occupydemocrats--2020-12-28--Right-wingers unleash a flood of insane explanations for the Nashville bombing

If you need any measure of just how deranged some of our fellow American citizens have become during the Trump-era , one need only look at the response that the deluded followers of “ Q ” have had to the Christmas morning suicide bombing in Nashville , Tennesee .
Not that one would expect anything lucid or remotely connected to reality from the QAnon cult that a cabal of Satan-worshipping Democratic pedophiles is running a global child sex-trafficking ring and plotting against a superhero-like Donald Trump who is leading the battle against these mythical creatures .
The reaction of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is equally in the realm of poorly constructed fantasy narratives .
A perusal of social media posts made by known QAnon followers proves that some people will twist reality into pretzel-like contortions in order to force plain facts into the most insane scenarios that fit their bizarro worldviews .
Take attorney Lin Wood , a Q devotee who has been one of the many lawyers who have failed to advance in the courts the equally implausible idea that the election was stolen from Donald Trump through massive voter fraud .
If you follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweets , congratulations , you may be a perfect candidate for matriculation in Delusional Conspiracy Theories 101 .
Obviously , this course does not require Logic 101 as a prerequisite .
Add your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
Alleged suicide bomber Anthony Quinn Warner was breathing oxygen before the blast ended his time here on this planet .
The people counting ballots in the contested swing states that Trump insists were stolen from him were also breathing oxygen .
Could that oxygen be the connection that links the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the level of deep thinking and irrational paranoia that the followers of QAnon engage in while analyzing every newsworthy event .
Finding meaning in coincidence and the most tenuous of connections puts QAnon devotees in the same boat as readers of tea leaves and other supposed oracles whose validity is as worthwhile as the soaked used vegetal matter that they interpret .
At least this post admits to the possibility that the ownership of the building may simply be a coincidence .
Others were not so tentative in their proclamations about the significance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to defy the obvious to make their politically dubious points .
The attempts to link the bombing to a supposed Democratic coverup of election fraud were a recurring theme in the QAnon responses to the bombing .
Still , it was hard to get any crazier than the folks who insisted — despite a recorded warning message broadcast to the area surrounding the RV and ample video footage showing the vehicle exploding — that the explosion was actually a missile strike , not a terrorist suicide bomber .
Apparently , these people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still president until January 20th and that Joe Biden and the Democrats have no ability to call in a military strike that the Pentagon would refuse to carry out on a domestic target anyway .
With so many delusional conspiracy theorists rejecting plain facts , America will have a long road recovering from the Trump era .
It ’ s difficult to overcome years of substandard education for a significant percentage of the populace and the effects of years of Trump ’ s and Fox News ’ propaganda .
The Nashville bombing proves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have people disconnected from reality contributing to our national discourse .
With QAnon supporters too dangerous to simply ignore , concerned Americans will have to keep a close eye on their actions to prevent more potential domestic acts of terror from becoming the new normal .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

If you need any measure of just how deranged some of our fellow American citizens have become during the Trump-era, one need only look at the response that the deluded followers of “Q” have had to the Christmas morning suicide bombing in Nashville, Tennesee.
Not that one would expect anything lucid or remotely connected to reality from the QAnon cult that a cabal of Satan-worshipping Democratic pedophiles is running a global child sex-trafficking ring and plotting against a superhero-like Donald Trump who is leading the battle against these mythical creatures.
The reaction of these cult-members to the terrorist action in Nashville is equally in the realm of poorly constructed fantasy narratives.
A perusal of social media posts made by known QAnon followers proves that some people will twist reality into pretzel-like contortions in order to force plain facts into the most insane scenarios that fit their bizarro worldviews.
Take attorney Lin Wood, a Q devotee who has been one of the many lawyers who have failed to advance in the courts the equally implausible idea that the election was stolen from Donald Trump through massive voter fraud.
If you follow the logic in one of his recent tweets, congratulations, you may be a perfect candidate for matriculation in Delusional Conspiracy Theories 101.
Because my name is Lucian, I have read about Saint Lucian of Antioch. He was falsely accused of heresy. Kyle Rittenhouse lives in Antioch, Illinois. Kyle was falsely accused of murder. Anthony Quinn Warner is under investigation for Nashville bombing. He lives in Antioch, Tenn. pic.twitter.com/aA76xMWbH0 — Lin Wood (@LLinWood) December 27, 2020
Obviously, this course does not require Logic 101 as a prerequisite.
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
Was an AT&T data center in Nashville destroyed by the bomb yesterday? Were AT&T cell or wi-fi signals which access Internet used in connection with Dominion voting machines? Asking for a friend. P.S. It is unlawful for voting machines to be connected to Internet. — Lin Wood (@LLinWood) December 26, 2020
Alleged suicide bomber Anthony Quinn Warner was breathing oxygen before the blast ended his time here on this planet.
The people counting ballots in the contested swing states that Trump insists were stolen from him were also breathing oxygen.
Could that oxygen be the connection that links the bombing to electoral malfeasance?
This is the level of deep thinking and irrational paranoia that the followers of QAnon engage in while analyzing every newsworthy event.
Finding meaning in coincidence and the most tenuous of connections puts QAnon devotees in the same boat as readers of tea leaves and other supposed oracles whose validity is as worthwhile as the soaked used vegetal matter that they interpret.
https://twitter.com/tariqnasheed/status/1342660280245837824?s=20
At least this post admits to the possibility that the ownership of the building may simply be a coincidence.
Others were not so tentative in their proclamations about the significance of the bombing.
https://twitter.com/DuffleBagBoi_50/status/1343566948051906561?s=20
Some people really had to defy the obvious to make their politically dubious points.
JUST IN: Nashville bomber found inside of RV dies from COVID. — Stew Peters (@realstewpeters) December 28, 2020
Total BS…Definitely Military-Grade Explosives intended to destroy evidence in the AT&T building.
BTW, why is AT&T conducting "the audit" and not a major CPA firm? — "President-Elect" HL3 (@HL356876250) December 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/MichaelT_45/status/1343564678912475136?s=20
The attempts to link the bombing to a supposed Democratic coverup of election fraud were a recurring theme in the QAnon responses to the bombing.
And the ATT building in Nashville handles data traffic in Georgia. Was it blown up to DESTROY EVIDENCE of a Georgia / China connection? Audit in Georgia Shows Tabulation Machines Were Sending Results to China via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/7rW8AEO6ob https://t.co/aKRclwXJZn — Bg G (@9bb2e5c43a21469) December 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/AtheliaMama/status/1343564364213719041?s=20
So can anyone put two and two together? Audit shows Georgia Voting System was connected to China then the ATT building that covers Georgia is blown up! Was it to cover up evidence of a Georgia/China connection???? — Bg G (@9bb2e5c43a21469) December 28, 2020
Still, it was hard to get any crazier than the folks who insisted — despite a recorded warning message broadcast to the area surrounding the RV and ample video footage showing the vehicle exploding — that the explosion was actually a missile strike, not a terrorist suicide bomber.
https://twitter.com/unkltodd/status/1343490979735597056?s=20
Because you're not. The FBI is lying. It was not a bomb, it was a missle strike. A military missle. AT&T kept Domoninion Voting machines with evidence and they also Housed the NSA spying office that allowed them to listen in on phone conversations of any American using AT&T https://t.co/g58xO2PK7b — Brian Shelton (@bkshelton1) December 28, 2020
Fake story. It was not the RV it was a missile strike on At&t building housing the computer cooling system. Also where the got the contract to audit the voting machines — President-elect-Conway (@ConwayEsli) December 28, 2020
Apparently, these people seem to forget that Trump is unfortunately still president until January 20th and that Joe Biden and the Democrats have no ability to call in a military strike that the Pentagon would refuse to carry out on a domestic target anyway.
With so many delusional conspiracy theorists rejecting plain facts, America will have a long road recovering from the Trump era.
It’s difficult to overcome years of substandard education for a significant percentage of the populace and the effects of years of Trump’s and Fox News’ propaganda.
The Nashville bombing proves just how dangerous it can be to have people disconnected from reality contributing to our national discourse.
With QAnon supporters too dangerous to simply ignore, concerned Americans will have to keep a close eye on their actions to prevent more potential domestic acts of terror from becoming the new normal.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by David Edwards at RawStory.
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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--2020-12-28--Republican officials target Mike Pence in desperate lawsuit to get Trump a second term

