crooksandliars--2020-07-20--Colin Powell Suggests Trump Is Supporting 'Another Country' By Playing Footsie With The Confederacy

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell on Sunday revealed that he supports the renaming of bases that honor Confederate generals .
During an interview on CBS , host Margaret Brennan asked Powell if the country is too divided to address systemic racism .
`` We 're a much better nation now , '' Powell explained .
`` We 're living better than we did then .
But there 's more to be done .
There are more youngsters that have to be educated , there are more adults that have to be educated .
We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brennan pointed out that Gen. Mark Miley , the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , has recently expressed support for renaming military bases that honor Confederate officers .
`` I would rename the bases , '' Powell agreed .
`` We really had n't thought about it a few years ago .
But now with Black Lives Matter and all the issues that are before us , I think it is a good idea to rename the 10 bases in the United States Army that are named after Confederates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ really thought about it , '' he added .
`` I fully support Gen. Milley is doing .
I hope he does n't get any difficulty with the rest of the administration .
This is something we should do .
And we should do it as quickly as we can . ''
Powell said that he also agrees with a decision to ban Confederate symbols on military bases .
`` The Conferate flag is now an explicit demonstration of another time , another place , another country that had nothing to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powell explained .
`` It was Confederate states of America .
They were not part of us .
And this is not the time to keep demonstrating who they were and what they were back then . ''
`` This is a time to move on , '' he insisted .
`` We have one flag and one flag only .
And that 's the flag we should all support . ''
President Donald Trump has expressed support for people who fly the Confederate flag and suggested that he will veto legislation to @ @ @ @

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell on Sunday revealed that he supports the renaming of bases that honor Confederate generals.
During an interview on CBS, host Margaret Brennan asked Powell if the country is too divided to address systemic racism.
"We're a much better nation now," Powell explained. "We're living better than we did then. But there's more to be done. There are more youngsters that have to be educated, there are more adults that have to be educated. We have to fix the economic system."
Brennan pointed out that Gen. Mark Miley, the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has recently expressed support for renaming military bases that honor Confederate officers.
"I would rename the bases," Powell agreed. "We really hadn't thought about it a few years ago. But now with Black Lives Matter and all the issues that are before us, I think it is a good idea to rename the 10 bases in the United States Army that are named after Confederates."
"You know, I never really thought about it," he added. "I fully support Gen. Milley is doing. I hope he doesn't get any difficulty with the rest of the administration. This is something we should do. And we should do it as quickly as we can."
Powell said that he also agrees with a decision to ban Confederate symbols on military bases.
"The Conferate flag is now an explicit demonstration of another time, another place, another country that had nothing to do with the United States of America," Powell explained. "It was Confederate states of America. They were not part of us. And this is not the time to keep demonstrating who they were and what they were back then."
"This is a time to move on," he insisted. "We have one flag and one flag only. And that's the flag we should all support."
President Donald Trump has expressed support for people who fly the Confederate flag and suggested that he will veto legislation to rename military bases.


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--David Brooks On Trumpism: One Day, It's Like A Miracle, It Will Disappear

David Brooks 's certainty that the election of Joe Biden will bring an end to Trumpism reminds me of President Trump 's insistence that April would bring a miraculous end to the coronavirus .
The first thing you ’ ll notice is the quiet .
If Joe Biden wins this thing , there will be no disgraceful presidential tweets and no furious cable segments reacting to them on Inauguration Day .
Donald Trump himself may fume , but hated and alone .
The opportunists who make up his administration will abandon him .
Republicans will pretend they never heard his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hang around a guy they privately hate and who publicly destroyed their majority .
Some of you believe that .
If Joe Biden wins and the win appears decisive , you think Republicans will declare Trump a loser and flush him down the memory hole .
I wish I believed that .
I do n't because no Republican , not even Ronald Reagan , has commanded a more passionate following within the GOP than Donald Trump .
Fox News , talk radio , and the GOP establishment have spent decades turning GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one does the politics of pure grievance better than Trump .
We know he 'll never acknowledge that he lost .
We know he 'll never officially concede .
I think he 'll leave the White House voluntarily , but he 'll insist that millions of mail ballots constituted massive voter fraud , that China weaponized the coronavirus specifically to defeat him , and that he was brought down by the Deep State .
The GOP voter base is full of QAnoners and coronavirus denialists -- do you think they 'll abandon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God Emperor continues to sustain them ?
David Brooks does .
But there will be a larger quiet , too .
For two decades American politics has centered on a bitter culture war between the white working-class heartland and university-bred coastal elites .
Bill Clinton , Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were all emblems of this university class , and it was easy for the Republican media wing to gin up resentment against them .
In 2016 , Trump beat Clinton among the white working class by a crushing 28 points .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coastal elite .
His sensibility was nurtured by his working-class family during the postwar industrial boom of the 1950s and 1960s .
He graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965 and missed the late 1960s culture war that divided a generation .
It ’ s very hard for conservatives to demonize Biden because he comes from the sort of background that Trumpian conservatives celebrate .
He elides all the culture war divides .
He doesn ’ t act superior to the “ deplorables , ” because his family taught him to despise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's been very hard for conservatives to demonize Biden in a way that 's persuasive to swing voters , but that does n't mean they wo n't persist .
Even if Trump is in disgrace after the election , Republicans will continue to attack Biden -- attack politics is all they have .
The narrative they 're constructing now -- that Biden may be a left-centrist at heart , but he 's a weak old man increasingly under the sway of radical socialist America-haters -- will continue to be promoted by Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes it .
( Remember that Republicans will describe even moderate efforts to expand healthcare coverage , address climate change , or reform policing as socialist and radical , demonizing these efforts the same way they demonized Obamacare . )
Brooks misspelled `` In the Fox News era . ''
Does he seriously believe that the people were n't `` manic about politics , '' or at least manic about hating politicians , during the Bill Clinton and Barack Obama presidencies ?
( Our side hated George W. Bush , but the dismissal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debacle and Abu Ghraib and Gitmo and Katrina were reason enough , even before he crashed the economy . )
What Brooks is telling us is that his fellow Republicans are reasonable , decent folk who are engaged in the politics of division right now only because they fell under the sway of the extremely divisive Donald Trump four years ago and -- even though they now see the error of their ways -- are stuck with him until November , regrettably .
As soon as the votes are counted , Brooks believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and embrace a Biden future .
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog

David Brooks's certainty that the election of Joe Biden will bring an end to Trumpism reminds me of President Trump's insistence that April would bring a miraculous end to the coronavirus.
President Biden’s First Day Imagining Jan. 20, 2021. The first thing you’ll notice is the quiet. If Joe Biden wins this thing, there will be no disgraceful presidential tweets and no furious cable segments reacting to them on Inauguration Day. Donald Trump himself may fume, but hated and alone. The opportunists who make up his administration will abandon him. Republicans will pretend they never heard his name. Republican politicians are not going to hang around a guy they privately hate and who publicly destroyed their majority.
Some of you believe that. If Joe Biden wins and the win appears decisive, you think Republicans will declare Trump a loser and flush him down the memory hole.
I wish I believed that. I don't because no Republican, not even Ronald Reagan, has commanded a more passionate following within the GOP than Donald Trump. Fox News, talk radio, and the GOP establishment have spent decades turning GOP voters into maniacal grievance collectors, and no one does the politics of pure grievance better than Trump. We know he'll never acknowledge that he lost. We know he'll never officially concede. I think he'll leave the White House voluntarily, but he'll insist that millions of mail ballots constituted massive voter fraud, that China weaponized the coronavirus specifically to defeat him, and that he was brought down by the Deep State. The GOP voter base is full of QAnoners and coronavirus denialists -- do you think they'll abandon these delusions overnight, especially when their God Emperor continues to sustain them? David Brooks does.
Brooks continues:
But there will be a larger quiet, too. For two decades American politics has centered on a bitter culture war between the white working-class heartland and university-bred coastal elites. Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were all emblems of this university class, and it was easy for the Republican media wing to gin up resentment against them. In 2016, Trump beat Clinton among the white working class by a crushing 28 points. But Biden is not an emblem of this coastal elite. His sensibility was nurtured by his working-class family during the postwar industrial boom of the 1950s and 1960s. He graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965 and missed the late 1960s culture war that divided a generation. It’s very hard for conservatives to demonize Biden because he comes from the sort of background that Trumpian conservatives celebrate. He elides all the culture war divides. He doesn’t act superior to the “deplorables,” because his family taught him to despise status games of all sorts.
It's been very hard for conservatives to demonize Biden in a way that's persuasive to swing voters, but that doesn't mean they won't persist. Even if Trump is in disgrace after the election, Republicans will continue to attack Biden -- attack politics is all they have. The narrative they're constructing now -- that Biden may be a left-centrist at heart, but he's a weak old man increasingly under the sway of radical socialist America-haters -- will continue to be promoted by Fox News and Mitch McConnell, because their base believes it. (Remember that Republicans will describe even moderate efforts to expand healthcare coverage, address climate change, or reform policing as socialist and radical, demonizing these efforts the same way they demonized Obamacare.)
It will become immediately clear that in a Biden era politics will shrink back down to normal size. It will be about government programs, not epic wars about why my sort of people are morally superior to your sort of people. In the Trump era a lot of people who don’t care about government got manic about politics.
Brooks misspelled "In the Fox News era." Does he seriously believe that the people weren't "manic about politics," or at least manic about hating politicians, during the Bill Clinton and Barack Obama presidencies? (Our side hated George W. Bush, but the dismissal of pre-9/11 intelligence and the Iraq War debacle and Abu Ghraib and Gitmo and Katrina were reason enough, even before he crashed the economy.)
What Brooks is telling us is that his fellow Republicans are reasonable, decent folk who are engaged in the politics of division right now only because they fell under the sway of the extremely divisive Donald Trump four years ago and -- even though they now see the error of their ways -- are stuck with him until November, regrettably. As soon as the votes are counted, Brooks believes, Republicans will put down their pitchforks and embrace a Biden future.
Sean Hannity says Joe Biden has "the most radical, extreme socialist agenda I've ever seen in any election" pic.twitter.com/Kdazm1D4bS — Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) July 17, 2020
I don't think so.
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-07-20--Suspect In Killing Of Judge's Son Was A Men's Rights Activist Who Filed Suit Over Draft

Via the Daily Beast , more on the FedEx shooter of a federal judge 's son and husband : The gunman who shot the husband and son of a federal judge in New Jersey is believed to be a lawyer and men ’ s rights activist who was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound hours later , two law-enforcement sources told The Daily Beast .
Roy Den Hollander was discovered in the upstate New York town of Rockland , the sources said .
He had a case—a challenge to the military ’ s male-only draft—pending before Salas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself on his website as an anti-feminist .
“ Now is the time for all good men to fight for their rights before they have no rights left , ” it said .
His emergence as the suspect is a shocking twist in the Sunday night shooting—when a man possibly dressed as a FedEx delivery driver showed up on Judge Esther Salas ’ doorstep in North Brunswick , New Jersey .
Daniel Anderl , 20 , the judge ’ s only child , who was home from college , was shot through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the town mayor .
His father , criminal-defense lawyer Mark Anderl , 63 , was said to be in critical condition after surgery .

