occupydemocrats--2020-06-13--Atlanta police chief resigns after cop kills black man last night in fast food parking lot scuffle

You would think that weeks of massive protests all across the country dedicated to the concept that # BlackLivesMatter would have given Atlanta Police just a little bit of pause before they trained their guns on an unarmed black man who had fallen asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane of a fast-food restaurant in the southern city .
Whatever may have been racing through the minds of the Atlanta police officers during their confrontation with 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks in the Wendy ’ s parking lot last night , in the end , it was apparent that this particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them as they fatally shot him in a scuffle after he “ failed a field sobriety test and resisted arrest , ” according to Georgia authorities and The Associated Press .
The officers had been responding to a complaint that a car was blocking access to the fast-food vendor ’ s drive-thru lane and found Brooks fast asleep in the front of the car .
After a sobriety test was administered and Brooks was found to be over the legal limit , the officers attempted to place him under arrest rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleep it off in another section of the parking lot .
The officers claim that their recently roused suspect “ resisted arrest ” and struggled with the officers who responded by taking out their Tasers .
Atlanta Deputy Police Chief Timothy Peek described what happened next when he spoke with reporters at the scene on Friday night .
After a second officer tried to subdue Brooks with his Taser , he too was unsuccessful at using powerful shocks of electricity to take down Brooks .
The end result according to the Georgia Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject was shot by an officer in the struggle over the Taser.
” Brooks was taken to a local hospital after the shooting and died in surgery shortly thereafter .
One of the police officers involved was treated for an injury sustained during the struggle and quickly discharged from the hospital .
The incident led a group of about 150 protestors to congregate at the scene of the shooting this morning .
Gerald Griggs , the vice president of Atlanta ’ s NAACP chapter , was there and explained why the demonstrators were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eerily reminiscent of similar incidents across the country where infractions that anyone except a person of color would normally be able to walk away with facing a warning , a fine , or at worst a brief arrest but instead ends up with more person joining the litany of names of victims of police escalation and excessive use of force .
As Griggs explained , despite Brook ’ s unwise decision to resist arrest for sleeping while intoxicated , the officers “ could have used nonlethal force to take him down.
” Add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
While the GBI is already investigating the circumstances around the lethal shooting , Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said this morning that his office had already gotten involved as well .
Former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams responded to the news on Twitter with a call for accountability to follow any investigation .
In our polarized world of over-militarized police with hair-trigger reflexes tending towards the “ shoot first , ask questions later ” ethos , it a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remind our “ peace officers ” that “ Sleeping in a drive-thru must not end in death.
” It ’ s come to this .
Only the continued pressure from the types of massive public protests like we ’ ve seen over the past two weeks will reverse the course of this river of police over-reaction and unnecessary death .
Press on !
You can see video footage of the struggle between police and Rayshard Brooks as recorded by an eyewitness on the scene in the excerpt below .
Warning : this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the resignation of Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields this afternoon following the uproar over the incident .
According to WSB-TV , “ Bottoms said Saturday that she believes it was an unnecessary use of deadly force and she has called for the officer ’ s immediate termination .
The officer ’ s name has not been released.
” Original reporting by The Associated Press .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

You would think that weeks of massive protests all across the country dedicated to the concept that #BlackLivesMatter would have given Atlanta Police just a little bit of pause before they trained their guns on an unarmed black man who had fallen asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane of a fast-food restaurant in the southern city.
Whatever may have been racing through the minds of the Atlanta police officers during their confrontation with 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks in the Wendy’s parking lot last night, in the end, it was apparent that this particular black life didn’t matter much to them as they fatally shot him in a scuffle after he “failed a field sobriety test and resisted arrest,” according to Georgia authorities and The Associated Press.
The officers had been responding to a complaint that a car was blocking access to the fast-food vendor’s drive-thru lane and found Brooks fast asleep in the front of the car.
After a sobriety test was administered and Brooks was found to be over the legal limit, the officers attempted to place him under arrest rather than move his vehicle and allow him to sleep it off in another section of the parking lot. The officers claim that their recently roused suspect “resisted arrest” and struggled with the officers who responded by taking out their Tasers.
Atlanta Deputy Police Chief Timothy Peek described what happened next when he spoke with reporters at the scene on Friday night.
“Ultimately, when the officer used a Taser, it was ineffective for the suspect,” Peek related. “It did not stop the aggression of the fight. And so the suspect was able to take the officer’s Taser from him.”
After a second officer tried to subdue Brooks with his Taser, he too was unsuccessful at using powerful shocks of electricity to take down Brooks.
The end result according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was “that the male subject was shot by an officer in the struggle over the Taser.” Brooks was taken to a local hospital after the shooting and died in surgery shortly thereafter. One of the police officers involved was treated for an injury sustained during the struggle and quickly discharged from the hospital.
The incident led a group of about 150 protestors to congregate at the scene of the shooting this morning. Gerald Griggs, the vice president of Atlanta’s NAACP chapter, was there and explained why the demonstrators were outraged.
“The people are upset,” Griggs said. “They want to know why their dear brother Rayshard Brooks was shot and killed when he was merely asleep on the passenger side and not doing anything.”
It sounds like a story eerily reminiscent of similar incidents across the country where infractions that anyone except a person of color would normally be able to walk away with facing a warning, a fine, or at worst a brief arrest but instead ends up with more person joining the litany of names of victims of police escalation and excessive use of force.
As Griggs explained, despite Brook’s unwise decision to resist arrest for sleeping while intoxicated, the officers “could have used nonlethal force to take him down.”
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
While the GBI is already investigating the circumstances around the lethal shooting, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said this morning that his office had already gotten involved as well.
“My office has already launched an intense, independent investigation of the incident,” Howard told The Associated Press, indicating tht members of his staff “were on scene shortly after the shooting, and we have been in investigative sessions ever since to identify all of the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident.”
Former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams responded to the news on Twitter with a call for accountability to follow any investigation.
The killing of #RayshardBrooks in Atlanta last night demands we severely restrict the use of deadly force. Yes, investigations must be called for – but so too should accountability. Sleeping in a drive-thru must not end in death. https://t.co/LKsiwA48Ll — Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) June 13, 2020
In our polarized world of over-militarized police with hair-trigger reflexes tending towards the “shoot first, ask questions later” ethos, it a shame to say that one must actually remind our “peace officers” that “Sleeping in a drive-thru must not end in death.”
It’s come to this.
Only the continued pressure from the types of massive public protests like we’ve seen over the past two weeks will reverse the course of this river of police over-reaction and unnecessary death. Press on!
You can see video footage of the struggle between police and Rayshard Brooks as recorded by an eyewitness on the scene in the excerpt below.
Warning: this is not easy to watch.
UPDATE:
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the resignation of Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields this afternoon following the uproar over the incident.
According to WSB-TV, “Bottoms said Saturday that she believes it was an unnecessary use of deadly force and she has called for the officer’s immediate termination. The officer’s name has not been released.”
“While there may be a debate about whether this was an appropriate use of deadly force, I firmly believe there is a clear distinction between what you can do and what you should do,” Bottoms said. “I have called for the immediate termination of the officer.” “Because of her desire that Atlanta be a model of what meaningful reform should look like across this country, Chief Shields has offered to immediately step aside as police chief so that the city may move forward with urgency and rebuilding the trust that is desperately needed throughout our communities,” Bottoms said. Chief Shields has been under pressure to resign since six APD officers were arrested for using excessive force on two college students during protests in May.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by The Associated Press.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
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--2020-06-13--Trump’s tiny toddler steps at West Point commencement inspire speculation on his health