Imagine for a moment how incredibly delusional , how deeply sunken into the swamp of right-wing paranoia and conspiracy theorizing one must be to still believe that Donald Trump has a chance of eking out a second term .
President-elect Joe Biden enters the White House in 23 days and the astonishingly inept team of lawyers and camouflaged criminals that Trump has entrusted with scraping together evidence of the widespread voter fraud he ’ s alleged has come up with nothing .
Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) , one of the most bad faith , nakedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has admitted that Biden won the election .
Donald Trump ’ s refusal to accept his embarrassing defeat as an incumbent president means that anyone courting the support of the MAGA base has to echo his lies or risk alienating the lunatics still supporting him .
Those who refuse to embrace Trump ’ s dangerous attacks on our Republic risk inciting direct Twitter attacks from our infamously mercurial leader , as Georgia Governor Brian Kemp discovered to his chagrin after he refused to break the law and hand his state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political realities in mind , the surprising development that several Republicans are suing Vice President Mike Pence over the election becomes a bit less surprising .
The Hill ’ s John Kursel reports that Pence is being sued by Rep. Louie Gohmert ( R-TX ) , Chair of the Arizona Republican Party Kelli Ward , and other Republicans in an effort to reverse Biden ’ s victory .
The idiotic gambit is exactly what one would expect from Gohmert , a man with less brains than an Ozian shed full of scarecrows , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desperate Trump dead-enders have become .
Add your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
These Republican hacks are asking a Trump-appointed judge to rule that Pence is entitled to pick Trump-supporting electors on January 6th , when he is constitutionally required to validate the vote .
Kruzel spoke to Rick Hasen , an election law expert , who quickly threw cold water on the lawsuit .
“ No , this won ’ t work , ” he said bluntly .
“ The Vice President and U.S. Congress act unconstitutionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they count votes of Presidential electors where the respective state legislature has not affirmatively voted in favor of post-election certification , ” the lawsuit claims .
Democratic election attorney Marc Elias described it as “ really dumb.
” This lawsuit will go nowhere , but that doesn ’ t mean it shouldn ’ t be taken seriously insofar as what it reveals about the GOP .
These men and women have abandoned even the pretense of caring about democracy .
If they had their druthers we would all live under an unelected Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They have nothing but disdain for voters and should be removed from the office the moment the opportunity presents itself .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Imagine for a moment how incredibly delusional, how deeply sunken into the swamp of right-wing paranoia and conspiracy theorizing one must be to still believe that Donald Trump has a chance of eking out a second term.
President-elect Joe Biden enters the White House in 23 days and the astonishingly inept team of lawyers and camouflaged criminals that Trump has entrusted with scraping together evidence of the widespread voter fraud he’s alleged has come up with nothing. Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), one of the most bad faith, nakedly partisan operatives to ever serve in American government has admitted that Biden won the election.
Donald Trump’s refusal to accept his embarrassing defeat as an incumbent president means that anyone courting the support of the MAGA base has to echo his lies or risk alienating the lunatics still supporting him. Those who refuse to embrace Trump’s dangerous attacks on our Republic risk inciting direct Twitter attacks from our infamously mercurial leader, as Georgia Governor Brian Kemp discovered to his chagrin after he refused to break the law and hand his state’s electoral votes to Trump.
With these political realities in mind, the surprising development that several Republicans are suing Vice President Mike Pence over the election becomes a bit less surprising. The Hill’s John Kursel reports that Pence is being sued by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Chair of the Arizona Republican Party Kelli Ward, and other Republicans in an effort to reverse Biden’s victory. The idiotic gambit is exactly what one would expect from Gohmert, a man with less brains than an Ozian shed full of scarecrows, and is a clear indication of how desperate Trump dead-enders have become.
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
These Republican hacks are asking a Trump-appointed judge to rule that Pence is entitled to pick Trump-supporting electors on January 6th, when he is constitutionally required to validate the vote. Kruzel spoke to Rick Hasen, an election law expert, who quickly threw cold water on the lawsuit. “No, this won’t work,” he said bluntly.
⚖NEW: VP Pence has been sued by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tex.), Kelli Ward and other GOP mbrs in a far-fetched bid to overturn Biden's win Plaintiffs ask Judge Jeremy Kernodle, a Trump-appt'd fed judge in Texas, to find that Pence is authorized to pick pro-Trump electors on Jan. 6 pic.twitter.com/BumNwLm5ss — John Kruzel (@johnkruzel) December 28, 2020
“The Vice President and U.S. Congress act unconstitutionally in this election and future elections when they count votes of Presidential electors where the respective state legislature has not affirmatively voted in favor of post-election certification,” the lawsuit claims.
Democratic election attorney Marc Elias described it as “really dumb.”
https://twitter.com/marceelias/status/1341577899388915712?s=20
This lawsuit will go nowhere, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taken seriously insofar as what it reveals about the GOP. These men and women have abandoned even the pretense of caring about democracy. If they had their druthers we would all live under an unelected Republican monarch for the rest of our lives. They have nothing but disdain for voters and should be removed from the office the moment the opportunity presents itself.
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--2020-12-29--Trump publicly torches McConnell over 2K checks, issues ominous warning about a “death wish”

The most surprising subplot of President Donald Trump ’ s lame-duck period has been his determined public campaign to deliver $ 2,000 relief checks to the American people while actively messing with his own party ’ s chances in the upcoming Georgia Senate runoffs .
On Tuesday afternoon , President Trump found himself in the bizarre position of shaming his own party and taking the moral high ground against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , who blocked an effort by Senator Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) to bring a $ 2,000 check bill to a vote .
Declaring that Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reminding them that it was “ the right thing to do , ” Trump demanded that the Senate approve $ 2,000 in direct payments “ ASAP.
” His sudden and unprecedented show of benevolence was quickly undermined by his next sentences , which exposed that this is all a ploy to get Democrats to agree to revoke Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act , which would allow Trump to punish Twitter for tepidly discrediting his conspiracy theories about election fraud .
He also appears to want Congress to authorize investigations into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump claims stole the election from him .
Democrats worry that McConnell may try to poison the well and bundle the checks with the President ’ s demands in an effort to provoke Democratic defections while mollifying the president .
But Sen. Bernie Sanders may have the best leverage of all .
He has vowed to filibuster the movement to overturn Trump ’ s veto for the NDAA — the President ’ s first effort to bully Congress into letting him sue Twitter — and keep the Senate in session through the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enormously lazy Senators will certainly not appreciate having to work through the weekend .
Mitch McConnell reaches new depths of stunning depravity and senseless cruelty with every rejected proposal .
A staggering one in eight Americans — some 26 million people — report that they “ sometimes or often ” do not have enough food to eat during the week ; 20 million are dependent on unemployment benefits that are set to expire at the end of December .
Nearly 7 % of the population is still unemployed ; some nine million jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis while the economy is recovering them half as fast as it was projected to .
It is extremely on-brand for Trump to bundle the one good thing he ’ s ever wanted to do for the American people to be bundled with his demands for petty vengeance , but if we have to give in , so be it .
$ 2,000 would be a literally life-changing amount of money for millions of people and their families .
If his constant public trashing of McConnell and Senate Republicans leads to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Georgia runoffs , by all means , let him have his stupid investigations to nowhere .

