alternet--2020-12-15--Local paper slams Nebraska Republicans who joined a 'dangerous and undemocratic' election lawsuit

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton received a stern rejection when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider a lawsuit asking to throw out millions of votes in four key swing states that President-elect Joe Biden won .
But even though Paxton 's lawsuit was ultimately rejected by the most right-wing Supreme Court in generations , many Republican state attorneys general shamelessly signed onto it — including Nebraska 's Doug Peterson .
And in a scathing editorial published this week , the Omaha World-Herald 's editorial board slams the Nebraska officials who joined Paxton the failed effort .
`` What Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 126 Trump enablers in the U.S. House , including Nebraska Reps. Jeff Fortenberry and Adrian Smith , did was , of course , baldly political , '' the World-Herald 's editorial board writes .
`` But much more importantly , it was dangerous and undemocratic . ''
The World-Herald editorial board continues , `` The thin legal argument of the Texas case alleged that Michigan , Pennsylvania , Wisconsin and Georgia expanded voting in ways that their legislatures had not approved , noting that the U.S. Constitution grants state legislatures authority over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harmed because they must live under President Joe Biden , elected in this allegedly unconstitutional way .
The remedy it proposed for issues that are rightly settled in state courts was to void certified election results from those states and have their Republican-controlled legislatures appoint electors . ''
The editorial goes on to lambast Fortenberry , Smith , Peterson , Nebraska Gov .
Pete Ricketts and Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen — all Republicans — for promoting `` contrived , fallacious '' and `` wild-eyed conspiracy theories that say a vast , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
If Paxton 's lawsuit had been successful , the World-Herald notes , its effect `` would have been to disenfranchise 20 million Americans who voted in those states and undercut the very core of our system of government . ''
`` Let 's be absolutely clear : Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson , backed by Ricketts and Secretary of State Bob Evnen , signed onto that , '' the World-Herald editorial board says .
`` Without merit or any necessity whatsoever , they signed all Nebraskans onto that .
Fortunately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down . ''
However , the editorial does praise one Nebraska Republican : Sen. Ben Sasse , who said , `` Since Election Night , a lot of people have been confusing voters by spinning Kenyan Birther-type , ' ( Hugo ) Chavez rigged the election from the grave ' conspiracy theories .
But every American who cares about the rule of law should take comfort that the Supreme Court — including all three of President Trump 's picks — closed the book on the nonsense . ''
The World-Herald editorial board wraps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was inexcusable for so many Republicans to join Paxton 's lawsuit .
`` Joe Biden won the election , '' the editorial says .
`` While the vote was close in a few states , the overall result was not .
He won 306 electoral votes , the same total as Trump in 2016 , and won the popular vote by 7 million , 81,282,376 , or 51.3 % , to Trump 's 74,222,576 , or 46.9 % of total votes cast .
As Republicans who supported the Texas lawsuit go forward in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they did in December 2020 in hopes of denying 20 million Americans their most fundamental right , and what they did to erode confidence in the very elections in which their ambitions drive them to compete .
It was shameful . ''

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton received a stern rejection when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider a lawsuit asking to throw out millions of votes in four key swing states that President-elect Joe Biden won. But even though Paxton's lawsuit was ultimately rejected by the most right-wing Supreme Court in generations, many Republican state attorneys general shamelessly signed onto it — including Nebraska's Doug Peterson. And in a scathing editorial published this week, the Omaha World-Herald's editorial board slams the Nebraska officials who joined Paxton the failed effort.
"What Texas, Nebraska, 16 other Republican-led states and 126 Trump enablers in the U.S. House, including Nebraska Reps. Jeff Fortenberry and Adrian Smith, did was, of course, baldly political," the World-Herald's editorial board writes. "But much more importantly, it was dangerous and undemocratic."
The World-Herald editorial board continues, "The thin legal argument of the Texas case alleged that Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Georgia expanded voting in ways that their legislatures had not approved, noting that the U.S. Constitution grants state legislatures authority over elections. It argued Texas voters were harmed because they must live under President Joe Biden, elected in this allegedly unconstitutional way. The remedy it proposed for issues that are rightly settled in state courts was to void certified election results from those states and have their Republican-controlled legislatures appoint electors."
The editorial goes on to lambast Fortenberry, Smith, Peterson, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen — all Republicans — for promoting "contrived, fallacious" and "wild-eyed conspiracy theories that say a vast, multistate conspiracy somehow handed Biden the presidency." If Paxton's lawsuit had been successful, the World-Herald notes, its effect "would have been to disenfranchise 20 million Americans who voted in those states and undercut the very core of our system of government."
"Let's be absolutely clear: Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, backed by Ricketts and Secretary of State Bob Evnen, signed onto that," the World-Herald editorial board says. "Without merit or any necessity whatsoever, they signed all Nebraskans onto that. Fortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court quickly slapped this down."
However, the editorial does praise one Nebraska Republican: Sen. Ben Sasse, who said, "Since Election Night, a lot of people have been confusing voters by spinning Kenyan Birther-type, '(Hugo) Chavez rigged the election from the grave' conspiracy theories. But every American who cares about the rule of law should take comfort that the Supreme Court — including all three of President Trump's picks — closed the book on the nonsense."
The World-Herald editorial board wraps up the editorial by stressing that it was inexcusable for so many Republicans to join Paxton's lawsuit.
"Joe Biden won the election," the editorial says. "While the vote was close in a few states, the overall result was not. He won 306 electoral votes, the same total as Trump in 2016, and won the popular vote by 7 million, 81,282,376, or 51.3%, to Trump's 74,222,576, or 46.9% of total votes cast. As Republicans who supported the Texas lawsuit go forward in their political careers, voters must remember what they did in December 2020 in hopes of denying 20 million Americans their most fundamental right, and what they did to erode confidence in the very elections in which their ambitions drive them to compete. It was shameful."


alternet--2020-12-15--Mitch McConnell slammed for repeatedly sabotaging stimulus negotiation efforts

Democrats are moving closer toward the government they need to make timely and effective changes but there is still one roadblock obstructing their path : Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) .
Due to his repeated efforts to block the passing of another stimulus relief package , Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) has a serious message for McConnell as the pandemic rages on .
During an appearance on MSNBC , Sanders posed a question about McConnell 's next move as he expressed concern about his lack of regard for the American people 's suffering during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtually all of the United States Democratic senators on board .
The question now is whether or not Mitch McConnell is going to turn his back , as your report just indicated , on the incredible suffering that the American people , the working people are now experiencing . ''
From `` record unemployment '' to hunger and nationwide evictions , Sanders stressed the severity of this pandemic-related public emergency .
`` Here in Washington , when we go to war , there 's endless amounts of money ; Tax breaks for billionaires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welfare , endless amounts of money ; when children are going hungry in America today , suddenly we do n't have enough money , '' Sanders said .
`` That 's crap .
That 's wrong . ''
Sanders ' latest remarks come as coronavirus cases are soaring in states across the country .
In addition to case numbers , positivity rates , hospitalizations , and the death toll are also continuing to rise .
Due to the alarming spikes , many states are even being forced to roll back their reopening plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus .
However , this time around , closures are happening with limited unemployment benefits to supplement the losses in income .
Eviction moratoriums are also near expiration yet McConnell and Senate Republicans are doing very little to advance stimulus negotiations .
As of Tuesday , Dec. 15 , the United States has reported nearly 17 million coronavirus cases as the death toll surpasses 300,000 .

Democrats are moving closer toward the government they need to make timely and effective changes but there is still one roadblock obstructing their path: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Due to his repeated efforts to block the passing of another stimulus relief package, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has a serious message for McConnell as the pandemic rages on.
During an appearance on MSNBC, Sanders posed a question about McConnell's next move as he expressed concern about his lack of regard for the American people's suffering during the pandemic. "I think we can have virtually all of the United States Democratic senators on board. The question now is whether or not Mitch McConnell is going to turn his back, as your report just indicated, on the incredible suffering that the American people, the working people are now experiencing."
From "record unemployment" to hunger and nationwide evictions, Sanders stressed the severity of this pandemic-related public emergency.
"Here in Washington, when we go to war, there's endless amounts of money; Tax breaks for billionaires, endless amounts of money; corporate welfare, endless amounts of money; when children are going hungry in America today, suddenly we don't have enough money," Sanders said. "That's crap. That's wrong."
Sanders' latest remarks come as coronavirus cases are soaring in states across the country. In addition to case numbers, positivity rates, hospitalizations, and the death toll are also continuing to rise. Due to the alarming spikes, many states are even being forced to roll back their reopening plans in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. However, this time around, closures are happening with limited unemployment benefits to supplement the losses in income. Eviction moratoriums are also near expiration yet McConnell and Senate Republicans are doing very little to advance stimulus negotiations.
As of Tuesday, Dec. 15, the United States has reported nearly 17 million coronavirus cases as the death toll surpasses 300,000.


alternet--2020-12-15--NY Daily News celebrates Trump’s Electoral College defeat: ‘It’s over, even if the fat man won’t sin

NY Daily News celebrates Trump’s Electoral College defeat: ‘It’s over, even if the fat man won’t sing’

The New York Daily News is celebrating the Electoral College officially voting to make Joe Biden President-elect and dealing Donald @ @ @ @ @ one of its famous covers : `` IT 'S OVER , EVEN IF THE FAT @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Now , the Electoral College affirms Biden 's win over conspiracy-mad president ... @ @ @ @ @ declared .
On Monday in all 50 states and presidential voting territories the Electoral College @ @ @ @ @ , declaring Biden beat Trump in a 306-232 vote .

