politicususa--2020-06-06--Trump Plans To Hide Inside All Day As Protesters Gather Outside The Fenced-In White House

Donald Trump has no plans to give any public or on-camera remarks on Saturday as a massive protest is expected just outside his fenced-in White House grounds in Washington D.C .
According to NBC News reporter Monica Alba , the White House has already called a “ lid , ” which means Trump won ’ t be seen in public for the rest of the day .
This comes as large , peaceful demonstrations have been seen in D.C. and across the country all week , pushing Trump to turn the people ’ s house into a high-security compound where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of tweets in a sitting .
“ The perimeter has expanded around the complex , ” Alba reported .
“ You have this high fencing that now extends in every direction .
We have more road closures than we ever had before , and you have the National Guard all around.
” The White House has called what is known as an early lid , which means we don ’ t anticipate any on-camera movements or comments from the president .
They did that about an hour ago so that shows you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make remarks as we expect what could be the largest protest yet just beyond the White House grounds .
And you have seen that as the perimeter has expanded around the complex .
You have this high fencing that now extends in every direction .
We have more road closures than we ever had before and you have the National Guard all around all the way down to the ellipse to the Washington monument , to the Lincoln Memorial … in anticipation of these large crowds .
And we haven ’ t heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today though he has been very active on Twitter .
In the last 24 hours , he has tweeted or retweeted more than 200 times , breaking any previous records , on many issues but not this one yet .
Trump is behaving like a scared dictator who knows his time is up Instead of addressing the concerns of the protesters , Trump has operated almost as if none of this is taking place .
On Friday , he bragged about a flawed jobs report and refused to take questions about systemic racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to participate in a staged photo-op , he simply stays inside his highly fortified bunker firing off divisive tweets that offer nothing to the larger discussion taking place outside .
Donald Trump ’ s behavior in recent days has resembled that of a scared dictator hiding in a bunker who knows his time is almost up .

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Donald Trump has no plans to give any public or on-camera remarks on Saturday as a massive protest is expected just outside his fenced-in White House grounds in Washington D.C.
According to NBC News reporter Monica Alba, the White House has already called a “lid,” which means Trump won’t be seen in public for the rest of the day.
This comes as large, peaceful demonstrations have been seen in D.C. and across the country all week, pushing Trump to turn the people’s house into a high-security compound where he can hide out and shoot off hundreds of tweets in a sitting.
“The perimeter has expanded around the complex,” Alba reported. “You have this high fencing that now extends in every direction. We have more road closures than we ever had before, and you have the National Guard all around.”
Video:
Trump has no plans to be seen on camera on Saturday as a huge number of protesters gather just outside the White House. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/12GTIgfzw0 — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) June 6, 2020
Alba said:
The White House has called what is known as an early lid, which means we don’t anticipate any on-camera movements or comments from the president. They did that about an hour ago so that shows you there are no plans for him to make remarks as we expect what could be the largest protest yet just beyond the White House grounds. And you have seen that as the perimeter has expanded around the complex. You have this high fencing that now extends in every direction. We have more road closures than we ever had before and you have the National Guard all around all the way down to the ellipse to the Washington monument, to the Lincoln Memorial … in anticipation of these large crowds. And we haven’t heard the president weigh in on that yet today though he has been very active on Twitter. In the last 24 hours, he has tweeted or retweeted more than 200 times, breaking any previous records, on many issues but not this one yet.
Trump is behaving like a scared dictator who knows his time is up
Instead of addressing the concerns of the protesters, Trump has operated almost as if none of this is taking place. On Friday, he bragged about a flawed jobs report and refused to take questions about systemic racism.
When he isn’t able to participate in a staged photo-op, he simply stays inside his highly fortified bunker firing off divisive tweets that offer nothing to the larger discussion taking place outside.
Donald Trump’s behavior in recent days has resembled that of a scared dictator hiding in a bunker who knows his time is almost up.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-06-06--The World Is Backing Away From The U.S. As Trump Transforms America Into An Authoritarian State

U.S. diplomats are struggling to defend the United States abroad as Donald Trump pushes America closer to an authoritarian state , according to a new report .
The Hill notes , “ American diplomats are facing a tough challenge defending U.S. values as violent clashes between law enforcement officers and protesters dominate headlines around the world.
” “ President Trump ’ s calls to ‘ dominate ’ the streets are being compared in the U.S. and in other countries to authoritarian leaders who look to treat civil discontent and unrest as acts of terrorism , ” the report added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ left diplomats charged with denouncing similar actions and statements by foreign governments in the uncomfortable position of now receiving that criticism in return .
If you ’ re an American diplomat overseas , suddenly we look hypocritical , ” said Nicholas Burns , former ambassador to Greece and NATO under the Clinton and Bush administrations .
“ We ’ ve been saying to countries , ‘ do the right thing , treat minority populations well , don ’ t use force against protesters , let people exercise their civil and constitutional rights in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming to us and telling us to do that .
How sad is that ?
” It takes courage to lead a country during a time of crisis , particularly when there are multiple crises happening at once .
Courage is a trait that Donald Trump simply doesn ’ t have in his DNA .
But this president doesn ’ t seek to lead ; he never has .
Instead , he has the same goal of a long line of cowards throughout history : to rule .
And it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since day one , he has expressed admiration for dictators around the globe , from Vladimir Putin in Russia to Kim Jong Un in North Korea – all while alienating our strongest allies .
He has attacked the free press , calling them the enemy of the people .
He has abused his power repeatedly , from obstructing investigations to extorting foreign powers to turning the Department of Justice into his own political weapon .
In recent days , he had his own citizens tear gassed on the streets of D.C. – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a political prop in a photo-op .
This troubling and ongoing pattern of behavior will only escalate as election day draws closer and Trump fears he may lose his grip on power .
But regardless of what happens in November , U.S. allies already backing away from a president who seeks to rule the country from a bunker like some type of third world dictator .
In less than five months , the American people will have a chance to put a stop to this dangerous president before it ’ s too @ @

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U.S. diplomats are struggling to defend the United States abroad as Donald Trump pushes America closer to an authoritarian state, according to a new report.
The Hill notes, “American diplomats are facing a tough challenge defending U.S. values as violent clashes between law enforcement officers and protesters dominate headlines around the world.”
“President Trump’s calls to ‘dominate’ the streets are being compared in the U.S. and in other countries to authoritarian leaders who look to treat civil discontent and unrest as acts of terrorism,” the report added.
More from The Hill:
That has left diplomats charged with denouncing similar actions and statements by foreign governments in the uncomfortable position of now receiving that criticism in return. If you’re an American diplomat overseas, suddenly we look hypocritical,” said Nicholas Burns, former ambassador to Greece and NATO under the Clinton and Bush administrations. “We’ve been saying to countries, ‘do the right thing, treat minority populations well, don’t use force against protesters, let people exercise their civil and constitutional rights in your societies.’ Now they’re coming to us and telling us to do that. How sad is that?”
Trump seeks to rule, not lead
It takes courage to lead a country during a time of crisis, particularly when there are multiple crises happening at once. Courage is a trait that Donald Trump simply doesn’t have in his DNA.
But this president doesn’t seek to lead; he never has. Instead, he has the same goal of a long line of cowards throughout history: to rule.
And it’s not as if Trump has concealed this goal.
Since day one, he has expressed admiration for dictators around the globe, from Vladimir Putin in Russia to Kim Jong Un in North Korea – all while alienating our strongest allies.
He has attacked the free press, calling them the enemy of the people.
He has abused his power repeatedly, from obstructing investigations to extorting foreign powers to turning the Department of Justice into his own political weapon.
In recent days, he had his own citizens tear gassed on the streets of D.C. – all so he could use the Bible as a political prop in a photo-op.
This troubling and ongoing pattern of behavior will only escalate as election day draws closer and Trump fears he may lose his grip on power.
But regardless of what happens in November, U.S. allies already backing away from a president who seeks to rule the country from a bunker like some type of third world dictator.
In less than five months, the American people will have a chance to put a stop to this dangerous president before it’s too late.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-06-06--The Jobs Report That Trump Bragged About Contains An Error And Was Wrong

The May jobs report that showed unemployment dropping to 13.3 % contained a massive error and the BLS says the unemployment rate is three points higher .
Via The Washington Post : When the U.S. government ’ s official jobs report for May came out on Friday , it included a note at the bottom saying there had been a major “ error ” indicating that the unemployment rate likely should be higher than the widely reported 13.3 percent rate .
The special note said that if this “ misclassification error ” had not occurred , the “ overall unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points higher than reported , ” meaning the unemployment rate would be about 16.3 percent for May .
The Bureau of Labor Statistics , the agency that puts out the monthly jobs reports , said it was working to fix the problem .
The jobs report that Trump rushed to hold a press conference about , and Republicans used to justify not passing more economic stimulus was inaccurate .
The unemployment rate didn ’ t drop by a point .
It grew by two points .
It also means that when the numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t add jobs last month .
It lost them .
Trump will run with the inaccurate number because it is better for him politically to pretend like the pandemic is over and the economy is recovering .
However , the economy has not entered into recovery mode yet .
Jobs are still being lost .
No one should see anything malicious in the Bureau of Labor Statistics error .
They are trying to collect data in the middle of a pandemic .
It isn ’ t business as usual for anyone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ House was Trump ’ s mission accomplished banner moment .
He celebrated something that never happened as the country remains mired in the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression .

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The May jobs report that showed unemployment dropping to 13.3% contained a massive error and the BLS says the unemployment rate is three points higher.
Via The Washington Post:
When the U.S. government’s official jobs report for May came out on Friday, it included a note at the bottom saying there had been a major “error” indicating that the unemployment rate likely should be higher than the widely reported 13.3 percent rate.
The special note said that if this “misclassification error” had not occurred, the “overall unemployment rate would have been about 3 percentage points higher than reported,” meaning the unemployment rate would be about 16.3 percent for May.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the agency that puts out the monthly jobs reports, said it was working to fix the problem.
The jobs report that Trump rushed to hold a press conference about, and Republicans used to justify not passing more economic stimulus was inaccurate. The unemployment rate didn’t drop by a point. It grew by two points. It also means that when the numbers are revised, the US economy didn’t add jobs last month. It lost them.
Trump will run with the inaccurate number because it is better for him politically to pretend like the pandemic is over and the economy is recovering. However, the economy has not entered into recovery mode yet. Jobs are still being lost.
No one should see anything malicious in the Bureau of Labor Statistics error. They are trying to collect data in the middle of a pandemic. It isn’t business as usual for anyone.
Friday’s event at the White House was Trump’s mission accomplished banner moment. He celebrated something that never happened as the country remains mired in the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression.


politicususa--2020-06-06--Trump Rants About Antifa From His Bunker As Tens Of Thousands Of Americans March For Change

As tens of thousands of Americas all across the country take to the streets to protest in the wake of George Floyd ’ s murder , Donald Trump is ranting conspiracy theories from his bunker .
In a tweet on Saturday morning , Trump boasted about a crowd of supporters that turned out during his Friday visit to Maine .
“ Riot gear or military control is not necessary because ANTIFA & other Wacko groups of Anarchists aren ’ t present to cause trouble , ” Trump said .
“ Incredible people.
” Despite the broken-minded rantings of a president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality , the George Floyd demonstrations have been overwhelmingly and increasingly peaceful .
They represent a nation demanding leadership and calling for a long overdue change to America ’ s broken criminal justice system .
Trump has failed – quite spectacularly – to answer both of those calls .
His Saturday tweet about antifa and anarchists was nonsense , of course .
It was another divisive deflection from a president hiding in a bunker watching history pass him by .
Huge crowds expected across the country on Saturday Trump ’ s angry outbursts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get worse this weekend as tens of thousands of protesters plan to take to the streets .
In Washington D.C. , in particular , officials expect the largest crowd yet .
According to The Washington Post , “ Rallies are also planned near the Trump golf club in Doral , Fla. ; in front of Philadelphia ’ s famed art museum ; outside Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s official residence ; and in many lesser-known places , from Collegeville , Pa. , to Poquoson , Va. ” The report notes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the broadest in history ” with 650 cities and towns across all 50 states seeing protests .

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As tens of thousands of Americas all across the country take to the streets to protest in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, Donald Trump is ranting conspiracy theories from his bunker.
In a tweet on Saturday morning, Trump boasted about a crowd of supporters that turned out during his Friday visit to Maine.
“Riot gear or military control is not necessary because ANTIFA & other Wacko groups of Anarchists aren’t present to cause trouble,” Trump said. “Incredible people.”
Riot gear or military control is not necessary because ANTIFA & other Wacko groups of Anarchists aren’t present to cause trouble. Incredible people. Thank you Maine! https://t.co/KGOcoQORMg — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 6, 2020
Despite the broken-minded rantings of a president who has long lost his grip on reality, the George Floyd demonstrations have been overwhelmingly and increasingly peaceful.
They represent a nation demanding leadership and calling for a long overdue change to America’s broken criminal justice system. Trump has failed – quite spectacularly – to answer both of those calls.
His Saturday tweet about antifa and anarchists was nonsense, of course. It was another divisive deflection from a president hiding in a bunker watching history pass him by.
Huge crowds expected across the country on Saturday
Trump’s angry outbursts on social media are likely only going to get worse this weekend as tens of thousands of protesters plan to take to the streets. In Washington D.C., in particular, officials expect the largest crowd yet.
According to The Washington Post, “Rallies are also planned near the Trump golf club in Doral, Fla.; in front of Philadelphia’s famed art museum; outside Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s official residence; and in many lesser-known places, from Collegeville, Pa., to Poquoson, Va.”
The report notes that the George Floyd demonstrations are “the broadest in history” with 650 cities and towns across all 50 states seeing protests.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-06-07--Trump Is Having Trouble Finding Delegates To Go To His Convention

Some state Republican parties are having trouble finding delegates who are willing to go to Trump ’ s convention due to coronavirus concerns .
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding the convention is the trepidation delegates are feeling about attending a crowded gathering .
Already , states like Indiana are having difficulty filling both their delegate and alternate spots .
Many convention delegates are over 60 and therefore more vulnerable to the virus .
Indiana , Vice President Mike Pence ’ s home state , has struggled to fill its slots with the party donors and activists who typically compete for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state on the convention floor .
Instead , people involved in the process said they have been receiving submissions from unknown Republicans , and have expressed concerns that they don ’ t even know whether or not those people are pro-Trump .
That risks upending years of careful planning on the part of the Trump campaign to ensure a smooth coronation-style convention for the president , with no dissent on the floor the way there was four years ago .
Trump does not want his convention to follow social distancing guidelines or mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has refused to deliver an acceptance speech unless the room is full .
Some Republican delegates are refusing to risk getting the coronavirus just so they can be props in Trump ’ s convention show .
The odds are that Trump is going to move the convention to Florida , and it would not be a surprise if he chose to hold most of it at the same failing golf club where he tried to host the G-7 .
Trump doesn ’ t care if his delegates get coronavirus and die .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity crowd so that he looks good on TV .

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Some state Republican parties are having trouble finding delegates who are willing to go to Trump’s convention due to coronavirus concerns.
The New York Times reported:
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding the convention is the trepidation delegates are feeling about attending a crowded gathering. Already, states like Indiana are having difficulty filling both their delegate and alternate spots. Many convention delegates are over 60 and therefore more vulnerable to the virus.
Indiana, Vice President Mike Pence’s home state, has struggled to fill its slots with the party donors and activists who typically compete for the highly coveted positions to represent the state on the convention floor. Instead, people involved in the process said they have been receiving submissions from unknown Republicans, and have expressed concerns that they don’t even know whether or not those people are pro-Trump. That risks upending years of careful planning on the part of the Trump campaign to ensure a smooth coronation-style convention for the president, with no dissent on the floor the way there was four years ago.
Trump does not want his convention to follow social distancing guidelines or mandate that convention attendees wear masks. Trump has refused to deliver an acceptance speech unless the room is full. Some Republican delegates are refusing to risk getting the coronavirus just so they can be props in Trump’s convention show.
The odds are that Trump is going to move the convention to Florida, and it would not be a surprise if he chose to hold most of it at the same failing golf club where he tried to host the G-7.
Trump doesn’t care if his delegates get coronavirus and die. All he wants is the visual of a capacity crowd so that he looks good on TV.
Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook“


politicususa--2020-06-07--Mitt Romney Joins Religious March On The White House To Support Black Lives Matter

Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) joined 1,000 Americans of faith in a march to the White House in support of Black Lives Matter .
Romney said that he was marching to end violence and brutality and to make sure that people know that black lives matter .
The group is described as mostly evangelical Christian and they are chanting Black Lives Matter , and singing this little light of mine : The fact that Romney is marching to the White House in support of black lives matter will drive Trump up the wall .
Politically , evangelicals as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s support .
This is a president who only won the election by 80,000 votes in three states .
His margin for error with any group that supported him is virtually zero .
If Trump slips with evangelicals , even a little , he will be placing himself in a position to lose the election .
The Trump administration doesn ’ t see or listen to anyone outside of their base , so a thousand evangelicals marching to the White House should get someone ’ s attention .
The consensus against ending the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cut across political lines , as Trump and his supports look like they are on the wrong side of history .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) joined 1,000 Americans of faith in a march to the White House in support of Black Lives Matter.
Romney said that he was marching to end violence and brutality and to make sure that people know that black lives matter.
Video:
.@MittRomney is marching with a group of nearly 1,000 Christians to the White House. Here he is on video saying why he’s walking: “… to make sure that people understand that Black Lives Matter” https://t.co/KCxJNchCMs pic.twitter.com/Za0Am2WL8g — Hannah Natanson (@hannah_natanson) June 7, 2020
The group is described as mostly evangelical Christian and they are chanting Black Lives Matter, and singing this little light of mine:
Mitt Romney, marching down Penn Ave towards the White House, with about 1000 mostly evangelical protesters. They’re chanting “black lives matter!” and singing “This little light of mine” @MittRomney pic.twitter.com/Zj8HHpBDoX — Michelle Boorstein (@mboorstein) June 7, 2020
The fact that Romney is marching to the White House in support of black lives matter will drive Trump up the wall. Politically, evangelicals as a group are the backbone of Trump’s support. This is a president who only won the election by 80,000 votes in three states. His margin for error with any group that supported him is virtually zero.
If Trump slips with evangelicals, even a little, he will be placing himself in a position to lose the election.
The Trump administration doesn’t see or listen to anyone outside of their base, so a thousand evangelicals marching to the White House should get someone’s attention.
The consensus against ending the status quo of systemic racism is starting to cut across political lines, as Trump and his supports look like they are on the wrong side of history.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-06-07--Opinion: Racist Contradictions in Defining Freedom in Trump’s America

