theroot--2020-09-18--Good-Ass Games at Good-Ass Prices

Good-Ass Games at Good-Ass Prices

If you ’ re anything like me , you have an allergy towards paying full-price .
Luckily , every Friday The Root will bring you a round up of some of the best games currently on sale across the Playstation , Xbox and Nintendo platforms .
So , now that the preamble is out of the way , let ’ s get to saving you folks some money .
Persona 5 is without a doubt one of , if not the best JRPG ( Japanese Role Playing Game ) to come out this console generation .
The game casts you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labeled a juvenile delinquent after trying to stop a creepy older dude from harassing a woman .
As you adjust to life at your new school and make friends , you ’ re given access to the shadow world and the ability to change the hearts of the corrupt .
I must warn you , the game is hella long , with the base game tota ling up to 100 hours .
Once you get deep into it , though , the time really does fly by .
So , if you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the genre , Persona 5 is not a bad place to start .
Playstation Network is currently running a double discounts sale for its Playstation Plus members .
At little over 25 bucks , this is a goddamn steal , y ’ all .
Red Dead Redemption 2 might be one of the finest games ever designed by Rockstar Games .
The game tells the story of Arthur Morgan , the right-hand man to Dutch Van der Linde , leader of the Van der Linde gang .
While the game could do a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Wild West , it ’ s still a beautifully crafted world with intriguing characters and a strong story .
While its Online offering hasn ’ t come to life the same way sister franchise Grand Theft Auto ’ s has , the wild west setting still provides a unique experience in its own right .
As the weather cools down and we ’ re still stuck at home , Red Dead Redemption 2 is a great game to curl up with .
The most recent entry of the Call of Duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 bucks on Xbox Live .
I personally found Modern Warfare to be the strongest entry in the franchise since Advanced Warfare ( the fact we never got a sequel still burns me ) .
The game ’ s campaign , when it ’ s not trying to be all edgy and grim-dark , is actually a pretty fun ride with some solid set-piece moments .
The multiplayer component is solid as always and the loop of upgrading guns in multiplayer to then use them in Warzone , the game ’ s battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is the game I have played most since the start of the pandemic so I can safely say it ’ s worth $ 40 .
The only caveat here is that Call of Duty : Black Ops- Cold War launches in little over two months , so the multiplayer community may die down in coming months .
Though , considering it ’ s still not clear how/if Black Ops will integrate Warzone , this game could prove to have a longer life than most games in the series .
Xbox Live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fallen Order for $ 29.99 on Xbox Live .
The game is the first and only single-player Star Wars game to be released in the current console generation .
( I ’ m not counting Battlefront II ’ s campaign and you can ’ t make me , dammit . )
The game takes place five years after Episode III : Revenge of the Sith and follows Cal Kestis , a former Jedi padawan who is being hunted by a group of sith inquisitors .
The game takes you between multiple planets as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find the key to bringing back the Jedi Order .
The game is a surprising blend of platform-driven exploration , Dark Souls style combat and a Metroidvania approach to level design .
The more force abilities the player unlocks , the more they ’ re able to access hidden parts of each planet , making backtracking an essential but fun part of the game .
If Jedi : Fallen Order managed to slip from your radar last year I highly recommend giving it a playthrough .
Ni No Kuni : Wrath of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kuni : Wrath of the White Witch is a delightful JRPG that ’ s currently on sale on the Nintendo eShop .
Released on the Playstation 3 towards the tail end of the generation , it didn ’ t necessarily receive the wide spread love a game of its caliber deserved .
It featured cutscenes animated by legendary animation house Studio Ghibli and its score was partially composed by Joe Hisaishi , essentially making it a playable Ghibli movie The game tells a whimsical yet melancholy story about a young boy who travels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mage in hopes it will bring back his mother , who died after saving him from drowning .
The battle system is a hybrid of Pokemon and the Tales Of series , allowing you to move across the battlefield while controlling creatures you ’ ve tamed from the wild .
It ’ s gorgeous art style and simple yet engaging gameplay make it a great fit for the Switch , Thumper , goes , hard y ’ all .
Rhythm games are totally my jam , something about pressing a button in time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
Thumper is one of the most intense rhythm games I ’ ve ever played .
Instead of fun Japanese techno or hip-hop , Thumper is built around pulsing , industrial beats and the gameplay is described as “ rhythm violence.
” You control a beetle-looking object as it speeds down increasingly psychedelic tracks , making sure you respond to the various obstacles thrown at you with perfect timing .
If you were ever curious about what taking shrooms and riding a rollercoaster inspired by Apocalypse Now would be like , well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Second , play Thumper , as it ’ s the closest to what I imagine that experience would be like .
So there ya have it folks !
Some good-ass games at good-ass prices .
If you ’ re into free stuff , Street Fighter V is currently one of the free Playstation Plus games this month and The Division is currently free for Xbox Live Gold members .
If you ’ re one of those bougie people who like “ new releases , ” and “ playing new games at launch , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3D All-Stars both launched today .
Now if you ’ ll excuse me , I have some WWE 2K Battlegrounds to play .

If you’re anything like me, you have an allergy towards paying full-price. Luckily, every Friday The Root will bring you a round up of some of the best games currently on sale across the Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo platforms. So, now that the preamble is out of the way, let’s get to saving you folks some money.
Playstation
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Persona 5: Royal, $19.99
Persona 5 is without a doubt one of, if not the best JRPG(Japanese Role Playing Game) to come out this console generation. The game casts you as Joker, a student who is labeled a juvenile delinquent after trying to stop a creepy older dude from harassing a woman. As you adjust to life at your new school and make friends, you’re given access to the shadow world and the ability to change the hearts of the corrupt.
Advertisement Advertisement
I must warn you, the game is hella long, with the base game tota ling up to 100 hours. Once you get deep into it, though, the time really does fly by. So, if you’re looking to dip your toes into the genre, Persona 5 is not a bad place to start.
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Red Dead Redemption 2, $26.99-$33.99
Playstation Network is currently running a double discounts sale for its Playstation Plus members. At little over 25 bucks, this is a goddamn steal, y’all. Red Dead Redemption 2 might be one of the finest games ever designed by Rockstar Games. The game tells the story of Arthur Morgan, the right-hand man to Dutch Van der Linde, leader of the Van der Linde gang. While the game could do a lot better in regards to handling race in the Wild West, it’s still a beautifully crafted world with intriguing characters and a strong story. While its Online offering hasn’t come to life the same way sister franchise Grand Theft Auto’s has, the wild west setting still provides a unique experience in its own right.
Advertisement
As the weather cools down and we’re still stuck at home, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a great game to curl up with.
Xbox
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, $38.99
The most recent entry of the Call of Duty franchise is currently down to just under 40 bucks on Xbox Live. I personally found Modern Warfare to be the strongest entry in the franchise since Advanced Warfare (the fact we never got a sequel still burns me). The game’s campaign, when it’s not trying to be all edgy and grim-dark, is actually a pretty fun ride with some solid set-piece moments.
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The multiplayer component is solid as always and the loop of upgrading guns in multiplayer to then use them in Warzone, the game’s battle royale component, is actually really satisfying. This is the game I have played most since the start of the pandemic so I can safely say it’s worth $40.
The only caveat here is that Call of Duty: Black Ops- Cold War launches in little over two months, so the multiplayer community may die down in coming months. Though, considering it’s still not clear how/if Black Ops will integrate Warzone, this game could prove to have a longer life than most games in the series.
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Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, $29.99
Xbox Live Gold members can currently cop Jedi: Fallen Order for $29.99 on Xbox Live. The game is the first and only single-player Star Wars game to be released in the current console generation. (I’m not counting Battlefront II’s campaign and you can’t make me, dammit.)
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The game takes place five years after Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and follows Cal Kestis, a former Jedi padawan who is being hunted by a group of sith inquisitors. The game takes you between multiple planets as you avoid your pursuers and try to find the key to bringing back the Jedi Order. The game is a surprising blend of platform-driven exploration, Dark Souls style combat and a Metroidvania approach to level design. The more force abilities the player unlocks, the more they’re able to access hidden parts of each planet, making backtracking an essential but fun part of the game.
If Jedi: Fallen Order managed to slip from your radar last year I highly recommend giving it a playthrough.
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Nintendo
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Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, $14.99
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a delightful JRPG that’s currently on sale on the Nintendo eShop. Released on the Playstation 3 towards the tail end of the generation, it didn’t necessarily receive the wide spread love a game of its caliber deserved. It featured cutscenes animated by legendary animation house Studio Ghibli and its score was partially composed by Joe Hisaishi, essentially making it a playable Ghibli movie
Advertisement
The game tells a whimsical yet melancholy story about a young boy who travels to another world to save a great mage in hopes it will bring back his mother, who died after saving him from drowning. The battle system is a hybrid of Pokemon and the Tales Of series, allowing you to move across the battlefield while controlling creatures you’ve tamed from the wild. It’s gorgeous art style and simple yet engaging gameplay make it a great fit for the Switch,
Advertisement
Thumper, goes, hard y’all. Rhythm games are totally my jam, something about pressing a button in time with a song just does it for me. Thumper is one of the most intense rhythm games I’ve ever played. Instead of fun Japanese techno or hip-hop, Thumper is built around pulsing, industrial beats and the gameplay is described as “rhythm violence.” You control a beetle-looking object as it speeds down increasingly psychedelic tracks, making sure you respond to the various obstacles thrown at you with perfect timing.
Advertisement
If you were ever curious about what taking shrooms and riding a rollercoaster inspired by Apocalypse Now would be like, well, first, are you okay? Second, play Thumper, as it’s the closest to what I imagine that experience would be like.
So there ya have it folks! Some good-ass games at good-ass prices. If you’re into free stuff, Street Fighter V is currently one of the free Playstation Plus games this month and The Division is currently free for Xbox Live Gold members.
Advertisement
If you’re one of those bougie people who like “new releases,” and “playing new games at launch,” WWE 2K Battlegrounds and Super Mario 3D All-Stars both launched today. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some WWE 2K Battlegrounds to play.


