"Meanwhile, Bannon told his podcast audience that he will have 20,000 'shock troops' ready to take over the country. 'We control this country,' he said. 'We have to start acting like it.'"
Why isn't Bannon behind bars this evening? Surely his words are damning enough to warrant an arrest!
"Meanwhile, Bannon told his podcast audience that he will have 20,000 'shock troops' ready to take over the country. 'We control this country,' he said. 'We have to start acting like it.'"
Why isn't Bannon behind bars this evening? Surely his words are damning enough to warrant an arrest!
If Bannon looked like a Middle Eastern man, he would have been charged with treason and terrorist activities hours ago. But white, home grown terrorists are given carte blanche to roam the streets and clog the airwaves!
This is "white privilege". The white supremacy that ran unleashed through the Jim Crow period of more than 100 years demonstrates the lawlessness that white privilege grants to white men involved in terrorism.
Is Brannon going to rent Russian shock troops? Aside from the United States Military, IтАЩm not aware of any shock troops in this country. Brannon wouldnтАЩt know the difference between shock troops and militia posers. Perhaps he is getting them from the pillow guy, or the cyber guy.....?
Honestly, Gus, I wonder about the overall mental acuity of Bannon, Flynn and other members of Trump's gang of thugs. Both Banning and Flynn have outright threatened violence. Surely Flynn, a retired officer of the US Army, knows better. Bannon throws words around like a 12 year old bully on the playground. The fact that these two men, and others, like Lin Wood, have been able to get away with advocating violence against the US government on air/online should be of grave concern to every person on US soil, regardless of party.
It reminds me of Brett KavanaughтАЩs Senate hearing. It looked like he might be voted down for lying, drunkenness, sexual bullying, financial irresponsibility, etc. On advice from good olтАЩ donnie, Brett asserted his white male privilege by getting angry. Senators fell into line and gave him the job.
Joan, you are right. It's a parallel I mentioned yesterday to some of my colleagues. One that I would hope I never had to use to describe a current event. I thought we were better than this, yet here we are.
I have a neighbor, former police officer/detective and voted for Trump. When I commented that Kavanaugh was too angry ( as in lying and not believable) my neighbor actually agreed.
No, they donтАЩt have absolute power. Wanting your тАШBase тАШ to think you do and actually having it are not the same ideology .I do believe we have some prisons , private and state sitting empty. There is no тАЬ3 strikes тАШ available to them. Hope they Think !
Trump sitting in the WH doing as he pleased, was an eye-epener for his minions. They were and are on board with evil. Read Adventurers of a Bystander, by Peter Drucker, pages 163-164 if my memory serves. Made my blood run cold years ago and 4 years ago.
Yes Daria! Bullies on a playground is a perfect description. ItтАЩs obvious that most people have never had to deal with bullies to this degree before. So naturally, Texas drops all gun control to attract them. ЁЯдпЁЯдо
They want a Civil War, blood on the streets. Then they will say it is blood on BidenтАЩs hands. But you can be sure of one thing. It wonтАЩt be none of the Mouth Pieces. Hope the тАЬ Base тАЬ doesnтАЩt take the тАШ Bait тАШ,
IтАЩm sure trump can garner 20,000 MAGAts in a flash, one post I read (sorry I donтАЩt remember where) was by a man who had killed a beloved dog to see if he could kill a stranger for his leader. These types have been waiting for their Messiah since Obama was elected. I live amongst them. How I wish they were a vague threat. They are not.
Thank You for Warnock and Ossoff giving us a majority. Many of us across the nation volunteered to get them elected - but Georgians got the job done. We know it's not all red hat racists and godly gun crazies down there.
IтАЩm in Georgia and we did turn out to elect both of them, Warnock is the stronger of the two and is up for re-election next year, it will be a key race that we should be able to win if the legislature can be prevented from stealing the election. Our survival as a nation is going to depend upon passing the voting rights legislation.
Then thereтАЩs the man charged with murdering his brother, his sister-in-law, and an 83 year old woman who happened to be with them, because his pharmacist brother was distributing the covid vaccine. Insane, yes. Unreal, no.
Just watching videos of the folks protesting masks and vaccinations, there is such fomented rage erupting from them as if they have been infected with rabies and are foaming at the mouth. It is difficult to wrap my brain around, even though I study it to understand it.
It's faux news. My ex best friend is an avid watcher. When I went back to MI in 2016 to help her recover from surgery, I got six weeks of faux hell.
She had all their talking points down pat, especially about Obama being half white who could have brought this country together but instead tore the country apart.
This woman who says she is a Christian is always angry, always mad at someone or something and never ever sees the good side of anything.
I ended the relationship after she starting tee heeing about her son marrying a Mexican woman and having little brown babies. My son's grandma was born and raised in Puerto Rico.
Also, when I told her my nephew and his wife (who has CP) finally had a healthy baby girl after a miscarriage. She asked what they named her and I said Bianca, she went on a rant about what a stupid name that was.
Had to get all that hate and anger because it was impacting my husband.
"A lot of why the right doesnтАЩt тАЬunderstandтАЭ climate change is that climate change tells us everything is connected, everything we do has far-reaching repercussions, and weтАЩre responsible for the whole, a message at odds with their idealization of a version of freedom that smells a lot like disconnection and irresponsibility."
Solnit, making a crucial point.
A pity she weakens it with "smells a lot like".
Too many people's "Liberty" fetish has to do with chains and prisons of the mind, not liberation.
Am I free from this? Are you? A question we must all ask ourselves.