Last May , the conservative group Michigan United for Liberty organized protests in the state capitol against Governor Gretchen Whitmer ’ s stay-at-home orders .
While the group , composed of roughly 8,000 members , had already formalized its complaint against the orders in a law suit , the protest provided a forum for a defiant public expression against what the group sees as a gross violation of people ’ s constitutional freedoms .
One protester summed up the point of the protest and call for freedom , according to Reuters , in these words : “ Open your business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bars .
Open the movie theaters .
Michigan , wake up America.
” In reporting on the character of and attendance at the rally , Allan Smith reported for NBC News : There it is !
That “ Don ’ t Tread on Me ” flag , also called the Gadsden flag , after its designer Christopher Gadsden , a brigadier-general in the American army during the revolutionary war era .
The flag famously features a rattlesnake that Gadsden ’ s friend Ben Franklin served as an apt symbol for a colonized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The snake was indigenous to the nascent nation , struck only when threatened , and after giving due warning attacked its threat surgically and quickly , but fatally .
While the flag was created to express revolutionary fervor against the British government , as with any symbol , Rob Walker explains in The Atlantic , the meanings of symbols can shift over time .
In this contemporary moment , the flag has picked up other connotations , according to Walker , particularly a “ strident anti-government sentiment.
” Don ’ t the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people , particularly against Black people , seem like the perfect cause with which these freedom-seeking , Gadsden flag-waving folks would be eager and enthusiastic to ally ?
The Black Lives Matter movement and the masses who have taken to the streets in general sympathy with cause of stopping state-sponsored violence and racism against Americans , most especially against Black lives and those of people of color in the U.S. , in some sense could find their politically urgent message and demand summed up in the expression , “ Don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an agent of the state to not tread with his knee on the back of his neck , to honor the seemingly simple request of letting him breathe .
Breonna Taylor , had she had the chance , would have asked the police to not invasively break into her private home and fatally tread on her life .
One could go on .
Like the rattlesnake Franklin described , these protests and movements did not strike until threatened , indeed met with fatal force .
And the demand , sometimes a desperate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t Tread on Us .
So , the recent protests and the Black Lives Matter movement seem like the perfect causes with which these militias and “ liberty ” -seeking groups would want to ally in the quest for “ freedom.
” Why haven ’ t we seen these Gadsden flag-waving folks prominently present and active in these rallies ?
Why aren ’ t they calling for the abolition of police departments , if they are so anti-government and so in favor of freedom of government ?
It ’ s important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if for no other reason than to begin to figure out what freedom means for America .
If the goal of our political culture is to achieve our nation ’ s stated ideal of freedom—and that might be a big “ if ” —we should try to be as clear as possible about what freedom is for us , what the content of that goal is .
For those who currently wave the Gadsen flag and don ’ t want to be tread on , freedom seems not so much to be freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assert white supremacy and deny non-white people freedom .
The politics of “ Don ’ t Tread on Me ” don ’ t translate from these conservative groups , militias , and white supremacist organizations for an obvious reason .
They aren ’ t really interested in freedom and democracy ; they aren ’ t in dominance , oppression , and tyranny .
“ Don ’ t Tread on Me ” doesn ’ t mean “ Don ’ t Tread on All of Us.
” It means “ don ’ t tread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power , endowed on us through white supremacy , to rule over others and deprive them of their constitutional freedoms .
As Walker more fully elaborates the evolution of the Gadsden ’ s flag meaning : Along the way , it picked up other connotations : strident anti-government sentiment , often directed with particular vehemence at the first African-American President .
As the E.E.O.C .
gingerly suggested , the symbol is now “ sometimes interpreted to convey racially-tinged messages in some contexts , ” citing the flag ’ s removal from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firefighter complained , and a 2014 incident in which two Las Vegas police officers were killed and their bodies covered by the flag .
( The officers were white , but the shooters reportedly “ spoke of white supremacy ” and “ the start of a revolution , ” and were presumably sending that message with the flag . )
“ Don ’ t Tread on Me ” is a powerful message .
It ’ s exactly , at least in part , what the Black Lives Matter movement and its allies are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitmer to make a deal with the Michigan United for Liberty group and others protesting the stay-at-home orders .
He even encouraged these protestors without threatening to call in the U.S. military to suppress them .
Don ’ t tread on them .
Listen to them .
Negotiate with them .
They ’ re beautiful .
These are Trump ’ s sentiments .
Obviously , Trump did not encourage the protests against ongoing racial violence and racism in America and the state ’ s complicity in it .
And he did not encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders .
When white supremacists wave the flag , we need to see the racist contradictions informing their definitions of freedom .
They aren ’ t really saying “ Don ’ t Tread on Me , ” they are saying give them the right to tread on others violently and fatally , to deprive others of their constitutional rights .
Really want freedom ?
Eradicate racism and these racial contradictions infesting the expression and content of the nation ’ s putative ideals .

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Last May, the conservative group Michigan United for Liberty organized protests in the state capitol against Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home orders. While the group, composed of roughly 8,000 members, had already formalized its complaint against the orders in a law suit, the protest provided a forum for a defiant public expression against what the group sees as a gross violation of people’s constitutional freedoms.
One protester summed up the point of the protest and call for freedom, according to Reuters, in these words: “Open your business now. Open the restaurants. Open the bars. Open the movie theaters. Michigan, wake up America.”
In reporting on the character of and attendance at the rally, Allan Smith reported for NBC News:
Several militia members were present at the rally, where a large banner reading “FREEDOM” was spread at the entrance to the Capitol. Some demonstrators waved “Don’t Tread on Me” flags and wore President Donald Trump’s campaign gear.
There it is! That “Don’t Tread on Me” flag, also called the Gadsden flag, after its designer Christopher Gadsden, a brigadier-general in the American army during the revolutionary war era.
The flag famously features a rattlesnake that Gadsden’s friend Ben Franklin served as an apt symbol for a colonized people under siege seeking an independent nation. The snake was indigenous to the nascent nation, struck only when threatened, and after giving due warning attacked its threat surgically and quickly, but fatally.
While the flag was created to express revolutionary fervor against the British government, as with any symbol, Rob Walker explains in The Atlantic, the meanings of symbols can shift over time.
In this contemporary moment, the flag has picked up other connotations, according to Walker, particularly a “strident anti-government sentiment.”
Don’t the recent mass uprisings against government violence against the people, particularly against Black people, seem like the perfect cause with which these freedom-seeking, Gadsden flag-waving folks would be eager and enthusiastic to ally?
The Black Lives Matter movement and the masses who have taken to the streets in general sympathy with cause of stopping state-sponsored violence and racism against Americans, most especially against Black lives and those of people of color in the U.S., in some sense could find their politically urgent message and demand summed up in the expression, “Don’t Tread on Me.”
George Floyd asked for an agent of the state to not tread with his knee on the back of his neck, to honor the seemingly simple request of letting him breathe. Breonna Taylor, had she had the chance, would have asked the police to not invasively break into her private home and fatally tread on her life. One could go on.
Like the rattlesnake Franklin described, these protests and movements did not strike until threatened, indeed met with fatal force.
And the demand, sometimes a desperate plea, is clear:
Please, Don’t Tread on Us.
So, the recent protests and the Black Lives Matter movement seem like the perfect causes with which these militias and “liberty”-seeking groups would want to ally in the quest for “freedom.”
Why haven’t we seen these Gadsden flag-waving folks prominently present and active in these rallies?
Why aren’t they calling for the abolition of police departments, if they are so anti-government and so in favor of freedom of government?
It’s important to explore and answer this question, if for no other reason than to begin to figure out what freedom means for America. If the goal of our political culture is to achieve our nation’s stated ideal of freedom—and that might be a big “if”—we should try to be as clear as possible about what freedom is for us, what the content of that goal is.
For those who currently wave the Gadsen flag and don’t want to be tread on, freedom seems not so much to be freedom from government but the “freedom” to assert white supremacy and deny non-white people freedom.
The politics of “Don’t Tread on Me” don’t translate from these conservative groups, militias, and white supremacist organizations for an obvious reason. They aren’t really interested in freedom and democracy; they aren’t in dominance, oppression, and tyranny.
“Don’t Tread on Me” doesn’t mean “Don’t Tread on All of Us.” It means “don’t tread on we white people and take away the power, endowed on us through white supremacy, to rule over others and deprive them of their constitutional freedoms.
As Walker more fully elaborates the evolution of the Gadsden’s flag meaning:
Along the way, it picked up other connotations: strident anti-government sentiment, often directed with particular vehemence at the first African-American President. As the E.E.O.C. gingerly suggested, the symbol is now “sometimes interpreted to convey racially-tinged messages in some contexts,” citing the flag’s removal from a New Haven fire station after a black firefighter complained, and a 2014 incident in which two Las Vegas police officers were killed and their bodies covered by the flag. (The officers were white, but the shooters reportedly “spoke of white supremacy” and “the start of a revolution,” and were presumably sending that message with the flag.)
“Don’t Tread on Me” is a powerful message. It’s exactly, at least in part, what the Black Lives Matter movement and its allies are asking for.
Donald Trump urged Governor Whitmer to make a deal with the Michigan United for Liberty group and others protesting the stay-at-home orders. He even encouraged these protestors without threatening to call in the U.S. military to suppress them.
Don’t tread on them. Listen to them. Negotiate with them. They’re beautiful. These are Trump’s sentiments.
Obviously, Trump did not encourage the protests against ongoing racial violence and racism in America and the state’s complicity in it. And he did not encourage governors to negotiate with Black Lives Matter leaders.
When white supremacists wave the flag, we need to see the racist contradictions informing their definitions of freedom. They aren’t really saying “Don’t Tread on Me,” they are saying give them the right to tread on others violently and fatally, to deprive others of their constitutional rights.
Really want freedom? Eradicate racism and these racial contradictions infesting the expression and content of the nation’s putative ideals.