The most surprising subplot of President Donald Trump’s lame-duck period has been his determined public campaign to deliver $2,000 relief checks to the American people while actively messing with his own party’s chances in the upcoming Georgia Senate runoffs.
On Tuesday afternoon, President Trump found himself in the bizarre position of shaming his own party and taking the moral high ground against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who blocked an effort by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to bring a $2,000 check bill to a vote.
Sen. Bernie Sanders asked McConnell to at least set up a roll call vote to follow the veto override. McConnell spurned that request and Sanders responded by blocking quick passage of the veto override. https://t.co/f0pphP2pBN pic.twitter.com/wzstl1qjXw — POLITICO (@politico) December 29, 2020
Declaring that Republicans had a “death wish” and reminding them that it was “the right thing to do,” Trump demanded that the Senate approve $2,000 in direct payments “ASAP.”
Unless Republicans have a death wish, and it is also the right thing to do, they must approve the $2000 payments ASAP. $600 IS NOT ENOUGH! Also, get rid of Section 230 – Don’t let Big Tech steal our Country, and don’t let the Democrats steal the Presidential Election. Get tough! https://t.co/GMotstu7OI — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2020
His sudden and unprecedented show of benevolence was quickly undermined by his next sentences, which exposed that this is all a ploy to get Democrats to agree to revoke Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which would allow Trump to punish Twitter for tepidly discrediting his conspiracy theories about election fraud.
He also appears to want Congress to authorize investigations into the alleged “voter fraud” that Trump claims stole the election from him. Democrats worry that McConnell may try to poison the well and bundle the checks with the President’s demands in an effort to provoke Democratic defections while mollifying the president.
But Sen. Bernie Sanders may have the best leverage of all. He has vowed to filibuster the movement to overturn Trump’s veto for the NDAA — the President’s first effort to bully Congress into letting him sue Twitter — and keep the Senate in session through the New Years’ holiday.
Our pampered and enormously lazy Senators will certainly not appreciate having to work through the weekend.
Mitch McConnell reaches new depths of stunning depravity and senseless cruelty with every rejected proposal. A staggering one in eight Americans — some 26 million people — report that they “sometimes or often” do not have enough food to eat during the week; 20 million are dependent on unemployment benefits that are set to expire at the end of December. Nearly 7% of the population is still unemployed; some nine million jobs have been lost since the start of the crisis while the economy is recovering them half as fast as it was projected to.
It is extremely on-brand for Trump to bundle the one good thing he’s ever wanted to do for the American people to be bundled with his demands for petty vengeance, but if we have to give in, so be it. $2,000 would be a literally life-changing amount of money for millions of people and their families.
If his constant public trashing of McConnell and Senate Republicans leads to a surprise upset victory for the Democratic Party in the Georgia runoffs, by all means, let him have his stupid investigations to nowhere.
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occupydemocrats--2020-12-29--Bernie vows to ruin the Senate’s New Years holiday unless we get our checks

The Vermont Senator may officially be an Independent , but he is playing a crucial role in helping Democrats force the Republican-controlled Senate to at least consider raising — in the few days remaining in their session — the paltry $ 600 pandemic relief check .
That was the only amount the GOP would agree to before Trump tweeted out of the blue demanding that the checks be increased to $ 2000 — the amount originally proposed by the Democrats — and declaring that he would refuse to sign the omnibus spending bill that authorized the payments , creating chaos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loomed .
Trump eventually relented and signed that bill , if not the defense spending bill passed at the same time , but his call for increased pandemic relief payments encouraged House Democrats to pass a bill yesterday upping the checks to the amount Trump claimed he would support and forcing 134 House GOP members to go on record as opposing the larger relief payments .
With Senate passage of the bill now the only thing between Americans and a $ 2000 payment , Senator Sanders vowed to take action to force Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring the legislation to a vote .
McConnell has used his control of the Senate agenda to prevent any legislation which he does not approve of from even being considered in what he considers his chamber , a tactic he ’ s employed frequently since the GOP took the majority in that branch of Congress .
With the congressional session about to end , however , Senator Sanders has devised a clever use of Senate rules to ensure that McConnell can ’ t refuse to at least have every Senator on record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2000 payments , whatever the political consequences may be .
Sanders vowed yesterday to filibuster the planned vote to override Trump ’ s veto of the defense spending bill — a bill close to the hearts of most Republican Senators — unless McConnell brings the pandemic relief increase to a vote .
“ This week on the Senate floor , Mitch McConnell wants to vote to override Trump ’ s veto of the $ 740 billion defense funding bill and then head home for the New Year , ” Sanders said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m going to object until we get a vote on legislation to provide a $ 2,000 direct payment to the working class.
” “ Let me be clear : If Senator McConnell doesn ’ t agree to an up or down vote to provide the working people of our country a $ 2,000 direct payment , Congress will not be going home for New Year ’ s Eve , ” the Vermont Senator added .
“ Let ’ s do our job.
” Warren Gunnels , Bernie Sanders ’ staff director , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s intent in a comment posted on Twitter .
Add your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
Senator Sanders told Politico that “ it would be unconscionable , especially after the House did the right thing , for the Senate to simply leave Washington without voting on this.
” While Sanders planned objection to the Defense bill can delay any vote on it , McConnell can eventually force an end to the debate through a cloture vote , but not without considerable delay and multiple votes that could keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time when they ’ d like to be out celebrating the new year .
Political commentator David Dayen of The American Prospect explained that Sanders “ has the procedural means at his disposal to keep the Senate in session all the way to New Year ’ s Day , inconveniencing senators of both parties , particularly the incumbent Republicans from Georgia , who are in their final full week of campaigning for runoff elections on January 5.
” It ’ s incredibly sad that our government is being held captive by the stranglehold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pipeline .
The only way to stop this sorry state of affairs is to give a victory to Rev .
Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in the Georgia Senate runoff elections next week and hand control of the Senate back to the Democrats .
Please consider helping that happen by contributing to these Democratic candidates ’ campaign funds here .
Original reporting by Jake Johnson at Common Dreams and by Burgess Everett at Politico .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our @ @ @ @

Bernie Sanders to the rescue!
The Vermont Senator may officially be an Independent, but he is playing a crucial role in helping Democrats force the Republican-controlled Senate to at least consider raising — in the few days remaining in their session — the paltry $600 pandemic relief check.
That was the only amount the GOP would agree to before Trump tweeted out of the blue demanding that the checks be increased to $2000 — the amount originally proposed by the Democrats — and declaring that he would refuse to sign the omnibus spending bill that authorized the payments, creating chaos as the threat of a government shutdown loomed.
Trump eventually relented and signed that bill, if not the defense spending bill passed at the same time, but his call for increased pandemic relief payments encouraged House Democrats to pass a bill yesterday upping the checks to the amount Trump claimed he would support and forcing 134 House GOP members to go on record as opposing the larger relief payments.
With Senate passage of the bill now the only thing between Americans and a $2000 payment, Senator Sanders vowed to take action to force Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to bring the legislation to a vote.
McConnell has used his control of the Senate agenda to prevent any legislation which he does not approve of from even being considered in what he considers his chamber, a tactic he’s employed frequently since the GOP took the majority in that branch of Congress.
With the congressional session about to end, however, Senator Sanders has devised a clever use of Senate rules to ensure that McConnell can’t refuse to at least have every Senator on record as supporting or opposing the push for $2000 payments, whatever the political consequences may be.
Sanders vowed yesterday to filibuster the planned vote to override Trump’s veto of the defense spending bill — a bill close to the hearts of most Republican Senators — unless McConnell brings the pandemic relief increase to a vote.
“This week on the Senate floor, Mitch McConnell wants to vote to override Trump’s veto of the $740 billion defense funding bill and then head home for the New Year,” Sanders said in a statement late Monday. “I’m going to object until we get a vote on legislation to provide a $2,000 direct payment to the working class.” “Let me be clear: If Senator McConnell doesn’t agree to an up or down vote to provide the working people of our country a $2,000 direct payment, Congress will not be going home for New Year’s Eve,” the Vermont Senator added. “Let’s do our job.”
Warren Gunnels, Bernie Sanders’ staff director, reiterated the seriousness of the Senator’s intent in a comment posted on Twitter.
At noon tomorrow, McConnell is expected to ask for Unanimous Consent to vote on the veto override of the $740 billion defense bill. Bernie will object until we get a vote on $2,000 direct payments. We can force the Senate to stay in session until the New Year. This is no bluff. https://t.co/DgRB6hJgW8 — Warren Gunnels (@GunnelsWarren) December 28, 2020
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
Senator Sanders told Politico that “it would be unconscionable, especially after the House did the right thing, for the Senate to simply leave Washington without voting on this.”
“The American people are desperate,” the Vermont senator continued, “and the Senate has got to do its job before leaving town.”
While Sanders planned objection to the Defense bill can delay any vote on it, McConnell can eventually force an end to the debate through a cloture vote, but not without considerable delay and multiple votes that could keep Senators on Capitol Hill well past the time when they’d like to be out celebrating the new year.
Political commentator David Dayen of The American Prospect explained that Sanders “has the procedural means at his disposal to keep the Senate in session all the way to New Year’s Day, inconveniencing senators of both parties, particularly the incumbent Republicans from Georgia, who are in their final full week of campaigning for runoff elections on January 5.”
Often the only way anything gets done in Washington is if you inconvenience Senators enough. That's the plan here. https://t.co/3shdjnmYDN — David Dayen (@ddayen) December 29, 2020
It’s incredibly sad that our government is being held captive by the stranglehold that Mitch McConnell has on the legislative pipeline.
The only way to stop this sorry state of affairs is to give a victory to Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in the Georgia Senate runoff elections next week and hand control of the Senate back to the Democrats.
Please consider helping that happen by contributing to these Democratic candidates’ campaign funds here.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Jake Johnson at Common Dreams and by Burgess Everett at Politico.
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--2020-12-29--Trump unloads both barrels on “pathetic” Republican leaders in furious Twitter meltdown

