politicususa--2020-05-30--White Supremacist Groups Have Been Urging Members To Loot Businesses In Minnesota

As usual , the same folks – Trump supporters in particular – who stayed silent in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd ’ s murder at the hands of a police officer , are channeling most of their anger at so-called looters instead of America ’ s demonstrably unequal criminal justice system .
It turns out , according to Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington , white supremacist organizations could be behind the looting and destruction of local businesses .
“ We have seen things like white supremacist organizers who have posted things on platforms about coming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference on Saturday .
He added , “ We have seen flyers about protests where folks have talked about … going to get their loot on tonight , and we ’ re checking to see , are they part of an organized criminal organization ?
” Harrington said authorities are looking into whether the arrests they have made over the past few days are tied to these white supremacist organizations .
As we begun making arrests , we have begun analyzing the data of who we have arrested and begun actually doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar to our COVID .
It ’ s contact tracing .
Who are they associated with ?
Who — what platforms are they advocating for ?
And we have seen things like white supremacist organizers who have posted things on platforms about coming to Minnesota .
We are checking to see , do the folks that we have made arrests on and that we have information , are they connected to those platforms .
We have seen flyers about protests where folks have talked about they ’ re going to get their loot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checking to see , are they part of an organized criminal organization ?
And if so , what is that organization and how is that — how are they organized ?
We have been working with both our state , our county , our local and our federal partners to start looking at issues around , is this organized crime ?
Is this an organized cell of terror ?
Where are the — where do these folks — where ’ s the linkage is what we ’ re doing and so we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that information network , building that intel effort so that we can link these folks together , figure out what the organizations that have created this and then understand how do we go after them – legally ?
The governor of Minnesota also said on Saturday that most of the people arrested on Friday night were from out of state .
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey added , “ I want to be very , very clear : The people that are doing this are not Minneapolis residents.
” Trump and his supporters want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The vast majority of the protests unfolding in Minneapolis and all across the country have been peaceful .
The demonstrators are simply voicing their anger about systemic racism in America ’ s criminal justice system .
Instead of acknowledging that hard truth and working to bridge these divides , the president and his supporters are hoping to make bad actors – the folks who are damaging local businesses – the main story .
You need not look any further than the Twitter feed of Donald Trump and his eldest son to see that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd ’ s murder , but they seem to absolutely love talking about businesses that are burned and looted .
In other words , the outbursts of violence at some of the protest sites is looking increasingly like an organized effort to tarnish the message of the peaceful protesters .
The president and his followers are jumping on the opportunity to make property destruction – not systemic racism – the main focus of attention .

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As usual, the same folks – Trump supporters in particular – who stayed silent in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of a police officer, are channeling most of their anger at so-called looters instead of America’s demonstrably unequal criminal justice system.
It turns out, according to Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington, white supremacist organizations could be behind the looting and destruction of local businesses.
“We have seen things like white supremacist organizers who have posted things on platforms about coming to Minnesota,” Harrington said during a press conference on Saturday.
He added, “We have seen flyers about protests where folks have talked about … going to get their loot on tonight, and we’re checking to see, are they part of an organized criminal organization?”
Harrington said authorities are looking into whether the arrests they have made over the past few days are tied to these white supremacist organizations.
Video:
According to Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington, white supremacist groups have been urging followers to loot businesses in the state. #ctl #p2 #amjoy pic.twitter.com/VegTQgmsow — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) May 30, 2020
Harrington said:
As we begun making arrests, we have begun analyzing the data of who we have arrested and begun actually doing what you would think is almost very similar to our COVID. It’s contact tracing. Who are they associated with? Who — what platforms are they advocating for? And we have seen things like white supremacist organizers who have posted things on platforms about coming to Minnesota. We are checking to see, do the folks that we have made arrests on and that we have information, are they connected to those platforms. We have seen flyers about protests where folks have talked about they’re going to get their loot on tonight, and we’re checking to see, are they part of an organized criminal organization? And if so, what is that organization and how is that — how are they organized? We have been working with both our state, our county, our local and our federal partners to start looking at issues around, is this organized crime? Is this an organized cell of terror? Where are the — where do these folks — where’s the linkage is what we’re doing and so we are in the process right now of building that information network, building that intel effort so that we can link these folks together, figure out what the organizations that have created this and then understand how do we go after them – legally?
The governor of Minnesota also said on Saturday that most of the people arrested on Friday night were from out of state.
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey added, “I want to be very, very clear: The people that are doing this are not Minneapolis residents.”
Trump and his supporters want property destruction to be the main story
The vast majority of the protests unfolding in Minneapolis and all across the country have been peaceful. The demonstrators are simply voicing their anger about systemic racism in America’s criminal justice system.
Instead of acknowledging that hard truth and working to bridge these divides, the president and his supporters are hoping to make bad actors – the folks who are damaging local businesses – the main story.
You need not look any further than the Twitter feed of Donald Trump and his eldest son to see that they couldn’t care less about George Floyd’s murder, but they seem to absolutely love talking about businesses that are burned and looted.
In other words, the outbursts of violence at some of the protest sites is looking increasingly like an organized effort to tarnish the message of the peaceful protesters.
The president and his followers are jumping on the opportunity to make property destruction – not systemic racism – the main focus of attention.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-30--Gov. Cuomo Shows Leadership On The George Floyd Killing As Trump Spews Hate On Twitter

As Donald Trump continues to fan the flames of racism and violence from his Twitter account , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo used his platform to show real leadership on this issue .
During a press conference on Saturday , the governor directly addressed the killing of George Floyd , but he also spoke of the greater issue of systemic racism that has plagued the country for centuries .
“ How many times have we seen the same situation ?
” Gov .
Cuomo said , citing a long list of African Americans killed by police officers .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the color doesn ’ t .
And that is the painful reality of this situation.
” The governor added , “ That ’ s what ’ s behind this anger and frustration , and I share the outrage at this fundamental injustice.
” The George Floyd death was not just about George Floyd , and we wish his family peace and they ’ re in our thoughts and prayers .
But we tend to look at these situations as individual incidents .
They ’ re not individual incidents .
When you have one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can look at them as individual episodes .
But when you have ten episodes , 15 episodes , you are blind or in denial if you are still treating each one like a unique situation .
We have an injustice in the criminal justice system that is that is abhorrent .
That is the truth .
It doesn ’ t make me feel good to say that .
I ’ m a former prosecutor .
We have injustice in the criminal justice system , which is the basic purveyor of justice in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just George Floyd .
You look back even in modern history in my lifetime , this started with Rodney King .
Rodney King was 30 years ago .
We suffered in this city through Abner Louima and Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell and Eric Garner .
How many times have we seen the same situation ?
Yes , the names change , but the color doesn ’ t .
And that is the painful reality of this situation , and it ’ s not just 30 years .
It is this nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back hundreds of years .
That is the honest truth , and that ’ s what ’ s behind this anger and frustration and I share the outrage at this fundamental injustice .
Gov .
Cuomo joins Joe Biden in trying to fill the leadership vacuum New York Gov .
Cuomo ’ s remarks on Saturday echo what former Vice President Joe Biden said on Friday during a speech about the George Floyd killing .
“ With our complacency , our silence , we are complicit in perpetuating these cycles of violence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all races to come together to address the systemic racism that Floyd ’ s killing once again exposed .
“ If we simply allow this wound to scab over once more without treating the underlying injury , we ’ ll never truly heal , ” the former VP said .
As multiple crises wreak havoc across America , Democratic leaders are trying to fill the leadership vacuum that Donald Trump has created .

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As Donald Trump continues to fan the flames of racism and violence from his Twitter account, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo used his platform to show real leadership on this issue.
During a press conference on Saturday, the governor directly addressed the killing of George Floyd, but he also spoke of the greater issue of systemic racism that has plagued the country for centuries.
“How many times have we seen the same situation?” Gov. Cuomo said, citing a long list of African Americans killed by police officers. “Yes, the names change, but the color doesn’t. And that is the painful reality of this situation.”
The governor added, “That’s what’s behind this anger and frustration, and I share the outrage at this fundamental injustice.”
Video:
Gov. Cuomo shows real leadership on the George Floyd killing, while Donald Trump fans the flames of hate on Twitter. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/LSTtmEuzRq — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) May 30, 2020
Gov. Cuomo said:
The George Floyd death was not just about George Floyd, and we wish his family peace and they’re in our thoughts and prayers. But we tend to look at these situations as individual incidents. They’re not individual incidents. When you have one episode, two episodes, maybe you can look at them as individual episodes. But when you have ten episodes, 15 episodes, you are blind or in denial if you are still treating each one like a unique situation. We have an injustice in the criminal justice system that is that is abhorrent. That is the truth. It doesn’t make me feel good to say that. I’m a former prosecutor. We have injustice in the criminal justice system, which is the basic purveyor of justice in this society. And it’s not just George Floyd. You look back even in modern history in my lifetime, this started with Rodney King. Rodney King was 30 years ago. We suffered in this city through Abner Louima and Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell and Eric Garner. How many times have we seen the same situation? Yes, the names change, but the color doesn’t. And that is the painful reality of this situation, and it’s not just 30 years. It is this nation’s history of discrimination and racism dating back hundreds of years. That is the honest truth, and that’s what’s behind this anger and frustration and I share the outrage at this fundamental injustice.
Gov. Cuomo joins Joe Biden in trying to fill the leadership vacuum
New York Gov. Cuomo’s remarks on Saturday echo what former Vice President Joe Biden said on Friday during a speech about the George Floyd killing.
“With our complacency, our silence, we are complicit in perpetuating these cycles of violence,” Biden said, urging Americans of all races to come together to address the systemic racism that Floyd’s killing once again exposed.
“If we simply allow this wound to scab over once more without treating the underlying injury, we’ll never truly heal,” the former VP said.
As multiple crises wreak havoc across America, Democratic leaders are trying to fill the leadership vacuum that Donald Trump has created.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-30--White Supremacists Are Following Trump’s Lead And Fueling Minnesota Violence