Via the Daily Beast, more on the FedEx shooter of a federal judge's son and husband:
The gunman who shot the husband and son of a federal judge in New Jersey is believed to be a lawyer and men’s rights activist who was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound hours later, two law-enforcement sources told The Daily Beast.
Roy Den Hollander was discovered in the upstate New York town of Rockland, the sources said. He had a case—a challenge to the military’s male-only draft—pending before Salas, according to court documents.
Hollander described himself on his website as an anti-feminist. “Now is the time for all good men to fight for their rights before they have no rights left,” it said.
His emergence as the suspect is a shocking twist in the Sunday night shooting—when a man possibly dressed as a FedEx delivery driver showed up on Judge Esther Salas’ doorstep in North Brunswick, New Jersey.
Daniel Anderl, 20, the judge’s only child, who was home from college, was shot through the heart and did not survive the attack, according to the town mayor.
His father, criminal-defense lawyer Mark Anderl, 63, was said to be in critical condition after surgery.


crooksandliars--2020-07-20--Chad Wolf: 'I Don't Need An Invitation' To Force Federal Secret Police On Cities

The Republican Party of States ' Rights and Law-And-Order seems to be having trouble sticking to its principles when it comes to the state of Oregon .
Here is Chad Wolf , ACTING Director of Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) sounding very pro-STRONG federal government and anti-states ' rights , by defending the right of its officers to act outside the law , kidnap citizens off the streets in unmarked vans , without identifying themselves or wearing identifiers on their uniforms , and use the Insurrection Act without actually officially invoking it .
WOLF : They 're not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities and the responsibility the Department of Homeland Security has .
We protect almost 9,000 federal facilities across the country .
We did that ten years ago , and we did it long before this civil unrest started , and we 'll continue to do that .
And so , I do n't need invitations by the state , state mayors , or state governors to do our job .
We 're gon na do that whether they like us there or not .
That 's our responsibility .
Keep in mind , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate in his role as Secretary of DHS .
No one has officially taken over that role since Kirstjen Nielsen left the department .
But this is how Trump gets his nazis into power .
He drives out the ones who were awful , but fell on just this side of confirmable , then replaces them with someone who is an `` Acting '' ( fill-in-the-blank ) who is quite literally simply an authoritarian yes-person .

The Republican Party of States' Rights and Law-And-Order seems to be having trouble sticking to its principles when it comes to the state of Oregon.
Here is Chad Wolf, ACTING Director of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sounding very pro-STRONG federal government and anti-states' rights, by defending the right of its officers to act outside the law, kidnap citizens off the streets in unmarked vans, without identifying themselves or wearing identifiers on their uniforms, and use the Insurrection Act without actually officially invoking it.
WOLF: They're not accurate. They don't understand the authorities and the responsibility the Department of Homeland Security has. We protect almost 9,000 federal facilities across the country. We did that ten years ago, and we did it long before this civil unrest started, and we'll continue to do that. And so, I don't need invitations by the state, state mayors, or state governors to do our job. We're gonna do that whether they like us there or not. That's our responsibility.
Keep in mind, Wolf has not even been confirmed by the Senate in his role as Secretary of DHS. No one has officially taken over that role since Kirstjen Nielsen left the department. But this is how Trump gets his nazis into power. He drives out the ones who were awful, but fell on just this side of confirmable, then replaces them with someone who is an "Acting" (fill-in-the-blank) who is quite literally simply an authoritarian yes-person.
This is Chad Wolf. Chad is the acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He is responsible for the gestapo style police tactics being used in Oregon. Chad went to college on a tennis scholarship and he graduated with a B.S. in history from Southern Methodist ... pic.twitter.com/KRAAfOdHuI — The Lady Red- the night is dark and full of terror (@The_Lady_Red) July 20, 2020
This is all set up for election week and if you don't understand that you are not in the same fight as these MF's.
Chad Wolf...google him.
No qualification to be DHS Secretary. None at all.
But he'll do whatever Barr/Trump tell him and that's the point. https://t.co/DGy9U7Dzzc — Don Winslow (@donwinslow) July 20, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-07-20--The Bahamas Bars American Tourists, Effective Immediately

Tourism accounts for about 50 % of the Bahamian GDP , so you can understand why they wanted to reopen their borders to international travellers .
Then the Americans came and so did COVID .
They 've made exceptions for Canadians , those from the UK and the European Union but , for now , Americans are not welcome .
American tourists will be barred from entering the Bahamas amid the re-surging COVID-19 pandemic , Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said in a national address Sunday .
The rollback comes three weeks after the Bahamas reopened its borders to travelers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` at an exponential rate since we reopened our international borders '' on July 1 , Minnis said .
The country 's Ministry of Health reported 49 new cases since borders fully opened , for a total of 153 cases .
In the address , Minnis announced that the country 's national airline Bahamasair will cease flights to the United States , effective immediately .
To accommodate departing tourists , outgoing commercial flights will be permitted after Wednesday , he said .
Starting Wednesday , international flights and commercial vessels carrying passengers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Minnis said there would be an exception for flights from Canada , the United Kingdom , and the European Union .
Visitors by air or sea from these countries will be required to show a negative COVID-19 rapid test result from an accredited lab .
Minnis blamed , without specifying , nearby countries ' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic `` still raging around the world . ''
`` In neighboring countries , hospitals are overwhelmed and deaths are increasing .
For some places it is unclear when or how they will get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnis .
He added that his country 's progress in fighting the disease can be reversed because of how citizens in other countries `` are following or ignoring health guidelines . ''
`` Our current situation demands decisive action , if we are to avoid being overrun and defeated by this virus , '' Minnis said .
`` We can not allow our hospitals to be overrun .
Many priorities must be balanced , be they health , social and economic .
Chief amongst these though is the health . ''

Tourism accounts for about 50% of the Bahamian GDP, so you can understand why they wanted to reopen their borders to international travellers. Then the Americans came and so did COVID. They've made exceptions for Canadians, those from the UK and the European Union but, for now, Americans are not welcome.
Source: USA Today
American tourists will be barred from entering the Bahamas amid the re-surging COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said in a national address Sunday.
The rollback comes three weeks after the Bahamas reopened its borders to travelers.
The situation in the Bahamas has deteriorated "at an exponential rate since we reopened our international borders" on July 1, Minnis said. The country's Ministry of Health reported 49 new cases since borders fully opened, for a total of 153 cases.
In the address, Minnis announced that the country's national airline Bahamasair will cease flights to the United States, effective immediately.
To accommodate departing tourists, outgoing commercial flights will be permitted after Wednesday, he said.
Starting Wednesday, international flights and commercial vessels carrying passengers will not be permitted to enter the borders. Minnis said there would be an exception for flights from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. Visitors by air or sea from these countries will be required to show a negative COVID-19 rapid test result from an accredited lab.
Minnis blamed, without specifying, nearby countries' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic "still raging around the world."
"In neighboring countries, hospitals are overwhelmed and deaths are increasing. For some places it is unclear when or how they will get this virus under control," said Minnis. He added that his country's progress in fighting the disease can be reversed because of how citizens in other countries "are following or ignoring health guidelines."
"Our current situation demands decisive action, if we are to avoid being overrun and defeated by this virus," Minnis said. "We cannot allow our hospitals to be overrun. Many priorities must be balanced, be they health, social and economic. Chief amongst these though is the health."


crooksandliars--2020-07-20--Twitter ROASTS Marco Rubio For Using Photo Of Elijah Cummings For John Lewis Tribute

Marco `` Big Gulp '' Rubio , the Cold Warrior for a New Generation , and beloved grandson figure of @ @ @ @ @ 65 and under the age of death , pays his respects .
And Twitter is @ @ @ @

