occupydemocrats--2020-01-28--Trump’s “Deal of the Century” Israel-Palestine peace plan is immediately rejected

An impeached President Trump and the freshly indicted Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu appeared at the White House today to present the White House ’ s plan for lasting peace in the Middle East and a resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict — but the entire affair was soon revealed to be nothing but a cynical farce designed to take heat off the impeachment trial .
No Palestinian representatives were present for the announcement , making it obvious how one-sided the plan would be right off the bat .
What followed was a laundry list of Israeli demands that would permanently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their Israeli occupiers and formally entrench the Gaza Strip ’ s status as the world ’ s largest open-air prison .
In addition , the crucially important fertile land on the banks of the River Jordan and all the territory seized by Israeli colonial settlements would remain in Israeli hands .
Refugees would not be allowed to return to their homes , and all of Jerusalem would be held by the Israelis .
It was a classicly Trumpian mockery of what a diplomatic gesture should look like ; a one-sided and horrendously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farm to racist right-wing extremists while treating Muslims with naked condescension and contempt .
The repulsive mockery of the efforts to forge a lasting , peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis was unsurprisingly immediately rejected by everyone except those who had written it .
We should all see this for what this is — a ridiculous kabuki performance that ’ s supposed to bring some legitimacy back to Trump and Netanyahu and distract the world from their legal troubles , as both of them are facing serious criminal investigations by their own countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to allow impeachment witnesses .
We demand Trump get a fair trial !
Even if this “ Deal of the Century ” had been designed with the slightest shred of sincerity , as long as Trump is the president every nation in the world — nobody more so than Iran — knows that the United States can not be trusted to abide by the terms of the deal and that our participation rests entirely on Trump ’ s fickle whims .
Any peace deal between Israel and Palestine must be forged on equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mutual respect for the interests of both sides , and until that happens the United States is just helping to enable yet another of our allies to commit ethnic cleansing .
Public outcry at the deal was furious and immediate : What do you think ?

An impeached President Trump and the freshly indicted Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu appeared at the White House today to present the White House’s plan for lasting peace in the Middle East and a resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict — but the entire affair was soon revealed to be nothing but a cynical farce designed to take heat off the impeachment trial.
No Palestinian representatives were present for the announcement, making it obvious how one-sided the plan would be right off the bat. What followed was a laundry list of Israeli demands that would permanently leave the Palestinian people at the mercy of their Israeli occupiers and formally entrench the Gaza Strip’s status as the world’s largest open-air prison. In addition, the crucially important fertile land on the banks of the River Jordan and all the territory seized by Israeli colonial settlements would remain in Israeli hands. Refugees would not be allowed to return to their homes, and all of Jerusalem would be held by the Israelis.
Netanyahu lays out conditions for Palestinian statehood: -Palestinians must recognise Israel as Jewish state
-Israel full security control over West Bank
-Hamas must disarm
-No Right of Return for Palestinian refugees
-Jerusalem united under Israeli control
-No settlers uprooted — Raf Sanchez (@rafsanchez) January 28, 2020
It was a classicly Trumpian mockery of what a diplomatic gesture should look like; a one-sided and horrendously disingenuous dog-and-pony show that gives away the farm to racist right-wing extremists while treating Muslims with naked condescension and contempt.
The repulsive mockery of the efforts to forge a lasting, peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis was unsurprisingly immediately rejected by everyone except those who had written it.
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) –Palestinian president says 'a thousand no's' to Trump peace plan. — Vivian Salama (@vmsalama) January 28, 2020
Per @NBCNews Jordan rejects any plan that leaves the Palestinians out and expands Israel’s borders without negotiating.
A serious blow to the plan, coming from Israel's next door Arab neighbor. — Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) January 28, 2020
We should all see this for what this is — a ridiculous kabuki performance that’s supposed to bring some legitimacy back to Trump and Netanyahu and distract the world from their legal troubles, as both of them are facing serious criminal investigations by their own countries.
Add your name to tell McConnell to allow impeachment witnesses. We demand Trump get a fair trial!
Even if this “Deal of the Century” had been designed with the slightest shred of sincerity, as long as Trump is the president every nation in the world — nobody more so than Iran — knows that the United States cannot be trusted to abide by the terms of the deal and that our participation rests entirely on Trump’s fickle whims. Any peace deal between Israel and Palestine must be forged on equal terms with participation from both sides and mutual respect for the interests of both sides, and until that happens the United States is just helping to enable yet another of our allies to commit ethnic cleansing.
Public outcry at the deal was furious and immediate:
This doesn't look like a state. It looks like a Native American reservation. https://t.co/ZwHMt0L0V7 pic.twitter.com/S2gO5gdV4t — Shahed Amanullah (@shahed) January 28, 2020
This is not a peace plan. It is theft. It is erasure. https://t.co/N2rduGVnze — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 28, 2020
Trump's "peace plan" is a rubber stamp for annexation and offers no chance for a real Palestinian state. Releasing a plan without negotiating with Palestinians isn't diplomacy, it's a sham. I will oppose unilateral annexation in any form—and reverse any policy that supports it. — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 28, 2020
Netanyahu: If only Palestinians can accept that they are worthless beings, undeserving of basic rights, Israel is prepared to make peace with them. — (((YousefMunayyer))) (@YousefMunayyer) January 28, 2020
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--2020-01-28--Trump’s ex-Chief of Staff John Kelly comes out in support of Bolton: I believe him about Trump

President Trump ’ s former Chief of Staff just weighed in against him on the key issue hanging over the Senate ’ s impeachment trial .
Gen. John Kelly served Trump for years , both as Secretary of Homeland Security and then as White House Chief of Staff .
At a Florida event yesterday , Kelly said that he would take former National Security Advisor John Bolton ’ s word over that of his former boss .
Before departing the role of Chief of Staff last December as its last permanent appointee , Gen. Kelly presided over Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the US border , then walked through the revolving door to earn a handsome profit off the suffering of refugees which is still leaving a dark stain on America ’ s human rights record .
However , that gives Kelly a significant amount of credibility in Trump ’ s far-right Republican party that most other outside commentators don ’ t have ( or want ) when it comes to helping the general public—and especially Fox News viewers—know who to trust .
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports : Specifically , Gen. Kelly endorsed The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on what ’ s contained in Bolton ’ s forthcoming book which says the President pressured Ukraine for dirt on the Bidens .
Add your name to tell McConnell to allow impeachment witnesses .
We demand Trump get a fair trial !
Trump ’ s former Chief of Staff also supports having witnesses at Trump ’ s trial in the Senate , a notable break from the Republican party position of turning the removal decision into a rubber stamp .
Naturally , Donald Trump is trying to hide behind executive privilege but took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ reporting on Bolton ’ s recollection of him asking for dirt from Ukraine before they received the security funds Congress appropriated in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for 2019 .
Ironically , the president ’ s latest disclosures should finally prove fatal to his own defense that John Bolton can not testify because of executive privilege , which University of Michigan law professor and former US Attorney Barbara McQuade explains waives or cancels the privilege : “ Privilege is meant to keep a president ’ s secrets confidential .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly discusses the conversations himself , there is no longer any need to protect them from disclosure.
” “ But now , the executive privilege argument is no longer available .
Trump ’ s tweets directly denying the substance of Bolton ’ s reported allegations waive any privilege that might have protected them from public disclosure.
” Donald Trump shocked the world , and many now-former members of his own party , by blowing away the last remaining pockets of moderation to finalize the far-right movement of the GOP and claiming the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House ( with Putin ’ s help ) .
Now , it looks like the far-right members of his own party including its zealously anti-immigrant child abuse profiteer , General Kelly , and the war-mongering regime change fanatic , John Bolton , could be the very people to end his presidency by shockingly revealing that there are some facts that matter , even to the very most extreme members of the Republican Party .
What do you think ?

President Trump’s former Chief of Staff just weighed in against him on the key issue hanging over the Senate’s impeachment trial.
Gen. John Kelly served Trump for years, both as Secretary of Homeland Security and then as White House Chief of Staff. At a Florida event yesterday, Kelly said that he would take former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s word over that of his former boss.
Before departing the role of Chief of Staff last December as its last permanent appointee, Gen. Kelly presided over Trump’s horrifying policy of putting kids in cages at the US border, then walked through the revolving door to earn a handsome profit off the suffering of refugees which is still leaving a dark stain on America’s human rights record. However, that gives Kelly a significant amount of credibility in Trump’s far-right Republican party that most other outside commentators don’t have (or want) when it comes to helping the general public—and especially Fox News viewers—know who to trust. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports:
“‘If John Bolton says that in the book I believe John Bolton,'” said retired Gen. John Kelly, who served as Trump’s chief of staff for 18 months.”
Specifically, Gen. Kelly endorsed The New York Times’s recent reporting on what’s contained in Bolton’s forthcoming book which says the President pressured Ukraine for dirt on the Bidens.
Add your name to tell McConnell to allow impeachment witnesses. We demand Trump get a fair trial!
Trump’s former Chief of Staff also supports having witnesses at Trump’s trial in the Senate, a notable break from the Republican party position of turning the removal decision into a rubber stamp.
Naturally, Donald Trump is trying to hide behind executive privilege but took to Twitter anyway to deny the Times’ reporting on Bolton’s recollection of him asking for dirt from Ukraine before they received the security funds Congress appropriated in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for 2019.
Ironically, the president’s latest disclosures should finally prove fatal to his own defense that John Bolton cannot testify because of executive privilege, which University of Michigan law professor and former US Attorney Barbara McQuade explains waives or cancels the privilege:
“Privilege is meant to keep a president’s secrets confidential. If the president reveals those secrets or publicly discusses the conversations himself, there is no longer any need to protect them from disclosure.” “But now, the executive privilege argument is no longer available. Trump’s tweets directly denying the substance of Bolton’s reported allegations waive any privilege that might have protected them from public disclosure.”
Donald Trump shocked the world, and many now-former members of his own party, by blowing away the last remaining pockets of moderation to finalize the far-right movement of the GOP and claiming the party’s 2016 presidential nomination and eventually the White House (with Putin’s help). Now, it looks like the far-right members of his own party including its zealously anti-immigrant child abuse profiteer, General Kelly, and the war-mongering regime change fanatic, John Bolton, could be the very people to end his presidency by shockingly revealing that there are some facts that matter, even to the very most extreme members of the Republican Party.


