One would think that there is enough violence in the world and we shouldn't have it here, especially condoned by our the man in the presidency. The absurd part of this is that it is done in the name of Christianity.
Trump’s Grande Parade! What a bore. Trump saluting. Mr. Bone Spurs, really? A draft dodger saluting. It always makes my heart go to thumping as I puke. Empty bleachers. How embarrassing. Melania falling asleep. Donald morose. Now, can we have something for which to vote? https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/a-just-movement?r=3m1bs
“Trump himself has encouraged and defended violence directed at his political opponents. These threats (and more than threats) have helped to cow and silence opponents and critics.”
Ironically, when liberals cheered or showed apathy towards Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, who was assassinated by a guy who believed United Healthcare was denying legitimate claims to over 80% of its policyholders, since only 2% of them would appeal; the media was left dumbfounded and confused. How could civilized people cheer the death of anyone, or show apathy towards the rich, they smugly posited.
However, we don’t hear the same outrage when MAGA actually uses violence as a means to justify their actions. It’s even condoned by the MAGA leadership and official cabinet members. We currently hear cabinet officials threatening politicians, governors, State Attorney Generals and judges with impunity.
Yet, where is the outrage? As Noah stated in the newsletter, we watched them justify stampeding through Congress, and threatening to hang a sitting VP.
We saw 130 police officers injured; five who died (some by suicide). We watched while MAGA adherents doxxed, threatened , and SWAT politicians and celebrities who are critical of Trump.
So where is the media now? Where are the same republican politicians who gladly demonized liberals who cheered the death of a corrupt CEO, while they stay silent about the death of democratic politicians.
Bottom line: there is one side that condones violence as a means to an end, and is actively trying to turn our democracy into a fascist, authoritarian theocratic kakistocracy, and all we hear are crickets!
So tell me, why is the MSM so quiet now? I guess they’ve always been a bunch of useless invertebrates. They attack democrats because they believe in the rule of law, while they refuse to hold MAGA to account because they’re either complicit, or they cower in fear; just like the spineless republican politicians, who are are either full blown MAGA, or MAGA adjacent! IMHO!…:)
I agree with you but for one dissent. In the Brian Thompson murder, the “approval” and apathy crosses party lines. It is not just supposed liberals. Also, I don’t know anyone who thinks his killer should just walk free. Perhaps shouty folks on social media, but they could just as easily be Russian bots. Seriously.
I agree, and I wasn’t suggesting otherwise. My point was about how easily republicans and the MSM display outrage at liberals, while ignoring the violence that is perpetrated on behalf of this regime. I won’t even dignify this corrupt criminal enterprise by calling it an administration…:)
We agree. Commenting like this helps people understand. I should have said that the MSM characterized sympathy for the killer as a “liberal” thing. There actually is some of that online, but that stuff does not match my experience with real people, who do not support vigilante justice. The media needs there to be a left/right divide, because stories written that way earn clicks and likes.
I only am talking about the optics. It was shocking (yet not really?) when people actually showed support for the killer. That’s bad, because a person like that can develop a new pet peeve and then…? I’m also saying that I know nobody personally, or personally on social media, who thinks that was okay.
I feel the same way, and so do not condone the violence, yet if we don’t speak out, we’re supposedly part of the problem. And agreed, the optics are bad.
Additionally, you’re right, MAGA was cheering this on as well; including the MAGA wing that went for Bernie in 2016; yet they never even vote democrat, they usually end up voting for Jill Stein. Ironically, another Putin stooge!….:)
Yes, there’s another one - Putin. We’ve known for decades now what his goals and intentions are. He has not swerved from his game plan. Our own politicians and media casting him in a different light is probably the biggest longer-term threat to the country I’ve seen in the past few years. He has always intended to crush America and Western-style democracy.
Minnesota needs to make sure they take care of the prosecution themselves. I read elsewhere that the suspect is also facing possible Federal charges. If I were Keith Ellison, as Attorney General in Minnesota, I would not hand this over to the Feds.
