april 2023 |
ALL TEXT BY ZOREK RICHARDS
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| .....April 29, 2023..... |
April 29, 2023: Independent: Why is the UK hosting Ron DeSantis? Even Mickey Mouse hates him
The UK has already built a reputation for itself as the Florida of Europe. Let’s not reinforce that view by buddying up with the ultimate Florida Man
The UK has already built a reputation for itself as the Florida of Europe. Let’s not reinforce that view by buddying up with the ultimate Florida Man
| .....April 25, 2023..... |
April 25, 2023:
"I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN," Don Lemon said in a Twitter post. "I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN, I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly."
"At no time," Lemon said in his post, "was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play."
CNN put up its own statement on Twitter about the situation a few hours later.
"Don Lemon's statement about this morning's events is inaccurate," the post from CNN Communications said. "He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter."
In Louisiana, House Bill 131 by state Rep. Danny McCormick, R-Oil City, allows issuance of concealed-carry permits without such requirements. It also lowers the age for concealed carry to 18, from the current 21. Gov. John Bel Edwards and the law enforcement community that he hails from — the governor is the brother, son and grandson of sheriffs — don’t want repeal of state requirements for training in how to safely handle guns. Edwards vetoed permitless carry in 2021.
Louisiana Governor candidate, Attorney General Jeff Landry, is backing legislation that juvenile records should be public information and that this legislation would only apply to three of the 64 parishes, Orleans, East Baton Rouge and Caddo. These are three of the most predominantly Black parishes in the state.
"I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN," Don Lemon said in a Twitter post. "I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN, I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly."
"At no time," Lemon said in his post, "was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play."
CNN put up its own statement on Twitter about the situation a few hours later.
"Don Lemon's statement about this morning's events is inaccurate," the post from CNN Communications said. "He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter."
In Louisiana, House Bill 131 by state Rep. Danny McCormick, R-Oil City, allows issuance of concealed-carry permits without such requirements. It also lowers the age for concealed carry to 18, from the current 21. Gov. John Bel Edwards and the law enforcement community that he hails from — the governor is the brother, son and grandson of sheriffs — don’t want repeal of state requirements for training in how to safely handle guns. Edwards vetoed permitless carry in 2021.
Louisiana Governor candidate, Attorney General Jeff Landry, is backing legislation that juvenile records should be public information and that this legislation would only apply to three of the 64 parishes, Orleans, East Baton Rouge and Caddo. These are three of the most predominantly Black parishes in the state.
A letter to the editor was published in Baton Rouge's "The Advocate," and addressed book banning going on in Louisiana (and other states):
"As a committee of Jefferson Parish librarians evaluates 12 books that include discussions of sexuality and gender, I wonder what they would have to say about a best-selling multi-generational saga that includes the following scenes:
A father offers his virgin daughters to a mob in place of his male guests whom the mob is determined to rape. The mob refuses his offer. Years later, the daughters get their father so drunk that he passes out, and then both have sex with him.
Brothers avenge the rape of their sister by deceiving the rapist and his male relatives into undergoing circumcision. While they are still recovering from the procedure, the brothers attack and kill them, seizing their property, women and children.
A man practices contraception by masturbating.
A woman tricks her father-in-law into having sex with her.
A ruler has an affair with the wife of a military officer, then has the man assigned to the front lines where he is likely to be — and is, in fact — killed.
A brother rapes his sister.
A woman entices an enemy general with the suggestion of sexual favors and then beheads him.
Seven sons are tortured (in gruesome detail) and killed in front of their mother, who is then also killed.
Of course, the book to which I am referring is the Bible. See Genesis chapters 19, 34, and 38; 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 13; Judith chapter 12; and 2 Maccabees chapter 7.
And she ends, But, you say, there is so much more to the Bible than the passages I’ve described? My point exactly."
In Virginia, Several school systems have posted lists of books and instructional materials found to contain “sexually explicit content” as described in Senate Bill 656, which passed the state legislature last year. Each list contains dozens of titles, including “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The Diary of Anne Frank,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Outsiders.”
Families can expect to receive permission forms prior to any lessons involving these materials. Alternative materials will be available if permission is not given.Further reviews were done by department chairs and central office administrations before the division’s list was posted online. The final product includes George Orwell’s “1984,” as well as many of Shakespeare’s plays and “Catch-22″ by Joseph Heller.
Tucker has left the Fox news building.!!
Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., a member of the Jan. 6 investigative committee who lost her seat after going after former President Donald Trump, rejoiced on Twitter. "After all Tucker’s lies and defamation, it’s about time," she wrote.
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former attorney and a frequent target of Carlson, said he found much to dislike about Carlson. "Does the word 'everything' sum up my disdain for him and his vile rhetoric?" Cohen said.
Trump himself said he was surprised by the Carlson news, and doesn't know if it was a voluntary resignation or a firing. "I think Tucker's been terrific ... especially over the last year or so," Trump said. "He's been terrific to me."