occupydemocrats--2020-01-28--Enraged Trump declares “the beginning of the end” for Fox News after impeachment coverage

In a telling anecdote related to The New York Times , former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg quoted his last phone conversation with Donald Trump a few days after the reality TV host with no experience in governance was elected president .
As some else who had entered politics without previously holding elected office , Bloomberg offered the president-elect some sage advice : “ hire a lot of people smarter than you , ” he told Trump .
In that one statement , Donald Trump explains everything that has gone wrong with his presidency in one short sentence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ too arrogant — and too ignorant — to realize where he lacks expertise and too insecure to get the help he needs .
The one area that Trump does have considerable experience — besides his bankruptcy-prone real-estate businesses — is in the world of television .
Add your name to tell McConnell to allow impeachment witnesses .
We demand Trump get a fair trial !
Hence , it ’ s no surprise that the president dedicates an inordinate amount of his time playing America ’ s TV critic-at-large through his mini-reviews on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest as a media analyst is in spewing forth his opinions on the coverage conducted by the major TV news operations , likely because his own actions comprise such a large portion of their air time .
A look at the president ’ s Twitter feed today provides copious examples of the career path that many wish that Trump had pursued rather than embark upon his disastrous foray into politics .
Of course , the limits of the president ’ s vocabulary and his low-brow aesthetic limit the type of publication that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thoughtless analysis to supermarket tabloids and brain-free right-wing websites as this commentary on CNN anchor Don Lemon demonstrates .
Luckily , Trump qualified his assessment of the CNN anchor ’ s intelligence by noting that the insult was applicable only to those whose ratings fell beneath his threshold of acceptability since there is no one who could possibly compete with himself for the crown of the dumbest man on TV since the days that Gomer Pyle roamed the streets of Mayberry .
Perhaps the most surprising turn in the media landscape of late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the president and his formerly favorite cable news network , Fox News .
Until recently , Trump was more of a cheerleader , collaborator , and promoter of the network than the harsh critic he has been with other media outlets that he labels “ Fake News ” due to their annoying habits of reporting the ugly truth rather than the whitewashed set of lies that Fox News typically was happy to rebroadcast on his behalf .
In fact , the relationship between Trump and the Rupert Murdoch-owned propaganda feed was so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine which of the two was driving the bus — with Trump repeating the canned lies Fox News host and analysts regularly broadcast in both his interviews and his social media posts .
Of course , there were always a few real journalists at the network who chafed at repeating the misinformation being fed to the gullible members of the public by the Sean Hannity , Laura Ingraham , and Tucker Carlson-types .
The departure of Shepard Smith last year proved that the network was not a comfortable place to practice journalism that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s most powerful viewer .
With the advent of Trump ’ s impeachment , however , more of the Fox News on-air talent have found it impossible to ignore the plain facts in front of their faces — an ability that many wish they could teach Republican senators to overcome — and have thus reported stories and invited on guests that have caused the president to rethink his relationship to the network .
Trump bared his wrath towards the trend on Twitter this morning in a series of posts that sounded much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Fox News .
In a line that harkens back to his boast to Mike Bloomberg that there is no one smarter than himself , Trump claims that he alone knows “ what the hell has happened to Fox News.
” Acting both as TV-Critic-In-Chief and a self-appointed network executive , Trump suggests personnel changes to rid the network of those journalists who refuse to be bamboozled by his misleading rhetoric and obvious lies , while pointing to the fate of Shep Smith , the Fox News anchor who displeased the man who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prediction of failure for his formerly favorite news outlet reads more and more like an authoritarian threat straight out of the fascist playbook , but his praise of social media — a place where Facebook still allows paid politicals ads to lie with impunity and where Twitter suspends the rules of conduct that apply to ordinary mortals and allows the president to violate the prohibition against personal threats and intimidation because he ’ s a newsworthy public figure— gives away his political playbook for his reelection campaign .
It also indicates that unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media platforms institute policies that prevent the dissemination of harmful outright lies and intimidating threats for everyone , no matter how prominent a public figure , our media landscape will be complicit in the destruction of our democracy .
On the bright side , however , the fact that even Fox News is willing to buck the president occasionally as his impeachment trial progresses , indicates that they are paying attention to their own polls which now show that a full 50 % of the nation want Trump removed from office .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t wind up in prison — he can always apply for the media critic job at The National Enquirer .
We hear he has friends there .
What do you think ?

In a telling anecdote related to The New York Times, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg quoted his last phone conversation with Donald Trump a few days after the reality TV host with no experience in governance was elected president.
As some else who had entered politics without previously holding elected office, Bloomberg offered the president-elect some sage advice: “hire a lot of people smarter than you,” he told Trump.
“Mike, there is no one smarter than me,” Trump reportedly replied.
In that one statement, Donald Trump explains everything that has gone wrong with his presidency in one short sentence.
Here we have a president who is too arrogant — and too ignorant — to realize where he lacks expertise and too insecure to get the help he needs.
The one area that Trump does have considerable experience — besides his bankruptcy-prone real-estate businesses — is in the world of television.
Add your name to tell McConnell to allow impeachment witnesses. We demand Trump get a fair trial!
Hence, it’s no surprise that the president dedicates an inordinate amount of his time playing America’s TV critic-at-large through his mini-reviews on his Twitter feed.
Trump’s primary interest as a media analyst is in spewing forth his opinions on the coverage conducted by the major TV news operations, likely because his own actions comprise such a large portion of their air time.
A look at the president’s Twitter feed today provides copious examples of the career path that many wish that Trump had pursued rather than embark upon his disastrous foray into politics.
Of course, the limits of the president’s vocabulary and his low-brow aesthetic limit the type of publication that would want to feature his crude prose and thoughtless analysis to supermarket tabloids and brain-free right-wing websites as this commentary on CNN anchor Don Lemon demonstrates.
Don Lemon, the dumbest man on television (with terrible ratings!). https://t.co/iQXCc7lvCt — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2020
Luckily, Trump qualified his assessment of the CNN anchor’s intelligence by noting that the insult was applicable only to those whose ratings fell beneath his threshold of acceptability since there is no one who could possibly compete with himself for the crown of the dumbest man on TV since the days that Gomer Pyle roamed the streets of Mayberry.
Perhaps the most surprising turn in the media landscape of late is the slow dissolution of the romance between the president and his formerly favorite cable news network, Fox News.
Until recently, Trump was more of a cheerleader, collaborator, and promoter of the network than the harsh critic he has been with other media outlets that he labels “Fake News” due to their annoying habits of reporting the ugly truth rather than the whitewashed set of lies that Fox News typically was happy to rebroadcast on his behalf.
In fact, the relationship between Trump and the Rupert Murdoch-owned propaganda feed was so close that it was often difficult to determine which of the two was driving the bus — with Trump repeating the canned lies Fox News host and analysts regularly broadcast in both his interviews and his social media posts.
Of course, there were always a few real journalists at the network who chafed at repeating the misinformation being fed to the gullible members of the public by the Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, and Tucker Carlson-types. The departure of Shepard Smith last year proved that the network was not a comfortable place to practice journalism that wasn’t heavily biased towards it’s most powerful viewer.
With the advent of Trump’s impeachment, however, more of the Fox News on-air talent have found it impossible to ignore the plain facts in front of their faces — an ability that many wish they could teach Republican senators to overcome — and have thus reported stories and invited on guests that have caused the president to rethink his relationship to the network.
Trump bared his wrath towards the trend on Twitter this morning in a series of posts that sounded much like a “Dear John” letter to Fox News.
…..So, what the hell has happened to @FoxNews. Only I know! Chris Wallace and others should be on Fake News CNN or MSDNC. How’s Shep Smith doing? Watch, this will be the beginning of the end for Fox, just like the other two which are dying in the ratings. Social Media is great! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2020
In a line that harkens back to his boast to Mike Bloomberg that there is no one smarter than himself, Trump claims that he alone knows “what the hell has happened to Fox News.”
Acting both as TV-Critic-In-Chief and a self-appointed network executive, Trump suggests personnel changes to rid the network of those journalists who refuse to be bamboozled by his misleading rhetoric and obvious lies, while pointing to the fate of Shep Smith, the Fox News anchor who displeased the man who would be king.
Trump’s prediction of failure for his formerly favorite news outlet reads more and more like an authoritarian threat straight out of the fascist playbook, but his praise of social media — a place where Facebook still allows paid politicals ads to lie with impunity and where Twitter suspends the rules of conduct that apply to ordinary mortals and allows the president to violate the prohibition against personal threats and intimidation because he’s a newsworthy public figure— gives away his political playbook for his reelection campaign.
It also indicates that unless the public rises and demands that social media platforms institute policies that prevent the dissemination of harmful outright lies and intimidating threats for everyone, no matter how prominent a public figure, our media landscape will be complicit in the destruction of our democracy.
On the bright side, however, the fact that even Fox News is willing to buck the president occasionally as his impeachment trial progresses, indicates that they are paying attention to their own polls which now show that a full 50% of the nation want Trump removed from office.
If that happens — and Trump doesn’t wind up in prison — he can always apply for the media critic job at The National Enquirer. We hear he has friends there.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
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--2020-01-28--Trump publicly praises Pompeo for screaming f-word at NPR reporter: “Good job!”

