occupydemocrats--2020-06-07--“Very unfair”: Trump launches Sunday afternoon tweet barrage of excuses, attacks, and fake news

Are we bad people because we love to see Donald Trump squirm over the slowly spreading realization that he has a gnat ’ s chance in hell of winning the election in November , provided that it ’ s a free and fair process ?
After frantically tweeting out endorsements left and right to GOP candidates around the nation this afternoon , the panicking president displayed his anxieties on Twitter for the world to see .
The progression of his tweets documents a very unstable non-genius quickly melting down publicly in a cry-baby tantrum louder than any two-year-old ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with retweets of earlier posts in a way that suggested that the president may think that if he allows too long go by without a post , the world around him just might collapse — started with a “ Law & Order ” -themed attack on his likely Democratic opponent Joe Biden .
Hmm , perhaps because Biden — unlike Trump — actually understood why all these people were out in the streets — because police keep killing black folks ?
They were not protesting to complain about looting and destruction of property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims — can be easily replaced .
After slamming his political enemy , Trump moved on to hitting one of his favorite media targets , The New York Times .
Leave it to Trump to distort the news completely .
James Bennet , the Opinion Editor at the newspaper of record , resigned not in support of the openly fascistic op-ed written by Senator Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) that called for the illegal and unconstitutional deployment of active-duty military units to quell civil disturbances around the nation , but out of shame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin with .
After the Times published Cotton ’ s op-ed blowback was so fierce — from both the newspaper ’ s readership and its own employees — that the paper was forced to issue a statement disclaiming it .
After an internal review into how the piece was handled prior to its publication , a spokesperson for the newspaper announced that “ This review made clear that a rushed editorial process led to the publication of an Op-Ed that did not meet our standards.
” Coming just hours after Bennet had defended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s anti-American values screed , the rebuke indicated that the Opinion Editor wasn ’ t resigning out of principle as Trump suggests , but because his decision to allow it in the pages of the newspaper whose motto is “ all the news that ’ s fit to print ” emphasized the “ all ” rather than the “ fit ” in his editorial process .
How nice it was of the president to purposefully poll all the residents of Arkansas so quickly so he could accurately determine how proud they were of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abandon democracy for fascism !
Or perhaps Trump ’ s take is a meta example of his own version of “ Fake News ?
” After a few stale retweets , including that old perennial “ LAW & ORDER !
” , Trump laid claim to an accomplishment that he had so little to do with .
As a wise man who actually did turn around an economy in collapse once said , “ you didn ’ t build that !
” Show us the proof , baby , because we see no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a willingness to sacrifice people ’ s lives and health for the sake of the economy and your improbable re-election .
Naturally , after making such an obviously unsubstantiated boast , Trump ’ s next move was to look for excuses and scapegoats for his pitiful poll numbers .
Don ’ t do the crime if you can ’ t handle the consequences , Donnie .
While Trump may view the constant investigations of his allegedly illegal behavior as harassment and unfair , the majority of Americans , the ones who did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia investigation — followed by the treasonously unsuccessful impeachment attempt made by outraged Democrats — as a quest for justice and fairness in a system skewed by a crooked president and his groveling enablers .
Attacks on his enemies , fake news , lies , and excuses : just another day in Donald trump ’ s social media feed .
The big question is : why hasn ’ t Twitter flagged his latest lies as such ?
If they are serious about policing Trump ’ s tweets , they can ’ t let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s one of the president ’ s most prolific social media days .
We ’ d all be better off if Twitter just banned him from the platform altogether , which , as a private , non-governmental company , is completely within their rights to do .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Are we bad people because we love to see Donald Trump squirm over the slowly spreading realization that he has a gnat’s chance in hell of winning the election in November, provided that it’s a free and fair process?
After frantically tweeting out endorsements left and right to GOP candidates around the nation this afternoon, the panicking president displayed his anxieties on Twitter for the world to see.
The progression of his tweets documents a very unstable non-genius quickly melting down publicly in a cry-baby tantrum louder than any two-year-old’s wail.
His new tweets — punctuated with retweets of earlier posts in a way that suggested that the president may think that if he allows too long go by without a post, the world around him just might collapse — started with a “Law & Order”-themed attack on his likely Democratic opponent Joe Biden.
“If Biden had any passion or respect for law enforcement, he kept it well hidden in his Philadelphia address. He criticized cops far more than he did arsonists & looters.” Michael Goodwin, @nypost — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
Hmm, perhaps because Biden — unlike Trump — actually understood why all these people were out in the streets — because police keep killing black folks? They were not protesting to complain about looting and destruction of property that — unlike the lives of police victims — can be easily replaced.
After slamming his political enemy, Trump moved on to hitting one of his favorite media targets, The New York Times.
Opinion Editor at @nytimes just walked out. That’s right, he quit over the excellent Op-Ed penned by our great Senator @TomCottonAR. TRANSPARENCY! The State of Arkansas is very proud of Tom. The New York Times is Fake News!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
Leave it to Trump to distort the news completely.
James Bennet, the Opinion Editor at the newspaper of record, resigned not in support of the openly fascistic op-ed written by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) that called for the illegal and unconstitutional deployment of active-duty military units to quell civil disturbances around the nation, but out of shame over allowing it to be published to begin with.
After the Times published Cotton’s op-ed blowback was so fierce — from both the newspaper’s readership and its own employees — that the paper was forced to issue a statement disclaiming it.
After an internal review into how the piece was handled prior to its publication, a spokesperson for the newspaper announced that “This review made clear that a rushed editorial process led to the publication of an Op-Ed that did not meet our standards.”
Coming just hours after Bennet had defended his decision to publish Senator Cotton’s anti-American values screed, the rebuke indicated that the Opinion Editor wasn’t resigning out of principle as Trump suggests, but because his decision to allow it in the pages of the newspaper whose motto is “all the news that’s fit to print” emphasized the “all” rather than the “fit” in his editorial process.
How nice it was of the president to purposefully poll all the residents of Arkansas so quickly so he could accurately determine how proud they were of their Senator who is so eager to abandon democracy for fascism!
Or perhaps Trump’s take is a meta example of his own version of “Fake News?”
After a few stale retweets, including that old perennial “LAW & ORDER!”, Trump laid claim to an accomplishment that he had so little to do with.
I built the greatest economy in the World, the best the U.S. has ever had. I am doing it again! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
As a wise man who actually did turn around an economy in collapse once said, “you didn’t build that!”
Show us the proof, baby, because we see no evidence at all of your claims, just a willingness to sacrifice people’s lives and health for the sake of the economy and your improbable re-election.
Naturally, after making such an obviously unsubstantiated boast, Trump’s next move was to look for excuses and scapegoats for his pitiful poll numbers.
If I wasn’t constantly harassed for three years by fake and illegal investigations, Russia, Russia, Russia, and the Impeachment Hoax, I’d be up by 25 points on Sleepy Joe and the Do Nothing Democrats. Very unfair, but it is what it is!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
Don’t do the crime if you can’t handle the consequences, Donnie.
While Trump may view the constant investigations of his allegedly illegal behavior as harassment and unfair, the majority of Americans, the ones who did not vote for him, see the Russia investigation — followed by the treasonously unsuccessful impeachment attempt made by outraged Democrats — as a quest for justice and fairness in a system skewed by a crooked president and his groveling enablers.
Attacks on his enemies, fake news, lies, and excuses: just another day in Donald trump’s social media feed. The big question is: why hasn’t Twitter flagged his latest lies as such?
If they are serious about policing Trump’s tweets, they can’t let their team take off on Sundays. that’s one of the president’s most prolific social media days.
We’d all be better off if Twitter just banned him from the platform altogether, which, as a private, non-governmental company, is completely within their rights to do.
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Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-07--After The NY Times reports on Republican defections, Trump goes on candidate endorsement spree

