occupydemocrats--2020-03-02--New report reveals Texas has closed over 700 polling places over past few years

“ Everybody knows that the dice are loaded Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed Everybody knows the war is over Everybody knows the good guys lost Everybody knows the fight was fixed The poor stay poor , the rich get rich That ’ s how it goes Everybody knows ” For all the right-wing fear-mongering over election fraud by illegal voters , the number of documented cases of actual voter fraud is minuscule , and the most high profile instances of ballot tampering all involve Republicans as the indictment of a Republican political operative in the 2018 North Carolina 9th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , contrary to the baseless accusations that swarms of illegal immigrants will be heading to the polls to vote against Donald Trump and his GOP enablers , the biggest threat to free and fair elections in this country is the regular campaign of voter suppression being waged by the Republican party around the country in states where they control the local governments .
The latest state to garner the attention of voting rights advocates is Texas which led the nation last year in reducing the number of polling stations available for people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult for people to participate in elections .
According to a report in The Guardian , “ civil rights group The Leadership Conference Education Fund found that 750 polls had been closed statewide since 2012.
” Compounding the problem of fewer polling places is the fact that the vast majority of the state ’ s poll site closures have been in areas where the black and Latin population is increasing by the largest numbers , making the decisions around which sites are shuttered a politically suspect handout to Texas republicans .
The Guardian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disturbing statistics : With demographic changes in Texas pulling it towards the swing state category from the reliably Republican bastion it has been in recent years , the efforts to make it more difficult to vote can help the GOP retain power that otherwise might fall into Democratic hands with the influx of new and young voters to the state .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
Suppressing voter turnout is a key strategy for those angling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its electoral votes in the presidential race , particularly considering these comments from Antonio Arellano of Jolt , a progressive Latino political organization : This type of polling place accessibility problem was not an issue until 2013 when the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could no longer enforce the Voting Rights Act which required states with a history of minority voter suppression to submit any changes to their election systems to the Justice Department to ensure that no one ’ s rights were violated by the proposed changes .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free to make changes such as transitioning from local polls to more centralized voting centers that some say can make voting more convenient .
However , critics of the system say that centralization means people may have to travel unreasonable distances to simply cast their ballot and often simply fail to vote as a result .
While we can be sure that if Donald Trump loses the 2020 presidential election he will go on a Twitter rampage questioning the legitimacy of the vote , in fact , Republicans have been quietly working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legitimacy can be questioned because they are stacking the deck in their own favor by making it harder for voters who traditionally lean Democratic to access the voting booth .
It ’ s fairly certain that you won ’ t see Trump tweeting about that type of election tampering on November 4th .
“ Everybody knows that the boat is leaking Everybody knows that the captain lied Everybody got this broken feeling Like their father or their dog just died Everybody talking to their pockets Everybody wants a box of chocolates And a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Richard Salame at The Guardian .
What do you think ?

“Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That’s how it goes
Everybody knows”
— Leonard Cohen – “Everybody Knows”
For all the right-wing fear-mongering over election fraud by illegal voters, the number of documented cases of actual voter fraud is minuscule, and the most high profile instances of ballot tampering all involve Republicans as the indictment of a Republican political operative in the 2018 North Carolina 9th congressional district election demonstrated.
In fact, contrary to the baseless accusations that swarms of illegal immigrants will be heading to the polls to vote against Donald Trump and his GOP enablers, the biggest threat to free and fair elections in this country is the regular campaign of voter suppression being waged by the Republican party around the country in states where they control the local governments.
The latest state to garner the attention of voting rights advocates is Texas which led the nation last year in reducing the number of polling stations available for people to cast their ballots, making it more difficult for people to participate in elections.
According to a report in The Guardian, “civil rights group The Leadership Conference Education Fund found that 750 polls had been closed statewide since 2012.” Compounding the problem of fewer polling places is the fact that the vast majority of the state’s poll site closures have been in areas where the black and Latin population is increasing by the largest numbers, making the decisions around which sites are shuttered a politically suspect handout to Texas Republicans.
The Guardian analysis of the Texas poll closures provides the disturbing statistics:
“The analysis finds that the 50 counties that gained the most Black and Latinx residents between 2012 and 2018 closed 542 polling sites, compared to just 34 closures in the 50 counties that have gained the fewest black and Latinx residents. This is despite the fact that the population in the former group of counties has risen by 2.5 million people, whereas in the latter category the total population has fallen by over 13,000,” the newspaper found.
With demographic changes in Texas pulling it towards the swing state category from the reliably Republican bastion it has been in recent years, the efforts to make it more difficult to vote can help the GOP retain power that otherwise might fall into Democratic hands with the influx of new and young voters to the state.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
Suppressing voter turnout is a key strategy for those angling for continued GOP control of the state and for its electoral votes in the presidential race, particularly considering these comments from Antonio Arellano of Jolt, a progressive Latino political organization:
“The fact of the matter is that Texas is not a red state,” Arellano said. “Texas is a nonvoting state.”
This type of polling place accessibility problem was not an issue until 2013 when the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could no longer enforce the Voting Rights Act which required states with a history of minority voter suppression to submit any changes to their election systems to the Justice Department to ensure that no one’s rights were violated by the proposed changes.
Now that states lack oversight, they are free to make changes such as transitioning from local polls to more centralized voting centers that some say can make voting more convenient. However, critics of the system say that centralization means people may have to travel unreasonable distances to simply cast their ballot and often simply fail to vote as a result.
While we can be sure that if Donald Trump loses the 2020 presidential election he will go on a Twitter rampage questioning the legitimacy of the vote, in fact, Republicans have been quietly working on the local level to ensure that its legitimacy can be questioned because they are stacking the deck in their own favor by making it harder for voters who traditionally lean Democratic to access the voting booth.
It’s fairly certain that you won’t see Trump tweeting about that type of election tampering on November 4th.
“Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long-stem rose
Everybody knows.”
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Richard Salame at The Guardian.
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--2020-03-02--Trump turns his back on Fox News and accuses them of supporting Democrats

The cranky and demented old man next door is yelling at his television again…at least if you live next door to the White House .
Donald Trump — who one could credibly say would not be president today without the millions of dollars worth of free fawning publicity that the Rupert Murdoch-owned Fox News showered upon him during his 2016 campaign — has been getting testy lately with the management of the otherwise reliable purveyor of state-sanctioned news .
It seems that the small portion of Fox News daily programming dedicated to providing actual news — as opposed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , smiling talking heads that comprises the vast majority of their airtime — is annoying the president by reporting the results of polls that reflect negatively on his reelection chances .
In recent Fox News polls , the majority of respondents answered questions about whether Trump has abused power , obstructed Congress , and committed bribery while in office overwhelmingly in the affirmative , and other polls the network has conducted show the president losing in head to head contests against each of the leading candidates vying for the Democratic nomination .
Add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disbar William Barr for abusing the Justice Department to abet Trump ’ s corruption !
This is apparently not something that the president wants to see on a network for which he likely feels responsible for providing a substantial ratings boost , so he took to Twitter to express his frustration .
Hold onto your seat now , because it is very possible that you will fall on the floor in paroxysms of laughter when you realize that Trump is actually asking Fox News to be less “ Fair & Balanced !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the attention his bestie is paying to his rivals .
It ’ s tough when the patina wears off the shiny new toy and it ’ s no longer as novel and fun to play with as the newer and shinier glittering object that has appeared on the scene .
Luckily , the scuffed and half-broken old plaything that a child might disregard out of eventual boredom can ’ t bleat out its anger at its abandonment .
Unfortunately , our president can…and does…again and again .
When our transactional president sees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his favorite propaganda partner , it ’ s a sign that something may be amiss .
It ’ s just that things have been amiss for three years now and this president is just realizing that he ’ s the only one who hasn ’ t realized it until now .
What do you think ?