politicususa--2020-06-07--Trump Throws A Fit After Colin Powell Supports Joe Biden

Trump ranted on Twitter that Colin Powell was overrated after the respected general told America that he ’ ll be voting for Joe Biden .
Powell said , “ I ’ m very close to Joe Biden in a social matter and on a political matter .
I have worked with him for 35 , 40 years .
And he is now the candidate , and I will be voting for him.
” Trump ’ s list of “ achievements ” while in office is pathetic .
Trump ’ s claims about the Supreme Court and judges confirmed could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pulse .
Trump has done nothing to rebuild the military because it wasn ’ t depleted .
Veterans Choice was an Obama accomplishment .
Trump ’ s tax cut went to the wealthy and corporations , and his saving of healthcare is really destruction .
Donald Trump threw a fit because the respected and admired Colin Powell endorsed Joe Biden .
Trump had nothing to say in his defense , and just tried the standard smearing of anyone who does not support him .
General Powell was correct .
The American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonsensical tweets can no longer cover up a failed presidency .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump ranted on Twitter that Colin Powell was overrated after the respected general told America that he’ll be voting for Joe Biden.
Powell said, “I’m very close to Joe Biden in a social matter and on a political matter. I have worked with him for 35, 40 years. And he is now the candidate, and I will be voting for him.”
Trump responded via tweet:
Somebody please tell highly overrated Colin Powell that I will have gotten almost 300 Federal Judges approved (a record), Two Great Supreme Court Justices, rebuilt our once depleted Military, Choice for Vets, Biggest Ever Tax & Regulation Cuts, Saved Healthcare & 2A, & much more! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
Trump’s list of “achievements” while in office is pathetic. Trump’s claims about the Supreme Court and judges confirmed could have been achieved by any Republican president with a pulse. Trump has done nothing to rebuild the military because it wasn’t depleted. Veterans Choice was an Obama accomplishment. Trump’s tax cut went to the wealthy and corporations, and his saving of healthcare is really destruction.
Donald Trump threw a fit because the respected and admired Colin Powell endorsed Joe Biden. Trump had nothing to say in his defense, and just tried the standard smearing of anyone who does not support him. General Powell was correct. The American people are on to Trump, and his nonsensical tweets can no longer cover up a failed presidency.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-06-07--Ben Carson Claims That There Is No Systemic Racism

HUD Secretary Ben Carson said that back in his day there was real systemic racism , as he downplayed the systemic racism of today .
Transcript via CNN ’ s State Of The Union : Do you think systemic racism is a problem in law enforcement agencies in the United States ?
I grew up at a time when there was real systemic racism .
I remember , as an eighth grade student , I was the only black student .
I got the highest academic achievement .
And the teacher got up and berated the other students they weren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black kid was number one .
And that kind of thing was not uncommon when I was growing up .
That kind of thing is very uncommon now .
Are there still racists around ?
Absolutely .
There were yesterday , there are today , and there will be tomorrow .
But that doesn ’ t mean that we shouldn ’ t fight it .
And this is an opportune time .
Right now , people are concentrating on this .
We can ’ t let this moment slip away .
We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the police departments , but it ’ s — it ’ s — this is an easy time to do it .
We have policemen who are rogue .
The vast majority of policemen are wonderful .
But you have some who are rogue .
And they can go from one jurisdiction to another jurisdiction , and nobody does anything about it .
They can be wearing body cameras .
There are things that can b .
Done , but we need to come to mutual solutions about this .
And now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everybody is concentrating on it .
Let ’ s not let this moment slip away .
At the same time , we must be very vigilant about these groups of anarchists who destroy the livelihoods of the very people that they claim to be trying to help .
Secretary Carson used a couple of the favorite Republican tactics when downplaying systemic racism .
Carson blamed a few bad apples on police forces for racism , as the bad apple excuse is a preferred dodge of Republicans .
Carson also implied that since systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open , like when he was young , it is not as bad , or doesn ’ t exist .
Systemic racism may have gone underground in many cases , but it is still destructively flourishing in American society .
The Trump administration will never address systemic racism because they refuse to admit that racism is a problem in the United States .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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HUD Secretary Ben Carson said that back in his day there was real systemic racism, as he downplayed the systemic racism of today.
Transcript via CNN’s State Of The Union:
TAPPER: Let’s talk about policy.
Do you think systemic racism is a problem in law enforcement agencies in the United States?
CARSON: Let’s say this.
I grew up at a time when there was real systemic racism. I remember, as an eighth grade student, I was the only black student. I got the highest academic achievement. And the teacher got up and berated the other students they weren’t trying hard enough because a black kid was number one.
And that kind of thing was not uncommon when I was growing up. That kind of thing is very uncommon now.
Are there still racists around? Absolutely. There were yesterday, there are today, and there will be tomorrow. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t fight it.
And this is an opportune time. Right now, people are concentrating on this. We can’t let this moment slip away. We need to deal with some of the issues in the police departments, but it’s — it’s — this is an easy time to do it.
We have policemen who are rogue. The vast majority of policemen are wonderful. But you have some who are rogue. And they can go from one jurisdiction to another jurisdiction, and nobody does anything about it.
They can be wearing body cameras. There are things that can b. Done, but we need to come to mutual solutions about this. And now is the time to do it. Everybody is concentrating on it. Let’s not let this moment slip away.
At the same time, we must be very vigilant about these groups of anarchists who destroy the livelihoods of the very people that they claim to be trying to help.
Video:
“I grew up at a time when there was real systemic racism,” US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson says. “We need to deal with some of the issues in the police departments, but it’s an easy time to do it." #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/qnbSuS47jm — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) June 7, 2020
Secretary Carson used a couple of the favorite Republican tactics when downplaying systemic racism. Carson blamed a few bad apples on police forces for racism, as the bad apple excuse is a preferred dodge of Republicans. Carson also implied that since systemic racism is no longer out in the open, like when he was young, it is not as bad, or doesn’t exist.
Systemic racism may have gone underground in many cases, but it is still destructively flourishing in American society.
The Trump administration will never address systemic racism because they refuse to admit that racism is a problem in the United States.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-06-07--Gen, Colin Powell Announces That He’s Voting For Joe Biden

Gen. Colin Powell announced on Sunday that he would be voting for and doing speaking engagements endorsing Joe Biden for president .
Transcript via CNN ’ s State Of The Union : TAPPER : So , yes , I know you didn ’ t vote for him in 2016 .
I assume , based on the fact that you approved Joe Biden when Senator — then Senator Obama picked him to be his running mate in 2008 , I assume you ’ re going to be voting for Joe Biden ?
POWELL : I ’ m very close to Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political matter .
I have worked with him for 35 , 40 years .
And he is now the candidate , and I will be voting for him .
TAPPER : Are you going — are you willing to campaign for Joe Biden for president ?
POWELL : Well , I haven ’ t been asked , and I don ’ t think I will be .
Campaigning is not my strong suit .
And I don ’ t — I will be speaking for him , but I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also discussed the danger that Trump poses as a president who disregards the Constitution .
2020 is different from 2016 in the respect that the threat posed by a Trump presidency is no longer theoretical .
The Trump presidency is not speculation .
It is the reality which the American people have been living with for nearly four years .
Joe Biden has a proven Trump record of death , destruction , and division to run against .
Powell ’ s announcement along with the powerful statement made by former President George W. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former staffers to support Joe Biden all show that this election isn ’ t about Republican versus Democrat , but good versus evil and democracy versus authoritarianism .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook Powell won ’ t be the last prominent Republican vote that Biden gains , and what is even more telling is how no high profile Democrats are supporting Trump .

