crooksandliars--2020-07-27--Gov. Phil Murphy: The Smart Thing Now Is To Inject A Lot Of Cash Into States

Alysin Camerota had NJ Gov .
Phil Murphy on this morning to talk about the proposed Republican stimulus bill .
`` It sounds like Republicans have reached an agreement with the White House but it does n't include what you have been clamoring for and that is more assistance for states .
So now what ? ''
she said .
`` I do n't know what country they 're looking at , frankly .
This is n't a blue state issue , it is n't a legacy state issue , it 's an American issue .
States red and blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skyrocketing , for obvious reasons , to deal with this pandemic , to deal with unemployed folks , to deal with small businesses that have been crushed .
Our revenues have fallen off the table .
The one smart thing we can do as a country right now is to inject a lot of cash into states to keep front-line workers employed , to keep those services up and running .
It 's unfathomable that they would have a bill that does not include that .
`` I spoke with Speaker Pelosi yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As you know , the House HEROES Act includes a big slug for states .
That 's what 's got to be the end here .
we 've got to get to that end point and get there sooner . ''
Camerota asked if Trump agreed with him when they spoke .
`` I ca n't speak for the president , but we made the case forcefully .
With him , with the vice president , with his team that it 's good for all of us .
It 's good for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is beyond one party benefits or another .
This is keeping people , firefighters , police , EMS , health care workers , educators , keeping them employed at the front lines .
As I said , at the very hour , our darkest hour of need , this should not be one political party versus another .
I 'm hopeful .
I remain cautiously optimistic we 'll get there , but you 've got to get there with more momentum than we 're seeing right now . ''

Alysin Camerota had NJ Gov. Phil Murphy on this morning to talk about the proposed Republican stimulus bill.
"It sounds like Republicans have reached an agreement with the White House but it doesn't include what you have been clamoring for and that is more assistance for states. So now what?" she said.
"It's completely irresponsible," Gov. Murphy said.
"I don't know what country they're looking at, frankly. This isn't a blue state issue, it isn't a legacy state issue, it's an American issue. States red and blue are getting crushed. Our expenses are skyrocketing, for obvious reasons, to deal with this pandemic, to deal with unemployed folks, to deal with small businesses that have been crushed. Our revenues have fallen off the table. The one smart thing we can do as a country right now is to inject a lot of cash into states to keep front-line workers employed, to keep those services up and running. It's unfathomable that they would have a bill that does not include that.
"I spoke with Speaker Pelosi yesterday and she is in agreement with that. As you know, the House HEROES Act includes a big slug for states. That's what's got to be the end here. we've got to get to that end point and get there sooner."
Camerota asked if Trump agreed with him when they spoke.
"I can't speak for the president, but we made the case forcefully. With him, with the vice president, with his team that it's good for all of us. It's good for America," the governor said.
"This is beyond one party benefits or another. This is keeping people, firefighters, police, EMS, health care workers, educators, keeping them employed at the front lines. As I said, at the very hour, our darkest hour of need, this should not be one political party versus another. I'm hopeful. I remain cautiously optimistic we'll get there, but you've got to get there with more momentum than we're seeing right now."


crooksandliars--2020-07-27--Sinking Trump Campaign Desperate For 'October Surprise' Vaccine News

On Morning Joe , Joe Scarborough and Jonathan Lemire dug into the details of the Trump reelection campaign .
`` We ask the question every week , the president this week losing in every battleground state -- other than Ohio , Ohio 's tied , making matters worse , Texas over the past several months has become a battleground state .
Georgia has become a battleground state .
The White House never expected Arizona six months ago to become a battleground state , '' Scarborough said .
`` Instead they were talking about winning New Mexico and Minnesota , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting routed by double digits .
Early voting beginning , we 're five weeks away maybe from early voting .
What 's the White House thinking ?
What 's the Trump campaign thinking ?
How do they turn this around ? ''
`` We 've been beating the drum on the early voting for a while now .
And those close to the president know that 's an issue , too .
There are people voting in five or six weeks , '' Lemire said .
`` And they 're running out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ momentum and the narrative of this race .
As you say , they 're playing defense in a lot of places they did n't expect .
Texas , the president is going there later this week on Wednesday for a political event and fund-raising and economic development .
He is traveling to North Carolina today .
Did n't anticipate having to play so hard in North Carolina and Georgia . ''
He said Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien held a briefing for reporters Friday on the polls .
He said they acknowledge that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters are n't being picked up in the polls .
`` And I will say , in 2016 , there was some element of truth to that .
We heard the president say there was a silent majority , hidden voters , but at these rallies there were lots of people in the building to see the president who would tell me and other reporters , ' I have n't voted in four , eight , 16 , 20 years , I 've never talked to a pollster in my life , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . '
`` But that 's a risky bet that there are so many people coming out this time .
That 's why there 's alarm for a time and need for what could be called an October Surprise and they 're putting a lot of eggs in the basket of a vaccine .
That 's why the president is going to North Carolina today .
We 're expecting a lot of hype in each development of the step of a vaccine , which would be great for everyone , but the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If they can say that a vaccine is close , even if they ca n't distribute it , if they can give the idea of hope , they think it can change and give them some momentum . ''
Just another piece of information : I was at the hospital for tests last week and was sitting in a waiting room full of ( socially distanced ) women .
I 'd just read about Trump hoping to announce a vaccine before the elections and asked , `` If Trump announced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take it ? ''
Every single woman was skeptical .
`` You ca n't develop a usable vaccine that fast , '' one said .
Another said , `` The vaccine would probably be a bleach injection . ''
Translation : Everyone is so used to Trump lying , they 're unlikely to believe anything he says near the election .

On Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough and Jonathan Lemire dug into the details of the Trump reelection campaign.
"We ask the question every week, the president this week losing in every battleground state -- other than Ohio, Ohio's tied, making matters worse, Texas over the past several months has become a battleground state. Georgia has become a battleground state. The White House never expected Arizona six months ago to become a battleground state," Scarborough said.
"Instead they were talking about winning New Mexico and Minnesota, which in a poll last week they were getting routed by double digits. Early voting beginning, we're five weeks away maybe from early voting. What's the White House thinking? What's the Trump campaign thinking? How do they turn this around?"
"We've been beating the drum on the early voting for a while now. And those close to the president know that's an issue, too. There are people voting in five or six weeks," Lemire said.
"And they're running out of time before that moment to change the momentum and the narrative of this race. As you say, they're playing defense in a lot of places they didn't expect. Texas, the president is going there later this week on Wednesday for a political event and fund-raising and economic development. He is traveling to North Carolina today. Didn't anticipate having to play so hard in North Carolina and Georgia."
He said Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien held a briefing for reporters Friday on the polls. He said they acknowledge that Trump is down, but claim his voters aren't being picked up in the polls.
"And I will say, in 2016, there was some element of truth to that. We heard the president say there was a silent majority, hidden voters, but at these rallies there were lots of people in the building to see the president who would tell me and other reporters, 'I haven't voted in four, eight, 16, 20 years, I've never talked to a pollster in my life, I'm going to vote for this guy.'
"But that's a risky bet that there are so many people coming out this time. That's why there's alarm for a time and need for what could be called an October Surprise and they're putting a lot of eggs in the basket of a vaccine. That's why the president is going to North Carolina today. We're expecting a lot of hype in each development of the step of a vaccine, which would be great for everyone, but the president believes it's critical for his future.
"If they can say that a vaccine is close, even if they can't distribute it, if they can give the idea of hope, they think it can change and give them some momentum."
Just another piece of information: I was at the hospital for tests last week and was sitting in a waiting room full of (socially distanced) women. I'd just read about Trump hoping to announce a vaccine before the elections and asked, "If Trump announced a vaccine before the election, would you take it?"
Every single woman was skeptical. "You can't develop a usable vaccine that fast," one said. Another said, "The vaccine would probably be a bleach injection."
Translation: Everyone is so used to Trump lying, they're unlikely to believe anything he says near the election.


crooksandliars--2020-07-28--Glenn Kirschner Shows Us How He Would Like To Question Bill Barr At Today's Hearing

Bill Barr is scheduled to testify this morning before the House Judiciary committee , and 30-year career prosecutor Glenn Kirschner shows us how he 'd do it if he was the person who got to interrogate him .
`` Here are just a few of the questions that I came up with .
So Attorney General Barr , regarding the federal government 's response to the protests , are there any contractors that are non-governmental employees or agents or officers ?
Are there any contractors participating in or supplementing law enforcement efforts responding to the protests around the country ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ those contractors ?
Are any of the companies or firms supplying the contractors owned or operated or run by Erik Prince , Betsy DeVos 's brother , and if so , how much taxpayer money is being funneled to Erik Prince ? ''
Next : `` Mr. Attorney General , last time you were questioned by Senator Kamala Harris about whether Donald Trump or anyone in the White House had suggested you open an investigation into anyone ?
Remember , that was when you had to grapple with what the word 'suggest ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I do n't know which of course you do know would constitute perjury in the event you did actually know the answer to Senator Harris 's question .
`` Since that time when you last testified on that topic , has the president or anyone at the White House asked you to open an investigation into anyone ? ''
Kirschner also included questions on whether voting by mail is rife with fraud , and how many cases has the DOJ prosecuted for it .
Also , whether he approved of the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercising his First Amendment rights by writing a book about Trump .
And so on .
He concluded : '' Let 's hope Bill Barr shows up tomorrow and testifies before the House Judiciary committee .
Because Bill Barr is a liar .
Bill Barr is an abuser of the rule of law , you know Bill Barr is a constitutional scoundrel and let 's hope that his crimes and misdeeds are exposed tomorrow to public view and to public scorn . ''
You can read the combative opening statement Barr released last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tuned for the real thing !