Why? Because Trump has been talking about pardoning the guys who attempted to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer. Michigan allowed the Feds to handle it because the penalties are stiffer and… resources. But in doing so, they’ve given Trump the power to pardon. If he does that, the State of Michigan cannot re-try the conspirators due to double jeopardy.
Not so if Minnesota simply moves forward on murder charges, with Ellison taking charge. Do not hand that power to the Feds, who can factor in domestic terrorism, etc. and increase the penalties (death sentence). Is that necessary, though? Also, given Trump’s behavior, should Keith Ellison factor all of this into his decision?
So Ellison should be gracious. “Thank you to Federal law enforcement for assisting Minnesota in capturing the suspect. The State will now move forward with the prosecution.”
Going further here. The killer is deranged by definition. But he is obviously meticulous and cunning, and we are likely to discover more about his planning. Which, I’m afraid to say, could include anticipating what happens after capture. He might expect the Feds to take charge of his case, and have already planned to appeal directly to Trump. Minnesota needs to proceed under State law.
This was a very good article - but missed one important further observation: the Orange Monster has been talking about pardoning the guys convicted of trying to kidnap and kill Whitmer. Can't really get more disgusting than that.
He’s working on being more disgusting with every passing hour.
He hates Whitmer for standing up to him, which was the driver in his humiliation stunt in the Oval. Further things planned for many people, unfortunately.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt supposedly remarked in 1939 "(Nicaragua dictator Anastasio) Somoza may be a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch."
This attitude was also common in Northern Ireland during "The Troubles". The political reaction to even the most despicably horrific murders - most noticeably those by Loyalist paramilitaries - were condemned, but only in a qualified manner, by mainstream Unionist politicians, one of whom, Ian Paisley, was also a major religious leader.
They were "agin" violence - but "understood" what was behind it.
It was said to be the product of a "laager mentality", i.e. the presupposition that their (unionist, in that case) community was the one under attack, and that loyalist violence was in fact "reactive".
In other words, all the loyalist nastiness was, in fact, not really their fault.
Or, in simple parlance, "Look what you made me do!!"
This was a very good article - but missed one important further observation: the Orange Monster has been talking about pardoning the guys convicted of trying to kidnap and kill Whitmer. Can't really get more disgusting than that.
I just read your comment after posting mine. That’s why MN needs to tell the Feds, “We will handle the murder charges, you can do what you like with the terrorism charges.” Keith Ellison should be public on why he would do this, citing Michigan and Trump’s instability.
Since the reconstruction era following our Civil War an overwhelming majority of the domestic terrorism involving violence or the threats of violence has been due to perpetrators on the right. There are periods of relatively low activity but in times of rapid change and general unrest the incidences rise. We are in one of those periods. I would guess it's been going on since well before 2016. We are a very violent society and not all the violence: the mass shootings, the school shootings etc are politically motivated. The majority are not. What's new and very troubling to me is that now such violence is beginning to be condoned and encouraged and even legally pardoned by one political faction who is of course on the Right. They are like parents who coddle, pamper and encourage their violent children.
I'm sorry to use comments on this article to send a message about events & news today - Vance Boelter is a pathological narcissist, a big, potentially growing, part of Trump's base, as he is one, too. Since 2020 they have become increasingly open to violence (some intrepid researchers have shown). The police officers in MN did their jobs. They do not have experience in dealing with this level.of pathology (security cosplay since 2018!). And we have heard from many that our representatives have had to increase their private security since that time, as well. On this occasion, our public safety officers did do their jobs as best they could, and I'm confident Minnesotans will see that Boelter is brought to justice. My outside hope is that we will also look at what enabled the years of cosplay and radicalization, even if that includes his wife & employers & bankers & church & our political leaders, etc.