Carlson himself may have been taken by surprise. He ended his show on Friday telling viewers, "We'll be back on Monday."
Fox — and a couple of other “conservative” cable channels — stand alone. Indeed, not a single legitimate news outlet, nor any press freedom advocacy organization, has risen to defend Fox’s so-called “reporting” on the real “fake news” that the 2020 presidential election was beset by massive voter fraud, widespread “irregularities,” and “rigged” voting machines that “flipped votes” from Trump to Biden. You know, the so-called “steal” that prompted the January 6, 2021, violent attack on the U.S. Capitol and our democracy.
Is that unusual? Yes, it is. Practically any time a member of the legitimate news media finds itself in the crosshairs of a legal battle, other journalists and press freedom advocacy organizations rally in support of its challenged conduct. After all, a weakening of the law that protects one news outlet inevitably affects all others.
The NAACP is challenging Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and other officials over the passage of two bills that would expand state control over Jackson's policing and judicial system.
The NAACP said the bills are unconstitutional, are opposed by lawmakers and residents and "represent a state takeover of Jackson."
"As our country continues to face the reality and consequences of our broken law enforcement and criminal justice systems, passing legislation to increase policing, install undemocratically appointed judges, and infringe on the constitutional right to protest is simultaneously irresponsible and dangerous," NAACP President Derrick Johnson, also a resident of Jackson, said in a statement.
And, from the "It's About Time" File: Attorneys for Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, called for an ethics review of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., accusing her of spreading “unhinged rhetoric,” in addition to calling for an investigation into a former Trump administration official.
“Representative Greene’s unethical conduct arises from her continuous verbal attacks, defamatory statements, publication of personal photos and data, and promotion of conspiracy theories about and against Robert Hunter Biden,” Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Biden, wrote in a letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics, according to multiple reports.
“None of these could possibly be deemed to be part of any legitimate legislative activity, as is clear from both the content of her statements and actions, and the forums she uses to spew her often unhinged rhetoric,” he added.
"As a committee of Jefferson Parish librarians evaluates 12 books that include discussions of sexuality and gender, I wonder what they would have to say about a best-selling multi-generational saga that includes the following scenes:
A father offers his virgin daughters to a mob in place of his male guests whom the mob is determined to rape. The mob refuses his offer. Years later, the daughters get their father so drunk that he passes out, and then both have sex with him.
Brothers avenge the rape of their sister by deceiving the rapist and his male relatives into undergoing circumcision. While they are still recovering from the procedure, the brothers attack and kill them, seizing their property, women and children.
A man practices contraception by masturbating.
A woman tricks her father-in-law into having sex with her.
A ruler has an affair with the wife of a military officer, then has the man assigned to the front lines where he is likely to be — and is, in fact — killed.
A brother rapes his sister.
A woman entices an enemy general with the suggestion of sexual favors and then beheads him.
Seven sons are tortured (in gruesome detail) and killed in front of their mother, who is then also killed.
Of course, the book to which I am referring is the Bible. See Genesis chapters 19, 34, and 38; 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 13; Judith chapter 12; and 2 Maccabees chapter 7.
And she ends, But, you say, there is so much more to the Bible than the passages I’ve described? My point exactly."
In Virginia, Several school systems have posted lists of books and instructional materials found to contain “sexually explicit content” as described in Senate Bill 656, which passed the state legislature last year. Each list contains dozens of titles, including “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The Diary of Anne Frank,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Outsiders.”
Families can expect to receive permission forms prior to any lessons involving these materials. Alternative materials will be available if permission is not given.Further reviews were done by department chairs and central office administrations before the division’s list was posted online. The final product includes George Orwell’s “1984,” as well as many of Shakespeare’s plays and “Catch-22″ by Joseph Heller.
Tucker has left the Fox news building.!!
Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., a member of the Jan. 6 investigative committee who lost her seat after going after former President Donald Trump, rejoiced on Twitter. "After all Tucker’s lies and defamation, it’s about time," she wrote.
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former attorney and a frequent target of Carlson, said he found much to dislike about Carlson. "Does the word 'everything' sum up my disdain for him and his vile rhetoric?" Cohen said.
Trump himself said he was surprised by the Carlson news, and doesn't know if it was a voluntary resignation or a firing. "I think Tucker's been terrific ... especially over the last year or so," Trump said. "He's been terrific to me."
Carlson himself may have been taken by surprise. He ended his show on Friday telling viewers, "We'll be back on Monday."
Fox — and a couple of other “conservative” cable channels — stand alone. Indeed, not a single legitimate news outlet, nor any press freedom advocacy organization, has risen to defend Fox’s so-called “reporting” on the real “fake news” that the 2020 presidential election was beset by massive voter fraud, widespread “irregularities,” and “rigged” voting machines that “flipped votes” from Trump to Biden. You know, the so-called “steal” that prompted the January 6, 2021, violent attack on the U.S. Capitol and our democracy.
