crooksandliars--2020-07-21--Tom Cotton: Oregon Protestors Are 'Insurrectionists' Like Confederate Soldiers

A reminder that Traitor Tom Cotton has ALREADY visited New Hampshire in preparation for a 2024 run for President .
@ @ @ @ @ THAT going for it .
Let 's be sure to dig deep into the Crooks @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
Like the time Cotton blamed Social Security benefits for heroin addiction .
But @ @ @ @ @ Fox and Friends , Tom Cotton forgot how much of today 's politics is between @ @ @ @ @ honoring slaveowners , and those who think Confederate flags and monuments are a critical part @ @ @ @ @ That second group is defined as `` The Republican Party . ''
So when Tom @ @ @ @ @ protestors in Oregon as `` insurrectionists '' much like those who seceeded from the Union @ @ @ @ @ TOM COTTON : These insurrectionists in the streets of Portland are little different from the @ @ @ @ @ union in 1861 in South Carolina , and tried to take over Fort Sumter .

A reminder that Traitor Tom Cotton has ALREADY visited New Hampshire in preparation for a 2024 run for President.
So the Republican Party has THAT going for it.
Let's be sure to dig deep into the Crooks and Liars archive for that campaign. Like the time Cotton blamed Social Security benefits for heroin addiction.
But I digress. Today on Fox and Friends, Tom Cotton forgot how much of today's politics is between people who want to stop honoring slaveowners, and those who think Confederate flags and monuments are a critical part of their white heritage. That second group is defined as "The Republican Party."
So when Tom Cotton decides to paint the protestors in Oregon as "insurrectionists" much like those who seceeded from the Union in the 1860's?
TOM COTTON: These insurrectionists in the streets of Portland are little different from the insurrectionists who seceded from the union in 1861 in South Carolina, and tried to take over Fort Sumter.
You're crossing the streams, Tom!
Antifa! Antifa! You're supposed to call them Antifa!
Whoopsie. Your President, Tom:
On Fox News Sunday, the Republican President,
Trump says the Confederate flag is "a symbol of pride" for the southern United States. pic.twitter.com/3gcrS0TvRu — Equal Rights (@EqualRights07) July 19, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--St. Louis Couple Who Aimed Guns At BLM Protesters Face Felony Charges

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has announced felony charges against Mark and Patricia McCloskey , the homeowners who threatened @ @ @ @ @ handgun and a rifle as the marchers passed by their St. Louis mansion in late @ @ @ @ @ will be charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon , a misdemeanor fourth-degree assault @ @ @ @ @ recommended for a diversion program rather than jail time .
Republican Missouri Gov .
Mike @ @ @ @ @ pardon the pair , whose actions quickly gained the widespread support of racists , militias @ @ @ @ @ convicted .

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has announced felony charges against Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the homeowners who threatened anti-police violence marchers with a handgun and a rifle as the marchers passed by their St. Louis mansion in late June. Politico reports they will be charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon, a misdemeanor fourth-degree assault charge, and will be recommended for a diversion program rather than jail time.
Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has claimed he would pardon the pair, whose actions quickly gained the widespread support of racists, militias, and conservatives, if convicted.
Published with permission of Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--Homeland Security Chair Ron Johnson Is Passing Off Fake Russian Info As Intelligence

Remember when Ron Johnson and seven other Republican senators spent July 4th in ... Russia ?
I 'm not saying there 's a connection with this story -- but it would be irresponsible not to speculate !
Democratic leaders are asking the FBI for an urgent briefing arising out of concern that members of Congress are being targeted by a foreign operation intended to influence the 2020 presidential election , according to a letter they released publicly on Monday .
Among the Democrats ’ concerns is that a Senate investigation being led by Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-Wis. ) has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a foreign influence campaign to damage Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , according to two people familiar with the demand .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded the all-Congress briefing Monday , citing “ specific ” intelligence that a foreign influence operation targeted lawmakers to “ launder and amplify disinformation in order to influence congressional activity.
” Though the letter did not mention the Johnson investigation , it included a classified addendum that the two sources say identified the probe as one of the sources of their concern .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but RonJohn is working to resurrect the discredited Burisma story : The probe centers on claims that a Democratic public-relations firm sought to leverage Hunter Biden ’ s role on the board of a Ukrainian energy company , Burisma , to influence the State Department under the Obama administration .
Johnson has asked several former State Department officials to testify , and he is eyeing subpoenas as soon as this week if they do not agree to appear for depositions voluntarily .
Johnson renewed his demand for transcribed interviews and documents from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmaker — Andriy Derkach , who has met with Trump ’ s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to discuss investigating the Biden family — used a news conference to accuse the Bidens and Amos Hochstein , a former special envoy for international energy affairs at the State Department , of an elaborate conspiracy to steal hundreds of millions of dollars from Ukraine .
Grifters got ta grift .
Seems like Ron is maybe a little too friendly with Russians , but soon he will lose his chairmanship and we may get some semblance of @ @ @

Remember when Ron Johnson and seven other Republican senators spent July 4th in... Russia? I'm not saying there's a connection with this story -- but it would be irresponsible not to speculate!
Via Politico:
Democratic leaders are asking the FBI for an urgent briefing arising out of concern that members of Congress are being targeted by a foreign operation intended to influence the 2020 presidential election, according to a letter they released publicly on Monday. Among the Democrats’ concerns is that a Senate investigation being led by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) has become a vehicle for “laundering” a foreign influence campaign to damage Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, according to two people familiar with the demand. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded the all-Congress briefing Monday, citing “specific” intelligence that a foreign influence operation targeted lawmakers to “launder and amplify disinformation in order to influence congressional activity.” Though the letter did not mention the Johnson investigation, it included a classified addendum that the two sources say identified the probe as one of the sources of their concern.
You might find this hard to believe, but RonJohn is working to resurrect the discredited Burisma story:
The probe centers on claims that a Democratic public-relations firm sought to leverage Hunter Biden’s role on the board of a Ukrainian energy company, Burisma, to influence the State Department under the Obama administration. Johnson has asked several former State Department officials to testify, and he is eyeing subpoenas as soon as this week if they do not agree to appear for depositions voluntarily. Johnson renewed his demand for transcribed interviews and documents from the former officials days after a Ukrainian lawmaker — Andriy Derkach, who has met with Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to discuss investigating the Biden family — used a news conference to accuse the Bidens and Amos Hochstein, a former special envoy for international energy affairs at the State Department, of an elaborate conspiracy to steal hundreds of millions of dollars from Ukraine.
Grifters gotta grift. Seems like Ron is maybe a little too friendly with Russians, but soon he will lose his chairmanship and we may get some semblance of normality back.


crooksandliars--2020-07-22--A Covid-19 Cautionary Tale: Economic Recovery Depends On Public Health

Here ’ s what happens when you try to pretend the virus is no big deal and you can do whatever you want : Arizona had been one of the last states to close , and first to reopen , when the coronavirus started to sweep the nation this spring .
But a brazen gamble to restart its struggling economy has backfired months later , threatening to plunge workers and businesses into a deeper financial hole .
Hundreds of thousands of people are still out of a job , some for the second time this year .
Restaurants , gyms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once again — perhaps for good .
Even government officials say they are bracing for a crippling blow , with the latest shutdown expected to cleave further into their still-souring finances .
The economic devastation comes as Congress prepares to return Monday and begin debating how to structure another round of federal stimulus .
The $ 2 trillion Cares Act , which lawmakers adopted in March , helped buttress the country during the early days of the pandemic .
But many of those benefits are on the verge of expiring , imperiling states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were nearly four months ago .
Like Florida , Texas and others that opened early , Arizona now ranks as one of the country ’ s worst coronavirus hot spots , with more than 143,000 cases and more than 2,700 deaths as of this weekend .
Some residents in cities such as Phoenix and Scottsdale say the surge is the result of the state ’ s return to old routines , after Republican Gov .
Doug Ducey lifted his stay-at-home order in May in part to give the local economy a boost — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks , to cramped public places.AD This time , however , families and businesses that fall into dire straits are at risk of even greater financial trauma : Nearly 1 million Arizonans , for example , are set to lose extra money in unemployment assistance after this week , leaving them with benefits that are much lower than most other states .
“ If that happens , it will spell financial disaster for us , ” said Erlynne Campbell , a 47-year-old resident of Phoenix who lost her bookkeeping job in March and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her first unemployment check .
“ I obediently stayed home and filed for unemployment , ” she said , “ and trusted I would be provided for in the time frame we needed to stay home to stay safe.
” In Arizona ’ s turmoil , local leaders and economic experts said they see a cautionary tale with national import : Those that try to prioritize their economic recovery over public health in the middle of the pandemic are at risk of undermining both .
California did everything right except for one thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t make it clear that social distancing and mask-wearing was still required .
People just went back to normal , assuming the crisis was over .
It wasn ’ t .
If you want to save your favorite restaurant you ’ re probably better off buying gift cards and ordering take-out than insisting on eating indoors .
Bars , theatres , concert halls and other entertainment venues are simply screwed unless we can get this thing contained .
The government has to step in to help these businesses hang on .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus spreads it ends up destroying all these small businesses in the long run anyway .
Nobody should be like this asshole : Trump came around on masks Monday , probably because he got a look at his poll numbers : He probably should wear an orange colored mask to match his make-up .
But whatever works .
It will be interesting to see if his followers will fall in line now .
If even a few of his cult members get excited and start wearing a mask so they can look like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help .
His and their ridiculous resistance to doing it for months has caused a lot of suffering and death .
I wonder how many people these folks at Trump ’ s Phoenix rally last month spread the virus to ?
( And good for the girl at the beginning for at least wearing the bandana . )

