politicususa--2020-06-12--Ted Cruz Claims Columbus Didn’t Commit Genocide

Senator Ted Cruz ( R-Texas ) defended Christopher Columbus , referring to the protesters who toppled a statue of the explorer at Minnesota ’ s state capitol as the “ American Taliban.
” His remark earned him criticism from Representative Ilhan Omar ( D-Minn. ) , who noted that the demonstration was organized by indigenous people , upon whose ancestors “ Columbus literally started a genocide against.
” “ What a sick thing to say about those taking down monuments to their own oppression , ” she added .
Cruz doubled down on his remarks .
“ No , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ literally ’ or otherwise .
He did discover the New World , which led to colonizers , some of whom inadvertently brought disease , ” he wrote to Omar .
“ Is it your position that it ’ s inherently immoral to come to America from a foreign land ?
I ’ m glad my Dad came from Cuba.
” Historians would disagree with Cruz ’ s assertion .
As has been noted for decades , Columbus ’ s expeditions were directly responsible for the annihilation of the indigenous population .
“ Columbus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mutilated them , pushed African slavery on Hispaniola , engaged in tyranny , ’ and numerous other crimes , ” tweeted historian Thomas Lecaque , who teaches at Grand View University .
Nor did Columbus mince words , once writing about an encounter with the Arawak natives : “ They … brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things … They willingly traded everything they owned … They were well-built , with good bodies and handsome features … .
They do not bear arms , and do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them a sword , they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance .
They have no iron .
Their spears are made of cane .
… They would make fine servants .
… With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.
” Columbus would add : “ As soon as I arrived in the Indies , on the first Island which I found , I took some of the natives by force in order that they might learn and might give me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts.
” Columbus ’ s men took natives captive , enslaving them .
An estimated 250,000 Arawak were killed on Hispaniola , and the entire population was wiped out within 150 years .

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Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) defended Christopher Columbus, referring to the protesters who toppled a statue of the explorer at Minnesota’s state capitol as the “American Taliban.”
His remark earned him criticism from Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who noted that the demonstration was organized by indigenous people, upon whose ancestors “Columbus literally started a genocide against.”
“What a sick thing to say about those taking down monuments to their own oppression,” she added.
This was organized and led by Indigenous people. Columbus literally started a genocide against them. What a sick thing to say about those taking down monuments to their own oppression. https://t.co/awLxvyXGDZ — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) June 11, 2020
Cruz doubled down on his remarks.
“No, he didn’t commit genocide, ‘literally’ or otherwise. He did discover the New World, which led to colonizers, some of whom inadvertently brought disease,” he wrote to Omar. “Is it your position that it’s inherently immoral to come to America from a foreign land? I’m glad my Dad came from Cuba.”
No, he didn’t commit genocide, “literally” or otherwise. He did discover the New World, which led to colonizers, some of whom inadvertently brought disease. Is it your position that it’s inherently immoral to come to America from a foreign land? I’m glad my Dad came from Cuba. https://t.co/Sj2PbwDVdw — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 11, 2020
Historians would disagree with Cruz’s assertion. As has been noted for decades, Columbus’s expeditions were directly responsible for the annihilation of the indigenous population.
“Columbus was an apocalyptic zealot who massacred natives, mutilated them, pushed African slavery on Hispaniola, engaged in tyranny,’ and numerous other crimes,” tweeted historian Thomas Lecaque, who teaches at Grand View University.
Nor did Columbus mince words, once writing about an encounter with the Arawak natives: “They … brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things … They willingly traded everything they owned … They were well-built, with good bodies and handsome features …. They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron. Their spears are made of cane. … They would make fine servants. … With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.” Columbus would add: “As soon as I arrived in the Indies, on the first Island which I found, I took some of the natives by force in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there is in these parts.”
Columbus’s men took natives captive, enslaving them. An estimated 250,000 Arawak were killed on Hispaniola, and the entire population was wiped out within 150 years.


politicususa--2020-06-12--Trump Defends Juneteenth Rally: “Think of It As a Celebration”

President Donald Trump defended his decision to hold a rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma on June 19 , the day marking the end of slavery in the United States .
Tulsa is also the site of the Tulsa race massacre , when mobs of white residents attacked black residents and businesses with guns and bombs dropped from above by private aircraft , leveling an entire section of the city and killing an estimated hundreds of people .
The scheduled rally will also take place as the nation grapples with a national conversation about systemic racism sparked by the killing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who died in police custody in Minneapolis and whose death set off protests across the nation and around the world .
“ Think about it as a celebration , ” Trump told Fox News in an interview broadcast this morning .
Trump ’ s move has earned significant criticism .
New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg decried it in an op-ed , writing , “ There ’ s simply no reason to believe that Trump is going to Tulsa to try to ease intercommunal hostility , rather than exacerbate it.
” Senator Kamala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ isn ’ t just a wink to white supremacists – he ’ s throwing them a welcome home party.
” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany defended the president , saying the day is a “ meaningful ” one for him .
“ The African American community is very near and dear to his heart , ” McEnany told reporters .
“ At these rallies he often shares the great work he has done for minority communities.
” “ It ’ s a meaningful day to him , ” she continued .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wants to share some of the progress that ’ s been made as we look forward at more that needs to be done , especially as we ’ re looking at this police reform .
”

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President Donald Trump defended his decision to hold a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 19, the day marking the end of slavery in the United States. Tulsa is also the site of the Tulsa race massacre, when mobs of white residents attacked black residents and businesses with guns and bombs dropped from above by private aircraft, leveling an entire section of the city and killing an estimated hundreds of people.
The scheduled rally will also take place as the nation grapples with a national conversation about systemic racism sparked by the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis and whose death set off protests across the nation and around the world.
“Think about it as a celebration,” Trump told Fox News in an interview broadcast this morning.
Trump’s move has earned significant criticism. New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg decried it in an op-ed, writing, “There’s simply no reason to believe that Trump is going to Tulsa to try to ease intercommunal hostility, rather than exacerbate it.”
Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif) said the decision “isn’t just a wink to white supremacists – he’s throwing them a welcome home party.”
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany defended the president, saying the day is a “meaningful” one for him.
“The African American community is very near and dear to his heart,” McEnany told reporters. “At these rallies he often shares the great work he has done for minority communities.”
“It’s a meaningful day to him,” she continued. “It’s a day where he wants to share some of the progress that’s been made as we look forward at more that needs to be done, especially as we’re looking at this police reform.”


politicususa--2020-06-13--Opinion: Trans Lives Matter, Too: November 2020 Will be a Reckoning on Civil Rights for All

Amidst the recent mass nationwide uprisings , dominated by the sentiments of the Black Lives Matter movement , an effective reincarnation of the Civil Rights Movement , the Trump administration has continued its efforts to deny transgender people civil rights , denying them equal protections under the law .
Let ’ s look at just two recent examples of the Trump administration abusing its power to enforce the status of transgender people as second-class citizens who neither enjoy nor for that matter deserve equal protection under the law .
• At the end of last May , Education Secretary Betsy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil rights law known as Title IX , which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools receiving federal funding , when she threatened the state of Connecticut with loss of federal education funding if it continues to allow transgender girls to compete in school sports with girls who are not transgender .
Both the ACLU and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference ( CIAC ) disagree .
A spokesperson for CIAC made clear the state ’ s position on civil rights : DeVos is taking up the cause of the Alliance Defending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representing three girls suing to stop trans athletes from playing against them , claiming it ’ s a civil rights violation .
The Southern Poverty law Center has actually identified the Alliance Defending Freedom as an “ extremist hate group ” for its record of legal efforts to undermine LGBTQ rights .
So , DeVos and the Trump administration , not surprisingly , made league with a hate group in seeking to curtail rather than expand civil rights for all Americans .
• As has been reported multiple times ( here , here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just last Friday the Trump administration removed protections for transgender people from the Affordable Care Act .
In 2016 , the Obama administration altered federal health care guidelines , expanding what it meant to disallow discrimination “ on the basis of sex ” to include protection based on gender identity “ which may male , female , or a combination of male and female.
” Trump ’ s Department of Health and Human Services declared Friday that the rule against discrimination is based on “ the plain meaning of the word ‘ sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined by biology.
” Interestingly—and disgustingly–enough , last fall the Supreme Court wrestled with the meaning of “ sex ” similarly in hearing arguments in a case for which it is expected soon to issue a ruling that will decide the major civil rights question before it , regarding whether or not gay and transgender people are protected under federal legislation that outlaws employment discrimination “ on the basis of sex.
” At a minimum , it ’ s fair to say it ’ s no slam dunk that the Supreme Court will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the basic civil rights that American ideals , especially those ideals people , particularly African Americans , took to the streets for in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s , pose as fundamental liberties for all .
Justice Samuel Alito , for one , suggested his opposition to defining “ sex ” as including sexual orientation , at one point responding to attorney Pamela Karlan , representing two of the plaintiffs , “ You ’ re trying to change the meaning of what Congress understood sex to mean in 1964.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets to demand civil rights and equal justice under the law for African Americans and people of color in the U.S. , the Trump administration charges ahead with its efforts to enforce second-class citizenship on transgender people .
Trump has no intention of expanding civil rights for people of color , women , or LGBTQ people .
And yet , while it is indisputable that women and people of color have been denied civil rights , their personhood has nonetheless been acknowledged in civil rights legislation .
The 1964 Civil Rights Act outlawed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color , religion , sex , or national origin .
This language does not include , apparently , LGBTQ people .
Indeed , the Supreme Court is currently deliberating whether LGBTQ deserve to be recognized as possessing “ personhood ” and thus , by extension , to be endowed with civil rights .
The Senate , you recall , was recently unable to pass anti-lynching legislation because of Rand Paul ’ s objections .
An Evangelical group at the time voiced its own objections to the legislation including anti-lynching protections for LGBTQ people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into 2020 .
Do we believe all people deserve to live free from discrimination and to enjoy legal protections against their being lynched , or not ?
Do we believe some folk deserve second-class citizenship and that others should have the right to subject them to violence because their lives don ’ t matter ?
It ’ s really quite outrageous these questions are up for debate .
Let ’ s move to settle these questions and move to endow all with civil rights this November .