Marco "Big Gulp" Rubio, the Cold Warrior for a New Generation, and beloved grandson figure of Wingnuts over the age of 65 and under the age of death, pays his respects.
marco rubio's tweet about john lewis – which is now his profile pic – is a photo of elijah cummings. pic.twitter.com/S5N53I2tRI — Oliver Willis (@owillis) July 18, 2020
And Twitter is off and running!
It was great to see @marcorubio honor John Lewis' work with young people. pic.twitter.com/g7SFZoai8W — Christopher Titus (@TitusNation) July 18, 2020
US congressman Elijah Cummings (seen here posing with unidentified Cuban “boat people” man) remembered for willingness to befriend all, no matter how shameful their station in life. pic.twitter.com/JsERKaogCI — DPRK News Service (@DPRK_News) July 18, 2020
Today, I really want to express how honored I feel to have @marcorubio representing me here in Florida. pic.twitter.com/Lk0BSwmqUu — Dara Does Deep State ⚖ (@daralynn13) July 18, 2020
It is an honor and a blessing to know Senator Marco Rubio. pic.twitter.com/ltCFmNzTI6 — jenifer daniels 🥓🥃 (@jentrification) July 18, 2020
What an honor to know Marco Rubio pic.twitter.com/H09YhJlH38 — Fiddler (@cFidd) July 18, 2020
Honored to have met @marcorubio at the Christians for Assault Rifles Pilgrimage last summer. pic.twitter.com/XnATl6yTZh — *you're (@RKJ65) July 18, 2020
Most people who *really* knew John Lewis were probably able to tell him and Elijah Cummings apart. pic.twitter.com/AQt5zzYkp1 — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) July 18, 2020
marco rubio be like “when i was a kid i loved the cosby show” pic.twitter.com/89BYoPy4A1 — alex english (@alex3nglish) July 18, 2020
“I WAS HACKED! I fixed it. Rest in Peace John Lewis. It was an honor and a blessing to work with you”. – @marcorubio pic.twitter.com/s4gX78cXZn — Hoodlum 🇺🇸 (@NotHoodlum) July 18, 2020
It was an honor to know and be blessed with the opportunity to meet @marcorubio. pic.twitter.com/BgWslMXZXx — Kimberley Johnson (@AuthorKimberley) July 18, 2020
(Hat tip: Scissorhead D-Cap )
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors


crooksandliars--2020-07-20--Roger Stone CAUGHT On Audio Calling Interviewer A 'Negro'

Maybe Mike Huckabee was right , and Donald Trump DID save Roger Stone 's life by keeping him out of @ @ @ @ @ 's commuted buddy Roger Stone habitually refers to Black people who challenge him as `` @ @ @ @ @ would n't last long inside .
Roger Stone using a racial slur is at the @ @ @ @ @ interviewer , Morris W. Kelly , canceled the rest of his programming to devote an @ @ @ @ @ 's slur .
He said what he said .
Roger Stone is a ratf**king , @ @ @ @ @ we ALL knew that .

Maybe Mike Huckabee was right, and Donald Trump DID save Roger Stone's life by keeping him out of prison.
Because if Trump's commuted buddy Roger Stone habitually refers to Black people who challenge him as "a Negro," he wouldn't last long inside.
Roger Stone using a racial slur is at the :45 mark below.
Wait... Did Roger Stone just say “I don’t feel like arguing with this negro...”?
Man...2020 is the wildest! pic.twitter.com/ssWy8RYYWT — michaelharriot (@michaelharriot) July 19, 2020
The interviewer, Morris W. Kelly, canceled the rest of his programming to devote an hour to responding to Stone's slur.
Hey everyone. I heard what I heard. The audio is the audio. I will address in Hour 2. We're blowing out the second half of the show.#RogerStone
I am nobody's NEGRO. — Mr. Mo'Kelly 🎙 (@MrMokelly) July 19, 2020
He said what he said. Roger Stone is a ratf**king, white supremacist scumbag. But we ALL knew that.


crooksandliars--2020-07-20--WATCH:  Navy Vet Stands Up To Trump's Thugs In Portland

A viral video viewed a reported ten million times shows the Navy Vet standing up to the so-called `` federal police '' during the police riots in Portland Oregon this weekend .
Common Dreams reports : The U.S. Navy veteran who was brutally attacked by unidentified federal police in Portland , Oregon over the weekend is speaking out about the incident—a video of which has gone viral online—and explained that he traveled to the site of local protests to get some answers directly from the personnel in the secretive units after becoming outraged over their deployment by the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did not think they were taking their oath of office seriously or they were compromising their oath of office , '' Christopher David , a 53-year-old disabled veteran who served in the Navy for eight years , told The Independent in an interview .
`` So I actually went down because I wanted to talk to them about it . ''
The assault caught on film by local journalist Zane Sparling—and as of this writing viewed more than 9.6 million times on social media—shows David withstanding several blows from one office before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from close range .

Christopher David is a hero.
A viral video viewed a reported ten million times shows the Navy Vet standing up to the so-called "federal police" during the police riots in Portland Oregon this weekend. Common Dreams reports:
The U.S. Navy veteran who was brutally attacked by unidentified federal police in Portland, Oregon over the weekend is speaking out about the incident—a video of which has gone viral online—and explained that he traveled to the site of local protests to get some answers directly from the personnel in the secretive units after becoming outraged over their deployment by the Trump administration.
"I was enraged simply because I did not think they were taking their oath of office seriously or they were compromising their oath of office," Christopher David, a 53-year-old disabled veteran who served in the Navy for eight years, told The Independent in an interview. "So I actually went down because I wanted to talk to them about it."
The assault caught on film by local journalist Zane Sparling—and as of this writing viewed more than 9.6 million times on social media—shows David withstanding several blows from one office before another pepper sprays him in the face from close range.


crooksandliars--2020-07-20--Missouri Governor Admits Kids Are Going To Get Infected When Schools Reopen But They'll Get Over It

Gov .
Mike Parson 's radio interview on Friday was another disqualifying exercise by a Republican .
He admitted children will contract COVID-19 when the schools reopen , but they wo n't die so it 's all good .
Nevermind the fact that kids as young as 10 are just as contagious and likely to spread the disease as adults , meaning they 'll infect their parents , their grandparents , and anyone else they come into close proximity to for extended periods of time .
That fact just does n't seem to have entered into the equation for Parson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the coronavirus signaled that the decision to send all children back to school would be justified even in a scenario in which all of them became infected with the coronavirus .
St. Louis-area schools are expected to release their reopening plans on Monday .
“ These kids have got to get back to school , ” Parson told Cox .
“ They ’ re at the lowest risk possible .
And if they do get COVID-19 , which they will — and they will when they go to school — they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re not going to have to sit in doctor ’ s offices .
They ’ re going to go home and they ’ re going to get over it.
” He emphasized that people who are at high risk of becoming seriously ill should be protected but said most people in the state were smart enough to figure out how to stay safe without government interventions such as mask mandates .
“ We got ta move on , ” he said .
“ We can ’ t just let this thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Gov. Mike Parson's radio interview on Friday was another disqualifying exercise by a Republican. He admitted children will contract COVID-19 when the schools reopen, but they won't die so it's all good. Nevermind the fact that kids as young as 10 are just as contagious and likely to spread the disease as adults, meaning they'll infect their parents, their grandparents, and anyone else they come into close proximity to for extended periods of time. That fact just doesn't seem to have entered into the equation for Parson and others.
Just stunningly irresponsible ignorance.
Source: St. Louis Today
Parson’s comment on the coronavirus signaled that the decision to send all children back to school would be justified even in a scenario in which all of them became infected with the coronavirus.
St. Louis-area schools are expected to release their reopening plans on Monday.
“These kids have got to get back to school,” Parson told Cox. “They’re at the lowest risk possible. And if they do get COVID-19, which they will — and they will when they go to school — they’re not going to the hospitals. They’re not going to have to sit in doctor’s offices. They’re going to go home and they’re going to get over it.”
He emphasized that people who are at high risk of becoming seriously ill should be protected but said most people in the state were smart enough to figure out how to stay safe without government interventions such as mask mandates.
“We gotta move on,” he said. “We can’t just let this thing stop us in our tracks.”


crooksandliars--2020-07-20--Sources: Suspect In Killing Of Judge's Son Found Dead By Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound

The suspect was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound near Campsite Road and Berry Brook Road in Sullivan County , the sources said .
A municipal employee discovered the body in a car .
The deceased suspect was an attorney who , sources said , had a case before Judge Salas in 2015 .
A FedEx package addressed to Judge Salas was discovered in the car , sources said .
`` As a judge , she had threats from time to time , but everyone is saying that recently there had not been any , '' said Womack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge and her husband .
It 's always shocking when there 's an attack on the home of a judge , because it 's also an attack on our justice system .
The 20-year-old son of U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas , Daniel Anderl , was killed and her husband , Mark Anderl , a criminal defense attorney and former assistant Essex County prosecutor , underwent surgery and is in critical but stable condition , after a shooting attack at her home last night .
The gunman was dressed in a FedEx @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief Andrew McCabe to talk about the next steps in an investigation .
He called it `` an incredibly serious and troubling act . ''
`` It 's kind of the worst nightmare anyone can imagine , right .
You hear your doorbell go off .
People in the house run to the door to answer it , and of course , this horrible attack as a result .
So the FBI , I 'm sure , is working -- this is an all hands on deck issue .
There are very few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI and to the Department of Justice than an attack on a federal judge . ''
He said such attacks were very rare , but when it does happen , they will be looking at every potential contact with the judge and her family .
`` They 'll be trying to figure out who 's been communicating with them , who might have been near them in the days and weeks leading up to this act .
They 'll be looking at -- no doubt looking at video coverage that might be present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have external video cameras on their homes these days .
That can typically be a good source of information about individuals or vehicles that have been in the area .
There 's just a thousand different leads that they are looking at right now , '' he said .
John Berman asked what sorts of things could be behind the attack .
`` John , there 's an enormous spectrum of possible players here and people who could have been motivated by the judge -- current cases that are before the judge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in or decided or influenced sentencing , things of that nature .
Appeals that come to the judge from people from past cases or from other judges that she might be -- that she might have decided in a way that could have provoked some , you know , anger and response , '' McCabe said .
`` But that 's just the judge .
You have to then think about her husband , who is a criminal defense attorney , who unfortunately in that respectable line of work , you run across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some people who are unsatisfied or unhappy with the way their own criminal situations have concluded .
So there 's the same broad , broad scope of individuals who could possibly have wanted to bring harm to the judge or her husband or their son for that matter .
So it 's just an enormous , enormous range of people who could be potential subjects here . ''
`` I mean , look .
The details are very scant , '' Alysin Camerota said .
`` We do n't know anything other than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
but anytime you hear the name Jeffrey Epstein , obviously , it gets people 's attention .
So if there was some sort of link between Deutsche Bank and Epstein as a client of some kind , there 's just -- I ca n't even fathom the level of investigation that FBI agents are going to have to dig into with all of those different tentacles . ''
McCabe agreed , but said you ca n't make assumptions about likely suspects .
`` You 've really got to take a look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene to start to draw you to specific individuals .
So that 's going to be surveillance , that 's going to be vehicles that may have been encountered by the police in that area or seen or reported on by neighbors in the days and weeks leading up to this .
It is likely that whoever was involved in this activity was probably at the judge 's house on prior occasions , either just conducting surveillance or kind of test run , sorts of things .
So the fact that someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime is , I 'm sure , first of mind for the folks that are investigating it . ''

