crooksandliars--2020-12-30--Trump Goes On Unhinged Rant Against Brad Raffensperger's Fictitious Brother

Ahead of the Georgia runoff elections , Donald Trump again attacked Georgia 's Governor and Secretary of State because they upheld the laws governing Georgia , refusing to overthrow the democratically elected winner of the 2020 presidential election Joe Biden instead of the man who would be king .
This is another act of sedition by Trump , but you knew this already .
These attacks include more conspiracy theories from a controversial John Lott .
You may remember John Lott as the man who created an alter-ego named Mary Rosh to defend himself against his critics .
These are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and who are trying to overthrow a democratically elected government in the United States of America .
But that 's not the worst of it .
The ice cream on the insanity cake was Trump claiming Georgia 's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has a brother who works for a Chinese company he alleges secretly changed the voting machines in Georgia to Joe Biden .
As usual this conspiracy was created by the dumbest man on the Internet , The Gateway Pundit .
Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger does not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Chinese tech firm , regardless of what the president of the United States says .
On Dec. 23 , GPB News reported on the `` Battleground '' blog and on social media that Brad and Ron were not related , that Raffensperger had two sisters and no brother in debunking the claims made by the Gateway Pundit and other right-wing media outlets seeking to allege nefarious actions that somehow altered election results .
Here 's what we know now : The Secretary of State 's office said at the time that Raffensperger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and had two sisters .
GPB News has confirmed via public documents and records that Raffensperger does have four siblings , including a brother , but none of them are named Ron , none work for Chinese technology companies nor have any ties to voting machine vendors used by Georgia to conduct its elections or to count five million votes three separate times to confirm that Joe Biden won the state 's electoral votes .
I 'm waiting for Trump to tweet that he sees dead people voting for Ossoff and Warnock .

Ahead of the Georgia runoff elections, Donald Trump again attacked Georgia's Governor and Secretary of State because they upheld the laws governing Georgia, refusing to overthrow the democratically elected winner of the 2020 presidential election Joe Biden instead of the man who would be king.
Hearings from Atlanta on the Georgia Election overturn now being broadcast. Check it out. @OANN @newsmax and many more. @BrianKempGA should resign from office. He is an obstructionist who refuses to admit that we won Georgia, BIG! Also won the other Swing States. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2020
This is another act of sedition by Trump, but you knew this already.
These attacks include more conspiracy theories from a controversial John Lott.
New Lott study estimates 11,350 absentee votes lost to Trump in Georgia. Another 289,000 "excess (fraudulent) votes" across GA, AZ, MI, NV, PA, and WI. Check it out! ➡https://t.co/eIBjdmox5R pic.twitter.com/2MlKVbBoLO — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2020
You may remember John Lott as the man who created an alter-ego named Mary Rosh to defend himself against his critics.
Indeed, Mary Rosh and John Lott agree about nearly everything. Well they should, because Mary Rosh is John Lott -- or at least that's the pseudonym he's used for three years to defend himself against his critics in online debates, Lott acknowledged this week.
These are the types of people that support Trump, and who are trying to overthrow a democratically elected government in the United States of America.
But that's not the worst of it. The ice cream on the insanity cake was Trump claiming Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has a brother who works for a Chinese company he alleges secretly changed the voting machines in Georgia to Joe Biden.
I love the Great State of Georgia, but the people who run it, from the Governor, @BrianKempGA, to the Secretary of State, are a complete disaster and don’t have a clue, or worse. Nobody can be this stupid. Just allow us to find the crime, and turn the state Republican.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2020
...The consent decree signed by the “Secretary”, with the consent of Kemp, is perhaps even more poorly negotiated than the deal that John Kerry made with Iran. Now it turns out that Brad R’s brother works for China, and they definitely don’t want “Trump”. So disgusting! #MAGA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2020
Huh?
As usual this conspiracy was created by the dumbest man on the Internet, The Gateway Pundit.
GA TODAY writes:
Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger does not have a brother named Ron who works for a Chinese tech firm, regardless of what the president of the United States says. On Dec. 23, GPB News reported on the "Battleground" blog and on social media that Brad and Ron were not related, that Raffensperger had two sisters and no brother in debunking the claims made by the Gateway Pundit and other right-wing media outlets seeking to allege nefarious actions that somehow altered election results. Here's what we know now: The Secretary of State's office said at the time that Raffensperger did not have a brother named Ron and had two sisters. GPB News has confirmed via public documents and records that Raffensperger does have four siblings, including a brother, but none of them are named Ron, none work for Chinese technology companies nor have any ties to voting machine vendors used by Georgia to conduct its elections or to count five million votes three separate times to confirm that Joe Biden won the state's electoral votes.
I'm waiting for Trump to tweet that he sees dead people voting for Ossoff and Warnock.


crooksandliars--2020-12-30--Trump DOJ Lets Off Cleveland Cop Who Killed 12-Year-Old Tamir Rice

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that it has closed its investigation of the fatal 2014 police shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland , saying no criminal charges would be filed against the officers involved because video of the killing was not good enough to conclusively determine what happened .
`` The video footage is grainy , shot from a distance , does not show detail or perspective , and portions of the incident are not visible because of the location of the patrol car , '' the DOJ explained in a statement .
`` Further , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per second at a variable rate , which is incapable of capturing continuous action . ''
On November 22 , 2014 two Cleveland officers , Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback , responded to a police dispatch call regarding `` a guy with a pistol '' seen near the Cudell Recreation Center playground on the city 's West Side .
A 911 caller said that the person , `` probably a juvenile , '' was `` scaring the shit out of everyone , '' but added that `` the gun was probably fake .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pellet gun with the orange safety barrel cap removed when Loehmann , a rookie officer , fatally shot him .
A Cuyahoga County grand jury then elected to not prosecute the officers , sparking widespread national outrage and spurring the nascent Black Lives Matter movement .
In 2016 , Rice 's family and the city of Cleveland reached a $ 6 million settlement , although attorneys for the family said that `` there is no such thing as closure or justice '' in such situations .
The Justice Department said that `` after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragic event , career ... prosecutors have concluded that the evidence is insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Officer Loehmann willfully violated Tamir Rice 's constitutional rights , or that Officers Loehmann or Garmback obstructed justice . ''
Subodh Chandra , an attorney for Rice 's family , issued a statement in the wake of Tuesday 's DOJ announcement claiming the government 's `` process was tainted . ''
`` It 's beyond comprehension that the [ Justice ] Department could n't recognize that an officer who claims he shouted commands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed and it was a winter day is lying , '' Chandra said .
`` The Rice family has been cheated of a fair process yet again . ''

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that it has closed its investigation of the fatal 2014 police shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland, saying no criminal charges would be filed against the officers involved because video of the killing was not good enough to conclusively determine what happened.
"The video footage is grainy, shot from a distance, does not show detail or perspective, and portions of the incident are not visible because of the location of the patrol car," the DOJ explained in a statement. "Further, the time lapse footage captures approximately two frames per second at a variable rate, which is incapable of capturing continuous action."
Tamir Rice would have turned 18 this year. His life was cut short by the police violence that is woven into the fabric of Black life in America. Lives depend on change. — ACLU (@ACLU) December 30, 2020
On November 22, 2014 two Cleveland officers, Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback, responded to a police dispatch call regarding "a guy with a pistol" seen near the Cudell Recreation Center playground on the city's West Side. A 911 caller said that the person, "probably a juvenile," was "scaring the shit out of everyone," but added that "the gun was probably fake."
Rice was playing with a replica pellet gun with the orange safety barrel cap removed when Loehmann, a rookie officer, fatally shot him.
A Cuyahoga County grand jury then elected to not prosecute the officers, sparking widespread national outrage and spurring the nascent Black Lives Matter movement.
It cannot be called the Justice Department if it cannot bring about justice for the murder of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. In Tamir’s honor, we say to every Black child: we love you. And we will never stop fighting to protect you. https://t.co/ZipZDe0b0V — Cori Bush (@CoriBush) December 30, 2020
In 2016, Rice's family and the city of Cleveland reached a $6 million settlement, although attorneys for the family said that "there is no such thing as closure or justice" in such situations.
The Justice Department said that "after extensive examination of the facts in this tragic event, career... prosecutors have concluded that the evidence is insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Officer Loehmann willfully violated Tamir Rice's constitutional rights, or that Officers Loehmann or Garmback obstructed justice."
Trump pardons war criminals who murder Afghan children, war criminals who murder Iraqi children, & now Trump’s justice dept supports men who murder Black children. All Lives Matter huh? This hypocrisy & horror is what institutional white supremacy looks like.#TamirRice https://t.co/ByQsj813kK — Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@QasimRashid) December 29, 2020
We must put an end to the two systems of justice in this country. Tamir Rice should be alive today and there should be justice for his family. https://t.co/QxhUbPmfpe — Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) December 30, 2020
Subodh Chandra, an attorney for Rice's family, issued a statement in the wake of Tuesday's DOJ announcement claiming the government's "process was tainted."
"It's beyond comprehension that the [Justice] Department couldn't recognize that an officer who claims he shouted commands when the patrol car's window was closed and it was a winter day is lying," Chandra said. "The Rice family has been cheated of a fair process yet again."
Republished from Common Dreams (Brett Wilkins, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-12-30--BOMBSHELL: Rudy's 'Star Witness' Was A Custodian Temp Worker