Is that unusual? Yes, it is. Practically any time a member of the legitimate news media finds itself in the crosshairs of a legal battle, other journalists and press freedom advocacy organizations rally in support of its challenged conduct. After all, a weakening of the law that protects one news outlet inevitably affects all others.
The NAACP is challenging Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and other officials over the passage of two bills that would expand state control over Jackson's policing and judicial system.
The NAACP said the bills are unconstitutional, are opposed by lawmakers and residents and "represent a state takeover of Jackson."
"As our country continues to face the reality and consequences of our broken law enforcement and criminal justice systems, passing legislation to increase policing, install undemocratically appointed judges, and infringe on the constitutional right to protest is simultaneously irresponsible and dangerous," NAACP President Derrick Johnson, also a resident of Jackson, said in a statement.
And, from the "It's About Time" File: Attorneys for Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, called for an ethics review of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., accusing her of spreading “unhinged rhetoric,” in addition to calling for an investigation into a former Trump administration official.
“Representative Greene’s unethical conduct arises from her continuous verbal attacks, defamatory statements, publication of personal photos and data, and promotion of conspiracy theories about and against Robert Hunter Biden,” Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Biden, wrote in a letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics, according to multiple reports.
“None of these could possibly be deemed to be part of any legitimate legislative activity, as is clear from both the content of her statements and actions, and the forums she uses to spew her often unhinged rhetoric,” he added.
| .....April 23, 2023..... |
April 23, 2023:
the GOP leader, who voted to expel Tennessee Three, resigns; found guilty of sexually harassing interns..
Rep. Scotty Campbell resigned about six hours after a reporter confronted him about the sexual harassment allegations The GOP clown show continues..
Russia's air force accidentally bombs own city of Belgorod.
Russia's military acknowledged that a bomb accidentally dropped by one of its warplanes caused a powerful blast in a Russian city not far from Ukraine's border, injuring two and scaring local residents.
the GOP leader, who voted to expel Tennessee Three, resigns; found guilty of sexually harassing interns..
Rep. Scotty Campbell resigned about six hours after a reporter confronted him about the sexual harassment allegations The GOP clown show continues..
Russia's air force accidentally bombs own city of Belgorod.
Russia's military acknowledged that a bomb accidentally dropped by one of its warplanes caused a powerful blast in a Russian city not far from Ukraine's border, injuring two and scaring local residents.
On a posted video to Truth Social, Trump said that "Under my leadership, we will bring back god to our schools and our public squares and that will happen very quickly."
Was anyone aware that God left and needs to be "brought back?" And "brought back" from where? Is God a hostage at Maralago?? Did God believe Trump's election lie and decided to leave? Was God more impressed with Trumps photo ops more than we were???
Was anyone aware that God left and needs to be "brought back?" And "brought back" from where? Is God a hostage at Maralago?? Did God believe Trump's election lie and decided to leave? Was God more impressed with Trumps photo ops more than we were???
| .....April 18, 2023..... |
April 18, 2023: WDSU: Republicans object to replacing Feinstein on Judiciary panel
Republicans blocked a Democratic request to temporarily replace California Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday, leaving Democrats with few options for moving some of President Joe Biden's stalled judicial nominees.
Republicans blocked a Democratic request to temporarily replace California Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday, leaving Democrats with few options for moving some of President Joe Biden's stalled judicial nominees.
April 18, 2023: Vanity Fair: It’s Time for Dianne Feinstein to Resign
The 89-year-old California senator has been a trailblazer. But a public servant needs to serve the public—and Feinstein is no longer doing that.
The 89-year-old California senator has been a trailblazer. But a public servant needs to serve the public—and Feinstein is no longer doing that.
Apr 18, 2023: Politico: ‘Cheese-eating rat’: Defense lawyers seethe after DOJ pushes witness to identify more Jan. 6 perpetrators
A Jan. 6 trial briefly ground to a halt Tuesday after prosecutors pressed a defense witness to identify people who went inside the Capitol but had not been charged with any crimes.
A Jan. 6 trial briefly ground to a halt Tuesday after prosecutors pressed a defense witness to identify people who went inside the Capitol but had not been charged with any crimes.
| .....April 13, 2023..... |
Apr 13, 2023: Raw Story: Clarence Thomas' real estate sale is 'a clear violation of government ethics law': ProPublica reporter
Fresh off reports that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepted luxury travel and accommodations from billionaire GOP megadonor Harlan Crow without any disclosure, a new report reveals Thomas also sold Crow his family home without disclosing it — which experts say is a much more clear-cut violation of federal ethics laws.
Fresh off reports that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepted luxury travel and accommodations from billionaire GOP megadonor Harlan Crow without any disclosure, a new report reveals Thomas also sold Crow his family home without disclosing it — which experts say is a much more clear-cut violation of federal ethics laws.