We have the receipts now .
Donald Trump — in a seeming reaction to the front page reports of Republicans abandoning ship as the president ’ s re-election campaign circles the toilet drain in response to his disastrous handling of both the COVID-19 pandemic and civil protests against police brutality and racism — tweeted out a stream of endorsements for loyal Trump-loving GOP candidates throughout the country this afternoon .
The president didn ’ t need to look further than right behind him to pick the candidates he chose to endorse since most of them have regularly smooching his behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had must be seriously inflamed .
Of course , first on the president ’ s list of reliable sycophants was Senator Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) , who like every other candidate that Trump tweeted about has his “ Complete and Total Endorsement , ” capitalized to somehow make it seem like he was awarding something akin to the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
Naturally , a “ Complete and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the majority of Americans who disapprove of Trump ’ s job performance of late are more likely to read the president ’ s support as more of Bad Governance Seal of Condemnation than as any type of certification of qualifications for office .
Still , Trump dutifully rolled out one “ Complete and Total Endorsement ” after another for congressional and gubernatorial candidates from South Carolina , Georgia , and West Virginia to North Dakota , New Jersey , and Nevada .
Interestingly enough , most of the states where he endorsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently become competitive races as the president ’ s popularity plummets along with the American economy .
One familiar name on the endorsement list and the only candidate who garnered more than a single cookie-cutter tweet was Texas congressional candidate , and former White House physician , Ronnie Jackson .
Apparently , any doctor who testifies to Trump ’ s good health , great genes , and healthy weight gets the president ’ s enthusiastic “ Complete and Total Endorsement ™.
” After that tedious and repetitious endorsement posting , Trump was seemingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything original to say , since his next few tweets were all recycled retweets of his posts from hours earlier .
Don ’ t worry , though , you have our “ Complete and Total Assurance ” that he will be tweeting again very soon .
Either way , we now know how keep score in November to see exactly how much of an attraction — or more likely a repellant — a presidential truly is .
We have the receipts for the chits he ’ s cashing in .
We want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

We have the receipts now.
Donald Trump — in a seeming reaction to the front page reports of Republicans abandoning ship as the president’s re-election campaign circles the toilet drain in response to his disastrous handling of both the COVID-19 pandemic and civil protests against police brutality and racism — tweeted out a stream of endorsements for loyal Trump-loving GOP candidates throughout the country this afternoon.
The president didn’t need to look further than right behind him to pick the candidates he chose to endorse since most of them have regularly smooching his behind so vigorously that any hemorrhoids Trump may have had must be seriously inflamed.
Of course, first on the president’s list of reliable sycophants was Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who like every other candidate that Trump tweeted about has his “Complete and Total Endorsement,” capitalized to somehow make it seem like he was awarding something akin to the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.
Senator @LindseyGrahamSC is a good friend and strong voice for the people of South Carolina. He’s helped us confirm GREAT Judges, rebuild the Military, and keep our Country SAFE. Strong on Life and our Vets. Lindsey has my Complete and Total Endorsement! https://t.co/UzEJ5jjnNX — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Naturally, a “Complete and Total Endorsement” by Donald Trump means that the majority of Americans who disapprove of Trump’s job performance of late are more likely to read the president’s support as more of Bad Governance Seal of Condemnation than as any type of certification of qualifications for office.
Still, Trump dutifully rolled out one “Complete and Total Endorsement” after another for congressional and gubernatorial candidates from South Carolina, Georgia, and West Virginia to North Dakota, New Jersey, and Nevada. Interestingly enough, most of the states where he endorsed candidates are either swing states or have recently become competitive races as the president’s popularity plummets along with the American economy.
One familiar name on the endorsement list and the only candidate who garnered more than a single cookie-cutter tweet was Texas congressional candidate, and former White House physician, Ronnie Jackson.
…I know Ronny well. He will NEVER let you down. Solid as a rock. Ronny has my Complete and Total Endorsement! #TX13 #MAGA https://t.co/u4z8ZxbeNh — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
Apparently, any doctor who testifies to Trump’s good health, great genes, and healthy weight gets the president’s enthusiastic “Complete and Total Endorsement ™.”
After that tedious and repetitious endorsement posting, Trump was seemingly too tuckered out to come up with anything original to say, since his next few tweets were all recycled retweets of his posts from hours earlier.
Don’t worry, though, you have our “Complete and Total Assurance” that he will be tweeting again very soon.
Either way, we now know how keep score in November to see exactly how much of an attraction — or more likely a repellant — a presidential truly is. We have the receipts for the chits he’s cashing in.
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Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-07--Attorney General Barr denies reality in CBS interview: “Pepper spray is not a chemical irritant”

Imagine taking a bottle of the hottest hot sauce you can find — one made with ghost peppers or some other capsicum equally high on the Scoville scale of heat intensity — and splashing a healthy portion into your eyes .
Even just picturing that action in your mind may make you recoil in sympathetic pain at the very idea , but that imagined feeling is what many protestors confronted by militarized police and National Guard units around the country felt for real when they were doused with pepper spray in the primarily peaceful protests that have taken place over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ William Barr , however , would have us believe that “ pepper spray is not a chemical irritant ” as he told host Margaret Brennan on CBS ’ s Face the Nation this morning .
According to The Hill , “ Park Police issued a similar denial last week before later walking it back.
” Perhaps Barr considers pepper spray more of an all-natural , vegetable irritant , rather than a chemical one .
It would sound so much better to the suburban housewives — a constituency that the president has been losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that euphemistic moniker .
Since he was appearing on CBS , the attorney general took the time to attack that network on what he considers to be its “ completely false ” report that Donald Trump had earlier this week demanded that 10,000 active-duty troops be deployed to cities across America in violation of the law except in the direst of national emergencies .
“ The decision was made to have at the ready or on hand in the vicinity in the vicinity some regular troops , ” Barr told Brennan , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a last resort.
” “ I think our position was common , which was that they should only be deployed as a last resort .
And that we didn ’ t think we would need them .
I think everyone was on the same page , ” the attorney general said , including Defense Secretary Mark Esper and General Mark Milley , the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in his “ we.
” CBS ‘ s Brennan confirmed that the network stands by its reporting about Trump ’ s demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejection by Trump ’ s military advisors — after the segment with Barr was broadcast .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
Barr has disclaimed the widely circulated reports that he was the person who had ordered the clearing of peaceful protestors from the area around Lafayette park near the White House in order to enable Trump ’ s Bibe-brandishing photo op earlier this week , denying that he was “ involved in giving tactical commands like that.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happened , responding to a question about what he might have done differently in response to the protests by saying : Apparently , that ’ s the impression one gets when one ’ s view of the protests comes via Fox News coverage of the events at hand .
It ’ s also likely the source of Barr ’ s contention that America ’ s law enforcement agencies do not deserve the accusations of systemic racism that have been leveled against them .
“ I think there ’ s racism in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist .
I understand the- the distrust , however , of the African-American community given the history in this country .
I think we have to recognize that for most of our history , our institutions were explicitly racist .
Since the 1960s , I think we ’ ve been in a phase of reforming our institutions and making sure that they ’ re in sync with our laws and aren ’ t fighting a rearguard action to impose inequities.
” Yep , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been solved .
Now , move along before the police are forced to use a vegetable irritant against you .
You can watch excerpts from Attorney General William Barr ’ s appearance on CBS ’ s Face the Nation in the videos attached below .
You can read the full transcript here .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Imagine taking a bottle of the hottest hot sauce you can find — one made with ghost peppers or some other capsicum equally high on the Scoville scale of heat intensity — and splashing a healthy portion into your eyes.
Even just picturing that action in your mind may make you recoil in sympathetic pain at the very idea, but that imagined feeling is what many protestors confronted by militarized police and National Guard units around the country felt for real when they were doused with pepper spray in the primarily peaceful protests that have taken place over the past two weeks.
Attorney General William Barr, however, would have us believe that “pepper spray is not a chemical irritant” as he told host Margaret Brennan on CBS’s Face the Nation this morning.
According to The Hill, “Park Police issued a similar denial last week before later walking it back.”
Perhaps Barr considers pepper spray more of an all-natural, vegetable irritant, rather than a chemical one.
It would sound so much better to the suburban housewives — a constituency that the president has been losing the support of in droves — with that euphemistic moniker.
Since he was appearing on CBS, the attorney general took the time to attack that network on what he considers to be its “completely false” report that Donald Trump had earlier this week demanded that 10,000 active-duty troops be deployed to cities across America in violation of the law except in the direst of national emergencies.
“The decision was made to have at the ready or on hand in the vicinity in the vicinity some regular troops,” Barr told Brennan, but “everyone agreed use of regular troops is a last resort.” “I think our position was common, which was that they should only be deployed as a last resort. And that we didn’t think we would need them. I think everyone was on the same page,” the attorney general said, including Defense Secretary Mark Esper and General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in his “we.”
CBS‘s Brennan confirmed that the network stands by its reporting about Trump’s demand for the troop deployment — and its rejection by Trump’s military advisors — after the segment with Barr was broadcast.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Barr has disclaimed the widely circulated reports that he was the person who had ordered the clearing of peaceful protestors from the area around Lafayette park near the White House in order to enable Trump’s Bibe-brandishing photo op earlier this week, denying that he was “involved in giving tactical commands like that.”
Still, he seemed unrepentant about what happened, responding to a question about what he might have done differently in response to the protests by saying:
“I haven’t studied the events retrospectively in detail, but I think in general, you had the qualified law enforcement officials with shields warning and moving a line slowly. They had mounted officers moving slowly, directing people to move. And most people complied.”
Apparently, that’s the impression one gets when one’s view of the protests comes via Fox News coverage of the events at hand.
It’s also likely the source of Barr’s contention that America’s law enforcement agencies do not deserve the accusations of systemic racism that have been leveled against them.
“I think there’s racism in the United States still but I don’t think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist. I understand the- the distrust, however, of the African-American community given the history in this country. I think we have to recognize that for most of our history, our institutions were explicitly racist. Since the 1960s, I think we’ve been in a phase of reforming our institutions and making sure that they’re in sync with our laws and aren’t fighting a rearguard action to impose inequities.”
Yep, our Attorney General thinks the problems have all been solved.
Now, move along before the police are forced to use a vegetable irritant against you.
You can watch excerpts from Attorney General William Barr’s appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation in the videos attached below.
You can read the full transcript here.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The methods they used you think were appropriate, is that what you're saying? BARR: When they met resistance, yes. They announced three times. They didn't move.https://t.co/JALyBSw09X pic.twitter.com/qWPtq0pU3g — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) June 7, 2020
“I think there's racism in the United States,” AG Bill Barr tells @margbrennan. “But I don't think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist. https://t.co/dq311AV3bv pic.twitter.com/H2W54re4tt — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) June 7, 2020
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Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-07--Trump goes for Colin Powell’s jugular after former Bush Secretary of State endorses Joe Biden

