crooksandliars--2020-07-04--Media Needs To Cover Police Brutality Against Latinx And Indigenous People Too

While African Americans bear the brunt of police brutality , AM Joy highlighted the need for attention on how Latinx and Native American communities suffer from it , too .
Subbing for Joy Reid this morning , host Tiffany Cross noted that Latino men are the second highest group , right behind Black men , impacted by police brutality .
But excessive use of force against Latinx and Indigenous people gets short shrift from the media .
She asked guest Maria Teresa Kumar how to address the issue and make the conversation more inclusive .
Kumar pointed out that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” meaning that while African Americans “ own ” police brutality , Latinx communities “ own ” immigration , and in reality , the impacts are broader and more diverse : KUMAR : I think that it 's important to have this conversation , because what happens oftentimes , as your other guest was sharing , is that the media has decided what stories to cover , who owns what issue .
And when we talk about immigration , it 's only the Latino community , even though we know that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also undocumented , of African countries , who are also Asian and so on and so forth .
And when it comes to the issue of police brutality , it 's very much centered around the African American community , but it 's because , sadly , the African American community is disproportionately impacted .
But when you start looking at data , you see the Latino community shortly right there behind it .
Sadly , even after the George Floyd deaths , we actually have seen several cases of young Latino men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most recently , we had Andres Guardado , who had taken up another job .
He was 18 years old .
His parents had lost their jobs during the pandemic , and so he took on another job as a security guard at an auto shop .
And someone called the police , and the next thing we know , he was killed .
We do n't have all the details because they had turned off their body cameras .
We do n't know all the details because they had destroyed all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body shop , but we knew that it was unjust .
And the more that we have these conversations in solidarity with the African American community , we know that if we address the issues , the legislation that Joaquin Castro was speaking so broadly of , of the George Floyd changes in policing act that now sits at the foot of Mitch McConnell , our communities , the Latino community , the Native American community , we will be better protected .
And so , oftentimes , we hear these ideas that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , sadly , for communities of color , and if you 're poor , even more .
And so , the more we can have these conversations that , yes , it occurs in the Native American community , yes , it occurs in the Latino community , but it disproportionately impacts the African American community , then if we rise and we speak voice to it , and we encourage everyone to talk about these issues that are at the hands of police .

While African Americans bear the brunt of police brutality, AM Joy highlighted the need for attention on how Latinx and Native American communities suffer from it, too.
Subbing for Joy Reid this morning, host Tiffany Cross noted that Latino men are the second highest group, right behind Black men, impacted by police brutality. But excessive use of force against Latinx and Indigenous people gets short shrift from the media. She asked guest Maria Teresa Kumar how to address the issue and make the conversation more inclusive.
Kumar pointed out that the media decides “who owns what issue,” meaning that while African Americans “own” police brutality, Latinx communities “own” immigration, and in reality, the impacts are broader and more diverse:
KUMAR: I think that it's important to have this conversation, because what happens oftentimes, as your other guest was sharing, is that the media has decided what stories to cover, who owns what issue. And when we talk about immigration, it's only the Latino community, even though we know that there's plenty of our allies who are also undocumented, of African countries, who are also Asian and so on and so forth.
And when it comes to the issue of police brutality, it's very much centered around the African American community, but it's because, sadly, the African American community is disproportionately impacted. But when you start looking at data, you see the Latino community shortly right there behind it.
Sadly, even after the George Floyd deaths, we actually have seen several cases of young Latino men killed … at the hands of police. Most recently, we had Andres Guardado, who had taken up another job. He was 18 years old. His parents had lost their jobs during the pandemic, and so he took on another job as a security guard at an auto shop. And someone called the police, and the next thing we know, he was killed. We don't have all the details because they had turned off their body cameras. We don't know all the details because they had destroyed all the video surveillance equipment inside that auto body shop, but we knew that it was unjust.
And the more that we have these conversations in solidarity with the African American community, we know that if we address the issues, the legislation that Joaquin Castro was speaking so broadly of, of the George Floyd changes in policing act that now sits at the foot of Mitch McConnell, our communities, the Latino community, the Native American community, we will be better protected.
And so, oftentimes, we hear these ideas that it's … an epidemic across the country, sadly, for communities of color, and if you're poor, even more. And so, the more we can have these conversations that, yes, it occurs in the Native American community, yes, it occurs in the Latino community, but it disproportionately impacts the African American community, then if we rise and we speak voice to it, and we encourage everyone to talk about these issues that are at the hands of police.


crooksandliars--2020-07-04--Don't Expect Biden's VP Pick To Make Or Break The 2020 Election

As presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden gets set to pick his vice presidential candidate , here ’ s a reality check : Running mates have very little direct effect on voters .
When people go to the polls , they are primarily expressing a preference for the presidential candidate , not the second person on the ticket .
In our new book , “ Do Running Mates Matter ?
, ” my collaborator Kyle Kopko and I analyze half a century of political science survey data to examine what effect a running mate has on the success of presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very unlikely to choose a presidential ticket simply because they like or dislike the second-in-command .
On rare occasions , voters can be swayed by running mates who are much more – or less – popular than their party ’ s main candidate .
For instance , John Kerry ’ s vice presidential candidate in 2004 , former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards , was relatively popular with voters early in the campaign .
And , as our research shows , Edwards ’ popularity made voters more likely to vote for Kerry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some political analysts believe a vice presidential selection could draw key voters from that person ’ s own demographic group or their home state .
We found that rarely happens , either .
[ Deep knowledge , daily .
Sign up for The Conversation ’ s newsletter . ]
However , we found that voters view vice presidential choices as new information about the main candidate – and that information can shift voters ’ views and change votes .
The candidate ’ s choice gives voters insight into who the candidate really is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how the person might operate once in office .
Take the 2008 presidential election , for example , when Democrat Barack Obama ran against Republican John McCain with Joe Biden and Sarah Palin as their respective vice presidential nominees .
In our book , we demonstrate that voters who doubted Palin ’ s qualifications also were more likely to doubt McCain ’ s judgment and think he was too old to be president .
As a result , they were less likely to vote for McCain .
Conversely , our analysis also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well qualified for office were more likely to approve of Obama ’ s judgment – and less likely to think he was too young to be president .
As a result , they were more likely to vote for Obama .
In 2020 , Joe Biden is already well known as an experienced former vice president , so it ’ s unlikely his running mate will outshine him on her own .
But with this choice , Biden has a valuable opportunity to define himself as a candidate – and a potential president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does he really stand for ?
What are his political priorities ?
And does he have the good judgment to be president ?
Biden ’ s selection will help voters to answer these questions – and to decide whether he deserves their support in November .
Editor ’ s note : This is an adapted version of an earlier article by Christopher Devine and Kyle Kopko originally published on May 7 , 2020 .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

Christopher Devine, University of Dayton
As presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden gets set to pick his vice presidential candidate, here’s a reality check: Running mates have very little direct effect on voters. When people go to the polls, they are primarily expressing a preference for the presidential candidate, not the second person on the ticket.
In our new book, “Do Running Mates Matter?,” my collaborator Kyle Kopko and I analyze half a century of political science survey data to examine what effect a running mate has on the success of presidential candidates.
In general, voters are very unlikely to choose a presidential ticket simply because they like or dislike the second-in-command.
J. David Ake/AFP via Getty Images
On rare occasions, voters can be swayed by running mates who are much more – or less – popular than their party’s main candidate. For instance, John Kerry’s vice presidential candidate in 2004, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, was relatively popular with voters early in the campaign. And, as our research shows, Edwards’ popularity made voters more likely to vote for Kerry, at least in the short term.
Some political analysts believe a vice presidential selection could draw key voters from that person’s own demographic group or their home state. We found that rarely happens, either.
[Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversation’s newsletter.]
However, we found that voters view vice presidential choices as new information about the main candidate – and that information can shift voters’ views and change votes. The candidate’s choice gives voters insight into who the candidate really is, what he or she stands for and how the person might operate once in office.
Take the 2008 presidential election, for example, when Democrat Barack Obama ran against Republican John McCain with Joe Biden and Sarah Palin as their respective vice presidential nominees.
In our book, we demonstrate that voters who doubted Palin’s qualifications also were more likely to doubt McCain’s judgment and think he was too old to be president. As a result, they were less likely to vote for McCain.
Rachael Dickson/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY
Conversely, our analysis also showed that voters who believed Biden was well qualified for office were more likely to approve of Obama’s judgment – and less likely to think he was too young to be president. As a result, they were more likely to vote for Obama.
In 2020, Joe Biden is already well known as an experienced former vice president, so it’s unlikely his running mate will outshine him on her own. But with this choice, Biden has a valuable opportunity to define himself as a candidate – and a potential president – in his own right.
What does he really stand for? What are his political priorities? And does he have the good judgment to be president?
Biden’s selection will help voters to answer these questions – and to decide whether he deserves their support in November.
Editor’s note: This is an adapted version of an earlier article by Christopher Devine and Kyle Kopko originally published on May 7, 2020.
Christopher Devine, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Dayton
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


crooksandliars--2020-07-04--Bishop Barber: We Need Reconstruction, Not A ‘Back To Normal’ Economy

Bishop William Barber called for a third reconstruction in the U.S. and pointed out how the pre-COVID “ normal ” economy was “ already a struggle ” for too many .
While Donald Trump hypes the latest jobs report and stock market gains , people who live and work on Main Street , not Wall Street , know that our economy was sick before the coronavirus pandemic and it still is .
Appearing on AM Joy this morning , Bishop Barber issued a powerful call to use this moment for economic transformation .
BARBER : The Poor People 's Campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our assembly a few weeks ago to say this nation , this nation has to move away from this neoliberal concept and start looking at how we address 140 million people living in poverty .
It 's not a matter of Democrats or Republicans .
All of us have to do that .
If you listen to our political debates , you do n't hear the word “ poverty.
” I wish , even as we were talking about in the midst of what must be done on July 4th , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is it race or poverty , it 's race and poverty .
We must talk about reconstruction .
When Trump gives this lie , it 's the very reason 168 clergy are saying that -- like Frederick Douglass did 168 years ago -- we must expose the hypocrisy : that we have 40 % of poor people who made $ 40,000 and under will lose their jobs in the midst of this pandemic .
Millions more will become poor on top of the already 140 million poor .
We have still not provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- living wages , sick leave , decent unemployment , rent protection , ensuring that their utilities ca n't be cut off .
These are the realities .
So , you can talk about , as you said , you know , a few jobs he 's claiming that have been recovered , but the economy is far from recovered .
And there were people in trouble before the pandemic .
700 people were dying a day before the pandemic .
And what Trump has done and his allies , McConnell , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history , against God-ordained justice and has fundamentally undermined voter protection , policies to lift up the poor .
He undermines health care .
He undermines immigrant justice .
And we must transform from that .
And I agree with my friend , it 's not about going back to normal .
Normal was already a struggle .
We must go to reconstruction , a third reconstruction in this nation .