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Amidst the recent mass nationwide uprisings, dominated by the sentiments of the Black Lives Matter movement, an effective reincarnation of the Civil Rights Movement, the Trump administration has continued its efforts to deny transgender people civil rights, denying them equal protections under the law.
Let’s look at just two recent examples of the Trump administration abusing its power to enforce the status of transgender people as second-class citizens who neither enjoy nor for that matter deserve equal protection under the law.
At the end of last May, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos acted in violation of the 1972 civil rights law known as Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools receiving federal funding, when she threatened the state of Connecticut with loss of federal education funding if it continues to allow transgender girls to compete in school sports with girls who are not transgender. Both the ACLU and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) disagree. A spokesperson for CIAC made clear the state’s position on civil rights:
“Connecticut law is clear and students who identify as female are to be recognized as female for all purposes — including high school sports. To do otherwise would not only be discriminatory but would deprive high school students of the meaningful opportunity to participate in educational activities, including inter-scholastic sports, based on sex-stereotyping and prejudice sought to be prevented by Title IX and Connecticut state law.”
DeVos is taking up the cause of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian conservative legal group representing three girls suing to stop trans athletes from playing against them, claiming it’s a civil rights violation. The Southern Poverty law Center has actually identified the Alliance Defending Freedom as an “extremist hate group” for its record of legal efforts to undermine LGBTQ rights.
So, DeVos and the Trump administration, not surprisingly, made league with a hate group in seeking to curtail rather than expand civil rights for all Americans.
As has been reported multiple times (here, here, and here) on PoliticusUsa.com, just last Friday the Trump administration removed protections for transgender people from the Affordable Care Act. In 2016, the Obama administration altered federal health care guidelines, expanding what it meant to disallow discrimination “on the basis of sex” to include protection based on gender identity “which may male, female, or a combination of male and female.” Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services declared Friday that the rule against discrimination is based on “the plain meaning of the word ‘sex’ as male or female and as determined by biology.”
Interestingly—and disgustingly–enough, last fall the Supreme Court wrestled with the meaning of “sex” similarly in hearing arguments in a case for which it is expected soon to issue a ruling that will decide the major civil rights question before it, regarding whether or not gay and transgender people are protected under federal legislation that outlaws employment discrimination “on the basis of sex.”
At a minimum, it’s fair to say it’s no slam dunk that the Supreme Court will arrive at ruling that endows LGBTQ Americans with the basic civil rights that American ideals, especially those ideals people, particularly African Americans, took to the streets for in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, pose as fundamental liberties for all.
Justice Samuel Alito, for one, suggested his opposition to defining “sex” as including sexual orientation, at one point responding to attorney Pamela Karlan, representing two of the plaintiffs, “You’re trying to change the meaning of what Congress understood sex to mean in 1964.”
While we see Americans taking to the streets to demand civil rights and equal justice under the law for African Americans and people of color in the U.S., the Trump administration charges ahead with its efforts to enforce second-class citizenship on transgender people.
Trump has no intention of expanding civil rights for people of color, women, or LGBTQ people.
And yet, while it is indisputable that women and people of color have been denied civil rights, their personhood has nonetheless been acknowledged in civil rights legislation. The 1964 Civil Rights Act outlawed discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
This language does not include, apparently, LGBTQ people. Indeed, the Supreme Court is currently deliberating whether LGBTQ deserve to be recognized as possessing “personhood” and thus, by extension, to be endowed with civil rights.
The Senate, you recall, was recently unable to pass anti-lynching legislation because of Rand Paul’s objections. An Evangelical group at the time voiced its own objections to the legislation including anti-lynching protections for LGBTQ people!
This is where we are heading into 2020. Do we believe all people deserve to live free from discrimination and to enjoy legal protections against their being lynched, or not?
Do we believe some folk deserve second-class citizenship and that others should have the right to subject them to violence because their lives don’t matter?
It’s really quite outrageous these questions are up for debate.
Let’s move to settle these questions and move to endow all with civil rights this November.


politicususa--2020-06-13--Opinion: Alicia Garza and William Barber Explain Why Black Lives Matter is the Ultimate Antidote to

Opinion: Alicia Garza and William Barber Explain Why Black Lives Matter is the Ultimate Antidote to Trumpism

Recent polling indicates that an overwhelming number of Americans , close to 75 % , support the protests , inspired by George Floyd ’ s murder , against racism and police brutality .
This approval , polls reveal , stretches across party lines and racial lines .
The polls , of course , don ’ t reveal in any precise way the psychological dynamics at work in the American mentality that might account for what seems like a sudden shift toward acknowledging the reality and severity of racism in the United States and the gross devaluation of Black lives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ General William Barr and Ben Carson , Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development , continue to deny the reality of systemic racism , the American majority seems no longer willing to buy this bill of goods .
It wasn ’ t long ago that too often too many American challenged the “ Black Lives Matter ” assertion with the assertion of “ All Lives Matter , ” a substitution that failed to recognize the particular ways Black lives , and the lives of people of color generally , have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this American majority is beginning to consider that if we are going to achieve a society and political economy in which all lives matter we need to address the way “ race ” functions as one of many critical factors in the U.S. political economic system that devalue human life .
We all gain from addressing the myriad ways our world works to discount people and justify their oppression .
In a recent appearance on MSNBC ’ s Morning Joe , Alicia Garza , co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poor People ’ s Campaign , among other titles , spoke about the comprehensive politics of the Black Lives Matter movement and anti-racist movements more generally in a way that explains why addressing racism as a social ill is central to addressing the inequities which the majority of Americans endure , such as lack of health insurance , poverty , lack of access to affordable housing , and more .
Garza stresses the need to recognize “ the impact of racism on every system in our society , ” and sees the recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity “ to redirect resources in our society to the places that need it the most.
” She highlights the reality that America is entering another recession , making unemployment a pressing issue for all , and one disproportionately impacting African Americans experiencing 40 % unemployment .
Addressing racism by directing resources to deal with African American unemployment entails , by extension , addressing the issue of unemployment as it impacts all Americans .
She highlights that “ our budgets do not reflect our morals.
” In centering racism as key mechanism in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation from realizing political and social equality and economic justice , she is calling for the extension of these rights to all , for our budgets to realize our putative ideals of equality and equal justice so that “ everybody in America has an opportunity to thrive.
” Reverend Barber underlines many of these points , emphasizing the danger of this moment lies in risk that we might focus the present call for justice too narrowly on police and criminal justice reform .
The phrase “ I can ’ t breathe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understood as “ a shorthand for all the ways people can ’ t breathe , ” for all the ways Americans are strangled , which invariably African Americans experience disproportionately in relation to the rest of the American population .
He cites the fact that 700 people a day die from poverty in the U.S. , a quarter of a million people per year , and that 61 % of those living in poverty are African American .
80 million Americans are uninsured or underinsured when it comes to health care , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The suppression of the African American vote , Barber asserts , is obviously racist but also harms all Americans suffering , even if unevenly , from economic and social injustices as well .
He explains that voter suppression leads to political leaders getting elected who then block the legislation that would provide health care for all Americans , implement criminal justice reform , address climate change , and more .
In short , he emphasized , “ Everything racism and classism touches becomes a form of death , a form of strangulation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What Garza and Barber make clear is that eradicating racism and imbuing black lives and the lives of people of color with value extends equal value to all lives by eliminating the hierarchizing mechanisms that assign unequal values to the lives of Americans of all races and ethnicities .
Perhaps Americans are finally beginning to assimilate what Garza and Barber , among others , have been trying to get them to see , that racism prevents justice for all , that black lives have to matter for all lives to matter .
Poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership , impacting all Americans .
Trump actively calls for lowering wages to make America more competitive and continues to dismantle the Affordable Care Act .
His administration refuses to address the COVID-19 pandemic , which disproportionately is killing people of color and which has done substantial economic damage to the majority of Americans .
His administration refuses to account for how $ 500 billion from the recent stimulus package was distributed to corporations .
Reports do indicate that corporations who have consistently dodged paying taxes received millions in relief .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and spews racist rhetoric that encourages mass racist shootings such as we saw at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and in El Paso .
What are we seeing here from Trump ?
That budgets do not seem to reflect our ideals and that he is certainly not redirecting resources “ to places in our society that need it the most ; ” and that racism and classism are forms of death .
The antidote to Trumpism ?
Make Black lives matter and end racism .

