Link Bundle: Republicans and Bigotry

The tabs in my browser have been building up since 2019, and this is the only way I can seem to curb my tab-hoarding, so...

Republicans in Indiana decided there needed to be a hate crimes law... but not one that covers racism or homophobia.

Elected GOP official backs white supremacy, part 1.  (This guy has since been promoted from Raleigh to Washington.)

Elected GOP official backs white supremacy, part 2. (Josh Hawley is notorious for this.)

Elected GOP official backs white supremacy, part 3. (Why did you THINK so many people loved Reagan?)

Elected GOP official backs white supremacy, part 4. (Fifty-one of them, to be more accurate.)

Elected GOP official backs white supremacy, part 5. (What? You thought I was going to skip Trump? The dude tried to incorporate Nazi insignia into his 2020 campaign. And Tom Cotton is even worse than Hawley, believe it or not.)

Elected GOP official backs white supremacy, part 6.

Elected GOP official backs white supremacy, part 7. This article was written by my neo-Confederate US Representative at the time. My current one is just as bad.

Elected GOP official backs white supremacy, part 8.  (He didn't resign. He did, however, lose his re-election campaign, although getting prosecuted for embezzlement might have had something to do with that.)

Elected GOP official backs white supremacy, part 9. (This one is still there.)

Cops are bigots, part 1. 

Cops are bigots, part 2.

Cops are bigots, part 3.

Cops are bigots, part 4. (And for the record, I bought into the Acevedo hype at the time. More fool I.)

Cops are bigots, part 5. (What kind of people did you THINK the ICE would attract?)

Cops are bigots, part 6. Continued.

Cops are bigots, part 7. Yes, even cops of color. The training, the culture, and the weeding out of good cops guarantees it.

To be fair, cop-killers are ALSO bigots.

Just because the Kochs are fundraising against Trump now doesn't mean they don't still back white supremacy.

And by now it should be no surprise that "libertarian" tech-bros are RABIDLY racist.

Right-wingers lie to promote hate, part 1. (This is basically Ben Shapiro's whole thing.)

Right-wingers lie, part 2 (although the article writer gives Milton Friedman far more benefit of the doubt than I do).

Right-wingers lie, part 3.

But don't blame Republican officials: bigotry is the very core of American conservatism. It may be getting worse right now, but this is the way it has always been. And you can't say you were not warned.

Even though the Republican voting base will deny it.

 I'm only halfway through my tabs, but I have things I need to do today, so this is where I have to stop.

Link Bundle: This Is Capitalism

 All of these links are about capitalism working as the capitalists intend it should.

 Toys R Us was murdered. And its final CEO got paid big bucks to mismanage other things to death. (I just did a Google on the guy; apparently he's taken his money and run, for now.)

The people who killed Toys R Us also did in Gymboree, among other places, stealing severance pay to give the CEO a nice golden parachute.

In America it's illegal to require that financial advisors not steal you blind.

 In terms of paid time off, medieval peasants had it much better than the average American, who is too terrified of losing their job to voluntarily take time off. 

A reminder that Ayn Rand is still killing people- and companies- and even countries. But what do you expect from someone whose biggest hero was a murderer?

 More of corporations literally killing people and facing zero criminal liability.

Capitalists don't even want you to be able to own the things you buy. And the housing you rent? The poorer you are, the more you're being overcharged.

 Payment services want a cut from both sides of every transaction, even if and when it's bogus and refunded. 

Building too-big-to-fail megacorporations, especially in finance, is a bipartisan effort.

A reminder that conservatives believe a profit today is worth the whole damn company tomorrow. 

Even those charged with the spiritual care of the people squeeze them shamelessly.

And with all this dough they're pocketing, the ultra-rich still insist only the little people should pay taxes. Because economic stimulus. (Hint: that's bullshit.)

Meanwhile, the people they've crushed are scarred for life, physically and mentally, by the effects of poverty.

 

 

 

Old Link Bundle: More Trumpiness

 My tabs are REALLY piling up...

A reminder that Trump has been using government agents to target opposition protests long before the current BLM protests.

"Mr. Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it," 2019 style.

And again. And again.

Remember, Trump's cabinet is just as corrupt and incompetent as he is.

 Reminders that Trump wants to shut down all immigration except rich white people permanently, law be damned: here, here.

Reminders that Trump loves him some white supremacist terrorists: here, here.

Reminders that Trump is himself a white supremacist: here, here. And that he surrounds himself with white supremacists and does nothing about them: here.

Trump on health care: let the corporations run wild, stick you with the bill. Hell, he even wants that to be the case in England.

Reminders that Trump is wholly corrupt not just morally but financially: here, here.

Reminder that Trump believes it's all right for him to make doing his job conditional on electoral support: here. 

Reminders that Trump's tax plan was designed specifically only to benefit people like himself: here, here.

Reminders that Trump uses his power to deliberately cover up his own scandals: here, here.

Reminders that Trump hates the poor: here, here, here.

Reminders that Trump is loading the federal courts with bigots and corrupt dealers wholly unqualified for their roles: here.

Reminder that Trump is absolutely incompetent at foreign policy: here. 