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Gen. Colin Powell announced on Sunday that he would be voting for and doing speaking engagements endorsing Joe Biden for president.
Transcript via CNN’s State Of The Union:
TAPPER: So, yes, I know you didn’t vote for him in 2016.
I assume, based on the fact that you approved Joe Biden when Senator — then Senator Obama picked him to be his running mate in 2008, I assume you’re going to be voting for Joe Biden?
POWELL: I’m very close to Joe Biden in a social matter and on a political matter. I have worked with him for 35, 40 years.
And he is now the candidate, and I will be voting for him.
….
TAPPER: Are you going — are you willing to campaign for Joe Biden for president?
POWELL: Well, I haven’t been asked, and I don’t think I will be. Campaigning is not my strong suit.
And I don’t — I will be speaking for him, but I don’t plan to make campaign trips.
Video:
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell says he will be voting for former Vice President Joe Biden. “I certainly cannot, in any way, support President Trump this year.” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/jmiUfDPhl1 — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) June 7, 2020
Powell also discussed the danger that Trump poses as a president who disregards the Constitution. 2020 is different from 2016 in the respect that the threat posed by a Trump presidency is no longer theoretical. The Trump presidency is not speculation. It is the reality which the American people have been living with for nearly four years.
Joe Biden has a proven Trump record of death, destruction, and division to run against.
Powell’s announcement along with the powerful statement made by former President George W. Bush and the PAC formed by his former staffers to support Joe Biden all show that this election isn’t about Republican versus Democrat, but good versus evil and democracy versus authoritarianism.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook
Powell won’t be the last prominent Republican vote that Biden gains, and what is even more telling is how no high profile Democrats are supporting Trump.


politicususa--2020-06-07--Opinion: The Importance of Stating the “Obvious”: Why General Mattis’ Belated Statement Matters

When I first heard on the radio that retired United States Marine Corps General had issued a statement critical of Donald Trump ’ s threat to deploy the U.S. military to suppress the nation-wide mass protests against racism and racial violence , I wasn ’ t only underwhelmed , I was frustrated .
Especially upon hearing this excerpt : “ Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try .
Instead he tries to divide us .
We are witnessing the consequences of three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership.
” I turned to my spouse and said , with venomous irony , ” News flash !
Donald Trump is dividing America !
This is brand new information none of us knew !
He ’ s threatening the Constitution !
How could we possibly have foreseen this ?
” My first thought was , why is the media celebrating what sounds more like a long overdue confession of his complicity with the Trump administration as opposed to an exposure of Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he feels a “ duty of silence ” after resigning from his position as Trump ’ s Secretary of Defense , believing he needs to give Trump the opportunity to govern without his criticisms .
Surely , I thought , he must know some things about what really went on , some pretty damning things—maybe about Trump ’ s coordination with Russia during the 2016 election , maybe about Michael Flynn , maybe about some of Trump ’ s disturbing and seemingly self-serving foreign policy decisions .
Who knows ?
But you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the inner sanctum , without knowing something .
Why was he waiting so long to speak up about anything if he truly cared about America ?
So , when he stated what seemed like the obvious , in the excerpts I heard , I was less than prepared to recognize Mattis as a profile in courage .
My spouse , a more accomplished writer/journalist and a wiser political thinker , met me with a firm gaze and a matter-of-fact determination in her voice , letting me know his public denunciation of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot .
I agreed to disagree with her and shut my mouth .
I thought about what she said in the context of the dynamics of our current political discourse and then read his full statement .
Terrie , my spouse , was right .
The statement was a big deal , and the content of the statement was remarkable , going well beyond the passages most highlighted by the media to spell out in greater detail both the current dangers the Trump administration poses and , more movingly and important in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back , but forward to a united people and healthy society to be achieved only through actual democratic practices and the actual realization of equality .
First , Terrie helped me realize that simply stating emphatically the obvious facts in today ’ s political environment is a big deal .
The dynamic today between the Trump administration and the American people is an abusive one .
One of the chief tactics of abusive people in relationships is to deny reality and manipulate the truth .
This confuses people , fills them with self-doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and also makes them feel hopeless and powerless .
Trump , of course , always tells us a story of what a great and beautiful job he is doing and denies piles of evidence that clearly identify troubling behavior , telling us he hasn ’ t colluded with Russia , despite mountains of testimony and weeks of hearings revealing the contrary right before America ’ s eyes .
So , Mattis simply stating the obvious performs a meaningful act of validation from a trusted source , affirming what we all have thought we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crazy-making behaviors and gas-lighting of Trump ’ s abusive presidency .
Americans need to hear again and again how Trump is dividing .
But perhaps even more important in his statement were the ways he defined the relationship between the military and civilian society and the way he re-affirmed the power of democracy as not existing in the presidency but in the people , in the grass roots .
This rather surprised me , I confess , as I harbor prejudices that the military mentality is rigidly hierarchical in its thinking .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way , locating its possibility and power outside the presidency and in the people .
After he talked about Trump ’ s divisiveness , he wrote , “ We can unite without him , drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society .
This will not be easy , as the past few days have shown , but we owe it to our fellow citizens ; to past generations that bled to defend our promise ; and to our children.
” Unity , he asserts earlier in the statement , finds its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands for “ Equal Justice Under Law.
” He calls this “ a wholesome and unifying demand — one that all of us should be able to get behind.
” And he imagines this unity as even obviating the need for the military itself , so powerful is the principle , writing : The ability to unite comes from the grassroots for Mattis , as he recognizes the ways those Americans often dismissed as the least consequential have in fact been the backbone of efforts to survive the pandemic through cooperative endeavors : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of anti-government talk in America , especially from Republicans who occupy government offices and use their authority against , rather in the service of , the people they represent .
Mattis here affirms the need for and potential good of government by affirming a rather basic principle we forget : the people are supposed to be the government , and the government is supposed to work for them , not just by them .
Mattis reminded us of the obvious , which we had forgotten , in this statement .
It might have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never .

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When I first heard on the radio that retired United States Marine Corps General had issued a statement critical of Donald Trump’s threat to deploy the U.S. military to suppress the nation-wide mass protests against racism and racial violence, I wasn’t only underwhelmed, I was frustrated.
Especially upon hearing this excerpt: “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership.”
I turned to my spouse and said, with venomous irony, ”News flash! Donald Trump is dividing America! This is brand new information none of us knew! He’s threatening the Constitution! How could we possibly have foreseen this?”
My first thought was, why is the media celebrating what sounds more like a long overdue confession of his complicity with the Trump administration as opposed to an exposure of Trump’s prima facie corruption?
Mattis has said he feels a “duty of silence” after resigning from his position as Trump’s Secretary of Defense, believing he needs to give Trump the opportunity to govern without his criticisms.
Surely, I thought, he must know some things about what really went on, some pretty damning things—maybe about Trump’s coordination with Russia during the 2016 election, maybe about Michael Flynn, maybe about some of Trump’s disturbing and seemingly self-serving foreign policy decisions. Who knows? But you can’t be that close, embedded in the inner sanctum, without knowing something.
Why was he waiting so long to speak up about anything if he truly cared about America?
So, when he stated what seemed like the obvious, in the excerpts I heard, I was less than prepared to recognize Mattis as a profile in courage.
My spouse, a more accomplished writer/journalist and a wiser political thinker, met me with a firm gaze and a matter-of-fact determination in her voice, letting me know his public denunciation of Trump is a big deal and matters quite a lot.
I agreed to disagree with her and shut my mouth.
I thought about what she said in the context of the dynamics of our current political discourse and then read his full statement.
Terrie, my spouse, was right. The statement was a big deal, and the content of the statement was remarkable, going well beyond the passages most highlighted by the media to spell out in greater detail both the current dangers the Trump administration poses and, more movingly and important in his statement, the path, not back, but forward to a united people and healthy society to be achieved only through actual democratic practices and the actual realization of equality.
First, Terrie helped me realize that simply stating emphatically the obvious facts in today’s political environment is a big deal.
The dynamic today between the Trump administration and the American people is an abusive one. One of the chief tactics of abusive people in relationships is to deny reality and manipulate the truth. This confuses people, fills them with self-doubt, makes them unsure about reality, and also makes them feel hopeless and powerless.
Trump, of course, always tells us a story of what a great and beautiful job he is doing and denies piles of evidence that clearly identify troubling behavior, telling us he hasn’t colluded with Russia, despite mountains of testimony and weeks of hearings revealing the contrary right before America’s eyes.
So, Mattis simply stating the obvious performs a meaningful act of validation from a trusted source, affirming what we all have thought we’ve been seeing and counteracting the crazy-making behaviors and gas-lighting of Trump’s abusive presidency. Americans need to hear again and again how Trump is dividing.
But perhaps even more important in his statement were the ways he defined the relationship between the military and civilian society and the way he re-affirmed the power of democracy as not existing in the presidency but in the people, in the grass roots. This rather surprised me, I confess, as I harbor prejudices that the military mentality is rigidly hierarchical in its thinking.
He stressed unity, but in no simple way, locating its possibility and power outside the presidency and in the people. After he talked about Trump’s divisiveness, he wrote,
“We can unite without him, drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society. This will not be easy, as the past few days have shown, but we owe it to our fellow citizens; to past generations that bled to defend our promise; and to our children.”
Unity, he asserts earlier in the statement, finds its force and potential in the protests’ demands for “Equal Justice Under Law.” He calls this “a wholesome and unifying demand — one that all of us should be able to get behind.”
And he imagines this unity as even obviating the need for the military itself, so powerful is the principle, writing:
James Madison wrote in Federalist 14 that “America united with a handful of troops, or without a single soldier, exhibits a more forbidding posture to foreign ambition than America disunited, with a hundred thousand veterans ready for combat.” We do not need to militarize our response to protests. We need to unite around a common purpose. And it starts by guaranteeing that all of us are equal before the law.
The ability to unite comes from the grassroots for Mattis, as he recognizes the ways those Americans often dismissed as the least consequential have in fact been the backbone of efforts to survive the pandemic through cooperative endeavors:
The pandemic has shown us that it is not only our troops who are willing to offer the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of the community. Americans in hospitals, grocery stores, post offices, and elsewhere have put their lives on the line in order to serve their fellow citizens and their country. We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Square.
We are used to hearing a lot of anti-government talk in America, especially from Republicans who occupy government offices and use their authority against, rather in the service of, the people they represent.
Mattis here affirms the need for and potential good of government by affirming a rather basic principle we forget: the people are supposed to be the government, and the government is supposed to work for them, not just by them.
Mattis reminded us of the obvious, which we had forgotten, in this statement. It might have come late, but better late than never.


politicususa--2020-06-08--Barr Confirms Trump Ran To White House Bunker To Hide From Protesters

Attorney General William Barr confirmed that Donald Trump went to the White House bunker to hide from protesters .
Barr said , “ On Monday , we were reacting to three days of extremely violent demonstrations right across from the White House .
A lot of injuries to police officers , arson .
Things were so bad that the Secret Service recommended that the President go down to the bunker .
We can ’ t have that in our country.
” Even Attorney General William Barr can ’ t keep up with Trump ’ s changing stories .
Trump claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspect it , not to hide from protesters , but the Attorney General just confirmed that Trump was lying .
He went to the bunker to hide from the protesters .
It is difficult to believe Barr ’ s effort to blame the bunker trip on the Secret Service .
The President Of The United States is already the most heavily guarded person in the world .
Trump was in the White House .
It doesn ’ t matter if the protesters were across the street , which by the way there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the White House , there was no way that the protesters were going to get into the White House .
Trump lied about going for a bunker inspection .
He was hiding from the very people that he is supposed to be working for .
When the protesters arrived to exercise their constitutional right of free speech , Donald Trump went into hiding .