Bill Barr is scheduled to testify this morning before the House Judiciary committee, and 30-year career prosecutor Glenn Kirschner shows us how he'd do it if he was the person who got to interrogate him.
"Here are just a few of the questions that I came up with. So Attorney General Barr, regarding the federal government's response to the protests, are there any contractors that are non-governmental employees or agents or officers? Are there any contractors participating in or supplementing law enforcement efforts responding to the protests around the country?
"If so, who is supplying those contractors? Are any of the companies or firms supplying the contractors owned or operated or run by Erik Prince, Betsy DeVos's brother, and if so, how much taxpayer money is being funneled to Erik Prince?"
Next:
"Mr. Attorney General, last time you were questioned by Senator Kamala Harris about whether Donald Trump or anyone in the White House had suggested you open an investigation into anyone? Remember, that was when you had to grapple with what the word 'suggest' means before you settled on the answer. I don't know which of course.
You do know would constitute perjury in the event you did actually know the answer to Senator Harris's question.
"Since that time when you last testified on that topic, has the president or anyone at the White House asked you to open an investigation into anyone?"
Kirschner also included questions on whether voting by mail is rife with fraud, and how many cases has the DOJ prosecuted for it.
Also, whether he approved of the "unconstitutional" retaliation against Michael Cohen for exercising his First Amendment rights by writing a book about Trump.
And so on. He concluded:
"Let's hope Bill Barr shows up tomorrow and testifies before the House Judiciary committee. Because Bill Barr is a liar. Bill Barr is an abuser of the rule of law, you know Bill Barr is a constitutional scoundrel and let's hope that his crimes and misdeeds are exposed tomorrow to public view and to public scorn."
You can read the combative opening statement Barr released last night. In the meantime, stay tuned for the real thing!
🤬 ‘Gaslighting and perjury’: Bill Barr slammed for combative opening statement ahead of House interview 🤬https://t.co/eJvYElNmSH — Alex (@aroseblush) July 28, 2020
Bill Barr testifies before Congress tomorrow. There is so much to cover it's hard to keep track. Fortunately, @jgeltzer, @rgoodlaw and I have been keeping a running list of questions about all of his questionable actions, right here https://t.co/a7WUK3DBwO — Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) July 27, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-07-28--Trump Backs Out Of Throwing First Pitch

Trump Backs Out Of Throwing First Pitch

File in “ You Just Can ’ t Make This Up , ” Trump backed out yesterday of throwing the @ @ @ @ @ game in New York on August 15th .
Said Tweet : What ’ s hilarious @ @ @ @ @ Proclamation by Tweet yesterday after TWO DAYS of golf at his Bedminster golf course .
@ @ @ @ @ fighting the “ China Virus ” and meeting on “ Vaccines ” .
The obvious @ @ @ @ @ s loathed in NY ( and he has trouble handling a baseball with those tiny @ @ @ @ @ if the Yanks were planning on piping in crowd boos when he took the field @ @ @ @ @ Trump has never thrown a first pitch as president .
Oh , and Biden ?
@ @ @ @ @ comparison of him to Trump ’ s athletic prowess in the photo at the top @ @ @ @ @ like he was never invited .
Just another one of those things he pulled out @ @ @ @

File in “You Just Can’t Make This Up,” Trump backed out yesterday of throwing the first pitch at a Yankee game in New York on August 15th. Said Tweet:
Because of my strong focus on the China Virus, including scheduled meetings on Vaccines, our economy and much else, I won’t be able to be in New York to throw out the opening pitch for the @Yankees on August 15th. We will make it later in the season! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2020
What’s hilarious is that he made such Proclamation by Tweet yesterday after TWO DAYS of golf at his Bedminster golf course. So busy, so busy fighting the “China Virus” and meeting on “Vaccines”. The obvious real reason? He’s loathed in NY (and he has trouble handling a baseball with those tiny hands). I wonder if the Yanks were planning on piping in crowd boos when he took the field at the empty stadium? Trump has never thrown a first pitch as president.
Oh, and Biden? There’s a good comparison of him to Trump’s athletic prowess in the photo at the top.
UPDATE: It looks like he was never invited. Just another one of those things he pulled out of his butt.
Published with permission of Juanita Jean.


crooksandliars--2020-07-28--National Guard Commander Contradicts Barr: DC Protesters Subjected To 'Excessive Use Of Force'

A National Guard commander who was present when authorities cleared Lafayette Square of protesters last month is expected to contradict Attorney General William Barr ’ s account of events .
In a statement posted to the House Natural Resources Committee website on Monday , Major Adam DeMarco said that “ demonstrators were behaving peacefully ” before authorities deployed “ excessive use of force ” against the protesters .
While Barr is on record insisting that a 7 p.m. curfew was not moved so the president could conduct a photo op at St. John ’ s Church , DeMarco tells a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park Police issued a warning at 6:20 p.m. that Lafayette Square would be cleared , but the warning was issued 50 yards from the protesters .
“ [ T ] he announcements were barely audible and I saw no indication that the demonstrators were cognizant of the warnings to disperse , ” he explained .
Just 10 minutes later , DeMarco said that he began to feel the effects of “ tear gas , ” which was familiar from his Army training .
DeMarco claimed to have found spent “ tear gas ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part , Park Police have said that “ tear gas ” was never used .
By 7:05 p.m. , DeMarco saw Trump entering the square , where he held up a Bible and had his picture taken .
“ Having served in a combat zone , and understanding how to assess threat environments , at no time did I feel threatened by the protestors or assess them to be violent , ” DeMarco concluded .
“ From my observation , those demonstrators – our fellow American citizens — were engaged in the peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yet they were subjected to an unprovoked escalation and excessive use of force.
” In June , Barr said that there was “ no correlation ” between Trump ’ s photo op and the decision to move up the curfew .

A National Guard commander who was present when authorities cleared Lafayette Square of protesters last month is expected to contradict Attorney General William Barr’s account of events.
In a statement posted to the House Natural Resources Committee website on Monday, Major Adam DeMarco said that “demonstrators were behaving peacefully” before authorities deployed “excessive use of force” against the protesters.
While Barr is on record insisting that a 7 p.m. curfew was not moved so the president could conduct a photo op at St. John’s Church, DeMarco tells a different story.
According to DeMarco, Park Police issued a warning at 6:20 p.m. that Lafayette Square would be cleared, but the warning was issued 50 yards from the protesters.
“[T]he announcements were barely audible and I saw no indication that the demonstrators were cognizant of the warnings to disperse,” he explained.
Just 10 minutes later, DeMarco said that he began to feel the effects of “tear gas,” which was familiar from his Army training. DeMarco claimed to have found spent “tear gas” canisters on the street.
For their part, Park Police have said that “tear gas” was never used.
By 7:05 p.m., DeMarco saw Trump entering the square, where he held up a Bible and had his picture taken.
“Having served in a combat zone, and understanding how to assess threat environments, at no time did I feel threatened by the protestors or assess them to be violent,” DeMarco concluded. “From my observation, those demonstrators – our fellow American citizens — were engaged in the peaceful expression of their First Amendment rights. Yet they were subjected to an unprovoked escalation and excessive use of force.”
In June, Barr said that there was “no correlation” between Trump’s photo op and the decision to move up the curfew.


crooksandliars--2020-07-28--Do You Have Power?

Do You Have Power?

`` As the Founding Fathers said , it was the necessary evil upon which the union was built , but @ @ @ @ @ a way , as Lincoln said , to put slavery on the course to its @ @ @ @ @ said .

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crooksandliars--2020-07-29--Barr Just Fine With Foreign Election Help, And Police Beating Protesting Vets

Tuesday 's House Judiciary Committee hearing was surprising only in that the Attorney General who was its subject for questioning actually showed up .
The rest was completely predictable — though , of course , still outrageous and notable for several reasons .
We had a Hitlerian Reichstag Fire-type video played ( against Committee Rules by Gym Jordan . )
Bill Barr 's racism was on full display while he grew visibly more agitated when challenged by Black members of the Committee than by white members .
And , in this exchange with Rep. David Cicilline ( D-NY ) Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acceptability of foreign interference in our elections .
Rep. Cicilline noted that Barr 's claims in his opening statement that he 's fighting Russian interference in our elections seem to be at odds with his gross mischaracterization of the Mueller report , and with Barr 's calling the Russia investigation a `` hoax . ''
REP. CICILLINE : But the Justice Department 's own Inspector General , your department 's Michael Horowitz found that the investigation had been initiated properly and without political bias .
Is n't that correct ?
REP. CICILLINE : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
REP. CICILLINE : You 're wrong .
He found it had -- BARR : He said he found -- REP. CICILLINE : I 'm reclaiming my time , without political bias .
Reclaiming my time .
In April of this year , the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee unanimously found that Russia interfered with our elections and attempted to undermine American democracy , correct ?
REP. CICILLINE : Is it ever appropriate , sir , for the president to solicit or accept foreign assistance in an election ?
REP. CICILLINE : Is it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate to accept or solicit foreign assistance of ANY kind in his or her election ?
BARR : No , it 's not appropriate .
REP. CICILLINE : Okay , sorry you had to STRUGGLE with that one , Mr. Attorney General .
That was nearly a Senator Kamala Harris moment , when he could n't answer her question because he did n't know what the word `` suggested '' meant .
Then Rep. Cicilline turned to the issue of Federal officers violently suppressing peaceful protest .
He called Barr out for neglecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of peaceful protesters in his absurd , gaslighting opening statement , and the kidnapping , tear gassing , and beating of American citizens posing no threat to anyone , nor Federal property .
He asked if it was ever appropriate to use force against peaceful protesters .
Surprisingly , Barr answered `` Not against peaceful protesters .
Rep. Cicilline talked about elected officials who had been teargassed at peaceful protests and then asked again if it 's ever appropriate to use tear gas on peaceful protesters .
Suddenly Barr was n't so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these things sometimes occur because it 's hard to separate people who -- REP. CICILLINE : My question is specific .
Do you think it 's ever appropriate to use tear gas on peaceful protesters ?
Yes or no ?
BARR : It is appropriate to use tear gas when it 's indicated to disperse an unlawfully assembly .
Sometimes unfortunately peaceful protesters are affected by that .
REP. CICILLINE : There 's video evidence as well .
I 'm going to ask you to look at this video .
Just so you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's capturing the nation 's attention this weekend shot by tribune -- that video is of Christopher David a Navy veteran being beaten and teargassed by the officers .
Do you think that was appropriate ?
BARR : I did n't see them tear gas .
There seemed to be gas in the area .
I do n't know what kind of gas it was and I do n't know whether it was directed at him .
REP. CICILLINE : Do you think what happened to Mr. David was appropriate , Mr. Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviewing that particular instance .
REP. CICILLINE : Well , do you think he deserved to get pepper sprayed and beaten to the point of broken bones ?
BARR : As I said , the Inspector General is going to review the incident .
REP. CICILLINE : So as the top law enforcement official in our country , do you think Americans who show up to peacefully protest should expect to be beaten and pepper sprayed and have their bones broken by federal officers ?
BARR : Well , I do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courthouse was a peaceful protest .
REP. CICILLINE : That 's not my question , Mr. Barr .
My question is , do you think as the chief -- reclaiming my time .
Reclaiming my time .
Mr. Barr , my question is do you think as the top law enforcement official in this country that Americans who show up to peacefully protest should expect to be beaten , pepper sprayed , and have their bones broken by federal officials ?
Yes or no ?
BARR : I do n't think peaceful protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't see them TEAR GAS .
That was HAPPY gas sprayed in the Navy Vet 's face !
Nitrous oxide , probably ?
Those were maybe those balloon things they bang together at ballgames they were hitting him with !
And the gas in the air was probably HELIUM , people , because is n't it so much fun when everyone 's voice sounds like Alvin the Chipmunk ?
It 's a big PARTY !
It 's not the Federal officers ' fault that Navy Vets ' bones broke — he probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like thin , fragile glass and they shatter when a strong wind comes by ... For f*ck 's sake , THAT was Barr 's response after watching a Navy Veteran standing still , in a non threatening way , getting tear-gassed and beaten by multiple extra-legal para-military troopers ?
It took five , count them , five repetitions of the question by Rep. Cicilline for Bill Barr to state that a peaceful protester does not deserve to be tear-gassed or have their bones broken .
Americans , here is your top Law Enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our elections is cool , and only under extreme duress will he admit maybe people should n't be beaten and gassed for protesting .