Understand the importance of honest news ?
So do we.
The past year has been the most arduous of our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be catastrophic not only to our health - mental and physical - but also to the stability of millions of people. For all of us independent news organizations, it’s no exception.
We’ve covered everything thrown at us this past year and will continue to do so with your support. We’ve always understood the importance of calling out corruption, regardless of political affiliation.
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alternet--2020-12-15--Trump is asking Georgia voters to help GOP Senate candidates — and keeping the money for himself: re

Trump is asking Georgia voters to help GOP Senate candidates — and keeping the money for himself: report

In Georgia , one of five states that President-elect Joe Biden flipped in the 2020 presidential election , President Donald Trump has been campaigning for two incumbent GOP senators who are facing runoffs in January : Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Sen. David Perdue .
But according to Politico reporter Alex Isenstadt , there is `` just one hitch '' — which is that `` Trump 's new political machine is pocketing most of the dough , and the campaigns of the Georgia senators competing in the January 5 races are n't getting a cent . ''
In his requests for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying things like `` We MUST defend Georgia from the Dems ! ''
and `` Help us WIN both Senate races in Georgia & STOP Socialist Dems . ''
But the outgoing president is n't directly sharing that money with Loeffler or Perdue .
Isenstadt explains , `` Trump 's aggressive fundraising blitz appears to be devoted to helping the party defend Georgia 's two Senate seats and , with them , the Senate majority .
But the fine print shows that most of the proceeds are going toward Trump 's newly launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fund his future political activities .
Only a fraction is going to the Republican National Committee , which is investing $ 20 million into the runoffs .
A stampede of political figures from both parties are e-mailing their donors with links to donate directly to the Georgia candidates , but the president is not among them . ''
Senior Republicans , according to Isenstadt , are `` rankled '' by `` Trump 's fundraising ploy '' and `` worry '' that `` small-dollar donations are being redirected away from the runoffs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Politico , `` The reality is Donald Trump does not care about the future of the Republican Party .
So , if he can raise money off of the Georgia runoffs but keep the money for his own purposes , he will do so . ''
Isenstadt explains , `` When donors click on Trump 's e-mails and texts , they are directed to a site that urges donations of anything from $ 5 to $ 2800 .
Lower down on the page , it notes that 75 % of each donation goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Save America , up to the first $ 5000 given… .
Regardless of the amount given , none goes directly to the Georgia Senate candidates .
Georgia Republicans want more of Trump 's small-dollar fundraising to benefit David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler . ''
Isenstadt also points out that `` Trump 's approach '' has been `` in stark contrast with '' Biden , whose `` campaign last week sent out an e-mail asking supporters to give $ 25 contributions , which would be split evenly between Georgia Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Biden will be campaigning for Ossoff and Warnock at an event in Atlanta , and his efforts on behalf of the Democratic Senate candidates are the focus of a separate Politico article by Marc Caputo and James Arkin .
In their piece , Caputo and Arkin stress that Biden has a major stake in the outcome of the two Senate races .
`` The success of the president-elect 's agenda hinges on the two Senate runoff races that will decide the balance of power in the chamber , '' Caputo and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warnock fail to defeat Republican Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler on January 5 , it will mean a GOP-controlled Senate that 's guaranteed to stand in the way of implementing Biden 's policy goals .
Democrat Doug Sosnik , who served as White House political director under President Bill Clinton , told Politico , `` I do n't think there 's a choice here .
If he does go ( to Georgia ) and Democrats do n't win , he wo n't be blamed .
But if he does n't go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why he 's not going .
It 's a good problem to have because obviously , the campaigns ( of Ossoff and Warnock ) want him there .
It would be worse if they did n't . ''
Although Georgia was a deep red state for many years , it has evolved into a swing state — and Biden 's narrow victory over Trump in the Peach State required a strong turnout in Atlanta ( which is heavily Democratic and largely African-American ) and its suburbs .
Democrat Michael L. Thurmond , chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is glad to see Biden visiting his area .
Thurmond , who formerly served in the Georgia Assembly , told Politico , `` Obviously , the president-elect coming will resonate with those moderate-to-conservative voters , and him being in Georgia is absolutely critical in order for us to have any success on January 5 .
It 's his coalition .
This is his coalition , and his presence and his endorsement will reassure those independent voters who are maybe concerned or on the fence . ''

In Georgia, one of five states that President-elect Joe Biden flipped in the 2020 presidential election, President Donald Trump has been campaigning for two incumbent GOP senators who are facing runoffs in January: Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Sen. David Perdue. But according to Politico reporter Alex Isenstadt, there is "just one hitch" — which is that "Trump's new political machine is pocketing most of the dough, and the campaigns of the Georgia senators competing in the January 5 races aren't getting a cent."
In his requests for donations, Isenstadt notes, Trump is saying things like "We MUST defend Georgia from the Dems!" and "Help us WIN both Senate races in Georgia & STOP Socialist Dems." But the outgoing president isn't directly sharing that money with Loeffler or Perdue.
Isenstadt explains, "Trump's aggressive fundraising blitz appears to be devoted to helping the party defend Georgia's two Senate seats and, with them, the Senate majority. But the fine print shows that most of the proceeds are going toward Trump's newly launched PAC, which he plans to use to fund his future political activities. Only a fraction is going to the Republican National Committee, which is investing $20 million into the runoffs. A stampede of political figures from both parties are e-mailing their donors with links to donate directly to the Georgia candidates, but the president is not among them."
Senior Republicans, according to Isenstadt, are "rankled" by "Trump's fundraising ploy" and "worry" that "small-dollar donations are being redirected away from the runoffs." Veteran GOP strategist Doug Heye told Politico, "The reality is Donald Trump does not care about the future of the Republican Party. So, if he can raise money off of the Georgia runoffs but keep the money for his own purposes, he will do so."
Isenstadt explains, "When donors click on Trump's e-mails and texts, they are directed to a site that urges donations of anything from $5 to $2800. Lower down on the page, it notes that 75% of each donation goes to Trump's political action committee, Save America, up to the first $5000 given…. Regardless of the amount given, none goes directly to the Georgia Senate candidates. Georgia Republicans want more of Trump's small-dollar fundraising to benefit David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler."
Isenstadt also points out that "Trump's approach" has been "in stark contrast with" Biden, whose "campaign last week sent out an e-mail asking supporters to give $25 contributions, which would be split evenly between Georgia Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock and the Democratic National Committee."
Biden will be campaigning for Ossoff and Warnock at an event in Atlanta, and his efforts on behalf of the Democratic Senate candidates are the focus of a separate Politico article by Marc Caputo and James Arkin. In their piece, Caputo and Arkin stress that Biden has a major stake in the outcome of the two Senate races.
"The success of the president-elect's agenda hinges on the two Senate runoff races that will decide the balance of power in the chamber," Caputo and Arkin explain. "If Ossoff and Warnock fail to defeat Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler on January 5, it will mean a GOP-controlled Senate that's guaranteed to stand in the way of implementing Biden's policy goals.
Democrat Doug Sosnik, who served as White House political director under President Bill Clinton, told Politico, "I don't think there's a choice here. If he does go (to Georgia) and Democrats don't win, he won't be blamed. But if he doesn't go, then you guys would write about why he's not going. It's a good problem to have because obviously, the campaigns (of Ossoff and Warnock) want him there. It would be worse if they didn't."
Although Georgia was a deep red state for many years, it has evolved into a swing state — and Biden's narrow victory over Trump in the Peach State required a strong turnout in Atlanta (which is heavily Democratic and largely African-American) and its suburbs. Democrat Michael L. Thurmond, chief executive officer of DeKalb County near Atlanta, is glad to see Biden visiting his area.
Thurmond, who formerly served in the Georgia Assembly, told Politico, "Obviously, the president-elect coming will resonate with those moderate-to-conservative voters, and him being in Georgia is absolutely critical in order for us to have any success on January 5. It's his coalition. This is his coalition, and his presence and his endorsement will reassure those independent voters who are maybe concerned or on the fence."


alternet--2020-12-15--Former SOCOM director slams Dan Crenshaw's 'embarrassing' action clip of himself 'battling' antifa

Rep. Dan Crenshaw ( R-Texas ) , a former U.S. Navy SEAL , is facing stark criticism for his recent action video skit .
For many , Crenshaw 's latest stunt is exactly why a substantial number of Americans do not take politicians seriously .
Now , United States Special Operations Command ( SOCOM ) Tony Thomas is slamming Crenshaw and describing his video as an `` embarrassing '' skit similar to a parody seen on `` Saturday Night Live '' or `` Comedy Central . ''
`` Watched this twice now .
I was sure it must be an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thomas tweeted , `` Nope , just the base ( r ) level our political environment slips to with each succeeding day .
There is a reason 100M people opted not to vote again this year .
Embarrassing . ''
From fearmongering , to the use of a British voiceover in an American political action clip , Crenshaw 's action video miserably missed the mark , according to Twitter users who have chimed in .
One Twitter user wrote , `` What is this nonsense ?
And who thought it was a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trailer for a C-grade action movie accompanied by a British narrator .
What does any of this have to do with an American election ? ''
Former Federal Bureau of Investigations ( FBI ) special agent Asha Rangappa also lambasted Crenshaw tweeting `` There are so many bizarre things about this commercial but I want to know why you 're taking instructions from a woman with a British accent to get to Georgia . ''
In Crenshaw 's attempt to `` save Georgia '' ahead of the upcoming runoff , many Twitter users @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they tweeted about the smear campaign he was accused of creating to discredit a female veteran who was sexually assaulted .
Crenshaw has not yet responded to the backlash surrounding his action clip .