No one has a monopoly of delusions or of any other disease, But there's so much mass psychosis abroad, deliberately spread by DT, his henchmen and henchwomen, along with Covid, that sane people are hard pressed to protect their sanity...
Here, I'll just mention the inspired words that came one morning, on awakening, to a very wise woman I am privileged to know:
I CHOOSE NOT TO HATE.
After all, hate blinds those who need to keep their eyes wide open, it is the virus of Trumpista madness.
We must defend ourselves at all costs from this evil, but not at the cost of self-betrayal. We shall need warrior's virtues, determination, courage, self-discipline, willingness to do what it takes.
Those virtues do not include hatred.
True, it is bound to happen when faced with horror... Bannon's "shock troops". Reminiscent of Hitler's SA and SS.
Fern I honestly donтАЩt believe that everyone that showed up on 1/6 had anything more on their mind than showing up. Then there were those who got caught up in it. As they ( planners )knew they would. But with that said there were тАШ Leaders who knew damn well what the Op was all about. Those caught are singing like Canaries . Hence, the Plea Deals. Time Reveals All .Pelosi had Lt Gen. Russell HonoreтАЩ in the mix of things since Jan. 15 th. Remember him from going in La after Hurricane Katrina ? He donтАЩt play ! Is highly respected . HeтАЩs Retired but wonтАЩt hesitate to come out and on again.
Marcia, yes, there is a distinction between those who marched to the Capitol from the Trump rally and those who did not. Those who marched to the Capitol, breached the Capitol perimeter and stormed the building clearly went to the rally that morning primed for trouble and violence. That the Capitol and those inside were inadequately protected was no mistake. The most important thing now is that those who engineered the day and are affiliated with law enforcement, the military, the government and the administration тАУ including donors such as Clarence Thomas's wife тАУ are held accountable.
Whatever you believe, Marcia, 'Five people died either shortly before, during, or following the event: one was shot by Capitol Police, another died of a drug overdose, and three succumbed to natural causes. Many people were injured, including 138 police officers. Four officers who responded to the riot died by suicide within seven months.' (Wikipedia). Have you seen any footage covering the attack?
тАЬThere has been a major realignment of militia movements in the US from anti-federal government writ large to mostly supporting one candidate, thereby generally positioning the militia movement alongside a political party. This has resulted in the further entrenchment of a connection between these groupsтАЩ identities and politics under the Trump administration, with the intention of preserving and promoting a limited and warped understanding of US history and culture.
These armed groups engage in hybrid tactics. They train for urban and rural combat while also mixing public relations, propaganda works, and тАШsecurity operationsтАЩ via both online and physical social platforms to engage those outside of the militia sphere. There is an increasing narrative and trend that groups are organizing to тАШsupplementтАЩ the work of law enforcement or to place themselves in a narrowly defined тАШpublic protectionтАЩ role in parallel with police departments of a given locale.тАЭ
This link, as does the above link, provides information updated on 7 October, 2021. The data sets presented include information in re various protests and activities, including para military activities.
Blackwater is defunct these last 7 or 8 years after merging with other security firms then finally being sold to Apollo Global Management.
"In 2016, Apollo acquired Constellis for $1 billion. Constellis is a private military contractor that was created as a result of a merger between rival contractors Triple Canopy and Academi in 2014. Academi, founded by Erik Prince and formerly known as Blackwater USA, is best known for its role in the Nisour Square massacre, where Blackwater guards killed 17 Iraqi civilians and injured"
A comprehensive list of Apollo is holdings can be found here.
I think shock troops are the fringe of society. They hide in their little groups like civil war reenactment groups. Texas and Oklahoma have compounds of the dredges of uneducated being manipulated just like Jim Jones did. They thrive on fear-mongering. Many are police and ex-military.
One thing I learned in the military is that many are there because they require someone to tell them what to do 24/7. They are there because they refuse to think for themselves. Let me be clear, itтАЩs not all of them.
Many of these shock troops are just people incapable of rational thought. Fox News just hit 25 years on the air. Look at what theyтАЩve been doing to contribute to the mindset of the poorly educated. Our churches are failing us in teaching love and goodness towards others. Instead they teach judgement and hate.
Religion in which God is present everywhere but within us and among us leaves our house empty and undefended for the Adversary to come in and squat.
Writing this, I didnтАЩt have the January 6th invasion of the Capitol in mind, but maybe it fits the bill there too. Quite early on I thought of DT as the Apprentice AntichristтАж Bannon seems to see himself as His MasterтАЩs MephistophelesтАж
I agree. I left the church when I was around 30 after teaching Sunday school for many years to know what my daughter was learning. As she progressed in age I taught the class she was in. It worked out well for me. I remember great Sunday school teachers as a child and wanted these kids to have that experience.
It didnтАЩt help that as an adult I came more and more to see what a racist and bigot my father was who attended every Sunday and pretended he was a good Christian. My mother was the best Christian I knew.
Instead I went out in the world and did all the work the church preached about but never actually did. I gave my spare time to homeless shelters, veterans and abused women.
When criticized by my father for not going to church I told him God was everywhere and it was better for me to be doing the work instead of going weekly to listen to a sermon and prayers and do nothing. He never asked again.
We spent too much of Covid complaining about churches shutting their doors as if God was being taken away from them instead of providing understanding of the power within.
Btw, IтАЩm married to an atheist and he is a far better man than the hypocrites screaming about religion.
Bannon's iteration of shock troops as presented at a gathering at the Capitol Hill Club on September 29, 2021:
"WeтАЩre going to have a sweeping victory in 2022, and thatтАЩs just the preamble to a sweeping victory in 2024, and this time weтАЩre going to be ready тАФ and have a MAGA perspective, MAGA policies, not the standard Republican policies," he said, referring to Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan and describing a 2024 electoral victory as a "second term."