The Reverend Doctor William Barber called for a third reconstruction in the U.S. and pointed out how the pre-COVID “normal” economy was “already a struggle” for too many.
While Donald Trump hypes the latest jobs report and stock market gains, people who live and work on Main Street, not Wall Street, know that our economy was sick before the coronavirus pandemic and it still is.
Appearing on AM Joy this morning, Dr. Barber issued a powerful call to use this moment for economic transformation.


crooksandliars--2020-07-04--Kimberly Guilfoyle Has COVID-19, But Donald Trump Jr Tests Negative

Trump 's maskless minions are reaping what they sow , at least in terms of COVID-19 .
Yet another member of his inner circle has tested positive for the coronavirus , and it 's Kimberly Guilfoyle : a top campaign official and none other than his son , Don Jr. 's girlfriend .
Donny Jr claims he has tested negative for the virus , and they isolating , so as not to continue spreading DEATH all over the place .
At least via their own personal spittle .
`` After testing positive , Kimberly was immediately isolated to limit any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief of staff for the Trump Victory Finance Committee .
`` She 's doing well , and will be retested to ensure the diagnosis is correct since she 's asymptomatic but as a precaution will cancel all upcoming events .
Donald Trump Jr was tested negative , but as a precaution is also self isolating and is canceling all public events . ''
But while they claim they were n't in contact with Trump ( dare I say , what a shame ? )
whilst in South Dakota for their celebration of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of U.S. troops America 's Declaration of Independence , they were in plenty of contact with others the day before she tested positive .
[ A ] ccording to a Facebook video unearthed by Vox journalist Aaron Rupar , Guilfoyle came into contact with other GOP figures prior to receiving the news .
A day before the announcement of her positive test , she gave a speech at an indoor event in South Dakota with Republican Gov .
Kristi Noem — and as the video showed , she was not wearing a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why should I , when a Lev Parnas ( remember him ? )
parody account* has already done it for me ?
*Edited to note that the quoted Lev Parnas account is a parody account .
Too bad .
The author regrets the error , and still endorses the sentiment .

Raise your hand if you're shocked.
Trump's maskless minions are reaping what they sow, at least in terms of COVID-19. Yet another member of his inner circle has tested positive for the coronavirus, and it's Kimberly Guilfoyle: a top campaign official and none other than his son, Don Jr.'s girlfriend. Donny Jr claims he has tested negative for the virus, and they isolating, so as not to continue spreading DEATH all over the place. At least via their own personal spittle.
From CNN:
"After testing positive, Kimberly was immediately isolated to limit any exposure," said Sergio Gor, chief of staff for the Trump Victory Finance Committee. "She's doing well, and will be retested to ensure the diagnosis is correct since she's asymptomatic but as a precaution will cancel all upcoming events. Donald Trump Jr was tested negative, but as a precaution is also self isolating and is canceling all public events."
But while they claim they weren't in contact with Trump (dare I say, what a shame?) whilst in South Dakota for their celebration of his white supremacist treaty-breaking and approval of bounty-hunting of U.S. troops America's Declaration of Independence, they were in plenty of contact with others the day before she tested positive.
From Raw Story:
[A]ccording to a Facebook video unearthed by Vox journalist Aaron Rupar, Guilfoyle came into contact with other GOP figures prior to receiving the news. A day before the announcement of her positive test, she gave a speech at an indoor event in South Dakota with Republican Gov. Kristi Noem — and as the video showed, she was not wearing a mask.
Here’s Kim Guilfoyle speaking at an indoor event in South Dakota, no masks in sight, that was also attended by Kristi Noem the day before it was announced Guilfoyle tested positive for Covid (video from Facebook) pic.twitter.com/UGafeRak2s — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 4, 2020
I could say more, but why should I, when a Lev Parnas (remember him?) parody account* has already done it for me?
If nothing else, Coronavirus isn’t the smallest or most disturbing thing that Kimberly Guilfoyle has had inside of her. pic.twitter.com/KVXkdn8ZCy — Lev Parnas (@lev_parnas) July 4, 2020
*Editors Note: The quoted Lev Parnas account is a parody account. The author regrets the error.


crooksandliars--2020-07-04--Fox Pundits Still All-In On Trump Spreading COVID-19 At MAGA Rallies

Trump seems bound and determined to help spread the coronavirus to as many of his supporters ( and sadly , everyone they later come in contact with ) as humanly possible at these MAGA rallies he 's holding across the country , and his cheerleaders over on Fox continue to have his back , consequences be damned .
On this Friday 's Outnumbered , former Marine amputee turned Fox regular Joey Jones was asked about Trump 's rally at Mount Rushmore and South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem 's declaration that no one was going to infringe on the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any social distancing or mask wearing , and Jones was all too happy to jump on board the Trump train and excuse his completely irresponsible behavior .
Jones also managed to work in some cheap shots at the native Americans who were opposed to the event and did n't bother to mention the fact that their concerns were over more than just Indigenous rights and the land that was stolen from them .
Tribal leaders also expressed concerns over fire hazards and the spread of the coronavirus when they made it clear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Jones basically saying that Trump holding this event is a-okay because these people were going to act irresponsibly anyway , so what the hell .
Sorry Joey , but there 's a big difference between these people refusing so social distance or wear masks around their friends and families , and over 7000 of them being packed together and cheering and yelling for Dear Leader at one of these events .
JONES : Well , it 's got two issues at hand here .
One is not observing social distancing wrong on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebration , and the other one is kind of a deeper issue of the Sioux Indians the area not liking the fact that there are white people carved into the mountain .
And so on both of those I can tell you one thing .
The seventy five hundred people that show up to that celebration , they are not going to social distance anywhere else anyway .
So it 's not like you 're causing them not to .
If they 're choosing not to , that 's how they 're living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverings , probably most people have them on , and just like the governor said , that is their decision and I applaud that .
But when it comes to faces and Mount Rushmore , the Sioux Indians in that area were n't even there in the late 1700s .
They conquered the Cheyenne and took it from them .
And so the idea that they have some sacred tradition there is a little bit far-fetched .
And I learned that from a fellow marine who has a radio show and looked it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm saying here is , before we get all outraged , maybe do a little research and learn some historical context .
I applaud the fact we have Mount Rushmore .
I think it 's an amazing thing and I hope to go see it one day .
Guess what ?
Surprise , surprise , most of the people there did not have face masks on , and they had them jammed in there like sardines .
Here are a couple of screen shots from Friday 's event .
Jones ' cohost Katie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play the victim card for Trump , and to pretend that the objections to him holding his super-spreader event at Mt .
Rushmore were only due to people being opposed to these freedom-loving patriots wanting to celebrate our Independence Day , rather than the fact that the real objections were over the fact that he 's doing it in the middle of a pandemic .
Pavlich also lied about whether or not there were concerns being expressed over the protests taking place across the country following the death of George Floyd , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus as well .
While their fellow panel member Leslie Marshall did nothing to dispel Pavlich 's lies about why the event at Mt .
Rushmore was being criticized , or the fact that people who work for other media outlets have expressed concern about protests contributing to the spread of the coronavirus , she did do a good job of putting the rest of them back on their heels on how completely irresponsible Trump 's rallies and most of the participants ' refusal to wear masks or socially distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it seems like it 's difficult to stomach this idea that the president is being restlessly criticized , and other Americans who want to celebrate Independence Day , the foundation of the country , are being criticized for daring to do so .
However , the media has been endorsing these massive gatherings of thousands of protesters in the streets around the country and do n't seem to have the same criticism or concerns about their spread of the virus .
MARSHALL : Well , I do n't disagree with you , Katie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protests .
But watching somebody come home from the hospital every day beaten and battered , and talking to friends that signed so many death certificates that they become desensitized to people being human beings , and that those numbers stand for lives , this is a slap in the face to the health care industry .
We as Americans have to just accept the reality that we are going to have to wait for our lives to return to what they were .
We need to social distance .
We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's happened in Texas , in Florida , and happening here in California .
If you do n't want to listen to the health care professionals , then just look what 's happened in South Korea , Japan , Europe , and of course New Zealand .
We need to stop being children .
We need to be responsible .
And quite frankly , the president needs to lead with responsibility .
I 'm going to have a little barbecue in my backyard , social distancing , with masks , a few people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to be patriotic .
But , you know , do I want to have fireworks for me and my kids ?
Absolutely .
Do I need to wait for that ?
Yes .
Look , this is true , this is life .
We have n't gotten rid of COVID-19 1 .
Very worried about 2 .
We are all in this together .
We 're not going to defeat this unless we together make a decision to be responsible , and so far Americans have not shown they can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stats and the spikes .
And by the way , South Dakota did last month have 5,000 additional cases .
This could lead to more .
Why do we want to risk that ?
Especially for somebody who has a vulnerable underlying health condition that they may not even be aware of .
PAVLICH : Well , as a governor said , it 's people 's choice to show up to this event .
The other glaring omission from this conversation -- the fact that Herman Cain was hospitalized with COVID-19 following Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many more stories like Cain 's are we going to hear following this event ?
And will Fox report them , or ignore them as they did here ?
I 'm still amazed that they have n't turned on Trump for trying to kill off most of their viewers and are instead running segments like the one above .