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), a former U.S. Navy SEAL, is facing stark criticism for his recent action video skit. For many , Crenshaw's latest stunt is exactly why a substantial number of Americans do not take politicians seriously.
Now, United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Tony Thomas is slamming Crenshaw and describing his video as an "embarrassing" skit similar to a parody seen on "Saturday Night Live" or "Comedy Central."
"Watched this twice now. I was sure it must be an SNL or Comedy Central skit," Thomas tweeted, "Nope, just the base(r) level our political environment slips to with each succeeding day. There is a reason 100M people opted not to vote again this year. Embarrassing."
From fearmongering, to the use of a British voiceover in an American political action clip, Crenshaw's action video miserably missed the mark, according to Twitter users who have chimed in.
One Twitter user wrote, "What is this nonsense? And who thought it was a good idea? It's like a bad trailer for a C-grade action movie accompanied by a British narrator. What does any of this have to do with an American election?"
Former Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) special agent Asha Rangappa also lambasted Crenshaw tweeting "There are so many bizarre things about this commercial but I want to know why you're taking instructions from a woman with a British accent to get to Georgia."
In Crenshaw's attempt to "save Georgia" ahead of the upcoming runoff, many Twitter users also reminded him of his own wrongdoings as they tweeted about the smear campaign he was accused of creating to discredit a female veteran who was sexually assaulted. Crenshaw has not yet responded to the backlash surrounding his action clip.


alternet--2020-12-15--Republicans are furious with Trump for pocketing the money they need for the Georgia runoffs: MSNBC'

Republicans are furious with Trump for pocketing the money they need for the Georgia runoffs: MSNBC's Kasie Hunt

During an MSNBC `` Morning Joe '' discussion on Donald Trump 's actions in the waning days of his presidency , co-host Wille Geist noted the president is spending all his days playing `` victim '' in order to scam conservative voters out of more money , which contributor Kasie Hunt said is `` pissing off Republicans on the Hill . ''
As Geist explained , `` They 're still making a lot of money off that victimhood that has been at the center of Donald Trump 's story for so many years .
He 's now the victim of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Democrats , he 's become the victim of courts , he 's become the victim of state electors doing their job and the victim of the three Supreme Court justices he nominated and got confirmed to the Supreme Court . ''
`` So the narrative of victimhood has to remain in place for the story to continue and for the money to keep flowing and , as you said , Donald Trump is raising a ton of money , '' Geist told co-host Joe Scarborough .
`` There are the text messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
'We need $ 35 right now to continue to prosecute that case ' and that money goes somewhere else , so he 's hustling his own voters to build up his own pocketbook and the pocketbook of the Republican Party . ''
After a discussion on current Congressional negotiations for COVID-19 relief , contributor Hunt turned back to the president 's fundraising efforts .
`` To your earlier point very , very quickly , '' Hunt began .
`` The money that Republicans are gathering , that President Trump is raising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're pissed off because they are taking that money and they are saying , 'Oh , you have to help us win these elections in Georgia to win the Senate majority . '
The Trump team is taking that money and doing things for themselves with it . ''
Hunts comments fall in line with a recent Politico report that stated , `` Trump 's new political machine is pocketing most of the dough — and the campaigns of the Georgia senators competing in the Jan. 5 races are n't getting a cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predicament has intensified broader concerns within the GOP that Trump will use his post-presidency to advance his own interests at the expense of the party , '' with GOP consultant Doug Heye insisting , `` The reality is Donald Trump does not care about the future of the Republican Party , so if he can raise money off of the Georgia runoffs but keep the money for his own purposes , he will do so . ''
You can watch the MSNBC clip below :

During an MSNBC "Morning Joe" discussion on Donald Trump's actions in the waning days of his presidency, co-host Wille Geist noted the president is spending all his days playing "victim" in order to scam conservative voters out of more money, which contributor Kasie Hunt said is "pissing off Republicans on the Hill."
As Geist explained, "They're still making a lot of money off that victimhood that has been at the center of Donald Trump's story for so many years. He's now the victim of the media, he's the victim of Democrats, he's become the victim of courts, he's become the victim of state electors doing their job and the victim of the three Supreme Court justices he nominated and got confirmed to the Supreme Court."
"So the narrative of victimhood has to remain in place for the story to continue and for the money to keep flowing and, as you said, Donald Trump is raising a ton of money," Geist told co-host Joe Scarborough. "There are the text messages and emails to the supporters to prove it. 'We need $35 right now to continue to prosecute that case' and that money goes somewhere else, so he's hustling his own voters to build up his own pocketbook and the pocketbook of the Republican Party."
After a discussion on current Congressional negotiations for COVID-19 relief, contributor Hunt turned back to the president's fundraising efforts.
"To your earlier point very, very quickly," Hunt began. "The money that Republicans are gathering, that President Trump is raising -- Republicans on the Hill, they're pissed off because they are taking that money and they are saying, 'Oh, you have to help us win these elections in Georgia to win the Senate majority.' The Trump team is taking that money and doing things for themselves with it."
Hunts comments fall in line with a recent Politico report that stated, "Trump's new political machine is pocketing most of the dough — and the campaigns of the Georgia senators competing in the Jan. 5 races aren't getting a cent."
Politico added, "The predicament has intensified broader concerns within the GOP that Trump will use his post-presidency to advance his own interests at the expense of the party," with GOP consultant Doug Heye insisting, "The reality is Donald Trump does not care about the future of the Republican Party, so if he can raise money off of the Georgia runoffs but keep the money for his own purposes, he will do so."
You can watch the MSNBC clip below:


alternet--2020-12-15--Fiction is fact inside the right-wing media bubble — where the myth of Trump's reelection persists:

Fiction is fact inside the right-wing media bubble — where the myth of Trump's reelection persists: report

When the Electoral College met on Monday , December 14 , electors officially voted to give President-elect Joe Biden the 306 electoral votes he won in the 2020 presidential election .
But in the right-wing media , the myth that President Donald Trump is the real winner and still has a legitimate path to victory persists .
New York Times reporter Jeremy W. Peters , in an article published the following day , points to election coverage as a prime example of the alternate reality that exists in the right-wing media bubble — where fiction is accepted as fact .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all 50 states and the District of Columbia formally recognized Joseph R. Biden , Jr. as the president-elect — the latest and most significant rejection so far of Mr. Trump 's desperate attempts to undo the will of the voters , '' Peters explains .
`` But inside the sprawling and self-reinforcing network of websites , podcasts and video news that has fed some of the most reckless and unrealistic claims about the election , the myth of Mr. Trump 's political survival endures . ''
Peters goes on to cite some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that came from the right-wing media on December 14 .
`` The lead story on the Gateway Pundit , which researchers have identified as one of the major sources ( of ) pro-Trump misinformation online , floated the idea of a 'BOMBSHELL ' ruling in a case on Monday that the site teased as a possible game-changer : 'Will a Small County in Northern Michigan Be the Key to Overturning the Nation 's Election Results ?
, ' '' Peters observes .
`` On a podcast hosted by Mr. Trump 's former White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a conservative activist vowed to file a new lawsuit seeking to reverse the electors ' vote — adding to the dozens of suits so far , nearly all of which have been dismissed . ''
Another far-right media figure who has been exalting Trump as the real winner of the 2020 election is radio host Mark Levin , who , Peters notes , `` was one of the first to give a national platform to the conspiracy theories of the lawyers Lin Wood and Sidney Powell , whose various claims of fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic enemies of the president both dead — Hugo Chávez of Venezuela — and alive : 'Never Trump ' Republican officials . ''
Peters points out that far-right conspiracy theories have a `` lost history in the Republican Party , '' and he cites the John Birch Society as a prime example of the 1960s .
The Times reporter stresses , however , that `` the fringe never , of course , enjoyed the support of the sitting president '' back then .
Taking Peters ' argument a step further , it should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right did n't hesitate to call out the Birchers as nutcases — most notably , the late National Review founder William F. Buckley .
Although the conservative Buckley bashed liberals and progressives on a regular basis during the 1960s and 1970s , he was no fan of the John Birch Society .
But as Peters points out , the `` fringe '' has so much influence in right-wing media in 2020 that even Fox News ' Tucker Carlson `` faced a backlash '' when he `` questioned '' Powell 's `` credibility .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Birch Society during the 1960s compared to the lunatic fringe now , Yochai Benkler — a Harvard Law School professor who has been studying right-wing media — told the Times , `` What you did n't get then was the same market exposure .
You did n't have tens of millions of voters exposed . ''