Here’s what happens when you try to pretend the virus is no big deal and you can do whatever you want:
Arizona had been one of the last states to close, and first to reopen, when the coronavirus started to sweep the nation this spring. But a brazen gamble to restart its struggling economy has backfired months later, threatening to plunge workers and businesses into a deeper financial hole. Hundreds of thousands of people are still out of a job, some for the second time this year. Restaurants, gyms and other companies are closing up shop once again — perhaps for good. Even government officials say they are bracing for a crippling blow, with the latest shutdown expected to cleave further into their still-souring finances. The economic devastation comes as Congress prepares to return Monday and begin debating how to structure another round of federal stimulus. The $2 trillion Cares Act, which lawmakers adopted in March, helped buttress the country during the early days of the pandemic. But many of those benefits are on the verge of expiring, imperiling states that are in worse shape than they were nearly four months ago. Like Florida, Texas and others that opened early, Arizona now ranks as one of the country’s worst coronavirus hot spots, with more than 143,000 cases and more than 2,700 deaths as of this weekend. Some residents in cities such as Phoenix and Scottsdale say the surge is the result of the state’s return to old routines, after Republican Gov. Doug Ducey lifted his stay-at-home order in May in part to give the local economy a boost — leading people to flock, often without masks, to cramped public places.AD This time, however, families and businesses that fall into dire straits are at risk of even greater financial trauma: Nearly 1 million Arizonans, for example, are set to lose extra money in unemployment assistance after this week, leaving them with benefits that are much lower than most other states. “If that happens, it will spell financial disaster for us,” said Erlynne Campbell, a 47-year-old resident of Phoenix who lost her bookkeeping job in March and then struggled for months just to cash her first unemployment check. “I obediently stayed home and filed for unemployment,” she said, “and trusted I would be provided for in the time frame we needed to stay home to stay safe.” In Arizona’s turmoil, local leaders and economic experts said they see a cautionary tale with national import: Those that try to prioritize their economic recovery over public health in the middle of the pandemic are at risk of undermining both.
California did everything right except for one thing. When they opened up they didn’t make it clear that social distancing and mask-wearing was still required. People just went back to normal, assuming the crisis was over. It wasn’t.
If you want to save your favorite restaurant you’re probably better off buying gift cards and ordering take-out than insisting on eating indoors. Bars, theatres, concert halls and other entertainment venues are simply screwed unless we can get this thing contained. The government has to step in to help these businesses hang on. What we know now is that if this virus spreads it ends up destroying all these small businesses in the long run anyway.
Nobody should be like this asshole:
Trump came around on masks Monday, probably because he got a look at his poll numbers:
We are United in our effort to defeat the Invisible China Virus, and many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can’t socially distance. There is nobody more Patriotic than me, your favorite President! pic.twitter.com/iQOd1whktN — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2020
He probably should wear an orange colored mask to match his make-up. But whatever works.
It will be interesting to see if his followers will fall in line now. If even a few of his cult members get excited and start wearing a mask so they can look like their “favorite president” it will help. His and their ridiculous resistance to doing it for months has caused a lot of suffering and death.
I wonder how many people these folks at Trump’s Phoenix rally last month spread the virus to? (And good for the girl at the beginning for at least wearing the bandana.)
Published with permission of Hullabaloo


crooksandliars--2020-07-22--PREVIEW:  Obama Sits Down With Biden

PREVIEW:  Obama Sits Down With Biden

The former Assistant Director of the FBI warned the DHS agents that they 'd better have their professional liability insurance @ @ @ @ @ have no legal basis for their actions .

Can you help us out?
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crooksandliars--2020-07-22--Frank Figliuzzi Warns Trump's DHS Stormtroopers: 'There Will Be A Legal Reckoning'

Frank Figliuzzi joined Nicolle Wallace to discuss the exponentially increasing authoritarianism that is Donald Trump 's administration .
Talking about the clearing of Lafayette Square as one of the most blatant and sharp turning points in this misson creep , Wallace noted that all Trump has learned is to `` replace active duty military with border patrol agents . ''
Figliuzzi agreed , and expressed disgust and revulsion at what he called `` this really bad , Hollywood , terrible movie set '' Trump is bringing `` to cities near you . ''
Trump 's obviously hoping the electorate will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order '' cosplay .
But Figliuzzi then he turned his attention to the DHS agents carrying out the orders .
FIGLIUZZI : As Tom Friedman points out , this is really a page right out of the textbook for tyrants .
Historically , what dictators and authoritarian regimes do when their people turn against them , is to pit their own people against each other .
And that 's what he wants to see happen .
Make no mistake about it .
Reports , I heard a report this morning on Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire city of Portland has been decimated .
That 's not true .
We heard similar things about Seattle .
And that kind of autonomous zone , that they had taken the whole city away , when really it was five or six blocks .
The facts matter .
The other thing that matters , though , is I want to make an appeal to the federal agents that are on the street of Portland and about to deploy to other cities .
I was a federal agent for 25 years .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the things I had to make certain of that I was n't asking agents to do something that would put them in legal jeopardy , and take them outside the scope of their employment .
I 'm here to appeal to those DHS agents today , and say there will one day be a legal reckoning for what you are being asked to do .
And you are compelled to stand by the rule of law and the constitution .
You are operating outside the scope of your employment when you take people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buildings , when you do n't tell them they 're under arrest , when you do n't tell them your name and your agency , and when you release them , because you know you have no probable cause to arrest them .
There will be a reckoning .
You need to get your professional liability insurance paid up .
Those are some pretty grim words , and a serious warning from a man who knows how federal agents should be behaving , and what the boundaries of the law are .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reckoning is coming , because they deserve one .
Ed .
Note : Here is where we can start to bring that reckoning :

Frank Figliuzzi joined Nicolle Wallace to discuss the exponentially increasing authoritarianism that is Donald Trump's administration. Talking about the clearing of Lafayette Square as one of the most blatant and sharp turning points in this misson creep, Wallace noted that all Trump has learned is to "replace active duty military with border patrol agents."
Figliuzzi agreed, and expressed disgust and revulsion at what he called "this really bad, Hollywood, terrible movie set" Trump is bringing "to cities near you." Trump's obviously hoping the electorate will swoon at his illegal "law and order" cosplay. But Figliuzzi then he turned his attention to the DHS agents carrying out the orders.
FIGLIUZZI: As Tom Friedman points out, this is really a page right out of the textbook for tyrants. Historically, what dictators and authoritarian regimes do when their people turn against them, is to pit their own people against each other. And that's what he wants to see happen. Make no mistake about it. Reports, I heard a report this morning on Fox News of a Trump surrogate claiming that the entire city of Portland has been decimated. That's not true. We heard similar things about Seattle. And that kind of autonomous zone, that they had taken the whole city away, when really it was five or six blocks. The facts matter. The other thing that matters, though, is I want to make an appeal to the federal agents that are on the street of Portland and about to deploy to other cities. I was a federal agent for 25 years. When I led FBI offices, one of the things I had to make certain of that I wasn't asking agents to do something that would put them in legal jeopardy, and take them outside the scope of their employment. I'm here to appeal to those DHS agents today, and say there will one day be a legal reckoning for what you are being asked to do. And you are compelled to stand by the rule of law and the constitution. You are operating outside the scope of your employment when you take people off the street, nowhere near federal buildings, when you don't tell them they're under arrest, when you don't tell them your name and your agency, and when you release them, because you know you have no probable cause to arrest them. There will be a reckoning. You need to get your professional liability insurance paid up.
Those are some pretty grim words, and a serious warning from a man who knows how federal agents should be behaving, and what the boundaries of the law are. And how I hope he is right that a reckoning is coming, because they deserve one.
Ed. Note: Here is where we can start to bring that reckoning:


crooksandliars--2020-07-22--AOC Retweets Video Of Her With Doja Cat's 'Boss B*tch'

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez 's run-in with Ted Yoho the other day served as some fodder for the internet .
Becca Rose @ @ @ @ @ one up .
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) posted a video of herself walking @ @ @ @ @ Doja Cat ’ s “ Boss Bitch '' on Tuesday , one day after Rep. @ @ @ @ @ was heard accosting her on the building 's steps .
In the video , which @ @ @ @ @ and later promoted on Twitter , the freshman lawmaker could be seen walking , mask @ @ @ @ @ as the lyrics , “ Imma a bitch / Imma boss / and I shine @ @ @ @ @ in the background .
Ocasio-Cortez , who also blew a kiss to the camera at @ @ @ @ @ , captioned the video , “ Shine on , fight for others , and let @ @ @ @ @ ”

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez's run-in with Ted Yoho the other day served as some fodder for the internet. Becca Rose of Justice Democrats served this one up.
Source: The Hill
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) posted a video of herself walking outside the Capitol building to Doja Cat’s “Boss Bitch" on Tuesday, one day after Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) was heard accosting her on the building's steps.
In the video, which Ocasio-Cortez posted to Instagram Stories and later promoted on Twitter, the freshman lawmaker could be seen walking, mask on, near the building as the lyrics, “Imma a bitch / Imma boss / and I shine like gloss,” play in the background.
Ocasio-Cortez, who also blew a kiss to the camera at the end of the clip, captioned the video, “Shine on, fight for others, and let the haters stay mad.”


crooksandliars--2020-07-22--Pompeo Snubbed By Foreign Leaders As He Tried To Shake Hands

At the Nordic foreign ministers meeting in Copenhagen , Foreign leaders tried not to get too close to the visiting @ @ @ @ @ Foreign leaders would like to keep their distance from the U.S. right about now .
@ @ @ @ @ arrived in Copenhagen , Denmark , on Wednesday to discuss the building of a gas @ @ @ @ @ , which the U.S. opposes .
But despite the testy task at hand , Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ extended his hand to the other foreign ministers at the meeting , The Washington Post @ @ @ @ @ Greenland Foreign Minister Steen Lynge , returned his gesture , albeit with a coronavirus-friendly elbow @ @

