The judge in Trump’s hush money trial threatened to jail the former president for violating his gag order, pro-Palestinian protests continue to ramp up on college campuses, and a Senate candidate from West Virginia is running some bizarre campaign ads.
As a father of mixed-faith children, Jon Stewart has come to realize that the Christian holidays are winning over kids way more than the Jewish ones. Hanukkah may not be able to compete with the spectacle of Christmas, but Jon pleads a case for Passover over Easter in this Faith/Off.
LAPD on UCLA campus amid reports of violence; arrests at Columbia
Los Angeles Police Department officers arrived on the UCLA campus at the school’s request, authorities said early Wednesday. The LAPD described “multiple acts of violence within the large encampment” on the campus, and journalists on the scene reported clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and counterprotesters. In New York, police made arrests at Columbia University after officers in riot gear entered the campus, breaching the Hamilton Hall building occupied by pro-Palestinian protesters.
”A mystery solved: Social media is rife with sinister claims and rank speculation about who supplied tents for the Gaza protests. I’ve seen posts attacking George Soros, who has used his fortune to strengthen democracy and stand against tyrants, though many people seem to believe the opposite.
Yesterday, I asked my law students where the Syracuse quad protest tents came from.
Unanimous Answer: SU itself.
Many universities keep stores of tents that students can borrow.
There is nothing sinister here, folks.
Democracy and liberty depend on thoughtful, fact-based, rational, and reasoned debate. Baseless attacks are anathema to these values,
#FactsMatter
Comparisons to Vietnam protests are so ridiculous. They were much more intense — after all, they were facing a draft and probable death. Stakes were a bit higher.
That is almost exactly the 2020 numbers: Biden 51.3% Trump 46.8%
This is where the race REALLY stands today in an expensive randomly-selected poll of screened likely voters questioned live (not online self-selected) – almost exactly where it ended up in 2020.
I think that the big difference between the VN protests and what we saw at Columbia U and UCLA is that in this instance, it’s not our circus, not our monkey. Our involvement is limited to guns and money. There are close to irreconcilable differences between the Nettypoo government and Hamas government regarding a cease fire. It ain’t our problem to solve, although we seem to be trying. The youth of America don’t seem to understand our role in an international dispute over land that is not under our control that we are not fighting in. And while I support a 2 state solution to the problem, because I believe it is the only viable solution, it takes 2 to tango, and we ain’t one of the 2.
Kamala Harris on X: “I’m heading to Florida today as their extreme abortion ban takes effect. Let’s be clear: Donald Trump is to blame for the harm state abortion bans are doing to women every day in our country.”
I will add a little bit to the difference between today and almost sixty years ago protests, the russian actions. There was a lot of outside influences on the sit-ins, protests, marches and more back in the Sixties and Seventies. But, it was a mashup as America was in the throes of breaking racial barriers, dumping off the last of the Depression social restrictions and changing political directions. There was the noise of Communisim and russian backing, but mostly a huge thing called the Draft and Vietnam.
Today we are seeing an organized event the people who would be most affected by a change of U.S. and international policy would not be Americans. Words and actions are similar to Iranian and russian propaganda. The disruption of American politics benefits one and only one criminal, the rapist, sfb. Putin wants the fat slob back in office, one way to do it is to follow time tested methods. Stir the pot in America. Lots of signs and small actions. Student protests, okay, but how many are students? Professors in tents? Violence? Yeah, so far though, no race riots. No burning of cities. No injustice to citizens – well there is that but that is not what is going on.
Could it be that college students were in the market for a definable cause?
End-stage capitalism, going to school to become a cog in the wheel, it seems like there’s no way out and no way to deconstruct the financial monster that more than entangled our society, it kind of is our society. It all seems pretty pointless. Where’s the passion? Where’s the purpose?
While what’s happening in Gaza (folks being bombed and starved) seems like a bite-sized problem in comparison, stopping it is complicated. But, the innocent and unarmed suffering and dying is clearly wrong. It does seem like the media in the US is covering it differently than elsewhere. Of course, every country has its own history and, therefore, its own filter.