When the Electoral College met on Monday, December 14, electors officially voted to give President-elect Joe Biden the 306 electoral votes he won in the 2020 presidential election. But in the right-wing media, the myth that President Donald Trump is the real winner and still has a legitimate path to victory persists. New York Times reporter Jeremy W. Peters, in an article published the following day, points to election coverage as a prime example of the alternate reality that exists in the right-wing media bubble — where fiction is accepted as fact.
"One by one, presidential electors in all 50 states and the District of Columbia formally recognized Joseph R. Biden, Jr. as the president-elect — the latest and most significant rejection so far of Mr. Trump's desperate attempts to undo the will of the voters," Peters explains. "But inside the sprawling and self-reinforcing network of websites, podcasts and video news that has fed some of the most reckless and unrealistic claims about the election, the myth of Mr. Trump's political survival endures."
Peters goes on to cite some specific examples of the type of nonsense that came from the right-wing media on December 14.
"The lead story on the Gateway Pundit, which researchers have identified as one of the major sources (of) pro-Trump misinformation online, floated the idea of a 'BOMBSHELL' ruling in a case on Monday that the site teased as a possible game-changer: 'Will a Small County in Northern Michigan Be the Key to Overturning the Nation's Election Results?,'" Peters observes. "On a podcast hosted by Mr. Trump's former White House chief strategist, Stephen K. Bannon, a conservative activist vowed to file a new lawsuit seeking to reverse the electors' vote — adding to the dozens of suits so far, nearly all of which have been dismissed."
Another far-right media figure who has been exalting Trump as the real winner of the 2020 election is radio host Mark Levin, who, Peters notes, "was one of the first to give a national platform to the conspiracy theories of the lawyers Lin Wood and Sidney Powell, whose various claims of fraud involve a multinational network of saboteurs and domestic enemies of the president both dead — Hugo Chávez of Venezuela — and alive: 'Never Trump' Republican officials."
Peters points out that far-right conspiracy theories have a "lost history in the Republican Party," and he cites the John Birch Society as a prime example of the 1960s. The Times reporter stresses, however, that "the fringe never, of course, enjoyed the support of the sitting president" back then.
Taking Peters' argument a step further, it should be noted that some people on the right didn't hesitate to call out the Birchers as nutcases — most notably, the late National Review founder William F. Buckley. Although the conservative Buckley bashed liberals and progressives on a regular basis during the 1960s and 1970s, he was no fan of the John Birch Society.
But as Peters points out, the "fringe" has so much influence in right-wing media in 2020 that even Fox News' Tucker Carlson "faced a backlash" when he "questioned" Powell's "credibility."
Reflecting on the influence of the John Birch Society during the 1960s compared to the lunatic fringe now, Yochai Benkler — a Harvard Law School professor who has been studying right-wing media — told the Times, "What you didn't get then was the same market exposure. You didn't have tens of millions of voters exposed."


alternet--2020-12-15--Karens are everywhere -- so where are all the Kens?

We all know a Karen .
We 've seen them in America 's tree-lined , manicured suburbs asking to speak with the manager because the grilled chicken on their Caesar salad is too cold .
Sporting Kate Gosselin 's haircut circa 2009 , the most benign Karens lambaste part-time Home Depot employees for having the wrong shade of taupe paint ; the worst Karens leverage their white privilege to harass people of color .
Entitlement , whiteness , privilege , always having to be correct — and being a woman — embody the idea of the `` Karen , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discourse in the late 2010s but became prominent in 2020 .
Sarah Miller , writing in the New York Times , defined Karens as `` middle-aged white moms who are always asking for the manager and calling the police on perfectly fine pool parties and wondering why kids are so obsessed with their identities . ''
Like any cultural phenomenon , much Karen name-calling and Karen-shaming is waged online .
In articles , memes , and artifact-ridden JPEGs posted on Twitter and Facebook , Karens asking to speak with the manager run rampant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The concept of the `` Karen '' has entered the popular lexicon to the extent that it is making its way into public policy .
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed the `` CAREN Act '' ( Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies ) in July , an allusion to the pejorative .
Women with the name Karen are reportedly less likely to get dates online because of the stereotypes associated with their name .
While the origins of the Karen meme are unclear , some believe it originated from a Dane Cook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yet the term also has connections to the phrase `` Miss Ann , '' a term was used by African-American slaves to refer to a condescending European-American woman , as André Brock , a professor at Georgia Tech , told CNN .
As Karen Attiah further explained in an op-ed for the Washington Post , `` Becky and Karen memes and jokes should be understood in this context , part of a long tradition to use humor to try to cope with the realities of white privilege and anti-blackness . ''
Indeed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the many horrible ways white privilege can be weaponized by white women .
Recently , the term has begun to transcend gender .
Anyone can be a Karen , including Tesla CEO Elon Musk , if their appearance is feminized and amended with the Gosselin bob .
Last month , when Musk seemed to misunderstand how his COVID-19 test worked , a scientist mocked him and called him `` Space Karen . ''
But as the Karen meme entered the mainstream , it mutated .
Specifically , it 's gone from being hyper-specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with merely `` bad , '' `` shrill , '' `` a woman I do n't like , '' or perhaps `` a man who acts like an entitled woman . ''
Much as the word `` socialism '' has become meaningless to much of the right , spouted as a catch-all slur for anyone or anything on the left they do n't like , a certain ( mostly male ) subset has begun Karen-baiting any women they do n't like — even if she does n't embody Karenesque traits .
Yet Karen-ifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In many cases , memes about Karens come off as instances of bald-faced sexism , disconnected from the original meme , distracting from the issues that made `` being a Karen '' a problem in the first place — problems that have nothing to do with Karen 's gender and everything to do with her behavior .
So if Karen has devolved into the go-to pejorative to describe anyone who makes a fuss about or questions anything , one wonders why is n't there a man 's name — like Ken , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I say ) Elon — that we can call white men when they 're demanding to speak to the proverbial manager , and acting like their needs are above everyone else ?
Lest you think the call for a male or gender-neutral `` Karen '' is tantamount to feminism run amok , I should note that we had this cultural conversation about hurricanes decades ago .
In the 1950s , the U.S. decided to give storm systems female names only .
This had a peculiar trickle down effect : `` Once these storms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking about them as if they were women , '' Becky Little writes for History.com .
`` They used sexist clichés to describe their behavior—saying that this one was 'temperamental , ' or that another was 'teasing ' or 'flirting ' with a coastline . ''
A feminist campaign to give storm systems male names too was won in 1979 , leading to the gender-alternating system we have today .
Just as with hurricane naming systems , it 's not the name specifically that is sexist , but how it is being used—and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman with a blonde bob memed with the overlay `` Felt cute .
Might talk to the manager later , '' it 's worth asking why men who exhibit similar entitlement are n't subjected to the same kind of scrutiny .
Indeed , many Karen memes depict said Karens as shrill , nagging — sexist stereotypes , disconnected from any larger racial or class discourse .
These are merely the same misogynist stereotypes that have stuck to women for decades .
There is no shortage of white-male names that could serve as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ male-equivalent of a `` Karen , '' standing alone throwing a fit at Walmart demanding to speak to the manager , is not something we have the recognizable stereotype of , nor is this meme popular .
Maybe it 's time to popularize `` Ken , '' Karen 's male equivalent .
Or maybe this is just another story about how internet neologisms often devolve into sexist stereotypes .

We all know a Karen. We've seen them in America's tree-lined, manicured suburbs asking to speak with the manager because the grilled chicken on their Caesar salad is too cold. Sporting Kate Gosselin's haircut circa 2009, the most benign Karens lambaste part-time Home Depot employees for having the wrong shade of taupe paint; the worst Karens leverage their white privilege to harass people of color. Entitlement, whiteness, privilege, always having to be correct — and being a woman — embody the idea of the "Karen," a pejorative that was coined in online discourse in the late 2010s but became prominent in 2020. Sarah Miller, writing in the New York Times, defined Karens as "middle-aged white moms who are always asking for the manager and calling the police on perfectly fine pool parties and wondering why kids are so obsessed with their identities."
Like any cultural phenomenon, much Karen name-calling and Karen-shaming is waged online. In articles, memes, and artifact-ridden JPEGs posted on Twitter and Facebook, Karens asking to speak with the manager run rampant across our laptop screens and beyond. The concept of the "Karen" has entered the popular lexicon to the extent that it is making its way into public policy. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed the "CAREN Act" (Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies) in July, an allusion to the pejorative. Women with the name Karen are reportedly less likely to get dates online because of the stereotypes associated with their name.
While the origins of the Karen meme are unclear, some believe it originated from a Dane Cook comedy special that aired in 2005. Yet the term also has connections to the phrase "Miss Ann," a term was used by African-American slaves to refer to a condescending European-American woman, as André Brock, a professor at Georgia Tech, told CNN. As Karen Attiah further explained in an op-ed for the Washington Post, "Becky and Karen memes and jokes should be understood in this context, part of a long tradition to use humor to try to cope with the realities of white privilege and anti-blackness." Indeed, the pejorative's history is rooted in the many horrible ways white privilege can be weaponized by white women.
Recently, the term has begun to transcend gender. Anyone can be a Karen, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, if their appearance is feminized and amended with the Gosselin bob. Last month, when Musk seemed to misunderstand how his COVID-19 test worked, a scientist mocked him and called him "Space Karen."
But as the Karen meme entered the mainstream, it mutated. Specifically, it's gone from being hyper-specific to a slur that has become synonymous with merely "bad," "shrill," "a woman I don't like," or perhaps "a man who acts like an entitled woman."
Much as the word "socialism" has become meaningless to much of the right, spouted as a catch-all slur for anyone or anything on the left they don't like, a certain (mostly male) subset has begun Karen-baiting any women they don't like — even if she doesn't embody Karenesque traits.
Yet Karen-ifying everyone these days is often a dodge. In many cases, memes about Karens come off as instances of bald-faced sexism, disconnected from the original meme, distracting from the issues that made "being a Karen" a problem in the first place — problems that have nothing to do with Karen's gender and everything to do with her behavior.
So if Karen has devolved into the go-to pejorative to describe anyone who makes a fuss about or questions anything, one wonders why isn't there a man's name — like Ken, Donald, Kevin, or (dare I say) Elon — that we can call white men when they're demanding to speak to the proverbial manager, and acting like their needs are above everyone else?
Lest you think the call for a male or gender-neutral "Karen" is tantamount to feminism run amok, I should note that we had this cultural conversation about hurricanes decades ago. In the 1950s, the U.S. decided to give storm systems female names only. This had a peculiar trickle down effect: "Once these storms took on female names, weathermen began talking about them as if they were women," Becky Little writes for History.com. "They used sexist clichés to describe their behavior—saying that this one was 'temperamental,' or that another was 'teasing' or 'flirting' with a coastline." A feminist campaign to give storm systems male names too was won in 1979, leading to the gender-alternating system we have today.
Just as with hurricane naming systems, it's not the name specifically that is sexist, but how it is being used—and who's using it. Considering a woman with a blonde bob memed with the overlay "Felt cute. Might talk to the manager later," it's worth asking why men who exhibit similar entitlement aren't subjected to the same kind of scrutiny.
Indeed, many Karen memes depict said Karens as shrill, nagging — sexist stereotypes, disconnected from any larger racial or class discourse. These are merely the same misogynist stereotypes that have stuck to women for decades.
There is no shortage of white-male names that could serve as a male spin-off of Karen. But a male-equivalent of a "Karen," standing alone throwing a fit at Walmart demanding to speak to the manager, is not something we have the recognizable stereotype of, nor is this meme popular.
Maybe it's time to popularize "Ken," Karen's male equivalent. Or maybe this is just another story about how internet neologisms often devolve into sexist stereotypes.