UPDATE via ABC News:
The suspect was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound near Campsite Road and Berry Brook Road in Sullivan County, the sources said. A municipal employee discovered the body in a car. The deceased suspect was an attorney who, sources said, had a case before Judge Salas in 2015. A FedEx package addressed to Judge Salas was discovered in the car, sources said. "As a judge, she had threats from time to time, but everyone is saying that recently there had not been any," said Womack, who is personal friends with the judge and her husband.
*********
It's always shocking when there's an attack on the home of a judge, because it's also an attack on our justice system.
The 20-year-old son of U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas, Daniel Anderl, was killed and her husband, Mark Anderl, a criminal defense attorney and former assistant Essex County prosecutor, underwent surgery and is in critical but stable condition, after a shooting attack at her home last night. The gunman was dressed in a FedEx uniform.
CNN brought on former FBI chief Andrew McCabe to talk about the next steps in an investigation.
He called it "an incredibly serious and troubling act."
"It's kind of the worst nightmare anyone can imagine, right. You hear your doorbell go off. People in the house run to the door to answer it, and of course, this horrible attack as a result. So the FBI, I'm sure, is working -- this is an all hands on deck issue. There are very few things that are as serious to the FBI and to the Department of Justice than an attack on a federal judge."
He said such attacks were very rare, but when it does happen, they will be looking at every potential contact with the judge and her family. "They'll be trying to figure out who's been communicating with them, who might have been near them in the days and weeks leading up to this act. They'll be looking at -- no doubt looking at video coverage that might be present in the area. So many people have external video cameras on their homes these days. That can typically be a good source of information about individuals or vehicles that have been in the area. There's just a thousand different leads that they are looking at right now," he said.
John Berman asked what sorts of things could be behind the attack.
"John, there's an enormous spectrum of possible players here and people who could have been motivated by the judge -- current cases that are before the judge, past cases that she had been involved in or decided or influenced sentencing, things of that nature. Appeals that come to the judge from people from past cases or from other judges that she might be -- that she might have decided in a way that could have provoked some, you know, anger and response," McCabe said.
"But that's just the judge. You have to then think about her husband, who is a criminal defense attorney, who unfortunately in that respectable line of work, you run across, often, some dangerous people, some people who are unsatisfied or unhappy with the way their own criminal situations have concluded. So there's the same broad, broad scope of individuals who could possibly have wanted to bring harm to the judge or her husband or their son for that matter. So it's just an enormous, enormous range of people who could be potential subjects here."
"I mean, look. The details are very scant," Alysin Camerota said. "We don't know anything other than what Brynn just reported at the moment. but anytime you hear the name Jeffrey Epstein, obviously, it gets people's attention. So if there was some sort of link between Deutsche Bank and Epstein as a client of some kind, there's just -- I can't even fathom the level of investigation that FBI agents are going to have to dig into with all of those different tentacles."
McCabe agreed, but said you can't make assumptions about likely suspects.
"You've really got to take a look at the evidence that's left behind at the scene to start to draw you to specific individuals. So that's going to be surveillance, that's going to be vehicles that may have been encountered by the police in that area or seen or reported on by neighbors in the days and weeks leading up to this. It is likely that whoever was involved in this activity was probably at the judge's house on prior occasions, either just conducting surveillance or kind of test run, sorts of things. So the fact that someone may have seen something relevant to this crime is, I'm sure, first of mind for the folks that are investigating it."


crooksandliars--2020-07-20--Trump 2020 Adviser Runs To Fox News To Soothe His Boss' Fragile Ego

Former Trump 2016 campaign aide turned CNN contributor and now Trump 2020 campaign adviser is an all around rotten person in general , which I guess it what it takes to be able to go on the air and stomach lying for someone as corrupt and also just an all around horrible person as well , like Trump .
The poll numbers have been looking absolutely horrible for Trump in recent days , his campaign recently demoted campaign manager Brad Parscale , and as CNN has reported , there are signs his base may have finally had enough of him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but according to Trump and Miller , those polls are just `` fake news , '' with Miller accusing the media of using them to try to suppress his turnout .
Never mind that the opposite would be true if you do n't want your voters to get complacent , but up is down and down is up in Trump-world , so let 's not a little pesky thing like facts get in the way of their spin .
I 'm not sure what purpose this gaslighting from Miller serves other than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but here 's his ridiculous exchange with Fox 's Howard Kurtz trying to convince the audience that things are just going splendidly with the campaign .
KURTZ : Brad Parscale , who as you know recently stepped down as campaign manager , has replaced by Bill Stepien , he said in a statement just the other day , the media is a criminal network that has very you few honest people .
Now do you agree with that ?
Criminal ?
You were a contributor at CNN for a while .
Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal network ?
Are most of us criminals ?
Are we breaking the law ?
How do you defend that ?
MILLER : Well I do n't , Howie .
That 's not my opinion .
That 's not how I perceive the media .
Look , I like to give it back as much as I take it , and have some good , strong push-back .
I do think when we talk about some of the polls that are out there , I do think there is a concerted effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , but that 's not how I refer to the media .
And I think most folks in the media are trying to do a good job .
But there are certain folks who are intentionally trying to suppress the president 's vote , absolutely .
After a brief exchange over Trump 's racist remarks during an interview with Catherine Herridge , the topic turned back to trump 's poll numbers , and Miller once again attacked the media for supposedly trying to suppress Trump 's vote , doubling down on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers for trump are “ fake polls ” as trump told Chris Wallace during a train wreck interview that aired earlier the same day on Fox .
KURTZ : Here 's another question , which is if you look at the polls out today , Fox News poll has the president trailing Biden by 8 points .
That 's an improvement for the president .
Washington Post says 15 points .
There 's some of these ... there 's a wide range there .
The president said in the Wallace interview these are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly in light of the campaign shakeup is , is your guy now the underdog ?
MILLER : No .
We run every day like we 're the underdog .
And we work hard and always fight as though we 're trailing .
That 's how we did it in 2016 .
That 's how president Trump is doing it in 2020 .
And by the way , I think we 're going to win .
But hold on here for a moment , because I want to break down these polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , Howie , do you think that from 2016 until now that 27 % of all Republicans have just vanished into thin air ?
Do you think that 's the case ?
KURTZ : Go ahead and make your case .
MILLER : Okay , because that 's exactly what The Washington Post/ABC poll is saying .
The exits both in 2016 and in 2018 , including even CNN 's exists had Republicans at 33 % .
The Washington Pose/ABC poll has it at 24 % .
That 's a 27 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans have n't magically disappeared .
But that 's what some folks in the media , not all , but some , want to do to intentionally drive down and suppress president Trump 's vote .
It 's ridiculous .
Our numbers show it 's either tied or leading in every place that we need to get to 270 .
Confident about where we are Howie .

Former Trump 2016 campaign aide turned CNN contributor and now Trump 2020 campaign adviser is an all around rotten person in general, which I guess it what it takes to be able to go on the air and stomach lying for someone as corrupt and also just an all around horrible person as well, like Trump.
The poll numbers have been looking absolutely horrible for Trump in recent days, his campaign recently demoted campaign manager Brad Parscale, and as CNN has reported, there are signs his base may have finally had enough of him with his mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic, but according to Trump and Miller, those polls are just "fake news," with Miller accusing the media of using them to try to suppress his turnout.
Never mind that the opposite would be true if you don't want your voters to get complacent, but up is down and down is up in Trump-world, so let's not a little pesky thing like facts get in the way of their spin. I'm not sure what purpose this gaslighting from Miller serves other than to soothe his boss' fragile ego, but here's his ridiculous exchange with Fox's Howard Kurtz trying to convince the audience that things are just going splendidly with the campaign.
KURTZ: Brad Parscale, who as you know recently stepped down as campaign manager, has replaced by Bill Stepien, he said in a statement just the other day, the media is a criminal network that has very you few honest people. Now do you agree with that? Criminal? You were a contributor at CNN for a while. Do you think Jeff Zucker is running a criminal network? Are most of us criminals? Are we breaking the law? How do you defend that? MILLER: Well I don't, Howie. That's not my opinion. That's not how I perceive the media. Look, I like to give it back as much as I take it, and have some good, strong push-back. I do think when we talk about some of the polls that are out there, I do think there is a concerted effort to intentionally try to suppress president Trump's vote, but that's not how I refer to the media. And I think most folks in the media are trying to do a good job. But there are certain folks who are intentionally trying to suppress the president's vote, absolutely.
After a brief exchange over Trump's racist remarks during an interview with Catherine Herridge, the topic turned back to trump's poll numbers, and Miller once again attacked the media for supposedly trying to suppress Trump's vote, doubling down on his boss' assertion that all these terrible numbers for trump are “fake polls” as trump told Chris Wallace during a train wreck interview that aired earlier the same day on Fox.