theroot--2020-09-18--Telfar Is Cozying Up to UGG With a New Collaboration

When one door closes , another door opens .
So too , do the seasons ; as summer began , we were lamenting the cancellation of Gap ’ s canceled collaboration with designer-of-the-moment Telfar Clemens , a 2020 Glow Up 50 honoree and creator of a logo bag so synonymous with the street-style set that it ’ s been nicknamed the “ Bushwick Birkin.
” On Monday , it was that bag , bearing Telfar ’ s monogram , that no doubt earned him a 2020 CFDA Fashion Award for American Accessories Designer of the Year .
And as temps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the week , we learned the designer was part of another big-name collaboration , thankyouverymuch—this time , teaming up with UGG .
If your first image of UGG ’ s demographic is an early-aughts , pre- ’ gram , white female millennial influencer rather than an edgy young Black designer with a decidedly genderless approach to fashion , you wouldn ’ t be alone—which is perhaps why Telfar is such a score to expand the cozy-chic image of the 42-year-old brand .
In a promotional spot released Thursday , he does just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that makes the idea of staying at home this season even more appealing .
“ Telfar is exceptional ; a true pioneer and visionary and one of the first designers to believe that being unapologetically yourself is sexy , ” said Andrea O ’ Donnell , president of fashion lifestyle for Deckers Brands , in a statement obtained by Harper ’ s Bazaar .
“ At UGG , we believe in the same thing , and that fashion can be real , democratic and aspirational all at the same time .
This collection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared beliefs.
” The UGG x Telfar collection won ’ t drop until 2021 but when it does , don ’ t call it a capsule , as Bazaar reports the collab will likely be an ongoing business partnership .
Clemens explains that , much like his longtime affinity for the Gap brand identity , the groundwork for a partnership with UGG had actually been laid over the past decade .
“ I find UGG really sexy—a soft kind of rugged , ” said Clemens .
“ I have made unofficial , unauthorized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to 2010 .
So , I ’ ve always been obsessed a certain kind of ubiquity and when something really unique ends up on everybody .
What I want to do is get down to the DNA of UGG and see what genes we have in common .
To get down to the core of that feeling .
”

Maiysha Kai on The Glow Up, shared by Maiysha Kai to The Root

When one door closes, another door opens. So too, do the seasons; as summer began, we were lamenting the cancellation of Gap’s canceled collaboration with designer-of-the-moment Telfar Clemens, a 2020 Glow Up 50 honoree and creator of a logo bag so synonymous with the street-style set that it’s been nicknamed the “Bushwick Birkin.” On Monday, it was that bag, bearing Telfar’s monogram, that no doubt earned him a 2020 CFDA Fashion Award for American Accessories Designer of the Year. And as temps fell and fall loomed by the end of the week, we learned the designer was part of another big-name collaboration, thankyouverymuch—this time, teaming up with UGG.
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If your first image of UGG’s demographic is an early-aughts, pre-’gram, white female millennial influencer rather than an edgy young Black designer with a decidedly genderless approach to fashion, you wouldn’t be alone—which is perhaps why Telfar is such a score to expand the cozy-chic image of the 42-year-old brand. In a promotional spot released Thursday, he does just that, starring in a quarantine-themed spot that makes the idea of staying at home this season even more appealing.
“Telfar is exceptional; a true pioneer and visionary and one of the first designers to believe that being unapologetically yourself is sexy,” said Andrea O’Donnell, president of fashion lifestyle for Deckers Brands, in a statement obtained by Harper’s Bazaar. “At UGG, we believe in the same thing, and that fashion can be real, democratic and aspirational all at the same time. This collection will be the perfect expression of our shared beliefs.”
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The UGG x Telfar collection won’t drop until 2021 but when it does, don’t call it a capsule, as Bazaar reports the collab will likely be an ongoing business partnership. Clemens explains that, much like his longtime affinity for the Gap brand identity, the groundwork for a partnership with UGG had actually been laid over the past decade.
“I find UGG really sexy—a soft kind of rugged,” said Clemens. “I have made unofficial, unauthorized UGG boots in two shows already dating back to 2010. So, I’ve always been obsessed a certain kind of ubiquity and when something really unique ends up on everybody. What I want to do is get down to the DNA of UGG and see what genes we have in common. To get down to the core of that feeling.”


theroot--2020-09-18--BET and National Urban League Launch Black Voter Day to Ensure Black Voices Are Heard at the Ballot

BET and National Urban League Launch Black Voter Day to Ensure Black Voices Are Heard at the Ballot Box

The diversity and political potency of Black voters is no secret , especially during a presidential election many regard as the most consequential of our lifetimes .
Recognizing this , BET and the National Urban League on Friday launched the first Black Voter Day , aimed at encouraging Black Americans to vote and circulating important resources to help them ensure their voices will be heard at the ballot box .
Helping with the outreach will be a number of high profile athletes , entertainers , journalists , policy makers and activists , including Stacey Abrams , Tina Knowles-Lawson , Soledad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Throughout the day , you can expect to see multiple celebrities sharing PSAs on BET ’ s platforms as well as its sister Viacom networks , including MTV , VH1 and Comedy Central .
Due to concerns about voter suppression , plus the uncertainty of how the coronavirus pandemic will impact in-person accessibility , there will be a particular emphasis on voting early in today ’ s messaging .
The initiative is part of BET ’ s larger , nonpartisan # ReclaimYourVote campaign .
“ BET continues to demystify the process of voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and # ReclaimYourVote will break down the necessary steps to make our voices heard .
From securing and checking your voter registration , to making a plan for how to vote , to gathering your friends and family to vote with you , # ReclaimYourVote is committed to ensuring every step of the process is clear and accessible for Black voters , ” Jeanine Liburd , BET ’ s Chief Social Impact and Communications Officer said in a statement .
“ In the current climate of uncertainty and unrest , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting–particularly for Black voters , ” he said .
“ Efforts to suppress the Black vote are coming from all sides , whether it ’ s restrictive state voting laws or foreign-based misinformation campaigns .
National Black Voter Day is an opportunity to rise above the confusion and plot out a clear path to the ballot box .
Whether by mask , in person , or by mail , it ’ s important to make a plan now , and execute that plan as early as possible according to the laws in each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter behind in 2020.
” Black Voter Day precedes National Voter Registration Day on Sep. 22 .
Organizers for National Voter Registration Day say they anticipate to hit their highest one-day registration totals to date .

Anne Branigin on The Grapevine, shared by Anne Branigin to The Root

The diversity and political potency of Black voters is no secret, especially during a presidential election many regard as the most consequential of our lifetimes. Recognizing this, BET and the National Urban League on Friday launched the first Black Voter Day, aimed at encouraging Black Americans to vote and circulating important resources to help them ensure their voices will be heard at the ballot box.
Helping with the outreach will be a number of high profile athletes, entertainers, journalists, policy makers and activists, including Stacey Abrams, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Soledad O’Brien and Blake Griffin. Throughout the day, you can expect to see multiple celebrities sharing PSAs on BET’s platforms as well as its sister Viacom networks, including MTV, VH1 and Comedy Central. Due to concerns about voter suppression, plus the uncertainty of how the coronavirus pandemic will impact in-person accessibility, there will be a particular emphasis on voting early in today’s messaging.
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The initiative is part of BET’s larger, nonpartisan #ReclaimYourVote campaign.
“BET continues to demystify the process of voting for Black citizens in a COVID-19 world, and #ReclaimYourVote will break down the necessary steps to make our voices heard. From securing and checking your voter registration, to making a plan for how to vote, to gathering your friends and family to vote with you, #ReclaimYourVote is committed to ensuring every step of the process is clear and accessible for Black voters,” Jeanine Liburd, BET’s Chief Social Impact and Communications Officer said in a statement.
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National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial echoed those concerns.
“In the current climate of uncertainty and unrest, it’s important to make a plan for voting–particularly for Black voters,” he said. “Efforts to suppress the Black vote are coming from all sides, whether it’s restrictive state voting laws or foreign-based misinformation campaigns. National Black Voter Day is an opportunity to rise above the confusion and plot out a clear path to the ballot box. Whether by mask, in person, or by mail, it’s important to make a plan now, and execute that plan as early as possible according to the laws in each state. We’re leaving no voter behind in 2020.”
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Black Voter Day precedes National Voter Registration Day on Sep. 22. Organizers for National Voter Registration Day say they anticipate to hit their highest one-day registration totals to date.


theroot--2020-09-18--Cue Shock and Awe: Giannis Antetokounmpo Named 2019-20 NBA MVP

For months now , the worst kept secret in America was that Giannis Antetokounmpo would run it back and be named Most Valuable Player for a second consecutive year .
But since the NBA is no longer in the business of keeping “ secrets , ” what we already knew is officially official : the Bucks flopped in the playoffs for a second consecutive year the Greek Freak is your 2019-20 MVP .
In doing so , ESPN reports that the 25-year-old joins some elite company that includes Steph Cury , Michael Jordan , Bill Russell , LeBron James and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the regular season with monster averages of 29.5 points , 13.6 boards and 5.6 assists per game , but looked like a shell of himself in the playoffs , where the Bucks got destroyed by the Miami Heat and also faltered for the second year in a row .
So yes , winning this award is a good reason to celebrate , but the four-time All-Star isn ’ t exactly on the best terms with the Bucks organization right now .
As we previously reported at The Root , immediately after the Bucks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in only five games , Giannis refuted any assertion that he would demand a trade .
“ It ’ s not happening .
That ’ s not happening , ” he told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports .
“ Some see a wall and go in [ another direction ] .
I plow through it .
We just have to get better as a team , individually and get right back at it next season.
” Buuuuuuuuuut after a three-hour lunch meeting last week in Milwaukee , in which Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut the check and spend into the luxury tax in order to provide Giannis with the supporting cast that he so desperately needs to finally win his first NBA championship , this happened : Take from that what you will , but it can ’ t be good .
Oh , wait .
We ’ re supposed to be celebrating , right ?
Let ’ s see what NBA Twitter has to say about Giannis winning his second consecutive MVP award .
It ’ s never good for the balance of the league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of bigger ones—when Kevin Durant did it , it literally broke the NBA—so hopefully , Giannis and the Bucks are able to work things out .