That poll reflects just about the way I see this election is going to turn out. There are simply too many gop negatives for this to be the horse race they’re all saying. ( RED WAVE!). Women, Blacks, Latinos, non-Nazi humans, That’s a pretty sizable chunk of voters.
Yep, Jamie and Sturg, there are only about 3 or 4 pollsters out there doing the hard, reliable work. And KUDOS to NPR for paying top dollar to get a proper survey, because Marist’s methodology is not cheap.
Listened to Trump rally speech in Wisconsin today for all court-related comments. Not once, not a single time did he refute any fact or testimony we have heard in the trial. Just the same personal insults against prosecutors and judge, plus claiming Biden is orchestrating the whole thing. By his silence he is stipulating to the facts being presented against him. It is the same in all of the cases. He nor his lawyers ever defend the actual charges against him.
So Dumbass is doubling down against women – as if taking their reproductive rights away isn’t enough, disrespecting and disparaging one of the more accomplished women in the country (president of an Ivy League University ain’t exactly an easy gig to land) as weak and afraid. Great campaign strategy. I wonder how many women who heard his comments generalized them to their gender.
“Colombia says it will break diplomatic relations with Israel on Thursday over its actions in Gaza.”
“Regional neighbor Bolivia also cut diplomatic ties with Israel last year, citing “crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people” in the wake of Israel’s war with Hamas.”
“South Africa has previously accused Israel of violating international laws on genocide, telling the United Nations’ top court that Israel’s leadership was “intent on destroying the Palestinians in Gaza” – a case which Israel dismissed as “absurd blood libel.”
“The International Court of Justice later ordered Israel to “take all measures” to prevent genocide but stopped short of ordering its government to halt the war.”
Will younger voters show up for Biden/Harris, and their reproductive freedom?
Can the polls tell how Roe v Gaza weighs into the election?
The local news is chomping at the big for something to happen, but it seems fairly calm; encampments being taken down and a few criminal trespass arrests.
Ya know who’s not “weak and afraid?”
Cruella Noem. That’s why she listed the animals she murdered in her book.
(I’ll bet she really hates Cricket now.)
Who will buy it? MAGAts don’t seem like big readers, and there’s no toilet paper shortage.
Opening prayer at Trump’s rally today in Wisconsin: “We ask that you put a hedge of protection around President Trump and deliver him from the baseless attacks and remove from office those who are subverting justice in our legal system…In Jesus’ name, Amen.” video..
Opening prayer at Trump's rally in Wisconsin: “We ask that you put a hedge of protection around President Trump and deliver him from the baseless attacks and remove from office those who are subverting justice in our legal system…In Jesus' name, Amen.” pic.twitter.com/FtWz3NPWcS
— Republican Voters Against Trump (@AccountableGOP) May 1, 2024
The former guy is in a different world. Trying to attach him to this one is a losing action.
Wasn’t he supposed to be in court today.
I still am on the side of Putin being unhappy with sfb. Watch out for windows fatso.
Ivy, lol. Love to take credit but it was inadvertent. I left the quotation marks off and it autocorrected the i to I.
BB, nah, Wednesday is a Dumbass off day in Judge Merchan’s court.
