crooksandliars--2020-06-06--Pete Hegseth Whines That Chokehold Ban Makes It Hard For Police To Take People Down

Despite evidence to the contrary that chokeholds are in fact very deadly and have been banned in law enforcement academies across the country , Fox & Friends host Pete Hegseth called them `` nonlethal '' and pretended that police officers do n't have other means to subdue someone they 're attempting to arrest .
Fox spent every other segment fearmongering over calls to defund police departments across the country following one incident after another of police brutality being caught on camera during these protests sparked by murder of George Floyd , which led to this exchange between Hegseth and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the people that are saying defund the police or let 's just get -- we do n't need police , let 's get rid of them , let 's decrease the numbers , are same people who are also not advocating for your 2nd Amendment rights .
So , let me just ask them , if you ca n't call the police and you ca n't have some sort of weapon in your home to protected yourself and your family , what are you supposed to do ?
What is the recourse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I understand that healthcare and education in these areas , they may need more funding and we need to address some police reforms .
I am not denying that .
But to have this attitude about who is going to protect your home if something happens .
I do n't follow the logic .
HEGSETH : The logic is also this reflexive idea that we need more funding in education .
Well , we funded a lot of these government schools in these various ... to not better outcomes for kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking about creative solutions like school choice .
The most impossible job in America today is to be a law enforcement officer and the vast majority of them do incredibly well .
Even something like a chokehold , listen , how are you supposed to take somebody down ?
Ask them politely ?
What ... .
there are only a limited number of nonlethal tools that you have at your disposal when you are facing a threat .
So even things like that , when you talk to law enforcement officials , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do we go here from here ?
”

Despite evidence to the contrary that chokeholds are in fact very deadly and have been banned in law enforcement academies across the country, Fox & Friends host Pete Hegseth called them "nonlethal" and pretended that police officers don't have other means to subdue someone they're attempting to arrest.
Fox spent every other segment fearmongering over calls to defund police departments across the country following one incident after another of police brutality being caught on camera during these protests sparked by murder of George Floyd, which led to this exchange between Hegseth and his cohost Jedediah Bila.
BILA: Many of the people that are saying defund the police or let's just get -- we don't need police, let's get rid of them, let's decrease the numbers, are same people who are also not advocating for your 2nd Amendment rights.
So, let me just ask them, if you can't call the police and you can't have some sort of weapon in your home to protected yourself and your family, what are you supposed to do? What is the recourse? I would love to ask them. And I understand that healthcare and education in these areas, they may need more funding and we need to address some police reforms. I am not denying that. But to have this attitude about who is going to protect your home if something happens. I don't follow the logic.
HEGSETH: The logic is also this reflexive idea that we need more funding in education. Well, we funded a lot of these government schools in these various... to not better outcomes for kids for a long time, and not talking about creative solutions like school choice.
The most impossible job in America today is to be a law enforcement officer and the vast majority of them do incredibly well. Even something like a chokehold, listen, how are you supposed to take somebody down? Ask them politely?
What.... there are only a limited number of nonlethal tools that you have at your disposal when you are facing a threat. So even things like that, when you talk to law enforcement officials, they are shrugging their shoulders saying “Where do we go here from here?”


crooksandliars--2020-06-06--‘Boogaloo Bois’ Busted On Their Way To Las Vegas Protest With Molotov Cocktails

Three “ Boogaloo Bois ” had big plans for Saturday in Las Vegas .
They stopped off at a gas station en route to an anti-police protest over the death of George Floyd , and filled up a gas can .
They had begun making the Molotov cocktails they intended to launch into the crowd of protesters when they suddenly found themselves surrounded and arrested .
The men , all with military backgrounds and a devotion to far-right “ Boogaloo ” memes , were charged Wednesday by federal authorities with plotting to attack the protest in order to further their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Attorney Nicholas Trutanich announced .
“ Violent instigators have hijacked peaceful protests and demonstrations across the country , including Nevada , exploiting the real and legitimate outrage over Mr. Floyd ’ s death for their own radical agendas , ” Trutanich said .
“ Law enforcement is focused on keeping violence and destruction from interfering with free public expression and threatening lives.
” The men—Stephen T. Parshall , 35 , a former Navy enlistee ; Andrew T. Lynam Jr. , 23 , an Army reservist ; and William L. Loomis , 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held on $ 1 million bond each in the Clark County jail , according to court records .
Parshall and Loomis are from Las Vegas while Lynam hails from suburban Henderson .
The arrests are further evidence that far-right extremists are working overtime to heighten racial tensions and encourage a race war by infiltrating and working in the background of the Floyd protests to wreak havoc .
The incident is also the latest in a series of situations in which these Boogaloo Bois have been arrested to prevent them from committing planned acts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a white man planning to attend an anti-pandemic-orders protest was found to have built an arsenal of pipe bombs in his home .
In Ohio , a white man who wanted to ambush police at a national park and livestream it on Facebook was arrested by the FBI .
In Tennessee , a Black man carrying an AR-15 to a planned Chattanooga police protest June 2 was arrested en route to a demonstration ; he had posted on Facebook about his enthusiasm for the Boogaloo as an opportunity for Black militants .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been dedicated white nationalists .
A report by the Tech Transparency Project ( TTP ) found that all three had participated in far-right Boogaloo pages ; Parshall ’ s Facebook profile includes “ multiple photos associated with white supremacist ideologies , such as a swastika , the Confederate flag , and the flag of ‘ kekistan , ’ ” while his profile cover photo features text that states : “ Before inspiration , comes the slaughter.
” According to the complaint filed in the case , federal authorities had become aware of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a confidential informant who had met Lynam and Parshall at a Las Vegas rally in early April calling for the reopening of the state ’ s economy .
They were carrying weapons .
Lynam told the informant that the group “ was not for joking around and that it was for people who wanted to violently overthrow the United States government.
” The informant met up with all three men on May 27 , the complaint says .
Parshall and Loomis “ discussed causing an incident to incite chaos and possibly a riot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informant also said that Loomis stated he wanted to firebomb a power substation .
The next day , Lynam urged his cohorts to watch televised reports of the protests and associated violence and use them for momentum to take other actions .
These included possibly taking action against a fee station at Lake Mead on federal land north of the Hoover Dam , as well as another U.S. Forest Service ranger station that had earned their ire .
Parshall and Loomis ’ “ idea behind the explosion was to hopefully create civil unrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the informant .
The TTP report noted that it had zeroed in on Facebook ’ s inaction in a previous report about the shared Boogaloo fantasy .
The arrests , the TTP notes in its current report , “ illustrate the consequences of Facebook ’ s repeated failure to remove extremist groups from its platform , even when confronted with concrete evidence they were using it to plan violent acts.
” The TTP found that the Nevada Boogaloo Facebook group in which all three men participated was only the beginning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ private Boogaloo groups operated by the popular Facebook page Thicc Boog Line .
It also found Lynam had used a national-level Boogaloo group to promote his Las Vegas-focused branch three weeks before the arrests , part of an effort to recruit local members ; he was an administrative user for the Nevada group named “ Battle Born Igloo.
” Facebook , TTP found , took no action against the groups .
For the past year the company has claimed that it would strictly enforce the community guidelines that prohibit facilitating , organizing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ” and “ statements of intent to commit high-severity violence.
” Facebook responded to the earlier TTP report by telling Christopher Mathias at HuffPost that it was working to remove the pages the report had identified , and was “ reviewing the content referenced in this report and will enforce against any violations.
” However , TTP notes , “ none of the groups TTP monitored , including the Nevada group , were removed.
” “ The complaint shows that Facebook ’ s failure to disrupt the Boogaloo groups allowed members to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including bomb-making strategies spelled out in a 133-page manifesto still being circulated on Facebook today , ” the report observes .