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Apr 13, 2023: 102.5Block: Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg Says He’s Received ‘More Than 1,000’ Racist Death Threats From Trump Supporters
It’s a shame the way ex-president and federal fraud defendant Donald Trump keeps getting away with arbitrarily calling the Black prosecutors who have launched investigations into him racist without even providing an argument for why he says they’re racist. It’s a shame that white conservatives--who regularly dismiss Black people’s allegations of anti-Black racism even when they’re presented with tangible evidence--have not bothered to challenge Trump at all on what evidence he has that New York Attorney General Letitia James, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg or Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis are “racist” against white people. (Unless Trump is saying they’re specifically racist against horrendously over-tanned, orange-tinted Caucasians, but I doubt that’s the case.) |
April 13, 2023; The Independent
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| .....April 12, 2023..... |
April 12, 2023:
Trump told TucKKKer last night that "...a big problem is nuclear warming. Nobody even talks about it........."The environmentalists talk about all this nonsense in many cases. I've become a environmentalist also, I guess, in my own way, because I've done a good job with the environment."
Nobody knows what "nuclear warming" is.🤣😂 Tuckkker, or course who hates and loves passionately Donald Trump didn't dare push back or ask what Trump was talking about. Trump probably doesn't know himself.
Earlier this week Trump told Tuckkker Carslon that court personnel were crying for Trump.
“When I went to the courthouse which is also a prison in a sense, they signed me in and I’ll tell you people were crying. People that work there,” Trump said. “Professionally work there that have no problems putting in murderers and they see everybody. It’s a tough, tough place and they were crying. They were actually crying. They said I’m sorry,” he told Carlson, according to a clip of the interview that airs Tuesday night.😂🤣😂
Trump told TucKKKer last night that "...a big problem is nuclear warming. Nobody even talks about it........."The environmentalists talk about all this nonsense in many cases. I've become a environmentalist also, I guess, in my own way, because I've done a good job with the environment."
Nobody knows what "nuclear warming" is.🤣😂 Tuckkker, or course who hates and loves passionately Donald Trump didn't dare push back or ask what Trump was talking about. Trump probably doesn't know himself.
Earlier this week Trump told Tuckkker Carslon that court personnel were crying for Trump.
“When I went to the courthouse which is also a prison in a sense, they signed me in and I’ll tell you people were crying. People that work there,” Trump said. “Professionally work there that have no problems putting in murderers and they see everybody. It’s a tough, tough place and they were crying. They were actually crying. They said I’m sorry,” he told Carlson, according to a clip of the interview that airs Tuesday night.😂🤣😂
| .....April 9, 2023..... |
April 9, 2023:Clarence Thomas On The Record
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said Friday he was not required to disclose the many trips he and his wife took that were paid for by Republican megadonor Harlan Crow.
Describing Crow and his wife, Kathy, as “among our dearest friends,” Thomas said in a statement that he was advised by colleagues on the nation’s highest court and others in the federal judiciary that “this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable.” Thomas did not name the other justices or those in the judiciary with whom he had consulted.
The nonprofit investigative journalism organization ProPublica reported Thursday that Thomas, who has been a justice for more than 31 years, has for more than two decades accepted luxury trips from Crow nearly every year.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said Friday he was not required to disclose the many trips he and his wife took that were paid for by Republican megadonor Harlan Crow.
Describing Crow and his wife, Kathy, as “among our dearest friends,” Thomas said in a statement that he was advised by colleagues on the nation’s highest court and others in the federal judiciary that “this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable.” Thomas did not name the other justices or those in the judiciary with whom he had consulted.
The nonprofit investigative journalism organization ProPublica reported Thursday that Thomas, who has been a justice for more than 31 years, has for more than two decades accepted luxury trips from Crow nearly every year.
| .....April 7, 2023..... |
April 7, 2023: We Got This Covered: Marjorie Taylor Greene insists that she’s not the only ‘mentally unstable and documented liar’ out there
There’s a common expression dating back to Hebrew times that goes, “whoever disapproves – he disapproves of his own lacking.” It basically means you can spot deficiencies in other people, because yours are the same. A more common parallel expression is “You spot it, you got it.” This happened with professional liar Marjorie Taylor Greene and Laura Loomer, an anti-Muslim activist who was reportedly being courted by Donald Trump.
There’s a common expression dating back to Hebrew times that goes, “whoever disapproves – he disapproves of his own lacking.” It basically means you can spot deficiencies in other people, because yours are the same. A more common parallel expression is “You spot it, you got it.” This happened with professional liar Marjorie Taylor Greene and Laura Loomer, an anti-Muslim activist who was reportedly being courted by Donald Trump.
April 7, 2023: LGBTQ Nation: Tennessee House expels two Black male members but not the White female member
In the long history of the Tennessee House, only eight members have ever been expelled, including six Confederates who wouldn’t affirm the citizenship of freed slaves after the Civil War.