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Attorney General William Barr confirmed that Donald Trump went to the White House bunker to hide from protesters.
Barr said, “On Monday, we were reacting to three days of extremely violent demonstrations right across from the White House. A lot of injuries to police officers, arson. Things were so bad that the Secret Service recommended that the President go down to the bunker. We can’t have that in our country.”
Video:
Baier: If you had to do Monday over again, would you do something different?
Barr: Based on what I know now, no… Things were so bad, the secret service recommended the President go down to the bunker. We can’t have that in our country. pic.twitter.com/2p64yP9G0s — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) June 8, 2020
Even Attorney General William Barr can’t keep up with Trump’s changing stories. Trump claimed that he went to the bunker to inspect it, not to hide from protesters, but the Attorney General just confirmed that Trump was lying. He went to the bunker to hide from the protesters.
It is difficult to believe Barr’s effort to blame the bunker trip on the Secret Service.
The President Of The United States is already the most heavily guarded person in the world. Trump was in the White House. It doesn’t matter if the protesters were across the street, which by the way there is already a security perimeter between the part and the White House, there was no way that the protesters were going to get into the White House.
Trump lied about going for a bunker inspection. He was hiding from the very people that he is supposed to be working for.
When the protesters arrived to exercise their constitutional right of free speech, Donald Trump went into hiding.


politicususa--2020-06-08--Pelosi And Schumer Demand Trump Tear Down His White House Fence

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Leader Chuck Schumer wrote to Trump demanding that he take down his fence and open up Lafayette Park to visitors .
We call on you to immediately reopen Lafayette Square to the public , a place which has long been a venue where Americans can gather to freely exercise their constitutional rights in close proximity to the White House .
On June 1 , 2020 , you were responsible for ordering federal officers to force peaceful protestors from the Square using tear gas and other violent means , in clear violation of the protestors ’ First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assembly .
This deeply offensive action was taken in service of the regrettable political stunt you staged at St. John ’ s Church that evening .
You have now erected heavy , semi-permanent steel fencing to wall off the Square .
Your conversion of this unique public park in the heart of our Nation ’ s capital to what looks like a militarized zone denies citizens access to the park and sends the worst possible message to the American public and people around the world .
Lafayette Square should be a symbol of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind which the leader of our Executive Branch cowers in fear of protesters who are crying out for justice .
It is not sufficient for your Administration to claim that security needs somehow require the closing of Lafayette Square .
The secure perimeter of the White House was expanded dramatically in 1995 with the closure of sections of Pennsylvania Avenue and E Street , NW .
Those measures have for a quarter of a century been adequate to protect the White House complex from terrorism and all manner of other threats .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current protests justify the oppressive walls you have erected in response .
We therefore urge you to tear down these walls , reopen Lafayette Square , and allow the public to gather there for you and all the world to hear their voices .
Trump ’ s fence has backfired .
The president ’ s bet on “ law and order ” has left his further behind in the polls and has even more Americans against him .
Pelosi and Schumer are correct .
The fence is un-American .
There is plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The protesters aren ’ t coming to get Trump , and if they ever decide to , he can always return to his bunker .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Leader Chuck Schumer wrote to Trump demanding that he take down his fence and open up Lafayette Park to visitors.
Pelosi and Schumer wrote:
We call on you to immediately reopen Lafayette Square to the public, a place which has long been a venue where Americans can gather to freely exercise their constitutional rights in close proximity to the White House.
On June 1, 2020, you were responsible for ordering federal officers to force peaceful protestors from the Square using tear gas and other violent means, in clear violation of the protestors’ First Amendment rights of free of speech and assembly. This deeply offensive action was taken in service of the regrettable political stunt you staged at St. John’s Church that evening.
You have now erected heavy, semi-permanent steel fencing to wall off the Square. Your conversion of this unique public park in the heart of our Nation’s capital to what looks like a militarized zone denies citizens access to the park and sends the worst possible message to the American public and people around the world. Lafayette Square should be a symbol of freedom and openness, not a place behind which the leader of our Executive Branch cowers in fear of protesters who are crying out for justice.
It is not sufficient for your Administration to claim that security needs somehow require the closing of Lafayette Square. The secure perimeter of the White House was expanded dramatically in 1995 with the closure of sections of Pennsylvania Avenue and E Street, NW. Those measures have for a quarter of a century been adequate to protect the White House complex from terrorism and all manner of other threats. It is simply not credible to claim that the current protests justify the oppressive walls you have erected in response.
We therefore urge you to tear down these walls, reopen Lafayette Square, and allow the public to gather there for you and all the world to hear their voices.
Trump’s fence has backfired. The president’s bet on “law and order” has left his further behind in the polls and has even more Americans against him. Pelosi and Schumer are correct. The fence is un-American. There is plenty of security around the White House. The protesters aren’t coming to get Trump, and if they ever decide to, he can always return to his bunker.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-06-08--Trump Melts Down And Hires His Own Pollster To Analyze CNN Polls

Trump hired his own polling firm to analyze CNN ’ s polls as he refuses to believe that the polls are real and he is losing the election .
There are protests across the country and around the world over police brutality .
Hundreds of thousands of Americans protested in the US last weekend .
There is also a pandemic that is still killing people in the United States every single day .
Democrats introduced a historic policing reform bill , and former Vice President Joe Biden paid his respects to George Floyd ’ s family .
All of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new level of pathetic in his war on reality .
Trump refuses to believe that he is getting blown out of the water by Joe Biden .
Instead of changing his rhetoric to something more positive and unifying as his advisers have begged him to do , Trump is trying to prove that the polls aren ’ t real .
This is just a taste of what Trump will do if Biden wins .
Trump isn ’ t facing facts , and now he is paying people to tell him what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump hired his own polling firm to analyze CNN’s polls as he refuses to believe that the polls are real and he is losing the election.
Trump tweeted:
I have retained highly respected pollster, McLaughlin & Associates, to analyze todays CNN Poll (and others), which I felt were FAKE based on the incredible enthusiasm we are receiving. Read analysis for yourself. This is the same thing they and others did when we defeated… — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2020
…Crooked Hillary Clinton in 2016. They are called SUPPRESSION POLLS, and are put out to dampen enthusiasm. Despite 3 ½ years of phony Witch Hunts, we are winning, and will close it out on November 3rd! pic.twitter.com/4IhuLUZjsv — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2020
There are protests across the country and around the world over police brutality. Hundreds of thousands of Americans protested in the US last weekend. There is also a pandemic that is still killing people in the United States every single day. Democrats introduced a historic policing reform bill, and former Vice President Joe Biden paid his respects to George Floyd’s family.
All of these events are occurring while Donald Trump reaches a new level of pathetic in his war on reality. Trump refuses to believe that he is getting blown out of the water by Joe Biden. Instead of changing his rhetoric to something more positive and unifying as his advisers have begged him to do, Trump is trying to prove that the polls aren’t real.
This is just a taste of what Trump will do if Biden wins.
Trump isn’t facing facts, and now he is paying people to tell him what he wants to hear as he potentially loses the election.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-06-08--Joe Biden Spent An Hour Listening To George Floyd’s Family As Trump Hid In The White House

Joe Biden spent more than an hour listening to George Floyd ’ s family and paying respects to their loved @ @ @ @ @ the White House .
Here is a picture of Biden after meeting George Floyd ’ @ @ @ @ @ election was never going to be about issues and economic numbers .
The election has @ @ @ @ @ be a referendum on Trump .
Donald Trump has sequestered himself in the White House @ @ @ @ @ rage tweeting .
Joe Biden did something that Trump could never do .
He went @ @ @ @ @ , met with George Floyd ’ s family , and he listened .
The Biden @ @ @ @ @ the press with them or stage a scene for cable news .
Trump has not @ @ @ @ @ genuine empathy to the Floyd family , as Biden placed people first .
Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump can ’ t touch .
For more discussion about this story join our @ @ @ @ @ .