Three “Boogaloo Bois” had big plans for Saturday in Las Vegas. They stopped off at a gas station en route to an anti-police protest over the death of George Floyd, and filled up a gas can. They had begun making the Molotov cocktails they intended to launch into the crowd of protesters when they suddenly found themselves surrounded and arrested.
The men, all with military backgrounds and a devotion to far-right “Boogaloo” memes, were charged Wednesday by federal authorities with plotting to attack the protest in order to further their hope for a civil/race war, Nevada U.S. Attorney Nicholas Trutanich announced.
“Violent instigators have hijacked peaceful protests and demonstrations across the country, including Nevada, exploiting the real and legitimate outrage over Mr. Floyd’s death for their own radical agendas,” Trutanich said. “Law enforcement is focused on keeping violence and destruction from interfering with free public expression and threatening lives.”
The men—Stephen T. Parshall, 35, a former Navy enlistee; Andrew T. Lynam Jr., 23, an Army reservist; and William L. Loomis, 40, a former Air Force enlistee—are being held on $1 million bond each in the Clark County jail, according to court records. Parshall and Loomis are from Las Vegas while Lynam hails from suburban Henderson.
The arrests are further evidence that far-right extremists are working overtime to heighten racial tensions and encourage a race war by infiltrating and working in the background of the Floyd protests to wreak havoc.
The incident is also the latest in a series of situations in which these Boogaloo Bois have been arrested to prevent them from committing planned acts of mass violence. In Colorado, a white man planning to attend an anti-pandemic-orders protest was found to have built an arsenal of pipe bombs in his home. In Ohio, a white man who wanted to ambush police at a national park and livestream it on Facebook was arrested by the FBI. In Tennessee, a Black man carrying an AR-15 to a planned Chattanooga police protest June 2 was arrested en route to a demonstration; he had posted on Facebook about his enthusiasm for the Boogaloo as an opportunity for Black militants.
The three Las Vegas men appear to have been dedicated white nationalists. A report by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) found that all three had participated in far-right Boogaloo pages; Parshall’s Facebook profile includes “multiple photos associated with white supremacist ideologies, such as a swastika, the Confederate flag, and the flag of ‘kekistan,’” while his profile cover photo features text that states: “Before inspiration, comes the slaughter.”
According to the complaint filed in the case, federal authorities had become aware of the men’s activities and plans through a confidential informant who had met Lynam and Parshall at a Las Vegas rally in early April calling for the reopening of the state’s economy. They were carrying weapons. Lynam told the informant that the group “was not for joking around and that it was for people who wanted to violently overthrow the United States government.”
The informant met up with all three men on May 27, the complaint says. Parshall and Loomis “discussed causing an incident to incite chaos and possibly a riot” during the Floyd protests. The informant also said that Loomis stated he wanted to firebomb a power substation.
The next day, Lynam urged his cohorts to watch televised reports of the protests and associated violence and use them for momentum to take other actions. These included possibly taking action against a fee station at Lake Mead on federal land north of the Hoover Dam, as well as another U.S. Forest Service ranger station that had earned their ire.
Parshall and Loomis’ “idea behind the explosion was to hopefully create civil unrest and rioting throughout Las Vegas,” according to the informant.
The TTP report noted that it had zeroed in on Facebook’s inaction in a previous report about the shared Boogaloo fantasy. The arrests, the TTP notes in its current report, “illustrate the consequences of Facebook’s repeated failure to remove extremist groups from its platform, even when confronted with concrete evidence they were using it to plan violent acts.”
The TTP found that the Nevada Boogaloo Facebook group in which all three men participated was only the beginning. Its research shows Lynam belongs to two private Boogaloo groups operated by the popular Facebook page Thicc Boog Line. It also found Lynam had used a national-level Boogaloo group to promote his Las Vegas-focused branch three weeks before the arrests, part of an effort to recruit local members; he was an administrative user for the Nevada group named “Battle Born Igloo.”
Facebook, TTP found, took no action against the groups. For the past year the company has claimed that it would strictly enforce the community guidelines that prohibit facilitating, organizing, or promoting “harmful activities targeted at people” and “statements of intent to commit high-severity violence.”
Facebook responded to the earlier TTP report by telling Christopher Mathias at HuffPost that it was working to remove the pages the report had identified, and was “reviewing the content referenced in this report and will enforce against any violations.” However, TTP notes, “none of the groups TTP monitored, including the Nevada group, were removed.”
“The complaint shows that Facebook’s failure to disrupt the Boogaloo groups allowed members to continue planning and developing new tactics, including bomb-making strategies spelled out in a 133-page manifesto still being circulated on Facebook today,” the report observes.
Posted with permission of Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-06-06--Gay Porn Star Threatening To Out Homophobic GOP Senator ‘LG’

It seems to have started with yesterday 's tweet in which Harding put out a call for sex workers to speak out against `` a homophobic republican senator . ''
Just after midnight , Harding said , “ EVERY major news network is in my inbox including high profile lawyers willing to take this case .
Just in case there ’ s any doubt who “ LG ” is , The Gaily Grind noted , “ When a Twitter user responded to his threat with a GIF of GOP Senator Lindsey Graham , Harding responded with a winking face emoji.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not Graham ’ s sexual behavior , per se , but his hypocrisy .
Rolling Stone wrote about the long-standing rumors about Graham 's sexuality in January : The rumors are only relevant insofar as Graham ’ s record on gay rights , which , according to the Human Rights Campaign , an LGBTQ civil-rights organization , has been largely atrocious .
The group describes Graham as “ a consistent opponent of everything from marriage equality to protecting LGBTQ workers from employment discrimination ” ( though in 2015 , he called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a woman and a man ) .
Harding says he wants to wait for more to join him before he speaks further .
But there are plenty on Twitter willing to talk now .
And meanwhile , “ Lady G ” is at the top of U.S. Twitter trends as I write this .

It seems to have started with yesterday's tweet in which Harding put out a call for sex workers to speak out against "a homophobic republican senator."
There is a homophobic republican senator who is no better than Trump who keeps passing legislation that is damaging to the lgbt and minority communities. Every sex worker I know has been hired by this man. Wondering if enough of us spoke out if that could get him out of office? — Sean Harding #BLM (@SeanHardingXXX) June 4, 2020
Just after midnight, Harding said, “EVERY major news network is in my inbox including high profile lawyers willing to take this case.
Fellow sex workers I invite you to stand with me during this crucial time. EVERY major news network is in my inbox including high profile lawyers willing to take this case. There's strength in numbers - I KNOW you're out there because EVERYONE has a story about LG when we talk. https://t.co/PeKKvQSJAx — Sean Harding #BLM (@SeanHardingXXX) June 5, 2020
Just in case there’s any doubt who “LG” is, The Gaily Grind noted, “When a Twitter user responded to his threat with a GIF of GOP Senator Lindsey Graham, Harding responded with a winking face emoji.”
The point, of course, is not Graham’s sexual behavior, per se, but his hypocrisy. Rolling Stone wrote about the long-standing rumors about Graham's sexuality in January:
The rumors are only relevant insofar as Graham’s record on gay rights, which, according to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ civil-rights organization, has been largely atrocious. The group describes Graham as “a consistent opponent of everything from marriage equality to protecting LGBTQ workers from employment discrimination” (though in 2015, he called for the GOP to drop its demand for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a woman and a man).
Harding says he wants to wait for more to join him before he speaks further. But there are plenty on Twitter willing to talk now. And meanwhile, “Lady G” is at the top of U.S. Twitter trends as I write this.
Lady G is a very open secret here in DC. There are a number of Republicans that are known by the party but as long as they vote and direct support and money the right way it is unnoticed. Have you ever been near a GOP convention and checked the hookup sites, apps? — Sexlocke_DC (@sexlocke) June 5, 2020
Damn it! My fiancée and I met a former aide at a party. She got a little too tipsy to drive, so we gave her a ride home. She confirmed that he indeed is exactly what everyone suspects. — LaughingDaffodil (@JessieMayBenet) June 5, 2020
It’s known in the Senate that he’s closeted and that Trump holds it over his head. Bon courage 💗 — Initiales D.D. (@deveryminou) June 5, 2020
Same! I can name at least 10 of my friends from Rent Men who banged him! Come forward! #SendLindseyHome — Disgruntled Jarhead (@DingoDawgUSMC) June 5, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-06-07--Senior Trump Advisor Retweets Viral Video Of Chainsaw-wielding Man Yelling 'F***ing N*****s'

Mercedes Schlapp was the White House Director of Strategic Communications until mid-2019 .
Since then she 's worked on Trump 's re-election campaign .
She 's also married to Matt Schlapp , the head of the American Conservative Union .
When it was pointed out to her that a video containing a chainsaw-wielding man attacking protesters and yelling about `` f*cking n****rs '' was n't very nice , she simply retweeted another tweet than muted the profanity .
Because that 's how conservatives roll , I guess .
Profanity bad , psychos attacking protesters good .
President Donald Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages on Twitter while simultaneously reaching out to black and Hispanic voters , a dissonant balancing act that ’ s now rocking the GOP amid nationwide racial-justice protests .
The two competing forces collided Saturday on the Twitter feed of Trump campaign senior adviser Mercedes Schlapp , when she boosted a tweet that lauded a man in Texas in a viral video as he yelled the n-word and wielded a chainsaw to chase away anti-racism demonstrators .
After POLITICO reached out to her and the campaign , Schlapp then retweeted another account that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ muted the racist slur .
Beyond Trump ’ s inner circle , Republicans have been under fire over racist social-media posts in Texas , where the chainsaw incident happened , triggering strife within GOP circles .
UPDATE : After the Politico story went up someone must have whispered in her ear that retweeting videos with chainsaw-wielding psychos was n't a good look , she removed her retweet and sent out a statement to Trump TV as some sort of apology .
One of President Trump 's senior campaign advisers has apologized after promoting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used a racial slur while admonishing protests .
“ I retweeted without watching the full video and I deeply apologize , '' Mercedes Schlapp said in a statement provided to Fox News .
`` I deleted the tweet .
I would never knowingly promote the use of that word .
The intent was that these protestors wanted to call the cops for their own safety despite them wanting to defund the cops . ''
Originally posted on Friday , the video shows a man wearing a red sweatshirt and dark cap while approaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Move !
Go home ! ''
the man can be heard yelling .
As he approached people in front of a store , he tells them : `` Do n't let those f -- -- -g n -- -- -s fool you ! ''

Mercedes Schlapp was the White House Director of Strategic Communications until mid-2019. Since then she's worked on Trump's re-election campaign. She's also married to Matt Schlapp, the head of the American Conservative Union.
When it was pointed out to her that a video containing a chainsaw-wielding man attacking protesters and yelling about "f*cking n****rs" wasn't very nice, she simply retweeted another tweet than muted the profanity. Because that's how conservatives roll, I guess. Profanity bad, psychos attacking protesters good.
Source: Politico
President Donald Trump and his allies for years have amplified racist messages on Twitter while simultaneously reaching out to black and Hispanic voters, a dissonant balancing act that’s now rocking the GOP amid nationwide racial-justice protests. The two competing forces collided Saturday on the Twitter feed of Trump campaign senior adviser Mercedes Schlapp, when she boosted a tweet that lauded a man in Texas in a viral video as he yelled the n-word and wielded a chainsaw to chase away anti-racism demonstrators. After POLITICO reached out to her and the campaign, Schlapp then retweeted another account that posted a version of the video that muted the racist slur. Beyond Trump’s inner circle, Republicans have been under fire over racist social-media posts in Texas, where the chainsaw incident happened, triggering strife within GOP circles.
That’s how to do it https://t.co/acPy7VOOEK — LATINO TOWNHALL (@LatinoTownhall) June 6, 2020
UPDATE: After the Politico story went up someone must have whispered in her ear that retweeting videos with chainsaw-wielding psychos wasn't a good look, she removed her retweet and sent out a statement to Trump TV as some sort of apology.


crooksandliars--2020-06-06--Sarah Kendzior: Trump's Authoritarian Goal Is Not To Govern, But To Rule