Thank you but this does not answer where he will get the people he will train to be shock troops. I was trying to answer where they would come from. I will refrain from such descriptions.
According to Bannon, they are a select group of people who will be trained and positioned to step into various government positions once Trump is re-elected.
His hubris has been a constant shock to me since he hit the public scene. I keep wondering how man who served w Flynn and Bannon are holding onto personal stories that might point to the shaping of their twisted allegiances from the military and ensuing years.
Bannon and Breittbart were, and maybe still are, funded by Robert and Rebekeh Mercer. Just another one one of their conspiracy nutbags like Kellyanne of the Alt. Universe (also funded by the Mercer's dark money.
This was my reaction (question) too - why is it illegal to yell fire in a theater but not announce something like this in a podcast? Free speech my ass.
Laurie you can yell Fire in a Movie TheaterтАФтАФif there is one. What He is saying they are going to burn a Theatre down. In my opinion that is right up there with Bomb threats. HeтАЩs threatening my life. IтАЩm taking this personal. ThereтАЩs no difference if Putin, Xi or NK just threaten my life.
If Bannon were capable of organizing 20,000 troops for battle, they would surely include several dozen inside informants who would keep law enforcement and probably the US military, too, well informed of their activities and plans.
Exactly. That is his plan. Out of the 20,000 тАЬtrainedтАЭ troops the тАЬbestтАЭ recruits will be the ones to fill the posts. BannonтАЩs plan is to have ready those who will be ready to infiltrate, without having to be elected; you know, that pesky democratic process. HeтАЩs not behind bars because he got pardoned. Ugh, just keep getting worse before it gets better.
It seems to me that my comment must have communicated to you the opposite of what I intended to say. I intended to say that any operation of 20,000 insurgents would be monitored from the inside by operatives reporting to the FBI or some other law enforcement agency. There was some of this in the Jan 6 insurrection, which produced evidence against some of the organizers. Not enough of it, but some, and the Jan 6 insurrection was an operation less than a quarter the size of the one Bannon is bragging about for the future. Most American law enforcement professionals at the top levels know their Constitutional duty and try to carry it out. Not so for most of the rank and file (and local sheriffs, for that matter), the ones who watch Fox exclusively and commit offenses against decency every day, especially against people with non-European ancestors. Same goes for the American military: pretty solid citizens at the top levels but a lot of Fox watchers and conspiracy believers in the rank and file. I think the best among our national law enforcement professionals will have our back against Bannon's 20,000 shock troops, on the off-chance that he has the ability to organize such an insurrection, which I doubt. He's good at obnoxious rabble rousing, but I doubt if he's much good at organizing an effective paramilitary force. Not that a disorganized mob of 20,000 can't do a lot of damage. For sure, they can, but I think they'll find themselves up against some better organized and better equipped response troops led by people who know their Constitutional duty.
Bannon is a Leninist. He was a tRump whisperer in the first campaign. One of the organizers. He is not using the term тАШtroopsтАЩ literal military sense, but rather implying the тАШshockтАЩ training for administrative posts. Those are appointed, not nominated, and Bannon is suggesting that rather than have to wait a year or two to get the newly assigned staff up to speed, train them now. And bragging about it, as you say. Remember, this is the mouthpiece who called for Dr. FauciтАЩs head on a spike. Creepy is as creepy does.
Yeah, there doesn't seem to be a way to spin Bannon's words as protected speech. His words seem to be clearly illegal and extremely dangerous. They were also public and recorded. I don't understand either why he has not been arrested and charged. And, while, yes, a Middle Eastern person would not have lasted five minutes broadcasting these words on a podcast, I don't believe it's because Bannon is white that he's being allowed to walk free.
I'd really like anyone with experience in the area to explain.
The former issued a legit pardon to Bannon that cannot be rescinded by Pres Biden. That protection to Bannon, I believe, stands in the way of prosecuting him for crimes even committed when the former was in office.
Correct. But that is the veil that former and Bannon push for people to think that he is due executive privilege. тАЬI the great do forgive you BannonтАжтАжтАЭ And so his crowd believes forever.
Yes, but that pardon doesn't extend to all activities undertaken by Bannon during the Trump presidency, in other words, he did not receive a blanket pardon. This is what Bannon pardon covers тАУ note that Bannon was never tried and convicted for the fraud perpetrated:
"Former President Donald Trump in January pardoned Mr. Bannon, who had been charged in AugustтАФbut not convictedтАФin connection with an alleged scheme to siphon hundreds of thousands of dollars from a crowdfunding campaign to build a wall along the southern U.S. borderтАФone of Mr. TrumpтАЩs signature promises. " WSJ via MSN
There are exceptions to free speech, one of which is incitement; "The Supreme Court has held that "advocacy of the use of force" is unprotected when it is "directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action" and is "likely to incite or produce such action".
Additional limits on free speech in the US as well as references can be found here:
DonтАЩt know why people donтАЩt know this, I learned it early, no one has the right to incite violence. Sorry Bill Maher and free speech nuts. Also, there is the Q on IQ test about yelling fire in a crowded theater. Yes, there are limits on free speech. Bannon should be toast.
Not a reason to forego upholding the law. What good are any laws, then, if a bully/terrorist flaunts them. This permissiveness and tolerance has gone on way too long.
Jeri, I agree. I remember learning about the exceptions to free speech by the 6th grade. Apparently, some folks didn't pay attention in Civics & Government classes.