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--Hillary Clinton: Roger Stone's Sentence Was Commuted To 'Shut Him Up'

As if Joy Reid 's opening interview with Joe Biden was n't impressive enough for a debut show , her second guest was the woman who was supposed to be president right now .
Hillary Clinton , winner of 3 million more votes than Trump , visited with Reid to talk for two entire segments about the goings-on of the day .
One of the topics Reid broached was the commutation of Roger Stone 's sentence for lying to Congress — a felony .
She played the now familiar clip of Trump asking Russia to interfere in our election by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if you 're listening ... '' ) and asked Clinton for her thoughts on Trump 's commutation of the sentence of the other guy who was in on the e-mail release : Roger Stone .
As always , Clinton pulled no punches , and accurately depicted Trump for the spineless coward he is .
CLINTON : Well , I think it 's pretty clear that Stone threatened him .
He probably threatened him privately , but he also threatened him publicly about what he would say if he had to go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the cover-up .
It 's an ongoing cover-up , that Trump and Stone are two of the major participants in to try to prevent us from knowing all of the details about what they actually did in 2016 .
Some of it was very public .
I mean , asking Russia in public , to interfere in American elections , but some of it was clandestine , behind the scenes , sending messages , the kinds of things we know about and , I think , much more .
So , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power of commutation as part of the pardon power of the president , to basically shut up Roger Stone , so that Roger Stone would not spill any more beans about what actually happened , and how much Donald Trump actually knew .
Do n't hold back , Madam Secretary !
Tell us what you really think !

As if Joy Reid's opening interview with Joe Biden wasn't impressive enough for a debut show, her second guest was the woman who was supposed to be president right now. Hillary Clinton, winner of 3 million more votes than Trump, visited with Reid to talk for two entire segments about the goings-on of the day.
One of the topics Reid broached was the commutation of Roger Stone's sentence for lying to Congress — a felony. She played the now familiar clip of Trump asking Russia to interfere in our election by finding Clinton's emails ("Russia, if you're listening...") and asked Clinton for her thoughts on Trump's commutation of the sentence of the other guy who was in on the e-mail release: Roger Stone.
As always, Clinton pulled no punches, and accurately depicted Trump for the spineless coward he is.
CLINTON: Well, I think it's pretty clear that Stone threatened him. He probably threatened him privately, but he also threatened him publicly about what he would say if he had to go to prison, and this is a continuation of the cover-up. It's an ongoing cover-up, that Trump and Stone are two of the major participants in to try to prevent us from knowing all of the details about what they actually did in 2016. Some of it was very public. I mean, asking Russia in public, to interfere in American elections, but some of it was clandestine, behind the scenes, sending messages, the kinds of things we know about and, I think, much more. So, what he did was to use the awesome power of commutation as part of the pardon power of the president, to basically shut up Roger Stone, so that Roger Stone would not spill any more beans about what actually happened, and how much Donald Trump actually knew.
Don't hold back, Madam Secretary! Tell us what you really think!


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--The ReidOut Busts Out Of The Gate With Biden On Trump: 'He Has No Idea What To Do. Zero.'

If The ReidOut 's debut episode is any indication , this show will be fire every night .
Joy Reid 's inaugural guest ( no pun intended , but why not speak it into the universe , amirite ? )
was former Vice President Joe Biden .
Reid got right down to business in the interview , and asked him to reflect upon Trump 's bonkers interview with Chris Wallace that aired this weekend .
Specifically , she played for him the part where Trump bragged about the number of tests we have done .
As if that 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After Trump crowed , `` No country has ever done what we have done in terms of testing ! ''
Reid asked Biden how he responded to that .
The former VP came right in with the zinger .
BIDEN : I think he is right , no country has ever done what we have done .
Walk away .
There 's no leadership here .
He actually has zero , zero !
He surrendered .
He talked about it , you remember , early on .
This is gon na go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is gon na be gone tomorrow , you will wake up and it will be gone !
He talked about how we were going to be in a position where we were going to be able to lead the world , etcetera .
And he was going to be a war time president fighting the virus .
He raised the white flag .
He has no idea what to do .
Zero .
It 's only one thing he has in mind .
How does he win re-election , and it does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die from COVID , because he fears that if the economy is strapped as badly as it is today , that in fact he is going to be in trouble .
That 's what it 's all about .
I have never seen a president who has been so self-serving in the conduct of the office .
Reid then played him another clip of Trump , bragging about the recent Supreme Court decisions giving him the right to take health care away , and kick immigrants out of the country .
( He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but almost . )
Biden again was incredulous at the callousness and ineptitude .
BIDEN : Look , this guy has no sense of empathy or concern for people .
People are dying , dying !
Families are bereft .
People are so worried about being able to see their grandmoms and grandpops for fear that they may get the COVID , this is -- I do n't understand it .
He has absolutely zero sense of empathy .
Have you heard a word of him talking about how badly he feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Those folks who lost somebody feel like they have been dragged in to a dark deep hole in the middle of their chest .
They do n't know what to do , they are scared to death and what does the president do ?
He talks about taking away health insurance !
Completely !
And he 's gon na replace it with what ?
He 's been talking about that forever !
Zero !
I do n't get it , and I quite frankly do n't understand how he thinks it appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want us to keep Obamacare and improve on it .
Not get rid of it in the middle of a pandemic ?
With hundreds of thousands of people ill and dying ?
And he wants to take away health insurance ?
My lord .
Wait , is THIS what it sounds like to have a person in charge who might CARE about the people they were elected to serve ?
It feels like its been 74 years since the Obama administration , I have completely forgotten .

If The ReidOut's debut episode is any indication, this show will be fire every night. Joy Reid's inaugural guest (no pun intended, but why not speak it into the universe, amirite?) was former Vice President Joe Biden. Reid got right down to business in the interview, and asked him to reflect upon Trump's bonkers interview with Chris Wallace that aired this weekend. Specifically, she played for him the part where Trump bragged about the number of tests we have done. As if that's the only metric by which to measure success.
After Trump crowed, "No country has ever done what we have done in terms of testing!" Reid asked Biden how he responded to that. The former VP came right in with the zinger.
BIDEN: I think he is right, no country has ever done what we have done. Walk away. There's no leadership here. He actually has zero, zero! He surrendered. He talked about it, you remember, early on. This is gonna go away in a few days. This is gonna be gone tomorrow, you will wake up and it will be gone! He talked about how we were going to be in a position where we were going to be able to lead the world, etcetera. And he was going to be a war time president fighting the virus. He raised the white flag. He has no idea what to do. Zero. It's only one thing he has in mind. How does he win re-election, and it doesn't matter how many people get COVID and/or die from COVID, because he fears that if the economy is strapped as badly as it is today, that in fact he is going to be in trouble. That's what it's all about. I have never seen a president who has been so self-serving in the conduct of the office.
Reid then played him another clip of Trump, bragging about the recent Supreme Court decisions giving him the right to take health care away, and kick immigrants out of the country. (He didn't phrase it QUITE that way, but almost.) Biden again was incredulous at the callousness and ineptitude.
BIDEN: Look, this guy has no sense of empathy or concern for people. People are dying, dying! Families are bereft. People are so worried about being able to see their grandmoms and grandpops for fear that they may get the COVID, this is -- I don't understand it. He has absolutely zero sense of empathy. Have you heard a word of him talking about how badly he feels about the losses, about the emptiness? Those folks who lost somebody feel like they have been dragged in to a dark deep hole in the middle of their chest. They don't know what to do, they are scared to death and what does the president do? He talks about taking away health insurance! Completely! And he's gonna replace it with what? He's been talking about that forever! Zero! I don't get it, and I quite frankly don't understand how he thinks it appeals to the American people. Overwhelmingly people want us to keep Obamacare and improve on it. Not get rid of it in the middle of a pandemic? With hundreds of thousands of people ill and dying? And he wants to take away health insurance? My lord.
Wait, is THIS what it sounds like to have a person in charge who might CARE about the people they were elected to serve? It feels like its been 74 years since the Obama administration, I have completely forgotten.


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--Political Cartoon Of The Day:  Secret Police

There are reinforcements for the # PortlandMoms tonight .
“ Moms are here !
Feds stay clear !
” “ @ @ @ @ @ stay clear !
” “ Moms are here !
Feds stay clear !
” # @ @ @ @ @ Clypian : pic.twitter.com/iTB1J2hPeZ

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


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--No, GOP, We Aren't As Cynical And Divisive As You Are

This showed up in my Twitter feed this morning , posted by the Trump campaign : Here 's an excerpt from the linked post by Ben Domenech , which appeared on Tuesday : Imagine for a moment a similar situation to the school reopening debate on Earth One , where President Hillary Clinton was trying to get America reopened fending off an essentially AWOL Republican challenger , without the aid and direction of the pro-Democrat media .
Teachers unions would be clamoring to get back to work .
Our leading academics and young , adorable students would cut ads pleading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The media narrative would be obvious as they berated one elected Republican after another for their lack of leadership , intransigence , and anti-science reluctance in bringing schools back on line .
The script is obvious : “ Why are you Republicans so anti-science ?
Kids need to learn !
The data are clear as day : development is stalling , kids are falling behind every day , not to mention covering up for at-home child abuse .
Without the school lunch program , kids will starve .
Schools are the BEST place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , their education , and to ensure their parents ’ ability to work !
Haven ’ t you seen the Europeans ?
Once again they ’ re more pro-science than we are , and their schools are open !
It ’ s the height of white privilege to think that middle and working class minorities can keep their jobs without schools being open – what , you think they can hire tutors ?
We all know minority kids don ’ t get on Zoom classes as much as the white kids , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism .
If you ’ re a dumb fearful redneck who thinks your kid is going to get the ‘ Chinese virus ’ , go ahead and keep your stupid kid at home !
While you are letting your kids ’ brains melt because you ’ re so anti-science , mine will be racing ahead of them in STEM !
” Domenech 's argument is that if the parties were reversed and America were heading into the school year with a rampaging coronavirus and no clear plans for keeping children , teachers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would take the position exactly opposite to the one we 're taking now .
In other words , he 's saying that our opposition to poorly planned and extremely dangerous school reopenings is strictly political .
And here 's where he gives the game away : In this scenario , he 's imagining that Republicans would be against reopening .
Really , Ben ?
But you and your ideological allies have been telling us that returning kids to the classroom is strictly a matter of principle .
Here you let the mask slip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted reopening , you 'd want the opposite .
You 're the ones who advocate whatever your political opponents do n't want .
In reality , President Hillary Clinton would have pounced on reports of an incipient pandemic very early , and would have tried to follow the advice of epidemiologists and other experts in order to reduce the spread of the virus and mitigate the consequences .
In this she would have been fought every step of the way by Republicans .
She 'd have been fought on lockdowns , fought on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and fought on testing and tracing , which would be described as a horrifying tool of Orwellian surveillance .
And she 'd have been held personally and solely responsible for the spread of the virus by now , with congressional hearings already under way , and treason talk in the air ( for allowing a foreign `` enemy '' onto our shores ) .
Republicans and right-wing media figures would regularly talk about `` the Clintonavirus '' and `` Clintovid-19 . ''
The liberal perspective on the coronavirus has been consistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear : This is serious .
Drastic measures are necessary to contain the spread .
The goal of those measures is to significantly reduce transmission while testing capacity is ramped up and effective contact-tracing programs are developed .
We approve of reopening many businesses and , eventually , schools , but only if infections are reduced to low levels and we have the ability to zero in on outbreaks and contain them .
In response to the pandemic , we 're not playing political games .
Ben Domenech is admitting that Republicans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Nice Blog .

