away so lightly in 2016.

    Now I think they're like make my day Trump.

    Parent

    Karen has now occupied (5.00 / 1) (#166)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 03:50:56 PM EST
    the White House.

    Parent
    Now (none / 0) (#167)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 04:05:54 PM EST
    he's trying to shut Bolton's book down

    And they have already been delivered to bookstores.  This is partly distraction of course but another book about how stupid he is is not really what he needs at the moment.

    Good luck.  Personally I would not want to "need" to muzzle Bolton.

    Parent

    Yikes (none / 0) (#169)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 04:40:43 PM EST
    A Washington Post story included this aside: "Trump has become obsessed with polling and lashes out at those who say he is losing to Biden, according to two White House officials and a longtime Trump ally."

    Jonathan Chait: "The reporters, perhaps because their sensitivities have been dulled by years of daily exposure to this kind of madness, immediately moved on to other points, rather than linger over the sheer irrationality revealed by this line. It is quite a conundrum for the president's staff. He is obsessed with polls, but he becomes enraged upon being informed he's losing to Biden. Given that every poll shows him losing to Biden, his advisers don't seem to have a lot of good options."



    Parent
    Unmuzzled (none / 0) (#170)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 04:52:08 PM EST
    "Former national security adviser John Bolton plans to move ahead with publication of his memoir about working in the Trump White House despite a new warning from the administration that it contains classified material and needs to be further revised," the Washington Post reports.



    Parent
    Surely (none / 0) (#172)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 04:56:54 PM EST
    Bolton had the book vetted for classified information or at least the publisher did before sending it to the presses.

    I won't be buying Bolton's book simply because he choose himself over his country when he could have come out and spoken maybe even to the point of getting rid of Trump months ago.

    Parent

    I won't be buying it either (none / 0) (#173)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 05:03:43 PM EST
    Times

    The White House has told John R. Bolton, President Trump's former national security adviser, that his memoir of working for the president, scheduled for publication in less than two weeks, contains classified information and could present a security threat.

    Mr. Bolton has told associates he believes he has made changes to the book that accommodate the national security concerns and that the White House is using the claims of classified information as a way of keeping it from the public.

    Mr. Trump has repeatedly told advisers he wants to stop the publication of the book. He has wide latitude to determine what materials are classified.



    Parent
    None of my money to Bolton (none / 0) (#176)
    by MO Blue on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 05:24:03 PM EST
    He failed to speak when his words could have had an impact and IMO with his silence he shares responsibility for all of Trump's abuses of the presidency.

    I'm sure all the most important parts will be reported non stop once it is released, anyway.

    Parent

    Don't really have a dog in this fight (none / 0) (#179)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 06:14:17 PM EST
    I hope they both lose.

    But it seems possible if this becomes a legal fight it might lead to some real talk about over classification of everything.  Because that blurb is correct.  If Trump says it's classified it's pretty much classified under current law.

    Besides wanting to suppress whatever there is Trump is desperate for a distraction so I would be surprised if they don't try to stop it.  Although I could not say how since it's already been delivered to bookstores.

    Mostly it's just one more thing that look completely batshi+ crazy.

    Parent

    My (none / 0) (#184)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 07:46:29 PM EST
    understanding is the book has been undergoing a security vetting for the past several months, with some foot dragging involved. I haven't been paying much attention but I assumed it was finally approved by the actual experts.

    I don't think tRump has any kind of absolute power to declare anything and everything classified. He can declassify anything he wants but I think any power to unilaterally classify something is quite limited if it even exists at all.

    There are huge first amendment issues if nothing else.

    Parent

    Just security (none / 0) (#186)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 07:52:16 PM EST
    From Mueller days

    Simply put, there are currently no restrictions on the President's ability to reach down into an agency and classify any document on his own authority, whether it be a formal investigative report or a cafeteria menu. The only governing rules are established by Executive Order 13526 - the latest iteration of a long line of Executive Orders on national security information classification. But for reasons explained below, those rules are either so broad as to be relatively meaningless or are virtually unenforceable by anyone seeking to prove that Trump misclassified a document.

    link

    Parent

    Maybe (none / 0) (#190)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 09:16:12 PM EST
    but he leaves out all of the restrictions  and caveats in the EO .
    Sec1.7. Classification Prohibitions and Limitations. (a) In no case shall
    information be classified, continue to be maintained as classified, or fail
    to be declassified in order to:

    (1) conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error;
    (2) prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or agency;
    (3) restrain competition; or
    (4) prevent or delay the release of information that does not require protection in the interest of the national security.

    and he just waves away FOIA and judges
    But FOIA is still there, right? Yes and no. Yes, someone can still file a FOIA request for a classified document, but they won't get it. Courts simply refuse to second-guess the Executive Branch on classification decisions right now. The only thing a judge will do is ask the agency, "is this document classified," and if the agency says yes, that's the end of the argument. Again, witness what happened in the trade white paper case when a judge said he didn't think it was properly classified; he was overruled and reversed. So a FOIA requester can give the best argument written by top legal scholars as to why the Mueller report does not meet the criteria for classification as established by Executive Order 13526, and the judge will ignore it, because he or she has basically been told in no uncertain terms that they simply can't overrule an agency's classification decision.
    I'm not sure it always works out that way, it seems to me there have been plenty of FOIA wins.

    Parent
    I'm not arguing the point (none / 0) (#192)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 09:24:05 PM EST
    My point is there is going to be an argument.  And that's good.

    Parent
    That's the way I feel (none / 0) (#181)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jun 10, 2020 at 06:42:10 PM EST
    most of the "exciting" parts will be reported.

    Parent
    Thursday Open Thread | 200 comments (200 topical)