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Recent polling indicates that an overwhelming number of Americans, close to 75%, support the protests, inspired by George Floyd’s murder, against racism and police brutality. This approval, polls reveal, stretches across party lines and racial lines.
The polls, of course, don’t reveal in any precise way the psychological dynamics at work in the American mentality that might account for what seems like a sudden shift toward acknowledging the reality and severity of racism in the United States and the gross devaluation of Black lives.
While Trump administration insiders such as Attorney General William Barr and Ben Carson, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, continue to deny the reality of systemic racism, the American majority seems no longer willing to buy this bill of goods.
It wasn’t long ago that too often too many American challenged the “Black Lives Matter” assertion with the assertion of “All Lives Matter,” a substitution that failed to recognize the particular ways Black lives, and the lives of people of color generally, have been specifically devalued in U.S. society.
Perhaps this American majority is beginning to consider that if we are going to achieve a society and political economy in which all lives matter we need to address the way “race” functions as one of many critical factors in the U.S. political economic system that devalue human life. We all gain from addressing the myriad ways our world works to discount people and justify their oppression.
In a recent appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Alicia Garza, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, and Reverend William Barber, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, among other titles, spoke about the comprehensive politics of the Black Lives Matter movement and anti-racist movements more generally in a way that explains why addressing racism as a social ill is central to addressing the inequities which the majority of Americans endure, such as lack of health insurance, poverty, lack of access to affordable housing, and more.
Garza stresses the need to recognize “the impact of racism on every system in our society,” and sees the recent and prolonged mass uprisings as presenting the opportunity “to redirect resources in our society to the places that need it the most.” She highlights the reality that America is entering another recession, making unemployment a pressing issue for all, and one disproportionately impacting African Americans experiencing 40% unemployment. Addressing racism by directing resources to deal with African American unemployment entails, by extension, addressing the issue of unemployment as it impacts all Americans.
She highlights that “our budgets do not reflect our morals.” In centering racism as key mechanism in U.S. culture and society that has prevented the nation from realizing political and social equality and economic justice, she is calling for the extension of these rights to all, for our budgets to realize our putative ideals of equality and equal justice so that “everybody in America has an opportunity to thrive.”
Reverend Barber underlines many of these points, emphasizing the danger of this moment lies in risk that we might focus the present call for justice too narrowly on police and criminal justice reform. The phrase “I can’t breathe,” he stressed, needs to be understood as “a shorthand for all the ways people can’t breathe,” for all the ways Americans are strangled, which invariably African Americans experience disproportionately in relation to the rest of the American population. He cites the fact that 700 people a day die from poverty in the U.S., a quarter of a million people per year, and that 61% of those living in poverty are African American. 80 million Americans are uninsured or underinsured when it comes to health care, which also has a “racialized impact.”
The suppression of the African American vote, Barber asserts, is obviously racist but also harms all Americans suffering, even if unevenly, from economic and social injustices as well. He explains that voter suppression leads to political leaders getting elected who then block the legislation that would provide health care for all Americans, implement criminal justice reform, address climate change, and more.
In short, he emphasized, “Everything racism and classism touches becomes a form of death, a form of strangulation, a form of suffocation of democracy.”
What Garza and Barber make clear is that eradicating racism and imbuing black lives and the lives of people of color with value extends equal value to all lives by eliminating the hierarchizing mechanisms that assign unequal values to the lives of Americans of all races and ethnicities.
Perhaps Americans are finally beginning to assimilate what Garza and Barber, among others, have been trying to get them to see, that racism prevents justice for all, that black lives have to matter for all lives to matter.
Poverty rates have increased under Trump’s leadership, impacting all Americans. Trump actively calls for lowering wages to make America more competitive and continues to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. His administration refuses to address the COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately is killing people of color and which has done substantial economic damage to the majority of Americans. His administration refuses to account for how $500 billion from the recent stimulus package was distributed to corporations. Reports do indicate that corporations who have consistently dodged paying taxes received millions in relief. Meanwhile, he cages children, criminalizes, immigrants, and spews racist rhetoric that encourages mass racist shootings such as we saw at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and in El Paso.
What are we seeing here from Trump? That budgets do not seem to reflect our ideals and that he is certainly not redirecting resources “to places in our society that need it the most;” and that racism and classism are forms of death.
The antidote to Trumpism? Make Black lives matter and end racism.


politicususa--2020-06-13--Trump Looks Like A Weak Commander-In-Chief During Sleepy West Point Commencement Address

Donald Trump delivered an address to West Point Academy graduates on Saturday , hoping to use the military to prop up his failing presidency , but it was a complete flop as he only reminded everyone watching just how weak he is .
The president stuck closely to the teleprompter , slowly delivering each word without the emotion or passion he reserves for peaceful protesters and cable news hosts .
Trump stumbled over words and names , while showing that he apparently isn ’ t strong enough to hold up a cup of water with one hand .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an attempt to get a laugh or applause , Trump failed miserably .
Donald Trump likes to reserve the term “ sleepy ” for his Democratic opponent , Joe Biden , but his speech to West Point cadets showed that maybe the president , not Biden , deserves the moniker .
Trump was again trying to use the military as a political prop Just before Trump took the stage to deliver his remarks , retired Col. Jack Jacobs , a Medal of Honor recipient , blasted the president for using the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s no point in having a situation like this solely for the purpose of giving the president an opportunity to be in front of the cameras , ” he said .
“ It raises the question of whether or not this is actually just an opportunity , a situation in which the military is there to support a political end of the president.
” The chief of staff of the Army , through the chain of command , works for the president of the United States .
And if the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to happen , then this is going to happen .
And the only way to avoid it — well , there ’ s no way to avoid it .
The people in the chain of command below the president can decide that they ’ re not going to follow the order and can resign .
That didn ’ t happen in this case because both the Army and the military academy figured that it could reduce , through its actions , could reduce the threat .
Nevertheless , there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this solely for the purpose of giving the president an opportunity to be in front of the cameras .
That ’ s something else entirely .
And it raises the question of whether or not this is actually just an opportunity , a situation in which the military is there to support a political end of the president .
This is all Trump has left In recent weeks , as one crisis after another hits Trump ’ s desk – from the coronavirus outbreak to the economic collapse to the protests following George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has spiraled out of control .
This moment in American history is simply too big for such a small man to handle , and polling shows that voters are ready to replace him in November .
So using his power as commander-in-chief to force the U.S. military to be his personal political prop and make him look like a strongman – it ’ s all Trump has left .
The American people saw it on the streets of the nation ’ s capital as Trump gassed protesters so he could hold a church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full display Saturday as the president used the backdrop of a West Point commencement to boost his reelection campaign .
Donald Trump is a weak leader relying on strong men and women in the U.S. military to prop him up during a time of crisis .

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Donald Trump delivered an address to West Point Academy graduates on Saturday, hoping to use the military to prop up his failing presidency, but it was a complete flop as he only reminded everyone watching just how weak he is.
The president stuck closely to the teleprompter, slowly delivering each word without the emotion or passion he reserves for peaceful protesters and cable news hosts.
Trump stumbled over words and names, while showing that he apparently isn’t strong enough to hold up a cup of water with one hand.
Trump still hasn’t totally figured out how to drink water pic.twitter.com/IO8CDXmD9i — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 13, 2020
In the few moments he did go off script in an attempt to get a laugh or applause, Trump failed miserably.
“Tomorrow, America will celebrate a very important anniversary — the 245th birthday of the US Army. Unrelated, it’s going to be my birthday also. I don’t know if that happened by accident.” #BoneSpurs pic.twitter.com/KDlfxePPeE — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 13, 2020
Donald Trump likes to reserve the term “sleepy” for his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, but his speech to West Point cadets showed that maybe the president, not Biden, deserves the moniker.
Trump was again trying to use the military as a political prop
Just before Trump took the stage to deliver his remarks, retired Col. Jack Jacobs, a Medal of Honor recipient, blasted the president for using the military academy as a political prop.
“There’s no point in having a situation like this solely for the purpose of giving the president an opportunity to be in front of the cameras,” he said. “It raises the question of whether or not this is actually just an opportunity, a situation in which the military is there to support a political end of the president.”
Video:
Col. Jack Jacobs on Trump’s West Point address: “There’s no point in having a situation like this solely for the purpose of giving the president an opportunity to be in front of the cameras.” #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/cqyeeZzk6R — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) June 13, 2020
Col. Jacobs said:
The chief of staff of the Army, through the chain of command, works for the president of the United States. And if the president of the United States decides that this is going to happen, then this is going to happen. And the only way to avoid it — well, there’s no way to avoid it. The people in the chain of command below the president can decide that they’re not going to follow the order and can resign. That didn’t happen in this case because both the Army and the military academy figured that it could reduce, through its actions, could reduce the threat. Nevertheless, there’s no point in having a situation like this solely for the purpose of giving the president an opportunity to be in front of the cameras. That’s something else entirely. And it raises the question of whether or not this is actually just an opportunity, a situation in which the military is there to support a political end of the president.
This is all Trump has left
In recent weeks, as one crisis after another hits Trump’s desk – from the coronavirus outbreak to the economic collapse to the protests following George Floyd’s death – the president has spiraled out of control.
This moment in American history is simply too big for such a small man to handle, and polling shows that voters are ready to replace him in November.
So using his power as commander-in-chief to force the U.S. military to be his personal political prop and make him look like a strongman – it’s all Trump has left.
The American people saw it on the streets of the nation’s capital as Trump gassed protesters so he could hold a church photo op, and it was on full display Saturday as the president used the backdrop of a West Point commencement to boost his reelection campaign.
Donald Trump is a weak leader relying on strong men and women in the U.S. military to prop him up during a time of crisis.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-06-13--Biden Tells Trump To Stop Obsessing Over Barack Obama And Start Acting Like A President