No one will be singing the old Four Seasons hit from the 1960s to Donald Trump anytime soon , judging from the footage of his delicate exit from the stage at the West Point commencement address that he gave today .
Even more rampant speculation about the president ’ s physical and mental health than is normal on any given day was bandied about this afternoon after video footage of Trump taking careful toddler steps down a ramp from the stage went viral online this afternoon .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Those viewing the footage of Trump ’ s awkward descent as he carefully watched his own feet while he slowly shuffled down the ramp , perilously close to falling over from his pronounced forward lean — followed by his triumphant jog on his final steps as he hit the level ground — were varied as to their opinions about the cause of the obvious difficulty the president — whose yearly physical results have yet to be credibly released — was having while navigating the not-particularly-steep downward slope .
Some people pointed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign that Trump is suffering from Frontotemporal Dementia as the nation is suffering from his abysmal performance in office .
If Trump has indeed suffered a stroke or has some other neurological disorder that caused his embarrassing inability to walk down the ramp normally , he won ’ t be the first president to try to conceal his physical deterioration from the American public .
President Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke while in office just over 100 years ago , but his wife and the White House physician at the time concealed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few months remained in his term .
At the time , however , the 25th Amendment to the Constitution dealing with issues of presidential succession in the case of the disability of the chief executive had yet to be conceived .
Since it was passed in 1967 , the vice-president , together with a “ majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide , ” can band together to decide that the president is “ unable to discharge the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even against his own stubborn declarations to the contrary .
The president can fight the declaration , and it would take a two-thirds majority of both houses of Congress declaring that they agree with his incapacitated condition to prevent him from regaining his official powers .
With such a powerful tool at their disposal , the only thing preventing Republicans from saving the country — and their own party — from the dangers inherent in the Donald Trump presidency is their own fear at defying that man who gave them the tax cuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after .
The latest footage of Trump ’ s obvious physical difficulties may not provide enough evidence to invoke the 25th Amendment — although the president has furnished more than ample evidence of mental health issues that should justify that decision — but it certainly should provide ammunition for urgent calls for a transparent evaluation of Donald Trump ’ s current physical and mental condition , particularly since he is seeking to win another four years in office .
The American people deserve to know the truth about the president ’ s health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convinces everyone to demand it so we can all sing one of the verses from “ Walk Like a Man ” : We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

UPDATE: After speculation of his awkward descent penetrated the president’s notoriously thin skin, Trump responded with the below tweeted excuse that can charitably be described as pathetic.
The ramp that I descended after my West Point Commencement speech was very long & steep, had no handrail and, most importantly, was very slippery. The last thing I was going to do is “fall” for the Fake News to have fun with. Final ten feet I ran down to level ground. Momentum! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2020
“Walk like a man, talk like a man
Walk like a man my son.” “Walk Like a Man” — The Four Seasons
No one will be singing the old Four Seasons hit from the 1960s to Donald Trump anytime soon, judging from the footage of his delicate exit from the stage at the West Point commencement address that he gave today.
Even more rampant speculation about the president’s physical and mental health than is normal on any given day was bandied about this afternoon after a pair of videos went viral online this afternoon. In the first, Trump struggles to take a sip of water:
Do you think he will explain what is up with not being able to fully bring a glass of water to his mouth with his right hand, needing to use his left one to help? https://t.co/4anmtGXG1j — Laura Rozen (@lrozen) June 14, 2020
In the second, Trump is seen taking careful toddler steps down a ramp from the stage.
#TrumpNeedsAWalker should be trending
His decline is dramatic. — Fin FoxGuy #AmericaInCrisis (@FinFox2) June 13, 2020
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Those viewing the footage of Trump’s awkward descent as he carefully watched his own feet while he slowly shuffled down the ramp, perilously close to falling over from his pronounced forward lean — followed by his triumphant jog on his final steps as he hit the level ground — were varied as to their opinions about the cause of the obvious difficulty the president — whose yearly physical results have yet to be credibly released — was having while navigating the not-particularly-steep downward slope.
Some people pointed to the president’s gait as a sign that Trump is suffering from Frontotemporal Dementia as the nation is suffering from his abysmal performance in office.
Others blamed his vanity.
Can we do something about this now ??? Asking for the over 100,000 dead Americans from his stupidity ???. — Peace (@mrorangevale) June 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/Venusjade/status/1271918168664084480?s=20
https://twitter.com/CellierGomez/status/1271915346916782090?s=20
https://twitter.com/ShurSh0t/status/1271913452945190920?s=20
https://twitter.com/theresa62605716/status/1271911509468123137?s=20
Reasonable speculation: that unscheduled "visit" to Walter Reed last year, Trump experiencing mild stroke. Signs are clear w/erratic behavior, speech deterioration, lack of focus, thought incoherence. ONE SIDE physical tells: R eye droop, R arm lift, R leg drag. Same thing F-I-L. — Brent O (@OnlineDetective) June 13, 2020
He is going to fall flat on his face on camera,and it will be glorious. If he wasn’t evil I’d feel sorry for him. — m1ke77 (@m1ke77) June 13, 2020
The ramp was probably put there in place of stairs which would be even worse for him. — Amy Beth (@happylittlefish) June 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/GetSmartResist/status/1271905920482607104?s=20
https://twitter.com/Veronstein/status/1271916978421346306?s=20
I think that is why they are hitting Biden with how he talks. Taking the Spotlight away from himself — Tardis_lass (@Heathfeath45) June 13, 2020
Only if/when Biden gets elected will people be told the true extent of his health issues. — Creatrix5 (@Creatrix5) June 13, 2020
If Trump has indeed suffered a stroke or has some other neurological disorder that caused his embarrassing inability to walk down the ramp normally, he won’t be the first president to try to conceal his physical deterioration from the American public.
President Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke while in office just over 100 years ago, but his wife and the White House physician at the time concealed his condition from the general public until only a few months remained in his term.
At the time, however, the 25th Amendment to the Constitution dealing with issues of presidential succession in the case of the disability of the chief executive had yet to be conceived.
Since it was passed in 1967, the vice-president, together with a “majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide,” can band together to decide that the president is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office” even against his own stubborn declarations to the contrary.
The president can fight the declaration, and it would take a two-thirds majority of both houses of Congress declaring that they agree with his incapacitated condition to prevent him from regaining his official powers.
With such a powerful tool at their disposal, the only thing preventing Republicans from saving the country — and their own party — from the dangers inherent in the Donald Trump presidency is their own fear at defying that man who gave them the tax cuts and reactionary judges that they so lusted after.
The latest footage of Trump’s obvious physical difficulties may not provide enough evidence to invoke the 25th Amendment — although the president has furnished more than ample evidence of mental health issues that should justify that decision — but it certainly should provide ammunition for urgent calls for a transparent evaluation of Donald Trump’s current physical and mental condition, particularly since he is seeking to win another four years in office.
The American people deserve to know the truth about the president’s health.
Let’s hope this video convinces everyone to demand it so we can all sing one of the verses from “Walk Like a Man”:
“Bye bye baby, I don’t-a mean maybe
Gonna get along somehow
Soon you’ll be cryin’ on account of all your lyin’
Oh yeah, just look who’s laughin’ now.”
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
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--2020-06-13--Black man killed by police in Atlanta last night after being found asleep in his car at Wendy’s

You would think that weeks of massive protests all across the country dedicated to the concept that # BlackLivesMatter would have given Atlanta Police just a little bit of pause before they trained their guns on an unarmed black man who had fallen asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane of a fast-food restaurant in the southern city .
Whatever may have been racing through the minds of the Atlanta police officers during their confrontation with 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks in the Wendy ’ s parking lot last night , in the end , it was apparent that this particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them as they fatally shot him in a scuffle after he “ failed a field sobriety test and resisted arrest , ” according to Georgia authorities and The Associated Press .
The officers had been responding to a complaint that a car was blocking access to the fast-food vendor ’ s drive-thru lane and found Brooks fast asleep in the front of the car .
After a sobriety test was administered and Brooks was found to be over the legal limit , the officers attempted to place him under arrest rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleep it off in another section of the parking lot .
The officers claim that their recently roused suspect “ resisted arrest ” and struggled with the officers who responded by taking out their Tasers .
Atlanta Deputy Police Chief Timothy Peek described what happened next when he spoke with reporters at the scene on Friday night .
After a second officer tried to subdue Brooks with his Taser , he too was unsuccessful at using powerful shocks of electricity to take down Brooks .
The end result according to the Georgia Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject was shot by an officer in the struggle over the Taser.
” Brooks was taken to a local hospital after the shooting and died in surgery shortly thereafter .
One of the police officers involved was treated for an injury sustained during the struggle and quickly discharged from the hospital .
The incident led a group of about 150 protestors to congregate at the scene of the shooting this morning .
Gerald Griggs , the vice president of Atlanta ’ s NAACP chapter , was there and explained why the demonstrators were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eerily reminiscent of similar incidents across the country where infractions that anyone except a person of color would normally be able to walk away with facing a warning , a fine , or at worst a brief arrest but instead ends up with more person joining the litany of names of victims of police escalation and excessive use of force .
As Griggs explained , despite Brook ’ s unwise decision to resist arrest for sleeping while intoxicated , the officers “ could have used nonlethal force to take him down.
” Add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
While the GBI is already investigating the circumstances around the lethal shooting , Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said this morning that his office had already gotten involved as well .
Former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams responded to the news on Twitter with a call for accountability to follow any investigation .
In our polarized world of over-militarized police with hair-trigger reflexes tending towards the “ shoot first , ask questions later ” ethos , it a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remind our “ peace officers ” that “ Sleeping in a drive-thru must not end in death.
” It ’ s come to this .
Only the continued pressure from the types of massive public protests like we ’ ve seen over the past two weeks will reverse the course of this river of police over-reaction and unnecessary death .
Press on !
You can see video footage of the struggle between police and Rayshard Brooks as recorded by an eyewitness on the scene in the excerpt below .
Warning : this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by The Associated Press .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