The cranky and demented old man next door is yelling at his television again…at least if you live next door to the White House.
Donald Trump — who one could credibly say would not be president today without the millions of dollars worth of free fawning publicity that the Rupert Murdoch-owned Fox News showered upon him during his 2016 campaign — has been getting testy lately with the management of the otherwise reliable purveyor of state-sanctioned news.
It seems that the small portion of Fox News daily programming dedicated to providing actual news — as opposed to the usual right-wing commentary propaganda delivered by perfectly coiffed, smiling talking heads that comprises the vast majority of their airtime — is annoying the president by reporting the results of polls that reflect negatively on his reelection chances.
In recent Fox News polls, the majority of respondents answered questions about whether Trump has abused power, obstructed Congress, and committed bribery while in office overwhelmingly in the affirmative, and other polls the network has conducted show the president losing in head to head contests against each of the leading candidates vying for the Democratic nomination.
Add your name to tell the ABA: Disbar William Barr for abusing the Justice Department to abet Trump’s corruption!
This is apparently not something that the president wants to see on a network for which he likely feels responsible for providing a substantial ratings boost, so he took to Twitter to express his frustration.
Hold onto your seat now, because it is very possible that you will fall on the floor in paroxysms of laughter when you realize that Trump is actually asking Fox News to be less “Fair & Balanced!”
.@FoxNews is working hard pushing the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats. They want to be, unlike their competitors, @CNN & MSDNC (Comcast), Fair & Balanced. When will they ever learn. The Radical Left never even gave @FoxNews permission to partake in their low rated debates! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 2, 2020
Sounds like someone is jealous of all of the attention his bestie is paying to his rivals.
It’s tough when the patina wears off the shiny new toy and it’s no longer as novel and fun to play with as the newer and shinier glittering object that has appeared on the scene.
Luckily, the scuffed and half-broken old plaything that a child might disregard out of eventual boredom can’t bleat out its anger at its abandonment.
Unfortunately, our president can…and does…again and again.
When our transactional president sees his value going down in the eyes of his favorite propaganda partner, it’s a sign that something may be amiss.
It’s just that things have been amiss for three years now and this president is just realizing that he’s the only one who hasn’t realized it until now.
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--2020-03-02--Trump insists that it’s perfectly safe for him to hold rallies as coronavirus crisis explodes

The coronavirus has now infected close to 90,000 people worldwide with no clear sign that the outbreak will be slowing any time soon .
The Trump administration is already facing a barrage of criticisms for their handling of the crisis , from the boneheaded decision to appoint Vice President Mike Pence as coronavirus czar despite his failure to adequately handle an HIV outbreak during his time as Governor of Indiana to Trump and his chief of staff downplaying fears over the virus as nothing more than Democratic propaganda .
Since day one , it ’ s been abundantly clear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with this situation .
Earlier today , the president was asked if it is “ safe or appropriate ” for him to continue holding campaign rallies despite the risk of spreading the coronavirus .
True to form , Trump decided to engage in some bad faith whataboutism and pointed out that the Democratic candidates competing for their party ’ s presidential nomination are still holding rallies .
Rather than answer the question in a straightforward fashion as a real leader should he chose to once again attack his opponents .
The reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pushed Trump to say whether or not it ’ s safe .
Add your name to tell the ABA : Disbar William Barr for abusing the Justice Department to abet Trump ’ s corruption !
“ I think it ’ s very safe , yeah .
I think it ’ s very safe , ” Trump said , clearly far more concerned about protecting his reelection campaign and his favorite ego-stroking activity than ensuring the safety of his followers .
As always , he is willing to put his personal interests above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go without saying that going into large crowds as a possible pandemic takes form is less than advisable .
Campaign rallies are packed from wall to wall with people , any one of whom could be a carrier of the virus who could then , in turn , spreads the illness to the numerous people they accidentally cough or brush again .
In other words : attending a Trump rally right now is a terrible idea , but then again Trump supporters aren ’ t exactly known for their decision-making skills .
What @ @ @ @

The coronavirus has now infected close to 90,000 people worldwide with no clear sign that the outbreak will be slowing any time soon. The Trump administration is already facing a barrage of criticisms for their handling of the crisis, from the boneheaded decision to appoint Vice President Mike Pence as coronavirus czar despite his failure to adequately handle an HIV outbreak during his time as Governor of Indiana to Trump and his chief of staff downplaying fears over the virus as nothing more than Democratic propaganda. Since day one, it’s been abundantly clear that this White House is singularly incapable of dealing with this situation.
Earlier today, the president was asked if it is “safe or appropriate” for him to continue holding campaign rallies despite the risk of spreading the coronavirus. True to form, Trump decided to engage in some bad faith whataboutism and pointed out that the Democratic candidates competing for their party’s presidential nomination are still holding rallies. Rather than answer the question in a straightforward fashion as a real leader should he chose to once again attack his opponents. The reporter didn’t accept the hollow response and pushed Trump to say whether or not it’s safe.
Add your name to tell the ABA: Disbar William Barr for abusing the Justice Department to abet Trump’s corruption!
“I think it’s very safe, yeah. I think it’s very safe,” Trump said, clearly far more concerned about protecting his reelection campaign and his favorite ego-stroking activity than ensuring the safety of his followers. As always, he is willing to put his personal interests above those of the country.
It should go without saying that going into large crowds as a possible pandemic takes form is less than advisable. Campaign rallies are packed from wall to wall with people, any one of whom could be a carrier of the virus who could then, in turn, spreads the illness to the numerous people they accidentally cough or brush again. In other words: attending a Trump rally right now is a terrible idea, but then again Trump supporters aren’t exactly known for their decision-making skills.
Reporter: Is it safe or appropriate to be holding rallies during a public health crisis like this? Trump: Well, these were set up a long time ago…I mean you can ask that to the Democrats. They're having a lot of rallies
R: But do you think it's safe?
T: I think it's very safe pic.twitter.com/rFd1WkQrh9 — POLITICO (@politico) March 2, 2020
Staff Report This is a staff report from former Occupy Democrats Editor in Chief Colin Taylor or contributor Rob Haffney. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-03--19 states join massive lawsuit to keep Trump from spending military money on wall

When future historians look back on this period in American history they are sure to be befuddled by the fact that a not-insubstantial portion of the country managed to convince themselves that erecting an exorbitantly expensive medieval wall along the southern border to decrease immigration was not only in the nation ’ s best interests , but urgently so .
Donald Trump concocted the asinine project to gin up a wave of xenophobic support for his candidacy in 2016 but has failed to fully deliver on the massive project ( paid for my Mexico ) that he promised .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some paltry border fences and sections of wall but is conducting himself as if he ’ s actually built the massive , looming barrier he conjured up at rally after rally .
Now , his wall has hit another snag .
The Hill reports that 19 different states have decided to sue the Trump administration over its ludicrous scheme to divert roughly $ 3.8 billion of defense dollars to the Mexican border wall .
The states involved are California , Colorado , Connecticut , Hawaii , Illinois , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Jersey , New Mexico , New York , Oregon , Rhode Island , Vermont , Virginia , and Wisconsin .
These states are reasonably alleging that such a gross misappropriation is in violation of the Constitution because it circumvents Congress ’ s legal power to oversee and control spending .
On top of that , the states allege it ’ s environmentally dangerous to build the barrier as proposed .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national emergency along the border so that he could stick his grubby orange fingers into the defense budget and cherrypick tax dollars for the wall .
Then , last month the Pentagon at Trump ’ s behest informed Congress that $ 3.8 billion that was supposed to go towards weapons , vehicle parts , and other military equipment would instead be spent on the wall .
“ Use of these additional federal funds for the construction of a border wall is contrary to Congress ’ s intent and in violation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principles , the Presentment Clause , and the Appropriations Clause .
This use would divert funding that has been appropriated to support the active military , the states ’ National Guard units , and other DOD projects in Plaintiff States , including , on information and belief , military construction projects , for the non-appropriated purpose of constructing a border wall , ” the lawsuit reads .
“ President Trump is risking the safety of every American by diverting taxpayer dollars from our military to fund the same xenophobic campaign promises he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said New York Attorney General Letitia James on behalf of her state .
It remains to be seen how the lawsuit shakes out , but our public servants should be commended for standing up to this disastrous administration .
There is no excuse for wasting crucial defense dollars on this wasteful wall and this kind of idiocy can not be allowed to become normalized .
What do you think ?

