From Chris Hedges:
"The murders of unarmed civilians on the streets of Minneapolis, including the killing of the intensive-care nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti, would not come as a shock to Iraqis in Fallujah or Afghans in Helmand province. They were terrorized by heavily armed American execution squads for decades.
It would not come as a shock to any of the students I teach in prison. Militarized police in poor urban neighborhoods kick down doors without warrants and kill with the same impunity and lack of accountability. What the rest of us are facing now, is what Aimé Césaire called imperial boomerang.
Empires, when they decay, employ the savage forms of control on those they subjugate abroad, or those demonized by the wider society in the name of law and order, on the homeland.
The tyranny Athens imposed on others, Thucydides noted, it finally, with the collapse of Athenian democracy, imposed on itself. But before we became the victims of state terror, we were accomplices. Before we expressed moral outrage at the indiscriminate taking of innocent lives, we tolerated, and often celebrated, the same Gestapo tactics, as long as they were directed at those who lived in the nations we occupied or poor people of color.
We sowed the wind, now we will reap the whirlwind. The machinery of terror, perfected on those we abandoned and betrayed, including the Palestinians in Gaza, is ready for us."
Paul Krugman:
"It has been clear for a long time, to anyone willing to see, that the people running the federal government
— Trump, Miller, Noem, Bovino and more — are monsters.
It has been equally obvious that ICE and the Border Patrol are now filled with sadistic thugs.
Yet many people — almost the entire GOP, everyone serving in the Trump administration, some Democrats, a significant part of the media — were too cowardly to admit the obvious."
NYTimes letter to the editor:
On Saturday, our own government asked the public to do just that when it told us that the man who was killed was intent on inflicting harm on the agents who beat and then ultimately killed him."
42 comments:
This nation, ignorant to its core, will undoubtedly now reap the extreme hate it willingly elected to the presidency in 2016 and again in 2024. With his hate came Project 2025 and the fascism that the MAGA filth loves. The worsening trend with the thugs in iCE will only grow and effect more cities and people across the nation. No one is safe in their homes or community any longer.
The fascism and Nazism this nation defeated in WW II now lives in our republican (more accurately rethuglican) party and the federal government. ICE is the brown shirts of Nazi Germany and our military is being morphed into an aggressive offensive force to be used for conquest and empire.
We are in decline. Serious decline that with each passing day it is growing less and less likely that this nation survives as a democratic republic with respect for the equality and dignity of its people.
Those of us really paying attention saw what the filth known as Donald Trump for what he is in 2016 before his first election to the presidency. Following his insurrection attempt on J6 2021 it was clearer than ever he was an ignorant hateful tyrant deserving of a very long prison sentence. Yet the SOB want reelected in 2024.
So here we are. With a fascist federal government, s sick deteriorating asshole narcissist running the nation with millions of ignorant MAGA Anericans continuing to bow to his evil hateful will.
Prepare for marshal law and the suspension of voting cause that's the next natural step of a fascist dictatorship.
America spoke and now it reads the hell of its ignorance.
Your attempts at painting Jeffrey the Concealed Carry Protestor into some kind of Charlie Kirk won't be successful. All you'll reap, as with TDS, is more and more of the Erika Effect.
One "man's" domestic terrorist is something else for those who really care -
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10240791437873035&id=1525685716&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=Lhbw1HEa6ViM13Cp#
Here's more to reflect on... the sheer stupidity of some of the sailors on the HMS Mothership. Speaking of NATO, La Capitana asked this...
"Seems to me it’d be difficult for us to remain safe without European cooperation; can we have that without NATO? Have there been times in the last 50 years where NATO DID do anything beneficial for US?"
How can someone, anyone, take a person who asks such a question seriously?
Only once in the entire history of the NATO Charter has the Article 5 defense pact been enacted. On September 12, 2001... in defense of the United States of America. And the great majority of our NATO Allies came to our side, including non NATO member Australia. Hundreds of NATO soldiers dies in our War on Terror... on our behalf and the behalf of the EU.
How does a teacher, a supposedly intelligent person, a sentient being from the US, not know the answer to that question?
I'm flabbergasted. But since Trump didn't know, why should I expect his electorate to know...
We're not trying to "paint", Alex Pretti, the man Trump's goons murdered as anything but what he was. I'm pretty sure his ex-wife, mother, father, or anyone else who knew him won't be appearing on stage with fireworks and music to tell us how great he was. We already know that he was a good and decent human being by the testaments pouring in from those who personally knew him.