In the alternative universe within which the consciousness of Donald Trump resides , the appropriate response to ever-growing and primarily peaceful protests filling streets nationwide is to compulsively post to social media — in all caps —phrases like “ LAW ENFORCEMENT ” and “ LAW & ORDER !
” The president picked up his waterfall of tweets this morning right where he left off yesterday , ranting about the protests , attacking his now-certain presidential rival Joe Biden , and slamming one of the increasing numbers of Republican defectors who have had the temerity to admit what a disaster his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media morning with a message that he could have found at the bottom of a desk drawer in the Oval Office where it had been sitting since Richard Nixon defiled the office .
One is tempted to cheekily reply : “ We don ’ t care what your favorite TV series is , but are you referring to the original LAW & ORDER or the SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT ?
” Trump seems unmoved by the idea that the largest and most sustained public demonstrations in American history may indicate that the vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are tired of racism and the police brutality that emerges from it .
If anyone wanted evidence that the president held any moral convictions beyond personal enrichment and his own re-election , they would not find it in this tweet .
Proof that Trump does perceive reality quite differently than ordinary mortals came in his next post where it became clear that the president sees crowds in inverse proportion to how the rest of the world sees them .
The first clue to this phenomenon was at his inauguration where Trump saw record-breaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political flacks saw empty bleachers and a sparse band of attendees .
Now , Trump announced that the record crowds that turned out in Washington DC to insist that Black lives indeed do matter somehow consisted of “ far fewer protestors ” than anticipated , and thus he was sending the National Guard back to their homes .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
For all the scorn and fury Trump has aimed at China , he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about saving face .
Despite his excuses , the removal of the National Guard from the nation ’ s capital was a welcome development after the police violence and chemical weapons use of the past week .
Trump escalated his attacks on Biden and “ Radical Left Democrats ” in his next tweet , which escalated his assertions from the idea that they would defund police to the accusations that slashing the military budget would also be on their agenda .
It is like the president was making a case for progressives to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reducing an American military budget that exceeds the combined expenditures of the next 10 nations combined — much of it going into the pockets of defense contractors in a form of corporate socialism — has been a long-cherished goal of the left who believe that America has more important priorities on which to spend its shrinking tax dollars .
Next , Trump set his sights on one of the defecting Republicans , former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell .
The idea of the flaccid Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to provoke some serious guffaws , but the irony of this president condemning Powell for using false information to advance a political agenda is lost on no one but Trump himself , apparently .
Trump returned to Powell again in a subsequent tweet that showed just how much the former Bush administration official ’ s endorsement of Biden had gotten under his skin .
Trump may think he ’ s posting a list of his achievements to bolster his campaign prospects , but , in actuality to many Americans , his list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a man-made disaster than any record of accomplishments to boast of .
Having gotten his morning grievances off of his chest , Trump went on to announce an emergency declaration for storm-battered Louisiana with a speed that he likely would not have bothered with in a Democrat-controlled state , or , indubitably , Puerto Rico .
That was it for the original social media posts from the president this morning .
After these , Trump lapsed back into furious retweeting of sycophantic Republicans praising him and parroting his words .
Serious observers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterparts in volcanic science , can predict when we can expect the next eruption of Trump tweets to occur .
The consensus is that it ’ s likely to recur within hours .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

President Trump is attacking an accomplished Black man for criticizing him publicly. Not exactly a surprise, is it? This time though, Trump’s notoriously thin skin, as reflected by his Twitter account, seems exceptionally fragile.
That’s because just a day after reports emerged that former President George W. Bush would not vote for Trump, one of today’s most respected Republicans, former Joint Chiefs Chairman and Secretary of State Colin Powell, has said explicitly that he will vote for former Vice President Joe Biden — and he didn’t stop there.
“We have a Constitution. We have to follow that Constitution. And the president’s drifted away from it,” Powell said on CNN’s State of the Union. “The one word I have to use with respect to what he’s been doing for the last several years is the word I would never have used before, never would have used with any of the four presidents I worked for: He lies. He lies about things, and he gets away with it because people will not hold him accountable.”
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Powell becomes the fourth former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to speak out against the president’s abuse of power, and Trump did NOT take it well.
Colin Powell, a real stiff who was very responsible for getting us into the disastrous Middle East Wars, just announced he will be voting for another stiff, Sleepy Joe Biden. Didn’t Powell say that Iraq had “weapons of mass destruction?” They didn’t, but off we went to WAR! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
The idea of the flaccid Trump calling anyone a real stiff is alone enough to provoke some serious guffaws, but the irony of this president condemning Powell for using false information to advance a political agenda is lost on no one but Trump himself, apparently.
Trump returned to Powell again in a subsequent tweet that showed just how much the former Bush administration official’s endorsement of Biden had gotten under his skin.
Somebody please tell highly overrated Colin Powell that I will have gotten almost 300 Federal Judges approved (a record), Two Great Supreme Court Justices, rebuilt our once depleted Military, Choice for Vets, Biggest Ever Tax & Regulation Cuts, Saved Healthcare & 2A, & much more! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
Trump may think he’s posting a list of his achievements to bolster his campaign prospects, but, in actuality to many Americans, his list reads more like a damage claim after a man-made disaster than any record of accomplishments to boast of.
Of course, it’s not just Powell that has Trump panicking. The nation is turning against his horrendous leadership and disastrous policies in clear ways. No president since polling began has been so disliked at this point in his presidency, while on the other side, Joe Biden has surpassed 50% in the polls — a mark never reached by Hillary Clinton in 2016.
The consensus is that it’s likely to recur within hours.
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Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-08--Trump calls Jared Kushner his “star” and puts him in charge of fixing American policing