At the Nordic foreign ministers meeting in Copenhagen, Foreign leaders tried not to get too close to the visiting U.S. Secretary of State.
Source: The Week
Foreign leaders would like to keep their distance from the U.S. right about now.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Wednesday to discuss the building of a gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, which the U.S. opposes. But despite the testy task at hand, Pompeo tried to be diplomatic and extended his hand to the other foreign ministers at the meeting, The Washington Post's John Hudson observed. Greenland Foreign Minister Steen Lynge, returned his gesture, albeit with a coronavirus-friendly elbow bump.


crooksandliars--2020-07-22--WATCH:  Trump's Stormtroopers Teargas Portland Moms

Trump 's stormtroopers have had enough of The Wall of Moms .
They 'll gas them , beat them , arrest them .
Whatever it takes .
PORTLAND , Ore. — A thick wall of tear gas crept closer to the wall of moms in yellow shirts chanting , “ Don ’ t shoot your mother , ” as they faced off with federal agents during another night of nonstop protests .
As the gas enveloped the group late Tuesday , some began to cough .
One mom ripped off her goggles in frustration — they didn ’ t seal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had seeped in .
She rubbed her face and let out a groan , but she didn ’ t leave .
Neither did hundreds of other self-identified moms who showed up at the latest round of protests to stand , arms linked , between armed federal agents and demonstrators .
In front of the federal courthouse , federal agents in tactical gear used batons to push back the moms in bike helmets .
Dozens were tear-gassed .
Some were hit with less-lethal bullets fired into the crowd .
A few scenes from last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MrOlmos and Mike Baker @ ByThe Baker among many others who are recording this spectacle in real time .
And if this looks bad , take a look at what else these fascists were doing last night .
It Ca n't Happen Here wrote Sinclair Lewis , a semi-satirical novel written way back in 1935 .
But it is happening here , right now , on the streets of Portland .

Trump's stormtroopers have had enough of The Wall of Moms. They'll gas them, beat them, arrest them. Whatever it takes.
All for Trump.
Source: Washington Post
PORTLAND, Ore. — A thick wall of tear gas crept closer to the wall of moms in yellow shirts chanting, “Don’t shoot your mother,” as they faced off with federal agents during another night of nonstop protests. As the gas enveloped the group late Tuesday, some began to cough. One mom ripped off her goggles in frustration — they didn’t seal around her eyes and the burning gas had seeped in. She rubbed her face and let out a groan, but she didn’t leave. Neither did hundreds of other self-identified moms who showed up at the latest round of protests to stand, arms linked, between armed federal agents and demonstrators. In front of the federal courthouse, federal agents in tactical gear used batons to push back the moms in bike helmets. Dozens were tear-gassed. Some were hit with less-lethal bullets fired into the crowd. Still, they stayed.
They persisted.
A few scenes from last night. h/t to Sergio Olmos, @MrOlmos and Mike Baker @ByThe Baker among many others who are recording this spectacle in real time.
Moms sing lullaby “hands up please don’t shoot me” pic.twitter.com/GJhj8ymn12 — Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 21, 2020
Federal officers pushed back moms in helmets using batons and tear gas, assault rifles being carried for crowd control pic.twitter.com/08SU3mRb4X — Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 22, 2020
And if this looks bad, take a look at what else these fascists were doing last night.
This footage from Portland tonight is absolutely insane. Don’t look away. pic.twitter.com/wqucd1yQmI — Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) July 22, 2020
It Can't Happen Here wrote Sinclair Lewis, a semi-satirical novel written way back in 1935. But it is happening here, right now, on the streets of Portland.


crooksandliars--2020-07-22--GRIFTER: Trump Pushed U.S. Ambassador To Lobby Brits Over Getting Golf Tournament

The New York Times published this embarrassment of a story about our embarrassment of a president last night : The American ambassador to Britain , Robert Wood Johnson IV , told multiple colleagues in February 2018 that President Trump had asked him to see if the British government could help steer the world-famous and lucrative British Open golf tournament to the Trump Turnberry resort in Scotland , according to three people with knowledge of the episode .
The ambassador ’ s deputy , Lewis A. Lukens , advised him not to do it , warning that it would be an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain , these people said .
But Mr. Johnson apparently felt pressured to try .
A few weeks later , he raised the idea of Turnberry playing host to the Open with the secretary of state for Scotland , David Mundell .
In a brief interview last week , Mr. Mundell said it was “ inappropriate ” for him to discuss his dealings with Mr. Johnson and referred to a British government statement that said Mr. Johnson “ made no request of Mr. Mundell regarding the British Open or any other sporting event.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ambassador had broached the issue of Turnberry , which Mr. Trump bought in 2014 , but none of the next four Opens are scheduled to be played there .
Still , the episode left Mr. Lukens and other diplomats deeply unsettled .
Mr. Lukens , who served as the acting ambassador before Mr. Johnson arrived in November 2017 , emailed officials at the State Department to tell them what had happened , colleagues said .
A few months later , Mr. Johnson forced out Mr. Lukens , a career diplomat who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortly before his term was to end .

The New York Times published this embarrassment of a story about our embarrassment of a president last night:
The American ambassador to Britain, Robert Wood Johnson IV, told multiple colleagues in February 2018 that President Trump had asked him to see if the British government could help steer the world-famous and lucrative British Open golf tournament to the Trump Turnberry resort in Scotland, according to three people with knowledge of the episode.
The ambassador’s deputy, Lewis A. Lukens, advised him not to do it, warning that it would be an unethical use of the presidency for private gain, these people said. But Mr. Johnson apparently felt pressured to try. A few weeks later, he raised the idea of Turnberry playing host to the Open with the secretary of state for Scotland, David Mundell.
In a brief interview last week, Mr. Mundell said it was “inappropriate” for him to discuss his dealings with Mr. Johnson and referred to a British government statement that said Mr. Johnson “made no request of Mr. Mundell regarding the British Open or any other sporting event.” The statement did not address whether the ambassador had broached the issue of Turnberry, which Mr. Trump bought in 2014, but none of the next four Opens are scheduled to be played there.
Still, the episode left Mr. Lukens and other diplomats deeply unsettled. Mr. Lukens, who served as the acting ambassador before Mr. Johnson arrived in November 2017, emailed officials at the State Department to tell them what had happened, colleagues said. A few months later, Mr. Johnson forced out Mr. Lukens, a career diplomat who had earlier served as ambassador to Senegal, shortly before his term was to end.


crooksandliars--2020-07-22--Russel Honoré Reacts To Trump's Stormtroopers: 'What Kind Of Bullsh*t Is This?!'

Honoré reacted angrily to the intimidation tactics used in Portland , that have only served to inflame the situation , undermining civil liberties and the rule of law .
Retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré erupted at the scenes of unmarked , camoflauged , and heavily armed federal agents patrolling the streets of Portland and violently clashing with protestors , unmistakably registering his disapproval by proclaiming “ What kind of bullshit is this ?
!
” Appearing on MSNBC ’ s The 11th Hour on Tuesday night , Honoré offered up a long , damning indictment of the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests and singled out Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf for particular scorn .
Earlier on Tuesday night , Wolf told Fox News ’ Martha MacCallum that DHS agents had been forced to “ proactively arrest individuals ” because local and state law enforcement agencies weren ’ t sufficiently protecting federal facilities .
... “ You shouldn ’ t — police don ’ t do this .
Watch this , what kind of bullshit is this ?
!
” Honore exclaimed as video showed federal agents using batons and tear gas to violently assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ merely trying to talk to police .
“ Wolf needs to be run out of Washington .
He has no business in charge of Homeland Security .
We ’ re talking about people like [ former DHS Secretaries Michael ] Chertoff and Tom Ridge , those type of people of stature led Homeland Security .
[ The Trump administration has ] denigrated this to a lawless group who go around and think they can suppress demonstrators doing peaceful and disobedience-type demonstrations .
This is a shame .
”

Honoré reacted angrily to the intimidation tactics used in Portland, that have only served to inflame the situation, undermining civil liberties and the rule of law.
Source: Mediaite:
Retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré erupted at the scenes of unmarked, camoflauged, and heavily armed federal agents patrolling the streets of Portland and violently clashing with protestors, unmistakably registering his disapproval by proclaiming “What kind of bullshit is this?!”
Appearing on MSNBC’s The 11th Hour on Tuesday night, Honoré offered up a long, damning indictment of the Trump administration’s militarized backlash to the Portland protests and singled out Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf for particular scorn. Earlier on Tuesday night, Wolf told Fox News’ Martha MacCallum that DHS agents had been forced to “proactively arrest individuals” because local and state law enforcement agencies weren’t sufficiently protecting federal facilities.
...
“You shouldn’t — police don’t do this. Watch this, what kind of bullshit is this?!” Honore exclaimed as video showed federal agents using batons and tear gas to violently assault Navy veteran Chris David, who was merely trying to talk to police. “Wolf needs to be run out of Washington. He has no business in charge of Homeland Security. We’re talking about people like [former DHS Secretaries Michael] Chertoff and Tom Ridge, those type of people of stature led Homeland Security. [The Trump administration has] denigrated this to a lawless group who go around and think they can suppress demonstrators doing peaceful and disobedience-type demonstrations. This is a shame.”


crooksandliars--2020-07-22--Did We Just See Trump Send A Signal To Ghislane Maxwell?

