Did you know that there was only one victim in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it wasn’t Heather Heyer? Oh no, the victim was our always insecure egomaniacal Twitter-troll-in-chief at the hands of a “dishonest” media that accurately reported his words live on TV.
Donald Trump came to Phoenix to throw himself a “pity party” among his sycophant supporters with a long list of perceived grievances against all those whom he feels have done him wrong. He’s the victim in his revisionist history. The Daily 202: Trump’s penchant for revisionist history on display during Arizona rally.
This is in keeping with the conservative white grievance sense of victimhood, that they are “victimized” for their whacked-out conspiratorial non-factual beliefs in utter nonsense for which they are fed a steady diet from the conservative media entertainment complex. This sense of victimhood is the unifying “tribalism” around which they rally in this anti-intellectual movement led by the most dangerous demagogue in American history.
The Washington Post reports, Trump threatens government shutdown, suggests controversial pardon at Arizona rally (paragraphs have been reordered):
President Trump’s freewheeling comments came at a boisterous campaign rally here during which he went on an extended diatribe about the media, blaming reporters for the negative fallout he has received over his responses to the hate-fueled violence in Charlottesville.
At the outset of the rally, Trump selectively recounted the series of statements he made in the days following the melee in Charlottesville, arguing that he “spoke out forcefully against hatred and bigotry and violence” but that the media — whom he called “sick people” — refused to report it properly.
“You know where my heart is,” Trump said, before pulling a copy of his first of three statements on the violence out of his suit coat and reading it to his audience. He later accused the media of giving a platform to the hate groups that were central to the violence in Charlottesville that led to three deaths.
Following his comments last week, Trump was criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike for blaming “both sides” for the violence and saying that “fine people” had marched along with white supremacists to protest the removal of a Confederate statue.
Trump did not mention either of those remarks in his diatribe against the media on Tuesday. He lied by omission to his sycophant supporters in his revisionist history, and his sycophant supporters didn’t care. Facts simply do not matter to these people, they are in thrall to Trump lies, President Trump has made more than 1,000 false or misleading statements, all that matters to them is their unquestioning devotion and loyalty to their “Dear Leader.”
Trump also never mentioned Heather Heyer, the woman mowed down by a white supremacist with his vehicle in Charlottesville. In Trump’s revisionist history, he was the only victim that day.
President Trump [also] threatened to shut down the government over border wall funding, said the North American Free Trade Agreement is likely to be terminated and signaled that he was prepared to pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is anathema to the Latino community.
In a speech that stretched well over an hour, Trump expressed frustration with efforts to negotiate with Canada and Mexico to improve NAFTA, saying he was more likely to terminate the deal. He also blamed “obstructionist Democrats” for standing in the way of funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall and suggested a government shutdown might be needed to force their hand. And Trump called for ending the filibuster rule requiring 60 votes for many issues in the Senate, a move that Republican leaders [Mitch McConnell] have refused to embrace.
Arpaio was convicted last month of criminal contempt for ignoring a federal judge’s order to stop detaining people because he merely suspected them of being undocumented immigrants. A major Trump supporter during last year’s campaign, he awaits sentencing.
“So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job?” Trump asked the crowd. “You know what, I’ll make a prediction: I think he’s going to be just fine, okay? But I won’t do it tonight because I don’t want to cause any controversy. But Sheriff Joe should feel good.”
Trump did not mention either Senator John McCain or Senator Jeff Flake by name during his remarks, but he took jabs at both during his speech. The Arizona Republic adds, ‘Vintage Trump’: President unloads on enemies at Phoenix rally:
He riled up the crowd at the Phoenix Convention Center by alluding to McCain’s July 28 vote that sank the GOP’s immediate effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
And Trump said nobody — meaning Senate Republican leaders — wants him to talk about the other senator, Flake, whom he dismissed as “weak on borders, weak on crime.” But he said he didn’t have to mention Flake’s name because “nobody knows who the hell he is.”
The New York Times adds, At Rally, Trump Blames Media for Country’s Deepening Divisions:
Returning repeatedly to Charlottesville, [Trump] said the news media failed to focus on anarchists, who he said turned out in their “helmets and the black masks — Antifa,” Mr. Trump said, spitting out the nickname for the anti-fascist groups. [This is Trump’s “both sides” argument that he selectively excised from his earlier revisionist history of Charlottesville. Of course this fascist would despise anti-fascists.]
Mr. Trump accused the news media of “trying to take away our history and our heritage,” an apparent reference to the debate over removing statues to heroes of the Confederacy, which prompted the rally by neo-Nazis and white supremacists in Charlottesville.
Pointing repeatedly to the cameras in the middle of a cavernous convention center, Mr. Trump whipped the crowd into fevered chants of “CNN Sucks.” Members of the audience shouted epithets at reporters, some demanding that the news media stop tormenting the president with questions about his ties to Russia.