alternet--2020-12-15--Law experts weigh in on what Barr's resignation could mean for the last 4 weeks of Trump's presidenc

Law experts weigh in on what Barr's resignation could mean for the last 4 weeks of Trump's presidency

As the Electoral College solidified President-elect Joe Biden 's win , President Donald Trump was announcing the resignation of U.S. Attorney Bill Barr .
The news of Barr 's impending departure has garnered lots of reactions from lawmakers and legal experts who are raising questions about the last few weeks of Trump 's presidency and what he could possibly do before his grand exit in January .
Sen. Richard Blumenthal ( D-Conn. ) delivered a scorching rebuke of Barr and deeply criticized his work during the Trump presidency .
`` There should be no sympathy or regret for an Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , caused untold suffering , & enabled a morally depraved president .
Do n't let the door hit you on the way out , '' Blumenthal tweeted .
While some have concerns about what could come next , others are simply saying `` good riddance . ''
`` Bill Barr ruined his reputation by deliberately misleading the public and politicizing the DOJ , '' said former prosecutor Renato Mariotti .
`` Because he would n't repeat Trump 's lies about the election , he 's out less than a month before Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tossed him aside .
Good riddance . ''
`` Not a single career prosecutor at DOJ will miss Bill Barr , '' Vance tweeted , adding that , `` Barr 's 'letter of resignation ' characterizes the Trump administration 's 'accomplishments ' as accurately as his summary of the Mueller Report characterized the results of that investigation . ''
After the Wall Street Journal reported that Barr may have known about Hunter Biden 's tax investigation since April , Trump began calling for his resignation .
The president also publicly lambasted Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden before the election .
Trump also was not pleased when Barr poured cold water on his claims of voter fraud .
Rep. Ted Lieu ( D-CA ) , a former military prosecutor tweeted , `` History will not be kind to Bill Barr . ''

As the Electoral College solidified President-elect Joe Biden's win, President Donald Trump was announcing the resignation of U.S. Attorney Bill Barr.
The news of Barr's impending departure has garnered lots of reactions from lawmakers and legal experts who are raising questions about the last few weeks of Trump's presidency and what he could possibly do before his grand exit in January.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) delivered a scorching rebuke of Barr and deeply criticized his work during the Trump presidency. "There should be no sympathy or regret for an Attorney General who trashed the rule of law, caused untold suffering, & enabled a morally depraved president. Don't let the door hit you on the way out," Blumenthal tweeted.
While some have concerns about what could come next, others are simply saying "good riddance."
"Bill Barr ruined his reputation by deliberately misleading the public and politicizing the DOJ," said former prosecutor Renato Mariotti. "Because he wouldn't repeat Trump's lies about the election, he's out less than a month before Trump's presidency will end. Trump used Barr and tossed him aside. Good riddance."
"Not a single career prosecutor at DOJ will miss Bill Barr," Vance tweeted, adding that, "Barr's 'letter of resignation' characterizes the Trump administration's 'accomplishments' as accurately as his summary of the Mueller Report characterized the results of that investigation."
After the Wall Street Journal reported that Barr may have known about Hunter Biden's tax investigation since April, Trump began calling for his resignation. The president also publicly lambasted Barr for not releasing the information on Hunter Biden before the election. Trump also was not pleased when Barr poured cold water on his claims of voter fraud.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), a former military prosecutor tweeted, "History will not be kind to Bill Barr."


alternet--2020-12-15--Watch right winger give out 'Kraken' offer code for MyPillow during ‘StopTheSteal’ rally in DC

The Trump administration is a swamp .
The great con that Trump was able to to perpetrate on the Americans who voted for him was that his political outsider credentials—which were and remain real—would allow him to clean up the big money corruption developed and fostered predominantly by the Republican Party in Washington , D.C .
The reality has been that not only has Trump further swampified the government , he 's also brought in new con men and women into the government—or more realistically , brought around the government to leech off of .
These are people like Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might remember as the MyPillow guy who sort of makes up a lot of right-wing media advertising dollars .
He 's a shameless mad hatter pushing unproven COVID-19 remedies and alien-level conspiracy theories about the election .
David Harris is a lesser known former vitamin huckster who rebranded himself as a Black conservative and received a big boost from Trump in popularity .
His angle is that he 's conservative and he 's Black and there 's a financial niche market to be found in super racist right-wing circles if you can serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist than they are .
Harris was highlighted as one of the top `` superspreaders '' of Trump 's false election misinformation by The New York Times in the weeks after Election Day .
On Sunday , Harris was in Washington , D.C. for one of the `` Stop The Steal '' Trump rallies of people trying to overthrow the U.S. government .
He spoke on stage in front of others , like the Mike `` MyPillow '' Lindell .
It turns out that before Harris went into his speech , which mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bible passage , he had some shilling to do .
One of the people helping to fund these rallies is Lindell , and Harris wanted to make sure the audience gave Lindell the applause and recognition he deserves ; being a scumbag who wants to overthrow the government takes money and time and conning .
Before Lindell went up to bluster away relatively incoherently about how all of the Biden votes are proof that Donald Trump has more votes ( yes , that was the basic statement by MyPillow man on Sunday ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for what we call in the entertainment business the money .
: It 's very important to note here how Harris began by saying , `` And I got ta tell you I love his codes , right ? ''
before remembering that he needed to do the whole make sure to mention the things Lindell sells ( i.e.
, sheets and bed toppers ) , and then mention the codes .
It 's one of the things you learn doing live readings for ads .
There are a few things you need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you make it seem like you are n't doing an ad .
Usually you just have to remember to mention all of the things in the right order .
Harris does a fine job selling that MyPillow merch .
We are just weeks away from their discount promotional codes going from `` Kraken '' to things like `` IAMASucker '' and `` PleaseTakeMyMoney . ''
After the day 's events , Proud Boys and other racists from the day 's `` peaceful protests '' went on to enact seemingly state-sanctioned violence against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy from ethno-state insurgents and domestic terrorists like Trump and friends .
Right winger shills for MyPillow guy during Trump election fraud rally

The Trump administration is a swamp. The great con that Trump was able to to perpetrate on the Americans who voted for him was that his political outsider credentials—which were and remain real—would allow him to clean up the big money corruption developed and fostered predominantly by the Republican Party in Washington, D.C. The reality has been that not only has Trump further swampified the government, he's also brought in new con men and women into the government—or more realistically, brought around the government to leech off of. These are people like Mike Lindell and David Harris. Lindell you might remember as the MyPillow guy who sort of makes up a lot of right-wing media advertising dollars. He's a shameless mad hatter pushing unproven COVID-19 remedies and alien-level conspiracy theories about the election.
David Harris is a lesser known former vitamin huckster who rebranded himself as a Black conservative and received a big boost from Trump in popularity. His angle is that he's conservative and he's Black and there's a financial niche market to be found in super racist right-wing circles if you can serve the purpose of making right-wingers feel less racist than they are. Harris was highlighted as one of the top "superspreaders" of Trump's false election misinformation by TheNew York Times in the weeks after Election Day. On Sunday, Harris was in Washington, D.C. for one of the "Stop The Steal" Trump rallies of people trying to overthrow the U.S. government. He spoke on stage in front of others, like the Mike "MyPillow" Lindell. It turns out that before Harris went into his speech, which mostly consisted of a long-winded recitation of a Bible passage, he had some shilling to do.
One of the people helping to fund these rallies is Lindell, and Harris wanted to make sure the audience gave Lindell the applause and recognition he deserves; being a scumbag who wants to overthrow the government takes money and time and conning. Before Lindell went up to bluster away relatively incoherently about how all of the Biden votes are proof that Donald Trump has more votes (yes, that was the basic statement by MyPillow man on Sunday), Harris had some business to do for what we call in the entertainment business the money.:
DAVID HARRIS: A special thank you to the cosponsor that really helped fund a lot of this. Mr. MyPillow himself, Mike Lindell! Amazing patriot, loves this country, loves us, loves the president, and the president loves him. And I gotta tell you I love his codes, right? I love his pillows, I love his sheets, I love his mattress topper, and I love his codes because you know what, the Kraken has been released. You are a part of the Kraken. So for the best deals to support this patriot, use the code "Kraken" at mypillow.com. He does not talk about a lot of what goes through behind the scenes, but he goes through a lot of hell for standing up for us.
It's very important to note here how Harris began by saying, "And I gotta tell you I love his codes, right?" before remembering that he needed to do the whole make sure to mention the things Lindell sells (i.e., sheets and bed toppers), and then mention the codes. It's one of the things you learn doing live readings for ads. There are a few things you need to hit and if you nail it, you make it seem like you aren't doing an ad. Usually you just have to remember to mention all of the things in the right order. Harris does a fine job selling that MyPillow merch. We are just weeks away from their discount promotional codes going from "Kraken" to things like "IAMASucker" and "PleaseTakeMyMoney."
After the day's events, Proud Boys and other racists from the day's "peaceful protests" went on to enact seemingly state-sanctioned violence against Americans who are interested in protecting our democracy from ethno-state insurgents and domestic terrorists like Trump and friends.