So here 's the big question from Trump 's press briefing yesterday .
Did he just signal to Ghislaine Maxwell to shut up , and he 'll pardon her ?
`` Trump was asked about the arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell , the British socialite criminally charged with procuring underage girls to be sexually abused by the late investor Jeffrey Epstein and his friends , '' Mika Brzezinski said .
REPORTER : Ghislaine Maxwell is in prison , and so a lot of people want to know if she 's going to turn in powerful people .
I know you talked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you criticized Bill Clinton 's behavior .
I 'm wondering , do you feel she 's going to turn in powerful men ?
How do you see that working out ?
TRUMP : I do n't know .
I have n't been following it too much .
I just wish her well , frankly .
I 've met her numerous times over the years since I lived in Palm Beach and I guess they lived in Palm Beach , and I wish her well .
I do n't know the situation with Prince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not aware of it .
`` He wishes her well .
Prosecutors say Maxwell played a critical role in helping Epstein identify , befriend and groom minor victims for abuse , girls , young girls , children .
She has denied the allegations and she has pleaded not guilty .
You know what , I just want that to sit there for a while .
The president at his coronavirus briefing had no doctors , but he wished Ghislaine Maxwell well .
I know there 's no proven connection in any way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video of Donald Trump dancing with Jeffrey Epstein and a bunch of girls dancing around him .
And he wishes her well , '' Brzezinski said .
`` I 'm extremely uncomfortable with what I just heard and I think everybody should be .
And the questions in this case need to be asked and asked and asked until they are answered .
And I just think it 's very strange that the president would make a comment like that in a case like this . ''
Kasie Hunt said she thinks anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indictment would be shocked by this .
`` The allegations that she was in the room trying to make these girls more comfortable in these kinds of situations with Jeffrey Epstein .
I mean , everything about this is just -- I mean , set aside Paul Manafort , Roger Stone , you 're right , the president sends those kind of messages to those people and we should judge that accordingly , but , I mean , we are talking about despicable crimes with victims who face years of trauma and damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for the president to -- he clearly has familiarity with the situation .
He takes the question .
Seems to engage with it like he 's the person in those photographs that we were just showing from years ago in New York or Palm Beach , wherever they were taken , and he just sort of throws Prince Andrew in there on top of it , a name that was n't previously mentioned .
Does he want to be part of that situation ?
I mean , I have so many questions @ @ @ @ @

She has the goods on him. He is signaling “please don’t talk.” — Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 22, 2020
So here's the big question from Trump's press briefing yesterday. Did he just signal to Ghislaine Maxwell to shut up, and he'll pardon her?
"Trump was asked about the arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite criminally charged with procuring underage girls to be sexually abused by the late investor Jeffrey Epstein and his friends," Mika Brzezinski said.
REPORTER: Ghislaine Maxwell is in prison, and so a lot of people want to know if she's going to turn in powerful people. I know you talked in the past about Prince Andrew and you criticized Bill Clinton's behavior. I'm wondering, do you feel she's going to turn in powerful men? How do you see that working out? TRUMP: I don't know. I haven't been following it too much. I just wish her well, frankly. I've met her numerous times over the years since I lived in Palm Beach and I guess they lived in Palm Beach, and I wish her well. I don't know the situation with Prince Andrew. Just don't know. Not aware of it.
"He wishes her well. Prosecutors say Maxwell played a critical role in helping Epstein identify, befriend and groom minor victims for abuse, girls, young girls, children. She has denied the allegations and she has pleaded not guilty. You know what, I just want that to sit there for a while. The president at his coronavirus briefing had no doctors, but he wished Ghislaine Maxwell well. I know there's no proven connection in any way, but we've shown on this show video of Donald Trump dancing with Jeffrey Epstein and a bunch of girls dancing around him. And he wishes her well," Brzezinski said.
"I'm extremely uncomfortable with what I just heard and I think everybody should be. And the questions in this case need to be asked and asked and asked until they are answered. And I just think it's very strange that the president would make a comment like that in a case like this."
Kasie Hunt said she thinks anyone who has read any part of the indictment would be shocked by this.
"The allegations that she was in the room trying to make these girls more comfortable in these kinds of situations with Jeffrey Epstein. I mean, everything about this is just -- I mean, set aside Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, you're right, the president sends those kind of messages to those people and we should judge that accordingly, but, I mean, we are talking about despicable crimes with victims who face years of trauma and damage because of these actions.
You know, for the president to -- he clearly has familiarity with the situation. He takes the question. Seems to engage with it like he's the person in those photographs that we were just showing from years ago in New York or Palm Beach, wherever they were taken, and he just sort of throws Prince Andrew in there on top of it, a name that wasn't previously mentioned. Does he want to be part of that situation? I mean, I have so many questions," Hunt said.


crooksandliars--2020-07-23--SENATOR SCROOGE: Mitch McConnell Wants To Swap Out $2400 Unemployment Bonus For $400

Oh , look .
Senate Republicans and the White House have agreed in principle to throw Americans a tiny little bone with the next round of unemployment payments : $ 400 a month instead of the $ 2400 a month they were getting to stay home and stop spreading coronavirus .
Now , many of those people are in imminent danger of losing their homes .
Maybe that 's the plan of the Giant Underpants Gnome in the Oval Office : If enough people lose their homes , they ca n't vote against him !
`` Tonight looks like there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm quoting now , between Senate Republicans and the White House on aspects of the relief bill and one of those ideas that Republicans appear to be coalescing around is unemployment insurance , '' Ali Velshi said .
`` Right now , the millions of Americans who lost their jobs , thanks to coronavirus , have been eligible for up to an extra $ 600 a week to cover their bills over and above what state unemployment insurance would pay .
That expires at the end of the month .
For some Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell CNBC that Republicans are thinking of replacing that relief .
Well , that 's a relief .
Oh , wait a second , they 're thinking of replacing it with $ 100 a week .
That would be a loss of $ 2,000 a month for Americans who need it most . ''
Rep. Pramila Jayapal , who serves on the labor committee , talked about the proposal .
`` The Republicans have created a death trap for every American to walk into called covid-19 , '' she said .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States .
We have , you know , 45 million Americans who have filed for unemployment claims .
We have people who literally have lost their health care .
27 million people have lost their health care .
And Republicans have been acting like there 's nothing going on , there 's no urgency to this , there 's nothing they need to do .
`` And now millions of Americans are going to run out of unemployment .
When we passed a $ 2 trillion Republican tax cut for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nobody said we do n't have money for this .
When we passed at the administration 's urging $ 745 billion for the Pentagon , for military spending , nobody said anything about not having money .
Now all of a sudden when it comes to taking care of Americans in their most dire time of need , where they need to put food on the table , they need to pay rent and mortgages , they need to be able to just get the basic things that allow them to survive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stress of perhaps not having a job or not having health care , this administration says we 're going to give you $ 100 a week ?
, '' Rep. Jayapal said .
`` That is insulting .
It is absolutely not going to meet the need of Americans across this country if they deal with this crisis . ''
Velshi asked if Republicans were lowballing the number as a negotiating position .
`` I think the thing is , this is a crisis of a scale that requires us to match that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money for state and local governments .
We need significant money for testing and contact tracing .
We need money for childcare .
We need money for unemployment .
I have proposed a Paycheck Recovery Act , which would have protected paychecks and kept us with a much lower unemployment rate , the way Germany has , with under 6 % unemployment and people have some certainty .
But the reality is we need certainty here and we need a scale that Republicans have not even begun to address . ''

Oh, look. Senate Republicans and the White House have agreed in principle to throw Americans a tiny little bone with the next round of unemployment payments: $400 a month instead of the $2400 a month they were getting to stay home and stop spreading coronavirus.
Now, many of those people are in imminent danger of losing their homes. Maybe that's the plan of the Giant Underpants Gnome in the Oval Office: If enough people lose their homes, they can't vote against him!
"Tonight looks like there has been some fundamental agreement, I'm quoting now, between Senate Republicans and the White House on aspects of the relief bill and one of those ideas that Republicans appear to be coalescing around is unemployment insurance," Ali Velshi said.
"Right now, the millions of Americans who lost their jobs, thanks to coronavirus, have been eligible for up to an extra $600 a week to cover their bills over and above what state unemployment insurance would pay. That expires at the end of the month. For some Americans, that expires this week. Sources tell CNBC that Republicans are thinking of replacing that relief. Well, that's a relief. Oh, wait a second, they're thinking of replacing it with $100 a week. That would be a loss of $2,000 a month for Americans who need it most."
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who serves on the labor committee, talked about the proposal.
"The Republicans have created a death trap for every American to walk into called covid-19," she said.
"We have a remarkable number, 140,000 deaths in the United States. We have, you know, 45 million Americans who have filed for unemployment claims. We have people who literally have lost their health care. 27 million people have lost their health care. And Republicans have been acting like there's nothing going on, there's no urgency to this, there's nothing they need to do.
"And now millions of Americans are going to run out of unemployment. When we passed a $2 trillion Republican tax cut for the wealthiest people in our country, nobody said we don't have money for this. When we passed at the administration's urging $745 billion for the Pentagon, for military spending, nobody said anything about not having money. Now all of a sudden when it comes to taking care of Americans in their most dire time of need, where they need to put food on the table, they need to pay rent and mortgages, they need to be able to just get the basic things that allow them to survive, even as they deal with the intense stress of perhaps not having a job or not having health care, this administration says we're going to give you $100 a week?," Rep. Jayapal said.
"That is insulting. It is absolutely not going to meet the need of Americans across this country if they deal with this crisis."
Velshi asked if Republicans were lowballing the number as a negotiating position.
"I think the thing is, this is a crisis of a scale that requires us to match that scale with our response. We need money for state and local governments. We need significant money for testing and contact tracing. We need money for childcare. We need money for unemployment. I have proposed a Paycheck Recovery Act, which would have protected paychecks and kept us with a much lower unemployment rate, the way Germany has, with under 6% unemployment and people have some certainty. But the reality is we need certainty here and we need a scale that Republicans have not even begun to address."


crooksandliars--2020-07-23--Dr. Birx Warns State Leaders That 11 Cities Need Aggressive Action To Control Virus

