crooksandliars--2020-10-17--Trumper Printing Company Massively Screws Up Absentee Ballots

As the presidential election headed into the final stretch in late summer , counties in Ohio and Pennsylvania worried that a deluge of absentee ballot requests would swamp their printing capacity .
So dozens of them contracted with Midwest Direct , a Cleveland mailing company .
But when it came time to print and ship Ohio ballots early last week , it was Midwest Direct that was overwhelmed .
Several Ohio counties that expected absentee ballots printed by the company to land in voters ’ mailboxes are now scrambling to print them themselves or find a last-minute contingency plan less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Pennsylvania , for instance , nearly 30,000 ballots sent to voters in Allegheny County , which includes Pittsburgh , went to the wrong addresses .
The Times noted the “ curious juxtaposition ” of a company in such a business flying a Trump campaign flag outside its headquarters .
The two brothers who own the company told the paper they have “ freedom ” to support whomever they want and don ’ t have an opinion on Trump ’ s false claims that voting by mail is a prescription for fraud .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has done anything improper with the ballots , ” The Times reported .
Also , “ Election security experts said there was little any vendor could do to tamper with the integrity of absentee ballots.
” But even if it ’ s all just a big mistake by a company unexpectedly overwhelmed by its contract , you know that the snafu will make Donald Trump ’ s day .
It doesn ’ t seem like the Trumper brothers are especially remorseful , either .
From The Times : Local officials said Midwest Direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the promised absentee ballots were slow to be delivered , from mechanical breakdowns to a higher volume of ballot requests than anticipated .
Mr. Gerken , the Lucas County [ Ohio ] commissioner , said there was little communication from Midwest Direct about why absentee ballots were not Toledo-bound .

The New York Times explains:
As the presidential election headed into the final stretch in late summer, counties in Ohio and Pennsylvania worried that a deluge of absentee ballot requests would swamp their printing capacity. So dozens of them contracted with Midwest Direct, a Cleveland mailing company. But when it came time to print and ship Ohio ballots early last week, it was Midwest Direct that was overwhelmed. Several Ohio counties that expected absentee ballots printed by the company to land in voters’ mailboxes are now scrambling to print them themselves or find a last-minute contingency plan less than three weeks before Election Day.
In Pennsylvania, for instance, nearly 30,000 ballots sent to voters in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, went to the wrong addresses.
The Times noted the “curious juxtaposition” of a company in such a business flying a Trump campaign flag outside its headquarters. The two brothers who own the company told the paper they have “freedom” to support whomever they want and don’t have an opinion on Trump’s false claims that voting by mail is a prescription for fraud.
There's “no evidence Midwest Direct has done anything improper with the ballots,” The Times reported. Also, “Election security experts said there was little any vendor could do to tamper with the integrity of absentee ballots.”
But even if it’s all just a big mistake by a company unexpectedly overwhelmed by its contract, you know that the snafu will make Donald Trump’s day. It doesn’t seem like the Trumper brothers are especially remorseful, either. From The Times:
Local officials said Midwest Direct offered a variety of explanations for why the promised absentee ballots were slow to be delivered, from mechanical breakdowns to a higher volume of ballot requests than anticipated. Mr. Gerken, the Lucas County [Ohio] commissioner, said there was little communication from Midwest Direct about why absentee ballots were not Toledo-bound.


crooksandliars--2020-10-17--Fancy Footwork Fails To Disguise Trump’s Continuing Far-Right Conspiracist Tango

The lingering issue of Trump ’ s all-too-sympathetic relationship with the white-supremacist far right came up , a leftover from Trump ’ s disastrous refusal to denounce them during his only debate with Joe Biden late last month .
His chief interlocutor—Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie brought it up relatively early in the evening , describing his long history of playing weasel words in discussions of white nationalist .
Trump first badgered her— “ Oh , you always do this .
You ’ ve done this to me , and everybody— , ” then shifted gears : “ I denounce white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denounced white supremacy for years .
But you always do it.
” Then he claimed that Biden never denounced antifa ( which is categorically false ) .
This was perfectly typical of the kinds of disavowals of the far right Trump has engaged in all along in his political career , arising both because white supremacists have embraced him and because he has pursued agendas identical to theirs while winking and nodding at them on social media .
Trump ’ s tango , moreover , does nothing to dissuade the army of extremists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate crimes and other acts of violence that he inspires .
After nominally distancing himself from the far right , Trump deftly pivoted to a close embrace when Guthrie then asked him about whether he would denounce QAnon—which , as she explained to Trump , believes that Democratic leaders and liberal media figures are part of a global pedophilia cabal , and that he is the hero of the theory .
`` I do n't know anything about QAnon , '' Trump said .
“ I know nothing about it , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are very much against pedophilia , they fight it very hard .
I 'll tell what you I do know about , I know about antifa and I know about the radical left and how violent and vicious they are , and I know how they 're burning down cities run by Democrats , not run by Republicans . ''
He continued to express utter ignorance of the QAnon cult , despite the fact that he has retweeted multiple posts from QAnon accounts on his Twitter page .
“ I just don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I don ’ t know .
No , I don ’ t know , ” Trump insisted , with the expression of a 5-year-old near the scene of a broken vase .
Pressed on it further , he rambled—and then finally suggested he considers it a realistic possibility that there is indeed a satanic cult being run by Democrats : `` Let me just tell you what I do hear about it , is they are very strongly against pedophilia and I agree with that .
I do agree with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I do n't know that , '' Trump interjected .
“ No , I don ’ t know that .
And neither do you know that.
” A little later , Guthrie brought up another far-right conspiracy theory—this one promoted by a QAnon fan who claims that not only did Obama ’ s SEAL team accidentally kill Bin Laden ’ s body double and not the man himself , they then had all the team members assassinated to cover it up—that was retweeted by Trump .
`` I know nothing about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opinion of somebody , '' Trump answered .
`` I 'll put it out there , people can decide for themselves , I do n't take a position . ''
`` I do n't get that , you 're the president , you 're not like someone 's crazy uncle who can just retweet whatever , '' Guthrie said .
`` Frankly , because the media is so fake and so corrupt , if I did n't have social media … I would n't be able to get the word out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is false , '' Guthrie said .