Now add to that number two young Black men who wouldn’t accept the status quo of America’s gun violence epidemic.
In the long history of the Tennessee House, only eight members have ever been expelled, including six Confederates who wouldn’t affirm the citizenship of freed slaves after the Civil War.
Now add to that number two young Black men who wouldn’t accept the status quo of America’s gun violence epidemic.
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April 7, 2023: Mother Jones: Report: Trump Wants to Hire Laura Loomer, a Racist Who Lost Elections
On Friday, the New York Times reported that former president Donald Trump would be interested in hiring Laura Loomer, despite the concern of potential backlash. Staffers anticipated pushback because Loomer is a bigot. There is no other way to describe her. Loomer is not a political operative who is also known to be racist. She is not a right-wing influencer who has also said horrific things about Muslims. As I wrote when she ran for Congress (and lost), racism is her whole thing: |
Loomer hasn’t served in office before. Instead, she is famous for being a conservative activist, and being cartoonishly bigoted. She has a years-long history of raw, unfiltered Islamophobia that possibly reached its zenith when she said, after 50 people were killed in a New Zealand mosque, that: “Nobody cares about [the] Christchurch [shooting]. I especially don’t. I care about my social media accounts and the fact that Americans are being silenced.” (Loomer was bemoaning those kicked off websites like Twitter for being racist.) 4.7.23 |
April 7, 2023: We Got This Covered: ‘It’s Trump’s Fault!’ Donald Trump is accidentally self-aware for a moment in Truth Social post
Former President Donald Trump has been playing the victim again. He’s the victim of a “witch hunt” and the victim of “political prosecution,” and it’s all a big scam against him and he’s done nothing wrong (his words). However, in playing this part he’s inadvertently showed a sliver of self-awareness.
Former President Donald Trump has been playing the victim again. He’s the victim of a “witch hunt” and the victim of “political prosecution,” and it’s all a big scam against him and he’s done nothing wrong (his words). However, in playing this part he’s inadvertently showed a sliver of self-awareness.
Apr 7, 2023: Raw Story: ‘Intense blowback’ knocks far-right Laura Loomer from role in Trump campaign: NYT's Haberman
Just hours after The New York Times reported that Laura Loomer appeared to be on her way to securing a role in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, the far-right anti-Muslim activist is no longer under consideration
Just hours after The New York Times reported that Laura Loomer appeared to be on her way to securing a role in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, the far-right anti-Muslim activist is no longer under consideration
April 7, 2023:
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday he has “no doubt” that Russia has wrongfully detained an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal who was arrested last week on spying allegations.
However, Blinken said a formal determination of Evan Gershkovich’s wrongful detention has not yet been made, something that would elevate the priority of his case within the U.S. government. Blinken said the legal process for such a determination would be completed soon.
During her time as first lady, Melania made it pretty clear that she despised her husband. So it’s possible she’s downright thrilled at the prospect of his doing 136 years in prison and thus spent last night celebrating.
Former Vice President Mike Pence will not appeal a judge's order for grand jury testimony as part of an investigation into Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump could still appeal the decision to try and guard his conversations with Pence leading up to the January 6th Capitol attack. Pence's account of those talks could be potentially damaging to Trump. He was key to Trump's strategy to block Biden's election. The strategy called for Pence in his role as President of the Senate to reject electors from several contested states that Biden won, but Pence refused to participate. Pence's decision comes a day after Trump appeared in a Manhattan court in a separate criminal case, pleading not guilty to 34 felony counts.
A Democratic state lawmaker in North Carolina announced Wednesday that she is jumping to the Republican Party, giving the GOP veto-proof majorities in both the state’s legislative chambers that should make it easier to enact conservative policies over the opposition of Gov. Roy Cooper. Rep Tricia Cotham was recently elected as a Democrat. I have not looked at her history but I will say that it doesn't matter a lot because the Republicans will take any psycho that will help them (ie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, George Santos, Donald Trump etc).
Crime is the top concern for most Louisianans this election cycle and many are unhappy with the way the criminal justice system has addressed the problem, a new poll of statewide voters shows.
A bill filed by Rep. Debbie Villio, R-Kenner, would make forfeiture of good time and credits — incentives that allow early release for good behavior — a mandatory penalty for incarcerated people who commit certain transgressions behind bars. Those penalties currently occur at the discretion of prison staff.
Crowley Republican Rep. John Stefanski, a candidate for Attorney General, has filed a bill proposing life imprisonment for people who distribute 28 grams or more of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that has pushed overdose deaths to record levels in Louisiana and the country.
Rep. Larry Frieman, R-Abita Springs, has filed a bill that would allow judges to revoke parole for people who district attorneys argue are "dangerous offenders." Anyone convicted of a violent crime, sex offense, drug production or terrorism could be deemed a "dangerous offender" under the bill.