For months now, the worst kept secret in America was that Giannis Antetokounmpo would run it back and be named Most Valuable Player for a second consecutive year. But since the NBA is no longer in the business of keeping “secrets,” what we already knew is officially official: the Bucks flopped in the playoffs for a second consecutive year the Greek Freak is your 2019-20 MVP.
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In doing so, ESPN reports that the 25-year-old joins some elite company that includes Steph Cury, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, LeBron James and others as back-to-back MVPs.
Giannis dominated the regular season with monster averages of 29.5 points, 13.6 boards and 5.6 assists per game, but looked like a shell of himself in the playoffs, where the Bucks got destroyed by the Miami Heat and also faltered for the second year in a row. So yes, winning this award is a good reason to celebrate, but the four-time All-Star isn’t exactly on the best terms with the Bucks organization right now.
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As we previously reported at The Root, immediately after the Bucks were eliminated from the Eastern Conference Semifinals in only five games, Giannis refuted any assertion that he would demand a trade.
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“It’s not happening. That’s not happening,” he told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. “Some see a wall and go in [another direction]. I plow through it. We just have to get better as a team, individually and get right back at it next season.”
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Buuuuuuuuuut after a three-hour lunch meeting last week in Milwaukee, in which Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry expressed the team’s willingness to cut the check and spend into the luxury tax in order to provide Giannis with the supporting cast that he so desperately needs to finally win his first NBA championship, this happened:
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Take from that what you will, but it can’t be good.
Oh, wait. We’re supposed to be celebrating, right? Let’s see what NBA Twitter has to say about Giannis winning his second consecutive MVP award.
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It’s never good for the balance of the league when superstars leave small markets in favor of bigger ones—when Kevin Durant did it, it literally broke the NBA—so hopefully, Giannis and the Bucks are able to work things out.
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Congrats, Giannis!


theroot--2020-09-18--Louisville Mayor Receives Vote of No Confidence Due to Handling of Breonna Taylor Case

The Louisville Metro City Council passed a vote of no confidence Thursday night over Mayor Greg Fischer ’ s handling of the Breonna Taylor case .
CNN reports that the resolution passed by a vote of 22 to 4 and included a list of actions the m ayor needed to take to “ restore trust between the residents of Louisville Metro and its government and to ensure the safety and equality of all its residents.
” Among the actions listed were advancing policies that would create social and racial equity , committing to full transparency within the government and conducting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Department by year ’ s end .
Many members expressed dissatisfaction with the resolution , feeling it didn ’ t fully hold the mayor accountable .
The original resolution , drafted by Republican members of the council , called for Fischer ’ s resignation because of his handling of the case .
While the final resolution , amended by Democratic council member Markus Winkler , removed the call for Fischer ’ s resignation it did say further steps will be taken by the council should the mayor not take action .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we take this as an opportunity to find a path forward , ” Winkler said during the meeting .
“ I hope the administration sees it as an opportunity to work together to improve the lives for all of the residents of Louisville Metro.
” Fischer struck a similar tone in a video statement released following the vote where he expressed a desire to work alongside the council and the community to improve Louisville Metro .
“ We have enormous challenges ahead and to move forward , we need to pull together , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good times and tough times like these , ” Fischer said .
“ Several of the policy ideas discussed by the council are under way and together we have already made changes in LMPD policies and procedures.
” In March , 26-year-old Taylor was shot and killed by police officers executing a botched no-knock warrant .
While one officer involved in the shooting has been fired , none of the officers have been charged or arrested for her death and there has been much criticism over how long Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken .
Earlier this week , Taylor ’ s family reached a multi million dollar settlement in a wrongful death suit filed against the city of Louisville .

The Louisville Metro City Council passed a vote of no confidence Thursday night over Mayor Greg Fischer’s handling of the Breonna Taylor case.
CNN reports that the resolution passed by a vote of 22 to 4 and included a list of actions the m ayor needed to take to “restore trust between the residents of Louisville Metro and its government and to ensure the safety and equality of all its residents.” Among the actions listed were advancing policies that would create social and racial equity, committing to full transparency within the government and conducting a full review of the Louisville Metro Police Department by year’s end.
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Many members expressed dissatisfaction with the resolution, feeling it didn’t fully hold the mayor accountable. The original resolution, drafted by Republican members of the council, called for Fischer’s resignation because of his handling of the case. While the final resolution, amended by Democratic council member Markus Winkler, removed the call for Fischer’s resignation it did say further steps will be taken by the council should the mayor not take action.
“I would just say that I hope we take this as an opportunity to find a path forward,” Winkler said during the meeting. “I hope the administration sees it as an opportunity to work together to improve the lives for all of the residents of Louisville Metro.”
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Fischer struck a similar tone in a video statement released following the vote where he expressed a desire to work alongside the council and the community to improve Louisville Metro. “We have enormous challenges ahead and to move forward, we need to pull together, and we must work together in both good times and tough times like these,” Fischer said. “Several of the policy ideas discussed by the council are under way and together we have already made changes in LMPD policies and procedures.”
In March, 26-year-old Taylor was shot and killed by police officers executing a botched no-knock warrant. While one officer involved in the shooting has been fired, none of the officers have been charged or arrested for her death and there has been much criticism over how long Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s investigation into the case has taken.
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Earlier this week, Taylor’s family reached a multi million dollar settlement in a wrongful death suit filed against the city of Louisville.


theroot--2020-09-18--What The Hell Happened Inside the Celtics Locker Room Last Night?

In being a fiery competitor , Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart hates to lose .
As such , he was understandably pissed after the Celtics—not to be confused with the Temecula Clippers—blew a 17-point lead in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals and caught an embarrassing 106-101 L on behalf of the Miami Heat .
After the game , there were various reports that Smart went the entire fuck off on his teammates in the locker room , and now The Athletic has the juicy details : “ Boston Celtics ’ Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown had a heated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Game 2 loss and needed to be separated by teammates , multiple sources told The Athletic .
Smart , who is widely regarded as Boston ’ s emotional leader , was heard shouting inside the postgame locker room after the Celtics ’ loss to Miami .
Sources told The Athletic that Smart stormed into the Celtics postgame locker room saying that other players needed to be held accountable and not simply point the finger toward him when things are going wrong .
As Smart continued and his voice grew louder , sources said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players must stay together and that their actions must come as a team , not individually , and that Smart needed to cool off .
Those sources added Smart had verbal exchanges with a couple of the assistant coaches during the game.
” Smart was overheard yelling , “ Y ’ all on some bullshit !
” when he finally left the locker room , and I ain ’ t one to gossip , but word on the street is that objects were being tossed around too .
( But you ain ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For their part , the rest of the team maintained the company line : that frustrations are part of the sport and it ’ s perfectly normal for teammates to hurl profanities and dishwashers at each other .
“ We ’ re not supposed to be happy we ’ re down 0-2 , ” Jayson Tatum told reporters when asked about the altercation .
“ [ It was ] nothing out of the ordinary , just talking about the game .
It ’ s cool .
Got to get ready for the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hard game , ” coach Brad Stevens said .
“ Hard loss.
” “ It was nothing , ” Kemba Walker said .
“ It was nothing.
” Smart has yet to address the matter publicly , but Brown did his part to protect his teammate as well .
“ That ’ s why we love him , ” he said .
“ He plays with passion , he ’ s full of fire , and that ’ s what I love about him most to be honest .
He has that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need him to continue to have that .
[ ... ] Who Marcus is , I love him for it .
We ’ ve got to get ready to come back with that same fire and add it to Game 3.
” Teammates bumping heads isn ’ t exactly unchartered territory , but if team chemistry has been compromised , this incident is something to be mindful of when the Celtics take the floor against the Heat in Game 3 on Saturday .