The lingering issue of Trump’s all-too-sympathetic relationship with the white-supremacist far right came up, a leftover from Trump’s disastrous refusal to denounce them during his only debate with Joe Biden late last month. His chief interlocutor—Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie brought it up relatively early in the evening, describing his long history of playing weasel words in discussions of white nationalist.
Trump first badgered her—“Oh, you always do this. You’ve done this to me, and everybody—,” then shifted gears: “I denounce white supremacy, okay? I’ve denounced white supremacy for years. But you always do it.” Then he claimed that Biden never denounced antifa (which is categorically false).
This was perfectly typical of the kinds of disavowals of the far right Trump has engaged in all along in his political career, arising both because white supremacists have embraced him and because he has pursued agendas identical to theirs while winking and nodding at them on social media. Trump’s tango, moreover, does nothing to dissuade the army of extremists marching in his name—some of them committing hate crimes and other acts of violence that he inspires.
After nominally distancing himself from the far right, Trump deftly pivoted to a close embrace when Guthrie then asked him about whether he would denounce QAnon—which, as she explained to Trump, believes that Democratic leaders and liberal media figures are part of a global pedophilia cabal, and that he is the hero of the theory.
"I don't know anything about QAnon," Trump said. “I know nothing about it,” he continued. “I do know they are very much against pedophilia, they fight it very hard. I'll tell what you I do know about, I know about antifa and I know about the radical left and how violent and vicious they are, and I know how they're burning down cities run by Democrats, not run by Republicans."
He continued to express utter ignorance of the QAnon cult, despite the fact that he has retweeted multiple posts from QAnon accounts on his Twitter page. “I just don’t know about QAnon,” he said.
“But you do!” Guthrie responded.
“I don’t know. No, I don’t know,” Trump insisted, with the expression of a 5-year-old near the scene of a broken vase.
Pressed on it further, he rambled—and then finally suggested he considers it a realistic possibility that there is indeed a satanic cult being run by Democrats: "Let me just tell you what I do hear about it, is they are very strongly against pedophilia and I agree with that. I do agree with that very strongly," Trump said.
“But there’s not a satanic pedophile cult being run by—” Guthrie began.
"I don't know that," Trump interjected. “No, I don’t know that. And neither do you know that.”
A little later, Guthrie brought up another far-right conspiracy theory—this one promoted by a QAnon fan who claims that not only did Obama’s SEAL team accidentally kill Bin Laden’s body double and not the man himself, they then had all the team members assassinated to cover it up—that was retweeted by Trump.
"I know nothing about it ... that was a retweet—that was an opinion of somebody," Trump answered. "I'll put it out there, people can decide for themselves, I don't take a position."
"I don't get that, you're the president, you're not like someone's crazy uncle who can just retweet whatever," Guthrie said.
"Frankly, because the media is so fake and so corrupt, if I didn't have social media … I wouldn't be able to get the word out," Trump said.
"The word is false," Guthrie said.
Published with permission of Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-10-18--Trump Staffers Worry About Resumes After Choosing To Work For An Authoritarian

Lackeys from the Trump administration aren ’ t one teensy bit concerned about the mess they ’ ll leave behind should their impeached president lose reelection in just under 20 days .
Oh no , the fact that they ’ re all on a superspreader tour of the country is proof of that .
Like their boss , what they ’ re concerned about instead are their own sorry asses .
Some of former officials have already gotten a taste of a post-Trump life .
For former White House press secretary Sean Spicer , “ [ t ] here ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street or high-profile consultancy at a major lobbying or public relations firm , ” The Post said .
While he published a book about being a taxpayer-funded liar , it flopped .
Another one of his post-Trump jobs wasn ’ t too pretty either—no really , he wore some hideous dollar store piñata for the 28th season of Dancing with the Stars , where he was the sixth contestant eliminated .
But just because Sean `` This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration , period !
” Spicer had trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials have had the same experience .
“ Ex-White House chief of staff Reince Priebus is president of the Michael Best & Friedrich law firm , ” The Post continued .
Former Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) Sec .
John Kelly continued cashing in on cruelty and joined the board of a company that operated the now-closed prison camp for migrant children in Homestead , Florida .
His successor , Kirstjen Nielsen , didn ’ t really stray far and joined a government council.Trump staffers , The Washington Post reports , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t a disqualifying blemish on their resumes or Google footprint as the door revolves the other way and they seek to land , once again , in the private sector.
” Considering the kinds of horrific crimes this administration has carried out , they should be grateful that not being able to find a six-figure job at a fancy D.C. firm is the worst thing they have to worry about .
Kelly and Nielsen in particular tried rehabilitation tours that really just continued exposing them as liars .
They probably wished for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief of staff Miles Taylor , who got a CNN contributor ’ s gig after managing to convince enough people that he was shocked , shocked !
about shenanigans he saw at DHS even though he was there for two years , from 2017 and 2019 .
Taylor didn ’ t speak out then as a moral whistleblower to expose hateful policies , but instead until this past summer when it was convenient for him .
Nor has Taylor fully apologized for many of the policies he helped carry out .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affairs firm recalled coming close to hiring a former Trump White House staffer until a Google search revealed the prospective hire ’ s track record defending Trump on race and immigration , ” The Post continued .
“ It ground the interview process to a halt , the strategist said.
” But , at the same time , “ Americans have short memories , ” a former Bush and Clinton staffer continued to The Post .
The fact is that from White House aide Stephen Miller to unlawfully appointed acting DHS Sec .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ become pariahs when the administration is at last finished .
They brought it on themselves because they knew what they were signing up for from the start : a vulgarian who bragged about committing sexual assault and a racist who vowed to deport millions of undocumented immigrants even as he exploited many at his own businesses .
Don ’ t feel sorry for these officials .
Feel sorry for the many people they hurt .

Lackeys from the Trump administration aren’t one teensy bit concerned about the mess they’ll leave behind should their impeached president lose reelection in just under 20 days. Oh no, the fact that they’re all on a superspreader tour of the country is proof of that. Like their boss, what they’re concerned about instead are their own sorry asses.
Some of former officials have already gotten a taste of a post-Trump life. For former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, “[t]here’s been no cushy landing on K Street or high-profile consultancy at a major lobbying or public relations firm,” The Post said. While he published a book about being a taxpayer-funded liar, it flopped. Another one of his post-Trump jobs wasn’t too pretty either—no really, he wore some hideous dollar store piñata for the 28th season of Dancing with the Stars, where he was the sixth contestant eliminated.
But just because Sean "This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period!” Spicer had trouble doesn’t mean other former Trump officials have had the same experience. “Ex-White House chief of staff Reince Priebus is president of the Michael Best & Friedrich law firm,” The Post continued. Former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Sec. John Kelly continued cashing in on cruelty and joined the board of a company that operated the now-closed prison camp for migrant children in Homestead, Florida. His successor, Kirstjen Nielsen, didn’t really stray far and joined a government council.Trump staffers, The Washington Post reports, “are hoping the Trump presidency isn’t a disqualifying blemish on their resumes or Google footprint as the door revolves the other way and they seek to land, once again, in the private sector.” Considering the kinds of horrific crimes this administration has carried out, they should be grateful that not being able to find a six-figure job at a fancy D.C. firm is the worst thing they have to worry about.
Kelly and Nielsen in particular tried rehabilitation tours that really just continued exposing them as liars. They probably wished for the luck of Nielsen’s former chief of staff Miles Taylor, who got a CNN contributor’s gig after managing to convince enough people that he was shocked, shocked! about shenanigans he saw at DHS even though he was there for two years, from 2017 and 2019. Taylor didn’t speak out then as a moral whistleblower to expose hateful policies, but instead until this past summer when it was convenient for him. Nor has Taylor fully apologized for many of the policies he helped carry out.
“The longtime GOP strategist who runs a public affairs firm recalled coming close to hiring a former Trump White House staffer until a Google search revealed the prospective hire’s track record defending Trump on race and immigration,” The Post continued. “It ground the interview process to a halt, the strategist said.” But, at the same time, “Americans have short memories,” a former Bush and Clinton staffer continued to The Post.
The fact is that from White House aide Stephen Miller to unlawfully appointed acting DHS Sec. Chad Wolf, these officials deserve to become pariahs when the administration is at last finished. They brought it on themselves because they knew what they were signing up for from the start: a vulgarian who bragged about committing sexual assault and a racist who vowed to deport millions of undocumented immigrants even as he exploited many at his own businesses. Don’t feel sorry for these officials. Feel sorry for the many people they hurt.
Republished with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-10-18--WATCH: Mask-free Trump Cultists Cough On Biden Supporters On Purpose