alternet--2020-12-16--McConnell gets the Katie Porter treatment over COVID stimulus hold-up: 'A slap in the face to busine

McConnell gets the Katie Porter treatment over COVID stimulus hold-up: 'A slap in the face to businesses'

Why is another COVID-19 relief package held up ?
Rep. Katie Porter wants there to be no doubt : The help Americans need is held up by Republicans , and particularly by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's insistence on giving corporations `` get out of jail free '' cards for their reckless handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
McConnell insists on putting corporate immunity from liability into any stimulus package that passes , insisting it 's necessary to protect businesses from a flood of lawsuits he predicts .
But , Porter writes in an op-ed at NBC News , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuits related to Covid-19 exposure are few and far between .
According to data from the law firm Hunton Kurth Andrews , which tracks Covid-19 lawsuits , there are only 383 lawsuits in the entire country related to coronavirus exposure .
Compare that to the over 15 million confirmed U.S. Covid-19 cases , leading to over 290,000 deaths . ''
And those lawsuits are not remotely frivolous , as McConnell would have us believe .
`` The cases that have been filed represent some of the grossest instances of corporate abuse , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers at a pork processing plant sued alleging that management literally took bets on how many employees would catch the virus .
Other cases allege horrific patient abuses at nursing homes or workplaces that forbid employees from using protective gear . ''
McConnell is using the pandemic as an excuse for another giveaway to corporations , this time not in tax breaks but in the form of blanket permission for abuses .
But , Porter points out , that means that the businesses that would benefit are overwhelmingly the ones that have done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have worked hard and gone to expense to do the right thing will see their shady competitors get an edge .
`` When businesses have acted creatively and quickly to protect public health , they deserve our praise , '' Porter points out .
`` Shielding bad actors from accountability is a slap in the face to businesses that have made the necessary sacrifices for public health , like restaurants that have moved operations outside or mom-and-pop stores that have provided employees with proper protective equipment . ''
Thanks to Republican gutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and consumer protection functions , the courts may be the only recourse for people who 've been endangered : `` Without scrutiny of allegations of corporate abuse in the courts , there may not be any justice for victims at all .
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration , the federal agency responsible for protecting workers , has closed over 10,000 complaints , most without conducting inspections .
The citations it has issued are tiny slaps on the wrist .
McConnell is pushing for even fewer worker protections , tying up Covid-19 relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporations knowingly putting employees in harm 's way . ''
Mitch McConnell wants to let corporations expose their workers—and , in many cases , by extension their customers—to COVID-19 , and to strip regular people who 've been harmed of the meager protections offered by either government regulators or the courts .
He 's willing—hell , he 's eager—to hold desperately needed aid hostage for that .
There can be no both-sidesing this in considering whether Democrats or Republicans are responsible for delays in relief .

Why is another COVID-19 relief package held up? Rep. Katie Porter wants there to be no doubt: The help Americans need is held up by Republicans, and particularly by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's insistence on giving corporations "get out of jail free" cards for their reckless handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
McConnell insists on putting corporate immunity from liability into any stimulus package that passes, insisting it's necessary to protect businesses from a flood of lawsuits he predicts. But, Porter writes in an op-ed at NBC News, "Eight months into the pandemic, lawsuits related to Covid-19 exposure are few and far between. According to data from the law firm Hunton Kurth Andrews, which tracks Covid-19 lawsuits, there are only 383 lawsuits in the entire country related to coronavirus exposure. Compare that to the over 15 million confirmed U.S. Covid-19 cases, leading to over 290,000 deaths."
And those lawsuits are not remotely frivolous, as McConnell would have us believe. "The cases that have been filed represent some of the grossest instances of corporate abuse," Porter writes. "For example, workers at a pork processing plant sued alleging that management literally took bets on how many employees would catch the virus. Other cases allege horrific patient abuses at nursing homes or workplaces that forbid employees from using protective gear."
McConnell is using the pandemic as an excuse for another giveaway to corporations, this time not in tax breaks but in the form of blanket permission for abuses. But, Porter points out, that means that the businesses that would benefit are overwhelmingly the ones that have done the wrong thing, while the businesses that have worked hard and gone to expense to do the right thing will see their shady competitors get an edge.
"When businesses have acted creatively and quickly to protect public health, they deserve our praise," Porter points out. "Shielding bad actors from accountability is a slap in the face to businesses that have made the necessary sacrifices for public health, like restaurants that have moved operations outside or mom-and-pop stores that have provided employees with proper protective equipment."
Thanks to Republican gutting of the government's oversight and worker and consumer protection functions, the courts may be the only recourse for people who've been endangered: "Without scrutiny of allegations of corporate abuse in the courts, there may not be any justice for victims at all. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the federal agency responsible for protecting workers, has closed over 10,000 complaints, most without conducting inspections. The citations it has issued are tiny slaps on the wrist. McConnell is pushing for even fewer worker protections, tying up Covid-19 relief to put down a welcome mat for corporations knowingly putting employees in harm's way."
Mitch McConnell wants to let corporations expose their workers—and, in many cases, by extension their customers—to COVID-19, and to strip regular people who've been harmed of the meager protections offered by either government regulators or the courts. He's willing—hell, he's eager—to hold desperately needed aid hostage for that. There can be no both-sidesing this in considering whether Democrats or Republicans are responsible for delays in relief.


alternet--2020-12-16--Ex-CISA chief: Elected officials must 'show true leadership' in the face of attacks from 'domestic i

Ex-CISA chief: Elected officials must 'show true leadership' in the face of attacks from 'domestic interests'

Christopher Krebs , former director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in the United States Department of Homeland Security , may no longer be employed with the agency but he is still speaking out and defending American democracy .
In an editorial published by CNN leading up to Krebs ' testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs , he pushed back against the voter fraud claims yet again .
Krebs noted that initial intelligence reports suggested outside interference from Russia would likely be the greatest threat to the 2020 election .
`` I believe , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempted to interfere in our 2016 election to disparage Hillary Clinton to the advantage of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump , as laid out in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment , '' Krebs wrote .
But in 2020 , it was the post-election period that shed light on the heightened , domestic spread of misinformation .
Krebs wrote that an uptick in `` wild and baseless claims of domestic origin '' began circulating at an accelerated rate shortly after Election Day .
However , he also made it clear that none of the unfounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department 's intelligence .
`` Unfortunately , as we moved on from November 3 , we began to see wild and baseless claims of domestic origin , about hackers and malicious algorithms that flipped the vote in states across the country , singling out election equipment vendors for having ties to deceased foreign dictators , '' Krebs said , adding , `` None of these claims matched up with the intelligence we had , based on reporting from election officials or how elections actually work in this country . ''
Krebs went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders upholding the country 's democracy amid all `` foreign and domestic '' threats .
He concluded , `` As foreign and domestic interests attack our democracy for political and financial gain , attempting to infiltrate American public opinion and confidence in our most sacred institutions , our elected representatives must now show true leadership in defending the people by defending the truth . ''

Christopher Krebs, former director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in the United States Department of Homeland Security, may no longer be employed with the agency but he is still speaking out and defending American democracy.
In an editorial published by CNN leading up to Krebs' testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, he pushed back against the voter fraud claims yet again. Krebs noted that initial intelligence reports suggested outside interference from Russia would likely be the greatest threat to the 2020 election.
"I believe, then and now, that the Russian Federation attempted to interfere in our 2016 election to disparage Hillary Clinton to the advantage of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, as laid out in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment," Krebs wrote.
But in 2020, it was the post-election period that shed light on the heightened, domestic spread of misinformation. Krebs wrote that an uptick in "wild and baseless claims of domestic origin" began circulating at an accelerated rate shortly after Election Day. However, he also made it clear that none of the unfounded claims and conspiracy theories aligned with the department's intelligence.
"Unfortunately, as we moved on from November 3, we began to see wild and baseless claims of domestic origin, about hackers and malicious algorithms that flipped the vote in states across the country, singling out election equipment vendors for having ties to deceased foreign dictators," Krebs said, adding, "None of these claims matched up with the intelligence we had, based on reporting from election officials or how elections actually work in this country."
Krebs went on to stress the importance of America's leaders upholding the country's democracy amid all "foreign and domestic" threats.
He concluded, "As foreign and domestic interests attack our democracy for political and financial gain, attempting to infiltrate American public opinion and confidence in our most sacred institutions, our elected representatives must now show true leadership in defending the people by defending the truth."
Read the full op-ed at CNN.


alternet--2020-12-16--'Sit this one out': Critics blast Ivanka Trump for claiming 'lockdowns are not grounded in science'

First Daughter Ivanka Trump , rumored to be exploring a possible entry into electoral politics after her father leaves office , is flexing her MAGA muscles more often these days .
While the advisor to the president has generally focused her public statements on sometimes false but always positive framing of the Trump agenda and her perceived accomplishments , on Tuesday she went on the attack .
`` These blanket lockdowns are not grounded in science , '' tweeted Ivanka Trump , who has a history of ignoring stay-at-home orders herself and is neither a scientist nor a medical expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ callous politicians are destroying lives .
It is just wrong for small business owners to have fight so hard to keep their American dream alive . ''
As many were quick to remind her , the `` lockdowns '' are necessary because President Donald Trump and his administration , including Ivanka Trump and her husband , senior advisor to the president Jared Kushner , refused to take the coronavirus seriously and engaged in a partisan attack on COVID-19 prevention .
If President Trump had acted quickly and smartly , if he had embraced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat seriously , hundreds of thousands of lives would have been saved by the time the pandemic will be over .
Ivanka Trump has a years-long history of tone deaf tweets .
Earlier this month she tried to elevate and equate herself with former Presidents Barack Obama , George W. Bush , and Bill Clinton .
Here 's what many are now saying :