Found on Facebook: “Because the killing had been WITNESSED.” This is a German Wirehaired Pointer. It is a hunting dog that was genetically bred from several breeds in the 1920s “as an all-terrain, all-weather hunter, proficient in tall grass, deep woods, or water. The wiry coat serves as a waterproof suit of armor, and the shaggy brows and beard protect the eyes and face from the lacerations of thorny brush and brier”(AKC) Its tail is docked (cut off) to prevent it getting entangled in the brush. The AKC notes that it is an energetic dog, “rambunctious” in nature, and has to be carefully trained not to be “overly aggressive”. In other words, it takes a lot of time and patience to be taught to hunt. Cricket’s behavior at her first pheasant shoot was pretty much to be expected. As was her “joyful” rampage through the chicken coop. She was being true to her breed. The fault was not with her, but her owner. Noem’s daughter asked where Cricket was when she came home from school. So Cricket was apparently an affectionate part of the family, a “normally” spoiled house pet that hadn’t been given the kind of consistent training hunting dogs require. So …… why did Noem feel she needed to tell the shocking story of why she shot Cricket – especially since she knew people in hunting and dog breeding circles would KNOW that Cricket did not deserve to be put down? Because the killing had been WITNESSED. It happened 20 years ago, and the chatter about it had long died down and mostly been forgotten in South Dakota. But as soon as she was in the running for VP – national office – she knew the story would be revived, in all of its ugly brutality. So she tried to get out ahead of it. The story was not just included in the book – it may be the very reason she wrote the book in the first place. To tell the story HER way. To get her spin out ahead of it. She knows that the one… Read more »
On the the evening news, I could hear SFB’s voice in the background during their segment about today’s MAGAt klan rally. I kept hearing the same thing repeated, and I’m not sure if it was his speech or a recording over the PA system. Something about in your “heart.” It wasn’t clear, but that’s probably some evangelicalized BS to make sure MAGAt brains remain thoroughly washed and squeaky clean.
“…to his critics, he’s a divisive leader, whose Hindu nationalist ambitions have given rise to growing religious persecution and Islamophobia, with many of the country’s more than 200 million Muslims fearing his re-election.”
“In many ways Modi is part of the wider global wave of populist leaders with an authoritarian streak that have amassed a fervent voter base in recent years.”
“Opposition leaders have meanwhile accused Modi’s right-wing government of becoming an electoral autocracy by attempting to rig the vote, weaponizing state agencies to stifle, attack and arrest opposition politicians, and undermining democratic principles. They also warn that Modi’s brand of Hindu nationalism is uncorking dangerous religious divides…”
It seems to be in the water, everywhere.
“Modi sparked a row over hate speech while campaigning in northwestern Rajasthan state when he accused Muslims – who have been present in India for centuries – of being “infiltrators.” He also echoed a false conspiracy voiced by some Hindu nationalists that Muslims are displacing the country’s majority Hindu population by deliberately having large families.”
“Some colleges are banning free speech on college campuses. Well, no more because I’m about to sign a law that protects free speech on college campuses in Texas,” Abbott said in 2019.
“And six months ago, during a celebration of Free Speech Week, University of Texas at Austin administrators touted the school’s expansive protections for free speech on campus — including speech that was anti-war or considered hate speech.”
“But since last week, Abbott has deployed the Department of Public Safety to help crack down on separate protests at the University of Texas at Austin that he vociferously disagreed with. Campus leaders have defended their orders to students to disperse or face criminal trespassing charges.”
“UT-Austin’s heavy-handed response to the protests — and the state GOP leaders’ support of the arrests — are a stark contrast to their vigorous celebration and defense of protected speech in previous years.”
“Free speech also loses First Amendment protections when it amounts to discriminatory harassment or true threats that incite imminent violence or destruction of public property.
Last week’s protest showed no signs of violence before police got involved.”
“This was shocking. We have never seen anything quite like this where a governor is saying I’m going to preempt protests based on these views,” Morey said. “It sure seems like he is taking real liberties with the letter of the law because he personally, and maybe other folks that are affiliated with him in Texas government, find that speech objectionable.”
The judge in Trump’s hush money trial threatened to jail the former president for violating his gag order, pro-Palestinian protests continue to ramp up on college campuses, and a Senate candidate from West Virginia is running some bizarre campaign ads.
something different from jon
As a father of mixed-faith children, Jon Stewart has come to realize that the Christian holidays are winning over kids way more than the Jewish ones. Hanukkah may not be able to compete with the spectacle of Christmas, but Jon pleads a case for Passover over Easter in this Faith/Off.
meanwhile this morning in the wee small hours
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2024/may/01/columbia-university-protest-live-updates-nypd-new-york-police-enter-campus-pro-palestinian-demonstrators
A group of counter-protesters attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of California campus in Los Angeles, with running clashes continuing for hours in the absence of police
https://wapo.st/49ZraOy
LAPD on UCLA campus amid reports of violence; arrests at Columbia
Which excuse will sfb use to not go to his son’s graduation:
Secret Service said no
Melonia refused to sit next to
judge was joking
who is baron?