America ’ s political purgatory persists .
Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States in less than a month and the country will finally set about the long , difficult work of repairing the damage Donald Trump has done to our democracy but until then we ’ re saddled with a cruel , narcissistic lame duck leader with COVID-19 cases ticking skyward .
Rather than spend his few remaining days in power doing everything he can to save American lives after flagrantly neglecting the pandemic for almost a year , Trump has decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter about the election .
He still refuses to accept that the American people have rejected him and consigned him to that undesirable club of one-term presidents .
Instead , he insists that a widespread voter fraud conspiracy orchestrated by Democrats stole the election from him , a claim that has been debunked time and again and for which he has still failed to provide so much as a scrap of evidence .
In order to sustain his lies about the election , Trump has turned on members of his own party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully endorse and support his would-be coup .
The GOP has failed to denounce his efforts to overturn a legitimate election and illegally install himself for a second term , but that cowardly , tacit support isn ’ t enough for a man like Trump .
He demands absolute loyalty and total devotion to his authoritarian plot .
Add your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
Today , Trump lambasted Republicans on Twitter .
He started by regurgitating some misinformation about votes that he saw on Fox News , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the swing states that he in fact lost by embarrassing margins for an incumbent president .
“ WE NEED NEW & ENERGETIC REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP , ” Trump ranted in all caps , once again cannibalizing his own party rather than confront his own failings as a politician .
He went on to accuse Democrats of stealing the election but blamed Republicans for not doing more to stop them , implying that his looming expulsion from office is rooted almost entirely in the failings of his GOP allies .
“ Republican leadership only wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders ( not me , of course ! )
are pathetic , ” Trump tweeted , finally stating something truthful , even if it just incidentally .
Republican leaders are pathetic , but not because they aren ’ t proficiently MAGA-minded .
Republicans are pathetic because they have let this ugly , incompetent , fascistic creature drive our country into the ground for so long without any meaningful pushback .
Now , as he works to quite literally destroy American democracy , they still refuse to step forward and oppose them .
History @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what YOU have to say .
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America’s political purgatory persists. Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States in less than a month and the country will finally set about the long, difficult work of repairing the damage Donald Trump has done to our democracy but until then we’re saddled with a cruel, narcissistic lame duck leader with COVID-19 cases ticking skyward.
Rather than spend his few remaining days in power doing everything he can to save American lives after flagrantly neglecting the pandemic for almost a year, Trump has decided to whittle away his time by whining on Twitter about the election. He still refuses to accept that the American people have rejected him and consigned him to that undesirable club of one-term presidents. Instead, he insists that a widespread voter fraud conspiracy orchestrated by Democrats stole the election from him, a claim that has been debunked time and again and for which he has still failed to provide so much as a scrap of evidence.
In order to sustain his lies about the election, Trump has turned on members of his own party, angry that they have refused to fully endorse and support his would-be coup. The GOP has failed to denounce his efforts to overturn a legitimate election and illegally install himself for a second term, but that cowardly, tacit support isn’t enough for a man like Trump. He demands absolute loyalty and total devotion to his authoritarian plot.
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
Today, Trump lambasted Republicans on Twitter. He started by regurgitating some misinformation about votes that he saw on Fox News, once again claiming that he actually won the swing states that he in fact lost by embarrassing margins for an incumbent president.
“WE NEED NEW & ENERGETIC REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP,” Trump ranted in all caps, once again cannibalizing his own party rather than confront his own failings as a politician. He went on to accuse Democrats of stealing the election but blamed Republicans for not doing more to stop them, implying that his looming expulsion from office is rooted almost entirely in the failings of his GOP allies.
“Republican leadership only wants the path of least resistance. Our leaders (not me, of course!) are pathetic,” Trump tweeted, finally stating something truthful, even if it just incidentally. Republican leaders are pathetic, but not because they aren’t proficiently MAGA-minded. Republicans are pathetic because they have let this ugly, incompetent, fascistic creature drive our country into the ground for so long without any meaningful pushback. Now, as he works to quite literally destroy American democracy, they still refuse to step forward and oppose them. History will remember.
“A group of Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania say 200,000 more votes were counted in the 2020 Election than voters (100% went to Biden). State Representative Frank Ryan said they found troubling discrepancies after an analysis of Election Day data.” @FoxNews This is far…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2020
…more votes than is needed by me to win Pennsylvania, not to mention hundreds of thousands of votes in other categories which increase my already big lead into a landslide. All other Swing States show likewise. WE NEED NEW & ENERGETIC REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP. This can not stand.. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2020
….Can you imagine if the Republicans stole a Presidential Election from the Democrats – All hell would break out. Republican leadership only wants the path of least resistance. Our leaders (not me, of course!) are pathetic. They only know how to lose! P.S. I got MANY Senators.. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2020
….and Congressmen/Congresswomen Elected. I do believe they forgot! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2020
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occupydemocrats--2020-12-31--Ex-CIA director Brennan scorches Josh Hawley over Biden electors challenge