This showed up in my Twitter feed this morning, posted by the Trump campaign:
How Would The Media Cover School Reopening If Hillary Clinton Were President?https://t.co/kat62D3Y2t — Trump War Room - Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) July 17, 2020
Here's an excerpt from the linked post by Ben Domenech, which appeared on Tuesday:
Imagine for a moment a similar situation to the school reopening debate on Earth One, where President Hillary Clinton was trying to get America reopened fending off an essentially AWOL Republican challenger, without the aid and direction of the pro-Democrat media. Teachers unions would be clamoring to get back to work. Our leading academics and young, adorable students would cut ads pleading for Republican governors to reopen schools. The media narrative would be obvious as they berated one elected Republican after another for their lack of leadership, intransigence, and anti-science reluctance in bringing schools back on line. The script is obvious: “Why are you Republicans so anti-science? Kids need to learn! The data are clear as day: development is stalling, kids are falling behind every day, not to mention covering up for at-home child abuse. Without the school lunch program, kids will starve. Schools are the BEST place for kids to be, for their health, their education, and to ensure their parents’ ability to work! Haven’t you seen the Europeans? Once again they’re more pro-science than we are, and their schools are open! It’s the height of white privilege to think that middle and working class minorities can keep their jobs without schools being open – what, you think they can hire tutors? We all know minority kids don’t get on Zoom classes as much as the white kids, and their internet is slower because of racism. If you’re a dumb fearful redneck who thinks your kid is going to get the ‘Chinese virus’, go ahead and keep your stupid kid at home! While you are letting your kids’ brains melt because you’re so anti-science, mine will be racing ahead of them in STEM!”
Domenech's argument is that if the parties were reversed and America were heading into the school year with a rampaging coronavirus and no clear plans for keeping children, teachers, and staff safe in schools, Democrats would take the position exactly opposite to the one we're taking now. In other words, he's saying that our opposition to poorly planned and extremely dangerous school reopenings is strictly political.
And here's where he gives the game away: In this scenario, he's imagining that Republicans would be against reopening. Really, Ben? But you and your ideological allies have been telling us that returning kids to the classroom is strictly a matter of principle. Here you let the mask slip. You're admitting that if we wanted reopening, you'd want the opposite. You're the ones who advocate whatever your political opponents don't want.
In reality, President Hillary Clinton would have pounced on reports of an incipient pandemic very early, and would have tried to follow the advice of epidemiologists and other experts in order to reduce the spread of the virus and mitigate the consequences.
In this she would have been fought every step of the way by Republicans. She'd have been fought on lockdowns, fought on economic relief (lots of deficit scolding), and fought on testing and tracing, which would be described as a horrifying tool of Orwellian surveillance.
And she'd have been held personally and solely responsible for the spread of the virus by now, with congressional hearings already under way, and treason talk in the air (for allowing a foreign "enemy" onto our shores). Republicans and right-wing media figures would regularly talk about "the Clintonavirus" and "Clintovid-19."
The liberal perspective on the coronavirus has been consistent since the nature of the threat became clear: This is serious. Drastic measures are necessary to contain the spread. The goal of those measures is to significantly reduce transmission while testing capacity is ramped up and effective contact-tracing programs are developed. We approve of reopening many businesses and, eventually, schools, but only if infections are reduced to low levels and we have the ability to zero in on outbreaks and contain them.
In response to the pandemic, we're not playing political games. Ben Domenech is admitting that Republicans are.
Republished with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog.


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--California Covidiot Refuses To Wear Mask In Panera Bread, Blows On Customers

Covidiots abound , and life would be grand if they only harmed themselves , but like drunk drivers , they put us all at risk .
In California , where there is a mandate for everyone to wear masks indoors at establishments like Panera Bread , this moron decided not only to defy the mandate , but BLOW on the other customers for good measure .
No one really wants to know what she was talking about at the end , there , about the farting , do they ?
I could make this the second post today where I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I 'll refrain .
Here is the text from the Facebook post of the person who took the video , explaining in detail what happened : This occurred at the Panera Bread ( Chico , Calif. ) today at noon .
The employee behind the counter was very adamant in asking that folks follow California law in that all individuals inside the restaurant will wear a mask , Panera provided her a mask to wear ( you can see her holding it with her phone in the video ) .
The employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived after the customer left .
This woman refused to wear a mask , said the pandemic was a hoax , ignored repeated requests from the restaurant manager and customers to wear a mask or leave , and then blew on to my friend and myself before exiting the building .
I was very happy with how the Panera Bread employee handled asserting the mandate [ edit : it 's not a law ] but this woman 's dangerous and harmful behavior may directly result in additional COVID infections .

Covidiots abound, and life would be grand if they only harmed themselves, but like drunk drivers, they put us all at risk. In California, where there is a mandate for everyone to wear masks indoors at establishments like Panera Bread, this moron decided not only to defy the mandate, but BLOW on the other customers for good measure.
Today at Panera in Chico 🤦🏻♀ Imma post the Facebook post under this pic.twitter.com/3cZqitKSBA — 🦀✨ (@pimpcessa_) July 21, 2020
No one really wants to know what she was talking about at the end, there, about the farting, do they? I could make this the second post today where I use the word "asinine," but I'll refrain.
Here is the text from the Facebook post of the person who took the video, explaining in detail what happened:


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--Brianna Keilar Expertly Shreds Trump Flack's Dangerous Lies, Then Cuts Him Off

I think it 's pretty fair to say that with very few exceptions , all Republicans on TV lie their faces off , but today 's CNN interview with Tim Murtaugh was one for the ages .
Brianna Keilar just tore him apart after nearly every sentence he spoke , because each needed to be corrected and fact-checked in real time so that his advice did n't actually kill CNN viewers .
Come to think of it , maybe as a Trump campaign lackey , that was a goal of Murtaugh 's , but Keilar did her level best to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as truth-teller journalist in stellar fashion .
Here she is smashing his assertion that the only reason the media did n't advocate hydroxychloroquine was that Trump `` expressed optimism '' about it .
KEILAR : That 's not why .
It 's because it kills people .
MURTAUGH : Yes , and everybody embraced a study that it was a failure , and then that study had to be withdrawn .
And now there is another study that shows that it can actually cut deaths by as much as 50 % .
KEILAR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that also using -- the study that also includes corticosteroids which are helpful in coronavirus ?
It is not hydroxychloroquine that helps patients .
I 'm not a doctor , clearly , MURTAUGH : So , now you 're , again you 're cherry picking .
KEILAR : I 'm not cherry picking .
Tim , I talk to scientists and doctors .
Clearly you do n't .
Here is Keilar tearing him down for swearing up and down that Dr. Fauci himself would prescribe hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 .
He tries to claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 65 years , it 's safe .
She tries to explain how it 's safe in certain circumstances .
He pretends not to get it because he is a cynical *sshole .
KEILAR : Tim , I think you 're doing a real disservice to Americans , and I just want to be clear to everyone out there , we 've talked to a number of doctors and experts including federal experts , this is not something that you want to be playing with .
Studies have been canceled because this stuff is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for coming on .
MURTAUGH : It is been used for 65 years .
How dangerous could it possibly be ?
It is a known -- it is a known -- KEILAR : It is an anti-malarial drug .
MURTAUGH : It 's been used for six-and-a-half decades , so how dangerous could it be ?
You just said it is a dangerous drug but yet you admit it was used for 65 years .
KEILAR : To prevent malaria , not for people who are potentially dying .
MURTAUGH : Well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it kill you or not ?
You just said it was dangerous yet you admit that people take it for malaria .
KEILAR : I do n't think people on their deathbed are given an anti-malarial medication to prevent them getting malaria .
You know what , Tim ?
No , we 're done with this part .
MURTAUGH : So it 's only used by people on their deathbed .
Is that what you 're saying ?
Then she just cuts him off and ends the conversation , like a mother telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't going anywhere , and they are still punished .
Cementing her spot at the top of the journalistic class , she asks Murtaugh to wait as she brings in an actual doctor to comment .
KEILAR : Look .
Tim ?
We are done with this conversation .
I think that you 're just really confusing the situation and it does no service to anyone 's health especially .
Tim Murtaugh , with the Trump campaign .
MURTAUGH : There is a lot to be said for this interview , you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I want to bring in Dr. James Phillips standing by and maybe he could shed a little light when it comes to hydroxychloroquine .
Dr. Phillips , you 're the expert .
I feel like I 'm talking about this until I 'm blue in my face and I 've spoken to a lot of doctors like you about this , and you just react when it comes to hydroxychloroquine and I want to be so clear to the people who are watching this , because this is a health issue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , Brianna .
I prepared to talk about recent studies and some other things but this most recent interview is absolutely just unbelievable .
So , we 've got to get all of the politics and the craziness out of there .
Hydroxychloroquine has not been proven safe or efficacious in the treatment of this disease to any degree that doctors should be prescribing this to any patients outside of a clinical trial .
The clinical trials that have been performed so far for the most part do not show any efficacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause serious illness .
It can cause heart problems , it can cause dysrythmias .
So to say it 's not dangerous is not necessarily true .
It has been studied in the setting of patients with malaria .
Those are patients with a particular type of symptoms and and a very particular type of disease .
Different drugs respond and they work in different ways depending on the situation of the patient .
And the studies that have been done in patients with COVID-19 are certainly not conclusive enough to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Studies have shown that patients probably have died because of the dysrhythmias that occur .
So I agree what was just recently said was irresponsible and being said for political reasons and I completely disagree with it .
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GUESS WHETHER OR NOT TIM MURTAUGH HUNG AROUND TO COMMENT AFTER THAT ?
Yeah , he did not .
But trust that Dr. Phillips went on to express disbelief , and explain why just because the FDA has ruled one drug safe for a certain use , that does n't mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You would n't give a hemophiliac a blood thinner , right ?
Murtaugh 's asinine and childish arguments were just ripped apart by Dr. Phillips , and no one should be surprised that he did n't hang around to hear it happen .