Trump seems bound and determined to help spread the coronavirus to as many of his supporters (and sadly, everyone they later come in contact with) as humanly possible at these MAGA rallies he's holding across the country, and his cheerleaders over on Fox continue to have his back, consequences be damned.
On this Friday's Outnumbered, former Marine amputee turned Fox regular Joey Jones was asked about Trump's rally at Mount Rushmore and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's declaration that no one was going to infringe on the "freedom" of the participants by enforcing any social distancing or mask wearing, and Jones was all too happy to jump on board the Trump train and excuse his completely irresponsible behavior.
Jones also managed to work in some cheap shots at the native Americans who were opposed to the event and didn't bother to mention the fact that their concerns were over more than just Indigenous rights and the land that was stolen from them. Tribal leaders also expressed concerns over fire hazards and the spread of the coronavirus when they made it clear that Trump was not welcome there.
Here's Jones basically saying that Trump holding this event is a-okay because these people were going to act irresponsibly anyway, so what the hell. Sorry Joey, but there's a big difference between these people refusing so social distance or wear masks around their friends and families, and over 7000 of them being packed together and cheering and yelling for Dear Leader at one of these events.
JONES: Well, it's got two issues at hand here. One is not observing social distancing wrong on the president's behalf and holding the celebration, and the other one is kind of a deeper issue of the Sioux Indians the area not liking the fact that there are white people carved into the mountain. And so on both of those I can tell you one thing. The seventy five hundred people that show up to that celebration, they are not going to social distance anywhere else anyway. So it's not like you're causing them not to. If they're choosing not to, that's how they're living their lives.
I think the face coverings, probably most people have them on, and just like the governor said, that is their decision and I applaud that. But when it comes to faces and Mount Rushmore, the Sioux Indians in that area weren't even there in the late 1700s. They conquered the Cheyenne and took it from them. And so the idea that they have some sacred tradition there is a little bit far-fetched. And I learned that from a fellow marine who has a radio show and looked it up. And so, what I'm saying here is, before we get all outraged, maybe do a little research and learn some historical context. I applaud the fact we have Mount Rushmore. I think it's an amazing thing and I hope to go see it one day.
Guess what? Surprise, surprise, most of the people there did not have face masks on, and they had them jammed in there like sardines. Here are a couple of screen shots from Friday's event.
Jones' cohost Katie Pavlich followed up by doing her best to play the victim card for Trump, and to pretend that the objections to him holding his super-spreader event at Mt. Rushmore were only due to people being opposed to these freedom-loving patriots wanting to celebrate our Independence Day, rather than the fact that the real objections were over the fact that he's doing it in the middle of a pandemic. Pavlich also lied about whether or not there were concerns being expressed over the protests taking place across the country following the death of George Floyd, and whether they are contributing to the spread of the virus as well.
While their fellow panel member Leslie Marshall did nothing to dispel Pavlich's lies about why the event at Mt. Rushmore was being criticized, or the fact that people who work for other media outlets have expressed concern about protests contributing to the spread of the coronavirus, she did do a good job of putting the rest of them back on their heels on how completely irresponsible Trump's rallies and most of the participants' refusal to wear masks or socially distance really are.
PAVLICH: Leslie, it seems like it's difficult to stomach this idea that the president is being restlessly criticized, and other Americans who want to celebrate Independence Day, the foundation of the country, are being criticized for daring to do so. However, the media has been endorsing these massive gatherings of thousands of protesters in the streets around the country and don't seem to have the same criticism or concerns about their spread of the virus. MARSHALL: Well, I don't disagree with you, Katie, that people don't look at the protests. But watching somebody come home from the hospital every day beaten and battered, and talking to friends that signed so many death certificates that they become desensitized to people being human beings, and that those numbers stand for lives, this is a slap in the face to the health care industry. We as Americans have to just accept the reality that we are going to have to wait for our lives to return to what they were. We need to social distance. We need to wear masks. We see what's happened in Texas, in Florida, and happening here in California. If you don't want to listen to the health care professionals, then just look what's happened in South Korea, Japan, Europe, and of course New Zealand. We need to stop being children. We need to be responsible. And quite frankly, the president needs to lead with responsibility. I'm going to have a little barbecue in my backyard, social distancing, with masks, a few people, 6 feet apart, and still be able to be patriotic. But, you know, do I want to have fireworks for me and my kids? Absolutely. Do I need to wait for that? Yes. Look, this is true, this is life. We haven't gotten rid of COVID-19 1. Very worried about 2. We are all in this together. We're not going to defeat this unless we together make a decision to be responsible, and so far Americans have not shown they can be responsible when you just look at the stats and the spikes. And by the way, South Dakota did last month have 5,000 additional cases. This could lead to more. Why do we want to risk that? Especially for somebody who has a vulnerable underlying health condition that they may not even be aware of. PAVLICH: Well, as a governor said, it's people's choice to show up to this event.
The other glaring omission from this conversation -- the fact that Herman Cain was hospitalized with COVID-19 following Trump's super-spreader event in Tulsa.
How many more stories like Cain's are we going to hear following this event?
And will Fox report them, or ignore them as they did here?
I'm still amazed that they haven't turned on Trump for trying to kill off most of their viewers and are instead running segments like the one above.


crooksandliars--2020-07-04--'Kill 'Em!: GOP Power Broker In Houston Leaves Chilling Voicemail For Gov. Abbott

Steve Hotze is listed as a `` conservative power broker '' in Texas , but he 's just another one of those rightwing nutjobs with money that gets an inordinate amount of media attention they do n't deserve and definitely should n't have .
Hotze appears frequently on Fox News nationally , for example , where he recently gave out quack medical advice on how to protect yourself from COVID-19 .
In the days after George Floyd 's death in police custody in Minneapolis last month , as massive protests against police brutality spread across Texas and other states , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Gov .
Greg Abbott 's chief of staff to pass along a message .
`` I want you to give a message to the governor , '' Hotze told Abbott 's chief of staff , Luis Saenz , in a voicemail .
`` I want to make sure that he has National Guard down here and they have the order to shoot to kill if any of these son-of-a-bitch people start rioting like they have in Dallas , start tearing down businesses — shoot to kill the son of a bitches .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ restore order .
Kill ‘ em .
Thank you . ''
The voicemail , which The Texas Tribune obtained Friday via a public information request , came on the weekend of June 6 , several days after Abbott activated the Texas National Guard as some of the protests became violent .
It is unclear whether Saenz responded , and Abbott 's office declined to comment on the voicemail .
A Hotze spokesperson said he was not immediately available for comment .
Media Matters has more on Hotze and his recent Fox News appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous misinformation from Steven Hotze , a disreputable doctor who has a history of pushing “ methods [ that ] are not supported by science and are potentially harmful ” and sells bogus colloidal silver .
Hotze used his Fox News platform to dismiss concerns about the coronavirus as people going “ totally crazy ” and told viewers to “ conduct your life normally.
” Hotze is the founder and CEO of the Texas-based Hotze Health & Wellness Center , Hotze Vitamins , and Hotze Pharmacy .
He appeared on a March 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said that “ you 've got to take charge of your own health ” and referenced his center in urging people to build up their immune systems with vitamins ( Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips , the chief clinical officer at Providence St. Joseph Health , responded in the segment by saying that interrupting transmission , not vitamins , would help stop the spread of the coronavirus ) .
And there 's always more .
Hotze is a bigot who has claimed that “ ‘ Satanic cults ’ were driving the ‘ homosexual movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Nazis , ” and said that Houston residents should “ drive ” LGBTQ people `` out of our city.
” He has repeatedly said LGBTQ equality will promote pedophilia and prayed that lawmakers who “ support , promote and practice sodomy and other perverted , sexually deviant lifestyles ” would “ receive just retribution from God for their evil actions .
”

Steve Hotze is listed as a "conservative power broker" in Texas, but he's just another one of those rightwing nutjobs with money that gets an inordinate amount of media attention they don't deserve and definitely shouldn't have. Hotze appears frequently on Fox News nationally, for example, where he recently gave out quack medical advice on how to protect yourself from COVID-19.
Source: Texas Tribune
In the days after George Floyd's death in police custody in Minneapolis last month, as massive protests against police brutality spread across Texas and other states, conservative power broker Steve Hotze of Houston called Gov. Greg Abbott's chief of staff to pass along a message. "I want you to give a message to the governor," Hotze told Abbott's chief of staff, Luis Saenz, in a voicemail. "I want to make sure that he has National Guard down here and they have the order to shoot to kill if any of these son-of-a-bitch people start rioting like they have in Dallas, start tearing down businesses — shoot to kill the son of a bitches. That’s the only way you restore order. Kill ‘em. Thank you." The voicemail, which The Texas Tribune obtained Friday via a public information request, came on the weekend of June 6, several days after Abbott activated the Texas National Guard as some of the protests became violent. It is unclear whether Saenz responded, and Abbott's office declined to comment on the voicemail. A Hotze spokesperson said he was not immediately available for comment.
Media Matters has more on Hotze and his recent Fox News appearance.
On Sunday, Fox News aired dangerous misinformation from Steven Hotze, a disreputable doctor who has a history of pushing “methods [that] are not supported by science and are potentially harmful” and sells bogus colloidal silver. Hotze used his Fox News platform to dismiss concerns about the coronavirus as people going “totally crazy” and told viewers to “conduct your life normally.” Hotze is the founder and CEO of the Texas-based Hotze Health & Wellness Center, Hotze Vitamins, and Hotze Pharmacy. He appeared on a March 15 coronavirus pandemic special on Fox in which he said that “you've got to take charge of your own health” and referenced his center in urging people to build up their immune systems with vitamins (Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips, the chief clinical officer at Providence St. Joseph Health, responded in the segment by saying that interrupting transmission, not vitamins, would help stop the spread of the coronavirus).
And there's always more.


crooksandliars--2020-07-04--Al Sharpton: GOP’s ‘Shotgun Wedding’ To ‘Fat Elvis’ Trump To End Soon

Al Sharpton visited Deadline : White House Friday to discuss this hugely damning article in The New York Times .
Sharpton described Trump as a pathetic has-been , using images we can all appreciate .
He started by saying that whatever Trump has planned behind a curtain to save his campaign will only expose his failings even more .
It got better from there .
Be sure to check out A.B .
Stoddard 's reactions !
SHARPTON : We should look at what curtain that we 're looking behind .
It is not a curtain where it 's a surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wizard of Oz and we ’ re seeing that the wizard has no clothes .
And I think that the problem that he has is that with the pandemic , which he could have handled better , the whole question of racism and his answer to that , to defend the statues of Confederates who not only were racist and slaveholders and slaveholder defenders , but were committing treason against the United States .
For all of the crises he 's faced , it has unglued what has been -- let 's be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of love between him and the Republican senators .
It was a shotgun wedding .
And when you have a shotgun wedding , any time you can find your way out of the house to get back home to mother , you will .
And that 's what they are going to do .
They were never in love with him .
They had the shotgun primaries ...
They did not want to have primaries with him endorsing their opponent and him running around the country like Elvis .
Well , it used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Elvis had left the building and the crowd is roaring .
This time there 's nobody showing up to see Elvis .
The arena is empty , the show is over , Elvis is fat , and there 's no Colonel Parker .