First Daughter Ivanka Trump, rumored to be exploring a possible entry into electoral politics after her father leaves office, is flexing her MAGA muscles more often these days. While the advisor to the president has generally focused her public statements on sometimes false but always positive framing of the Trump agenda and her perceived accomplishments, on Tuesday she went on the attack.
"These blanket lockdowns are not grounded in science," tweeted Ivanka Trump, who has a history of ignoring stay-at-home orders herself and is neither a scientist nor a medical expert. "These arbitrary rules imposed by callous politicians are destroying lives. It is just wrong for small business owners to have fight so hard to keep their American dream alive."
As many were quick to remind her, the "lockdowns" are necessary because President Donald Trump and his administration, including Ivanka Trump and her husband, senior advisor to the president Jared Kushner, refused to take the coronavirus seriously and engaged in a partisan attack on COVID-19 prevention.
If President Trump had acted quickly and smartly, if he had embraced mask-wearing and urged Americans to take the threat seriously, hundreds of thousands of lives would have been saved by the time the pandemic will be over.
Ivanka Trump has a years-long history of tone deaf tweets. Earlier this month she tried to elevate and equate herself with former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.
Here's what many are now saying:


alternet--2020-12-16--How a Proud Boys leader with a felony record got into the White House

The chairman of the white nationalist Proud Boys group , a convicted felon , posted photos from inside the White House gates ahead of a violent pro-Trump rally in Washington DC on Saturday , raising new questions about the president 's apparent embrace of the right-wing agitators .
Enrique Tarrio revealed that he visited the executive mansion on Saturday after receiving a `` last-minute invite to an undisclosed location . ''
The White House later said that Tarrio had not been invited , but had instead taken part in a holiday tour .
`` He was on a public White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson Judd Deere said over the weekend .
`` He did not have a meeting with the president , nor did the White House invite him . ''
White House public tours are self-guided , and anyone who wants one , including Christmas tours , must apply no fewer than 21 days ahead of their booking date because the application includes a security form and background check .
Hopefuls with a felony are generally denied , a former Trump White House official told Salon , unless a senior member of the administration intervenes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known as Henry Tarrio Jr , was convicted of two class C , one class D and one class E felonies for stealing and reselling $ 1.2 million worth of diabetes test strips from Abbott Labs , and served 16 months in federal prison .
Court records show that he was released in December 2014 with two years probation , and ordered to pay restitution for the full $ 1.2 million .
On Saturday , Tarrio was accompanied to the executive mansion by other members of Latinos for Trump , including Bianca Garcia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her son , Armani Garcia , a former intern for Rep. Jody Hice , R-Ga .
It is unclear if or when Latinos for Trump applied for its White House tour , and unclear why Tarrio received a security pass .
In the past , people who have been invited to the White House specifically because of their work on criminal justice reform have been denied entry .
For instance , Vicki Lopez , a former county commissioner in Florida who had been previously sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Obama White House in 2009 , despite receiving a commutation from former President Bill Clinton .
People with prior convictions who are able to gain entry are generally given special badges and personal escorts .
It would be highly unusual for someone with Tarrio 's criminal history to get inside the White House without someone high up in the administration personally pulling strings , according to the former White House official .
A White House spokesperson declined to reply when asked who had checked Tarrio in on Saturday : The East Wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Executive Office of the President .
During the first presidential debate in September , Trump had the opportunity to denounce white supremacists and violent far-right groups — specifically , Democratic opponent Joe Biden invited him to condemn The Proud Boys .
Trump did not denounce the group but told them `` stand back and stand by , '' a directive that the group took as an endorsement .
The Proud Boys Telegram account wrote , `` standing down and standing by sir . ''
Another known account incorporated a version of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by '' — into a new group logo .
`` I think this 'stand back , stand by ' thing will be another Proud Boy saying , '' Tarrio told The Daily Beast .
( The Beast pointed out that previous slogans were : `` The West Is the Best , '' and the warning `` F*ck Around and Find Out . ''
) Trump eventually condemned the group in a Fox News interview two days later but he also claimed he knew `` almost nothing '' about them .
`` I condemn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I do n't know much about the Proud Boys , almost nothing , but I condemn that . ''
The Proud Boys self-identify as `` Western chauvinists , '' but deny being part of the racist alt-right .
Members claim they are instead simply a men 's group that promotes an `` anti-political correctness '' and `` anti-white guilt '' ideology , according to the Southern Poverty Law Center .
On his 2020 Ballotpedia candidate questionnaire , Tarrio cited as his favorite book Pat Buchanan 's 2001 `` The Death of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immigrant Invasions Imperil Our Country and Civilization . ''
`` This book shows the growing problems and divide in our country , '' Tarrio wrote .
`` It allows me to learn how to find solutions to conserve our nation and restore the love we have for it .
We are not a perfect nation , but we must strive everyday to get as close to perfection as possible . ''
The group 's initiation process demands aspirants to , among other things , denounce masturbation and recite five brands of breakfast cereal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members .
The final requirement for membership involves `` a major fight for the cause , '' founder Gavin McInnes told Metro.us in a 2017 interview .
`` You get beat up , kick the crap out of an antifa '' and possibly get arrested , McInnes explained .
`` Their disavowals of bigotry are belied by their actions , '' the SPLC says on its profile of the group .
`` Rank-and-file Proud Boys and leaders regularly spout white nationalist memes and maintain affiliations with known extremists .
They are known for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , Proud Boys marched at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville , Virg.
, but after a neo-Nazi terrorist attack on counter-protesters left one woman dead , the group 's founder Gavin McInness sought to create distance from the white supremacist movement .
In recent months , members have shown up to counter Black Lives Matter protests , and last month President Trump shared a video of a post-election Proud Boys brawl in D.C. , selectively edited to make it appear that a member was a victim , not an instigator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of members attended , many of them armed .
However , its chairman , Tarrio , can not legally own a gun , because he is a convicted felon .
He often appears in photographs wearing a tactical vest with a fruit-flavored malted alcoholic beverage tucked into a front pocket .
The Proud Boys also have ties to longtime Trump associate and convicted felon Roger Stone , and they are open about its support for the outgoing president .
Another leader , Joe Biggs , boasted last year that he was having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. hotel , and shared a picture of himself seated beside Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. Trump 's official schedule that evening included `` remarks at a fundraising committee reception '' at Trump International Hotel at 8:00 PM .
Tarrio 's Saturday visit coincided with a rally in the nation 's capital where thousands of right-wing protesters , including several hundred Proud Boys , a number of them dressed in tactical vests and fatigues , took to the streets to protest Trump 's election defeat .
This January , Tarrio launched his ill-fated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump National Doral in Miami on Jan. 25 .
( Tarrio had to accept Roger Stone 's endorsement in absentia that evening , as the Trump confidant had been arrested that morning . )
About 300 people attended the event , which caught the tail end of the Republican National Committee 's winter meeting and ended with fireworks .
However , his campaign 's finance records do not indicate any payments on the night other than a $ 900 expense on Jan. 27 to Trump 's BLT Prime restaurant in Washington , D.C. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's Doral club as well . )
Tarrio later bragged that `` We exceeded our expectation by three-fold with 250+ in the building . ''
A White House spokesperson referred Salon 's questions about security checks to the U.S. Secret Service .
The Secret Service did not reply to multiple requests for comment .