He doesn't need an "Erica Kirk" circus to prove that.
Your indecent remarks about him tells us all we need to know about your humanity.
"How does a teacher, a supposedly intelligent person, a sentient being from the US, not know the answer to that question?"
Good question. It is astounding.
But she and her commenters have strong opinions about NATO, don't they, without knowing the sacrifices our allies have made for us.
I'm embarrassed to know how ignorant my fellow Americans are.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/minnesota-gop-gubernatorial-candidate-drops-173605819.html?utm_source=pushly&ncid=pushly
the poison cookie crumbles
embarrassed and disgusted. over there it is Trump Uber Alles
Embarrassed but not surprised at all. Something about the foolish beliefs in American Exceptionalism and all that BS.
The Wall Street Journal said the Admin "spin" is "simply not believable". The NY Post criticized the Trump administration regarding immigration, specifically addressing scenes in Minnesota and advising against continuing to tell the public "not to believe their lying eyes..."
Gee, I wonder why not? But I guess stuff like this doesn't matter to the -FJ's of the world. All while he criticizes us for the sin of virtue signaling because we're critical of Trump's lack of ability and morality.
The media itself carrys some responsibility for the filth that is theTrump administration and MAGA. Why? Because the media refused to call out, in complete truth and with full force, what many ot us knew all along. That Trump is a dishonest and vindictive authoritaeian narcissist that is only truly interested in self promotion and covering his own lying as* and that of his lying sycophants.
On bended knee the main stream media DID NOT do its job. Going all the way back to 2016 and continuing to the present day.
It's sickening to witness.
Trump and his administration will not turn away from these enforcement actions unless they calculate Republicans will be negatively affected in the November mid-term elections. These people never do anything because it’s the morally correct thing to do. They only change their approach when it becomes apparent that their re-election is in danger.
Like every fascist, -FJ finds joy in the suffering and deaths of people he hates.
He mocks and blames the victims of Trump's murderous thugs.
The fact that -FJ cannot denounce the vicious smears, hate, and lies about the recent ICE murder victims tells us EXACTLY what he is. A fascist sociopath.
After reading his comments at fascist MAGA blogs we see he's also a racist to the core.
Yup, fascist Jews are now political allies of evil American neo-Nazis.
Here's "something to reflect on" also...
The Trump Admin has stated, from numerous leaders, including the Sec of DHS Noem, FBI Director Patel and CPB Leader Bovino that they believe it is illegal for an American citizen to exercise his or her 2nd Amendment rights in and around a protest.
An American citizen, they said, has no right to have a legally permitted gun in those areas.
Just stop a minute and consider, as Majorie Taylor Greene has done, if a Biden or Obama Admin Secretary and those Presidents had said as much. The GOP, conservatives and MAGA she said, would be going crazy.
But theyre not.
Tell us friends, and I'm thinking about Skud, Joe Con, -FJ, Thersites and all the anon MAGA trolls, why you're all so silent and are holding your criticism of the president?
Why? Your silence is breathtaking. And speaks volumes about your character, the character you, through your votes, used to stand for.
Dave,
It's no wonder Skud and the "MAGA Trinity" are unable to answer this.
"Biden overwhelmingly won a fair election in 2020 and Trump LIED about the election being rigged and criminally tried to overturn it".
You either agree or disagree. Which is it?
The blazing and glaring hypocrisy of the filth now controlling this country is EVERY bit as evil as Hitler's NAZI Germany or Stalin's USSR.
Shaw... here's what FBI Director argued over the weekend... "“You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It’s that simple." And we got agreement, from the Admin, not protest, not pushback, not dissent.
I'm no fan of guns, or the 2nd Amendment as the GOP and conservatives have interpreted it recently.
But that statement, from the MAGA FBI Leader, is breathtaking. This was their message, their righteous cause, for decades.
Where are the supposed America lovers who for years have campaigned on "they're coming for your guns" and "they hate the 2nd Amendment" now?
First they came for our morality, and we were silent. Then they came for our Capitol, and we were silent. Then they came for citizenship, and we were silent. Then they came for our right to protest, and killed us, and we were silent. Then they came for our gun rights, and not a single principled conservative was left.
This alone, in the midst of all that has happened in just 27 days this month, is amazing.
From what I read from various sources trump did not say how he views this incident. Of course you have sources others do not so YOMV based on your facts.
