I'm sick of hearing about "training." Jonathan Ross was thoroughly trained. Blaming training implies that these are really good men (and they are always men, which no one is commenting on though it's highly relevant) who just don't know any better than shooting people in the face. BULLSHIT!! Even men with NO training don't SHOOT people who merely annoy them unless they are filled with hate, rage and violence. And that's who ICE is intentionally recruiting.
This is a government sanctioned backlash, heading rapidly toward full-fledged war, by white men against women, sexual minorities, and people of color. Training is irrelevant, since there are no consequences for ignoring it. Truth is irrelevant, since our highest government officials blame the victims no matter what we do. Doing the legal thing on our side will not protect us from harm, nor will it change minds, since it will be misrepresented, and the misrepresentations will be believed, by the people who are keeping this government in power.
To keep to doing the same thing that has proven ineffective to change the situation, and is placing people in escalating risk, is madness. The rules aren't in effect anymore, so we have to stop playing like they are. I'm not advocating violence, but we have to do something too radically different for ICE to reframe (if there is such a thing. Indigenous women blocking corporate bulldozers in South American rain forests comes to mind, but I don't think that would work here. ICE would happily run them down), or perhaps call a general strike, empty the streets, and close down the city completely. Sometimes the only way to win is not to play.
Seventy-seven million Americans voted for this. Hearing people say, "I didn't vote for THIS!" tells us just how ill-prepared millions of Americans are to vote responsibly. I argue that "this" is what they voted for, and the real problem is that they allowed themselves to be so ill-informed, so focused on what they individually wanted, that they pretended Trump isn't who he has spent the past nine years (as of election day 2024) being. Based on mountains of evidence, there was no rational reason to believe that Trump would lower prices, deport only the "worst of the worst," or be a competent, law-abiding president.
So, saying that this isn't America is simply not true. This is not what many of us want America to be, but this is America today. Recently, a survey came out that told us that in Europe only some 16% think the U.S. is an "ally." The number in the UK is 25%. The citizens of our oldest, closest ally now overwhelmingly look at us as an opponent, at best, or possibly even an enemy.
That isn't surprising, because Trump is an enemy of what we want America to be and what it has tried, often unsuccessfully, to be in the past. Trump is often criticized for the "Big Lie," which was his claim that he won the 2020 election. There is another "Big Lie" in my opinion. That centers around American exceptionalism. We are not the greatest country in the world or ever. We are one of many countries who do good things and bad. We have had more power than other countries in the past and some of the good we have done exceeds the ability of smaller, less wealthy countries. However, often, our relative good is less than that of other countries. It has been common for Americans to complain about our foreign aid, but the truth is that based on the ability to contribute our contributions are often less than those of other countries. American exceptionalism is a lie we have told ourselves and it has been used to hide some of the truly horrible things we have done, such as overthrowing democratically elected leaders in order to serve the interests of American businesses. I won't belabor this point, but, if nothing else, Donald Trump's election twice to be president should end our ever again claiming that we are exceptional in the way that idea has been used in the past. An honest look at who we are is the best way to ensure we will be the best country we are capable of being in the future.
Derek Chauvin's conviction relied heavily on the video footage captured by bystanders. The people who capture ICE's actions are doing the most valuable thing a protester can do. Seeing the truth is very effective response to their lies.
He still hasn't paid E. Jean Carroll, nor did he pay (or fully pay) many contractors and vendors that worked on his Atlantic City casinos, all the way back in the ‘80's and early 90's.
I want to know if the Senator has to use that baseball bat up against the door corner... or is that just in case something bad is about to happen? Curious mind wants to know...
No investigation by the word of one elected official. It’s a green light to the whole world to do what one sees fits without any consequences. People will continue to be killed, which eventually would result in meek, scared, perfectly obedient majority. Those of us who believe in God justify own actions to prevent ourselves from going to hell. Well, we all are, already in hell.
Liz could run for office, but she's not stupid, so........
Why would anyone want to hang out (work) anywhere near people like Jim Jordan (House) or John Kennedy (Senate). Those are Republicans. But why would anyone who wanted to fight for American democracy want to be in a party led by Schumer in the Senate or Jeffries in the House. Both are ineffective and weak. Schumer's idea of fighting is sending a "sternly worded letter" to Trump. His words.
"What can we do?" I can my electeds. Both my senators are Dems. I would expect to hear outrage from them. I would expect to hear outrage from Jeffries and Schumer. Nothing. Crickets
I have such a heart for Liz Oyer! One can tell she was good at her job and honest.
Great conversation. Listened yesterday! Appreciate your insight during these disturbing times.
I'm sick of hearing about "training." Jonathan Ross was thoroughly trained. Blaming training implies that these are really good men (and they are always men, which no one is commenting on though it's highly relevant) who just don't know any better than shooting people in the face. BULLSHIT!! Even men with NO training don't SHOOT people who merely annoy them unless they are filled with hate, rage and violence. And that's who ICE is intentionally recruiting.