When future historians look back on this period in American history they are sure to be befuddled by the fact that a not-insubstantial portion of the country managed to convince themselves that erecting an exorbitantly expensive medieval wall along the southern border to decrease immigration was not only in the nation’s best interests, but urgently so.
Donald Trump concocted the asinine project to gin up a wave of xenophobic support for his candidacy in 2016 but has failed to fully deliver on the massive project (paid for my Mexico) that he promised. So far he’s managed to erect some paltry border fences and sections of wall but is conducting himself as if he’s actually built the massive, looming barrier he conjured up at rally after rally.
Now, his wall has hit another snag. The Hill reports that 19 different states have decided to sue the Trump administration over its ludicrous scheme to divert roughly $3.8 billion of defense dollars to the Mexican border wall. The states involved are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
These states are reasonably alleging that such a gross misappropriation is in violation of the Constitution because it circumvents Congress’s legal power to oversee and control spending. On top of that, the states allege it’s environmentally dangerous to build the barrier as proposed.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
The president abused his powers last year by declaring a national emergency along the border so that he could stick his grubby orange fingers into the defense budget and cherrypick tax dollars for the wall. Then, last month the Pentagon at Trump’s behest informed Congress that $3.8 billion that was supposed to go towards weapons, vehicle parts, and other military equipment would instead be spent on the wall.
“Use of these additional federal funds for the construction of a border wall is contrary to Congress’s intent and in violation of the U.S. Constitution, including separation of powers principles, the Presentment Clause, and the Appropriations Clause. This use would divert funding that has been appropriated to support the active military, the states’ National Guard units, and other DOD projects in Plaintiff States, including, on information and belief, military construction projects, for the non-appropriated purpose of constructing a border wall,” the lawsuit reads.
“President Trump is risking the safety of every American by diverting taxpayer dollars from our military to fund the same xenophobic campaign promises he’s made for the last four years,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James on behalf of her state.
It remains to be seen how the lawsuit shakes out, but our public servants should be commended for standing up to this disastrous administration. There is no excuse for wasting crucial defense dollars on this wasteful wall and this kind of idiocy cannot be allowed to become normalized.
Staff Report This is a staff report from former Occupy Democrats Editor in Chief Colin Taylor or contributor Rob Haffney. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-03--“Screaming” Olive Garden customer throws racist tantrum because she had a black server

While one can generally choose from an array of menu items when arriving at a restaurant for an evening of eating out of the home , one typically does not get to choose the race or ethnicity of your server .
While it may contribute to the authenticity of your dining experience to have Chinese food delivered to your table by a waiter or waitress of Asian descent or Indian food served by a turbaned-Sikh , anti-discrimination laws prohibit consideration of racial or ethnic identity when hiring employees in this country .
With white nationalism seemingly now considered acceptable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , at least one Olive Garden customer in Evansville , Indiana felt entitled to chose the race of her server from a decidedly off-menu list of beige skin tones when she dined at the local branch of the Italian restaurant chain .
It started when an unidentified customer requested a cup of hot water , along with a demand that her server should not be black .
The Olive Garden hostess Amira Donahue , who herself is an African-American , described the scene that the racist patron made during the incident .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the restaurant and started screaming at me in front of all of the customers , ” said Donahue .
“ But she asked for a server that wasn ’ t black and the manager complied and I do agree that was a bad decision at the moment but there was a better way that could have been handled , ” Donahue continued her story .
Both Donahue and another black employee at the Evansville Olive Garden were upset with not just the racial discrimination they faced but also the insults to which they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made comments about me to another coworker saying that I am not family-friendly and that I should go work at a strip club instead of an Olive Garden , ” Donahue said , describing the racist customer ’ s behavior .
“ ( She asked ) am I even black , am I from here , am I from America , just like offhand comments like that and referring me to the ‘ other one ’ .
” A spokesman for Olive Garden , Hunter Robinson , says the company does not tolerate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management is investigating the incident .
Local TV news outlet WEHT has confirmed that the restaurant manager who acquiesced to the customer ’ s bigoted demands is no longer employed at the Olive Garden in question .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
The waitress who was targeted by the patron as unsuitable to be her server was so disturbed by the incident that she has refused to be interviewed about the experience .
As for Donahue , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discrimination exhibited by the customer will bring about some positive change .
Hopefully , restaurant managers who face this type of racial animus directed towards their staff by their patrons in the future will realize that the slogan “ the customer is always right ” doesn ’ t apply in instances where human rights and equality are concerned .
If an establishment can specify “ no shoes , no shirt , no service , ” then they can certainly add “ no discrimination ” to their policy with little effort .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local news story on the Olive Garden incident below .
What do you think ?

While one can generally choose from an array of menu items when arriving at a restaurant for an evening of eating out of the home, one typically does not get to choose the race or ethnicity of your server.
While it may contribute to the authenticity of your dining experience to have Chinese food delivered to your table by a waiter or waitress of Asian descent or Indian food served by a turbaned-Sikh, anti-discrimination laws prohibit consideration of racial or ethnic identity when hiring employees in this country.
With white nationalism seemingly now considered acceptable to display publicly in the Trump era, however, at least one Olive Garden customer in Evansville, Indiana felt entitled to chose the race of her server from a decidedly off-menu list of beige skin tones when she dined at the local branch of the Italian restaurant chain.
It started when an unidentified customer requested a cup of hot water, along with a demand that her server should not be black.
The Olive Garden hostess Amira Donahue, who herself is an African-American, described the scene that the racist patron made during the incident.
“She stood in the middle of the restaurant and started screaming at me in front of all of the customers,” said Donahue. “But she asked for a server that wasn’t black and the manager complied and I do agree that was a bad decision at the moment but there was a better way that could have been handled,” Donahue continued her story.
Both Donahue and another black employee at the Evansville Olive Garden were upset with not just the racial discrimination they faced but also the insults to which they were subjected.
“The lady also made comments about me to another coworker saying that I am not family-friendly and that I should go work at a strip club instead of an Olive Garden,” Donahue said, describing the racist customer’s behavior. “(She asked) am I even black, am I from here, am I from America, just like offhand comments like that and referring me to the ‘other one’.”
A spokesman for Olive Garden, Hunter Robinson, says the company does not tolerate any type of discrimination and that senior management is investigating the incident. Local TV news outlet WEHT has confirmed that the restaurant manager who acquiesced to the customer’s bigoted demands is no longer employed at the Olive Garden in question.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
The waitress who was targeted by the patron as unsuitable to be her server was so disturbed by the incident that she has refused to be interviewed about the experience. As for Donahue, she hopes that the publicity surrounding the regressive discrimination exhibited by the customer will bring about some positive change.
“I would never expect it to be so apparent in public…like it’s 2020, not 1920. And I feel like it should take more than social media to get a problem like this out there,” the hostess said.
Hopefully, restaurant managers who face this type of racial animus directed towards their staff by their patrons in the future will realize that the slogan “the customer is always right” doesn’t apply in instances where human rights and equality are concerned. If an establishment can specify “no shoes, no shirt, no service,” then they can certainly add “no discrimination” to their policy with little effort.
You can watch a clip of WEHT‘s local news story on the Olive Garden incident below.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by WEHT-TV.
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--2020-03-03--Defense Secretary warns military not to contradict Trump on coronavirus “messaging”

When it comes to protecting the health and safety of our troops both at home and around the world , nothing is more important — except for Donald Trump ’ s ego .
That ’ s the message that can be discerned from Defense Secretary Mark Esper ’ s mandate to Pentagon officials to refrain from making any decisions about dealing with the effects that the coronavirus pandemic may have on our service members without first getting clearance from the Trump White House .
Secretary Esper reportedly delivered the command during a video teleconference call with the commanders of combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to The New York Times , telling them not to take any coronavirus-related actions that might “ surprise ” the White House or contradict President Trump ’ s politically-designed messaging to the American public — his misleading characterization that the rapidly spreading disease is under control due to his highly competent leadership and that any accusations to the contrary was due to a “ Hoax ” by his Democratic opponents .
The New York Times reports of an exchange on the videoconference between Secretary Esper and the commander of U.S. forces in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose troops live in a country that already has seen over 4,000 coronavirus infections reported .
Discussing the best procedures to prevent our troops from being decimated by the virus , Secretary Esper told the commander that “ he wanted advance notice before General Abrams or any other commander made decisions related to protecting their troops.
” Nothing like adding a level of bureaucracy when needing to make split-second potentially life or death decisions about the health of service members .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately !
General Abrams reportedly pushed back by telling Esper that while “ he would try to give Mr. Esper advance warning , he might have to make urgent health decisions before receiving final approval from Washington , ” according to the government official briefed on the call who was the source of the details The New York Times published .
While aides to the Defense Secretary declined to comment on the video conference , one Defense Department official attributed the comments to a desire to coordinate communications to ensure that everyone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military is doing and information is funneled to the public in a coordinated manner .
In a news conference yesterday , Secretary Esper denied that anyone but local commanders would be making decisions about the safety of the troops under their jurisdiction .
With more than 75,000 troops stationed in countries with current coronavirus outbreaks — including South Korea , Japan , Italy , and Bahrain — the U.S. military is likely to face a health crisis far beyond the single case currently reported as having been contracted by an American soldier in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , who joined Esper at yesterday ’ s news conference , said that the Pentagon was looking at and planning for “ a wide variety of scenarios ” and that military laboratories were assigned to develop a vaccine against the virus .
Milley downplayed the effect that the virus would play on the military preparedness of our troops , noting that the vast majority of our armed forces were young and healthy and therefore less likely to come down with the most severe symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a modicum of caution by canceling joint military exercises in South Korea and in Israel due to the coronavirus crisis , but still plans a major set of exercises in Europe between now and the middle of the summer .
While it always makes sense to coordinate communications between commanders in the field and central command , Donald Trump ’ s minimization and politicization of the coronavirus outbreak makes Esper ’ s insistence on clearing all public information on the Pentagon ’ s response to the crisis somewhat suspect .
Given the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spin surrounding the coronavirus , as well as his general lack of truthfulness in anything he says , it will be interesting to discover how much information about the Pentagon ’ s plans to protect our troops will be withheld from public scrutiny as the pandemic continues to expand at its current alarming rate .
What do you think ?