It is illegal in most states to carry a firearm into a bar because you may get drunk and shoot someone. Shouldn't the same rational apply to a protest that turns into a riot. I have no idea what actually happened but I would surmise if Pretti did not have a big iron on his hip he would not have been perceived as a threat.
I am a supporter of the 2nd amendment and have a CCP but I do believe there are not enough restrictions placed on gun ownership. That is the reason I no longer belong to the NRA.
It is simple to understand, IMO. The "Right" believes in 2nd Amendment rights only for themselves. Isn't that obvious from the ridiculous statements from leaders of Trump's party and even from our own commenters who supposedly support the 2nd Amendment (see skud's comment below).
My own brother who lives in Mississippi posted on Facebook "wondering" why Pretti would come to a protest with a concealed weapon! And my brother is a HUGE gun rights guy! Again, I don't think anyone would be questioning Pretti's right to carry if he were a MAGA! So this points to certain people's rank hypocrisy. "Gun rights for me, but not thee."
Also, the "right" made a hero out of Rittenhouse, who came to a tense protest carrying an automatic rifle and killed 3 people. No one on the right question his decision to do that. They made him a hero! Hypocrisy at its finest!
Of course skud, a deluded MAGA sheeple bubbles and bubbles on attempting to straddle truth rather than acknowledging the truth. The truth every non MAGA sheeple is fully aware of SIMPLY by trusting their own eyes and ears. But NOT skud. The both sider in effect supports ignorance, greed, and hatefulness. The agenda of Trump, his sycophants, and MAGA.
Well as usual, Skud, you are wrong on the facts. It has been historically seen, absent pushback directly from a POTUS, that Cabinet Secretaries, all function as spokespeople for the admin they serve.
And in this case, the head of the FBI, the Commander at Large of the Border Patrol, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Treasury have all annunciated, again, without pushback from Trump, or other admin officials a view that carrying weapons as Pretti did in Minnesota, is illegal. That's a lot of admin firepower, no pin intended, for a view the admin does not hold.
Even the NRA disagreed.
Now for some additional fact based commentary... Since ICE was surprised Pretti even had a gun, because it was concealed, as was his right, it could not have been part of being "perceived as a threat". It was only after they started tackling him, while he was trying to help, since he's a nurse, a woman they were beating, that they found out he had a gun.
They then disarmed him, removing the threat.
And then they shot him. A man they had disarmed. Now, I'm willing to be charitable and give them a couple of heat of the moment shots. But why the additional 4-5 shots, after he was prone, and dead, on the ground? And why did they applaud afterwards Skud? BTW... these facts are all on tape, including the applause.
I'm happy that you, as a gun owner you are for more restrictions. But unless and until people like you, moderate on gun ownership, step up and are vocal, there will be no changes.
No one is going to listen to pointy headed liberals like me on this. We need people like you to call to account YOUR preferred political leaders.
As for bringing a gun to a protest... I'm okay with that with restrictions, but it's not legal at this point.
BTW... facts are not mine, not yours. They are facts. You hide behind that dodge too frequently, refusing to do the work to prove, or support your points. Let's not live in alternative facts Skud. You can do better.
SKUD, the ICE agents didn't know Pretti had a weapon until they had him pinned to the ground.
Minnesota allows carrying at a protest, but not interfering with law enforcement operations while armed. That can result in immediate arrest.
All the videos posted showed Pretti was NOT interfering with law enforcement, but rather ICE shoving and spraying him while he helped a woman whom ICE knocked to the ground. ICE then wrestled Pretti to the ground, found his weapon, disarmed him, then executed him.
Naw, Dave. When one circles in willful ignorance and delusion, as does skud and most if not all of MAGA, doing better is precludes by their very own mind and ego. For them and their raging egos of delusion and ignorance nothing but their Fuhrer's words are true for them.
Dube, You have a bright future in politics because you have what it takes. Don't do anything except point fingers at others. Your future looks golden.
I saw some videos of the killing and why they felt it necessary to shoot him while he was being held down should bring criminal charges against the officers. I still say all Ice, Military and LEO's should be pulled away from the city. It won't stop the riots because those people have to have something to do but at least people won't be murdered by law enforcement.
Ignorance, delusion, and relative unawareness of reality certainly have found a safe home in skud's mind.
skud proved once again that they have a reading for comprehension issue.
I've defined protest and riot below. I'm sure skud has evidence that the protests in Minnesota are indeed riots? Yes skud? Facts? Video coverage?
