It is true, “...the riots & extreme violence are...led by a well funded network of anarchists”. BLM? No, it’s not BLM, they are largely peaceful, lawful, and unfunded. The Republicans, however, are very well-funded, and they are fomenting violence. The GOP has become a network of anarchists, willing to tear the country apart in order to cling to power. It is also true that, flying into Kenosha today, “there is an airplane full of thugs”. It’s called Air Force One.
Trump's comments on "dark shadows" controlling Joe Biden are interesting; pure projection!
What about Vlad, Trump's Russian minder, or the tax-credit funded foundations of Charles Koch, John Ohlin, Richard Mellon Scaife and many other billionnaires which have funnelled and are funnelling massive funding into ultra right wing propaganda, subversion, bribery, political funding, election interference, lies and similarily "dark" operations...often based on the highly successful work done by James Buchanan (of George Mason U. amongst other U.s) for the Pinochet regime..all working to remove any resistance or obstacle to the oligarch's further enrichment and the enslavement of the people and any impediment to their absolute freedom.
Thank you Heather, remember to take self care when needed. The burden is heavy and you are valued as history unfolds before us at an unprecedented rate!
Heather, is it normal for an incoming president (or a sitting one) to be investigated for his/her ties to foreign governments? Schmidt's book observes that Mueller thought the FBI was investigating Trump's ties to Russia, and the FBI thought Mueller's investigation would do that. Even if it isn't normal (and what's normal in this administration?), it would seem prudent for *someone* to be doing it now, in view of 45's increasingly benign neglect of Russia's provocations.
Out of the myriad of Trump related news in today’s letter, the item I find most surprising is that Laura Ingraham from Fox actually pushed back a bit against him in an interview.
It's amazing how people seem to mistake Steve Scalise for a human being. He's well known in Looserana (that's the Republican white people part of Louisiana) for being "David Duke without the obvious baggage."
I found out today the daughter of a good friend of mine goes to the school Rittenhouse used to go to. According to the daughter, he was universally detested as a "loud mouthed Nazi" and the rest of the student body thought he was The One Most Likely to show up with a gun and start a school shooting massacre. He was expelled from school in February for making threats against other students. And when he tried to join the Marines, after they got through with the "what are your career goals" interview with him, he was rejected for enlistment and placed on a list for the other services as "not qualified for military service." I guess after this weekend you don't have to wonder what kind of whack job he is. There's also video of him before the shooting, hanging out with other wingers carrying penis enlargers, and the cops drive by and say "thanks for being here" to them.
I don't know why people think "police reform" ever works. Here in Los Angeles, the LAPD has been problematic since the day it was formed to terrorize Mexicans. 90 years ago, they were the main source of bootleg booze, 80 years ago they held a "police riot" at the request of "Unca Walt" Disney to beat up his striking cartoonists. Just in the last 50+ years, I can remember being a victim of their first 60s "police riot" at Century City against antiwar demonstrators in 1967. Their most recent police riot was 10+ years ago in MacArthur Park against Latino groups protesting their brutality. They've been "reformed" and "re-educated" and "reorganized" and they're still the same scum they were under Chief Parker. 30 years ago there was the "Ramparts scandal" of criminals in the gang unit, and now there's a new gang unit scandal of officers lying about gang affiliations, committing perjury in trials, arrests without cause. It's not just the LAPD. 35 years ago the LA Sheriff Dept had a big problem with "deputy gangs" of criminals, and now there's another scandal growing about a deputy gang known as "the Exterminators" who have already cost the county several million for false arrest suits, perjury in trials, illegal arrests, etc., etc. The more things change, the more they remain the same. Police reform is hopeless.
All professions have a range of competency, but with those that involve life and death, like with medicine and law enforcement, there can be no margin for error. When they succeed, they can be heroic. Doctors are highly educated and trained, whereas police officers are often only required to have a high school diploma and 5 or 6 months of a training academy. Training in procedures to use potentially lethal force is practically the only tool in theif toolbox. At least responses to sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and mental health crises have incorporated specialized training and teaming with professionals.
But nepotism, rogue cops, bribery, sexism, machismo, racism, and the secret vigilante gangs are toxic forces that threaten us instead of protect us. It is too easy for a bad cop to literally pull the trigger. And then get away with it, given the reluctance of District Attorneys, who are fellow law enforcement, to prosecute, and the strong protection of police unions.
Today two Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputies shot and killed a Black man named Dijon Kizzee in South Los Angeles. We need to not rush to judgment, but it’s hard to imagine the justification for shooting a man to death who was riding a bicycle, being stopped for a traffic violation, and shooting him AFTER he allegedly dropped a handful of clothing with a handgun. The message is clearly not getting through to where it needs to be.
Black Lives Matter responded with an on-the-spot protest and car caravan.
And then there are so many of the others who are just trying to help their community. Some form of "rules" enforcement is an essential part of harmonious life in society. Without it we end up in chaos...just like inTrump's world.
Yeah, but what we need is a system that is better at choosing who gets in, and then a system that rewards turning in the bad apples, instead of rewarding staying silent. One bad cop can undo the work of 100 good ones, and when the good ones stay silent, there are no "good ones."