You would think that weeks of massive protests all across the country dedicated to the concept that #BlackLivesMatter would have given Atlanta Police just a little bit of pause before they trained their guns on an unarmed black man who had fallen asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane of a fast-food restaurant in the southern city.
Whatever may have been racing through the minds of the Atlanta police officers during their confrontation with 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks in the Wendy’s parking lot last night, in the end, it was apparent that this particular black life didn’t matter much to them as they fatally shot him in a scuffle after he “failed a field sobriety test and resisted arrest,” according to Georgia authorities and The Associated Press.
The officers had been responding to a complaint that a car was blocking access to the fast-food vendor’s drive-thru lane and found Brooks fast asleep in the front of the car.
After a sobriety test was administered and Brooks was found to be over the legal limit, the officers attempted to place him under arrest rather than move his vehicle and allow him to sleep it off in another section of the parking lot. The officers claim that their recently roused suspect “resisted arrest” and struggled with the officers who responded by taking out their Tasers.
Atlanta Deputy Police Chief Timothy Peek described what happened next when he spoke with reporters at the scene on Friday night.
“Ultimately, when the officer used a Taser, it was ineffective for the suspect,” Peek related. “It did not stop the aggression of the fight. And so the suspect was able to take the officer’s Taser from him.”
After a second officer tried to subdue Brooks with his Taser, he too was unsuccessful at using powerful shocks of electricity to take down Brooks.
The end result according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was “that the male subject was shot by an officer in the struggle over the Taser.” Brooks was taken to a local hospital after the shooting and died in surgery shortly thereafter. One of the police officers involved was treated for an injury sustained during the struggle and quickly discharged from the hospital.
The incident led a group of about 150 protestors to congregate at the scene of the shooting this morning. Gerald Griggs, the vice president of Atlanta’s NAACP chapter, was there and explained why the demonstrators were outraged.
“The people are upset,” Griggs said. “They want to know why their dear brother Rayshard Brooks was shot and killed when he was merely asleep on the passenger side and not doing anything.”
It sounds like a story eerily reminiscent of similar incidents across the country where infractions that anyone except a person of color would normally be able to walk away with facing a warning, a fine, or at worst a brief arrest but instead ends up with more person joining the litany of names of victims of police escalation and excessive use of force.
As Griggs explained, despite Brook’s unwise decision to resist arrest for sleeping while intoxicated, the officers “could have used nonlethal force to take him down.”
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
While the GBI is already investigating the circumstances around the lethal shooting, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said this morning that his office had already gotten involved as well.
“My office has already launched an intense, independent investigation of the incident,” Howard told The Associated Press, indicating tht members of his staff “were on scene shortly after the shooting, and we have been in investigative sessions ever since to identify all of the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident.”
Former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams responded to the news on Twitter with a call for accountability to follow any investigation.
The killing of #RayshardBrooks in Atlanta last night demands we severely restrict the use of deadly force. Yes, investigations must be called for – but so too should accountability. Sleeping in a drive-thru must not end in death. https://t.co/LKsiwA48Ll — Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) June 13, 2020
In our polarized world of over-militarized police with hair-trigger reflexes tending towards the “shoot first, ask questions later” ethos, it a shame to say that one must actually remind our “peace officers” that “Sleeping in a drive-thru must not end in death.”
It’s come to this.
Only the continued pressure from the types of massive public protests like we’ve seen over the past two weeks will reverse the course of this river of police over-reaction and unnecessary death. Press on!
You can see video footage of the struggle between police and Rayshard Brooks as recorded by an eyewitness on the scene in the excerpt below.
Warning: this is not easy to watch.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by The Associated Press.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
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--2020-06-13--Trump ridiculed for “rambling” and “boring” West Point commencement address

Those looking for Donald Trump to go off script and deliver a typically inappropriate or outrageous comment today at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he gave the commencement address to 1,1o0 graduating cadets from the class of 2020 may have been disappointed today to see the president sticking to his teleprompter throughout the address .
The graduating cadets — who had been called back to the military academy after it had been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic and placed in quarantine for two weeks on campus in order to protect the president from possible transmission while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somnambulant address with tepid applause while wearing masks of the sort that Trump himself naturally eschewed .
One can be fairly certain that Trump ’ s speech was an assemblage of empty platitudes because the only excerpt that many social media users found worthy of highlighting was footage of Trump ’ s uniquely childish two-handed drinking technique when he paused to take a sip of water .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
Of course , there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by empty silence when the paused for the expected applause after announcing that tomorrow would be his birthday .
The bulk of the reviews from Twitter critics of Trump ’ s pedestrian polemic of patriotism were predictably savage .
Still , the incongruence of a draft-dodging commander-in-chief addressing the graduates of America ’ s most distinguished military academy was .
not nearly as shocking as the cognitive dissonance between the West Point cadet honor code — as inscribed in stone on campus — and the behavior of the president who was delivering their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the West Point cadets had already graduated , in fact , each of them failed their true final exam .
Despite their adherence to the chain of command in attending the bastardized commencement ceremony , the graduates — by failing to turn their backs on the president or jeer his presence — failed in their application of the cadet honor code by tolerating a commander-in-chief whose entire presidency has been based on the very habits of lying , cheating , and stealing they have been trained to abhor .
At least they kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it appears as if no true leaders graduated from West Point in the class of 2020 .
If just one cadet had the nerve to publicly express what many of their fellow graduates were thinking silently to themselves , then hope for the future leadership of the military would be justified .
That no one did just demonstrates how much the Trump presidency has degraded our nation .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Those looking for Donald Trump to go off script and deliver a typically inappropriate or outrageous comment today at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he gave the commencement address to 1,1o0 graduating cadets from the class of 2020 may have been disappointed today to see the president sticking to his teleprompter throughout the address.
The graduating cadets — who had been called back to the military academy after it had been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic and placed in quarantine for two weeks on campus in order to protect the president from possible transmission while bolstering his ego — responded to the somnambulant address with tepid applause while wearing masks of the sort that Trump himself naturally eschewed.
One can be fairly certain that Trump’s speech was an assemblage of empty platitudes because the only excerpt that many social media users found worthy of highlighting was footage of Trump’s uniquely childish two-handed drinking technique when he paused to take a sip of water.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Trump at West Point, sounding like he swallowed a handful of Valium, unable to lift his left arm for a sip of water, ends his “speech” and only a handful of graduates clap for him.pic.twitter.com/K8TE0TZ6DI — LiA (@LibsInAmerica) June 13, 2020
Of course, there was the humiliation of the president being greeted by empty silence when the paused for the expected applause after announcing that tomorrow would be his birthday.
Trump telling West Point graduates tomorrow is his birthday. Met by silence….no applause. Another Trump photo-op has backfired. He was not well received at West Point. pic.twitter.com/bS9tZvEURI — LiA (@LibsInAmerica) June 13, 2020
The bulk of the reviews from Twitter critics of Trump’s pedestrian polemic of patriotism were predictably savage.
.@MalcolmNance nails Trump’s #WestPoint speech: “Dull as dishwater… a fifth grader’s speech in front of parents… A series of platitudes and places he’s never learned about… Nothing to remember, nothing for service members to take away.” pic.twitter.com/yylCcC9Es4 — flitedocnm (@flitedocnm) June 13, 2020
The graduating West Point cadets had return to campus to be quarantined for two weeks in their barracks, wearing masks and participating in zoom leadership calls, as they waited for Trump to use them as a prop as he struggled to deliver an uninspiring, politically infused speech. https://t.co/J1YMAETBUD — Alexandra Chalupa (@AlexandraChalup) June 13, 2020
Trump reads simple words from a teleprompter with all the ease and assuredness of a six year bumbling through the list of food additives in a Hot Pocket. #WestPoint — Brain Turning (@brain_turning) June 13, 2020
President Trump graduation speech at West Point ok. Stuck to his script. Obviously treated with respect as Commander in Chief by the faculty and Cadets. Not important that his remarks were a collection of awkward, badly delivered bromides. — Barry R McCaffrey (@mccaffreyr3) June 13, 2020
Trump used #westpoint & #WestPointCadets as a prop just like he used the Bible as a prop/photo op. I feel for these cadets as it’s not deserved. — Blinded By The Bite! (@BlindedBite) June 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/donnak831/status/1271830318270513154?s=20
Maybe a five-time draft dodging traitor who attacks our war heroes; insults Gold Star families; disparages their grieving widows; excoriates and fires Purple Heart recipients; and defends Nazis and the Confederacy shouldn’t be addressing our West Point graduates during a pandemic — Andrew Wortman (@AmoneyResists) June 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/duty2warn/status/1271829115356672001?s=20
Trump delivered a speech off a teleprompter in a boring dull monotone to a muted and polite response from the #westpoint cadets. He didn't stray off topic/deliver dog whistles.Will be deemed an enormous success & the start of his 'reset'. There's an advantage when bar is so low. — Rob Gill (@robggill) June 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/Mr_Davis18/status/1271829801012060160?s=20
Duty, honor doesn't work when one has been impeached… #justsayin How much did that photo op cost? #westpoint — Backstorymom1 (@Backstorymom1) June 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/mbindwane/status/1271826747072356353?s=20
Those poor West Point Cadets all looked like they had just been sent to detention when Bonespurs McDodger was speaking.
They obviously know his history, and strained to clap for him. pic.twitter.com/O2Dixphgut — But, but, Obama (@Keytobe1) June 13, 2020
Trump at West Point Made all those cadets return though they had already graduated. The same Narcissist who gassed peaceful demonstrators out of the way for a photo op delivered platitudinous blather, miscast metaphors, ill read & constructed prattle. he has no passion, empathy! pic.twitter.com/oKaPttLzUx — Forsaken By Tyche (@EffinWells) June 13, 2020
#WestPoint grads deserve a better speech than Trump bragging about himself, bloviating and rambling in a speech neither uplifting or coherent. Did he really bring these young people together to risk #COVID19 for his usual self pleasuring before an audience? Disrespectful. — Fata Morgana (@maladamus) June 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/gay_seniors/status/1271829418906988545?s=20
Still, the incongruence of a draft-dodging commander-in-chief addressing the graduates of America’s most distinguished military academy was. not nearly as shocking as the cognitive dissonance between the West Point cadet honor code — as inscribed in stone on campus — and the behavior of the president who was delivering their commencement.
https://twitter.com/RaySanti/status/1271829835367751680?s=20
Despite the fact that all the West Point cadets had already graduated, in fact, each of them failed their true final exam.
Despite their adherence to the chain of command in attending the bastardized commencement ceremony, the graduates — by failing to turn their backs on the president or jeer his presence — failed in their application of the cadet honor code by tolerating a commander-in-chief whose entire presidency has been based on the very habits of lying, cheating, and stealing they have been trained to abhor.
At least they kept the applause to a minimum, but it appears as if no true leaders graduated from West Point in the class of 2020.
If just one cadet had the nerve to publicly express what many of their fellow graduates were thinking silently to themselves, then hope for the future leadership of the military would be justified.
That no one did just demonstrates how much the Trump presidency has degraded our nation.
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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--2020-06-14--Trump goes full-Nixon, falling back on appeal to a mythical “SILENT MAJORITY” in face of protests