Anyone with half a brain and a belief in democracy is now piling on Senator Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) today after Hawley became the first Republican U.S .
Senator to sign onto Congressman Mo Brooks ’ ( R-AL ) seditious attempt to challenge the slates of legitimately appointed electors from the swing states won by Joe Biden and replace then with phony slates of electors illicitly named by rogue GOP state legislators in those locales .
Former CIA Director John Brennan joined the fray today with a particularly brutal takedown of the reprehensible Missouri Senator in a post on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
As the former spy chief suggests , with such a wealth of deserving targets , it ’ s difficult to single out a winner for the “ Most Craven , Unprincipled , & Corrupt Senator ” designation .
Many would place Senator Hawley in a lower tier of the unholy competition than Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) whose evil obstructionism dates back to long before Hawley was even elected to public office .
i For Brennan , however , like Hawley ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , the actions of the Missouri lawmaker cross the line from dirty politics and malicious intent to out and out sedition with Hawley ’ s call for the overturn of a legitimately determined election result .
While the former CIA Director properly characterizes Hawley as “ Craven , Unprincipled , & Corrupt , ” his attack on the right-wing extremist GOP legislator essentially is an accurately negative depiction of Hawley ’ s character and integrity .
Earlier today , Senator Murphy went even further , accusing his senatorial colleague of actively undermining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic system .
“ Let ’ s be clear , Josh Hawley and anyone who supports his effort are engaged in the attempted overthrow of democracy .
There is no evidence that there was any fraud .
Senator Hawley apparently believes that if a Democrat wins the presidential race , it must be illegitimate by definition , even absent any actual evidence of misbehavior , ” Senator Murphy began .
“ While you ’ re right that Senator Hawley ’ s efforts here are not going to change the results of the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be president , there won ’ t be enough votes to overturn the Electoral College , what he is doing and those who support him are doing is breeding in the American public and certainly amongst the hardcore Trump supporters this belief that the election itself was illegitimate and any time a Democrat wins , it must be illegitimate .
That is ultimately going to potentially end in the overthrow of democracy .
At some point , there will be a successful attempt by Republicans at the state level or national level to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Democrat won .
We don ’ t do this in this country , right ?
We put our country before our party and our personal beliefs .
Senator Hawley ’ s efforts are not going to change the result of the election , but they pose a grave threat to American democracy , maybe not this year , but two years from now , four years from now , absolutely , ” the Connecticut legislator concluded his savage diatribe .
When people like Senator Murphy , John Brennan — and the many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hypocrisy and the skullduggery being attempted by Senator Hawley and his partisan counterpart in the House of Representatives , Congressman Brooks — go apoplectic over something that they consider a huge danger to our democracy , the American people should find it worth their while to pay attention .
As founding father Benjamin Franklin was reported to have said at the end of the Constitutional Convention , America had been delivered “ a republic , if you can keep it.
” Unless the shameless and treasonous power grab being attempted by Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brooks is stopped definitively and mercilessly , keeping our democracy may be more difficult than any modern American could have imagined , especially when someone like the Missouri Senator , as one Twitter comment said , serves up sedition with a side of grandstanding .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Anyone with half a brain and a belief in democracy is now piling on Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) today after Hawley became the first Republican U.S. Senator to sign onto Congressman Mo Brooks’ (R-AL) seditious attempt to challenge the slates of legitimately appointed electors from the swing states won by Joe Biden and replace then with phony slates of electors illicitly named by rogue GOP state legislators in those locales.
Former CIA Director John Brennan joined the fray today with a particularly brutal takedown of the reprehensible Missouri Senator in a post on Twitter.
By announcing that he will object during Congress’s counting of Electoral College votes, @HawleyMO is the clear winner of the “Most Craven, Unprincipled, & Corrupt Senator” award. Senators Johnson, Paul, Graham, McConnell, Cruz, & Rubio were very competitive, but Hawley wins. https://t.co/N6wMF8SpXV — John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) December 30, 2020
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
As the former spy chief suggests, with such a wealth of deserving targets, it’s difficult to single out a winner for the “Most Craven, Unprincipled, & Corrupt Senator” designation.
Many would place Senator Hawley in a lower tier of the unholy competition than Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) whose evil obstructionism dates back to long before Hawley was even elected to public office. i
For Brennan, however, like Hawley’s Democratic colleague Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), the actions of the Missouri lawmaker cross the line from dirty politics and malicious intent to out and out sedition with Hawley’s call for the overturn of a legitimately determined election result.
While the former CIA Director properly characterizes Hawley as “Craven, Unprincipled, & Corrupt,” his attack on the right-wing extremist GOP legislator essentially is an accurately negative depiction of Hawley’s character and integrity.
Earlier today, Senator Murphy went even further, accusing his senatorial colleague of actively undermining our government and indeed, our entire democratic system.
“Let’s be clear, Josh Hawley and anyone who supports his effort are engaged in the attempted overthrow of democracy. There is no evidence that there was any fraud. Senator Hawley apparently believes that if a Democrat wins the presidential race, it must be illegitimate by definition, even absent any actual evidence of misbehavior,” Senator Murphy began. “While you’re right that Senator Hawley’s efforts here are not going to change the results of the election, Joe Biden is still going to be president, there won’t be enough votes to overturn the Electoral College, what he is doing and those who support him are doing is breeding in the American public and certainly amongst the hardcore Trump supporters this belief that the election itself was illegitimate and any time a Democrat wins, it must be illegitimate. That is ultimately going to potentially end in the overthrow of democracy. At some point, there will be a successful attempt by Republicans at the state level or national level to throw out a legitimate election just because a Democrat won. We don’t do this in this country, right? We put our country before our party and our personal beliefs. Senator Hawley’s efforts are not going to change the result of the election, but they pose a grave threat to American democracy, maybe not this year, but two years from now, four years from now, absolutely,” the Connecticut legislator concluded his savage diatribe.
When people like Senator Murphy, John Brennan — and the many others who have loudly condemned the partisan hypocrisy and the skullduggery being attempted by Senator Hawley and his partisan counterpart in the House of Representatives, Congressman Brooks — go apoplectic over something that they consider a huge danger to our democracy, the American people should find it worth their while to pay attention.
As founding father Benjamin Franklin was reported to have said at the end of the Constitutional Convention, America had been delivered “a republic, if you can keep it.”
Unless the shameless and treasonous power grab being attempted by Donald Trump and his GOP allies like Hawley and Brooks is stopped definitively and mercilessly, keeping our democracy may be more difficult than any modern American could have imagined, especially when someone like the Missouri Senator, as one Twitter comment said, serves up sedition with a side of grandstanding.
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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--2020-12-30--Left Turn: The OD News Roundup for Dec 30th

Here ’ s a selection of important news you probably didn ’ t hear about today : Millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses are set to expire as Trump team bungles rollout Given the way that the Trump team has deliberately mismanaged the entire coronavirus crisis from the get-go and actively worked to downplay the disease , it is unsurprising if deeply depressing to learn that the vaccination rollout is dangerously behind schedule , just like testing and contact tracing efforts were earlier in the year .
HHS Secretary Alex Azar pledged to have 20 million people vaccinated by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day left in the year , barely 2 million have been vaccinated .
Millions of doses are being held in reserve for the second wave of injections , but given the slow speed of the Trump team vaccination rollout — Senator Ed Markey ( D-MASS ) today derided it as “ Operation Snail Speed ” — countless doses could end being wholly wasted thanks to bureaucratic confusion , public suspicion , and lack of cold-freezer infrastructure .
Since the pandemic began , America ’ s billionaires have increased their wealth by $ 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell moves to poison the proposal to increase the public ’ s stimulus checks to $ 2,000 nearly a year into a devastating pandemic , it is beyond infuriating to learn that the wealthiest Americans are increasing their ill-gotten fortunes while millions of families teeter on the brink of homelessness and poverty .
American plutocracy is out of control and we must pressure President Biden to quickly make substantial efforts to redistribute wealth to the Americans who need it , deserve it , and will actually spend it — unlike the billionaires , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is impossible for them to spend it all .
For all the incessant hand-wringing and crocodile tears we ’ ve had to put up with about how important the police are to Law And Order , they certainly don ’ t seem to be very good at their jobs .
It is absolutely unacceptable that the police can be warned that a man is making a bomb by a girlfriend who fears her safety is at risk from this man and for them to go to his house , knock on the door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wires attached to an alarm sign on the front door , ” and then go home without even interviewing the man .
Read more from the Tennessean .
Researchers examined 24 athletes and found that “ 30 % had cellular heart damage and 15 % showed signs of heart inflammation caused by a condition known as myocarditis.
” The United States ’ response to the coronavirus pandemic has been monstrously cruel and driven by greed across the board , but all the elected officials and school administrators who loudly pushed for the college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy burden of responsibility now that their need to profit off of unpaid and exploited student-athletes has given them long-term heart damage .
An investigation by Sludge found that 18 congressional Republicans and one Libertarian have received $ 21.7 million for 38 businesses with which they are associated .
Nine Democrats received $ 6.1 million for 11 of their own businesses .
While we know that corruption is rampant in Congress , especially among Republicans , it is a mark of how little accountability our representatives feel towards their voters to know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against more relief for their voters while personally profiting off the COVID-19 bailout .
The appalling behavior of American police forces across the nation in response to the Black Lives Matter protests earlier this year should have made it clear to everyone that there is a deep institutional rot and toxic culture that permeates every level of American policing , and nowhere is that more obvious than a murderous cop — who also happens to be a Baptist pastor — bragging about how he loves to use force against the people he ostensibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ righteous release ” and that “ I learned long ago I got ta throw the first punch .
And I learned long ago why I ’ m justified in throwing the first punch.
” Meade claims that Goodson had waved a firearm at him ; the family ’ s lawyers say he was returning to his home with groceries for his family .
Read more at the Washington Post .
1,115 out of 1,236 inmates at the Goose Creek Correctional Facility have tested positive for coronavirus in Alaska the latest horror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has unfolded in America ’ s prison system .
Across the United States , over 275,000 inmates have contracted the virus and 1,700 have died in outbreaks at 850 prisons .
Like the rest of the government , the Department of Corrections was entirely unprepared for the crisis and does not appear to have been too concerened about the spread within its prisons .
Read more about it at the Anchorage Daily News .
Republicans are starving their own voters by refusing to pass $ 2,000 checks .
Trump ’ s CIA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murdered young boys in a madrasa .
President Trump is golfing again .
It ’ s the sixth day in a row .
A preserved carcass of a wooly rhinoceros has been exhumed in Siberia .
Cruise ships have been wracked with suicides as crewmembers are stuck in Carnival purgatory .
Lawsuit claims Florida chef continued working after testing positive for COVID-19 , fired his staff for refusing to go near him