Sarah Kendzior is an author and journalist who 's been railing against Trump since she transitioned to covering the presidential election in March 2016 .
Kendzior is an expert on authoritarian states and saw in Trump all the classical symptoms of that manifest itself in one man .
Her early writings were criticized by some for being hyperbolic and over-the-top , especially in regards to the checks and balances that were supposed to be in the American system of government .
Someone as bad and as inept as Trump surely could n't do too much damage before the system would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
Well , that turned out to be a farce and Trump has basically run roughshod over every norm of the presidency and promises to do much worse if re-elected .
This morning she spoke with Joy Reid and Malcolm Nance about Trump 's and his ( not our ) Attorney General William Barr and their recent efforts to turn the United States into a police state .
JOY REID : I do n't know if there 's anyone more sinister in the administration than William Barr , first of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others call this division controlled by Bill Barr a secret police force .
Is that what we 've come to in America ?
SARAH KENDZIOR : Yes , essentially .
When you have no identification , you have no accountability .
And accountability is what they 've been trying to avoid and trying to destroy the entire time .
What Malcolm said before about Trump viewing the military as his own personal military , that , of course , extends to his view of Barr as his personal attorney .
That extends to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is not to govern .
It 's to rule .
It 's to see Americans who show any form of dissent , any form of independent thought as rivals , as enemies .
It 's to deem the press itself as enemies of the state which he did long ago .
this is a very consistent pattern for this administration .
A lot of people were in denial .
They kept thinking that 's not what authoritarianism looks like .
It means soldiers on the streets , firing and fighting against their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
We 're now at that point because people remained in denial for so long .
Do not let anybody tell you that nobody saw this coming .
That is another dodge for accountability .
Because if no one saw this coming , then no one could have prevented it .
It could have been prevented .
It could have been slowed .
There 's steps that Congress and others could take , for one , impeaching Bill Barr , dismantling the system , exposing state crimes that should have been exposed long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far in this scenario , as dire as things are right now .

Sarah Kendzior is an author and journalist who's been railing against Trump since she transitioned to covering the presidential election in March 2016. Kendzior is an expert on authoritarian states and saw in Trump all the classical symptoms of that manifest itself in one man. Her early writings were criticized by some for being hyperbolic and over-the-top, especially in regards to the checks and balances that were supposed to be in the American system of government. Someone as bad and as inept as Trump surely couldn't do too much damage before the system would right itself, was the argument at the time. Well, that turned out to be a farce and Trump has basically run roughshod over every norm of the presidency and promises to do much worse if re-elected.
This morning she spoke with Joy Reid and Malcolm Nance about Trump's and his (not our) Attorney General William Barr and their recent efforts to turn the United States into a police state.
JOY REID: I don't know if there's anyone more sinister in the administration than William Barr, first of all. You had senator Chris Murphy and others call this division controlled by Bill Barr a secret police force. Is that what we've come to in America?
SARAH KENDZIOR: Yes, essentially. When you have no identification, you have no accountability. And accountability is what they've been trying to avoid and trying to destroy the entire time. What Malcolm said before about Trump viewing the military as his own personal military, that, of course, extends to his view of Barr as his personal attorney. That extends to their general philosophy for the United States which is not to govern. It's to rule. It's to see Americans who show any form of dissent, any form of independent thought as rivals, as enemies. It's to deem the press itself as enemies of the state which he did long ago. this is a very consistent pattern for this administration. A lot of people were in denial. They kept thinking that's not what authoritarianism looks like. It means soldiers on the streets, firing and fighting against their own citizens. Well, guess what? We're now at that point because people remained in denial for so long. Do not let anybody tell you that nobody saw this coming. That is another dodge for accountability. Because if no one saw this coming, then no one could have prevented it. It could have been prevented. It could have been slowed. There's steps that Congress and others could take, for one, impeaching Bill Barr, dismantling the system, exposing state crimes that should have been exposed long ago. The truth will get you far in this scenario, as dire as things are right now.


crooksandliars--2020-06-07--Ali Velshi Calls Out Police For Attacks On Journalists

Ali Velshi reminded everyone of the importance of a free press in an age of unprecedented attacks by the Trump administration and now the police that he personally experienced covering the protests over the murder of George Floyd .
Velshi and a number of his colleagues were tear gassed and fired on with rubber bullets while trying to cover the protests across the country , and as he described , the police were more than aware of the fact that it was journalists they were firing on a good deal of the time .
VELSHI : Here in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press freedom questioned , let alone seeing journalists come into direct physical confrontation with law enforcement .
A free press is enshrined in our constitution .
It is one of the founding principles of our nation , but as a journalist , it does n't matter where in the world you are or how free the nation is , the very nature of our work to bear witness and to hold power to account always stands in opposition to those who hold power , be they business leaders , presidents , prime ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all rank and stripe does not enjoy being held to account .
Donald Trump has spent the last four years attacking the press for doing its job—a practice that although some warned could have dire consequences , few believed would actually manifest into physical distaste for the press , but that is exactly what happened .
On Tuesday night , as I stood on the perimeter side of a police line , one block west of New York City 's Union Square , I asked an officer why the line was established where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evident risk to anyone 's safety .
His response his response was if I continue to press the issue , I might be arrested—arrested for asking the question .
In Minneapolis I was hit by tear gas a few times and then by a rubber bullet .
I was in a crowd upon which police were firing , so it 's likely the police had no idea my team was made up of journalists .
But as my crew and I pulled back , we approached an intersection upon which police , supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Having been fired upon minutes earlier , and without any protesters around us , we approached the authorities slowly with our hands in the air announcing “ We 're media.
” They heard us and then they responded with , “ We do n't care , ” and opened fire again .
Since May 26th , according to the Committee to Protect Journalists , more than 300 journalists have faced press freedom violations , including several of my MSNBC colleagues who were either targeted by or incidentally hit by police projectiles .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured went back into the field , because we exist to bear witness and to hold power to account .
Because it is our duty to tell the public of this country what authorities are doing ostensibly in their name .
Again there was no threat , no violence from journalists unless you consider coverage by the media a threat .
In this heated moment we must continue to remember that there are some police who entered this profession to honorably serve and protect , but what police departments and police unions do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They do n't like it from their chiefs .
They do n't like it from civilian review boards , they do n't like it from their mayors , and they certainly do n't like it from the media , but scrutiny is what we do , and without scrutiny the ability of the media to bear witness and accountability dies .

Ali Velshi reminded everyone of the importance of a free press in an age of unprecedented attacks by the Trump administration and now the police that he personally experienced covering the protests over the murder of George Floyd.
Velshi and a number of his colleagues were tear gassed and fired on with rubber bullets while trying to cover the protests across the country, and as he described, the police were more than aware of the fact that it was journalists they were firing on a good deal of the time.
VELSHI: Here in the United States we are not accustomed to having press freedom questioned, let alone seeing journalists come into direct physical confrontation with law enforcement. A free press is enshrined in our constitution. It is one of the founding principles of our nation, but as a journalist, it doesn't matter where in the world you are or how free the nation is, the very nature of our work to bear witness and to hold power to account always stands in opposition to those who hold power, be they business leaders, presidents, prime ministers, princes or police. Power of all rank and stripe does not enjoy being held to account.
Donald Trump has spent the last four years attacking the press for doing its job—a practice that although some warned could have dire consequences, few believed would actually manifest into physical distaste for the press, but that is exactly what happened.
On Tuesday night, as I stood on the perimeter side of a police line, one block west of New York City's Union Square, I asked an officer why the line was established where it was, when there was no evident risk to anyone's safety. His response his response was if I continue to press the issue, I might be arrested—arrested for asking the question.
In Minneapolis I was hit by tear gas a few times and then by a rubber bullet. I was in a crowd upon which police were firing, so it's likely the police had no idea my team was made up of journalists. But as my crew and I pulled back, we approached an intersection upon which police, supported by the Minnesota National Guard had converged.
Having been fired upon minutes earlier, and without any protesters around us, we approached the authorities slowly with our hands in the air announcing “We're media.” They heard us and then they responded with, “We don't care,” and opened fire again.
[…]
Since May 26th, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, more than 300 journalists have faced press freedom violations, including several of my MSNBC colleagues who were either targeted by or incidentally hit by police projectiles.
[…]
Nearly all of us except those seriously injured went back into the field, because we exist to bear witness and to hold power to account. Because it is our duty to tell the public of this country what authorities are doing ostensibly in their name.
Again there was no threat, no violence from journalists unless you consider coverage by the media a threat.
In this heated moment we must continue to remember that there are some police who entered this profession to honorably serve and protect, but what police departments and police unions don't seem to ever want is scrutiny. They don't like it from their chiefs. They don't like it from civilian review boards, they don't like it from their mayors, and they certainly don't like it from the media, but scrutiny is what we do, and without scrutiny the ability of the media to bear witness and accountability dies.


crooksandliars--2020-06-07--Tom Cotton: My Fascist-style Op-ed 'Far Exceeded' New York Times Standards

Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) on Sunday defended his New York Times op-ed calling for military force to be used against protesters .
In a column for the Times last week titled `` Send In the Troops , '' Cotton said that the federal government should display `` an overwhelming show of force to disperse , detain and ultimately deter lawbreakers . ''
The paper later apologized for running the op-ed , noting that `` the essay fell short of our standards and should not have been published . ''
While speaking to Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times .
`` I will say my op-ed did n't meet the Times standards , it far exceeded their standard , '' Cotton said , `` which is usually sophomoric , left-wing drivel . ''
`` Last weekend , we saw riots , looting , really insurrection on our streets , '' he continued .
`` In Washington , D.C. , a famous church was torched , memorials were desecrated , stores were looted .
And I said simply last Monday that if the local police are overwhelmed by the numbers of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Guard or -- if necessary as a last resort -- federal troops under the Insurrection Act then that 's exactly what has to happen . ''
According to Cotton , The New York Times `` surrendered to a woke child mob from their own newsroom that apparently gets triggered if they 're presented with any opinion contrary to their own . ''
Bartiromo noted that the Times has also published op-eds by the Taliban and Adolf Hitler over the decades .
`` They 've only prostrated themselves in front of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who are acting like kids at a social justice seminar as opposed to acting like grownups in the workplace , '' Cotton agreed .