One can always count on Donald Trump to be oblivious to anything outside of his own desires and how those objectives color his perceptions of the events taking place around him .
As America enters its unprecedented third week of protests that were sparked by the police murder of George Floyd but widened by a nationwide revulsion at police brutality and the unequal treatment of our country ’ s justice system , Trump misses the point of the protests and the level of momentum they have gained as the sands of the national mood have shifted rapidly under his unsteady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the so-called “ silent majority ” of the 1950s and 1960s , the president falls back on cold war tropes as he engages in increasingly desperate-sounding divisiveness in his daily tweeted nuggets of propaganda-like commentary .
Take his tweets this afternoon wherein he prioritizes the news about how a small section of Seattle has achieved a peaceful measure of citizen-controlled society without the oppressive presence of an abusive police force over the issues of justice inequities that inspired the protests to begin with .
Add your name to tell states and police to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence against peaceful protestors !
Trump blames the shibboleth of the “ Radical Left ” in the same breath as he condemns the “ Fake News Media ” for not covering the peaceful citizen-led occupation to his liking .
His paranoia is such that rather than realizing that a peaceful lack of conflict does not a compelling news story make , the president concocts a media-wide conspiracy to protect the Democratic leadership in the city and in Washington state .
Yes , the situation is easily fixed , but not with the unspoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposedly “ Law Order ” -loving president seems to imply between the lines , but with his own resignation .
Trump apparently realized that he posted a tweet assigning blame on radical leftists and forgot to mention his favorite target for inducing fear among the more news-isolated members of his cult .
He quickly corrected any oversight by tweeting essentially the same message as his prior tweet minus the attack on the media but doubling down on his smearing of the Democratic party .
Interesting how this president , who was just weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upset about quarantine and mask regulations and the inability to obtain haircuts and massages to “ LIBERATE ” their states and advising governors and mayors to heed their citizens ’ calls , suddenly gets cold feet when the people actually do take action to liberate the bonds of an oppressive and unresponsive police force from their backs .
Trump ’ s invocation of “ hard working , tax paying citizens ” seems to indicate that he thinks that everyone on the streets participating in the protests the past few weeks are unemployed freeloaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the abuse and corruption of the Trump regime .
While many may indeed now be unemployed , it is a much larger number than otherwise may have been if the president hadn ’ t squandered so much of the time that our country should have spent preparing for the pandemic and then subsequently horribly mismanaging the response to it .
Trump ’ s last tweet of the afternoon so far confirms his obsession with the Nixonian-phrase referring to a group of cultural conservatives that now largely reside exclusively in the recesses of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent polling is to be believed .
Yeah , and they say that Mr. Clean is stronger than dirt too — without the all-caps shouting — but there is still plenty of dirt around , and we could only hope that Trump supporters would stay silent .
Trump has never had a majority of Americans supporting him at any point during his presidency .
He lost the popular vote in 2016 and was only elected due to small margins in a few swing states in an election marred by Russian interference that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have been if the Kremlin had not dedicated an entire cyberwarfare team to help elect him .
The majority isn ’ t silent any longer .
They are out in the streets demanding change while this president dwells in a repudiated past .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

One can always count on Donald Trump to be oblivious to anything outside of his own desires and how those objectives color his perceptions of the events taking place around him.
As America enters its unprecedented third week of protests that were sparked by the police murder of George Floyd but widened by a nationwide revulsion at police brutality and the unequal treatment of our country’s justice system, Trump misses the point of the protests and the level of momentum they have gained as the sands of the national mood have shifted rapidly under his unsteady feet.
With a mind fixated on the so-called “silent majority” of the 1950s and 1960s, the president falls back on cold war tropes as he engages in increasingly desperate-sounding divisiveness in his daily tweeted nuggets of propaganda-like commentary.
Take his tweets this afternoon wherein he prioritizes the news about how a small section of Seattle has achieved a peaceful measure of citizen-controlled society without the oppressive presence of an abusive police force over the issues of justice inequities that inspired the protests to begin with.
Does anyone notice how little the Radical Left takeover of Seattle is being discussed in the Fake News Media. That is very much on purpose because they know how badly this weakness & ineptitude play politically. The Mayor & Governor should be ashamed of themselves. Easily fixed! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2020
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Trump blames the shibboleth of the “Radical Left” in the same breath as he condemns the “Fake News Media” for not covering the peaceful citizen-led occupation to his liking.
His paranoia is such that rather than realizing that a peaceful lack of conflict does not a compelling news story make, the president concocts a media-wide conspiracy to protect the Democratic leadership in the city and in Washington state.
Yes, the situation is easily fixed, but not with the unspoken threat of a police led-crackdown that this supposedly “Law Order”-loving president seems to imply between the lines, but with his own resignation.
Trump apparently realized that he posted a tweet assigning blame on radical leftists and forgot to mention his favorite target for inducing fear among the more news-isolated members of his cult.
He quickly corrected any oversight by tweeting essentially the same message as his prior tweet minus the attack on the media but doubling down on his smearing of the Democratic party.
Interesting how ANTIFA and other Far Left militant groups can take over a city without barely a wimpier from soft Do Nothing Democrat leadership, yet these same weak leaders become RADICAL when it comes to shutting down a state or city and its hard working, tax paying citizens! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2020
Interesting how this president, who was just weeks ago tweeting at angry, armed crowds upset about quarantine and mask regulations and the inability to obtain haircuts and massages to “LIBERATE” their states and advising governors and mayors to heed their citizens’ calls, suddenly gets cold feet when the people actually do take action to liberate the bonds of an oppressive and unresponsive police force from their backs.
Trump’s invocation of “hard working, tax paying citizens” seems to indicate that he thinks that everyone on the streets participating in the protests the past few weeks are unemployed freeloaders rather than concerned citizens fed up with the abuse and corruption of the Trump regime. While many may indeed now be unemployed, it is a much larger number than otherwise may have been if the president hadn’t squandered so much of the time that our country should have spent preparing for the pandemic and then subsequently horribly mismanaging the response to it.
Trump’s last tweet of the afternoon so far confirms his obsession with the Nixonian-phrase referring to a group of cultural conservatives that now largely reside exclusively in the recesses of the president’s own mind, if recent polling is to be believed.
THE SILENT MAJORITY IS STRONGER THAN EVER!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2020
Yeah, and they say that Mr. Clean is stronger than dirt too — without the all-caps shouting — but there is still plenty of dirt around, and we could only hope that Trump supporters would stay silent.
Trump has never had a majority of Americans supporting him at any point during his presidency.
He lost the popular vote in 2016 and was only elected due to small margins in a few swing states in an election marred by Russian interference that has cast doubt on what the real results would have been if the Kremlin had not dedicated an entire cyberwarfare team to help elect him.
The majority isn’t silent any longer. They are out in the streets demanding change while this president dwells in a repudiated past.
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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--2020-06-14--Director of Tulsa Health Department wants Trump to postpone his Oklahoma rally this week