The chairman of the white nationalist Proud Boys group, a convicted felon, posted photos from inside the White House gates ahead of a violent pro-Trump rally in Washington DC on Saturday, raising new questions about the president's apparent embrace of the right-wing agitators.
Enrique Tarrio revealed that he visited the executive mansion on Saturday after receiving a "last-minute invite to an undisclosed location." The White House later said that Tarrio had not been invited, but had instead taken part in a holiday tour. "He was on a public White House Christmas tour," White House spokesperson Judd Deere said over the weekend. "He did not have a meeting with the president, nor did the White House invite him."
White House public tours are self-guided, and anyone who wants one, including Christmas tours, must apply no fewer than 21 days ahead of their booking date because the application includes a security form and background check. Hopefuls with a felony are generally denied, a former Trump White House official told Salon, unless a senior member of the administration intervenes.
In 2013, Tarrio, also known as Henry Tarrio Jr, was convicted of two class C, one class D and one class E felonies for stealing and reselling $1.2 million worth of diabetes test strips from Abbott Labs, and served 16 months in federal prison. Court records show that he was released in December 2014 with two years probation, and ordered to pay restitution for the full $1.2 million.
On Saturday, Tarrio was accompanied to the executive mansion by other members of Latinos for Trump, including Bianca Garcia, the president of the group, and her son, Armani Garcia, a former intern for Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga. It is unclear if or when Latinos for Trump applied for its White House tour, and unclear why Tarrio received a security pass.
In the past, people who have been invited to the White House specifically because of their work on criminal justice reform have been denied entry. For instance, Vicki Lopez, a former county commissioner in Florida who had been previously sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for mail fraud, was not allowed into the Obama White House in 2009, despite receiving a commutation from former President Bill Clinton. People with prior convictions who are able to gain entry are generally given special badges and personal escorts. It would be highly unusual for someone with Tarrio's criminal history to get inside the White House without someone high up in the administration personally pulling strings, according to the former White House official.
A White House spokesperson declined to reply when asked who had checked Tarrio in on Saturday: The East Wing, where visitors usually enter, or the Executive Office of the President.
During the first presidential debate in September, Trump had the opportunity to denounce white supremacists and violent far-right groups — specifically, Democratic opponent Joe Biden invited him to condemn The Proud Boys. Trump did not denounce the group but told them "stand back and stand by," a directive that the group took as an endorsement. The Proud Boys Telegram account wrote, "standing down and standing by sir." Another known account incorporated a version of the phrase — "Stand back. Stand by" — into a new group logo.
"I think this 'stand back, stand by' thing will be another Proud Boy saying," Tarrio told The Daily Beast. (The Beast pointed out that previous slogans were: "The West Is the Best," and the warning "F*ck Around and Find Out.")
Trump eventually condemned the group in a Fox News interview two days later but he also claimed he knew "almost nothing" about them. "I condemn the Proud Boys," Trump said. "I don't know much about the Proud Boys, almost nothing, but I condemn that."
The Proud Boys self-identify as "Western chauvinists," but deny being part of the racist alt-right. Members claim they are instead simply a men's group that promotes an "anti-political correctness" and "anti-white guilt" ideology, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
On his 2020 Ballotpedia candidate questionnaire, Tarrio cited as his favorite book Pat Buchanan's 2001 "The Death of the West: How Dying Populations and Immigrant Invasions Imperil Our Country and Civilization."
"This book shows the growing problems and divide in our country," Tarrio wrote. "It allows me to learn how to find solutions to conserve our nation and restore the love we have for it. We are not a perfect nation, but we must strive everyday to get as close to perfection as possible."
The group's initiation process demands aspirants to, among other things, denounce masturbation and recite five brands of breakfast cereal while fighting off an attack from other members. The final requirement for membership involves "a major fight for the cause," founder Gavin McInnes told Metro.us in a 2017 interview.
"You get beat up, kick the crap out of an antifa" and possibly get arrested, McInnes explained.
"Their disavowals of bigotry are belied by their actions," the SPLC says on its profile of the group. "Rank-and-file Proud Boys and leaders regularly spout white nationalist memes and maintain affiliations with known extremists. They are known for anti-Muslim and misogynistic rhetoric."
In 2017, Proud Boys marched at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virg., but after a neo-Nazi terrorist attack on counter-protesters left one woman dead, the group's founder Gavin McInness sought to create distance from the white supremacist movement. In recent months, members have shown up to counter Black Lives Matter protests, and last month President Trump shared a video of a post-election Proud Boys brawl in D.C., selectively edited to make it appear that a member was a victim, not an instigator.
The group has held rallies where hundreds of members attended, many of them armed. However, its chairman, Tarrio, cannot legally own a gun, because he is a convicted felon. He often appears in photographs wearing a tactical vest with a fruit-flavored malted alcoholic beverage tucked into a front pocket.
The Proud Boys also have ties to longtime Trump associate and convicted felon Roger Stone, and they are open about its support for the outgoing president. Another leader, Joe Biggs, boasted last year that he was having dinner with Trump at the president's D.C. hotel, and shared a picture of himself seated beside Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Trump's official schedule that evening included "remarks at a fundraising committee reception" at Trump International Hotel at 8:00 PM.
Tarrio's Saturday visit coincided with a rally in the nation's capital where thousands of right-wing protesters, including several hundred Proud Boys, a number of them dressed in tactical vests and fatigues, took to the streets to protest Trump's election defeat.
This January, Tarrio launched his ill-fated congressional campaign with a launch party at Trump National Doral in Miami on Jan. 25. (Tarrio had to accept Roger Stone's endorsement in absentia that evening, as the Trump confidant had been arrested that morning.) About 300 people attended the event, which caught the tail end of the Republican National Committee's winter meeting and ended with fireworks.
However, his campaign's finance records do not indicate any payments on the night other than a $900 expense on Jan. 27 to Trump's BLT Prime restaurant in Washington, D.C. (There is a BLT Prime at Trump's Doral club as well.) Tarrio later bragged that "We exceeded our expectation by three-fold with 250+ in the building."
A White House spokesperson referred Salon's questions about security checks to the U.S. Secret Service. The Secret Service did not reply to multiple requests for comment.


alternet--2020-12-16--USPS releases DeJoy calendar that is 'almost entirely redacted' — months after AOC demand and federa

USPS releases DeJoy calendar that is 'almost entirely redacted' — months after AOC demand and federal suit

Nearly four months after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez first demanded that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy turn over his daily calendar , the U.S .
Postal Service on Tuesday released documents rendered almost completely useless by heavy redactions concealing who DeJoy met with as he worked to implement his destructive overhaul of mail operations .
The Postal Service released DeJoy 's calendar in response to a public records lawsuit filed in September by watchdog group American Oversight , which was not at all amused by what it finally received from the agency .
`` Shrouding his calendar in secrecy likely violates the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violates its spirit , '' Austin Evers , executive director of American Oversight , told HuffPost .
`` DeJoy works for the public , but you would n't know it from his calendar .
Even in the Trump era , this is an extraordinary level of obfuscation . ''
In a series of tweets on Tuesday , American Oversight noted that the Postal Service `` did n't specify which specific exemptions they are claiming applied to the individual redactions , '' as is generally required by law .
`` DeJoy supervised the delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivering Covid-19 vaccines , '' the group noted .
`` The public is entitled to see how he 's spending his time and who has been influencing his decisions , but USPS continues to obscure this information . ''
The only details left visible after the redactions are the dates and times of DeJoy 's meetings between June 15—when the postmaster general formally took over the agency—and November 7 as well as a handful of words , such as `` meeting '' and `` in office . ''
`` Yeaaaah that 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to the redacted calendar .
When the New York Democrat requested during an August 24 hearing that DeJoy submit his calendar to lawmakers , the postmaster general said he would need to check with counsel before doing so .
In a subpoena issued in September , the House Oversight Committee demanded that the Postal Service provide DeJoy 's `` complete , unredacted calendar from June 15 , 2020 , to the present . ''
DeJoy , a GOP megadonor who was appointed to lead the Postal Service in May , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who will likely remain in power long after Trump leaves office in January , given that the president does not have the authority to remove the postmaster general .
As such , Democrats in Congress are facing pressure to exercise their oversight powers and pursue impeachment of DeJoy , whose brief tenure at the Postal Service has been enveloped in scandal .
`` DeJoy is a 'civil officer ' and is clearly impeachable under Article 2 , Section 4 , '' The Nation 's John Nichols recently argued .
`` He stands accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress .
There is more than enough evidence that he has abused his position in order to benefit a political ally and benefactor , Donald Trump .
In addition , there is daunting evidence that he has done harm to an agency that was outlined in Article 1 , Section 8 . ''
With the presidential election over , the DeJoy-led USPS has wasted no time resuming work on sweeping operational changes that dramatically slowed mail delivery nationwide before they were briefly put on pause in August .
`` Haul Louis DeJoy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his postal sabotage and subversion of our elections , '' Rep. Bill Pascrell , Jr. ( D-N.J. ) demanded on Tuesday .

Nearly four months after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez first demanded that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy turn over his daily calendar, the U.S. Postal Service on Tuesday released documents rendered almost completely useless by heavy redactions concealing who DeJoy met with as he worked to implement his destructive overhaul of mail operations.
The Postal Service released DeJoy's calendar in response to a public records lawsuit filed in September by watchdog group American Oversight, which was not at all amused by what it finally received from the agency.
"Shrouding his calendar in secrecy likely violates the letter of the law, and certainly violates its spirit," Austin Evers, executive director of American Oversight, toldHuffPost. "DeJoy works for the public, but you wouldn't know it from his calendar. Even in the Trump era, this is an extraordinary level of obfuscation."
In a series of tweets on Tuesday, American Oversight noted that the Postal Service "didn't specify which specific exemptions they are claiming applied to the individual redactions," as is generally required by law.
"DeJoy supervised the delivery of mail-in ballots and USPS is now delivering Covid-19 vaccines," the group noted. "The public is entitled to see how he's spending his time and who has been influencing his decisions, but USPS continues to obscure this information."
The only details left visible after the redactions are the dates and times of DeJoy's meetings between June 15—when the postmaster general formally took over the agency—and November 7 as well as a handful of words, such as "meeting" and "in office."
"Yeaaaah that's not gonna work," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted in response to the redacted calendar. When the New York Democrat requested during an August 24 hearing that DeJoy submit his calendar to lawmakers, the postmaster general said he would need to check with counsel before doing so.
In a subpoena issued in September, the House Oversight Committee demanded that the Postal Service provide DeJoy's "complete, unredacted calendar from June 15, 2020, to the present."
DeJoy, a GOP megadonor who was appointed to lead the Postal Service in May, is one of a number of government officials who will likely remain in power long after Trump leaves office in January, given that the president does not have the authority to remove the postmaster general.
As such, Democrats in Congress are facing pressure to exercise their oversight powers and pursue impeachment of DeJoy, whose brief tenure at the Postal Service has been enveloped in scandal.
"DeJoy is a 'civil officer' and is clearly impeachable under Article 2, Section 4," The Nation's John Nichols recently argued. "He stands accused of committing crimes and of lying to Congress. There is more than enough evidence that he has abused his position in order to benefit a political ally and benefactor, Donald Trump. In addition, there is daunting evidence that he has done harm to an agency that was outlined in Article 1, Section 8."
With the presidential election over, the DeJoy-led USPS has wasted no time resuming work on sweeping operational changes that dramatically slowed mail delivery nationwide before they were briefly put on pause in August.
"Haul Louis DeJoy in front of a criminal grand jury for his postal sabotage and subversion of our elections," Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.) demanded on Tuesday.