When it comes to protecting the health and safety of our troops both at home and around the world, nothing is more important — except for Donald Trump’s ego.
That’s the message that can be discerned from Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s mandate to Pentagon officials to refrain from making any decisions about dealing with the effects that the coronavirus pandemic may have on our service members without first getting clearance from the Trump White House.
Secretary Esper reportedly delivered the command during a video teleconference call with the commanders of combat forces around the world last week, according to The New York Times, telling them not to take any coronavirus-related actions that might “surprise” the White House or contradict President Trump’s politically-designed messaging to the American public — his misleading characterization that the rapidly spreading disease is under control due to his highly competent leadership and that any accusations to the contrary was due to a “Hoax” by his Democratic opponents.
The New York Times reports of an exchange on the videoconference between Secretary Esper and the commander of U.S. forces in South Korea, General Robert B. Abrams, whose troops live in a country that already has seen over 4,000 coronavirus infections reported. Discussing the best procedures to prevent our troops from being decimated by the virus, Secretary Esper told the commander that “he wanted advance notice before General Abrams or any other commander made decisions related to protecting their troops.”
Nothing like adding a level of bureaucracy when needing to make split-second potentially life or death decisions about the health of service members.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
General Abrams reportedly pushed back by telling Esper that while “he would try to give Mr. Esper advance warning, he might have to make urgent health decisions before receiving final approval from Washington,” according to the government official briefed on the call who was the source of the details The New York Times published.
While aides to the Defense Secretary declined to comment on the video conference, one Defense Department official attributed the comments to a desire to coordinate communications to ensure that everyone in the government is aware of what the military is doing and information is funneled to the public in a coordinated manner.
In a news conference yesterday, Secretary Esper denied that anyone but local commanders would be making decisions about the safety of the troops under their jurisdiction.
“Commanders of individually affected commands have all the authority they need, and will provide specific guidance to their troops as the situation continues to evolve,” the Defense Secretary said. “My No. 1 priority remains to protect our forces and their families.”
With more than 75,000 troops stationed in countries with current coronavirus outbreaks — including South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Bahrain — the U.S. military is likely to face a health crisis far beyond the single case currently reported as having been contracted by an American soldier in South Korea.
Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who joined Esper at yesterday’s news conference, said that the Pentagon was looking at and planning for “a wide variety of scenarios” and that military laboratories were assigned to develop a vaccine against the virus. Milley downplayed the effect that the virus would play on the military preparedness of our troops, noting that the vast majority of our armed forces were young and healthy and therefore less likely to come down with the most severe symptoms.
So far the Pentagon has exercised a modicum of caution by canceling joint military exercises in South Korea and in Israel due to the coronavirus crisis, but still plans a major set of exercises in Europe between now and the middle of the summer.
While it always makes sense to coordinate communications between commanders in the field and central command, Donald Trump’s minimization and politicization of the coronavirus outbreak makes Esper’s insistence on clearing all public information on the Pentagon’s response to the crisis somewhat suspect.
Given the president’s misstatements, missteps, and spin surrounding the coronavirus, as well as his general lack of truthfulness in anything he says, it will be interesting to discover how much information about the Pentagon’s plans to protect our troops will be withheld from public scrutiny as the pandemic continues to expand at its current alarming rate.
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Original reporting by Eric Schmitt and
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--2020-03-03--Trump befuddles reporters by using made-up word “vivor” to describe his administration

Democrats head to the polls in many states today to vote in Super Tuesday primaries as we move closer to finally selecting our nominee to take on Donald Trump .
Regardless of who emerges victorious , we can rest assured that he or she will make an infinitely superior president to the man currently occupying the Oval Office .
Meanwhile , the president is giving us our daily reminder of just how badly he needs to be removed from office .
While giving a speech to the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington , D.C. , Trump bragged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American comeback , ” which is an awfully funny way of describing the word presidency in American history .
This president is responsible for dumbing down our culture , deepening our divisions , and weakening us on the world stage .
The only possible comeback that can be discerned from the past few years is the economic one that President Obama laid the foundation for and Trump took credit for .
But the delusional claim wasn ’ t even the worst part of his comments today .
Trump proudly stated that this imaginary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” a word that does not exist in the English language .
Perhaps he meant to say vigor or fervor .
It ’ s not the first time he ’ s made up a nonsensical word , a hardly surprising habit given his well-known aversion to reading .
Properly literate our leader is not .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
In any case , Trump ’ s brain—which seems to display more and more cognitive decline with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mistake and he awkwardly added that in addition to “ vivor ” the comeback was launched with “ a certain splash that nobody ’ s seen in a long time.
” Such incoherent ramblings have come to define this president and serve as the millionth reason why he needs to be voted out this November .
The weird speech didn ’ t contain just the “ vivor ” mistake though , as Trump also rambled on about “ therapies ” for the coronavirus , by which he seems to have meant therapeutic treatments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , we see Trump having no idea what he ’ s talking about when it comes to this deadly viral outbreak .
His continued fumbling of this dire issue is one of the strongest arguments against his reelection to date .
What do you think ?

Democrats head to the polls in many states today to vote in Super Tuesday primaries as we move closer to finally selecting our nominee to take on Donald Trump. Regardless of who emerges victorious, we can rest assured that he or she will make an infinitely superior president to the man currently occupying the Oval Office. Meanwhile, the president is giving us our daily reminder of just how badly he needs to be removed from office.
While giving a speech to the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., Trump bragged about his launching of “the Great American comeback,” which is an awfully funny way of describing the word presidency in American history. This president is responsible for dumbing down our culture, deepening our divisions, and weakening us on the world stage. The only possible comeback that can be discerned from the past few years is the economic one that President Obama laid the foundation for and Trump took credit for.
But the delusional claim wasn’t even the worst part of his comments today. Trump proudly stated that this imaginary comeback was launched with a “vivor,” a word that does not exist in the English language. Perhaps he meant to say vigor or fervor. It’s not the first time he’s made up a nonsensical word, a hardly surprising habit given his well-known aversion to reading. Properly literate our leader is not.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
In any case, Trump’s brain—which seems to display more and more cognitive decline with each passing day—appears to have realized his mistake and he awkwardly added that in addition to “vivor” the comeback was launched with “a certain splash that nobody’s seen in a long time.” Such incoherent ramblings have come to define this president and serve as the millionth reason why he needs to be voted out this November.
The weird speech didn’t contain just the “vivor” mistake though, as Trump also rambled on about “therapies” for the coronavirus, by which he seems to have meant therapeutic treatments, which can lessen symptoms. Yet again, we see Trump having no idea what he’s talking about when it comes to this deadly viral outbreak. His continued fumbling of this dire issue is one of the strongest arguments against his reelection to date.
“Therapies are sort of another word for cure” — Trump still hasn’t figured out what a vaccine is pic.twitter.com/QSAk6cyDlW — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 3, 2020
Staff Report This is a staff report from former Occupy Democrats Editor in Chief Colin Taylor or contributor Rob Haffney. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-04--Pence refuses to allow recording at coronavirus presser while GOP stalls on emergency bill