I think it's pretty fair to say that with very few exceptions, all Republicans on TV lie their faces off, but today's CNN interview with Tim Murtaugh was one for the ages. Brianna Keilar just tore him apart after nearly every sentence he spoke, because each needed to be corrected and fact-checked in real time so that his advice didn't actually kill CNN viewers.
Come to think of it, maybe as a Trump campaign lackey, that was a goal of Murtaugh's, but Keilar did her level best to take him down, executing her role as truth-teller journalist in stellar fashion. Here she is smashing his assertion that the only reason the media didn't advocate hydroxychloroquine was that Trump "expressed optimism" about it.
KEILAR: That's not why. It's because it kills people. MURTAUGH: Yes, and everybody embraced a study that it was a failure, and then that study had to be withdrawn. And now there is another study that shows that it can actually cut deaths by as much as 50%. KEILAR: Are you talking about the study that also using -- the study that also includes corticosteroids which are helpful in coronavirus? It is not hydroxychloroquine that helps patients. I'm not a doctor, clearly, MURTAUGH: So, now you're, again you're cherry picking. KEILAR: I'm not cherry picking. Tim, I talk to scientists and doctors. Clearly you don't.
Here is Keilar tearing him down for swearing up and down that Dr. Fauci himself would prescribe hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19. He tries to claim that because it's been used for 65 years, it's safe. She tries to explain how it's safe in certain circumstances. He pretends not to get it because he is a cynical *sshole.
KEILAR: Tim, I think you're doing a real disservice to Americans, and I just want to be clear to everyone out there, we've talked to a number of doctors and experts including federal experts, this is not something that you want to be playing with. Studies have been canceled because this stuff is so dangerous. Tim Murtaugh thank you for coming on. MURTAUGH: It is been used for 65 years. How dangerous could it possibly be? It is a known -- it is a known -- KEILAR: It is an anti-malarial drug. MURTAUGH: It's been used for six-and-a-half decades, so how dangerous could it be? You just said it is a dangerous drug but yet you admit it was used for 65 years. KEILAR: To prevent malaria, not for people who are potentially dying. MURTAUGH: Well, is it dangerous or not? Will it kill you or not? You just said it was dangerous yet you admit that people take it for malaria. KEILAR: I don't think people on their deathbed are given an anti-malarial medication to prevent them getting malaria. You know what, Tim? No, we're done with this part. MURTAUGH: So it's only used by people on their deathbed. Is that what you're saying?
Then she just cuts him off and ends the conversation, like a mother telling her pre-teen child that their arguments aren't going anywhere, and they are still punished. Cementing her spot at the top of the journalistic class, she asks Murtaugh to wait as she brings in an actual doctor to comment.
KEILAR: Look. Tim? We are done with this conversation. I think that you're just really confusing the situation and it does no service to anyone's health especially. Tim Murtaugh, with the Trump campaign. MURTAUGH: There is a lot to be said for this interview, you're right. KEILAR: Actually stand by. I want to bring in Dr. James Phillips standing by and maybe he could shed a little light when it comes to hydroxychloroquine. Dr. Phillips, you're the expert. I feel like I'm talking about this until I'm blue in my face and I've spoken to a lot of doctors like you about this, and you just react when it comes to hydroxychloroquine and I want to be so clear to the people who are watching this, because this is a health issue. DR. PHILLIPS: Thanks for having me on, Brianna. I prepared to talk about recent studies and some other things but this most recent interview is absolutely just unbelievable. So, we've got to get all of the politics and the craziness out of there. Hydroxychloroquine has not been proven safe or efficacious in the treatment of this disease to any degree that doctors should be prescribing this to any patients outside of a clinical trial. The clinical trials that have been performed so far for the most part do not show any efficacy of hydroxychloroquine. In addition it can cause serious illness. It can cause heart problems, it can cause dysrythmias. So to say it's not dangerous is not necessarily true. It has been studied in the setting of patients with malaria. Those are patients with a particular type of symptoms and and a very particular type of disease. Different drugs respond and they work in different ways depending on the situation of the patient. And the studies that have been done in patients with COVID-19 are certainly not conclusive enough to be able to say this is totally safe. Studies have shown that patients probably have died because of the dysrhythmias that occur. So I agree what was just recently said was irresponsible and being said for political reasons and I completely disagree with it.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GUESS WHETHER OR NOT TIM MURTAUGH HUNG AROUND TO COMMENT AFTER THAT?
Yeah, he did not. But trust that Dr. Phillips went on to express disbelief, and explain why just because the FDA has ruled one drug safe for a certain use, that doesn't mean it is safe for other uses. You wouldn't give a hemophiliac a blood thinner, right? Murtaugh's asinine and childish arguments were just ripped apart by Dr. Phillips, and no one should be surprised that he didn't hang around to hear it happen.


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--Joe Biden Unveils Build Back Better Plan For Education And Childcare

Watch with us as Joe Biden delivers remarks in New Castle , Delaware on the third plank of his “ @ @ @ @ @ recovery plan for working families .
Biden will outline how his plan will build a @ @ @ @ @ education workforce .
Let me know what you think of the plan in the comments @ @ @ @ @ networks will be streaming this too .
Here are his remarks as prepared for delivery @

Watch with us as Joe Biden delivers remarks in New Castle, Delaware on the third plank of his “Build Back Better” economic recovery plan for working families. Biden will outline how his plan will build a robust 21st century caregiving and education workforce.
Let me know what you think of the plan in the comments. And hopefully, news networks will be streaming this too.
Here are his remarks as prepared for delivery.


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, Four Others Arrested In $60-million Bribery Case

Big news in Ohio this morning .
They 're going to have a presser later this afternoon , so we @ @ @ @ @ .
CINCINNATI – Federal officials arrested Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four others on @ @ @ @ @ a $ 60 million bribery case .
U.S. Attorney David DeVillers ' office would not @ @ @ @ @ , but a source involved in the investigation confirmed Householder 's arrest to The Cincinnati @ @ @ @ @ Network .
Also arrested , according to the source : Neil Clark from Grant Street @ @ @ @ @ USA Today “ one of the best connected lobbyists in Columbus '' ; former Ohio @ @ @ @ @ Matthew Borges ; Juan Cespedes , co-founder of The Oxley Group in Columbus ; and @ @ @ @ @ Householder .
The scope of the federal investigation , the dollars involved and the arrests @ @ @ @ @ the largest public corruption cases in Ohio in years .

Big news in Ohio this morning. They're going to have a presser later this afternoon, so we may update as that proceeds.
Source: USA Today
CINCINNATI – Federal officials arrested Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four others on Tuesday morning in connection with a $60 million bribery case.
U.S. Attorney David DeVillers' office would not discuss details of the case, but a source involved in the investigation confirmed Householder's arrest to The Cincinnati Enquirer of the USA TODAY Network.
Also arrested, according to the source: Neil Clark from Grant Street Consultants and once called by USA Today “one of the best connected lobbyists in Columbus"; former Ohio Republican Party chair and consultant Matthew Borges; Juan Cespedes, co-founder of The Oxley Group in Columbus; and Jeffrey Longstreth, adviser to Householder.
The scope of the federal investigation, the dollars involved and the arrests Tuesday make this one of the largest public corruption cases in Ohio in years.


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--New Fox Lawsuit Accuses Ed Henry Of Rape, Hannity And Carlson Of Sexual Harassment

I went into great detail about the complaint in a post for NewsHounds yesterday .
But I ’ ll give you the TLDR version here .
The complaints against recently-fired anchor Ed Henry are the most disturbing .
A former Fox Business producer named Jennifer Eckhart alleges that Henry asked her to be his “ sex slave ” and his “ little whore ” and threatened punishment and retaliation if she did not comply .
Much worse than that , Eckhart claims that Henry raped her while she was helpless and restrained in metal handcuffs .
She said that Henry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her consent that left her injured , bruised and battered with bloody wrists.
” The other plaintiff , a frequent Fox News guest named Cathy Areu , made less horrific claims but they paint a broader picture of predatory behavior at Fox , with the worst coming from Henry .
From my post yesterday ( the list of texts is abridged ) : According to the legal complaint , Henry sent Ms. Areu a slew of wildly inappropriate sexual images and messages – which are in her possession – throughout the first half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • A “ closeup ” photograph of a woman ’ s vagina being “ clamped ” closed by four clothespins ; • A photograph of a woman ’ s rear end and vagina modified to include the features of a bunny rabbit ( this was sent for Easter ) ; • A video entitled “ Fastest Interview ... candidate selected in 3 seconds.
” In the video , someone purportedly interviewing for a position exposes her vagina , after which the interviewer indicates that she got the job .
The complaint notes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” video to Areu , Henry , who allegedly knew Areu was looking for an anchor job on Fox , texted her , “ Are you avail for anchor interview.
” Areu also alleges that following an appearance on Tucker Carlson ’ s show , the tech crew kept her attached to her chair so that he could proposition her .
After she declined , her frequent bookings on the show dried up .
Areu claims that while she was similarly “ hooked into ” studio equipment that could only be removed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 on a desk and repeatedly yelled , “ who wants to take her on a date ?
” After Areu declined to “ play along , ” her bookings on the Hannity show dried up , too .
After rebuffing an advance from Howard Kurtz , Areu says his show stopped booking her , too .
Putting aside the legal merits of the suit ( I ’ m not a lawyer ) , the details paint a picture of Fox News as a frat party filled with men who think women are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lie to Fox 's claim that its culture of sexual abuse and misogyny has changed .
It also casts even more doubt on Tucker Carlson 's mid-week `` vacation '' last week .
It turns out Fox News was informed of this lawsuit four days before Carlson took his `` long-planned ” fishing trip , right after his head writer was outed for making shockingly racist posts online .