So the Scarf Lady does occasionally tell the truth !
Yesterday Dr. Deborah Birx warned state and local leaders in a private phone call that 11 major cities are seeing increases in the percentage of tests coming back positive for COVID-19 and should take “ aggressive ” steps to mitigate their outbreaks .
She identified Baltimore , Cleveland , Columbus , Indianapolis , Las Vegas , Miami , Minneapolis , Nashville , New Orleans , Pittsburgh and St. Louis as trouble spots .
Via The Center for Public Integrity : '' What started out very much as a southern and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the East Coast into Tennessee , Arkansas , up into Missouri , up across Colorado , and obviously we ’ re talking about increases now in Baltimore , ” she said .
“ So this is really critical that everybody is following this and making sure they ’ re being aggressive about mitigation efforts.
” It ’ s unclear who heard the warnings and was invited to the call , which was hosted by the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and closed to the press .
Baltimore and Cleveland were two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test positivity , but a spokeswoman for the Cleveland mayor ’ s office , Nancy Kelsey-Carroll , said they did not participate in the call .
The call was yet another private warning about the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreaks given to local officials but not the public at large .
It came less than a week after the Center for Public Integrity revealed that the White House compiled a detailed report showing 18 states were in the “ red zone ” for coronavirus cases but did not release it publicly .
Increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community does not have an outbreak under control — should be expected in areas that reopened and grew more relaxed about social distancing measures , said Harvard epidemiologist Bill Hanage .
He said the warnings and data from the White House should be made public .
“ This is a pandemic .
You can not hide it under the carpet , ” he said .
“ The best way to deal with a crisis or a natural disaster is to be straight with people , to earn their trust and to give the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves and their communities .
”

So the Scarf Lady does occasionally tell the truth! Yesterday Dr. Deborah Birx warned state and local leaders in a private phone call that 11 major cities are seeing increases in the percentage of tests coming back positive for COVID-19 and should take “aggressive” steps to mitigate their outbreaks. She identified Baltimore, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Pittsburgh and St. Louis as trouble spots. Via The Center for Public Integrity:
"What started out very much as a southern and western epidemic is starting to move up the East Coast into Tennessee, Arkansas, up into Missouri, up across Colorado, and obviously we’re talking about increases now in Baltimore,” she said. “So this is really critical that everybody is following this and making sure they’re being aggressive about mitigation efforts.”
It’s unclear who heard the warnings and was invited to the call, which was hosted by the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and closed to the press. Baltimore and Cleveland were two of the cities Birx warned were facing rising test positivity, but a spokeswoman for the Cleveland mayor’s office, Nancy Kelsey-Carroll, said they did not participate in the call.
The call was yet another private warning about the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreaks given to local officials but not the public at large. It came less than a week after the Center for Public Integrity revealed that the White House compiled a detailed report showing 18 states were in the “red zone” for coronavirus cases but did not release it publicly.
Increasing test positivity — an indicator that a community does not have an outbreak under control — should be expected in areas that reopened and grew more relaxed about social distancing measures, said Harvard epidemiologist Bill Hanage. He said the warnings and data from the White House should be made public.
“This is a pandemic. You cannot hide it under the carpet,” he said. “The best way to deal with a crisis or a natural disaster is to be straight with people, to earn their trust and to give the information they need to make decisions for themselves and their communities.”


crooksandliars--2020-07-23--Matt Gaetz’s ‘Clerical Error’: $28,000 Taxpayer Money Misspent On A Racist Adviser

What Rep. Matt Gaetz ’ s staff is calling a “ glorified clerical error ” represents tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars improperly spent on a racist `` speechwriting adviser . ''
There 's also a suspicious , secret TV contract , probably with a family member .
Politico did a deep dive into Gaetz ’ s spending in an article titled , “ Matt Gaetz appears to run afoul of House ethics rules.
” But the findings are far more damning than the title would imply .
For starters , Gaetz improperly used taxpayer money on a guy who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration : And it sure looks like someone was trying to conceal who was getting that taxpayer money : Gaetz disclosed 14 separate $ 2,000 payments to Presidential Communications and Strategies , a limited liability company that appeared to be registered by an unidentified agent in a tiny town in Wyoming .
The checks were sent to an apartment in Arlington , Va. , according to sources familiar with the arrangement .
The payments were to Beattie , according to multiple sources familiar with the arrangement .
Gaetz announced hiring Beattie as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was never added to Gaetz ’ s congressional payroll , according to House disbursement records .
Instead , Gaetz paid him through the Wyoming-based LLC .
In another possible violation , a private company installed a television studio in his father ’ s home in Niceville , Fla. , which Gaetz uses when he appears on television .
Taxpayers foot the bill to rent the television camera , and the private company that built the studio — which Gaetz refuses to identify — takes a fee each time he appears on air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unclear how much it cost the private company to construct the studio .
Gaetz ’ s office likewise declined to detail the television studio arrangement or produce documentation that it was approved [ as Gaetz has claimed ] .
House officials and experts on the chamber 's rules said it was extraordinarily unusual and likely violates the gift ban rule .
According to Politico , Gaetz said he uses an “ allowable allotment of taxpayer funds to pay $ 100 per month ” to rent the camera and that the private company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pays the other costs and receives its on-air fee without Gaetz ’ s involvement in the transactions .
But that $ 100 monthly fee does not show up on any of Gaetz ’ s spending records , Politico found .
Joy Reid and David Cay Johnston discussed the TV contract on The ReidOut tonight .
Noting that Gaetz aggressively pitches himself to be on TV , Reid added dryly , “ and now it looks like the family ’ s getting cash off of it.
” Johnston partially blamed Trump for signaling that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The corruption “ is spreading from Trump , like the virus , ” he said .
You probably will not be shocked to learn that this is not the first or even the second time Gaetz seems to have behaved unethically ( not including the DUI charge that was subsequently dismissed ) .
MSNBC ’ s Steve Benen reminds that previously , Gaetz got in ethical hot water after he appeared to threaten Michael Cohen on Twitter .
More recently , he faced a probe for using public funds to rent an office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate .
Naturally , Donald Trump thinks Gaetz is “ fantastic ” and “ one of the finest and most talented people in Congress .
’ ”

What Rep. Matt Gaetz’s staff is calling a “glorified clerical error” represents tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars improperly spent on a racist "speechwriting adviser." There's also a suspicious, secret TV contract, probably with a family member.
Politico did a deep dive into Gaetz’s spending in an article titled, “Matt Gaetz appears to run afoul of House ethics rules.” But the findings are far more damning than the title would imply.
For starters, Gaetz improperly used taxpayer money on a guy who was deemed too racist for the Trump administration:
The Florida Republican concedes that he improperly sent $28,000 in taxpayer funds to a limited liability company connected to the speech-writing consultant, Darren Beattie, a former White House aide who was ousted after appearing at a convention known as a forum for racist and white supremacist views. Gaetz’s aides said it was a clerical error that they are now working to reverse. House rules explicitly prohibit spending taxpayer dollars on speech-writing consultants.
And it sure looks like someone was trying to conceal who was getting that taxpayer money:
Gaetz disclosed 14 separate $2,000 payments to Presidential Communications and Strategies, a limited liability company that appeared to be registered by an unidentified agent in a tiny town in Wyoming. The checks were sent to an apartment in Arlington, Va., according to sources familiar with the arrangement. The payments were to Beattie, according to multiple sources familiar with the arrangement. Gaetz announced hiring Beattie as a speech-writing adviser in April 2019, but he was never added to Gaetz’s congressional payroll, according to House disbursement records. Instead, Gaetz paid him through the Wyoming-based LLC.
But wait, there’s more:
In another possible violation, a private company installed a television studio in his father’s home in Niceville, Fla., which Gaetz uses when he appears on television. Taxpayers foot the bill to rent the television camera, and the private company that built the studio — which Gaetz refuses to identify — takes a fee each time he appears on air, his office said. It’s unclear how much it cost the private company to construct the studio. … Gaetz’s office likewise declined to detail the television studio arrangement or produce documentation that it was approved [as Gaetz has claimed]. House officials and experts on the chamber's rules said it was extraordinarily unusual and likely violates the gift ban rule.
According to Politico, Gaetz said he uses an “allowable allotment of taxpayer funds to pay $100 per month” to rent the camera and that the private company (which he refuses to identify) pays the other costs and receives its on-air fee without Gaetz’s involvement in the transactions. But that $100 monthly fee does not show up on any of Gaetz’s spending records, Politico found.
Joy Reid and David Cay Johnston discussed the TV contract on The ReidOut tonight. Noting that Gaetz aggressively pitches himself to be on TV, Reid added dryly, “and now it looks like the family’s getting cash off of it.”
Johnston partially blamed Trump for signaling that corruption is A-OK under his administration. The corruption “is spreading from Trump, like the virus,” he said.
You probably will not be shocked to learn that this is not the first or even the second time Gaetz seems to have behaved unethically (not including the DUI charge that was subsequently dismissed).
MSNBC’s Steve Benen reminds that previously, Gaetz got in ethical hot water after he appeared to threaten Michael Cohen on Twitter. More recently, he faced a probe for using public funds to rent an office from a donor at rates below market rate.
Naturally, Donald Trump thinks Gaetz is “fantastic” and “one of the finest and most talented people in Congress.’”


crooksandliars--2020-07-23--Portland Invasion Has All The Aspects Of Fascism -- Except Effectiveness