The subject of police brutality is dominating the national discourse in the United States right now as daily protests in response to the murder of George Floy at the hands of law enforcement make it clear that the American people are demanding a systemic restructuring of how policing functions in this country .
No longer can we allow well-funded police unions to exert enormous political pressure to shield violent cops from legal consequences .
No longer can we stand by as the machinery of the state disproportionately targets people of color for physical harm and mass incarceration .
President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tear gas peaceful protestors to secure a religious photo op for himself , has made it abundantly clear that he stands proudly on the side of police brutality .
He has no interest in acknowledging the fundamental problems in our criminal justice system , let alone trying to fix them .
This is after all the man who encouraged police officers to treat suspects more roughly , who said that law enforcement officers have to “ dominate ” the streets to fight back against the George Floyd protests , and who tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the shooting starts.
” Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
Today , the president and his son-in-law Jared Kushner held a roundtable discussion with law enforcement representatives to discuss “ fixing ” policing , which is something Kushner is supposedly going to do .
Given his lack of familiarity with the subject matter , his well-demonstrated incompetence , and his inability to successfully tackle any of the responsibilities he was previously entrusted with , expectations are understandably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a convicted criminal , blathered on for a while during the roundtable , espousing insincere platitudes about “ coming together to fix ” the problems with our system without offering the kind of concrete plans needed to actually affect the needed change .
The president himself called Kushner his “ star , ” which is the way one would talk about a child with a good report card , not an adult man assigned the enormous undertaking of correcting systemic racial injustices .
The fact that Trump has put Kushner in charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little this administration actually cares .
Meanwhile , the Democrats have unveiled an ambitious legislative package that directly confronts some of the more serious issues with American policing .
The difference between the two more parties could not be more apparent right now .
Democrats want to improve our country , Republicans want to give lip service to change before shunting off responsibilities to an overgrown manchild coasting through life on nepotism .
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The subject of police brutality is dominating the national discourse in the United States right now as daily protests in response to the murder of George Floy at the hands of law enforcement make it clear that the American people are demanding a systemic restructuring of how policing functions in this country.
No longer can we allow well-funded police unions to exert enormous political pressure to shield violent cops from legal consequences. No longer can we stand by as the machinery of the state disproportionately targets people of color for physical harm and mass incarceration.
President Trump, through his rhetoric and his decision to tear gas peaceful protestors to secure a religious photo op for himself, has made it abundantly clear that he stands proudly on the side of police brutality. He has no interest in acknowledging the fundamental problems in our criminal justice system, let alone trying to fix them.
This is after all the man who encouraged police officers to treat suspects more roughly, who said that law enforcement officers have to “dominate” the streets to fight back against the George Floyd protests, and who tweeted out that when “the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Today, the president and his son-in-law Jared Kushner held a roundtable discussion with law enforcement representatives to discuss “fixing” policing, which is something Kushner is supposedly going to do. Given his lack of familiarity with the subject matter, his well-demonstrated incompetence, and his inability to successfully tackle any of the responsibilities he was previously entrusted with, expectations are understandably low.
Kushner, himself the son of a convicted criminal, blathered on for a while during the roundtable, espousing insincere platitudes about “coming together to fix” the problems with our system without offering the kind of concrete plans needed to actually affect the needed change. The administration has to release any kind of meaningful policy proposal on the subject.
The president himself called Kushner his “star,” which is the way one might talk about a child with a good report card, not an adult man assigned the enormous undertaking of correcting systemic racial injustices. The fact that Trump has put Kushner in charge of such a serious issue demonstrates how little this administration actually cares.
Meanwhile, the Democrats have unveiled an ambitious legislative package that directly confronts some of the more serious issues with American policing. The difference between the two more parties could not be any more apparent. Democrats want to improve our country for all races, Republicans want to give lip service to change before shunting off responsibilities to an overgrown manchild coasting through life on nepotism.
Kushner: The law enforcement community heard the cries from the community, saw the injustices in the system that needed to be fixed and they responded by coming together to fix it pic.twitter.com/i7Dee03MYu — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) June 8, 2020
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occupydemocrats--2020-06-08--Kamala Harris publicly owns Meghan McCain in clash over defunding the police

One of the rallying cries of the millions of citizens who have taken to the streets in protest of police brutality and systemic racism has been to “ Defund the Police , ” a simple appeal to cut the wildly overinflated budgets of America ’ s police forces .
Crime has steadily dropped for decades while police budgets continue to skyrocket .
Tax dollars keep pouring into police departments for the purchase of military equipment , body armor , and a wide array of deadly weaponry that calls into question the purpose of the police department entirely .
As the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have begun to behave more and more like an occupying army — and more and more of the budget goes to paying huge settlements to the families of the people they brutalize .
The preposterous amount of our taxpayer dollars that we funnel into the police departments at the expense of other public services was put into sharp perspective this year as doctors and nurses battling COVID-19 were forced to garb themselves in trashbags and handkerchiefs while the police marched out to viciously suppress protests wearing the finest armor money can buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a typical U.S. city : Any rational person can look at this and come to the conclusion that we spend an outrageous amount of money on policing .
Right-wingers have inevitably seized on this slogan to make bad-faith arguments about how Democrats are weak on crime and want to allow criminals to steal your collection of vintage I Love Lucy commemorative plates .
These arguments are the same ones that the right has been making for years on end now and are easily dismissable with just some simple common sense explanations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s former Attorney General and a potential Joe Biden vice-presidential candidate , showed us all how to shut down right-wing complaints about calls to cut police funding this afternoon during a verbal sparring match with John McCain ’ s insufferable daughter , Meghan McCain .
Harris joined the ladies of the View to discuss the recent protests and quickly found herself challenged by McCain , who demanded to know if she supported defunding the police .
“ Many activists right now are calling for a defunding of the police .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you support defunding and removing the police from American communities , and if not , why do you think there is such a hard time being differentiated right now between defunding and reforming police departments ?
” asked McCain , who clearly thought she had nailed her with a Gotcha !
question .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
Harris was unphased and easily schooled McMeghan on what the self-explanatory phrase really means in practice : “ So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of this conversation really is about reimagining how we do public safety in America .
We have confused the idea that to achieve safety , you put more cops on the street instead of understanding to achieve safe and healthy communities , you put more resources into the public education system of those communities , into affordable housing , into homeownership , into access to capital for small businesses , access to health care regardless of how much money people have .
That ’ s how you achieve safe and healthy communities.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-third , many times as much as half , of city budgets go to policing , Senator Harris asked “ what about the money going to social services ?
What about the money going to helping people with job training ?
What about helping with mental health issues that communities are being plagued with , for which we ’ re putting no resources ?
” McCain said that she heard Harris “ loud and clear ” and immediately disproved that by demanding to know whether or not Harris was in favor of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m not for anything remotely for that…I assume , and again , this is something that is new to me , I assume it ’ s removing police , ” said McCain , despite the fact that “ defund ” has a distinct meaning that does not involve “ removing.
” McCain ’ s fellow host Sunny Hostin jumped in by explaining the concept in very simple terms to McCain .
“ Just to add to the conversation , defunding the police doesn ’ t mean abolishing the police .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are typically one-third of the budget of a city and giving some of those funds to services like education and mental health resources.
” None of that should be controversial at all .
Increasing police budgets hasn ’ t resulted in any substantial reduction in crime .
It ’ s far past time we stopped investing our money in the instruments of state violence and instead invested them in our people and our communities .
Meghan McCain was born a millionaire and is married to a white nationalist so it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through her head .
But for the rest of us normal folks who have to work for a living and whose husbands don ’ t run a white nationalist propaganda rag , it ’ s something pretty much everybody can agree on .