On Tuesday morning , President Trump held a press conference at the White House to announce his tremendous plan to finally solve the Palestinian-Israeli crisis after decades of conflict and strife .
But his inevitably doomed-to-fail and laughably Israeli-tilted proposal was overshadowed by his callous decision to praise his Secretary of State for blowing up and cursing at a reporter after she challenged him about Ukraine and his role in the quid pro quo scandal that triggered the impeachment inquiry .
Last Friday , NPR reported that All Things Considered co-host Mary Louise Kelly interviewed the Secretary of State and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recalled Ambassador to Ukraine , Marie Yovanovich , an apology for allowing her to be steamrolled out of her position by Rudy Giuliani ’ s goons and media lapdogs .
Add your name to tell McConnell to allow impeachment witnesses .
We demand Trump get a fair trial !
After the subject of Ukraine was brought up , the interview formally ended — but the reporter was then brought into Pompeo ’ s private living area , where he blew his top in an extremely Trumpian fit of rage .
The incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show of bravado designed to intimidate and silence a journalist for trying to hold a senior government official accountable for the actions of his department — so of course , it had to have been music to the would-be despot Donald Trump ’ s ears .
He nearly said as much in his press conference today , telling Pompeo that he had done a “ good job ” by screaming “ f*ck ” at a reporter and generally behaving like a blustering fool .
The president ’ s comments mark yet another disturbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedoms of the press that our nation holds dear and offers an illuminating glimpse into how his appointees are altering their behavior to tickle Trump ’ s authoritarian impulses and stay in his good graces .
Everyone in the White House behaves like him now ; arrogant and self-entitled little princelings who strut about utterly convinced that they are above the law , growing furiously angry at the very idea of being challenged by anyone on what they ’ ve said or done .
For Trump to praise this behavior with the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a presidency that can not end soon enough .
What do you think ?

On Tuesday morning, President Trump held a press conference at the White House to announce his tremendous plan to finally solve the Palestinian-Israeli crisis after decades of conflict and strife.
But his inevitably doomed-to-fail and laughably Israeli-tilted proposal was overshadowed by his callous decision to praise his Secretary of State for blowing up and cursing at a reporter after she challenged him about Ukraine and his role in the quid pro quo scandal that triggered the impeachment inquiry.
Last Friday, NPR reported that All Things Considered co-host Mary Louise Kelly interviewed the Secretary of State and asked him whether or not he owed the recalled Ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovich, an apology for allowing her to be steamrolled out of her position by Rudy Giuliani’s goons and media lapdogs.
Add your name to tell McConnell to allow impeachment witnesses. We demand Trump get a fair trial!
After the subject of Ukraine was brought up, the interview formally ended — but the reporter was then brought into Pompeo’s private living area, where he blew his top in an extremely Trumpian fit of rage.
NPR reports that “inside the room, Pompeo shouted his displeasure at being questioned about Ukraine. He used repeated expletives, according to Kelly, and asked,’Do you think Americans care about Ukraine?’ He then said, ‘People will hear about this.’”
.@SecPompeo cursed out reporter @NPRKelly for asking him about Ukraine and then demanded she find it on a map, which she did. “He asked, 'Do you think Americans care about Ukraine?' He used the F word…” https://t.co/km285zyWlS — Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) January 25, 2020
The incident was a highly embarrassing and utterly despicable show of bravado designed to intimidate and silence a journalist for trying to hold a senior government official accountable for the actions of his department — so of course, it had to have been music to the would-be despot Donald Trump’s ears.
He nearly said as much in his press conference today, telling Pompeo that he had done a “good job” by screaming “f*ck” at a reporter and generally behaving like a blustering fool.
President Trump on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's treatment of NPR reporter: "I think you did a good job on her." https://t.co/HA9iRg7NZz pic.twitter.com/x2Zb000jcU — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 28, 2020
The president’s comments mark yet another disturbing attack on the First Amendment and the freedoms of the press that our nation holds dear and offers an illuminating glimpse into how his appointees are altering their behavior to tickle Trump’s authoritarian impulses and stay in his good graces. Everyone in the White House behaves like him now; arrogant and self-entitled little princelings who strut about utterly convinced that they are above the law, growing furiously angry at the very idea of being challenged by anyone on what they’ve said or done.
For Trump to praise this behavior with the entire world watching is yet another black mark on a presidency that cannot end soon enough.
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--2020-01-28--Trump publicly brags Pompeo did a “good job” by screaming curse words at NPR reporter


occupydemocrats--2020-01-28--George Conway torches Ivanka after she complains about CNN clip mocking Trump fans

The Republican Party has found its latest incident to feign outrage over and it ’ s a CNN clip in which Don Lemon , GOP operative and consistent Trump critic Rick Wilson , and New York Times contributing Op-Ed writer Wajahat Ali mock ignorant MAGA-heads in a playful and largely benign fashion .
It ’ s the kind of thing that one would really have to dig deep to feel any kind of anger over and which Republicans are gleefully seizing on to push their narrative that liberals ( which Wilson is not ) are out of touch , ivory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted the clip this morning and said Wilson and others “ consistently make fun of half the country and then complain that it is divided.
” She accused the men of being arrogant and decried such “ Real Elites ” as disgusting .
It was a ridiculous , bad faith attack coming from the daughter of a president who regularly paints Democrats as something less than real Americans , who vilifies minorities and immigrants , and who constantly stokes the fires of division to keep his hate-fueled movement going .
Add your name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We demand Trump get a fair trial !
When compared to some of the truly vile things Donald Trump has said and done—mocking a disabled reporter for example—the joking accents used by Wilson and the others aren ’ t even worth remarking upon .
The idea that Ivanka is truly upset about this CNN clip and yet had nothing to publicly say when her father bragged being a sexual predator , mocked POWs , and attacked a Gold Star family is completely without credibility .
As usual , she is engaging in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Conway , husband of Donald Trump ’ s right-hand woman Kellyanne Conway and a vocal opponent of the president , saw Ivanka ’ s tweet and decided to call out the blatant hypocrisy .
He asked her if she has ever met her father , “ the ignorant , incompetent , and narcissistic psychopath ” who “ frequently attacks the half of the country that recognizes he ’ s not , in fact , a very stable genius who makes perfect phones calls.
” Conway correctly accused Ivanka of enabling her father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is what her entire public persona is built around .
She plays the part of some women ’ s rights champion and activist in order to shore up her father ’ s image and to allow those more disposed towards delusion to tell themselves that he has moderating forces around him .
In reality , Ivanka is nothing more than just another petty opportunist using the Trump presidency to build personal political influence and enrich herself .
Nothing she says should be taken at face value .
What do you think ?

The Republican Party has found its latest incident to feign outrage over and it’s a CNN clip in which Don Lemon, GOP operative and consistent Trump critic Rick Wilson, and New York Times contributing Op-Ed writer Wajahat Ali mock ignorant MAGA-heads in a playful and largely benign fashion.
It’s the kind of thing that one would really have to dig deep to feel any kind of anger over and which Republicans are gleefully seizing on to push their narrative that liberals (which Wilson is not) are out of touch, ivory tower, coastal elites.
Ivanka Trump tweeted the clip this morning and said Wilson and others “consistently make fun of half the country and then complain that it is divided.” She accused the men of being arrogant and decried such “Real Elites” as disgusting. It was a ridiculous, bad faith attack coming from the daughter of a president who regularly paints Democrats as something less than real Americans, who vilifies minorities and immigrants, and who constantly stokes the fires of division to keep his hate-fueled movement going.
Add your name to tell McConnell to allow impeachment witnesses. We demand Trump get a fair trial!
When compared to some of the truly vile things Donald Trump has said and done—mocking a disabled reporter for example—the joking accents used by Wilson and the others aren’t even worth remarking upon. The idea that Ivanka is truly upset about this CNN clip and yet had nothing to publicly say when her father bragged being a sexual predator, mocked POWs, and attacked a Gold Star family is completely without credibility. As usual, she is engaging in cynical politicking to help her father.
You consistently make fun of half the country and then complain that it is divided. The arrogance, mocking accents and smug ridicule of this nation’s ‘Real Elites’ is disgusting. https://t.co/p3RQzymx4s — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) January 28, 2020
George Conway, husband of Donald Trump’s right-hand woman Kellyanne Conway and a vocal opponent of the president, saw Ivanka’s tweet and decided to call out the blatant hypocrisy. He asked her if she has ever met her father, “the ignorant, incompetent, and narcissistic psychopath” who “frequently attacks the half of the country that recognizes he’s not, in fact, a very stable genius who makes perfect phones calls.”
Conway correctly accused Ivanka of enabling her father “at taxpayer expense each day” which is what her entire public persona is built around. She plays the part of some women’s rights champion and activist in order to shore up her father’s image and to allow those more disposed towards delusion to tell themselves that he has moderating forces around him. In reality, Ivanka is nothing more than just another petty opportunist using the Trump presidency to build personal political influence and enrich herself. Nothing she says should be taken at face value.
Wait—haven’t you met your father, the ignorant, incompetent narcissistic psychopath whom you enable at taxpayer expense each day, and who frequently attacks the half of the country that recognizes he’s not, in fact, a very stable genius who makes perfect phone calls? https://t.co/eiXOAC07KM — George Conway (@gtconway3d) January 28, 2020
Staff Report This is a staff report from former Occupy Democrats Editor in Chief Colin Taylor or contributor Rob Haffney. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-01-28--Florida A.G. who accepted illegal $25k gift from Trump scolds Bidens on “corruption” in trial