What initially had me confused about President Trump 's deployment of a thug army to Portland -- with another group reportedly headed to Chicago -- is that I always imagined fascism , if it came to America , being effective .
I assumed that the tanks would roll in and any popular dissent would be brutally suppressed .
But this is repression without merciless efficiency .
The Portland deployment is arresting people from unmarked vehicles , brutalizing unarmed protesters ( including a Navy veteran ) and attacking reporters -- but phalanxes of moms are defying the troops , a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union building only after they arrived , and there 's no evidence that the thugs are accomplishing anything except randomly terrorizing people .
The demonstrations , if anything , are getting bigger .
But this is perfect for a president who 's a Fox News addict and who 's trying to appeal to voters sharing the same addiction .
Fox addicts do n't want to win -- they want conflict .
They 'd be bereft without enemies to hate .
They do n't really want to establish a right-wing Utopia .
They want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fear .
Sure , they want to feel that their manly heroes are protecting them from their enemies .
But that ca n't happen unless they think their enemies are running amok , can it ?
So they want the conflict to be eternal .
It 's not clear how many troops Trump has deployed .
The mayor of Portland says `` dozens , if not hundreds '' of federal troops are in his city , and the planned deployment to Chicago is 150 .
That Chicago deployment seems particularly small for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 12,000 officers .
But what difference does it make ?
This is not about restoring `` law and order . ''
The troops are there so Trump and his fellow Fox fans can see people they hate being hurt .
There 's no other mission .
Published with permission of No More Mister Nice Blog

What initially had me confused about President Trump's deployment of a thug army to Portland -- with another group reportedly headed to Chicago -- is that I always imagined fascism, if it came to America, being effective. I assumed that the tanks would roll in and any popular dissent would be brutally suppressed.
But this is repression without merciless efficiency. The Portland deployment is arresting people from unmarked vehicles, brutalizing unarmed protesters (including a Navy veteran) and attacking reporters -- but phalanxes of moms are defying the troops, a small fire was set at the Portland police union building only after they arrived, and there's no evidence that the thugs are accomplishing anything except randomly terrorizing people. The demonstrations, if anything, are getting bigger.
Who could have guessed that sending the gestapo to shoot people and conduct random kidnappings would backfire and galvanize protesters. https://t.co/hheahl5Wzi — Ashley Lynch says BLM (@ashleylynch) July 21, 2020
But this is perfect for a president who's a Fox News addict and who's trying to appeal to voters sharing the same addiction. Fox addicts don't want to win -- they want conflict. They'd be bereft without enemies to hate. They don't really want to establish a right-wing Utopia. They want to feel contempt, moral superiority -- and fear. Sure, they want to feel that their manly heroes are protecting them from their enemies. But that can't happen unless they think their enemies are running amok, can it? So they want the conflict to be eternal.
It's not clear how many troops Trump has deployed. The mayor of Portland says "dozens, if not hundreds" of federal troops are in his city, and the planned deployment to Chicago is 150. That Chicago deployment seems particularly small for a city with a police force of more than 12,000 officers.
But what difference does it make? This is not about restoring "law and order." The troops are there so Trump and his fellow Fox fans can see people they hate being hurt. There's no other mission.
Published with permission of No More Mister Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-07-23--Marc Siegel: Fox News' Doctor Of Propaganda

Dr. Mark Siegel who leads the Fox News `` medical team '' interviewed Trump , producing one of the most embarrassing examples of Trump 's sad attempts to claim he 's a stable genius , a moment of intense mockery even from many conservatives .
But on Thursday morning 's Fox and Friends , Siegel massaged Trump 's ego like the true sycophant of a fascist dictator .
First , Siegel misled viewers by pretending Trump has always been a proponent of wearing masks , social distancing , self-quarantining and shutting down the country to slow the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Siegel if Trump discussed the upcoming election with him , he pivoted immediately to Trump 's mental capacity .
“ Well he discussed the issue of his own clarity of vision .
In a sense , that interview was a cognitive test , ” Siegel said .
`` As you know , he is extremely sharp on every second , '' he gushed .
`` And he did a test on TV where he basically , you know , went through how great his memory is . ''
`` And what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders of the world , Ainsley .
He talked about Putin , he talked about Chairman Xi .
Whatever you think of them , they are extremely sharp , and we need a leader that has that level of awareness and sharpness , ” he concluded .
It 's hard to describe how crazy it is that we are talking about a test intended to identify damage to cognitive abilities , unless you see all the things he wants to distract people from .
Coronavirus , storm troopers beating vets and gassing moms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Clearly Siegel was performing for an audience of one .

Dr. Mark Siegel who leads the Fox News "medical team" interviewed Trump, producing one of the most embarrassing examples of Trump's sad attempts to claim he's a stable genius, a moment of intense mockery even from many conservatives.
But on Thursday morning's Fox and Friends, Siegel massaged Trump's ego like the true sycophant of a fascist dictator.
First, Siegel misled viewers by pretending Trump has always been a proponent of wearing masks, social distancing, self-quarantining and shutting down the country to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
When cohost Ainsley Earhardt asked Dr. Siegel if Trump discussed the upcoming election with him, he pivoted immediately to Trump's mental capacity.
“Well he discussed the issue of his own clarity of vision. In a sense, that interview was a cognitive test,” Siegel said.
"As you know, he is extremely sharp on every second," he gushed. "And he did a test on TV where he basically, you know, went through how great his memory is."
" And what he said was even all of the major leaders of the world, Ainsley. He talked about Putin, he talked about Chairman Xi. Whatever you think of them, they are extremely sharp, and we need a leader that has that level of awareness and sharpness,” he concluded.
It's hard to describe how crazy it is that we are talking about a test intended to identify damage to cognitive abilities, unless you see all the things he wants to distract people from. Coronavirus, storm troopers beating vets and gassing moms, and an economy about to fail. Clearly Siegel was performing for an audience of one.


crooksandliars--2020-07-23--Kellyanne Conway Throws Republican Governors Under The Bus For Reopening 'Too Early'

This is what happens when you hitch your wagon to a congenital liar who is loyal to no one but himself , and who has already said `` I do n't take responsibility at all '' when it comes to the coronavirus .
Trump already threw Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp under the bus once back in April , when he turned on a dime and `` went from celebrating that “ Our Country is starting to OPEN FOR BUSINESS again ” to criticizing Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp ’ s decision to reopen businesses , including hair salons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has continued to demand that businesses open back up , continued pushing the conspiracy theory that the pandemic is just a hoax created to keep him from being reelected , and has been just as reckless with his demands that schools reopen for in-person class , consequences be damned .
This Wednesday , Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway took her turn tossing GOP governors such as Kemp and others who went along with Trump 's push to reopen their economies too quickly under the bus as well during a press briefing outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her best to pretend her boss never tweeted this back in April .
Here 's more from The National Memo : Kellyanne Tries To Absolve Trump And Blame Governors For Reopening ’ Too Early ’ : White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway claimed on Wednesday that states reopened `` a little too quickly . ''
Conway also defended Trump , saying it was a `` false rumor '' that he said he would be `` in charge of '' reopening the states .
But that is almost exactly what Trump said in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] KELLYANNE CONWAY : Some of these states blew through our gated criteria , blew through our phases , and they opened up some of the industries a little too quickly , like bars .
And I 'm personally a loud voice in those task force meetings to say , `` Look , are we going to open bars now or schools in two or four or six or eight months ? ''
And I think as a nation , we probably want to open both , but as a nation there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of are their kids going back to school full time , are they learning from home , etc.
?
So , remember the governors wanted complete latitude over when they would open their states .
They pushed back heavily , handsomely — Republicans and Democrats — when it was falsely rumored that the president was going to be in charge of opening the states .
He 's a federalist , he believes in states ' rights .
REPORTER : He encouraged them to open .
CONWAY : Well , but not everybody has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the governor of Georgia , a Republican , who he frankly helped get elected .
He pushed back on him early , and some people did n't like that , but he did that , because he said publicly , to all of you , `` I think it 's just a little too early .
Why do n't we wait a little bit longer ? ''
So , the president was on the record doing that long before these other states decided when they would open or not .
But , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he provides information to the public as the president , he 's also giving people guideposts as to how to do our part to help flatten that curve .
They still have n't figured out that you ca n't con your way out of this pandemic .
How many more Americans have to die before Republicans finally start to turn on him ?

This is what happens when you hitch your wagon to a congenital liar who is loyal to no one but himself, and who has already said "I don't take responsibility at all" when it comes to the coronavirus.
Trump already threw Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp under the bus once back in April, when he turned on a dime and "went from celebrating that “Our Country is starting to OPEN FOR BUSINESS again” to criticizing Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision to reopen businesses, including hair salons and gyms."
Despite that flip-flop, Trump has continued to demand that businesses open back up, continued pushing the conspiracy theory that the pandemic is just a hoax created to keep him from being reelected, and has been just as reckless with his demands that schools reopen for in-person class, consequences be damned.
This Wednesday, Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway took her turn tossing GOP governors such as Kemp and others who went along with Trump's push to reopen their economies too quickly under the bus as well during a press briefing outside of the White House, and did her best to pretend her boss never tweeted this back in April.
For the purpose of creating conflict and confusion, some in the Fake News Media are saying that it is the Governors decision to open up the states, not that of the President of the United States & the Federal Government. Let it be fully understood that this is incorrect.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2020
....It is the decision of the President, and for many good reasons. With that being said, the Administration and I are working closely with the Governors, and this will continue. A decision by me, in conjunction with the Governors and input from others, will be made shortly! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2020
Here's more from The National Memo: Kellyanne Tries To Absolve Trump And Blame Governors For Reopening ’Too Early’ :
White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway claimed on Wednesday that states reopened "a little too quickly." Conway also defended Trump, saying it was a "false rumor" that he said he would be "in charge of" reopening the states. But that is almost exactly what Trump said in April as he pushed reopening. [...] From a July 22 press briefing: KELLYANNE CONWAY: Some of these states blew through our gated criteria, blew through our phases, and they opened up some of the industries a little too quickly, like bars. And I'm personally a loud voice in those task force meetings to say, "Look, are we going to open bars now or schools in two or four or six or eight months?" And I think as a nation, we probably want to open both, but as a nation there are many people who just need the certainty of are their kids going back to school full time, are they learning from home, etc.?
So, remember the governors wanted complete latitude over when they would open their states. They pushed back heavily, handsomely — Republicans and Democrats — when it was falsely rumored that the president was going to be in charge of opening the states.
He's a federalist, he believes in states' rights. REPORTER: He encouraged them to open. CONWAY: Well, but not everybody has. And remember, he pushed back on the governor of Georgia, a Republican, who he frankly helped get elected. He pushed back on him early, and some people didn't like that, but he did that, because he said publicly, to all of you, "I think it's just a little too early. Why don't we wait a little bit longer?" So, the president was on the record doing that long before these other states decided when they would open or not. But, I think the president also sees that if he provides information to the public as the president, he's also giving people guideposts as to how to do our part to help flatten that curve.
They still haven't figured out that you can't con your way out of this pandemic. How many more Americans have to die before Republicans finally start to turn on him?