One of the rallying cries of the millions of citizens who have taken to the streets in protest of police brutality and systemic racism has been to “Defund the Police,” a simple appeal to cut the wildly overinflated budgets of America’s police forces.
Crime has steadily dropped for decades while police budgets continue to skyrocket. Tax dollars keep pouring into police departments for the purchase of military equipment, body armor, and a wide array of deadly weaponry that calls into question the purpose of the police department entirely. As the police become more and more militarized, they have begun to behave more and more like an occupying army — and more and more of the budget goes to paying huge settlements to the families of the people they brutalize.
The preposterous amount of our taxpayer dollars that we funnel into the police departments at the expense of other public services was put into sharp perspective this year as doctors and nurses battling COVID-19 were forced to garb themselves in trashbags and handkerchiefs while the police marched out to viciously suppress protests wearing the finest armor money can buy.
Just look at the budget breakdown for a typical U.S. city:
Repost: Memphis’ $282.1M police budget dwarfs all other service area budgets from $0 to education to $35.8M for Parks. Time is up for upside down budgets that disinvest in black neighborhoods while funding tough on crime policing. /1 pic.twitter.com/z67vFKO2n6 — Tami Sawyer (@tamisawyer) June 8, 2020
Any rational person can look at this and come to the conclusion that we spend an outrageous amount of money on policing.
Right-wingers have inevitably seized on this slogan to make bad-faith arguments about how Democrats are weak on crime and want to allow criminals to steal your collection of vintage I Love Lucy commemorative plates. These arguments are the same ones that the right has been making for years on end now and are easily dismissable with just some simple common sense explanations.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), California’s former Attorney General and a potential Joe Biden vice-presidential candidate, showed us all how to shut down right-wing complaints about calls to cut police funding this afternoon during a verbal sparring match with John McCain’s insufferable daughter, Meghan McCain.
Harris joined the ladies of the View to discuss the recent protests and quickly found herself challenged by McCain, who demanded to know if she supported defunding the police.
“Many activists right now are calling for a defunding of the police. I want to know from you, do you support defunding and removing the police from American communities, and if not, why do you think there is such a hard time being differentiated right now between defunding and reforming police departments?” asked McCain, who clearly thought she had nailed her with a Gotcha! question.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Harris was unphased and easily schooled McMeghan on what the self-explanatory phrase really means in practice:
“So Meghan, I think that a big part of this conversation really is about reimagining how we do public safety in America. We have confused the idea that to achieve safety, you put more cops on the street instead of understanding to achieve safe and healthy communities, you put more resources into the public education system of those communities, into affordable housing, into homeownership, into access to capital for small businesses, access to health care regardless of how much money people have. That’s how you achieve safe and healthy communities.”
Noting that in many cities almost one-third, many times as much as half, of city budgets go to policing, Senator Harris asked “what about the money going to social services? What about the money going to helping people with job training? What about helping with mental health issues that communities are being plagued with, for which we’re putting no resources?”
McCain said that she heard Harris “loud and clear” and immediately disproved that by demanding to know whether or not Harris was in favor of “defunding” the police: “Well, I’m not for anything remotely for that…I assume, and again, this is something that is new to me, I assume it’s removing police,” said McCain, despite the fact that “defund” has a distinct meaning that does not involve “removing.”
Defunding the police doesn't mean abolishing the police. It means taking some of their budget and moving it in other areas that need it, from education to training, and mental health services. #TheView pic.twitter.com/kUkxUy9Qcm — Jerry Avenaim (@avenaim) June 8, 2020
McCain’s fellow host Sunny Hostin jumped in by explaining the concept in very simple terms to McCain.
“Just to add to the conversation, defunding the police doesn’t mean abolishing the police. It means taking some of those funds that are typically one-third of the budget of a city and giving some of those funds to services like education and mental health resources.”
None of that should be controversial at all. Increasing police budgets hasn’t resulted in any substantial reduction in crime. It’s far past time we stopped investing our money in the instruments of state violence and instead invested them in our people and our communities.
Meghan McCain was born a millionaire and is married to a white nationalist so it’s hard for her to get that idea through her head. But for the rest of us normal folks who have to work for a living and whose husbands don’t run a white nationalist propaganda rag, it’s something pretty much everybody can agree on.
Take a look at the budget for my hometown, Dearborn, MI. It is a city of under 100K. 43% of the budge goes to the Dearborn Police Department. The DPD has had issues with racism. Property tax rates in Dearborn are through the roof – many are leaving town because of this…. pic.twitter.com/ehlicLAYhE — Abed A. Ayoub (@aayoub) June 8, 2020
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Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-08--White House has “no regrets” about tear-gassing peaceful protestors to get Trump’s Bible photo

Last week , the President of the United States had the police deploy tear gas and flashbang grenades to violently disperse a group of peaceful George Floyd protestors in Lafayette Square outside the White House .
In doing so , he cleared a path for himself to take a leisurely stroll to a nearby church where he posed for a photo op with the Bible .
In the process , members of the clergy were subjected to tear gas and driven away from the holy grounds .
Even by Trumpian standards , it was a heinous , cynical abuse of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president stands firmly on the side of police brutality .
Today , White House Press Kayleigh McEnany was asked whether there is anyone in the administration , perhaps even the president himself , who regrets the manner in which the peaceful protestors were handled last week .
“ No there ’ s no regrets on the part of this White House because look I ’ d note that many of those decisions were not made here within the White House , ” said McEnany , showcasing that pathological inability to admit mistakes or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration since day one .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
“ It was AG Barr who made the decision to move the perimeter .
Monday night park police also had made that decision independently when they saw the violence in Lafayette Square , ” she went on , smearing the peaceful protestors while simultaneously offering up Barr and the police as scapegoats .
McEnany went on to justify the violent actions of the police by saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warnings , ” as if that somehow makes it acceptable for law enforcement officers to attack innocent Americans practicing their constitutional rights to assembly and free speech .
Rather than conceding that police acted inappropriately , McEnany blamed the violence on “ Antifa ” the new favorite bugaboo for conservatives .
It must be noted that the FBI released a statement saying that the agency found “ no intelligence indicating Antifa involvement/presence ” in the violence on May 31st .
As usual , the Trump White House is lying to justify their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump might not regret tear-gassing protestors yet , but we will make him regret it this November by showing up en masse to vote him out .
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Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Last week, the President of the United States had the police deploy tear gas and flashbang grenades to violently disperse a group of peaceful George Floyd protestors in Lafayette Square outside the White House. In doing so, he cleared a path for himself to take a leisurely stroll to a nearby church where he posed for a photo op with the Bible. In the process, members of the clergy were subjected to tear gas and driven away from the holy grounds.
Even by Trumpian standards, it was a heinous, cynical abuse of power and a clear indication that the president stands firmly on the side of police brutality.
Today, White House Press Kayleigh McEnany was asked whether there is anyone in the administration, perhaps even the president himself, who regrets the manner in which the peaceful protestors were handled last week.
“No there’s no regrets on the part of this White House because look I’d note that many of those decisions were not made here within the White House,” said McEnany, showcasing that pathological inability to admit mistakes or take responsibility that has defined the Trump administration since day one.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
“It was AG Barr who made the decision to move the perimeter. Monday night park police also had made that decision independently when they saw the violence in Lafayette Square,” she went on, smearing the peaceful protestors while simultaneously offering up Barr and the police as scapegoats.
McEnany went on to justify the violent actions of the police by saying that the demonstrators were given “three loud warnings,” as if that somehow makes it acceptable for law enforcement officers to attack innocent Americans practicing their constitutional rights to assembly and free speech.
Rather than conceding that police acted inappropriately, McEnany blamed the violence on “Antifa” the new favorite bugaboo for conservatives. It must be noted that the FBI released a statement saying that the agency found “no intelligence indicating Antifa involvement/presence” in the violence on May 31st. As usual, the Trump White House is lying to justify their own criminal actions against the American people.
Trump might not regret tear-gassing protestors yet, but we will make him regret it this November by showing up en masse to vote him out.
White House: No regrets over photo op. Also Bill Barr gave the orders. President only "sorry antifa wreaked havoc." pic.twitter.com/XCwqnT0RQr — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) June 8, 2020
WATCH: Mounted police use flash bangs to clear protesters in Lafayette Park, near White House, @GarrettHaake reports. pic.twitter.com/PxYrruKzBr — MSNBC (@MSNBC) June 1, 2020
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occupydemocrats--2020-06-08--Virginia man arrested for driving truck into protesters exposed as KKK leader

Yesterday , a white supremacist drove his truck into a group of peaceful George Floyd protestors in Henrico County , Virginia .
The 36-year-old driver , Harry H. Rogers , was arrested and has been charged with assault and battery , malicious wounding , and felony vandalism .
Thankfully , nobody was seriously injured in the attack although it could have easily resulted in a tragedy like the death of Heather Heyer , the woman murdered by a racist in a similar vehicular assault in 2017 .
It now turns out that Rogers is a Ku Klux Klan leader and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” according to Henrico County Commonwealth ’ s Attorney Shannon Taylor .
Her office is currently exploring the possibility of also adding hate crime charges to the case .
“ While I am grateful that the victim ’ s injuries do not appear to be serious , an attack on peaceful protesters is heinous and despicable and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law , ” said Taylor .
Photos of Rogers have been popping up on social media , including an image that appears to be Rogers dressed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rogers ’ s case proceeds , this incident must serve as a potent reminder that the forces of white supremacy in this country pose a serious risk to all of us .
This toxic ideology played a crucial role in electing Donald Trump and has only grown in strength since he took office .
The responsibility falls to all of us not just to vote him out , but to confront bigotry directly anytime we encounter it .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this attack also proves that the racists feel threatened by these protests .
Americans of all backgrounds are taking to the streets to protest police brutality and the racial animus undergirding much of our criminal justice system .
If the racists are scared it means we are doing something right .
We must keep up the pressure .