With the premature reopening of the economy and a return to unmasked business as usual in states that have not yet met CDC guidelines to do so , the United States remains at the top of the list of global nations in the sheer number of COVID-19 cases , exceeding the number two country , Brazil , by over 1.2 million cases .
While a few other nations like Italy , Spain , and the United Kingdom have higher per capita cases than the U.S. , the countries are largely seeing falling numbers of new infections while in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the past few days which have seen a surge in new coronavirus transmissions likely attributable to the loosening of state and local restrictions .
While health officials have been ringing alarm bells about the resurgence of the pandemic , the Trump administration is combining its ostrich-like denialism of the growing health crisis with active measures that are likely to result in even further spread of the disease .
Since Trump made the inconceivable decision to have the federal government largely wash its hands of the responsibility to coordinate a coherent national response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls to reopen the economy to salvage his re-election bid , the president has turned sensible preventative measures against the still-vaccine-less virus into political statements , as his own refusal to wear a protective mask became as much of an emulated behavior among MAGA fanatics as the wearing of those ubiquitous red baseball caps .
Trump ’ s refusal to heed the dangers of the COVID-19 virus has manifested itself most dangerously in his plans to resume the proto-fascist hate-fests that his political rallies typically are without sufficient concern to the health of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s insistence that his acceptance speech at the upcoming Republican National Convention be moved from North Carolina — where the Democratic governor has refused to allow a relaxation of coronavirus-inspired public health protective measures to accommodate the president ’ s desire for a photo op filled with maskless people pushed against each other like sardines — to Florida where Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has no such qualms about creating a new superspreader virus hotspot , Trump ’ s rally plans demonstrate a cruel indifference to the health of his own supporters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal liability that he and his campaign could suffer if attendees of his upcoming rallies contract COVID-19 since he ’ s had his legal team draft a waiver that every supporter must sign to hold them harmless in the eventuality of that sad fate .
Trump ’ s first post-lockdown rally was already controversial not just because of its cavalier attitude towards health and safety , but because it was initially scheduled to take place in a city — Tulsa , Oklahoma — that was the sight of one of the biggest massacres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on a day — June 19th , or “ Juneteenth ” — that is celebrated in black communities as a holiday marking the end of slavery in this country .
After a massive outcry over the rally scheduling as another of Trump ’ s racist dog whistles to his deplorable right-wing extremist base , his campaign postponed the rally by one day to demonstrate a modicum of sensitivity in these racially charged times .
Now the director of the Tulsa Health Department has gone on record to say that he wishes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 in his city begin to recede in a state that has seen infection rise to record levels recently .
It remains to be seen if Dart ’ s clever appeal to Trump ’ s medical paranoia about his own health will be sufficient to convince the president to submerge his desire for an ego-boosting fix or not .
It was smart of the Tulsa Health Department director to appeal to the president ’ s sense of personal security , however , since it ’ s plainly obvious that he cares not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ band of rabid followers , few of whom seem likely to wear masks for fear of being seen as sissy leftists .
Many of Trump ’ s evangelical supporters are creationists who don ’ t believe in the theory of evolution .
How ironic that they will add to the evidence accumulated by Darwin of the proof of “ survival of the fittest ’ as a means of natural selection .
How ironic that Trump thinks his electoral margins are so good that he can afford to lose large numbers of supporters who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after they cheer him on .
Original reporting by The Associated Press .
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Join millions calling for AG Barr to resign after he defied his constitutional obligations in order to protect Trump !

With the premature reopening of the economy and a return to unmasked business as usual in states that have not yet met CDC guidelines to do so, the United States remains at the top of the list of global nations in the sheer number of COVID-19 cases, exceeding the number two country, Brazil, by over 1.2 million cases.
While a few other nations like Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom have higher per capita cases than the U.S., the countries are largely seeing falling numbers of new infections while in the United States, new cases have been flat until the past few days which have seen a surge in new coronavirus transmissions likely attributable to the loosening of state and local restrictions.
While health officials have been ringing alarm bells about the resurgence of the pandemic, the Trump administration is combining its ostrich-like denialism of the growing health crisis with active measures that are likely to result in even further spread of the disease.
Since Trump made the inconceivable decision to have the federal government largely wash its hands of the responsibility to coordinate a coherent national response to the pandemic in favor of endless calls to reopen the economy to salvage his re-election bid, the president has turned sensible preventative measures against the still-vaccine-less virus into political statements, as his own refusal to wear a protective mask became as much of an emulated behavior among MAGA fanatics as the wearing of those ubiquitous red baseball caps.
Trump’s refusal to heed the dangers of the COVID-19 virus has manifested itself most dangerously in his plans to resume the proto-fascist hate-fests that his political rallies typically are without sufficient concern to the health of any likely-maskless attendees.
Much like Trump’s insistence that his acceptance speech at the upcoming Republican National Convention be moved from North Carolina — where the Democratic governor has refused to allow a relaxation of coronavirus-inspired public health protective measures to accommodate the president’s desire for a photo op filled with maskless people pushed against each other like sardines — to Florida where Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has no such qualms about creating a new superspreader virus hotspot, Trump’s rally plans demonstrate a cruel indifference to the health of his own supporters.
That indifference does not extend to the legal liability that he and his campaign could suffer if attendees of his upcoming rallies contract COVID-19 since he’s had his legal team draft a waiver that every supporter must sign to hold them harmless in the eventuality of that sad fate.
Trump’s first post-lockdown rally was already controversial not just because of its cavalier attitude towards health and safety, but because it was initially scheduled to take place in a city — Tulsa, Oklahoma — that was the sight of one of the biggest massacres of African American citizens in U.S. history and on a day — June 19th, or “Juneteenth” — that is celebrated in black communities as a holiday marking the end of slavery in this country.
After a massive outcry over the rally scheduling as another of Trump’s racist dog whistles to his deplorable right-wing extremist base, his campaign postponed the rally by one day to demonstrate a modicum of sensitivity in these racially charged times.
Now the director of the Tulsa Health Department has gone on record to say that he wishes that Trump would postpone the rally until cases of COVID-19 in his city begin to recede in a state that has seen infection rise to record levels recently.
“I wish we could postpone this to a time when the virus isn’t as large a concern as it is today.” Health Department director Bruce Dart told the Tulsa World today. “I think it’s an honor for Tulsa to have a sitting president want to come and visit our community, but not during a pandemic,” Dart said. “I’m concerned about our ability to protect anyone who attends a large, indoor event, and I’m also concerned about our ability to ensure the president stays safe as well.”
It remains to be seen if Dart’s clever appeal to Trump’s medical paranoia about his own health will be sufficient to convince the president to submerge his desire for an ego-boosting fix or not. It was smart of the Tulsa Health Department director to appeal to the president’s sense of personal security, however, since it’s plainly obvious that he cares not a whit about the health of his band of rabid followers, few of whom seem likely to wear masks for fear of being seen as sissy leftists. Many of Trump’s evangelical supporters are creationists who don’t believe in the theory of evolution. How ironic that they will add to the evidence accumulated by Darwin of the proof of “survival of the fittest’ as a means of natural selection. How ironic that Trump thinks his electoral margins are so good that he can afford to lose large numbers of supporters who might fall prey to the rapacious virus after they cheer him on. Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter. Original reporting by The Associated Press. We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
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--2020-06-14--#TrumpIsUnwell trends on Twitter and the president couldn’t help but respond with a tweeted excuse