Bone spurs.
Antifa threatens THOUSANDS of protesters.
He’s too tall. Makes Daddy look like a runt.
David Cay Johnston posted on his Facebook:
Comparisons to Vietnam protests are so ridiculous. They were much more intense — after all, they were facing a draft and probable death. Stakes were a bit higher.
Finally a properly done poll, unlike the cheap and sloppy all-adults or just registered voters online surveys we mostly see.
Here’s what a properly sampled and screened poll of likely voters in live telephone interviews looks like:
LIKELY VOTERS
Biden 52%
Trump 47%
Out today: Marist/NPR (Apr 22-25)
https://maristpoll.marist.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NPR_PBS-NewsHour_Marist-Poll_USA-NOS-and-Tables_202404261555.pdf
That is almost exactly the 2020 numbers:
Biden 51.3%
Trump 46.8%
This is where the race REALLY stands today in an expensive randomly-selected poll of screened likely voters questioned live (not online self-selected) – almost exactly where it ended up in 2020.
I think that the big difference between the VN protests and what we saw at Columbia U and UCLA is that in this instance, it’s not our circus, not our monkey. Our involvement is limited to guns and money. There are close to irreconcilable differences between the Nettypoo government and Hamas government regarding a cease fire. It ain’t our problem to solve, although we seem to be trying. The youth of America don’t seem to understand our role in an international dispute over land that is not under our control that we are not fighting in. And while I support a 2 state solution to the problem, because I believe it is the only viable solution, it takes 2 to tango, and we ain’t one of the 2.
Kamala Harris on X: “I’m heading to Florida today as their extreme abortion ban takes effect. Let’s be clear: Donald Trump is to blame for the harm state abortion bans are doing to women every day in our country.”
I will add a little bit to the difference between today and almost sixty years ago protests, the russian actions. There was a lot of outside influences on the sit-ins, protests, marches and more back in the Sixties and Seventies. But, it was a mashup as America was in the throes of breaking racial barriers, dumping off the last of the Depression social restrictions and changing political directions. There was the noise of Communisim and russian backing, but mostly a huge thing called the Draft and Vietnam.
Today we are seeing an organized event the people who would be most affected by a change of U.S. and international policy would not be Americans. Words and actions are similar to Iranian and russian propaganda. The disruption of American politics benefits one and only one criminal, the rapist, sfb. Putin wants the fat slob back in office, one way to do it is to follow time tested methods. Stir the pot in America. Lots of signs and small actions. Student protests, okay, but how many are students? Professors in tents? Violence? Yeah, so far though, no race riots. No burning of cities. No injustice to citizens – well there is that but that is not what is going on.
Put the orange pile in jail, end this problem.
Silver Charm is the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner. He is the equivalent of 97 in horse years.
Could it be that college students were in the market for a definable cause?
End-stage capitalism, going to school to become a cog in the wheel, it seems like there’s no way out and no way to deconstruct the financial monster that more than entangled our society, it kind of is our society. It all seems pretty pointless. Where’s the passion? Where’s the purpose?
While what’s happening in Gaza (folks being bombed and starved) seems like a bite-sized problem in comparison, stopping it is complicated. But, the innocent and unarmed suffering and dying is clearly wrong. It does seem like the media in the US is covering it differently than elsewhere. Of course, every country has its own history and, therefore, its own filter.
Craig
That Marist poll almost gives me hope for the polling industry. Finding out what people want as opposed to telling them what they want is refreshing.
The aged one speaks:
I’m old, but I haven’t lived very long.