Here’s a selection of important news you probably didn’t hear about today:
Millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses are set to expire as Trump team bungles rollout
Given the way that the Trump team has deliberately mismanaged the entire coronavirus crisis from the get-go and actively worked to downplay the disease, it is unsurprising if deeply depressing to learn that the vaccination rollout is dangerously behind schedule, just like testing and contact tracing efforts were earlier in the year. HHS Secretary Alex Azar pledged to have 20 million people vaccinated by the end of 2020, but with just one day left in the year, barely 2 million have been vaccinated. Millions of doses are being held in reserve for the second wave of injections, but given the slow speed of the Trump team vaccination rollout — Senator Ed Markey (D-MASS) today derided it as “Operation Snail Speed” — countless doses could end being wholly wasted thanks to bureaucratic confusion, public suspicion, and lack of cold-freezer infrastructure.
Read more at NYMag.
The United States has added 56 billionaires since the pandemic began.
Since the pandemic began, America’s billionaires have increased their wealth by $1 trillion. As Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell moves to poison the proposal to increase the public’s stimulus checks to $2,000 nearly a year into a devastating pandemic, it is beyond infuriating to learn that the wealthiest Americans are increasing their ill-gotten fortunes while millions of families teeter on the brink of homelessness and poverty. American plutocracy is out of control and we must pressure President Biden to quickly make substantial efforts to redistribute wealth to the Americans who need it, deserve it, and will actually spend it — unlike the billionaires, who literally have so much money it is impossible for them to spend it all.
Read more at NBC News.
The girlfriend of the Nashville bomber told police he was building a bomb over a year ago. They did nothing, but gave her a psychological evaluation and claimed she was going through a mental health crisis.
For all the incessant hand-wringing and crocodile tears we’ve had to put up with about how important the police are to Law And Order, they certainly don’t seem to be very good at their jobs. It is absolutely unacceptable that the police can be warned that a man is making a bomb by a girlfriend who fears her safety is at risk from this man and for them to go to his house, knock on the door, see “several security cameras and wires attached to an alarm sign on the front door,” and then go home without even interviewing the man.
Read more from the Tennessean.
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede! Ohio State Study shows that 30% of student athletes have heart damage from COVID-19 infections
Researchers examined 24 athletes and found that “30% had cellular heart damage and 15% showed signs of heart inflammation caused by a condition known as myocarditis.” The United States’ response to the coronavirus pandemic has been monstrously cruel and driven by greed across the board, but all the elected officials and school administrators who loudly pushed for the college football season to happen have a particularly heavy burden of responsibility now that their need to profit off of unpaid and exploited student-athletes has given them long-term heart damage.
Read more at FOX News 13.
At least 28 members of Congress or their spouses hold positions at companies that recieved $27 million in COVID-19 bailout money
An investigation by Sludge found that 18 congressional Republicans and one Libertarian have received $21.7 million for 38 businesses with which they are associated. Nine Democrats received $6.1 million for 11 of their own businesses. While we know that corruption is rampant in Congress, especially among Republicans, it is a mark of how little accountability our representatives feel towards their voters to know that at least 10 of the Republicans voted against more relief for their voters while personally profiting off the COVID-19 bailout.
Read more at Sludge.
Audio surfaces of Ohio cop Jason Meade, who murdered Casey Goodson, crowing that his job was to “hunt people” and that he “loves it”
The appalling behavior of American police forces across the nation in response to the Black Lives Matter protests earlier this year should have made it clear to everyone that there is a deep institutional rot and toxic culture that permeates every level of American policing, and nowhere is that more obvious than a murderous cop — who also happens to be a Baptist pastor — bragging about how he loves to use force against the people he ostensibly is protecting and serving because it is a “righteous release” and that “I learned long ago I gotta throw the first punch. And I learned long ago why I’m justified in throwing the first punch.”
Meade claims that Goodson had waved a firearm at him; the family’s lawyers say he was returning to his home with groceries for his family.
Read more at the Washington Post.
Nearly every inmate in Alaska’s largest prison has contracted COVID-19
1,115 out of 1,236 inmates at the Goose Creek Correctional Facility have tested positive for coronavirus in Alaska the latest horror story in the largely ignored humanitarian crisis that has unfolded in America’s prison system. Across the United States, over 275,000 inmates have contracted the virus and 1,700 have died in outbreaks at 850 prisons. Like the rest of the government, the Department of Corrections was entirely unprepared for the crisis and does not appear to have been too concerened about the spread within its prisons.
Read more about it at the Anchorage Daily News.
SPEED ROUND:
Republicans are starving their own voters by refusing to pass $2,000 checks.
Trump’s CIA is running death squads in Afghanistan who murdered young boys in a madrasa.
President Trump is golfing again. It’s the sixth day in a row.
A preserved carcass of a wooly rhinoceros has been exhumed in Siberia.
The Pentagon taunts Iran with a B-52 bomber flyby.
Biden nominates the first female deputy Defense Secretary.
Cruise ships have been wracked with suicides as crewmembers are stuck in Carnival purgatory.
Lawsuit claims Florida chef continued working after testing positive for COVID-19, fired his staff for refusing to go near him
Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-12-30--Sen. Chris Murphy tears into Josh Hawley for challenging Biden’s legitimate electors

Senator Chris Murphy ( D-CT ) knows sedition when he sees it .
While stopping short of using that legal term for conspiring to the overthrow of the U.S. government , Senator Murphy described Senator Josh Hawley ’ s ( R-MO ) announcement that he would be objecting to the certification of President-elect Joe Biden ’ s electoral college win in the Senate on January 6 in terms that made it perfectly clear what he thought of his Senate colleague ’ s ill-considered move .
Appearing on MSNBC ‘ s Andrea Mitchell Reports , Murphy responded to his host ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced today .
Senator Murphy ’ s reply was a vicious indictment of the Missouri Senator ’ s treasonous behavior .
“ Let ’ s be clear , Josh Hawley and anyone who supports his effort are engaged in the attempted overthrow of democracy .
There is no evidence that there was any fraud .
Senator Hawley apparently believes that if a Democrat wins the presidential race , it must be illegitimate by definition , even absent any actual evidence of misbehavior , ” Senator Murphy began .
“ While you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here are not going to change the results of the election , Joe Biden is still going to be president , there won ’ t be enough votes to overturn the Electoral College , what he is doing and those who support him are doing is breeding in the American public and certainly amongst the hardcore Trump supporters this belief that the election itself was illegitimate and any time a Democrat wins , it must be illegitimate .
That is ultimately going to potentially end in the overthrow of democracy .
At some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt by Republicans at the state level or national level to throw out a legitimate election just because a Democrat won .
We don ’ t do this in this country , right ?
We put our country before our party and our personal beliefs .
Senator Hawley ’ s efforts are not going to change the result of the election , but they pose a grave threat to American democracy , maybe not this year , but two years from now , four years from now , absolutely , ” the Connecticut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your name to tell Trump : You Lost !
Concede !
Senator Murphy was pulling no punches in his assessment of the ultimate results of Hawley ’ s — and more broadly , Donald Trump ’ s — attempts to reverse the legitimate results of the presidential election .
With court after court affirming that there is no evidence to prove the claims of massive voter fraud in the contested swing states , the efforts to prevent the inauguration of the Democratic — and democratic — winner of the vote can only be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partisan desires notwithstanding .
You can watch a clip of Senator Chris Murphy ’ s appearance on MSNBC ‘ s Andrea Mitchell Reports in the video below .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) knows sedition when he sees it.
While stopping short of using that legal term for conspiring to the overthrow of the U.S. government, Senator Murphy described Senator Josh Hawley’s (R-MO) announcement that he would be objecting to the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s electoral college win in the Senate on January 6 in terms that made it perfectly clear what he thought of his Senate colleague’s ill-considered move.
Appearing on MSNBC‘s Andrea Mitchell Reports, Murphy responded to his host’s comments on the development that Hawley announced today.
“Your Republican colleague Josh Hawley of Missouri announcing today he’s going to object to the Electoral College vote certification on January 6. It’s unlikely to change the result, it’s not going to happen, but it’s going to cause delay, lengthy debate, both Houses in Joint Session. It’s a complicated process that sets off,” Mitchell observed.
Senator Murphy’s reply was a vicious indictment of the Missouri Senator’s treasonous behavior.
“Let’s be clear, Josh Hawley and anyone who supports his effort are engaged in the attempted overthrow of democracy. There is no evidence that there was any fraud. Senator Hawley apparently believes that if a Democrat wins the presidential race, it must be illegitimate by definition, even absent any actual evidence of misbehavior,” Senator Murphy began. “While you’re right that Senator Hawley’s efforts here are not going to change the results of the election, Joe Biden is still going to be president, there won’t be enough votes to overturn the Electoral College, what he is doing and those who support him are doing is breeding in the American public and certainly amongst the hardcore Trump supporters this belief that the election itself was illegitimate and any time a Democrat wins, it must be illegitimate. That is ultimately going to potentially end in the overthrow of democracy. At some point, there will be a successful attempt by Republicans at the state level or national level to throw out a legitimate election just because a Democrat won. We don’t do this in this country, right? We put our country before our party and our personal beliefs. Senator Hawley’s efforts are not going to change the result of the election, but they pose a grave threat to American democracy, maybe not this year, but two years from now, four years from now, absolutely,” the Connecticut legislator concluded his savage diatribe.
Add your name to tell Trump: You Lost! Concede!
Senator Murphy was pulling no punches in his assessment of the ultimate results of Hawley’s — and more broadly, Donald Trump’s — attempts to reverse the legitimate results of the presidential election.
With court after court affirming that there is no evidence to prove the claims of massive voter fraud in the contested swing states, the efforts to prevent the inauguration of the Democratic — and democratic — winner of the vote can only be regarded as sedition at this point, partisan desires notwithstanding.
You can watch a clip of Senator Chris Murphy’s appearance on MSNBC‘s Andrea Mitchell Reports in the video below.
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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--2020-12-30--UN experts declare Trump violated international law with his pardons