Former Vice President and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden shredded Donald Trump for his cruel decision to end Obama-era LGBTQ protections during Pride month and on the fourth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting .
In a tweet , Biden pointed to the move as the latest evidence that Trump ’ s “ cruelty knows no bounds ” and the American people “ have to defeat him in November.
” In an extended statement , Biden said of Trump ’ s assault on the LGBTQ community , “ This action is unconscionable — and to do so during Pride Month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly terrorist attack at the Pulse Nightclub that claimed 49 lives , many of them members of the LGBTQ+ community , is despicable.
” The former VP added that Trump is “ more consumed with destroying the legacy of the Obama-Biden Administration than protecting the health care of millions of Americans.
” Trump ’ s obsession with Obama is destroying the country Donald Trump isn ’ t smart enough to grasp the details of complex issues , domestic or international , but the single motivating force behind just about all of his policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whether it ’ s trying to dismantle the Affordable Care Act , roll back environmental and LGBTQ protections , or scrap a major deal to curb Iran ’ s nuclear program , Trump has spent the last three years taking an axe to anything with his predecessor ’ s name on it .
Like most of what this president does , his effort to tarnish Obama ’ s legacy will fail .
In fact , Trump ’ s constant debasing of the presidency has only made the American people look back more fondly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and decent man .
Trump ’ s obsession isn ’ t destroying the legacy of the 44th president .
It ’ s destroying the country .

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Former Vice President and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden shredded Donald Trump for his cruel decision to end Obama-era LGBTQ protections during Pride month and on the fourth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting.
In a tweet, Biden pointed to the move as the latest evidence that Trump’s “cruelty knows no bounds” and the American people “have to defeat him in November.”
On the fourth anniversary of Pulse.
In the middle of Pride month.
During a global pandemic. Donald Trump’s cruelty truly knows no bounds. We have to defeat him this November. https://t.co/YAy4ZGxxyD — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 13, 2020
In an extended statement, Biden said of Trump’s assault on the LGBTQ community, “This action is unconscionable — and to do so during Pride Month, on the fourth anniversary of the deadly terrorist attack at the Pulse Nightclub that claimed 49 lives, many of them members of the LGBTQ+ community, is despicable.”
The former VP added that Trump is “more consumed with destroying the legacy of the Obama-Biden Administration than protecting the health care of millions of Americans.”
Trump’s obsession with Obama is destroying the country
Donald Trump isn’t smart enough to grasp the details of complex issues, domestic or international, but the single motivating force behind just about all of his policy moves is hatred of Barack Obama.
Whether it’s trying to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, roll back environmental and LGBTQ protections, or scrap a major deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program, Trump has spent the last three years taking an axe to anything with his predecessor’s name on it.
Like most of what this president does, his effort to tarnish Obama’s legacy will fail. In fact, Trump’s constant debasing of the presidency has only made the American people look back more fondly on Barack Obama – an honorable president and decent man.
Trump’s obsession isn’t destroying the legacy of the 44th president. It’s destroying the country.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-06-14--Trump’s Campaign Is Bragging About Being Tied With Biden In Arkansas

Things are so bad for Trump and his surrogates that they are bragging about being tied with Joe Biden in the red state of Arkansas .
Trump surrogate Jenna Ellis pointed to a poll that shows Trump collapsing in a red state to argue that the polls are wrong : The margin of error in the Hendrix College was 3.3 % .
Donald Trump has a two-point lead .
This means that Trump ’ s lead falls within the margin of error and the race in Arkansas is a statistical tie .
Arkansas hasn ’ t voted for a Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1996 .
Before Clinton , the state hadn ’ t voted for a Democrat since 1976 .
Arkansas hasn ’ t voted for a non-native son Democratic candidate for president in 44 years , and the Trump campaign is bragging because they are tied with Biden in the state .
Trump won Arkansas with 60.6 % of the vote in 2016 .
He is down to 47 % in 2020 .
That is not good news .
Donald Trump ’ s campaign is going so badly that they are declaring victory over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellis shot herself and Trump in the foot by elevating a poll that shows how badly Trump is doing .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Things are so bad for Trump and his surrogates that they are bragging about being tied with Joe Biden in the red state of Arkansas.
Trump surrogate Jenna Ellis pointed to a poll that shows Trump collapsing in a red state to argue that the polls are wrong:
Hey @brianstelter … still wanna stand by CNN’s junk science? None of the polls except yours show such false numbers. https://t.co/MpAwKAoD2z — Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) June 14, 2020
The margin of error in the Hendrix College was 3.3%. Donald Trump has a two-point lead. This means that Trump’s lead falls within the margin of error and the race in Arkansas is a statistical tie. Arkansas hasn’t voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since native son Bill Clinton in 1996. Before Clinton, the state hadn’t voted for a Democrat since 1976.
Arkansas hasn’t voted for a non-native son Democratic candidate for president in 44 years, and the Trump campaign is bragging because they are tied with Biden in the state.
Trump won Arkansas with 60.6% of the vote in 2016. He is down to 47% in 2020. That is not good news.
Donald Trump’s campaign is going so badly that they are declaring victory over not outright losing red states yet.
Ellis shot herself and Trump in the foot by elevating a poll that shows how badly Trump is doing.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-06-14--Tulsa Health Department Urges Trump To Cancel His Rally

The Tulsa Health Department Director is urging Trump to cancel his rally due to rising coronavirus cases in the city .
Dr. Bruce Dart said Tulsa is seeing a “ significant increase in our case trends ” that makes a large gathering like the rally dangerous for not only attendees , but the president himself .
“ I think it ’ s an honor for Tulsa to have a sitting president want to come and visit our community , but not during a pandemic , ” said Dart .
“ I ’ m concerned about our ability to protect anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I ’ m also concerned about our ability to ensure the president stays safe as well.
” “ COVID is here in Tulsa , it is transmitting very efficiently , ” Dart said .
“ I wish we could postpone this to a time when the virus isn ’ t as large a concern as it is today.
” Trump is putting Tulsa at risk for massive coronavirus outbreak because he needs to hold a rally to make himself feel better , and to be able to pretend that life is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on record as opposing masks and social distancing measures at his events , because he thinks it will look bad on TV , when the reality is that Trump controls the camera feed at these events and has mandated that the crowds not be shown while he is speaking .
The real reason why Trump wants a full house is that he wants the love and attention of his followers .
No matter how much public health officials recommend against it , Trump is going to bring his carnival of Corona to Tulsa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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The Tulsa Health Department Director is urging Trump to cancel his rally due to rising coronavirus cases in the city.
The Tulsa World reported:
Dr. Bruce Dart said Tulsa is seeing a “significant increase in our case trends” that makes a large gathering like the rally dangerous for not only attendees, but the president himself.
“I think it’s an honor for Tulsa to have a sitting president want to come and visit our community, but not during a pandemic,” said Dart. “I’m concerned about our ability to protect anyone who attends a large, indoor event, and I’m also concerned about our ability to ensure the president stays safe as well.”
….
“COVID is here in Tulsa, it is transmitting very efficiently,” Dart said. “I wish we could postpone this to a time when the virus isn’t as large a concern as it is today.”
Trump is putting Tulsa at risk for massive coronavirus outbreak because he needs to hold a rally to make himself feel better, and to be able to pretend that life is back to normal. Trump is already on record as opposing masks and social distancing measures at his events, because he thinks it will look bad on TV, when the reality is that Trump controls the camera feed at these events and has mandated that the crowds not be shown while he is speaking.
The real reason why Trump wants a full house is that he wants the love and attention of his followers.
No matter how much public health officials recommend against it, Trump is going to bring his carnival of Corona to Tulsa.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-06-14--Trump’s Red State Support Collapses As Biden Could Win Arkansas