That poll reflects just about the way I see this election is going to turn out. There are simply too many gop negatives for this to be the horse race they’re all saying. ( RED WAVE!). Women, Blacks, Latinos, non-Nazi humans, That’s a pretty sizable chunk of voters.
Yep, Jamie and Sturg, there are only about 3 or 4 pollsters out there doing the hard, reliable work. And KUDOS to NPR for paying top dollar to get a proper survey, because Marist’s methodology is not cheap.
Trump just came up with a brand new lie at today’s rally in Wisconsin. He said “all the job growth is coming from illegal immigrants taking our jobs”
He just said Columbia University is having problems because it’s run by “a woman” — “she is weak and afraid”
He puts the “i” in lie.
time to ban masks
Listened to Trump rally speech in Wisconsin today for all court-related comments. Not once, not a single time did he refute any fact or testimony we have heard in the trial. Just the same personal insults against prosecutors and judge, plus claiming Biden is orchestrating the whole thing. By his silence he is stipulating to the facts being presented against him. It is the same in all of the cases. He nor his lawyers ever defend the actual charges against him.
He puts the I in lie. Brilliant I tells ya.
So Dumbass is doubling down against women – as if taking their reproductive rights away isn’t enough, disrespecting and disparaging one of the more accomplished women in the country (president of an Ivy League University ain’t exactly an easy gig to land) as weak and afraid. Great campaign strategy. I wonder how many women who heard his comments generalized them to their gender.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/01/world/colombia-breaks-diplomatic-ties-israel-intl-latam/index.html
“Colombia says it will break diplomatic relations with Israel on Thursday over its actions in Gaza.”
“Regional neighbor Bolivia also cut diplomatic ties with Israel last year, citing “crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people” in the wake of Israel’s war with Hamas.”
“South Africa has previously accused Israel of violating international laws on genocide, telling the United Nations’ top court that Israel’s leadership was “intent on destroying the Palestinians in Gaza” – a case which Israel dismissed as “absurd blood libel.”
“The International Court of Justice later ordered Israel to “take all measures” to prevent genocide but stopped short of ordering its government to halt the war.”
Will younger voters show up for Biden/Harris, and their reproductive freedom?
Can the polls tell how Roe v Gaza weighs into the election?
The local news is chomping at the big for something to happen, but it seems fairly calm; encampments being taken down and a few criminal trespass arrests.
Ya know who’s not “weak and afraid?”
Cruella Noem. That’s why she listed the animals she murdered in her book.
(I’ll bet she really hates Cricket now.)
Who will buy it? MAGAts don’t seem like big readers, and there’s no toilet paper shortage.
they sell those rags to their own campaigns and pacs and fundraising dinners
that dentist’s office will buy a few or ten
Opening prayer at Trump’s rally today in Wisconsin: “We ask that you put a hedge of protection around President Trump and deliver him from the baseless attacks and remove from office those who are subverting justice in our legal system…In Jesus’ name, Amen.” video..
King Chuck is doing okay.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/30/king-charles-cancer-center/
Thanks, Pogo. You fixed it for me. 👍
Women are being denied life-saving medical care because politicians can’t tell the difference between a Pap smear and an abortion.
Ron DeSantis should have his medical license revoked.
The former guy is in a different world. Trying to attach him to this one is a losing action.
Wasn’t he supposed to be in court today.
I still am on the side of Putin being unhappy with sfb. Watch out for windows fatso.
Ivy, lol. Love to take credit but it was inadvertent. I left the quotation marks off and it autocorrected the i to I.
BB, nah, Wednesday is a Dumbass off day in Judge Merchan’s court.