If I posted that right this minute my home would be swarming with FL Dept of Law Enforcement. As the saying goes тАЬ You might beat the wrap but not the ride тАЬ.
Tik Tok has definitely allowed the envelope to be pushed over the edge. The recent video of the Louisiana student beating the wheelchair bound teacher was horrific. You are right to be concerned, I think. Many adults are unable to make reasoned decisions, minors less so.
I'm hoping the 18 year old female student who assaulted the Louisiana teacher is charged and tried appropriately.
These guys wonтАЩt stop until theyтАЩve had all their money lost in court battles. Their rhetoric has already cost lives and millions of public dollars. Class action?
Yes, it is reported on Twitter this morning that тАЬMargarine Traitor GreeneтАЭ is spouting that the Second amendment should be used against the people giving the Covid vaccine. Yet Twitter leaves her account up and she continues to be a member of Congress.
I wish Nancy Pelosi would put forth something to remove her based on this statement alone. Do a roll call vote and publish every Republicans name that refuses to oust her. She does this continuously and it gets worse the more sheтАЩs allowed to. She should never have been allowed to compare masking to the genocide of 6 million Jews but her тАЬapologyтАЭ was accepted and she never stopped her words or behaviors.
thank you, Rowshan, exactly my question. who in their right mind actually speaks like this? threatening insurrection and treason. white privilege and a trumpian stooge at their worst. I can only hope that this guy is in the crosshairs of the Department of Homeland Security. somebody in government will prevent him from realizing his autocratic dreams. I hope.
He has, or wasтАФhavenтАЩt heard much latelyтАФstirring up trouble in the Catholic Church. I think he tried to buy a monastery in Italy. Making common cause with all the right-wing Catholics, some of whom are very rich. Even aligning himself with a crazy American cardinal who thinks the vaccine include microchips. Even Pope Francis dislikes this cardinal.
Bannon was pardoned for the crime of fraud associated with raising funds for the border wall. As I understand it, it covers no other crimes he may have committed during the Trump administration, (not a blanket pardon). It certainly does not pardon crimes committed after the Trump administration (future crimes).
It's way more dangerous than a group of violent Brown Shirts (and that's not the context of his statement), Bannon knows exactly how to destroy the government from within and he's hellbent on doing so.
Tell us how you really feel!! I feel your anger. That said I personally know a number of Democrats who are racist elitists but hide it under a cloak of indignation. Stay strong my friend.
Racism is color blind. Think about that. Look in the mirror. Study hair. Holly Ovenden draws book covers. Imagination on speed.
Tribal = exclusion. Humans are tribal. Anger? Not really. Try SET THEORY and IF P, then Q truth tables: this math will get you there.
What will you discover?
Ask HCR. SheтАЩs buried. Tired. Aging out. Tried and failed. None better as Substack. Idiot savant stuff in Civil War and KKK and facts around racism and the South. But void of feeling. Almost. In exquisite denial, buried in facts that matter, not the savagery of slavery and todayтАЩs racism, taking a knee, defying the trustee, the board, white trash, her neighbors, her peer, her racist church campus; Imagination and integrity struggling with an anal neurotic devotion to absurd cleanliness, neat and tidy, whiteness, the obsessive whites fear of the different, color, kinky hair, pseudo religious, act as if, itтАЩs all there in plain view. In hiding. Cannot emote. ThatтАЩs who we are. She epitomizes us.
"Meanwhile, Bannon told his podcast audience that he will have 20,000 'shock troops' ready to take over the country. 'We control this country,' he said. 'We have to start acting like it.'"
Why isn't Bannon behind bars this evening? Surely his words are damning enough to warrant an arrest!
If Bannon looked like a Middle Eastern man, he would have been charged with treason and terrorist activities hours ago. But white, home grown terrorists are given carte blanche to roam the streets and clog the airwaves!
This is "white privilege". The white supremacy that ran unleashed through the Jim Crow period of more than 100 years demonstrates the lawlessness that white privilege grants to white men involved in terrorism.
Unfortunately, Rowshan, you are right. When will we stop giving white men a free ride?
... or just killed ...
Flynn and Bannon and Stone тАжcomments most visibleтАж.continued apparent non response most definitely shocking.
Bingo!
Rowshan, 20k (!?) "shock troops"? How delusional is this guy? You are absolutely spot on. Why isn't Bannon behind bars?
Is Brannon going to rent Russian shock troops? Aside from the United States Military, IтАЩm not aware of any shock troops in this country. Brannon wouldnтАЩt know the difference between shock troops and militia posers. Perhaps he is getting them from the pillow guy, or the cyber guy.....?
Honestly, Gus, I wonder about the overall mental acuity of Bannon, Flynn and other members of Trump's gang of thugs. Both Banning and Flynn have outright threatened violence. Surely Flynn, a retired officer of the US Army, knows better. Bannon throws words around like a 12 year old bully on the playground. The fact that these two men, and others, like Lin Wood, have been able to get away with advocating violence against the US government on air/online should be of grave concern to every person on US soil, regardless of party.
It reminds me of Brett KavanaughтАЩs Senate hearing. It looked like he might be voted down for lying, drunkenness, sexual bullying, financial irresponsibility, etc. On advice from good olтАЩ donnie, Brett asserted his white male privilege by getting angry. Senators fell into line and gave him the job.
Joan, you are right. It's a parallel I mentioned yesterday to some of my colleagues. One that I would hope I never had to use to describe a current event. I thought we were better than this, yet here we are.
Joan, yes, it feels very much the same.