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) on Sunday defended his New York Times op-ed calling for military force to be used against protesters.
In a column for the Times last week titled "Send In the Troops," Cotton said that the federal government should display "an overwhelming show of force to disperse, detain and ultimately deter lawbreakers."
The paper later apologized for running the op-ed, noting that "the essay fell short of our standards and should not have been published."
While speaking to Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday, Cotton lashed out at the Times.
"I will say my op-ed didn't meet the Times standards, it far exceeded their standard," Cotton said, "which is usually sophomoric, left-wing drivel."
"Last weekend, we saw riots, looting, really insurrection on our streets," he continued. "In Washington, D.C., a famous church was torched, memorials were desecrated, stores were looted. And I said simply last Monday that if the local police are overwhelmed by the numbers of these insurrectionists, if they need support from the National Guard or -- if necessary as a last resort -- federal troops under the Insurrection Act then that's exactly what has to happen."
According to Cotton, The New York Times "surrendered to a woke child mob from their own newsroom that apparently gets triggered if they're presented with any opinion contrary to their own."
Bartiromo noted that the Times has also published op-eds by the Taliban and Adolf Hitler over the decades.
"They've only prostrated themselves in front of their young children who are acting like children, who are acting like kids at a social justice seminar as opposed to acting like grownups in the workplace," Cotton agreed.


crooksandliars--2020-06-07--William Barr On Gassing Protesters: 'Pepper Spray Is Not A Chemical Irritant'

Attorney General William Barr on Sunday insisted that federal forces did not technically use `` tear gas '' on protesters outside the White House because pepper spray is not a `` chemical irritant . ''
In an interview on CBS , Barr said that it was a coincidence that the area around the White House was forcefully cleared of protesters minutes before President Donald Trump walked outside the grounds for a photo op last week .
`` Three of my colleagues were there , '' CBS host Margaret Brennan explained to Barr .
`` They did not see projectiles being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Barr replied .
`` They were thrown .
I saw them thrown . ''
`` And you believe that what the Park Police did using tear gas and projectiles was appropriate ? ''
Brennan pressed .
`` When they met resistance , yes , '' Barr said .
`` They announced three times .
They did n't move .
By the way , there was no tear gas used .
The tear gas was used Sunday when they had to clear 8th Street to allow the fire department to come in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That 's when tear gas was used . ''
`` There were chemical irritants used by the Park Police [ on Monday ] , '' Brennan pointed out .
`` No , there were no chemical irritants , '' Barr shot back .
`` Pepper spray is not a chemical irritant .
It 's not chemical . ''
However , many experts disagree with Barr .
`` A pepper ball is a projectile that contains chemicals , like pepper spray , that would irritate the eyes and lungs .
Such a combination with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chemical irritant that would cause tearing , '' USA Today noted in a report last week .
`` Both are chemical irritants that can causing tearing , coughing and sometimes vomiting .
Those symptoms were reported from protesters who were cleared from the park on Monday . ''
[ Ed.Note : Everything Barr said was a lie .
It was not announced 3 times , the protesters were peaceful , and they gassed priests . ]

Attorney General William Barr on Sunday insisted that federal forces did not technically use "tear gas" on protesters outside the White House because pepper spray is not a "chemical irritant."
In an interview on CBS, Barr said that it was a coincidence that the area around the White House was forcefully cleared of protesters minutes before President Donald Trump walked outside the grounds for a photo op last week.
"Three of my colleagues were there," CBS host Margaret Brennan explained to Barr. "They did not see projectiles being thrown."
"I was there," Barr replied. "They were thrown. I saw them thrown."
"And you believe that what the Park Police did using tear gas and projectiles was appropriate?" Brennan pressed.
"When they met resistance, yes," Barr said. "They announced three times. They didn't move. By the way, there was no tear gas used. The tear gas was used Sunday when they had to clear 8th Street to allow the fire department to come in to save St. John's Church. That's when tear gas was used."
"There were chemical irritants used by the Park Police [on Monday]," Brennan pointed out.
"No, there were no chemical irritants," Barr shot back. "Pepper spray is not a chemical irritant. It's not chemical."
However, many experts disagree with Barr.
"A pepper ball is a projectile that contains chemicals, like pepper spray, that would irritate the eyes and lungs. Such a combination with smoke canisters would create clouds of a chemical irritant that would cause tearing," USA Today noted in a report last week. "Both are chemical irritants that can causing tearing, coughing and sometimes vomiting. Those symptoms were reported from protesters who were cleared from the park on Monday."
[Ed.Note: Everything Barr said was a lie. It was not announced 3 times, the protesters were peaceful, and they gassed priests.]
UPDATE: From PepperBall's website:


crooksandliars--2020-06-07--Ben Carson: NFL Players Need To Say They Love America In Order To Protest

In his appearance on CNN 's State of the Union , HUD Secretary Ben Carson denied there was systemic racism and gave a simplistic answer to the criticism NFL players received for protesting it .
After Carson ducked a straightforward question about why Carson is calling for healing while Trump is tweeting incendiary videos , the conversation moved on to the question of systemic racism and whether it 's a problem in law enforcement .
Carson 's answer is one for the ages .
Here 's the first part : Let 's say this , I grew up at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I remember as an eighth grade student I was the only black student , I got the highest academic achievement and the teacher got up and berated the other students they were n't trying hard enough because a black kid was number one .
And that kind of thing was not uncommon when I was growing up .
That kind of thing is very uncommon now .
Are there still racists around ?
Absolutely .
There were yesterday , there are today , and there will be tomorrow .
But that does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it and this is an opportune time , right now , people are concentrating on this , we ca n't let this moment slip away .
We need to deal with some of the issues ss in the police departments , but it is this -- it is an easy time to do it .
We have policemen who are rogue , the vast majority of policemen are wonderful .
But you have some who are rogue , and they can go from one jurisdiction to another jurisdiction .
And nobody does anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body cameras , there are things that can be done , but we need to come to mutual solutions about this and now is the time to do it .
Everybody is concentrating on it , let 's not let this moment slip away .
So no systemic racism because teachers ca n't berate white kids in school for falling behind the Black kid , but we should still use this moment to work on things .
Okaaaay .
But you know it did n't end there .
No , no it did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we must be very vigilant about these groups of anarchists who destroy the livelihoods of the very people they claim to be trying to help , '' Carson cautioned .
Just for the record , anarchists are bad .
But he was n't actually talking about the actual bad anarchists and Boogaloo Bois who really do want to just bring down all the structures in this country .
That was a big dog whistle and bow to Fox News fearmongering about `` antifa , '' the mystery group they use as boogeymen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he still opposes those who protest police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem , '' Tapper reminded Carson .
`` You said you support peaceful protests .
Do you support NFL players exercising that right to peacefully protest by kneeling during the anthem ? ''
Carson dismissed that disagreement .
`` There are some people talking about the flag , talking about our veterans , talking about people who sacrificed their lives , talking about police officers , and there are others who are talking about injustice in the system and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` That 's the problem . ''
Tapper was n't letting it go that easily , reminding Carson that Trump called kneeling NFL players `` sons of bitches '' for peacefully protesting police brutality and taking a knee during the National Anthem .
Carson 's prescription was predictably simplistic .
`` My personal feeling is if those players were to come out and say we love our nation , we are patriots , we love our flag , we honor the memory of those who died to give us our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the brutality that has occurred and that 's why we 're doing this , I think it would solve the problem and I suggested they do that , '' he told Tapper .
I do n't think any one of those NFL players said anything to suggest they did n't love our nation .
Why should they have to explain their dissent ?
This is typical of these conservatives who always opt for the optics of a thing over the principle of a thing .
Just make it look like you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principle of the protest itself .

In his appearance on CNN's State of the Union, HUD Secretary Ben Carson denied there was systemic racism and gave a simplistic answer to the criticism NFL players received for protesting it.
After Carson ducked a straightforward question about why Carson is calling for healing while Trump is tweeting incendiary videos, the conversation moved on to the question of systemic racism and whether it's a problem in law enforcement. Carson's answer is one for the ages. Here's the first part:
Let's say this, I grew up at a time when there was real systemic racism. I remember as an eighth grade student I was the only black student, I got the highest academic achievement and the teacher got up and berated the other students they weren't trying hard enough because a black kid was number one. And that kind of thing was not uncommon when I was growing up. That kind of thing is very uncommon now. Are there still racists around? Absolutely. There were yesterday, there are today, and there will be tomorrow. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't fight it and this is an opportune time, right now, people are concentrating on this, we can't let this moment slip away. We need to deal with some of the issues ss in the police departments, but it is this -- it is an easy time to do it. We have policemen who are rogue, the vast majority of policemen are wonderful. But you have some who are rogue, and they can go from one jurisdiction to another jurisdiction. And nobody does anything about it. They can be wearing body cameras, there are things that can be done, but we need to come to mutual solutions about this and now is the time to do it. Everybody is concentrating on it, let's not let this moment slip away.
So no systemic racism because teachers can't berate white kids in school for falling behind the Black kid, but we should still use this moment to work on things. Okaaaay. But you know it didn't end there. No, no it did not.
"At the same time, we must be very vigilant about these groups of anarchists who destroy the livelihoods of the very people they claim to be trying to help," Carson cautioned. Just for the record, anarchists are bad. But he wasn't actually talking about the actual bad anarchists and Boogaloo Bois who really do want to just bring down all the structures in this country. That was a big dog whistle and bow to Fox News fearmongering about "antifa," the mystery group they use as boogeymen.
"The president reiterated Friday that he still opposes those who protest police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem," Tapper reminded Carson. "You said you support peaceful protests. Do you support NFL players exercising that right to peacefully protest by kneeling during the anthem?"
Carson dismissed that disagreement. "There are some people talking about the flag, talking about our veterans, talking about people who sacrificed their lives, talking about police officers, and there are others who are talking about injustice in the system and they're arguing past each other," he said. "That's the problem."
Tapper wasn't letting it go that easily, reminding Carson that Trump called kneeling NFL players "sons of bitches" for peacefully protesting police brutality and taking a knee during the National Anthem.
Carson's prescription was predictably simplistic. "My personal feeling is if those players were to come out and say we love our nation, we are patriots, we love our flag, we honor the memory of those who died to give us our freedom, but we are protesting some of the brutality that has occurred and that's why we're doing this, I think it would solve the problem and I suggested they do that," he told Tapper.
I don't think any one of those NFL players said anything to suggest they didn't love our nation. Why should they have to explain their dissent? This is typical of these conservatives who always opt for the optics of a thing over the principle of a thing. Just make it look like you're not protesting in order to bury the principle of the protest itself.
A pox on that.