I'll save you the time you Nat-C sympathizer. Minnesotans were exercising their First and Second Amendment Rights as per the Constitution. No one rioted although I've heard several talking heads from the MAGA crew refer to them as such.
LOL - skud sure likes to distance themselves from the Trump admin and their cohort when things go pear shaped but their word choices in trying to cast shade on Alex Pretti reveals the truth. They may claim independent status but their thoughts and words are pure MAGA. Facts are facts skud unless you are MAGA and then facts can be altered (alternative facts) per the narrative you wish others to perceive. In the real world that's called a sincerely held belief skud and they crumple like tissues in the rain when face to face with reality.
Protest defined per AI: In law, "protest" has several meanings, from a formal written objection to a government contract or a dishonored check (a notarial act) to a public demonstration of dissent against a law or policy, protected by free speech but subject to time, place, and manner restrictions. It also refers to a payer's declaration that they pay under compulsion but dispute the payment's legality, preserving their right to seek a refund. )
Riot defined per Merriam Webster: A violent public disorder
specifically, law : a violent disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together that presents a danger of injury to a person or property
Grey, Everything you stated as a definition of a riot points to the misunderstandings going on in Minneapolis makes it a riot, burning and damaging cars, starting fires, throwing objects at LEO's. Well reported by all the news media unless you don't care to watch something you disagree with. You you seem feel it necessary to blame me for your hate, guess you have to have a target and I am it. That's fine because being an independent means there are a lot of people who disagree with me.
As to me wanting America to be Great I do not deny that is a true statement. I don't understand why someone would not want the country to be great but some cannot put their hate aside.
"Minneapolis sustained extensive damage from rioting and looting during the protests—largely concentrated on a 5-mile (8.0 km) stretch of Lake Street south of downtown—including the destruction of the city's 3rd police precinct building, which was overrun by demonstrators and set on fire"
Skud,
I'm not going to stop asking until I get a real answer.
"Biden overwhelmingly won a fair election in 2020 and Trump LIED about the election being rigged and criminally tried to overturn it".
You either agree or disagree. Which is it?
How about this one?
Trump is "making America great again".
Agree or disagree?
Or this: Trump is inciting more hate and division in America than any politician in our history. Agree or disagree?
Prevarications are NOT acceptable.
No good faith response will be judged as moral cowardice.
As fully expected skud pops in and confirms his own ignorance, lack of true awareness, pro authoritarian love, and support for federal government created chaos. skud supports everything Trump does.
Donald J. Trump is fully responsible for the hate and current violence in the country today. Although the SOB will never ever be held accountable for any of the evil sweeping the country.
Folks like skud, -FJ, Joe Conservative, Thersites, and the sailors on the Motherahip of Delusions, through their continued blind support of the filthy Authoritarian Tump are ultimately responsible.
When your opponent can't argue the facts but instead brings personalities into the mix you know you've won your point. Not how I define winning but there we are.
I asked for footage of protestors rioting. Where is the footage of such acts? You can't provide them skud because that didn't happen. Not here. Not now. But why let facts get in the way of a narrative that warms your heart at night.
And there it is, the old I must be correct because there are those who disagree with me blather. Does anyone else see the similarities between skud's careful self victimization and the continued victim claims from the Nat-C's? Plain as day but then again I'm highly attuned to such things having been fighting for so long. Yeesh. You'd think facts would win the day but nope - sincerely held beliefs still hold the public eye.
You don't get to question my intentions about this country skud. I want our country to live up to it's lofty ideals. Based on the folks I listen to our country has never fulfilled those ideals. It's been liberty for all as long as all means White, male, and Christian, and it has to be the correct form of Christianity even though the Constitution and Bill of Rights are clear that no religious tests shall be applied for those holding office. That you think we used to be great when the discrimination was out loud and proud tells me all I need to know about you.
Blame you for my hate? Oh for the love of all that is self victimhood. You need therapy skud. Not everything is all about you. I call you out because you refuse to accept facts, you insult our fellow commentators on the regular, and when we push back you claim to be the the victim. Yeah, therapy, stat.
That statement you made at the end? ""Minneapolis sustained extensive damage from rioting and looting during the protests—largely concentrated on a 5-mile (8.0 km) stretch of Lake Street south of downtown—including the destruction of the city's 3rd police precinct building, which was overrun by demonstrators and set on fire"
That was from the George Floyd protests which turned into riots after the police escalated the situation. How very Orwellian of you to use years old descriptions of what is happening here/now.