I have a neighbor, former police officer/detective and voted for Trump. When I commented that Kavanaugh was too angry ( as in lying and not believable) my neighbor actually agreed.
They have tasted absolute power and are drunk on it. They will stop at nothing, how much more proof do we need??
No, they donтАЩt have absolute power. Wanting your тАШBase тАШ to think you do and actually having it are not the same ideology .I do believe we have some prisons , private and state sitting empty. There is no тАЬ3 strikes тАШ available to them. Hope they Think !
Trump sitting in the WH doing as he pleased, was an eye-epener for his minions. They were and are on board with evil. Read Adventurers of a Bystander, by Peter Drucker, pages 163-164 if my memory serves. Made my blood run cold years ago and 4 years ago.
Yes Daria! Bullies on a playground is a perfect description. ItтАЩs obvious that most people have never had to deal with bullies to this degree before. So naturally, Texas drops all gun control to attract them. ЁЯдпЁЯдо
They want a Civil War, blood on the streets. Then they will say it is blood on BidenтАЩs hands. But you can be sure of one thing. It wonтАЩt be none of the Mouth Pieces. Hope the тАЬ Base тАЬ doesnтАЩt take the тАШ Bait тАШ,
IтАЩm sure trump can garner 20,000 MAGAts in a flash, one post I read (sorry I donтАЩt remember where) was by a man who had killed a beloved dog to see if he could kill a stranger for his leader. These types have been waiting for their Messiah since Obama was elected. I live amongst them. How I wish they were a vague threat. They are not.
Thank You for Warnock and Ossoff giving us a majority. Many of us across the nation volunteered to get them elected - but Georgians got the job done. We know it's not all red hat racists and godly gun crazies down there.
IтАЩm in Georgia and we did turn out to elect both of them, Warnock is the stronger of the two and is up for re-election next year, it will be a key race that we should be able to win if the legislature can be prevented from stealing the election. Our survival as a nation is going to depend upon passing the voting rights legislation.
This is truth
Then thereтАЩs the man charged with murdering his brother, his sister-in-law, and an 83 year old woman who happened to be with them, because his pharmacist brother was distributing the covid vaccine. Insane, yes. Unreal, no.
Just watching videos of the folks protesting masks and vaccinations, there is such fomented rage erupting from them as if they have been infected with rabies and are foaming at the mouth. It is difficult to wrap my brain around, even though I study it to understand it.
It's faux news. My ex best friend is an avid watcher. When I went back to MI in 2016 to help her recover from surgery, I got six weeks of faux hell.
She had all their talking points down pat, especially about Obama being half white who could have brought this country together but instead tore the country apart.
This woman who says she is a Christian is always angry, always mad at someone or something and never ever sees the good side of anything.
I ended the relationship after she starting tee heeing about her son marrying a Mexican woman and having little brown babies. My son's grandma was born and raised in Puerto Rico.
Also, when I told her my nephew and his wife (who has CP) finally had a healthy baby girl after a miscarriage. She asked what they named her and I said Bianca, she went on a rant about what a stupid name that was.
Had to get all that hate and anger because it was impacting my husband.
Cults donтАЩt deprogram themselves, Ike knew that
Holy Schitt, the cult should be called what they are, i read this, and agree https://lithub.com/rebecca-solnit-on-not-meeting-Nazis-halfway/
"A lot of why the right doesnтАЩt тАЬunderstandтАЭ climate change is that climate change tells us everything is connected, everything we do has far-reaching repercussions, and weтАЩre responsible for the whole, a message at odds with their idealization of a version of freedom that smells a lot like disconnection and irresponsibility."
Solnit, making a crucial point.
A pity she weakens it with "smells a lot like".
Too many people's "Liberty" fetish has to do with chains and prisons of the mind, not liberation.
Am I free from this? Are you? A question we must all ask ourselves.
No one has a monopoly of delusions or of any other disease, But there's so much mass psychosis abroad, deliberately spread by DT, his henchmen and henchwomen, along with Covid, that sane people are hard pressed to protect their sanity...
Here, I'll just mention the inspired words that came one morning, on awakening, to a very wise woman I am privileged to know:
I CHOOSE NOT TO HATE.
After all, hate blinds those who need to keep their eyes wide open, it is the virus of Trumpista madness.
We must defend ourselves at all costs from this evil, but not at the cost of self-betrayal. We shall need warrior's virtues, determination, courage, self-discipline, willingness to do what it takes.
Those virtues do not include hatred.
True, it is bound to happen when faced with horror... Bannon's "shock troops". Reminiscent of Hitler's SA and SS.
The only time the cowards wore Masks was at the Capital. But then so does Terrorist all over the world.
Shock troops? Really? More like тАЬMiddle aged Meal team SixтАЭ
Clever, Ted, but I remember 1/6 and hold my breath.
Fern I honestly donтАЩt believe that everyone that showed up on 1/6 had anything more on their mind than showing up. Then there were those who got caught up in it. As they ( planners )knew they would. But with that said there were тАШ Leaders who knew damn well what the Op was all about. Those caught are singing like Canaries . Hence, the Plea Deals. Time Reveals All .Pelosi had Lt Gen. Russell HonoreтАЩ in the mix of things since Jan. 15 th. Remember him from going in La after Hurricane Katrina ? He donтАЩt play ! Is highly respected . HeтАЩs Retired but wonтАЩt hesitate to come out and on again.
Marcia, yes, there is a distinction between those who marched to the Capitol from the Trump rally and those who did not. Those who marched to the Capitol, breached the Capitol perimeter and stormed the building clearly went to the rally that morning primed for trouble and violence. That the Capitol and those inside were inadequately protected was no mistake. The most important thing now is that those who engineered the day and are affiliated with law enforcement, the military, the government and the administration тАУ including donors such as Clarence Thomas's wife тАУ are held accountable.