One would think that there is enough violence in the world and we shouldn't have it here, especially condoned by our the man in the presidency. The absurd part of this is that it is done in the name of Christianity.
Trump’s Grande Parade! What a bore. Trump saluting. Mr. Bone Spurs, really? A draft dodger saluting. It always makes my heart go to thumping as I puke. Empty bleachers. How embarrassing. Melania falling asleep. Donald morose. Now, can we have something for which to vote? https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/a-just-movement?r=3m1bs
“Trump himself has encouraged and defended violence directed at his political opponents. These threats (and more than threats) have helped to cow and silence opponents and critics.”
Ironically, when liberals cheered or showed apathy towards Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, who was assassinated by a guy who believed United Healthcare was denying legitimate claims to over 80% of its policyholders, since only 2% of them would appeal; the media was left dumbfounded and confused. How could civilized people cheer the death of anyone, or show apathy towards the rich, they smugly posited.
However, we don’t hear the same outrage when MAGA actually uses violence as a means to justify their actions. It’s even condoned by the MAGA leadership and official cabinet members. We currently hear cabinet officials threatening politicians, governors, State Attorney Generals and judges with impunity.
Yet, where is the outrage? As Noah stated in the newsletter, we watched them justify stampeding through Congress, and threatening to hang a sitting VP.
We saw 130 police officers injured; five who died (some by suicide). We watched while MAGA adherents doxxed, threatened , and SWAT politicians and celebrities who are critical of Trump.
So where is the media now? Where are the same republican politicians who gladly demonized liberals who cheered the death of a corrupt CEO, while they stay silent about the death of democratic politicians.
Bottom line: there is one side that condones violence as a means to an end, and is actively trying to turn our democracy into a fascist, authoritarian theocratic kakistocracy, and all we hear are crickets!
So tell me, why is the MSM so quiet now? I guess they’ve always been a bunch of useless invertebrates. They attack democrats because they believe in the rule of law, while they refuse to hold MAGA to account because they’re either complicit, or they cower in fear; just like the spineless republican politicians, who are are either full blown MAGA, or MAGA adjacent! IMHO!…:)
I agree with you but for one dissent. In the Brian Thompson murder, the “approval” and apathy crosses party lines. It is not just supposed liberals. Also, I don’t know anyone who thinks his killer should just walk free. Perhaps shouty folks on social media, but they could just as easily be Russian bots. Seriously.
I agree, and I wasn’t suggesting otherwise. My point was about how easily republicans and the MSM display outrage at liberals, while ignoring the violence that is perpetrated on behalf of this regime. I won’t even dignify this corrupt criminal enterprise by calling it an administration…:)
We agree. Commenting like this helps people understand. I should have said that the MSM characterized sympathy for the killer as a “liberal” thing. There actually is some of that online, but that stuff does not match my experience with real people, who do not support vigilante justice. The media needs there to be a left/right divide, because stories written that way earn clicks and likes.
I only am talking about the optics. It was shocking (yet not really?) when people actually showed support for the killer. That’s bad, because a person like that can develop a new pet peeve and then…? I’m also saying that I know nobody personally, or personally on social media, who thinks that was okay.
I feel the same way, and so do not condone the violence, yet if we don’t speak out, we’re supposedly part of the problem. And agreed, the optics are bad.
Additionally, you’re right, MAGA was cheering this on as well; including the MAGA wing that went for Bernie in 2016; yet they never even vote democrat, they usually end up voting for Jill Stein. Ironically, another Putin stooge!….:)
Yes, there’s another one - Putin. We’ve known for decades now what his goals and intentions are. He has not swerved from his game plan. Our own politicians and media casting him in a different light is probably the biggest longer-term threat to the country I’ve seen in the past few years. He has always intended to crush America and Western-style democracy.
Minnesota needs to make sure they take care of the prosecution themselves. I read elsewhere that the suspect is also facing possible Federal charges. If I were Keith Ellison, as Attorney General in Minnesota, I would not hand this over to the Feds.