Tuesday's House Judiciary Committee hearing was surprising only in that the Attorney General who was its subject for questioning actually showed up. The rest was completely predictable — though, of course, still outrageous and notable for several reasons. We had a Hitlerian Reichstag Fire-type video played (against Committee Rules by Gym Jordan.) Bill Barr's racism was on full display while he grew visibly more agitated when challenged by Black members of the Committee than by white members. And, in this exchange with Rep. David Cicilline (D-NY) Barr seemed to struggle with the question of acceptability of foreign interference in our elections.
Rep. Cicilline noted that Barr's claims in his opening statement that he's fighting Russian interference in our elections seem to be at odds with his gross mischaracterization of the Mueller report, and with Barr's calling the Russia investigation a "hoax."
REP. CICILLINE: But the Justice Department's own Inspector General, your department's Michael Horowitz found that the investigation had been initiated properly and without political bias. Isn't that correct? BARR: No. REP. CICILLINE: That was not Mr. Horowitz's finding? BARR: No. REP. CICILLINE: You're wrong. He found it had -- BARR: He said he found -- REP. CICILLINE: I'm reclaiming my time, without political bias. Reclaiming my time. In April of this year, the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee unanimously found that Russia interfered with our elections and attempted to undermine American democracy, correct? BARR: And I said so too. REP. CICILLINE: Is it ever appropriate, sir, for the president to solicit or accept foreign assistance in an election? BARR: (*long pause*) Depends what kind of assistance. REP. CICILLINE: Is it ever appropriate for the president or presidential candidate to accept or solicit foreign assistance of ANY kind in his or her election? BARR: No, it's not appropriate. REP. CICILLINE: Okay, sorry you had to STRUGGLE with that one, Mr. Attorney General.
That was nearly a Senator Kamala Harris moment, when he couldn't answer her question because he didn't know what the word "suggested" meant.
Then Rep. Cicilline turned to the issue of Federal officers violently suppressing peaceful protest. He called Barr out for neglecting, conveniently, to mention the vast majority of peaceful protesters in his absurd, gaslighting opening statement, and the kidnapping, tear gassing, and beating of American citizens posing no threat to anyone, nor Federal property. He asked if it was ever appropriate to use force against peaceful protesters. Surprisingly, Barr answered "Not against peaceful protesters.
Rep. Cicilline talked about elected officials who had been teargassed at peaceful protests and then asked again if it's ever appropriate to use tear gas on peaceful protesters. Suddenly Barr wasn't so sure.
BARR: The problem in these things sometimes occur because it's hard to separate people who -- REP. CICILLINE: My question is specific. Do you think it's ever appropriate to use tear gas on peaceful protesters? Yes or no? BARR: It is appropriate to use tear gas when it's indicated to disperse an unlawfully assembly. Sometimes unfortunately peaceful protesters are affected by that. REP. CICILLINE: There's video evidence as well. I'm going to ask you to look at this video. Just so you know -- this is the video that's capturing the nation's attention this weekend shot by tribune -- that video is of Christopher David a Navy veteran being beaten and teargassed by the officers. Do you think that was appropriate? BARR: I didn't see them tear gas. There seemed to be gas in the area. I don't know what kind of gas it was and I don't know whether it was directed at him. REP. CICILLINE: Do you think what happened to Mr. David was appropriate, Mr. Barr? BARR: The Inspector General's reviewing that particular instance. REP. CICILLINE: Well, do you think he deserved to get pepper sprayed and beaten to the point of broken bones? BARR: As I said, the Inspector General is going to review the incident. REP. CICILLINE: So as the top law enforcement official in our country, do you think Americans who show up to peacefully protest should expect to be beaten and pepper sprayed and have their bones broken by federal officers? BARR: Well, I don't think that what was happening immediately around the courthouse was a peaceful protest. REP. CICILLINE: That's not my question, Mr. Barr. My question is, do you think as the chief -- reclaiming my time. Reclaiming my time. Mr. Barr, my question is do you think as the top law enforcement official in this country that Americans who show up to peacefully protest should expect to be beaten, pepper sprayed, and have their bones broken by federal officials? Yes or no? BARR: I don't think peaceful protesters should face that. REP. CICILLINE: That's correct.
OH, Barr didn't see them TEAR GAS. That was HAPPY gas sprayed in the Navy Vet's face! Nitrous oxide, probably? Those were maybe those balloon things they bang together at ballgames they were hitting him with! And the gas in the air was probably HELIUM, people, because isn't it so much fun when everyone's voice sounds like Alvin the Chipmunk? It's a big PARTY! It's not the Federal officers' fault that Navy Vets' bones broke — he probably has that disease where his bones are like thin, fragile glass and they shatter when a strong wind comes by...
For f*ck's sake, THAT was Barr's response after watching a Navy Veteran standing still, in a non threatening way, getting tear-gassed and beaten by multiple extra-legal para-military troopers? It took five, count them, five repetitions of the question by Rep. Cicilline for Bill Barr to state that a peaceful protester does not deserve to be tear-gassed or have their bones broken.
Americans, here is your top Law Enforcement officer. William Barr. Foreign interference in our elections is cool, and only under extreme duress will he admit maybe people shouldn't be beaten and gassed for protesting.


crooksandliars--2020-07-28--The FBI Funding Thing Is About Trump's DC Hotel, Of Course

Guys , you ’ ll never guess what is in the Republicans Trump-Virus bill !
A great , big , er , gift to Lord Damp Nut hisself !
Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) on Monday accused President Trump of self-dealing in pressing Senate Republicans to include in their coronavirus relief proposal $ 1.75 billion to rebuild the FBI headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington .
Democrats suspect Trump is pressing for the money to rebuild the FBI headquarters in downtown D.C. so that it doesn ’ t move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Pennsylvania Avenue and leave open a prime piece of real estate that could be occupied by a new hotel that would pose serious competition to the Trump International Hotel across the street .
Ya think ?
When amply be-chinned # MoscowMitch was asked about how it got in the bill , he said he had no idea that money was even in there , and couldn ’ t imagine who put it in there .
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby ( R-AL ) on why the Trump administration is insisting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this coronavirus stimulus bill : “ Good question.
” But Nancy ‘ Smash ’ Pelosi twitched one eyebrow explained it : “ [ Republicans ] didn ’ t have money for food stamps , but they had money for an FBI building just so that they can diminish competition for the president ’ s hotel.
” So , as you wait to be intubated ( after waiting 2 weeks for your test results ) and your freshly evicted family is living in a cardboard box down by the river , just know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a knife in it ) .

