I admit I've haven't watched/read hours of protest coverage. It makes me sick.
We're sorely lacking in leadership at all levels. How is it that protesters can be identified, arrested & charged within an hour just about anywhere in the country yet 8 days in, 3 of the 4 ex-cops responsible for the horrific murder of George Floyd are free? Had law enforcement in MN acted swiftly & decisively in arresting Chauvin & his accomplices, there wouldn't have been a reason to protest. The judicial process would've been underway. Instead, the case was just transferred Sunday to the state AG, the charged upped to 1st degree murder for Chauvin, & nothing has been done about the 3 accomplices. The federal prosecutors for hate crime/civil rights violations seem to have disappeared.
What's been completely forgotten is that we remain in the midst of a pandemic. COVID19 didn't magically disappear. People are still being tested, hospitalized, & dying. There's no time out for looting & armed confrontations. If public health officials' projections are to be believed, these street wars are going to result in more cases. We're still supposed to be social distancing, wearing masks, & staying home except for some re-opened venues.
Apparently, massive unemployment & small business failures are expected to right themselves, too.
It seems to me that leadership has abdicated its responsibilities at virtually every level & Americans themselves are doing their best to label each other as me v. them; there is no us. I'd like to see an us v. COVID19 mentality & higher expectations/accountability for leadership.
It seems to me that leadership has abdicated its responsibilities at virtually every level & Americans themselves are doing their best to label each other as me v. them; there is no us. I'd like to see an us v. COVID19 mentality & higher expectations/accountability for leadership.
Yep
Make America decent again
I certainly haven't forgotten. Shook someone's hand today and ran for the hand sanitizer like my neurotic old Seventh Day Adventist auntie.
So you're the one who stockpiled all the hand-sanitizer....
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/01/politics/fauci-trump-two-weeks/index.html
Where is Dr. Fauci? Trump may be ignoring him - not having spoken to him since mid-May - but surely he has something coherent & reasonable to say about violence in the streets & its impact on COVID19. Is the media inviting him to speak? Has he been on TV? He gave a lengthy print interview about the Moderna vaccine trials.
The media is focus is on burning buildings - great visuals - especially since many explosive summer movies aren't being released. We have an obligation to demand answers from our elected letters about new COVID19 case trends, vaccinations (even though the anti-vaxxers are already gearing up against them), & treatments as well as what's being done to transition "lost" jobs into new industries. Some states are continuing daily briefings of progress (or lack of) in navigating a pandemic & a collapsed economy & it's helpful - at least we know someone is thinking beyond tear gas & rubber bullets for an hour each day.
Where is Dr. Fauci? Trump may be ignoring him - not having spoken to him since mid-May - but surely he has something coherent & reasonable to say about violence in the streets & its impact on COVID19. Is the media inviting him to speak? Has he been on TV? He gave a lengthy print interview about the Moderna vaccine trials.
The media is focus is on burning buildings - great visuals - especially since many explosive summer movies aren't being released. We have an obligation to demand answers from our elected letters about new COVID19 case trends, vaccinations (even though the anti-vaxxers are already gearing up against them), & treatments as well as what's being done to transition "lost" jobs into new industries. Some states are continuing daily briefings of progress (or lack of) in navigating a pandemic & a collapsed economy & it's helpful - at least we know someone is thinking beyond tear gas & rubber bullets for an hour each day.
The best way to change the narrative is to silence the messenger. Puff - one day the science guy is gone just like Trump said Covid would be. It's a twofer.
The best way to change the narrative is to silence the messenger. Puff - one day the science guy is gone just like Trump said Covid would be. It's a twofer.
True, but Trump can't silence the messenger. The media has in favor of inflammatory views of riots & the awesomeness of big tanks rolling the streets of DC. We've got to be smarter than that. Turn off the TV. Check out public health reports. Listen to daily briefings if your governor still gives them. Act like we're still in a pandemic & economic crisis.
The notion of abdicating leadership to each citizen is an interesting one. In its purest sense, that concept should be enlightening & uplifting, but in reality most folks are unable, unwilling ( or both ) to take on those duties. It's a dangerous assumption for a President to make.