In being a fiery competitor, Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart hates to lose.
As such, he was understandably pissed after the Celtics—not to be confused with the Temecula Clippers—blew a 17-point lead in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals and caught an embarrassing 106-101 L on behalf of the Miami Heat.
After the game, there were various reports that Smart went the entire fuck off on his teammates in the locker room, and now The Athletic has the juicy details:
“Boston Celtics’ Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown had a heated confrontation inside that locker room after the Game 2 loss and needed to be separated by teammates, multiple sources told The Athletic. Smart, who is widely regarded as Boston’s emotional leader, was heard shouting inside the postgame locker room after the Celtics’ loss to Miami. Sources told The Athletic that Smart stormed into the Celtics postgame locker room saying that other players needed to be held accountable and not simply point the finger toward him when things are going wrong. As Smart continued and his voice grew louder, sources said Brown snapped back and shouted that Celtics players must stay together and that their actions must come as a team, not individually, and that Smart needed to cool off. Those sources added Smart had verbal exchanges with a couple of the assistant coaches during the game.”
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Smart was overheard yelling, “Y’all on some bullshit!” when he finally left the locker room, and I ain’t one to gossip, but word on the street is that objects were being tossed around too. (But you ain’t hear that from me.)
For their part, the rest of the team maintained the company line: that frustrations are part of the sport and it’s perfectly normal for teammates to hurl profanities and dishwashers at each other.
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“We’re not supposed to be happy we’re down 0-2,” Jayson Tatum told reporters when asked about the altercation. “[It was] nothing out of the ordinary, just talking about the game. It’s cool. Got to get ready for the next one.”
“Guys were emotional after a hard game,” coach Brad Stevens said. “Hard loss.”
“It was nothing,” Kemba Walker said. “It was nothing.”
Smart has yet to address the matter publicly, but Brown did his part to protect his teammate as well.
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“That’s why we love him,” he said. “He plays with passion, he’s full of fire, and that’s what I love about him most to be honest. He has that desire and that will, and we need him to continue to have that. [...] Who Marcus is, I love him for it. We’ve got to get ready to come back with that same fire and add it to Game 3.”
Teammates bumping heads isn’t exactly unchartered territory, but if team chemistry has been compromised, this incident is something to be mindful of when the Celtics take the floor against the Heat in Game 3 on Saturday.


theroot--2020-09-18--Maurkice Pouncey Apologizes to Police for Wearing the Name of a Kid They Killed on His Helmet

Former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld was forced out of his job as a University of Pittsburgh cop in 2018 , found work in the East Pittsburgh police department soon after , killed 17-year-old Antwon Rose Jr. his first day on the street—shooting Rose three times in the back while Rose ran from him—and was acquitted of homicide .
There is no better example of the rot of American law enforcement—and the dire need for drastic change—than this guy .
Effectively get fired from a university for incompetence , but still , be able to find a job and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of boutique municipality police department that would ( obviously ) hire anyone with a pulse .
Anyway , before the NFL season began , the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to honor Rose by placing his name on the back of their helmets .
Whatever .
But for Maurkice Pouncey , who is one of the team captains , this aggressively milquetoast gesture was too radical for him .
In an Instagram post that I ’ m sincerely shocked hasn ’ t been deleted yet , Pouncey claimed that he did not “ fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ will make his own decision ” on what to wear on the back of his helmet .
He concludes with a caption tagging Pittsburgh ’ s chief of police , the Pittsburgh police department , and two Florida departments ( North Miami and Lakeland ) .
In this 11-sentence-long post , ( at least ) four of them are lies .
The best one begins the second paragraph , where he claims that he was “ given limited information ” on the “ situation regarding Antwon.
” No one was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I did not receive an Antwon Rose packet in the mail , and I presume neither did anyone else in Allegheny County .
I learned about Antwon Rose the way everyone outside of the Rose family did—either on the news or from someone who saw/read the news .
There ’ s no Minister of Information deciding who ’ s allowed to see what .
If I , or anyone else interested in the case , wanted more information , it was there to be found .
Pouncey is just adopting a performative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement that he was tricked by people with political agendas .
( My favorite lie : “ I don ’ t always feel the need to highlight what I do with police departments ” when that ’ s literally the point of him removing Antwon ’ s name and writing a manifesto about it . )
He ’ s virtue signaling .
The Pouncey twins ( Mike Pouncey plays for the Miami Dolphins ) were also best friends with Aaron Hernandez , who might be the only American who killed more Black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removing Rose ’ s name from his helmet was just about not “ fully comprehending ” the full scope of the story and wanting to “ repair relationships between police and their communities , ” why was Maurkice still riding so hard for a convicted serial murderer ?
The difference is that his friends in law enforcement believe that supporting Antwon Rose Jr. is an insult to them , and he shares their sensibility .
That ’ s all this is about .
If he were sincere about learning more about the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s mom , Michelle Kenney , who ’ s 10 miles or just a text away ?
Or , if the word of law enforcement matters so much , Allegheny County DA Stephen Zappala , who admitted that Antwon “ never did anything in furtherance of the crimes in North Braddock.
” ?
These questions are mostly rhetorical .
The answers are obvious .
Maurkice Pouncey is aligned with the sort of people who believe it ’ s wrong to protest when police murder Black citizens .
But he won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So Maurkice Pouncey , behind all those tats and all that muscle , is a fucking coward .

Damon Young on Very Smart Brothas, shared by Damon Young to The Root

Former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld was forced out of his job as a University of Pittsburgh cop in 2018, found work in the East Pittsburgh police department soon after, killed 17-year-old Antwon Rose Jr. his first day on the street—shooting Rose three times in the back while Rose ran from him—and was acquitted of homicide.
There is no better example of the rot of American law enforcement—and the dire need for drastic change—than this guy. Effectively get fired from a university for incompetence, but still, be able to find a job and the legal license to kill in the sort of boutique municipality police department that would (obviously) hire anyone with a pulse.
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Anyway, before the NFL season began, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to honor Rose by placing his name on the back of their helmets. Whatever. But for Maurkice Pouncey, who is one of the team captains, this aggressively milquetoast gesture was too radical for him.
In an Instagram post that I’m sincerely shocked hasn’t been deleted yet, Pouncey claimed that he did not “fully comprehend the entire background of the case” and “will make his own decision” on what to wear on the back of his helmet. He concludes with a caption tagging Pittsburgh’s chief of police, the Pittsburgh police department, and two Florida departments (North Miami and Lakeland).
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In this 11-sentence-long post, (at least) four of them are lies. The best one begins the second paragraph, where he claims that he was “given limited information” on the “situation regarding Antwon.” No one was “given information” regarding this case. I did not receive an Antwon Rose packet in the mail, and I presume neither did anyone else in Allegheny County. I learned about Antwon Rose the way everyone outside of the Rose family did—either on the news or from someone who saw/read the news. There’s no Minister of Information deciding who’s allowed to see what. If I, or anyone else interested in the case, wanted more information, it was there to be found.
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Pouncey is just adopting a performative passivity to convince his friends in law enforcement that he was tricked by people with political agendas. (My favorite lie: “I don’t always feel the need to highlight what I do with police departments” when that’s literally the point of him removing Antwon’s name and writing a manifesto about it.) He’s virtue signaling.
The Pouncey twins (Mike Pouncey plays for the Miami Dolphins) were also best friends with Aaron Hernandez, who might be the only American who killed more Black people than the police do. And if removing Rose’s name from his helmet was just about not “fully comprehending” the full scope of the story and wanting to “repair relationships between police and their communities,” why was Maurkice still riding so hard for a convicted serial murderer?
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The difference is that his friends in law enforcement believe that supporting Antwon Rose Jr. is an insult to them, and he shares their sensibility. That’s all this is about. If he were sincere about learning more about the case, why not reach out to Antwon’s mom, Michelle Kenney, who’s 10 miles or just a text away? Or, if the word of law enforcement matters so much, Allegheny County DA Stephen Zappala, who admitted that Antwon “never did anything in furtherance of the crimes in North Braddock.”?
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These questions are mostly rhetorical. The answers are obvious. Maurkice Pouncey is aligned with the sort of people who believe it’s wrong to protest when police murder Black citizens. But he won’t just come out and say that. So Maurkice Pouncey, behind all those tats and all that muscle, is a fucking coward.


theroot--2020-09-18--The Trump Administration Just Announced White Studies Commission