[Video above from 2019 -- eds.]
Guys, you’ll never guess what is in the Republicans Trump-Virus bill! A great, big grift , er, gift to Lord Damp Nut hisself!
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday accused President Trump of self-dealing in pressing Senate Republicans to include in their coronavirus relief proposal $1.75 billion to rebuild the FBI headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington. Democrats suspect Trump is pressing for the money to rebuild the FBI headquarters in downtown D.C. so that it doesn’t move out from its space on 9th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue and leave open a prime piece of real estate that could be occupied by a new hotel that would pose serious competition to the Trump International Hotel across the street.
Ya think? When amply be-chinned #MoscowMitch was asked about how it got in the bill, he said he had no idea that money was even in there, and couldn’t imagine who put it in there. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) on why the Trump administration is insisting on money for a new FBI headquarters in this coronavirus stimulus bill: “Good question.”
But Nancy ‘Smash’ Pelosi twitched one eyebrow explained it:
“[Republicans] didn’t have money for food stamps, but they had money for an FBI building just so that they can diminish competition for the president’s hotel.”
So, as you wait to be intubated (after waiting 2 weeks for your test results) and your freshly evicted family is living in a cardboard box down by the river, just know that the Republicans have your backs (with a knife in it).
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors


crooksandliars--2020-07-28--'I'm Starting To Lose My Temper': Rep. Jayapal Eviscerates Bill Barr

Rep. Jayapal absolutely torched AG Bill Barr during his hearing at the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday afternoon .
All that was left after she was done was a steaming carcass and a pile of smoke .
JAYAPAL : Mr Barr , on June 1st , there were protests against the murder of George Floyd and police brutality in Lafayette Park .
Let us not be distracted by you or my GOP colleagues as to what these powerful and massive protests were actually about .
They were about the persistent killing of black bodies by law enforcement and finally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conscious of our country .
But your direction was to direct federal officers to descend on the protesters and to use weapons , batons and horses to clear the area just so the President could get a photo op .
So I do want to ask you , do you think that your response , do you think the response at Lafayette Square to tear gas , pepper spray and beat protesters was appropriate ?
BARR : Well , first , to my understanding that no tear gas was used on Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that is a semantic distinction that has been proven false by many fact checkers .
BARR : How is it semantic ?
Tear gas is a particular compound compound .
JAYAPAL : You talked about chemical irritants and it has been proven false by reports .
So just answer the question .
Do you think that was appropriate at Lafayette Park to pepper spray tear gas and beat protesters and injure American citizens ?
BARR : Well , I do n't accept your characterization of what happened .
But as I explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Mr. Barr , just answer yes or no .
So let me just tell you , I 'm starting to lose my temper .
According to sworn testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee by Adam Demarco who was there , this was , quote , an unprovoked escalation and excessive use of force against peaceful protesters , numerous media reports .
BARR : I do n't remember Demarco as being involved in the decision-making .
JAYAPAL : Sir , sir , the President told Governors on a telephone call that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police brutality and systemic racism like in Lafayette Square is that , quote , you have to get much tougher .
you have to dominate .
if you do n't dominate , you 're wasting your time .
these are terrorists .
And he also talked about you on that call , sir .
Here is what he said .
He said , the Attorney General is here , Bill Barr , and we will activate Bill Barr and activate him strongly .
Do you remember that call , Mr. Barr ?
BARR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was n't talking about protesters .
He was talking about rioters .
JAYAPAL : Apparently the President believes you can be activated to implement the President 's agenda and dominate American people exercising first amendment rights if they 're protesting against him .
But let 's look at how you respond when the protesters are supporters of the President .
On two separate occasions after President Trump tweeted 'liberate Michigan ' to subvert stay home orders to protect the public health of people in Michigan , protesters swarmed the Michigan capital carrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dark haired doll with a noose around its neck .
Are you aware they called for the Governor to be lynched , shot and beheaded ?
JAYAPAL : You 're not aware of that ?
BARR : I was not aware of that .
JAYAPAL : Major protests in Michigan .
You are the Attorney General and you did n't know that the protesters called for the Governor to be lynched and beheaded .
BARR : Well , there are a lot of protests around the United States and on June 1st @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Columbia , which is federal .
JAYAPAL : In certain parts of the country , you are very aware with those , but when protesters with guns and swastikas .
JAYAPAL : Excuse me .
This is my time and I control it .
But in Michigan when protesters carried guns and confederate flags and swastikas and called for the Governor of Michigan to be beheaded and shot and lynched , somehow you are not aware of that .
Somehow you did n't know about it so you did n't send federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's supporters what you did to the President 's protesters .
In fact , you did n't put pepper balls on those protesters .
So the point I 'm trying to make here , Mr. Barr , that I think is important for the country to understand is there is a real discrepancy in how you react as Attorney General when white men with swastikas storm a government building with guns .
There is no need for the President so , quote , activate you because they 're getting the President 's personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and people of color protest police brutality , systemic racism and the President 's very own lack of response to those critical issues , then you forcibly remove them with armed federal officers , pepper bombs because they are considered terrorists by the President .
You take an aggressive approach to black lives matter protests , but not to right wing extremists threatening to lynch the governor if it 's for the president 's benefit .
Did I get it right , Mr. Barr ?

Rep. Jayapal absolutely torched AG Bill Barr during his hearing at the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday afternoon. All that was left after she was done was a steaming carcass and a pile of smoke.
JAYAPAL: Mr Barr, on June 1st, there were protests against the murder of George Floyd and police brutality in Lafayette Park. Let us not be distracted by you or my GOP colleagues as to what these powerful and massive protests were actually about. They were about the persistent killing of black bodies by law enforcement and finally, finally an awakening in America of the conscious of our country. But your direction was to direct federal officers to descend on the protesters and to use weapons, batons and horses to clear the area just so the President could get a photo op. So I do want to ask you, do you think that your response, do you think the response at Lafayette Square to tear gas, pepper spray and beat protesters was appropriate?
BARR: Well, first, to my understanding that no tear gas was used on Monday, June 1st.
JAYAPAL: Mr. Barr, that is a semantic distinction that has been proven false by many fact checkers.
BARR: How is it semantic? Tear gas is a particular compound compound.
JAYAPAL: You talked about chemical irritants and it has been proven false by reports. So just answer the question. Do you think that was appropriate at Lafayette Park to pepper spray tear gas and beat protesters and injure American citizens?
BARR: Well, I don't accept your characterization of what happened. But as I explained, the effort there was --
JAYAPAL: Mr. Barr, just answer yes or no. So let me just tell you, I'm starting to lose my temper. According to sworn testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee by Adam Demarco who was there, this was, quote, an unprovoked escalation and excessive use of force against peaceful protesters, numerous media reports.
BARR: I don't remember Demarco as being involved in the decision-making.
JAYAPAL: Sir, sir, the President told Governors on a telephone call that the way to deal with the protesters of police brutality and systemic racism like in Lafayette Square is that, quote, you have to get much tougher. you have to dominate. if you don't dominate, you're wasting your time. these are terrorists. And he also talked about you on that call, sir. Here is what he said. He said, the Attorney General is here, Bill Barr, and we will activate Bill Barr and activate him strongly. Do you remember that call, Mr. Barr?
BARR: Yes, I do. But he wasn't talking about protesters. He was talking about rioters.
JAYAPAL: Apparently the President believes you can be activated to implement the President's agenda and dominate American people exercising first amendment rights if they're protesting against him. But let's look at how you respond when the protesters are supporters of the President. On two separate occasions after President Trump tweeted 'liberate Michigan' to subvert stay home orders to protect the public health of people in Michigan, protesters swarmed the Michigan capital carrying guns. Some with swastikas, and a dark haired doll with a noose around its neck. Are you aware they called for the Governor to be lynched, shot and beheaded?
BARR: No.
JAYAPAL: You're not aware of that?
BARR: I was not aware of that.
JAYAPAL: Major protests in Michigan. You are the Attorney General and you didn't know that the protesters called for the Governor to be lynched and beheaded.
BARR: Well, there are a lot of protests around the United States and on June 1st, I was worried about the District of Columbia, which is federal.
JAYAPAL: In certain parts of the country, you are very aware with those, but when protesters with guns and swastikas.
BARR: I am aware of --
JAYAPAL: Excuse me. This is my time and I control it. But in Michigan when protesters carried guns and confederate flags and swastikas and called for the Governor of Michigan to be beheaded and shot and lynched, somehow you are not aware of that. Somehow you didn't know about it so you didn't send federal agents in to do to the President's supporters what you did to the President's protesters. In fact, you didn't put pepper balls on those protesters. So the point I'm trying to make here, Mr. Barr, that I think is important for the country to understand is there is a real discrepancy in how you react as Attorney General when white men with swastikas storm a government building with guns. There is no need for the President so, quote, activate you because they're getting the President's personal agenda done. But when black people and people of color protest police brutality, systemic racism and the President's very own lack of response to those critical issues, then you forcibly remove them with armed federal officers, pepper bombs because they are considered terrorists by the President. You take an aggressive approach to black lives matter protests, but not to right wing extremists threatening to lynch the governor if it's for the president's benefit. Did I get it right, Mr. Barr?


crooksandliars--2020-07-28--AG Bill Barr Gets Testy As Rep. Hank Johnson Grills Him On Roger Stone Sentencing

Attorney General William Barr lashed out at Rep. Hank Johnson ( D-GA ) on Tuesday after he was asked about the sentencing of Roger Stone .
During a hearing before a House committee , Johnson quipped that the Attorney General ’ s opening statement “ reads like it has been written by Alex Jones or Roger Stone.
” “ Isn ’ t it true when prosecutors in the Roger Stone case filed a memo recommending a sentence of 7 to 9 years in prison , a few hours later , President Trump tweeted that the sentence recommendation was — quote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And several hours after that , you filed a pleading with the court stating that the sentence recommendation should be changed and you would be asking for a lighter sentence for Roger Stone ?
” Johnson continued .
“ Reclaiming my time , ” Johnson said as Barr tried to expound on his answer .
“ You filed a sentencing recommendation hours after President Trump tweeted his dissatisfaction with the Stone recommendation , ” the Georgia Democrat observed .
“ And you changed that recommendation.
” “ The night before , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was interrupted .
“ Well , I ’ m telling my story , ” Barr said .
“ That ’ s what I ’ m here to do .
That ’ s why I ’ m here.
” “ I don ’ t want you tell your story , ” Johnson shot back .
“ I want you to answer the question.
” “ I ’ m here to tell my story , ” Barr repeated .
“ That ’ s why I ’ m here .
”