As the spread of the coronavirus pandemic expands , the failures of the Trump administration to prepare and respond to the growing crisis are becoming more and more obvious despite the White House ’ s attempts at damage control .
After Donald Trump ’ s frightening lack of intelligence regarding medical matters beyond bone spur diagnoses was put on full display in his various televised public comments on the outbreak , the administration has now banned audio or video recording of its latest meeting concerning the government ’ s plans for emergency measures to address the health crisis , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correspondent Maggie Haberman revealed in a tweet and as was confirmed by The Los Angeles Times ‘ Noah Bierman .
While the task force headed by Vice President Mike Pence to coordinate the federal response to the coronavirus attempts to maintain plausible deniability about any misinformation they may be disseminating by forbidding the recording of their actual words , Republicans in Congress are adding to the delay in authorizing a supposedly bipartisan emergency bill to provide funding for research on the coronavirus and the best ways to treat those who have contracted it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unbelievable as it may seem , the GOP members of the Senate object to a provision in the bill that would prevent drug manufacturers from price-gouging and overcharging the government for any vaccine or other treatment that big pharmaceutical companies may come up with .
Although treatment options are still far from being ready for testing much less for distribution to the public , the argument over who will bear the costs of medical research and patient care goes to the root of the political divisions over whether health care is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to every American regardless of their income level .
“ Democrats are insisting the spending package include significant funding to purchase large amounts of coronavirus diagnostics , treatments and vaccine , when it becomes available , which would then be made available to the public free of cost , according to a senior Democratic aide.
” “ The Democratic aide said Republicans are trying to eliminate the “ fair and reasonable price ” federal procurement standard for the vaccines and treatments that will be developed and purchased with the emergency funds .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basic standard to prevent price gouging in federal contracts .
Republicans argue they are trying to fight Democratic efforts to create a new set of price controls and that they are not asking for changes to the underlying procurement standards.
” With the coronavirus death toll at nine in the United States with 77 active cases across 14 jurisdictions — 13 states plus the populous metropolis of New York City — it seems as if the GOP senators are more concerned with protecting the enormous profits of their big donors in the pharmaceutical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is protected and individual citizens are able to afford the necessary care .
Since Congress is looking at an emergency spending allocation closer to the $ 8.5 billion that Democrats have requested than the Trump administration ’ s request for $ 2.5 billion , Democratic senators are refusing to allow the Republicans to let the medical industry reap huge profits from government funded-research as they have so many times before in the past .
Other Democratic senators criticized the administration ’ s response after a reportedly “ contentious ” meeting with Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and distribute working test kits to public health agencies has really cost us valuable time , ” Senator Patty Murray ( D-WA ) , who represents the state where the first domestic fatalities connected t0 the diesease have taken place , said after the meeting .
“ I ’ m hearing from people personally across our state who are frustrated .
They believe they have been exposed , they are sick , they want to get tested — but they have nowhere to go , ” she lamented .
“ There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know how wide it is .
And it ’ s because the president dropped the ball early , ” said Sen. Jon Tester ( D-MT ) .
“ A lot of questions .
Not a lot of information at this point , ” added Sen. Debbie Stabenow ( D-MI ) .
The secrecy with which the administration is now shrouding its briefings on the coronavirus and the reluctance of Republican Senators to prevent big pharma from profiteering on the back of the pandemic should give you more than enough information to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than faceless corporations owned by the international oligarchy .
Please remember that — and which party is backing the lawsuit in federal court trying to rescind the mandate that health insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions included in Obamacare— when you go to vote in the November elections .
Hint : it ’ s not the Democrats , who are almost universally on record as favoring one form or another of universal health coverage .
Original reporting by Sarah Owermohle , Andrew Desiderio , Sarah Ferris , and Sarah Karlin-Smith at Politico .
What @ @ @ @

As the spread of the coronavirus pandemic expands, the failures of the Trump administration to prepare and respond to the growing crisis are becoming more and more obvious despite the White House’s attempts at damage control.
After Donald Trump’s frightening lack of intelligence regarding medical matters beyond bone spur diagnoses was put on full display in his various televised public comments on the outbreak, the administration has now banned audio or video recording of its latest meeting concerning the government’s plans for emergency measures to address the health crisis, as The New York Times‘ White House correspondent Maggie Haberman revealed in a tweet and as was confirmed by The Los Angeles Times‘ Noah Bierman.
Officials aren't permitting audio or video of this briefing > https://t.co/K3ARcrJWiW — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) March 3, 2020
This is a White House briefing on the virus with no audio or video allowed. pic.twitter.com/yrRnYklP9c — Noah Bierman (@Noahbierman) March 3, 2020
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
While the task force headed by Vice President Mike Pence to coordinate the federal response to the coronavirus attempts to maintain plausible deniability about any misinformation they may be disseminating by forbidding the recording of their actual words, Republicans in Congress are adding to the delay in authorizing a supposedly bipartisan emergency bill to provide funding for research on the coronavirus and the best ways to treat those who have contracted it, including vaccine development.
As petty and unbelievable as it may seem, the GOP members of the Senate object to a provision in the bill that would prevent drug manufacturers from price-gouging and overcharging the government for any vaccine or other treatment that big pharmaceutical companies may come up with.
“Our Republican friends don’t want to see the kinds of limitations that we want to see,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) about the Senate debate over the language of the bill, according to a report at Politico.
Although treatment options are still far from being ready for testing much less for distribution to the public, the argument over who will bear the costs of medical research and patient care goes to the root of the political divisions over whether health care is a human right that should be equally affordable to every American regardless of their income level.
According to Politico:
“Democrats are insisting the spending package include significant funding to purchase large amounts of coronavirus diagnostics, treatments and vaccine, when it becomes available, which would then be made available to the public free of cost, according to a senior Democratic aide.” “The Democratic aide said Republicans are trying to eliminate the “fair and reasonable price” federal procurement standard for the vaccines and treatments that will be developed and purchased with the emergency funds. “Fair and reasonable price” is a basic standard to prevent price gouging in federal contracts. Republicans argue they are trying to fight Democratic efforts to create a new set of price controls and that they are not asking for changes to the underlying procurement standards.”
With the coronavirus death toll at nine in the United States with 77 active cases across 14 jurisdictions — 13 states plus the populous metropolis of New York City — it seems as if the GOP senators are more concerned with protecting the enormous profits of their big donors in the pharmaceutical industry than in seeing that public health is protected and individual citizens are able to afford the necessary care.
Since Congress is looking at an emergency spending allocation closer to the $8.5 billion that Democrats have requested than the Trump administration’s request for $2.5 billion, Democratic senators are refusing to allow the Republicans to let the medical industry reap huge profits from government funded-research as they have so many times before in the past.
“We are not going to say the companies after we taxpayers have paid for it, ‘now go out and make a huge profit.’ That’s not going to happen,” the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said.
Other Democratic senators criticized the administration’s response after a reportedly “contentious” meeting with Vice President Pence.
“The failure to develop and distribute working test kits to public health agencies has really cost us valuable time,” Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), who represents the state where the first domestic fatalities connected t0 the diesease have taken place, said after the meeting. “I’m hearing from people personally across our state who are frustrated. They believe they have been exposed, they are sick, they want to get tested — but they have nowhere to go,” she lamented. “There’s not enough test kits. We don’t know how wide it is. And it’s because the president dropped the ball early,” said Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT). “A lot of questions. Not a lot of information at this point,” added Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
The secrecy with which the administration is now shrouding its briefings on the coronavirus and the reluctance of Republican Senators to prevent big pharma from profiteering on the back of the pandemic should give you more than enough information to know which party cares more about individuals than faceless corporations owned by the international oligarchy.
Please remember that — and which party is backing the lawsuit in federal court trying to rescind the mandate that health insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions included in Obamacare— when you go to vote in the November elections.
Hint: it’s not the Democrats, who are almost universally on record as favoring one form or another of universal health coverage.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Sarah Owermohle, Andrew Desiderio, Sarah Ferris, and Sarah Karlin-Smith at Politico.
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--2020-03-04--Prosecutors believe new witness can help them convict “Putin’s chef” of electoral interference

While America ’ s national intelligence community has already warned Congress that Russia was already interfering in the 2020 elections in order to reelect Donald Trump —a revelation that likely led to the president ’ s decision to fire his last acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire — a new development in the investigation of Kremlin meddling in the 2016 presidential election came to light today .
According to a report at Politico , a new and yet to be identified witness has come forward who will “ directly implicate a Russian businessman known as “ Putin ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election interference overseas.
” Federal prosecutors expect the mysterious witness to testify in the criminal trial set next month in Washington DC as a result of a case brought by special counsel Robert Mueller against three Russian companies and 13 Russian citizens that accuses them of interfering in the election that placed Trump in the White House to begin with .
The testimony of the newly-expected witness will likely be directed at the most well-connected of the individuals named in Mueller indictment , Yevgeny Prigozhin , a restaurant owner from St. Petersburg with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a major contractor for the Russian military .
The federal prosecutors claim that Prigozhin was the head of the infamous Internet Research Agency , the Russian “ troll farm ” that spearheaded a social media disinformation campaign to support Trump in the 2016 race .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
While neither Prigozhin nor the other indicted individuals have been arrested or detained by international authorities , one of the companies linked to the restaurateur colloquially referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Concord Management and Consulting , has hired an American law firm to defend itself against the charges .
Until now , the evidence in the case was expected to comprise primarily of a trail of emails and other records demonstrating the activities of what the prosecutors have called Project Lakhta in their indictment .
The sudden addition of an actual witness who can testify to the details of the electoral interference by the Internet Research Agency and Prigozhin ’ s involvement with the group raises the stakes in a case that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has continually rejected the consensus of U.S. intelligence reports assigning blame for the social media meddling to Russia and labeling the accusations as a “ Hoax ” invented by his political opponents .
With prosecutors telling the judge in the case that the mystery witness will testify about election-related discussions at “ a meeting ” with Prigozhin , speculation is that their identity is being withheld to protect them from potential Russian retaliation , a serious concern from a regime that has a long history of “ eliminating ” people that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new witness may have to offer in the way of evidence , the actual court case is likely to have few repercussions on either Concord Management and Consulting or Prigozhin himself .
Since neither the company nor “ Putin ’ s chef ” has assets in the United States that can be seized as a penalty , and the Kremlin is unlikely to extradite a Russian citizen to face any prospective penalties , any guilty verdict will be strictly a pyrrhic victory for the prosecutors .
What do you think ?