Found on Facebook: “Because the killing had been WITNESSED.” This is a German Wirehaired Pointer. It is a hunting dog that was genetically bred from several breeds in the 1920s “as an all-terrain, all-weather hunter, proficient in tall grass, deep woods, or water. The wiry coat serves as a waterproof suit of armor, and the shaggy brows and beard protect the eyes and face from the lacerations of thorny brush and brier”(AKC) Its tail is docked (cut off) to prevent it getting entangled in the brush. The AKC notes that it is an energetic dog, “rambunctious” in nature, and has to be carefully trained not to be “overly aggressive”. In other words, it takes a lot of time and patience to be taught to hunt. Cricket’s behavior at her first pheasant shoot was pretty much to be expected. As was her “joyful” rampage through the chicken coop. She was being true to her breed. The fault was not with her, but her owner. Noem’s daughter asked where Cricket was when she came home from school. So Cricket was apparently an affectionate part of the family, a “normally” spoiled house pet that hadn’t been given the kind of consistent training hunting dogs require. So …… why did Noem feel she needed to tell the shocking story of why she shot Cricket – especially since she knew people in hunting and dog breeding circles would KNOW that Cricket did not deserve to be put down? Because the killing had been WITNESSED. It happened 20 years ago, and the chatter about it had long died down and mostly been forgotten in South Dakota. But as soon as she was in the running for VP – national office – she knew the story would be revived, in all of its ugly brutality. So she tried to get out ahead of it. The story was not just included in the book – it may be the very reason she wrote the book in the first place. To tell the story HER way. To get her spin out ahead of it. She knows that the one… Read more »
The torch-and-pitchfork crowd knows when something stinks. It just depends on whether or not they like the smell.
On the the evening news, I could hear SFB’s voice in the background during their segment about today’s MAGAt klan rally. I kept hearing the same thing repeated, and I’m not sure if it was his speech or a recording over the PA system. Something about in your “heart.” It wasn’t clear, but that’s probably some evangelicalized BS to make sure MAGAt brains remain thoroughly washed and squeaky clean.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/01/india/india-narendra-modi-rally-election-intl-hnk/index.html
“…to his critics, he’s a divisive leader, whose Hindu nationalist ambitions have given rise to growing religious persecution and Islamophobia, with many of the country’s more than 200 million Muslims fearing his re-election.”
“In many ways Modi is part of the wider global wave of populist leaders with an authoritarian streak that have amassed a fervent voter base in recent years.”
“Opposition leaders have meanwhile accused Modi’s right-wing government of becoming an electoral autocracy by attempting to rig the vote, weaponizing state agencies to stifle, attack and arrest opposition politicians, and undermining democratic principles. They also warn that Modi’s brand of Hindu nationalism is uncorking dangerous religious divides…”
It seems to be in the water, everywhere.
“Modi sparked a row over hate speech while campaigning in northwestern Rajasthan state when he accused Muslims – who have been present in India for centuries – of being “infiltrators.” He also echoed a false conspiracy voiced by some Hindu nationalists that Muslims are displacing the country’s majority Hindu population by deliberately having large families.”
https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/29/ut-austin-pro-palestinian-demonstrations-free-speech/
“Four years ago, as Texas Republicans worried that conservative voices were being silenced at universities, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that enshrined new free speech protections on campuses.
“Some colleges are banning free speech on college campuses. Well, no more because I’m about to sign a law that protects free speech on college campuses in Texas,” Abbott said in 2019.
“And six months ago, during a celebration of Free Speech Week, University of Texas at Austin administrators touted the school’s expansive protections for free speech on campus — including speech that was anti-war or considered hate speech.”
“But since last week, Abbott has deployed the Department of Public Safety to help crack down on separate protests at the University of Texas at Austin that he vociferously disagreed with. Campus leaders have defended their orders to students to disperse or face criminal trespassing charges.”
“UT-Austin’s heavy-handed response to the protests — and the state GOP leaders’ support of the arrests — are a stark contrast to their vigorous celebration and defense of protected speech in previous years.”
“Free speech also loses First Amendment protections when it amounts to discriminatory harassment or true threats that incite imminent violence or destruction of public property.
Last week’s protest showed no signs of violence before police got involved.”
“This was shocking. We have never seen anything quite like this where a governor is saying I’m going to preempt protests based on these views,” Morey said. “It sure seems like he is taking real liberties with the letter of the law because he personally, and maybe other folks that are affiliated with him in Texas government, find that speech objectionable.”
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