For the most devoted Trump conspiracy theorists, there are no coincidences and timing is everything.
So when ex-President Donald Trump was arraigned Tuesday on charges that he falsified business records to obscure hush money payments in an effort to influence the 2016 election, some of his most ardent followers quickly noted the court appearance came during Christianity's most sacred week, Holy Week, when many Christians commemorate Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.
''Seems there was someone else who was tortured and crucified this week,'' read one post on Gab, a platform popular with Trump supporters. A similar post on Telegram put Trump's case in apocalyptic terms: ''Good vs Evil. Biblical times. Divine timing.''
Comparisons likening Trump to Christ were among the top online narratives about the Republican former president and his criminal charges circulating in the last several days, according to an analysis of online and social media content conducted by Zignal Labs, a media intelligence firm, on behalf of The Associated Press.
Zignal's analysis found tens of thousands of mentions calling Trump a martyr. The number more than doubled immediately after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., linked the prosecution of Trump to the persecution of Christ during an interview.
Don't let press freedom die from litigation
Twitter has labeled National Public Radio as “state-affiliated media” on the social media site, a move some worried Wednesday could undermine public confidence in the news organization.
NPR said it was disturbed to see the description added to all of the tweets that it sends out, with John Lansing, its president and CEO, calling it “unacceptable for Twitter to label us this way.”
It was unclear why Twitter made the move. Twitter’s owner, Elon Musk, quoted a definition of state-affiliated media in the company’s guidelines as “outlets where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over production and distribution.”
“Seems accurate,” Musk tweeted in a reply to NPR.
Republican state lawmakers in Montana are advancing legislation that would alter next year’s U.S. Senate primary in an apparent bid to thwart the reelection of Sen. Jon Tester, one of several Democrats on the ballot in GOP-leaning states.
The measure would allow the top two candidates in the primary, no matter their party, to win slots on the 2024 general election ballot. It’s now before House lawmakers after passing in the Senate by a 27-23 vote on Tuesday.
Seven Republicans joined all of the chamber’s Democrats in voting against the measure.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday he has “no doubt” that Russia has wrongfully detained an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal who was arrested last week on spying allegations.
However, Blinken said a formal determination of Evan Gershkovich’s wrongful detention has not yet been made, something that would elevate the priority of his case within the U.S. government. Blinken said the legal process for such a determination would be completed soon.
During her time as first lady, Melania made it pretty clear that she despised her husband. So it’s possible she’s downright thrilled at the prospect of his doing 136 years in prison and thus spent last night celebrating.
Former Vice President Mike Pence will not appeal a judge's order for grand jury testimony as part of an investigation into Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump could still appeal the decision to try and guard his conversations with Pence leading up to the January 6th Capitol attack. Pence's account of those talks could be potentially damaging to Trump. He was key to Trump's strategy to block Biden's election. The strategy called for Pence in his role as President of the Senate to reject electors from several contested states that Biden won, but Pence refused to participate. Pence's decision comes a day after Trump appeared in a Manhattan court in a separate criminal case, pleading not guilty to 34 felony counts.
A Democratic state lawmaker in North Carolina announced Wednesday that she is jumping to the Republican Party, giving the GOP veto-proof majorities in both the state’s legislative chambers that should make it easier to enact conservative policies over the opposition of Gov. Roy Cooper. Rep Tricia Cotham was recently elected as a Democrat. I have not looked at her history but I will say that it doesn't matter a lot because the Republicans will take any psycho that will help them (ie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, George Santos, Donald Trump etc).
Crime is the top concern for most Louisianans this election cycle and many are unhappy with the way the criminal justice system has addressed the problem, a new poll of statewide voters shows.
A bill filed by Rep. Debbie Villio, R-Kenner, would make forfeiture of good time and credits — incentives that allow early release for good behavior — a mandatory penalty for incarcerated people who commit certain transgressions behind bars. Those penalties currently occur at the discretion of prison staff.
Crowley Republican Rep. John Stefanski, a candidate for Attorney General, has filed a bill proposing life imprisonment for people who distribute 28 grams or more of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that has pushed overdose deaths to record levels in Louisiana and the country.
Rep. Larry Frieman, R-Abita Springs, has filed a bill that would allow judges to revoke parole for people who district attorneys argue are "dangerous offenders." Anyone convicted of a violent crime, sex offense, drug production or terrorism could be deemed a "dangerous offender" under the bill.
For the most devoted Trump conspiracy theorists, there are no coincidences and timing is everything.
So when ex-President Donald Trump was arraigned Tuesday on charges that he falsified business records to obscure hush money payments in an effort to influence the 2016 election, some of his most ardent followers quickly noted the court appearance came during Christianity's most sacred week, Holy Week, when many Christians commemorate Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.