Attorney General William Barr lashed out at Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) on Tuesday after he was asked about the sentencing of Roger Stone.
During a hearing before a House committee, Johnson quipped that the Attorney General’s opening statement “reads like it has been written by Alex Jones or Roger Stone.”
“Isn’t it true when prosecutors in the Roger Stone case filed a memo recommending a sentence of 7 to 9 years in prison, a few hours later, President Trump tweeted that the sentence recommendation was — quote — a disgrace?” Johnson asked.
“Yes,” Barr agreed.
“And several hours after that, you filed a pleading with the court stating that the sentence recommendation should be changed and you would be asking for a lighter sentence for Roger Stone?” Johnson continued.
“No,” Barr replied.
“Reclaiming my time,” Johnson said as Barr tried to expound on his answer.
“I’m answering your question,” Barr insisted.
“You filed a sentencing recommendation hours after President Trump tweeted his dissatisfaction with the Stone recommendation,” the Georgia Democrat observed. “And you changed that recommendation.”
“The night before,” Barr tried to explain before he was interrupted.
“I know your story,” Johnson remarked.
“Well, I’m telling my story,” Barr said. “That’s what I’m here to do. That’s why I’m here.”
“I don’t want you tell your story,” Johnson shot back. “I want you to answer the question.”
“I’m here to tell my story,” Barr repeated. “That’s why I’m here.”


crooksandliars--2020-07-28--The Lincoln Project: Memories

The Lincoln Project: Memories

Reminding us all of what we 've lost by having this thing in the Oval Office instead of a real president .
More ads like this , Lincoln Project .
Amid all the fights over wearing masks , keeping a safe distance apart , and opening businesses and schools , Americans presumably agree on at least one thing : COVID-19 has been terrible — socially , economically , in thousands of little ways , dozens of big ones .
That 's the starting point for a new Lincoln Project ad released Tuesday , capitalizing on President Trump 's dismal approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic and making that personal .
The ad starts with some `` memories COVID took from us , '' things like birthday parties for children , weddings , first kisses , communal prayer , high school football , being with elderly parents as they die .
`` COVID has robbed America of so much , '' the narrator says .
`` None of this had to happen .
We have suffered needlessly because Trump is a fool , a liar , and a failure .
Most countries stopped it .
Trump refused .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The ad ends with what the anti-Trump Republicans behind the PAC see as the stakes in November : `` It truly is a choice : America or Trump . ''

Reminding us all of what we've lost by having this thing in the Oval Office instead of a real president. More ads like this, Lincoln Project.
Source: The Week
Amid all the fights over wearing masks, keeping a safe distance apart, and opening businesses and schools, Americans presumably agree on at least one thing: COVID-19 has been terrible — socially, economically, in thousands of little ways, dozens of big ones. That's the starting point for a new Lincoln Project ad released Tuesday, capitalizing on President Trump's dismal approval ratings on his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and making that personal.
The ad starts with some "memories COVID took from us," things like birthday parties for children, weddings, first kisses, communal prayer, high school football, being with elderly parents as they die. "COVID has robbed America of so much," the narrator says. "None of this had to happen. We have suffered needlessly because Trump is a fool, a liar, and a failure. Most countries stopped it. Trump refused. It's Trump's virus now."
The ad ends with what the anti-Trump Republicans behind the PAC see as the stakes in November: "It truly is a choice: America or Trump."


crooksandliars--2020-07-28--The Case For Impeaching Bill Barr

The Case For Impeaching Bill Barr

The same day William Barr is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee , [ watch the live hearings here ] Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington on Tuesday laid out guidelines for a formal impeachment inquiry into the attorney general to consider possible abuses of the powers of his office .
The government watchdog group in a new report suggests Congress draw from the second article of impeachment faced by President Richard Nixon in 1974 by focusing on whether Barr 's actions have been `` seriously incompatible with our system of constitutional government . ''
CREW executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Justice Department under Barr `` has abandoned its role as the guardian and keeper of the law and its institutional commitment to administering the law free from favor , pressure , and politics . ''
Bookbinder accused Barr of `` abandoning any semblance of impartiality and instead using the department to protect the president and his interests '' and said , `` An impeachment inquiry is the only way to put an end to the dangerous path we are on . ''
The inquiry should center on—at minimum—four areas .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corruptly subverted the Special Counsel investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and of President Trump for obstruction of justice ; • Interfered with the lawful functions of the Department of Justice by overturning the actions of career prosecutors in the cases of Roger Stone Jr. and Michael Flynn and by firing United States Attorney Geoffrey Berman ; • Obstructed lawful investigations of the United States House of Representatives ; and • Abused and exceeded the powers of the Attorney General to violate the First and Fourth Amendment rights of American citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment of peaceful racial justice protesters .
`` On multiple occasions , Barr appears to have given unlawful orders to federal law enforcement to use violent riot control tactics to violate or impair '' protesters ' constitutionally protected rights , says the report , pointing to his directive to police to forcefully clear demonstrators in Lafayette Square as one example .
The report frames an impeachment inquiry as `` not just a matter of putting an end to his egregious abuses of power '' but of `` preventing the precedent Barr has set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general to emulate .
It is about restoring the administration of justice free from favor , pressure , and politics , '' the report states .
`` In order to fully restore the Justice Department 's impartiality and independence , Congress must confront Barr'sabuses of power , '' said Bookbinder .
`` Barr has proven himself unfit to fulfill the duties he swore to uphold , and only by considering his impeachment can Congress begin to undo the damage he has done to our democratic system . ''
Barr 's Monday hearing before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am but was delayed until later in the day after committee chairman Jerrold Nadler ( D-N.Y. ) was in a car accident .
According to his prepared remarks , Barr will tell that panel that President Donald Trump `` has not attempted to interfere '' in his decisions and that police departments are not plagued with `` deep-seated racism . ''

The same day William Barr is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, [watch the live hearings here] Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington on Tuesday laid out guidelines for a formal impeachment inquiry into the attorney general to consider possible abuses of the powers of his office.
The government watchdog group in a new report suggests Congress draw from the second article of impeachment faced by President Richard Nixon in 1974 by focusing on whether Barr's actions have been "seriously incompatible with our system of constitutional government."
CREW executive director Noah Bookbinder said in a statement that the Justice Department under Barr "has abandoned its role as the guardian and keeper of the law and its institutional commitment to administering the law free from favor, pressure, and politics."
Bookbinder accused Barr of "abandoning any semblance of impartiality and instead using the department to protect the president and his interests" and said, "An impeachment inquiry is the only way to put an end to the dangerous path we are on."
The inquiry should center on—at minimum—four areas. The report says that Barr has:
Corruptly subverted the Special Counsel investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and of President Trump for obstruction of justice;
Interfered with the lawful functions of the Department of Justice by overturning the actions of career prosecutors in the cases of Roger Stone Jr. and Michael Flynn and by firing United States Attorney Geoffrey Berman;
Obstructed lawful investigations of the United States House of Representatives; and
Abused and exceeded the powers of the Attorney General to violate the First and Fourth Amendment rights of American citizens.
The final point focuses on the treatment of peaceful racial justice protesters. "On multiple occasions, Barr appears to have given unlawful orders to federal law enforcement to use violent riot control tactics to violate or impair" protesters' constitutionally protected rights, says the report, pointing to his directive to police to forcefully clear demonstrators in Lafayette Square as one example.
The report frames an impeachment inquiry as "not just a matter of putting an end to his egregious abuses of power" but of "preventing the precedent Barr has set from becoming a model for future attorneys general to emulate. It is about restoring the administration of justice free from favor, pressure, and politics," the report states.
"In order to fully restore the Justice Department's impartiality and independence, Congress must confront Barr'sabuses of power," said Bookbinder. "Barr has proven himself unfit to fulfill the duties he swore to uphold, and only by considering his impeachment can Congress begin to undo the damage he has done to our democratic system."
Barr's Monday hearing before Congress was set to begin at 10 am but was delayed until later in the day after committee chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) was in a car accident.
According to his prepared remarks, Barr will tell that panel that President Donald Trump "has not attempted to interfere" in his decisions and that police departments are not plagued with "deep-seated racism."
Republished from Common Dreams (Andrea Germanos, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-07-28--WATCH LIVE: Bill Barr Testifies Before House Judiciary Committee

Welcome , Attorney General Bill Barr !
This is the House Judiciary Committee , and they will want to know @ @ @ @ @ to let Mike Flynn off the hook and cutting Roger Stone 's sentence .
And @ @ @ @ @ .
Watch along with us .
His opening statement is exactly what you 'd expect @ @ @ @ @ it .
Leave your thoughts -- all of them -- in the comments .

Welcome, Attorney General Bill Barr! This is the House Judiciary Committee, and they will want to know about things like your decision to let Mike Flynn off the hook and cutting Roger Stone's sentence.
And we will all be watching. Watch along with us. His opening statement is exactly what you'd expect: Defiant and proud of it.
Leave your thoughts -- all of them -- in the comments.


crooksandliars--2020-07-28--Trump's Favorite New Doctor Believes Scientists Are Cooking Up An Anti-Religion Vaccine

Trump has a real knack for attracting only the best people !
Via the Daily Beast : A Houston doctor who praises hydroxychloroquine and says that face masks aren ’ t necessary to stop transmission of the highly contagious coronavirus has become a star on the right-wing internet , garnering tens of millions of views on Facebook on Monday alone .
Donald Trump Jr. declared the video of Stella Immanuel a “ must watch , ” while Donald Trump himself retweeted the video .
Before Trump and his supporters embrace Immanuel ’ s medical expertise , though , they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those about alien DNA and the physical effects of having sex with witches and demons in your dreams .
Immanuel , a pediatrician and a religious minister , has a history of making bizarre claims about medical topics and other issues .
She has often claimed that gynecological problems like cysts and endometriosis are in fact caused by people having sex in their dreams with demons and witches .
She alleges alien DNA is currently used in medical treatments , and that scientists are cooking up a vaccine to prevent people from being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , D.C. to lobby Congress on Monday , she has said that the government is run in part not by humans but by “ reptilians ” and other aliens .