A new poll shows that Trump ’ s collapse has spread to red states , as Joe Biden has moved into a virtual tie in deep red Arkansas .
The Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll also found , “ While partisan voters predictably cast their strong opinions in positive and negative directions , self-identified independent voters in Arkansas disapprove of Trump by a 39-54 % margin and disapprove of Cotton by a 39-51 % margin….Trump won Arkansas with 60 % of the vote in 2016 .
Again , independent voters are leaning to Biden by a 46-40 % margin.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be competitive in Arkansas this close to a presidential election is an illustration of the degree of Trump ’ s political collapse .
If Joe Biden wins Arkansas , the election is over and Trump will have zero chance of winning a second term .
The odds of Biden winning Arkansas are low .
Trump still has the advantage in red states , and the President ’ s base will turn out for him .
The big win for Democrats will come when Trump and the Republicans feel pressure to spend money on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they should never have to think about and carry easily .
Trump ’ s support has completely crumbled .
The outcome of the election will depend on how much support he can rebuild before November .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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A new poll shows that Trump’s collapse has spread to red states, as Joe Biden has moved into a virtual tie in deep red Arkansas.
The Hendrix College poll found:
#Arkansas Presidential Polling: Trump (R): 47% (-14)
Biden (D): 45% (+11) Hendrix College / June 10, 2020 / n=869 / Online (% chg with 2016 Party Vote)https://t.co/m3JLEwyDX0 — Polling USA (@USA_Polling) June 14, 2020
The Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll also found, “While partisan voters predictably cast their strong opinions in positive and negative directions, self-identified independent voters in Arkansas disapprove of Trump by a 39-54% margin and disapprove of Cotton by a 39-51% margin….Trump won Arkansas with 60% of the vote in 2016. Again, independent voters are leaning to Biden by a 46-40% margin.
The idea that Joe Biden could be competitive in Arkansas this close to a presidential election is an illustration of the degree of Trump’s political collapse. If Joe Biden wins Arkansas, the election is over and Trump will have zero chance of winning a second term.
The odds of Biden winning Arkansas are low. Trump still has the advantage in red states, and the President’s base will turn out for him. The big win for Democrats will come when Trump and the Republicans feel pressure to spend money on ads and organization in a state that they should never have to think about and carry easily.
Trump’s support has completely crumbled. The outcome of the election will depend on how much support he can rebuild before November.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-06-14--Opinion: A New Book Reveals How Melania Trump Capitalized on Donald’s Affairs

In 2016 , we were introduced to a carefully-crafted image of Donald Trump ’ s third wife , Melania , as a private , family-oriented wife and mother .
We read about her self-consciousness over her ability to speak English .
So many people felt sorry for her , as a reserved former model married to the bombastic Trump , who is 20 years older .
All of it was stage craft .
The Art of Her Deal : the Untold Story of Melania Trump , sheds the veneer of a shy and private Melania away to expose the inner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for president and win .
The image of Melania Trump got blown away as Washington Post reporter Mary Jordan looked deeper into Melania ’ s life .
Evidently , the current First Lady is hardly the damsel in distress that her cultivated image suggests .
In fact , her image is , in many ways , as much an illusion as her husband ’ s .
According to Jordan , Melania used the current president ’ s extra-marital affairs as leverage to get more money .
And that ’ s just the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests she negotiated more favorable terms for the financial security of Barron , something closer to equal to that of the older Trump children .
Apparently , Melania is also so in love with America she wanted to secure dual citizenship ( American/Slovenian ) for Barron so that he can work for the family business in Europe .
That raises other questions , given the mixed feelings Slovenians have about the Trumps .
Remember when Donald bragged that she is fluent in five languages ?
Jada Yuan , in her article about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have worked with her over the years — including native speakers of Italian , French , and German — told me that they never heard her use more than a few words of those languages , ” Jordan writes .
According to the author , she can only speak two languages : Slovenian and English .
The degree of fluency in English may be a matter of interpretation .
When you read through the excerpt of Melania ’ s life story , a pattern similar to that of Donald ’ s emerges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone who has “ transactional ” friendships .
They end abruptly the moment their “ value ” ceases .
Apparently , her old friends in Slovenia never heard from her after she began her modelling career .
That thing about her being a “ world class ” model .
Uh , doesn ’ t coincide with the facts .
Even the story of Donald and Melania ’ s meeting is just a story .
It seems she was his mistress for much longer than their presidential narrative wanted us to believe .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agent she was working for that year , told Jordan that they had heard Melania was already dating Trump before the timeline they laid out.
” Melania Trump could be described as more similar to her husband than appearance suggests , and speaking of her appearance ; it ’ s fake too , despite her denials .
Photographers say they ’ ve seen the scars .
This is not because Donald made her do it .
Melania developed an affinity for “ alternative facts ” when reporters incorrectly guessed she was younger than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t bother correcting them because it isn ’ t like she told them a lie .
The taint of alternative facts pursued Melania all through the 2016 election and beyond .
Those stories about Melania dreading Donald ’ s win and the move to DC are as untrue as anything Donald Trump says .
It was Melania who provoked him into running for president and was his secret campaign weapon .
She presented as someone with Old Europe conservative values blended with a thoroughly modern woman who knows a good piece of leverage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better than any of Trump ’ s other surrogates could have during what one can only call a crisis .
When the Access Hollywood tape came out , she sat down with Anderson Cooper and explained how it was just boy talk .
Oh and while we ’ re at it , Donald didn ’ t know he was being recorded .
After Trump ’ s inauguration , she ’ s been going all in with what Donald says and does as president .
Based on her interviews with 100 sources , Mary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political operative and is Trump ’ s most influential advisor .
That may explain why her opposition to cyber-bullying ended with a hashtag and why she was silent when her husband indulged in hate speech ; justified separating asylum-seeking families , and put children in cages .
Maybe that explains why she didn ’ t share the horror and anger most of us feel every time there is a new report about the horrendous conditions that immigrants live in and the increased risk of being infected with COVID-19 .
As a top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald to win a second term .
She was even planning to do some in-person fundraising in March .
But darn – the coronavirus meant that while Donald was telling people to go about business as usual , his precious Melania couldn ’ t go on her fundraising tour .
While she uses the power of her position to help her husband in his campaign , she has power over him as well .
The president ’ s extra-marital affairs gave her leverage .
Also , Melania outlasted Trump ’ s previous wives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for something in terms of a pay raise from her contract .
Melania ’ s image gets played to the hilt , that image of Melania as a thoroughly modern feminist who has super negotiation skills .
We were played during the initial stages of Trump ’ s presidency .
While it was true that Melania and Baron stayed in New York so he could finish the school year there ; Melania used that time to re-negotiate the terms of their prenup .
This also showed that when it comes to spending other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things like the extra Secret Service , Melania is very much like her husband .
She used the leverage of Donald ’ s infidelity effectively , something other grifters may appreciate .
Actually , the easiest kind of negotiation is the one where you have more leverage .
Someone with actual negotiation skill knows how to achieve comparable results without the leverage or less of it .
One could look at the way DC Mayor Muriel Bowser negotiated the removal of invading forces in D.C. as an example of a truly skilled negotiator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband , is image savy .
She knows how to play Trump world ’ s favorite parlor game : owning liberals with lies , clothes and hashtags like # BeBest .
But now that her secrets are out , Melania won ’ t be as effective .
The shy , meek , innocent Melania is exposed as someone very much like her grifter husband – right down to the tense relationship with the truth .
The next time Donald does something horrible to immigrants and further tightens the screws to erase the human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be able to hide behind the image of a “ conservative ” First Lady who is all about home and family .
Donald is paying more than he would have paid had he been more discreet during his marriage with her than he was during their courtship .
And we got two image-obsessed people who subscribe to inventing their own facts for the price of one .