Fans of President Donald Trump on Sunday were seen coughing on supporters of Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
The confrontation @ @ @ @ @ California , where President Donald Trump was holding a fundraiser .
Tickets to the fundraiser @ @ @ @ @ 150,000 per couple , the Los Angeles Times reported .
The event was expected to @ @ @ @ @ for the Republican Party .
According to crime reporter Josh Cain , at least two @ @ @ @ @ on Biden backers at a nearby demonstration .
Orange County Register correspondent Alicia Robinson captured @ @ @ @ @ video .
“ Trump supporter screaming at people in Black Lives Matter attire to leave @ @ @ @ @ to cough on them , ” she wrote .
In the video , Biden supporters @ @ @ @ @ Trump supporters , who are not wearing masks .
“ You don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ shouts repeatedly while not wearing a mask .
“ You don ’ t know anything @

Fans of President Donald Trump on Sunday were seen coughing on supporters of Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
The confrontation occurred in Newport Beach, California, where President Donald Trump was holding a fundraiser. Tickets to the fundraiser were available for up $150,000 per couple, the Los Angeles Times reported. The event was expected to raise over $11 million for the Republican Party.
According to crime reporter Josh Cain, at least two Trump supporters were seen coughing on Biden backers at a nearby demonstration.
Number of masks today in Newport Beach at the Trump rally: Few!
Number of Trump supporters who've feigned coughing on Biden supporters: Two so far — Josh Cain (@joshpcain) October 18, 2020
Orange County Register correspondent Alicia Robinson captured one of the incidents on video.
“Trump supporter screaming at people in Black Lives Matter attire to leave, one guy exaggeratedly pretended to cough on them,” she wrote.
In the video, Biden supporters can be seen arguing with Trump supporters, who are not wearing masks.
“You don’t know shit!” one man shouts repeatedly while not wearing a mask. “You don’t know anything.


crooksandliars--2020-10-18--'It's Got To End': Michigan Governor Whacks Trump For Leading Dangerous 'Lock Her Up' Chants At MAGA

'It's Got To End': Michigan Governor Whacks Trump For Leading Dangerous 'Lock Her Up' Chants At MAGA Rallies

Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer responded to Trump 's latest irresponsible and dangerous rhetoric at another one of his super-spreader MAGA rallies over the weekend .
Trump 's daughter-in-law dismissed the behavior as `` just having fun '' during an interview with CNN 's Jake Tapper this Sunday , but as Whitmer explained to Meet the Press host Chuck Todd , the language he 's been using is far from harmless : CHUCK TODD : And then finally , last night , and at the top of our show we made reference , and you became a target of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up ” chant targeting you started and seemed to be almost encouraged at times by the president there .
You 've already come under threat once .
What does something like this do to you personally ?
I ’ m just -- I know how you 're acting professionally here .
I 'm just wondering how this impacts your family personally .
I mean , that 's a lot to deal with .
GOV .
GRETCHEN WHITMER : You know , it 's incredibly disturbing that the president of the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , put me on trial , and execute me -- ten days after that was uncovered -- the president is at it again and inspiring and incentivizing and inciting this kind of domestic terrorism .
It is wrong .
It 's got to end .
It is dangerous , not just for me and my family , but for public servants everywhere who are doing their jobs and trying to protect their fellow Americans .
People of good will on both sides of the aisle need to step up and call this out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the United States of America .
We do not tolerate actions like he is giving comfort to .
And that 's why we all have to be in this together .

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer responded to Trump's latest irresponsible and dangerous rhetoric at another one of his super-spreader MAGA rallies over the weekend. Trump's daughter-in-law dismissed the behavior as "just having fun" during an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper this Sunday, but as Whitmer explained to Meet the Press host Chuck Todd, the language he's been using is far from harmless:
CHUCK TODD: And then finally, last night, and at the top of our show we made reference, and you became a target of the president personally, a “Lock her up” chant targeting you started and seemed to be almost encouraged at times by the president there. You've already come under threat once. What does something like this do to you personally? I’m just -- I know how you're acting professionally here. I'm just wondering how this impacts your family personally. I mean, that's a lot to deal with.
GOV. GRETCHEN WHITMER: You know, it's incredibly disturbing that the president of the United States, ten days after a plot to kidnap, put me on trial, and execute me -- ten days after that was uncovered -- the president is at it again and inspiring and incentivizing and inciting this kind of domestic terrorism.
It is wrong. It's got to end. It is dangerous, not just for me and my family, but for public servants everywhere who are doing their jobs and trying to protect their fellow Americans. People of good will on both sides of the aisle need to step up and call this out and bring the heat down. This is the United States of America. We do not tolerate actions like he is giving comfort to. And that's why we all have to be in this together.


crooksandliars--2020-10-18--Buttigieg: 'Court Packing' Is Just A Distraction From Health Care

Mayor Pete Buttigieg , and one of Joe Biden 's absolute best surrogates , was on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace when the shiny new object of Supreme Court `` Packing '' was brought up .
This is literally the only thing the right wing has latched onto in recent weeks as a counter to the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett , the Handmaid 's Tale nominee who will absolutely drag the court so far right that women will be relegated to 2nd class citizenhood , gay people will lose rights and everyone who has Obamacare will probably lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deflecting the question and refocusing it on what really matters : '' We do n't want to allow this POTUS to change the subject ... the preexisting condition coverage of millions of Americans might depend on what is about to happen in the Senate ... my marriage might depend on [ it ] '' As many have suggested , Pete will be an excellent member of a Biden administration .
He is gifted at talking to anyone and everyone , from both sides of the aisle , to the media to the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Like this :

Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and one of Joe Biden's absolute best surrogates, was on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace when the shiny new object of Supreme Court "Packing" was brought up. This is literally the only thing the right wing has latched onto in recent weeks as a counter to the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, the Handmaid's Tale nominee who will absolutely drag the court so far right that women will be relegated to 2nd class citizenhood, gay people will lose rights and everyone who has Obamacare will probably lose it.
Buttigieg did a great job deflecting the question and refocusing it on what really matters:
"We don't want to allow this POTUS to change the subject... the preexisting condition coverage of millions of Americans might depend on what is about to happen in the Senate... my marriage might depend on [it]"
People LOVE Pete on FOX:
definitely here for Pete going on fox constantly and flipping the script with every interview. — Silver Hypnosis (@Silver_Hypnosis) October 18, 2020
1) Tired of Chris Wallace, the interrupter no-in-charge.
2) Mayor Pete killed it again. Again I say: put him on FoxNews everyday.
3) Like Pete said, it’s about balancing the court. It’s not packing to make it biased, it’s the opposite.
Ultimately it’s about democracy. — Asian American Resister/Pianist 🌊 (@AsianResister) October 18, 2020
Indeed. Just like so many other things with the GOP & Trump, this is just another distraction while they attempt to steal people's healthcare, destroy Roe v Wade & voting rights & more. Don't let them. Make sure you're registered to vote & vote them all out this November instead! — Tim (@ShironRedshift) October 18, 2020
@PeteButtigieg should be on every Fox segment from now to the election. He is terrific at shutting down the false narratives, disinformation, and outright lies. — JD (@J_D_2019) October 18, 2020
@PeteButtigieg is a brilliant surrogate for Biden. Hope he plays a prominent role in a Biden admin — PatsFan (@PatriotsSox) October 18, 2020
As many have suggested, Pete will be an excellent member of a Biden administration. He is gifted at talking to anyone and everyone, from both sides of the aisle, to the media to the public. That is a true gift. Like this:


crooksandliars--2020-10-18--Fox News Host And Senator Ron Johnson Smear Hunter Biden With Baseless Accusations

Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday sought to link the son of Democratic nominee Joe Biden to child pornography .
Bartiromo made the assertion about Hunter Biden in the form of a question to Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) .
According to the Fox News host , someone had analyzed the handwriting of an FBI agent who served subpoenas for Hunter Biden 's laptop and determined that the agent once worked on `` child pornography issues . ''
`` What is going to be coming out in the coming weeks ? ''
Bartiromo asked .
`` We understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more to come .
And there is further analysis of the subpoenas handwriting and it suggests that the subpoena was served by an FBI agent whose name is Joshua Wilson and over the last five years , he has been working on child pornography issues . ''
`` Connect the dots , '' the Fox News host continued .
`` If an FBI agent is working on child pornography issues for five years , why is he subpoenaing the laptop of Hunter Biden .
Is there a connection here ?
Should this suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here on that laptop ? ''
`` Well , I think you just made the connection , '' Johnson replied .
UPDATE : ( Karoli ) This is all to stir up the QAnon freaks because they 've got nothing else .
Here are some of the reactions to the evil Ron Johnson and Bartiromo did this morning :

Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday sought to link the son of Democratic nominee Joe Biden to child pornography.
Bartiromo made the assertion about Hunter Biden in the form of a question to Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI).
According to the Fox News host, someone had analyzed the handwriting of an FBI agent who served subpoenas for Hunter Biden's laptop and determined that the agent once worked on "child pornography issues."
"What is going to be coming out in the coming weeks?" Bartiromo asked. "We understand here on Sunday Morning Futures there is more to come. And there is further analysis of the subpoenas handwriting and it suggests that the subpoena was served by an FBI agent whose name is Joshua Wilson and over the last five years, he has been working on child pornography issues."
"Connect the dots," the Fox News host continued. "If an FBI agent is working on child pornography issues for five years, why is he subpoenaing the laptop of Hunter Biden. Is there a connection here? Should this suggest that there's a child pornography issue here on that laptop?"
"Well, I think you just made the connection," Johnson replied.
UPDATE: (Karoli) This is all to stir up the QAnon freaks because they've got nothing else. Here are some of the reactions to the evil Ron Johnson and Bartiromo did this morning:
I think Hunter Biden might own Ron Johnson’s house when this is all over. — Scott Dworkin (@funder) October 18, 2020
Ron Johnson spent the 4th of July in Russia.
Ron Johnson is a compromised mouth piece for foreign disinformation.
Ron Johnson is an enemy of democracy and needs to fall into the same black hole of obscurity that awaits the entire GOP.#FTG https://t.co/OMOqJwQGTw — Steve Marmel (@Marmel) October 18, 2020
The bigger question might be why is Senator Ron Johnson thinking about child porn? pic.twitter.com/DPIHOucDhA — Gus (@Gus_802) October 18, 2020
As I explained in December, and as has been made abundantly clear these last few months, Ron Johnson is a #FourthOfJulyTraitor who is actively spreading Russian disinformation. I don't care if he's a Senator. Networks should not have him on TV, ever.https://t.co/Uj0NPkVGYe https://t.co/QEw3ypLfHs — Greg Olear (@gregolear) October 18, 2020
James clapper warned about this in 2017 and Ron Johnson knows it. He is a disgrace. pic.twitter.com/v7mWY9vGRA — Georgia Blue Voted! 🌊 (@TGalore2) October 18, 2020
Then, @RonJohnsonWI was arguing we should be doing more to help Ukraine/ strengthen Ukraine, to pushback on Russian aggression. I was in the strange position of saying Trump wouldn’t support this. Now, he’s carrying Russia/Putin’s water, harming our NATSEC. Power corrupts! https://t.co/EfHVZisdMZ — Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) October 18, 2020
UPDATE 2 (Karoli)
Oh, surprise!


crooksandliars--2020-10-18--Trump Already Working The Refs For His Next Train Wreck Of A Debate

Trump went after upcoming debate moderator Kristen Welker during another one of his super-spreader rallies in Janesville , WI and @ @ @ @ @ .
I guess Trump forgot to check in with his campaign manager Jason Miller before @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s remarks stand in direct contrast to praise of Welker from one of @ @ @ @ @ “ Look , I think I have a very high opinion of Kristen Welker .
@ @ @ @ @ going to do an excellent job as the moderator for the third debate , ” @ @ @ @ @ senior adviser to Trump ’ s campaign .
“ I think she ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ her approach .
And I think that she ’ ll be a very good choice @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's last few town halls and the first debate were a train wreck , @ @ @ @ @ that he 's making another lame attempt to get out ahead what happens during the @ @ @ @ @ , tired attacks on the media .

Trump went after upcoming debate moderator Kristen Welker during another one of his super-spreader rallies in Janesville, WI and on twitter over the weekend.
She’s always been terrible & unfair, just like most of the Fake News reporters, but I’ll still play the game. The people know! How’s Steve Scully doing? https://t.co/uS3EWzfFPy — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2020
I guess Trump forgot to check in with his campaign manager Jason Miller before making the attacks:
The president’s remarks stand in direct contrast to praise of Welker from one of his senior campaign staffers. “Look, I think I have a very high opinion of Kristen Welker. I think she’s going to do an excellent job as the moderator for the third debate,” said Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trump’s campaign. “I think she’s a journalist whose very fair in her approach. And I think that she’ll be a very good choice for this third debate.”
Trump's last few town halls and the first debate were a train wreck, so no one is surprised that he's making another lame attempt to get out ahead what happens during the final debate with his usual, tired attacks on the media.


crooksandliars--2020-10-18--Donald Trump Jr. Says Dad Will 'Break Up' FBI In Second Term: 'He Has To Get Rid Of These Things'

Donald Trump Jr. on Sunday called on his father to `` break up '' the FBI if he wins a second term .
During an interview on Fox News , host Maria Bartiromo asked the president 's son what his father would do if the FBI does not do his bidding by smearing the son of Democratic nominee Joe Biden and by preventing Democrats from increasing the use of mail-in ballots .
`` We have to keep fighting , '' Trump replied .
`` We 're fighting with one leg and two arms tied behind our back .
You know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media that 's willing to at this point , not even just boost the other side , but literally run cover for what would arguably be the biggest corruption scheme in American political history .
This is the stuff that makes Watergate look like kindergarten . ''
According to the younger Trump , the FBI tried to `` knowingly peddle '' information about his father 's connections to Russia .
`` They refuse to acknowledge their own corruption , '' he explained .
`` And the reality is , I think , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break up the highest level of the FBI .
He has to get rid of these things .
And more importantly , maybe break up the swamp in general . ''
`` You know , why is the Department of the Interior headed out of Washington ? ''
Trump asked .
`` Why do n't we spread all of those things up throughout America ? ''
`` That 's Donald Trump 's next move , '' he predicted , `` if I 'm him and if he wins , which I think he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is disgusting .
This is the stuff of communist China ! ''

Donald Trump Jr. on Sunday called on his father to "break up" the FBI if he wins a second term.
During an interview on Fox News, host Maria Bartiromo asked the president's son what his father would do if the FBI does not do his bidding by smearing the son of Democratic nominee Joe Biden and by preventing Democrats from increasing the use of mail-in ballots.
"We have to keep fighting," Trump replied. "We're fighting with one leg and two arms tied behind our back. You know, we don't have the mainstream media that's willing to at this point, not even just boost the other side, but literally run cover for what would arguably be the biggest corruption scheme in American political history. This is the stuff that makes Watergate look like kindergarten."
According to the younger Trump, the FBI tried to "knowingly peddle" information about his father's connections to Russia.
"They refuse to acknowledge their own corruption," he explained. "And the reality is, I think, when Donald Trump wins, he has to break up the highest level of the FBI. He has to get rid of these things. And more importantly, maybe break up the swamp in general."
"You know, why is the Department of the Interior headed out of Washington?" Trump asked. "Why don't we spread all of those things up throughout America?"
"That's Donald Trump's next move," he predicted, "if I'm him and if he wins, which I think he will. Because what's going on is disgusting. This is the stuff of communist China!"


