crooksandliars--2020-07-06--Who's Promoting The Idea Of A Tucker Carlson Presidential Run?

It was n't exactly Bruce Springsteen appearing on the covers of Time and Newsweek on the same day in 1975 , but Thursday Politico and Business Insider told us simultaneously that Tucker Carlson is the hottest person in right-wing politics , and that he really could be president , or at least the Republican presidential nominee , someday soon .
Why are we hearing this now ?
Why two stories on the same day ?
Republican strategists , conservative commentators , and former Trump campaign and administration officials are buzzing about Carlson as the next-generation leader of Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be an immediate frontrunner in a Republican primary ... .
“ Let me put it this way : If Biden wins and Tucker decided to run , he ’ d be the nominee , ” said Sam Nunberg , a former top political aide to Trump who knows Carlson .
Let 's see : What do we know about Sam Nunberg ?
Among other things , that Roger Stone was his mentor .
What do we read in the Business Insider story ?
[ Carlson ] 's a ... longtime friend of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GOP provocateur and felon who probably had more to do with nudging Trump 's political ambitions into reality than anyone else ... .
Stone and Carlson have been close for more than a decade , according to former Carlson colleagues .
After he started The Daily Caller , Carlson enlisted Stone to write occasionally under the title `` Daily Caller Men 's Fashion Editor , '' a playful dig at the New York gossip class and homage to Stone 's fashion sense ... .
The Stone-Carlson relationship grew more serious during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examined the longtime political adviser to the president over his public boasts that he 'd spoken with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange about the stolen emails surfacing during the 2016 campaign to damage Hillary Clinton .
Before his arrest , in early 2019 , Carlson gave Stone valuable airtime to make his case .
Then after a Washington , DC , jury convicted Stone , in November , of lying to Congress and witness tampering , Carlson directly asked Trump to pardon Stone .
All of Carlson 's Stone coverage has n't gone without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wemple accused Carlson in February of being a `` shill '' for the longtime GOP operative , and wrote that Carlson was effectively running a campaign to get Stone 's conviction thrown out .
It might not be Stone who 's stirring the pot -- Carlson 's agent and publicist might be working the media to sell the notion that Carlson , with his escalating ratings , might be too important to fire , if Fox is considering termination in response to advertiser boycotts .
Or Carlson might really be serious about running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 2024 GOP nomination is already under way , with Ted Cruz , Tom Cotton , and others already engaged in a race to the wingnut bottom on social media and elsewhere .
But the implication of the two stories is that even as America rejects the racial divisiveness of Donald Trump , we might just leap right back into the white supremacist cesspool in the 2024 presidential race -- yes , the same country where even a majority of white Americans support Black Lives Matter and more Americans want an increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Politico story , in particular , is appallingly neutral about Carlson 's most notorious moments of racism , considering them only as a case study in effective career management : As Republicans across the country and in Congress have expressed newfound openness to reforming the police and taking down Confederate monuments in the wake of protests , Carlson has denounced the Black Lives Matter movement and derided Republicans who have gone along with it .
“ This may be a lot of things , this moment we are living through .
But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and remember that when they come for you , ” Mr. Carlson said in one 25-minute monologue on June 8 that has over 5.4 million views on YouTube .
That lost him high-profile advertisers , including Disney , Papa John ’ s and T-Mobile , whose chief executive tweeted , “ Bye-bye . ''
Carlson faced a similar advertiser exodus in 2018 after saying that immigrants make `` our own country poorer and dirtier and more divided.
” “ The angry children you watched set fire to Wendy 's and topple statues and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day are truly and utterly stupid , ” he said on his show last week .
And he has repeatedly pushed back on the idea that racism is systemic in the country .
“ Overall , this is the least racist country in the history of the world , ” he said a few days earlier .
“ Millions of Africans want to move here .
Many already have .
Our last president was black .
What are you talking about ?
” His audience has rewarded him with blockbuster ratings .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country trying to overcome racism for the same reasons that Trump could win in November : a Republican Party and Supreme Court obsessed with suppressing the Democratic vote , as well as a mainstream media that 's always willing to pretend that `` nice '' right-wing extremists are n't really beyond the pale .
That 's how we got Trump .
It 's why Roger Stone is still a presence in our politics and not a pariah , even with several felony convictions .
It 's why we should n't assume Carlson ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No More Mr. Nice Blog

It wasn't exactly Bruce Springsteen appearing on the covers of Time and Newsweek on the same day in 1975, but Thursday Politico and Business Insider told us simultaneously that Tucker Carlson is the hottest person in right-wing politics, and that he really could be president, or at least the Republican presidential nominee, someday soon.
Why are we hearing this now? Why two stories on the same day?
From the Politico story:
Republican strategists, conservative commentators, and former Trump campaign and administration officials are buzzing about Carlson as the next-generation leader of Donald Trump’s movement — with many believing he would be an immediate frontrunner in a Republican primary.... “Let me put it this way: If Biden wins and Tucker decided to run, he’d be the nominee,” said Sam Nunberg, a former top political aide to Trump who knows Carlson.
Let's see: What do we know about Sam Nunberg? Among other things, that Roger Stone was his mentor. What do we read in the Business Insider story?
[Carlson]'s a ... longtime friend of the one and only Roger Stone, the GOP provocateur and felon who probably had more to do with nudging Trump's political ambitions into reality than anyone else.... Stone and Carlson have been close for more than a decade, according to former Carlson colleagues. After he started The Daily Caller, Carlson enlisted Stone to write occasionally under the title "Daily Caller Men's Fashion Editor," a playful dig at the New York gossip class and homage to Stone's fashion sense.... The Stone-Carlson relationship grew more serious during the Trump era as congressional and federal investigators examined the longtime political adviser to the president over his public boasts that he'd spoken with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange about the stolen emails surfacing during the 2016 campaign to damage Hillary Clinton. Before his arrest, in early 2019, Carlson gave Stone valuable airtime to make his case. Then after a Washington, DC, jury convicted Stone, in November, of lying to Congress and witness tampering, Carlson directly asked Trump to pardon Stone. All of Carlson's Stone coverage hasn't gone without notice. Washington Post media critic Erik Wemple accused Carlson in February of being a "shill" for the longtime GOP operative, and wrote that Carlson was effectively running a campaign to get Stone's conviction thrown out.
The Politico story adds:
In 2012, Nunberg said Republican operative Roger Stone unsuccessfully pushed Carlson to run on the Libertarian ticket. Stone told POLITICO in an email that “[i]t is not inconceivable that I may have raised it in jest or in passing as repartee, but have no memory of that.”
It might not be Stone who's stirring the pot -- Carlson's agent and publicist might be working the media to sell the notion that Carlson, with his escalating ratings, might be too important to fire, if Fox is considering termination in response to advertiser boycotts. Or Carlson might really be serious about running -- it's clear that the contest for the 2024 GOP nomination is already under way, with Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton, and others already engaged in a race to the wingnut bottom on social media and elsewhere.
But the implication of the two stories is that even as America rejects the racial divisiveness of Donald Trump, we might just leap right back into the white supremacist cesspool in the 2024 presidential race -- yes, the same country where even a majority of white Americans support Black Lives Matter and more Americans want an increase in immigration than a decrease.
The Politico story, in particular, is appallingly neutral about Carlson's most notorious moments of racism, considering them only as a case study in effective career management:
As Republicans across the country and in Congress have expressed newfound openness to reforming the police and taking down Confederate monuments in the wake of protests, Carlson has denounced the Black Lives Matter movement and derided Republicans who have gone along with it. “This may be a lot of things, this moment we are living through. But it is definitely not about black lives, and remember that when they come for you,” Mr. Carlson said in one 25-minute monologue on June 8 that has over 5.4 million views on YouTube. That lost him high-profile advertisers, including Disney, Papa John’s and T-Mobile, whose chief executive tweeted, “Bye-bye." Carlson faced a similar advertiser exodus in 2018 after saying that immigrants make "our own country poorer and dirtier and more divided.” Carlson emerged from the backlash apparently unchastened. “The angry children you watched set fire to Wendy's and topple statues and scream at you on television day after day are truly and utterly stupid,” he said on his show last week. And he has repeatedly pushed back on the idea that racism is systemic in the country. “Overall, this is the least racist country in the history of the world,” he said a few days earlier. “Millions of Africans want to move here. Many already have. Our last president was black. What are you talking about?” His audience has rewarded him with blockbuster ratings.
Of course, Carlson could win even a country trying to overcome racism for the same reasons that Trump could win in November: a Republican Party and Supreme Court obsessed with suppressing the Democratic vote, as well as a mainstream media that's always willing to pretend that "nice" right-wing extremists aren't really beyond the pale. That's how we got Trump. It's why Roger Stone is still a presence in our politics and not a pariah, even with several felony convictions. It's why we shouldn't assume Carlson can't win.
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-07-06--Arizona Primary Next Month-- The Most Important Race