I don't expect a response as historically you've yet to reply in any meaningful manner but here goes: please show the class where the protests against ICE turned into riots.
skud, I don't hate my enemy, I love them, and when I love them I understand clearly how to remove their power. If you identify with my enemy that's not personal, that's you taking the incorrect side. You could just accept the facts as presented, there is that.
This is just a guess, Les, but if history is correct (and it usually is), they'll live to see Trump's name reviled and spit on once he's gone from office.
I suggest naming the new White House ballroom the "Pretti Good Memorial Ballroom".
skud: "... throwing objects at LEO's...." How about beating LEOs with flag poles, choking them, hitting them in the face with bear spray, causing their deaths?
That's what Trump and his insurrectionists did on J6. And the fact that our feckless government let Trump and his thugs get away with that brutality and mayhem should make you and others ashamed to have anything to say about what the good people of Minnesota are doing to protect themselves and their neighbors.
The thugs who ransacked, defiled and destroyed US property were for the most part put on trial and a jury of their peers FOUND THEM GUILTY. GUILTY OF WONTON DESTRUCTION AND BEATING INTO SENSELESSNESS POLICE!
One of the first actions Trump took when he resumed office a year ago was to pardon all those thugs who destroyed property and beat the crap out of policemen and women. Those thugs now wear ICE uniforms and are executing innocent Americans on their streets.
Which side are you defending?
Skud's aversion to my simple questions tells us who he's defending. He DREADS associating the words "criminal" and "pedophile protector" with Trump.
Brilliant.
Indeed
Grey, I didn't realize you could put videos on this blog but will look into it. You are correct I made a reference to floyd riots. I will strive to be more careful about what I post.
Dube, is it going to make you day to have me state biden won. Oh well.
Biden divided the country and trump is widening that divide. Going to be a long three years unless the democrats impeach him next February.
Skud,
You didn't answer my question. Even Trump admitted Biden won.
Obviously you can't admit Biden won a fair election in 2020 and Trump LIED about it, and CRIMINALLY tried to overturn it.
Thanks for tacitly admitting you believe Trump's Big Lie that Biden won by rigging the election and excusing Trump from dividing the country BEFORE Biden defeated him.
And I bet you believe Obama divided the country more than Trump has.
Again with the reading for comprehension issue skud. I didn't ask for you to post such footage here, I asked where is it? And you came back with snarky snark snark instead of answering the damn question. Going forward any mention by you of footage of events you say happened are figments of your imagination. How like your hero you are skud.
And answer Dave Dubya's question. How hard is it to say Trump knew he lost to Biden? How hard is it to admit that Trump is a whiny loser who can't admit that he isn't as cool as he believes himself to be?
Oh, wait. If you admit to that honest fact then you have to admit something else unknown to the rest of the class, meaning you must therefore face yourself which is a line you can't cross.
Wow. Sad for you skud. Sincerely sad you are that lost in the weeds.
Grey One,
Note how Skud had to prevaricate and attack Biden in his "answer".
He'll never admit Trump is a criminal.
But I'll ask again:
Skud,
I'm not going to stop asking until I get a real answer.
"Biden overwhelmingly won a fair election in 2020 and Trump LIED about the election being rigged and criminally tried to overturn it".
You either agree or disagree. Which is it?
And for you moral cowardice I offer another question.
Is Trump a racist and stochastic terrorist?
Evidence:
Trump on Somalis: "We're gonna go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country. Ilhan Omar is garbage. She's garbage. Her friends are garbage."
Ilhan Omar: “In the 4 years when Biden was president, my death threats went to almost zero — now they are back up — so there is a clear correlation between his presidency & the political violence that we see & the political danger that a lot of members of Congress & electeds feel across the country.”
Any mention of Biden in your response indicates evasion, moral cowardice, and defense of Trump.
More questions, as well as determinations of your character will follow if you ignore these.
There has to some reason for your reluctance. I think we all know why.
You can speak evidence backed truths to the willfully ignorant over and over and over again.
Backed up with credible linked articles or verified videos time and again.
A voice from the heavens could boom out the same truths.
But the willfully ignorant swirling in Mays wrapped tight in their reified beliefs and conditioning will NEVER acknowledge the falsehoods of Trump, his regime, and his MAGA scam.
So it becomes somehing like shouting into windstorm and expecting anyone to actually hear.
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