crooksandliars--2020-10-18--Lara Trump: Father-In-Law 'Just Having Fun' With 'Lock Her Up' Chants At MAGA Rallies

CNN 's Jake Tapper asked Trump daughter-in-law Lara Trump about the recent threats to Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer and his chants of “ lock her up ” at his rally over the weekend .
TAPPER : I understand he disagrees with her policies to contain the virus .
Why does he continue to use such heightened rhetoric at a time when her life was literally in danger , according to the FBI ?
Trump proceeded to deflect by playing the conservative victim card , made excuses for her father-in-law 's attacks by irresponsibly attacking coronavirus lockdowns herself , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having fun.
” As Tapper rightfully noted , “ lock her up ” is n't most people 's idea of “ fun.
” TRUMP : Well look , it was the president 's Department of Justice that actually thwarted this attack against Gretchen Whitmer .
No one should ever feel threatened .
No one should ever have this sort of thing happen to them .
This was awful to happen to her .
[ … ] But look , people are frustrated around America and I was just in Michigan last week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are telling me that their businesses are being run into the ground because they can not survive this .
They still feel like they are totally locked down , and at a certain point Jake , I think people are saying , look , we live in the United States of America .
We do have some freedoms .
We want to get back to some normalcy .
So , people are very frustrated with that governor .
It has nothing to do with this attack against her , attempted attack against her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people 's frustration play out there at the Trump rally .
After Tapper asked Trump about Whitmer 's Deputy Digital Director Tori Saylor 's tweet discussing the fact that every time Donald Trump “ does does this at a rally , the violent rhetoric towards her immediately escalates on social media , ” Trump responded with a lame attempt at both-siderism , as though anyone making threats against her or anyone in her family justifies what Trump has provoked at his rallies , and then told Tapper that Trump was “ just having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ought to stop “ throwing fuel on the fire ” and “ tone it down.
” TRUMP : Well look , he wasn ’ t doing anything , I don ’ t think , to provoke people to threaten this woman at all .
He was having fun at a Trump rally , and quite frankly , there are bigger issues than this right now for everyday Americans .
, and quite frankly , there are bigger issues than this right now for everyday Americans .
People want to get the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work .
Not only are we trying to make it through a pandemic , but think about all of the cancers that have gone unaddressed .
Think about the kids that aren ’ t in school who use school to get their one meal a day Jake .
There are issues at hand here that are bigger than just keeping everybody locked down .
So I think people are frustrated and , look , the president was at a rally .
It ’ s a fun , light atmosphere .
Of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threaten this woman .
That 's ridiculous .
What 's ridiculous is that anyone in the media gives these liars any airtime in the first place .

CNN's Jake Tapper asked Trump daughter-in-law Lara Trump about the recent threats to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and his chants of “lock her up” at his rally over the weekend.
TAPPER: I understand he disagrees with her policies to contain the virus. Why does he continue to use such heightened rhetoric at a time when her life was literally in danger, according to the FBI?
Trump proceeded to deflect by playing the conservative victim card, made excuses for her father-in-law's attacks by irresponsibly attacking coronavirus lockdowns herself, and then told Tapper he was just “having fun.” As Tapper rightfully noted, “lock her up” isn't most people's idea of “fun.”
TRUMP: Well look, it was the president's Department of Justice that actually thwarted this attack against Gretchen Whitmer. No one should ever feel threatened. No one should ever have this sort of thing happen to them. This was awful to happen to her. […] But look, people are frustrated around America and I was just in Michigan last week. I can tell you, people there are telling me that their businesses are being run into the ground because they cannot survive this. They still feel like they are totally locked down, and at a certain point Jake, I think people are saying, look, we live in the United States of America. We do have some freedoms. We want to get back to some normalcy. So, people are very frustrated with that governor. It has nothing to do with this attack against her, attempted attack against her. But I think you're hearing people's frustration play out there at the Trump rally.
After Tapper asked Trump about Whitmer's Deputy Digital Director Tori Saylor's tweet discussing the fact that every time Donald Trump “does does this at a rally, the violent rhetoric towards her immediately escalates on social media,” Trump responded with a lame attempt at both-siderism, as though anyone making threats against her or anyone in her family justifies what Trump has provoked at his rallies, and then told Tapper that Trump was “just having fun” when pressed again about whether he ought to stop “throwing fuel on the fire” and “tone it down.”
TRUMP: Well look, he wasn’t doing anything, I don’t think, to provoke people to threaten this woman at all. He was having fun at a Trump rally, and quite frankly, there are bigger issues than this right now for everyday Americans. , and quite frankly, there are bigger issues than this right now for everyday Americans. People want to get the country reopened. They want to get back to work. Not only are we trying to make it through a pandemic, but think about all of the cancers that have gone unaddressed. Think about the kids that aren’t in school who use school to get their one meal a day Jake. There are issues at hand here that are bigger than just keeping everybody locked down. So I think people are frustrated and, look, the president was at a rally. It’s a fun, light atmosphere. Of course he wasn’t encouraging people to threaten this woman. That's ridiculous.
What's ridiculous is that anyone in the media gives these liars any airtime in the first place.


crooksandliars--2020-10-18--Jason Miller: Masks Don't Work Because Trump 'Still Got COVID'

Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller asserted over the weekend that masks do n't work because President Donald Trump was infected with COVID-19 .
Miller made the remarks during an interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday .
`` Why does the president continue to hold these rallies where thousands of people are packed together , the vast majority of them without masks ? ''
Wallace asked .
`` Why does n't the president follow his administration 's own guidelines at his rallies ? ''
`` I encourage everyone who is attending a Trump rally to put the mask on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look , as we get close to the election , people do n't want to be living in fear in their basements . ''
`` I wish you 'd show the clip of the president dancing to Y.M.C.A.
, '' he continued .
`` I think that 's become a pretty big hit out on the campaign trail . ''
Wallace pressed : `` You say you hand out the masks but the president sends a very mixed message about the idea of wearing masks . ''
`` The president has encouraged people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But the fact of the matter is masks on their own -- while very , very important -- are not the cure-all .
So for example , you take someone like President Trump who frequently the people around him have their masks on , they will be tested and somehow he still got COVID . ''
`` And so there 's a lot about this virus that we do n't know , '' he added .
`` And again , if you 're attending a Trump rally , I urge you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wash your hands .
We always check folks temperatures before they come in .
But you know what , Chris , we 're not going to be scared .
We 're not going to live in fear . ''
`` If you want to defeat COVID , vote for President Trump , '' Miller opined .
`` If you want to live in your basement the rest of your life , well , Joe Biden is a good option for you . ''

Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller asserted over the weekend that masks don't work because President Donald Trump was infected with COVID-19.
Miller made the remarks during an interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday.
"Why does the president continue to hold these rallies where thousands of people are packed together, the vast majority of them without masks?" Wallace asked. "Why doesn't the president follow his administration's own guidelines at his rallies?"
"I encourage everyone who is attending a Trump rally to put the mask on," Miller replied. "But look, as we get close to the election, people don't want to be living in fear in their basements."
"I wish you'd show the clip of the president dancing to Y.M.C.A.," he continued. "I think that's become a pretty big hit out on the campaign trail."
Wallace pressed: "You say you hand out the masks but the president sends a very mixed message about the idea of wearing masks."
"The president has encouraged people to wear masks," Miller claimed. "But the fact of the matter is masks on their own -- while very, very important -- are not the cure-all. So for example, you take someone like President Trump who frequently the people around him have their masks on, they will be tested and somehow he still got COVID."
"And so there's a lot about this virus that we don't know," he added. "And again, if you're attending a Trump rally, I urge you to wear your masks, be safe, wash your hands. We always check folks temperatures before they come in. But you know what, Chris, we're not going to be scared. We're not going to live in fear."
"If you want to defeat COVID, vote for President Trump," Miller opined. "If you want to live in your basement the rest of your life, well, Joe Biden is a good option for you."