Reminder that Trump believes loyalty goes only one way: here.

Reminder that there is zero evidence that Trump will relinquish power voluntarily: here.

And, finally, reminders that Republicans and conservatives won't lift a finger to stop Trump: here. 

Because they had the chance to stop Trump once, for these reasons, and for others, and chose not to.

Because Trump is exactly what Republicans, as a group, are.

Beware Fake Police "Reform"

The police department of Arlington, Texas is the latest to circulate what is almost word for word a common "we're listening" statement given by police departments to cool the anger of protesters against endemic brutality, racism, and impunity in law enforcement.

The Arlington Police Department believes that the agency is consistent with adherence to these policy recommendations. The department has provided the most up-to-date Use of Force policy to the organizers of this project so that the city section can be updated to reflect this belief on their website. As a reference point, the department has disseminated this social media graphic to the public to raise awareness on this topic.

 What follows is a list of measures that purport to comply with the set of demands collectively called "8 Can't Wait." However, looking at the post (an image on Facebook, hence no link), I'm dubious. I see weasel words all through this. Let me explain.

The headers all refer to the eight points of "8 Can't Wait", but each of them adds qualifiers or other conditions that make each item meaningless.
 

1. BAN CHOKEHOLDS & STRANGLEHOLDS

Our department does not train on chokeholds or strangleholds. The use of the vascular neck restraint has been elevated to deadly force on the use of force continuum.

 "Our department does not train on chokeholds" is a meaningless statement, because not training on chokeholds does not mean officers won't use them. In fact, by keeping chokeholds, or "vascular neck restraint", on the use of force continuum under "deadly force" (more on that later), it REMAINS AN OPTION, because police are permitted to use lethal force.

Also, thing to remember: Minneapolis banned chokeholds years ago.

2. REQUIRE DE-ESCALATION

Employees shall use de-escalation techniques and other alternatives to higher levels of force consistent with department training whenever possible and appropriate before resorting to force and to reduce the need for forces.

The weasel phrase is, "whenever possible and appropriate." Who decides if it is appropriate? The cop on the scene. Far from being a requirement, this is a suggestion which can be waved aside by the simple lie, "I thought he was gonna pull a gun."

3. REQUIRE WARNING BEFORE SHOOTING

Our policy requires officers to issue a verbal warning, whenever reasonably safe to do so, prior to using deadly force against an individual.

"Whenever reasonably safe to do so." In other words, another judgement call left entirely up to the cop on the scene. This is no requirement, either.

4. EXHAUST ALL OTHER MEANS BEFORE SHOOTING

Our policy has de-escalation protocols in place. Our policy limits the authority to use deadly force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to protect any human life from immediate danger of death or serious bodily injury.

"When they reasonably believe it necessary." Again, up to the cop.

5. DUTY TO INTERVENE

Our policy requires employees to intervene to prevent or stop the use of excessive force by another employee when it is safe and reasonable to do so.

"When it is safe and reasonable to do so." So, if cop B is scared of cop A, nothing will be done.

Also: Minneapolis already had a "duty to intervene" regulation in place. Didn't save George Floyd.

6. BAN SHOOTING AT MOVING VEHICLES

Our policy states that officers shall not discharge a firearm at or from a moving vehicle. Exceptions include when the suspect is using deadly force against the officer(s) or others, and the exigency to stop the threat outweighs the potential risks involved.

First, this was implemented by most law enforcement agencies DECADES ago. But even here, there's a gigantic loophole: "Exceptions include when the suspect is using deadly force." In most jurisdictions a moving vehicle can be considered a lethal weapon. So far from banning shooting at moving vehicles, this item all but GRANTS PERMISSION to do it.

7. REQUIRE USE OF FORCE CONTINUUM

Our policy provides for de-escalation where appropriate and includes a use of force continuum.

"We have a policy." Yes, because having a policy is the exact same thing as taking action.

A use of force continuum is, in fine, an explanation of how much force a cop is allowed to use in what circumstances. It's a thing practically ALL law enforcement agencies have. It's meant to be in basic police training. Add to this the weasel phrase "where appropriate", and this is just window dressing.

8. REQUIRED COMPREHENSIVE REPORTING

Our policy requires written electronic reports to be completed before the end of the employee's shift related to force. There is a multi-level supervisor review to ensure employee's compliance with policy and department expectations.

Uh huh.

Last week the Louisville police department released the official incident report of the no-knock raid that ended with the death by perforation of Breonna Taylor. The document was practically blank. Under "injury to suspect," the cops actually had the gall to write, "none." Obviously the cops there weren't afraid to lie on paper or just skive off on the paperwork.

But let's say, unlike Louisville, Arlington does actually write the reports. Who is going to review them? Nobody but OTHER COPS. That's what "multi-level supervisor review" means: the precinct captain and like that.

And that last point cuts to the heart of why this is a sick joke. Nowhere- ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE- in this drivel is one word about holding accountable police officers who break these rules. And that accountability is the whole point of the protests. That accountability is the only way we have to ensure these rules are being followed and that the "bad apples" are getting thrown out.

And that accountability isn't there because the police explicitly don't WANT it to be there.