crooksandliars--2020-06-07--Peter Navarro: Looters Are 'A Pack Of Animals' Destroying Trump's Economy

White House economic adviser Peter Navarro said on Sunday that looters and rioters are `` bad hombres '' and `` a pack of animals . ''
During an interview on Fox News , host Maria Bartiromo asked Navarro about the protests surrounding the White House , which have been mostly peaceful .
`` This morning , it 's a very peaceful Sunday morning , '' Navarro said .
`` Yesterday , going to and from work , what I saw is many peaceful protesters but there were a lot of bad hombres out there as well ready to riot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. `` is a burnt out shell '' because Mayor Muriel Bowser has been cautious about reopening the city during a pandemic .
`` It 's not open now , '' he complained .
`` What it basically is is graffiti , it 's boarded up places . ''
`` Let me do a little math , a little arson and looter math , '' Navarro continued .
`` When you have an arsonist burn down a small business , that 's a 100 jobs you 've destroyed .
Not just inside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He added : `` When you have a pack of animals go in and loot a big store , that 's thousands of jobs .
And if you add that up , Maria , over the 16 major metropolitan areas where the national guard has had to be deployed , that 's almost 2 million jobs that are being impacted . ''

White House economic adviser Peter Navarro said on Sunday that looters and rioters are "bad hombres" and "a pack of animals."
During an interview on Fox News, host Maria Bartiromo asked Navarro about the protests surrounding the White House, which have been mostly peaceful.
"This morning, it's a very peaceful Sunday morning," Navarro said. "Yesterday, going to and from work, what I saw is many peaceful protesters but there were a lot of bad hombres out there as well ready to riot."
According to Navarro, Washington, D.C. "is a burnt out shell" because Mayor Muriel Bowser has been cautious about reopening the city during a pandemic.
"It's not open now," he complained. "What it basically is is graffiti, it's boarded up places."
"Let me do a little math, a little arson and looter math," Navarro continued. "When you have an arsonist burn down a small business, that's a 100 jobs you've destroyed. Not just inside the enterprise but along the supply chain."
He added: "When you have a pack of animals go in and loot a big store, that's thousands of jobs. And if you add that up, Maria, over the 16 major metropolitan areas where the national guard has had to be deployed, that's almost 2 million jobs that are being impacted."


crooksandliars--2020-06-07--Trump DHS Chief: Black People 'Feel Slighted' By Police Killings But There's No 'Systemic Racism'

Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf argued over the weekend that there is no `` systemic racism problem with law enforcement . ''
Wolf made the remarks on ABC News after George Floyd 's killing at the hands of Minneapolis police sparked days of protests .
`` George Floyd is n't the only black American that was killed by police , '' ABC 's Martha Raddatz explained to Wolf on Sunday .
`` In fact , black Americans are killed by police at more than twice the rate of white Americans . ''
`` Do you think there is a problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States ? ''
she asked .
`` I do not think that we have a systemic racism problem with law enforcement officers across this country , '' Wolf said .
`` Do I acknowledge that there are some law enforcement officers that abuse their job ?
Yes . ''
`` I would say there are individuals in every profession across this country that probably abuse their authority and their power , '' he added .
`` We need to hold them accountable .
Can we do better ?
Can we do more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the law enforcement arena outreach to our community , particularly those that feel slighted ?
Absolutely . ''

Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf argued over the weekend that there is no "systemic racism problem with law enforcement."
Wolf made the remarks on ABC News after George Floyd's killing at the hands of Minneapolis police sparked days of protests.
"George Floyd isn't the only black American that was killed by police," ABC's Martha Raddatz explained to Wolf on Sunday. "In fact, black Americans are killed by police at more than twice the rate of white Americans."
"Do you think there is a problem with systemic racism in policing in the United States?" she asked.
"I do not think that we have a systemic racism problem with law enforcement officers across this country," Wolf said. "Do I acknowledge that there are some law enforcement officers that abuse their job? Yes."
"I would say there are individuals in every profession across this country that probably abuse their authority and their power," he added. "We need to hold them accountable. Can we do better? Can we do more? Can we continue to do more in the law enforcement arena outreach to our community, particularly those that feel slighted? Absolutely."


crooksandliars--2020-06-07--CDC: More Americans Drinking Cleaning Products Than Ever Before

When Axios put this news story out I did n't think too much about it , figuring a small number of MAGA types were following Trump 's lead by ingesting cleaning products to ward off COVID-19 .
Only the really stupid and gullible would follow Trump , right ?
Turns out 39 % of respondents admitted they were doing things the Centers for Disease Control considers risky or even dangerous behavior .
That number shocked me .
The CDC released data on Friday from a survey commissioned to understand why more people have been calling poison control centers during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roughly 200 adults who responded to the survey in May said they intentionally inhaled disinfectants , washed food with bleach , or applied household cleaning products to bare skin to combat the virus — all of which are dangerous .
Fewer respondents reported drinking or gargling household cleaners and soapy water to fight COVID-19 , or inhaling bleach and other cleaners .
In particular , this paragraph from the release caught my eye .
Respondents reported engaging in a range of practices during the previous month with the intent of preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of respondents reported more frequent home leaning or disinfection compared withthat in preceding months .
Thirty-nine percent reported intentionally engaging in at least one high-risk practice not recommended by CDC for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission ( 2 ) , including application of bleach to food items ( e.g.
, fruits and vegetables ) ( 19 % ) ; use of household cleaning and disinfectant products on hands or skin ( 18 % ) ; misting the body with a cleaning or disinfectant spray ( 10 % ) ; inhalation of vapors from household @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and drinking or gargling diluted bleach solutions , soapy water , and other cleaning and disinfectant solutions ( 4 % each ) .

When Axios put this news story out I didn't think too much about it, figuring a small number of MAGA types were following Trump's lead by ingesting cleaning products to ward off COVID-19. Only the really stupid and gullible would follow Trump, right? Turns out 39% of respondents admitted they were doing things the Centers for Disease Control considers risky or even dangerous behavior. That number shocked me.
Source: Axios
The CDC released data on Friday from a survey commissioned to understand why more people have been calling poison control centers during the coronavirus pandemic. What they found: Roughly 200 adults who responded to the survey in May said they intentionally inhaled disinfectants, washed food with bleach, or applied household cleaning products to bare skin to combat the virus — all of which are dangerous. Fewer respondents reported drinking or gargling household cleaners and soapy water to fight COVID-19, or inhaling bleach and other cleaners.
In particular, this paragraph from the release caught my eye.


crooksandliars--2020-06-07--Antifa Is The Ultimate Distraction For Republicans Who Don't Want To Address Racial Justice

On Thursday , Attorney General William Barr stepped out to give a textbook non-apology apology by denying that there was any systematic problem with American law enforcement while saying that “ it is undeniable that many African Americans lack confidence in our American criminal justice system . ''
Black confidence in the people who are killing them ; that ’ s the real problem , America .
However , the primary reason Barr stepped out on Thursday , and brought along FBI Director Christopher Wray , is so that the two of them could squeeze “ antifa ” into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over the course of the morning , Barr and Wray blamed violence on antifa , groups like antifa , antifa-related groups , and people with antifa-like motivations .
And while they did admit that there were others involved , they miraculously managed to not mention any of them .
So , here ’ s a funny thing .
Charges against 22 people arrested in the first days of protests have now been released , and there is one word missing from all those complaints .
During his everything-is-antifa press conference , Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was behind every bad thing .
Except , Barr tossed antifa into the conversation in sterling sentences like this : `` We have evidence that antifa and other similar extremist groups , as well as actors of a variety of different political persuasions , have been involved in instigating and participating in the violent activity.
” So that would be antifa , and people who are not antifa but were “ similar ” in some undefined way , and others who were not at all like antifa … except Barr only managed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no such group as antifa isn ’ t a handicap for Barr , Donald Trump , and others who have made it the nation ’ s number one boogeyman .
After all , there ’ s also no boogeyman .
Going after a group with no members , no spokesperson , and especially no legal representatives is double-plus good .
With a cherry on top .
Because if there ’ s anything these guys like , it ’ s punching someone who can ’ t punch back—and imaginary groups can be blamed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not just Trump , and Barr , and Wray who love to go after antifa .
It ’ s Tom Cotton .
It ’ s Lindsay Graham .
It ’ s every Fox news and far-right radio host ever .
They can kick antifa all day and never have to worry that the president of antifa , or spokesperson for antifa , or especially lawyers for antifa will ever show up to contradict even the most outrageous claim .
When Barr talks about antifa , he might as well be talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or bigfoot , or honest Republicans .
Or he might as well be talking about “ people who need to eat ” or “ people who think air is a good idea.
” Antifa is nothing at all , and it ’ s everyone .
It ’ s whatever Republicans need it to be .
That ’ s the way it works with imaginary boogeymen .
Antifa is anarchists !
Antifa is coming for your guns !
Antifa is everywhere , and they ’ re after your cream puffs !
( this joke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
So it ’ s not all that surprising that , as Daily Beast reports , the first 22 criminal complaints filed against people involved in violence during protests don ’ t feature antifa , or even anything “ antifa-like.
” However , those charges do include a mention of the race war fetishist Boogaloo Bois , a group that seems to actually exist , and actually love to run around waving guns and threatening people .
A group that Barr , Wray , and Trump haven ’ t labeled as domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one guy who said he was “ with an anarchist group ” and another who declared that he was planning to “ off racists.
” Barr is sure to explain that those people are antifa .
Or antifa-like .
Or antifa-related .
Or the third cousin of somehow whose neighbor was antifa-adjacent .
And also leprechauns .
Because for Trump and Barr , antifa serves two purposes .
First , it allows anything to be blamed on nefarious forces on the left .
But far more importantly , the focus on antifa allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again be marginalized and turned into a political fight where the real issues of police violence against Black Americans can be ignored .