After Donald Trump was mercilessly mocked on social media for two incidents at his West Point commencement address yesterday that suggested that perhaps the president was suffering from some undisclosed neurological disorder , he wasn ’ t smart enough to leave the topic alone to be overtaken by whatever next outrage soon to be perpetrated by his administration .
Instead , he decided to issue a tweeted excuse that was mocked just as widely as the original actions that inspired the hashtag # TrumpIsUnwell to shoot to the top of the trending chart on Twitter .
In case you missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when , during his commencement speech , Trump needed two hands to lift a glass of water to his lips and then , immediately after his address , was seen taking very unsteady steps down a long exit ramp from the stage where his podium .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
As Vox ‘ s Arron Rupar so adroitly points out , none of Trump ’ s lame excuses bear scrutiny beyond their function as face-saving devices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental decline was on full display at the commencement ceremony , a needlessly risky exercise in this pandemic that was largely seen as an ego-boosting maneuver for the president .
Other Twitter commentators were equally unconvinced by Trump ’ s description of his harrowing journey down that potentially deadly ramp .
The president of the United States is displaying symptoms of obvious physical and mental dysfunction and the administration is in full denial with its eyes still on the November elections in which Trump is polling so poorly that his own staff is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assessment of his re-election odds .
While some may be loathe to attribute any of Trump ’ s erratic behavior and evil policies on any sort of inherent medical condition rather than on his moral deficiencies and privileged lack of discipline , the signs of actual physical and mental impairment are all there on video for the world to see .
Trump should stop by the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on his way back from his birthday golfing grip to his Bedminster , New Jersey resort and complete that annual physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long .
More importantly , the results of his tests need to be released to the American public who deserve to know if their Commander-in-Chief has gone non compos mentis on us , particularly since this man is trying to win four more years in the White House .
Instead of birthday cards today for the now 74-year-old president , perhaps Trump ’ s powerful friends should be sending him “ Get Well Soon ” greetings…and urge him to seek treatment after resigning to take care of his health .
We want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

After Donald Trump was mercilessly mocked on social media for two incidents at his West Point commencement address yesterday that suggested that perhaps the president was suffering from some undisclosed neurological disorder, he wasn’t smart enough to leave the topic alone to be overtaken by whatever next outrage soon to be perpetrated by his administration.
Instead, he decided to issue a tweeted excuse that was mocked just as widely as the original actions that inspired the hashtag #TrumpIsUnwell to shoot to the top of the trending chart on Twitter.
The ramp that I descended after my West Point Commencement speech was very long & steep, had no handrail and, most importantly, was very slippery. The last thing I was going to do is “fall” for the Fake News to have fun with. Final ten feet I ran down to level ground. Momentum! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2020
In case you missed the hoopla yesterday, the controversy began when, during his commencement speech, Trump needed two hands to lift a glass of water to his lips and then, immediately after his address, was seen taking very unsteady steps down a long exit ramp from the stage where his podium.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
There are more important things going on right now than this video clip but worth noting that it was sunny throughout Trump's appearance at West Point. If the ramp was indeed "slippery" it wasn't because of rain. And it certainly didn't appear to be steep. https://t.co/ZNtO8XyyFA — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 14, 2020
As Vox‘s Arron Rupar so adroitly points out, none of Trump’s lame excuses bear scrutiny beyond their function as face-saving devices for a president whose obvious physical and mental decline was on full display at the commencement ceremony, a needlessly risky exercise in this pandemic that was largely seen as an ego-boosting maneuver for the president.
Other Twitter commentators were equally unconvinced by Trump’s description of his harrowing journey down that potentially deadly ramp.
He didn’t have to tweet it. He could have let it go. If he was mindful in any way whatsoever he wouldn’t have put himself in a position we were going to talk about his ramp walk for a day. — Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) June 14, 2020
…And the water glass was very heavy, twice the weight of a normal water glass, and that's why I had to hoist it up with my other hand, to make sure it didnt fall and break, causing broken glass to hurt one of our troops, which the fake news would love. — JeremyNewberger (@jeremynewberger) June 14, 2020
…I actually was holding up that General down the ramp, who was having a tough time with the ramp. He will write a letter tomorrow confirming or AG Barr will. If I didn't go that slow, my General would have fallen. Some might say I saved him. Purple Heart? — JeremyNewberger (@jeremynewberger) June 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/Jess116116/status/1272053829350146048?s=20
Trump even made fun of Hillary Clinton for tripping on the stairs getting into an airplane. It’s perhaps fair game for a lot of people to make fun of Trump for gingerly walking down the stairs with the help of a general. Revenge can be sweet. But I think we’re better than that. — Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) June 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/DevinCow/status/1272023969835728897?s=20
What about his right hand? Something's up. — Alexander (@AMagatoni) June 14, 2020
You can tell when he’s not tweeting himself because it’s not written like a 5-yr-old. His “excuse” tweet about the ramp had proper punctuation & capitalization; something he can’t do. He needs a Dr. now! Sad that he’s so delusional that he won’t go. #TrumpIsNotWell #TRUMPstroke — Nancy O'Neill (@nancyjoneill) June 14, 2020
Every legit media outlet should report on trump’s health problems today like @davidgoldiner of the @NYDailyNews did. But they aren’t.
They won’t.
Why? Because they see his lying about his health as equal to lying about inauguration crowds or hurricane paths. They’re wrong. https://t.co/xZrfpsKtT3 — Philippe Reines (@PhilippeReines) June 14, 2020
The president of the United States is displaying symptoms of obvious physical and mental dysfunction and the administration is in full denial with its eyes still on the November elections in which Trump is polling so poorly that his own staff is hiding the results of each new negative assessment of his re-election odds.
While some may be loathe to attribute any of Trump’s erratic behavior and evil policies on any sort of inherent medical condition rather than on his moral deficiencies and privileged lack of discipline, the signs of actual physical and mental impairment are all there on video for the world to see.
Trump should stop by the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on his way back from his birthday golfing grip to his Bedminster, New Jersey resort and complete that annual physical he’s been delaying for so long.
More importantly, the results of his tests need to be released to the American public who deserve to know if their Commander-in-Chief has gone non compos mentis on us, particularly since this man is trying to win four more years in the White House.
Instead of birthday cards today for the now 74-year-old president, perhaps Trump’s powerful friends should be sending him “Get Well Soon” greetings…and urge him to seek treatment after resigning to take care of his health.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Tom Boggioni at RawStory/Alternet.
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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--2020-06-14--A second black man found hanging from tree in California while police claim no “foul play”

“ Southern trees bear a strange fruit Blood on the leaves and blood at the root Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.
” Billie Holiday referred to the bodies of lynched black men hanging from the branches of billowy trees in the south as “ strange fruit.
” Although California is now one of the agricultural breadbaskets in our land , it is still shocking to hear about the recent bumper crop of “ strange fruit ” that found in the state far from the belt of southern states where lynching was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was reeling with protests against police brutality and huge crowds of people were marching while chanting “ Black lives matter ” last week , 24-year-old Robert Fuller was found hanging in a tree near Palmdale City Hall on Wednesday in what police are characterizing as a “ suicide ” despite the other implications inherent when a black man ’ s body is found in a tree with a noose around his neck .
Now , the story of a second African American man found hanging from a tree in California recently has come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch whose body was found hanging in a tree near the Victorville City Library in San Bernadino county in southern California by the Victorville City Fire Department on May 31st .
The San Bernardino County Sheriff ’ s Department is still conducting an active investigation into the death but told Victor Valley News that , despite the circumstances that would lead one to suspect a possible lynching may have occurred , they do not suspect that foul play was involved in Harsch ’ s death .
While Harsch ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time of the discovery of his body , preferring to hold off until they had more details from the sheriff ’ s department , they contacted the local news outlet yesterday with the following statement that cast doubt upon the official , if incomplete , police narrative : “ Our brother Malcolm Harsch died on May 31st .
His cause of death has not been released to the family yet but we are concerned that his death will be labeled as a suicide , as this is what was communicated to us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning of June 1st , ” the family stated .
“ Amidst the current racial tension and following the protesting the night prior to his body being discovered we were truly troubled to learn of his passing particularly of how his body was discovered .
He is an African-American man whose body was found hanging from a tree !
The deputy who called to confirm his death asked questions about drug or alcohol use , he made a statement about how the coronavirus has “ hit people really hard ” and said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself , ” the statement continued .
“ As most of us are in Ohio , we weren ’ t able to physically go to the location where he was found dead but did speak to a few people who were around at the time of the discovery .
We were told that his 6 foot 3 inches long body wasn ’ t even dangling from the tree .
There was blood on his shirt but there didn ’ t appear to be any physical implications at the scene to suggest that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounds at that time .
His body sat at the San Bernardino County Coroner for 12 days before an autopsy was performed .
We understand that Victorville is a small city and have been reminded regularly that San Bernardino is very busy ( as if we aren ’ t patient enough for necessary answers ) but feel that our brother ’ s death will be waived off as a suicide to avoid any further media attention .
Malcolm had very recent conversations with his children about seeing them soon .
He didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who truly knew him .
EVERYONE who knew our brother was shocked to hear that he allegedly hung himself and don ’ t believe it to be true as well as the people who were there when his body was discovered .
The explanation of suicide does not seem plausible .
There are many ways to die but considering the current racial tension , a black man hanging himself from a tree definitely doesn ’ t sit well with us right now .
We want justice not comfortable excuses , ” the Harsch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harsch ’ s family seem determined to not let his death be swept under the carpet by authorities seeking to minimize racial tensions at such an explosive time .
The world is full of strange coincidences , but two black men found hanging from trees within the space of two weeks in cities just an hour ’ s drive away from each other seems too large a coincidence to ignore .
The world may be full of strange coincidences , but it doesn ’ t need to be full of “ strange fruit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malcolm Harsch and Robert Fuller need to be investigated as thoroughly as possible and , if the symbolism of their methods of death are any indication that suicide is indeed an unlikely conclusion , those responsible for their lynchings need to be brought to justice .

“Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.”
Billie Holiday referred to the bodies of lynched black men hanging from the branches of billowy trees in the south as “strange fruit.”
Although California is now one of the agricultural breadbaskets in our land, it is still shocking to hear about the recent bumper crop of “strange fruit” that found in the state far from the belt of southern states where lynching was once so prevalent.
While the world was reeling with protests against police brutality and huge crowds of people were marching while chanting “Black lives matter” last week, 24-year-old Robert Fuller was found hanging in a tree near Palmdale City Hall on Wednesday in what police are characterizing as a “suicide” despite the other implications inherent when a black man’s body is found in a tree with a noose around his neck.
Now, the story of a second African American man found hanging from a tree in California recently has come to light.
Police are investigating the death of 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch whose body was found hanging in a tree near the Victorville City Library in San Bernadino county in southern California by the Victorville City Fire Department on May 31st.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is still conducting an active investigation into the death but told Victor Valley News that, despite the circumstances that would lead one to suspect a possible lynching may have occurred, they do not suspect that foul play was involved in Harsch’s death.
“There were no indications at the scene that suggested foul play; however, the cause and manner of death are still pending,” Sheriff’s Spokeswoman Jodi Miller said to Victor Valley News.
While Harsch’s family initially declined to comment at the time of the discovery of his body, preferring to hold off until they had more details from the sheriff’s department, they contacted the local news outlet yesterday with the following statement that cast doubt upon the official, if incomplete, police narrative:
“Our brother Malcolm Harsch died on May 31st. His cause of death has not been released to the family yet but we are concerned that his death will be labeled as a suicide, as this is what was communicated to us upon confirmation of his death on the morning of June 1st,” the family stated. “Amidst the current racial tension and following the protesting the night prior to his body being discovered we were truly troubled to learn of his passing particularly of how his body was discovered. He is an African-American man whose body was found hanging from a tree! The deputy who called to confirm his death asked questions about drug or alcohol use, he made a statement about how the coronavirus has “hit people really hard” and said that a USB cord was used to hang himself,” the statement continued. “As most of us are in Ohio, we weren’t able to physically go to the location where he was found dead but did speak to a few people who were around at the time of the discovery. We were told that his 6 foot 3 inches long body wasn’t even dangling from the tree. There was blood on his shirt but there didn’t appear to be any physical implications at the scene to suggest that there was a struggle or any visible open wounds at that time. His body sat at the San Bernardino County Coroner for 12 days before an autopsy was performed. We understand that Victorville is a small city and have been reminded regularly that San Bernardino is very busy (as if we aren’t patient enough for necessary answers) but feel that our brother’s death will be waived off as a suicide to avoid any further media attention. Malcolm had very recent conversations with his children about seeing them soon. He didn’t seem to be depressed to anyone who truly knew him. EVERYONE who knew our brother was shocked to hear that he allegedly hung himself and don’t believe it to be true as well as the people who were there when his body was discovered. The explanation of suicide does not seem plausible. There are many ways to die but considering the current racial tension, a black man hanging himself from a tree definitely doesn’t sit well with us right now. We want justice not comfortable excuses,” the Harsch family told Victor Valley News.
Malcolm Harsch’s family seem determined to not let his death be swept under the carpet by authorities seeking to minimize racial tensions at such an explosive time.
The world is full of strange coincidences, but two black men found hanging from trees within the space of two weeks in cities just an hour’s drive away from each other seems too large a coincidence to ignore.
The world may be full of strange coincidences, but it doesn’t need to be full of “strange fruit” as well. The deaths of Malcolm Harsch and Robert Fuller need to be investigated as thoroughly as possible and, if the symbolism of their methods of death are any indication that suicide is indeed an unlikely conclusion, those responsible for their lynchings need to be brought to justice.
“Pastoral scene of the gallant South
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolia, sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh. Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck
For the sun to rot, for the tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop.” — “Strange Fruit — Billie Holiday Lyrics & Music by Abel Meerpool.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter. Original reporting by Victor Valley News. We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
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--2020-06-15--Melania had to stop Ivanka from muscling in on the First Lady’s office and renaming it

Having even a single member of the Trump family involved in our government would be one too many , but when he seized the Oval Office in 2016 Donald saw it as an opportunity to foist most of his detestable family onto the American people .
Donald Trump Jr. , Eric Trump , Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner have all unfortunately become fixtures in American politics with some of them serving as media surrogates for President Trump and some of them serving in official positions within his administration .
It is , in every sense , an inexcusable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incompetency .
According to a new book by Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Mary Jordan though , the Trump family isn ’ t always united behind closed doors .
Excerpts published by The Washington Post reveal that Ivanka—who serves as a Senior Advisor in her father ’ s administration—attempted to have the First Lady ’ s Office renamed the “ First Family Office , ” in what was clearly a naked power grab and attempt to solidify her own prominence and prestige within the White House .
Rather than simply roll over and allow it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the move .
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump ’ s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors !
Ivanka ’ s plan formed in the early days of her father ’ s presidency .
At the time , Melania was still living in Trump Tower in New York City with her son Barron , a power move on her part as she worked to renegotiate her prenuptial agreement with her odious husband .
Her absence in the White House created a power vacuum of sorts that Ivanka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away , Ivanka used the private theater , with its plush red seats , and enjoyed other White House perks .
Some said she treated the private residence as if it were her own home .
Melania did not like it .
When she and Barron finally moved in , she put an end to the ‘ revolving door ’ by enforcing firm boundaries , ” writes Jordan in The Art of Her Deal : The Untold Story of Melania Trump .
Business Insider spoke to White House spokesperson Judd Deere , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ totally false .
The media is once again running untrue information from anonymous sources and not once did anyone fact check this with the White House or Ivanka Trump , ” claimed Deere .
Of course , at this point , there is no reason to believe a single thing this administration says given its unprecedented comfortability with lying , so Deere ’ s rebuttal should be taken with a grain of salt .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW @ @ @

Having even a single member of the Trump family involved in our government would be one too many, but when he seized the Oval Office in 2016 Donald saw it as an opportunity to foist most of his detestable family onto the American people.
Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner have all unfortunately become fixtures in American politics with some of them serving as media surrogates for President Trump and some of them serving in official positions within his administration. It is, in every sense, an inexcusable parade of nepotism marching hand-in-hand with staggering incompetency.
According to a new book by Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Mary Jordan though, the Trump family isn’t always united behind closed doors. Excerpts published by The Washington Post reveal that Ivanka—who serves as a Senior Advisor in her father’s administration—attempted to have the First Lady’s Office renamed the “First Family Office,” in what was clearly a naked power grab and attempt to solidify her own prominence and prestige within the White House. Rather than simply roll over and allow it, First Lady Melania managed to block the move.
Add your name to tell states and police to reject Trump’s calls to use violence against peaceful protestors!
Ivanka’s plan formed in the early days of her father’s presidency. At the time, Melania was still living in Trump Tower in New York City with her son Barron, a power move on her part as she worked to renegotiate her prenuptial agreement with her odious husband. Her absence in the White House created a power vacuum of sorts that Ivanka sought to exploit.
“With Melania away, Ivanka used the private theater, with its plush red seats, and enjoyed other White House perks. Some said she treated the private residence as if it were her own home. Melania did not like it. When she and Barron finally moved in, she put an end to the ‘revolving door’ by enforcing firm boundaries,” writes Jordan in The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump.
Business Insider spoke to White House spokesperson Judd Deere, who denied the allegations.
“This is totally false. The media is once again running untrue information from anonymous sources and not once did anyone fact check this with the White House or Ivanka Trump,” claimed Deere.
Of course, at this point, there is no reason to believe a single thing this administration says given its unprecedented comfortability with lying, so Deere’s rebuttal should be taken with a grain of salt.
Book excerpt: How Melania Trump blocked Ivanka Trump from encroaching on her domain in the White House https://t.co/PZBDayg6pP — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 13, 2020
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
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occupydemocrats--2020-06-15--BLM activist in small Virginia town targeted with a KKK-style cross burning in his yard

It was inevitable that the pervasive demonstrations all across the country supporting the Black Lives Matter cause after the police execution of George Floyd would evince a reactionary backlash , but now that reports are starting to emerge of protestors being targeted for exercising their rights to free speech , it ’ s even uglier than we imagined .
While protestors in large urban areas can maintain a certain amount of anonymity due to the larger crowds in cities and the masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 that they are hopefully wearing , in less populated locales the identities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easier to discover .
Travon Brown , a 17-year-old demonstration organizer in Marion — a small town of about 6,000 people in western Virginia — learned that lesson the hard way early yesterday when a flaming KKK cross was discovered burning in his yard .
According to the Bristol Herald-Courier , Marion Police Chief John Clair began a joint investigation of the incident with the Smyth County Sheriff ’ s Office at around 1 a.m. after the Brown family reported the cross blazing in a barrel outside their home .
Clair reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that sounded like a firework before discovering the symbol of racist intimidation .
The hateful arson was discovered earlier in the evening by Brown ’ s mother , Bridgette Thomas , who told the Herald-Courier that she discovered the firey symbol when she walked home from a store .
It was only when she got closer to her home that she discovered that someone had placed two large wooden sticks nailed together perpendicularly into a barrel on the property and set them ablaze .
“ It was scary though and then to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made me feel some type of way because it was so close to my house .
My house could have caught on fire , ” Thomas said .
Police officers extinguished the flames when they arrived and are now investigating the incident in conjunction with federal authorities due to the hate crime aspects of the arson .
According to the Bristol Herald-Courier :

It was inevitable that the pervasive demonstrations all across the country supporting the Black Lives Matter cause after the police execution of George Floyd would evince a reactionary backlash, but now that reports are starting to emerge of protestors being targeted for exercising their rights to free speech, it’s even uglier than we imagined.
While protestors in large urban areas can maintain a certain amount of anonymity due to the larger crowds in cities and the masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 that they are hopefully wearing, in less populated locales the identities of the organizers of BLM protests are easier to discover.
Travon Brown, a 17-year-old demonstration organizer in Marion — a small town of about 6,000 people in western Virginia — learned that lesson the hard way early yesterday when a flaming KKK cross was discovered burning in his yard.
According to the Bristol Herald-Courier, Marion Police Chief John Clair began a joint investigation of the incident with the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office at around 1 a.m. after the Brown family reported the cross blazing in a barrel outside their home. Clair reported that witnesses also reported hearing a loud bang that sounded like a firework before discovering the symbol of racist intimidation.
The hateful arson was discovered earlier in the evening by Brown’s mother, Bridgette Thomas, who told the Herald-Courier that she discovered the firey symbol when she walked home from a store.
“When I came up the street, it looked like my house was on fire,” she exclaimed. “It was so scary, my daughter was in there.”
It was only when she got closer to her home that she discovered that someone had placed two large wooden sticks nailed together perpendicularly into a barrel on the property and set them ablaze.
“It was scary though and then to find out it was a cross. It made me feel some type of way because it was so close to my house. My house could have caught on fire,” Thomas said.
Police officers extinguished the flames when they arrived and are now investigating the incident in conjunction with federal authorities due to the hate crime aspects of the arson.
According to the Bristol Herald-Courier:
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--2020-06-15--College football star boycotts his team after his coach wears shirt from Trump’s favorite propaganda

College football star boycotts his team after his coach wears shirt from Trump’s favorite propaganda network

Across the nation , Black Americans are seizing this profound moment to take a stand for their rights and against racism at all levels of society , and those energies have now reached the realm of college football .
Oklahoma State star running back Chuba Hubbard has announced he will no longer participate in any team activities after a photograph emerged this weekend of head coach Mike Gundy wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the logo of far-right white nationalist propaganda channel One America News .
“ I will not stand for this..
This is completely insensitive to everything going on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unacceptable .
I will not be doing anything with Oklahoma State until things CHANGE , ” tweeted the 21-year-old .
He was vocally supported by his teammate Amen Obongbemiga and by Oklahoma State alumni Justice Hill , who currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens .
OAN has replaced FOX News as the President ’ s go-to news source , thanks to their unwavering commitment to promoting white nationalist conspiracy theories and slavishly fawning over every little thing the President say or does .
They were the source of the president ’ s recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being a member of antifa , and in the past have promoted racist conspiracy theories about violence from Muslims in Britain , Russian conspiracy theories about Syrian rescue workers , and trashed the accusers of alleged pedophile and ex-Senate candidate Roy Moore .
Barely a month ago , OAN was promoting the idea that the coronavirus crisis was a globalist plot by George Soros and China to do “ population control.
” While Hubbard didn ’ t specify what kind of change he specifically wanted to see , Justice Hill ’ s comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time Coach Gundy has expressed his fondness for the far-right and the heinous racism they embrace .
It ’ s truly inspiring to see young athletes taking a stand against bigotry in their communities , even if it puts their own future in potential jeopardy .
We want to know what YOU have to say .
Let us know in our NEW comment section below !

Across the nation, Black Americans are seizing this profound moment to take a stand for their rights and against racism at all levels of society, and those energies have now reached the realm of college football.
Oklahoma State star running back Chuba Hubbard has announced he will no longer participate in any team activities after a photograph emerged this weekend of head coach Mike Gundy wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the logo of far-right white nationalist propaganda channel One America News.
“I will not stand for this.. This is completely insensitive to everything going on in society, and it’s unacceptable. I will not be doing anything with Oklahoma State until things CHANGE,” tweeted the 21-year-old.
I will not stand for this.. This is completely insensitive to everything going on in society, and it’s unacceptable. I will not be doing anything with Oklahoma State until things CHANGE. https://t.co/psxPn4Khoq — Chuba Hubbard (@Hubbard_RMN) June 15, 2020
He was vocally supported by his teammate Amen Obongbemiga and by Oklahoma State alumni Justice Hill, who currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens.
I stand with him! https://t.co/WWOs2ALxml — Amen Ogbongbemiga (@closedprayer) June 15, 2020
OSU Athletics and University need major change. 100% support brotha https://t.co/2JquXm3aPe — Justice Hill (@jhill21_) June 15, 2020
OAN has replaced FOX News as the President’s go-to news source, thanks to their unwavering commitment to promoting white nationalist conspiracy theories and slavishly fawning over every little thing the President say or does.
They were the source of the president’s recent comments about brutalized 75-year-old protester Martin Gugino being a member of antifa, and in the past have promoted racist conspiracy theories about violence from Muslims in Britain, Russian conspiracy theories about Syrian rescue workers, and trashed the accusers of alleged pedophile and ex-Senate candidate Roy Moore.
Barely a month ago, OAN was promoting the idea that the coronavirus crisis was a globalist plot by George Soros and China to do “population control.”
YIKES! OAN ran a segment last night on "mounting evidence of a globalist conspiracy" by the Clintons, Soros, Gates, Fauci, & Chinese gov't to use coronavirus "to establish sweeping population control" by backing remdesvir over hydroxychlorquine. It cites Plandemic's Mikovits! pic.twitter.com/yL8pOmmYB1 — Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) May 9, 2020
While Hubbard didn’t specify what kind of change he specifically wanted to see, Justice Hill’s comments hint that this is not the first time Coach Gundy has expressed his fondness for the far-right and the heinous racism they embrace.
It’s truly inspiring to see young athletes taking a stand against bigotry in their communities, even if it puts their own future in potential jeopardy.
We want to know what YOU have to say. Let us know in our NEW comment section below!
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