crooksandliars--2020-10-18--Susan Collins Backs Two QAnon Candidates In Maine

Backing QAnon-loving candidates is probably not the best look when you 're trying to convince Mainers that you 're their best choice and deserve a fifth term in the U.S. Senate .
Do better , Maine .
Vote for Sara Gideon .
Sen. Susan Collins is financially supporting the state legislative campaigns of two fellow Maine Republicans who fervently believe in QAnon , the perverse conspiracy theory whose adherents are considered a domestic terror threat by the FBI .
In recent days , Facebook and YouTube have announced actions to curb the spread of QAnon content due to mounting fears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and believe his enemies are a global cabal of pedophilic Satanists — will engage in violence before or after Election Day .
Kevin Bushey and Brian Redmond , the QAnon believers supported by Collins , are both military veterans who eagerly anticipate a political bloodbath will soon erupt nationwide , ultimately leading to arrests , military trials , and “ God-declared executions ” for “ traitors ” like top Democratic politicians and donors , socialists , Planned Parenthood , and Black Lives Matter and Sunrise Movement activists .
Last month , Collins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PAC , contributed $ 400 each to Bushey and Redmond .
Both are challenging Democratic incumbents for seats in the Maine House of Representatives representing parts of Aroostook County — the poverty-plagued , northernmost area of the state , where Collins was born and raised .
The Maine GOP ’ s campaign fund for House races also gave Bushey and Redmond $ 400 each last month .
For Redmond , those contributions amount to more than half the money his campaign has raised so far .
According to Business Insider , Collins was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A spokesperson for the senator 's campaign Business Insider that the group donated money based on Republican recommendations , was `` not aware '' of the candidates ' affiliations with the theory , and might `` reconsider its vetting process in the future . ''
`` Dirigo PAC makes contributions at the state level based on the recommendation of the Maine Republican Caucus , '' communications director Annie Clark said .
`` It was not aware of the activities of these individuals at the time these two donations were made .
Dirigo PAC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future . ''
And who are these jokers ?
Redmond is the less prominent of the two QAnon believers Collins is backing , but his advocacy of the conspiracy theory has been on open display .
Before his Twitter account was banned earlier this month , his cover photo read “ Q ’ s Army/Irregular Warfare Division ” and declared “ WWG1WGA , ” shorthand for the QAnon rallying cry , “ Where We Go One We Go All.
” Media Matters reported last month that his account “ repeatedly tweeted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and his Facebook account also includes QAnon posts .
In an interview with Mainer , Redmond said he discovered QAnon in the comments section of Zero Hedge , a far-right , libertarian economics blog notorious for spreading conspiracies .
“ I was hooked right off the bat , ” said Redmond , who now considers himself an investigative journalist .
“ It was an opportunity to wrestle back control of our government from subvertists and treasonists .
… As a veteran , I was called to arms .
”

Backing QAnon-loving candidates is probably not the best look when you're trying to convince Mainers that you're their best choice and deserve a fifth term in the U.S. Senate.
Do better, Maine. Vote for Sara Gideon.
Source: Mainer
Sen. Susan Collins is financially supporting the state legislative campaigns of two fellow Maine Republicans who fervently believe in QAnon, the perverse conspiracy theory whose adherents are considered a domestic terror threat by the FBI. In recent days, Facebook and YouTube have announced actions to curb the spread of QAnon content due to mounting fears that its followers — who deify President Trump and believe his enemies are a global cabal of pedophilic Satanists — will engage in violence before or after Election Day. Kevin Bushey and Brian Redmond, the QAnon believers supported by Collins, are both military veterans who eagerly anticipate a political bloodbath will soon erupt nationwide, ultimately leading to arrests, military trials, and “God-declared executions” for “traitors” like top Democratic politicians and donors, socialists, Planned Parenthood, and Black Lives Matter and Sunrise Movement activists. Last month, Collins’ personal political action committee, Dirigo PAC, contributed $400 each to Bushey and Redmond. Both are challenging Democratic incumbents for seats in the Maine House of Representatives representing parts of Aroostook County — the poverty-plagued, northernmost area of the state, where Collins was born and raised. The Maine GOP’s campaign fund for House races also gave Bushey and Redmond $400 each last month. For Redmond, those contributions amount to more than half the money his campaign has raised so far.
According to Business Insider, Collins was not aware of those individuals activities.
A spokesperson for the senator's campaign Business Insider that the group donated money based on Republican recommendations, was "not aware" of the candidates' affiliations with the theory, and might "reconsider its vetting process in the future." "Dirigo PAC makes contributions at the state level based on the recommendation of the Maine Republican Caucus," communications director Annie Clark said. "It was not aware of the activities of these individuals at the time these two donations were made. Dirigo PAC will likely reconsider its vetting process in the future."
And who are these jokers?


crooksandliars--2020-10-18--Jake Tapper Cuts Off Lara Trump's Interview After She Claims Stuttering Is Sign Of 'Cognitive Declin

Jake Tapper Cuts Off Lara Trump's Interview After She Claims Stuttering Is Sign Of 'Cognitive Decline'

CNN host Jake Tapper on Sunday ended an interview with Trump campaign spokesperson Lara Trump after she suggested stuttering is a sign of cognitive decline .
`` Joe Biden as we all know has worked to overcome a stutter , '' Tapper said before explaining that Biden had been an inspiration for children who stutter .
`` How do you think it makes little kids with stutters feel when they see you [ mocking Joe Biden ] ? ''
the CNN host asked .
`` First and foremost , I had no idea that Joe Biden ever suffered from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think what we see on stage with Joe Biden , Jake , is very clearly a cognitive decline . ''
`` OK , '' Tapper replied .
`` You have no -- it 's so amazing to me that -- a cognitive decline .
I think you were mocking his stutter . ''
`` And I think you have absolutely no standing to diagnose someone 's cognitive decline , '' he added .
`` I would think that somebody in the Trump family would be more sensitive to people who do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Plenty people have diagnosed your [ father-in-law ] from afar .
And I 'm sure it offends you . ''
`` You just talked about cognitive decline , '' Tapper said and then pivoted to his final question .
`` I have one last question for you , Lara . ''
But Trump continued to talk about Biden 's mental state .
`` It 's very concerning to a lot of people , '' she said , `` that this could be the leader of the free world .
That is all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sorry for Joe Biden . ''
With that , Tapper ended the interview early .
`` Thank you , Lara , I appreciate it , '' Tapper said .
`` I 'm sure it was from a place of concern .
We all believe that . ''