This is a government sanctioned backlash, heading rapidly toward full-fledged war, by white men against women, sexual minorities, and people of color. Training is irrelevant, since there are no consequences for ignoring it. Truth is irrelevant, since our highest government officials blame the victims no matter what we do. Doing the legal thing on our side will not protect us from harm, nor will it change minds, since it will be misrepresented, and the misrepresentations will be believed, by the people who are keeping this government in power.
To keep to doing the same thing that has proven ineffective to change the situation, and is placing people in escalating risk, is madness. The rules aren't in effect anymore, so we have to stop playing like they are. I'm not advocating violence, but we have to do something too radically different for ICE to reframe (if there is such a thing. Indigenous women blocking corporate bulldozers in South American rain forests comes to mind, but I don't think that would work here. ICE would happily run them down), or perhaps call a general strike, empty the streets, and close down the city completely. Sometimes the only way to win is not to play.
Seventy-seven million Americans voted for this. Hearing people say, "I didn't vote for THIS!" tells us just how ill-prepared millions of Americans are to vote responsibly. I argue that "this" is what they voted for, and the real problem is that they allowed themselves to be so ill-informed, so focused on what they individually wanted, that they pretended Trump isn't who he has spent the past nine years (as of election day 2024) being. Based on mountains of evidence, there was no rational reason to believe that Trump would lower prices, deport only the "worst of the worst," or be a competent, law-abiding president.
So, saying that this isn't America is simply not true. This is not what many of us want America to be, but this is America today. Recently, a survey came out that told us that in Europe only some 16% think the U.S. is an "ally." The number in the UK is 25%. The citizens of our oldest, closest ally now overwhelmingly look at us as an opponent, at best, or possibly even an enemy.
That isn't surprising, because Trump is an enemy of what we want America to be and what it has tried, often unsuccessfully, to be in the past. Trump is often criticized for the "Big Lie," which was his claim that he won the 2020 election. There is another "Big Lie" in my opinion. That centers around American exceptionalism. We are not the greatest country in the world or ever. We are one of many countries who do good things and bad. We have had more power than other countries in the past and some of the good we have done exceeds the ability of smaller, less wealthy countries. However, often, our relative good is less than that of other countries. It has been common for Americans to complain about our foreign aid, but the truth is that based on the ability to contribute our contributions are often less than those of other countries. American exceptionalism is a lie we have told ourselves and it has been used to hide some of the truly horrible things we have done, such as overthrowing democratically elected leaders in order to serve the interests of American businesses. I won't belabor this point, but, if nothing else, Donald Trump's election twice to be president should end our ever again claiming that we are exceptional in the way that idea has been used in the past. An honest look at who we are is the best way to ensure we will be the best country we are capable of being in the future.
Derek Chauvin's conviction relied heavily on the video footage captured by bystanders. The people who capture ICE's actions are doing the most valuable thing a protester can do. Seeing the truth is very effective response to their lies.
A couple of MAGA folks I know won’t listen to other points of view. They are totally brain washed.
President’s need to be made financially responsible for their actions. Make Trump pay $$. You will see how docile he gets!
He still hasn't paid E. Jean Carroll, nor did he pay (or fully pay) many contractors and vendors that worked on his Atlantic City casinos, all the way back in the ‘80's and early 90's.
The federal government is liable under Respondeat Superior.
They act like Jan 6ers because they are
Liz, How can I monetarily support your lawsuit against the government?
shooting the cow wasn't necessary, was it?
289008
I want to know if the Senator has to use that baseball bat up against the door corner... or is that just in case something bad is about to happen? Curious mind wants to know...
Updated with some more ideas and incorporating some great reader feedback. Please SHARE widely and tag elected Democrats.
https://mdavis19881.substack.com/p/whats-next-in-minneapolis
No investigation by the word of one elected official. It’s a green light to the whole world to do what one sees fits without any consequences. People will continue to be killed, which eventually would result in meek, scared, perfectly obedient majority. Those of us who believe in God justify own actions to prevent ourselves from going to hell. Well, we all are, already in hell.
Liz could run for office, but she's not stupid, so........
Why would anyone want to hang out (work) anywhere near people like Jim Jordan (House) or John Kennedy (Senate). Those are Republicans. But why would anyone who wanted to fight for American democracy want to be in a party led by Schumer in the Senate or Jeffries in the House. Both are ineffective and weak. Schumer's idea of fighting is sending a "sternly worded letter" to Trump. His words.
"What can we do?" I can my electeds. Both my senators are Dems. I would expect to hear outrage from them. I would expect to hear outrage from Jeffries and Schumer. Nothing. Crickets