Minnesota officials said in a Saturday news conference that white nationalists and people from outside the state are fueling the violence in Minneapolis .
The Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety , John Harrington said : As we begun making arrests , we have begun analyzing the data of who we have arrested and begun actually doing what you would think almost very similar to our COVID .
It ’ s contact tracing .
Who are they associated with ?
Who — what platforms are they advocating for ?
And we have seen things like white supremacist organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming to Minnesota .
We are checking to see do the folks that we have made arrests on and that we have information , are they connected to those we have seen flyers about protests where folks have talked about they ’ re going to get their loot on tonight and we ’ re checking to see , are they part of an organized criminal organization ?
And if so , what is that organization and how is that — how are they organized ?
We have been working with both our state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our federal partners to start looking around , and is this organized crime ?
Is this an organized cell of terror ?
Where are the — where do these folks — where ’ s the linkage is what we ’ re doing and so we are in the process right now of building that information network , building that Intel effort so that we can link these folks together , figure out what the organizations that have created this and then understand how do we go after them legally ?
That is absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are in fact public safety and we recognize that there are legal issues that are involved here but we are not going to tolerate the violence and the destruction that they ’ re using as a cover for the other illegal activity .
Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said , “ In Saint Paul last night and across our twin cities a curfew went into effect .
Because we had a relative stillness in St. Paul we didn ’ t make an enormous number of arrests , but every single person we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was from out of state .
What we are seeing right now is a group of people who are not from here.
” The white nationalists are following Trump ’ s lead .
Trump sent out tweets glorifying violence against the protesters , and his racist supporters have taken up the campaign that the President advocated for .
The white nationalists , Trump , and the Russians all want to divide and weaken the United States to empower themselves .
It is the tyranny of the fringe right-wing minority who sees their Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Minnesota officials said in a Saturday news conference that white nationalists and people from outside the state are fueling the violence in Minneapolis.
The Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, John Harrington said:
As we begun making arrests, we have begun analyzing the data of who we have arrested and begun actually doing what you would think almost very similar to our COVID. It’s contact tracing. Who are they associated with? Who — what platforms are they advocating for? And we have seen things like white supremacist organizers who have posted things on platforms about coming to Minnesota. We are checking to see do the folks that we have made arrests on and that we have information, are they connected to those we have seen flyers about protests where folks have talked about they’re going to get their loot on tonight and we’re checking to see, are they part of an organized criminal organization? And if so, what is that organization and how is that — how are they organized?
We have been working with both our state, our county, our local and our federal partners to start looking around, and is this organized crime? Is this an organized cell of terror? Where are the — where do these folks — where’s the linkage is what we’re doing and so we are in the process right now of building that information network, building that Intel effort so that we can link these folks together, figure out what the organizations that have created this and then understand how do we go after them legally? That is absolutely part and parcel of our mission. We are in fact public safety and we recognize that there are legal issues that are involved here but we are not going to tolerate the violence and the destruction that they’re using as a cover for the other illegal activity.
Video of Harrington:
Minnesota public safety commissioner says white nationalists are organizing and coming to the state for violence and destruction. In other words, white supremacists are following Trump's lead. pic.twitter.com/nKXHXnzSsb — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 30, 2020
Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said, “In Saint Paul last night and across our twin cities a curfew went into effect. Because we had a relative stillness in St. Paul we didn’t make an enormous number of arrests, but every single person we arrested last night I’m told was from out of state. What we are seeing right now is a group of people who are not from here.”
Video of Carter:
St. Paul Mayor says every single person who was arrested Friday night was from out of state. pic.twitter.com/vrFv4D7Wxy — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) May 30, 2020
The white nationalists are following Trump’s lead. Trump sent out tweets glorifying violence against the protesters, and his racist supporters have taken up the campaign that the President advocated for. The white nationalists, Trump, and the Russians all want to divide and weaken the United States to empower themselves.
It is the tyranny of the fringe right-wing minority who sees their Putin fueled grasp on power slipping away.


politicususa--2020-05-30--Trump Openly Fantasizes About Unleashing Dogs And Weapons On George Floyd Protesters

Donald Trump continued to stoke the flames of violence on Saturday morning by openly fantasizing about unleashing dogs and weapons on D.C. protesters .
In a series of tweets , Trump praised the Secret Service after the White House went on lockdown Friday night amid protests over the murder of George Floyd .
“ Great job last night at the White House by the U.S. [ Secret Service ] .
They were not only totally professional , but very cool , ” the president tweeted , as if he was a third grader watching an action movie .
He continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but nobody came close to breaching the fence .
If they had they would have been greeted with the most vicious dogs , and most ominous weapons , I have ever seen .
That ’ s when people would have been really badly hurt , at least.
” America doesn ’ t have a president right now Trump ’ s Saturday morning tweetstorm about unleashing dogs and weapons on protesters comes after he glorified violence on Friday by saying “ when the looting starts , the shooting starts.
” In typical Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk tough and fan the flames of violence and racism on Twitter , but when he actually has an opportunity – on camera – to calm the country , he ’ s too much of a coward to step up and do it .
The U.S. was already in the middle of a public health and economic crisis , and now the wound of racial injustice has been torn wide open again after George Floyd was murdered by a police officer .
The American people need a stable , adult president who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spineless internet troll who is only interested in pouring gasoline on this raging fire .

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Donald Trump continued to stoke the flames of violence on Saturday morning by openly fantasizing about unleashing dogs and weapons on D.C. protesters.
In a series of tweets, Trump praised the Secret Service after the White House went on lockdown Friday night amid protests over the murder of George Floyd.
“Great job last night at the White House by the U.S. [Secret Service]. They were not only totally professional, but very cool,” the president tweeted, as if he was a third grader watching an action movie.
He continued, “Big crowd, professionally organized, but nobody came close to breaching the fence. If they had they would have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen. That’s when people would have been really badly hurt, at least.”
Great job last night at the White House by the U.S. @SecretService. They were not only totally professional, but very cool. I was inside, watched every move, and couldn’t have felt more safe. They let the “protesters” scream & rant as much as they wanted, but whenever someone…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
….got too frisky or out of line, they would quickly come down on them, hard – didn’t know what hit them. The front line was replaced with fresh agents, like magic. Big crowd, professionally organized, but nobody came close to breaching the fence. If they had they would…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
….have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen. That’s when people would have been really badly hurt, at least. Many Secret Service agents just waiting for action. “We put the young ones on the front line, sir, they love it, and…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
….good practice.” As you saw last night, they were very cool & very professional. Never let it get out of hand. Thank you! On the bad side, the D.C. Mayor, @MurielBowser, who is always looking for money & help, wouldn’t let the D.C. Police get involved. “Not their job.” Nice! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
America doesn’t have a president right now
Trump’s Saturday morning tweetstorm about unleashing dogs and weapons on protesters comes after he glorified violence on Friday by saying “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
In typical Trump fashion, he’s eager to talk tough and fan the flames of violence and racism on Twitter, but when he actually has an opportunity – on camera – to calm the country, he’s too much of a coward to step up and do it.
The U.S. was already in the middle of a public health and economic crisis, and now the wound of racial injustice has been torn wide open again after George Floyd was murdered by a police officer.
The American people need a stable, adult president who is going to lead right now, not a spineless internet troll who is only interested in pouring gasoline on this raging fire.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-30--Trump Threatens Violence Against US Citizens Who Protest Him

Trump threated protesters at the White House with violence for using their First Amendment free speech right to protest against @ @ @ @ @ time I checked the Constitution there was no provision for a president a unleashing violence @ @ @ @ @ being “ frisky , ” or “ out of line.
” The imagary of threatening @ @ @ @ @ is straight out of the Jim Crow era and civil rights movement .
The racial @ @ @ @ @ Trump also claimed the protesters were professional organizers : Trump ran away from his own @ @ @ @ @ on Friday , but is declaring war on the American people from Twitter .
Donald @ @ @ @ @ people with violence for protesting their own government on property that they own .
The @ @ @ @ @ to the President .
It belongs to the American people , as Trump has gone @ @ @ @ @ into an assault on the constitutional rights of every citizen .