CNN host Jake Tapper on Sunday ended an interview with Trump campaign spokesperson Lara Trump after she suggested stuttering is a sign of cognitive decline.
"Joe Biden as we all know has worked to overcome a stutter," Tapper said before explaining that Biden had been an inspiration for children who stutter.
"How do you think it makes little kids with stutters feel when they see you [mocking Joe Biden]?" the CNN host asked.
"First and foremost, I had no idea that Joe Biden ever suffered from a stutter," Trump replied. "I think what we see on stage with Joe Biden, Jake, is very clearly a cognitive decline."
"OK," Tapper replied. "You have no -- it's so amazing to me that -- a cognitive decline. I think you were mocking his stutter."
"And I think you have absolutely no standing to diagnose someone's cognitive decline," he added. "I would think that somebody in the Trump family would be more sensitive to people who do not have medical licenses diagnosing politicians from afar. Plenty people have diagnosed your [father-in-law] from afar. And I'm sure it offends you."
"I'm not diagnosing him," Trump insisted.
"You just talked about cognitive decline," Tapper said and then pivoted to his final question. "I have one last question for you, Lara."
But Trump continued to talk about Biden's mental state.
"It's very concerning to a lot of people," she said, "that this could be the leader of the free world. That is all I'm saying. I genuinely feel sorry for Joe Biden."
With that, Tapper ended the interview early.
"Thank you, Lara, I appreciate it," Tapper said. "I'm sure it was from a place of concern. We all believe that."


crooksandliars--2020-10-19--Ammon Bundy Is Building A Far-right Theocratic Army In Anticipation Of Civil War

There ’ s been a buffoonish quality to Ammon Bundy ’ s brand of far-right “ constitutionalist ” politics over the past six months , primarily organized in a typically paranoid response to COVID-19-related public-health measures : Protesting at the home of a police officer who had arrested an anti-vaccination fanatic for violating the closure of a playground .
Trying to bully his way inside a health-board meeting .
Getting arrested twice in two days for ignoring his ban from the Idaho Statehouse .
Going maskless at a Caldwell High School football game that forced the game to be called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only ejected but banned from future games by the local school district .
The endless antics , however , have always obfuscated a darker , much more dangerous agenda .
A disturbing new in-depth report by Devin Burghart at the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights reveals that all the time that Bundy has been gathering media time and headlines , he ’ s been building a massive army of volunteers—a network called People ’ s Rights—intent on imposing a far-right authoritarian state , all under the guise of defending individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the People ’ s Rights network in March , when he held a gathering not far from his home in Emmett , Idaho , discussing plans to organize people to form ad-hoc gatherings to “ defend ” local citizens against COVID-19-related “ tyranny.
” Bundy told the audience that they didn ’ t need to obey the governor ’ s stray-at-home or business-closure orders .
And he pledged to bring fellow “ Patriots ” to the rescue if anyone felt pressure from “ authorities ” to comply .
“ I will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press .
“ I will bring as many people as we can .
We will form a legal defense for you , a political defense for you , and we will also , if necessary , provide a physical defense for you , so that you can continue in your rights.
” As it has played out on the ground , these gatherings have become bellicose , and frequently armed , mobs protesting police officers at their homes , breaking into health-board meetings that were being held online , and breaking down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meetings unmasked in order to intimidate state legislators .
The incident resulting in the cancellation of the football game between Caldwell and Emmett high schools is emblematic of these anti-democratic intimidation tactics at work .
Bundy , whose son plays for Emmett High , showed up in Caldwell for the game without a mask—though one was required for entry—and refused to put one on , first taking a seat in the stands , then moving to a fenced area away from the stands .
As he livestreamed the exchange , Bundy refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Moreover , members of his network watching on Facebook sprang into action and began phoning 911 dispatchers in Caldwell—not merely to complain , but to threaten and intimidate .
The flood of threats was so overwhelming and worrisome that at halftime , officials announced the game was being cancelled .
“ The threats made to dispatch appear to have stemmed from the dispute between Mr. Bundy and the Caldwell School District personnel that requested he wear a mask while attending the game , ” a Caldwell police spokesman told the Idaho Statesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the football game.
” Ten days later , the district voted unanimously to ban Bundy from Caldwell school grounds for the next year .
The IREHR report explores how this is all being organized .
The People ’ s Rights network , it explains , has seen rapid growth fueled by “ a fusion of Bundy ’ s core of the far-right paramilitary supporters built up over years of armed standoffs with a mass base of new activists radicalized in protest over COVID-19 health directives.
” Bundy devised a secure online system built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network to organize without public scrutiny or exposure .
IREHR managed to obtain access to the network , however , and reports that “ Bundy has assembled a team of 153 ‘ assistants ’ in sixteen states.
” It goes on to identify all of those people , and found that their backgrounds include significant activism in radical right causes—and that , somewhat unusually , the majority of those local assistants are women ( though the national and state leadership remain dominated by men ) .
This network is not engaged in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” which is the usual rhetoric that surrounds “ Patriot ” groups .
Bundy ’ s network instead is pro-government—but one that has no compunction about erasing the rights of people its participants have deemed morally depraved : Moreover , in addition to building an “ Uber-like ” paramilitary response system that can be mobilized whenever people believe their rights are under attack from godless liberals , IREHR ’ s report explains that discussion within the surreptitious network go well beyond such imagined “ self-defense ” measures .
Some of the People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for elective office , hoping to promote the group ’ s theocratic-state agenda from within the halls of power .
Mario Perea , a People ’ s Rights assistant from Idaho , told would-be participants in a rally for a political candidate : “ We claim , and we use , and we defend our rights .
In order to defend our rights , we have to get people into these government positions .
That is a form of defense because we ’ re being attacked politically .
So we need to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include a sensibility attuned to modern “ Patriot ” movement rhetoric , particularly the rising “ Boogaloo ” talk about broad social breakdowns and violence surrounding the coming election .
Mostly , there is a fairly typical eagerness for the battle to begin .
“ Are you ready for Civil War November 4 ?
” asked People ’ s Rights leader Tony Pellegrino in a Facebook post .