Whatever you believe, Marcia, 'Five people died either shortly before, during, or following the event: one was shot by Capitol Police, another died of a drug overdose, and three succumbed to natural causes. Many people were injured, including 138 police officers. Four officers who responded to the riot died by suicide within seven months.' (Wikipedia). Have you seen any footage covering the attack?
Brilliant.
Truly.
ЁЯШВ
Very nice, Ted. Gave me a Sat. morn chuckle.
Here they are: https://acleddata.com/2020/10/21/standing-by-militias-election/
Quoted from above link:
тАЬThere has been a major realignment of militia movements in the US from anti-federal government writ large to mostly supporting one candidate, thereby generally positioning the militia movement alongside a political party. This has resulted in the further entrenchment of a connection between these groupsтАЩ identities and politics under the Trump administration, with the intention of preserving and promoting a limited and warped understanding of US history and culture.
These armed groups engage in hybrid tactics. They train for urban and rural combat while also mixing public relations, propaganda works, and тАШsecurity operationsтАЩ via both online and physical social platforms to engage those outside of the militia sphere. There is an increasing narrative and trend that groups are organizing to тАШsupplementтАЩ the work of law enforcement or to place themselves in a narrowly defined тАШpublic protectionтАЩ role in parallel with police departments of a given locale.тАЭ
And some are running for local offices, which should scare everyone
A good number have won!
This information is from 1 year ago.
ItтАЩs still correct.
This link, as does the above link, provides information updated on 7 October, 2021. The data sets presented include information in re various protests and activities, including para military activities.
https://acleddata.com/2021/10/07/regional-overview-united-states25-september-1-october-2021/
Barbara, do you think it has lessened or grown in intensity?
Texas is growing its own citizen militia with his novel approach to banning abortion.
...or more likely form Erik Prince. Can Bannon afford to hire Blackwater?
Blackwater is defunct these last 7 or 8 years after merging with other security firms then finally being sold to Apollo Global Management.
"In 2016, Apollo acquired Constellis for $1 billion. Constellis is a private military contractor that was created as a result of a merger between rival contractors Triple Canopy and Academi in 2014. Academi, founded by Erik Prince and formerly known as Blackwater USA, is best known for its role in the Nisour Square massacre, where Blackwater guards killed 17 Iraqi civilians and injured"
A comprehensive list of Apollo is holdings can be found here.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Global_Management
with Mercer's help, plenty of money behind him
Seems that Thiel (sp) guy might be involved. Wouldn't doubt it.
Lots of big money being thrown around.
Look at Abbots border wall fund and one big donor has given most of the money.
We truly need to change so many laws that help the rich hide their money.
тАШ Shock troopsтАЩ, what exactly are they ??
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shock_troops
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shock_and_awe
I think shock troops are the fringe of society. They hide in their little groups like civil war reenactment groups. Texas and Oklahoma have compounds of the dredges of uneducated being manipulated just like Jim Jones did. They thrive on fear-mongering. Many are police and ex-military.
One thing I learned in the military is that many are there because they require someone to tell them what to do 24/7. They are there because they refuse to think for themselves. Let me be clear, itтАЩs not all of them.
Many of these shock troops are just people incapable of rational thought. Fox News just hit 25 years on the air. Look at what theyтАЩve been doing to contribute to the mindset of the poorly educated. Our churches are failing us in teaching love and goodness towards others. Instead they teach judgement and hate.
Churches failing...
Religion in which God is present everywhere but within us and among us leaves our house empty and undefended for the Adversary to come in and squat.
Writing this, I didnтАЩt have the January 6th invasion of the Capitol in mind, but maybe it fits the bill there too. Quite early on I thought of DT as the Apprentice AntichristтАж Bannon seems to see himself as His MasterтАЩs MephistophelesтАж
I agree. I left the church when I was around 30 after teaching Sunday school for many years to know what my daughter was learning. As she progressed in age I taught the class she was in. It worked out well for me. I remember great Sunday school teachers as a child and wanted these kids to have that experience.
It didnтАЩt help that as an adult I came more and more to see what a racist and bigot my father was who attended every Sunday and pretended he was a good Christian. My mother was the best Christian I knew.
Instead I went out in the world and did all the work the church preached about but never actually did. I gave my spare time to homeless shelters, veterans and abused women.
When criticized by my father for not going to church I told him God was everywhere and it was better for me to be doing the work instead of going weekly to listen to a sermon and prayers and do nothing. He never asked again.
We spent too much of Covid complaining about churches shutting their doors as if God was being taken away from them instead of providing understanding of the power within.
Btw, IтАЩm married to an atheist and he is a far better man than the hypocrites screaming about religion.
Sorry, that was my Sunday morning rant.
The literal definition of shock troops:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shock_troops
The.literal meaning if Shock and Awe:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shock_and_awe
Bannon's iteration of shock troops as presented at a gathering at the Capitol Hill Club on September 29, 2021:
"WeтАЩre going to have a sweeping victory in 2022, and thatтАЩs just the preamble to a sweeping victory in 2024, and this time weтАЩre going to be ready тАФ and have a MAGA perspective, MAGA policies, not the standard Republican policies," he said, referring to Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan and describing a 2024 electoral victory as a "second term."
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/bannon-fires-shock-troops-next-gop-white-house-n1280591
It is very important that we don't speculate about the definition of words or phrases or who/what those words/phrases pertain to.