In 2016, we were introduced to a carefully-crafted image of Donald Trump’s third wife, Melania, as a private, family-oriented wife and mother. We read about her self-consciousness over her ability to speak English. So many people felt sorry for her, as a reserved former model married to the bombastic Trump, who is 20 years older.
All of it was stage craft. The Art of Her Deal: the Untold Story of Melania Trump, sheds the veneer of a shy and private Melania away to expose the inner political operative who wanted Trump to run for president and win. The image of Melania Trump got blown away as Washington Post reporter Mary Jordan looked deeper into Melania’s life.
Evidently, the current First Lady is hardly the damsel in distress that her cultivated image suggests. In fact, her image is, in many ways, as much an illusion as her husband’s. According to Jordan, Melania used the current president’s extra-marital affairs as leverage to get more money. And that’s just the beginning of the character striptease.
The preview suggests she negotiated more favorable terms for the financial security of Barron, something closer to equal to that of the older Trump children.
Apparently, Melania is also so in love with America she wanted to secure dual citizenship (American/Slovenian) for Barron so that he can work for the family business in Europe. That raises other questions, given the mixed feelings Slovenians have about the Trumps.
Remember when Donald bragged that she is fluent in five languages? Jada Yuan, in her article about the upcoming book,
“Photographers and others who have worked with her over the years — including native speakers of Italian, French, and German — told me that they never heard her use more than a few words of those languages,” Jordan writes.
According to the author, she can only speak two languages: Slovenian and English. The degree of fluency in English may be a matter of interpretation.
When you read through the excerpt of Melania’s life story, a pattern similar to that of Donald’s emerges. It’s the story of someone who has “transactional” friendships. They end abruptly the moment their “value” ceases. Apparently, her old friends in Slovenia never heard from her after she began her modelling career.
That thing about her being a “world class” model. Uh, doesn’t coincide with the facts.
Even the story of Donald and Melania’s meeting is just a story. It seems she was his mistress for much longer than their presidential narrative wanted us to believe.
“Multiple sources, including a German modeling agent she was working for that year, told Jordan that they had heard Melania was already dating Trump before the timeline they laid out.”
Melania Trump could be described as more similar to her husband than appearance suggests, and speaking of her appearance; it’s fake too, despite her denials. Photographers say they’ve seen the scars.
This is not because Donald made her do it. Melania developed an affinity for “alternative facts” when reporters incorrectly guessed she was younger than she really was. She didn’t bother correcting them because it isn’t like she told them a lie.
The taint of alternative facts pursued Melania all through the 2016 election and beyond. Those stories about Melania dreading Donald’s win and the move to DC are as untrue as anything Donald Trump says.
It was Melania who provoked him into running for president and was his secret campaign weapon. She presented as someone with Old Europe conservative values blended with a thoroughly modern woman who knows a good piece of leverage when she sees it.
She presented better than any of Trump’s other surrogates could have during what one can only call a crisis. When the Access Hollywood tape came out, she sat down with Anderson Cooper and explained how it was just boy talk. Oh and while we’re at it, Donald didn’t know he was being recorded.
After Trump’s inauguration, she’s been going all in with what Donald says and does as president. Based on her interviews with 100 sources, Mary Jordan reveals that Melania is very much the political operative and is Trump’s most influential advisor.
That may explain why her opposition to cyber-bullying ended with a hashtag and why she was silent when her husband indulged in hate speech; justified separating asylum-seeking families, and put children in cages. Maybe that explains why she didn’t share the horror and anger most of us feel every time there is a new report about the horrendous conditions that immigrants live in and the increased risk of being infected with COVID-19.
As a top advisor and operative, Melania apparently wants Donald to win a second term. She was even planning to do some in-person fundraising in March. But darn – the coronavirus meant that while Donald was telling people to go about business as usual, his precious Melania couldn’t go on her fundraising tour.
While she uses the power of her position to help her husband in his campaign, she has power over him as well. The president’s extra-marital affairs gave her leverage. Also, Melania outlasted Trump’s previous wives, so of course, that counts for something in terms of a pay raise from her contract.
Melania’s image gets played to the hilt, that image of Melania as a thoroughly modern feminist who has super negotiation skills. We were played during the initial stages of Trump’s presidency. While it was true that Melania and Baron stayed in New York so he could finish the school year there; Melania used that time to re-negotiate the terms of their prenup. This also showed that when it comes to spending other people’s money, like on things like the extra Secret Service, Melania is very much like her husband.
She used the leverage of Donald’s infidelity effectively, something other grifters may appreciate.
Actually, the easiest kind of negotiation is the one where you have more leverage. Someone with actual negotiation skill knows how to achieve comparable results without the leverage or less of it. One could look at the way DC Mayor Muriel Bowser negotiated the removal of invading forces in D.C. as an example of a truly skilled negotiator at work.
Melania, like her husband, is image savy. She knows how to play Trump world’s favorite parlor game: owning liberals with lies, clothes and hashtags like #BeBest.
But now that her secrets are out, Melania won’t be as effective. The shy, meek, innocent Melania is exposed as someone very much like her grifter husband – right down to the tense relationship with the truth.
The next time Donald does something horrible to immigrants and further tightens the screws to erase the human right to seek asylum, Melania won’t be able to hide behind the image of a “conservative” First Lady who is all about home and family.
Donald is paying more than he would have paid had he been more discreet during his marriage with her than he was during their courtship. And we got two image-obsessed people who subscribe to inventing their own facts for the price of one.


politicususa--2020-06-14--Opinion: Deploy the military to protect protestors and journalists from violent police

After hundreds of videos revealing that complaints about police violence are completely valid , there is finally acknowledgement from some public officials that police reform is desperately needed and long overdue .
Unfortunately , the National Rifle Association , police unions , Donald Trump , and Republicans at all levels of government will never allow any police reform to take place – not without a nasty fight .
The chief instigator and proponent of institutionalized violence and extra-judicial killings believes the solution to police violence is deploying the U.S. military to aid law enforcement in abusing American citizens for exercising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists doing their constitutionally-protected jobs without fear of violence at the hands of law enforcement officers .
In fact , it appears that Trump is highly dissatisfied that the level of police violence against journalists and peaceful protestors is not severe enough for his tastes , so he calls out America ’ s mighty military to join police with orders to “ dominate ” American citizens and transform the nation ’ s streets into “ battle spaces.
” It was a welcomed relief to hear a growing number of the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Armed Services , that they swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution , not the president Trump .
They also noted that “ the oath ” entailed defending the American peoples ’ constitutionally-guaranteed rights .
Since it is now clearly evident that some law enforcement officials are Hell-bent on using their authority under the law to deny Americans their constitutional rights , it falls on the U.S. military to fulfill their sworn duty to defend and support the peoples ’ constitutional right to peaceably assemble and file journalistic reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to deploy the military , but for the sole purpose of protecting protestors and journalists from police violence .
It is now clear that the police are not going to stop committing acts of violence and vandalism against the people or they would have stopped long ago and there would be no outrage and no protests .
It is also apparent that Trump is only interested in inflicting more pain and suffering on the protestors and journalists exercising their constitutionally-guaranteed rights .
The only solution is deploying men and women who swore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution and “ protect the rights of Americans from [ fascist ] police intent on violating them.
” It is noteworthy that along with members of the military , Trump and police officers swear an oath to defend the Constitution , but it is fashionable in Trump ’ s America to betray the oath .
At this juncture , most Americans are aware that several of the nation ’ s top military leaders have weighed in on Trump ’ s fascist threat to deploy the military to deny citizens their right to freely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In fact , dozens of former defense leaders , both military and civilian , signed on to a “ strongly-worded letter condemning President Trump ” and his call for a military response against American citizens on American soil .
One of the key takeaways from the letter signed by 89 military and defense leaders was prescient in relating exactly how Trump is again betraying his so-help-me-god oath of office .
The letter read , in part : “ While several past presidents have called on our armed services to provide additional aid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them Ulysses S. Grant , Dwight D. Eisenhower , John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson—these presidents used the military to protect the rights of Americans , not to violate them .
As former leaders in the Defense Department—civilian and military , Republican , Democrat and independent—we all took an oath upon assuming office ‘ to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.
’ We are alarmed at how the president [ Trump ] is betraying this oath by threatening to order members of the U.S. military to violate the rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our military are always ready to serve in our nation ’ s defense .
But they must never be used to violate the rights of those they are sworn to protect.
” ( author bold ) A different letter with 280 retired foreign service and military officials as signatories related that they too are “ alarmed by Trump , and some [ Republican } political leaders calling for the use of military force to ‘ end legitimate protests in cities and towns across America.
’ ” The 280 signatories , who also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rightly condemned Trump for using terms such as “ thugs and terrorists ” to describe American citizens he claims are part of the ghost organization “ antifa “ because it represents opposition to fascism .
It is noteworthy that before Trump seized power , being against fascist regimes was every Americans ’ patriotic duty .
Be that as it may , the signers agreed that protestors and journalists are simply exercising their fundamental rights under the Constitution .
They wrote : “ The deployment of military forces against American citizens exercising their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our society .
Ultimately , the issues that have driven the protests can not be addressed by our military .
They must be resolved through political processes.
” It is possible there is a legitimate sense among the public that it is finally time to put a stop to police violence , much against people of color , by far too many in law enforcement .
However , there are forces opposed to any reform and until there is some kind of resolution through political processes , and since Trump will rage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American citizens and journalists , it falls on governors to take extreme measures to protect their citizens from fascist police – and Trump .
Governors have a responsibility to protect their citizens ’ constitutional rights and in this current environment those rights are being routinely abridged – with Trump ’ s approval and prompting .
The only solution is for governors to call up their respective National Guard units to provide protection for peaceable protestors and the journalists providing a highly valuable service .
As an aside , in Washington D.C. a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the form of a police escort because they were exercising their constitutionally-protected rights to peaceably assemble and exercise their right to free speech .
It is also worth noting that when heavily-armed protestors stormed Michigan ’ s state capital , instead of calling for an armed military intervention , Trump supported the insurgents and demanded that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer “ negotiate ” with the terrorists Trump labeled liberty warriors .
At this point , there is as much clear and present evidence that the American people need protecting as there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of police violence without intervention .
Of course Trump , Republicans , the National Rifle Association , and police unions will scream persecution , probably religious persecution , but Americans ’ constitutional rights must be protected from violent police – something Trump opposes out of hand .