As if the past week of impeachment hearings hadn ’ t seen enough surreal and astonishing defenses of the president by his sycophantic GOP supporters , Monday saw the very concept of irony murdered by hypocrisy on the floor of the Senate .
No other words can possibly describe how wild it was to watch one of the most infamously corrupt prosecutors in American history attempt to lecture the nation about the corruption of the Biden family in defense of the President whose children have made $ 81 million while working in the White House .
Ex-Florida attorney general turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Senate floor to regurgitate tired and long-debunked conspiracy theories about Hunter Biden and his admittedly ethically questionable job at Ukranian natural gas company Burisma .
Yes , the very same Pam Bondi who personally solicited an illegal $ 25,000 bribe for one her political support groups from the Trump Foundation in exchange for shutting down an investigation into the Trump University real estate “ training program ” scam .
After two major class-action lawsuits , the president later had to pay a $ 25 million settlement to the swindled victims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself was later banned from ever making “ charitable ” donations again .
Who will be following up her defense in the Trump trial tonight ?
Oh , none other than Alan Dershowitz , a close confidant of serial child rapist Jeffery Epstein who himself has been accused of having sex with underage girls at Epstein ’ s direction .
To trot out some of the most heinously corrupt people in American politics to defend the most criminal president in American history is the tiny pink hat on the elephant in the room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trial .
The Republicans are not only cacklingly throwing pies in the faces of the American people but are then using Constitution and all basic precepts of ethics , law , and dignity that our nation holds dear as punchlines in a garbage stand up-routine by a gallery of clowns .
Social media unloaded on the President ’ s choice of defense : What do you think ?

As if the past week of impeachment hearings hadn’t seen enough surreal and astonishing defenses of the president by his sycophantic GOP supporters, Monday saw the very concept of irony murdered by hypocrisy on the floor of the Senate.
No other words can possibly describe how wild it was to watch one of the most infamously corrupt prosecutors in American history attempt to lecture the nation about the corruption of the Biden family in defense of the President whose children have made $81 million while working in the White House.
Ex-Florida attorney general turned Trump legal team member Pam Bondi took to the Senate floor to regurgitate tired and long-debunked conspiracy theories about Hunter Biden and his admittedly ethically questionable job at Ukranian natural gas company Burisma.
Pigs must be flying…Pam Bondi is giving a lecture from the Senate well on corruption.
pic.twitter.com/NhxzIzi7Ng — Karine Jean-Pierre (@K_JeanPierre) January 28, 2020
Yes, the very same Pam Bondi who personally solicited an illegal $25,000 bribe for one her political support groups from the Trump Foundation in exchange for shutting down an investigation into the Trump University real estate “training program” scam.
After two major class-action lawsuits, the president later had to pay a $25 million settlement to the swindled victims of Trump University, and the Trump Foundation itself was later banned from ever making “charitable” donations again.
Pam Bondi is currently on the Senate floor defending President Trump from accusations of wrongdoing. Let's take a trip down memory lane and remember the story of Trump, Bondi and an apparent $25,000 bribe. https://t.co/j2Ryjh9Wzp — Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) January 27, 2020
Who will be following up her defense in the Trump trial tonight? Oh, none other than Alan Dershowitz, a close confidant of serial child rapist Jeffery Epstein who himself has been accused of having sex with underage girls at Epstein’s direction.
Trump attorney Alan Dershowitz: "I will argue that our Constitution and its terms — high crimes and misdemeanors — do not encompass the articles charing abuse of power and obstruction of Congress." https://t.co/ey0Mhj6qDx pic.twitter.com/o1WiiB0yA3 — ABC News (@ABC) January 28, 2020
To trot out some of the most heinously corrupt people in American politics to defend the most criminal president in American history is the tiny pink hat on the elephant in the room of this disgraceful, unforgivable circus of a trial. The Republicans are not only cacklingly throwing pies in the faces of the American people but are then using Constitution and all basic precepts of ethics, law, and dignity that our nation holds dear as punchlines in a garbage stand up-routine by a gallery of clowns.
Social media unloaded on the President’s choice of defense:
"Guys, we should at least give the appearance of not being shady. Can we get some attorneys who aren't controversial or tainted?" "Yes! Let's get people connected to child molestor Epstein, the guy who wasted money and time impeaching Clinton and Pam Bondi paid by Trump." — Wajahat "Abu Khadija" Ali (@WajahatAli) January 28, 2020
Pam Bondi once argued that recognizing same-sex marriages from other states would "impose significant public harm" in Florida. After listening to her arguments today, I can safely say she is as full of crap as ever. — George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 28, 2020
Having Pam Bondi lead the charge on Burisma/Biden was one of those "this sounds great in the pitch" moments that turns out so so wrong. New Coke wrong. — Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) January 28, 2020
Pam Bondi may well be decorated by Russian intelligence services for this performance. — Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) January 27, 2020
Pam Bondi deplores leveraging political office for personal financial benefit https://t.co/fwpkeLaayw — David Frum (@davidfrum) January 27, 2020
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--2020-02-07--Trump administration has begun blasting apart a national monument for his border wall

In another example of what Americans can expect from a president untethered from any congressional constraints , Trump administration-hired contractors are desecrating Native-American sacred land in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona ’ s Sonoran Desert wilderness , blasting away the side of a mountain to construct a section of the president ’ s needless border wall boondoggle .
Online news site The Intercept confirmed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection that blasting in the national monument began this week and will continue through the end of February in an area considered “ one of the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area venerated by multiple Native American tribes for its deep spiritual importance .
While the Customs and Border Protection statement also claimed that the agency would “ continue to have an environmental monitor present during these activities as well as on-going clearing activities , ” Congressman Raúl Grijalva ( D-AZ ) , the chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources , has grave doubts about the effectiveness and authority of the monitor to prevent permanent damage to the sacred site .
The Arizona Democrat told The Intercept that he does not believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ environmental monitor will do anything to avoid , mitigate , or even point out some of the sacrilegious things that are occurring and will continue to occur , given the way they ’ re proceeding.
” Rep. Grijalva is not basing his opinion from the far off office he occupies in the Capitol Building , but after visiting the Organ Pipe destruction site last month along with archaeologists and leaders of the Tohono O ’ odham Nation , a native tribe who have inhabited the area for centuries and whose sacred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the border wall construction .
“ It ’ s right in the path , ” Representative Grijalava said of the burial site that is in the next section of the wall construction scheduled to be built .
“ The one indignation of the blasting on the hill is shortly to follow with other indignations and disrespect.
” “ DHS had mentioned to the tribes that they would back off on developing the hill , but the work is still being done , ” the congressman added .
Designated as a UNESCO International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pipe Cactus National Monument is considered “ a pristine example of an intact Sonoran Desert ecosystem ” and was thought to be protected by the strictest public-land designations available under the law .
Despite including lands that rightfully are controlled by the Tohono O ’ odham Nation , contractors have ruthlessly drilled wells into the scarce local aquifer to mix concrete for their construction and plowed under large saguaro cacti to build a wide road for the vehicles needed to build the money pit of an ineffective border control solution .
Ned Norris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ odham Nation , has already informed the USCBP that their construction “ resulted in the inadvertent discovery of human remains ” on their ancestral lands .
“ It ’ s been really frustrating , ” Grijalva said .
“ You would think that in a situation like this , that involves human remains , burial sites , bone fragments that are traced and dated a thousand years or more back , that there would be some sensitivity , for lack of a better word , on the part of DHS and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What ’ s particularly frightening right now is that Trump has weaponized DHS , politically weaponized them , ” Grijalva told The Intercept .
“ And so right now , it ’ s about satisfying that political agenda.
” “ The consequence of that , the intended consequence of that , is situations like this , ” Grijalva continued .
“ Situations like South Texas .
The flooding of public lands .
The loss of habitat .
The list goes on.
” Based on the desecration of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration finalized their plans today to allow energy exploration on nearly a million acres of land that was a part of Utah ’ s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument until Trump stole the land from the public to allow his energy industry buddies to exploit — the failure of the Senate to remove Donald Trump from the presidency is not just a political and constitutional disaster , but an environmental disaster as well .
Original reporting by Ryan Devereaux at The Intercept .
What do you think ?