The description seems so apt that it just rolls right off the tongue .
And while many may have described the deposed president thusly in the privacy of their minds or publicly on social media , now , U.N. human rights experts are making that accusation as well due to Trump ’ s pardon last week of four murderers of Iraqi civilians employed by Blackwater , the mercenary-for-hire company run by the brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos , Eric Prince .
Jelena Aparac , the chair of the U.N. working group on the use of mercenaries , condemned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was convicted of first-degree murder — and Paul Slough , Evan Liberty , and Dustin Heard , each of whom were convicted of voluntary and attempted manslaughter for their part in what has become known as the Nisour Square massacre where they gunned down innocent Iraqi civilians who posed no threat to them .
“ Pardoning the Blackwater contractors is an affront to justice and to the victims of the Nisour Square massacre and their families , ” said Aparac in a statement issued today .
“ These pardons violate U.S. obligations under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law and human rights at a global level , ” the U.N. offical continued .
Under the United States ’ obligations to the Geneva Convention , war criminals must be held accountable for their criminal actions , even if they are mercenary contractors rather than regular military personnel .
The U.N. officials are concerned that allowing privately-hired security contractors to “ operate with impunity in armed conflicts ” will give countries an impetus to circumvent international treaties and their obligations under humanitarian law .
Trump ’ s pardons of these despicable individuals have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomatic officials .
General David Petraeus , the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq at the time of the killings , and Ryan Crocker , the former U.S. ambassador to Iraq at the time , described Trump ’ s pardons as “ hugely damaging , an action that tells the world that Americans abroad can commit the most heinous crimes with impunity.
” When issuing the pardons , the Trump administration falsely claimed that they were “ broadly supported by the public ” and cited the backing of a number of Republican lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the moral rot that has infected a GOP fully under the thumb of the defeated president .
Hopefully , the Biden administration will be able to convince Congress to finally accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in the Hague which has prosecuted those who have committed crimes against humanity , and allow that body to try Donald Trump for his multiple transgressions .
Then they can have at him after the U.S. court system has their shot .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NEW comment section !

Donald Trump, international war criminal.
The description seems so apt that it just rolls right off the tongue.
And while many may have described the deposed president thusly in the privacy of their minds or publicly on social media, now, U.N. human rights experts are making that accusation as well due to Trump’s pardon last week of four murderers of Iraqi civilians employed by Blackwater, the mercenary-for-hire company run by the brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Eric Prince.
Jelena Aparac, the chair of the U.N. working group on the use of mercenaries, condemned the audacious pardons of Nicholas Slatten — who was convicted of first-degree murder — and Paul Slough, Evan Liberty, and Dustin Heard, each of whom were convicted of voluntary and attempted manslaughter for their part in what has become known as the Nisour Square massacre where they gunned down innocent Iraqi civilians who posed no threat to them.
“Pardoning the Blackwater contractors is an affront to justice and to the victims of the Nisour Square massacre and their families,” said Aparac in a statement issued today. “These pardons violate U.S. obligations under international law and more broadly undermine humanitarian law and human rights at a global level,” the U.N. offical continued.
Under the United States’ obligations to the Geneva Convention, war criminals must be held accountable for their criminal actions, even if they are mercenary contractors rather than regular military personnel.
The U.N. officials are concerned that allowing privately-hired security contractors to “operate with impunity in armed conflicts” will give countries an impetus to circumvent international treaties and their obligations under humanitarian law.
Trump’s pardons of these despicable individuals have also been condemned by U.S. military and diplomatic officials.
General David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq at the time of the killings, and Ryan Crocker, the former U.S. ambassador to Iraq at the time, described Trump’s pardons as “hugely damaging, an action that tells the world that Americans abroad can commit the most heinous crimes with impunity.”
When issuing the pardons, the Trump administration falsely claimed that they were “broadly supported by the public” and cited the backing of a number of Republican lawmakers for the move, a predictable reflection of the moral rot that has infected a GOP fully under the thumb of the defeated president.
Hopefully, the Biden administration will be able to convince Congress to finally accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in the Hague which has prosecuted those who have committed crimes against humanity, and allow that body to try Donald Trump for his multiple transgressions.
Then they can have at him after the U.S. court system has their shot.
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Original reporting by Reuters.
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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--2020-12-30--Trump spirals into delusion with fresh set of lies about Georgia Republicans

On Wednesday morning , President Trump took to Twitter to promote conspiracy propaganda about the 2020 election from his new favorite outlets and call for the resignation of Georgia ’ s Republican governor , Brian Kemp .
Trump feels that Kemp , who won his own election under very questionable circumstances , hasn ’ t done enough ( i.e.
, broken the law ) to expose ( or manufacture ) the voter fraud that Trump is insistent is responsible for his 2020 election loss .
The soon-to-be-ex-president trashed Kemp as an “ obstructionist ” and falsely repeated that he won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very bigly .
The president ’ s delusions about the 2020 election appear to be accelerating as the end of his term draws to a close .
Last night , Trump promoted a ridiculous conspiracy theory accusing Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger of having a brother who “ works for China ” despite the fact that Raffensberger does not have a brother .
On top of that , the “ consent decree ” that Trump is so angry about does not exist , according to voting rights lawyer Marc E. Elias .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the results of a 2020 lawsuit that forced the state of Georgia to inform voters in a timely fashion if their absentee ballots were rejected due to a mismatched or missing signature , which the state had not previously done in a deliberate effort to disenfranchise voters .
We know at this point that Trump is only doing this as a show for his fans and for his ego , but it is deeply disturbing to see him continue to impugn the integrity of this election for these monstrously selfish reasons .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he seems to want to do — if he ’ s still alive , that is — he can claim that he never actually lost and deserves his vindication .
But with two crucial Senate race run-offs that could decide the future of this nation approaching fast , if Trump wants to trash Georgia Republicans , then by all means .
Have at them !