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After hundreds of videos revealing that complaints about police violence are completely valid, there is finally acknowledgement from some public officials that police reform is desperately needed and long overdue. Unfortunately, the National Rifle Association, police unions, Donald Trump, and Republicans at all levels of government will never allow any police reform to take place – not without a nasty fight.
The chief instigator and proponent of institutionalized violence and extra-judicial killings believes the solution to police violence is deploying the U.S. military to aid law enforcement in abusing American citizens for exercising their Constitutional right to assemble, and journalists doing their constitutionally-protected jobs without fear of violence at the hands of law enforcement officers. In fact, it appears that Trump is highly dissatisfied that the level of police violence against journalists and peaceful protestors is not severe enough for his tastes, so he calls out America’s mighty military to join police with orders to “dominate” American citizens and transform the nation’s streets into “battle spaces.”
It was a welcomed relief to hear a growing number of the nation’s military leaders reminding Trump, and members of the Armed Services, that they swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution, not the president Trump. They also noted that “the oath” entailed defending the American peoples’ constitutionally-guaranteed rights.
Since it is now clearly evident that some law enforcement officials are Hell-bent on using their authority under the law to deny Americans their constitutional rights, it falls on the U.S. military to fulfill their sworn duty to defend and support the peoples’ constitutional right to peaceably assemble and file journalistic reports in the free press.
It is time to deploy the military, but for the sole purpose of protecting protestors and journalists from police violence.
It is now clear that the police are not going to stop committing acts of violence and vandalism against the people or they would have stopped long ago and there would be no outrage and no protests. It is also apparent that Trump is only interested in inflicting more pain and suffering on the protestors and journalists exercising their constitutionally-guaranteed rights. The only solution is deploying men and women who swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution and “protect the rights of Americans from [fascist] police intent on violating them.” It is noteworthy that along with members of the military, Trump and police officers swear an oath to defend the Constitution, but it is fashionable in Trump’s America to betray the oath.
At this juncture, most Americans are aware that several of the nation’s top military leaders have weighed in on Trump’s fascist threat to deploy the military to deny citizens their right to freely assemble and report on the news. In fact, dozens of former defense leaders, both military and civilian, signed on to a “strongly-worded letter condemning President Trump” and his call for a military response against American citizens on American soil. One of the key takeaways from the letter signed by 89 military and defense leaders was prescient in relating exactly how Trump is again betraying his so-help-me-god oath of office. The letter read, in part:
“While several past presidents have called on our armed services to provide additional aid to law enforcement in times of national crisis—among them Ulysses S. Grant, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson—these presidents used the military to protect the rights of Americans, not to violate them.
As former leaders in the Defense Department—civilian and military, Republican, Democrat and independent—we all took an oath upon assuming office ‘to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.’ We are alarmed at how the president [Trump] is betraying this oath by threatening to order members of the U.S. military to violate the rights of their fellow Americans.
The members of our military are always ready to serve in our nation’s defense. But they must never be used to violate the rights of those they are sworn to protect.” (author bold)
A different letter with 280 retired foreign service and military officials as signatories related that they too are “alarmed by Trump, and some [Republican} political leaders calling for the use of military force to ‘end legitimate protests in cities and towns across America.’”
The 280 signatories, who also swore an oath to protect the Constitution, rightly condemned Trump for using terms such as “thugs and terrorists” to describe American citizens he claims are part of the ghost organization “antifa“ because it represents opposition to fascism.
It is noteworthy that before Trump seized power, being against fascist regimes was every Americans’ patriotic duty. Be that as it may, the signers agreed that protestors and journalists are simply exercising their fundamental rights under the Constitution. They wrote:
“The deployment of military forces against American citizens exercising their constitutional rights will not heal the divides in our society. Ultimately, the issues that have driven the protests cannot be addressed by our military. They must be resolved through political processes.”
It is possible there is a legitimate sense among the public that it is finally time to put a stop to police violence, much against people of color, by far too many in law enforcement. However, there are forces opposed to any reform and until there is some kind of resolution through political processes, and since Trump will rage against the idea of the military protecting American citizens and journalists, it falls on governors to take extreme measures to protect their citizens from fascist police – and Trump.
Governors have a responsibility to protect their citizens’ constitutional rights and in this current environment those rights are being routinely abridged – with Trump’s approval and prompting. The only solution is for governors to call up their respective National Guard units to provide protection for peaceable protestors and the journalists providing a highly valuable service.
As an aside, in Washington D.C. a group of white supremacist marchers were given protection in the form of a police escort because they were exercising their constitutionally-protected rights to peaceably assemble and exercise their right to free speech. It is also worth noting that when heavily-armed protestors stormed Michigan’s state capital, instead of calling for an armed military intervention, Trump supported the insurgents and demanded that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer “negotiate” with the terrorists Trump labeled liberty warriors.
At this point, there is as much clear and present evidence that the American people need protecting as there is clear and present danger of further instances of police violence without intervention. Of course Trump, Republicans, the National Rifle Association, and police unions will scream persecution, probably religious persecution, but Americans’ constitutional rights must be protected from violent police – something Trump opposes out of hand.


politicususa--2020-06-15--Trump Is Recruiting People From High Covid States To Infect His Rally

Trump is advertising to his supporters in states that are experiencing high Covid outbreaks , like Arizona , to get @ @ @ @ @ .
Here is the ad that Trump is running : Tulsa public health officials are @ @ @ @ @ that Trump and his campaign are creating .
Trump isn ’ t requiring masks for @ @ @ @ @ .
The Trump campaign wants to cram tens of thousands of people into an arena @ @ @ @ @ , and they are advertising for their supporters in places where cases are spiking to @ @ @ @ @ The President Of The United States is creating a public health disaster in an American @ @ @ @ @ pretend that the pandemic is over and it is safe to return to business as @ @ @ @ @ supporters from heavily infected states to come and spread the virus in Oklahoma .
His @ @ @ @ @ reckless and irresponsible .
They are borderline criminal .

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Trump is advertising to his supporters in states that are experiencing high Covid outbreaks, like Arizona, to get them to his Tulsa rally.
Here is the ad that Trump is running:
New Trump campaign Facebook ads running in multiple states around Oklahoma promoting Trump's rally this weekend: Including AZ Pence/Trump have said they picked Tulsa because of the low cases, but the campaign is urging supporters from outside the state to come with these ads pic.twitter.com/L270EavhQJ — Will Steakin (@wsteaks) June 15, 2020
Tulsa public health officials are worried about the exact scenario that Trump and his campaign are creating. Trump isn’t requiring masks for attendees, or social distancing. The Trump campaign wants to cram tens of thousands of people into an arena close together during a pandemic, and they are advertising for their supporters in places where cases are spiking to come to the rally.
The President Of The United States is creating a public health disaster in an American city because he wants to pretend that the pandemic is over and it is safe to return to business as usual.
Trump is recruiting supporters from heavily infected states to come and spread the virus in Oklahoma. His actions aren’t just reckless and irresponsible. They are borderline criminal.


politicususa--2020-06-15--Trump Illegally Threatens Seattle Protesters With Federal Troops

Trump threatened peaceful protesters in Seattle with the deployment of federal troops and the use of force against them in an illegal act .
Trump said , “ These are violent people that took it over .
These are not people that are nice people .
I saw it on your network John .
I saw what ’ s going on with the hitting and the punching and the beating and all of the other things going on in Seattle .
And you have a governor that doesn ’ t do a damn thing about it , and you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ’ s alive .
She ’ s talking about it ’ s going to be a lovefest this summer .
If they don ’ t do the job , I ’ ll do the job , and I ’ ve already spoken to the Attorney General about it , but if they don ’ t do the job , we will do the job.
” Trump suggested that he could do ten different things that would all solve the problem , but he refused to say what they were .
Trump hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time that he tried the tough talk stunt and had to back down , because he can ’ t actually deploy federal troops to a US city to use force against protesters .
Trump has to be invited by the governor before troops can be deployed , and that won ’ t happen in Washington .
The President was throwing out more empty tough talk , but his unyielding desire to use against US citizens should not be overlooked or ignored .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and @ @ @

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Trump threatened peaceful protesters in Seattle with the deployment of federal troops and the use of force against them in an illegal act.
Trump said, “These are violent people that took it over. These are not people that are nice people. I saw it on your network John. I saw what’s going on with the hitting and the punching and the beating and all of the other things going on in Seattle. And you have a governor that doesn’t do a damn thing about it, and you have a mayor who doesn’t know she’s alive. She’s talking about it’s going to be a lovefest this summer. If they don’t do the job, I’ll do the job, and I’ve already spoken to the Attorney General about it, but if they don’t do the job, we will do the job.”
Trump suggested that he could do ten different things that would all solve the problem, but he refused to say what they were.
Video:
Trump: These are violent people that took it over. These are not people that are nice people. I saw it on your network John… If they don’t do the job, I’ll do the job
Question: What can you do?
Trump: About ten different things pic.twitter.com/fZTpBny7cz — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) June 15, 2020
Trump hasn’t learned anything from the last time that he tried the tough talk stunt and had to back down, because he can’t actually deploy federal troops to a US city to use force against protesters. Trump has to be invited by the governor before troops can be deployed, and that won’t happen in Washington.
The President was throwing out more empty tough talk, but his unyielding desire to use against US citizens should not be overlooked or ignored.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-06-15--Trump Tells America To Make The Virus Go Away By Not Testing

Trump told reporters at a White House event that the country could make the coronavirus case numbers go down if it stopped testing .
Via : The Independent , Trump said : Donald Trump is blaming an uptick in coronavirus cases and hospitalisations solely on an increase in testing rather than his push for governors to reopen their states even as the sometimes-deadly disease continues to spread .
“ If we stop testing right now , we ’ d have very few cases , if any.
” With one quote , Trump summed up his entire strategy for handling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like it is gone and doesn ’ t exist .
Trump thinks that he can con America into thinking that the coronavirus is gone by not testing .
This is the ultimate out of sight , out of mind mentality , and it is political strategy as envisioned by a toddler who believes when they put their hands over their eyes , they disappear .
There has never been a strategy from this White House for handling the pandemic .
The gameplan has always been to reopen the economy as quickly as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to daily death tolls in the hundreds and thousands .
Trump ’ s dumb plan is going to do nothing but kill and sicken more Americans .