In another example of what Americans can expect from a president untethered from any congressional constraints, Trump administration-hired contractors are desecrating Native-American sacred land in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert wilderness, blasting away the side of a mountain to construct a section of the president’s needless border wall boondoggle.
Online news site The Intercept confirmed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection that blasting in the national monument began this week and will continue through the end of February in an area considered “one of the nation’s great ecological treasures” and an area venerated by multiple Native American tribes for its deep spiritual importance.
“The construction contractor has begun controlled blasting, in preparation for new border wall system construction, within the Roosevelt Reservation at Monument Mountain in the U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector,” the USCBP statement said. “The controlled blasting is targeted and will continue intermittently for the rest of the month.”
Thread update: Explosives truck spotted today just north of Organ Pipe. pic.twitter.com/pLydPVo0Z6 — Laiken Jordahl (@LaikenJordahl) February 5, 2020
While the Customs and Border Protection statement also claimed that the agency would “continue to have an environmental monitor present during these activities as well as on-going clearing activities,” Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), the chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, has grave doubts about the effectiveness and authority of the monitor to prevent permanent damage to the sacred site.
The Arizona Democrat told The Intercept that he does not believe that the Department of Homeland Security’s “environmental monitor will do anything to avoid, mitigate, or even point out some of the sacrilegious things that are occurring and will continue to occur, given the way they’re proceeding.”
Rep. Grijalva is not basing his opinion from the far off office he occupies in the Capitol Building, but after visiting the Organ Pipe destruction site last month along with archaeologists and leaders of the Tohono O’odham Nation, a native tribe who have inhabited the area for centuries and whose sacred burial site is in the direct path of the border wall construction.
“It’s right in the path,” Representative Grijalava said of the burial site that is in the next section of the wall construction scheduled to be built. “The one indignation of the blasting on the hill is shortly to follow with other indignations and disrespect.” “DHS had mentioned to the tribes that they would back off on developing the hill, but the work is still being done,” the congressman added.
Designated as a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve in 1976, the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is considered “a pristine example of an intact Sonoran Desert ecosystem” and was thought to be protected by the strictest public-land designations available under the law.
Despite including lands that rightfully are controlled by the Tohono O’odham Nation, contractors have ruthlessly drilled wells into the scarce local aquifer to mix concrete for their construction and plowed under large saguaro cacti to build a wide road for the vehicles needed to build the money pit of an ineffective border control solution.
“A historically significant area is going to be changed irreparably,” Grijalva warned. “You’re never going to be able to put it back together.”
Ned Norris Jr., chair of the Tohono O’odham Nation, has already informed the USCBP that their construction “resulted in the inadvertent discovery of human remains” on their ancestral lands.
“It’s been really frustrating,” Grijalva said. “You would think that in a situation like this, that involves human remains, burial sites, bone fragments that are traced and dated a thousand years or more back, that there would be some sensitivity, for lack of a better word, on the part of DHS and the administration. There is none.” “What’s particularly frightening right now is that Trump has weaponized DHS, politically weaponized them,” Grijalva told The Intercept. “And so right now, it’s about satisfying that political agenda.” “The consequence of that, the intended consequence of that, is situations like this,” Grijalva continued. “Situations like South Texas. The flooding of public lands. The loss of habitat. The list goes on.”
Based on the desecration of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument — plus the news that the Trump administration finalized their plans today to allow energy exploration on nearly a million acres of land that was a part of Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument until Trump stole the land from the public to allow his energy industry buddies to exploit — the failure of the Senate to remove Donald Trump from the presidency is not just a political and constitutional disaster, but an environmental disaster as well.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Ryan Devereaux at The Intercept.
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--2020-02-06--Republican Senators open new inquiry into Hunter Biden the day after Trump acquittal

Within hours of the GOP Senate ’ s sham trial wrapping up , a pair of prominent Republicans decided to use that chamber ’ s powers to keep doing Donald Trump ’ s bidding and continue the efforts to gin up a scandal around the Biden family .
Since the spectacle of an impeachment trial without witnesses , the first in American history , wasn ’ t enough for Trump ’ s cronies in the Senate , Republican Senators Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) and Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) have now queried the United States Secret Service for years-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they were both about at the time .
In 2015 , Vice President Joe Biden was asked by America ’ s foreign policy establishment , including GOP Senators Rob Portman and Ron Johnson , to ask Ukraine to fire its former prosecutor-general because he refused to investigate the Burisma energy company .
Later , his Yale-educated lawyer and son Hunter Biden took a $ 50,000 a month job on Burisma ’ s board .
Republican Senators Johnson and Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) signed a letter looking for new information about Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest .
The Post reports : Ironically , these Republicans are unlikely to be successful , because as Reuters reports , Hunter Biden did the entire job from America .
It ’ s obvious that Hunter Biden ’ s lavishly compensated job doesn ’ t look good , but there ’ s nothing unlawful about someone getting a fancy law degree , working for leading firm Boies , Flexner , Schiller and then getting hired away by one of its clients to continue his work advising the company on legitimate legal matters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ position , it was not a good idea to work for the particular company that Hunter Biden chose .
But his deeds pale in comparison to the Trump family ’ s incessant grifting , which Republicans like Grassley and Johnson participate in through the RNC ’ s purchases at Trump hotels that exceeded $ 1.5 million in the last election cycle alone .
In fact , one of three Republican witnesses called at Trump ’ s House impeachment hearings , Ambassador Kurt Volker of the “ Three Amigos , ” said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were “ self-serving and not credible.
” But there has never been a Republican in modern times who let a pesky fact or two get in the way of a partisan investigation .
Leading Trump toady Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) is also using his position as Chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate Joe Biden .
The latest salvo by Republican Senators against the truth serves formal notice that Trump and his GOP allies see their transgression of impartial justice by holding a sham trial as merely the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facts .
Original reporting by Colby Itkowitz at the Washington Post .
What do you think ?

Within hours of the GOP Senate’s sham trial wrapping up, a pair of prominent Republicans decided to use that chamber’s powers to keep doing Donald Trump’s bidding and continue the efforts to gin up a scandal around the Biden family.
Since the spectacle of an impeachment trial without witnesses, the first in American history, wasn’t enough for Trump’s cronies in the Senate, Republican Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have now queried the United States Secret Service for years-old records about Hunter Biden over an issue that they were both about at the time.
In 2015, Vice President Joe Biden was asked by America’s foreign policy establishment, including GOP Senators Rob Portman and Ron Johnson, to ask Ukraine to fire its former prosecutor-general because he refused to investigate the Burisma energy company. Later, his Yale-educated lawyer and son Hunter Biden took a $50,000 a month job on Burisma’s board.
Republican Senators Johnson and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) signed a letter looking for new information about Ukraine under the pretext of investigating conflicts of interest. The Post reports:
Specifically, they are seeking from the Secret Service any instances when Hunter Biden traveled with protective security detail during the time his father, Joe Biden, was vice president, as well as when he flew on government planes.
Ironically, these Republicans are unlikely to be successful, because as Reuters reports, Hunter Biden did the entire job from America.
It’s obvious that Hunter Biden’s lavishly compensated job doesn’t look good, but there’s nothing unlawful about someone getting a fancy law degree, working for leading firm Boies, Flexner, Schiller and then getting hired away by one of its clients to continue his work advising the company on legitimate legal matters.
Because of his father’s former position, it was not a good idea to work for the particular company that Hunter Biden chose. But his deeds pale in comparison to the Trump family’s incessant grifting, which Republicans like Grassley and Johnson participate in through the RNC’s purchases at Trump hotels that exceeded $1.5 million in the last election cycle alone.
In fact, one of three Republican witnesses called at Trump’s House impeachment hearings, Ambassador Kurt Volker of the “Three Amigos,” said that the allegations against the Bidens by the President were “self-serving and not credible.”
But there has never been a Republican in modern times who let a pesky fact or two get in the way of a partisan investigation.
Leading Trump toady Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is also using his position as Chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate Joe Biden.
The latest salvo by Republican Senators against the truth serves formal notice that Trump and his GOP allies see their transgression of impartial justice by holding a sham trial as merely the first steps in an all-out propaganda war against facts.
Original reporting by Colby Itkowitz at the Washington Post.


occupydemocrats--2020-02-06--Fox News judicial expert slams Trump acquittal as an “assault on the Constitution”

Fox News ‘ incremental shift away from its unanimous support of Donald Trump took another brick out of the normally unbroken wall today with the op-ed published on the cable news network ’ s web site by its senior judicial analyst Andrew Napolitano .
Napolitano acknowledged the win that the Senate acquittal of the president represented for the president personally but pointed out how damaging the rigged process that led to the failure to remove Trump from office was to the essential principles that our system of government is founded upon .
He also speculated on how the president who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shame of an impeachment trial might react if he was still alive to witness the shameful capitulation of the supposedly impartial jurors of the senate to the tactics of intimidation , fear , and subterfuge employed by the Trump White House to ensure his acquittal in the face of overwhelming evidence of his guilt .
“ Trump will luxuriate in his victory .
But the personal victory for him is a legal assault on the Constitution , ” Napolitano wrote in the op-ed .
“ The president has taken an oath to preserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , he has trashed it.
” “ How ?
By manipulating Senate Republicans to bar firsthand evidence and keep it from senatorial and public scrutiny , Trump and his Senate collaborators have insulated him and future presidents from the moral and constitutional truism that no president is above the law , ” he added .
“ Somewhere , Richard Nixon is smiling.
” That ’ s an amazing reaction for someone who is likely sitting in a pit of flames if one is inclined to believe in the afterlife .
“ In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the presidency , ” Napolitano wrote , “ almost as if the states had ratified a constitutional amendment redefining the impeachment language to permit a president to engage in high crimes and misdemeanors so long as he believes that they are in the national interest and so long as his party has an iron-clad grip on the Senate.
” “ The evidence that Trump did this is overwhelming and beyond a reasonable doubt , and no one with firsthand knowledge denied it , ” Napolitano continued .
“ Numerous government officials recounted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in U.S. assistance for a personal political favor did occur and the government ’ s own watchdog concluded that it was indisputably unlawful.
” While Napolitano ’ s op-ed runs contrary to the sentiments heard on most of the programs broadcast by Fox News , the New Jersey Superior Court judge has made his views on Trump ’ s conduct quite clear to the cable news network ’ s viewers since the results of the House impeachment investigations yielded such damning evidence against the president that it was still inconceivable that only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the facts and vote to remove the transgressive Trump from office .
As early as December , Judge Napolitano was saying that the Democrats had proven their case against the president , and he later wrote that the House impeachment managers had provided “ ample and uncontradicted ” evidence of the reasons to vote for Trump ’ s ejection from the White House .
Lest anyone think that Napolitano is just another liberal judge piling on the right-wing ’ s favorite president , it helps to know that he is both strongly anti-womens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a regular promoter of conspiracy theories .
When even the legal experts most sympathetic to Trump ’ s political stances can ’ t ignore the magnitude of his constitutional violations , the shame that should be directed at the Republican senators who chose to ignore their constitutional imperative to convict the lawless president grows even greater .
Bravo to Judge Napolitano for having the courage to put the Constitution over party loyalty .
If only his Fox News colleagues — and the GOP leadership in the senate — were equally brave .
@ @ @ @ @