Makes me wonder if Trump really ever wanted this job in the first place.
Makes me wonder if Trump really ever wanted this job in the first place.
Trump has been quoted as saying he never expected to win, but campaigning would be good for the Trump "brand."
It really is all about him in his sick little orange mind.
The President of the United States let loose with rubber bullets on citizens yesterday so he could walk across the street and hold up a Bible for a picture.
Most people don’t care. Whatever it all was, whatever illusion we had, it’s over.
Soon another Black person will get killed by an authority figure, and again it won’t matter. Most people don’t care. Outrage is saved for broken windows.
Nothing will change.
Once again, former President George W Bush has stepped from the sidelines to respond to a situation that one of his successors can't handle. He released a statement today:
https://www.bushcenter.org/
Excerpts:
Many doubt the justice of our country, and with good reason. Black people see the repeated violation of their rights without an urgent and adequate response from American institutions. We know that lasting justice will only come by peaceful means. Looting is not liberation, and destruction is not progress. But we also know that lasting peace in our communities requires truly equal justice. The rule of law ultimately depends on the fairness and legitimacy of the legal system. And achieving justice for all is the duty of all.
This will require a consistent, courageous, and creative effort. We serve our neighbors best when we try to understand their experience. We love our neighbors as ourselves when we treat them as equals, in both protection and compassion. There is a better way — the way of empathy, and shared commitment, and bold action, and a peace rooted in justice. I am confident that together, Americans will choose the better way.
*****
Justice is what is sought. WTF is the state of MN doing about Chauvin's accomplices? Justice is not going to be achieved until they are arrested & charged. Does no one either in MN or the US DOJ get that? We don't need Barr to order the National Guard to clear a path for a photo op in DC; we need 3 arrests in MN. Barr can make that happen & shut all the rest down. Even if federal hate crime/civil rights charges aren't ultimately maintained, they can be used to get these 3 apprehended.
Would "justice" have been delayed if those 4 ex-cops were black who killed a white man in handcuffs? Would there be a need for protests or would they have been arrested on the spot?
Captain White Privlege speaks now? GW Bush was a terrible President who cost thousands of Americans their lives. From the Iraq war to bankruptcy reform written in the bank's favor, to "you are my base" he is the last person to be waxing about Americas injustices.
Captain White Privlege speaks now? GW Bush was a terrible President who cost thousands of Americans their lives. From the Iraq war to bankruptcy reform written in the bank's favor, to "you are my base" he is the last person to be waxing about Americas injustices.
Nice try. Let’s see if you get anyone to fall for it.
Captain White Privlege speaks now? GW Bush was a terrible President who cost thousands of Americans their lives. From the Iraq war to bankruptcy reform written in the bank's favor, to "you are my base" he is the last person to be waxing about Americas injustices.
Nice try. Let’s see if you get anyone to fall for it.
Just my personal opinion. I dont blindly support all Republicans.
Captain White Privlege speaks now? GW Bush was a terrible President who cost thousands of Americans their lives. From the Iraq war to bankruptcy reform written in the bank's favor, to "you are my base" he is the last person to be waxing about Americas injustices.
Nice try. Let’s see if you get anyone to fall for it.
Just my personal opinion. I dont blindly support all Republicans.
Sure.
Not sure if it ends up this way, but I think the hope is that racism fades, or the widerspread beliefs of some...will diminish as time wears on and as older generations die off. It's a terribly long time to have to wait and nobody should have to wait that way. But what else can be done? Some people are going to hate minorities - how can those people be taught the ignorance of their thinking?
Plenty of cops go on power trips, thinking their authority gives them the right to harass and worse. What can be done? Is it the training, is it the brotherhood, or is it just failed screening of recruits and new applicants? There are plenty of good cops, many more than bad ones, but like everything else, a few bad ones scars the entire group.
I don't know. Bhawk is probably right, nothing will change and it will happen again. What can change? Police training and methods? But then if you still have racist cops among the units they go rogue regardless of what training and methods are.
Nice try. Let’s see if you get anyone to fall for it.
Just my personal opinion. I dont blindly support all Republicans.
Sure.