''Seems there was someone else who was tortured and crucified this week,'' read one post on Gab, a platform popular with Trump supporters. A similar post on Telegram put Trump's case in apocalyptic terms: ''Good vs Evil. Biblical times. Divine timing.''
Comparisons likening Trump to Christ were among the top online narratives about the Republican former president and his criminal charges circulating in the last several days, according to an analysis of online and social media content conducted by Zignal Labs, a media intelligence firm, on behalf of The Associated Press.
Zignal's analysis found tens of thousands of mentions calling Trump a martyr. The number more than doubled immediately after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., linked the prosecution of Trump to the persecution of Christ during an interview.
Don't let press freedom die from litigation
Twitter has labeled National Public Radio as “state-affiliated media” on the social media site, a move some worried Wednesday could undermine public confidence in the news organization.
NPR said it was disturbed to see the description added to all of the tweets that it sends out, with John Lansing, its president and CEO, calling it “unacceptable for Twitter to label us this way.”
It was unclear why Twitter made the move. Twitter’s owner, Elon Musk, quoted a definition of state-affiliated media in the company’s guidelines as “outlets where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over production and distribution.”
“Seems accurate,” Musk tweeted in a reply to NPR.
Republican state lawmakers in Montana are advancing legislation that would alter next year’s U.S. Senate primary in an apparent bid to thwart the reelection of Sen. Jon Tester, one of several Democrats on the ballot in GOP-leaning states.
The measure would allow the top two candidates in the primary, no matter their party, to win slots on the 2024 general election ballot. It’s now before House lawmakers after passing in the Senate by a 27-23 vote on Tuesday.
Seven Republicans joined all of the chamber’s Democrats in voting against the measure.
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Dozens of students at Boulder High School participated in a state and national walkout on Wednesday to raise awareness of gun violence in schools and push for the passage of gun safety laws.
Sophomore Alex Berk said the goal of the walkout was to get attention from lawmakers about the issue of school shootings. “We don’t want to be killed. We don’t want to be a face in the newspaper,” Berk said. “So, it’s important we show the people who don’t go to school that this is something serious that we think about.” More than 20 schools in Colorado and 200 schools nationwide participated in the walkouts organized by youth gun safety advocates with Students Demand Action in Colorado, part of the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety. |
“We don’t want to be killed. We don’t want to be a face in the newspaper. So, it’s important we show the people who don’t go to school that this is something serious that we think about.” |
| .....April 6, 2023..... |
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April 6, 2023: Mother Jones: Tennessee Republicans Expel Two Democratic Lawmakers Who Joined Gun Control Rally
Tennessee’s House of Representatives on Thursday expelled two Democratic members who participated in a gun control protest following the mass shooting at a Nashville grade school. Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson have been stripped of their titles and legislative responsibilities, an extraordinary development in the GOP-led effort to punish him for his involvement in the demonstration. A vote to oust Democratic Rep. Gloria Johnson narrowly failed. 
April 6, 2023:
At Maralago Tuesday night, Trump, of course said: “This fake case was brought only to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election, and it should be dropped immediately.” But truthfully it wouldnt have mattered when or what was happening because Trump always paints himself as the victim. Being the victim seems to be his one and only superpower. For a guy who claims to be so smart he is always the innocent concerned official who is always the major victim. It will be the only crown of his legacy. A severely tainted crown, but a crown nonetheless. |
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| .....April 5, 2023..... |
April 5, 2023:
Donald Trump was charged with a whopping 34 felony counts of falsifying business records—in the same New York courtroom where the Trump Organization was found guilty of tax fraud last year—and entered a plea of not guilty. Indictment focuses on 3 hush money cases, If convicted of all 34 felonies, the former president could go to prison for up to 136 years.
Rolling Stone reported that Trump was “offered a chance to surrender quietly and be arraigned over Zoom,” but chose “a midday, high-profile booking at the Manhattan courthouse” in order to make it clear that he’s being crucified—and is happy to take the heat so his followers don’t have to. (BTW, none of Trump’s supporters have falsified business records to cover up a six-figure payment to an adult film star while running for president of the United States.) “It’s kind of a Jesus Christ thing,” a source familiar with Trump’s legal team told the outlet. “He is saying, ‘I’m absorbing all this pain from all around from everywhere so you don’t have to’ [and] ‘If they can do this to me they can do this to you’…that’s a powerful message.”
Trump's next scheduled court date in New York isn't until Dec. 4. That means a trial might not start until January, on the cusp of the 2024 Republican presidential nominating process. At Maralago, on the evening after the arraignment, Trump, of course said “This fake case was brought only to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election, and it should be dropped immediately,” But truthfully it wouldn't have mattered when or what was happening because Trump always paints himself as the victim. Being the victim seems to be his one and only superpower. For a guy who claims to be so smart he is always the innocent concerned official who is always the major victim. It will be the only crown of his legacy. A severely tainted crown, but a crown nonetheless.