Fox News‘ incremental shift away from its unanimous support of Donald Trump took another brick out of the normally unbroken wall today with the op-ed published on the cable news network’s web site by its senior judicial analyst Andrew Napolitano.
Napolitano acknowledged the win that the Senate acquittal of the president represented for the president personally but pointed out how damaging the rigged process that led to the failure to remove Trump from office was to the essential principles that our system of government is founded upon.
He also speculated on how the president who decided to resign rather than face the shame of an impeachment trial might react if he was still alive to witness the shameful capitulation of the supposedly impartial jurors of the senate to the tactics of intimidation, fear, and subterfuge employed by the Trump White House to ensure his acquittal in the face of overwhelming evidence of his guilt.
“Trump will luxuriate in his victory. But the personal victory for him is a legal assault on the Constitution,” Napolitano wrote in the op-ed . “The president has taken an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Instead, he has trashed it.” “How? By manipulating Senate Republicans to bar firsthand evidence and keep it from senatorial and public scrutiny, Trump and his Senate collaborators have insulated him and future presidents from the moral and constitutional truism that no president is above the law,” he added. “Somewhere, Richard Nixon is smiling.”
That’s an amazing reaction for someone who is likely sitting in a pit of flames if one is inclined to believe in the afterlife.
“In its wake is a Congress ceding power to the presidency,” Napolitano wrote, “almost as if the states had ratified a constitutional amendment redefining the impeachment language to permit a president to engage in high crimes and misdemeanors so long as he believes that they are in the national interest and so long as his party has an iron-clad grip on the Senate.” “The evidence that Trump did this is overwhelming and beyond a reasonable doubt, and no one with firsthand knowledge denied it,” Napolitano continued. “Numerous government officials recounted that the presidential leverage of $391 million in U.S. assistance for a personal political favor did occur and the government’s own watchdog concluded that it was indisputably unlawful.”
While Napolitano’s op-ed runs contrary to the sentiments heard on most of the programs broadcast by Fox News, the New Jersey Superior Court judge has made his views on Trump’s conduct quite clear to the cable news network’s viewers since the results of the House impeachment investigations yielded such damning evidence against the president that it was still inconceivable that only a single Republican senator would look at the facts and vote to remove the transgressive Trump from office.
As early as December, Judge Napolitano was saying that the Democrats had proven their case against the president, and he later wrote that the House impeachment managers had provided “ample and uncontradicted” evidence of the reasons to vote for Trump’s ejection from the White House.
Lest anyone think that Napolitano is just another liberal judge piling on the right-wing’s favorite president, it helps to know that he is both strongly anti-womens’ choice when it comes to abortion and a regular promoter of conspiracy theories.
When even the legal experts most sympathetic to Trump’s political stances can’t ignore the magnitude of his constitutional violations, the shame that should be directed at the Republican senators who chose to ignore their constitutional imperative to convict the lawless president grows even greater.
Bravo to Judge Napolitano for having the courage to put the Constitution over party loyalty. If only his Fox News colleagues — and the GOP leadership in the senate — were equally brave.
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--2020-02-06--Trump tells Congresswoman she “looks good” and “when she opens that mouth, she was killing them”

Serial sexual predator and accused rapist President Donald Trump is notorious for his unabashed creepiness towards women , even in the most public of settings .
But it still sends shudders down one ’ s spine to see him addressing the nation and feel the urge to take a moment to tell Rep. Elise Stefanik ( R-NY ) how good she looks , as he did this morning during the absolutely psychotic speech he gave in the East Room of the White House .
Trump on @ EliseStefanik : “ I thought , ‘ she looks good , she looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t realize that when she opens that mouth , she was killing them.
” pic.twitter.com/KWxkqi3kGM While the generous reading of this is that he was simply impressed with her defense of him during his trial and was “ killing ” his critics with her arguements , it is extremely hard to do so when consider just what kind of a man Donald Trump is .
There ’ s just something so blood-curdling about the way he says she “ looks good ” and chooses to use the phrase “ that mouth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man with an irrepressible sense of entitlement towards women ’ s bodies and objectifies women as sexual vessels existing solely for his pleasure .
Add your name to tell the ABA : Disbar William Barr for abusing the Justice Department to abet Trump ’ s corruption !
Trump ’ s numerous sex assault accusations include wandering into the dressing rooms of changing teenage beauty pageant contestants , fondling the breasts of a strange woman seated next to him on an airplane , trying to kiss a woman in an elevator at Trump Tower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a PEOPLE magazine reporter while his pregnant wife was upstairs .
His inability to control himself and his utter contempt for women ’ s personal boundaries are beyond deplorable but are sadly far too familiar traits among old white conservative men ; the fact that he still won the election despite his widely-publicized history of sexual predation is a damning indictment of American society as a whole .
While these comments are fairly tame as far as Trump ’ s creepiness goes — r emember when he accused Kristen Gillibrand of being willing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — given his track record , it ’ s safe to say he doesn ’ t deserve the benefit of the doubt .
The title of this article has been updated to more accurately reflect the president ’ s quote .
What do you think ?

Serial sexual predator and accused rapist President Donald Trump is notorious for his unabashed creepiness towards women, even in the most public of settings.
But it still sends shudders down one’s spine to see him addressing the nation and feel the urge to take a moment to tell Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) how good she looks, as he did this morning during the absolutely psychotic speech he gave in the East Room of the White House.
Trump on @EliseStefanik: “I thought, ‘she looks good, she looks like good talent,’ but I didn’t realize that when she opens that mouth, she was killing them.” pic.twitter.com/KWxkqi3kGM
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 6, 2020
While the generous reading of this is that he was simply impressed with her defense of him during his trial and was “killing” his critics with her arguements, it is extremely hard to do so when consider just what kind of a man Donald Trump is.
There’s just something so blood-curdling about the way he says she “looks good” and chooses to use the phrase “that mouth,” knowing that he is a man with an irrepressible sense of entitlement towards women’s bodies and objectifies women as sexual vessels existing solely for his pleasure.
Add your name to tell the ABA: Disbar William Barr for abusing the Justice Department to abet Trump’s corruption!
Trump’s numerous sex assault accusations include wandering into the dressing rooms of changing teenage beauty pageant contestants, fondling the breasts of a strange woman seated next to him on an airplane, trying to kiss a woman in an elevator at Trump Tower during the workday and attempting to rape a PEOPLE magazine reporter while his pregnant wife was upstairs.
His inability to control himself and his utter contempt for women’s personal boundaries are beyond deplorable but are sadly far too familiar traits among old white conservative men; the fact that he still won the election despite his widely-publicized history of sexual predation is a damning indictment of American society as a whole.
While these comments are fairly tame as far as Trump’s creepiness goes — r emember when he accused Kristen Gillibrand of being willing “to do anything” for donations — given his track record, it’s safe to say he doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt.
The title of this article has been updated to more accurately reflect the president’s quote.
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--2020-02-06--Trump rants about the 1950s Yankees and handsome Republicans in bonkers presser

With every Republican senator but one voting to continue our current Idiocracy rather than hold the president accountable for his proven constitutional violations , Donald Trump is unleashed and ready to seek revenge on his political enemies .
In a post-acquittal speech to the American people this morning , Trump emulated that moment in a comic book-based movie plot when the supervillain — at a temporary advantage over the heroes fighting his evil plans — rubs his hands together and gloats , “ bwa-ha-ha-ing ” his way towards his ultimate undoing .
The primary difference , however , is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evil geniuses who have somehow gone astray , while Donald Trump — although he may think he is a “ stable genius ” — is in actuality a vindictive , “ f # @ king moron ” as his own former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson once described him .
The examples demonstrating the defects in Trump ’ s addled brain are legion , and the president added amply to the list in his speech today .
As he rambled from one irrelevant topic to another during his remarks , Trump hinted at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ horrible ” people behind his impeachment , singling out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) and Congressman Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) as the ringleaders of the supposed “ hoax , ” as he calls the legitimate exercise of their constitutional duties .
Add your name to tell the ABA : Disbar William Barr for abusing the Justice Department to abet Trump ’ s corruption !
He also exhibited the undisciplined manner in which his faulty , aging mind works by peppering in random musings on topics as diverse as how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( R-LA ) must love him after seeing her emotional reaction to the nearly three-year-old shooting of her husband at a congressional softball game practice .
Trump went on to then on to tell Rep. Scalise that the near-death experience in the unsuccessful assassination attempt improved his looks .
As is typical with most people his age with encroaching dementia , the president fixated on past memories from his younger days as he launched into a completely off-topic section of his often aimless speech with a discussion of a somewhat obscure New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1960s , Bobby Richardson .
Among Trump ’ s other mental lapses during his speech was his description of his supposed “ total acquittal ” in the rigged senate trial without witnesses or evidence as “ that gorgeous word.
” Democrats have a gorgeous word of their own by Trump ’ s standards : it ’ s called “ impeached forever.
” In a new low by the norms of presidential decorum in publicly broadcast speeches , Trump also called the investigations that have been conducted into his actions and that of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite the eight associates who either pleaded or were found guilty of numerous counts of federal crimes .
It ’ s incredibly sad that the GOP Senators had the chance to at least partially redeem their party and help save the country from the erratic leadership of a president in obvious mental decline and failed to remove Trump at the first available opportunity .
Luckily , we still have the opportunity to get rid of this national embarrasment at the ballot box in November…for now at least .
Plus , there is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set of impeachment articles as additional evidence of the president ’ s crimes come to light .
Trump has certainly provided ample fodder for another round of investigations and , given how much he appears to feel persecuted by Democrats , it would provide something predictable for him in his daily routine to tweet about endlessly .
What do you think ?