crooksandliars--2020-07-23--Kevin McCarthy Cites A Man's Inspiring Success Story When Asked If The GOP Has A Problem With Women

It 's 2020 , and Donald Trump and the rest of the Republicans are shedding white , suburban women voters faster than the state of Florida is shedding the coronavirus .
When asked about this phenomenon in his press briefing today he gave this rather curious answer .
Instead of rattling off an example of a recent success story by a Republican woman , he chose instead to tell the story of a Republican congressman .
In poker , this is called ' a tell . '
“ There are more women running in the Republican Party for Congress than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country , ” he said .
“ So if you want to measure it based on that , I think we ’ re improving.
” He then pivoted to talking about recently elected Rep. Mike Garcia ( R-CA ) as an example of the GOP ’ s progress .
“ Our newest member elected to this Congress , Mike Garcia , he ’ s not a woman , but he ’ s a first-generation American , ” he said .
“ He understood why his father left a country to come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better life for his children.
” And of those `` well over 220 women '' running for the Republicans , as of a month ago , just 45 had secured either their House or Senate nominations to run in November .
About 90 % of the women in congress are Democrats .

It's 2020, and Donald Trump and the rest of the Republicans are shedding white, suburban women voters faster than the state of Florida is shedding the coronavirus. When asked about this phenomenon in his press briefing today he gave this rather curious answer. Instead of rattling off an example of a recent success story by a Republican woman, he chose instead to tell the story of a Republican congressman.
In poker, this is called 'a tell.'
Source: Raw Story
“There are more women running in the Republican Party for Congress than at any time in the history of this country,” he said. “So if you want to measure it based on that, I think we’re improving.” He then pivoted to talking about recently elected Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) as an example of the GOP’s progress. “Our newest member elected to this Congress, Mike Garcia, he’s not a woman, but he’s a first-generation American,” he said. “He understood why his father left a country to come to America, because he believed in a better life for his children.”
And of those "well over 220 women" running for the Republicans, as of a month ago, just 45 had secured either their House or Senate nominations to run in November. About 90% of the women in congress are Democrats.


crooksandliars--2020-07-23--Rep. Ted Yoho's Mealy-Mouthed Non-Apology Draws Wide Rebuke

Pretty stunning stuff .
And the writer is correct .
A textbook example of white male victimhood , right on the floor of the House of Representatives .
There 's a strong case to be made that 65-year-old Florida Republican Rep. Ted Yoho is the single most flexible person in the whole of Washington , D.C. Less than 24 hours after reportedly calling New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D ) a `` fucking bitch '' during a brief argument outside the Capitol Building , Yoho somehow managed to contort an ostensible apology to a colleague into a full-throated defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I stand before you to address the strife I injected into the already contentious Congress , '' a rushed , seemingly uncomfortable Yoho began , speaking Wednesday to a nearly empty House chamber .
`` I rise today to apologize for the abrupt manner of the conversation I had with my colleague from New York . ''
`` It is true that we disagree on policies and visions for America but that does not mean we should be disrespectful , '' he continued in what was truly a decent start to what should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But instead , Yoho then spent the next few minutes offering excuses , indulging in some self-pity , and thumping his own chest in a caricatured display of martyrdom .
First up , the non-apology , which began with the trite and largely meaningless caveat that being `` married for 45 years with two daughters '' made him `` very cognizant of my language . ''
Yoho denied that he had called Ocasio-Cortez a `` fucking bitch , '' as was reported , and said instead that `` the offensive name-calling words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never spoken to my colleagues .
If they were construed that way , I apologize for the misunderstanding . ''
It 's not entirely clear what Yoho meant with that mealy-mouthed statement .
Our best guess : `` I never said those things , and anyway , I 'm sorry if you heard me say those things , or whatever . ''

Pretty stunning stuff. And the writer is correct. A textbook example of white male victimhood, right on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Source: Rafi Schwartz/Mic.com
There's a strong case to be made that 65-year-old Florida Republican Rep. Ted Yoho is the single most flexible person in the whole of Washington, D.C. Less than 24 hours after reportedly calling New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) a "fucking bitch" during a brief argument outside the Capitol Building, Yoho somehow managed to contort an ostensible apology to a colleague into a full-throated defense of his own fragile victimhood.
"I stand before you to address the strife I injected into the already contentious Congress," a rushed, seemingly uncomfortable Yoho began, speaking Wednesday to a nearly empty House chamber. "I rise today to apologize for the abrupt manner of the conversation I had with my colleague from New York."
"It is true that we disagree on policies and visions for America but that does not mean we should be disrespectful," he continued in what was truly a decent start to what should have been an extremely straightforward mea culpa. But instead, Yoho then spent the next few minutes offering excuses, indulging in some self-pity, and thumping his own chest in a caricatured display of martyrdom.
First up, the non-apology, which began with the trite and largely meaningless caveat that being "married for 45 years with two daughters" made him "very cognizant of my language." Yoho denied that he had called Ocasio-Cortez a "fucking bitch," as was reported, and said instead that "the offensive name-calling words attributed to me by the press were never spoken to my colleagues. If they were construed that way, I apologize for the misunderstanding."
It's not entirely clear what Yoho meant with that mealy-mouthed statement. Our best guess: "I never said those things, and anyway, I'm sorry if you heard me say those things, or whatever."


crooksandliars--2020-07-23--BREAKING: Michael Cohen Released From Prison To Home Confinement

Just weeks ago Michael Cohen was sent back to prison after refusing to agree to not write a book or conduct media interviews as a condition of house arrest , a huge violation of his First Amendment rights .
Thursday , a Judge agreed and has now ordered Cohen to be released to home confinement , saying on the record that it was pretty clear that his reconfinement was retaliation for writing a book about Donald Trump .
The Washington Post reports that U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein has ordered Cohen to be released from prison by 2 p.m. on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under house arrest in his home in Manhattan .
The judge made this scathing statement in the phone conference : “ I make the finding that the purpose of transferring Mr. Cohen from furlough and home confinement to jail is retaliatory and it ’ s retaliatory because of his desire to exercise his First Amendment rights to publish a book and to discuss anything about the book or anything else he wants on social media and with others . ''
The judge refused to accept the prosecutor 's explanation for the remand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' with the probation official overseeing his release .
We may be on the verge of going full authoritarian , but the First Amendment appears intact ( for now ) .
Michael Cohen was Trump 's `` fixer '' for so long - his book will be a bestseller before the first day it 's released .

Just weeks ago Michael Cohen was sent back to prison after refusing to agree to not write a book or conduct media interviews as a condition of house arrest, a huge violation of his First Amendment rights. Thursday, a Judge agreed and has now ordered Cohen to be released to home confinement, saying on the record that it was pretty clear that his reconfinement was retaliation for writing a book about Donald Trump.
The Washington Post reports that U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein has ordered Cohen to be released from prison by 2 p.m. on Friday. He will then be placed under house arrest in his home in Manhattan.
The judge made this scathing statement in the phone conference:
“I make the finding that the purpose of transferring Mr. Cohen from furlough and home confinement to jail is retaliatory and it’s retaliatory because of his desire to exercise his First Amendment rights to publish a book and to discuss anything about the book or anything else he wants on social media and with others."
The judge refused to accept the prosecutor's explanation for the remand, which was that Cohen was "combative" with the probation official overseeing his release.
Twitter had thoughts:
BREAKING: A federal judge just ordered the release of Michael Cohen to home confinement.
This ruling in our case is a victory for the First Amendment. — ACLU (@ACLU) July 23, 2020
I am relieved that the court has protected Michael Cohen’s First Amendment rights, but think about what this means. Trump Admin tried to imprison a citizen for writing a book critical of the President. It is not an overstatement to say that this is a hallmark of tyranny. — Barb McQuade (@BarbMcQuade) July 23, 2020
The judge in the Michael Cohen hearing: "I cannot believe fairly that there was not a purpose to stop exercise of First Amendment rights," calling the provision to his home confinement requiring that he not publish a book "retaliatory" and unlike anything he'd seen in 21 years. — Emily Jane Fox (@emilyjanefox) July 23, 2020
Federal judge finds that the administration used imprisonment to silence Michael Cohen and violate his Frist Amendment rights.
There’s a tendency to go numb from all the abuses but this is a big deal — Elie Honig (@eliehonig) July 23, 2020
We may be on the verge of going full authoritarian, but the First Amendment appears intact (for now). Michael Cohen was Trump's "fixer" for so long - his book will be a bestseller before the first day it's released.


crooksandliars--2020-07-23--BAM!  AOC Not Ready To Make Nice With Ted Yoho, Puts His 'Fcking B*tch' Slam On Record