Why? Because Trump has been talking about pardoning the guys who attempted to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer. Michigan allowed the Feds to handle it because the penalties are stiffer and… resources. But in doing so, they’ve given Trump the power to pardon. If he does that, the State of Michigan cannot re-try the conspirators due to double jeopardy.
Not so if Minnesota simply moves forward on murder charges, with Ellison taking charge. Do not hand that power to the Feds, who can factor in domestic terrorism, etc. and increase the penalties (death sentence). Is that necessary, though? Also, given Trump’s behavior, should Keith Ellison factor all of this into his decision?
So Ellison should be gracious. “Thank you to Federal law enforcement for assisting Minnesota in capturing the suspect. The State will now move forward with the prosecution.”
Going further here. The killer is deranged by definition. But he is obviously meticulous and cunning, and we are likely to discover more about his planning. Which, I’m afraid to say, could include anticipating what happens after capture. He might expect the Feds to take charge of his case, and have already planned to appeal directly to Trump. Minnesota needs to proceed under State law.
This was a very good article - but missed one important further observation: the Orange Monster has been talking about pardoning the guys convicted of trying to kidnap and kill Whitmer. Can't really get more disgusting than that.
He’s working on being more disgusting with every passing hour.
He hates Whitmer for standing up to him, which was the driver in his humiliation stunt in the Oval. Further things planned for many people, unfortunately.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt supposedly remarked in 1939 "(Nicaragua dictator Anastasio) Somoza may be a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch."
This attitude was also common in Northern Ireland during "The Troubles". The political reaction to even the most despicably horrific murders - most noticeably those by Loyalist paramilitaries - were condemned, but only in a qualified manner, by mainstream Unionist politicians, one of whom, Ian Paisley, was also a major religious leader.
They were "agin" violence - but "understood" what was behind it.
It was said to be the product of a "laager mentality", i.e. the presupposition that their (unionist, in that case) community was the one under attack, and that loyalist violence was in fact "reactive".
In other words, all the loyalist nastiness was, in fact, not really their fault.
Or, in simple parlance, "Look what you made me do!!"
This was a very good article - but missed one important further observation: the Orange Monster has been talking about pardoning the guys convicted of trying to kidnap and kill Whitmer. Can't really get more disgusting than that.
I just read your comment after posting mine. That’s why MN needs to tell the Feds, “We will handle the murder charges, you can do what you like with the terrorism charges.” Keith Ellison should be public on why he would do this, citing Michigan and Trump’s instability.
Since the reconstruction era following our Civil War an overwhelming majority of the domestic terrorism involving violence or the threats of violence has been due to perpetrators on the right. There are periods of relatively low activity but in times of rapid change and general unrest the incidences rise. We are in one of those periods. I would guess it's been going on since well before 2016. We are a very violent society and not all the violence: the mass shootings, the school shootings etc are politically motivated. The majority are not. What's new and very troubling to me is that now such violence is beginning to be condoned and encouraged and even legally pardoned by one political faction who is of course on the Right. They are like parents who coddle, pamper and encourage their violent children.
I'm sorry to use comments on this article to send a message about events & news today - Vance Boelter is a pathological narcissist, a big, potentially growing, part of Trump's base, as he is one, too. Since 2020 they have become increasingly open to violence (some intrepid researchers have shown). The police officers in MN did their jobs. They do not have experience in dealing with this level.of pathology (security cosplay since 2018!). And we have heard from many that our representatives have had to increase their private security since that time, as well. On this occasion, our public safety officers did do their jobs as best they could, and I'm confident Minnesotans will see that Boelter is brought to justice. My outside hope is that we will also look at what enabled the years of cosplay and radicalization, even if that includes his wife & employers & bankers & church & our political leaders, etc.
From Bully Pulpit … to Daily Bully.
I would add pardons of the Jan 6 insurrectionists to the timeline. These were a green light to ongoing political violence.