For Blue America , primary season is rapidly coming to a close -- there are just a few left .
We helped with some spectacular wins this cycle -- Kara Eastman in Omaha , Marie Newman in Chicago , Jamaal Bowman and Mondaire Jones in New York , Liam O'Mara and Audrey Denney in California ... Mike Siegel ( TX-10 ) and Lisa Ring ( GA-01 ) came in first in their primaries and Mike 's runoff is next week ( July 14 ) and Lisa 's is August 11th .
In between Mike 's runoff and Lisa 's , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Primary A Blue Dog page have their big days : Keeda Haynes in Nashville and Eva Putzova in Arizona 's mammoth first district .
Eva just released a new homemade video introducing herself here .
But after reports this week that Pelosi is doing for her Blue Dog opponent exactly what she did for Jamaal 's -- raising tons of cash -- I thought it important to remind people not just what Eva stands for -- Medicare-for-All , a Green New Deal , an equitable immigration overhaul , tuition-free college , peace ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is supporting stands for .
First a quick reminder about AZ-01 .
It is absolutely massive -- bigger than several states -- and it includes all or part of 11 counties .
( The whole state has 15 counties . )
Most of the voters live in just 5 though -- Pinal , Coconino , Pima , Navajo and Apache .
It is the home of the country 's biggest Native American population ( 23 % of the district 's residents ) and is a classic swing district , although Trump has caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the district by over 3 points , Romney by two-and-a-half points but Trump by just one point .
In 2018 , the Republican congressional candidate lost by over seven-and-a-half ponts .
Local polling shows Trump being swamped in AZ-01 this November .
The incumbent is a lifelong conservative Republican , Tom O'Halleran , who began his career as a cop in Chicago and then a futures trader on the Chicago Board of Trade .
He was elected to the Arizona state House , as a Republican , in 2000 and then to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a Republican , before losing the Republican primary in 2008 .
As a state legislator he voted against marriage equality and to criminalize abortion -- both bills subsequently vetoed by Governor Janet Napolitano ( D ) .
He quit the GOP in 2014 -- primarily over a water rights issue -- but was defeated when he ran for a state Senate seat as an Independent .
When he decided to run for Congress , he suddenly switched parties again and -- voilà !
-- a Pelosi-type `` Democrat '' was born .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dogs and basically still votes with the Republicans more than half the time ( on substantive issues ) .
A big Austerity fan , O'Halleran is eager to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits , takes massive injections of corporate cash ( bribes ) , which helps explain why he has voted with Trump 54 % of the time , one of the worst records of any Democrat in Congress .
You want examples ?
Halleran voted against : • opening at impeachment inquiry against Trump • a carbon tax • removing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief for Puerto Rico and other areas • a failed amendment to give Trump the authority to go to war with Iran • a resolution to support ICE • S 2155 , introduced by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo ( R-ID ) and passed into law in May 2018 that rolled back important banking regulations adopted under the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010 • an amendment that weakened the historic Raise the Wage Act , by allowing Congress to modify or delay future wage increases .
( He wrote the amendment . )
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very first time either chamber of Congress voted to raise the exploitative subminimum tipped wage of just $ 2.13 to the full minimum wage .
This is the final month before the primary and Eva 's campaign could use more contributions to help fund , among other things , mailers for newly registered voters and GOTV and compare and contrast radio ads for the Navajo Nation .
Please just click on the Primary A Blue Dog thermometer on the right and contribute what you can to Eva 's campaign .
I ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- beating an incumbent is hard -- but I can promise you two things : 1- She will use your contribution well and work right up until the last vote is counted ; and 2- If she is elected , she will be one of the top 5 members of Congress for her entire career , just the way O'Halleran has been one of the 5 worst members on the bottom of the barrel .
And remember , whoever wins this primary , will be the next member of Congress from AZ-01 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing this seat .
And by the way , early voting starts in 3 days !

For Blue America, primary season is rapidly coming to a close-- there are just a few left. We helped with some spectacular wins this cycle-- Kara Eastman in Omaha, Marie Newman in Chicago, Jamaal Bowman and Mondaire Jones in New York, Liam O'Mara and Audrey Denney in California... Mike Siegel (TX-10) and Lisa Ring (GA-01) came in first in their primaries and Mike's runoff is next week (July 14) and Lisa's is August 11th.
In between Mike's runoff and Lisa's, the last two candidates on our 2020 Primary A Blue Dog page have their big days: Keeda Haynes in Nashville and Eva Putzova in Arizona's mammoth first district.
Eva just released a new homemade video introducing herself here. But after reports this week that Pelosi is doing for her Blue Dog opponent exactly what she did for Jamaal's-- raising tons of cash-- I thought it important to remind people not just what Eva stands for-- Medicare-for-All, a Green New Deal, an equitable immigration overhaul, tuition-free college, peace...-- but also what the incumbent Pelosi is supporting stands for.
First a quick reminder about AZ-01. It is absolutely massive-- bigger than several states-- and it includes all or part of 11 counties. (The whole state has 15 counties.) Most of the voters live in just 5 though-- Pinal, Coconino, Pima, Navajo and Apache. It is the home of the country's biggest Native American population (23% of the district's residents) and is a classic swing district, although Trump has caused it to turn bluer. McCain won the district by over 3 points, Romney by two-and-a-half points but Trump by just one point. In 2018, the Republican congressional candidate lost by over seven-and-a-half ponts. Local polling shows Trump being swamped in AZ-01 this November.
The incumbent is a lifelong conservative Republican, Tom O'Halleran, who began his career as a cop in Chicago and then a futures trader on the Chicago Board of Trade. He was elected to the Arizona state House, as a Republican, in 2000 and then to the state Senate in 2007, again, as a Republican, before losing the Republican primary in 2008.
As a state legislator he voted against marriage equality and to criminalize abortion-- both bills subsequently vetoed by Governor Janet Napolitano (D). He quit the GOP in 2014-- primarily over a water rights issue-- but was defeated when he ran for a state Senate seat as an Independent.
When he decided to run for Congress, he suddenly switched parties again and-- voilà!-- a Pelosi-type "Democrat" was born. Kind of. He joined the Blue Dogs and basically still votes with the Republicans more than half the time (on substantive issues).
A big Austerity fan, O'Halleran is eager to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits, takes massive injections of corporate cash (bribes), which helps explain why he has voted with Trump 54% of the time, one of the worst records of any Democrat in Congress.
You want examples? Halleran voted against:
• opening at impeachment inquiry against Trump
• a carbon tax
• removing an antitrust exemption for insurance providers
• disaster relief for Puerto Rico and other areas
O'Halleran voted for:
• a failed amendment to give Trump the authority to go to war with Iran
• a resolution to support ICE
• S 2155, introduced by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) and passed into law in May 2018 that rolled back important banking regulations adopted under the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010
• an amendment that weakened the historic Raise the Wage Act, by allowing Congress to modify or delay future wage increases. (He wrote the amendment.)
That is especially harmful considering that this was the very first time either chamber of Congress voted to raise the exploitative subminimum tipped wage of just $2.13 to the full minimum wage.
This is the final month before the primary and Eva's campaign could use more contributions to help fund, among other things, mailers for newly registered voters and GOTV and compare and contrast radio ads for the Navajo Nation.
Please just click on the Primary A Blue Dog thermometer on the right and contribute what you can to Eva's campaign. I can't promise you she is going to win-- beating an incumbent is hard-- but I can promise you two things:
1- She will use your contribution well and work right up until the last vote is counted; and
2- If she is elected, she will be one of the top 5 members of Congress for her entire career, just the way O'Halleran has been one of the 5 worst members on the bottom of the barrel.
And remember, whoever wins this primary, will be the next member of Congress from AZ-01. There is no need to worry about losing this seat.
And by the way, early voting starts in 3 days!


crooksandliars--2020-07-06--Vladimir Putin Is Working From Home

Vladimir Putin Is Working From Home

Politico and Business Insider tell us that Tucker Carlson is the hottest person in right-wing politics , and that he @ @ @ @ @ or at least the Republican presidential nominee , someday soon .
Why are we hearing @ @ @ @ @ ]

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--2020-07-06--FDA Commissioner Dodges Trump's Reckless Claim That 99% Of COVID Cases Are 'Harmless'

During his hate-filled speech on Independence Day on the south lawn of the White House , Trump told another dangerous lie about the pandemic that 's still raging out of control in the United States with new infections now at a rate of over 50,000 a day : Trump returned to his now familiar and baseless complaint that America has a high caseload because it performs more tests .
“ Now we have tested almost 40m people .
By so doing , we show cases , 99 % of which are totally harmless .
Results that no other country can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing that we have , not in terms of the numbers or in terms of quality.
” Trump 's FDA Commissioner , Stephen Hahn made an appearance on this Sunday 's State of the Union on CNN , and was asked about Trump 's statement , and true to form as we 've come to expect from anyone willing to work for this corrupt administration , Hahn refused to directly contradict his boss and admit that he was lying .
No health expert that we have found can back that up .
Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that cases are surging in the country .
We have all seen the graphs associated with that .
And it 's just too early , and I 'm not going to speculate on what the causation is there .
What I can tell you is , the way out of this , Dana , the way out of this for all Americans is to follow the CDC and the White House task force guidelines .
Social distance .
Wear a mask if you find yourself in a situation where you ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the things that I would tell my patients .
And if you 're near someone who is vulnerable , and you think you have been exposed , please take care and avoid exposing that person who is vulnerable .
BASH : Well , Dr. Hahn , I think it 's really important to stick to the question about the 99 percent that the president threw out there .
I can tell you , it 's not true , and I 'm -- that 's obviously not my opinion .
It is fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Only about a third of coronavirus cases are asymptomatic .
The WHO says -- the World Health Organization says about 20 percent of people diagnosed with coronavirus are sick enough to need oxygen or hospital care .
And this is really important , probably one of the most important misclaims or , frankly , lies that the president has put out there , because it really affects people 's health .
If they hear the president saying , 99 percent of people are fine , they 're going to change their behavior , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
How does that make you feel , as a member of his own task force ?
HAHN : I totally support the CDC and the information that they 're putting out with respect to this pandemic .
I think it 's , again , really important , the guidelines that we have emphasized , the -- the data that we have .
Again , it 's a rapidly evolving situation , and we 're going to have more data .
But we absolutely must take this seriously .
We must institute these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back off from those .
It 's critically important for Americans to follow those guidelines and to protect the most vulnerable .
BASH : And , Dr. Hahn , I realize this is not easy for you .
You are doing -- working really hard to try to protect Americans .
So , I just have to ask you flatly , to that end , to protect Americans , is the president wrong ?
HAHN : So , I 'm not going to get into who is right and who is wrong .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dana , is what I have said before , which is that it 's a serious problem that we have .
We have seen the surge in cases .
We must do something to stem the tide .
And we have this in our power to do it by following the guidance from the White House task force and the CDC .
BASH : So , you wo n't say whether 99 percent of coronavirus cases are -- quote -- `` completely harmless '' is true or false , what the president said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HAHN : Dana , what I will say is that we have data in the White House task force .
Those data show us that this is a serious problem .
People need to take it seriously .