Yesterday, a white supremacist drove his truck into a group of peaceful George Floyd protestors in Henrico County, Virginia. The 36-year-old driver, Harry H. Rogers, was arrested and has been charged with assault and battery, malicious wounding, and felony vandalism.
Thankfully, nobody was seriously injured in the attack although it could have easily resulted in a tragedy like the death of Heather Heyer, the woman murdered by a racist in a similar vehicular assault in 2017.
It now turns out that Rogers is a Ku Klux Klan leader and a “propagandist for Confederate ideology,” according to Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor. Her office is currently exploring the possibility of also adding hate crime charges to the case.
New: Man accused of driving car through protestors in Virginia Sunday is “admitted leader of Ku Klux Klan & a propagandist for Confederate ideology,” according to County Attorney. Harry Rogers is charged with attempted malicious wounding, felony vandalism & assault & battery — Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) June 8, 2020
“While I am grateful that the victim’s injuries do not appear to be serious, an attack on peaceful protesters is heinous and despicable and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” said Taylor.
Photos of Rogers have been popping up on social media, including an image that appears to be Rogers dressed in a Klan outfit.
One more salient detail: Harry Rogers is also a white supremacist. https://t.co/NGmO4E5krq pic.twitter.com/h8b32f0QlX — Richard Sebastian (@rasebastian) June 8, 2020
#breaking A Hanover man arrested for driving through protesters in Lakeside today while revving his engine. We are told he clipped a bicyclist. Harry Rogers is charged with assault and battery. @8NEWS pic.twitter.com/vhFQzsoAov — Talya Cunningham (@Talya8news) June 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/judgelanceito_/status/1269766747940360192?s=20
Regardless of how Rogers’s case proceeds, this incident must serve as a potent reminder that the forces of white supremacy in this country pose a serious risk to all of us. This toxic ideology played a crucial role in electing Donald Trump and has only grown in strength since he took office. The responsibility falls to all of us not just to vote him out, but to confront bigotry directly anytime we encounter it.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Crucially, this attack also proves that the racists feel threatened by these protests. Americans of all backgrounds are taking to the streets to protest police brutality and the racial animus undergirding much of our criminal justice system. If the racists are scared it means we are doing something right. We must keep up the pressure.
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occupydemocrats--2020-06-08--Trump throws insecure tantrum after new polls show him deep in the hole

President Trump is at his lowest point since taking office .
Due to his gross incompetence , the novel coronavirus pandemic inflicted far more damage to the United States than it would have if proper measures had been taken to stem its spread .
Over 2 million Americans have contracted COVID-19 and over 112,000 have died .
Simultaneously , we are witnessing a stunning wave of police brutality all across the country as the peaceful George Floyd protests have been met with tear gas , batons , and all manner of state violence .
Trump for his part has proven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything that might even vaguely resemble leadership .
Instead , he spends most of his time tweeting and insisting that he ’ s actually doing a great job as president .
This morning , the fantasy world Trump has constructed for himself and his MAGA acolytes was pierced by the release of a new CNN poll that shows his approval rating tanking .
Rather than grapple with this reality and perhaps find a way to adjust course and improve his numbers , Trump simply dismissed the polls as “ Fake.
” Add your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
Ridiculously , the man who has worked methodically to dismantle the United States ’ democratic institutions and destroy our global reputation over the past few years ended his tweet with a claim that “ Dems would destroy America !
” Clearly , Trump is managing to do that all by himself .
He followed it up with a whiny tweet claiming that the “ Lamestream Media ” isn ’ t being fair to him because there isn ’ t enough coverage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Of course , it makes sense that news outlets aren ’ t running wall-to-wall stories about job numbers with all of the crises currently unfolding .
Apparently unable to find any better uses for his time , the president shot out another tweet a few minutes later , this one congratulating himself on his approval rating within the Republican Party , which he claimed is at 99 % but failed to specify which poll he was referring to .
Like so many of his tweets , it was nothing more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This country is in desperate need of a leader right now and instead we ’ re saddled with a pathetic cyber bully incapable of thinking of anyone or anything other than himself .
November can ’ t come soon enough .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

President Trump is at his lowest point since taking office. Due to his gross incompetence, the novel coronavirus pandemic inflicted far more damage to the United States than it would have if proper measures had been taken to stem its spread. Over 2 million Americans have contracted COVID-19 and over 112,000 have died.
Simultaneously, we are witnessing a stunning wave of police brutality all across the country as the peaceful George Floyd protests have been met with tear gas, batons, and all manner of state violence.
Trump for his part has proven either incapable of or uninterested in providing anything that might even vaguely resemble leadership. Instead, he spends most of his time tweeting and insisting that he’s actually doing a great job as president.
This morning, the fantasy world Trump has constructed for himself and his MAGA acolytes was pierced by the release of a new CNN poll that shows his approval rating tanking. Rather than grapple with this reality and perhaps find a way to adjust course and improve his numbers, Trump simply dismissed the polls as “Fake.”
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Ridiculously, the man who has worked methodically to dismantle the United States’ democratic institutions and destroy our global reputation over the past few years ended his tweet with a claim that “Dems would destroy America!” Clearly, Trump is managing to do that all by himself.
CNN Polls are as Fake as their Reporting. Same numbers, and worse, against Crooked Hillary. The Dems would destroy America! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2020
He followed it up with a whiny tweet claiming that the “Lamestream Media” isn’t being fair to him because there isn’t enough coverage of last month’s job numbers. Of course, it makes sense that news outlets aren’t running wall-to-wall stories about job numbers with all of the crises currently unfolding.
The Lamestream Media refuses to talk about our Country’s record setting Jobs Numbers, which are indicating GREATNESS, and soon! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2020
Apparently unable to find any better uses for his time, the president shot out another tweet a few minutes later, this one congratulating himself on his approval rating within the Republican Party, which he claimed is at 99% but failed to specify which poll he was referring to. Like so many of his tweets, it was nothing more than a transparent effort to stroke his own ego.
This country is in desperate need of a leader right now and instead we’re saddled with a pathetic cyber bully incapable of thinking of anyone or anything other than himself. November can’t come soon enough.
96% Approval Rating in the Republican Party. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2020
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occupydemocrats--2020-06-08--Democrats unveil historic package of sweeping, unprecedented legislation to rein in police brutality

Once again , the United States has found itself at a transformative historic moment , and once again the Democratic Party has proven itself to be the only political body prepared to show leadership and take the initiative for lasting change .
While Republican Party leader Donald Trump spent his Monday morning on Twitter mocking one of his own Senators for simply saying “ Black Lives Matter , ” Democratic Party leaders began their day by holding an eight-minute and forty-six second moment of silence in the Capitol building , grimly marking every second of George Floyd ’ s suffocation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then they got to work .
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Democratic leadership unveiled the Justice In Policing Act of 2020 , a sweeping legislation package of police reform and accountability policies aimed at directly combating the appalling police brutality that America ’ s police forces have been inflicting on its citizens for so many decades .
ABC News reports that “ the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 would limit qualified immunity protections , create a national police misconduct registry , ban chokeholds , restrict the transfer of military-grade equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal crime , among other provisions , according to a section-by-section summary of the proposal sent to Democratic offices Friday night and obtained by ABC News .
Democrats are still finalizing the proposal ahead of its formal release next week.
” The legislation would take the unprecedented step of creating a federal registry of law enforcement at all levels in order to create a record of misconduct complaints , disciplinary infractions , and termination in order to stop bloodthirsty cops like Derek Chauvin , who had shot and killed two people prior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
“ We can not settle for anything less than transformative , structural change , ” declared House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer proudly proclaimed that “ this has never been done before at the federal level ” and warned his Republican counterparts that though they may hope for the issue would just go away , “ I promise them , it will not.
” “ While there is no single policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systemic racism and excessive policing – it ’ s time we create structural change with meaningful reforms , ” said Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Karen Bass ( D-CA ) .
It remains unclear whether or not these steps will be considered adequate to the protesters , segments of which are pushing for full police abolishment or at the very least massive funding cuts to our nation ’ s gluttonous police forces .
But after considering what is politically feasible with a Republican-strangled Senate and a White House that will gleefully veto anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 represents a huge and long overdue step towards reigning in the terrifying and unrepentantly authoritarian power of America ’ s police .
While Republicans vacillate between finger-wagging at the protesters for vandalism and arguing that Derek Chauvin didn ’ t do anything wrong , it ’ s reassuring to see at least half of America ’ s political establishment willing to put their words into action and take the initiative to rectify decades of monstrous injustice .
We want to hear what YOU have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know in our NEW comment section !

