QUESTION: "Do You Pay Careful Attention To Exactly Where You Sit-Down? Or Are You Admittedly One Of Those People That Is Perhaps Not Careful Enough About Where Exactly You Sit Down?"
Forum: World Events
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29 Apr 21 8:23 pm
+ 'Petulant toddler' Trump brutally mocked for running to Fox to whine that Biden didn't acknowledge his 'accomplishments'
Matthew Chapman
April 29, 2021
'Petulant toddler' Trump brutally mocked for running to Fox to whine that Biden didn't acknowledge his 'accomplishments'
On Thursday morning, following President Joe Biden's address to a joint session of Congress, President Donald Trump took to Fox Business and, in an interview with Maria Bartiromo, whined that Biden is being "ungracious" by not acknowledging the "accomplishments" of the Trump administration in his speech.
"Obviously they're very ungracious people," said Trump. "I did the vaccine. They like to take the vaccine. But even the fake news isn't giving them credit for that. We did the vaccine, saved tens of millions of lives throughout the world by coming up with a vaccine."
Commenters on social media quickly piled on Trump for his tantrum.
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29 Apr 21 8:17 pm
+ In-custody death of Marvin David Scott III ruled a homicide
BY VICTORIA ALBERT
APRIL 29, 2021 / 7:41 AM / CBS NEWS
The in-custody death of Marvin David Scott III, a 26-year-old Black man who was allegedly pepper-sprayed and had a spit mask placed on his face while he was held at a Texas detention facility in March, was ruled a homicide on Wednesday.
Dr. William Rohr, the medical examiner in Collin County, said Scott's death was caused by "fatal acute stress response in an individual with previously diagnosed schizophrenia during restraint struggle with law enforcement." Rohr's office said it's waiting to obtain laboratory results before publishing a final autopsy report.
Scott was taken into custody on March 14 by officers from the Allen Police Department, who said he was "acting in an erratic manner" at an outlet mall. He was transported to a hospital and held in an emergency room for approximately three hours "due to the possible ingestion of drugs," Allen police said.
Scott, who had been arrested for possessing less than 2 ounces of marijuana, was then transferred to a detention facility in Collin County at approximately 6:22 p.m., Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner said at a March 19 press briefing
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29 Apr 21 9:34 am
+ Officer injured in Capitol riot criticizes politicians who continue to downplay attack
Wilson Wong
Wed, April 28, 2021, 7:48 AM·
A Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police officer who was assaulted during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot criticized elected officials for "downplaying" the mob's violence and said he now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
In an interview with CNN's Don Lemon on Tuesday, Michael Fanone said: "I experienced the most brutal, savage, hand-to-hand combat of my entire life, let alone my policing career, which spans almost two decades."
"This was nothing that I had ever thought would be a part of my law enforcement career, nor was I prepared to experience."
Daniel Rodriguez was indicted earlier this month after federal authorities said he attacked Fanone with an "electroshock weapon." Another man, Thomas F. Sibick, was accused of assaulting the officer and "forcibly" taking his badge and radio, prosecutors said.
In the months since the attack, Fanone, who suffered a heart attack and a concussion during the riot, said he started to "experience some of the more psychological injuries — PTSD."
The officer said it was "difficult seeing elected officials and other individuals kind of whitewash the events of that day or downplay what happened."
"Some of the terminology that was used, like 'hugs and kisses,' and 'very fine people,' is like very different from what I experienced and what my co-workers experienced on the 6th," he said. Fanone's comments appeared to reference former President Donald Trump's false claims in a Fox News interview last month where he said some rioters were "hugging and kissing the police," a contrast to videos showing a mob storming the Capitol.
The attack led to the unprecedented second impeachment of Trump, who held a rally before the riot occurred promoting falsely claimed fraud and a stolen election lie. He was acquitted in the Senate.
Hundreds of people across the country have been arrested in connection with the attack.
Both Rodriguez and Sibick were charged with several federal counts, including knowingly entering a restricted building, violent entry or disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, impeding, obstructing, or interfering with a law enforcement officer during the commission of a civil disorder, and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
Fanone urged the public not to erase the violence that unfolded on Jan. 6, which left five dead, including a Capitol police officer.
"I want people to understand the significance of Jan. 6. I want people to understand that thousands of rioters came to the Capitol hell-bent on violence and destruction and murder," he said.
“I don’t know how you can watch my body-worn camera footage and deny that Jan. 6 was anything other than violent and brutal."
I'd Apologize for all the times I acted like a horrid, immature, vicious little shitty narvin.
I'd sincerely say that I Sincerely Hope Everything Is Going Great In Their World.
And I'd say that I really want to Return A Special Book To Carmen that she gave me long ago, and I'd like to Return A Special Portrait Photo And A Special Casper Plushie To Christina, if they want them back.
Forum: World Events
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27 Apr 21 9:42 pm
+ Levar Burton Schools Meghan McCain On 'Cancel Culture'
"I think we have a consequence culture, and that consequences are finally encompassing everybody in this society," the "Reading Rainbow" host explained.
By David Moye
04/26/2021 02:27 PM ET
Meghan McCain attempted to bait Levar Burton into a debate about “cancel culture” during Monday’s episode of “The View,” but the “Reading Rainbow” host turned it into a teachable moment.
It started when McCain asked Burton about the decision Dr. Seuss Enterprises made in March to cease publishing six children’s books because of racist and insensitive imagery.
“What do you think of that decision and about the cancel culture surrounding works of art or artists that are controversial?” McCain asked.
Burton returned the volley by first explaining that he recently did a voiceover for a Seuss Foundation video reminding viewers that “Dr. Seuss is more than simply a company that’s decided to put a couple of books on the shelf, to take them out of rotation.”
Then, using Dr. Seuss’ real name, he added: “That man, Theodore Geisel, is responsible for generations of wholesome, healthy, wonderful, creative content for children of all ages. So, I think we need to put things in perspective.”
Finally, Burton calmly explained that he thinks the term “cancel culture” is wrongly invoked to explain an awakening of accountability.
“I think it’s misnamed,” Burton said of the term, which has become a right wing buzzword. “That’s a misnomer. I think we have a consequence culture, and that consequences are finally encompassing everybody in this society, whereas they haven’t been ever in this country.”
Whatever it’s called, Burton said, “good signs that are happening in the culture right now.”
He added: “And I think it has everything to do with a new awareness by people who were simply unaware of the real nature of life in this country for people who have been othered since this nation began.”
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27 Apr 21 9:25 pm
+ Texas couple who deleted Facebook posts bragging about being at the Capitol riot was arrested for assaulting police officers, FBI says
Kelsey Vlamis
Sun, April 25, 2021, 12:22 AM·
A Texas couple has been charged with assaulting police officers during the Capitol siege.
A criminal complaint says the two were captured on police body cameras striking officers.
In since-deleted posts, the Middletons bragged about their participation on Facebook.
A couple from North Texas was arrested Wednesday on charges related to the siege at the US Capitol on January 6, when a mob of Donald Trump's supporters breached the building to disrupt the certification of the election.
mark and jalise middleton
Facebook records in the criminal complaint show Mark and Jalise Middleton, FBI said. FBI, US Department of Justice
In a criminal complaint, the Federal Bureau of Investigations said Mark and Jalise Middleton of Forestburg were captured on footage from body cameras worn by police that showed them assaulting two Metropolitan Police Department officers who were guarding the Capitol.
Related: Pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol, forced into recess
They are facing charges that include assaulting police officers and remaining on restricted grounds, though they did not appear to have entered the building.
The footage shows the police officers struggling against rioters who are pushing against a barricade and trying to break the police line, ignoring commands from officers to step back, the complaint said.
Read more: Trump and his advisors are shrugging off DOJ's Capitol riot probe. But they see danger in the Georgia and New York investigations.
One man wearing a Trump beanie, later identified as Mark Middleton, 51, pushes against the officers and the barricade with his body. When officers repeatedly instructed Middleton to get back, he yelled "f— you!" and continued to push. At one point, he grabs one of the officers and attempts to pull him forward.
Beside Mark, a woman wearing a Trump 2020 beanie, later identified as Jalise Middleton, 50, also grabbed at the officer with her hands, the complaint said. When another officer stepped in, Jalise Middleton struck him too.
The Middletons continued to strike the officers and jab flagpoles at their faces until one officer deployed a chemical spray, forcing them to retreat.
mark and jalise middleton
The criminal complaint included still images of officers' body camera that purportedly showed the Middletons assaulting officers. FBI, US Department of Justice
After receiving a tip, the FBI examined photos and videos the Middletons had shared on Facebook.
"We are on the front lines. We helped push down the barriers. Jalise and I got pepper sprayed, clubbed, and tear gassed. We had to retreat, but more patriots pushed forward, and they're taking back our house," Mark Middleton said in a video shared to his personal account, the complaint said.
"Do not believe the news media, we're not rioters or mobs," he said in a separate comment. "We've been the ones supporting the police, backing the police, but this is how we're being treated?"
Jalise Middleton made incriminating posts on her Facebook page too.
"We fought the cops to get in the Capital and got pepper sprayed and beat but by gosh the patriots got in!" she said. When someone asked why they fought the cops, she replied: "To get in the Capital to send them bastards a clear message that this won't be tolerated."
The complaint said Jalise Middleton deleted the above post days after making them.
Facebook has said it was preserving data related to the Capitol siege in order to aid law enforcement.
To date, at least 439 people have been arrested in the Capitol insurrection.
Have a news tip? Contact this reporter at kvlamis@insider.com.
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26 Apr 21 11:06 am
+ Traitor Trump Demands National Guard During AZ's Third Recount
By John Amato
Traitor Trump Demands National Guard During AZ's Third Recount
In typical lying fashion, TraitorTrump demanded Gov. Ducey (R) of Arizona send in the State police or National Guard to protect against a non-existent threat posed by yet another audit of the 2020 election.
Tilting at windmills, people.
Thankfully, Trump can't tweet any longer, but he sends out statements from his money-grubbing PAC. He sent this one yesterday:
The Republican Party is demanding that Governor Ducey of Arizona immediately provide large-scale security for the brave American Patriots doing the Forensic Audit of the 2020 Presidential Election. Governor Ducey will be held fully responsible for the safety of those involved. State police or National Guard must be immediately sent out for protection. The Democrats do not want to have this information revealed, and they will do anything to stop it. Governor Ducey must finally act!
Who is posing a threat to the audit? BLM? Antifa? Cardi B? Nobody knows, but since the narcissistic imbecile said it, the MAGA cultists will follow his lead.
Arizona already has had two recounts. So, how absurd is this latest audit?
AZCentral writes, "Then there’s the never-ending story of the election audit, led by the Arizona Senate Republicans. It’s a desperate move, and so far it’s been an absurd one."
Arizona has installed a voter fraud nut to oversee the whole project.
The head of Cyber Ninjas, the Florida-based firm that Republican senators hired to oversee the audit, has embraced Mr. Trump’s baseless theories of election theft and has suggested, contrary to available evidence, that Mr. Trump actually won Arizona by 200,000 votes. The pro-Trump cable channel One America News Network has started a fund-raiser to finance the venture and has been named one of the nonpartisan observers that will keep the audit on the straight and narrow.
Keeping his Voter Fraud and Big Steal lies alive is critical to TraitorTrump's fundraising, no matter what the cost is to the American people.
Many prosecutors and judges have weighed in on the danger Trump's election lies pose.
“It’s never too late” for pro-Trump extremist groups like the Proud Boys to mobilize because the right-wing political climate hasn’t shifted much since Trump left office, federal prosecutor Jason McCullough argued at a hearing for one of the accused Proud Boys leaders earlier this week.
The comments from prosecutors and judges demonstrate how Trump’s post-presidency lying about 2020 is complicating matters for some of his most ardent supporters — including people who heeded his call to come to Washington on January 6 and are now in jail cells awaiting trial.
--
“The Court is not convinced that dissatisfaction and concern about the legitimacy of the election results has dissipated for all Americans. Former President Donald J. Trump continues to make forceful public comments about the ‘stolen election,’ chastising individuals who did not reject the supposedly illegitimate results that put the current administration in place,” Sullivan wrote.
The issue came up Thursday at a hearing for another defendant in the same case.
“The unfounded allegations are out there, and they’re being made constantly by the former President,” Sullivan said, prompting a defense attorney to condemn Trump’s comments as “absolutely reprehensible” and express hope that “somebody” will “try to stop” the lying.
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26 Apr 21 5:31 am
+ Pence’s mid-pandemic holiday ski trip cost taxpayers more than $750,000
Linnaea Honl-Stuenkel
April 22, 2021
While coronavirus cases surged to record levels late last December, Vice President Mike Pence went on a ski vacation in Vail, Colorado. The trip came with a massive bill to taxpayers, with Secret Service protection alone costing $757,527.85, according to documents obtained by CREW.
At the time of his holiday travel, Pence was the head of the White House coronavirus task force, which put out dire warnings after Thanksgiving as the CDC recommended that Americans stay home over the holidays in order to limit the spread of the virus. Clearly, Pence did not follow the government’s advice, and in the process put dozens of Secret Service agents at heightened risk of infection.
Pence’s trip extended from December 23rd to January 1st, and reportedly included a Secret Service entourage of at least 48 agents, contributing to both the high cost and the risk of infection. The agents stayed at several different hotels in the Vail area and rented 77 cars for the trip. The charges included more than $270,000 at the Marriott Vail Mountain and more than $80,000 at the Ritz Carlton.
Unfortunately, Pence’s unnecessary pandemic travel wasn’t a first for the Trump administration. Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump did something similar, and traveled to Trump’s Bedminster club during the April 2020 stay at home orders. The Washington Post recently reported that career Secret Service staff suggested an inspector general investigation into the spread of coronavirus within the agency. The idea was rejected by the Trump-appointed IG, who also blocked other investigations that could have reflected badly on the Trump administration.
This also is not the first time Mike Pence stuck taxpayers with huge bills for his travel. Back in 2019, he traveled to Ireland for government business in Dublin, but stayed overnight at Donald Trump’s resort on the other side of the country in Doonbeg. Travel costs for that were more than half a million dollars, and also resulted in the Secret Service spending more than $15,000 at Trump’s resort.
While Pence’s December trip to Vail was less nakedly corrupt than his trip to Doonbeg, it showed another kind of bad judgment, by putting many government workers tasked with keeping him safe at risk in the midst of a raging pandemic. We would hope that the head of the coronavirus task force would know better