Al Sharpton visited Deadline: White House Friday to discuss this hugely damning article in The New York Times.
Sharpton described Trump as a pathetic has-been, using images we can all appreciate. He started by saying that whatever Trump has planned behind a curtain to save his campaign will only expose his failings even more. It got better from there. Be sure to check out A.B. Stoddard's reactions!
SHARPTON: We should look at what curtain that we're looking behind. It is not a curtain where it's a surprise. It's a curtain of the Wizard of Oz and we’re seeing that the wizard has no clothes.
And I think that the problem that he has is that with the pandemic, which he could have handled better, the whole question of racism and his answer to that, to defend the statues of Confederates who not only were racist and slaveholders and slaveholder defenders, but were committing treason against the United States.
For all of the crises he's faced, it has unglued what has been -- let's be clear - this was never a marriage of love between him and the Republican senators. It was a shotgun wedding. And when you have a shotgun wedding, any time you can find your way out of the house to get back home to mother, you will. And that's what they are going to do.
They were never in love with him. They had the shotgun primaries ... They did not want to have primaries with him endorsing their opponent and him running around the country like Elvis.
Well, it used to be earlier this year, Nicolle, Elvis had left the building and the crowd is roaring. This time there's nobody showing up to see Elvis. The arena is empty, the show is over, Elvis is fat, and there's no Colonel Parker.


crooksandliars--2020-07-04--Trump Actively Threatens The American Experiment — Russian Bounties Edition

Published with permission of PRESS RUN , Eric Boehlert ’ s new must-read media newsletter .
Subscribe here .
Not once has Trump angrily banged a lectern and promised to get to the bottom of the stunning and heartbreaking story that Russian intelligence was paying lucrative bounties for the lives of American troops murdered in Afghanistan .
Not once has Trump pledged to bring justice to the fallen .
Not once since the story exploded nearly a week ago has Trump taken the side of the United States and vowed to protect and defend her .
The blockbuster bounty revelation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's sweeping and ongoing betrayal .
`` I do n't think the Russians can believe their eyes and ears .
It 's not to be understood , '' stressed Retired US Army Gen. Barry McCaffery on MSNBC .
`` It 's sickening on so many levels . ''
Indeed , the entire , centuries-old American experiment is now being threatened .
The press needs to grapple with how it 's going to cover one of the biggest , most dangerous stories in our history .
Incredibly , not a single major newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wake of the Russia bounty story , which has been confirmed over and over in recent days .
Recall that more than 100 newspapers demanded Bill Clinton step down from office because he uttered a single false sentence under oath about his extramarital affair .
On the eve of the nation 's 244th Independence Day celebration , it must be noted that the country is approaching a dangerous precipice rarely seen in its history .
Facing an economic crisis , a run-away public health crisis , and a social justice crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the president wages open warfare on the country .
By categorically refusing to protect it from a pandemic , while turning a blind eye as an open adversary pays out rewards for the killing of American troops , Trump represents an internal threat unseen in U.S. history — a man whose closest allegiance is not with America , but with open foes and authoritarians .
This is an existential crisis that our Founding Fathers never could have imagined .
Or more specifically , they never could have imagined a U.S. president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's political party remaining virtually silent , as today 's GOP does with Trump 's treasonous behavior .
Worse , the party is now aggressively encouraging Trump 's un-American activities .
`` The Senate will incorporate the annual intelligence policy legislation into the National Defense Authorization Act -- but only after stripping language from the intelligence bill that would have required presidential campaigns to report offers of foreign election help , '' CNN reported this week , as the GOP works the clear the way for more foreign interference .
Last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stolen information from hacks during an election , Republicans refused to reciprocate .
`` Their silence has fueled concerns about the integrity of the 2020 election , which escalated after Trump ’ s personal attorney suggested that using stolen items might be appropriate , '' the Washington Post reported .
This is how democracy dies .
And this is why the American experiment now stands in peril .
`` The establishment of our new Government seemed to be the last great experiment for promoting human happiness , '' said President George Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year into his first term .
Today , even those who work for Trump understand he represents a threat to the country .
Reporting on Trump 's constant flow of personal , feel-good calls to autocratic leaders , CNN 's Carl Bernstein this week wrote , `` [ The ] calls helped convince some senior US officials — including his former secretaries of state and defense , two national security advisers and his longest-serving chief of staff — that the President himself posed a danger to the national security of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's list of phone pals was Russia 's Vladimir Putin , to whom Trump appears to have sworn complete loyalty .
`` Donald Trump ’ s actions , his behaviors , his very words , which come right out of the mouth of Vladimir Putin on many subjects—we all see this , '' author and former naval intelligence officer Malcolm Nance recently explained .
`` It ’ s documented .
It ’ s everywhere .
The entirety of global media has seen all these things , and , unless you don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , we all believe it .
We all know it .
We know there ’ s something there . ''
That something seems to be Trump 's very real commitment to tearing down the United States , from within .
`` Trump and his propagandists are actively trying to engineer violent civil conflict , by signaling to white Americans that they are under siege in a race war that they ’ re losing , '' noted the Washington Post 's Greg Sargent noted .
This , while Trump continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon `` disappear on its own . ''
In 1787 , when the Founding Fathers completed the U.S. Constitution in Independence Hall in Philadelphia , Benjamin Franklin famously told an inquiring woman what the gathering had produced , `` A republic , madam , if you can keep it . ''
Centuries later that American experiment presses on , now under attack from the Oval Office .

Published with permission of PRESS RUN, Eric Boehlert’s new must-read media newsletter. Subscribe here.
Not once has Trump angrily banged a lectern and promised to get to the bottom of the stunning and heartbreaking story that Russian intelligence was paying lucrative bounties for the lives of American troops murdered in Afghanistan. Not once has Trump pledged to bring justice to the fallen. Not once since the story exploded nearly a week ago has Trump taken the side of the United States and vowed to protect and defend her.
The blockbuster bounty revelation is just the latest controversy to confirm Trump's sweeping and ongoing betrayal. "I don't think the Russians can believe their eyes and ears. It's not to be understood," stressed Retired US Army Gen. Barry McCaffery on MSNBC. "It's sickening on so many levels."
Indeed, the entire, centuries-old American experiment is now being threatened. The press needs to grapple with how it's going to cover one of the biggest, most dangerous stories in our history. Incredibly, not a single major newspaper has called for Trump to resign in the wake of the Russia bounty story, which has been confirmed over and over in recent days. Recall that more than 100 newspapers demanded Bill Clinton step down from office because he uttered a single false sentence under oath about his extramarital affair.
On the eve of the nation's 244th Independence Day celebration, it must be noted that the country is approaching a dangerous precipice rarely seen in its history. Facing an economic crisis, a run-away public health crisis, and a social justice crisis, Trump's America stands bare and vulnerable, as the president wages open warfare on the country. By categorically refusing to protect it from a pandemic, while turning a blind eye as an open adversary pays out rewards for the killing of American troops, Trump represents an internal threat unseen in U.S. history — a man whose closest allegiance is not with America, but with open foes and authoritarians.
This is an existential crisis that our Founding Fathers never could have imagined. Or more specifically, they never could have imagined a U.S. president bowing to foreign powers and the president's political party remaining virtually silent, as today's GOP does with Trump's treasonous behavior.
Worse, the party is now aggressively encouraging Trump's un-American activities. "The Senate will incorporate the annual intelligence policy legislation into the National Defense Authorization Act -- but only after stripping language from the intelligence bill that would have required presidential campaigns to report offers of foreign election help," CNN reported this week, as the GOP works the clear the way for more foreign interference. Last year, when Democrats vowed to never use any stolen information from hacks during an election, Republicans refused to reciprocate. "Their silence has fueled concerns about the integrity of the 2020 election, which escalated after Trump’s personal attorney suggested that using stolen items might be appropriate," the Washington Post reported.
This is how democracy dies. And this is why the American experiment now stands in peril. "The establishment of our new Government seemed to be the last great experiment for promoting human happiness," said President George Washington, on January 9, 1790, one year into his first term.
From a New-York Daily Tribune editorial, November 27, 1860:
We have been regarded as engaged in trying a great experiment, involving not merely the future fate and welfare of this Western continent, but the hopes and prospects of the whole human race. Is it possible for a Government to be permanently maintained without privileged classes, without a standing army, and without either hereditary or self-appointed rulers?
Today, even those who work for Trump understand he represents a threat to the country. Reporting on Trump's constant flow of personal, feel-good calls to autocratic leaders, CNN's Carl Bernstein this week wrote, "[The] calls helped convince some senior US officials — including his former secretaries of state and defense, two national security advisers and his longest-serving chief of staff — that the President himself posed a danger to the national security of the United States." At the top of Trump's list of phone pals was Russia's Vladimir Putin, to whom Trump appears to have sworn complete loyalty.
"Donald Trump’s actions, his behaviors, his very words, which come right out of the mouth of Vladimir Putin on many subjects—we all see this," author and former naval intelligence officer Malcolm Nance recently explained. "It’s documented. It’s everywhere. The entirety of global media has seen all these things, and, unless you don’t believe anything about the Russian operation against the United States, we all believe it. We all know it. We know there’s something there."
That something seems to be Trump's very real commitment to tearing down the United States, from within. "Trump and his propagandists are actively trying to engineer violent civil conflict, by signaling to white Americans that they are under siege in a race war that they’re losing," noted the Washington Post's Greg Sargent noted. This, while Trump continues to dangerously suggest the deadly Covid-19 virus will soon "disappear on its own."
In 1787, when the Founding Fathers completed the U.S. Constitution in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin famously told an inquiring woman what the gathering had produced, "A republic, madam, if you can keep it."
Centuries later that American experiment presses on, now under attack from the Oval Office.