During his hate-filled speech on Independence Day on the south lawn of the White House, Trump told another dangerous lie about the pandemic that's still raging out of control in the United States with new infections now at a rate of over 50,000 a day:
Trump returned to his now familiar and baseless complaint that America has a high caseload because it performs more tests. “Now we have tested almost 40m people. By so doing, we show cases, 99% of which are totally harmless. Results that no other country can show because no other country has the testing that we have, not in terms of the numbers or in terms of quality.”
Trump's FDA Commissioner, Stephen Hahn made an appearance on this Sunday's State of the Union on CNN, and was asked about Trump's statement, and true to form as we've come to expect from anyone willing to work for this corrupt administration, Hahn refused to directly contradict his boss and admit that he was lying.
No health expert that we have found can back that up. Can you?
HAHN: So, we know that cases are surging in the country. We have all seen the graphs associated with that.
And it's just too early, and I'm not going to speculate on what the causation is there. What I can tell you is, the way out of this, Dana, the way out of this for all Americans is to follow the CDC and the White House task force guidelines.
Social distance. Wear a mask if you find yourself in a situation where you can't social distance, good hand hygiene, all the things that I would tell my patients. And if you're near someone who is vulnerable, and you think you have been exposed, please take care and avoid exposing that person who is vulnerable.
BASH: Well, Dr. Hahn, I think it's really important to stick to the question about the 99 percent that the president threw out there.
I can tell you, it's not true, and I'm -- that's obviously not my opinion. It is fact, based on the CDC estimates. Only about a third of coronavirus cases are asymptomatic. The WHO says -- the World Health Organization says about 20 percent of people diagnosed with coronavirus are sick enough to need oxygen or hospital care.
And this is really important, probably one of the most important misclaims or, frankly, lies that the president has put out there, because it really affects people's health. If they hear the president saying, 99 percent of people are fine, they're going to change their behavior, potentially get sick, infect other people.
How does that make you feel, as a member of his own task force?
HAHN: I totally support the CDC and the information that they're putting out with respect to this pandemic.
I think it's, again, really important, the guidelines that we have emphasized, the -- the data that we have. Again, it's a rapidly evolving situation, and we're going to have more data.
But we absolutely must take this seriously. We must institute these public health measures. We cannot back off from those. It's critically important for Americans to follow those guidelines and to protect the most vulnerable.
BASH: And, Dr. Hahn, I realize this is not easy for you. You are doing -- working really hard to try to protect Americans.
So, I just have to ask you flatly, to that end, to protect Americans, is the president wrong?
HAHN: So, I'm not going to get into who is right and who is wrong.
What I have going to say, Dana, is what I have said before, which is that it's a serious problem that we have. We have seen the surge in cases. We must do something to stem the tide. And we have this in our power to do it by following the guidance from the White House task force and the CDC.
BASH: So, you won't say whether 99 percent of coronavirus cases are -- quote -- "completely harmless" is true or false, what the president said at the White House last night?
HAHN: Dana, what I will say is that we have data in the White House task force. Those data show us that this is a serious problem. People need to take it seriously.


crooksandliars--2020-07-06--Kayleigh McEnany Defends Trump's Tweet Criticizing NASCAR For ‘Rush To Judgment’ About Noose

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Monday defended President Donald Trump after he said that a noose found in a Black NASCAR driver ’ s garage was a “ hoax.
” In a tweet on Monday , the president blasted NASCAR and driver Bubba Wallace over a controversy about a noose that was found in his garage .
The FBI eventually determined that the noose was not a “ hate crime ” directed at Wallace .
Trump also criticized NASCAR ’ s decision to ban the Confederate flag .
Fox News host Sandra Smith told McEnany on Monday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found in Wallace ’ s garage was a “ hoax.
” “ This was never determined to be a hoax , ” Smith explained .
“ Is it helpful for the president to bring that back up considering that this is something obviously that the federal investigation weighed in on .
He ’ s done many interviews since then , but to determine it a hoax in a new tweet.
” “ They also said definitively as the FBI investigation determined that there was no hate crime versus Bubba committed , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making is a broader point that this rush to judgement on the facts , before the facts are out is not acceptable.
” Smith interrupted : “ That comparison is not fair .
To call this a hoax when he stands by that he truly believes that [ a noose is ] what it was.
” “ Right , the Federal Bureau of Investigation does not stand by that assessment , ” McEnany opined .
“ The president is merely pointing out that we ’ ve got to let facts come out before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no hate crime committed against Bubba Wallace.
” McEnany also blasted the movement to take down Confederate statues .
“ This is absolute insanity , ” she complained .
“ America is the greatest country on Earth .
This nation , and the bedrock of freedom , put in place by the Constitution and our Declaration of Independence has done more for the world and the advancement of human history than any country on planet Earth.
” “ This is a good country , ” McEnany added , “ a country to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never apologize for what makes America great .
”

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Monday defended President Donald Trump after he said that a noose found in a Black NASCAR driver’s garage was a “hoax.”
In a tweet on Monday, the president blasted NASCAR and driver Bubba Wallace over a controversy about a noose that was found in his garage. The FBI eventually determined that the noose was not a “hate crime” directed at Wallace.
Trump also criticized NASCAR’s decision to ban the Confederate flag.
Has @BubbaWallace apologized to all of those great NASCAR drivers & officials who came to his aid, stood by his side, & were willing to sacrifice everything for him, only to find out that the whole thing was just another HOAX? That & Flag decision has caused lowest ratings EVER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 6, 2020
Fox News host Sandra Smith told McEnany on Monday that there is no evidence that the noose found in Wallace’s garage was a “hoax.”
“This was never determined to be a hoax,” Smith explained. “Is it helpful for the president to bring that back up considering that this is something obviously that the federal investigation weighed in on. He’s done many interviews since then, but to determine it a hoax in a new tweet.”
McEnany responded by calling the noose a “pull rope.”
“They also said definitively as the FBI investigation determined that there was no hate crime versus Bubba committed,” she continued. “What the president is making is a broader point that this rush to judgement on the facts, before the facts are out is not acceptable.”
Smith interrupted: “That comparison is not fair. To call this a hoax when he stands by that he truly believes that [a noose is] what it was.”
“Right, the Federal Bureau of Investigation does not stand by that assessment,” McEnany opined. “The president is merely pointing out that we’ve got to let facts come out before we rush to judgements. And there was no hate crime committed against Bubba Wallace.”
McEnany also blasted the movement to take down Confederate statues.
“This is absolute insanity,” she complained. “America is the greatest country on Earth. This nation, and the bedrock of freedom, put in place by the Constitution and our Declaration of Independence has done more for the world and the advancement of human history than any country on planet Earth.”
“This is a good country,” McEnany added, “a country to be proud of and the president will never apologize for what makes America great.”


crooksandliars--2020-07-06--Cal Cunningham Raises Record Amount In North Carolina Against Thom Tillis

This is one of those Senate races that sort of flies under the radar , but it looks like Cal Cunningham has a real shot at defeating Thom Tillis .
Recent polling has given Cunningham a slight edge , and the useless Tillis has hitched his wagon to Trump , which at this point looks like a foolish decision .
But we 're still a long way out .
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cal Cunningham will report raising $ 7.4 million in the second quarter of 2020 , a figure that appears to be a record for Senate candidates from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second-quarter fundraising period ended June 30 .
Campaigns must report their totals to the Federal Election Commission by July 15 .
Cunningham is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Thom Tillis in one of the most closely watched races in the country .
Republicans hold 53 seats in the chamber , and any realistic path to a Democratic majority in the Senate includes winning North Carolina .
“ Our campaign is so grateful to the thousands of North Carolinians lending their support to this campaign , showing that people across the state are ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work to protect their health care and take on corruption in Washington , ” Cunningham campaign manager Devan Barber said in a statement .
At the end of March , Tillis had raised $ 11.7 million total and had $ 6.4 million cash on hand .
Cunningham had raised $ 7.7 million and had $ 3.0 million cash on hand .
Cunningham raised $ 4.4 million in the first quarter of 2020 , while Tillis raised $ 2.1 million .