Thank you but this does not answer where he will get the people he will train to be shock troops. I was trying to answer where they would come from. I will refrain from such descriptions.
According to Bannon, they are a select group of people who will be trained and positioned to step into various government positions once Trump is re-elected.
Reminiscent of the role of the SS in the Nazi takeover of Germany.
Magats
Bannon was in the Navy for 7 years, that is hardly a career. Everything else you've stated is spot in.
His hubris has been a constant shock to me since he hit the public scene. I keep wondering how man who served w Flynn and Bannon are holding onto personal stories that might point to the shaping of their twisted allegiances from the military and ensuing years.
Bannon and Breittbart were, and maybe still are, funded by Robert and Rebekeh Mercer. Just another one one of their conspiracy nutbags like Kellyanne of the Alt. Universe (also funded by the Mercer's dark money.
HeтАЩs a high paid тАШ Pied Piper тАШ. He could care less about whoтАЩs life he ruins. Probably in hiding .
This was my reaction (question) too - why is it illegal to yell fire in a theater but not announce something like this in a podcast? Free speech my ass.
Laurie you can yell Fire in a Movie TheaterтАФтАФif there is one. What He is saying they are going to burn a Theatre down. In my opinion that is right up there with Bomb threats. HeтАЩs threatening my life. IтАЩm taking this personal. ThereтАЩs no difference if Putin, Xi or NK just threaten my life.
If Bannon were capable of organizing 20,000 troops for battle, they would surely include several dozen inside informants who would keep law enforcement and probably the US military, too, well informed of their activities and plans.
Exactly. That is his plan. Out of the 20,000 тАЬtrainedтАЭ troops the тАЬbestтАЭ recruits will be the ones to fill the posts. BannonтАЩs plan is to have ready those who will be ready to infiltrate, without having to be elected; you know, that pesky democratic process. HeтАЩs not behind bars because he got pardoned. Ugh, just keep getting worse before it gets better.
It seems to me that my comment must have communicated to you the opposite of what I intended to say. I intended to say that any operation of 20,000 insurgents would be monitored from the inside by operatives reporting to the FBI or some other law enforcement agency. There was some of this in the Jan 6 insurrection, which produced evidence against some of the organizers. Not enough of it, but some, and the Jan 6 insurrection was an operation less than a quarter the size of the one Bannon is bragging about for the future. Most American law enforcement professionals at the top levels know their Constitutional duty and try to carry it out. Not so for most of the rank and file (and local sheriffs, for that matter), the ones who watch Fox exclusively and commit offenses against decency every day, especially against people with non-European ancestors. Same goes for the American military: pretty solid citizens at the top levels but a lot of Fox watchers and conspiracy believers in the rank and file. I think the best among our national law enforcement professionals will have our back against Bannon's 20,000 shock troops, on the off-chance that he has the ability to organize such an insurrection, which I doubt. He's good at obnoxious rabble rousing, but I doubt if he's much good at organizing an effective paramilitary force. Not that a disorganized mob of 20,000 can't do a lot of damage. For sure, they can, but I think they'll find themselves up against some better organized and better equipped response troops led by people who know their Constitutional duty.
Bannon is a Leninist. He was a tRump whisperer in the first campaign. One of the organizers. He is not using the term тАШtroopsтАЩ literal military sense, but rather implying the тАШshockтАЩ training for administrative posts. Those are appointed, not nominated, and Bannon is suggesting that rather than have to wait a year or two to get the newly assigned staff up to speed, train them now. And bragging about it, as you say. Remember, this is the mouthpiece who called for Dr. FauciтАЩs head on a spike. Creepy is as creepy does.
Thanks for the explanation. DidnтАЩt know he was talking about staff after getting control.
You are welcome. Very troubling he still has a podcast and walking around free. https://www.businessinsider.com/steve-bannon-shock-troops-take-over-state-2021-10
Rex. Spot on. Remember that this is years in the making and these incels are at the ready. I am anticipating January 6th ├Ч 100 any day.
One would hope ?
Yeah, there doesn't seem to be a way to spin Bannon's words as protected speech. His words seem to be clearly illegal and extremely dangerous. They were also public and recorded. I don't understand either why he has not been arrested and charged. And, while, yes, a Middle Eastern person would not have lasted five minutes broadcasting these words on a podcast, I don't believe it's because Bannon is white that he's being allowed to walk free.
I'd really like anyone with experience in the area to explain.
The former issued a legit pardon to Bannon that cannot be rescinded by Pres Biden. That protection to Bannon, I believe, stands in the way of prosecuting him for crimes even committed when the former was in office.
But the pardon would not cover any activities after it was issued.
Correct
Correct. But that is the veil that former and Bannon push for people to think that he is due executive privilege. тАЬI the great do forgive you BannonтАжтАжтАЭ And so his crowd believes forever.
Yes, but that pardon doesn't extend to all activities undertaken by Bannon during the Trump presidency, in other words, he did not receive a blanket pardon. This is what Bannon pardon covers тАУ note that Bannon was never tried and convicted for the fraud perpetrated:
"Former President Donald Trump in January pardoned Mr. Bannon, who had been charged in AugustтАФbut not convictedтАФin connection with an alleged scheme to siphon hundreds of thousands of dollars from a crowdfunding campaign to build a wall along the southern U.S. borderтАФone of Mr. TrumpтАЩs signature promises. " WSJ via MSN
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/steve-bannon-federal-prosecutors-spar-over-pardon/ar-BB1eavDq
Well heтАЩs NOT in Office now ! Utt Oh !
Bannon is white and rich. The % of prison inmates who are white and rich = zero.