Like him or not, W is the elder statesman of what used to be the Republican party & he made a thoughtful/well-written call for an end to violence & future cooperation to provide justice for all Americans. No one else from the senior ranks of Republicans has done that. We've had photo ops, threats, & bullying from the administration supported by the likes of McConnell. W did it w/o throwing shade.
Not sure if it ends up this way, but I think the hope is that racism fades, or the widerspread beliefs of some...will diminish as time wears on and as older generations die off. It's a terribly long time to have to wait and nobody should have to wait that way. But what else can be done? Some people are going to hate minorities - how can those people be taught the ignorance of their thinking?
Waiting for the racist generations to die off hasn't worked in my lifetime. The elder generation of the 1950s & 60s have died yet there are still those who think the decision to integrate schools was wrong, ignore the Civil Rights Act, and barely comply w/non-discrimination in employment & housing.
The answer is obviously going to have to come from outside the families that teach children hatred & bigotry. Having better trained, responsible, & responsive police & a judicial system that moves swiftly to ensure racism doesn't remain institutionalized is a start.
And I continue to wonder why the other 3 ex-cops haven't been arrested & charged.
It took Chauvin's wife 2 days to file for divorce, petition for assets, & request a name change.
The state of MN is dragging its feet on charging the other 3 although there was a vague assertion by the Minneapolis mayor a week ago that he expected charges "within 30 days." 30 days to charge a murder videotaped that went viral.
And I continue to wonder why the other 3 ex-cops haven't been arrested & charged.
It took Chauvin's wife 2 days to file for divorce, petition for assets, & request a name change.
The state of MN is dragging its feet on charging the other 3 although there was a vague assertion by the Minneapolis mayor a week ago that he expected charges "within 30 days." 30 days to charge a murder videotaped that went viral.
Here you go...
The Star Tribune reported reported that Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison would be upgrading the charge against Chauvin while also charging Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. The newspaper cited multiple law enforcement sources familiar with the case that spoke on condition of anonymity.
Yep, Amy Klobuchar just tweeted to the same effect - charges against Chauvin being upgraded, other 3 also are being charged
Memorial service tmrw in Minneapolis w/Rev. Al Sharpton in attendance
Another service Saturday in NC
Another Monday in Houston, where he’s being.laid to rest
And a private funeral service the next day in Houston, w/Joe Biden expected to attend
A long hot summer alright - let there be no more violence, racism or bigotry in the world
The Star Tribune reported reported that Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison would be upgrading the charge against Chauvin while also charging Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. The newspaper cited multiple law enforcement sources familiar with the case that spoke on condition of anonymity.
Finally.
Memorial service tmrw in Minneapolis w/Rev. Al Sharpton in attendance
Is Al going to explain how he combated racism by using the alleged attack of a young (Tawana Brawley) girl smeared with crap and tell how she was abused and degraded by a group of whites, all of which was proven false, to make a name for himself. (He was quoted as saying that the case could make him and his two partners "the biggest niggers in New York"-Sharptons' words, not mine)
How about his calling a Georgia Sheriff a racist because he was trying to uphold occupancy laws at the Nuwabian compound? Which was headed by a cult leader who claimed he was a different race of human, a "lost tribe" of Israel, and an alien native American. Who, with his wife, are serving time for child pornography, having sex with children, selling the photos and videos, and various other crimes.
I will give him credit for coming to the defense of Paula Dean a few years ago.
It’s all becoming hilarious
In a presidential election year, no campaigning
Covid-19 policies & procedures are being made a mockery of now
B/c people are showing their good side by getting together in droves to protest injustice
So of course that in turn heightens pandemic panic in the medical community
Independence Day weekend is the next hurdle - 3 weeks away, unsure how much has been shut down
fireworks on the fourth, festivities, fun in the sum sum summertime sun etc etc.......
Nope
& it’s on a Saturday this year too
Remote, Zoom, Skype, real time streams......
Nothing can replace being at a fireworks display - like baseball, you can’t have one w/no one there
It’s also often a kickoff date in presidential campaigns - Messers. Trump & Biden will only have a month or so to campaign, then they’ll spend August preparing for the - conventions?
[Edited on 6/8/2020 by Stephen]