On Wednesday morning, President Trump took to Twitter to promote conspiracy propaganda about the 2020 election from his new favorite outlets and call for the resignation of Georgia’s Republican governor, Brian Kemp.
Trump feels that Kemp, who won his own election under very questionable circumstances, hasn’t done enough (i.e., broken the law) to expose (or manufacture) the voter fraud that Trump is insistent is responsible for his 2020 election loss. The soon-to-be-ex-president trashed Kemp as an “obstructionist” and falsely repeated that he won Georgia and all the other swing states very bigly.
Hearings from Atlanta on the Georgia Election overturn now being broadcast. Check it out. @OANN @newsmax and many more. @BrianKempGA should resign from office. He is an obstructionist who refuses to admit that we won Georgia, BIG! Also won the other Swing States. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2020
The president’s delusions about the 2020 election appear to be accelerating as the end of his term draws to a close. Last night, Trump promoted a ridiculous conspiracy theory accusing Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger of having a brother who “works for China” despite the fact that Raffensberger does not have a brother.
…The consent decree signed by the “Secretary”, with the consent of Kemp, is perhaps even more poorly negotiated than the deal that John Kerry made with Iran. Now it turns out that Brad R’s brother works for China, and they definitely don’t want “Trump”. So disgusting! #MAGA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2020
On top of that, the “consent decree” that Trump is so angry about does not exist, according to voting rights lawyer Marc E. Elias. What Trump appears to be referring to is the results of a 2020 lawsuit that forced the state of Georgia to inform voters in a timely fashion if their absentee ballots were rejected due to a mismatched or missing signature, which the state had not previously done in a deliberate effort to disenfranchise voters.
We know at this point that Trump is only doing this as a show for his fans and for his ego, but it is deeply disturbing to see him continue to impugn the integrity of this election for these monstrously selfish reasons. When he runs in 2024, as he seems to want to do — if he’s still alive, that is — he can claim that he never actually lost and deserves his vindication.
But with two crucial Senate race run-offs that could decide the future of this nation approaching fast, if Trump wants to trash Georgia Republicans, then by all means. Have at them!
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occupydemocrats--2020-12-30--Colin Taylor’s News Roundup for Dec 31st


occupydemocrats--2020-12-31--Top Trump lawyer hit with accusations of assaults, believes he’s Jesus

Much has been written about the bottom of the barrel legal team assembled by Donald Trump to contest the election results in the key swing states that he lost to Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential election .
Whether it is former New York City mayor and federal prosecutor Rudy Giuliani dripping hair dye as he rambles on promulgating evidence-free conspiracy theories , or Sidney Powell regurgitating equally undocumented voter fraud claims despite having been officially ejected from the team representing Trump after her legal filings were found to be riddled with factual and legal errors and the “ kracken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump legal arsenal has gone further off the deep end than attorney Lin Wood .
Starting his career as an ambulance-chasing personal injury lawyer in his native Georgia , Wood first garnered national attention as the attorney representing Richard Jewel , the security guard falsely accused in the Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta in 1996 .
Wood then began specializing in defamation cases , perhaps giving him some insight into what he could get away with saying as he accused Georgia Republicans Governor Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rig the election results for Biden .
For Wood , China is the ultimate enemy , a country that he accuses of manufacturing the COVID-19 virus in the lab as some sort of biological weapon .
Now it has been revealed that the Georgia attorney ’ s former law partners have filed a suit against Wood that leads one to believe that he is even more unhinged than previously imagined , a difficult task to achieve .
In a legal brief , the former partners in Wood ’ s firm allege that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two of them and has frequently claimed to possibly be the second coming of Christ in a messianic delusion of grandeur .
“ ’ I might actually be Christ coming back for a second time in the form of an imperfect man , elevating Christ consciousness , ’ an extraordinary footnote quotes Wood telling his partners .
‘ That cause you to have a little bit of a chill ?
Who would be more eloquent to say what the will of God is , the belief of God in me , ’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quotes a footnote in the partner ’ s suit .
“ ’ I represent Moses , ’ Wood allegedly declared on tape .
‘ I represent Ananias the believer .
I ’ m like the power of King David .
Now look you all , I told you I was going to pray tonight to my God , not to myself , because to me there ’ s God and there ’ s me , ’ ” the article details Wood speaking of his delusional client list .
Wood ’ s ex-partners saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disintegrate late last year when he began to exhibit behavior that they considered “ erratic , hostile , abusive , and threatening ” according to their lawsuit .
“ ’ In the Fall of 2019 , defendant Wood also committed assault and battery on Grunberg in an elevator of a hotel during an out of town deposition , ’ they wrote in their complaint , which also alleges that Wood attacked Wilson .
‘ In both assaults , there was essentially no reason whatsoever for the attack , and defendant Wood later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ” Law and Crime writes , adding that “ ‘ The truth is that Wood has admitted to these assaults on multiple recordings , ’ they wrote in a footnote , describing Wood ’ s denials as ‘ malicious.
’ ” Naturally as a defamation specialist , Wood accused his former partners of a “ shakedown effort , ” and filed a countersuit against them .
The ex-colleagues , for their part , deny that calling him “ mentally unstable , ” “ delusional , ” or possessing a “ God-complex ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They promptly filed a counter-counter suit accusing Wood of filing a “ frivolous ” countersuit under Georgia ’ s anti-SLAPP ( Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation ) law that sanctions those who abuse the court system to stifle speech .
The outcome of the various litigations remains to be seen , but suffice it to say that the character of Donald Trump ’ s legal representative here is perfectly matched to that of his client .
That ’ s a comparison that does not bode well for Mr. Wood ’ s career @ @ @

Much has been written about the bottom of the barrel legal team assembled by Donald Trump to contest the election results in the key swing states that he lost to Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential election.
Whether it is former New York City mayor and federal prosecutor Rudy Giuliani dripping hair dye as he rambles on promulgating evidence-free conspiracy theories, or Sidney Powell regurgitating equally undocumented voter fraud claims despite having been officially ejected from the team representing Trump after her legal filings were found to be riddled with factual and legal errors and the “kracken” never arrived, no member of the Trump legal arsenal has gone further off the deep end than attorney Lin Wood.
Starting his career as an ambulance-chasing personal injury lawyer in his native Georgia, Wood first garnered national attention as the attorney representing Richard Jewel, the security guard falsely accused in the Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta in 1996.
Wood then began specializing in defamation cases, perhaps giving him some insight into what he could get away with saying as he accused Georgia Republicans Governor Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger of working with the Chinese to help rig the election results for Biden.
For Wood, China is the ultimate enemy, a country that he accuses of manufacturing the COVID-19 virus in the lab as some sort of biological weapon.
Now it has been revealed that the Georgia attorney’s former law partners have filed a suit against Wood that leads one to believe that he is even more unhinged than previously imagined, a difficult task to achieve.
In a legal brief, the former partners in Wood’s firm allege that he was recorded admitting to physical assaults on two of them and has frequently claimed to possibly be the second coming of Christ in a messianic delusion of grandeur.
“’I might actually be Christ coming back for a second time in the form of an imperfect man, elevating Christ consciousness,’ an extraordinary footnote quotes Wood telling his partners. ‘That cause you to have a little bit of a chill? Who would be more eloquent to say what the will of God is, the belief of God in me,’” an article published by Law and Crime quotes a footnote in the partner’s suit. “’I represent Moses,’ Wood allegedly declared on tape. ‘I represent Ananias the believer. I’m like the power of King David. Now look you all, I told you I was going to pray tonight to my God, not to myself, because to me there’s God and there’s me,’” the article details Wood speaking of his delusional client list.
Wood’s ex-partners saw their relationship with their former colleague begin to disintegrate late last year when he began to exhibit behavior that they considered “erratic, hostile, abusive, and threatening” according to their lawsuit.
“’In the Fall of 2019, defendant Wood also committed assault and battery on Grunberg in an elevator of a hotel during an out of town deposition,’ they wrote in their complaint, which also alleges that Wood attacked Wilson. ‘In both assaults, there was essentially no reason whatsoever for the attack, and defendant Wood later acknowledged and apologized for this violence,’” Law and Crime writes, adding that “‘The truth is that Wood has admitted to these assaults on multiple recordings,’ they wrote in a footnote, describing Wood’s denials as ‘malicious.’”
Naturally as a defamation specialist, Wood accused his former partners of a “shakedown effort,” and filed a countersuit against them.
The ex-colleagues, for their part, deny that calling him “mentally unstable,” “delusional,” or possessing a “God-complex” was defamatory given his clearly documented words. They promptly filed a counter-counter suit accusing Wood of filing a “frivolous” countersuit under Georgia’s anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) law that sanctions those who abuse the court system to stifle speech.
The outcome of the various litigations remains to be seen, but suffice it to say that the character of Donald Trump’s legal representative here is perfectly matched to that of his client.
That’s a comparison that does not bode well for Mr. Wood’s career going forward.
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