There are exceptions to free speech, one of which is incitement; "The Supreme Court has held that "advocacy of the use of force" is unprotected when it is "directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action" and is "likely to incite or produce such action".
Additional limits on free speech in the US as well as references can be found here:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_free_speech_exceptions
DonтАЩt know why people donтАЩt know this, I learned it early, no one has the right to incite violence. Sorry Bill Maher and free speech nuts. Also, there is the Q on IQ test about yelling fire in a crowded theater. Yes, there are limits on free speech. Bannon should be toast.
I agree with you. It occurs to me, though, that arresting Bannon might just set off the violence weтАЩre talking about.
Rather stop it now or later? It is not becoming less dangerous, only more.
And so the law is only employable in as much as it does not risk a hot reaction?
Not a reason to forego upholding the law. What good are any laws, then, if a bully/terrorist flaunts them. This permissiveness and tolerance has gone on way too long.
Jeri, I agree. I remember learning about the exceptions to free speech by the 6th grade. Apparently, some folks didn't pay attention in Civics & Government classes.
Bet he was when he posted it ЁЯШВ
Not helpful to mock someone who is incorrect about something. Hard to learn something when you're being ridiculed.
Thank You Daria.
If I posted that right this minute my home would be swarming with FL Dept of Law Enforcement. As the saying goes тАЬ You might beat the wrap but not the ride тАЬ.
Yes.
Tik Tok has definitely allowed the envelope to be pushed over the edge. The recent video of the Louisiana student beating the wheelchair bound teacher was horrific. You are right to be concerned, I think. Many adults are unable to make reasoned decisions, minors less so.
I'm hoping the 18 year old female student who assaulted the Louisiana teacher is charged and tried appropriately.
Or lead to faithful young brownshirts in the tRump Hitler movement. TikTok should be closed down.
These guys wonтАЩt stop until theyтАЩve had all their money lost in court battles. Their rhetoric has already cost lives and millions of public dollars. Class action?
Had all their MAGA hatter's money lost in court.
Bottomless pit of "campaign" dollars.
Yes, it is reported on Twitter this morning that тАЬMargarine Traitor GreeneтАЭ is spouting that the Second amendment should be used against the people giving the Covid vaccine. Yet Twitter leaves her account up and she continues to be a member of Congress.
I wish Nancy Pelosi would put forth something to remove her based on this statement alone. Do a roll call vote and publish every Republicans name that refuses to oust her. She does this continuously and it gets worse the more sheтАЩs allowed to. She should never have been allowed to compare masking to the genocide of 6 million Jews but her тАЬapologyтАЭ was accepted and she never stopped her words or behaviors.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/08/marjorie-taylor-greene-second-amendment
GREENE MUST BE SILENCED.
thank you, Rowshan, exactly my question. who in their right mind actually speaks like this? threatening insurrection and treason. white privilege and a trumpian stooge at their worst. I can only hope that this guy is in the crosshairs of the Department of Homeland Security. somebody in government will prevent him from realizing his autocratic dreams. I hope.
Been waiting, Bannon has been vocal for years, made my blood run cold in 2017
He has, or wasтАФhavenтАЩt heard much latelyтАФstirring up trouble in the Catholic Church. I think he tried to buy a monastery in Italy. Making common cause with all the right-wing Catholics, some of whom are very rich. Even aligning himself with a crazy American cardinal who thinks the vaccine include microchips. Even Pope Francis dislikes this cardinal.
If that isnтАЩt a Plea Of Guilt what is ?
Even though Bannon was pardoned, shouldn't this be considered a new treasonous act, a new call/threat for a coup?
Bannon was pardoned for the crime of fraud associated with raising funds for the border wall. As I understand it, it covers no other crimes he may have committed during the Trump administration, (not a blanket pardon). It certainly does not pardon crimes committed after the Trump administration (future crimes).
It's way more dangerous than a group of violent Brown Shirts (and that's not the context of his statement), Bannon knows exactly how to destroy the government from within and he's hellbent on doing so.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1280591?__twitter_impression=true
What are shock troops?
Fantasy characters emanating Bannon's alcohol-fueled delusions, slurped up by his weapons-kinked audience.
Something on the order of the Nazi Storm Troopers: infantry version of Seals.
Oh nice.
Well isnтАЩt that special?
And The Church Lady lives on. ЁЯШЕ
But yes, I agree with the sentiment.
He should have been long ago
Tell us how you really feel!! I feel your anger. That said I personally know a number of Democrats who are racist elitists but hide it under a cloak of indignation. Stay strong my friend.
Racism is color blind. Think about that. Look in the mirror. Study hair. Holly Ovenden draws book covers. Imagination on speed.
Tribal = exclusion. Humans are tribal. Anger? Not really. Try SET THEORY and IF P, then Q truth tables: this math will get you there.
What will you discover?
Ask HCR. SheтАЩs buried. Tired. Aging out. Tried and failed. None better as Substack. Idiot savant stuff in Civil War and KKK and facts around racism and the South. But void of feeling. Almost. In exquisite denial, buried in facts that matter, not the savagery of slavery and todayтАЩs racism, taking a knee, defying the trustee, the board, white trash, her neighbors, her peer, her racist church campus; Imagination and integrity struggling with an anal neurotic devotion to absurd cleanliness, neat and tidy, whiteness, the obsessive whites fear of the different, color, kinky hair, pseudo religious, act as if, itтАЩs all there in plain view. In hiding. Cannot emote. ThatтАЩs who we are. She epitomizes us.
IтАЩd say youтАЩve got some judgment around people yourself there.