Once again, the United States has found itself at a transformative historic moment, and once again the Democratic Party has proven itself to be the only political body prepared to show leadership and take the initiative for lasting change.
While Republican Party leader Donald Trump spent his Monday morning on Twitter mocking one of his own Senators for simply saying “Black Lives Matter,” Democratic Party leaders began their day by holding an eight-minute and forty-six second moment of silence in the Capitol building, grimly marking every second of George Floyd’s suffocation by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
Then they got to work.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Democratic leadership unveiled the Justice In Policing Act of 2020, a sweeping legislation package of police reform and accountability policies aimed at directly combating the appalling police brutality that America’s police forces have been inflicting on its citizens for so many decades.
ABC News reports that “the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 would limit qualified immunity protections, create a national police misconduct registry, ban chokeholds, restrict the transfer of military-grade equipment to police departments and make lynching a federal crime, among other provisions, according to a section-by-section summary of the proposal sent to Democratic offices Friday night and obtained by ABC News. Democrats are still finalizing the proposal ahead of its formal release next week.”
The legislation would take the unprecedented step of creating a federal registry of law enforcement at all levels in order to create a record of misconduct complaints, disciplinary infractions, and termination in order to stop bloodthirsty cops like Derek Chauvin, who had shot and killed two people prior to murdering George Floyd.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
“We cannot settle for anything less than transformative, structural change,” declared House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer proudly proclaimed that “this has never been done before at the federal level” and warned his Republican counterparts that though they may hope for the issue would just go away, “I promise them, it will not.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "The martyrdom of George Floyd gave American experience a moment of national anguish as we grieve for the Black Americans killed by police brutality. Today, this moment of national anguish is being transformed into a movement of national action" pic.twitter.com/xu22quQaHQ — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) June 8, 2020
“While there is no single policy prescription that will erase the decades of systemic racism and excessive policing – it’s time we create structural change with meaningful reforms,” said Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA).
It remains unclear whether or not these steps will be considered adequate to the protesters, segments of which are pushing for full police abolishment or at the very least massive funding cuts to our nation’s gluttonous police forces.
But after considering what is politically feasible with a Republican-strangled Senate and a White House that will gleefully veto anything passed by Democrats out of sheer spite, the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 represents a huge and long overdue step towards reigning in the terrifying and unrepentantly authoritarian power of America’s police.
While Republicans vacillate between finger-wagging at the protesters for vandalism and arguing that Derek Chauvin didn’t do anything wrong, it’s reassuring to see at least half of America’s political establishment willing to put their words into action and take the initiative to rectify decades of monstrous injustice.
Original reporting by Benjamin Siegel at ABC News.
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Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-08--Trump makes fun of Mitt Romney for saying “Black Lives Matter,” marching against racism

After two straight weeks of protests against police brutality and racism , President Trump still sees the national movement as just something to mock and make fun of , a display of weakness by do-gooders and bleeding heart liberals that shouldn ’ t be taken seriously .
That much was made obvious by his Monday morning decision to make fun of Senator Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) for saying “ Black Lives Matter ” while marching on the White House with a religious group in support of Black Americans and against the kind of systematic racism that his party has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sarcastically questioned Romney ’ s sincerity and mocked his “ political talent , ” jabbing the Senator about his “ numbers ” and implying that standing up against racism and opposing police brutality as a Republican was a politically unproductive thing to do .
Donald Trump is at his heart a cold and heartless narcissist who is entirely incapable of conceiving doing something for any reason other than for personal gain , which is why he sees Romney ’ s benevolent gesture as pandering and not a sincere act that likely stems from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of profound horror that any normal , non-psychotic human feels after watching one man choke the life out of another man on video .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
Romney is the first Republican Senator to say the words “ Black Lives Matter ” and to march with the protesters , which in and of itself is both a searing indictment of the now openly white nationalist Republican Party and a mark of how Romney is proving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to the entirely unexplored territory of Republicans Doing The Right Thing .
However , it ’ s important to not get overexcited here .
Romney needs to back up his gesture with some real action in the Senate and we can not fall into the habit of handing Republicans a cookie every time they do the very basic minimum that can be expected of our elected official .
But in these troubled and uncertain times , his gesture is appreciated by a nation in turmoil .

After two straight weeks of protests against police brutality and racism, President Trump still sees the national movement as just something to mock and make fun of, a display of weakness by do-gooders and bleeding heart liberals that shouldn’t be taken seriously.
That much was made obvious by his Monday morning decision to make fun of Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) for saying “Black Lives Matter” while marching on the White House with a religious group in support of Black Americans and against the kind of systematic racism that his party has worked so hard to entrench.
Trump sarcastically questioned Romney’s sincerity and mocked his “political talent,” jabbing the Senator about his “numbers” and implying that standing up against racism and opposing police brutality as a Republican was a politically unproductive thing to do.
Tremendous sincerity, what a guy. Hard to believe, with this kind of political talent, his numbers would “tank” so badly in Utah! https://t.co/KqHsHmSRKo — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2020
Donald Trump is at his heart a cold and heartless narcissist who is entirely incapable of conceiving doing something for any reason other than for personal gain, which is why he sees Romney’s benevolent gesture as pandering and not a sincere act that likely stems from his deep-rooted religious beliefs and the sense of profound horror that any normal, non-psychotic human feels after watching one man choke the life out of another man on video.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Romney is the first Republican Senator to say the words “Black Lives Matter” and to march with the protesters, which in and of itself is both a searing indictment of the now openly white nationalist Republican Party and a mark of how Romney is proving to be a bit of a trailblazer when it comes to the entirely unexplored territory of Republicans Doing The Right Thing.
However, it’s important to not get overexcited here. Romney needs to back up his gesture with some real action in the Senate and we cannot fall into the habit of handing Republicans a cookie every time they do the very basic minimum that can be expected of our elected official. But in these troubled and uncertain times, his gesture is appreciated by a nation in turmoil.
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occupydemocrats--2020-06-09--LeBron James on Georgia primary voting screwups: “How we vote is also structurally racist”

In a frightening preview of the voter suppression tactics likely to be used yet again in the November presidential elections , the Georgia primary was marred today by a drastically reduced number of polling places , long lines , and frustrated voters as the combination of social distancing limiting the number of voters allowed in each polling place , the late delivery of voting machines , a shortage of provisional ballots , and inexperienced and untrained poll workers all contributed to hours-long waits for voters in some precincts .
Unsurprisingly , the unacceptable delays seemed not to be a problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as Politico ‘ s national political reporter discovered .
Since the Supreme Court ended supervision of the elections in most Southern states that had previously been under federal scrutiny for their discriminatory practices — with Chief Justice John Roberts citing the disappearance of racism as part of the rationale for letting states run elections on their own — polling places in Democratic-leaning districts have been disappearing , making the act of casting one ’ s ballot a time-consuming and difficult process in those areas in an insidious form of suppressing the votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With the outpouring of public anger and dismay over the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police , people have been told to channel their anger towards the ballot box in November if they want to see meaningful change .
However , as basketball legend LeBron James asked on Twitter today , what do you do when the very process of voting is tainted by structural racism in the very mechanics of the voting process and the political machinations of those in charge of supervising the elections ?
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few have ventured to try to answer .
After today ’ s debacle in Georgia , however , BLM protestors and their allies have a new issue that they need to take to the streets to demand change to rectify .
The allocation of ballots , voting machines , poll workers , and the other things needed to ensure a smoothly run and fair election must be provided equally to all neighborhoods , not just reliably Republican areas .
If the Georgia Secretary of State is allowed to get off scot-free after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , you may as well abandon the chances of a fair election in November right now .
Unless the move to hand-marked paper ballots with universal access to mail-in voting is made mandatory for the presidential race , doubts about the results of the election will linger and be exploited by whoever loses any of the races taking place .
We all know that Donald Trump will reject the validity of any election that he loses , but let ’ s not give him more ammunition than he needs .
The facts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of election fraud are a much bigger problem than voter fraud or issues with mail-in ballots and that most of the election fraud that has been discovered has actually been perpetrated by Republican operatives .
With Donald Trump , his White House Press Secretary , and the Minnesota cop who placed his knee on George Floyd ’ s neck until he was dead all accused of having illegally voted by mail in Florida despite not having a legal residence in the state , it seems that the GOP are the worst offenders when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let ’ s not let them get away with it .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