While America’s national intelligence community has already warned Congress that Russia was already interfering in the 2020 elections in order to reelect Donald Trump —a revelation that likely led to the president’s decision to fire his last acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire — a new development in the investigation of Kremlin meddling in the 2016 presidential election came to light today.
According to a report at Politico, a new and yet to be identified witness has come forward who will “directly implicate a Russian businessman known as “Putin’s chef” in schemes to carry out election interference overseas.”
Federal prosecutors expect the mysterious witness to testify in the criminal trial set next month in Washington DC as a result of a case brought by special counsel Robert Mueller against three Russian companies and 13 Russian citizens that accuses them of interfering in the election that placed Trump in the White House to begin with.
The testimony of the newly-expected witness will likely be directed at the most well-connected of the individuals named in Mueller indictment, Yevgeny Prigozhin, a restaurant owner from St. Petersburg with close ties to Vladimir Putin and who is a major contractor for the Russian military.
The federal prosecutors claim that Prigozhin was the head of the infamous Internet Research Agency, the Russian “troll farm” that spearheaded a social media disinformation campaign to support Trump in the 2016 race.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
While neither Prigozhin nor the other indicted individuals have been arrested or detained by international authorities, one of the companies linked to the restaurateur colloquially referred to as “Putin’s chef,” Concord Management and Consulting, has hired an American law firm to defend itself against the charges.
Until now, the evidence in the case was expected to comprise primarily of a trail of emails and other records demonstrating the activities of what the prosecutors have called Project Lakhta in their indictment. The sudden addition of an actual witness who can testify to the details of the electoral interference by the Internet Research Agency and Prigozhin’s involvement with the group raises the stakes in a case that can prove particularly embarrassing for a president who has continually rejected the consensus of U.S. intelligence reports assigning blame for the social media meddling to Russia and labeling the accusations as a “Hoax” invented by his political opponents.
With prosecutors telling the judge in the case that the mystery witness will testify about election-related discussions at “a meeting” with Prigozhin, speculation is that their identity is being withheld to protect them from potential Russian retaliation, a serious concern from a regime that has a long history of “eliminating” people that it considers enemies of the state.
“If the mystery witness is someone who met Prigozhin, then there is certainly a likelihood Priogzhin knows who he or she is,” said Steven Aftergood, a classified information specialist for the Federation of American Scientists, implying that the attempts to conceal the witness’ identity may be futile.
Whatever the new witness may have to offer in the way of evidence, the actual court case is likely to have few repercussions on either Concord Management and Consulting or Prigozhin himself. Since neither the company nor “Putin’s chef” has assets in the United States that can be seized as a penalty, and the Kremlin is unlikely to extradite a Russian citizen to face any prospective penalties, any guilty verdict will be strictly a pyrrhic victory for the prosecutors.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Josh Gerstein at Politico.
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--2020-03-04--Trump tries to blame Obama for his team’s delayed virus testing rollout

The outbreak of the deadly coronavirus has rendered into stark relief the gross , widespread incompetency of the Trump administration in a way no other crisis has to date .
There are over 95,000 confirmed infections worldwide and over 3,000 people have already died .
Meanwhile , the American president has appointed Vice President Mike Pence as his coronavirus czar , this despite the fact that Pence proved incapable of handling HIV outbreak hit the state of Indiana while he was governor .
Criticisms of the federal government are piling up as it becomes clear that the White House has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lack of clear guidance to health service organizations .
On top of that , Trump himself has been trying to paint fears about the virus as a hoax propagated by Democrats and the “ Fake News ” media .
He ’ s absolutely terrified that the spread of the virus and the related economic fallout will hurt him going into the 2020 election but rather than conduct himself like a real leader and avoid such an outcome by taking decisive action to curb the spread of the coronavirus , Trump is once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times reports that during a meeting today with airline representatives President Trump tried to lay some of the responsibility for the difficulties his administration is experiencing with the virus at former President Obama ’ s feet .
It ’ s been one of his favorite misdirection tricks since he assumed office , but seeing him employ it so shamelessly at a time like this is especially disturbing .
“ The Obama administration made a decision on testing that turned out to be very detrimental to what we ’ re doing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days ago so that the testing can take place at a much more accurate and rapid fashion .
That was a decision we disagreed with .
I don ’ t think we would have made it , but for some reason it was made .
But we ’ ve undone that decision , ” claimed Trump without offering any real details or proof ( as he is often wont to do ) .
He also failed to explain why , if this regulation was really a problem , his administration didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last three years or even immediately after the coronavirus was discovered to be spreading .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
The Times explains what Trump was probably referencing : “ He appeared to be referring to a regulation that limited the ability of laboratories run by states , universities and private companies to conduct medical screenings not approved by the Food and Drug Administration .
On Saturday , the F.D.A .
commissioner , Stephen M. Hahn , allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed after submitting evidence that they work before the F.D.A .
completes its review , ” writes Peter Baker .
While Obama is unlikely to respond to Trump ’ s pathetic scapegoating directly , the former president did take to Twitter to offer some important advice for avoiding the virus .
Going forward , Americans would be wise to listen to people like Obama and organizations like the CDC while tuning out the lies and obfuscations trickling out of the White House .
What do you think ?

The outbreak of the deadly coronavirus has rendered into stark relief the gross, widespread incompetency of the Trump administration in a way no other crisis has to date. There are over 95,000 confirmed infections worldwide and over 3,000 people have already died.
Meanwhile, the American president has appointed Vice President Mike Pence as his coronavirus czar, this despite the fact that Pence proved incapable of handling HIV outbreak hit the state of Indiana while he was governor. Criticisms of the federal government are piling up as it becomes clear that the White House has botched its response with inconsistent leadership and a lack of clear guidance to health service organizations.
On top of that, Trump himself has been trying to paint fears about the virus as a hoax propagated by Democrats and the “Fake News” media. He’s absolutely terrified that the spread of the virus and the related economic fallout will hurt him going into the 2020 election but rather than conduct himself like a real leader and avoid such an outcome by taking decisive action to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Trump is once again playing the blame game.
The New York Times reports that during a meeting today with airline representatives President Trump tried to lay some of the responsibility for the difficulties his administration is experiencing with the virus at former President Obama’s feet. It’s been one of his favorite misdirection tricks since he assumed office, but seeing him employ it so shamelessly at a time like this is especially disturbing.
“The Obama administration made a decision on testing that turned out to be very detrimental to what we’re doing, and we undid that decision a few days ago so that the testing can take place at a much more accurate and rapid fashion. That was a decision we disagreed with. I don’t think we would have made it, but for some reason it was made. But we’ve undone that decision,” claimed Trump without offering any real details or proof (as he is often wont to do). He also failed to explain why, if this regulation was really a problem, his administration didn’t address it at some point in the last three years or even immediately after the coronavirus was discovered to be spreading.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
The Times explains what Trump was probably referencing:
“He appeared to be referring to a regulation that limited the ability of laboratories run by states, universities and private companies to conduct medical screenings not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. On Saturday, the F.D.A. commissioner, Stephen M. Hahn, allowed those labs to use tests they independently developed after submitting evidence that they work before the F.D.A. completes its review,” writes Peter Baker.
While Obama is unlikely to respond to Trump’s pathetic scapegoating directly, the former president did take to Twitter to offer some important advice for avoiding the virus. Going forward, Americans would be wise to listen to people like Obama and organizations like the CDC while tuning out the lies and obfuscations trickling out of the White House.
Protect yourself and your community from coronavirus with common sense precautions: wash your hands, stay home when sick and listen to the @CDCgov and local health authorities. Save the masks for health care workers. Let’s stay calm, listen to the experts, and follow the science. — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 4, 2020
Staff Report This is a staff report from former Occupy Democrats Editor in Chief Colin Taylor or contributor Rob Haffney. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-04--Trump says he “hasn’t touched his face in weeks” during virus presser despite doing so in last virus