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Joe Biden spent more than an hour listening to George Floyd’s family and paying respects to their loved one as Trump hid in the White House.
Benjamin Crump the Floyd family attorney tweeted:
Listening to one another is what will begin to heal America. That's just what VP @JoeBiden did with the family of #GeorgeFloyd – for more than an hour. He listened, heard their pain, and shared in their woe. That compassion meant the world to this grieving family. — Benjamin Crump, Esq. (@AttorneyCrump) June 8, 2020
Here is a picture of Biden after meeting George Floyd’s family:
The 2020 election was never going to be about issues and economic numbers. The election has been destined for years to be a referendum on Trump. Donald Trump has sequestered himself in the White House where he spends his days rage tweeting.
Joe Biden did something that Trump could never do. He went to Houston with no press, met with George Floyd’s family, and he listened. The Biden campaign didn’t bring the press with them or stage a scene for cable news.
Trump has not offered a single moment of genuine empathy to the Floyd family, as Biden placed people first.
Biden’s humanity is something that Donald Trump can’t touch.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-06-08--Joe Biden Masterfully Avoids Trump’s Trap While Backing Police Reform

The Biden campaign issued a statement where they support the new Democratic police reform bill but oppose defunding police departments @ @ @ @ @ camp statement : Biden is right .
Real progress will come from reform legislation .
@ @ @ @ @ are political footballs for the partisan classes that get tossed around on cable news and @ @ @ @ @ difficult for real policy reform to happen .
The idea that calls to defund the @ @ @ @ @ Trump was a hackneyed conventional political wisdom trope that doesn ’ t match the current @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden benefits from the calls to defund the police because it gives him the @ @ @ @ @ for the most comprehensive police reform bill in history while expanding his center lane .
@ @ @ @ @ what he is doing , and in the early stages of the general campaign has @ @ @ @ @ ideal candidate to run against Trump and his brand right-wing extremism .

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The Biden campaign issued a statement where they support the new Democratic police reform bill but oppose defunding police departments.
Here is the Biden camp statement:
"Biden does not believe that police should be defunded. He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change, and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain. Biden supports the urgent need for reform…" pic.twitter.com/k0IConBSj3 — Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) June 8, 2020
Biden is right. Real progress will come from reform legislation. Phrases like defunding the police are political footballs for the partisan classes that get tossed around on cable news and social media making it more difficult for real policy reform to happen.
The idea that calls to defund the police are only good for Trump was a hackneyed conventional political wisdom trope that doesn’t match the current landscape of the election. Joe Biden benefits from the calls to defund the police because it gives him the political real estate to call for the most comprehensive police reform bill in history while expanding his center lane.
Former Vice President Biden knows what he is doing, and in the early stages of the general campaign has revealed himself to be the ideal candidate to run against Trump and his brand right-wing extremism.


politicususa--2020-06-08--Schumer Vows Senate Democrats Will Fight Like Hell To Pass Police Reform Bill

Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer vowed that Senate Democrats will fight like hell to pass sweeping reform to policing .
Schumer said : As my colleagues will explain , the justice and policing act proposes crucial reforms to combat racial violence and excessive force by law enforcement through strong accountability measures , increased data and transparency , and important modifications to police training and practices .
This has never been done before at the federal level .
In the Senate , Democrats are going to fight like hell to make this a reality .
Americans who took to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With this legislation , Democrats are heeding their calls .
Now we must collectively , all Americans , raise our voices and call on Leader Mcconnell to put this reform bill on the floor of the senate , before July , to be debated and voted on .
Now , some senate Republicans have acknowledged the egregious wrongs , but few have expressed the need for floor action .
Too many have silent .
Maybe they ’ re hoping the issue goes away .
I promise them , it will not .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we will not rest until we achieve real reforms .
The Justice In Policing Act would change the definition of criminal conduct for police so that they could be charged with reckless and negligent conduct that led to a violation of a person ’ s constitutional rights .
Currently , a law enforcement officer can only be criminally charged if they willingly violate constitutional rights .
Schumer is right .
The issue is not going away .
If Mitch McConnell blocks this bill , it will be another milestone on the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer vowed that Senate Democrats will fight like hell to pass sweeping reform to policing.
Schumer said:
As my colleagues will explain, the justice and policing act proposes crucial reforms to combat racial violence and excessive force by law enforcement through strong accountability measures, increased data and transparency, and important modifications to police training and practices. This has never been done before at the federal level.
In the Senate, Democrats are going to fight like hell to make this a reality.
Americans who took to the streets this week have demanded change. With this legislation, Democrats are heeding their calls. Now we must collectively, all Americans, raise our voices and call on Leader Mcconnell to put this reform bill on the floor of the senate, before July, to be debated and voted on. Now, some senate Republicans have acknowledged the egregious wrongs, but few have expressed the need for floor action. Too many have silent. Maybe they’re hoping the issue goes away. I promise them, it will not. Democrats will not let this go away, and we will not rest until we achieve real reforms.
Video of Schumer:
Senate Democratic Leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer says Democrats will fight like hell to pass police reform bill. pic.twitter.com/UDr8ckN91h — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) June 8, 2020
The Justice In Policing Act would change the definition of criminal conduct for police so that they could be charged with reckless and negligent conduct that led to a violation of a person’s constitutional rights. Currently, a law enforcement officer can only be criminally charged if they willingly violate constitutional rights.
Schumer is right. The issue is not going away. If Mitch McConnell blocks this bill, it will be another milestone on the road to the end of his Senate majority.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-06-08--Civil Rights Icon John Lewis: Trump “Threatens the Democracy I Spilled My Blood to Protect”

John Lewis has called on the American people to band together and elect former Vice President Joe Biden .
The Civil Rights icon made an impassioned plea on Sunday .
Lewis , a Democratic congressman , urged a vote for Biden in an email to Biden supporters over the weekend .
He framed November ’ s election as a last chance to save democracy .
“ This President threatens the democracy I spilled blood to protect , ” the fundraising email begins .
“ Since the day he took office , I ’ ve witnessed this President turn a blind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refuse to protect American citizens from violence and discrimination.
” “ I watched this President rip newborn infants from their mothers ’ arms , put them into cages , and leave them separated for weeks on end .
I refuse to let his reign of terror continue.
” “ He must be stopped .
And we are the only people who can stop him.
” “ If – and only if – we band together , will we elect Joe Biden and save our democracy.
” “ None of us can do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it takes a group of people taking a stand.
” “ We ’ re fighting for the very soul of our nation , ” Lewis wrote .
“ I can ’ t overstate the urgency of defending our democracy against this dangerous President .
”

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John Lewis has called on the American people to band together and elect former Vice President Joe Biden. The Civil Rights icon made an impassioned plea on Sunday.
Lewis, a Democratic congressman, urged a vote for Biden in an email to Biden supporters over the weekend. He framed November’s election as a last chance to save democracy.
“This President threatens the democracy I spilled blood to protect,” the fundraising email begins.
“Since the day he took office, I’ve witnessed this President turn a blind eye to hatred in this nation and refuse to protect American citizens from violence and discrimination.”
“I watched this President rip newborn infants from their mothers’ arms, put them into cages, and leave them separated for weeks on end. I refuse to let his reign of terror continue.”
“He must be stopped. And we are the only people who can stop him.”
“If – and only if – we band together, will we elect Joe Biden and save our democracy.”
“None of us can do it alone. I know better than anyone it takes a group of people taking a stand.”
“We’re fighting for the very soul of our nation,” Lewis wrote.
“I can’t overstate the urgency of defending our democracy against this dangerous President.”
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-06-08--Former McCain Advisor Steve Schmidt: Republicans’ Senate Majority Is “Going Down with the SS Trump”

Steve Schmidt believes Republicans will lose control of the Senate if they continue to be Donald Trump ’ s “ foot soldiers.
” The former GOP strategist offered a grim assessment for the party .
Schmidt was a senior advisor to Senator John McCain ’ s 2008 presidential campaign .
He ’ s become a strong critic of President Trump and told MSNBC ’ s Stephanie Ruhle that Republicans are in trouble .
“ What we saw here over the last couple of days is these retired four-star officers speaking out and engaging in politics which they are loathed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But they ’ re not saying we don ’ t like Donald Trump ’ s tax plan or we don ’ t like Donald Trump ’ s approach to health care.
” “ What these men who have spent their entire careers , their entire lifetimes in service to the nation as sentinels of the nation ’ s liberty and freedom , what they ’ ve said is Donald Trump is a unique threat to Americanism.
” Ruhle pointed to GOP Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney .
Both have publicly stepped way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Romney and Murkowski are going to come out looking fine when history ’ s lens judges this rancid era , ” Schmidt said .
“ When you look at the Senate races right now , Cory Gardner in Colorado , that race is effectively over .
The Democrat will win , ” he said .
“ When you look at Martha McSally in Arizona , that race is effectively over .
The Democrat will win.
” “ When you look at the Senate races all over the country , you see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trouble and Mitch McConnell ’ s grasp on the senate majority becoming tenuous.
” Schmidt had a simple explanation for why Republicans are at risk of losing the Senate .
“ They signed up to become foot soldiers in a cult of personality for Donald Trump , ” he said .
“ They ’ re going down with the SS Trump if that ’ s what happens in November .
And as we look out on that ship on the high seas , the SS Trump proverbial is foundering.
” “ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests , with the total ineptitude and response to Coronavirus , and the American people are looking at this man , this man who has not met history ’ s task in a way that is greater than any previous American leader in all of our long history .
”