We are now so desensitized to the frequency of mass shootings that we now actually give a sigh of relief and say "Thank God, it was only six people, it could have been so much worse." Before we have even emotionally absorbed one tragedy there will be another in a matter of days. " What is wrong with us?", a letter to the editor in a Louisiana paper writes, "When did holding on to power and "winning" become more important than the sanctity of life? When did we give up on the concept of community and working together to create a better, safer, more equitable community for everyone?"
The 98th Session of the South Dakota Legislature wrapped up Monday with Veto Day. Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported: "Winner: Criminal Justice.' The state is funding the construction of two new prisons to ease overcrowding at the women’s facility in Pierre and the men’s facility in Sioux Falls. Construction on the women’s prison in Rapid City is slated to start in the summer. Meanwhile, the Department of Corrections will start the process to design and find the next location for the men’s penitentiary in the Sioux Falls area."
Yet the prison population of South Dakota is about twice that of North Dakota. Beforethey spend money to build a new prison, they might try using North Dakota as a template to reduce prison population to half of what it is now.
The Leader writes "Reducing the prison population by half should solve our short and long term prison problems. A rough calculation suggests that half the prison population would need half the space, half the staff and a lot less expense. This should be very attractive to fiscal conservatives.The prisons are currently managed by the Department of Corrections. The high numbers of people who return to our prison system suggests they are not correcting much."
Comments on this article can be left here
Donald Trump was charged with a whopping 34 felony counts of falsifying business records—in the same New York courtroom where the Trump Organization was found guilty of tax fraud last year—and entered a plea of not guilty. Indictment focuses on 3 hush money cases, If convicted of all 34 felonies, the former president could go to prison for up to 136 years.
Rolling Stone reported that Trump was “offered a chance to surrender quietly and be arraigned over Zoom,” but chose “a midday, high-profile booking at the Manhattan courthouse” in order to make it clear that he’s being crucified—and is happy to take the heat so his followers don’t have to. (BTW, none of Trump’s supporters have falsified business records to cover up a six-figure payment to an adult film star while running for president of the United States.) “It’s kind of a Jesus Christ thing,” a source familiar with Trump’s legal team told the outlet. “He is saying, ‘I’m absorbing all this pain from all around from everywhere so you don’t have to’ [and] ‘If they can do this to me they can do this to you’…that’s a powerful message.”
Trump's next scheduled court date in New York isn't until Dec. 4. That means a trial might not start until January, on the cusp of the 2024 Republican presidential nominating process. At Maralago, on the evening after the arraignment, Trump, of course said “This fake case was brought only to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election, and it should be dropped immediately,” But truthfully it wouldn't have mattered when or what was happening because Trump always paints himself as the victim. Being the victim seems to be his one and only superpower. For a guy who claims to be so smart he is always the innocent concerned official who is always the major victim. It will be the only crown of his legacy. A severely tainted crown, but a crown nonetheless.
We are now so desensitized to the frequency of mass shootings that we now actually give a sigh of relief and say "Thank God, it was only six people, it could have been so much worse." Before we have even emotionally absorbed one tragedy there will be another in a matter of days. " What is wrong with us?", a letter to the editor in a Louisiana paper writes, "When did holding on to power and "winning" become more important than the sanctity of life? When did we give up on the concept of community and working together to create a better, safer, more equitable community for everyone?"
The 98th Session of the South Dakota Legislature wrapped up Monday with Veto Day. Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported: "Winner: Criminal Justice.' The state is funding the construction of two new prisons to ease overcrowding at the women’s facility in Pierre and the men’s facility in Sioux Falls. Construction on the women’s prison in Rapid City is slated to start in the summer. Meanwhile, the Department of Corrections will start the process to design and find the next location for the men’s penitentiary in the Sioux Falls area."
Yet the prison population of South Dakota is about twice that of North Dakota. Beforethey spend money to build a new prison, they might try using North Dakota as a template to reduce prison population to half of what it is now.
The Leader writes "Reducing the prison population by half should solve our short and long term prison problems. A rough calculation suggests that half the prison population would need half the space, half the staff and a lot less expense. This should be very attractive to fiscal conservatives.The prisons are currently managed by the Department of Corrections. The high numbers of people who return to our prison system suggests they are not correcting much."
Comments on this article can be left here
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| .....April 1, 2023..... |
Apr 1, 2023: CNN: Evidence against Trump not about Michael Cohen’s testimony says Lanny Davis
The New York grand jury hearing the case against Donald Trump was set to break for several weeks. The former president’s lawyers believed on Wednesday afternoon they had at least a small reprieve from a possible indictment. Trump praised the perceived delay.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had other plans.
The New York grand jury hearing the case against Donald Trump was set to break for several weeks. The former president’s lawyers believed on Wednesday afternoon they had at least a small reprieve from a possible indictment. Trump praised the perceived delay.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had other plans.