AOC took to Twitter after Ted Yoho 's non-apology apology .
Republican responds to calling a colleague “ disgusting ” & a “ f—ing b*tch ” w/ “ I can not apologize for my passion ” and blaming others .
I will not teach my nieces and young people watching that this an apology , and what they should learn to accept .
Yoho is refusing responsibility .
https : //t.co/BKzJa7KUBW And this morning , she took to the House floor .
( How dare she drop an eff bomb ... by quoting a Republican ? )
REPRESENTATIVE OCASIO CORTEZ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would also like to thank many of my colleagues for the opportunity to not only speak today but for the many members from both sides of the aisle who have reached out to me in support following an incident earlier this week .
About two days ago I was walking up the steps of the Capitol when Representative Yoho suddenly turned a corner and he was accompanied by Representative Roger Williams .
He accosted me on the steps right here in front of our nation 's Capitol .
I was minding my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Representative Yoho put his finger in my face , he called me disgusting , he called me crazy , he called me out of my mind .
And he called me dangerous .
And then he took a few more steps and after I had recognized his -- after I had recognized his comments as rude , he walked away and said , ' I 'm rude , you 're calling me rude . '
I took a few steps ahead and I walked inside and cast my vote .
Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every day to fight for them .
And to make sure that they are able to keep a roof over their head .
That they are able to feed their families .
And that they are able to carry their lives with dignity .
I walked back out and there were reporters in the front of the Capitol , and in front of reporters Representative Yoho called me , and I quote , a `` fucking bitch '' -- fucking , bitch .
These are the words Representative Yoho levied against a congresswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York 's 14th District but every congresswoman in this country because all of us have had to deal with this in some form , some way , some shape at some point in our lives .
And I want to be clear that Representative Yoho 's comments were not deeply hurtful or piercing to me .
Because I have worked , a working class job .
I have waited tables in restaurants .
I have ridden the subway .
I have walked the streets in New York City .
And this kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have encountered words uttered by Mr. Yoho and men uttering the same words as Mr. Yoho while I was being harassed in restaurants .
I have tossed men out of bars that have used language like Mr. Yoho 's , and I have encountered this type of harassment riding the subway in New York City .
This is not new .
And that is the problem .
Mr. Yoho was not alone .
He was walking shoulder to shoulder with Representative Roger Williams .
And that 's when we start to see that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is cultural .
It is a culture of lack of impunity , of accepting of violence and language against women , an entire structure of power that supports that .
Because not only have I been spoken to disrespectfully , particularly by members of the Republican Party , and elected officials in the Republican Party , not just here , but the President of the United States last year told me to go home .
To another country with the implication that I do n't even belong in America .
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before I was sworn in , called me a `` whatever that is . ''
Dehumanizing language is not new .
And what we are seeing is that incidents like these are happening in a pattern .
This is a pattern of an attitude towards women and dehumanization of others .
So while I was not deeply hurt or offended by little comments that are made , when I was reflecting on this , I honestly thought I was going to pack it up and go home .
It 's just another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Representative Yoho decided to come to the floor of the House of Representatives and make excuses for his behavior .
And that I could not let go .
I could not allow my nieces , I could not allow the little girls that I go home to , I could not allow victims of verbal abuse and , worse , to see that -- to see that excuse and to see our Congress accepted as legitimate and accept it as an apology and to accept silence as a form of acceptance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Which is why I 'm rising today to raise this point of personal privilege .
And I do not need Representative Yoho to apologize to me .
Clearly he does not want to .
Clearly when given the opportunity he will not .
And I will not stay up late at night waiting for an apology from a man who has no remorse over calling women and using abusive language towards women .
But what I do have issue with is using women , wives and daughters as shields and excuses for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has a wife and two daughters .
I am two years younger than Mr. Yoho 's youngest daughter .
I am someone 's daughter too .
My father , thankfully , is not alive to see how Mr. Yoho treated his daughter .
My mother got to see Mr. Yoho 's disrespect on the floor of this house towards me on television , and I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ say is that this harm that Mr. Yoho levied , it tried to levy against me , was not just an incident directed at me , but when you do that to any woman , what Mr. Yoho did was give permission to other men to do that to his daughters .
He -- in using that language , in front of the press , he gave permission to use that language against his wife , his daughters , women in his community , and I am here to stand up to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not care what your views are .
It does not matter how much I disagree or how much it is incenses me or how much I feel that people are dehumanizing others .
I will not do that myself .
I will not allow people to change and create hatred in our hearts .
And so what I believe is that having a daughter does not make a man decent .
Having a wife does not make a decent man .
Treating people with dignity and respect makes a decent man .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we all are bound to do , he tries his best and does apologize .
Not to save face , not to win a vote .
He apologizes genuinely to repair and acknowledge the harm done , so that we can all move on .
Lastly , what I want to express to Mr. Yoho is gratitude .
I want to thank him for showing the world that you can be a powerful man and accost women .
You can have daughters and accost women without remorse .
You can be married @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photos and project an image to the world of being a family man and accost women without remorse and with a sense of impunity .
It happens every day in this country .
It happened here on the steps of our nation 's Capitol .
It happens when individuals who hold the highest office in this land , admit , admit !
to hurting women , and using this language against all of us .

Hey Ted Yoho, who's the beyoch now?
AOC took to Twitter after Ted Yoho's non-apology apology.
Republican responds to calling a colleague “disgusting” & a “f—ing b*tch” w/ “I cannot apologize for my passion” and blaming others. I will not teach my nieces and young people watching that this an apology, and what they should learn to accept. Yoho is refusing responsibility. https://t.co/BKzJa7KUBW
And this morning, she took to the House floor. (How dare she drop an eff bomb ...by quoting a Republican?)
REPRESENTATIVE OCASIO CORTEZ: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would also like to thank many of my colleagues for the opportunity to not only speak today but for the many members from both sides of the aisle who have reached out to me in support following an incident earlier this week.
About two days ago I was walking up the steps of the Capitol when Representative Yoho suddenly turned a corner and he was accompanied by Representative Roger Williams. He accosted me on the steps right here in front of our nation's Capitol. I was minding my own business, walking up the steps, and Representative Yoho put his finger in my face, he called me disgusting, he called me crazy, he called me out of my mind. And he called me dangerous. And then he took a few more steps and after I had recognized his -- after I had recognized his comments as rude, he walked away and said, 'I'm rude, you're calling me rude.'
I took a few steps ahead and I walked inside and cast my vote. Because my constituents send me here each and every day to fight for them. And to make sure that they are able to keep a roof over their head. That they are able to feed their families. And that they are able to carry their lives with dignity.
I walked back out and there were reporters in the front of the Capitol, and in front of reporters Representative Yoho called me, and I quote, a "fucking bitch" -- fucking, bitch. These are the words Representative Yoho levied against a congresswoman. A congresswoman that not only represents New York's 14th District but every congresswoman in this country because all of us have had to deal with this in some form, some way, some shape at some point in our lives.
And I want to be clear that Representative Yoho's comments were not deeply hurtful or piercing to me.
Because I have worked, a working class job. I have waited tables in restaurants. I have ridden the subway. I have walked the streets in New York City. And this kind of language is not new. I have encountered words uttered by Mr. Yoho and men uttering the same words as Mr. Yoho while I was being harassed in restaurants. I have tossed men out of bars that have used language like Mr. Yoho's, and I have encountered this type of harassment riding the subway in New York City. This is not new. And that is the problem.
Mr. Yoho was not alone. He was walking shoulder to shoulder with Representative Roger Williams. And that's when we start to see that this issue is not about one incident. It is cultural. It is a culture of lack of impunity, of accepting of violence and language against women, an entire structure of power that supports that. Because not only have I been spoken to disrespectfully, particularly by members of the Republican Party, and elected officials in the Republican Party, not just here, but the President of the United States last year told me to go home. To another country with the implication that I don't even belong in America. . The Governor of Florida, Governor Desantis, before I was sworn in, called me a "whatever that is." Dehumanizing language is not new.
And what we are seeing is that incidents like these are happening in a pattern. This is a pattern of an attitude towards women and dehumanization of others. So while I was not deeply hurt or offended by little comments that are made, when I was reflecting on this, I honestly thought I was going to pack it up and go home. It's just another day, right?
But then yesterday, Representative Yoho decided to come to the floor of the House of Representatives and make excuses for his behavior. And that I could not let go. I could not allow my nieces, I could not allow the little girls that I go home to, I could not allow victims of verbal abuse and, worse, to see that -- to see that excuse and to see our Congress accepted as legitimate and accept it as an apology and to accept silence as a form of acceptance, I could not allow that to stand.
Which is why I'm rising today to raise this point of personal privilege. And I do not need Representative Yoho to apologize to me. Clearly he does not want to. Clearly when given the opportunity he will not. And I will not stay up late at night waiting for an apology from a man who has no remorse over calling women and using abusive language towards women. But what I do have issue with is using women, wives and daughters as shields and excuses for poor behavior.
Mr. Yoho mentioned that he has a wife and two daughters. I am two years younger than Mr. Yoho's youngest daughter. I am someone's daughter too. My father, thankfully, is not alive to see how Mr. Yoho treated his daughter. My mother got to see Mr. Yoho's disrespect on the floor of this house towards me on television, and I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men.
Now, what I am here to say is that this harm that Mr. Yoho levied, it tried to levy against me, was not just an incident directed at me, but when you do that to any woman, what Mr. Yoho did was give permission to other men to do that to his daughters. He -- in using that language, in front of the press, he gave permission to use that language against his wife, his daughters, women in his community, and I am here to stand up to say that is not acceptable.
I do not care what your views are. It does not matter how much I disagree or how much it is incenses me or how much I feel that people are dehumanizing others. I will not do that myself. I will not allow people to change and create hatred in our hearts. And so what I believe is that having a daughter does not make a man decent. Having a wife does not make a decent man. Treating people with dignity and respect makes a decent man. And when a decent man messes up, as we all are bound to do, he tries his best and does apologize. Not to save face, not to win a vote. He apologizes genuinely to repair and acknowledge the harm done, so that we can all move on.
Lastly, what I want to express to Mr. Yoho is gratitude. I want to thank him for showing the world that you can be a powerful man and accost women. You can have daughters and accost women without remorse. You can be married and accost women. You can take photos and project an image to the world of being a family man and accost women without remorse and with a sense of impunity. It happens every day in this country. It happened here on the steps of our nation's Capitol. It happens when individuals who hold the highest office in this land, admit, admit! to hurting women, and using this language against all of us.