On Thursday , the president of people who like to take their dogs to Home Depot announced the “ Stephen Miller totally wrote this bullshit ” declaration called the “ 1776 Commission ” to promote “ patriotic education , ” which is basically white studies .
Oh , and in declaring white studies a thing , he also took shots that the The 1619 Project and the New York Times for exposing America ’ s true legacy as a nation built on slavery and oppression .
“ I will soon sign an executive order establishing a national commission to promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ‘ 1776 Commission ’ , ” Trump said in a 17-minute speech at the National Archives , the New York Post reports .
The commission “ will encourage our educators to teach your children about the miracle of American history and make plans to honor the 250th anniversary of our founding ” in 2026 , Trump said .
“ [ A ] s we gather this afternoon , a radical movement is attempting to demolish this treasured and precious inheritance .
We can ’ t let that happen .
Left-wing mobs have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desecrated our memorials , and carried out a campaign of violence and anarchy , ” Trump said .
“ Far-left demonstrators have chanted the words “ America was never great.
” The left has launched a vicious and violent assault on law enforcement — the universal symbol of the rule of law in America .
These radicals have been aided and abetted by liberal politicians , establishment media , and even large corporations .
“ Whether it is the mob on the street , or the cancel culture in the boardroom , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dissent , to scare you out of speaking the truth , and to bully Americans into abandoning their values , their heritage , and their very way of life .
“ We are here today to declare that we will never submit to tyranny .
We will reclaim our history and our country for citizens of every race , color , religion , and creed , ” the president said .
“ The left has warped , distorted and defiled the American story with deceptions , falsehoods and lies .
There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times ’ totally discredited 1619 Project.
” Trump then took time to bash The 1619 Project—the series that really seems to annoy white supremacists and white nationalists—claiming it “ rewrites American history to teach our children that we were founded on the principle of oppression , not freedom .
Nothing could be further from the truth .
America ’ s founding set in motion the unstoppable chain of events that abolished slavery , secured civil rights , defeated communism and fascism and built the most fair , equal and prosperous nation in human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the project “ bear a striking resemblance to the anti-American propaganda of our adversaries .
“ Students in our universities are inundated with critical race theory .
This is a Marxist doctrine holding that America is a wicked and racist nation , that even young children are complicit in oppression , and that our entire society must be radically transformed , ” Trump said .
“ Critical race theory is being forced into our children ’ s schools , it ’ s being imposed into workplace trainings , and it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbors and families .
A perfect example of critical race theory was recently published by the Smithsonian Institution .
This document alleged that concepts such as hard work , rational thinking , the nuclear family , and belief in God were not values that unite all Americans , but were instead aspects of ‘ whiteness.
’ This is offensive and outrageous to Americans of every ethnicity , and it is especially harmful to children of minority backgrounds who should be uplifted , not disparaged.
” Is now the time we talk about white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or nah ?
OK , fine .
I will save it for another time , but just remember it ’ s a thing .
A big thing .
Trump had a microphone and an audience and you know what that means ?
It means he had to bash former Vice President Joe Biden and celebrate white supremacy at the same damn time .
After announcing that White History Every Day was in full effect , Trump noted that he ’ d be erecting a statue to Delaware Founding Father Caesar Rodney in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which presumably will be full of white men .
The Post notes that Rodney ’ s statue was removed in June from “ Biden ’ s hometown of Wilmington , Del.
, amid national anti-police brutality and anti-racism protests linked to the May killing of George Floyd by Minnesota police.
” Rodney did some shit that America was proud of , but more importantly , he was a slave owner .
So fuck that guy .
“ Joe Biden said nothing as to his home state ’ s history and the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said .
“ Today America will give this founding father , this very brave man who was so horribly treated , the place of honor he deserves.
” I would like to point out here that Trump said nothing when an actual human , a citizen of America , journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed and dismembered , further proving my point that white supremacists care more about statues and buildings than they do about actual lives .
The president also found time to denounce “ critical race theory , ” which stresses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important considering that ’ s how America decides who succeeds and who doesn ’ t .
“ The only path to national unity is through our shared identity as Americans , ” Trump said .
“ Critical race theory , the 1619 Project and the crusade against American history is toxic propaganda — ideological poison that if not removed will dissolve the civic bonds that tie us together , ” he said , the Post notes .
“ We embrace the vision of Martin Luther King where children are not judged by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content of their character .
The left is attempting to destroy that beautiful vision and divide Americans by race in the service of political power .
By viewing every issue through the lens of race , they want to impose a new segregation .
And we must not allow that to happen , ” Trump said .
“ A perfect example of critical race theory was recently published by the Smithsonian Institution .
This document alleges that concepts such as hard work , rational thinking and the nuclear family and belief in God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but were instead aspects of whiteness .
This is offensive and outrageous to Americans of every ethnicity , and it ’ s especially harmful to children of minority backgrounds who should be uplifted not disparaged .
Teaching this horrible doctrine to our children is a form of child abuse in the truest sense .
”

On Thursday, the president of people who like to take their dogs to Home Depot announced the “Stephen Miller totally wrote this bullshit” declaration called the “1776 Commission” to promote “patriotic education,” which is basically white studies.
Oh, and in declaring white studies a thing, he also took shots that the The 1619 Project and the New York Times for exposing America’s true legacy as a nation built on slavery and oppression.
Advertisement
“I will soon sign an executive order establishing a national commission to promote patriotic education. It will be called the ‘1776 Commission’,” Trump said in a 17-minute speech at the National Archives, the New York Post reports.
The commission “will encourage our educators to teach your children about the miracle of American history and make plans to honor the 250th anniversary of our founding” in 2026, Trump said.
“[A]s we gather this afternoon, a radical movement is attempting to demolish this treasured and precious inheritance. We can’t let that happen. Left-wing mobs have torn down statues of our founders, desecrated our memorials, and carried out a campaign of violence and anarchy,”Trump said. “Far-left demonstrators have chanted the words “America was never great.” The left has launched a vicious and violent assault on law enforcement — the universal symbol of the rule of law in America. These radicals have been aided and abetted by liberal politicians, establishment media, and even large corporations. “Whether it is the mob on the street, or the cancel culture in the boardroom, the goal is the same: to silence dissent, to scare you out of speaking the truth, and to bully Americans into abandoning their values, their heritage, and their very way of life. “We are here today to declare that we will never submit to tyranny. We will reclaim our history and our country for citizens of every race, color, religion, and creed,” the president said. “The left has warped, distorted and defiled the American story with deceptions, falsehoods and lies. There’s no better example than the New York Times’ totally discredited 1619 Project.”
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Trump then took time to bash The 1619 Project—the series that really seems to annoy white supremacists and white nationalists—claiming it “rewrites American history to teach our children that we were founded on the principle of oppression, not freedom. Nothing could be further from the truth. America’s founding set in motion the unstoppable chain of events that abolished slavery, secured civil rights, defeated communism and fascism and built the most fair, equal and prosperous nation in human history.”
Trump then claimed that parts of the project “bear a striking resemblance to the anti-American propaganda of our adversaries.
Advertisement
“Students in our universities are inundated with critical race theory. This is a Marxist doctrine holding that America is a wicked and racist nation, that even young children are complicit in oppression, and that our entire society must be radically transformed,” Trump said.
“Critical race theory is being forced into our children’s schools, it’s being imposed into workplace trainings, and it’s being deployed to rip apart friends, neighbors and families. A perfect example of critical race theory was recently published by the Smithsonian Institution. This document alleged that concepts such as hard work, rational thinking, the nuclear family, and belief in God were not values that unite all Americans, but were instead aspects of ‘whiteness.’ This is offensive and outrageous to Americans of every ethnicity, and it is especially harmful to children of minority backgrounds who should be uplifted, not disparaged.”
Advertisement
Is now the time we talk about white America’s problem with the truth or nah? OK, fine. I will save it for another time, but just remember it’s a thing. A big thing.
Trump had a microphone and an audience and you know what that means? It means he had to bash former Vice President Joe Biden and celebrate white supremacy at the same damn time. After announcing that White History Month Every Day was in full effect, Trump noted that he’d be erecting a statue to Delaware Founding Father Caesar Rodney in a forthcoming National Garden of American Heroes, which presumably will be full of white men.
Advertisement
The Post notes that Rodney’s statue was removed in June from “Biden’s hometown of Wilmington, Del., amid national anti-police brutality and anti-racism protests linked to the May killing of George Floyd by Minnesota police.”
Rodney did some shit that America was proud of, but more importantly, he was a slave owner. So fuck that guy.
Advertisement
“Joe Biden said nothing as to his home state’s history and the fact that it was dismantled and dismembered,” Trump said. “Today America will give this founding father, this very brave man who was so horribly treated, the place of honor he deserves.”
I would like to point out here that Trump said nothing when an actual human, a citizen of America, journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed and dismembered, further proving my point that white supremacists care more about statues and buildings than they do about actual lives.
Advertisement
The president also found time to denounce “critical race theory,” which stresses the importance of race, which is important considering that’s how America decides who succeeds and who doesn’t.
“The only path to national unity is through our shared identity as Americans,” Trump said.
Advertisement
“Critical race theory, the 1619 Project and the crusade against American history is toxic propaganda — ideological poison that if not removed will dissolve the civic bonds that tie us together,” he said, the Post notes.
“We embrace the vision of Martin Luther King where children are not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. The left is attempting to destroy that beautiful vision and divide Americans by race in the service of political power. By viewing every issue through the lens of race, they want to impose a new segregation. And we must not allow that to happen,” Trump said.
Advertisement
“A perfect example of critical race theory was recently published by the Smithsonian Institution. This document alleges that concepts such as hard work, rational thinking and the nuclear family and belief in God were not values that unite all Americans, but were instead aspects of whiteness. This is offensive and outrageous to Americans of every ethnicity, and it’s especially harmful to children of minority backgrounds who should be uplifted not disparaged. Teaching this horrible doctrine to our children is a form of child abuse in the truest sense.”


theroot--2020-09-18--Jerry Harris, Cheer’s Breakout Star, Accused of Producing Child Pornography, Soliciting Sex from Min

Jerry Harris, Cheer’s Breakout Star, Accused of Producing Child Pornography, Soliciting Sex from Minors

The U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Chicago confirmed on Thursday that Jeremiah “ Jerry ” Harris , the breakout star from Netflix ’ s popular reality series , Cheer , was taken into custody on charges of production of child pornography .
According to CNN , which cited the criminal complaint , the 21-year-old Harris is accused of “ enticing an underage boy to produce sexually explicit videos and photos of himself.
” The charges come just days after an attorney filed a child sexual exploitation and abuse lawsuit in Texas on behalf of two victims .
As USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solicited sex , sent sexually explicit messages and asked for nude pictures from two 14-year-old twins .
Harris was 19 at the time , the victims 13 .
The children met him while competing in national cheerleading competitions and were “ star-struck ” by Harris , a known and respected cheer personality and coach , according to the complaint .
A report from BuzzFeed news includes screenshots from text conversations between Harris and the two boys , which were included in the suit .
In one exchange , Harris allegedly asks the boy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responds that he is 13 , asks for pictures , specifying he wants shots of the boy ’ s “ booty ” and face .
It ’ s unclear if the criminal complaint involves another alleged victim .
According to US Weekly , Varsity Brands , the largest company in the U.S. providing competitive cheerleading and dance team products and services , reported Harris to police last year , accusing him of asking a boy to have sex with him at two Varsity competitions : The brand ’ s chief legal officer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Florida and Texas to convey that the company had “ barred this person from having any affiliation with Varsity Brands or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates , now and in the future.
” Speaking to the lawsuit filed earlier this week , a legal representative for Harris told multiple outlets , “ we categorically dispute the claims made against Jerry Harris , which are alleged to have occurred when he was a teenager .
We are confident that when the investigation is completed the true facts will be revealed.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netflix spokesperson said they , “ like everyone , ” are “ shocked ” by the allegations against Harris , who was one of the most popular personalities from the Cheer series .
Since the show ’ s debut , Harris has spoken about being a role model for LGBTQ youth , and was even tapped to be an Academy Awards red carpet correspondent for the Ellen DeGeneres Show .
“ Any abuse of minors is a terrible crime and we respect the legal process , ” the spokesperson said .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government said Harris should remain in custody because he is a danger to the community , reports CNN .
Harris ’ attorney said they will push back and seek his release , arguing that Harris is asthmatic and therefore at risk for developing COVID-19 .