There’s been a buffoonish quality to Ammon Bundy’s brand of far-right “constitutionalist” politics over the past six months, primarily organized in a typically paranoid response to COVID-19-related public-health measures: Protesting at the home of a police officer who had arrested an anti-vaccination fanatic for violating the closure of a playground. Trying to bully his way inside a health-board meeting. Getting arrested twice in two days for ignoring his ban from the Idaho Statehouse. Going maskless at a Caldwell High School football game that forced the game to be called off, for which he was not only ejected but banned from future games by the local school district.
The endless antics, however, have always obfuscated a darker, much more dangerous agenda. A disturbing new in-depth report by Devin Burghart at the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights reveals that all the time that Bundy has been gathering media time and headlines, he’s been building a massive army of volunteers—a network called People’s Rights—intent on imposing a far-right authoritarian state, all under the guise of defending individual rights.
Bundy first announced the formation of the People’s Rights network in March, when he held a gathering not far from his home in Emmett, Idaho, discussing plans to organize people to form ad-hoc gatherings to “defend” local citizens against COVID-19-related “tyranny.” Bundy told the audience that they didn’t need to obey the governor’s stray-at-home or business-closure orders. And he pledged to bring fellow “Patriots” to the rescue if anyone felt pressure from “authorities” to comply.
“I will be there,” Bundy told the Idaho Press. “I will bring as many people as we can. We will form a legal defense for you, a political defense for you, and we will also, if necessary, provide a physical defense for you, so that you can continue in your rights.”
As it has played out on the ground, these gatherings have become bellicose, and frequently armed, mobs protesting police officers at their homes, breaking into health-board meetings that were being held online, and breaking down the doors inside the Statehouse and attending committee meetings unmasked in order to intimidate state legislators.
The incident resulting in the cancellation of the football game between Caldwell and Emmett high schools is emblematic of these anti-democratic intimidation tactics at work.
Bundy, whose son plays for Emmett High, showed up in Caldwell for the game without a mask—though one was required for entry—and refused to put one on, first taking a seat in the stands, then moving to a fenced area away from the stands. As he livestreamed the exchange, Bundy refused to leave when game officials asked him to.
Moreover, members of his network watching on Facebook sprang into action and began phoning 911 dispatchers in Caldwell—not merely to complain, but to threaten and intimidate. The flood of threats was so overwhelming and worrisome that at halftime, officials announced the game was being cancelled.
“The threats made to dispatch appear to have stemmed from the dispute between Mr. Bundy and the Caldwell School District personnel that requested he wear a mask while attending the game,” a Caldwell police spokesman told the Idaho Statesman. “The calls did specifically reference the football game.”
Ten days later, the district voted unanimously to ban Bundy from Caldwell school grounds for the next year.
The IREHR report explores how this is all being organized. The People’s Rights network, it explains, has seen rapid growth fueled by “a fusion of Bundy’s core of the far-right paramilitary supporters built up over years of armed standoffs with a mass base of new activists radicalized in protest over COVID-19 health directives.”
Bundy devised a secure online system built on SMS text messaging to enable the network to organize without public scrutiny or exposure. IREHR managed to obtain access to the network, however, and reports that “Bundy has assembled a team of 153 ‘assistants’ in sixteen states.” It goes on to identify all of those people, and found that their backgrounds include significant activism in radical right causes—and that, somewhat unusually, the majority of those local assistants are women (though the national and state leadership remain dominated by men).
This network is not engaged in the usual far-right battle against “government tyranny,” which is the usual rhetoric that surrounds “Patriot” groups. Bundy’s network instead is pro-government—but one that has no compunction about erasing the rights of people its participants have deemed morally depraved:
Instead of a more traditional “anti-government” narrative, People’s Rights leaders have expressed a desire for governmental power to be used to protect the “righteous” against “wicked” liberals, antifa, Black Lives Matter activists, and others. Several People’s Rights leaders are running for elected office—to become the government. Absent that sort of intervention, leaders have proposed a type of armed enclave-style “neighborhood” nationalism, where “righteous” neighbors stand against the “wicked.” People’s Rights leaders have often defined the “wicked” using far-right conspiracism, racism, antisemitism, anti-indigenous, and anti-transgender sentiment.
Moreover, in addition to building an “Uber-like” paramilitary response system that can be mobilized whenever people believe their rights are under attack from godless liberals, IREHR’s report explains that discussion within the surreptitious network go well beyond such imagined “self-defense” measures.
Some of the People’s Rights network participants are running for elective office, hoping to promote the group’s theocratic-state agenda from within the halls of power. Mario Perea, a People’s Rights assistant from Idaho, told would-be participants in a rally for a political candidate: “We claim, and we use, and we defend our rights. In order to defend our rights, we have to get people into these government positions. That is a form of defense because we’re being attacked politically. So we need to fight back and resist politically.”
The politics include a sensibility attuned to modern “Patriot” movement rhetoric, particularly the rising “Boogaloo” talk about broad social breakdowns and violence surrounding the coming election. Mostly, there is a fairly typical eagerness for the battle to begin.
“Are you ready for Civil War November 4?” asked People’s Rights leader Tony Pellegrino in a Facebook post.
Published with permission of Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-10-19--Trump War Room Accuses Gretchen Whitmer Of Inciting Violence Against Donald Trump

When I saw the tweet above I admit that I first thought it was from a parody account , but no , it 's actually from the official Trump campaign response on Twitter .
You might think that the Trump campaign would be telling Trump to cool it with the rhetoric against Michigan 's Governor , especially after a plot to kidnap her and probably kill her was thwarted by the FBI .
But that 's just not how these bunch of idiots rolls , and Trump continues to double-down on her .
Which is all just as well I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from Trump and hastens his trip back to civilian life .
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has a small “ 86 45 ” sign in her office , and now President Donald Trump ’ s campaign claims she ’ s advocating for his assassination .
A tweet from the Trump War Room , which is an officially verified account with a bio stating that it is “ managed by the # TeamTrump 2020 campaign , ” sent out the message Sunday afternoon .
“ Governor Gretchen Whitmer displayed an ‘ 86 45 ’ sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be shorthand for killing someone , ” the tweet claims .
“ Whitmer is encouraging assassination attempts against President Trump just weeks after someone sent a ricin-laced package to the White House.
” The tweet included a follow-up with screenshots from Wikipedia and Urban Dictionary , two sources that can be edited by any user .
( Notably , the Urban Dictionary definition included isn ’ t even on the first few pages of the 86 entry . )
So does 86 mean murder ?
Merriam-Webster Dictionary says it means “ to refuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ to get rid of ” and/or “ throw out.
” That ’ s because it ’ s most commonly used in restaurants or bars when they want to get a disruptive patron to leave .
Mental Floss and Snopes both note that 86 can sometimes mean kill .
However , most often , it means to get rid of something or someone , and it 's commonly associated with restaurant lingo .
And the Chair of the Michigan GOP also got in on the foolishness , tweeting : Normal people on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joke , as it was so f-ing stupid .

Governor Gretchen Whitmer displayed an "86 45" sign during her TV appearance.
86 can be shorthand for killing someone.
Whitmer is encouraging assassination attempts against President Trump just weeks after someone sent a ricin-laced package to the White House. pic.twitter.com/GzvtrjH40A — Trump War Room - Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) October 18, 2020
When I saw the tweet above I admit that I first thought it was from a parody account, but no, it's actually from the official Trump campaign response on Twitter. You might think that the Trump campaign would be telling Trump to cool it with the rhetoric against Michigan's Governor, especially after a plot to kidnap her and probably kill her was thwarted by the FBI. But that's just not how these bunch of idiots rolls, and Trump continues to double-down on her. Which is all just as well I guess, as it further pushes women away from Trump and hastens his trip back to civilian life.
Source: International Business Times
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has a small “86 45” sign in her office, and now President Donald Trump’s campaign claims she’s advocating for his assassination. A tweet from the Trump War Room, which is an officially verified account with a bio stating that it is “managed by the #TeamTrump 2020 campaign,” sent out the message Sunday afternoon. “Governor Gretchen Whitmer displayed an ‘86 45’ sign during her TV appearance. 86 can be shorthand for killing someone,” the tweet claims. “Whitmer is encouraging assassination attempts against President Trump just weeks after someone sent a ricin-laced package to the White House.” The tweet included a follow-up with screenshots from Wikipedia and Urban Dictionary, two sources that can be edited by any user. (Notably, the Urban Dictionary definition included isn’t even on the first few pages of the 86 entry.) So does 86 mean murder? Merriam-Webster Dictionary says it means “to refuse to serve (a customer),” “to get rid of” and/or “throw out.” That’s because it’s most commonly used in restaurants or bars when they want to get a disruptive patron to leave. Mental Floss and Snopes both note that 86 can sometimes mean kill. However, most often, it means to get rid of something or someone, and it's commonly associated with restaurant lingo.
And the Chair of the Michigan GOP also got in on the foolishness, tweeting:
Governor @gretchenwhitmer has the gall to go on @MeetThePress this morning complaining about President @realDonaldTrump's rhetoric, but in the background displays a phrase which calls for the killing of President Trump! This is truly disgusting. #LeadRight #TVMI20 https://t.co/GFpA0Yzn4a — Laura Cox (@MIGOPChair) October 18, 2020
Normal people on Twitter though wondered if it was a joke, as it was so f-ing stupid.
Normal human being, especially one who has ever worked in a bar or a restaurant: oh yeah, they’re saying get him out of office/cut him off/vote him out/impeach him
MAGAbrains: sHe iS tHrEaTeNiNg tO mUrDeR HiM
Also, this bad faith play isn’t new:https://t.co/vbeZ7NcWtv — Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) October 18, 2020
Room Rater gave Whitmer a 10/10 though.