With every Republican senator but one voting to continue our current Idiocracy rather than hold the president accountable for his proven constitutional violations, Donald Trump is unleashed and ready to seek revenge on his political enemies.
In a post-acquittal speech to the American people this morning, Trump emulated that moment in a comic book-based movie plot when the supervillain — at a temporary advantage over the heroes fighting his evil plans — rubs his hands together and gloats, “bwa-ha-ha-ing” his way towards his ultimate undoing.
The primary difference, however, is that comic book supervillains are typically portrayed as evil geniuses who have somehow gone astray, while Donald Trump — although he may think he is a “stable genius” — is in actuality a vindictive, “f#@king moron” as his own former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson once described him.
The examples demonstrating the defects in Trump’s addled brain are legion, and the president added amply to the list in his speech today.
As he rambled from one irrelevant topic to another during his remarks, Trump hinted at his plans to seek revenge on the “horrible” people behind his impeachment, singling out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) as the ringleaders of the supposed “hoax,” as he calls the legitimate exercise of their constitutional duties.
Add your name to tell the ABA: Disbar William Barr for abusing the Justice Department to abet Trump’s corruption!
He also exhibited the undisciplined manner in which his faulty, aging mind works by peppering in random musings on topics as diverse as how much the wife of Congressman Steve Scalise (R-LA) must love him after seeing her emotional reaction to the nearly three-year-old shooting of her husband at a congressional softball game practice.
“A lot of wives wouldn’t give a damn,” Trump said, providing a valuable insight into his own marital relationships that isn’t particularly surprising.
Trump went on to then on to tell Rep. Scalise that the near-death experience in the unsuccessful assassination attempt improved his looks.
Trump just said GOP Rep Steve Scalise wasn’t good looking until after he got shot: “I think you’re better looking now. You’re more handsome now. You weren’t that good looking.“ Trump then talked about the shooting and re-enacted a gun being shot. Unreal, unhinged and demented. — Scott Dworkin (@funder) February 6, 2020
As is typical with most people his age with encroaching dementia, the president fixated on past memories from his younger days as he launched into a completely off-topic section of his often aimless speech with a discussion of a somewhat obscure New York Yankees second baseman from the 1950s and 1960s, Bobby Richardson.
Trump talking about Bobby Richardson of the NY Yankees while he talks about….[looks at notes]…his impeachment [?] pic.twitter.com/5Ok3KNERxH — Salvador Hernandez (@SalHernandez) February 6, 2020
Among Trump’s other mental lapses during his speech was his description of his supposed “total acquittal” in the rigged senate trial without witnesses or evidence as “that gorgeous word.”
“Now we have that gorgeous word, I never thought a word would sound so good, it’s called ‘total acquittal,’” he said, adding one plus one to equal one.
Democrats have a gorgeous word of their own by Trump’s standards: it’s called “impeached forever.”
In a new low by the norms of presidential decorum in publicly broadcast speeches, Trump also called the investigations that have been conducted into his actions and that of his administration and campaign “bullsh*t,” despite the eight associates who either pleaded or were found guilty of numerous counts of federal crimes.
It’s incredibly sad that the GOP Senators had the chance to at least partially redeem their party and help save the country from the erratic leadership of a president in obvious mental decline and failed to remove Trump at the first available opportunity.
Luckily, we still have the opportunity to get rid of this national embarrasment at the ballot box in November…for now at least. Plus, there is the opportunity for the House to file another set of impeachment articles as additional evidence of the president’s crimes come to light. Trump has certainly provided ample fodder for another round of investigations and, given how much he appears to feel persecuted by Democrats, it would provide something predictable for him in his daily routine to tweet about endlessly.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
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--2020-02-06--Trump publicly brags about Comey firing, trashes “dirty cops”and “bullsh*t” Russia probe

Forever impeached President Donald Trump just held a wide-ranging impromptu speech full of stunning lies and a national confession to his first high crime of office — dismissing the FBI Director for lawfully investigating his ties to Russia .
After starting his day complaining about Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney ’ s vote to convict him for high crimes , Trump continued his rant to an East Room crowd of mostly his elected supporters .
Trump slammed the former GOP standard-bearer and religious Mormon for “ using religion as a crutch ” because he ’ s the only member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Add your name to tell the ABA : Disbar William Barr for abusing the Justice Department to abet Trump ’ s corruption !
But President Trump saved his worst comments for the inevitable self-pity over the investigations into his corrupt alliances with foreign governments , calling the Russia investigation “ bullshit ” — because it revealed he knew Putin was helping him , sought the help and covered it up .
Once again , Trump confessed that he fired former FBI Director James Comey for rightfully investigating the President ’ s betrayal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The impeached president , whose party refused to call witnesses or examine new evidence in a sham Senate trial , then moved on and directed his vitriol at the courageous Speaker of the House , Nancy Pelosi .
Former U.S. Office of Government Ethics head Walter Shaub summarized Trump ’ s savage remarks about the Speaker .
After venting at people telling the truth , President Trump spent an extended amount of time praising the GOP lawmakers who have covered up his crimes .
“ Kevin and Mitch love their jobs , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GOP senate leader who fouled the impeachment trial by total cooperation with the White House , and about House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy who got caught on tape saying that Russia funds Trump during the 2016 election , but vigorously lying for the president all these years anyway .
Donald Trump praised various legislators including Florida man Rep. Matt “ Pizza ” Gaetz , ending a three-week tiff because he wouldn ’ t vote for a pointless war , and he called obnoxiously loud Rep. Louie Gohmert ( R-TX ) “ smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely known as the dumbest member of Congress .
Finishing the praise festival for his toadies , Trump turned back to his enemies list , complaining about FBI agents ’ comments from almost four years ago and former Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe .
As President , Trump has consistently delivered unhinged remarks when handed a microphone and a national audience .
The sometimes slurring his words president concluded his remarks that lasted over an hour by pretending he had all 53 Republican votes in the impeachment trial , even though he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s wild rant has a different character now that Trump believes he ’ s gotten away entirely scott-free with his high crimes and feels free to complain about “ bullshit ” in public while slamming the very religious fealty that hoisted him into the highest office in the land .
What do you think ?

Forever impeached President Donald Trump just held a wide-ranging impromptu speech full of stunning lies and a national confession to his first high crime of office — dismissing the FBI Director for lawfully investigating his ties to Russia.
After starting his day complaining about Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney’s vote to convict him for high crimes, Trump continued his rant to an East Room crowd of mostly his elected supporters. Trump slammed the former GOP standard-bearer and religious Mormon for “using religion as a crutch” because he’s the only member of his party to do the right thing.
Add your name to tell the ABA: Disbar William Barr for abusing the Justice Department to abet Trump’s corruption!
But President Trump saved his worst comments for the inevitable self-pity over the investigations into his corrupt alliances with foreign governments, calling the Russia investigation “bullshit”— because it revealed he knew Putin was helping him, sought the help and covered it up.
Once again, Trump confessed that he fired former FBI Director James Comey for rightfully investigating the President’s betrayal of our nation to foreign powers.
Story continues below:
Trump's holding a press conference to celebrate the Senate's abdication of its duty.
He starts by pointing out, yet again, that he fired James Comey to stop the investigations into him. pic.twitter.com/5vOPCySYcb — The Moscow Project (@moscow_project) February 6, 2020
The impeached president, whose party refused to call witnesses or examine new evidence in a sham Senate trial, then moved on and directed his vitriol at the courageous Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.
Former U.S. Office of Government Ethics head Walter Shaub summarized Trump’s savage remarks about the Speaker.
After venting at people telling the truth, President Trump spent an extended amount of time praising the GOP lawmakers who have covered up his crimes.
“Kevin and Mitch love their jobs,” said Trump about Moscow Mitch McConnell, the GOP senate leader who fouled the impeachment trial by total cooperation with the White House, and about House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy who got caught on tape saying that Russia funds Trump during the 2016 election, but vigorously lying for the president all these years anyway.
Donald Trump praised various legislators including Florida man Rep. Matt “Pizza” Gaetz, ending a three-week tiff because he wouldn’t vote for a pointless war, and he called obnoxiously loud Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) “smart,” probably because he’s widely known as the dumbest member of Congress.
Finishing the praise festival for his toadies, Trump turned back to his enemies list, complaining about FBI agents’ comments from almost four years ago and former Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe.
As President, Trump has consistently delivered unhinged remarks when handed a microphone and a national audience.
The sometimes slurring his words president concluded his remarks that lasted over an hour by pretending he had all 53 Republican votes in the impeachment trial, even though he did not.
However, this afternoon’s wild rant has a different character now that Trump believes he’s gotten away entirely scott-free with his high crimes and feels free to complain about “bullshit” in public while slamming the very religious fealty that hoisted him into the highest office in the land.