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago confirmed on Thursday that Jeremiah “Jerry” Harris, the breakout star from Netflix’s popular reality series, Cheer, was taken into custody on charges of production of child pornography.
According to CNN, which cited the criminal complaint, the 21-year-old Harris is accused of “enticing an underage boy to produce sexually explicit videos and photos of himself.” The charges come just days after an attorney filed a child sexual exploitation and abuse lawsuit in Texas on behalf of two victims.
As USA Today reported, the lawsuit claims Harris solicited sex, sent sexually explicit messages and asked for nude pictures from two 14-year-old twins. Harris was 19 at the time, the victims 13. The children met him while competing in national cheerleading competitions and were “star-struck” by Harris, a known and respected cheer personality and coach, according to the complaint. A report from BuzzFeed news includes screenshots from text conversations between Harris and the two boys, which were included in the suit. In one exchange, Harris allegedly asks the boy’s age. Once the boy responds that he is 13, asks for pictures, specifying he wants shots of the boy’s “booty” and face.
It’s unclear if the criminal complaint involves another alleged victim. According to US Weekly, Varsity Brands, the largest company in the U.S. providing competitive cheerleading and dance team products and services, reported Harris to police last year, accusing him of asking a boy to have sex with him at two Varsity competitions:
The brand’s chief legal officer, Burton Brillhart, wrote letters to authorities in Florida and Texas to convey that the company had “barred this person from having any affiliation with Varsity Brands or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, now and in the future.”
Speaking to the lawsuit filed earlier this week, a legal representative for Harris told multiple outlets, “we categorically dispute the claims made against Jerry Harris, which are alleged to have occurred when he was a teenager. We are confident that when the investigation is completed the true facts will be revealed.”
In a statement shared with CNN, a Netflix spokesperson said they, “like everyone,” are “shocked” by the allegations against Harris, who was one of the most popular personalities from the Cheer series. Since the show’s debut, Harris has spoken about being a role model for LGBTQ youth, and was even tapped to be an Academy Awards red carpet correspondent for the Ellen DeGeneres Show.
“Any abuse of minors is a terrible crime and we respect the legal process,” the spokesperson said.
In a federal court in Chicago on Thursday, the government said Harris should remain in custody because he is a danger to the community, reports CNN. Harris’ attorney said they will push back and seek his release, arguing that Harris is asthmatic and therefore at risk for developing COVID-19.


theroot--2020-09-18--The Root Jams Weekly (9/18/2020): 'Lost Ones'

Sometimes you don ’ t know what you have until it ’ s gone .
Sometimes you have to remind @ @ @ @ @ just zigged instead of zagging , everything would have been alright .
You ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ as they say , I suppose .
So in honor or the Los Angeles Clippers @ @ @ @ @ have been a title run—with a special nod to Doc Rivers presiding over THREE epic @ @ @ @ @ playlist is for for the “ lost ” ones .
The Lox “ We Are @ @ @ @ @ “ We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together ”

Panama Jackson on Very Smart Brothas, shared by Panama Jackson to The Root

Sometimes you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. Sometimes you have to remind people that if they had just zigged instead of zagging, everything would have been alright. You’ve got to live and learn as they say, I suppose. So in honor or the Los Angeles Clippers epic collapse on what should have been a title run—with a special nod to Doc Rivers presiding over THREE epic 3-1 collapses—this week’s playlist is for for the “lost” ones.
Maiysha Kai
Lauryn Hill “Lost Ones”
Janet Jackson “Got ’Til It’s Gone”
Jimmy Cliff “The Harder They Come”
Jay Connor
The Lox “We Are the Streets”
Kurupt “Calling Out Names”
Nas “Destroy & Rebuild”
Drake “Back to Back”
DJ Quik “Dollaz + Sense”
Jessica Moulite
Beyoncé “Best Thing I Never Had”
Beyoncé “Sorry”
Toni Braxton “He Wasn’t Man Enough”
Justin Timberlake “Cry Me a River”
Destiny’s Child “So Good”
Echosmith “Goodbye”
Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know”
Chiddy Bang, Icona Pop “Mind Your Manners”
Aya Nakamura “Djadja”
Danielle Belton
Mariah Carey “Someday”
Michael Harriot
Lupe Fiasco “The Show Goes On”
Big K.R.I.T. “Pick Yourself Up”
Action Bronson “Baby Blue”
Amy Winehouse “Love Is A Losing Game”
Benny the Butcher “Crowns For Kings”
Lil Wayne “Tie My Hands”
Anne Branigin
Kanye West “Spaceships”
Cam’ron “I Hate My Job”
The Lox “Fuck You”
Panama Jackson
Jay-Z “Lost Ones”
Donnell Jones “Where I Wanna Be”
Prince “Purple Rain”
Taylor Swift “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
Smokey Robinson “Tears of a Clown”
Usher “Burn”
Boyz II Men “End of the Road”


theroot--2020-09-18--Tyron Woodley Has the Perfect Response for Every Question at UFC Press Conference: 'Black Lives Matt

Tyron Woodley Has the Perfect Response for Every Question at UFC Press Conference: 'Black Lives Matter'

If you find yourself entertained by elite athletes getting punched in the face , or suffering the brutal agony of a rear-naked choke , then you might want to tune in to UFC Vegas 11 on Saturday .
More specifically , you might want to tune in to the slugfest between Colby Covington and Tyron Woodley , in what ’ s being called one of the biggest non-title fights in the history of the company .
The welterweight standouts have a looooooong history of vitriol outside of the ring , and now the opportunity has finally presented itself for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shit out of each other .
For those curious about what some of that dissension is rooted in , Covington is an ardent supporter of a domestic terrorist named Donald Trump .
He also does things like publicly admonish NBA players for orchestrating a historic boycott in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake ; fraternize with people like Raggedy Ann herself , Candace Owens ; calls Brazilians “ filthy animals , ” then when offered the opportunity to apologize , doubles down instead ; and routinely antagonizes other fighters , whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not .
Woodley , on the other hand , is active in his Ferguson , Mo.
, community—especially in the immediate aftermath of Mike Brown ’ s shooting—and would like nothing more than to prove that Black Lives Matter by shoving his knees , elbows , fists , shoulders and any other body part of his that could be registered as a lethal weapon , into Covington ’ s nose .
So during his press conference on Thursday , donning a bright red “ Make Racists Catch The Fade Again ” hat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one thing explicitly clear : that Black Lives Matter .
And in response to every question he was asked by the press , he kept that same energy and provided a variation of the exact same answer : that Black Lives Matter .
Press : “ Are you disappointed that you don ’ t get the chance to face [ Covington ] down ?
To , you know , deal with him ?
Or are you happy that you don ’ t have to put up with his stuff today ?
” No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stayed true to his t-shirt .
“ I feel like a victory here just really shows how much Black lives matter.
” I ’ m here for it .
When it was Covington ’ s turn to get on the mic , he responded exactly how everyone expected him to .
“ He ’ s trying to copy what I do , ” he sneered from beneath his MAGA hat .
“ He ’ s the only one that ’ s racist .
And the only race that ’ s in this fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the UFC.
” Imagine getting paid six figures to beat the dog shit out of a racist Trump supporter .
Woodley lives a charmed life .
UFC Vegas 11 goes down on Saturday .