I think it was also in the interview with Ingraham where he compared the shooting of Blake by the policeman to a golfer "choking" and missing a 3-foot putt. Ingraham even countered by saying something like, "you're comparing shooting someone to a golf putt??" and he quickly said the policeman "choked" like a golfer and shot someone when he shouldn't have. This is how the man thinks. Human life means nothing to him. A golf putt?? His sister was spot on when she said (on tape) that he is a cruel man.
Here we go. Urf. 2 months. We have to live through 2 more months of this horror and then whatever time is going to be needed to get this deranged Cheeto out of office. If he does't successfully manipulate the vote and claim victory. The new promotion of "herd immunity" as a strategy for dealing with COVID is another vote suppression tactic because the Republicans are apparently convinced that only Black people and people of color will die. This is an Andrew-Jackson-sending-measles-infected-blankets-to-indigenous-people moment. I can only hope that someone charges this administration with genocide. It would be fitting.
Thanks so much, HRC, for presenting such a concise collection of relevant quotes that clearly show the lies and distortion. This was a great post. You certainly put forth incredible effort enlightening us..
I think it is time we "Barney Fife" all the police. They all get one bullet and they have to carry it in their pocket. This way, they have to think before killing.
The “antifa is destroying America and burning our cities, but I will save you” narrative seems to a major strategy for Trump now. Umbrella man was an early This guy is a more recent and deadly one of the extreme right trying to help the new Trumpian narrative, by creating misinformation and false blame. Everyone needs to do their part to stop this false narrative from spreading. Let’s call out Fox News, Trump and this whole cabal on social media and with friends as often as possible
Another day of tRump lies and recreation of reality. This morning my partner suggested that maybe his recent Twitter rant and other forms of falsification are a result of his fear of what will come out in the soon to be published Michael Cohen book. Another distraction from the obvious facts that he is crazy and unfit to be anywhere other than in jail!
It is true, “...the riots & extreme violence are...led by a well funded network of anarchists”. BLM? No, it’s not BLM, they are largely peaceful, lawful, and unfunded. The Republicans, however, are very well-funded, and they are fomenting violence. The GOP has become a network of anarchists, willing to tear the country apart in order to cling to power. It is also true that, flying into Kenosha today, “there is an airplane full of thugs”. It’s called Air Force One.
Amazing, since by all accounts the leadership in Kenosha has explicitly told them not to come.
Trump's comments on "dark shadows" controlling Joe Biden are interesting; pure projection!
What about Vlad, Trump's Russian minder, or the tax-credit funded foundations of Charles Koch, John Ohlin, Richard Mellon Scaife and many other billionnaires which have funnelled and are funnelling massive funding into ultra right wing propaganda, subversion, bribery, political funding, election interference, lies and similarily "dark" operations...often based on the highly successful work done by James Buchanan (of George Mason U. amongst other U.s) for the Pinochet regime..all working to remove any resistance or obstacle to the oligarch's further enrichment and the enslavement of the people and any impediment to their absolute freedom.
Yes, the Trump hall of mirrors is so reliable, any accusations he makes are reliably a view into what is happening on his side.
Thank you Heather, remember to take self care when needed. The burden is heavy and you are valued as history unfolds before us at an unprecedented rate!
Heather, is it normal for an incoming president (or a sitting one) to be investigated for his/her ties to foreign governments? Schmidt's book observes that Mueller thought the FBI was investigating Trump's ties to Russia, and the FBI thought Mueller's investigation would do that. Even if it isn't normal (and what's normal in this administration?), it would seem prudent for *someone* to be doing it now, in view of 45's increasingly benign neglect of Russia's provocations.
Out of the myriad of Trump related news in today’s letter, the item I find most surprising is that Laura Ingraham from Fox actually pushed back a bit against him in an interview.
It's a notable day when Trump is too extreme for even Laura Ingraham.
It's amazing how people seem to mistake Steve Scalise for a human being. He's well known in Looserana (that's the Republican white people part of Louisiana) for being "David Duke without the obvious baggage."
I found out today the daughter of a good friend of mine goes to the school Rittenhouse used to go to. According to the daughter, he was universally detested as a "loud mouthed Nazi" and the rest of the student body thought he was The One Most Likely to show up with a gun and start a school shooting massacre. He was expelled from school in February for making threats against other students. And when he tried to join the Marines, after they got through with the "what are your career goals" interview with him, he was rejected for enlistment and placed on a list for the other services as "not qualified for military service." I guess after this weekend you don't have to wonder what kind of whack job he is. There's also video of him before the shooting, hanging out with other wingers carrying penis enlargers, and the cops drive by and say "thanks for being here" to them.