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Steve Schmidt believes Republicans will lose control of the Senate if they continue to be Donald Trump’s “foot soldiers.” The former GOP strategist offered a grim assessment for the party.
Schmidt was a senior advisor to Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. He’s become a strong critic of President Trump and told MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle that Republicans are in trouble.
“What we saw here over the last couple of days is these retired four-star officers speaking out and engaging in politics which they are loathed to do,” Schmidt said.
“But they’re not saying we don’t like Donald Trump’s tax plan or we don’t like Donald Trump’s approach to health care.”
“What these men who have spent their entire careers, their entire lifetimes in service to the nation as sentinels of the nation’s liberty and freedom, what they’ve said is Donald Trump is a unique threat to Americanism.”
Ruhle pointed to GOP Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney. Both have publicly stepped way from Trump in the past few days.
“Romney and Murkowski are going to come out looking fine when history’s lens judges this rancid era,” Schmidt said.
“When you look at the Senate races right now, Cory Gardner in Colorado, that race is effectively over. The Democrat will win,” he said.
“When you look at Martha McSally in Arizona, that race is effectively over. The Democrat will win.”
“When you look at the Senate races all over the country, you see Republican candidates in very, very big trouble and Mitch McConnell’s grasp on the senate majority becoming tenuous.”
Schmidt had a simple explanation for why Republicans are at risk of losing the Senate.
“They signed up to become foot soldiers in a cult of personality for Donald Trump,” he said.
“They’re going down with the SS Trump if that’s what happens in November. And as we look out on that ship on the high seas, the SS Trump proverbial is foundering.”
“It’s had a difficult month with these protests, with the total ineptitude and response to Coronavirus, and the American people are looking at this man, this man who has not met history’s task in a way that is greater than any previous American leader in all of our long history.”
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-06-08--Michelle Obama: Anger over George Floyd’s Death Should Be ‘Channeled’ into ‘Organizing and Mobilizin

Michelle Obama: Anger over George Floyd’s Death Should Be ‘Channeled’ into ‘Organizing and Mobilizing and Voting’

Michelle Obama has called on those protesting about the death of George Floyd to channel their anger in a way that will bring real change .
The former First Lady made an address to 2020 graduates on Sunday .
“ This is an important time of transition .
In light of the current state of our country , I struggle to find the right words of wisdom for you today , ” Obama said on YouTube .
She said the country ’ s “ foundation has been shaken.
” “ Not just by a pandemic that stole too many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives and sent tens of millions into unemployment but also by the rumbling of the age-old fault lines that our country was built on , the lines of race and power that are now once again so nakedly exposed for all of us to grapple with , ” she said .
“ It ’ s up to you to march hand in hand with your allies , to stand peacefully with dignity and purpose on the front lines in the fight for justice.
” Obama urged the graduates to “ couple every protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mobilizing and voting.
” “ Graduates , anger is a powerful force .
It can be a useful force , but left on its own , it will only corrode and destroy and sow chaos on the inside and out .
But when anger is focused , when it ’ s channeled into something more , oh , that is the stuff that changes history.
” “ Dr .
King was angry .
Sojourner Truth was angry .
Lucretia Mott , Cesar Chavez , the folks at Stonewall , they were all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But those folks were also driven by compassion , by principle , by hope .
And so they took advantage of whatever resources they had in their own time.
” Obama urged graduates to register to vote as well as protest against injustices .
“ Graduates , this is how you can finish the work that the generations before you have started , by staying open and hopeful even in the tough times , by channeling that discomfort you feel into activism and a democracy that was designed to respond to those who @ @ @

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Michelle Obama has called on those protesting about the death of George Floyd to channel their anger in a way that will bring real change. The former First Lady made an address to 2020 graduates on Sunday.
“This is an important time of transition. In light of the current state of our country, I struggle to find the right words of wisdom for you today,” Obama said on YouTube.
She said the country’s “foundation has been shaken.”
“Not just by a pandemic that stole too many of our loved ones, upended our daily lives and sent tens of millions into unemployment but also by the rumbling of the age-old fault lines that our country was built on, the lines of race and power that are now once again so nakedly exposed for all of us to grapple with,” she said.
“It’s up to you to march hand in hand with your allies, to stand peacefully with dignity and purpose on the front lines in the fight for justice.”
Obama urged the graduates to “couple every protest with plans and policies, with organizing and mobilizing and voting.”
“Graduates, anger is a powerful force. It can be a useful force, but left on its own, it will only corrode and destroy and sow chaos on the inside and out. But when anger is focused, when it’s channeled into something more, oh, that is the stuff that changes history.”
“Dr. King was angry. Sojourner Truth was angry. Lucretia Mott, Cesar Chavez, the folks at Stonewall, they were all angry,” Obama said.
“But those folks were also driven by compassion, by principle, by hope. And so they took advantage of whatever resources they had in their own time.”
Obama urged graduates to register to vote as well as protest against injustices.
“Graduates, this is how you can finish the work that the generations before you have started, by staying open and hopeful even in the tough times, by channeling that discomfort you feel into activism and a democracy that was designed to respond to those who vote.”
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-06-08--Brookings Institution Debunks the Trump Administration’s Report on the Dropping Unemployment Rate

The Brookings Institution has issued a report debunking a report from the Department of Labor ( DOL ) that President Donald Trump has seized on showing a drop in the unemployment rate .
The United States added 2.5 million jobs during the month of May as businesses began to reopen .
Additionally , the unemployment rate dropped to 13.3 percent from 14.7 percent in April , according to the report , a phenomenon that can be attributed to many states reopening their economies and sending people back to work , often against the advice from healthcare and policy professionals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS ) , is misleading .
“ BLS asserts that 20,935,000 Americans were unemployed in May , attributing the decline to employers adding 2,509,000 jobs in May as states allowed ‘ a limited resumption of economic activity.
’ But it ’ s not that simple , ” Brookings notes .
“ The unexpected decline in the jobless rate is based on a survey of businesses and households conducted over the week of May 16th , and BLS has also reported that 29,965,415 Americans received unemployment insurance benefits in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ a gap of 8,980,415 people , enough to raise the May jobless rate 5.7 percentage points to 19.0 percent and much closer to economists ’ expectations.
” Brookings credits BLS ’ s low figure in part to the Payroll Protection Program , which meant BLS “ counted anyone who employers say were still being paid as employed ‘ even if they were not actually at their jobs.
’ “ Part of it involves how the BLS treats the many millions of people now on furlough and not being paid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ layoff.
’ But if BLS expects them to return to their old jobs , based on the survey , they do not count among the unemployed , ” Brookings notes .
“ Finally , part of the 9 million-person discrepancy may involve how BLS decides whether a person who is not working is still part of the labor force , ” the organization continues .
“ If you are out of work but didn ’ t look for a job over the previous four weeks , or couldn ’ t work for family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are no longer in school , BLS says you are out of the labor force .
If you ’ re not in the labor force , you ’ re not unemployed.
” Nevertheless , the job report has captivated the president , who has spent much of his time online tweeting about it amid criticism about his response to protests against racial injustice and police brutality that were sparked by the killing of George Floyd , a black man in police custody in Minneapolis , and who the president declared was having “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as DOL ’ s report was released .
A senior Trump administration official told CNN on Friday that the report ’ s release could allow Republican leadership to make the case to put more coronavirus relief on hold for now .
And earlier this morning , the president assailed “ lamestream ” media outlets for not focusing on the report .

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The Brookings Institution has issued a report debunking a report from the Department of Labor (DOL) that President Donald Trump has seized on showing a drop in the unemployment rate.
The United States added 2.5 million jobs during the month of May as businesses began to reopen. Additionally, the unemployment rate dropped to 13.3 percent from 14.7 percent in April, according to the report, a phenomenon that can be attributed to many states reopening their economies and sending people back to work, often against the advice from healthcare and policy professionals.
But the report, conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is misleading.
“BLS asserts that 20,935,000 Americans were unemployed in May, attributing the decline to employers adding 2,509,000 jobs in May as states allowed ‘a limited resumption of economic activity.’ But it’s not that simple,” Brookings notes. “The unexpected decline in the jobless rate is based on a survey of businesses and households conducted over the week of May 16th, and BLS has also reported that 29,965,415 Americans received unemployment insurance benefits in the same week.”
That means there’s “a gap of 8,980,415 people, enough to raise the May jobless rate 5.7 percentage points to 19.0 percent and much closer to economists’ expectations.”
Brookings credits BLS’s low figure in part to the Payroll Protection Program, which meant BLS “counted anyone who employers say were still being paid as employed ‘even if they were not actually at their jobs.’
“Part of it involves how the BLS treats the many millions of people now on furlough and not being paid. They are considered ‘unemployed on temporary layoff.’ But if BLS expects them to return to their old jobs, based on the survey, they do not count among the unemployed,” Brookings notes.
“Finally, part of the 9 million-person discrepancy may involve how BLS decides whether a person who is not working is still part of the labor force,” the organization continues. “If you are out of work but didn’t look for a job over the previous four weeks, or couldn’t work for family reasons such as caring for children who are no longer in school, BLS says you are out of the labor force. If you’re not in the labor force, you’re not unemployed.”
Nevertheless, the job report has captivated the president, who has spent much of his time online tweeting about it amid criticism about his response to protests against racial injustice and police brutality that were sparked by the killing of George Floyd, a black man in police custody in Minneapolis, and who the president declared was having “a great day” in heaven as soon as DOL’s report was released.
A senior Trump administration official told CNN on Friday that the report’s release could allow Republican leadership to make the case to put more coronavirus relief on hold for now. And earlier this morning, the president assailed “lamestream” media outlets for not focusing on the report.