On Thursday, Attorney General William Barr stepped out to give a textbook non-apology apology by denying that there was any systematic problem with American law enforcement while saying that “it is undeniable that many African Americans lack confidence in our American criminal justice system." Black confidence in the people who are killing them; that’s the real problem, America.
However, the primary reason Barr stepped out on Thursday, and brought along FBI Director Christopher Wray, is so that the two of them could squeeze “antifa” into the press conference a maximum number of times. Over the course of the morning, Barr and Wray blamed violence on antifa, groups like antifa, antifa-related groups, and people with antifa-like motivations. And while they did admit that there were others involved, they miraculously managed to not mention any of them. So, here’s a funny thing. Charges against 22 people arrested in the first days of protests have now been released, and there is one word missing from all those complaints.
During his everything-is-antifa press conference, Barr insisted that the DOJ knew that antifa was behind every bad thing. Except, Barr tossed antifa into the conversation in sterling sentences like this: "We have evidence that antifa and other similar extremist groups, as well as actors of a variety of different political persuasions, have been involved in instigating and participating in the violent activity.” So that would be antifa, and people who are not antifa but were “similar” in some undefined way, and others who were not at all like antifa … except Barr only managed to say antifa.
That there is actually no such group as antifa isn’t a handicap for Barr, Donald Trump, and others who have made it the nation’s number one boogeyman. After all, there’s also no boogeyman. Going after a group with no members, no spokesperson, and especially no legal representatives is double-plus good. With a cherry on top. Because if there’s anything these guys like, it’s punching someone who can’t punch back—and imaginary groups can be blamed for anything.
That’s why it’s not just Trump, and Barr, and Wray who love to go after antifa. It’s Tom Cotton. It’s Lindsay Graham. It’s every Fox news and far-right radio host ever. They can kick antifa all day and never have to worry that the president of antifa, or spokesperson for antifa, or especially lawyers for antifa will ever show up to contradict even the most outrageous claim.
When Barr talks about antifa, he might as well be talking about something as imaginary as fairies, or bigfoot, or honest Republicans. Or he might as well be talking about “people who need to eat” or “people who think air is a good idea.” Antifa is nothing at all, and it’s everyone. It’s whatever Republicans need it to be. That’s the way it works with imaginary boogeymen.
Antifa is anarchists! Antifa is coming for your guns! Antifa is everywhere, and they’re after your cream puffs! (this joke provided for people of a certain age).
So it’s not all that surprising that, as Daily Beast reports, the first 22 criminal complaints filed against people involved in violence during protests don’t feature antifa, or even anything “antifa-like.” However, those charges do include a mention of the race war fetishist Boogaloo Bois, a group that seems to actually exist, and actually love to run around waving guns and threatening people. A group that Barr, Wray, and Trump haven’t labeled as domestic terrorists.
Among the complaints there was one guy who said he was “with an anarchist group” and another who declared that he was planning to “off racists.” Barr is sure to explain that those people are antifa. Or antifa-like. Or antifa-related. Or the third cousin of somehow whose neighbor was antifa-adjacent. And also leprechauns.
Because for Trump and Barr, antifa serves two purposes. First, it allows anything to be blamed on nefarious forces on the left. But far more importantly, the focus on antifa allows the cause of racial justice to once again be marginalized and turned into a political fight where the real issues of police violence against Black Americans can be ignored.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-06-07--Sunday Morning Bobblehead Thread

Sunday Morning Bobblehead Thread

Sesame Street has never , ever lied to kids .
And they 're not lying now , god love 'em @ @ @ @ @ CNN to have a town hall on racism , and here 's just an excerpt @ @ @ @ @ to him why people are protesting , and that not everywhere is like Sesame Street @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Hooper died ?
Big Bird 's best friend ?
They did n't lie to @ @ @ @ @ , either .
What a gift the truth is .
Here is your Sunday morning @ @ @ @ @ :

Sesame Street has never, ever lied to kids. And they're not lying now, god love 'em. They have teamed with CNN to have a town hall on racism, and here's just an excerpt. Elmo's dad explains to him why people are protesting, and that not everywhere is like Sesame Street.
“Not all streets are like Sesame Street. … What we are seeing is people saying 'enough is enough.' They want to end racism.”@Elmo’s dad Louie explains why people are protesting across the US. https://t.co/icV04F4FNW #CNNSesameStreet pic.twitter.com/1efrMAzZ8V — CNN (@CNN) June 6, 2020
Remember waaay back when Mr. Hooper died? Big Bird's best friend? They didn't lie to Big Bird about death then, either. What a gift the truth is.
*********
Here is your Sunday morning line-up, according to Politico:


crooksandliars--2020-06-08--Chris Wallace Chides Acting DHS Secretary For 'Setting Up A Strawman'

The acting DHS Sec .
Chad Wolf joined FNS ' Chris Wallace to discussion the horrendous week of events orchestrated by Trump in an over the top response against peaceful protesters .
Wallace played audio of Donald Trump 's call to the nation 's governors telling them they have to dominate the streets or else they will look like jerks before asking Chad Wolf if his remarks were appropriate considering the violence started as a consequence of law enforcement abuse and murder .
Wallace also questioned whether it was a proper use of the military .
The acting DHS chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the rioting diminished because of Trump 's remarks and actions .
`` Can you imagine if we had not done anything , if we had not increased our police presence in the DC area and cities across the country , '' Wolf said .
`` The rioting and looting would continue . ''
Wolf stated they took the right action and and began gaslighting .
`` What we 've seen , we 've seen governors deploy the National Guard and we 've seen governors call the federal government and mayors asking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given them , '' he bragged .
Wallace then objected to his rewriting of the events and not responding to his question about the use of active military because that 's what caused Trump 's former SOS James Mattis to heavily criticize Trump for using the military , along as many other former members of the military .
`` Respectfully , sir , '' Wallace said .
`` I think you 're setting up a straw-man .
Nobody said that we should simply leave the streets empty and using police , using the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued , `` I think the issue was the idea of calling active duty military and there are reports today that president Trump wanted 10,000 active duty military . ''
After playing a clip of Defense Secretary Esper saying he would not invoke the insurrection act , again he asked , `` Was calling active duty military specifically , was that overkill ? ''
Wallace asked .
Wolf claimed that Trump needed every tool in his toolbox ready to be employed against the protesters which is a joke since using active military against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed what a frightened little toad Trump was during the DC protests .
Hashtags on Twitter like # Bunkerboy and # Babygate now describe Trump more accurately than any excuses Trump officials can sling so far during the George Floyd protests .

The acting DHS Sec. Chad Wolf joined FNS' Chris Wallace to discussion the horrendous week of events orchestrated by Trump in an over the top response against peaceful protesters.
Wallace played audio of Donald Trump's call to the nation's governors telling them they have to dominate the streets or else they will look like jerks before asking Chad Wolf if his remarks were appropriate considering the violence started as a consequence of law enforcement abuse and murder. Wallace also questioned whether it was a proper use of the military.
The acting DHS chief spewed a well orchestrated monologue and claimed that the rioting diminished because of Trump's remarks and actions.
"Can you imagine if we had not done anything, if we had not increased our police presence in the DC area and cities across the country," Wolf said. "The rioting and looting would continue."
Wolf stated they took the right action and and began gaslighting. "What we've seen, we've seen governors deploy the National Guard and we've seen governors call the federal government and mayors asking for support and that's what we've given them," he bragged.
Wallace then objected to his rewriting of the events and not responding to his question about the use of active military because that's what caused Trump's former SOS James Mattis to heavily criticize Trump for using the military, along as many other former members of the military.
"Respectfully, sir," Wallace said. "I think you're setting up a straw-man. Nobody said that we should simply leave the streets empty and using police, using the national guard are traditional."
He continued, "I think the issue was the idea of calling active duty military and there are reports today that president Trump wanted 10,000 active duty military."
After playing a clip of Defense Secretary Esper saying he would not invoke the insurrection act, again he asked, "Was calling active duty military specifically, was that overkill?" Wallace asked.
Wolf claimed that Trump needed every tool in his toolbox ready to be employed against the protesters which is a joke since using active military against US civilians is strictly prohibited and it showed what a frightened little toad Trump was during the DC protests.
Hashtags on Twitter like #Bunkerboy and #Babygate now describe Trump more accurately than any excuses Trump officials can sling so far during the George Floyd protests.


crooksandliars--2020-06-08--Minnesota Cops Admit To Slashing Protesters' Tires

At some point in the past few decades we seem to have slipped through Alice 's Looking Glass and now live in some dystopian Orwellian world where Donald Trump is president and cops do things like `` strategically deflate tires '' by puncturing them , then lying about it , and then when presented with video proof lie some more about how the cars contained rocks and other weapons ( none of them did , of course ) .
And finally , at the very last , admitting they did it , but using their Orwellian double-speak to justify their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wrote about it .
On Monday , the cops fessed up , State Patrol and Anoka County deputies acknowledged targeting vehicles .
Dozens were damaged .
Two law enforcement agencies acknowledged Monday that officers patrolling Minneapolis during the height of recent protests knifed the tires of numerous vehicles parked and unoccupied in at least two locations in the midst of the unrest .
Video and photo images posted on the news outlet Mother Jones show officers in military-style uniforms puncturing tires in the Kmart parking lot at Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Avenue at Interstate 35W , also showed officers with knives deflating the tires of two unoccupied cars with repeated jabs on May 31 .
Department of Public Safety spokesman Bruce Gordon confirmed that tires were cut in `` a few locations . ''
`` State Patrol troopers strategically deflated tires … in order to stop behaviors such as vehicles driving dangerously and at high speeds in and around protesters and law enforcement , '' Gordon said .
Gordon said the patrol also targeted vehicles `` that contained items used to cause harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , concrete and sticks .
`` While not a typical tactic , vehicles were being used as dangerous weapons and inhibited our ability to clear areas and keep areas safe where violent protests were occurring , '' he said .
As in all operations of this size , there will be a review about how these decisions were made . ''
Journalists were routinely targeted , of course .