This is one of those Senate races that sort of flies under the radar, but it looks like Cal Cunningham has a real shot at defeating Thom Tillis. Recent polling has given Cunningham a slight edge, and the useless Tillis has hitched his wagon to Trump, which at this point looks like a foolish decision. But we're still a long way out.
Source: Raleigh News & Observer
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cal Cunningham will report raising $7.4 million in the second quarter of 2020, a figure that appears to be a record for Senate candidates from North Carolina in any quarter.
The second-quarter fundraising period ended June 30. Campaigns must report their totals to the Federal Election Commission by July 15.
Cunningham is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Thom Tillis in one of the most closely watched races in the country. Republicans hold 53 seats in the chamber, and any realistic path to a Democratic majority in the Senate includes winning North Carolina.
“Our campaign is so grateful to the thousands of North Carolinians lending their support to this campaign, showing that people across the state are ready to elect Cal and put this seat back to work to protect their health care and take on corruption in Washington,” Cunningham campaign manager Devan Barber said in a statement.
At the end of March, Tillis had raised $11.7 million total and had $6.4 million cash on hand. Cunningham had raised $7.7 million and had $3.0 million cash on hand. Cunningham raised $4.4 million in the first quarter of 2020, while Tillis raised $2.1 million.


crooksandliars--2020-07-06--The 3 Phases Of Pandemic Response In The United States, And Why It Keeps Getting Worse

When the World Health Organization broadcast the warnings about a rapidly spreading novel coronavirus in the Wuhan province of China on Dec. 31 , it was immediately obvious that it represented an enormous threat .
After all , there had already been two serious epidemics resulting from similar viruses in the last two decades , one of them originating in the same geographic area .
With their high death rates and easy person-to-person spread , both SARS and MERS represented something very near a nightmare scenario .
Which was exactly why multiple tests of government response to a pandemic over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large-scale simulations run since Donald Trump took office—starred a virus exactly like the one that was front-and-center of the WHO warning .
It was an announcement that should have been meet with decisive action and extraordinary effort .
In fact , in many nations it was .
But in the United States , Donald Trump ’ s reaction to the threat of what would soon be named COVID-19 was to play golf , lots of golf , while denigrating any potential threat as a “ hoax.
” Republicans , whether they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcers or red-state governors , joined Trump in ignoring the warnings of health officials and serious outbreaks in other nations .
That absolute refusal to prepare for what was coming , or to provide any sort of centralized testing and planning generated “ Phase 1 ” of the U.S. response to the global pandemic : A level of both cases and deaths unmatched around the world .
But in many ways , this initial failure is more forgivable than what came later .
As the nation ’ s case count and death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to push the idea of “ miracle cures , ” and to continue ignoring the advice of medical experts , even when they were sharing the same stage .
But , for a passing moment at least , the obvious threat of the virus , underlined by overrun hospitals and refrigerated morgue trucks , was so great that even Republican governors made at least a gesture at taking action .
States like Texas , Florida , and Arizona really did have a period of stay-at-home orders .
There was even a day when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always taken the coronavirus seriously.
” But that attitude didn ’ t last .
Those stay-at-home orders were barely in place before Trump began pushing for them to be lifted .
Fox News and right-wing radio banded together to support gun-totting hoods who stormed state capitols demanding that governors “ reopen , ” even in states where the “ closing ” was little more than lip service .
And , after a couple of weeks in which Republican governors saw that the growth of new cases seemed to be slowing , they eagerly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In fact , they did so even in places where the growth of cases never slowed .
This second phase of the pandemic response both compounded the mistakes of the first phase and made it nearly impossible that the United States would have any outcome short of an even greater disaster .
Because governor after governor—and I ’ m looking at you , Ron DeSantis , and Greg Abbott , and Mike Parsons—treated the slow-down in cases as if it were completely unconnected from the lockdown period .
Experts had urged the stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break the transmission chain of COVID-19 and generate a reduction in cases , allowing time for development of treatment and vaccines .
However , in the United States , as soon as that reduction in the transmission rate arrived , Republicans seemed to forget why it had happened in the first place .
That allowed people like DeSantis to make speeches about how everything was going better than predicted while utterly ignoring the fact that they were only days past the end of lockdown .
In this phase of unwarranted and overwhelming complacency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more , and opening more , without even bothering to see the results of their last action .
From malls to tattoo artists , restaurants to summer camps , red-state governors opened them all , tossing more logs onto the pandemic fire even before the last one had started to burn .
When the decline in cases predictably reversed , the nation entered Phase 3 of this event : Pure murder .
Not only was the increase in cases perfectly predictable—it was predicted .
And still Republicans are seeking to blame everything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this outcome other than their own actions .
The epitome of this might be Mike Pence ’ s repeated finger-pointing toward “ young people ” getting together without practicing social distancing or wearing a mask … while ignoring social distancing and not wearing a mask .
Worse still , Republicans across the board—in the White House , in Congress , and in the media—have turned the two actions that we know can slow the rate of spread into “ political statements.
” As Auric Goldfinger once quipped to James Bond : “ Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Three times is enemy action.
” The failures of both federal and state level responses in the initial phase of the pandemic were both horrific and unnecessary , but they were also almost the expected outcomes from a party that had spent not just Trump ’ s time in office , but decades upholding the value of “ gut ” above facts .
Having made knowledge into an enemy , the nation dined out on ignorance to the tune of 100,000 dead .
The actions during Phase 2—as governors reopened their states in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but with complete disregard for the guidelines coming from within the government itself—were worse .
It wasn ’ t just that in this period the opportunity for genuine relief was squandered , but that it also became clear that state governors had once more placed the concerns of keeping Donald Trump and Fox News pleased far ahead of the health and safety of their citizens .
The current phase of the pandemic is simply murder .
Not just the unnecessary sacrifice of lives and health , but the destruction of jobs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything .
COVID-19 is , and always was , a deadly disease , the health effects of which will leave a generational ripple in the form of a number of disabled that greatly exceeds the appalling number of deaths .
The economic and diplomatic effects could well be a black swan event for America in the sense of derailing the nation and removing any concept of the U.S. as a “ world leader ” in any form other than the awful .
Rather than being concerned about how he can get contract-killing Russians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be better served finding reasons why the United States should not be heaved out .
The United States entered into this disaster riding a wave of deliberate ignorance and disdain for expertise .
At every step , Republicans haven ’ t just made things worse by attacking any attempt into take logical action—the latest phase of this response compounds the previous errors by refusing to even recognize cause and effect .
Rather than thoughts and prayers , the nation needs reasoning and rational action .
But if that phase is going to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .

When the World Health Organization broadcast the warnings about a rapidly spreading novel coronavirus in the Wuhan province of China on Dec. 31, it was immediately obvious that it represented an enormous threat. After all, there had already been two serious epidemics resulting from similar viruses in the last two decades, one of them originating in the same geographic area. With their high death rates and easy person-to-person spread, both SARS and MERS represented something very near a nightmare scenario. Which was exactly why multiple tests of government response to a pandemic over the last 10 years—including at least two large-scale simulations run since Donald Trump took office—starred a virus exactly like the one that was front-and-center of the WHO warning.
It was an announcement that should have been meet with decisive action and extraordinary effort. In fact, in many nations it was. But in the United States, Donald Trump’s reaction to the threat of what would soon be named COVID-19 was to play golf, lots of golf, while denigrating any potential threat as a “hoax.” Republicans, whether they’re called U. S. senators or Fox News announcers or red-state governors, joined Trump in ignoring the warnings of health officials and serious outbreaks in other nations. That absolute refusal to prepare for what was coming, or to provide any sort of centralized testing and planning generated “Phase 1” of the U.S. response to the global pandemic: A level of both cases and deaths unmatched around the world. But in many ways, this initial failure is more forgivable than what came later.
As the nation’s case count and death toll climbed, Trump continued to dither, to push the idea of “miracle cures,” and to continue ignoring the advice of medical experts, even when they were sharing the same stage. But, for a passing moment at least, the obvious threat of the virus, underlined by overrun hospitals and refrigerated morgue trucks, was so great that even Republican governors made at least a gesture at taking action. States like Texas, Florida, and Arizona really did have a period of stay-at-home orders. There was even a day when Sean Hannity claimed that “I have always taken the coronavirus seriously.”
But that attitude didn’t last. Those stay-at-home orders were barely in place before Trump began pushing for them to be lifted. Fox News and right-wing radio banded together to support gun-totting hoods who stormed state capitols demanding that governors “reopen,” even in states where the “closing” was little more than lip service. And, after a couple of weeks in which Republican governors saw that the growth of new cases seemed to be slowing, they eagerly joined the “reopen” chorus. In fact, they did so even in places where the growth of cases never slowed.
This second phase of the pandemic response both compounded the mistakes of the first phase and made it nearly impossible that the United States would have any outcome short of an even greater disaster. Because governor after governor—and I’m looking at you, Ron DeSantis, and Greg Abbott, and Mike Parsons—treated the slow-down in cases as if it were completely unconnected from the lockdown period.
Experts had urged the stay-at-home orders expressly because they would help to break the transmission chain of COVID-19 and generate a reduction in cases, allowing time for development of treatment and vaccines. However, in the United States, as soon as that reduction in the transmission rate arrived, Republicans seemed to forget why it had happened in the first place. That allowed people like DeSantis to make speeches about how everything was going better than predicted while utterly ignoring the fact that they were only days past the end of lockdown.
In this phase of unwarranted and overwhelming complacency, Republicans pushed opening, and opening more, and opening more, without even bothering to see the results of their last action. From malls to tattoo artists, restaurants to summer camps, red-state governors opened them all, tossing more logs onto the pandemic fire even before the last one had started to burn.
When the decline in cases predictably reversed, the nation entered Phase 3 of this event: Pure murder. Not only was the increase in cases perfectly predictable—it was predicted. And still Republicans are seeking to blame everything, and everyone, for the results of this outcome other than their own actions. The epitome of this might be Mike Pence’s repeated finger-pointing toward “young people” getting together without practicing social distancing or wearing a mask … while ignoring social distancing and not wearing a mask. Worse still, Republicans across the board—in the White House, in Congress, and in the media—have turned the two actions that we know can slow the rate of spread into “political statements.”
As Auric Goldfinger once quipped to James Bond: “Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.” The failures of both federal and state level responses in the initial phase of the pandemic were both horrific and unnecessary, but they were also almost the expected outcomes from a party that had spent not just Trump’s time in office, but decades upholding the value of “gut” above facts. Having made knowledge into an enemy, the nation dined out on ignorance to the tune of 100,000 dead.
The actions during Phase 2—as governors reopened their states in the face of not only further warnings, but with complete disregard for the guidelines coming from within the government itself—were worse. It wasn’t just that in this period the opportunity for genuine relief was squandered, but that it also became clear that state governors had once more placed the concerns of keeping Donald Trump and Fox News pleased far ahead of the health and safety of their citizens.
The current phase of the pandemic is simply murder. Not just the unnecessary sacrifice of lives and health, but the destruction of jobs and economic security, by championing ego over everything. COVID-19 is, and always was, a deadly disease, the health effects of which will leave a generational ripple in the form of a number of disabled that greatly exceeds the appalling number of deaths. The economic and diplomatic effects could well be a black swan event for America in the sense of derailing the nation and removing any concept of the U.S. as a “world leader” in any form other than the awful. Rather than being concerned about how he can get contract-killing Russians back into the G7, Trump would be better served finding reasons why the United States should not be heaved out.
The United States entered into this disaster riding a wave of deliberate ignorance and disdain for expertise. At every step, Republicans haven’t just made things worse by attacking any attempt into take logical action—the latest phase of this response compounds the previous errors by refusing to even recognize cause and effect.
Rather than thoughts and prayers, the nation needs reasoning and rational action. But if that phase is going to come, someone else will have to deliver it.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-07-06--Mark Meadows Defends Trump's Bogus '99% Of COVID Cases Harmless' Claim