Firing officers who use excessive force? Nope.

Ending, or even reducing, qualified immunity? Not a peep.

And that's why police departmenrts across the country are rushing to embrace "8CantWait"- because it requires them to change NOTHING. They get their gold star, teacher pats them on the head, and they go right back out to the playground and resume kicking heads in.

8CantWait is a joke. No reform can work unless the cops who resist reform- those who turn a blind eye, who forge reports, who shout, "HE'S GOT A GUN!" etc.- can be fired and permanently banned from wearing a badge ever again. 8CantWait doesn't even pretend to offer that.

Demand more.

Nerf The Police.

It's Not Just Trump: GOP Link Bundle

A reminder that there's a lot more evil in the Republican Party than just Trump...

A reminder that over a hundred GOP representatives backed the end of Net Neutrality... but none opposed it. (And bonus reminder: they generated millions of fake pro-repeal comments to astroturf support for the repeal.)

Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the House, and all around Ayn Rand worshipping, Social Security cutting asshole.

The Republican Party is the party of choice for modern white supremacists arming for civil war- and they have the help of elected Republicans

Nepotism? It's the conservative way.

In Arkansas, they expect poor students to make bricks without straw

This despite the fact that studies show students learn better when they don't have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.

Republicans see no problem in taking a public good and making it literally private property.

Money, blackmail and corruption- business as usual if you want to be Trump's toady.

Steven Menachi, white nationalist and homophobe, is a federal appeals justice now not just because Trump appointed him, but because fifty-one Republicans endorsed him. And he's not even remotely alone.

Republicans will admit that their leader committed crimes... and then acquit him.

And, finally, a reminder that, if these trends are not reversed, our fate will be that of the Weimar Republic.

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Link Bundle: Democractic 2020 Race

ELIZABETH WARREN:

... calling out the Democrats who voted to deregulate Wall Street.

... has the momentum, seemingly winning debate after debate.

... is absolutely right on justice reform.

... is going after the 0.1% hoards of wealth.

... "I don’t understand why anybody goes to all the trouble of running for president of the United States just to talk about what we really can’t do and shouldn’t fight for."

BERNIE SANDERS:

... brushing up on his foreign policy chops.

... made the mistake of going on s Fox News town hall... and still emerged triumphant.

PETE BUTTIGIEG:

... has a tin ear when it comes to the demands of Black Lives Matter.

... has gone from being young and friendly to being white and angry.

ANDREW YANG:

... vote for him because Trump's fat...? I guess?

BETO O'ROURKE:

... got an endorsement from a Congresswoman who thought Nancy "Big Donors Call the Shots" Pelosi was too far to the left. And also a few other blue dog Dems. Which is interesting, because as his recent call for banning and confiscating assault rifles shows, he's not nearly as much of a centrist as he makes out.

... is still not liberal enough for a lot of Texans who worked for him in 2018.

JOE BIDEN:

... falls well short on climate change policy.

... preaches the merits of compromise and bipartisanship, despite the blatantly obvious.

... seriously, the completely fucking obvious.

... so obvious there are people who think Biden is only playing dumb.

... has ex-Republicans like David Brooks rooting for him.

... keeps finding new ways to shoot himself in the foot.

... cries crocodile tears for how he treated Anita Hill when presiding over Clarence Thomas's Supreme Court hearings.

... is still the leading choice of black Democratic primary voters, despite having built his entire career on anti-black policies.

... has a pair of Billy Carters, his brother and his son, who have traded on Joe's political career (incompetently) their whole lives, and whose wheeling and dealing are just waiting to embarrass him in the general election.

And, finally:

BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON:

... need to just go away.

Link Bundle: Things Trump Has Been Doing

... when he's not extorting money and election favors from other countries, that is.

He's also arranging sweetheart deals with foreign countries for businessmen who are members of his resorts.

He's trying to cover up or deny his scheme to pay off and silence his mistresses.

He's pocketing millions in cash when Republicans hold events at his hotels and resorts, even when the rooms aren't actually slept in by anybody.

He's embarrassing America on his trips abroad.

He's blocking members of the International Criminal Court from entering the US and freezing their assets here.

His tax cuts are lining his pockets (and those of other billionaires) while utterly failing to create jobs.

And while he's helping billionaires get richer, he's looking for new ways to make the poor poorer.

In fact, he's considering creating concentration camps for the homeless.

He's looting other programs (including support for our soldiers) and violating the Constitution and the express will of Congress in order to fund a wall that won't work.

He's blocking data collection on climate change.

He's protecting carcinogenic, nerve-damaging pesticides which almost all other civilized countries have banned.

He's helping protect violent white supremacists by blaming mass shootings on the political left.

He uses workers as political props.
 
He runs the White House like a mafia family don.

And, just as a reminder, he successfully obstructed justice by suborning perjury and withholding of evidence and interfering in the Mueller investigation. And although proving it in court will be almost impossible, it's all but certain he made himself a pawn of Russian intelligence.

And he's willing to do absolutely anything- even destroy the American republic- to avoid the consequences.

In this struggle, he will have the total support of most elected Republicans... and virtually all Republican voters.