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Trump threatened protesters at the White House with violence for using their First Amendment free speech right to protest against the government.
Trump tweeted:
Great job last night at the White House by the U.S. @SecretService. They were not only totally professional, but very cool. I was inside, watched every move, and couldn’t have felt more safe. They let the “protesters” scream & rant as much as they wanted, but whenever someone…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
….have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen. That’s when people would have been really badly hurt, at least. Many Secret Service agents just waiting for action. “We put the young ones on the front line, sir, they love it, and…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
….good practice.” As you saw last night, they were very cool & very professional. Never let it get out of hand. Thank you! On the bad side, the D.C. Mayor, @MurielBowser, who is always looking for money & help, wouldn’t let the D.C. Police get involved. “Not their job.” Nice! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
The last time I checked the Constitution there was no provision for a president a unleashing violence against the American people for being “frisky,” or “out of line.”
The imagary of threatening African-American people with vicious dogs is straight out of the Jim Crow era and civil rights movement. The racial conontations impossible to miss.
Trump also claimed the protesters were professional organizers:
The professionally managed so-called “protesters” at the White House had little to do with the memory of George Floyd. They were just there to cause trouble. The @SecretService handled them easily. Tonight, I understand, is MAGA NIGHT AT THE WHITE HOUSE??? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
These are “Organized Groups” that have nothing to do with George Floyd. Sad! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
Trump ran away from his own press conference without taking questions on Friday, but is declaring war on the American people from Twitter.
Donald Trump is threatening the American people with violence for protesting their own government on property that they own. The White House does not belong to the President. It belongs to the American people, as Trump has gone beyond race baiting, and into an assault on the constitutional rights of every citizen.


politicususa--2020-06-01--Opinion: Biden Must Take Up Van Jones’ Challenge, Guidance for Overcoming White Liberalism

CNN political commentator Van Jones recently issued a stark challenge to , and indeed indictment of , supposedly well-meaning White America , speaking in the wake of the police murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd and in the midst of mass uprisings and protests responding to the never-ending violence against African Americans .
He states most directly that America ’ s biggest obstacle to achieving racial justice in America , to making Black lives matter , isn ’ t so much the overt hood-wearing or Confederate flag brandishing white supremacist but rather the “ the white liberal Hillary Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooper , the white woman who recently called the police claiming an African American man was threatening her life while she walked her unleashed dog in Central Park .
Video evidence confirms the man was not threatening her all , only that she was playing the “ race card , ” the “ threatened white womanhood card , ” because she was angry that the man had asked her to obey the law and leash her dog while he watched birds in the designated area .
Jones sees Cooper as representative of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist , claim not to see color , but at a moment ’ s notice when , it suits their purpose , will avail themselves of the powerful and pervasive racist beliefs animating American life .
Jones ’ analysis recalled similar critiques of liberal politicians levied by Malcolm X , and in doing so implicitly issued a challenge and a campaign road map for Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden .
In his speech “ God ’ s Judgment of White America , ” Malcolm X charged : The White Conservatives aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they at least don ’ t try to hide it .
They are like wolves ; they show their teeth in a snarl that keeps the Negro always aware of where he stands with them .
But the white liberals are foxes , who also show their teeth to the Negro but pretend that they are smiling .
The white liberals are more dangerous than the conservatives ; they lure the Negro , and as the Negro runs from the growling wolf , he flees into the open jaws of the “ smiling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Biden campaign is clear , to demonstrate to America , particularly African America , that his administration is not another “ smiling fox.
” The Biden campaign must accept this challenge as real and substantial and attune itself to the litany of African American leaders , intellectuals , activists , and community voices who have launched this critique .
Michelle Alexander , for example , famed author of The New Jim Crow : Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness , wrote a piece back in February 2016 titled “ Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Vote , ” in which she argued that Hillary Clinton was linked to the politics of Bill Clinton ’ s administration that decimated the Black community with policies ranging from his crime bill to his welfare reform legislation .
Biden and his campaign need to demonstrate that they are aware of these critiques and have assessed the shortfalls of the Democratic Party in addressing racism in American as well as their complicity with perpetuating and intensifying it .
More than words , they need to show some concrete , material steps they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might they do that ?
Well , Malcolm X , in the aforementioned speech , talks about how the liberal Kennedy administration basically took control of and weakened the civil rights movement , attempting to contain it .
For example , he relates how a young John Lewis , then chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee , was censored from giving a militant speech that critiqued the Kennedy administration for its hypocrisy on civil rights .
Instead of seeking to control movements fighting for Americans ’ civil rights , Biden needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movements have not just representation within , but control of , these politics in his administration .
Biden ’ s campaign can only begin to convince African America , and the mass of Americans generally who have had enough of racial violence and the devaluation of the lives of people of color , if he can show he understands the way white liberal frameworks have constrained both conversation and policy-action on racial and civil rights issues and is willing to move beyond that framework .
He made some right but rather mild comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ongoing murderous racial injustice , telling us : “ The pain is too immense for one community to bear alone .
I believe it ’ s the duty of every American to grapple with it and grapple with it now.
” “ With our complacency , our silence , we are complicit in perpetuating these cycles of violence .
Nothing about this will be easy or comfortable , but if we simply allow this wound to scab over once more without treating the underlying injury , we ’ ll never truly heal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at stake.
” While certainly a welcome contrast to Trump , there is nothing concrete here to persuade skeptical progressives and people of color that the Democratic Party can change or is changing to address these issues .
Biden should strongly think about putting together a cabinet now and selecting a Vice President that can articulate a concrete plan for seriously addressing racism in America and ushering in real democracy for all , which means racial democracy .
Just as those politicians , such as Jay Inslee , argued that climate change is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is the economy , Biden needs a team who will articulate economic , educational , environmental , housing , and healthcare policies , among many others , demonstrating the particular ways these policies address racial disparities and , to be most frank , racism .
He should invent a cabinet position to focus on racism in America , recognizing that racism damages our economy , the nation ’ s ability to educate its citizens , to treat their health , and so forth .
Bringing in people with grass roots experience , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done nothing but continue to fight against voter suppression and ensure the political participation of people of color as well as all Americans in our political process , would be a start .
If the state murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor , the latest in a long list , have shown enough is enough , earning the next Presidency should rightly involve showing us what the next administration will do to materially and concretely transform America toward a racially just society.Van The likes of Van Jones , Michelle Alexander , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have thrown down the gauntlet .
Biden must pick it up .

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CNN political commentator Van Jones recently issued a stark challenge to, and indeed indictment of, supposedly well-meaning White America, speaking in the wake of the police murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd and in the midst of mass uprisings and protests responding to the never-ending violence against African Americans.
He states most directly that America’s biggest obstacle to achieving racial justice in America, to making Black lives matter, isn’t so much the overt hood-wearing or Confederate flag brandishing white supremacist but rather the “the white liberal Hillary Clinton supporter.” He made reference to Amy Cooper, the white woman who recently called the police claiming an African American man was threatening her life while she walked her unleashed dog in Central Park. Video evidence confirms the man was not threatening her all, only that she was playing the “race card,” the “threatened white womanhood card,” because she was angry that the man had asked her to obey the law and leash her dog while he watched birds in the designated area.
Jones sees Cooper as representative of the stance of white liberals who deny being racist, claim not to see color, but at a moment’s notice when, it suits their purpose, will avail themselves of the powerful and pervasive racist beliefs animating American life.
Jones’ analysis recalled similar critiques of liberal politicians levied by Malcolm X, and in doing so implicitly issued a challenge and a campaign road map for Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden.
In his speech “God’s Judgment of White America,” Malcolm X charged:
The White Conservatives aren’t friends of the Negro either, but they at least don’t try to hide it. They are like wolves; they show their teeth in a snarl that keeps the Negro always aware of where he stands with them. But the white liberals are foxes, who also show their teeth to the Negro but pretend that they are smiling. The white liberals are more dangerous than the conservatives; they lure the Negro, and as the Negro runs from the growling wolf, he flees into the open jaws of the “smiling” fox.
So, the challenge to the Biden campaign is clear, to demonstrate to America, particularly African America, that his administration is not another “smiling fox.”
The Biden campaign must accept this challenge as real and substantial and attune itself to the litany of African American leaders, intellectuals, activists, and community voices who have launched this critique. Michelle Alexander, for example, famed author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, wrote a piece back in February 2016 titled “Why Hillary Clinton Doesn’t Deserve the Black Vote,” in which she argued that Hillary Clinton was linked to the politics of Bill Clinton’s administration that decimated the Black community with policies ranging from his crime bill to his welfare reform legislation.
Biden and his campaign need to demonstrate that they are aware of these critiques and have assessed the shortfalls of the Democratic Party in addressing racism in American as well as their complicity with perpetuating and intensifying it. More than words, they need to show some concrete, material steps they are taking to address it.
How might they do that?
Well, Malcolm X, in the aforementioned speech, talks about how the liberal Kennedy administration basically took control of and weakened the civil rights movement, attempting to contain it. For example, he relates how a young John Lewis, then chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, was censored from giving a militant speech that critiqued the Kennedy administration for its hypocrisy on civil rights.
Instead of seeking to control movements fighting for Americans’ civil rights, Biden needs to show he is willing to let these movements have not just representation within, but control of, these politics in his administration.
Biden’s campaign can only begin to convince African America, and the mass of Americans generally who have had enough of racial violence and the devaluation of the lives of people of color, if he can show he understands the way white liberal frameworks have constrained both conversation and policy-action on racial and civil rights issues and is willing to move beyond that framework.
He made some right but rather mild comments during the current uprisings over America’s ongoing murderous racial injustice, telling us:
“The pain is too immense for one community to bear alone. I believe it’s the duty of every American to grapple with it and grapple with it now.”
“With our complacency, our silence, we are complicit in perpetuating these cycles of violence. Nothing about this will be easy or comfortable, but if we simply allow this wound to scab over once more without treating the underlying injury, we’ll never truly heal. The very soul of America is at stake.”
While certainly a welcome contrast to Trump, there is nothing concrete here to persuade skeptical progressives and people of color that the Democratic Party can change or is changing to address these issues.
Biden should strongly think about putting together a cabinet now and selecting a Vice President that can articulate a concrete plan for seriously addressing racism in America and ushering in real democracy for all, which means racial democracy.
Just as those politicians, such as Jay Inslee, argued that climate change is a component of very issue and that it is the economy, Biden needs a team who will articulate economic, educational, environmental, housing, and healthcare policies, among many others, demonstrating the particular ways these policies address racial disparities and, to be most frank, racism.
He should invent a cabinet position to focus on racism in America, recognizing that racism damages our economy, the nation’s ability to educate its citizens, to treat their health, and so forth.
Bringing in people with grass roots experience, such as Stacey Abrams, who has done nothing but continue to fight against voter suppression and ensure the political participation of people of color as well as all Americans in our political process, would be a start.
If the state murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the latest in a long list, have shown enough is enough, earning the next Presidency should rightly involve showing us what the next administration will do to materially and concretely transform America toward a racially just society.Van
The likes of Van Jones, Michelle Alexander, and Malcolm X, among many others, have thrown down the gauntlet.
Biden must pick it up.


politicususa--2020-05-31--Trump Refuses To Hear The Number Of Coronavirus Deaths

The United States has a president in the middle of a pandemic who refuses to hear or talk about the virus death toll .
According to The Washington Post : On Wednesday — the day the U.S. death toll surpassed 100,000 — Trump veered from disregarding the pleas of a widower to again unleash a barrage of dark innuendo about Scarborough and threatened to shut down Twitter .
He flew with his family to Florida to witness a space shuttle launch , only for it to be scrubbed 17 minutes before liftoff due to stormy skies .
Night fell without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , other than a statement in the name of deputy White House press secretary Judd Deere saying that Trump was grieving .
“ He didn ’ t want to talk about the number .
He just didn ’ t want to hear the number , ” said another longtime Trump confidant .
“ You know how presidents usually don ’ t go to space launches because there is such a risk of something going wrong ?
Well , he took the risk .
Anything was better than talking about that number.
” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of dead from the pandemic , but he is going to hear about every single day of the presidential campaign .
The coronavirus is not going away .
The pandemic is going to be a part , likely a big part of the presidential election .
Donald Trump is on a collision course with reality .
A man who has spent his adult life making myths about himself and weaving a fantasy is about to tell voters a story that has no basis on the reality in which they are living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to govern in a crisis if he or she won ’ t hear the facts .
Trump is losing to Biden because Americans need something that he can never be .
The nation needs a reality-based president , not a reality TV star .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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The United States has a president in the middle of a pandemic who refuses to hear or talk about the virus death toll.
According to The Washington Post:
On Wednesday — the day the U.S. death toll surpassed 100,000 — Trump veered from disregarding the pleas of a widower to again unleash a barrage of dark innuendo about Scarborough and threatened to shut down Twitter. He flew with his family to Florida to witness a space shuttle launch, only for it to be scrubbed 17 minutes before liftoff due to stormy skies. Night fell without the president acknowledging the number of dead, other than a statement in the name of deputy White House press secretary Judd Deere saying that Trump was grieving.
“He didn’t want to talk about the number. He just didn’t want to hear the number,” said another longtime Trump confidant. “You know how presidents usually don’t go to space launches because there is such a risk of something going wrong? Well, he took the risk. Anything was better than talking about that number.”
Trump doesn’t want to talk about the number of dead from the pandemic, but he is going to hear about every single day of the presidential campaign. The coronavirus is not going away. The pandemic is going to be a part, likely a big part of the presidential election.
Donald Trump is on a collision course with reality. A man who has spent his adult life making myths about himself and weaving a fantasy is about to tell voters a story that has no basis on the reality in which they are living.
A president can’t begin to govern in a crisis if he or she won’t hear the facts.
Trump is losing to Biden because Americans need something that he can never be. The nation needs a reality-based president, not a reality TV star.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-31--Trump Melts Down And Thanks Himself For Fighting Imaginary Antifa

Trump blames “ Antifa ” for the violence that local officials say is being caused by white supremacists .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ “ Antifa.
” Trump then thanked himself for battling the imaginary menace of “ Antifa @ @ @ @ @ planning to declare Antifa a terrorist organization , even though Antifa is not an organization @ @ @ @ @ the definition of terrorism .
Donald Trump has found himself a new distraction , and @ @ @ @ @ blame the violence around the country on “ Antifa.. ” The President is not trying @ @ @ @ @ end the violence .
He is melting down and trying to figure out a way @ @ @ @ @ advantage .
White supremacists are some of Trump ’ s biggest supporters .
Trump is @ @ @ @ @ that he has encouraged for years .
Donald Trump is melting down .
He can @ @ @ @ @ responsibility for protests and violence .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel @ @ @ @ @

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Trump blames “Antifa” for the violence that local officials say is being caused by white supremacists. Trump is thanking himself for battling “Antifa.”
Trump tweeted:
SO TERRIBLE! Where are the arrests and LONG TERM jail sentences? https://t.co/MiT9DtAuVL — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2020
Get tough Democrat Mayors and Governors. These people are ANARCHISTS. Call in our National Guard NOW. The World is watching and laughing at you and Sleepy Joe. Is this what America wants? NO!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2020
Trump then thanked himself for battling the imaginary menace of “Antifa”:
Law & Order in Philadelphia, NOW! They are looting stores. Call in our great National Guard like they FINALLY did (thank you President Trump) last night in Minneapolis. Is this what voters want with Sleepy Joe? All Dems! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2020
Trump is also planning to declare Antifa a terrorist organization, even though Antifa is not an organization and doesn’t fit the definition of terrorism.
Donald Trump has found himself a new distraction, and is going to try to blame the violence around the country on “Antifa..” The President is not trying to unify the country and end the violence. He is melting down and trying to figure out a way to use violence to his advantage. White supremacists are some of Trump’s biggest supporters.
Trump is blaming the left for violence that he has encouraged for years.
Donald Trump is melting down. He can’t spin away his responsibility for protests and violence.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-05-31--Trump To Name ANTIFA, Which Doesn’t Exist, A Terrorist Organization

Trump said on Sunday that he would designate ANTIFA a terrorist organization , but there is no such thing as an ANTIFA organization .
According to the Anti-Defamation League , Antifa is not an organization , “ While most counter-protestors tend to be peaceful , there have been several instances where encounters between Antifa and the far-right have turned violent .
These violent counter-protesters are often part of “ Antifa ” ( short for “ antifascist ” ) , a loose collection of groups , networks and individuals who believe in active , aggressive opposition to far right-wing movements.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News and conservative media , so of course , he thinks that there is an Antifa organization .
Donald Trump is trying to blame “ the left ” for the violence in the country that is being fueled by his statements , and enacted by his white supremacist supporters .
Speaker Pelosi warned on Sunday that the American people should not take the bait on Trump ’ s distraction .
His designation of the imaginary Antifa organization as terrorism is the ultimate attempt to divide and distract the nation away from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump said on Sunday that he would designate ANTIFA a terrorist organization, but there is no such thing as an ANTIFA organization.
Trump tweeted:
The United States of America will be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2020
According to the Anti-Defamation League, Antifa is not an organization, “While most counter-protestors tend to be peaceful, there have been several instances where encounters between Antifa and the far-right have turned violent. These violent counter-protesters are often part of “Antifa” (short for “antifascist”), a loose collection of groups, networks and individuals who believe in active, aggressive opposition to far right-wing movements.”
Trump gets all of his information from Fox News and conservative media, so of course, he thinks that there is an Antifa organization.
Donald Trump is trying to blame “the left” for the violence in the country that is being fueled by his statements, and enacted by his white supremacist supporters.
Speaker Pelosi warned on Sunday that the American people should not take the bait on Trump’s distraction. His designation of the imaginary Antifa organization as terrorism is the ultimate attempt to divide and distract the nation away from his pandemic and civil unrest failures.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-05-31--Pelosi Tells America To Ignore Trump And Not Take The Bait

Speaker Pelosi said that she is ignoring Trump , and urged the American people not to give him a gift by taking the bait of his distractions .
Transcript of Speaker of the House Pelosi on ABC ’ s This Week : George Stephanopoulos .
You mentioned those unfortunate statements .
Are you referring to President Trump ’ s tweets , including one where he said , ‘ When the shooting – when the looting starts , the shooting starts ?
’ Speaker Pelosi .
No .
I ’ m not paying too much attention to what the President says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injustice , the knee in the neck .
I talked about President Obama .
If I said Trump forgive me .
I ’ m talking about President Obama saying that if we go to normal , back to – people say , ‘ Let ’ s go back to normal.
’ Well , normal hasn ’ t been so great for a lot of people .
Let ’ s make sure normal is consistent with liberty and justice for all .
I kind of ignore what President Trump says .
George Stephanopoulos .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time , he ’ s been continuing to tweet and speak out .
Today , he ’ s attacking the protestors , saying it ’ s part of the far left .
He ’ s attacking the mayor of Minneapolis and the mayor of Washington D.C. What should the President of the United States be doing right now ?
Speaker Pelosi .
The President of the United States should bring dignity to the office that he serves .
He should be a unifying force in our country .
We have seen that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They have seen their responsibility to be the President of the United States , to unify our country .
And not to fuel the flame .
Not to fuel the flame .
And , I think to take his bait time and time again is just a gift to him , because he always wants to divert attention from what the cause of the response was , rather than to describe it in his own terms .
Speaker Pelosi was correct .
Trump is not going to govern or lead the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distract and divide .
He obviously believes that the civil unrest helps his reelection campaign because Trump has always fantasized about being a law and order president .
He doesn ’ t comprehend that it is impossible for the president who is fueling the breakdown of society to also be a law and order president .
Trump ’ s bait should be defused .
It should never be detached from the presidency and never given the credibility of the office .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC @ @

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Speaker Pelosi said that she is ignoring Trump, and urged the American people not to give him a gift by taking the bait of his distractions.
Transcript of Speaker of the House Pelosi on ABC’s This Week:
George Stephanopoulos. You mentioned those unfortunate statements. Are you referring to President Trump’s tweets, including one where he said, ‘When the shooting – when the looting starts, the shooting starts?’
Speaker Pelosi. No. I’m not paying too much attention to what the President says. I’m talking about the injustice, the knee in the neck.
I talked about President Obama. If I said Trump forgive me. I’m talking about President Obama saying that if we go to normal, back to – people say, ‘Let’s go back to normal.’ Well, normal hasn’t been so great for a lot of people. Let’s make sure normal is consistent with liberty and justice for all.
I kind of ignore what President Trump says.
George Stephanopoulos. You ignore him, but at the same time, he’s been continuing to tweet and speak out. Today, he’s attacking the protestors, saying it’s part of the far left. He’s attacking the mayor of Minneapolis and the mayor of Washington D.C. What should the President of the United States be doing right now?
Speaker Pelosi. The President of the United States should bring dignity to the office that he serves. He should be a unifying force in our country.
We have seen that with Democratic and Republican presidents all along. They have seen their responsibility to be the President of the United States, to unify our country. And not to fuel the flame. Not to fuel the flame.
And, I think to take his bait time and time again is just a gift to him, because he always wants to divert attention from what the cause of the response was, rather than to describe it in his own terms.
Video:
“I’m not paying too much attention to what the president says,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Trump tweets. “I think to take his bait time and time again is just a gift to him because he always wants to divert attention from what the cause of the response was.” https://t.co/sVerbxGgdM pic.twitter.com/i6302lt9Yd — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) May 31, 2020
Speaker Pelosi was correct. Trump is not going to govern or lead the country back to unity. Trump wants to distract and divide. He obviously believes that the civil unrest helps his reelection campaign because Trump has always fantasized about being a law and order president.
He doesn’t comprehend that it is impossible for the president who is fueling the breakdown of society to also be a law and order president.
Trump’s bait should be defused. It should never be detached from the presidency and never given the credibility of the office.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-31--Opinion: Trump is intent on killing more Americans to feed his malignant narcissism

Over 100,000 American citizens have needlessly perished due to Trump ’ s malignant narcissism , but it is apparent that Trump will not be happy until he increases the death toll – particularly among his most ardent supporters .
There aren ’ t very many people who would argue that Donald Trump is not a malignant narcissist .
He thrives on antisocial behavior , he is paranoid , and he has a decidedly sadistic personality .
He also craves constant praise and attention his acolytes willingly offer at any and every possible opportunity .
White House insiders have noted his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold campaign rallies that provide him with every opportunity to display his malignant narcissistic tendencies to wild applause and adulation .
Last week when Trump threatened to move the Republican National Convention to a state without COVID-19 restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus , it was obvious his anger at the concept of a smaller crowd of worshippers drove him into a rage .
A decent human being would be mortified at the thought of their supporters being put in harm ’ s way , but there are very few Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human being .
He is a monstrous narcissist without any humanity whatsoever .
On Saturday it was reported that Trump had a phone conversation with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper ( D ) to “ discuss ” the upcoming August Republican National Convention in Charlotte .
In typical Trump fashion the “ discussion ” centered around Trump ’ s demand for “ a packed Republican convention with no face coverings and no social distancing.
” Apparently Trump believes that Americans are so stupid , and memory challenged , that if they see a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will assume the novel coronavirus is nonexistent .
According to a spokesperson for Governor Cooper , Trump insists there will be no Covid-19 mitigation measures because of the optics .
Trump refuses , and will not tolerate seeing , any signs of the pandemic among his acolytes – particularly because the event will be televised .
Apparently Trump believes that if no-one is seen taking precautionary measures , they will conclude that there is no COVID-19 .
Obvious to any conscious human being is the real and present danger of thousands of screaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s plague throughout the venue .
It is also glaringly apparent that Trump could not possibly care less if his devotees are infected and eventually die ; so long as they stay healthy long enough to give Trump a heaping healthy dose of adulation .
Trump ’ s disregard for his most ardent supporters ’ health is , by now , just another sign that his level of narcissism is malignant .
Trump has as little regard for the health of Republicans crammed into a convention center as he has his most devoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week when Trump ordered governors to immediately rescind restrictions for in-person church services , he was not thinking about the spread of the virus , religious liberty , or the unimaginable number of fatalities among his base .
His only regard was pacifying the evangelical clergy ’ s greed and their promise to campaign for Trump from the pulpit .
It is tragic that “ the faithful ” are so devoted to keeping Trump in the White House that they are more than willing to suffer the consequences of a deadly virus to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is noteworthy that Trump ’ s order to open the churches immediately will only apply to states with Republican leaders because the conservative Supreme Court duly slapped down an effort by California evangelicals to declare Governor Gavin Newsom ’ s Covid-19 mitigation efforts unconstitutional , and an assault on their 1st Amendment religious freedom .
Still , with Trump ’ s encouragement , and despite the High Court ruing , several California churches plan to hold in-person services – the law and the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus be damned .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his directive to states to open up schools will jeopardize roughly 50.8 million students as well as teachers , cafeteria workers , janitors , and all support staff .
Schools are no more set up to safely conduct classes during a virulent epidemic than churches are , but the safety of students is of no concern to Trump .
To get an idea of the number of students that could lose their lives for Trump ’ s optics , when celebrity grifter Dr. Oz suggested that opening schools was an “ appetizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ opening of schools may only cost us 2 to 3 percent in terms of mortality – a tradeoff some folks would consider.
” Two to three percent of public school students translates into 1 to 1.5 million fatalities ; and that is only the number of possible student fatalities .
As the grifter noted , it is a trade off that some cretin named Donald Trump would consider acceptable .
There is little doubt , at least in this author ’ s mind , that Trump can accept any large number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and water , a virulent plague , or police killing American citizens .
Trump ’ s threat to unleash “ vicious dogs ” and “ ominous weapons ” on protestors is clear that killing Americans is of no consequence to Trump .
What is still a mystery is why Trump ’ s supporters are willing to risk their lives for a malignant narcissist who is eager to sacrifice them to maintain power and feed his ego .
Based on his cavalier attitude towards the loss of over 100,000 American lives , no sane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to jeopardize the lives of his most ardent supporters to win an election ; it is precisely what a monstrous malignant narcissist will do , and Trump is nothing if not monstrous .

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Over 100,000 American citizens have needlessly perished due to Trump’s malignant narcissism, but it is apparent that Trump will not be happy until he increases the death toll – particularly among his most ardent supporters.
There aren’t very many people who would argue that Donald Trump is not a malignant narcissist. He thrives on antisocial behavior, he is paranoid, and he has a decidedly sadistic personality. He also craves constant praise and attention his acolytes willingly offer at any and every possible opportunity. White House insiders have noted his increasing rage at not being able to hold campaign rallies that provide him with every opportunity to display his malignant narcissistic tendencies to wild applause and adulation.
Last week when Trump threatened to move the Republican National Convention to a state without COVID-19 restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus, it was obvious his anger at the concept of a smaller crowd of worshippers drove him into a rage. A decent human being would be mortified at the thought of their supporters being put in harm’s way, but there are very few Americans who would regard Trump as a decent human being. He is a monstrous narcissist without any humanity whatsoever.
On Saturday it was reported that Trump had a phone conversation with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) to “discuss” the upcoming August Republican National Convention in Charlotte. In typical Trump fashion the “discussion” centered around Trump’s demand for “a packed Republican convention with no face coverings and no social distancing.” Apparently Trump believes that Americans are so stupid, and memory challenged, that if they see a packed convention sans COVID-19 mitigation efforts they will assume the novel coronavirus is nonexistent.
According to a spokesperson for Governor Cooper, Trump insists there will be no Covid-19 mitigation measures because of the optics. Trump refuses, and will not tolerate seeing, any signs of the pandemic among his acolytes – particularly because the event will be televised. Apparently Trump believes that if no-one is seen taking precautionary measures, they will conclude that there is no COVID-19.
Obvious to any conscious human being is the real and present danger of thousands of screaming, spitting Trump sycophants transmitting Trump’s plague throughout the venue. It is also glaringly apparent that Trump could not possibly care less if his devotees are infected and eventually die; so long as they stay healthy long enough to give Trump a heaping healthy dose of adulation. Trump’s disregard for his most ardent supporters’ health is, by now, just another sign that his level of narcissism is malignant.
Trump has as little regard for the health of Republicans crammed into a convention center as he has his most devoted supporters in the evangelical movement. Last week when Trump ordered governors to immediately rescind restrictions for in-person church services, he was not thinking about the spread of the virus, religious liberty, or the unimaginable number of fatalities among his base. His only regard was pacifying the evangelical clergy’s greed and their promise to campaign for Trump from the pulpit. It is tragic that “the faithful” are so devoted to keeping Trump in the White House that they are more than willing to suffer the consequences of a deadly virus to aid Trump’s reelection.
It is noteworthy that Trump’s order to open the churches immediately will only apply to states with Republican leaders because the conservative Supreme Court duly slapped down an effort by California evangelicals to declare Governor Gavin Newsom’s Covid-19 mitigation efforts unconstitutional, and an assault on their 1st Amendment religious freedom. Still, with Trump’s encouragement, and despite the High Court ruing, several California churches plan to hold in-person services – the law and the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus be damned.
Although school age children are not Trump supporters, his directive to states to open up schools will jeopardize roughly 50.8 million students as well as teachers, cafeteria workers, janitors, and all support staff. Schools are no more set up to safely conduct classes during a virulent epidemic than churches are, but the safety of students is of no concern to Trump.
To get an idea of the number of students that could lose their lives for Trump’s optics, when celebrity grifter Dr. Oz suggested that opening schools was an “appetizing opportunity,” he then said that “opening of schools may only cost us 2 to 3 percent in terms of mortality – a tradeoff some folks would consider.” Two to three percent of public school students translates into 1 to 1.5 million fatalities; and that is only the number of possible student fatalities. As the grifter noted, it is a trade off that some cretin named Donald Trump would consider acceptable.
There is little doubt, at least in this author’s mind, that Trump can accept any large number of American fatalities – whether from toxic air and water, a virulent plague, or police killing American citizens. Trump’s threat to unleash “vicious dogs” and “ominous weapons” on protestors is clear that killing Americans is of no consequence to Trump.
What is still a mystery is why Trump’s supporters are willing to risk their lives for a malignant narcissist who is eager to sacrifice them to maintain power and feed his ego. Based on his cavalier attitude towards the loss of over 100,000 American lives, no sane individual should be surprised he is willing to jeopardize the lives of his most ardent supporters to win an election; it is precisely what a monstrous malignant narcissist will do, and Trump is nothing if not monstrous.


politicususa--2020-05-31--Trump National Security Adviser Denies Law Enforcement Systemic Racism As America Burns

White House National Security Adviser Robert O ’ Brien said that there is no systemic racism in US law enforcement , just a few bad apples .
O ’ Brien said on CNN ’ s State Of The Union , “ No , I don ’ t think there ’ s systemic racism .
I think 99.9 % of our law enforcement officers are great Americans and many of them are African-American , Hispanic , Asian .
They ’ re working the toughest neighborhoods , they ’ ve got the hardest jobs to do in this country , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they ’ re my heroes , but you know what , there are some bad apples in there.
” He went on to say that there are some cops who are just bad and that they needed to be rooted out .
The bad apple strategy is a favorite of Republicans .
Mass shooters are never a symptom of a larger problem .
They ’ re just bad apples .
Racism is law enforcement isn ’ t a societal problem .
There ’ s just a few bad cops on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for rug sweeping issues that the GOP doesn ’ t want to admit exists .
Law enforcement officers do a dangerous job .
They put their lives on the line every single day in their communities .
O ’ Brien ’ s answer painted an either/or picture that ignored the possibility that there can be both systemic racism , and good law enforcement officers on the streets .
The Trump administration is not only going to do nothing about the problem .
They are refusing to admit that there is a problem .

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White House National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien said that there is no systemic racism in US law enforcement, just a few bad apples.
O’Brien said on CNN’s State Of The Union, “No, I don’t think there’s systemic racism. I think 99.9% of our law enforcement officers are great Americans and many of them are African-American, Hispanic, Asian. They’re working the toughest neighborhoods, they’ve got the hardest jobs to do in this country, and I think they’re amazing great Americans, and they’re my heroes, but you know what, there are some bad apples in there.”
He went on to say that there are some cops who are just bad and that they needed to be rooted out.
The bad apple strategy is a favorite of Republicans. Mass shooters are never a symptom of a larger problem. They’re just bad apples. Racism is law enforcement isn’t a societal problem. There’s just a few bad cops on the streets. It is the standard playbook for rug sweeping issues that the GOP doesn’t want to admit exists.
Video:
“No, I don’t think there’s systemic racism,” White House National Security adviser Robert O’Brien says about US law enforcement agencies. “There’s a few bad apples that are giving law enforcement a terrible name” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/Tdwo9XfTQ7 — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) May 31, 2020
Law enforcement officers do a dangerous job. They put their lives on the line every single day in their communities. O’Brien’s answer painted an either/or picture that ignored the possibility that there can be both systemic racism, and good law enforcement officers on the streets.
The Trump administration is not only going to do nothing about the problem. They are refusing to admit that there is a problem.


politicususa--2020-05-31--Opinion: Are We All in This Together? Not When Republicans Funnel Relief to Millionaires

We ’ re all in this together .
Is anybody else tired of hearing this mantra ?
I mean , in many ways I love it both as an aspirational sentiment , encapsulating the vision of a cooperative , humane , and compassionate social way of being , and as a statement that captures an undeniable , matter-of-fact aspect of our reality : we are absolutely dependent on one another .
If we don ’ t grasp that fact now , when we are made hyperconscious of the “ essential ” workers performing all the functions that make food available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fact that in reality we are all in this together , that we ’ re dependent on one another , can be a hard pill to swallow for a lot of people .
Albert Einstein at least thought so , defining the resistance to accepting this fact , writing in 1949 , as “ the essence of the crisis of our time.
” He wrote , Despite the fact that we are undeniably and inevitably dependent on one another , this anxiety that prevents us from embracing reality , instead causing us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is likely at the root of what , even ( or perhaps especially ? )
during this pandemic , keeps us all from being “ in this together.
” I ’ m tired of hearing how “ we ’ re all this together , ” because we are not .
In the midst of the pandemic , the Unholy Trinity of Donald Trump , Mitch McConnell , and Betsy DeVos , among others in the GOP ilk , are doing their best to distribute the monies earmarked for relief packages away from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enrich millionaires who will otherwise be a lot more than just fine or to serve their private agendas with taxpayer dollars instead of bolstering the public sphere that serves all .
Mitch McConnell has been wonderfully patient when it comes to passing the next relief bill , saying the Senate will get to it the next month or so , maddeningly oblivious or just unconcerned about the dire straits many Americans are facing .
Moreover , he has given his assurance that whatever the Senate passes will look nothing like the $ 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will definitely not include the $ 600 dollar boost to unemployment benefits the March relief package provided because , in his words , it would “ make it more lucrative not to work than to work.
” This language smacks of typical Republican talking points that ignore the actual material conditions making it hard , if not impossible , for Americans to work and succeed and instead depict Americans lazy and averse to work if they can game the system .
McConnell echoes the likes of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker who said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ We don ’ t have a jobs problem ; we have a work problem , ” or Newt Gingrich who at that time advised protesters to “ take a bath ” and “ get a job.
” At that time , Republicans resisted extending unemployment benefits .
Despite the U.S. becoming a jobs desert , then as now , Republicans still somehow think Americans are just lazy and looking for a free lunch .
Most appalling , besides the lack of untruth , is that it is in fact the wealthiest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package who are reaping windfalls while most Americans struggle in uncertainty .
In his recent New York Times article “ Crumbs for the Hungry but Windfalls for Rich , ” Nicholas Kristof explains how provision titled “ Modification of Limitation on Losses for Taxpayers Other Than Corporations ” somehow mysteriously made its way into the 880-page March relief bill .
Democrats have asked Trump for any communications that would shed light on how the provision magically appeared in the bill .
According to Kristof , the bill provides $ 135 billion dollars in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , offering retroactive tax breaks for periods that preceded the coronavirus outbreak .
About 82 percent of the Zillionaire Giveaway goes to those earning more than $ 1 million a year , according to Congress ’ s Joint Committee on Taxation .
Of those beneficiaries earning more than $ 1 million annually , the average benefit is $ 1.6 million .
In other words , a single mom juggling two jobs gets a maximum $ 1,200 stimulus check — and then pays taxes so that a real estate mogul can receive $ 1.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling workers , and socialism for the rich .
Well , so much for all of us being in this together .
And Kristof indicates that Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner may be in line for some of this windfall .
Meanwhile , Education Secretary Betsy DeVos proudly admitted recently that she is in fact taking advantage of the pandemic to funnel public money away from public schools to private ones .
In a conversation with DeVos on SiriusXM radio , Cardinal Timothy Dolan , the Catholic archbishop of New York , suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utilize this particular crisis to ensure that justice is finally done to our kids and the parents who choose to send them to faith-based schools , ” including through a new program that encourages states to offer voucher-like grants for parents .
“ Am I correct in understanding what your agenda is ?
” Dolan asks .
“ Yes , absolutely , ” DeVos responded .
“ For more than three decades that has been something that I ’ ve been passionate about .
This whole pandemic has brought into clear focus that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouldn ’ t be thinking about students that are in public schools versus private schools.
” As Americans endure this current economic crisis , relief packages should be aimed at easing nerves and helping Americans have what they need to get by .
Relief packages , common sense dictates , are not meant to fatten the already excessive surplus of millionairies .
But that ’ s what is happening .
We should all be in this together .

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We’re all in this together.
Is anybody else tired of hearing this mantra?
I mean, in many ways I love it both as an aspirational sentiment, encapsulating the vision of a cooperative, humane, and compassionate social way of being, and as a statement that captures an undeniable, matter-of-fact aspect of our reality: we are absolutely dependent on one another. If we don’t grasp that fact now, when we are made hyperconscious of the “essential” workers performing all the functions that make food available to us, when will we?
The fact that in reality we are all in this together, that we’re dependent on one another, can be a hard pill to swallow for a lot of people. Albert Einstein at least thought so, defining the resistance to accepting this fact, writing in 1949, as “the essence of the crisis of our time.” He wrote,
“The individual has become more conscious than ever of his dependence upon society. But he does not experience this dependence as a positive asset, as an organic tie, as a protective force, but rather as a threat to his natural rights, or even to his economic existence.”
Despite the fact that we are undeniably and inevitably dependent on one another, this anxiety that prevents us from embracing reality, instead causing us to see this reality as threatening, is likely at the root of what, even (or perhaps especially?) during this pandemic, keeps us all from being “in this together.”
I’m tired of hearing how “we’re all this together,” because we are not.
In the midst of the pandemic, the Unholy Trinity of Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, and Betsy DeVos, among others in the GOP ilk, are doing their best to distribute the monies earmarked for relief packages away from the majority of Americans experiencing real need to enrich millionaires who will otherwise be a lot more than just fine or to serve their private agendas with taxpayer dollars instead of bolstering the public sphere that serves all.
Mitch McConnell has been wonderfully patient when it comes to passing the next relief bill, saying the Senate will get to it the next month or so, maddeningly oblivious or just unconcerned about the dire straits many Americans are facing. Moreover, he has given his assurance that whatever the Senate passes will look nothing like the $3 trillion package the House of Representatives passed and will definitely not include the $600 dollar boost to unemployment benefits the March relief package provided because, in his words, it would “make it more lucrative not to work than to work.”
This language smacks of typical Republican talking points that ignore the actual material conditions making it hard, if not impossible, for Americans to work and succeed and instead depict Americans lazy and averse to work if they can game the system. McConnell echoes the likes of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker who said in the midst of the Great Recession, “We don’t have a jobs problem; we have a work problem,” or Newt Gingrich who at that time advised protesters to “take a bath” and “get a job.” At that time, Republicans resisted extending unemployment benefits.
Despite the U.S. becoming a jobs desert, then as now, Republicans still somehow think Americans are just lazy and looking for a free lunch.
Most appalling, besides the lack of untruth, is that it is in fact the wealthiest among us in the most recent relief package who are reaping windfalls while most Americans struggle in uncertainty.
In his recent New York Times article “Crumbs for the Hungry but Windfalls for Rich,” Nicholas Kristof explains how provision titled “Modification of Limitation on Losses for Taxpayers Other Than Corporations” somehow mysteriously made its way into the 880-page March relief bill. Democrats have asked Trump for any communications that would shed light on how the provision magically appeared in the bill. According to Kristof, the bill provides $135 billion dollars in “relief” for real estate developers, offering retroactive tax breaks for periods that preceded the coronavirus outbreak.
Kristof retitles the provision the ‘Zillionaire Giveaway,” writing,
About 82 percent of the Zillionaire Giveaway goes to those earning more than $1 million a year, according to Congress’s Joint Committee on Taxation. Of those beneficiaries earning more than $1 million annually, the average benefit is $1.6 million.
In other words, a single mom juggling two jobs gets a maximum $1,200 stimulus check — and then pays taxes so that a real estate mogul can receive $1.6 million. This is dog-eat-dog capitalism for struggling workers, and socialism for the rich.
Well, so much for all of us being in this together.
And Kristof indicates that Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner may be in line for some of this windfall.
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos proudly admitted recently that she is in fact taking advantage of the pandemic to funnel public money away from public schools to private ones.
Matt Barnum, writing for Chalkbeat, recently reported,
In a conversation with DeVos on SiriusXM radio, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Catholic archbishop of New York, suggested that the secretary was trying to “utilize this particular crisis to ensure that justice is finally done to our kids and the parents who choose to send them to faith-based schools,” including through a new program that encourages states to offer voucher-like grants for parents. “Am I correct in understanding what your agenda is?” Dolan asks. “Yes, absolutely,” DeVos responded. “For more than three decades that has been something that I’ve been passionate about. This whole pandemic has brought into clear focus that everyone has been impacted, and we shouldn’t be thinking about students that are in public schools versus private schools.”
As Americans endure this current economic crisis, relief packages should be aimed at easing nerves and helping Americans have what they need to get by. Relief packages, common sense dictates, are not meant to fatten the already excessive surplus of millionairies.
But that’s what is happening.
We should all be in this together.
Unfortunately—and disgustingly—we’re not.


politicususa--2020-06-01--Opinion: We Should Call George Floyd’s Murder By Its Name: Extra Judicial Killing

There was a thug in the George Floyd case .
He was sitting in the White House tweeting toxins as usual .
They were so poisonous that , for the first time in Twitter history , Donald Trump was docked for violating Twitter ’ s Terms of Service .
Lesser mortals like you and me would have lost our Twitter accounts over far less , but I raise the point to convey how dangerous it is when a president acts like a thug .
And what it takes before anyone will even take the most timid of steps to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choke hold a man who had already surrendered , the police officers responsible for Mr. Floyd ’ s death committed an extra-judicial killing .
Trump called American citizens “ thugs ” because they protested against the extra-judicial killing of George Floyd .
This was after a week of scenes we ’ ve seen before when a police officer with a history of violence kills an unarmed black man .
In fact , when a police officer has eighteen complaints of violence against them , it means they shouldn ’ t be a police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the practice of simply transferring a violent and/or racist police officer to another jurisdiction .
If they are not suitable for one jurisdiction , they are not suitable for any .
In this case , Derek Chauvin , one of the four police officers on the scene , used his knee to choke-hold the life ’ s breath out of George Floyd .
He did it after Floyd was subdued .
Witnesses saw where this was going and urged Chauvin to stop .
As if to demonstrate a final act of unconditional submission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sir ” while begging for his life .
When this keeps happening , it should be understandable why these extra-judicial killings anger black people .
More white people should be angry than there are .
But there has to be more than just the usual platitudes about the obvious and inherent wrong .
We ’ ll know we ’ re starting to get somewhere when the condemnation is expressed in policy and in deed .
I ’ m old enough to remember Apartheid in South Africa .
It was a separate and unequal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privilege runneth over , while people of color got less than society ’ s leftovers .
It was a racial pyramid where white people were at the top , brown people were second class , and black people were at the bottom .
That applied to everything .
Economic opportunity , food , education , healthcare , housing , the quality of the water if there was any , the quality of law enforcement and protections under the law .
Donald Trump and his ilk would love that system .
The reality is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different .
Sure , there are some people of color who become members of the economic and power elite .
But that ’ s despite a system that is designed to limit their ability to fulfill the American dream .
It ’ s not because , as some people claimed , Obama ’ s election proved racism is in the past .
No it isn ’ t .
It woke up from a catnap the moment then-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell declared war on Barack Obama ’ s presidency .
We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell was offended that America chose an African American who started his path to the presidency as a community organizer over John McCain , a white man who had more honor in his baby finger than the thug currently sitting in the White House has in his whole body .
Unlike before , the “ partisan ” attacks on Barack Obama ’ s policies became about race .
Even during the campaign , the birther rumors were constant .
They screamed for attention like Donald Trump had throughout Obama ’ s presidency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ certificate and multiple court rulings .
There ’ s even racism in the way we look at political protest .
If you ’ re an armed white guy wanting to defend your “ right ” to spray a deadly virus in another person ’ s face , you ’ re a decent person , according to Donald Trump .
If you ’ re a black person protesting the latest extra-judicial killing , the “ president ” calls you a thug .
I could never defend it , and , to be honest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism I don ’ t understand .
This racism uses “ subtle ” terms , terms that could sound “ innocent ” to someone who spent most of their life in other countries .
We saw that racism is not only about word choice , it ’ s about perceptions about whether racial characteristics in themselves define a person as good or bad .
I wish I knew how to translate to people who look more like me that differences are a good thing .
We expand our knowledge base , we learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think the same thought , more than one word to express the same meaning , and more than one way to get the same thing done .
We could gain so much from learning from each other ’ s differences while acknowledging how much we have in common .
I wish I knew how to say this in ways that would resonate to people who look like me but in whose world I feel like a stranger .
I don ’ t know how to think in terms of equating the quality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their skin .
It ’ s so… .
stupid , petty and ridiculous .
I do know we can ’ t go on like this .
Each extra-judicial killing raises the temperature and emboldens the hardcore racist when it is defended by Trump ’ s glorification of violence against Americans who protest these crimes against humanity .
Injustice occurs each time it takes a week to make an arrest for a crime that would have meant immediate arrest if the perpetrator was black ; the delay is itself an injustice .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting somewhere when it doesn ’ t take a week of protesting before a white police officer is taken into custody and charged with manslaughter and 3rd degree murder for killing a subdued black man or woman .
And we ’ ll know we ’ re getting somewhere when there isn ’ t one set of characterizations for when mostly white people protest and a different set for when mostly black people protest .
We have miles to go before we don ’ t have to march against extra-judicial killings like George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening any more .
We have miles to go before all parents can have the same talk with their children about how to handle encounters with police , miles to go before we all understand alike what benefits and grievances we have in common .
For my part , I ’ m going to learn to cut through the code and all the other thinking that impedes inter-racial understanding .
And I ’ m going to learn from my brothers and sisters who live the reality of racism in America , and if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end it with them , I ’ ll be honored to do so .

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There was a thug in the George Floyd case. He was sitting in the White House tweeting toxins as usual. They were so poisonous that, for the first time in Twitter history, Donald Trump was docked for violating Twitter’s Terms of Service.
Lesser mortals like you and me would have lost our Twitter accounts over far less, but I raise the point to convey how dangerous it is when a president acts like a thug. And what it takes before anyone will even take the most timid of steps to stop him.
By using a knee to choke hold a man who had already surrendered, the police officers responsible for Mr. Floyd’s death committed an extra-judicial killing.
Trump called American citizens “thugs” because they protested against the extra-judicial killing of George Floyd. This was after a week of scenes we’ve seen before when a police officer with a history of violence kills an unarmed black man.
In fact, when a police officer has eighteen complaints of violence against them, it means they shouldn’t be a police officer. We also have to end the practice of simply transferring a violent and/or racist police officer to another jurisdiction. If they are not suitable for one jurisdiction, they are not suitable for any.
In this case, Derek Chauvin, one of the four police officers on the scene, used his knee to choke-hold the life’s breath out of George Floyd. He did it after Floyd was subdued. Witnesses saw where this was going and urged Chauvin to stop. As if to demonstrate a final act of unconditional submission, Mr. Floyd called Chauvin, “sir” while begging for his life.
When this keeps happening, it should be understandable why these extra-judicial killings anger black people. More white people should be angry than there are. But there has to be more than just the usual platitudes about the obvious and inherent wrong. We’ll know we’re starting to get somewhere when the condemnation is expressed in policy and in deed.
I’m old enough to remember Apartheid in South Africa. It was a separate and unequal society, where the cup of white privilege runneth over, while people of color got less than society’s leftovers. It was a racial pyramid where white people were at the top, brown people were second class, and black people were at the bottom.
That applied to everything. Economic opportunity, food, education, healthcare, housing, the quality of the water if there was any, the quality of law enforcement and protections under the law.
Donald Trump and his ilk would love that system. The reality is, we aren’t really that different.
Sure, there are some people of color who become members of the economic and power elite. But that’s despite a system that is designed to limit their ability to fulfill the American dream. It’s not because, as some people claimed, Obama’s election proved racism is in the past.
No it isn’t. It woke up from a catnap the moment then-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell declared war on Barack Obama’s presidency. We’re not talking your average partisan jockeying. McConnell was offended that America chose an African American who started his path to the presidency as a community organizer over John McCain, a white man who had more honor in his baby finger than the thug currently sitting in the White House has in his whole body.
Unlike before, the “partisan” attacks on Barack Obama’s policies became about race. Even during the campaign, the birther rumors were constant. They screamed for attention like Donald Trump had throughout Obama’s presidency. That’s despite sharing the birth certificate and multiple court rulings.
There’s even racism in the way we look at political protest. If you’re an armed white guy wanting to defend your “right” to spray a deadly virus in another person’s face, you’re a decent person, according to Donald Trump.
If you’re a black person protesting the latest extra-judicial killing, the “president” calls you a thug.
I could never defend it, and, to be honest, there’s a lot about American-style racism I don’t understand. This racism uses “subtle” terms, terms that could sound “innocent” to someone who spent most of their life in other countries. We saw that racism is not only about word choice, it’s about perceptions about whether racial characteristics in themselves define a person as good or bad.
I wish I knew how to translate to people who look more like me that differences are a good thing. We expand our knowledge base, we learn there is more than one way to think the same thought, more than one word to express the same meaning, and more than one way to get the same thing done.
We could gain so much from learning from each other’s differences while acknowledging how much we have in common.
I wish I knew how to say this in ways that would resonate to people who look like me but in whose world I feel like a stranger. I don’t know how to think in terms of equating the quality of a person with the amount of pigment in their skin. It’s so…. stupid, petty and ridiculous.
I do know we can’t go on like this. Each extra-judicial killing raises the temperature and emboldens the hardcore racist when it is defended by Trump’s glorification of violence against Americans who protest these crimes against humanity. Injustice occurs each time it takes a week to make an arrest for a crime that would have meant immediate arrest if the perpetrator was black; the delay is itself an injustice.
But we’ll know we’re getting somewhere when it doesn’t take a week of protesting before a white police officer is taken into custody and charged with manslaughter and 3rd degree murder for killing a subdued black man or woman.
And we’ll know we’re getting somewhere when there isn’t one set of characterizations for when mostly white people protest and a different set for when mostly black people protest.
We have miles to go before we don’t have to march against extra-judicial killings like George Floyd’s because they aren’t happening any more. We have miles to go before all parents can have the same talk with their children about how to handle encounters with police, miles to go before we all understand alike what benefits and grievances we have in common.
For my part, I’m going to learn to cut through the code and all the other thinking that impedes inter-racial understanding. And I’m going to learn from my brothers and sisters who live the reality of racism in America, and if they let me join the fight to end it with them, I’ll be honored to do so.


politicususa--2020-06-02--GOP Governor Doesn’t Hold Back, Calls Trump A Failed Leader At A Time Of Crisis

Republican Gov .
Charlie Baker of Massachusetts tore into Donald Trump on Monday for urging governors and law enforcement to be more aggressive with protesters .
“ I heard what the president said today about ‘ dominating ’ and ‘ fighting ’ , ” Baker said during a press conference .
“ I know I should be surprised when I hear incendiary words like this from him , but I ’ m not.
” On a final note , I heard what the president said today about ‘ dominating ’ and ‘ fighting ’ .
I know I should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this from him , but I ’ m not .
At so many times during these past several weeks , when the country needed compassionate leadership the most , it was simply nowhere to be found .
Instead , we got bitterness , combativeness and self-interest .
That ’ s not what we need in Boston , it ’ s not what we need right now in Massachusetts , and its definitely not what we need across this great country of ours either .
The lights are out and nobody ’ s home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break out in cities all across the country following George Floyd ’ s horrific murder , Donald Trump has been missing in action .
Aside from stoking violence and hate on his Twitter page , he has been hiding out in his bunker like a coward .
When he did decide to come out and give remarks on Monday , he chose to escalate the tensions even more .
Trump spent his entire 2016 campaign beating his chest and talking like the toughest of tough guys – fake tan , bleach blonde hair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment of crisis , he has proven to be weak , small , and manifestly incapable of showing an iota of unifying leadership .
America is in crisis , but the lights are out and nobody ’ s home .

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Republican Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts tore into Donald Trump on Monday for urging governors and law enforcement to be more aggressive with protesters.
“I heard what the president said today about ‘dominating’ and ‘fighting’,” Baker said during a press conference. “I know I should be surprised when I hear incendiary words like this from him, but I’m not.”
Video:
Gov. Charlie Baker (R-MA) gets emotional when talking about Trump’s calls to “dominate” protesters: “When the country needed compassion … it was simply nowhere to be found.” pic.twitter.com/M9LIzdgPUj — The Recount (@therecount) June 1, 2020
Gov. Baker said:
On a final note, I heard what the president said today about ‘dominating’ and ‘fighting’. I know I should be surprised when I hear incendiary words like this from him, but I’m not. At so many times during these past several weeks, when the country needed compassionate leadership the most, it was simply nowhere to be found. Instead, we got bitterness, combativeness and self-interest. That’s not what we need in Boston, it’s not what we need right now in Massachusetts, and its definitely not what we need across this great country of ours either.
The lights are out and nobody’s home
As racial tensions boil over and protests break out in cities all across the country following George Floyd’s horrific murder, Donald Trump has been missing in action.
Aside from stoking violence and hate on his Twitter page, he has been hiding out in his bunker like a coward. When he did decide to come out and give remarks on Monday, he chose to escalate the tensions even more.
Trump spent his entire 2016 campaign beating his chest and talking like the toughest of tough guys – fake tan, bleach blonde hair and all. But at this unprecedented moment of crisis, he has proven to be weak, small, and manifestly incapable of showing an iota of unifying leadership.
America is in crisis, but the lights are out and nobody’s home.
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