Trump has a real knack for attracting only the best people! Via the Daily Beast:
A Houston doctor who praises hydroxychloroquine and says that face masks aren’t necessary to stop transmission of the highly contagious coronavirus has become a star on the right-wing internet, garnering tens of millions of views on Facebook on Monday alone. Donald Trump Jr. declared the video of Stella Immanuel a “must watch,” while Donald Trump himself retweeted the video.
Before Trump and his supporters embrace Immanuel’s medical expertise, though, they should consider other medical claims Immanuel has made—including those about alien DNA and the physical effects of having sex with witches and demons in your dreams.
Immanuel, a pediatrician and a religious minister, has a history of making bizarre claims about medical topics and other issues. She has often claimed that gynecological problems like cysts and endometriosis are in fact caused by people having sex in their dreams with demons and witches.
She alleges alien DNA is currently used in medical treatments, and that scientists are cooking up a vaccine to prevent people from being religious. And, despite appearing in Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress on Monday, she has said that the government is run in part not by humans but by “reptilians” and other aliens.


crooksandliars--2020-07-28--Expert: MLB Showing Us How Impossible It Will Be To Contain Virus In Schools

If you wanted a straight answer about the risk of reopening schools , here it is .
Public health expert and virus researcher William Haseltine was interviewed by John Berman on CNN 's New Day today .
`` Dr. Haseltine , I want to ask you about baseball , not as a sports fan , but as a microcosm of society .
and something you talk about often is how this virus spreads .
So , how does what we are seeing in baseball , where 14 players and coaches on the Marlins have tested positive and are waiting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that tell us about how the virus spreads and what we are do to contain it ? ''
Berman asked .
`` I think what you 're seeing is what 's about to happen in our high schools , '' Haseltine said .
`` There is very little difference between the way the virus spreads and young baseball players , many who are just barely into their 20s , and how it 's going to spread in high schools with anybody who 's an adolescent or a teenager .
Even when you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , trying to test people as much as possible , even in the White House , I might point out , you ca n't contain the virus that way .
The only way to contain the virus is to do it in a very broad program , as you were just hearing -- shutting down states , having systematic public health measures .
`` You ca n't do it institution by institution .
It 's just not possible .
That 's what Major League Baseball is showing to us .
I 'm afraid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's about to happen to our school systems .
All of this emphasis on young children not being so infected -- they do get infected .
Just look at what 's happening in Florida right now .
They may not get infected at the same rate , but the moment they 're all in school together , they 're going to get infected .
`` They will infect their families .
Their families will infect others .
And we 're about to have a disaster on top of a disaster . ''

If you wanted a straight answer about the risk of reopening schools, here it is. Public health expert and virus researcher William Haseltine was interviewed by John Berman on CNN's New Day today.
"Dr. Haseltine, I want to ask you about baseball, not as a sports fan, but as a microcosm of society. and something you talk about often is how this virus spreads. So, how does what we are seeing in baseball, where 14 players and coaches on the Marlins have tested positive and are waiting for test results on more? What does that tell us about how the virus spreads and what we are do to contain it?" Berman asked.
"I think what you're seeing is what's about to happen in our high schools," Haseltine said.
"There is very little difference between the way the virus spreads and young baseball players, many who are just barely into their 20s, and how it's going to spread in high schools with anybody who's an adolescent or a teenager. Even when you're putting major efforts into creating a bubble, trying to test people as much as possible, even in the White House, I might point out, you can't contain the virus that way. The only way to contain the virus is to do it in a very broad program, as you were just hearing -- shutting down states, having systematic public health measures.
"You can't do it institution by institution. It's just not possible. That's what Major League Baseball is showing to us. I'm afraid -- I'm actually terrified that that's about to happen to our school systems. All of this emphasis on young children not being so infected -- they do get infected. Just look at what's happening in Florida right now. They may not get infected at the same rate, but the moment they're all in school together, they're going to get infected.
"They will infect their families. Their families will infect others. And we're about to have a disaster on top of a disaster."


crooksandliars--2020-07-29--Florida, Texas Trump Voters Explain Why They Won't Vote For Him This Time

`` We are 98 days away from Election Day , '' Alysin Camerota said on New Day .
`` And public opinion polls show President Trump slipping over his handling of coronavirus .
I sat down with a group of voters in Florida and Texas , two of the states hardest hit by the virus .
All voted for Trump in 2016 .
Half of them regret that .
Here is our latest pulse of the people .
Show of hands , how many of you voted for President Trump in 2016 ?
Okay .
All of you voted for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how many of you plan to vote for him again in November ?
Okay .
Three hands went up .
Daniel , tell us your thoughts . ''
`` I believe that his handling of the pandemic has been horrendous .
I think his lack of accountability and an old political term , he waffles on everything .
He did say this , he did n't say that .
and he meant this , but he did n't mean that .
He 's totally unpredictable , '' Daniel Turner said .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it any better .
Listen to the health experts .
When President Trump says something about ingesting Lysol , do n't take it -- obviously an absurd statement .
He should not be speaking on health matters , frankly , '' Ellie Bernstein said .
`` But he is . ''
`` He 's not qualified to do it .
He was n't taking it as seriously as he should .
but the entire government failed us .
They were focused on impeachment as covid was spreading .
That 's what they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ball , '' Bernstein said .
`` Show of hands , have you had a friend or know someone who got very sick with covid and/or died ?
So three of you .
Tell us what you think about President Trump 's response to coronavirus .
`` Well , they did n't get extremely sick and die , but I had a nephew and several friends that have tested positive for covid .
I will say this .
I 'm a business owner .
my wife and I own a fitness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close our gym for 84 days .
We have had the business for seven years .
I just want to point out , again , this all happened while Donald Trump is president , '' Tommy Stallings said .
`` Trump has done what he can do .
Okay ? ''
Gracia said .
`` This is exactly what 's happening , small businesses are losing their businesses , their livelihood because of this pandemic .
I have people who I do know who have tested positive for covid .
My in-laws .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask , because she has allergies .
I think the breathing of her own breath and having -- you know , deal with allergies , I think that got her sick .
She started to get a fever .
She 's over 60 years old .
She panics because there 's a fear mongering going on .
Oh , you 're going to die .
So she runs and they test her positive , she goes home , had fever for two days .
she 's fine now . ''
Camerota said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Do you think people are not dying around the country ? ''
`` What I 'm trying to say and make a point to is that 382 million Americans , 4 million have tested positive and 145,000 have died . ''
`` So you 're willing to live with those numbers , those numbers are okay for you ? ''
Camerota asked .
Gracia said three times more deaths of accidents and car accidents `` but we did n't shut down the interstates and take people 's cars away . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because there 's car accidents , '' Daniel Turner said .
`` What we did was we did science and testing and we came to the conclusion that seat belts were necessary to keep us out there motoring along , as safely as possible .
As far as heart disease goes , i ca n't walk into my local supermarket and catch that from the idiot standing next to me . ''
`` I have a breathing problem , I do n't wear a mask , I 'm an idiot .
You 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathe with the mask on .
Do you know how hypocritical -- '' '' You 're going to come to my grocery store and use that feeble excuse , yes , you are .
You can breathe fine with a mask . ''
`` So , what is it like to hear the strong reservations of your fellow panelists here ? ''
Camerota asked Dimani Felder .
`` Well , you know , I think that everyone has a right to their own opinion but I also believe here in America we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be taken care of , that honestly have been allowed to fester for far too long , '' he said .
`` I do n't think there 's anything that Donald Trump would do that will make the supporters that are dug in not vote for him .
If that were the case , then they 'd be thinking like me right now , '' Stallings said .

"We are 98 days away from Election Day," Alysin Camerota said on New Day.
"And public opinion polls show President Trump slipping over his handling of coronavirus. I sat down with a group of voters in Florida and Texas, two of the states hardest hit by the virus. All voted for Trump in 2016. Half of them regret that. Here is our latest pulse of the people. Show of hands, how many of you voted for President Trump in 2016? Okay. All of you voted for President Trump. Show of hands, how many of you plan to vote for him again in November? Okay. Three hands went up. Daniel, tell us your thoughts."
"I believe that his handling of the pandemic has been horrendous. I think his lack of accountability and an old political term, he waffles on everything. He did say this, he didn't say that. and he meant this, but he didn't mean that. He's totally unpredictable," Daniel Turner said.
"I don't think anyone could have handled it any better. Listen to the health experts. When President Trump says something about ingesting Lysol, don't take it -- obviously an absurd statement. He should not be speaking on health matters, frankly," Ellie Bernstein said.
"But he is."
"He's not qualified to do it. He wasn't taking it as seriously as he should. but the entire government failed us. They were focused on impeachment as covid was spreading. That's what they were focused on. They were all missing the ball," Bernstein said.
"Show of hands, have you had a friend or know someone who got very sick with covid and/or died? So three of you. Tell us what you think about President Trump's response to coronavirus.
"Well, they didn't get extremely sick and die, but I had a nephew and several friends that have tested positive for covid. I will say this. I'm a business owner. my wife and I own a fitness, 24/7 fitness center. We had to close our gym for 84 days. We have had the business for seven years. I just want to point out, again, this all happened while Donald Trump is president," Tommy Stallings said.
"Trump has done what he can do. Okay?" Gracia said.
"This is exactly what's happening, small businesses are losing their businesses, their livelihood because of this pandemic. I have people who I do know who have tested positive for covid. My in-laws. One, she had to wear the mask, because she has allergies. I think the breathing of her own breath and having -- you know, deal with allergies, I think that got her sick. She started to get a fever. She's over 60 years old. She panics because there's a fear mongering going on. Oh, you're going to die. So she runs and they test her positive, she goes home, had fever for two days. she's fine now."
Camerota said, "I'm confused about your point. Do you think people are not dying around the country?"
"What I'm trying to say and make a point to is that 382 million Americans, 4 million have tested positive and 145,000 have died."
"So you're willing to live with those numbers, those numbers are okay for you?" Camerota asked.
Gracia said three times more deaths of accidents and car accidents "but we didn't shut down the interstates and take people's cars away."
"We didn't shut down the freeways because there's car accidents," Daniel Turner said.
"What we did was we did science and testing and we came to the conclusion that seat belts were necessary to keep us out there motoring along, as safely as possible. As far as heart disease goes, i can't walk into my local supermarket and catch that from the idiot standing next to me."
"I have a breathing problem, I don't wear a mask, I'm an idiot. You'd rather I die because I can't breathe with the mask on. Do you know how hypocritical --"
"You're going to come to my grocery store and use that feeble excuse, yes, you are. You can breathe fine with a mask."
"I cannot. I cannot."
"So, what is it like to hear the strong reservations of your fellow panelists here?" Camerota asked Dimani Felder.
"Well, you know, I think that everyone has a right to their own opinion but I also believe here in America we have a lot of serious problems that need to be taken care of, that honestly have been allowed to fester for far too long," he said.
"I don't think there's anything that Donald Trump would do that will make the supporters that are dug in not vote for him. If that were the case, then they'd be thinking like me right now," Stallings said.