Trump says he “hasn’t touched his face in weeks” during virus presser despite doing so in last virus presser

Donald Trump was forced to act like he was interested in the coronavirus and its effects on the airline industry as he sat in a White House meeting with leaders from the transportation companies to discuss the impact that the pandemic was having on their businesses .
He revealed what was truly on his mind , however , at the end of the meeting when he took some questions from reporters and had to prompt them to ask him about what he really wanted to discuss , the results of yesterday ’ s Super Tuesday primary elections .
Trump had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be taking to check passengers for the virus when traveling “ from certain areas ” that are hotbeds for infections , testing them for symptoms both before boarding the plane at their foreign points of departure and at their arrival destinations .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
Trump also managed to generate a few online chortles as he proceeded to repeat one of the top pieces of medical advice that experts are advising people to follow to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your hands thoroughly and often and avoid touching your face — claiming that “ I haven ’ t touched my face in weeks .
Been weeks .
I miss it.
” It didn ’ t take long for Twitter to come up with evidence that the president was lying again when a photograph of Trump with his tiny finger touching his cheek — taken just on Monday at another coronavirus meeting — began circulating .
The president ’ s biggest concern appeared to be not the physical habits that can help prevent infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. populace , but whether the government would be forced to dedicate massive amounts of money to bail out the airline industry after fears about the coronavirus have caused a precipitous drop in revenues as companies and leisure travelers rapidly cancel their travel plans in reaction to the epidemic .
This was a topic with which the president took the opposite approach compared to his plea for questions about the Super Tuesday elections , admonishing journalists to not ask him about any airline bailouts , at least not in front of the companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executives present have yet to raise the idea of government support as their businesses tank , in the back of their minds they surely recall the last time the federal treasury had to slip them a handout to stay operational in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in 2001 when all air traffic was halted for days after the hijacking of multiple planes by Al Queda terrorists .
With the terror coming this time from a microbe with a weeks-long incubation period , the recovery in air travel may take even longer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , since no TSA agent can prevent the unseen virus from boarding the plane along with any asymptomatic passengers .
Trump may soon face the difficult decision of whether to provide a dose of corporate socialism to save the privately-owned airline companies while decrying the universal health care that his political opponents the Democrats are all supporting as a dangerous example of socialist excess .
Meanwhile , his Health and Human Services Secretary , Alex Azar , refuses to even consider price controls on any eventual vaccine for the coronavirus .
One would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the costs of research and development of any vaccine , that it would be able to have a significant say in the pricing of the fruits of its investment , but such talk is socialist anathema to Azar , a former pharmaceutical company executive .
As the coronavirus crisis continues to grow and affect both the economy and the president ’ s own chances at reelection , Trump ’ s response is under even greater scrutiny than his behavior in asking for foreign governments to assist him in his bid for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bail him out of that last mess , they will likely have much greater difficulty in covering up his incompetent response to a pandemic that results in multiple deaths across the country and tanks the stock market , harming even his billionaire buddies .
What do you think ?

Donald Trump was forced to act like he was interested in the coronavirus and its effects on the airline industry as he sat in a White House meeting with leaders from the transportation companies to discuss the impact that the pandemic was having on their businesses.
He revealed what was truly on his mind, however, at the end of the meeting when he took some questions from reporters and had to prompt them to ask him about what he really wanted to discuss, the results of yesterday’s Super Tuesday primary elections.
“No questions on the election?,” Trump plaintively asked the journalists after the peppered him with questions on the topic at hand, the rapidily spreading virus that has seen new cases emerge in California, New York, and Washington state overnight.
Trump had earlier outlined new procedures that the government would be taking to check passengers for the virus when traveling “from certain areas” that are hotbeds for infections, testing them for symptoms both before boarding the plane at their foreign points of departure and at their arrival destinations.
At meeting with airline CEOs over the novel coronavirus, Pres. Trump says passengers will be checked when they "come in from certain areas." "We're doing checks—not only at the site of takeoff, but the site of landing." https://t.co/St940jBeB3 pic.twitter.com/OPTfyc3E1J — ABC News (@ABC) March 4, 2020
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
Trump also managed to generate a few online chortles as he proceeded to repeat one of the top pieces of medical advice that experts are advising people to follow to avoid contracting the coronavirus — to wash your hands thoroughly and often and avoid touching your face — claiming that “I haven’t touched my face in weeks. Been weeks. I miss it.”
It didn’t take long for Twitter to come up with evidence that the president was lying again when a photograph of Trump with his tiny finger touching his cheek — taken just on Monday at another coronavirus meeting — began circulating.
Here’s President Trump on Monday during a coronavirus meeting https://t.co/yA7mJ2qjBL pic.twitter.com/kM4e4aDqdU — Tyler Bartlam (@tylerbartlam5) March 4, 2020
Temptation is a bitch, apparently.
The president’s biggest concern appeared to be not the physical habits that can help prevent infection or the health and safety of the U.S. populace, but whether the government would be forced to dedicate massive amounts of money to bail out the airline industry after fears about the coronavirus have caused a precipitous drop in revenues as companies and leisure travelers rapidly cancel their travel plans in reaction to the epidemic.
This was a topic with which the president took the opposite approach compared to his plea for questions about the Super Tuesday elections, admonishing journalists to not ask him about any airline bailouts, at least not in front of the companies’ CEOs.
“Don’t ask that question, please, because they haven’t asked that,” he answered a reporter who asked about the possibility. “So I don’t want you to give them any ideas. We haven’t discussed that yet.”
While none of the executives present have yet to raise the idea of government support as their businesses tank, in the back of their minds they surely recall the last time the federal treasury had to slip them a handout to stay operational in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in 2001 when all air traffic was halted for days after the hijacking of multiple planes by Al Queda terrorists.
With the terror coming this time from a microbe with a weeks-long incubation period, the recovery in air travel may take even longer than it did after the September 11th attacks, since no TSA agent can prevent the unseen virus from boarding the plane along with any asymptomatic passengers.
Trump may soon face the difficult decision of whether to provide a dose of corporate socialism to save the privately-owned airline companies while decrying the universal health care that his political opponents the Democrats are all supporting as a dangerous example of socialist excess.
Meanwhile, his Health and Human Services Secretary, Alex Azar, refuses to even consider price controls on any eventual vaccine for the coronavirus.
“We would want to ensure that we work to make it affordable, but we can’t control that price because we need the private sector to invest,” Azar told a congressional committee last week responding to a question about the cost of a vaccine. “The priority is to get vaccines and therapeutics. Price controls won’t get us there.”
One would think that with the federal government contributing to the costs of research and development of any vaccine, that it would be able to have a significant say in the pricing of the fruits of its investment, but such talk is socialist anathema to Azar, a former pharmaceutical company executive.
As the coronavirus crisis continues to grow and affect both the economy and the president’s own chances at reelection, Trump’s response is under even greater scrutiny than his behavior in asking for foreign governments to assist him in his bid for a second term. While GOP senators managed to bail him out of that last mess, they will likely have much greater difficulty in covering up his incompetent response to a pandemic that results in multiple deaths across the country and tanks the stock market, harming even his billionaire buddies.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Sam Mintz at Politico.
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--2020-03-04--A top Senate Republican says he intends to release “report” on probe into Biden’s son