crooksandliars--2020-07-04--House Progressives Attack Big Pharma COVID Price-Gouging

In the wake of Gilead 's announcement that it will charge U.S. hospitals $ 3,120 per privately insured patient for a treatment course of Covid-19 drug remdesivir , the Congressional Progressive Caucus is calling on Congress to pass legislation combating the pharmaceutical industry 's effort to `` profiteer off a pandemic '' by imposing exorbitant prices .
`` This does n't come as a surprise—after all , this is the same company that once priced a lifesaving Hepatitis C drug , Sovaldi , at $ 1000 per pill , totaling $ 84,000 for a single course of treatment , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Pocan ( D-Wis. ) said of Gilead in a statement Wednesday .
`` Sadly , as we 've seen all too often from Big Pharma , saving lives is incidental to their business model—the profit motive always comes first . ''
Jayapal and Pocan urged the House Democratic leadership to hold a floor vote on Rep. Jan Schakowsky 's ( D-Ill. ) Make Medications Affordable by Preventing Pandemic Price-Gouging Act , which would require the federal government to `` mandate reasonable , affordable pricing of any new , taxpayer-funded Covid-19 drug used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or treat Covid-19 . ''
`` In a time of unprecedented national suffering , with more than 125,000 of our neighbors , coworkers , and loved ones dead from the coronavirus , Gilead has chosen to exploit the desperation of millions and profiteer off a pandemic , '' said Jayapal and Pocan .
`` But just because Gilead will exploit this pandemic , that does n't mean that Congress should let them . ''
`` Researchers have estimated that Gilead could cover the price of manufacturing remdesivir at scale with reasonable profit at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
But instead , Gilead plans to charge $ 520 a vial—an outrageous and unjustifiable mark-up , '' the lawmakers added .
`` Big Pharma 's greed is a danger to public health—Congress can not allow it to go unaddressed any longer . ''
The Progressive Caucus ' demand comes as the Trump administration , as Common Dreams reported Thursday , actively opens the door to pharma price-gouging by refusing to exercise federal authority to hold down prices for coronavirus treatments developed with taxpayer money .
In several government contracts with pharmaceutical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ecology International ( KEI ) , the Trump administration left out a standard condition requiring that products developed with the help of federal funds be made available to the public `` on reasonable terms . ''
`` This means that the government has limited its ability to intervene if the pharmaceutical companies ( which are party to the agreements and are receiving hundreds of millions of dollars to conduct the research ) charge unreasonable prices for the resulting Covid-19 vaccines or treatments , '' said KEI .

In the wake of Gilead's announcement that it will charge U.S. hospitals $3,120 per privately insured patient for a treatment course of Covid-19 drug remdesivir, the Congressional Progressive Caucus is calling on Congress to pass legislation combating the pharmaceutical industry's effort to "profiteer off a pandemic" by imposing exorbitant prices.
"This doesn't come as a surprise—after all, this is the same company that once priced a lifesaving Hepatitis C drug, Sovaldi, at $1000 per pill, totaling $84,000 for a single course of treatment," Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) said of Gilead in a statement Wednesday. "Sadly, as we've seen all too often from Big Pharma, saving lives is incidental to their business model—the profit motive always comes first."
Jayapal and Pocan urged the House Democratic leadership to hold a floor vote on Rep. Jan Schakowsky's (D-Ill.) Make Medications Affordable by Preventing Pandemic Price-Gouging Act, which would require the federal government to "mandate reasonable, affordable pricing of any new, taxpayer-funded Covid-19 drug used to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or treat Covid-19."
"In a time of unprecedented national suffering, with more than 125,000 of our neighbors, coworkers, and loved ones dead from the coronavirus, Gilead has chosen to exploit the desperation of millions and profiteer off a pandemic," said Jayapal and Pocan. "But just because Gilead will exploit this pandemic, that doesn't mean that Congress should let them."
"Researchers have estimated that Gilead could cover the price of manufacturing remdesivir at scale with reasonable profit at a market price of $1 per day. But instead, Gilead plans to charge $520 a vial—an outrageous and unjustifiable mark-up," the lawmakers added. "Big Pharma's greed is a danger to public health—Congress cannot allow it to go unaddressed any longer."
Another appalling example of the greed, profiteering, and corruption at the heart of our health care system. US taxpayers spent $70 million to help develop remdesivir. Now Gilead plans to pocket billions from the pandemic. Congress must #PreventPandemicProfiteers. https://t.co/smeX9nlmhb — Progressive Caucus (@USProgressives) June 29, 2020
The Progressive Caucus' demand comes as the Trump administration, as Common Dreams reported Thursday, actively opens the door to pharma price-gouging by refusing to exercise federal authority to hold down prices for coronavirus treatments developed with taxpayer money.
In several government contracts with pharmaceutical giants obtained by consumer advocacy group Knowledge Ecology International (KEI), the Trump administration left out a standard condition requiring that products developed with the help of federal funds be made available to the public "on reasonable terms."
"This means that the government has limited its ability to intervene if the pharmaceutical companies (which are party to the agreements and are receiving hundreds of millions of dollars to conduct the research) charge unreasonable prices for the resulting Covid-19 vaccines or treatments," said KEI.
Republished from Common Dreams (Jake Johnson, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-07-04--Rev. Dr. Barber: We Need Reconstruction, Not A ‘Back To Normal’ Economy

The Reverend Doctor William Barber called for a third reconstruction in the U.S. and pointed out how the pre-COVID “ normal ” economy was “ already a struggle ” for too many .
While Donald Trump hypes the latest jobs report and stock market gains , people who live and work on Main Street , not Wall Street , know that our economy was sick before the coronavirus pandemic and it still is .
Appearing on AM Joy this morning , Dr. Barber issued a powerful call to use this moment for economic transformation .
BARBER : The Poor People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , joined our assembly a few weeks ago to say this nation , this nation has to move away from this neoliberal concept and start looking at how we address 140 million people living in poverty .
It 's not a matter of Democrats or Republicans .
All of us have to do that .
If you listen to our political debates , you do n't hear the word “ poverty.
” I wish , even as we were talking about in the midst of what must be done on July 4th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not is it race or poverty , it 's race and poverty .
We must talk about reconstruction .
When Trump gives this lie , it 's the very reason 168 clergy are saying that -- like Frederick Douglass did 168 years ago -- we must expose the hypocrisy : that we have 40 % of poor people who made $ 40,000 and under will lose their jobs in the midst of this pandemic .
Millions more will become poor on top of the already 140 million poor .
We have still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need -- living wages , sick leave , decent unemployment , rent protection , ensuring that their utilities ca n't be cut off .
These are the realities .
So , you can talk about , as you said , you know , a few jobs he 's claiming that have been recovered , but the economy is far from recovered .
And there were people in trouble before the pandemic .
700 people were dying a day before the pandemic .
And what Trump has done and his allies , McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , revisionist history , against God-ordained justice and has fundamentally undermined voter protection , policies to lift up the poor .
He undermines health care .
He undermines immigrant justice .
And we must transform from that .
And I agree with my friend , it 's not about going back to normal .
Normal was already a struggle .
We must go to reconstruction , a third reconstruction in this nation .


crooksandliars--2020-07-05--White Couple Destroys Black Lives Matter Mural While Claiming 'There Is No Racism'

A woman was caught on video destroying a Black Lives Matter mural in Martinez , California .
The incident was said to have occurred during Saturday 's Fourth of July holiday .
Multiple videos of the incident were shared on social media .
The woman , who was wearing an American flag T-shirt , can be seen painting over a Black Lives Matter mural on the street with black paint .
A man wearing a Trump 2020 shirt and a `` Make American Great Again '' hat insults a bystander in the video .
`` No one wants you here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No one wants Black Lives Matter here . ''
`` All lives matter , you f*cking punk ! ''
the man adds .
The man , who appears to be assisting the woman , was caught in another video explaining his views on Black Lives Matter .
`` This is racism is what it is , '' he says , pointing at the Black Lives Matter mural .
`` There is no oppression .
There is no racism .
It 's a leftist lie .
It 's a lie from the media , @ @ @ @ @

A woman was caught on video destroying a Black Lives Matter mural in Martinez, California.
The incident was said to have occurred during Saturday's Fourth of July holiday.
Multiple videos of the incident were shared on social media.
The woman, who was wearing an American flag T-shirt, can be seen painting over a Black Lives Matter mural on the street with black paint.
A man wearing a Trump 2020 shirt and a "Make American Great Again" hat insults a bystander in the video.
"No one wants you here," the man says. "No one wants Black Lives Matter here."
"All lives matter, you f*cking punk!" the man adds.
The man, who appears to be assisting the woman, was caught in another video explaining his views on Black Lives Matter.
"This is racism is what it is," he says, pointing at the Black Lives Matter mural. "There is no oppression. There is no racism. It's a leftist lie. It's a lie from the media, the liberal left."
Watch the videos below.
Karen and Bob were celebrating #IndependanceDay by vandalizing #BlackLivesMatter . If you know them please let me know. You also send to @cityofmartinez pic.twitter.com/pfEfZQTTFl — GOSSIPOFTHECITY (@meetmyracism) July 5, 2020
Yooo!!! This Karen and Chad are defacing a #BlackLivesMatter mural in Martinez, CA. Twitter do your thing. pic.twitter.com/mtuTqtMT8A — Duane Essence Hall (@SuaveLlave) July 5, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-07-05--Video Appears To Show Oregon Cop Flashing 'White Power' Hand Sign To Proud Boys Member

Video captured at a protest in Salem , Oregon over the weekend shows an officer interacting with anti-Black Lives Matters @ @ @ @ @ as members of the Proud Boys group .
A clip shared on social media on @ @ @ @ @ officer flashing what many said was a `` white power '' hand signal at one @ @ @ @ @ protester then touches the officer 's shoulder in as friendly gesture .
The Salem Police @ @ @ @ @ noting that the officer was a member of the Oregon State Police .
Others reacted @ @ @ @ @ to be named and fired .
The Oregon State Police had not responded to the @ @ @ @ @ publication .
Watch the video and read some of the reactions below .