I don't know why people think "police reform" ever works. Here in Los Angeles, the LAPD has been problematic since the day it was formed to terrorize Mexicans. 90 years ago, they were the main source of bootleg booze, 80 years ago they held a "police riot" at the request of "Unca Walt" Disney to beat up his striking cartoonists. Just in the last 50+ years, I can remember being a victim of their first 60s "police riot" at Century City against antiwar demonstrators in 1967. Their most recent police riot was 10+ years ago in MacArthur Park against Latino groups protesting their brutality. They've been "reformed" and "re-educated" and "reorganized" and they're still the same scum they were under Chief Parker. 30 years ago there was the "Ramparts scandal" of criminals in the gang unit, and now there's a new gang unit scandal of officers lying about gang affiliations, committing perjury in trials, arrests without cause. It's not just the LAPD. 35 years ago the LA Sheriff Dept had a big problem with "deputy gangs" of criminals, and now there's another scandal growing about a deputy gang known as "the Exterminators" who have already cost the county several million for false arrest suits, perjury in trials, illegal arrests, etc., etc. The more things change, the more they remain the same. Police reform is hopeless.
All professions have a range of competency, but with those that involve life and death, like with medicine and law enforcement, there can be no margin for error. When they succeed, they can be heroic. Doctors are highly educated and trained, whereas police officers are often only required to have a high school diploma and 5 or 6 months of a training academy. Training in procedures to use potentially lethal force is practically the only tool in theif toolbox. At least responses to sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and mental health crises have incorporated specialized training and teaming with professionals.
But nepotism, rogue cops, bribery, sexism, machismo, racism, and the secret vigilante gangs are toxic forces that threaten us instead of protect us. It is too easy for a bad cop to literally pull the trigger. And then get away with it, given the reluctance of District Attorneys, who are fellow law enforcement, to prosecute, and the strong protection of police unions.
Today two Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputies shot and killed a Black man named Dijon Kizzee in South Los Angeles. We need to not rush to judgment, but it’s hard to imagine the justification for shooting a man to death who was riding a bicycle, being stopped for a traffic violation, and shooting him AFTER he allegedly dropped a handful of clothing with a handgun. The message is clearly not getting through to where it needs to be.
Black Lives Matter responded with an on-the-spot protest and car caravan.
Thank you both for sharing.
Oops, their toolbox.
It's too bad we can't self-edit our comments, isn't it? Yours is no biggie (just "thief" misspelled).
This site needs an edit function! Please, Heather!!
I'm not sure, but I don't think Heather has anything to do with creating an edit function. It's probably built into substack.
And then there are so many of the others who are just trying to help their community. Some form of "rules" enforcement is an essential part of harmonious life in society. Without it we end up in chaos...just like inTrump's world.
Yeah, but what we need is a system that is better at choosing who gets in, and then a system that rewards turning in the bad apples, instead of rewarding staying silent. One bad cop can undo the work of 100 good ones, and when the good ones stay silent, there are no "good ones."
Very true. Integrity must start at the top.
I think it was also in the interview with Ingraham where he compared the shooting of Blake by the policeman to a golfer "choking" and missing a 3-foot putt. Ingraham even countered by saying something like, "you're comparing shooting someone to a golf putt??" and he quickly said the policeman "choked" like a golfer and shot someone when he shouldn't have. This is how the man thinks. Human life means nothing to him. A golf putt?? His sister was spot on when she said (on tape) that he is a cruel man.
Yeah, the officer drew his weapon because the unarmed man walking away from him was a threat to him. Then he choked on the trigger.
Tell us another one, Mr President.
Here we go. Urf. 2 months. We have to live through 2 more months of this horror and then whatever time is going to be needed to get this deranged Cheeto out of office. If he does't successfully manipulate the vote and claim victory. The new promotion of "herd immunity" as a strategy for dealing with COVID is another vote suppression tactic because the Republicans are apparently convinced that only Black people and people of color will die. This is an Andrew-Jackson-sending-measles-infected-blankets-to-indigenous-people moment. I can only hope that someone charges this administration with genocide. It would be fitting.
It’s amazing the lengths that someone will undertake to keep himself and his family out of prison
Thanks so much, HRC, for presenting such a concise collection of relevant quotes that clearly show the lies and distortion. This was a great post. You certainly put forth incredible effort enlightening us..
I think it is time we "Barney Fife" all the police. They all get one bullet and they have to carry it in their pocket. This way, they have to think before killing.
The “antifa is destroying America and burning our cities, but I will save you” narrative seems to a major strategy for Trump now. Umbrella man was an early This guy is a more recent and deadly one of the extreme right trying to help the new Trumpian narrative, by creating misinformation and false blame. Everyone needs to do their part to stop this false narrative from spreading. Let’s call out Fox News, Trump and this whole cabal on social media and with friends as often as possible
https://nypost.com/2020/08/31/man-suspected-in-deadly-portland-shooting-is-100-antifa/?utm_source=facebook_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site+buttons&utm_campaign=site+buttons
Thank you for the truth in your work. I'm exhausted by just listening to Trump's hate, lies, and deceit. Your work is so important.
Project much, Mr. President?
Another day of tRump lies and recreation of reality. This morning my partner suggested that maybe his recent Twitter rant and other forms of falsification are a result of his fear of what will come out in the soon to be published Michael Cohen book. Another distraction from the obvious facts that he is crazy and unfit to be anywhere other than in jail!
These are the real facts folks. Everything is fact check at the end of this essay.