occupydemocrats--2020-02-06--Reporters discover Trump fans on 4chan disrupted Iowa caucus with mass prank calls

New reporting shows that pro-Trump members on a website infamous for being a hotbed of hate speech and manipulation of online polls interfered in the Iowa Caucuses by flooding phone lines in a determined effort to disrupt the reporting of results .
Last night , Iowa Democratic Party officials said a high volume of distracting calls from Trump supporters disrupted results tabulation .
This morning , an NBC team of journalists discovered a link between those calls and the controversial anonymous 4chan message boards .
An anonymous 4chan user posted the phone number used by the Iowa Democratic Party ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voting results from the first presidential preference polling of 2020 this past Monday .
While the 4chan call flood wasn ’ t solely responsible for the breakdown in Iowa results reporting—the primary culprit being a Democratic party tech firm rolled out results reporting app that complelely failed—the Trump supporters ’ call flood was timely and simultaneously targeted both the backup and support systems .
Making matters worse , NBC News reports that the 4channers who disrupted Iowa ’ s caucuses didn ’ t have to have a mole or a leak from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do was Google it : “ ‘ They have to call in the results now .
Very long hold times being reported .
Phone line being clogged , ’ one user posted at about 11 p.m .
ET on Monday , two hours after the caucuses began , reported NBC .
‘ Uh oh how unfortunate it would be for a bunch of mischief makers to start clogging the lines , ’ responded another anonymous user , sarcastically.
” The slow-moving vote count in Iowa is an unexpected and unhappy result for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
NBC News also obtained a copy of the failed app and sent it to independent analysts who characterized it as rushed , incomplete and tough to use , which must place significant blame on what happened to the state Democratic Party .
Story continues below : While 4chan ’ s “ prank ” exacerbated the problems that interrupted the Democratic nominating process , even they prefer to place more blame on the Democratic Party than themselves for targeting and knocking out the key logistical systems that would ’ ve enabled backup systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
NBC reports : This year ’ s Iowa caucus has become the second nominating debacle in only the last eight years for the Hawkeye State , and it ’ s a bipartisan problem .
Republicans owned the previous meltdown , which happened when now-Senator Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) “ won ” the first in the nation caucuses only for former Sen. Rick Santorum ( R-PA ) to later be declared the winner but to lose the nomination because the former achieved political liftoff with the early perceived victory .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Senator Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) has won the Iowa caucus popular vote and will emerge tied with former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg in delegates , while perceived frontrunner Joe Biden plummeted to fourth place .
Original reporting by Tyler Pager and Jennifer Epstein at Bloomberg .
What do you think ?

New reporting shows that pro-Trump members on a website infamous for being a hotbed of hate speech and manipulation of online polls interfered in the Iowa Caucuses by flooding phone lines in a determined effort to disrupt the reporting of results.
Last night, Iowa Democratic Party officials said a high volume of distracting calls from Trump supporters disrupted results tabulation. This morning, an NBC team of journalists discovered a link between those calls and the controversial anonymous 4chan message boards.
An anonymous 4chan user posted the phone number used by the Iowa Democratic Party (IDP) to facilitate person-to-person transmission of the voting results from the first presidential preference polling of 2020 this past Monday. While the 4chan call flood wasn’t solely responsible for the breakdown in Iowa results reporting—the primary culprit being a Democratic party tech firm rolled out results reporting app that complelely failed—the Trump supporters’ call flood was timely and simultaneously targeted both the backup and support systems.
Making matters worse, NBC News reports that the 4channers who disrupted Iowa’s caucuses didn’t have to have a mole or a leak from inside the IDP, all they had to do was Google it:
Users on a politics-focused section of the fringe 4chan message board repeatedly posted the phone number for the Iowa Democratic Party, which was found by a simple Google search, both as screenshots and in plain text, alongside instructions.
“‘They have to call in the results now. Very long hold times being reported. Phone line being clogged,’ one user posted at about 11 p.m. ET on Monday, two hours after the caucuses began, reported NBC. ‘Uh oh how unfortunate it would be for a bunch of mischief makers to start clogging the lines,’ responded another anonymous user, sarcastically.”
The slow-moving vote count in Iowa is an unexpected and unhappy result for Democratic candidates for the 2020 presidential nomination.
NBC News also obtained a copy of the failed app and sent it to independent analysts who characterized it as rushed, incomplete and tough to use, which must place significant blame on what happened to the state Democratic Party. Story continues below:
While 4chan’s “prank” exacerbated the problems that interrupted the Democratic nominating process, even they prefer to place more blame on the Democratic Party than themselves for targeting and knocking out the key logistical systems that would’ve enabled backup systems to easily tabulate the Iowa caucuses’ results. NBC reports:
Some users on 4chan pushed back against users claiming to spam phone lines on Monday night. One user said he didn’t want other trolls “making us the scapegoat for the DNC.”“I can’t wait for the news headlines saying nefarious trolls ruined the caucus,” another added.
This year’s Iowa caucus has become the second nominating debacle in only the last eight years for the Hawkeye State, and it’s a bipartisan problem.
Republicans owned the previous meltdown, which happened when now-Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) “won” the first in the nation caucuses only for former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) to later be declared the winner but to lose the nomination because the former achieved political liftoff with the early perceived victory.
As of this morning, it is clear that Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has won the Iowa caucus popular vote and will emerge tied with former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg in delegates, while perceived frontrunner Joe Biden plummeted to fourth place.
Original reporting by Tyler Pager and Jennifer Epstein at Bloomberg.


occupydemocrats--2020-02-06--Don Jr. tries to use the Bible to trash Pelosi and gets it embarrassingly wrong

This morning saw the Trump administration hold yet another National Prayer Breakfast , a bizarre and discomforting tradition that honestly has no place being held at all in a secular republic of diverse faiths with separation of church and state .
The sight was made even more bizarre by the presence of President Donald Trump , a manifestation of sin itself in human form who openly wears his contempt for religion on his sleeve while begrudingly and insincerely jumping through hoops to appease his evangelical followers .
Today ’ s breakfast was turned into yet another partisan debacle by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi without mentioning her by name , complaining that he doesn ’ t believe Speaker Pelosi is actually praying for him like she has said she does on multiple occasions .
Always the sycophantic yes-man , the President ’ s son Donald Trump Jr. jumped on Twitter to fire off what he must have thought was an extremely clever jab at the woman who led his father ’ s impeachment but instead embarrassingly made it clear that newly self-declared Christian Don Jr. has never picked up a Bible before in his life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a cynical attempt to pander to right-wing evangelical zealots , Don Jr. would know that Satan does quote the Scriptures in one of the most well-known Bible stories , when Satan tests Jesus in the Wilderness .
Don Jr. ’ s ignorance does help make it clear to the rest of the nation that the Trump family is just as ignorant about religion as they are about everything else — and that the religious right would rather worship a false idol in exchange for power than hold true to the convictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a field day roasting him for his ignorance : What do you think ?

This morning saw the Trump administration hold yet another National Prayer Breakfast, a bizarre and discomforting tradition that honestly has no place being held at all in a secular republic of diverse faiths with separation of church and state.
The sight was made even more bizarre by the presence of President Donald Trump, a manifestation of sin itself in human form who openly wears his contempt for religion on his sleeve while begrudingly and insincerely jumping through hoops to appease his evangelical followers.
Today’s breakfast was turned into yet another partisan debacle by the president, who trashed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi without mentioning her by name, complaining that he doesn’t believe Speaker Pelosi is actually praying for him like she has said she does on multiple occasions.
Trump drags Pelosi: “Nor do I like people who say, ‘I pray for you,’ when they know that that’s not so.” pic.twitter.com/4QnG8ADBdQ — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 6, 2020
Always the sycophantic yes-man, the President’s son Donald Trump Jr. jumped on Twitter to fire off what he must have thought was an extremely clever jab at the woman who led his father’s impeachment but instead embarrassingly made it clear that newly self-declared Christian Don Jr. has never picked up a Bible before in his life.
I remain both horrified and amused that this family, none of whom have ever read a single verse in the Bible, is now revered by the majority of white evangelical Christians. — Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) February 6, 2020
If his newfound religious devotion was anything more than a cynical attempt to pander to right-wing evangelical zealots, Don Jr. would know that Satan does quote the Scriptures in one of the most well-known Bible stories, when Satan tests Jesus in the Wilderness.
Don Jr.’s ignorance does help make it clear to the rest of the nation that the Trump family is just as ignorant about religion as they are about everything else — and that the religious right would rather worship a false idol in exchange for power than hold true to the convictions they supposedly embrace.
Social media had a field day roasting him for his ignorance:
Of all the books Jr hasn't read, the Bible is the one he hasn't read the most. — John Iadarola (@johniadarola) February 6, 2020
Satan literally quotes scripture during the Temptation of Christ in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, you absolute dumbass. — Towanda the Avenger (@kendallybrown) February 6, 2020
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