If you find yourself entertained by elite athletes getting punched in the face, or suffering the brutal agony of a rear-naked choke, then you might want to tune in to UFC Vegas 11 on Saturday.
More specifically, you might want to tune in to the slugfest between Colby Covington and Tyron Woodley, in what’s being called one of the biggest non-title fights in the history of the company. The welterweight standouts have a looooooong history of vitriol outside of the ring, and now the opportunity has finally presented itself for them to settle their differences by beating the shit out of each other.
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Look at God.
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For those curious about what some of that dissension is rooted in, Covington is an ardent supporter of a domestic terrorist named Donald Trump. He also does things like publicly admonish NBA players for orchestrating a historic boycott in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake; fraternize with people like Raggedy Ann herself, Candace Owens; calls Brazilians “filthy animals,” then when offered the opportunity to apologize, doubles down instead; and routinely antagonizes other fighters, whether they’re teammates of his or not.
Simply put: he’s a piece of shit.
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Woodley, on the other hand, is active in his Ferguson, Mo., community—especially in the immediate aftermath of Mike Brown’s shooting—and would like nothing more than to prove that Black Lives Matter by shoving his knees, elbows, fists, shoulders and any other body part of his that could be registered as a lethal weapon, into Covington’s nose.
So during his press conference on Thursday, donning a bright red “Make Racists Catch The Fade Again” hat, Woodley made it a point to make one thing explicitly clear: that Black Lives Matter. And in response to every question he was asked by the press, he kept that same energy and provided a variation of the exact same answer: that Black Lives Matter.
Press: “Are you disappointed that you don’t get the chance to face [Covington] down? To, you know, deal with him? Or are you happy that you don’t have to put up with his stuff today?”
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Woodley: “I’m just excited that Black lives matter.”
No matter what the press asked, he stayed true to his t-shirt.
“I feel like a victory here just really shows how much Black lives matter.”
“No, I wasn’t surprised. Especially since Black lives matter.”
“I just hope they realize Black lives matter.”
I’m here for it.
When it was Covington’s turn to get on the mic, he responded exactly how everyone expected him to.
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“He’s trying to copy what I do,” he sneered from beneath his MAGA hat. “He’s the only one that’s racist. And the only race that’s in this fight, is the race to get him out of the UFC.”
Imagine getting paid six figures to beat the dog shit out of a racist Trump supporter. Woodley lives a charmed life.
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UFC Vegas 11 goes down on Saturday.


theroot--2020-09-19--Nashville School Seeks Rule Change After Muslim Student-Athlete Was Disqualified From Volleyball Mat

Nashville School Seeks Rule Change After Muslim Student-Athlete Was Disqualified From Volleyball Match Over Hijab

Officials at Valor College Prep , a Nashville , Tenn. , charter school , are calling on the National Federation of State High School Associations and the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association to ditch a uniform rule requiring permission to be granted for Muslim athletes to wear a hijab while participating in volleyball matches .
The call comes after a student-athlete was prohibited from participating in a match while wearing hers .
The Tennessean reports that freshman Najah Aqeel was disqualified from playing Tuesday by a referee who cited an NFHS rule that the athlete needed authorization from the TSSAA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hurt , disappointed , angry and shocked just because I ’ ve never heard that rule before and I was like : ‘ that ’ s really weird for me to have to send a letter in for me to wear my scarf , ’ ” Najah told the Tennessean .
“ It made me see the world in a different light , and it just makes me believe in my religion a whole lot more now .
And I just don ’ t want anyone else to have to go through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the rule changed.
” Cameron Hill , the school ’ s athletic director , released a statement on the school ’ s athletics Instagram account calling the rule “ antiquated ” and “ oppressive.
” “ While we were able to get approval from the TSSAA and we now have the letter that will allow players to wear hijabs in the future , we feel this rule is discriminatory and is inequitable , ” Hill wrote .
“ We stand in solidarity with all of our scholars and families and their freedoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she continued .
“ The athletic department has now enacted a policy that states that our sports teams will stand together in solidarity by committing to not proceed with a game if any individual player is prevented from playing for any discriminatory reasons , and to take any measure necessary to make it known that Valor opposes this unconscionable rule and will advocate it be changed.
” American Muslim Advisory Council executive director Sabina Mohyuddin also released the following statement : “ Why should Muslim girls , who want to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra barrier to fully participate in sports in Tennessee ?
This rule was used to humiliate a 14-year-old student in front of her peers .
It was traumatizing to say the least .
We have Muslim girls across the state playing sports .
Religious barriers to playing sports should not exist in this day and age .
This rule is akin to telling Muslim girls that they need permission to be a Muslim.
” TSSAA assistant director Matthew Gillespie told the Tennessean via email that the rule book “ does not specifically say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article on their head for religious reasons .
However , these items fall under the restrictions of the rule .
“ TSSAA has always granted exceptions to any student that wishes to participate with head wear , or other articles of clothing , due to religious reasons .
The rule book states that an exception may be granted if requested by the administration of the school to the state association.
” So basically , they are requiring that a Muslim atlete ask permission to be Muslim on the court .
It seems frustratingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this conflict would be to implement a permanent rule allowing hijabs .
So far there has been no response regarding wheter or not the uniform rule will be altered to allow for religious freedom .

Officials at Valor College Prep, a Nashville, Tenn., charter school, are calling on the National Federation of State High School Associations and the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association to ditch a uniform rule requiring permission to be granted for Muslim athletes to wear a hijab while participating in volleyball matches. The call comes after a student-athlete was prohibited from participating in a match while wearing hers.
The Tennessean reports that freshman Najah Aqeel was disqualified from playing Tuesday by a referee who cited an NFHS rule that the athlete needed authorization from the TSSAA to wear her hijab.
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“I was hurt, disappointed, angry and shocked just because I’ve never heard that rule before and I was like: ‘that’s really weird for me to have to send a letter in for me to wear my scarf,’” Najah told the Tennessean. “It made me see the world in a different light, and it just makes me believe in my religion a whole lot more now. And I just don’t want anyone else to have to go through it, so I just want to get the rule changed.”
Cameron Hill, the school’s athletic director, released a statement on the school’s athletics Instagram account calling the rule “antiquated” and “oppressive.”
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“While we were able to get approval from the TSSAA and we now have the letter that will allow players to wear hijabs in the future, we feel this rule is discriminatory and is inequitable,” Hill wrote.
“We stand in solidarity with all of our scholars and families and their freedoms to express their religion freely and openly,” she continued. “The athletic department has now enacted a policy that states that our sports teams will stand together in solidarity by committing to not proceed with a game if any individual player is prevented from playing for any discriminatory reasons, and to take any measure necessary to make it known that Valor opposes this unconscionable rule and will advocate it be changed.”
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American Muslim Advisory Council executive director Sabina Mohyuddin also released the following statement:
“Why should Muslim girls, who want to follow their constitutionally protected right, have an extra barrier to fully participate in sports in Tennessee? This rule was used to humiliate a 14-year-old student in front of her peers. It was traumatizing to say the least. We have Muslim girls across the state playing sports. Religious barriers to playing sports should not exist in this day and age. This rule is akin to telling Muslim girls that they need permission to be a Muslim.”
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TSSAA assistant director Matthew Gillespie told the Tennessean via email that the rule book “does not specifically say that any student cannot wear an article on their head for religious reasons. However, these items fall under the restrictions of the rule.
“TSSAA has always granted exceptions to any student that wishes to participate with head wear, or other articles of clothing, due to religious reasons. The rule book states that an exception may be granted if requested by the administration of the school to the state association.”
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So basically, they are requiring that a Muslim atlete ask permission to be Muslim on the court. It seems frustratingly obvious that the simplest way to resolve this conflict would be to implement a permanent rule allowing hijabs.
So far there has been no response regarding wheter or not the uniform rule will be altered to allow for religious freedom.


theroot--2020-09-19--Mitch McConnell Is an Entire Hypocrite for Declaring That Trump's Nominee For RBG's SCOTUS Seat Will

Mitch McConnell Is an Entire Hypocrite for Declaring That Trump's Nominee For RBG's SCOTUS Seat Will Get a Vote on the Senate Floor

Mitch McConnell really be out here thinking that because he has a droopy old emotionless Yertle the Turtle face we can ’ t all look him in the eye and see how perpetually full of shit he is .
As the nation and the world continues to mourn the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—a thing that was just announced late Friday—Senate Majority Leader McConnell wasted no time declaring that whoever y ’ all ’ s president nominates to fill her seat will get a vote on the Senate floor .
“ President Trump ’ s nominee will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States Senate , ” Morals-in-a-Ditch McConnell said Friday , CNN reports .
Senate Majority Whip John Thune ( R ) backed Trump ’ s-lil ’ -Bitch McConnell saying , “ I believe Americans sent a Republican president and a Republican Senate to Washington to ensure we have an impartial judiciary that upholds the Constitution and the rule of law .
We will fulfill our obligation to them .
As Leader McConnell has said , President Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is enough time to confirm a nominee before November 3 , given that Supreme Court nominees typically take two to three months to process , according to a review of recent confirmation proceedings .
But that process could be sped up if McConnell , who controls the majority of the chamber , has the votes to confirm a replacement , and there is enough time to confirm someone in a lame-duck session of Congress after the November elections .
That calculation is further complicated if Republicans lose control of the Senate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and whether enough GOP senators would break ranks and oppose any nominee by a President who had just lost his election and a GOP Senate that just lost its majority .
Senate Republicans , who hold the majority in the upper chamber , only need 51 votes to confirm a new justice once one is formally nominated .
Currently , there are 53 GOP senators — meaning they can only lose three Republicans .
In the event of a 50-50 split , Vice President Mike Pence could cast a tie-breaking vote .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk about what an absolute fucking hypocrite he ’ s being as Lilo-less-Stitch McConnell looks for a destructive loophole around Democracy .
In 2016 , Yertle and the GOP-led Senate refused to hold a hearing or vote on President Barack Obama ’ s nominee to replace conservative Justice Antonin Scalia who died in February of that year .
Infected-Ass-Itch McConnell ’ s reason for refusing the hearing ?
It was too close to the election .
“ The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Therefore , this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.
” I don ’ t know if y ’ all are doing the math at home , but February is a whole ass 9 months from November .
Yet , Former-Schoolyard-Snitch McConnell ( because we all know he had to basically be Randall from Recess when he was a child ) has no problem voting on Trump ’ s pick to replace Ginsburg less than two months out from the 2020 presidential race .
Now , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ass-crack as a face covering to protect him from COVID , he would probably argue that the difference is Obama wasn ’ t the incumbent president at the time .
But that still assumes Trump is going to win on November 3 .
If Chin-less-White-and-Rich McConnell had an ounce of integrity , he would have the same energy he had in 2016 and wait until we know who the president will be in 2021 before moving forward with a vote to replace Ginsburg .