At some point in the past few decades we seem to have slipped through Alice's Looking Glass and now live in some dystopian Orwellian world where Donald Trump is president and cops do things like "strategically deflate tires" by puncturing them, then lying about it, and then when presented with video proof lie some more about how the cars contained rocks and other weapons (none of them did, of course). And finally, at the very last, admitting they did it, but using their Orwellian double-speak to justify their lawlessness.
Mother Jones captured their bullshit and wrote about it. On Monday, the cops fessed up, State Patrol and Anoka County deputies acknowledged targeting vehicles. Dozens were damaged.
Source: Star Tribune
Two law enforcement agencies acknowledged Monday that officers patrolling Minneapolis during the height of recent protests knifed the tires of numerous vehicles parked and unoccupied in at least two locations in the midst of the unrest. Video and photo images posted on the news outlet Mother Jones show officers in military-style uniforms puncturing tires in the Kmart parking lot at Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue on May 30. Images from S. Washington Avenue at Interstate 35W, also showed officers with knives deflating the tires of two unoccupied cars with repeated jabs on May 31. Department of Public Safety spokesman Bruce Gordon confirmed that tires were cut in "a few locations." "State Patrol troopers strategically deflated tires … in order to stop behaviors such as vehicles driving dangerously and at high speeds in and around protesters and law enforcement," Gordon said. Gordon said the patrol also targeted vehicles "that contained items used to cause harm during violent protests" such as rocks, concrete and sticks. "While not a typical tactic, vehicles were being used as dangerous weapons and inhibited our ability to clear areas and keep areas safe where violent protests were occurring," he said. As in all operations of this size, there will be a review about how these decisions were made."
Journalists were routinely targeted, of course.
‼THE POLICE SLASHED THIS TRUCKS TIRES‼ all the protestors left the Kmart area as soon as they got closer. #MinneapolisRiot pic.twitter.com/eTGrHUUZLA — brandi (@brandiiimariiie) May 31, 2020
Minneapolis Police slashed every tire on my rental car, as well as every tire of every car in this parking lot. pic.twitter.com/lchFplYQ0n — Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) May 31, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-06-08--Rep. Eliot Engel Whines: AOC Shouldn't Think She Can Anoint Someone

Engel said this during Sunday 's online candidate 's forum for the upcoming primary ( June 23 ) for NY-16 @ @ @ @ @ who 's been in Congress since the late 80 's , disavowed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @ @ @ @ @ instead of the longtime incumbent .
Eliot Engel talking about @ AOC endorsement of his @ @ @ @ @ today : '' This is not a dictatorship .
This is a democracy .
We @ @ @ @ @ , from high , even though she 's a colleague of mine , think that @ @ @ @ @ elected . ''
pic.twitter.com/PPvOU3ohfH The reviews of Engel 's weird comment , both unintentionally funny @ @ @ @ @ time have not been kind .
It ’ s literally an endorsement during a primary @ @ @ @ @ OPPOSITE of a dictatorship .
You ’ re just mad that you actually had to @ @ @ @ @ this year and pretend to work .

Engel said this during today's Sunday's online candidates forum for the upcoming primary (June 23) for NY-16. Rep. Eliot Engel, who's been in Congress since the late 80's, disavowed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement of Jamaal Bowman instead of the longtime incumbent.
Eliot Engel talking about @AOC endorsement of his opponent at a candidate forum today:
"This is not a dictatorship. This is a democracy. We shouldn't have one person, from high, even though she's a colleague of mine, think that she can anoint whoever's elected." pic.twitter.com/PPvOU3ohfH — Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) June 7, 2020
The reviews of Engel's weird comment, both unintentionally funny and sad at the same time have not been kind.
Oh look, by that logic, @SpeakerPelosi is a dictator too. https://t.co/MEjLLUutFE — David Silverstone ᵇˡᵐ 🌅✡ (@DavidAgStone) June 7, 2020
this man has literally been in Congress longer than I've been alive and he's complaining about "anointed" candidates? — (((Robert Goldberg))) (@robjGoldberg) June 7, 2020
It’s literally an endorsement during a primary you vomit mopper. The OPPOSITE of a dictatorship.
You’re just mad that you actually had to show up in your district this year and pretend to work. — Blakeley (@BlakeleyBartley) June 7, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-06-08--White House Stands By Decision To Gas Peaceful Protesters For Photo-Op

During a press briefing , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany confirmed that Donald Trump has no regrets for gassing peaceful protesters at Lafayette Park in order to clear out a path for his walk of shame to hold a Bible in the air at a church he does n't attend .
A reporter asked McEnany if they stood by their violent treatment on peaceful protesters .
`` There is no regrets on the part of this White House , '' she said confidently before claiming many of those decisions were not made at the White House .
She blamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr for making those decisions , which she claimed were done without White House knowledge .
That is a bald-faced lie , since as soon as the orders were given to clear out Lafayette Park , Trump immediately took his stroll to St. James Church .
She also claimed that there were three loud warnings to clear out the peaceful protesters , but as CBS News ' anchor of Face the Nation Margaret Brennan told Barr , none of their reporters ever heard those warnings .
And if reporters did n't hear the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters .
Their thuggish behavior was all in service of Donald Trump wanting to simply stay in daylight as he walked to the St. John 's Church to hold up a Bible like a Trump steak for a photo-op .
`` We stand by those actions , '' McEnany affirmed .
Those actions have caused Trump 's own former Secretary of Defense General Mattis to condemn Trump as a divider of the nation , which led his former Chief of Staff General John Kelly to defend Mattis against Trump 's moronic attacks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ did Trump appoint him as Secretary of Defense ?
Trump loves to inflict pain on those who do not support him and America got to see that up close and personal .
Kayleigh can lie and deny all she wants , but the truth is right there in front of everyone .
By the way , they 're losing the argument on this .

During a press briefing, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany confirmed that Donald Trump has no regrets for gassing peaceful protesters at Lafayette Park in order to clear out a path for his walk of shame to hold a Bible in the air at a church he doesn't attend.
A reporter asked McEnany if they stood by their violent treatment on peaceful protesters.
"There is no regrets on the part of this White House," she said confidently before claiming many of those decisions were not made at the White House.
She blamed the cover-up general, Attorney General Bill Barr for making those decisions, which she claimed were done without White House knowledge. That is a bald-faced lie, since as soon as the orders were given to clear out Lafayette Park, Trump immediately took his stroll to St. James Church.
Coincidence? I think not.
She also claimed that there were three loud warnings to clear out the peaceful protesters, but as CBS News' anchor of Face the Nation Margaret Brennan told Barr, none of their reporters ever heard those warnings. And if reporters didn't hear the warnings, then neither did the peaceful protesters.
Their thuggish behavior was all in service of Donald Trump wanting to simply stay in daylight as he walked to the St. John's Church to hold up a Bible like a Trump steak for a photo-op.
"We stand by those actions," McEnany affirmed.
Those actions have caused Trump's own former Secretary of Defense General Mattis to condemn Trump as a divider of the nation, which led his former Chief of Staff General John Kelly to defend Mattis against Trump's moronic attacks.
If Gen. Mattis was so awful why did Trump appoint him as Secretary of Defense?
Trump loves to inflict pain on those who do not support him and America got to see that up close and personal. Kayleigh can lie and deny all she wants, but the truth is right there in front of everyone.
By the way, they're losing the argument on this.


crooksandliars--2020-06-08--Man Who Drove Truck Into BLM Protesters Is Local KKK President

The police are now weighing whether `` hate crime '' designation is appropriate .
A cursory look at his Facebook page might give them some clues .
Henrico County Commonwealth 's Attorney Shannon Taylor said Monday that the Hanover County man arrested Sunday for driving his truck into a crowd of protesters `` is an admitted leader of the Ku Klux Klan and a propagandist for Confederate ideology . ''
Harry H. Rogers , 36 , has been charged with attempted malicious wounding , felony vandalism , and assault and battery .
He is being held without bond .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving recklessly down Lakeside Avenue in the median on Sunday , drove up to protesters , revved his engine and drove through the crowd .
One person was evaluated for injuries .
“ While I am grateful that the victim ’ s injuries do not appear to be serious , an attack on peaceful protesters is heinous and despicable and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law , '' Taylor said .
She added : “ The accused , by his own admission and by a cursory glance at social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ku Klux Klan and a propagandist for Confederate ideology . ''
Taylor said her office is investigating whether hate crime charges `` are appropriate . ''

The police are now weighing whether "hate crime" designation is appropriate. A cursory look at his Facebook page might give them some clues.
Source: Richmond Times-Disptach
Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor said Monday that the Hanover County man arrested Sunday for driving his truck into a crowd of protesters "is an admitted leader of the Ku Klux Klan and a propagandist for Confederate ideology."
Harry H. Rogers, 36, has been charged with attempted malicious wounding, felony vandalism, and assault and battery. He is being held without bond.
In her statement, Taylor said Rogers was driving recklessly down Lakeside Avenue in the median on Sunday, drove up to protesters, revved his engine and drove through the crowd. One person was evaluated for injuries.
“While I am grateful that the victim’s injuries do not appear to be serious, an attack on peaceful protesters is heinous and despicable and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law," Taylor said.
She added: “The accused, by his own admission and by a cursory glance at social media, is an admitted leader of the Ku Klux Klan and a propagandist for Confederate ideology."
Taylor said her office is investigating whether hate crime charges "are appropriate."


crooksandliars--2020-06-08--Church That Threatened To Sue KY's Governor To Remain Open Now Has COVID-19 Outbreak

This same jackass who threatened to sue Kentucky 's Governor to keep their church services open now has the gall @ @ @ @ @ terrible '' about the outbreak that has decimated his congregation .
The church whose pastor @ @ @ @ @ Cameron in threatening to sue Gov .
Andy Beshear in April if the governor didn @ @ @ @ @ order preventing churches from holding in-person services has had a coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) outbreak @ @ @ @ @ , just outside of Nicholasville in Jessamine County , has had 17 parishioners test positive @ @ @ @ @ ages of those infected range from children to the elderly , according to the Herald-Leader @ @ @ @ @ to report the story .
The church began in-person services on May 10 .
Pastor @ @ @ @ @ on Friday that he felt “ terrible ” about the outbreak .
“ I care @ @ @ @ @ my people than anyone , ” he said .
At least two of the people @ @ @ @ @ are members of Fugate ’ s family .