Without using any statistics or even any real information , Mark Meadows , Trump 's latest chief of staff ( how many have their been , we 've lost count ) joined Trump TV 's early morning propaganda show to defend the so-called president 's caustic remark that 99 percent of coronavirus cases are “ totally harmless.
” During today 's Fox and Friends , co-host Brian Kilmeade asked Meadows where Trump got that `` stat from '' or was he just spitballing a `` generalization . ''
“ No , I don ’ t even know that it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wait , he does n't even know what he does n't even know ?
Meadows continued , `` When you start to look at all the stats and all the numbers that we have , the amount of testing that we have , the vast majority of people are safe from this.
” Maybe he should tell that to the families of 132K people that have died so far and the almost three million people that have been infected .
The new chief of lies then made this stunning remark : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have , if you ’ re over 80 years of age or if you have three what they call comorbidities , diabetes , hypertension , heart issues – then you need to be very , very careful , ” he said .
“ Outside of that , the risks are extremely low and the president is right with that , and the facts and the statistics back us up there.
” I have a family member who is under 40 and after being quarantined twice because of the coronavirus , is STILL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the `` all clear '' by their doctors .
Ask anyone who has suffered from the virus if it 's `` harmless . ''
The actual statistics speak for themselves and prove these statements by Trump and Meadows to be false .
The New York Times , the AP , and CNN are among the outlets which published fact checks completely dismantling Trump ’ s claim .
Johns Hopkins currently puts the fatality rate of the coronavirus in the U.S. at 4.5 percent .
This to say nothing of the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that non-fatal cases are harmless .
The Times reports that 15 to 20 percent of all Covid-19 cases require hospitalization .
Kayleigh McEnany came on Fox and Friends and made this harebrained analogy : Saying `` most people recover from COVID-19 '' is not what Trump said .
He said it was `` harmless . ''

Without using any statistics or even any real information, Mark Meadows, Trump's latest chief of staff (how many have their been, we've lost count) joined Trump TV's early morning propaganda show to defend the so-called president's caustic remark that 99 percent of coronavirus cases are “totally harmless.”
During today's Fox and Friends, co-host Brian Kilmeade asked Meadows where Trump got that "stat from" or was he just spitballing a "generalization."
“No, I don’t even know that it’s a generalization,” Meadows said.
Wait, he doesn't even know what he doesn't even know?
Meadows continued, "When you start to look at all the stats and all the numbers that we have, the amount of testing that we have, the vast majority of people are safe from this.”
Maybe he should tell that to the families of 132K people that have died so far and the almost three million people that have been infected.
The new chief of lies then made this stunning remark:
“When you look at the deaths that we have, if you’re over 80 years of age or if you have three what they call comorbidities, diabetes, hypertension, heart issues – then you need to be very, very careful,” he said.
“Outside of that, the risks are extremely low and the president is right with that, and the facts and the statistics back us up there.”
I have a family member who is under 40 and after being quarantined twice because of the coronavirus, is STILL dealing with swollen internal organs after being given the "all clear" by their doctors.
Ask anyone who has suffered from the virus if it's "harmless."
The actual statistics speak for themselves and prove these statements by Trump and Meadows to be false.
The New York Times, the AP, and CNN are among the outlets which published fact checks completely dismantling Trump’s claim. Johns Hopkins currently puts the fatality rate of the coronavirus in the U.S. at 4.5 percent. This to say nothing of the fact that many would take umbrage with the idea that non-fatal cases are harmless. The Times reports that 15 to 20 percent of all Covid-19 cases require hospitalization.
Kayleigh McEnany came on Fox and Friends and made this harebrained analogy:
McEnany says Trump's statement that 99% of coronavirus cases "are totally harmless" was "a factual point" .... There was no pushback from the anchors
McEnany: "The president was making a factual point that most people will recover from coronavirus who get it" pic.twitter.com/vWHpG7WV7V — Lis Power (@LisPower1) July 6, 2020
Saying "most people recover from COVID-19" is not what Trump said. He said it was "harmless."
Liars gotta lie.


crooksandliars--2020-07-06--SCOTUS Rules Unanimously In 'Faithless Elector' Case

It would be great if the Electoral College would just go away and we could elect Presidents just like we @ @ @ @ @ the country and the way every other country chooses its chief executive : one person @ @ @ @ @ until that day , at least we wo n't have electors deciding last minute that @ @ @ @ @ after all and they can forget how their state actually voted .
The ruling , @ @ @ @ @ is such a lively writer , is here ( PDF ) .

It would be great if the Electoral College would just go away and we could elect Presidents just like we do every other office in the country and the way every other country chooses its chief executive: one person, one vote.
But until that day, at least we won't have electors deciding last minute that Kimye is a better choice after all and they can forget how their state actually voted.
Justice Kagan writes for the majority, and her opinion can be summarized as: "Uh, yeah, absent a clear constitutional command, we are not going to throw a totally gratuitous bomb into the 2020 presidential election." https://t.co/iwiB06PoKe — Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) July 6, 2020
In “faithless electors” cases, unanimous #SCOTUS rules that state laws that penalize or remove presidential electors who do not vote for candidate they pledged to support do not violate the Constitution — SCOTUSblog (@SCOTUSblog) July 6, 2020
And... a swipe at Bush v. Gore?
I especially like the part where Justice Kagan remarks that
5 unelected judges (on SCOTUS) are dismantling a decision made by the democratic process with Congress (elected) and the President (elected). Republicans don't like being called out for their corruption. — Marie (@Marie13779991) July 3, 2020
The ruling, worth the read because Kagan is such a lively writer, is here (PDF).


crooksandliars--2020-07-06--Michael Flynn Pledges Allegiance To QAnon On Independence Day

Donald Trump 's disgraced national security advisor continues his self degradation by posting a video of him taking the QAnon oath .
After pleading guilty to lying to the FBI , Michael Flynn is now being helped by Attorney General Barr to get his crimes thrown out .
As Will Sommer has reported , Flynn has been a silent big player in the conspiracy-driven `` Qanon '' group , but instead of giving the whacked-out followers winks and nods , he 's fully and publicly embraced them .
QAnon believers decipher online “ clues ” posted by an anonymous figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worldview that imagines Donald Trump and his allies engaged in a covert war against pedophile-cannibals in a nefarious global cabal that includes top Democrats .
Since launching in October 2017 , the movement has gained a surprising foothold in the Republican Party , with QAnon promoters invited to the White House , winning GOP nominations for office and , in one case , poised to win a House seat .
Many `` Q '' cultists believe Flynn is the anonymous `` Q '' who is leaving clues to `` expose the deep state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's why he was `` targeted '' by the FBI .
Flynn is a despicable figure who knows exactly what he did for his QAnon brethren , but now his attorney claims Flynn did not recite the QAnon oath `` where we go one , we go all . ''
The lawyer offered up a ridiculous excuse : '' The slogan comes from an engraved bell on JFK 'S sailboat—acknowledging the unity of mankind .
The oath is obvious—the federal oath in support of our Constitution .
He wanted to encourage people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do n't read anything else into it . ''
There are Qanon nuts out there who say that if Flynn gets exonerated that proves him to be `` Donald 's Mandela . ''
These people have no conscience , soul , or a shred of decency and are lead by the most right-wing extremist insanity .
Do n't forget that with Michael Flynn , it 's always a grift .

Donald Trump's disgraced national security advisor continues his self degradation by posting a video of him taking the QAnon oath.
After pleading guilty to lying to the FBI, Michael Flynn is now being helped by Attorney General Barr to get his crimes thrown out.
As Will Sommer has reported, Flynn has been a silent big player in the conspiracy-driven "Qanon" group, but instead of giving the whacked-out followers winks and nods, he's fully and publicly embraced them.
QAnon believers decipher online “clues” posted by an anonymous figure named “Q,” constructing a worldview that imagines Donald Trump and his allies engaged in a covert war against pedophile-cannibals in a nefarious global cabal that includes top Democrats. Since launching in October 2017, the movement has gained a surprising foothold in the Republican Party, with QAnon promoters invited to the White House, winning GOP nominations for office and, in one case, poised to win a House seat.
Many "Q" cultists believe Flynn is the anonymous "Q" who is leaving clues to "expose the deep state." The cult conclusion is that that's why he was "targeted" by the FBI.
Flynn is a despicable figure who knows exactly what he did for his QAnon brethren, but now his attorney claims Flynn did not recite the QAnon oath "where we go one, we go all." The lawyer offered up a ridiculous excuse:
"The slogan comes from an engraved bell on JFK'S sailboat—acknowledging the unity of mankind. The oath is obvious—the federal oath in support of our Constitution. He wanted to encourage people to think about being a citizen. Don't read anything else into it."
There are Qanon nuts out there who say that if Flynn gets exonerated that proves him to be "Donald's Mandela."
These people have no conscience, soul, or a shred of decency and are lead by the most right-wing extremist insanity.
Don't forget that with Michael Flynn, it's always a grift.
I don't think Flynn was there at the start, but he's definitely done the best job of any high profile person of monetizing Q. — Mike "Wear a Mask" Rothschild (@rothschildmd) July 5, 2020
Yes, Michael Flynn and his guests taking the QAnon "digital soldier oath" is extremely disturbing. But the dress featuring Donald Trump's nicknames for political opponents is also at least somewhat troubling. pic.twitter.com/6RyfoBh9WV — Mike "Wear a Mask" Rothschild (@rothschildmd) July 5, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-07-06--Elise Jordan: 'Going For The Culture War Didn't Work Out So Well For Him In 2018'

Willie Geist confesses he had to `` read and re-read '' one of the passages from Trump 's Saturday night speech .
`` Where he compares the defeat of the radical left to the defeat of Nazis , communism and chasing terrorists like Osama Bin Laden , he said we did that as a country , we too can beat the radical left .
An astounding comparison by the president of the United States , '' he said to former Bush staffer Elise Jordan .
`` Jesus Christ , if that 's what Donald Trump thinks the crisis this nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really are in a terrible , terrible state of affairs .
I found it so incredible that Fourth of July weekend , huge address at Mount Rushmore , he does an odd history mash-up and grievance politics but does n't talk about any of our current armed forces serving abroad in war zones .
`` You look at all the recent scandal with Donald Trump not protecting our troops in Afghanistan from Russian bounties and instead cozying up to Putin even more , and you can see where this commander in chief 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Michael ( Steele ) said about how Donald Trump is going for the grievances , going for the culture war , that did n't go so well in 2018 .
Remember , the caravan narrative , and remember when that was what was supposed to really drive his voters at the last minute and he saw that narrative pretty roundly defeated as the blue wave went into office . ''

Willie Geist confesses he had to "read and re-read" one of the passages from Trump's Saturday night speech.
"Where he compares the defeat of the radical left to the defeat of Nazis, communism and chasing terrorists like Osama Bin Laden, he said we did that as a country, we too can beat the radical left. An astounding comparison by the president of the United States," he said to former Bush staffer Elise Jordan.
"Jesus Christ, if that's what Donald Trump thinks the crisis this nation faces is right now, then we really are in a terrible, terrible state of affairs. I found it so incredible that Fourth of July weekend, huge address at Mount Rushmore, he does an odd history mash-up and grievance politics but doesn't talk about any of our current armed forces serving abroad in war zones.
"You look at all the recent scandal with Donald Trump not protecting our troops in Afghanistan from Russian bounties and instead cozying up to Putin even more, and you can see where this commander in chief's priorities are. Just to add to what Michael (Steele) said about how Donald Trump is going for the grievances, going for the culture war, that didn't go so well in 2018. Remember, the caravan narrative, and remember when that was what was supposed to really drive his voters at the last minute and he saw that narrative pretty roundly defeated as the blue wave went into office."


crooksandliars--2020-07-06--U.S. Owns Patent Rights To Remdesivir, But Is Content To Let Gilead Jack Up Prices

On CNN 's New Day , John Berman asked Dr. Rochelle Walensky , an infectious disease specialist at Massachusetts General , what she 's hearing from colleagues in Texas about getting an adequate supply of remdesivir to treat coronavirus patients .
`` I certainly am , '' she said .
`` I see three problems with remdesivir right now .
One is , a single manufacturer is making it , Gilead .
Two , it is that we are going to run out .
I think you ca n't look at the number of cases that are happening right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three , last week , it was priced at over $ 3,000 for a five-day course for a drug that we know costs $ 6 for a five-day course to make .
`` So HHS has the power and the patent rights to this drug .
I think we need generic competition .
I think that we need more companies making it , so we have enough drug for the people who need it and so that the price can be driven down so that people can afford it . ''
Funny , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care about what serves sick people .
Quite consistently , he puts his thumb on the scale for Big Pharma .

On CNN's New Day, John Berman asked Dr. Rochelle Walensky, an infectious disease specialist at Massachusetts General, what she's hearing from colleagues in Texas about getting an adequate supply of remdesivir to treat coronavirus patients.
"I certainly am," she said.
"I see three problems with remdesivir right now. One is, a single manufacturer is making it, Gilead. Two, it is that we are going to run out. I think you can't look at the number of cases that are happening right now and not anticipate a shortage. And three, last week, it was priced at over $3,000 for a five-day course for a drug that we know costs $6 for a five-day course to make.
"So HHS has the power and the patent rights to this drug. I think we need generic competition. I think that we need more companies making it, so we have enough drug for the people who need it and so that the price can be driven down so that people can afford it."
Funny, isn't it? Trump doesn't care about what serves sick people. Quite consistently, he puts his thumb on the scale for Big Pharma.


crooksandliars--2020-07-07--Grim Reaper Uncovers New Covidiot Conspiracy Theory On Florida Beach

Daniel Uhlfelder is a Florida attorney who is , shall we say , dissatisfied with his governor 's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in his state .
As a method of driving home his point , he dresses as the Grim Reaper — head-to-toe in black , scary facemask , scythe and all — and walks along Florida beaches to remind folks what awaits them if they choose to disregard CDC guidelines and not physically distance or wear masks .
In the above video , he has the misfortune to come across a Trump fan who has been drinking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lots of conspiracy theories to espouse regarding COVID-19 .
FLORIDA MAN : ( slurring ) Biden and Hunter went over to China .
GRIM REAPER : Well let me get this straight .
Okay .
Hunter Biden ... FLORIDA MAN : Then they brought it back .
( Unintelligible-something-something ) weaponized .
GRIM REAPER : So Hunter Biden and Joe Biden went to China , and did they create the virus ?
Or did they ... FLORIDA MAN : Oh , no , they did n't create it .
GRIM REAPER : What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They brought it back here .
GRIM REAPER : Oh , so they , like , put it in a tube and brought it back ?
Or ... FLORIDA MAN : No , no , not in a tube .
GRIM REAPER : Okay , then , how did they , they got it themselves , and then injected it into ... FLORIDA MAN : No , no , no , that 's not ...
GRIM REAPER : Okay , so Hunter Biden ... FLORIDA MAN : ( slurring again ) This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
GRIM REAPER : Okay , where did you learn that ?
FLORIDA MAN : ( PAUSE ) Just by being alive !
I 'm sixty-three years old ( stepping closer to GR ) GRIM REAPER : ( stepping back ) Okay , okay , I 'm doing a safe distance ... just social distancing .
FLORIDA MAN : Okay , I 'm stay away .
GRIM REAPER : Just six feet .
No , I 'm not scared of anybody ... FLORIDA MAN : There 's no way in hell I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ REAPER : No way you 're gon na what ?
FLORIDA MAN : There 's no way in hell I wan na fly on you .
GRIM REAPER : Oh , no , I 'm just trying to keep a safe distance .
Alright , well cool !
That 's a new one ...
The fun continues , but eventually Florida Man gets frustrated with the antics .
The story ends with our inebriated Florida Man being told by police to leave the beach .
If this sounds like an unorthodox coping mechanism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos have been retweeted by the likes of Joy Reid , Rex Chapman , Kurt Eichenwald , Henry Winkler , and many , many more .
He 's been on Trevor Noah 's show , and Good Morning America , and Vice did a segment about him on their Showtime series .
And do n't worry .
Uhlfelder is putting his law degree to good use , too .
He is suing Ron DeSantis to issue a Safer-At-Home order for the state of Florida .
DeSantis would do well to listen to him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot .

Daniel Uhlfelder is a Florida attorney who is, shall we say, dissatisfied with his governor's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in his state. As a method of driving home his point, he dresses as the Grim Reaper — head-to-toe in black, scary facemask, scythe and all — and walks along Florida beaches to remind folks what awaits them if they choose to disregard CDC guidelines and not physically distance or wear masks.
In the above video, he has the misfortune to come across a Trump fan who has been drinking the Clorox Kool-aid (with vodka) and has lots of conspiracy theories to espouse regarding COVID-19.
FLORIDA MAN: (slurring) Biden and Hunter went over to China.
GRIM REAPER: Well let me get this straight. Okay. Hunter Biden...
FLORIDA MAN: Then they brought it back. (Unintelligible-something-something) weaponized.
GRIM REAPER: So Hunter Biden and Joe Biden went to China, and did they create the virus? Or did they...
FLORIDA MAN: Oh, no, they didn't create it.
GRIM REAPER: What did they do?
FLORIDA MAN: They brought it back here.
GRIM REAPER: Oh, so they, like, put it in a tube and brought it back? Or...
FLORIDA MAN: No, no, not in a tube.
GRIM REAPER: Okay, then, how did they, they got it themselves, and then injected it into...
FLORIDA MAN: No, no, no, that's not...
GRIM REAPER: Okay, so Hunter Biden...
FLORIDA MAN: (slurring again) This is the Democratic Party trying to overthrow Donald Trump.
GRIM REAPER: Okay, where did you learn that?
FLORIDA MAN: (PAUSE) Just by being alive! I'm sixty-three years old (stepping closer to GR)
GRIM REAPER: (stepping back) Okay, okay, I'm doing a safe distance...just social distancing.
FLORIDA MAN: Okay, I'm stay away.
GRIM REAPER: Just six feet. No, I'm not scared of anybody...
FLORIDA MAN: There's no way in hell I wanna fly on you.
GRIM REAPER: No way you're gonna what?
FLORIDA MAN: There's no way in hell I wanna fly on you.
GRIM REAPER: Oh, no, I'm just trying to keep a safe distance. Alright, well cool! That's a new one...
The fun continues, but eventually Florida Man gets frustrated with the antics. The story ends with our inebriated Florida Man being told by police to leave the beach.
Jax Beach with crazy Trumper round two. pic.twitter.com/fyJQL54wFv — Daniel Uhlfelder (@DWUhlfelderLaw) July 5, 2020
And Trumper threatening Grim Reaper stopped by Jax Beach police. pic.twitter.com/1wmGowt2V4 — Daniel Uhlfelder (@DWUhlfelderLaw) July 5, 2020
The Drunk & Angry Trumper had to leave the beach early this time... pic.twitter.com/UBqGdMQQwt — Daniel Uhlfelder (@DWUhlfelderLaw) July 6, 2020
If this sounds like an unorthodox coping mechanism for an educated white man, his videos have been retweeted by the likes of Joy Reid, Rex Chapman, Kurt Eichenwald, Henry Winkler, and many, many more. He's been on Trevor Noah's show, and Good Morning America, and Vice did a segment about him on their Showtime series.
THIS IS WHY EDUCATION is the most important part of America's infrastructure..may I suggest you , we all due respect , DO NOT drop out of the third grade https://t.co/upvfnTa6lv — Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) July 4, 2020
And don't worry. Uhlfelder is putting his law degree to good use, too. He is suing Ron DeSantis to issue a Safer-At-Home order for the state of Florida. DeSantis would do well to listen to him. Florida's become quite the hot spot.


crooksandliars--2020-07-07--Republicans In Disarray: Alabama US Senate Edition

And we now turn to Alabama ( state motto : Where the Debris Meets The Sea ) to see what ’ s going on with the Republican Senate Race , which pits former USAG Jefferson Beauregard ‘ Stonewall ’ Sessions III against former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville .
Tuberville has a slight lead according to the polls , but that was before the news broke that he might be a grifter : “ President Trump ’ s favored Senate candidate in Alabama , Tommy Tuberville , is known for his career as a college football coach .
But he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a hedge fund .
It did not go well .
“ A little more than a decade ago , after departing from Auburn University where he was head coach , Mr. Tuberville entered into a 50-50 partnership with a former Lehman Brothers broker named John David Stroud .
Their ventures , which included TS Capital Management and TS Capital Partners — T for Tuberville and S for Stroud — turned out to be a financial fraud .
Mr. Stroud was sentenced to 10 years in prison , and Mr. Tuberville was sued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud and violating his fiduciary duty to take care of their investments ; he reached a private settlement in 2013 .
Previously , as you might recall , Alabama Republicans nominated a child molester ( Judge Roy Moore ) , and Sen. Doug Jones was elected , as it appears there is a line that the Alabamers ( iss too a wurd ) will not cross .
It looks like this time Alabama Republicans are gon na nominate a crook .
Or maybe a garden-variety idiot ?
Either way , not a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy to differentiate by a good campaign .
We ’ re not saying this is a done deal , but given that Prznint Stupid has gone all-in for Tuberville ( takes one to know one , amirite ) and continually has attacked Sessions , it seems likely .
And if Tuberville comes pre-swamped as he appears to be , Sen. Doug Jones stands a chance .
We ’ ve said it before : Jones is the luckiest sommabitch in Alabama .

And we now turn to Alabama (state motto: Where the Debris Meets The Sea) to see what’s going on with the Republican Senate Race, which pits former USAG Jefferson Beauregard ‘Stonewall’ Sessions III against former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville. Tuberville has a slight lead according to the polls, but that was before the news broke that he might be a grifter:
“President Trump’s favored Senate candidate in Alabama, Tommy Tuberville, is known for his career as a college football coach. But he also had a brief stint as co-owner of a hedge fund. It did not go well. “A little more than a decade ago, after departing from Auburn University where he was head coach, Mr. Tuberville entered into a 50-50 partnership with a former Lehman Brothers broker named John David Stroud. Their ventures, which included TS Capital Management and TS Capital Partners — T for Tuberville and S for Stroud — turned out to be a financial fraud. Mr. Stroud was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and Mr. Tuberville was sued by investors, who accused him of fraud and violating his fiduciary duty to take care of their investments; he reached a private settlement in 2013.
Previously, as you might recall, Alabama Republicans nominated a child molester (Judge Roy Moore), and Sen. Doug Jones was elected, as it appears there is a line that the Alabamers (iss too a wurd) will not cross. It looks like this time Alabama Republicans are gonna nominate a crook. Or maybe a garden-variety idiot? Either way, not a good look, and one that should be easy to differentiate by a good campaign.
We’re not saying this is a done deal, but given that Prznint Stupid has gone all-in for Tuberville (takes one to know one, amirite) and continually has attacked Sessions, it seems likely. And if Tuberville comes pre-swamped as he appears to be, Sen. Doug Jones stands a chance.
We’ve said it before: Jones is the luckiest sommabitch in Alabama.


crooksandliars--2020-07-07--Florida's Education Commissioner Signs Executive Order Requiring All Schools To Reopen In August

Florida is among the worst-hit areas for COVID-19 in the country right now .
The decision by Corcoran , a @ @ @ @ @ school boards and superintendents .
Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran issued an emergency order Monday @ @ @ @ @ open in the fall and laying out the requirements districts must meet to offer any @ @ @ @ @ in addition to their in-person option .
“ All school boards and charter school governing @ @ @ @ @ mortar schools in August at least five days per week for all students , ” @ @ @ @ @ health officials can override the commissioner ’ s directive if it is not safe to @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , but Monday ’ s announcement makes it clear that districts have to prepare @ @ @ @ @ all students in August .

Florida is among the worst-hit areas for COVID-19 in the country right now. The decision by Corcoran, a DeSantis appointee, overrides local school boards and superintendents.
Source: Tallahassee Democrat
Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran issued an emergency order Monday, requiring all schools to open in the fall and laying out the requirements districts must meet to offer any sort of non-traditional remote instruction in addition to their in-person option.
“All school boards and charter school governing boards must open brick and mortar schools in August at least five days per week for all students,” the announcement states.
Local health officials can override the commissioner’s directive if it is not safe to open schools, due to COVID-19, but Monday’s announcement makes it clear that districts have to prepare to open their doors to all students in August.


crooksandliars--2020-07-07--Kayleigh McEnany Can't Dig Herself Out Of Trump's Racist Bubba Watson Tweet

Donald Trump 's press secretary seems to believe that if she gives the same non-sequitur response over and over again to explain Trump 's support of the confederate flag and bashing of NASCAR for banning it then suddenly it will become true .
Several members of the media asked why Trump is attacking NASCAR for removing Confederate flags and claiming they 're losing viewership .
They followed up with questions about his insistence that driver Bubba Watson apologize for something he did n't do .
McEnany kept repeating the same lie over and over again claiming the media was taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really meant was that not every NASCAR supporter is a racist .
All Trump had to do was say that but instead he attacked Watson for what NASCAR reported found in his garage .
And after failing to address the actual questions from the White House press pool she then complained why they kept asking the same question , apparently unable to understand that it 's their job , just like it 's hers to answer it .
McEnany has no defense for Trump 's racism beyond his culture war campaign strategy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all he 's got .

Donald Trump's press secretary seems to believe that if she gives the same non-sequitur response over and over again to explain Trump's support of the confederate flag and bashing of NASCAR for banning it then suddenly it will become true.
Several members of the media asked why Trump is attacking NASCAR for removing Confederate flags and claiming they're losing viewership. They followed up with questions about his insistence that driver Bubba Wallace apologize for something he didn't do.
McEnany kept repeating the same lie over and over again claiming the media was taking Trump out of context and what Trump really meant was that not every NASCAR supporter is a racist.
All Trump had to do was say that but instead he attacked Wallace for what NASCAR reported found in his garage.
And after failing to address the actual questions from the White House press pool she then complained why they kept asking the same question, apparently unable to understand that it's their job, just like it's hers to answer it.
McEnany has no defense for Trump's racism beyond his culture war campaign strategy to try and be reelected, which is all he's got.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to Bubba Wallace as Bubba Watson. We regret the error.


crooksandliars--2020-07-07--Brazil's President Bolsonaro Tests Positive For COVID After Downplaying It For Months

I am not one to tempt fate .
I would never minimize the severity of COVID or how contagious it is or assume that it is not very serious and I would be one of the lucky people to be asymptomatic or only suffer mild symptoms .
Some people choose to live differently , publicly mocking how serious it is , refusing to help officials after testing positive or taking their child to a COVID party and then treating her with a medication that has not been proven to help .
Brazil 's President Jair Bolsonaro repeatedly minimized how serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive it .
He took the test on Monday after developing symptoms , including a high fever .
Bolsonaro had repeatedly said that COVID was just a `` little flu '' and denied that he would be affected .
He echoed Donald Trump 's sentiments about opposing lockdowns because of the economic effects .
For the record , the United States has the most cases and deaths in the world , with Brazil coming in second .
Bolsonaro made a public statement on Tuesday afternoon , telling viewers that his fever was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better .
Oh , and Donald Trump will love this : Bolsonaro says he is taking hydroxychloroquine .
On Sunday , the day Bolsonaro reported his symptoms started , Bolsonaro was photographed with numerous government officials during a celebration of Independence Day .
No one was wearings masks or observing social distancing .