In a frightening preview of the voter suppression tactics likely to be used yet again in the November presidential elections, the Georgia primary was marred today by a drastically reduced number of polling places, long lines, and frustrated voters as the combination of social distancing limiting the number of voters allowed in each polling place, the late delivery of voting machines, a shortage of provisional ballots, and inexperienced and untrained poll workers all contributed to hours-long waits for voters in some precincts.
Unsurprisingly, the unacceptable delays seemed not to be a problem in certain districts in the Republican-run state, as Politico‘s national political reporter discovered.
Took @MsLaToshaBrown 3hrs to vote today in GA. Then Brown drove over to predominantly white polling site in Atl suburbs “I come over to this side of town, and white folks are strolling in. On my side of town, we brought stadium chairs.”https://t.co/lhIAaHrAlC
W/@ZachMontellaro — Laura Barrón-López (@lbarronlopez) June 9, 2020
Since the Supreme Court ended supervision of the elections in most Southern states that had previously been under federal scrutiny for their discriminatory practices — with Chief Justice John Roberts citing the disappearance of racism as part of the rationale for letting states run elections on their own — polling places in Democratic-leaning districts have been disappearing, making the act of casting one’s ballot a time-consuming and difficult process in those areas in an insidious form of suppressing the votes of those opposed to the GOP agenda.
With the outpouring of public anger and dismay over the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, people have been told to channel their anger towards the ballot box in November if they want to see meaningful change.
However, as basketball legend LeBron James asked on Twitter today, what do you do when the very process of voting is tainted by structural racism in the very mechanics of the voting process and the political machinations of those in charge of supervising the elections?
Everyone talking about “how do we fix this?” They say “go out and vote?” What about asking if how we vote is also structurally racist? https://t.co/GFtq12eKKt — LeBron James (@KingJames) June 9, 2020
It’s a good question to which few have ventured to try to answer.
After today’s debacle in Georgia, however, BLM protestors and their allies have a new issue that they need to take to the streets to demand change to rectify.
The allocation of ballots, voting machines, poll workers, and the other things needed to ensure a smoothly run and fair election must be provided equally to all neighborhoods, not just reliably Republican areas.
If the Georgia Secretary of State is allowed to get off scot-free after the chaotic disaster of today’s primary election, you may as well abandon the chances of a fair election in November right now.
Unless the move to hand-marked paper ballots with universal access to mail-in voting is made mandatory for the presidential race, doubts about the results of the election will linger and be exploited by whoever loses any of the races taking place.
We all know that Donald Trump will reject the validity of any election that he loses, but let’s not give him more ammunition than he needs.
The facts are that voter suppression and other forms of election fraud are a much bigger problem than voter fraud or issues with mail-in ballots and that most of the election fraud that has been discovered has actually been perpetrated by Republican operatives.
With Donald Trump, his White House Press Secretary, and the Minnesota cop who placed his knee on George Floyd’s neck until he was dead all accused of having illegally voted by mail in Florida despite not having a legal residence in the state, it seems that the GOP are the worst offenders when it comes to rigging electoral results.
Let’s not let them get away with it.
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Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-06-09--Graphic video emerges of Florida cops shooting peaceful BLM protester in head with rubber bullet

A video has emerged showing Florida cops firing a potentially lethal rubber bullet at a peaceful Black Lives Matter protester ’ s head , striking and nearly killing her .
The Fort Lauderdale Police shot Latoya Ratlieff in the head on June 3rd , fracturing her eye socket and leaving her eating only soft food for the last week while she convalesces from a potentially fatal injury .
She ’ s a member of the Delray Beach Police Advisory board and works for a non-profit .
“ I would like to understand why no warning was given before they shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ratlieff told Occupy Democrats .
“ I want the Fort Lauderdale Police Department to be held accountable .
I want to know what happened that led up to me being shot in the head .
What guidance did the officers receive ?
” Unlike the first video of the shooting , the new video proves pretty conclusively that Latoya Ratlieff did nothing to incite the Fort Lauderdale police officers to use deadly force , nor did they give any warning that lethal or less-lethal force was about to be deployed .
Latoya Ratlieff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before crossing the street while carrying a protest sign when police gunned her down .
The above video was publicly posted to Facebook originally by an anonymous protester who was on the scene and wished not to be identified .
While the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale has already contacted people helping Latoya Ratlieff in order to apologize after his officers shot her , they haven ’ t yet spoken in the aftermath of the incident .
After the Miami Herald ‘ s initial , partial coverage of the incident , the Fort Lauderdale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting out a call for crowdsourced videos , implying that she was misleading the public about where she got her injury .
The department ’ s spokesperson has also complained that their victim wasn ’ t giving them enough information in public statements to CNN without issuing any form of apology .
“ Why , after I was shot in the head by Fort Lauderdale Police and laying on the ground bleeding , did no one from the department attempted to render aid to me ?
” asked Ratlieff in an interview .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ less-lethal ” force policy on “ resistance ” dictate that officers “ shall… immediately summon and render first aid ” whether or not there is a visible injury .
No officers have been identified as potential suspects in the shooting .
Ratlieff has retained a civil rights lawyer and considering a lawsuit against the Fort Lauderdale Police .
“ When we say black lives matter , we aren ’ t staying they matter more than anyone else ’ s .
We are saying they have equal value and throughout history , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” concluded Ratlieff , whose great aunt is the civil rights and voting rights icon , Fannie Lou Hamer .
“ No one should be shot in the head while peacefully protesting .
”

A video has emerged showing Florida cops firing a potentially lethal rubber bullet at a peaceful Black Lives Matter protester’s head, striking and nearly killing her.
The Fort Lauderdale Police shot Latoya Ratlieff in the head on June 3rd, fracturing her eye socket and leaving her eating only soft food for the last week while she convalesces from a potentially fatal injury. She’s a member of the Delray Beach Police Advisory board and works for a non-profit.
“I would like to understand why no warning was given before they shot rubber bullets and tear gas,” Ratlieff told Occupy Democrats. “I want the Fort Lauderdale Police Department to be held accountable. I want to know what happened that led up to me being shot in the head. What guidance did the officers receive?”
Unlike the first video of the shooting, the new video proves pretty conclusively that Latoya Ratlieff did nothing to incite the Fort Lauderdale police officers to use deadly force, nor did they give any warning that lethal or less-lethal force was about to be deployed.
Latoya Ratlieff was experiencing a tear-gas induced coughing attack before crossing the street while carrying a protest sign when police gunned her down.
Story continues below:
⚠WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO⚠ LaToya Ratlieff was peacefully demonstrating when she was shot in the head with a rubber bullet by Fort Lauderdale Police (@FLPD411) on May 31, 2020.#BlackLivesMatter #BlackLivesMatterFL #FortLauderdale #BLM #BLMProtest pic.twitter.com/i7LGZPFQJG — Evan Ross (@MrEvanRoss) June 9, 2020
The above video was publicly posted to Facebook originally by an anonymous protester who was on the scene and wished not to be identified.
While the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale has already contacted people helping Latoya Ratlieff in order to apologize after his officers shot her, they haven’t yet spoken in the aftermath of the incident.
After the Miami Herald‘s initial, partial coverage of the incident, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department added insult to injury by putting out a call for crowdsourced videos, implying that she was misleading the public about where she got her injury.
The department’s spokesperson has also complained that their victim wasn’t giving them enough information in public statements to CNN without issuing any form of apology.
“Why, after I was shot in the head by Fort Lauderdale Police and laying on the ground bleeding, did no one from the department attempted to render aid to me?” asked Ratlieff in an interview.
“I look forward to… understanding why — after I was shot and lying on the ground — not a single officer rendered aid,” says LaToya Ratlieff, who was shot in the face with a foam bullet by the Fort Lauderdale police during a protest.https://t.co/m1XlEBlRB7 pic.twitter.com/kWvJyrGA6a — New Day (@NewDay) June 8, 2020
Public records about the department’s “less-lethal” force policy on “resistance” dictate that officers “shall… immediately summon and render first aid” whether or not there is a visible injury.
No officers have been identified as potential suspects in the shooting. Ratlieff has retained a civil rights lawyer and considering a lawsuit against the Fort Lauderdale Police.
“When we say black lives matter, we aren’t staying they matter more than anyone else’s. We are saying they have equal value and throughout history, they haven’t been valued as equal,” concluded Ratlieff, whose great aunt is the civil rights and voting rights icon, Fannie Lou Hamer. “No one should be shot in the head while peacefully protesting.”