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Trump told reporters at a White House event that the country could make the coronavirus case numbers go down if it stopped testing.
Via: The Independent, Trump said:
Donald Trump is blaming an uptick in coronavirus cases and hospitalisations solely on an increase in testing rather than his push for governors to reopen their states even as the sometimes-deadly disease continues to spread.
“If we stop testing right now, we’d have very few cases, if any.”
With one quote, Trump summed up his entire strategy for handling the pandemic. He is going to pretend like it is gone and doesn’t exist.
Trump thinks that he can con America into thinking that the coronavirus is gone by not testing. This is the ultimate out of sight, out of mind mentality, and it is political strategy as envisioned by a toddler who believes when they put their hands over their eyes, they disappear.
There has never been a strategy from this White House for handling the pandemic. The gameplan has always been to reopen the economy as quickly as possible and hope that the American people get used to daily death tolls in the hundreds and thousands.
Trump’s dumb plan is going to do nothing but kill and sicken more Americans.


politicususa--2020-06-15--Trump Crashes And Burns In Swing States As Biden Leads By 17

The swing states that Trump won in 2016 have shifted to Joe Biden as the former Vice President and presumptive Democratic nominee leads by 17 .
According to the new Abacus Data poll : Biden ’ s path to the White House requires reversing Trump ’ s 2016 success in key battleground states .
Here the news is good for the Democrats .
In swing states that Trump won in 201 ( FL , IA , MI , NC , OH , PA , WI ) Biden leads by 17-points .
Biden has a 22-point lead in solid Democratic states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ margin in typically solid Republican states , although some of those states like Arizona , Texas , and Georgia are closer than in 2016 .
Only 1 % of Hillary Clinton voters would vote Trump while 9 % of 2016 Trump voters would vote Biden .
That leakage alone could be enough to cost Trump re-election given how close the result was in 2016 .
Among those who did not vote in 2016 but are registered to vote , 49 % would vote Biden while only 14 % would vote for Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sink Trump , but add to the equation the fact that a sizable number of 2016 Trump voters say that they would vote for Biden , and the elements are in place for a potential disaster for Republicans in 2020 .
Trump thought that he could rerun the 2016 election in 2020 .
He hasn ’ t tried to expand the map or his base of support , but Joe Biden isn ’ t Hillary Clinton , and Donald Trump is the incumbent , not the political outsider .
Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with no sign of turning around anytime soon .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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The swing states that Trump won in 2016 have shifted to Joe Biden as the former Vice President and presumptive Democratic nominee leads by 17.
According to the new Abacus Data poll:
Biden’s path to the White House requires reversing Trump’s 2016 success in key battleground states. Here the news is good for the Democrats. In swing states that Trump won in 201 (FL, IA, MI, NC, OH, PA, WI) Biden leads by 17-points. Biden has a 22-point lead in solid Democratic states while Trump leads by a smaller 2-point margin in typically solid Republican states, although some of those states like Arizona, Texas, and Georgia are closer than in 2016.
….
Only 1% of Hillary Clinton voters would vote Trump while 9% of 2016 Trump voters would vote Biden. That leakage alone could be enough to cost Trump re-election given how close the result was in 2016.
Among those who did not vote in 2016 but are registered to vote, 49% would vote Biden while only 14% would vote for Trump.
The swing state numbers are devastating enough to sink Trump, but add to the equation the fact that a sizable number of 2016 Trump voters say that they would vote for Biden, and the elements are in place for a potential disaster for Republicans in 2020.
Trump thought that he could rerun the 2016 election in 2020.
He hasn’t tried to expand the map or his base of support, but Joe Biden isn’t Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump is the incumbent, not the political outsider.
Trump’s collapse in the swing states is worsening with no sign of turning around anytime soon.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-06-15--US National Pride Plunges To Record Low Under Trump

U.S. national pride has plunged to an all-time low as only 42 % of Gallup Poll respondents said that they are proud to be an American .
Although a majority of adults in the U.S. still say they are “ extremely proud ” ( 42 % ) or “ very proud ” ( 21 % ) to be American , both readings are the lowest they have been since Gallup ’ s initial measurement in 2001 .
At the same time , 15 % of Americans say they are “ moderately proud , ” 12 % “ only a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all proud.
” Since 2016 , extreme pride is down among all major subgroups .
And this measure of national pride is at its lowest among several demographic subgroups that have been consistently less likely to express extreme pride over the years .
These groups , which are typically Democratic-leaning , include young adults aged 18-29 , women , college graduates and nonwhites .
Notably , extreme pride among whites has fallen below 50 % for the first time and nonwhites ’ is 24 % .
Trump promised to make America great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed our national pride as a president who the flag as a prop in his political sideshow is no substitute for a real leader who makes people proud of their country .
The problem with having a president who has shown himself incapable of providing empathy , inspiration , and hope is that national morale will plummet under the relentless division and negativity of Trump .
Americans don ’ t feel good about their country with Trump as president , and such a feeling could be viewed as circumstantial evidence that his presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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U.S. national pride has plunged to an all-time low as only 42% of Gallup Poll respondents said that they are proud to be an American.
According to Gallup:
Although a majority of adults in the U.S. still say they are “extremely proud” (42%) or “very proud” (21%) to be American, both readings are the lowest they have been since Gallup’s initial measurement in 2001. At the same time, 15% of Americans say they are “moderately proud,” 12% “only a little proud” and 9% “not at all proud.”
….
Since 2016, extreme pride is down among all major subgroups. And this measure of national pride is at its lowest among several demographic subgroups that have been consistently less likely to express extreme pride over the years. These groups, which are typically Democratic-leaning, include young adults aged 18-29, women, college graduates and nonwhites. Notably, extreme pride among whites has fallen below 50% for the first time and nonwhites’ is 24%.
Trump promised to make America great again, but instead, he has destroyed our national pride as a president who the flag as a prop in his political sideshow is no substitute for a real leader who makes people proud of their country.
The problem with having a president who has shown himself incapable of providing empathy, inspiration, and hope is that national morale will plummet under the relentless division and negativity of Trump.
Americans don’t feel good about their country with Trump as president, and such a feeling could be viewed as circumstantial evidence that his presidency could be coming to an end.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-06-15--Trump’s Own SCOTUS Justices Reject Him In Sanctuary Cities Case

Trump ’ s two appointed Supreme Court Justices ( Kavanaugh and Gorsuch ) voted against his challenge to California ’ s sanctuary cities law .
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear the Trump administration ’ s challenge to a California “ sanctuary ” law , leaving intact rules that prohibit law enforcement officials from aiding federal agents in taking custody of immigrants as they are released from jail .
Only Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. voted to hear the administration ’ s appeal .
The Trump administration ’ s challenge was launched by former Atty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California was unconstitutionally interfering with federal immigration enforcement .
But the Supreme Court , in a decision written by the late Justice Antonin Scalia , has said state and local officials are not obliged to carry out federal enforcement .
That state ’ s rights doctrine appears to have prevailed .
Even Trump ’ s two appointees — Justice Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh — refused to hear the administration ’ s appeal .
Trump was attempting to expand the power of the Executive Branch to invalidate state immigration laws .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed in the rights of states and have tried to limit the expansion of federal authority .
It is not surprising that Trump lost in the Supreme Court .
The administration didn ’ t have much of a leg to stand on , as the California law isn ’ t in conflict with federal enforcement .
California , as with any other state , has the right to not assist federal immigration authorities .
According to the Supreme Court , not helping is not the same as interfering .
Trump has had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court In The Land .
It looks like Trump ’ s presidency built of sand is slipping away , as his own nominated justices won ’ t stop the sea of change .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump’s two appointed Supreme Court Justices (Kavanaugh and Gorsuch) voted against his challenge to California’s sanctuary cities law.
The LA Times reported:
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear the Trump administration’s challenge to a California “sanctuary” law, leaving intact rules that prohibit law enforcement officials from aiding federal agents in taking custody of immigrants as they are released from jail.
Only Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. voted to hear the administration’s appeal.
….
The Trump administration’s challenge was launched by former Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions. He insisted California was unconstitutionally interfering with federal immigration enforcement. But the Supreme Court, in a decision written by the late Justice Antonin Scalia, has said state and local officials are not obliged to carry out federal enforcement. That state’s rights doctrine appears to have prevailed. Even Trump’s two appointees — Justice Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh — refused to hear the administration’s appeal.
Trump was attempting to expand the power of the Executive Branch to invalidate state immigration laws. Conservatives, until Trump, have traditionally believed in the rights of states and have tried to limit the expansion of federal authority.
It is not surprising that Trump lost in the Supreme Court. The administration didn’t have much of a leg to stand on, as the California law isn’t in conflict with federal enforcement. California, as with any other state, has the right to not assist federal immigration authorities.
According to the Supreme Court, not helping is not the same as interfering. Trump has had a disaster of a day in the Highest Court In The Land.
It looks like Trump’s presidency built of sand is slipping away, as his own nominated justices won’t stop the sea of change.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook