US Politics

[the watcher]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/21/mark-finchem-trump-arizona-elections-secretary-of-state

Their system contines to crumble.

[do or die]

7 hours ago, the watcher said:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/21/mark-finchem-trump-arizona-elections-secretary-of-state

Their system contines to crumble.

No, no.  The Trumpians are simply doing these things, to insure what the Republicans now call "election integrity"

[HardCoreBlue]

1 hour ago, do or die said:

No, no.  The Trumpians are simply doing these things, to insure what the Republicans now call "election integrity"

Election integrity to them means my guy or no guy but my guy.

[Tracker]

Anti-Vaccine Mandate Trucker Convoy Wants to ‘Choke’ D.C., Organizer Says

The trucker convoys planning to head to Washington, D.C. later this week to protest vaccine mandates seek to shut down the Beltway and “choke” the capital city, an organizer of one such convoy said. “I’ll give you an analogy of that of a giant boa constrictor,” explained Bob Bolus, one of the decentralized convoy movement’s organizers, in an interview with Fox 5 DC. “That basically squeezes you, chokes you and it swallows you, and that’s what we’re going to do the D.C.” The owner of a Pennsylvania-based trucking company added: “We will be along the Beltway where the Beltway will be shut down.” While the truck-based protests have yet to materialize in the D.C. area, they ostensibly aim to disrupt the region around President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address next week and mimic the Canadian anti-vaccine mandate convoys that shut down traffic near the U.S.-Canada border until it was dispersed.

Anti-Vaccine Mandate Trucker Convoy Wants to ‘Choke’ D.C., Organizer Says (thedailybeast.com)

[the watcher]

10 hours ago, Tracker said:

Anti-Vaccine Mandate Trucker Convoy Wants to ‘Choke’ D.C., Organizer Says

The trucker convoys planning to head to Washington, D.C. later this week to protest vaccine mandates seek to shut down the Beltway and “choke” the capital city, an organizer of one such convoy said. “I’ll give you an analogy of that of a giant boa constrictor,” explained Bob Bolus, one of the decentralized convoy movement’s organizers, in an interview with Fox 5 DC. “That basically squeezes you, chokes you and it swallows you, and that’s what we’re going to do the D.C.” The owner of a Pennsylvania-based trucking company added: “We will be along the Beltway where the Beltway will be shut down.” While the truck-based protests have yet to materialize in the D.C. area, they ostensibly aim to disrupt the region around President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address next week and mimic the Canadian anti-vaccine mandate convoys that shut down traffic near the U.S.-Canada border until it was dispersed.

Anti-Vaccine Mandate Trucker Convoy Wants to ‘Choke’ D.C., Organizer Says (thedailybeast.com)

This was the risk with not responding with a heavy hand right away. ( and I understand the hesitancy) . Now a path to success  has been laid for every nutbar group around the world. Whether it was successful or not doesn't matter , as it is seen as that.

[Tracker]

4 hours ago, the watcher said:

This was the risk with not responding with a heavy hand right away. ( and I understand the hesitancy) . Now a path to success  has been laid for every nutbar group around the world. Whether it was successful or not doesn't matter , as it is seen as that.

This all goes back a few years to the Ammon Bundy who, along with other like-minded idiots defied federal law by taking his cattle to graze on park lands. Due to a weak federal response, they occupied park buildings and garnered support from Fox News, and the GOP and showed that if you do something illegal while screaming loudly that your rights are being violated is a good way to get your way.

Meanwhile, in the USA:

‘Twisted’ Conservatives Feel Trudeau Is More Evil Than Putin

If you want to understand someone’s values or worldview, take a look at who (and what) provokes outrage and who (and what) evokes sympathy. The cognitive dissonance inherent in much of the American right can make such an examination problematic.

That’s because some of the most prominent voices on the right today view Vladimir Putin as a misunderstood victim. Meanwhile, they cast Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as an authoritarian strongman.

Consider the message of right-wing commentator Candace Owens, who recently tweeted: “STOP talking about Russia. Send American troops to Canada to deal with the tyrannical reign of Justin Trudeau Castro. He has fundamentally declared himself dictator and is waging war on innocent Canadian protesters and those who have supported them financially.” Dictator? (Hardly.) Innocent protesters? (This only makes sense if you also believe the Jan. 6 rioters were harmless tourists.)

Or consider Fox News host Tucker Carlson, my friend (though we disagree profoundly on politics) and former boss. Carlson isn’t outraged over what is happening to Ukraine, but found time last week to bash “strongman” Trudeau as “the dictator of Canada,” while saying that “Canada canceled democracy…”

There’s also Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who says Trudeau has gone “full dictator.” And J.D. Vance (celebrated author and Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Ohio) who recently declared that he “doesn’t really care what happens to Ukraine.”

American Conservatives are Wrong to Rip Into Justin Trudeau While Giving Vladimir Putin a Free Pass (thedailybeast.com)

Edited February 22, 2022 by Tracker

[TrueBlue4ever]

1 hour ago, Tracker said:

This all goes back a few years to the Ammon Bundy who, along with other like-minded idiots defied federal law by taking his cattle to graze on park lands. Due to a weak federal response, they occupied parl buildings and garnered support from Fox News, and the GOP and showed that if you do something illegal while screaming loudly that your rights are being violated is a good way to get your way.

Meanwhile, in the USA:

‘Twisted’ Conservatives Feel Trudeau Is More Evil Than Putin

If you want to understand someone’s values or worldview, take a look at who (and what) provokes outrage and who (and what) evokes sympathy. The cognitive dissonance inherent in much of the American right can make such an examination problematic.

That’s because some of the most prominent voices on the right today view Vladimir Putin as a misunderstood victim. Meanwhile, they cast Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as an authoritarian strongman.

Consider the message of right-wing commentator Candace Owens, who recently tweeted: “STOP talking about Russia. Send American troops to Canada to deal with the tyrannical reign of Justin Trudeau Castro. He has fundamentally declared himself dictator and is waging war on innocent Canadian protesters and those who have supported them financially.” Dictator? (Hardly.) Innocent protesters? (This only makes sense if you also believe the Jan. 6 rioters were harmless tourists.)

Or consider Fox News host Tucker Carlson, my friend (though we disagree profoundly on politics) and former boss. Carlson isn’t outraged over what is happening to Ukraine, but found time last week to bash “strongman” Trudeau as “the dictator of Canada,” while saying that “Canada canceled democracy…”

There’s also Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who says Trudeau has gone “full dictator.” And J.D. Vance (celebrated author and Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Ohio) who recently declared that he “doesn’t really care what happens to Ukraine.”

American Conservatives are Wrong to Rip Into Justin Trudeau While Giving Vladimir Putin a Free Pass (thedailybeast.com)

If you wanted to make the argument that Trudeau did exactly the right thing, your best argument might be that Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson, and Marjorie Taylor Greene disapprove strongly. The “reverse” character witness. 

[HardCoreBlue]

For all the social media ‘reporters’ with that blue check mark beside your name that you are so proud of, stop with your intro ‘this is big’ ‘bombshell report’ ‘breaking’  etc etc etc. Just stop.

[Tracker]

D.C. Truck Convoy Organizer’s Plan Sputters Like a Busted Engine

At first, ardently MAGA trucker Bob Bolus vowed that his makeshift “freedom convoy” making a beeline from Scranton, Pennsylvania to D.C. this week would “choke” the nation’s capital like a boa constrictor in protest of vaccine mandates.

But on Wednesday, when his overhyped convoy turned out to be a piddly procession of one, Bolus backtracked, telling The Daily Beast that his plans have changed and he will not attempt to interfere with traffic.

“We’re not putting a chokehold on D.C. today,” the Pennsylvania-based trucker told The Daily Beast by phone shortly after noon, before quickly getting his hopes up again about one day disrupting Beltway traffic: “Not to say that it wouldn’t happen in the very near future. It’s just going to be an idea of what’s to come.”

This particular wing of the convoy movement was originally slated to arrive in the D.C. metro area around noon, with the hopes of causing a gridlock blockade like the Canadian anti-vaccine mandate trucker demonstration that caused chaos in Ottawa until it was dispersed by police. Earlier this week, the Pentagon approved the use of nearly 700 National Guard personnel to assist local authorities with the possibility of multiple convoys blocking up the D.C. area.

But now, as Bolus confessed to The Daily Beast, his tiny convoy will just “peacefully” sit in Beltway traffic and not attempt to cause any such backup.

“We’re going to go with the flow. Today we’re going to go with the flow of traffic,” a defeated Bolus told the Beast. “If they go at two miles an hour, we will be at two miles an hour.”

D.C. Truck Convoy Organizer Bob Bolus’ Plan Sputters Like a Busted Engine (thedailybeast.com)

 

[JCon]

1 hour ago, Tracker said:

D.C. Truck Convoy Organizer’s Plan Sputters Like a Busted Engine

 

I saw this being live-Tweeted today. Hilariously pathetic bunch of losers. 

[Mark F]

Lol Trump going to skate.

 

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/02/23/troubling-prosecutors-leading-ny-trump-probe-resign"

According to The New York Times, "The prosecutors, Carey R. Dunne and Mark F. Pomerantz, submitted their resignations after the new Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, indicated to them that he had doubts about moving forward with a case against Mr. Trump."

The newspaper noted that the resignations came "amid a monthlong pause in their presentation of evidence to a grand jury" as well as "not long after the high-stakes inquiry appeared to be gaining momentum, and throws its future into serious doubt."

I read another article today that said, well at least New York state is serious. 

United States ..... crooked as a dogs hind leg. 

 

😂

was there ever really any doubt?

 

 

Edited February 24, 2022 by Mark F

[HardCoreBlue]

Visualizing Don jr laughing as he does his lines of coke then practicing in the mirror to get ready to do his video to post to his followers. 

[Tracker]

1 hour ago, Tracker said:

D.C. Truck Convoy Organizer’s Plan Sputters Like a Busted Engine

At first, ardently MAGA trucker Bob Bolus vowed that his makeshift “freedom convoy” making a beeline from Scranton, Pennsylvania to D.C. this week would “choke” the nation’s capital like a boa constrictor in protest of vaccine mandates.

But on Wednesday, when his overhyped convoy turned out to be a piddly procession of one, Bolus backtracked, telling The Daily Beast that his plans have changed and he will not attempt to interfere with traffic.

“We’re not putting a chokehold on D.C. today,” the Pennsylvania-based trucker told The Daily Beast by phone shortly after noon, before quickly getting his hopes up again about one day disrupting Beltway traffic: “Not to say that it wouldn’t happen in the very near future. It’s just going to be an idea of what’s to come.”

This particular wing of the convoy movement was originally slated to arrive in the D.C. metro area around noon, with the hopes of causing a gridlock blockade like the Canadian anti-vaccine mandate trucker demonstration that caused chaos in Ottawa until it was dispersed by police. Earlier this week, the Pentagon approved the use of nearly 700 National Guard personnel to assist local authorities with the possibility of multiple convoys blocking up the D.C. area.

But now, as Bolus confessed to The Daily Beast, his tiny convoy will just “peacefully” sit in Beltway traffic and not attempt to cause any such backup.

“We’re going to go with the flow. Today we’re going to go with the flow of traffic,” a defeated Bolus told the Beast. “If they go at two miles an hour, we will be at two miles an hour.”

D.C. Truck Convoy Organizer Bob Bolus’ Plan Sputters Like a Busted Engine (thedailybeast.com)

 

'Convoy' protesting COVID mandates in Lansing MI leads to embarrassing outcome

   
A convoy of right-wing protesters pushing back against COVID-19 mitigation mandates while supporting election fraud falsehoods recently suffered an embarrassing turnout, according to Detroit Metro Times.

On Sunday, February 20, a group of protesters met up for an event dubbed the “Lansing Freedom Convoy.” They’d called for “‘all our good men’ to park their cars in downtown Lansing and demand ‘honest elections,’ ‘a voter-run audit and canvass’ and for police to ‘arrest and charge all criminals in government, media and medicine.’”

While the event was expected to draw a substantial number of right-wing supporters, Detroit Metro Times reports that only 10 people showed up for the event.

The latest disappointment follows the group's demonstration earlier this month at the Ambassador Bridge and other infrastructure crossings.

The highly-publicized protest was also supported by dozens of Republican lawmakers and a number of Republican gubernatorial candidates, including former Detroit Police Chief James Craig. The demonstration threatened to impact Super Bowl weekend.

 

[do or die]

 

"Useful Idiots" at work:

Tucker Carlson Frames Russian Incursion Into Ukraine as a Mere 'Border Dispute'
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/tucker-carlson-frames-russian-incursion-into-ukraine-as-a-mere-border-dispute/

Newsmax Host Suggests Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine is Fake: ‘Smells Fishy to Me’
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/newsmax-host-suggests-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-is-fake-smells-fishy-to-me/

Laura Ingraham Calls Ukrainian President 'Pathetic' as Russia Invades His Country
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/laura-ingraham-calls-ukrainian-president-pathetic-as-russia-invades-his-country/

Tucker Carlson Blames Biden for 'Provoking Conflict' With Russia as a 'Play Against Fossil Fuels'
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/tucker-carlson-blames-biden-for-provoking-conflict-with-russia-as-a-play-against-fossil-fuels/

 

[HardCoreBlue]

3 minutes ago, do or die said:

 

"Useful Idiots" at work:

Tucker Carlson Frames Russian Incursion Into Ukraine as a Mere 'Border Dispute'
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/tucker-carlson-frames-russian-incursion-into-ukraine-as-a-mere-border-dispute/

Newsmax Host Suggests Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine is Fake: ‘Smells Fishy to Me’
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/newsmax-host-suggests-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-is-fake-smells-fishy-to-me/

Laura Ingraham Calls Ukrainian President 'Pathetic' as Russia Invades His Country
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/laura-ingraham-calls-ukrainian-president-pathetic-as-russia-invades-his-country/

Tucker Carlson Blames Biden for 'Provoking Conflict' With Russia as a 'Play Against Fossil Fuels'
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/tucker-carlson-blames-biden-for-provoking-conflict-with-russia-as-a-play-against-fossil-fuels/

 

And your typical Fox viewers in Canada and the US just lap this in like the trained dogs they are.

[JCon]

2 hours ago, HardCoreBlue said:

And your typical Fox viewers in Canada and the US just lap this in like the trained dogs they are.

Yup. We're already seeing the talking points show up in the World Politics thread, blaming Biden for Putin invading Ukraine. Useful idiots. 

[Tracker]

1 hour ago, JCon said:

Yup. We're already seeing the talking points show up in the World Politics thread, blaming Biden for Putin invading Ukraine. Useful idiots. 

according to Donald Trump, it is all because of him losing the rigged election.

[JCon]

4 minutes ago, Tracker said:

according to Donald Trump, it is all because of him losing the rigged election.

I'm sure that there is some truth to that. Once the Russians lost the WH, they turned their attentions elsewhere.

[Tracker]

The distorted "freedom" of the truck convoys: “A huge number of Americans want a dictatorship"

The Republican-fascists and other "conservatives" have convinced themselves and their followers that freedom is the same thing as license.

Real freedom involves a sense of responsibility to others, obligation to the common good and respect for reason and the truth. Moreover, as historian Timothy Snyder presciently warned in 2017, "to abandon facts is to abandon freedom" and "post-truth is pre-fascism."

License is a belief that one can act without consequences — and that any attempts to limit that dangerous behavior and its negative impact on others is some type of "tyranny" or "dictatorship" or "oppression." This crude and debased version of "freedom" as embraced by fascists and other members of today's right wing and "conservative" movement also emphasizes the importance of force and the ability of the powerful to force their will on the less powerful with impunity.

Here social dominance behavior is taken as ultimate proof of the merits of one's freedom claims instead of as evidence of how anti-social and other anti-human behavior undermines and ultimately destroys the types of bonds, relationships and mutual respect for human rights and human dignity that are foundational for real freedom in a healthy polity.

Liberals, progressives, Democrats, "traditional" conservatives and others who believe in the liberal democratic tradition are committed to abstract principles and ideals. The Republican-fascists and other members of the global neofascist movement are goal-oriented nihilists and pragmatists who live in the realm of the here and now and where might ultimately makes everything right.

This is the focal point where the battle for the future of American and Western democracy is being fought. To this point, the Republican-fascists and the global right are winning. Their opponents are crying about "principles" and "the rules" and "the norms" while being bowled over.

In all, the Republican-fascists and other elements of the global right are involved in a revolutionary program of destruction where the language and rhetoric of "freedom" is being used to undermine and eventually destroy and then replace pluralistic multiracial democracy with white minority apartheid rule.

 

[HardCoreBlue]

1 hour ago, JCon said:

Yup. We're already seeing the talking points show up in the World Politics thread, blaming Biden for Putin invading Ukraine. Useful idiots. 

And lets not forget about his son Hunter Biden, a name I'll casually throw out there when discussing the Russia invasion on Ukraine and the financial sanctions as a result the US has imposed on Russia.

 

[bustamente]

It would be sad if Trump was still president and he was openly cheering on Putin and openly wondering about invading Canada 😁, Biden's administration has made some mistakes but they were spot on about Putin's plans, and now its up to the American Warfare Machine to ramp up and provide weapons thru Poland to the Ukrainians so they can at least put up a fight and inflict damage to Russian by sending body bags back to Moscow.

[Tracker]

2 hours ago, bustamente said:

It would be sad if Trump was still president and he was openly cheering on Putin and openly wondering about invading Canada 😁, Biden's administration has made some mistakes but they were spot on about Putin's plans, and now its up to the American Warfare Machine to ramp up and provide weapons thru Poland to the Ukrainians so they can at least put up a fight and inflict damage to Russian by sending body bags back to Moscow.

Unfortunately, the Russians are used to brutal, authoritarian rule as very few have ever experienced anything else, so most are fatalistic about goverments.

[bustamente]

What rubes

 

[Tracker]

 

 

                                 

[do or die]

Watched me some CPAC, and Donald Trump spending a great deal of time, to a standing ovation.....vigorously attacking the biggest threat to democracy world wide today - Justin Trudeau.