I went into great detail about the complaint in a post for NewsHounds yesterday. But I’ll give you the TLDR version here.
The complaints against recently-fired anchor Ed Henry are the most disturbing. A former Fox Business producer named Jennifer Eckhart alleges that Henry asked her to be his “sex slave” and his “little whore” and threatened punishment and retaliation if she did not comply. Much worse than that, Eckhart claims that Henry raped her while she was helpless and restrained in metal handcuffs. She said that Henry “preformed sadistic acts on her without her consent that left her injured, bruised and battered with bloody wrists.”
The other plaintiff, a frequent Fox News guest named Cathy Areu, made less horrific claims but they paint a broader picture of predatory behavior at Fox, with the worst coming from Henry.
From my post yesterday (the list of texts is abridged):
According to the legal complaint, Henry sent Ms. Areu a slew of wildly inappropriate sexual images and messages – which are in her possession – throughout the first half of this year.” They include: A “closeup” photograph of a woman’s vagina being “clamped” closed by four clothespins;
A photograph of a woman’s rear end and vagina modified to include the features of a bunny rabbit (this was sent for Easter);
A video entitled “Fastest Interview ... candidate selected in 3 seconds.” In the video, someone purportedly interviewing for a position exposes her vagina, after which the interviewer indicates that she got the job. The complaint notes that immediately after sending the “Fastest Interview” video to Areu, Henry, who allegedly knew Areu was looking for an anchor job on Fox, texted her, “Are you avail for anchor interview.”
Areu also alleges that following an appearance on Tucker Carlson’s show, the tech crew kept her attached to her chair so that he could proposition her. After she declined, her frequent bookings on the show dried up.
Areu claims that while she was similarly “hooked into” studio equipment that could only be removed by a stagehand, Sean Hannity threw $100 on a desk and repeatedly yelled, “who wants to take her on a date?” After Areu declined to “play along,” her bookings on the Hannity show dried up, too.
After rebuffing an advance from Howard Kurtz, Areu says his show stopped booking her, too.
Putting aside the legal merits of the suit (I’m not a lawyer), the details paint a picture of Fox News as a frat party filled with men who think women are their toys. It puts yet another lie to Fox's claim that its culture of sexual abuse and misogyny has changed.
It also casts even more doubt on Tucker Carlson's mid-week "vacation" last week. It turns out Fox News was informed of this lawsuit four days before Carlson took his "long-planned” fishing trip, right after his head writer was outed for making shockingly racist posts online.


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL) Calls AOC A 'F*cking B*tch!'

Just more evidence - if any more were needed at this point - that Republicans are losing their freakin ' minds .
For his part , Yoho has already announced he wo n't seek re-election and probably feels free , or freer , to act like an asshole in public .
Tensions flared on Capitol Hill this week when a Republican lawmaker challenged Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) on issues of crime and policing in an unusual — and decidedly personal — confrontation on the Capitol steps .
Rep. Ted Yoho ( R-Fla. ) was coming down the steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , having just voted , when he approached Ocasio-Cortez , who was ascending into the building to cast a vote of her own .
In a brief but heated exchange , which was overheard by a reporter , Yoho told Ocasio-Cortez she was `` disgusting '' for recently suggesting that poverty and unemployment are driving a spike in crime in New York City during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` You are out of your freaking mind , '' Yoho told her .
Ocasio-Cortez shot back , telling Yoho he was being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parted ways .
Ocasio-Cortez headed into the building , while Yoho , joined by Rep. Roger Williams ( R-Texas ) , began descending toward the House office buildings .
A few steps down , Yoho offered a parting thought to no one in particular .
Ocasio-Cortez , a liberal firebrand and social media sensation , is no stranger to attacks from the right .
But shortly after the exchange , she said it was the first time since she arrived in Congress that another lawmaker has challenged her so aggressively .
`` That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to me — ever , '' she said .
`` I 've never had that kind of abrupt , disgusting kind of disrespect levied at me . ''
Approached a few hours later , Yoho declined to discuss any aspect of the exchange .
`` No comment , '' he said .

Just more evidence - if any more were needed at this point - that Republicans are losing their freakin' minds. For his part, Yoho has already announced he won't seek re-election and probably feels free, or freer, to act like an asshole in public.
Source: The Hill
Tensions flared on Capitol Hill this week when a Republican lawmaker challenged Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on issues of crime and policing in an unusual — and decidedly personal — confrontation on the Capitol steps.
Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) was coming down the steps on the east side of the Capitol on Monday, having just voted, when he approached Ocasio-Cortez, who was ascending into the building to cast a vote of her own.
In a brief but heated exchange, which was overheard by a reporter, Yoho told Ocasio-Cortez she was "disgusting" for recently suggesting that poverty and unemployment are driving a spike in crime in New York City during the coronavirus pandemic.
"You are out of your freaking mind," Yoho told her.
Ocasio-Cortez shot back, telling Yoho he was being "rude."
The two then parted ways. Ocasio-Cortez headed into the building, while Yoho, joined by Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas), began descending toward the House office buildings. A few steps down, Yoho offered a parting thought to no one in particular.
"Fucking bitch," he said.
Ocasio-Cortez, a liberal firebrand and social media sensation, is no stranger to attacks from the right. But shortly after the exchange, she said it was the first time since she arrived in Congress that another lawmaker has challenged her so aggressively.
"That kind of confrontation hasn't ever happened to me — ever," she said. "I've never had that kind of abrupt, disgusting kind of disrespect levied at me."
Approached a few hours later, Yoho declined to discuss any aspect of the exchange. "No comment," he said.


crooksandliars--2020-07-21--Texas Republicans Elect A War Criminal As Their New Chairman

You know , I imagine that weirder things have happened at 3:00 a.m. , but you ’ d be hard pressed to come up with many to rival this one .
The Texas Republican Party Convention Extravaganza was not what anyone would call “ organized , ” or “ productive , ” or even “ geared for adults.
” Whether or not this mess was done on purpose or just another blooper of the Trump era Republican Party is unknown , but , Honey , a small tactical nuclear weapon would have done less damage .
They finally , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got electors elected , but even now some people claim that the votes were screwed up and people who weren ’ t delegates voted and some delegates were locked out .
They are being told to shut up because without electors , Trump doesn ’ t get Texas electoral votes even if he wins .
But the big prize of the night is that former Florida congressman Allen West was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Texas .
West served in the U.S. Army but was “ stripped of his command ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assaulting an Iraqi detainee during interrogation , ” according to The Boston Globe .
Gen. James Mattis , President Donald Trump ’ s former secretary of defense , reportedly criticized West as a “ commander who has lost his moral balance or has watched too many Hollywood movies.
” He ’ s called President Obama a racist and claimed that “ dozens ” of members of the Democratic congressional delegation were “ members of the communist Party.
” He once claimed that Trump had chosen Gen. Mathis as his defense secretary to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends , is what is left of the Texas Republican Party under Donald Trump .
This is what is meant by “ smoking embers.
” And they want to reconvene to finish “ the business ” of the Party .
Oh hell , yes .
They can use my backyard , for free .
I ’ ll even throw in a case of water and some folding lawn chairs .
I really want to see this .

You know, I imagine that weirder things have happened at 3:00 a.m., but you’d be hard pressed to come up with many to rival this one.
The Texas Republican Party Convention Extravaganza was not what anyone would call “organized,” or “productive,” or even “geared for adults.” Whether or not this mess was done on purpose or just another blooper of the Trump era Republican Party is unknown, but, Honey, a small tactical nuclear weapon would have done less damage.
They finally, in the wee hours of the morning, got electors elected, but even now some people claim that the votes were screwed up and people who weren’t delegates voted and some delegates were locked out. They are being told to shut up because without electors, Trump doesn’t get Texas electoral votes even if he wins.
But the big prize of the night is that former Florida congressman Allen West was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Texas.
Credit: Screen Shot
Yep, that guy.
He’s a war criminal.
West served in the U.S. Army but was “stripped of his command” in 2003 after he pleaded “guilty to assaulting an Iraqi detainee during interrogation,” according to The Boston Globe. Gen. James Mattis, President Donald Trump’s former secretary of defense, reportedly criticized West as a “commander who has lost his moral balance or has watched too many Hollywood movies.”
He’s called President Obama a racist and claimed that “dozens” of members of the Democratic congressional delegation were “members of the communist Party.”
He once claimed that Trump had chosen Gen. Mathis as his defense secretary to “exterminate Muslims.”
This, my friends, is what is left of the Texas Republican Party under Donald Trump. This is what is meant by “smoking embers.”
And they want to reconvene to finish “the business” of the Party. Oh hell, yes. They can use my backyard, for free. I’ll even throw in a case of water and some folding lawn chairs. I really want to see this.
Published with permission of JuanitaJean.com