Trump’s sycophant supporters are Putin’s “useful idiots” fifth column in America. They are only loyal to Putin’s puppet, Donald Trump.
Mr. Trump also said little about foreign policy, offering only a bare summary of the Afghanistan policy he unveiled on Monday night, and suggesting that North Korea’s dictator, Kim Jong-un, had retreated in the face of Mr. Trump’s threats of military action against him.
The president made no mention of the accident involving the Navy destroyer John S. McCain, named for the grandfather and father of Senator McCain, which left several sailors presumed dead.
* * *
At one point, as Mr. Trump defended his remarks about the unrest in Charlottesville, protesters interrupted.
“How did he get in here?” Mr. Trump said. “He’s supposed to be with the few people outside.”
Once again, Trump’s obsession with crowd size. According to news reports, the Phoenix Convention Center was not filled to capacity and As Trump ranted and rambled in Phoenix, his crowd slowly thinned. And there were far more than a “few people” — another Trump lie — outside protesting his rally.
What had been a peaceful rally near the Phoenix Convention Center to protest President Donald Trump’s speech Tuesday night turned combustible afterward, with police deploying pepper spray and stun grenades to disperse the large crowd. Police disperse Trump protest crowd with pepper spray outside rally in Phoenix:
Police said some anti-Trump protesters threw rocks and bottles, and officers responded with pepper balls, pepper spray and gas.
It was a chaotic ending to hours of protests that had generated tension but little violence.
One eyewitness said he saw water bottles thrown at police while other protesters said they saw no provocation.
Kylee Whiteagle, 19, Phoenix, said demonstrators were peacefully protesting in front of the convention center.
“Police started throwing tear gas and pepper-spray pellets and flash bombs to basically make us run away,” she said.
The police actions started about 8:48 p.m.,shortly after Trump finished speaking.
* * *
At a news conference late Tuesday, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said she was told that protesters had thrown tear gas at officers near the Herberger Theater Center.
She said she believed officers responded appropriately, given the charged and emotional nature of the event.
No serious injuries were reported other than those that were heat-related, Williams said.
The Phoenix Fire Department treated 26 people for that, with two taken to hospitals for evaluation. No property damage was reported.
“Kudos to our community,” Williams said.
Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams and Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said an after-incident review would be conducted. Phoenix police say they will investigate use of force at Trump rally.
OUT.OF.CONTROL.
Donald J. TrumpVerified account @realDonaldTrump 33m33 minutes ago
I am pleased to inform you that I have just granted a full Pardon to 85 year old American patriot Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He kept Arizona safe!
Wingnut neo-con Kristol got this one right. He can delete “may have”…
Bill KristolVerified account @BillKristol 3h3 hours ago
One reason Trump may have pardoned Arpaio now: Gets people used to exercise of pardon power, prepares for pardons of Flynn, Manafort, etc.?
Well, Trump voters, elect a con-man, expect corruption.
Are you, Trump voters, starting to see how stupid you are? Are you starting to understand what you have done to your country?
It will get worse.
“Are you, Trump voters, starting to see how stupid you are?”
No, Liza, I don’t see where there is any stupidity involved. In fact, quite the opposite…we kept Hillary out of the White House. Given the odds of that happening, I would say we are pretty darned smart to have made it happen!
“Are you starting to understand what you have done to your country?”
I understand what we did clearly. By voting for Trump we kept Hillary out of the White House and we saved the Country from a major disaster.
I saw a great comment earlier this week in response to a recent article about Hillary but recognized that she would have been a better president than Trump. Here it is:
“I can say…without equivocation…
That Hillary’s choice for Attorney General would NOT have been the KKKeebler Elf.
That Hillary’s choice for head of Homeland Security would NOT be throwing out people who have lived here peacefully..
That Hillary’s choice for the EPA wouldn’t be trying to dismantle the regulations for..you know…clean air and clean water…
That Hillary would NOT have taken us out of the Paris Accords…
That Hillary would NOT have put in this den of vipers who seem determined to work against the Departments that they head.
That the State Department would NOT be decimated as it has been under the Secretary of Exxon…
That she would NOT be working to undermine Obamacare, and 30 million people would NEVER HAVE HAD TO WORRY ABOUT THEIR HEALTHCARE BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM…
That she would NOT be appointing right-wing judges to LIFETIME APPOINTMENTS where they can harm our community for the next 40 YEARS…”
** the person commenting did not support Hillary but recognized…**
It’s early, what can I say?
“That Hillary’s choice for Attorney General would NOT have been the KKKeebler Elf., etc., etc., etc.”
You are very welcome, Liza! I decided not to respond to this little jewel of silliness because it would be too easy to tear it apart, and that seems to anger you. So I let it go…
Steve, I didn’t write that comment, but I thought it was quite a good list of Trump’s damage to date.
However, you said, “I decided not to respond to this little jewel of silliness because it would be too easy to tear it apart…”
Gee, I’m conflicted. On one hand, I’m grateful to be spared your drivel. But I’m also inclined to say give it your best shot.