Video captured at a protest in Salem, Oregon over the weekend shows an officer interacting with anti-Black Lives Matters protesters, who were identified as members of the Proud Boys group.
A clip shared on social media on Saturday appears to show an officer flashing what many said was a "white power" hand signal at one of the protesters. The protester then touches the officer's shoulder in as friendly gesture.
The Salem Police Department responded on Twitter by noting that the officer was a member of the Oregon State Police.
Others reacted by calling on the officer to be named and fired. The Oregon State Police had not responded to the incident at the time of publication.
Watch the video and read some of the reactions below.
The officer in the video clip is not a Salem Police officer. The uniform displays an OSP badge and the baseball cap has the agency name. — Salem Police Dept. (@SalemPoliceDept) July 5, 2020
Who is that cop? He needs to be named. — Cara G (@Cara1O1) July 5, 2020
Yup white power symbol from a cop...and you wonder why there’s a problem. — ℂ (@Chico_Maki) July 5, 2020
Please don't tell me this is what I think it is ♂ pic.twitter.com/caumGqVxw1 — EnigMajicc (@EnigMajicc) July 5, 2020
It’s not just an interaction—the cop flashes the white power hand sign at a proud boy member and gets a clap on the back in solidarity. This cop needs to be identified and investigated now. @OregonGovBrown — DianaW (@DianaW99) July 5, 2020
Notice how he actually touches two different LEOs and they do nothing. If a protester or a person of color did that, they'd be on the ground in cuffs.
There's more than one bad cop. — Rich Stromberg (@richstromberg) July 5, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-07-05--Fox & Friends Promotes Kanye West's Presidential Bid: 'The Unifying Force We’ve All Been Waiting For

Fox & Friends Promotes Kanye West's Presidential Bid: 'The Unifying Force We’ve All Been Waiting For'

The hosts of Fox & Friends argued on Sunday that Kanye West could unite the country by running for president in 2020 .
During a segment on the Fox News morning show , host Jedidiah Bila noted that West had recently hinted on Twitter that he may be a candidate in 2020 .
`` I think that expectation of unity can exist somewhere and should exist somewhere , but you also have to expect that you 're not going to agree on this stuff , '' Bila explained .
`` So it 's very , very challenging to find unity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has been talked about a lot about potentially being able to bring some unity is Kanye West , '' she continued .
`` That 's right .
Kanye West might be running for president . ''
`` Could Kanye be the unifying force that we have all be waiting for ? ''
Bila wondered .
`` That is the question that I woke up , of course , thinking this morning , '' co-host Todd Piro replied .
`` Who knows what this means for the upcoming election . ''
Piro suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West not to run by giving him a position in the White House .
`` The president should really take a step back and say , 'Look , I had Kanye on my side at some point , ' '' he explained .
`` Yes , to the previous 243 years of our democracy , it would n't have been a big deal to get somebody like Kanye on board , but with everything that 's going on in the world right now , it might behoove the president to say , 'Look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my administration , really to outreach on civil rights ? '
''

The hosts of Fox & Friends argued on Sunday that Kanye West could unite the country by running for president in 2020.
During a segment on the Fox News morning show, host Jedidiah Bila noted that West had recently hinted on Twitter that he may be a candidate in 2020.
"I think that expectation of unity can exist somewhere and should exist somewhere, but you also have to expect that you're not going to agree on this stuff," Bila explained. "So it's very, very challenging to find unity."
"Now, one person who has been talked about a lot about potentially being able to bring some unity is Kanye West," she continued. "That's right. Kanye West might be running for president."
"Could Kanye be the unifying force that we have all be waiting for?" Bila wondered.
"That is the question that I woke up, of course, thinking this morning," co-host Todd Piro replied. "Who knows what this means for the upcoming election."
Piro suggested that President Donald Trump could potentially persuade West not to run by giving him a position in the White House.
"The president should really take a step back and say, 'Look, I had Kanye on my side at some point,'" he explained. "Yes, to the previous 243 years of our democracy, it wouldn't have been a big deal to get somebody like Kanye on board, but with everything that's going on in the world right now, it might behoove the president to say, 'Look, can I have you be something in my administration, really to outreach on civil rights?'"


crooksandliars--2020-07-05--Joni Ernst Says The Confederacy And Slavery Are Mere 'Blemishes' On American History

Sen. Joni Ernst ( R-IA ) on Sunday both acknowledged and downplayed America 's racist history by saying that the @ @ @ @ @ in its past .
During an interview on CNN , Ernst was asked if she @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's rhetoric on monuments that celebrate Confederate history and the legacy of slavery .
@ @ @ @ @ that we live in the greatest nation on the face of the planet , '' @ @ @ @ @ we do have blemishes in our history .
And we need to come together and @ @ @ @ @ our past . ''
`` But the great thing about this nation is that we @ @ @ @ @ , learn from those hard times in the past , '' she added , `` @ @ @ @ @ a continually blessed nation .
And again , we do live in the greatest nation @ @ @ @ @ planet .
And I hope that others understand that . ''

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) on Sunday both acknowledged and downplayed America's racist history by saying that the country had "blemishes" in its past.
During an interview on CNN, Ernst was asked if she was comfortable with President Donald Trump's rhetoric on monuments that celebrate Confederate history and the legacy of slavery.
"I truly do believe that we live in the greatest nation on the face of the planet," Ernst opined. "And we do have blemishes in our history. And we need to come together and have some hard discussions about our past."
"But the great thing about this nation is that we can learn from those blemishes, learn from those hard times in the past," she added, "and continue to evolve and a continually blessed nation. And again, we do live in the greatest nation on the face of the planet. And I hope that others understand that."


crooksandliars--2020-07-05--'Dear Kevin,' 'Dear Republicans' Trend, As GOPLeader Impugns Democrats' Patriotism

And with that bit of Trump-like idiocy , the House minority leader did nothing but pour more gasoline on the @ @ @ @ @ already itching to vote and rid this country of the Trump plague on the country @ @ @ @ @ for all .
The responses to McCarthy on Twitter have been as you would expect @ @ @ @ @ of the righteous who will exact `` great vengeance and furious anger '' upon Trump @ @ @ @ @ .
Soon after , # DearRepublicans began to trend .

Dear Democrats: You cannot save America if you don’t even believe in her. — Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) July 5, 2020
And with that bit of Trump-like idiocy, the House minority leader did nothing but pour more gasoline on the fire for Democrats who are already itching to vote and rid this country of the Trump plague in November, once and for all.
The responses to McCarthy on Twitter have been as you would expect. Filled with the passion of the righteous who will exact "great vengeance and furious anger" upon Trump and those who support him.
Dear Kevin: Believing in America means believing in ALL Americans — not just, white, racist, Republican rich people. — Mrs. Krassenstein (@HKrassenstein) July 5, 2020
Fuck off, sincerely America. — David Weissman (@davidmweissman) July 5, 2020
Dear Kevin: You just admitted America needs saving from y’all, who are in charge. — Scott Dworkin (@funder) July 5, 2020
Dear Kevin McCarthy,
America told me she doesn't believe in the Republican party. Eat a bag of dicks.
Sincerely,
A Democratic Voter https://t.co/XCmVxeJzr5 — 🎃Anastas2002🎃 #BlackLivesMatter (@anastas2002) July 5, 2020
Soon after, #DearRepublicans began to trend.
Dear Republicans:
You cannot save America
If you do not save AMERICANS. https://t.co/H15Gh77NJu — Julie Cohen (@FilmmakerJulie) July 5, 2020
Dear Republicans, you can’t save America if you don’t even try to save the American people. — Mrs. Krassenstein (@HKrassenstein) July 5, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-07-05--Dana Bash Hits Sen. Ernst For Criticizing Obama's 'Failed Leadership' On Ebola

CNN 's Dana Bash asked Sen. Joni Ernst whether she was willing to level the same criticism at Trump that she had for Obama back in 2014 when she attacked him for `` failed leadership '' on Ebola , which only two Americans died from .
Ernst was probably hoping to filibuster her way out of answering , but finally answered when Bash asked her the second time .
Here 's the ridiculous exchange where in the end , of course , Bash gave her a pass on her hypocrisy : Only two people in the U.S. died from Ebola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans dead from coronavirus .
So if president Obama showed failed leadership then , do you think president Trump is showing failed leadership now ?
Well , I think we all have responsibility in stopping the spread .
And certainly I 've heard some of the discussions earlier .
Wearing a mask is entirely appropriate .
Social distancing is entirely appropriate .
We have seen , I think , one additional death in the last 24 hours here in Iowa .
So it is something that we absolutely should be paying attention to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure that we are protecting others as well .
So this is a virus that is not going to go away soon .
We want to make sure that we are watching this and doing everything that we can as a federal government , including the research and development of therapeutics and vaccinations to make sure that we are doing the right thing as a nation .
BASH : So given the fact that one person died there , that 's only half the number that died during Ebola , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president right now exhibiting failed leadership ?
No , I think that the president is stepping forward and we have vice president Mike Pence that is spearheading the task force efforts on the coronavirus .
And so understanding where this came from , how it developed , of course , the push back that we got from the Democrats when the president did try to shutdown travel from some of those hot spots , it was an extremely difficult environment to operate .
And , you know , we know different today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus , and we should continually learn from those efforts and make sure we are doing the right thing by moving our nation forward , simple things .
Simple things , wearing a mask , making sure we 're washing our hands .
But then as federal government officials , making sure we 're moving at warp speed to get to that vaccination .

CNN's Dana Bash asked Sen. Joni Ernst whether she was willing to level the same criticism at Trump that she had for Obama back in 2014 when she attacked him for "failed leadership" on Ebola, which only two Americans died from. Ernst was probably hoping to filibuster her way out of answering, but finally answered when Bash asked her the second time.
Here's the ridiculous exchange where in the end, of course, Bash gave her a pass on her hypocrisy:
Only two people in the U.S. died from Ebola. Right now there are almost 130,000 Americans dead from coronavirus. So if president Obama showed failed leadership then, do you think president Trump is showing failed leadership now?
Well, I think we all have responsibility in stopping the spread. And certainly I've heard some of the discussions earlier. Wearing a mask is entirely appropriate. Social distancing is entirely appropriate. We have seen, I think, one additional death in the last 24 hours here in Iowa.
So it is something that we absolutely should be paying attention to and we all should do our part to make sure that we are protecting others as well. So this is a virus that is not going to go away soon. We want to make sure that we are watching this and doing everything that we can as a federal government, including the research and development of therapeutics and vaccinations to make sure that we are doing the right thing as a nation.
BASH: So given the fact that one person died there, that's only half the number that died during Ebola, which you said was failed leadership. Is the president right now exhibiting failed leadership?
No, I think that the president is stepping forward and we have vice president Mike Pence that is spearheading the task force efforts on the coronavirus. And so understanding where this came from, how it developed, of course, the push back that we got from the Democrats when the president did try to shutdown travel from some of those hot spots, it was an extremely difficult environment to operate.
And, you know, we know different today than we did at the beginning of the spread of the virus, and we should continually learn from those efforts and make sure we are doing the right thing by moving our nation forward, simple things.
Simple things, wearing a mask, making sure we're washing our hands. But then as federal government officials, making sure we're moving at warp speed to get to that vaccination.


crooksandliars--2020-07-05--WATCH: NC Walmart Customer Goes Berserk On 'Thug' Employee Whose Pants Are 'Too Low'

A confrontation between a white man and a Walmart employee was recently caught on video .
The incident was said to have occurred at a Walmart in Arden , NC .
`` A man screaming at an employee because his pants are too low , '' Mat Weber , who recorded the video , wrote in a post on social media .
`` The same man telling this young AMERICAN to 'go back to his country . '
'' Weber recalled hearing the man say the employee 's pants were `` too low '' before the man 's shopping partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thug . ''
Video shows a confrontation between the two men briefly becoming physical before they both were urged to walk away .
According to Weber , the white customer `` touted his service in our country 's military '' as an excuse for his actions .
`` If you do n't think discrimination or hatred occur in America today , here 's your proof , '' he continued .
`` The division and hatred in this country HAVE to stop .
The choice is yours every day !
Today I choose to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his fault .
It does n't matter who you are .
Nobody should treat someone this way . ''

A confrontation between a white man and a Walmart employee was recently caught on video.
The incident was said to have occurred at a Walmart in Arden, NC.
"A man screaming at an employee because his pants are too low," Mat Weber, who recorded the video, wrote in a post on social media. "The same man telling this young AMERICAN to 'go back to his country.'"
Weber recalled hearing the man say the employee's pants were "too low" before the man's shopping partner referred to the staffer as a "thug."
Video shows a confrontation between the two men briefly becoming physical before they both were urged to walk away.
According to Weber, the white customer "touted his service in our country's military" as an excuse for his actions.
"If you don't think discrimination or hatred occur in America today, here's your proof," he continued. "The division and hatred in this country HAVE to stop. The choice is yours every day! Today I choose to reassure a victim that it was not his fault. It doesn't matter who you are. Nobody should treat someone this way."
Watch the video below.


crooksandliars--2020-07-05--Trump's 'Mad King' July 4th Speech Was Filled With Hate And Derision

Trump continued his divisive and destructive campaign during his speech in Mount Rushmore on Friday , continuing his hatred for the American people in an address on July 4th , Independence Day .
As usual Trump ignored the CDC 's warnings by holding a rally without any restrictions for social distancing or mandatory masks that likely will aid in spreading the virus further .
Instead of trying to inspire with words to lift our country 's spirit , he offered up his King George hate-filled speech to a country falling apart because of his bungled pandemic response and intentional stoking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting a change in law enforcement after the George Floyd murder , '' American heroes defeated the Nazis , dethroned the fascists , toppled the communists , saved American values , upheld American principles and chased down the terrorists to the very ends of the earth .
We are now in the process of defeating the radical left , the Marxists , the anarchists , the agitators , the looters , and people who in many instances have absolutely no clue what they are doing , '' he spewed .
Who 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defending Confederate statues and their legacies over the lives of his citizens during a time of civil unrest .
Trump also attacked the American press by claiming they are slandering him by accurately reporting to the people his words and actions .
`` You not only slander me , you slander the American people , '' Trump said .
Trump has slandered the entire history of our nation .
[ King ] George is condemned for , among other offenses , having refused to approve laws that are “ necessary for the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for blocking reasonable legislative progress , for blocking immigration to the states , for “ obstructing the Administration of Justice , ” for bending the judiciary to his will , for seeking to make the military “ independent of and superior to the Civil Power , ” for conspiring “ with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution , ” “ for cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world , ” and for having “ excited domestic insurrections amongst us.
” Any of those grievances sound @ @

Trump continued his divisive and destructive campaign during his speech in Mount Rushmore on Friday, continuing his hatred for the American people in an address on July 4th, Independence Day.
As usual Trump ignored the CDC's warnings by holding a rally without any restrictions for social distancing or mandatory masks that likely will aid in spreading the virus further.
Instead of trying to inspire with words to lift our country's spirit, he offered up his King George hate-filled speech to a country falling apart because of his bungled pandemic response and intentional stoking the fires of anger by attacking those supporting a change in law enforcement after the George Floyd murder,
"American heroes defeated the Nazis, dethroned the fascists, toppled the communists, saved American values, upheld American principles and chased down the terrorists to the very ends of the earth. We are now in the process of defeating the radical left, the Marxists, the anarchists, the agitators, the looters, and people who in many instances have absolutely no clue what they are doing," he spewed.
Who's the one who is clueless? Trump is defending Confederate statues and their legacies over the lives of his citizens during a time of civil unrest.
Trump also attacked the American press by claiming they are slandering him by accurately reporting to the people his words and actions.
"You not only slander me, you slander the American people," Trump said.
Trump has slandered the entire history of our nation.
As David Rothkopf writes:
[King] George is condemned for, among other offenses, having refused to approve laws that are “necessary for the public good,” for bullying governors, for blocking reasonable legislative progress, for blocking immigration to the states, for “obstructing the Administration of Justice,” for bending the judiciary to his will, for seeking to make the military “independent of and superior to the Civil Power,” for conspiring “with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution,” “for cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world,” and for having “excited domestic insurrections amongst us.” Any of those grievances sound familiar?


crooksandliars--2020-07-05--Gun Dealers Rack Up Profits By Marketing To Right-Wing Extremist 'Boogaloo Bois'

Like most far-right “ movements , ” the so-called “ Boogaloo ” cult—with its built-in fetishes around guns , body armor , banners , patches , T-shirts and assorted accoutrements—is also simultaneously a big moneymaking opportunity for right-wing operatives and their enablers , eager to milk the gullible “ Patriots ” who flock to their websites .
Chief among the enablers have been Facebook and Instagram , who have , as BuzzFeed News reports , been raking in advertising dollars from “ Boogaloo ” -related merchants hawking their wares .
But perhaps more ominously , chief among the people both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering such goods are the businesses marketing to believers the means with which to conduct the “ second civil war ” that is the object of their shared violent fantasy : gun dealers .
Ian Karbal at The Informant and The Trace reported this week on the profits being racked up by gun sellers tailoring their wares to a booming “ Boogaloo ” market online .
Altogether , he found more than 35 dealers or manufacturers of firearms and associated tactical gear that have posted references to the civil war cult on social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fenix Ammunition , which saw its online daily sales in March rocket from 4,000 to 40,000 .
It also sells such “ Boogaloo ” items as a “ Big Luau Competition Jersey ” with a Hawaiian design , and a “ Thin Hawaiian Line ” sticker featuring the cult ’ s banner ( black-and-white striped with an igloo and a palm tree ) .
“ I 'll be honest , it drives sales , ” Fenix owner Justin Nazaroff told Karbal .
“ People think it 's funny .
People click on boogaloo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun people enjoy joking about.
” Among Fenix ’ s clients are at least three local police departments , a law enforcement training center , and rifle manufacturer KelTec .
“ They don ’ t have a lot of beliefs other than they really like guns , they really hate cops , and they want some sort of revolution , ” Megan Squire , a computer scientist who researches online extremism at Elon University , told Karbal .
“ You pretty much have to be weapons-trained and interested in weapons to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from company to company , but the themes and underlying violent rhetoric are consistent : Some companies , like Fenix , sell boogaloo-themed merchandise .
For instance , in February , Palmetto State Armory sold a limited run of custom boogaloo-themed AK-47-style guns , finished with Hawaiian patterns , mimicking the shirts boogaloo supporters have adopted as an unofficial uniform .
They also advertise boogaloo t-shirts on Facebook .
Palmetto State Armory CEO Jamin McCallum did not respond to multiple requests for an interview .
Hoplite Armor , a body armor manufacturer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plate carrier as a part of its “ Aloha line ” of products .
The traditional flowers have been replaced with the bloody Bauhinia flower , which adorns the Hong Kong protest flag .
Like Nazaroff , the sellers tried to write it all off as a kind of humor .
“ It ’ s literally an internet joke .
It ’ s like ‘ Harambe , ’ ” said Dimitri Karras of Firearms Unknown , which sells “ ghost guns , ” unserialized but legal firearm parts that can be assembled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m a Marine who ’ s fought in two wars .
I have a dark sense of humor .
That ’ s just who I am.
” But as Cassie Miller , a researcher with the Southern Poverty Law Center , pointedly observed : “ They pretend that it ’ s a joke .
In some ways that ’ s to conceal just how serious and sometimes dangerous the ideas that they ’ re pushing are.
” The far right ’ s hopes for a civil war , embodied in the spreading “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fantasy and more of a real-life , looming domestic terrorism problem .
Recent incidents are making clear that men swept up in the movement are increasingly intent on making it a reality : • An Air Force sergeant in California who was a “ Boogaloo ” fan shot two federal officers at an anti-police protest in Oakland , one fatally .
Two days later , after being tracked to Santa Cruz County , he shot and killed a sheriff ’ s deputy while being arrested .
During the rampage , he scrawled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the hood of the car he was driving .
• A Texarkana , Texas , man who intended to spark the “ Boogaloo ” by ambushing police officers , was caught by officers who were alerted by his attempt to livestream his planned killing spree .
They went to his location and arrested him shortly thereafter .
• A “ Boogaloo ” enthusiast who posted comments on Facebook about bringing his rifle to an anti-stay-at-home-orders protest in Denver attracted the interest of FBI agents , who upon visiting him at his home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The man openly expressed his intent to use them to kill any federal agents who tried to invade his home .
• Another “ Boogaloo Boi ” planned to livestream his ambush on police officers at an Ohio national park , but was arrested by FBI agents before he could pull off the plan .
• A trio of men with connections to Facebook “ Boogaloo ” groups were arrested en route to a Houston anti-police protest with a load of Molotov cocktails they intended to use to spread chaos at the @ @

Like most far-right “movements,” the so-called “Boogaloo” cult—with its built-in fetishes around guns, body armor, banners, patches, T-shirts and assorted accoutrements—is also simultaneously a big moneymaking opportunity for right-wing operatives and their enablers, eager to milk the gullible “Patriots” who flock to their websites.
Chief among the enablers have been Facebook and Instagram, who have, as BuzzFeed News reports, been raking in advertising dollars from “Boogaloo”-related merchants hawking their wares. But perhaps more ominously, chief among the people both promoting the cult on social media and offering such goods are the businesses marketing to believers the means with which to conduct the “second civil war” that is the object of their shared violent fantasy: gun dealers.
Ian Karbal at The Informant and The Trace reported this week on the profits being racked up by gun sellers tailoring their wares to a booming “Boogaloo” market online. Altogether, he found more than 35 dealers or manufacturers of firearms and associated tactical gear that have posted references to the civil war cult on social media.
Chief among them has been Fenix Ammunition, which saw its online daily sales in March rocket from 4,000 to 40,000. It also sells such “Boogaloo” items as a “Big Luau Competition Jersey” with a Hawaiian design, and a “Thin Hawaiian Line” sticker featuring the cult’s banner (black-and-white striped with an igloo and a palm tree).
“I'll be honest, it drives sales,” Fenix owner Justin Nazaroff told Karbal. “People think it's funny. People click on boogaloo memes. It’s something that gun people enjoy joking about.”
Among Fenix’s clients are at least three local police departments, a law enforcement training center, and rifle manufacturer KelTec.
“They don’t have a lot of beliefs other than they really like guns, they really hate cops, and they want some sort of revolution,” Megan Squire, a computer scientist who researches online extremism at Elon University, told Karbal. “You pretty much have to be weapons-trained and interested in weapons to be a Boogaloo adherent.”
The marketing strategies vary from company to company, but the themes and underlying violent rhetoric are consistent:
Some companies, like Fenix, sell boogaloo-themed merchandise. For instance, in February, Palmetto State Armory sold a limited run of custom boogaloo-themed AK-47-style guns, finished with Hawaiian patterns, mimicking the shirts boogaloo supporters have adopted as an unofficial uniform. They also advertise boogaloo t-shirts on Facebook. Palmetto State Armory CEO Jamin McCallum did not respond to multiple requests for an interview. Hoplite Armor, a body armor manufacturer in Kalispell, Montana, sells a Hawaiian-patterned plate carrier as a part of its “Aloha line” of products. The traditional flowers have been replaced with the bloody Bauhinia flower, which adorns the Hong Kong protest flag.
Like Nazaroff, the sellers tried to write it all off as a kind of humor.
“It’s literally an internet joke. It’s like ‘Harambe,’” said Dimitri Karras of Firearms Unknown, which sells “ghost guns,” unserialized but legal firearm parts that can be assembled by customers at home. “I’m a Marine who’s fought in two wars. I have a dark sense of humor. That’s just who I am.”
But as Cassie Miller, a researcher with the Southern Poverty Law Center, pointedly observed: “They pretend that it’s a joke. In some ways that’s to conceal just how serious and sometimes dangerous the ideas that they’re pushing are.”
The far right’s hopes for a civil war, embodied in the spreading “Boogaloo” cult, are increasingly less a fantasy and more of a real-life, looming domestic terrorism problem. Recent incidents are making clear that men swept up in the movement are increasingly intent on making it a reality:
An Air Force sergeant in California who was a “Boogaloo” fan shot two federal officers at an anti-police protest in Oakland, one fatally. Two days later, after being tracked to Santa Cruz County, he shot and killed a sheriff’s deputy while being arrested. During the rampage, he scrawled the word “Boog” in blood on the hood of the car he was driving.
A Texarkana, Texas, man who intended to spark the “Boogaloo” by ambushing police officers, was caught by officers who were alerted by his attempt to livestream his planned killing spree. They went to his location and arrested him shortly thereafter.
A “Boogaloo” enthusiast who posted comments on Facebook about bringing his rifle to an anti-stay-at-home-orders protest in Denver attracted the interest of FBI agents, who upon visiting him at his home discovered a cache of homemade pipe bombs. The man openly expressed his intent to use them to kill any federal agents who tried to invade his home.
Another “Boogaloo Boi” planned to livestream his ambush on police officers at an Ohio national park, but was arrested by FBI agents before he could pull off the plan.
A trio of men with connections to Facebook “Boogaloo” groups were arrested en route to a Houston anti-police protest with a load of Molotov cocktails they intended to use to spread chaos at the event.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-07-06--Trump Throws Hissy Fit, Tells His Supporters To Stop Watching Fox News

Trump tells his believers to dump Fox after they dared to report he was trailing Joe Biden .
Ha , ha !
This is wonderful on so many levels .
Via Huffington Post : President Donald Trump said he ’ s done with Fox News after the network on Sunday showed him trailing former Vice President Joe Biden in the polls .
Trump claimed he was leading in “ real polls ” but did not cite any : .
@ FoxNews gladly puts up the phony suppression polls as soon as they come out .
We are leading in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tired of watching the Democrat run cities , in all cases , falling apart .
Also , now 96 % Approval Rating in the Republican Party .
Another 2016 !
Trump has repeatedly claimed that 96 percent of Republicans approve of him .
While he does enjoy high levels of support among members of his party , there are no recent polls that show him reaching that level .
Last week , a Hill-Harris X poll found he had an 82 percent approval rating among Republicans , down from 91 percent in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump also urged his supporters to change the channel :

Trump tells his believers to dump Fox after they dared to report he was trailing Joe Biden. Ha, ha! This is wonderful on so many levels. Via Huffington Post:
President Donald Trump said he’s done with Fox News after the network on Sunday showed him trailing former Vice President Joe Biden in the polls.
Trump claimed he was leading in “real polls” but did not cite any:
.@FoxNews gladly puts up the phony suppression polls as soon as they come out. We are leading in the REAL polls because people are sick & tired of watching the Democrat run cities, in all cases, falling apart. Also, now 96% Approval Rating in the Republican Party. Another 2016! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 5, 2020
Trump has repeatedly claimed that 96 percent of Republicans approve of him. While he does enjoy high levels of support among members of his party, there are no recent polls that show him reaching that level. Last week, a Hill-Harris X poll found he had an 82 percent approval rating among Republicans, down from 91 percent in May.
In addition to attacking Fox, Trump also urged his supporters to change the channel:


crooksandliars--2020-07-06--CBS Host Margaret Brennan: Trump Has Blocked Dr. Fauci Interviews For 'Last Three Months'

CBS host Margaret Brennan revealed on Sunday that President Donald Trump 's administration has refused to allow Dr. Anthony Fauci @ @ @ @ @ top infectious disease expert , to appear on the network for three months .
Brennan @ @ @ @ @ 's Face the Nation program .
`` It may be the most sobering morning after @ @ @ @ @ America 's history , '' Brennan said , noting that there had been more than @ @ @ @ @ day in the United States for the past four days .
`` We 're committed @ @ @ @ @ the virus , '' she added , `` and the most knowledgable guests that we @ @ @ @ @ : `` We think that it 's important for our viewers to hear from Dr. @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control but we have not been able to get our request for Dr. @ @ @ @ @ administration in the last three months .
And the CDC , not at all .
@

CBS host Margaret Brennan revealed on Sunday that President Donald Trump's administration has refused to allow Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government's top infectious disease expert, to appear on the network for three months.
Brennan made the remarks during Sunday's Face the Nation program.
"It may be the most sobering morning after the Fourth of July in America's history," Brennan said, noting that there had been more than 50,000 new COVID-19 cases per day in the United States for the past four days.
"We're committed to bringing you facts about the virus," she added, "and the most knowledgable guests that we can."
Brennan continued: "We think that it's important for our viewers to hear from Dr. Anthony Fauci and the Centers for Disease Control but we have not been able to get our request for Dr. Fauci approved by the Trump administration in the last three months. And the CDC, not at all."