crooksandliars--2020-07-29--In This Astounding Interview, Trump Shrugs Off Russian Bounties As 'Fake News'

This interview is really something .
Jonathan Swan aggressively pursues a response to Putin 's offering bounties in Afghanistan against American troops , and Trump simply dismisses , equivocates , and denies .
Which is really nothing new , but over something so important ?
Truly disturbing .
As seen on Morning Joe : '' It 's been widely reported that the U.S. has intelligence indicating that Russia paid bounties , or offered to pay bounties , to Taliban fighters to kill American soldiers .
You had a phone call with Vladimir Putin on July 23rd .
Did you bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` No , that was a phone call to discuss other things , and frankly , that 's an issue that many people said was fake news . ''
`` Who said it was fake news ? ''
`` I think a lot of people .
If you look at some of the wonderful folks from the Bush administration , some of them , not any friends of mine , were saying that it 's a fake issue , but a lot of people said it 's a fake issue . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` a lot of people '' in his pocket for just these occasions ! )
Trump said they talked about nuclear proliferation , but not the bounties .
In fact , he has never discussed it with him .
Then he blames it on the fact that it `` never reached my desk , '' so how important could it be ?
`` Do you read your written brief ? ''
Swan said .
`` Yeah , I read a lot .
They like to say I do n't read .
I read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , probably better than anybody that you 've interviewed in a long time .
I read a lot .
I spend a lot of time at meetings .
Usually it 's once a day or at least two or three times a week , intelligence briefings , spoken about India , talking about with the problems with China , talking about so many different elements of the world , '' Trump said .
`` The world is a very angry place , if you look , all over the world .
We call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 soldiers were killed in India , with China , fighting over the border .
It 's been raging for many , many decades , and they 've been fighting and back and forth .
I have so many briefings on so many different countries .
but this one did n't reach my desk . ''
Swan pointed out that John Nicholson , former head of forces in Afghanistan said , `` when he was working for you , that Russia is supplying weapons to the Taliban .
Is n't that enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
soldiers ? ''
`` Well , we supplied weapons when they were fighting Russia , too .
You know , when they were fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan , '' Trump replied .
His go-to response !
And so on .
Swan told Mika Brzezinski , `` Honestly , it was one of the most shocking -- I 've covered President Trump for five years .
I think it 's one of the most shocking exchanges I 've ever had with him . ''

This interview is really something. Jonathan Swan aggressively pursues a response to Putin's offering bounties in Afghanistan against American troops, and Trump simply dismisses, equivocates, and denies. Which is really nothing new, but over something so important? Truly disturbing. As seen on Morning Joe:
"It's been widely reported that the U.S. has intelligence indicating that Russia paid bounties, or offered to pay bounties, to Taliban fighters to kill American soldiers. You had a phone call with Vladimir Putin on July 23rd. Did you bring up this issue?" Swan asked.
"No, that was a phone call to discuss other things, and frankly, that's an issue that many people said was fake news."
"Who said it was fake news?"
"I think a lot of people. If you look at some of the wonderful folks from the Bush administration, some of them, not any friends of mine, were saying that it's a fake issue, but a lot of people said it's a fake issue." (Of course. Because he carries "a lot of people" in his pocket for just these occasions!)
Trump said they talked about nuclear proliferation, but not the bounties. In fact, he has never discussed it with him.
Then he blames it on the fact that it "never reached my desk," so how important could it be?
(Too bad Swan didn't bring up the internal leaks that say Trump freaks out so much if they try to brief him on anything negative about Russia that they have, in essence, been trained not to tell him anything.)
"Do you read your written brief?" Swan said.
"Yeah, I read a lot. They like to say I don't read. I read a lot. I comprehend extraordinarily well, probably better than anybody that you've interviewed in a long time. I read a lot. I spend a lot of time at meetings. Usually it's once a day or at least two or three times a week, intelligence briefings, spoken about India, talking about with the problems with China, talking about so many different elements of the world," Trump said.
"The world is a very angry place, if you look, all over the world. We call up, I get -- I see 22 soldiers were killed in India, with China, fighting over the border. It's been raging for many, many decades, and they've been fighting and back and forth. I have so many briefings on so many different countries. but this one didn't reach my desk."
Swan pointed out that John Nicholson, former head of forces in Afghanistan said, "when he was working for you, that Russia is supplying weapons to the Taliban. Isn't that enough to challenge Putin over the killings of U.S. soldiers?"
"Well, we supplied weapons when they were fighting Russia, too. You know, when they were fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan," Trump replied. His go-to response!
And so on. Swan told Mika Brzezinski, "Honestly, it was one of the most shocking -- I've covered President Trump for five years. I think it's one of the most shocking exchanges I've ever had with him."


crooksandliars--2020-07-29--Barr, Trump Plan To Keep Stormtroopers In Cities Through Election Day

It is now apparent that the dispatch of federal troops to `` liberal '' cities to retaliate against those demonstrating against police violence is intended , by Donald Trump and his kept attorney general William Barr , to continue throughout Trump 's reelection campaign .
CNN cites an internal Customs and Border Protection email to report that the agency plans to rotate fresh Border Patrol troops ( not much point calling them `` police '' at this point ) through `` at least mid-October . ''
The emphasis is on agents who have received `` tactical training , '' reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the plan is to keep unidentified , unbadged paramilitary units at the frontlines of protests , ensuring protesters will be met with `` good '' violence suitable for airing in reelection ads and on fascism 's Trump-allied news network .
The Washington Post reports that the city is receiving more U.S .
Marshals as well , bringing the total of `` reinforcements '' to `` at least 100 . ''
It is not clear how many of those new troops will substitute out for currently deployed anonymous thugs and how many are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the notion that this gaggle of federal agents , assembled from multiple sub-agencies for the simple reason that those agencies are the only ones under William Barr 's direct control , are acting as law enforcement agents .
If they were meant to be for policing , they would not be dressed in full military garb .
`` Policing '' does not require the use of camouflage uniforms ; the agents will be blending in to exactly f -- k-all in the federal buildings they are ostensibly protecting .
Standard policing practices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apprehend individual protesters who engage in violence .
If the Trump government simply wants to see a steady stream of protesters demonstrating against excessive police violence shot in the head with `` nonlethal '' rounds by officers apparently testing the bounds of what `` nonlethal '' projectiles can do to a person , there are many sufficiently sociopathic officers in each city to do so .
But those local officers might face repercussions for such violence .
That , perhaps , is the core reason why Barr is sending unidentifiable , anonymous Border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No identification , no accountability , and Barr 's full Department of Justice willing to immunize any agents willing to engage in `` good '' violence .
The Trump administration actions in Portland are unsubtle .
Trump was frustrated by the relative unwillingness of Washington , D.C. , police to commit violence against Americans who he regards as his personal enemies , but was pleased when Barr provided him a force that would teargas whoever needed to be teargassed so that Trump could stage a photo-op .
He wants to relive that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ useful to his oratory purposes and to his desired election themes .
He ordered more of it , and Barr complied .
Prison riot control officers , Border Patrol `` tactical '' officers—whoever Barr can summon for the purpose will be summoned .
It was unfortunate for Trump that protests in Portland and elsewhere were decreasing in intensity and were overwhelmingly nonviolent by the time the administration organized their response , but preexisting violence was never a necessary factor .
Put a paramilitary presence in any American city with weapons pointed against protestors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If Barr 's agents were being arrayed against the far right , the far right would both demand and furiously justify violence against those federal forces—it is one of the most central tenets of the NRA and militia branches of conservatism , after all—but Trump and Barr are instead focusing the powers of the state on civil rights activists .
As usual .
As is customary , in authoritarian nations .
We can absolutely expect that the federal presence of repurposed , unidentified , camouflage-wearing , burst-out-of-a-rental-van generic-brand `` police '' thugs will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue until Election Day .
From Trump 's point of view it is a win-win scenario .
If violence remains scattered , it is a pleasurable demonstration of authoritarian power to simply know that the agents are there ; if violence escalates , so much the better .
He can show it on television .
It 's not likely to have the electoral impact Trump and Barr imagine it will have , though .
The number of Americans who derive pleasure from seeing military-garbed hoodlums shoot mothers and fathers in the head with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the autocrats believe .
For Trump , it is a miscalculation .
For Barr and other longtime Republican operatives , however , autocracy in service to ideology seems to be premised on personal convictions .