Mitch McConnell really be out here thinking that because he has a droopy old emotionless Yertle the Turtle face we can’t all look him in the eye and see how perpetually full of shit he is.
As the nation and the world continues to mourn the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—a thing that was just announced late Friday—Senate Majority Leader McConnell wasted no time declaring that whoever y’all’s president nominates to fill her seat will get a vote on the Senate floor.
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“President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate,” Morals-in-a-Ditch McConnell said Friday, CNN reports.
Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R) backed Trump’s-lil’-Bitch McConnell saying, “I believe Americans sent a Republican president and a Republican Senate to Washington to ensure we have an impartial judiciary that upholds the Constitution and the rule of law. We will fulfill our obligation to them. As Leader McConnell has said, President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate.”
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From CNN:
GOP aides are skeptical that there is enough time to confirm a nominee before November 3, given that Supreme Court nominees typically take two to three months to process, according to a review of recent confirmation proceedings. But that process could be sped up if McConnell, who controls the majority of the chamber, has the votes to confirm a replacement, and there is enough time to confirm someone in a lame-duck session of Congress after the November elections. That calculation is further complicated if Republicans lose control of the Senate and the White House after the election — and whether enough GOP senators would break ranks and oppose any nominee by a President who had just lost his election and a GOP Senate that just lost its majority. Senate Republicans, who hold the majority in the upper chamber, only need 51 votes to confirm a new justice once one is formally nominated. Currently, there are 53 GOP senators — meaning they can only lose three Republicans. In the event of a 50-50 split, Vice President Mike Pence could cast a tie-breaking vote.
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Now we come to the part where I talk about what an absolute fucking hypocrite he’s being as Lilo-less-Stitch McConnell looks for a destructive loophole around Democracy.
In 2016, Yertle and the GOP-led Senate refused to hold a hearing or vote on President Barack Obama’s nominee to replace conservative Justice Antonin Scalia who died in February of that year. Infected-Ass-Itch McConnell’s reason for refusing the hearing? It was too close to the election.
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“The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice,” he said at the time. “Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.”
I don’t know if y’all are doing the math at home, but February is a whole ass 9 months from November. Yet, Former-Schoolyard-Snitch McConnell (because we all know he had to basically be Randall from Recess when he was a child) has no problem voting on Trump’s pick to replace Ginsburg less than two months out from the 2020 presidential race.
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Now, because Mitchy uses Trump’s ginormous orange ass-crack as a face covering to protect him from COVID, he would probably argue that the difference is Obama wasn’t the incumbent president at the time. But that still assumes Trump is going to win on November 3. If Chin-less-White-and-Rich McConnell had an ounce of integrity, he would have the same energy he had in 2016 and wait until we know who the president will be in 2021 before moving forward with a vote to replace Ginsburg.


theroot--2020-09-19--4 Louisiana Police Officers Charged in the Death of 44-Year-Old Black Man Who Suffered From Mental H

4 Louisiana Police Officers Charged in the Death of 44-Year-Old Black Man Who Suffered From Mental Health Issues

On April 5 , 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen died while in police custody in Shreveport , La .
In June , The Root reported that McGlothen ’ s family was originally told by police that he died of a heart attack , but cell phone video footage released that month showed something different .
Now , four Shreveport police officers are charged with negligent homicide and malfeasance in connection with his death .
Here ’ s what we reported in June : The police were responding after McGlothen allegedly got into a fight with someone in the neighborhood .
In April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family that he suffered a heart attack , but when the family went to view his body , they discovered he had a broken nose , broken jaw and the entire right side of his face was swollen .
Understandably , the family wants answers as to why Shreveport police didn ’ t publicly acknowledge McGlothen ’ s death and why they misled the family about the circumstances surrounding it .
“ I just wanted to know what happened , ” Tommy McGlothen III , McGlothen ’ s son , told KSLA .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Department to send an investigative report to District Attorney James Stewart .
Even then , Stewart said the file was “ missing reports , statements , downloads and other vital information essential to conduct a thorough and complete review.
” The video footage aired exclusively on KSLA 12 showed a white male officer hit McGlthen in the back as a Black female officer tried to hold him down .
The video that KSLA Investigates recorded with a small camera off a cellphone gets shaky next showing the female officer rolling over and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kicks McGlothen .
At this point it ’ s difficult to see on the wobbly video but when officers try rolling the 44-year-old man over to handcuff him , McGlothen appears to stiffen up .
That ’ s when the male cop , now standing over McGlothen , punches him four times .
McGlothen is then heard screaming out as witnesses say police began tasing him behind a parked car .
Stacey spoke with four people witnessing the incident , each seeing McGlothen walking up and down the street minutes earlier saying he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not acting mentally right.
” The witnesses say cops got called after McGlothen got into a fight and beat up by another man living on Eileen Lane .
According to the Associated Press , the four officers charged in McGlothen ’ s death are Treona McCarter , Brian Ross , D ’ Marea Johnson and James LeClare .
Prosecutors with the Caddo Parish District Attorney ’ s Office announced Friday that they were indicted by a grand jury following an investigation .
The D.A .
also said in a statement that McGlothen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ had three encounters with police within a short time span on the day he died , ” AP reports .
The statement said there was evidence that police used excessive force and that they failed to call for medical help .
According to The Shreveport Times , McGlothen ’ s family and their attorney James Carter held a press conference Friday thanking the Caddo Parish Grand Jury for indicting the four officers .
“ We are very , very grateful today to have you all come out to hear our response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Carter said .
“ We want to thank District Attorney James Stewart as well as his staff for committing to the impartial administration of justice in this matter.
” “ We are very grateful and thankful to them for committing to impartial administration of justice in the indictment of the four officers involved in the untimely death of Tommie McGlothen Jr. , ” he continued .
“ I am so thankful to the citizens of this city as well as the McGlothen family .
We see this as one small , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice relative to Mr. Tommie McGlothen Jr. ” Carter said he will also put together a petition for damages against the City of Shreveport and the Shreveport Police Department on behalf of McGlothen ’ s family .

On April 5, 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen died while in police custody in Shreveport, La . In June, The Root reported that McGlothen’s family was originally told by police that he died of a heart attack, but cell phone video footage released that month showed something different. Now, four Shreveport police officers are charged with negligent homicide and malfeasance in connection with his death.
Here’s what we reported in June:
The police were responding after McGlothen allegedly got into a fight with someone in the neighborhood. In April, Shreveport police told McGlothen’s family that he suffered a heart attack, but when the family went to view his body, they discovered he had a broken nose, broken jaw and the entire right side of his face was swollen. Understandably, the family wants answers as to why Shreveport police didn’t publicly acknowledge McGlothen’s death and why they misled the family about the circumstances surrounding it. “I just wanted to know what happened,” Tommy McGlothen III, McGlothen’s son, told KSLA. It took 54 days for the Shreveport Police Department to send an investigative report to District Attorney James Stewart. Even then, Stewart said the file was “missing reports, statements, downloads and other vital information essential to conduct a thorough and complete review.”
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The video footage aired exclusively on KSLA 12 showed a white male officer hit McGlthen in the back as a Black female officer tried to hold him down.
From KSLA:
The video that KSLA Investigates recorded with a small camera off a cellphone gets shaky next showing the female officer rolling over and getting up, when the male cop kicks McGlothen. At this point it’s difficult to see on the wobbly video but when officers try rolling the 44-year-old man over to handcuff him, McGlothen appears to stiffen up. That’s when the male cop, now standing over McGlothen, punches him four times. McGlothen is then heard screaming out as witnesses say police began tasing him behind a parked car. Stacey spoke with four people witnessing the incident, each seeing McGlothen walking up and down the street minutes earlier saying he looked “thrown off in his head and not acting mentally right.” The witnesses say cops got called after McGlothen got into a fight and beat up by another man living on Eileen Lane.
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According to the Associated Press, the four officers charged in McGlothen’s death are Treona McCarter, Brian Ross, D’Marea Johnson and James LeClare. Prosecutors with the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office announced Friday that they were indicted by a grand jury following an investigation. The D.A. also said in a statement that McGlothen had mental health issues and that he “had three encounters with police within a short time span on the day he died,” AP reports. The statement said there was evidence that police used excessive force and that they failed to call for medical help.
According to The Shreveport Times, McGlothen’s family and their attorney James Carter held a press conference Friday thanking the Caddo Parish Grand Jury for indicting the four officers.
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“We are very, very grateful today to have you all come out to hear our response to the indictment that came down today,” Carter said. “We want to thank District Attorney James Stewart as well as his staff for committing to the impartial administration of justice in this matter.”
“We are very grateful and thankful to them for committing to impartial administration of justice in the indictment of the four officers involved in the untimely death of Tommie McGlothen Jr.,” he continued. “I am so thankful to the citizens of this city as well as the McGlothen family. We see this as one small, but significant step in the ongoing pursuit of justice relative to Mr. Tommie McGlothen Jr.”
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Carter said he will also put together a petition for damages against the City of Shreveport and the Shreveport Police Department on behalf of McGlothen’s family.