We at Crooks and Liars have nothing but respect for custodians and those who take temp jobs to make ends meet .
We have no respect for those who lie about their positions to grab headlines in the attempt to interfere with a secure election .
Rudy 's star witness , Mellissa Carone , may regret the day she decided to become famous .
The Dominion company she defamed at the Michigan voter `` fraud '' hearing has written her a letter , demanding that she retain all documentation in preparation for a defamation lawsuit against her .
The Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took a swipe at Carone ’ s claims that her work for the company gave her access to any kind of special knowledge about its business processes .
“ We write to you now because you have positioned yourself as a prominent leader of the ongoing misinformation campaign by pretending to have some sort of ‘ insider ’ s knowledge ’ regarding Dominion ’ s business activities , when in reality you were hired through a staffing agency for one day to clean glass on machines and complete other menial tasks , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire letter , via Law and Crime .
It 's a doozy :

We at Crooks and Liars have nothing but respect for custodians and those who take temp jobs to make ends meet.
We have no respect for those who lie about their positions to grab headlines in the attempt to interfere with a secure election.
Rudy's star witness, Mellissa Carone, may regret the day she decided to become famous. The Dominion company she defamed at the Michigan voter "fraud" hearing has written her a letter, demanding that she retain all documentation in preparation for a defamation lawsuit against her. The Law and Crime blog reports:
Dominion also took a swipe at Carone’s claims that her work for the company gave her access to any kind of special knowledge about its business processes. “We write to you now because you have positioned yourself as a prominent leader of the ongoing misinformation campaign by pretending to have some sort of ‘insider’s knowledge’ regarding Dominion’s business activities, when in reality you were hired through a staffing agency for one day to clean glass on machines and complete other menial tasks,” the letter stated.
Here's the entire letter, via Law and Crime. It's a doozy:
Carone Letter by Law&Crime


crooksandliars--2020-12-30--Mike Pence Is A Crappy Tipper, Allegedly!

The pandemic has required changes for nearly all of us .
Most of us have not eaten in a restaurant since March .
But Mike Pence is ON VACATION in Vail , Colorado , and had lunch at the Coyote Cafe .
Two chicken bacon and avocado sandwiches , two hot chocolates , and ginger ale .
And he left just over 10 % as a tip .
During a pandemic .
Guess he 's not running for office ever again ?
A blogger can hope .
Last time I ate inside a restaurant was March .
I 've since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up or quickly run in and pick up my order ( w/ an immediate shower and clothes in the laundry ) and I still tip 18 % .
This is disgraceful and disgusting .
All the people trying to stretch the numbers , pretax , post-tax , takeout , counter services , it does n't matter .
The point is , if you have money ( he does ) and you 're in bad times ( we are ) , the correct answer to `` How much do I tip ?
`` , @ @ @ @ @ @

The pandemic has required changes for nearly all of us. Most of us have not eaten in a restaurant since March.
But Mike Pence is ON VACATION in Vail, Colorado, and had lunch at the Coyote Cafe. Two chicken bacon and avocado sandwiches, two hot chocolates, and ginger ale.
And he left just over 10% as a tip. During a pandemic. Guess he's not running for office ever again? A blogger can hope.
A Twitter waiter left the literal receipt.
Here’s the character of these people.
A friend’s friend works at a restaurant that served @Mike_Pence at lunch today.
He tipped $5 on $45 bill.
This is who these people are. Remember that, always. pic.twitter.com/T1dILFzF2N — Sachin Chheda (@skchheda) December 30, 2020
Responses were nearly universal.
He’s willing to pay 30 bucks for two sandwiches but tip only 10% during a pandemic? I give a fiver to delivery guys & I’m not working. This stinks. — Erin (@erincowgill) December 30, 2020
Last time I ate inside a restaurant was March. I've since, and continue to do curbside pick up or quickly run in and pick up my order (w/ an immediate shower and clothes in the laundry) and I still tip 18%. This is disgraceful and disgusting. — Shy Davis (@ShyDavis4) December 30, 2020
All the people trying to stretch the numbers, pretax, post-tax, takeout, counter services, it doesn't matter.
The point is, if you have money (he does) and you're in bad times (we are), the correct answer to "How much do I tip?", is "Too much". — Dean Rockne (@deanrockne) December 30, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-12-30--Ha, Ha! Watchdog Group Goes After True The Vote's Tax-Exempt Status

Here 's some happy news this morning , via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
True The Vote , the allegedly nonpartisan non-profit arm of a Texas Tea Party , will have to justify its non-profit , tax-exempt status .
It could n't happen to a nicer bunch of scammers !
Texas-based True the Vote is working with the Georgia Republican Party to challenge more than 364,000 Georgians who they say may not qualify to vote in the Jan. 5 runoff election because they may have changed addresses .
That effort already has drawn a court challenge from the voting rights group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abrams .
Now True the Vote is the subject of an Internal Revenue Service complaint that says is has violated federal laws prohibiting charities from engaging in political activities .
The complaint accuses True the Vote of working with the Republican Party and making partisan statements against Democrats and liberals .
And it asks the IRS to revoke True the Vote ’ s tax-exempt status .
“ Charities and nonprofits don ’ t get to partner with political parties to suppress the vote and engage in political dirty tricks , ” said Michelle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Accountability , which filed the complaint and bills itself as a nonprofit watchdog organization .
On Monday True the Vote said the IRS complaint has no merit .
It said the Campaign for Accountability is “ part of a concerted campaign by the left to penalize and to prohibit conservative groups from engaging in efforts to preserve the integrity of our elections .

Here's some happy news this morning, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. True The Vote, the allegedly nonpartisan non-profit arm of a Texas Tea Party, will have to justify its non-profit, tax-exempt status. It couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of scammers!
Texas-based True the Vote is working with the Georgia Republican Party to challenge more than 364,000 Georgians who they say may not qualify to vote in the Jan. 5 runoff election because they may have changed addresses. That effort already has drawn a court challenge from the voting rights group Fair Fight, founded by Democrat Stacey Abrams.
Now True the Vote is the subject of an Internal Revenue Service complaint that says is has violated federal laws prohibiting charities from engaging in political activities. The complaint accuses True the Vote of working with the Republican Party and making partisan statements against Democrats and liberals. And it asks the IRS to revoke True the Vote’s tax-exempt status.
“Charities and nonprofits don’t get to partner with political parties to suppress the vote and engage in political dirty tricks,” said Michelle Kuppersmith, executive director of the Campaign for Accountability, which filed the complaint and bills itself as a nonprofit watchdog organization.
On Monday True the Vote said the IRS complaint has no merit. It said the Campaign for Accountability is “part of a concerted campaign by the left to penalize and to prohibit conservative groups from engaging in efforts to preserve the integrity of our elections.


crooksandliars--2020-12-30--Rep. Kinzinger: Trump's Campaign Claims Are 'Just A Scam, It's A Big Grift'

Stating that loyalty is `` one way with President Trump , '' Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger points out to CNN 's Alysin Camerota this morning that anyone who does n't agree with Trump 's version of reality gets thrown under the bus .
`` You know , where I feel really bad , though , is just the people that are , you know , struggling during the pandemic that are giving President Trump 's campaign money for this recount because they believe him and it 's just a scam , it 's a big grift , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I think the president has sent 554 fundraising emails since election night .
So since election night , since he lost the election , what 's he raising money for ?
And people are still giving him money , '' Camerota said .
`` Yeah .
I mean , look , you know , they believe in him .
And you can -- I think we have to step back and understand , you know , people that feel very disaffected , Donald Trump spoke to them , but here is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you know , it 's an election , it 's just a competition of ideas , but after an election , it has turned into an undermining of the democracy and that 's the differentiation between , you know , people that say , 'Well , Adam , you know , was supportive of the president in the past . '
The difference here is what it 's doing to undermine our democracy and the fact , then , that people that work hard for their money , hard-working taxpayers are giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are convinced because the president is telling them this that they can win , and they ca n't .
`` I mean , the scam in Congress with January 6th all these members of Congress that are , you know , posting crazy things so they can get a ton of followers and retweets and raise money , I think we have to call it out finally because if we do n't , people are just going to believe it , '' the congressman said .
But lest you think this Republican seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does have to bring up the deficit .
Because there 's an incoming Democratic administration !
`` So , look , there 's real concern about the deficit and I voted for the $ 2,000 checks when they came up , I guess , yesterday or the day before , but , look , I mean , we 're coming out of here with $ 29 trillion in debt , we 're going to have to make some sacrifices .
`` I think there is a legitimate question about what the size of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you know , my view on it is it 's a time where we are in such a bad position that if you are going to spend money and put it in people 's pockets so they can spend money , it needs to be now and I do n't know if Mitch McConnell is just slow-walking it or whatever , but keep in mind , I mean , the president has just gone after Mitch McConnell now , you know , and gone after anybody that 's ever done anything good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take personal responsibility for his loss .
`` He 's got to put it on other people . ''

Stating that loyalty is "one way with President Trump," Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger points out to CNN's Alysin Camerota this morning that anyone who doesn't agree with Trump's version of reality gets thrown under the bus.
"You know, where I feel really bad, though, is just the people that are, you know, struggling during the pandemic that are giving President Trump's campaign money for this recount because they believe him and it's just a scam, it's a big grift," he said.
"We have some numbers about that I think the president has sent 554 fundraising emails since election night. So since election night, since he lost the election, what's he raising money for? And people are still giving him money," Camerota said.
"Yeah. I mean, look, you know, they believe in him. And you can -- I think we have to step back and understand, you know, people that feel very disaffected, Donald Trump spoke to them, but here is the problem, is up until the election, you know, it's an election, it's just a competition of ideas, but after an election, it has turned into an undermining of the democracy and that's the differentiation between, you know, people that say, 'Well, Adam, you know, was supportive of the president in the past.' The difference here is what it's doing to undermine our democracy and the fact, then, that people that work hard for their money, hard-working taxpayers are giving their money to this, because they are convinced because the president is telling them this that they can win, and they can't.
"I mean, the scam in Congress with January 6th all these members of Congress that are, you know, posting crazy things so they can get a ton of followers and retweets and raise money, I think we have to call it out finally because if we don't, people are just going to believe it," the congressman said.
But lest you think this Republican seems like a completely reasonable man, he does have to bring up the deficit. Because there's an incoming Democratic administration!
"So, look, there's real concern about the deficit and I voted for the $2,000 checks when they came up, I guess, yesterday or the day before, but, look, I mean, we're coming out of here with $29 trillion in debt, we're going to have to make some sacrifices.
"I think there is a legitimate question about what the size of that check needs to be, but, you know, my view on it is it's a time where we are in such a bad position that if you are going to spend money and put it in people's pockets so they can spend money, it needs to be now and I don't know if Mitch McConnell is just slow-walking it or whatever, but keep in mind, I mean, the president has just gone after Mitch McConnell now, you know, and gone after anybody that's ever done anything good for the president because he cannot take personal responsibility for his loss.
"He's got to put it on other people."


crooksandliars--2020-12-30--Congressman-elect Luke Letlow Dies After Battling Covid-19

For all the Republicans and other covid-deniers that say this is just an old person 's disease , Congressman-elect Luke @ @ @ @ @ old , with two small children , aged 3 and 11 months .
Louisiana Congressman-elect @ @ @ @ @ Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport from complications of COVID-19 .
Letlow , 41 , was @ @ @ @ @ Center to the Ochsner LSU Health ICU on Dec. 23 and has been treated there @ @ @ @ @ survived by his wife , Julia Barnhill Letlow , and two young children — Jeremiah @ @ @ @ @ , 11 months .
`` The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the @ @ @ @ @ privacy during this difficult and unexpected time , '' spokesman Andrew Bautsch said in a @ @ @ @ @ from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time .
@ @ @ @ @ have worn a mask regularly , there are reports he did not wear one at @ @ @ @ @ December 5th .
And then there 's this ...

For all the Republicans and other covid-deniers that say this is just an old person's disease, Congressman-elect Luke Letlow was just 41 years old, with two small children, aged 3 and 11 months.
Source: The New-Star, Monroe, Louisiana
Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow died Tuesday at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport from complications of COVID-19. Letlow, 41, was transferred from St. Francis Medical Center to the Ochsner LSU Health ICU on Dec. 23 and has been treated there since then. Letlow is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, and two young children — Jeremiah, 3, and Jacqueline, 11 months. "The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time," spokesman Andrew Bautsch said in a statement. "A statement from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time."
Although Letlow appears to have worn a mask regularly, there are reports he did not wear one at large runoff victory party on December 5th. And then there's this...
Our economy is vital to future of our state and our country.
“So while we’ve been cautious and I think both the state and federal level have taken numerous precautions for COVID-19. We’re now at a place if we do not open our economy we’re in real danger.” pic.twitter.com/g3WKTuwMj2 — Luke Letlow (@LukeLetlow) October 8, 2020
Confirming this very, very sad news: Rep.-elect Luke Letlow has died of coronavirus.
He was 41 and had a wife & 2 small children. Was just days away from being sworn into Congress. Absolutely devastating.https://t.co/NaHXxzQ3Nq — Melanie Zanona (@MZanona) December 30, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-12-31--Ted Cruz Keeps All The Money He Raises For His 'Keep Georgia Red Fund'

The Daily Beast took a close look : The Cruz campaign bought 15 separate ads on Facebook over the past two weeks , each featuring a video of the senator dramatically hyping the need to hold two U.S. Senate seats in Georgia runoff contests .
He asked for $ 5 contributions to his new “ Keep Georgia Red fund.
” But Facebook users who clicked through to the online donation page—and read the fine print at the bottom—would see that the actual beneficiary was Cruz ’ s own campaign committee , not Sens .
Kelly Loeffler or David Perdue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia .
Cruz may be the worst example but he ’ s hardly alone in using Facebook ads that target Georgians for campaigns that have nothing to do with that state .
In fact , the GOP seems to be on board with the tactic : Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has led the way for his caucus .
His campaign has been sending some text messages and running Georgia-focused Google ads linking to a page on the GOP fundraising platform WinRed that says donations will benefit McConnell ’ s own campaign committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Republican members of Congress split the proceeds with Loeffler and Perdue .
But not all .
In addition to Cruz , there ’ s Hitler-admiring Madison Cawthorn .
Congressman-elect Madison Cawthorn ( R-NC ) purchased a handful of Facebook ads last week in which he pledged to use his new post in a fruitless and conspiratorial attempt to nullify the 2020 presidential election .
“ Donate below to join the fight and help save our American way of life !
” it read .
An additional five Cawthorn ads asked people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” But like all the others , they linked to Cawthorn ’ s own donation page .
Cawthorn won ’ t even be sworn in until this weekend .
As usual , the GOP fish rots from the head .
As I ’ ve previously reported , the first $ 8,000 of every donation to Donald Trump ’ s “ official election defense fund ” ( though those solicitations were via email ) goes to pay down his campaign debt and/or “ personal expenses.
” So what ’ s Facebook doing about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of .
“ Facebook did not respond to questions , ” The Daily Beast reported .

The Daily Beast took a close look:
The Cruz campaign bought 15 separate ads on Facebook over the past two weeks, each featuring a video of the senator dramatically hyping the need to hold two U.S. Senate seats in Georgia runoff contests. … He asked for $5 contributions to his new “Keep Georgia Red fund.” But Facebook users who clicked through to the online donation page—and read the fine print at the bottom—would see that the actual beneficiary was Cruz’s own campaign committee, not Sens. Kelly Loeffler or David Perdue, the two Republicans running for re-election in Georgia.
Cruz may be the worst example but he’s hardly alone in using Facebook ads that target Georgians for campaigns that have nothing to do with that state.
In fact, the GOP seems to be on board with the tactic:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has led the way for his caucus. His campaign has been sending some text messages and running Georgia-focused Google ads linking to a page on the GOP fundraising platform WinRed that says donations will benefit McConnell’s own campaign committee.
To be fair, McConnell and other Republican members of Congress split the proceeds with Loeffler and Perdue. But not all. In addition to Cruz, there’s Hitler-admiring Madison Cawthorn.
Congressman-elect Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) purchased a handful of Facebook ads last week in which he pledged to use his new post in a fruitless and conspiratorial attempt to nullify the 2020 presidential election. “Donate below to join the fight and help save our American way of life!” it read. An additional five Cawthorn ads asked people to “defend freedom and defend Georgia!” But like all the others, they linked to Cawthorn’s own donation page. Cawthorn won’t even be sworn in until this weekend.
As usual, the GOP fish rots from the head. As I’ve previously reported, the first $8,000 of every donation to Donald Trump’s “official election defense fund” (though those solicitations were via email) goes to pay down his campaign debt and/or “personal expenses.”
So what’s Facebook doing about the misleading ads? Nothing that we know of. “Facebook did not respond to questions,” The Daily Beast reported.


crooksandliars--2020-12-31--Trump's Legal Troubles In New York State Dramatically Escalate

As Donald Trump 's attempts to overturn the 2020 Presidential election come to an end ( thank god ) , it appears his legal cases in New York State and Manhattan are taking a dramatic shift forward .
And in this case , he has no control over what happens as of 12:01pm on January 20 , 2021 .
The Washington Post is reporting that Cy Vance , the Manhattan D.A.
, has retained forensic accounting specialists , FTI Consulting , to assist with their criminal investigation into Donald Trump 's business operations , specifically in relation his shady real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 after hush money payments to women were made public .
That probe expanded to include investigations into the Trump Organization , which were aided by Congressional testimony made my Trump 's former attorney , Michael Cohen .
His testimony made allegations of shady financial representations , which prompted the Manhattan D.A .
to investigate bank , insurance and tax fraud .
FTI Consulting 's website talks about the type of forensic accounting services they offer : Our multidisciplinary experts address a variety of accounting and compliance issues ; analyze and reconstruct corporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and participate in fact-finding interviews .
We react quickly and confidentially to safeguard assets and reputation , resolve matters with minimum disruption to the business and mitigate recurrences by recommending effective controls .
Our approaches enable us to efficiently gather facts , analyze the issues , and prepare reports and presentations that stand up to regulatory and judicial scrutiny .
We assist with complex accounting and reporting issues that arise from situations occurring outside the normal course of business , including : We assist clients in addressing complex accounting , regulatory and auditing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and PCAOB actions and litigation .
Our work includes the resolution of technical issues , assessment of claims , restatements and listing advisory services .
Our testifying experts typically have given evidence both for and against the government , thereby enhancing credibility with juries and courts .
Several of our seasoned accounting professionals have served with the SEC ’ s Divisions of Enforcement and Corporation Finance and in the Office of the Chief Accountant , as well as the Financial Accounting Standards Board .
The Post reports that FTI will be looking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deals , and to advise the district attorney on whether the president ’ s company manipulated the value of certain assets to obtain favorable interest rates and tax breaks . ''
They will be looking at transactions `` spanning several years . ''
Consultants from FTI have probably already begun reviewing bank and mortgage records and will most likely testify as expert witnesses if the case goes to trial , especially if it involves bringing criminal charges against Donald Trump , his kids and his employees .
Thus far , Donald Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various cases under the excuse that he is `` too busy being President '' , but that excuse goes away on January 20 , 2021 when he returns to being a regular citizen .
He will have no job and no excuse for why he ca n't show up for hearings or produce documents .
And just a reminder , even if he pardons himself , it will only apply to FEDERAL crimes .
Not state .
So nothing he does can protect him from Cy Vance ( Manhattan D.A . )
or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
And they are both coming for him .

As Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 Presidential election come to an end (thank god), it appears his legal cases in New York State and Manhattan are taking a dramatic shift forward. And in this case, he has no control over what happens as of 12:01pm on January 20, 2021. The Washington Post is reporting that Cy Vance, the Manhattan D.A., has retained forensic accounting specialists, FTI Consulting, to assist with their criminal investigation into Donald Trump's business operations, specifically in relation his shady real estate deals.
The investigation started in 2018 after hush money payments to women were made public. That probe expanded to include investigations into the Trump Organization, which were aided by Congressional testimony made my Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen. His testimony made allegations of shady financial representations, which prompted the Manhattan D.A. to investigate bank, insurance and tax fraud.
FTI Consulting's website talks about the type of forensic accounting services they offer:
Our multidisciplinary experts address a variety of accounting and compliance issues; analyze and reconstruct corporate books, records and electronic information; and participate in fact-finding interviews. We react quickly and confidentially to safeguard assets and reputation, resolve matters with minimum disruption to the business and mitigate recurrences by recommending effective controls. Our approaches enable us to efficiently gather facts, analyze the issues, and prepare reports and presentations that stand up to regulatory and judicial scrutiny. We assist with complex accounting and reporting issues that arise from situations occurring outside the normal course of business, including: Fraud and complex financial investigations
Audit and special committee investigations
Financial statement misstatements, inadequate disclosure and restatements
Whistleblower allegations
Regulatory inquiries
Anti-corruption and FCPA/UK Bribery Act compliance and forensics
Independent internal controls and fraud risk assessment
Compliance and transaction risk assessments
M&A fraud services
Ponzi schemes, embezzlement and kickbacks
Receiver, trustee and independent monitorship services
Technical accounting services
Assistance with auditors
Accountant liability
SEC & Accounting Advisory We assist clients in addressing complex accounting, regulatory and auditing issues, including all phases of SEC and PCAOB actions and litigation. Our work includes the resolution of technical issues, assessment of claims, restatements and listing advisory services. Our testifying experts typically have given evidence both for and against the government, thereby enhancing credibility with juries and courts. Several of our seasoned accounting professionals have served with the SEC’s Divisions of Enforcement and Corporation Finance and in the Office of the Chief Accountant, as well as the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
The Post reports that FTI will be looking for "anomalies among a variety of property deals, and to advise the district attorney on whether the president’s company manipulated the value of certain assets to obtain favorable interest rates and tax breaks." They will be looking at transactions "spanning several years."
Consultants from FTI have probably already begun reviewing bank and mortgage records and will most likely testify as expert witnesses if the case goes to trial, especially if it involves bringing criminal charges against Donald Trump, his kids and his employees.
Thus far, Donald Trump has avoided providing tax records or DNA in various cases under the excuse that he is "too busy being President", but that excuse goes away on January 20, 2021 when he returns to being a regular citizen. He will have no job and no excuse for why he can't show up for hearings or produce documents. And just a reminder, even if he pardons himself, it will only apply to FEDERAL crimes. Not state. So nothing he does can protect him from Cy Vance (Manhattan D.A.) or Letitia James (New York State A.G).
And they are both coming for him.


Grim Reaper Mitch

`` It strikes me as a level of incompetence I have to say I am stunned by , '' said @ @ @ @ @ .
Just 2 million of a promised 20 million doses by the end of the @ @ @ @ @ far .

Can you help us out?
For 18 years we have been exposing Washington lies and untangling media deceit, but now Facebook is drowning us in an ocean of right wing lies. Please give a one-time or recurring donation, or buy a year's subscription for an ad-free experience. Thank you.


crooksandliars--2020-12-31--Georgia Lt Gov Blasts Giuliani For His 'Cringeworthy' Misinformation Campaign

On Fox News Wednesday afternoon , Georgia Lt. Gov .
Geoff Duncan attacked Rudy Giuliani 's barbaric misinformation campaign -- and efforts to flip the election to Trump -- as undemocratic and un-American .
Host Sandra Smith interviewed the Georgia Republican about the upcoming Senate runoff elections and the $ 2K stimulus fight .
Duncan went off on the lies and misinformation being told by Trump 's legal team and Trump himself .
Duncan said , `` The part that really hurts us here in Georgia for our January 5th runoff is to have conversations about misinformation . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the Georgia capital just talking about misinformation in every syllable it 's cringeworthy , '' he said .
`` It 's like listening to fingernails down a chalkboard ! ''
Duncan exclaimed .
Lt. Gov .
Duncan said Georgia is a conservative state , but these folks trying to figure out ways to flip the election with misinformation was disastrous to our nation .
`` It 's not democracy - it 's not American and I do n't support it and I certainly encourage everyone here listening here not to support any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an election , '' Duncan said .

On Fox News Wednesday afternoon, Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan attacked Rudy Giuliani's barbaric misinformation campaign -- and efforts to flip the election to Trump -- as undemocratic and un-American.
Host Sandra Smith interviewed the Georgia Republican about the upcoming Senate runoff elections and the $2K stimulus fight. Duncan went off on the lies and misinformation being told by Trump's legal team and Trump himself.
Duncan said, "The part that really hurts us here in Georgia for our January 5th runoff is to have conversations about misinformation."
"To have folks like Rudy Giuliani walking around the Georgia capital just talking about misinformation in every syllable it's cringeworthy," he said.
"It's like listening to fingernails down a chalkboard!" Duncan exclaimed.
Lt. Gov. Duncan said Georgia is a conservative state, but these folks trying to figure out ways to flip the election with misinformation was disastrous to our nation.
"It's not democracy - it's not American and I don't support it and I certainly encourage everyone here listening here not to support any sort of misinformation campaign to just flip an election," Duncan said.


crooksandliars--2020-12-31--David Perdue Can't Think Of One Thing He Accomplished In Six Years As Senator

What is his greatest achievement was in the six years of holding office ?
Purdue could n't think of one thing he had done for the people of Georgia .
Gowdy said , `` There is a service component to the job .
What about your service as a United States Senator should voters who were trying to make up their minds in Georgia , what part of your service would you like to highlight for them ? ''
Sen. Perdue has been serving as a Senator since 2014 , mind you .
He claimed he ran because he felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direction but could n't say how he put it back on the right direction .
Then he made this comment : `` The most gratifying thing may have just happened today as a matter of fact , '' he said .
Perdue went on to describe him campaigning for the January 6 runoff .
His greatest accomplishment was going to small towns all over the state of Georgia and seeing people .
Being of service is something wealthy Republican politicians know nothing about , as exemplified by Perdue 's answer .
What 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Republicans in Congress when they want to con their voters is to say they `` have been supporting everything Trump has done in office blah blah '' , but Perdue did n't even say that .
But hey , maybe after the interview , Trey Gowdy gave Purdue some advice on job searching after your congressional career is over .
Georgians deserve WAY better representation in the Senate than David Purdue .

On Fox News' Hannity Wednesday evening, guest host Trey Gowdy pitched a real softball question at David Perdue.
What is his greatest achievement was in the six years of holding office?
Purdue couldn't think of one thing he had done for the people of Georgia.
Gowdy said, "There is a service component to the job. What about your service as a United States Senator should voters who were trying to make up their minds in Georgia, what part of your service would you like to highlight for them?"
Perdue replied, "Well, that's a tough question."
No, David, it totally isn't!
Sen. Perdue has been serving as a Senator since 2014, mind you. He claimed he ran because he felt the country was headed in the wrong direction but couldn't say how he put it back on the right direction.
Then he made this comment: "The most gratifying thing may have just happened today as a matter of fact," he said.
Perdue went on to describe him campaigning for the January 6 runoff. His greatest accomplishment was going to small towns all over the state of Georgia and seeing people.
What?
Being of service is something wealthy Republican politicians know nothing about, as exemplified by Perdue's answer.
What's illuminating is this: the stock answer from Republicans in Congress when they want to con their voters is to say they "have been supporting everything Trump has done in office blah blah", but Perdue didn't even say that.
But hey, maybe after the interview, Trey Gowdy gave Purdue some advice on job searching after your congressional career is over.
Georgians deserve WAY better representation in the Senate than David Purdue.


crooksandliars--2020-12-31--People Are Sending Mitch McConnell $2000 Venmo Requests

Classic !
The internet does not disappoint .
via Phil West at DailyDot : Sen. Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) @ @ @ @ @ primary obstacle to $ 2,000 stimulus checks in a new debate over coronavirus relief ignited @ @ @ @ @ s late-to-the-party Twitter appeals last week .
McConnell declared Wednesday , according to CNN , @ @ @ @ @ more substantial stimulus checks has “ no realistic path to quickly pass the Senate.
” @ @ @ @ @ to platforms including Venmo and PayPal to directly request stimulus checks from McConnell himself .
@ @ @ @ @ document their attempts as well as to encourage others to do the same .
One @ @ @ @ @ Venmo account tied to his general Senate email address , asserted , `` I 'm @ @ @ @ @ way or another . ''

Classic! The internet does not disappoint. via Phil West at DailyDot:
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has positioned himself as the primary obstacle to $2,000 stimulus checks in a new debate over coronavirus relief ignited by President Donald Trump’s late-to-the-party Twitter appeals last week. McConnell declared Wednesday, according to CNN, that a House-passed bill proposing more substantial stimulus checks has “no realistic path to quickly pass the Senate.” So, Americans have taken to platforms including Venmo and PayPal to directly request stimulus checks from McConnell himself.
Citizens took to Twitter to document their attempts as well as to encourage others to do the same. One, claiming McConnell has a Venmo account tied to his general Senate email address, asserted, "I'm getting my #Stimulus one way or another."


crooksandliars--2020-12-31--Bernie Sanders 'Stuffs Mitch McConnell In A Locker' Over $2000 Checks

In an appearance on MSNBC late Wednesday after Senate Republicans once again blocked his attempt to force a vote on $ 2,000 direct payments , Sen. Bernie Sanders voiced disdain for his GOP colleagues ' argument that the relief checks would be `` too costly '' —an objection raised by lawmakers who happily voted for massive tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations .
When it comes to `` tax breaks for rich people or corporate welfare or bloated military budgets , that 's OK , '' said Sanders , deriding the GOP 's position .
`` But when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working class families need some help , 'Oh my god , the world is gon na collapse . '
'' `` So I am a little bit tired of that hypocrisy , '' Sanders continued .
`` I 'm tired of companies like Amazon making billions and billions of dollars not paying a nickel in federal taxes—no one talks about that .
But when you 're helping a mom trying to feed her kids , 'Oh my god , we ca n't afford it . '
This is hypocrisy . ''
The Vermont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Senate Republicans—Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( Ky. ) , Sen. Pat Toomey ( Pa ) , and Sen. John Cornyn ( Texas ) —blocked the Sanders-led effort Wednesday to secure a vote on a House-passed measure that would provide $ 2,000 direct payments to most Americans , up from the $ 600 checks approved under the new coronavirus relief law .
As Sanders readily pointed out on the Senate floor Wednesday , outgoing President Donald Trump has backed the demand for $ 2,000 checks .
The three Republicans claimed that the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribute to the growing budget deficit—objections that those same senators did not raise in 2017 , when they voted to pass $ 1.5 trillion in tax cuts that blew a massive hole in the deficit and disproportionately rewarded the affluent .
Contrary to McConnell 's depiction of the direct payments as a gift to `` the Democrats ' rich friends who do n't need the help , '' the House bill would only deliver the full $ 2,000 payments to individuals earning $ 75,000 a year or less and joint filers earning $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a sudden Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans are worried that someone in America might get a $ 2,000 check 'who does n't need it , ' '' Sanders tweeted late Wednesday .
`` Funny .
They had no problem giving a $ 1.4 billion tax break to Charles Koch and his family with a net worth of $ 113 billion .
What hypocrisy ! ''
While some couples with a combined income in the six figures would receive direct payments under the Democrats ' bill , Matt Bruenig of the the People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the poorest people in our society are eligible for survival payments '' as well , `` even though many are not eligible for [ unemployment insurance ] . ''
`` Prior to the pandemic , less than 30 percent of the bottom 10 percent of the disposable income distribution were workers .
Only 10 percent were full-time workers .
The rest were children , disabled people , elderly people , caregivers , and others that are not eligible for UI , '' Bruenig explained .
`` An illustrative case of someone in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently lives on $ 783 per month provided by the Supplemental Security Income ( SSI ) program .
The survival payment will reach them .
The UI bonus will not . ''

In an appearance on MSNBC late Wednesday after Senate Republicans once again blocked his attempt to force a vote on $2,000 direct payments, Sen. Bernie Sanders voiced disdain for his GOP colleagues' argument that the relief checks would be "too costly"—an objection raised by lawmakers who happily voted for massive tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations.
When it comes to "tax breaks for rich people or corporate welfare or bloated military budgets, that's OK," said Sanders, deriding the GOP's position. "But when you stand up and you say that working class families need some help, 'Oh my god, the world is gonna collapse.'"
"So I am a little bit tired of that hypocrisy," Sanders continued. "I'm tired of companies like Amazon making billions and billions of dollars not paying a nickel in federal taxes—no one talks about that. But when you're helping a mom trying to feed her kids, 'Oh my god, we can't afford it.' This is hypocrisy."
The Vermont senator's remarks came after a trio of Senate Republicans—Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Sen. Pat Toomey (Pa), and Sen. John Cornyn (Texas)—blocked the Sanders-led effort Wednesday to secure a vote on a House-passed measure that would provide $2,000 direct payments to most Americans, up from the $600 checks approved under the new coronavirus relief law.
Bernie Sanders just stuffed Mitch McConnell in a locker.
“Let me just make it clear for the majority leader — that 10 out of the poorest 25 counties in the US are located in Kentucky.” pic.twitter.com/EPm7jT5TSF — Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) December 30, 2020
As Sanders readily pointed out on the Senate floor Wednesday, outgoing President Donald Trump has backed the demand for $2,000 checks.
"Nobody here will disagree with Trump more times than I have, and yet here is what the Leader of the Republican Party says. He says $2000 ASAP." @BernieSanders on the Senate floor https://t.co/uHH8DwlgmD pic.twitter.com/w28Uhj4FZn — People for Bernie (@People4Bernie) December 30, 2020
The three Republicans claimed that the $2,000 checks would benefit the wealthy and contribute to the growing budget deficit—objections that those same senators did not raise in 2017, when they voted to pass $1.5 trillion in tax cuts that blew a massive hole in the deficit and disproportionately rewarded the affluent.
Contrary to McConnell's depiction of the direct payments as a gift to "the Democrats' rich friends who don't need the help," the House bill would only deliver the full $2,000 payments to individuals earning $75,000 a year or less and joint filers earning $150,000 annually or less.
"All of a sudden Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans are worried that someone in America might get a $2,000 check 'who doesn't need it,'" Sanders tweeted late Wednesday. "Funny. They had no problem giving a $1.4 billion tax break to Charles Koch and his family with a net worth of $113 billion. What hypocrisy!"
While some couples with a combined income in the six figures would receive direct payments under the Democrats' bill, Matt Bruenig of the the People's Policy Project has noted that "the poorest people in our society are eligible for survival payments" as well, "even though many are not eligible for [unemployment insurance]."
"Prior to the pandemic, less than 30 percent of the bottom 10 percent of the disposable income distribution were workers. Only 10 percent were full-time workers. The rest were children, disabled people, elderly people, caregivers, and others that are not eligible for UI," Bruenig explained. "An illustrative case of someone in this situation would be a disabled person who currently lives on $783 per month provided by the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The survival payment will reach them. The UI bonus will not."
Republished from Common Dreams (Jake Johnson, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-12-31--2020 News Dump: Josh Hawley Hates Democracy, And Other News

LIVE LOOK at the line of people waiting to vote at 730am on NYE — the last day of early voting in Cobb County , Georgia .
As a reminder , the states runoff elections will ultimately determine the balance of power in Washington DC .
pic.twitter.com/XSSCPUI8Gi Who are we picking on for the last day of 2020 ?
The smarmy Senator from Missouri , Josh Hawley .
The nakedly ambitious and craven junior senator wants to run for president , and so he 's sucking up to the Trump base by announcing he 'll challenge the validation of Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Hawley has no problem telling the over 80 MILLION AMERICANS who voted for Joe Biden that our voices do not count .
That because we did not choose his King that our votes do not count .
The arrogance of these bastards .
https : //t.co/nJoZq0OsUe Don ’ t underestimate how selfish and craven his actions are .
He is putting his colleagues in an untenable position , all in the cause of his ambition .
Pretty ugly stuff .
He is a Stanford & Yale educated lawyer who knows all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no evidence .
https : //t.co/dy0YiEoSr1 Good morning to the dude who walked into the early voting venue yesterday and answered “ are you here to vote ?
” with “ I ’ m here to ruin Mitch McConnell ’ s fuckin ’ day ” — Céline went to France twice so she ’ s French ( @ selina3sticks ) December 30 , 2020 What are you doing about the 8 million people newly in poverty , Senator including nearly 14 percent of Texans ?
Any plans to push your Republican @ senatemajldr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the floor or are you just going to keep flaunting your “ have ” status ?
https : //t.co/ZArSQSzNYF 2020 has been dark but let 's ring in 2021 with light .
Today we celebrate the opening of the new Moynihan Train Hall in Manhattan .
It was built in the spirit of New York — ambitious and bold .
pic.twitter.com/tuLlsTIfDt HEADS UP According to this , if your heart stops and EMTs are unable to achieve “ return of spontaneous circulation , ” you will no longer be transported to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no capacity due to COVID-19 .
pic.twitter.com/gwOsShCA1R We should all be outraged to learn that nearly 1 in 8 military families today suffer from food insecurity worrying if their family has enough food .
American military families .
Join me in supporting those who are serving us .
Donate here : https : //t.co/CvwAzbsliw cc @ RexChapman pic.twitter.com/3983EbBkyP It 's stories like this one that are why I use my Twitter to promote debt forgiveness through RIP Medical Debt .
Currently we 're raising $ to forgive medical debt for East Tennesseans in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 100 in debt so please help .
https : //t.co/T5bw8tY51E https : //t.co/MEzHRdzdN2 Guys !
WE MADE IT THROUGH 2020 !
Now we just have to survive until January 20 , 2021 !
So wash your hands , wear your masks , and be kind to each other .
Here 's my last song of 2020 , starring Seth McFarlane :

Who are we picking on for the last day of 2020? The smarmy Senator from Missouri, Josh Hawley.
The nakedly ambitious and craven junior senator wants to run for president, and so he's sucking up to the Trump base by announcing he'll challenge the validation of Joe Biden's vote on January 6th:
Millions of voters concerned about election integrity deserve to be heard. I will object on January 6 on their behalf pic.twitter.com/kTaaPPJGHE — Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) December 30, 2020
But Hawley has no problem telling the over 80 MILLION AMERICANS who voted for Joe Biden that our voices do not count.
That because we did not choose his King that our votes do not count.
The arrogance of these bastards. https://t.co/nJoZq0OsUe — 🎄Julie🎄ShadyTomatoStudio (@vintagegoddess) December 31, 2020
Georgia Lt. Gov. @GeoffDuncanGA condemns @HawleyMO's "damaging" plan to challenge election results: "I'm worried that the sideshows and the distractions are causing some disruption around Jan. 5. But long-term, gosh, it's just not helpful. And quite honestly, it is a sideshow." pic.twitter.com/Pnn6HZs0Bm — Quint Forgey (@QuintForgey) December 31, 2020
"Josh Hawley and anyone who supports his effort are engaged in the attempted overthrow of democracy," Sen. Chris Murphy says as Sen. Hawley announced that he would object to the Electoral College certification on January 6. https://t.co/bI64Ml10de — MSNBC (@MSNBC) December 31, 2020
Josh Hawley is barred in Missouri. His birthday is tomorrow... Gift idea? File a complaint for professional misconduct, ie being a traitor, to the MO OCDC. File here: https://t.co/3FeZk4YS7o — Lauren Windsor (@lawindsor) December 30, 2020
Don’t underestimate how selfish and craven his actions are. He is putting his colleagues in an untenable position, all in the cause of his ambition. Pretty ugly stuff. He is a Stanford &Yale educated lawyer who knows all the court cases have failed because there is no evidence. https://t.co/dy0YiEoSr1 — Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) December 31, 2020
.@BenSasse out with a very long statement on January 6 Electoral Vote process.
Highlight: “When we talk in private, I haven’t heard a single Congressional Republican allege that the election results were fraudulent - not one.” https://t.co/nvctRnXqzN pic.twitter.com/fuZ4AIbk3c — Declan Garvey (@declanpgarvey) December 31, 2020
***************************
More than 1.1 million Georgia voters have cast their ballots despite long lines and closed polling places. But we need federal action, like the permanent protections of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, to stop voter suppression like this. https://t.co/ygTiRwRjWy — Swing Left (@swingleft) December 20, 2020
COVID-19 bill started a 180-day countdown for UFO disclosures https://t.co/QiWhZYa5iI pic.twitter.com/b9kvM7oTLg — New York Post (@nypost) December 29, 2020
Trump TRIED TO SHUT DOWN the investigation into the hack-and-leak days after Roger Stone asked him to.https://t.co/oNr8YgXbhk — Dr. emptywheel (@emptywheel) December 31, 2020
CNN: A new forecasts projects more than 80,000 Americans could die of Covid-19 in next 3 weekshttps://t.co/lCmIIIeKZS — Robert D. Bullard (@DrBobBullard) December 31, 2020
Fired employee deliberately spoiled COVID-19 vaccine, Wisconsin health system says https://t.co/4tstQ2lRdj — ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) December 31, 2020
UPDATE #COVID19 new variant VOC202012/01 in England
➡VOC growing rapidly
➡Transmission advantage for VOC of 0.4 to 0.7 difference in reproduction number compared to non-VOC variant
➡VOC affecting a greater proportion of under 20s
👉Report https://t.co/wZkdw9fCIj pic.twitter.com/YlffZnyPMl — MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis (@MRC_Outbreak) December 31, 2020
Here are four ways North Korea's Kim Jong Un became more dangerous under Trump's sanctions https://t.co/7M3KL59YIH — Bloomberg Politics (@bpolitics) December 31, 2020
View from the EU: Britain 'taken over by gamblers, liars, clowns and their cheerleaders' https://t.co/Z1YL7bI8fX — The Guardian (@guardian) December 31, 2020
Trump just removed the IG investigating Elaine Chao. Chao’s husband, Mitch McConnell, already vetted the replacement. https://t.co/oDGEs1gf3w — Don Winslow (@donwinslow) December 31, 2020
Good morning to the dude who walked into the early voting venue yesterday and answered “are you here to vote?” with “I’m here to ruin Mitch McConnell’s fuckin’ day” — Céline went to France twice so she’s French (@selina3sticks) December 30, 2020
They are front-line workers with top priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine, but they are refusing to take it.https://t.co/yDtTh6ccq2 — Los Angeles Times (@latimes) December 31, 2020
At the current rate, it would take almost 10 years to vaccinate enough Americans to get the pandemic under control, @NBCNews analysis shows. https://t.co/fIZ2ISIwjR — MSNBC (@MSNBC) December 31, 2020
What are you doing about the 8 million people newly in poverty, Senator including nearly 14 percent of Texans? Any plans to push your Republican @senatemajldr to put the $2,000 relief bill on the floor or are you just going to keep flaunting your “have” status? https://t.co/ZArSQSzNYF — Joy WE VOTED!! WEAR A MASK!! Reid 😷) (@JoyAnnReid) December 31, 2020
Michael Pack, the Trump-appointed CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, has added a binding contractual agreement intended to ensure he cannot be removed for the next 2 years — despite President-elect Biden signaling that he intends to replace Pack.https://t.co/gF7Rrocize — NPR (@NPR) December 31, 2020
If this 👇 doesn't scream Karen 🤣... she's even perfected the stance! 🤦 pic.twitter.com/vhRozxvIxI — DeezNutz® 🇺🇲 🇲🇽 (@DeezNut64325575) December 30, 2020
2020 has been dark but let's ring in 2021 with light.
Today we celebrate the opening of the new Moynihan Train Hall in Manhattan.
It was built in the spirit of New York — ambitious and bold. pic.twitter.com/tuLlsTIfDt — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) December 30, 2020
"To set the tone for his inauguration the next day, President-elect Biden will lead a memorial to remember and honor lives lost to COVID-19, with church-bell ringings and light shows across the country on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 5:30 p.m. ET." https://t.co/tHFfdk7gKI — Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) December 31, 2020
The Justice Department says it will not bring federal criminal charges against two Cleveland police officers for the 2014 fatal shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, whose death became a national symbol in the Black Lives Matter movement. https://t.co/yEYLo3jJQc — The Associated Press (@AP) December 29, 2020
HEADS UP
According to this, if your heart stops and EMTs are unable to achieve “return of spontaneous circulation,” you will no longer be transported to a hospital in Los Angeles.
There is no capacity due to COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/gwOsShCA1R — Leah McElrath 🏳🌈 (@leahmcelrath) December 31, 2020
We should all be outraged to learn that nearly 1 in 8 military families today suffer from food insecurity worrying if their family has enough food.
American military families.
Join me in supporting those who are serving us. Donate here: https://t.co/CvwAzbsliw cc @RexChapman pic.twitter.com/3983EbBkyP — Joseph Kopser (@JosephKopser) December 31, 2020
Confined mostly to tiny cabins, crew members found themselves forced to stay aboard—sometimes without pay—and struggling to cope with a never-ending lockdown https://t.co/DKb8u2Y4wF — Businessweek (@BW) December 30, 2020
What Democrats can learn from Nebraska’s shift to the right: https://t.co/pXVtwFFSuk — FiveThirtyEight (@FiveThirtyEight) December 30, 2020
It's stories like this one that are why I use my Twitter to promote debt forgiveness through RIP Medical Debt. Currently we're raising $ to forgive medical debt for East Tennesseans in poverty. Every dollar you donate forgives $100 in debt so please help. https://t.co/T5bw8tY51E https://t.co/MEzHRdzdN2 — Space Witches, Esq. (@popelizbet) December 15, 2020
Trump Fears That His Influence Is Waning https://t.co/s0hVUrfidK via @thedailybeast — Jack (@Jackhammer72) December 31, 2020
Florida’s Republicans in Congress: A national embarrassment, a danger to democracy | Editorial https://t.co/Bh9C0254qG — Shar G (@hapkidogal) December 31, 2020
The sheer volume of loss felt by the music world in 2020 is almost overwhelming. Here is NPR's tribute to dozens of the musicians — founders and innovators across genres — who died this year. https://t.co/RKf81NImN3 — NPR Music (@nprmusic) December 31, 2020
Trump’s skipping his New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago so he can spend every minute working for the American people. Just kidding, it’s so he can get a head-start on stealing stuff like the silverware. #NewYearsEve https://t.co/5ajxLhHDqo — W Smith Ω 🧢 DJT - America’s #1 Domestic Terrorist (@WesSmith123) December 31, 2020
🤔Iran accuses Trump of "plot to fabricate pretext for war" https://t.co/OOFo7l8rtJ — Laffy (@GottaLaff) December 31, 2020
Everyone’s hitting up Mitch McConnell with $2,000 Venmo requests...LOLhttps://t.co/mYcI7TmSmX — Kimberley Johnson (@AuthorKimberley) December 31, 2020
Ken Jennings is getting dragged for this? Really? Lol he’s 100% correct though. pic.twitter.com/oT9zrQpBPQ — Justin (@imjustinsanders) December 31, 2020
A year ago I wrote about the "epidemic of uncounted ballots" due to high rejection rates. Addressing that problem, including by ensuring voters had a legal right to fix mistakes, was central to our successful litigation strategy in 2020.https://t.co/REa8GQqyGw — Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) December 31, 2020
DEPT. OF PALATE CLEANSERS
This is Jessica..
She is the best guide dog in training.. 😊 pic.twitter.com/hjrIAeiQtM — Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden_) December 30, 2020
“Quick - turn it off. Hooman is home!” pic.twitter.com/P8MLRlMaUn — Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) December 29, 2020
Nicolas Cage's History of Swear Words premieres January 5.
Consider yourself warned. pic.twitter.com/WfxZKfcymZ — Netflix (@netflix) December 22, 2020
His 16-year-old son died in a car accident. They donated his organs.
The recipient of the heart sent the father a gift... pic.twitter.com/0rND8sHaRc — Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) December 27, 2020
Why is this so funny? pic.twitter.com/Efd1YfXEVb — Pepys's Jarlesburg (@cromgood) December 25, 2020
Guys! WE MADE IT THROUGH 2020! Now we just have to survive until January 20, 2021!
So wash your hands, wear your masks, and be kind to each other. Here's my last song of 2020, starring Seth McFarlane:


crooksandliars--2020-12-31--Biden Seeks To Nominate Public Defenders And Civil Rights Attorneys To Federal Bench

This is some great news .
Joe Biden is asking Democratic senators to recommend judicial candidates who have served as public defenders and civil rights lawyers .
It 's time to get that kind of new blood into the judiciary .
Via The Hill : Dana Remus , Biden 's pick to serve as White House counsel when he takes office next month , sent a letter to Democratic senators this month soliciting their input on district court seats in their states , saying that the new administration would be emphasizing nominees who are demographically diverse and do n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is typical of a federal judge .
`` With respect to U.S. District Court positions , we are particularly focused on nominating individuals whose legal experiences have been historically underrepresented on the federal bench , including those who are public defenders , civil rights and legal aid attorneys , and those who represent Americans in every walk of life , '' Remus wrote in the letter , which was obtained by The Hill .
[ ... ] Recent presidents of both parties have filled the judiciary with former prosecutors , lawyers who primarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representing big corporations or some combination of the two .
The Center for American Progress published a study in August that found that 65 percent of circuit court judges , who sit just below the Supreme Court , spent the majority of their legal careers in private practice , usually at major law firms .
Only three had spent their careers as public defenders , and just one was a nonprofit lawyer , according to the study .

This is some great news. Joe Biden is asking Democratic senators to recommend judicial candidates who have served as public defenders and civil rights lawyers. It's time to get that kind of new blood into the judiciary. Via The Hill:
Dana Remus, Biden's pick to serve as White House counsel when he takes office next month, sent a letter to Democratic senators this month soliciting their input on district court seats in their states, saying that the new administration would be emphasizing nominees who are demographically diverse and don't have the corporate law or prosecutor pedigree that is typical of a federal judge.
"With respect to U.S. District Court positions, we are particularly focused on nominating individuals whose legal experiences have been historically underrepresented on the federal bench, including those who are public defenders, civil rights and legal aid attorneys, and those who represent Americans in every walk of life," Remus wrote in the letter, which was obtained by The Hill.
[...] Recent presidents of both parties have filled the judiciary with former prosecutors, lawyers who primarily come from prestigious law firms specializing in representing big corporations or some combination of the two.
The Center for American Progress published a study in August that found that 65 percent of circuit court judges, who sit just below the Supreme Court, spent the majority of their legal careers in private practice, usually at major law firms. Only three had spent their careers as public defenders, and just one was a nonprofit lawyer, according to the study.


crooksandliars--2020-01-31--Sen. Warren Calls Out Chief Justice Roberts For Presiding Over A Sham Trial

During Thursday 's Question period in Donald John Trump 's impeachment trial , Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a question up to Chief Justice John Roberts that turned quite a few heads .
CJ ROBERTS : At a time when large majorities of Americans have lost faith in government , does the fact that the Chief Justice is presiding over an impeachment trial , in which Republican senators have thus far refused to allow witnesses or evidence , contribute to the loss of legitimacy of the Chief Justice , the Supreme Court , and the Constitution ?
Here is a screenshot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he finished reading that .
Here is a screenshot of Twitter after he finished reading that .
Here is a screenshot of Adam Schiff as he prepared to stand to answer that question .
It 's understandable that the Twitterverse and millions of TV viewers would cheer this question , finding it heroic and cathartic after days and days ( years , even ) of suffering the absolute bullsh*t gaslighting and lies from the GOP White House , Senate , and now , tragically , a GOP Supreme Court .
Sen. Warren forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the impact of his actions , inactions , and decisions in the impeachment trial over which he presides .
On the other hand , was it wise to poke the bear ?
After all , this is the man who might end up being the tie-breaking vote for witnesses .
Unlikely , sure , but possible .
Will goading him with low-key insults move him in our direction or away from it ?
Was the question unnecessarily inflammatory ?
Furthermore , on the one subject matter in which he has shed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruled in our favor , and strongly .
He refused — multiple times — to read questions in which the whistleblower 's identity might have been revealed , no matter how hard Rand Paul tried .
Believe me , I am no John Roberts fan , but this showed strength and good ethics .
Thankfully , Rep. Schiff 's response was , as usual , brilliant , conciliatory , and laser-focused on exactly the right issues at the heart of the matter .
REP. SCHIFF : Senator , I would not say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Chief Justice .
I think the Chief Justice has presided admirably .
He then turned to what not calling witnesses and admitting evidence would do to the legitimacy of our standing in the world .
He lamented the fact that we 've already lost legitimacy and the moral high ground when we tell other nations not to engage in political investigations .
Then he went back to Sen. Warren 's question : REP. SCHIFF : I do n't think a trial without witnesses reflects adversely on the Chief Justice .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think it diminishes the power of this example to the rest of the world if we can not have a fair trial in the face of this kind of presidential misconduct .
This is the remedy for presidential abuse .
But it does not reflect well on any of us if we are afraid of what the evidence holds . ''
Sen. Warren 's question was in many ways deeply satisfying to hear , and reflected the passionate sentiments of millions of Democrats and progressives around the country — author of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rep. Schiff 's answer redirected everyone 's focus to where the real blame will lie if no witnesses are called .
On the GOP .

During Thursday's Question period in Donald John Trump's impeachment trial, Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a question up to Chief Justice John Roberts that turned quite a few heads.
CJ ROBERTS: At a time when large majorities of Americans have lost faith in government, does the fact that the Chief Justice is presiding over an impeachment trial, in which Republican senators have thus far refused to allow witnesses or evidence, contribute to the loss of legitimacy of the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court, and the Constitution?
Here is a screenshot of Chief Justice Roberts' face after he finished reading that.
Here is a screenshot of Twitter after he finished reading that.
Here is a screenshot of Adam Schiff as he prepared to stand to answer that question.
It's understandable that the Twitterverse and millions of TV viewers would cheer this question, finding it heroic and cathartic after days and days (years, even) of suffering the absolute bullsh*t gaslighting and lies from the GOP White House, Senate, and now, tragically, a GOP Supreme Court. Sen. Warren forced Chief Justice Roberts to confront his legacy and the impact of his actions, inactions, and decisions in the impeachment trial over which he presides.
On the other hand, was it wise to poke the bear? After all, this is the man who might end up being the tie-breaking vote for witnesses. Unlikely, sure, but possible. Will goading him with low-key insults move him in our direction or away from it? Was the question unnecessarily inflammatory?
Furthermore, on the one subject matter in which he has shed the "potted plant" approach, he ruled in our favor, and strongly. He refused — multiple times — to read questions in which the whistleblower's identity might have been revealed, no matter how hard Rand Paul tried. Believe me, I am no John Roberts fan, but this showed strength and good ethics.
Thankfully, Rep. Schiff's response was, as usual, brilliant, conciliatory, and laser-focused on exactly the right issues at the heart of the matter.
REP. SCHIFF: Senator, I would not say that it contributes to a loss of confidence in the Chief Justice. I think the Chief Justice has presided admirably.
Feathers smoothed, one hopes.
He then turned to what not calling witnesses and admitting evidence would do to the legitimacy of our standing in the world. He lamented the fact that we've already lost legitimacy and the moral high ground when we tell other nations not to engage in political investigations. Then he went back to Sen. Warren's question:
REP. SCHIFF: I don't think a trial without witnesses reflects adversely on the Chief Justice. I do think it reflects adversely on us. I think it diminishes the power of this example to the rest of the world if we cannot have a fair trial in the face of this kind of presidential misconduct. This is the remedy for presidential abuse. But it does not reflect well on any of us if we are afraid of what the evidence holds."
Sen. Warren's question was in many ways deeply satisfying to hear, and reflected the passionate sentiments of millions of Democrats and progressives around the country — author of this post included. Hopefully, though, Rep. Schiff's answer redirected everyone's focus to where the real blame will lie if no witnesses are called. On the GOP.


crooksandliars--2020-02-03--There, Fixed It For You: Dem SuperPAC Edits Trump's SuperBowl Ad

Let 's make this go viral : A Washington-based Democratic SuperPAC named PACRONYM re-edited Trump 's very expensive SuperBowl ad @ @ @ @ @ themselve on their Twitter profile as `` a political action committee running innovative digital campaigns @ @ @ @ @ on Trump in 2020 . ''
I 'm looking forward to see what they do @ @ @ @ @ them on Twitter at @ PACRONYM .
And guys : They have merch !

Let's make this go viral: A Washington-based Democratic SuperPAC named PACRONYM re-edited Trump's very expensive SuperBowl ad for accuracy.
They identify themselve on their Twitter profile as "a political action committee running innovative digital campaigns to win elections + take on Trump in 2020."
I'm looking forward to see what they do next.
You can follow them on Twitter at @PACRONYM. And guys: They have merch!


crooksandliars--2020-02-03--Howie Kurtz Should Clean Up His Own House Before Pointing At CNN

Fox News media critic Howard Kurtz had a little bit of a hissy fit over a moment on Don Lemon 's show when Rick Wilson started in on Mike Pompeo 's sexist , authoritarian , high-handed treatment of NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly .
`` He 's just trying to demean her , and obviously it 's false , '' Wilson said of Pompeo .
`` And look , he also knows deep in his heart that Donald Trump could n't find Ukraine on a map if you had the letter U and a picture of an actual physical crane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent Don Lemon and Wajahat Ali into a strong case of the giggles , and from there Wilson and Ali expanded on the joke , with Wilson describing Trump supporters as the `` credulous boomer rube demo . ''
Which they are .
This has , as one might imagine , lit the right wing sites on fire , and by extension , Fox News .
How DARE they laugh at Trump supporters , those honest , hardworking white folks who just need a little love from their government ?
I like Ali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so it came to pass that Howard Kurtz scolded all of them for their terrible treatment of Trump supporters on Sunday morning , as you can see in the video above .
Kurtz is incensed that they did n't limit their jokes to politicians , instead mocking the people who are fully invested in Trump 's pack of lies .
Of course we should n't actually say how absurd it is that his cult excuses every lie , every falsehood , and believes everything he says , because they 're people too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ never hear any criticism of the derision aimed at `` Demon-Rats '' and `` Radical Dimms , '' two terms normalized by Fox News personalities Jeanine Pirro and Lou Dobbs .
Never .
When Pirro calls people of an entire party by the term `` Demon-Rats , '' it 's a way to dehumanize anyone who does n't bow before Dear Leader , and who associates ( and likely voted for ) the group of politicians she 's slamming .
It 's just a subtle way of demonizing voters without saying she 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his guests refer to `` radical Dimms , '' they too , are including voters in that characterization .
Dobbs uses that title to delegitimize the president 's political opponents , branding them as criminals and traitors .
As with Pirro ’ s effort to make “ Demon-rats ” catch on , Dobbs ’ moniker seems childish .
But his feverish support for the president has given him the highest-rated show in business news .
Trump himself is a regular viewer .
And , as with Pirro , Dobbs has been able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advising the White House .
He ’ s a buffoon , but a buffoon with a big audience and a fan in the Oval Office .
His rhetoric matters .
By extension , the people who support those whom Dobbs and Pirro name-call are equally dehumanized .
It 's an authoritarian tactic intended to reduce them to a caricature and strip them of their humanity .
If Kurtz wants to play the righteous and moral warrior , he ought to start with his own network before pointing the finger at others .

Fox News media critic Howard Kurtz had a little bit of a hissy fit over a moment on Don Lemon's show when Rick Wilson started in on Mike Pompeo's sexist, authoritarian, high-handed treatment of NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly.
"He's just trying to demean her, and obviously it's false," Wilson said of Pompeo. "And look, he also knows deep in his heart that Donald Trump couldn't find Ukraine on a map if you had the letter U and a picture of an actual physical crane next to it."
That joke sent Don Lemon and Wajahat Ali into a strong case of the giggles, and from there Wilson and Ali expanded on the joke, with Wilson describing Trump supporters as the "credulous boomer rube demo." Which they are.
This has, as one might imagine, lit the right wing sites on fire, and by extension, Fox News. How DARE they laugh at Trump supporters, those honest, hardworking white folks who just need a little love from their government?
I like Ali's response to the uproar:
We did. Not going to apologize for it either. If you're willing to believe and promote these absurd and dangerous lies, well, you deserve to be mocked for it: "CNNs Don Lemon Cracks Up As Rick Wilson, Wajahat Ali Trash Trump Supporters As Ignorant Rubes" https://t.co/gK3s42yj6c — Wajahat "Shaped by the American Coastland" Ali (@WajahatAli) January 27, 2020
And so it came to pass that Howard Kurtz scolded all of them for their terrible treatment of Trump supporters on Sunday morning, as you can see in the video above. Kurtz is incensed that they didn't limit their jokes to politicians, instead mocking the people who are fully invested in Trump's pack of lies. Of course we shouldn't actually say how absurd it is that his cult excuses every lie, every falsehood, and believes everything he says, because they're people too.
It's funny, though. I never hear any criticism of the derision aimed at "Demon-Rats" and "Radical Dimms," two terms normalized by Fox News personalities Jeanine Pirro and Lou Dobbs. Never.
When Pirro calls people of an entire party by the term "Demon-Rats," it's a way to dehumanize anyone who doesn't bow before Dear Leader, and who associates (and likely voted for) the group of politicians she's slamming. It's just a subtle way of demonizing voters without saying she's demonizing voters.
When Lou Dobbs and his guests refer to "radical Dimms," they too, are including voters in that characterization.
Media Matters:
Dobbs uses that title to delegitimize the president's political opponents, branding them as criminals and traitors. As with Pirro’s effort to make “Demon-rats” catch on, Dobbs’ moniker seems childish. But his feverish support for the president has given him the highest-rated show in business news. Trump himself is a regular viewer. And, as with Pirro, Dobbs has been able to parlay his personal relationship into a role advising the White House. He’s a buffoon, but a buffoon with a big audience and a fan in the Oval Office. His rhetoric matters.
By extension, the people who support those whom Dobbs and Pirro name-call are equally dehumanized. It's an authoritarian tactic intended to reduce them to a caricature and strip them of their humanity.
If Kurtz wants to play the righteous and moral warrior, he ought to start with his own network before pointing the finger at others.


crooksandliars--2020-02-03--Trump's Tax Cut Scam Is Putting The Brakes On Economic Growth

The tax cuts for the wealthy have done nothing for the economy and instead have helped slow it down .
The government ’ s latest economic scorecard arrived on Thursday , offering fresh evidence that the economy continues to grow , but at a frustratingly slow pace .
Gross domestic product , which measures the value of goods and services produced inside the United States , grew at a 2.1 percent annual rate between October and December , the same as the previous three months , according to preliminary data released by the Commerce Department .
As for 2019 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy turned in a weaker annual showing than it did in 2017 and 2018 .
The whole idea behind giving tax cuts to the wealthy that it would create more jobs and stimulate economic growth has been rendered null and void no matter how many times Peter Navarro and Larry Kudlow claim otherwise or invoke the `` optimism fairy . ''
Trump 's tax cut scam of 2018 hoodwinked the American public while giving himself a huge tax break along with the billionaires , while leaving most of of America to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's tax cuts were an economic bust Thus far , however , none of the links on the supply-side chain are anywhere to be seen .
To the contrary , as the new GDP report showed real business investment has declined for three quarters in a row , the worst such stretch since the last recession .
To be clear , the wealthiest of this country do not simply reinvest their money when they receive incredible tax breaks just because Art Laffer goes on Fox Business Network and proclaims it so .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to purchase new villas -- because they can .

The tax cuts for the wealthy have done nothing for the economy and instead have helped slow it down.
The New York Times:
The government’s latest economic scorecard arrived on Thursday, offering fresh evidence that the economy continues to grow, but at a frustratingly slow pace. Gross domestic product, which measures the value of goods and services produced inside the United States, grew at a 2.1 percent annual rate between October and December, the same as the previous three months, according to preliminary data released by the Commerce Department. As for 2019 as a whole, the report shows that the economy turned in a weaker annual showing than it did in 2017 and 2018.
The whole idea behind giving tax cuts to the wealthy that it would create more jobs and stimulate economic growth has been rendered null and void no matter how many times Peter Navarro and Larry Kudlow claim otherwise or invoke the "optimism fairy."
Trump's tax cut scam of 2018 hoodwinked the American public while giving himself a huge tax break along with the billionaires, while leaving most of of America to pay the bill.
Business Insider writes:
It's official: Trump's tax cuts were an economic bust Thus far, however, none of the links on the supply-side chain are anywhere to be seen. To the contrary, as the new GDP report showed real business investment has declined for three quarters in a row, the worst such stretch since the last recession.
To be clear, the wealthiest of this country do not simply reinvest their money when they receive incredible tax breaks just because Art Laffer goes on Fox Business Network and proclaims it so. They hoard it for stock buybacks and to purchase new villas -- because they can.