It is now apparent that the dispatch of federal troops to "liberal" cities to retaliate against those demonstrating against police violence is intended, by Donald Trump and his kept attorney general William Barr, to continue throughout Trump's reelection campaign. CNN cites an internal Customs and Border Protection email to report that the agency plans to rotate fresh Border Patrol troops (not much point calling them "police" at this point) through "at least mid-October."
The emphasis is on agents who have received "tactical training," reports CNN. In Portland, at least, the plan is to keep unidentified, unbadged paramilitary units at the frontlines of protests, ensuring protesters will be met with "good" violence suitable for airing in reelection ads and on fascism's Trump-allied news network.
The Washington Post reports that the city is receiving more U.S. Marshals as well, bringing the total of "reinforcements" to "at least 100." It is not clear how many of those new troops will substitute out for currently deployed anonymous thugs and how many are intended as reinforcements.
We can dispense with the notion that this gaggle of federal agents, assembled from multiple sub-agencies for the simple reason that those agencies are the only ones under William Barr's direct control, are acting as law enforcement agents. If they were meant to be for policing, they would not be dressed in full military garb. "Policing" does not require the use of camouflage uniforms; the agents will be blending in to exactly f--k-all in the federal buildings they are ostensibly protecting. Standard policing practices have long been able to identify and apprehend individual protesters who engage in violence. If the Trump government simply wants to see a steady stream of protesters demonstrating against excessive police violence shot in the head with "nonlethal" rounds by officers apparently testing the bounds of what "nonlethal" projectiles can do to a person, there are many sufficiently sociopathic officers in each city to do so.
But those local officers might face repercussions for such violence. That, perhaps, is the core reason why Barr is sending unidentifiable, anonymous Border Patrol sociopaths to test those bonds themselves. No identification, no accountability, and Barr's full Department of Justice willing to immunize any agents willing to engage in "good" violence.
The Trump administration actions in Portland are unsubtle. Trump was frustrated by the relative unwillingness of Washington, D.C., police to commit violence against Americans who he regards as his personal enemies, but was pleased when Barr provided him a force that would teargas whoever needed to be teargassed so that Trump could stage a photo-op. He wants to relive that purely retaliatory violence. He finds it useful to his oratory purposes and to his desired election themes. He ordered more of it, and Barr complied. Prison riot control officers, Border Patrol "tactical" officers—whoever Barr can summon for the purpose will be summoned.
It was unfortunate for Trump that protests in Portland and elsewhere were decreasing in intensity and were overwhelmingly nonviolent by the time the administration organized their response, but preexisting violence was never a necessary factor. Put a paramilitary presence in any American city with weapons pointed against protestors, violence is sure to happen. If Barr's agents were being arrayed against the far right, the far right would both demand and furiously justify violence against those federal forces—it is one of the most central tenets of the NRA and militia branches of conservatism, after all—but Trump and Barr are instead focusing the powers of the state on civil rights activists. As usual. As is customary, in authoritarian nations.
We can absolutely expect that the federal presence of repurposed, unidentified, camouflage-wearing, burst-out-of-a-rental-van generic-brand "police" thugs will both be expanded to other cities and continue until Election Day. From Trump's point of view it is a win-win scenario. If violence remains scattered, it is a pleasurable demonstration of authoritarian power to simply know that the agents are there; if violence escalates, so much the better. He can show it on television.
It's not likely to have the electoral impact Trump and Barr imagine it will have, though. The number of Americans who derive pleasure from seeing military-garbed hoodlums shoot mothers and fathers in the head with nonlethal rounds are not as great as the autocrats believe. For Trump, it is a miscalculation. For Barr and other longtime Republican operatives, however, autocracy in service to ideology seems to be premised on personal convictions.


crooksandliars--2020-07-29--Trump Calls Quack Doctor ‘Very Impressive,’ Then Stalks Out Of Presser

Earlier today , Twitter removed a Trump retweet of a video in which a group of doctors claimed that neither masks nor shutdowns are necessary to fight the coronavirus pandemic .
One doctor , Stella Immanuel , called hydroxychloroquine a “ cure for covid.
” Immanuel has also distinguished herself with claims that “ sexual visitations by demons and alien DNA are at the root of Americans ’ common health concerns , ” as The Daily Beast ’ s Will Sommer reported .
But the Whiner-in-Chief seemed rather put out that Collins would dare question his wisdom in retweeting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COLLINS : Mr. President , the woman that you said was a great doctor in that video , that you re-tweeted last night said that masks do n't work and there is a cure for COVID-19 , both of which health experts say is not true .
She 's also made videos saying that doctors make medicine using DNA from aliens and that they 're trying to create a vaccine to make you immune from becoming religious .
TRUMP : Well , maybe it 's a sign , maybe it 's not .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on air along with many other doctors .
They were big fans of hydroxychloroquine .
And I thought she was very impressive in the sense that from where she came -- I do n't know which country she comes from but she said that she 's had tremendous success with hundreds of different patients , and I thought her voice was an important voice .
But I know nothing about her .
And with that , Trump and his bruised ego walked out .
I do n't know which is worse : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or retweeting medical advice to his millions of followers from a doctor he says he knows nothing about .
What we do know is that Trump doesn ’ t care whether he retweets sound medical counsel or not , just so long as it ’ s someone who supports his amateur view on the pandemic .

Earlier today, Twitter removed a Trump retweet of a video in which a group of doctors claimed that neither masks nor shutdowns are necessary to fight the coronavirus pandemic. One doctor, Stella Immanuel, called hydroxychloroquine a “cure for covid.”
Immanuel has also distinguished herself with claims that “sexual visitations by demons and alien DNA are at the root of Americans’ common health concerns,” as The Daily Beast’s Will Sommer reported.
But the Whiner-in-Chief seemed rather put out that Collins would dare question his wisdom in retweeting the video to his millions of followers:
COLLINS: Mr. President, the woman that you said was a great doctor in that video, that you re-tweeted last night said that masks don't work and there is a cure for COVID-19, both of which health experts say is not true. She's also made videos saying that doctors make medicine using DNA from aliens and that they're trying to create a vaccine to make you immune from becoming religious. TRUMP: Well, maybe it's a sign, maybe it's not. I can tell you this. She was on air along with many other doctors. They were big fans of hydroxychloroquine. And I thought she was very impressive in the sense that from where she came -- I don't know which country she comes from but she said that she's had tremendous success with hundreds of different patients, and I thought her voice was an important voice. But I know nothing about her.
And with that, Trump and his bruised ego walked out.
I don't know which is worse: Trump calling Immanuel "very impressive" or retweeting medical advice to his millions of followers from a doctor he says he knows nothing about. What we do know is that Trump doesn’t care whether he retweets sound medical counsel or not, just so long as it’s someone who supports his amateur view on the pandemic.


crooksandliars--2020-07-29--Small Business Owners React To Trump's Comments On The Economy

`` We had to close our gym for 84 days .
We have had the business for seven years .
@ @ @ @ @ out , again , this all happened while Donald Trump is president , '' Tommy @ @ @


crooksandliars--2020-07-29--GOP Rep Steube Whines To Google CEO About Campaign Emails Going To Spam

The Republican Party continued to remind us all that they are the party of incessant whining during Wednesday 's Tech hearing , featuring the heads of Google , Facebook , Amazon and Apple .
During his valuable five minutes of questioning , Rep. Greg Steube of Florida started off by complaining that his Google searches for Gateway Pundit showed up differently on his phone than on his computer .
I guess no one has explained to him the difference between search engines .
But , by far , the funniest part of his questioning was when he started whining about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's spam folder .
Yes , you read that right .
He was complaining about emails going to spam .
Does he not have an intern that can explain to him what `` spam filters '' are ?
He then shared a very Trumpian story of a supporter calling him to let him know that campaign emails are going to THEIR spam folder too !
Did the supporter call him `` sir '' as well ?
Did he cry ?
Is n't that how Trump 's `` sir '' stories go ?
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only happening to conservative politicians and says that he has not heard anything in the press about Democrat emails going to spam .
So if it is n't in the news , it did n't happen ?
Right ?
Honestly , I am shocked that the panel did n't just break out in raucous laughter .
After Rep. Steube 's ludicrous line of questions , the head of Google , Sundar Pichai , tried to calmly explain what spam filters are , how Gmail organizes emails into folders ( primary , social , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowly , that his dad 's email probably does n't understand that campaign emails are actually from his son .
Because email is not that smart .
I can not believe Rep. Steube is using a Congressional Hearing to get one-on-one tech support from the bazillionaire head of Google , but this is where we are .

The Republican Party continued to remind us all that they are the party of incessant whining during Wednesday's Tech hearing, featuring the heads of Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple. During his valuable five minutes of questioning, Rep. Greg Steube of Florida started off by complaining that his Google searches for Gateway Pundit showed up differently on his phone than on his computer. I guess no one has explained to him the difference between search engines. But, by far, the funniest part of his questioning was when he started whining about his campaign emails going to his dad's spam folder.
Yes, you read that right. He was complaining about emails going to spam.
Does he not have an intern that can explain to him what "spam filters" are?
He then shared a very Trumpian story of a supporter calling him to let him know that campaign emails are going to THEIR spam folder too! Did the supporter call him "sir" as well? Did he cry? Isn't that how Trump's "sir" stories go?
Even better - Steube says that this is only happening to conservative politicians and says that he has not heard anything in the press about Democrat emails going to spam. So if it isn't in the news, it didn't happen? Right?
Honestly, I am shocked that the panel didn't just break out in raucous laughter. After Rep. Steube's ludicrous line of questions, the head of Google, Sundar Pichai, tried to calmly explain what spam filters are, how Gmail organizes emails into folders (primary, social, etc). Then he explains, slowly, that his dad's email probably doesn't understand that campaign emails are actually from his son. Because email is not that smart.
Twitter had...thoughts:
Rep. Steube now asking the Google CEO tech support questions on behalf of his dad (not a joke) — rat king (@MikeIsaac) July 29, 2020
Jesus Christ, @GOP Rep. Greg Steube has the CEO of Google under oath and his question is why his Gmail account doesn't work?
Are Republicans serious with this shit? — Max Burns (@themaxburns) July 29, 2020
Rep. Steube is now trying to get Pichai to tech support his Gmail account issues. #antitrusthearing pic.twitter.com/z7az7BcMBL — Lance Ulanoff (@LanceUlanoff) July 29, 2020
This guy Steube thinks only conservative fundraising emails are getting sent to spam in Gmail. This might be the nuttiest grievance yet. — John Gruber (@gruber) July 29, 2020
Rep. Steube is also asking about why his campaign emails are now being marked as spam. My professional opinion is the best way to stop this is to write better email that aren't spammy junk. — Melissa Ryan (@MelissaRyan) July 29, 2020
OMG. Steube is asking for tech support from the Google CEO in a hearing. #techhearing — Lynn Fox (@foxycar) July 29, 2020
I cannot believe Rep. Steube is using a Congressional Hearing to get one-on-one tech support from the bazillionaire head of Google, but this is where we are.