This same jackass who threatened to sue Kentucky's Governor to keep their church services open now has the gall to say he feels "terrible" about the outbreak that has decimated his congregation.
Jerk.
Source: K105
The church whose pastor joined Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in threatening to sue Gov. Andy Beshear in April if the governor didn’t rescind an executive order preventing churches from holding in-person services has had a coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Clays Mills Baptist Church, just outside of Nicholasville in Jessamine County, has had 17 parishioners test positive for the virus. The ages of those infected range from children to the elderly, according to the Herald-Leader, the first news outlet to report the story.
The church began in-person services on May 10.
Pastor Jeff Fugate told the newspaper on Friday that he felt “terrible” about the outbreak. “I care more about the health of my people than anyone,” he said.
At least two of the people who have recently tested positive are members of Fugate’s family.


crooksandliars--2020-06-08--White Landlord Evicts Black-Owned Business After CEO Spotted At Black Lives Matter Protest

A white landlord in Iowa has reportedly evicted a group of Black business owners after he saw their employees supporting Black Lives Matter on the news .
“ We got kicked out from our business office space by our landlord cuz he saw us on the news peacefully protesting , ” Stylent CEO Jeremiah Johnson revealed on Twitter .
“ Violating our 1st amendment rights and the lease .
Please share this video !
When other people protest for haircuts , it ’ s great !
But when I protest peaceful it ’ s bad !
!
” Video shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to evict the business .
The landlord seems to argue that employees of the business were wrong to be protesting in an area where looting was also occurring .
“ I was protesting the right way , ” Johnson says in the video .
“ I will tell you flat out , ” the landlord opines , “ if there ’ s something illegal going on at a place that I ’ m at , I don ’ t want to be a part of it .
I ’ m personally going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different groups , ” Johnson points out .
“ All I ’ m saying is I think it ’ s poor judgement to be at a place where something illegally is going on , ” the landlord continues .
“ Whether you are a part of it or not.
” “ We didn ’ t think that was going to happen , ” the business owner says .
“ We were there for a peaceful protest.
” UPDATE : This seems to be at the heart of the problem : The notion that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserved . ''

A white landlord in Iowa has reportedly evicted a group of Black business owners after he saw their employees supporting Black Lives Matter on the news.
“We got kicked out from our business office space by our landlord cuz he saw us on the news peacefully protesting,” Stylent CEO Jeremiah Johnson revealed on Twitter. “Violating our 1st amendment rights and the lease. Please share this video! When other people protest for haircuts, it’s great! But when I protest peaceful it’s bad!!”
We got kicked out from our business office space by our landlord cuz he saw us on the news peacefully protesting.Violating our 1st amendment rights and the lease. Please share this video! When other people protest for haircuts, it’s great! But when I protest peaceful it’s bad!! pic.twitter.com/PuGkC3QMmA — Jeremiah Johnson (@jeremiah_miah11) June 6, 2020
These were the pictures he saw on the news that made him think we were doing criminal acts. I’ll never support looting because I own small businesses in the U.S and back home in my country Liberia. I’ll always stand up for what’s right regardless of what a rich guy thinks pic.twitter.com/AqlaO4zYp7 — Jeremiah Johnson (@jeremiah_miah11) June 7, 2020
Video shared on Twitter shows the landlord explaining his decision to evict the business.
The landlord seems to argue that employees of the business were wrong to be protesting in an area where looting was also occurring.
“I was protesting the right way,” Johnson says in the video.
“I will tell you flat out,” the landlord opines, “if there’s something illegal going on at a place that I’m at, I don’t want to be a part of it. I’m personally going to leave.”
“There was two different groups,” Johnson points out.
“All I’m saying is I think it’s poor judgement to be at a place where something illegally is going on,” the landlord continues. “Whether you are a part of it or not.”
“We didn’t think that was going to happen,” the business owner says. “We were there for a peaceful protest.”
Twitter users reacted by pledging to purchase Stylent apparel.
They sell hoodies, shirts, and jerserys. Join me in buying some https://t.co/2hAmJZBhaG https://t.co/HYZMMNqxKW — GrandPooBear (@GrandPOOBear) June 7, 2020
Its @stylentbrands by some gear!! — Will Frazier (@MrWillFrazier) June 7, 2020
This landlord’s actions have backfired on him in two ways:
1 - He just gave free nationwide publicity for @stylentbrands
2 - He just exposed himself as a difficult and petty landlord https://t.co/RZj7hNhINY — Ute Proud (@lvuteMoir) June 7, 2020
UPDATE: This seems to be at the heart of the problem: The notion that rights are "earned" or "deserved."


crooksandliars--2020-06-08--Mike Huckabee Tries To Prevent A GOP Mutiny: Get On Board And 'Get Over It'

When you have to tell your own troops to `` stay loyal '' and ignore Trump 's 'bedside manner , '' there 's a YUGE problem with the GOP candidate .
Who happens to be the so-called president .
Fox and Friends Weekend brought on Mike Huckabee to respond to a New York Times report : “ Vote for Trump ?
These Republican Leaders Aren ’ t on the Bandwagon . ''
The report illustrated that George W. Bush , Cindy McCain , and Mitt Romney were likely Biden voters .
Huckabee said the report , if true , made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Media Matters : MIKE HUCKABEE ( FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR ) : If you have people who were nominated , and in the case of President Bush actually elected to be president by Republicans and they will no longer support the Republican nominee who went through the process and got elected , then I 'm going to be not just unhappy , I 'm going to be livid .
And I 'll tell you why .
We did n't all agree on some of the policies of Bush or McCain or Romney .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to it , we had a choice .
We could choose a far-left liberal or we could choose somebody that was closer to our views .
I get it that Donald Trump 's bedside manner is somewhat more like Mean Joe Greene than it is the cool , collected Tom Brady , if it 's on the football field .
But here 's what I just do n't understand with these never-Trumpers .
This president is more pro-life than we 've ever had , period .
He 's more pro-Israel .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the businesses of America can thrive and they have until this COVID stuff happened .
This is a president who has stood up to the globalists , stood up to the unfair trade practices , brought back American jobs , has done more for minorities than any president in my lifetime in actually helping people to have good , decent jobs and a future .
This is a president who has reformed criminal justice .
There 's an incredibly long litany of things he 's done .
And some of them say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personality . ''
Well , get over it .
This is not about electing a personality .
This is n't Hollywood .
This is the rough , tumble world of politics .
And maybe he 's not as genteel as some of us would like .
But , by gosh , he 's getting the job done , and it 's time Republicans rally because if they do n't , they 're going to get Joe Biden , who is n't pro-life , who is for higher taxes , open borders , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everything that we find disgusting he 's going to embrace it , including the socialists out here .
That 's why we have to realize this is a simple choice and we better make the right move .
When you have to remind your own voters of the quid pro quo of voting for Trump , you 're losing badly .
And when your anger translator is Mike Huckabee ?
Please .

There's BIG trouble at GOP Headquarters.
When you have to tell your own troops to "stay loyal" and ignore Trump's 'bedside manner," there's a YUGE problem with the GOP candidate. Who happens to be the so-called president.
Fox and Friends Weekend brought on Mike Huckabee to respond to a New York Times report: “Vote for Trump? These Republican Leaders Aren’t on the Bandwagon."
The report illustrated that George W. Bush, Cindy McCain, and Mitt Romney were likely Biden voters.
Huckabee said the report, if true, made him "livid." Transcript via Media Matters:
MIKE HUCKABEE (FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR): If you have people who were nominated, and in the case of President Bush actually elected to be president by Republicans and they will no longer support the Republican nominee who went through the process and got elected, then I'm going to be not just unhappy, I'm going to be livid. And I'll tell you why. We didn't all agree on some of the policies of Bush or McCain or Romney. But, you know, when it came down to it, we had a choice. We could choose a far-left liberal or we could choose somebody that was closer to our views. I get it that Donald Trump's bedside manner is somewhat more like Mean Joe Greene than it is the cool, collected Tom Brady, if it's on the football field. But here's what I just don't understand with these never-Trumpers. This president is more pro-life than we've ever had, period. He's more pro-Israel. He has deregulated so much government so that the businesses of America can thrive and they have until this COVID stuff happened. This is a president who has stood up to the globalists, stood up to the unfair trade practices, brought back American jobs, has done more for minorities than any president in my lifetime in actually helping people to have good, decent jobs and a future. This is a president who has reformed criminal justice. There's an incredibly long litany of things he's done. And some of them say, "But I don't like his personality." Well, get over it. This is not about electing a personality. This isn't Hollywood. This is the rough, tumble world of politics. And maybe he's not as genteel as some of us would like. But, by gosh, he's getting the job done, and it's time Republicans rally because if they don't, they're going to get Joe Biden, who isn't pro-life, who is for higher taxes, open borders, he's going to succumb to China. Everything that we find disgusting he's going to embrace it, including the socialists out here. That's why we have to realize this is a simple choice and we better make the right move.
When you have to remind your own voters of the quid pro quo of voting for Trump, you're losing badly.
And when your anger translator is Mike Huckabee? Please.