I am not one to tempt fate. I would never minimize the severity of COVID or how contagious it is or assume that it is not very serious and I would be one of the lucky people to be asymptomatic or only suffer mild symptoms.
Some people choose to live differently, publicly mocking how serious it is, refusing to help officials after testing positive or taking their child to a COVID party and then treating her with a medication that has not been proven to help.
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro repeatedly minimized how serious COVID is -- and on Tuesday he tested positive it. He took the test on Monday after developing symptoms, including a high fever. Bolsonaro had repeatedly said that COVID was just a "little flu" and denied that he would be affected. He echoed Donald Trump's sentiments about opposing lockdowns because of the economic effects.
For the record, the United States has the most cases and deaths in the world, with Brazil coming in second.
Bolsonaro made a public statement on Tuesday afternoon, telling viewers that his fever was gone and that he currently is feeling better.
Oh, and Donald Trump will love this: Bolsonaro says he is taking hydroxychloroquine.
On Sunday, the day Bolsonaro reported his symptoms started, Bolsonaro was photographed with numerous government officials during a celebration of Independence Day. No one was wearings masks or observing social distancing.


crooksandliars--2020-07-07--Kelly Loeffler Writes Letter Condemning WNBA's 'Black Lives Matter' Message

Imagine being so politically craven that even though you represent a league where about 67 % of the players are African-American , you 'd side with Trump instead of your own players .
Loeffler is locked in a primary fight with Rep. Doug Collins for the Republican nomination , so is choosing political expediency over doing the right thing .
The well-heeled Loeffler co-own 's the Atlanta Dream WNBA franchise .
She said she objected to `` more politics in sports '' [ sic ] - by inserting more politics in sports .
Kelly Loeffler has made it her habit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would n't be in the U.S. Senate at all if not for her money and political connections , appointed by Gov .
Brian Kemp last December .
U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler objected to the WNBA ’ s plans to honor the Black Lives Matter movement , warning Tuesday that subscribing to a “ particular political agenda undermines the potential of the sport and sends a message of exclusion.
” Loeffler , a Republican who co-owns Atlanta ’ s WNBA franchise , urged Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a letter to scrap plans for players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives Matter ” and “ Say Her Name ” and instead put an American flag on all uniforms and apparel .
“ The truth is , we need less—not more politics in sports .
In a time when polarizing politics is as divisive as ever , sports has the power to be a unifying antidote , ” said Loeffler , who faces a November special election against 20 other candidates .
“ And now more than ever , we should be united in our goal to remove politics from sports.
” Dream guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the WNBA player 's union was a bit more blunt .
The WNBA released this statement later Tuesday afternoon .

Imagine being so politically craven that even though you represent a league where about 67% of the players are African-American, you'd side with Trump instead of your own players. Loeffler is locked in a primary fight with Rep. Doug Collins for the Republican nomination, so is choosing political expediency over doing the right thing.
The well-heeled Loeffler co-own's the Atlanta Dream WNBA franchise. She said she objected to "more politics in sports" [sic] - by inserting more politics in sports. Kelly Loeffler has made it her habit to be wrong on just about everything, and wouldn't be in the U.S. Senate at all if not for her money and political connections, appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp last December.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler objected to the WNBA’s plans to honor the Black Lives Matter movement, warning Tuesday that subscribing to a “particular political agenda undermines the potential of the sport and sends a message of exclusion.” Loeffler, a Republican who co-owns Atlanta’s WNBA franchise, urged Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a letter to scrap plans for players to wear warmup jerseys reading “Black Lives Matter” and “Say Her Name” and instead put an American flag on all uniforms and apparel. “The truth is, we need less—not more politics in sports. In a time when polarizing politics is as divisive as ever, sports has the power to be a unifying antidote,” said Loeffler, who faces a November special election against 20 other candidates. “And now more than ever, we should be united in our goal to remove politics from sports.”
Dream guard Renee Montgomery tweeted out her displeasure, while the WNBA player's union was a bit more blunt.
Dear @SenatorLoeffler ....
I’m pretty sad to see that my team ownership is not supportive of the movement & all that it stands for. I was already sitting out this season & this is an example of why. I would love to have a conversation with you about the matter if you’re down? — Renee Montgomery (@itsreneem_) July 7, 2020
The WNBA released this statement later Tuesday afternoon.


crooksandliars--2020-07-07--Stone Mountain Is Flashpoint At Center Of Confederate Monument Removals

The planet ’ s largest Confederate monument—Stone Mountain outside of Atlanta , Georgia—is the new national flashpoint in the growing campaign to rid public spaces of memorials to racist historical figures .
On Saturday , a predominantly Black group of heavily armed protesters marched through the park , calling for removal of the giant Confederate rock carving at the site considered a monument to racism .
The group , known as the Not F***ing Around Coalition ( NFAC ) was comprised of several hundred people , all dressed in black .
Although African Americans appeared to account for the vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various races , men and women alike , were among the group .
Of all the Confederate monuments under fire , the 1,700-foot high outcropping of granite with carvings of Robert E. Lee , Thomas “ Stonewall ” Jackson and Jefferson Davis is—by far—the largest .
Covering more than 17,000 square feet of mountain and 40 feet deep in the crannies , the carving—at nine-stories high—is the largest flat relief sculpture in the world .
Planning of the monument began only in 1914 .
Funding for the project came primarily from the Ku @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mountain to burn crosses and the project 's first directors and promoters were KKK members .
Their original plan was to depict General Robert E. Lee leading Confederate soldiers and Klan members up the mountain .
The park officially opened to the public on April 14 , 1965 — the hundredth anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln .
After the memorial was complete , “ a ‘ neo-Confederate theme park ’ emerged around the site , including a plantation house , a “ Gone With the Wind ” museum , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ History Center , The New York Times reported .
Stacey Abrams , the former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Democratic nominee for governor in 2018 , declared during her unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign that the granite carving is “ a blight on our state ” and called for its removal .
`` We must never celebrate those who defended slavery and tried to destroy the union , '' Abrams said .
Removing the monument would take a lot of dynamite and require a change in state law .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ preserved and protected for all time as a tribute to the bravery and heroism of the citizens of this state who suffered and died in their cause.
” Stone Mountain Ku Klux Klan rally .
Supporters of the Ku Klux Klan march May 4 , 1989 , Stone Mountain , Georgia ( Paul Harris/Getty Images ) The Confederate Memorial at Stone Mountain Park , depicting three Confederate traitors of the Civil War , President Jefferson Davis , Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J .
'Stonewall ' Jackson on July 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Raymond Boyd/Getty Images ) 1994 : An overview of Stone Mountain in Atlanta , Georgia .
( Nathan Bilow/Allsport/Getty Images )

The planet’s largest Confederate monument—Stone Mountain outside of Atlanta, Georgia—is the new national flashpoint in the growing campaign to rid public spaces of memorials to racist historical figures.
On Saturday, a predominantly Black group of heavily armed protesters marched through the park, calling for removal of the giant Confederate rock carving at the site considered a monument to racism. The group, known as the Not F***ing Around Coalition (NFAC) was comprised of several hundred people, all dressed in black.
Although African Americans appeared to account for the vast majority of the marchers, protesters of various races, men and women alike, were among the group.
The Not Fucking Around Coalition (NFAC) militia in Stone Mountain, Georgia called out all rednecks and white supremacist militias "We here, where the fuck you at?". (📹@VlanciPictures) #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/B76Ab6WUSF — Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) July 4, 2020
Of all the Confederate monuments under fire, the 1,700-foot high outcropping of granite with carvings of Robert E. Lee, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson and Jefferson Davis is—by far—the largest.
Covering more than 17,000 square feet of mountain and 40 feet deep in the crannies, the carving—at nine-stories high—is the largest flat relief sculpture in the world. Planning of the monument began only in 1914. Funding for the project came primarily from the Ku Klux Klan, which regularly met on the mountain to burn crosses and the project's first directors and promoters were KKK members. Their original plan was to depict General Robert E. Lee leading Confederate soldiers and Klan members up the mountain.
The park officially opened to the public on April 14, 1965 — the hundredth anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
After the memorial was complete, “a ‘neo-Confederate theme park’ emerged around the site, including a plantation house, a “Gone With the Wind” museum, according to a report from the Atlanta History Center, The New York Times reported.
Stacey Abrams, the former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Democratic nominee for governor in 2018, declared during her unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign that the granite carving is “a blight on our state” and called for its removal. "We must never celebrate those who defended slavery and tried to destroy the union," Abrams said.
President Trump’s unyielding push to preserve Confederate symbols and the legacy of white domination was crystallized by his harsh denunciation of the racial justice movement Friday night at Mount Rushmore. My latest report w/ @PhilipRucker https://t.co/rRox4Xin5Y — Robert Costa (@costareports) July 4, 2020
Removing the monument would take a lot of dynamite and require a change in state law. The Georgia code says the Confederate memorial should be “preserved and protected for all time as a tribute to the bravery and heroism of the citizens of this state who suffered and died in their cause.”
Stone Mountain Ku Klux Klan rally. Supporters of the Ku Klux Klan march May 4, 1989, Stone Mountain, Georgia (Paul Harris/Getty Images)
The Confederate Memorial at Stone Mountain Park, depicting three Confederate traitors of the Civil War, President Jefferson Davis, Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson on July 18, 2015 in Stone Mountain, Georgia. (Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
(Original Caption) 6/18/1940-Atlanta, GA: These women were participants in the show put on by the Ku Klux Klan at the recent mass initiation ceremony and cross-burning on Stone Mountain (near Atlanta). One woman brought her small daughter along. The child is dressed in miniature Klan regalia. (Getty Images)
1994: An overview of Stone Mountain in Atlanta, Georgia. (Nathan Bilow/Allsport/Getty Images)
Republished from Common Dreams under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.