Former Vice President Joe Biden had an incredible , what some are even calling historic , Super Tuesday yesterday .
He beat out Bernie Sanders in ten states , many of which he was expected to lose , and performed better than expected in states like California and even in Sanders ’ s home state of Vermont .
In an incredibly short amount of time , Biden ’ s campaign has become viable again and he now has a strong shot at securing the nomination , an eventuality that seemed near impossible after his abysmal performance in the first few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again seems like he could be the Democratic nominee , the Republicans are redoubling their efforts to smear and sink him .
Readers will recall that it was Trump ’ s efforts to derail Biden ’ s presidential aspirations that triggered the inquiry that ultimately led to his impeachment .
Trump tried to leverage hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine to strongarm the foreign country into opening a sham investigation into Joe Biden and his son Hunter .
Since the cowardly Republicans controlling the Senate ultimately voted to acquit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blanche to resume his strategy against the former vice president .
This time though , he ’ ll have help as some GOP officials are lining up to do his dirty work .
It must be said and repeated and repeated and repeated… But there is absolutely nothing to the Ukraine story other than Trump ’ s corruption .
Hunter Biden served on the board of a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma and not too long after he joined the company , the Obama administration cracked down on corruption in Ukraine .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly corrupt Ukrainian prosecutor named Viktor Sholkin was booted from office , a mission that Biden succeeded at .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
Sholkin , in an effort to save face , cooked up the conspiracy theory that Biden targeted him because he was investigating Burisma .
In reality , Burisma was investigated by the Ukrainian government , the case was settled , and at no point was Hunter Biden implicated in any wrongdoing .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nobody paid attention to it , and now Trump is digging it up to muddy the waters and smear Joe Biden .
Former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has stated unequivocally that Hunter Biden did nothing wrong while at Burisma .
“ From the perspective of Ukrainian legislation , [ Hunter Biden ] did not violate anything .
Hunter Biden can not be responsible for violations of the management of Burisma that took place two years before his arrival , ” said Lutsenko .
With all that in mind , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it is : an attempt to hurt Joe Biden by lying about his son .
Senator Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) , one of Trump ’ s most loyal little attack dogs , came out today in the wake of the Biden ’ s Super Tuesday surge and made it clear that he intends to support more trumped-up probes into Burisma .
True to odious form , he made sure to obfuscate and misrepresent the facts .
Senator Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) is also getting in on the crooked action .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson intends to release an interim report in the coming months on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee ’ s probe into Burisma and Hunter Biden .
The probe has been a political hack job from day one , started for the sole purpose of helping Trump ’ s reelection , so one can only imagine what kind of nonsense will pop up in their findings .
Johnson claimed the report is not aimed at interfering in the 2020 election before immediately undermining that claim by saying that if he were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want these questions satisfactorily answered before I cast my final vote.
” Republicans are making it abundantly clear that they are going to play dirty to keep their disastrous , deteriorating , cruel president in power .
All that this means is that the rest of us have to fight harder , volunteer and donate more , and ensure that a Democrat emerges victorious in November to restore sanity to this country .
We can win .
We must .
What do you think ?

Former Vice President Joe Biden had an incredible, what some are even calling historic, Super Tuesday yesterday. He beat out Bernie Sanders in ten states, many of which he was expected to lose, and performed better than expected in states like California and even in Sanders’s home state of Vermont.
In an incredibly short amount of time, Biden’s campaign has become viable again and he now has a strong shot at securing the nomination, an eventuality that seemed near impossible after his abysmal performance in the first few primary states.
Now that Biden once again seems like he could be the Democratic nominee, the Republicans are redoubling their efforts to smear and sink him. Readers will recall that it was Trump’s efforts to derail Biden’s presidential aspirations that triggered the inquiry that ultimately led to his impeachment. Trump tried to leverage hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine to strongarm the foreign country into opening a sham investigation into Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
Since the cowardly Republicans controlling the Senate ultimately voted to acquit the president, he now has carte blanche to resume his strategy against the former vice president. This time though, he’ll have help as some GOP officials are lining up to do his dirty work.
It must be said and repeated and repeated and repeated… But there is absolutely nothing to the Ukraine story other than Trump’s corruption. Hunter Biden served on the board of a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma and not too long after he joined the company, the Obama administration cracked down on corruption in Ukraine. The president directed Biden to ensure that an allegedly corrupt Ukrainian prosecutor named Viktor Sholkin was booted from office, a mission that Biden succeeded at.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
Sholkin, in an effort to save face, cooked up the conspiracy theory that Biden targeted him because he was investigating Burisma. In reality, Burisma was investigated by the Ukrainian government, the case was settled, and at no point was Hunter Biden implicated in any wrongdoing. It was a false narrative at the time, nobody paid attention to it, and now Trump is digging it up to muddy the waters and smear Joe Biden.
Former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has stated unequivocally that Hunter Biden did nothing wrong while at Burisma.
“From the perspective of Ukrainian legislation, [Hunter Biden] did not violate anything. Hunter Biden cannot be responsible for violations of the management of Burisma that took place two years before his arrival,” said Lutsenko.
With all that in mind, it’s easy to see the Republican scheme for what it is: an attempt to hurt Joe Biden by lying about his son. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), one of Trump’s most loyal little attack dogs, came out today in the wake of the Biden’s Super Tuesday surge and made it clear that he intends to support more trumped-up probes into Burisma. True to odious form, he made sure to obfuscate and misrepresent the facts.
Sen. Lindsey Graham: "If you're going to run for President and you were in charge of the Ukrainian anti-corruption campaign as VP and your son's sitting on the most corrupt company in the country while you're trying to clean up the country — yeah, that'll come up." pic.twitter.com/tTyBoxmmOG — The Hill (@thehill) March 4, 2020
Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) is also getting in on the crooked action. Politico’s Andrew Desiderio reports that Johnson intends to release an interim report in the coming months on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s probe into Burisma and Hunter Biden. The probe has been a political hack job from day one, started for the sole purpose of helping Trump’s reelection, so one can only imagine what kind of nonsense will pop up in their findings.
Johnson claimed the report is not aimed at interfering in the 2020 election before immediately undermining that claim by saying that if he were a Democratic primary voter he’d “want these questions satisfactorily answered before I cast my final vote.”
Republicans are making it abundantly clear that they are going to play dirty to keep their disastrous, deteriorating, cruel president in power. All that this means is that the rest of us have to fight harder, volunteer and donate more, and ensure that a Democrat emerges victorious in November to restore sanity to this country. We can win. We must.
NEW: Ron Johnson says he’ll likely release an interim report within next 1-2 months on his cmte’s Biden probe. He insists it has nothing to do w/ the election, but “if I were a Democrat primary voter I’d want these questions satisfactorily answered before I cast my final vote.” — Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) March 4, 2020
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occupydemocrats--2020-03-04--Republican National Committee chair whines about civility after ex-DNC chair tells her to “go to hel

Republican National Committee chair whines about civility after ex-DNC chair tells her to “go to hell”

In a political atmosphere dominated by President ’ s incessant insults and crude mockery of all who oppose him , it is beyond infuriating to hear members of his own party complain about civility .
Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel took to FOX News on Wednesday to whine that it was “ out of line ” for former DNC chair Donna Brazile to tell her to “ go to hell ” in a fiery exchange on national television .
“ It ’ s never fun to have your teenagers come home from school and say ‘ Hey mom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because some woman said you should ‘ go to heck ' ” sniffed McDaniel .
“ That being said , politics is a contact sport.
” The incident in question occurred during a discussion before Super Tuesday about the Democratic primary .
McDaniel brought up news reports that indicated that Democratic superdelegates were considering rigging a broken convention against Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) to deny him the nomination .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
Brazile reacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her to “ go to hell ” and condemning the idea as “ Russian talking points , ” despite having written a book that argues that the process was rigged against Sanders in the 2016 election .
While those reports were quickly denied , we can all agree it is really rich to see a prominent Republican complain about civility when the President of the United States has spent the past few days making fun of Mike Bloomberg ’ s height like a schoolyard bully .
What do you think ?

In a political atmosphere dominated by President’s incessant insults and crude mockery of all who oppose him, it is beyond infuriating to hear members of his own party complain about civility. Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel took to FOX News on Wednesday to whine that it was “out of line” for former DNC chair Donna Brazile to tell her to “go to hell” in a fiery exchange on national television.
“It’s never fun to have your teenagers come home from school and say ‘Hey mom, you’re trending on social media because some woman said you should ‘go to heck'” sniffed McDaniel. “That being said, politics is a contact sport.”
Whether Donna Brazile likes it or not, Establishment Democrats are going after Bernie. Nearly 100 superdelegates (party elites) told @NYTimes they won’t support him. The DNC changed the debate criteria for Bloomberg. Those are not “Russian talking points,” they are facts! pic.twitter.com/C6qn09b54g — Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) March 4, 2020
The incident in question occurred during a discussion before Super Tuesday about the Democratic primary. McDaniel brought up news reports that indicated that Democratic superdelegates were considering rigging a broken convention against Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to deny him the nomination.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
Brazile reacted with fury at the insinuation, telling her to “go to hell” and condemning the idea as “Russian talking points,” despite having written a book that argues that the process was rigged against Sanders in the 2016 election.
While those reports were quickly denied, we can all agree it is really rich to see a prominent Republican complain about civility when the President of the United States has spent the past few days making fun of Mike Bloomberg’s height like a schoolyard bully.
Mini Mike, “Three months ago I entered the race for President to defeat Donald Trump, (and I failed miserably!). — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2020
Mini Mike Bloomberg will now FIRE Tim O’Brien, and all of the fools and truly dumb people who got him into this MESS. This has been the worst, and most embarrassing, experience of his life…and now on to Sleepy Joe! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2020
Staff Report This is a staff report from former Occupy Democrats Editor in Chief Colin Taylor or contributor Rob Haffney. Latest Posts