You know something, Steve, seriously, you should find an alternative way to stroke your own ego. You think your comments are beyond brilliant, that you consistently and unquestionably debunk everything posted by your enemies with your unsubstantiated word hemorrhages. And it doesn’t matter that no one except you believes that, because you are immune to what others think.
But here’s the issue as it now stands. There are many of us who have grave concerns about what is happening now in this country and its going to get worse. So perhaps you will find us less tolerant of your drivel or, as you like to think, your brilliance. Surely there must be some other outlet for your writing “skills” and your self-perceived knowledge of everything.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
”Steve, I didn’t write that comment, but I thought it was quite a good list of Trump’s damage to date.”
I was aware you hadn’t written it and I never implied you had. I am sure you did think it was a good list of Trump’s damage.
”However, you said, “I decided not to respond to this little jewel of silliness because it would be too easy to tear it apart…”
I meant what I said. It would be easy because the entire list doesn’t have single fact in it. It is a series of opinions being passed off as facts. Opinions are easy to shoot down because they are just opinions. And given the type of facts cited in that listing, one opinion is about as good as another. That is why it would be easy to “tear it apart”.
You know something, Steve, seriously, you should find an alternative way to stroke your own ego.
Sometimes you are unintentionally funny, Liza. This blog contributes very little to my ego. A lifetime of success created my ego, Liza, not posting a little bit on a blog.
”You think your comments are beyond brilliant, that you consistently and unquestionably debunk everything posted by your enemies with your unsubstantiated word hemorrhages.”
“Unsubstantiated word hemorrhages”? That is a very good phrase. One you be proud of. As to my “brilliance”, I havealready addressed that a couple of times and have no desires to do so again.
”And it doesn’t matter that no one except you believes that, because you are immune to what others think.”
I am not immune to what others think. I simply recognize when they are wrong and tell them so. When you are correct, it is hard to take it seriously when someone calls you names because they are wrong.
”There are many of us who have grave concerns about what is happening now in this country and its going to get worse. So perhaps you will find us less tolerant of your drivel or, as you like to think, your brilliance.”
Do you think I expect anything else? Another reason I don’t seem phased by comments directed at me is I expect such comments. I am a dissident voice in an unfriendly environment so I can’t expect people to tell me I am right. I have to expect a whole lot of bad responses here.
”Surely there must be some other outlet for your writing “skills” and your self-perceived knowledge of everything.”
As I have stated before, you are sometimes unintentionally funny. As a matter of fact, I do have other outlets for my writing skills and knowledge. In my lifetime, I have had 31 books published in both the professional/technical fields as well as the non-fiction/fiction genre. I regularly contribute to professional journals and well as science fiction, hobby and collecting magazines. This blog is just something I do because I find it interesting and fun.
Unfortunately, you lack the emotional intelligence to see that your fun is another person’s annoyance. Or, that is part of the fun for you.
Anyhow, Steve, back to you.
I fully realize that you think you are brilliant. I’ve noticed how you respond to others here as well as myself, and you obviously think that your comments brilliantly debunk everything we say or links we post.
Your taking on Bryan Stevenson is particularly amusing because anyone who has followed his career would most assuredly agree that he is cut from the same bolt of cloth as Charles Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall. Of course, one would have to know history (Oh, Gawd, black history) to understand that.
But, go ahead, and challenge truly brilliant people such as Mr. Stevenson with your drivel and believe that you are effective if that makes you feel good. It’s not like we have thought police out there (yet) so think what you want.
“I fully realize that you think you are brilliant.”
“Brilliant”? Consistently? No. But I do have occasional flashes of brilliance. Am I reasonably intelligent? Yes. But I would have to say that a heightened sense of ego regarding intelligence is not limited to me on this blog. I think that you, tom, Wileybud, Frances, etc., all have a very generous sense of your own intelligence when posting here.
“I’ve noticed how you respond to others here as well as myself, and you obviously think that your comments brilliantly debunk everything we say or links we post.”
Again, my input here does not “brilliantly” debunk what you say on a consistent basis, but they do a decent job of questioning what you believe to be true…assuming you take the time to think about what I post…which I am fairly certain you don’t.
“Your taking on Bryan Stevenson is particularly amusing…”
I was not “taking on Bryan Stevenson”…I was giving my opinion on the idea of a museum dedicated to lynchings. I think it is dumb idea and I am rather certain I am not alone in that opinion.
“…he is cut from the same bolt of cloth as Charles Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall.”
Then it sounds like he is a brilliant man. But you do realize, don’t you, that brilliant people can come up with dumb ideas? Genius and brilliance does not guarantee that the ideas generated therein are going to be solid goal. Einstein acknowledged that even the most brilliant minds are capable of stupid ideas and theories.
“But, go ahead, and challenge truly brilliant people such as Mr. Stevenson with your drivel and believe that you are effective if that makes you feel good.”
As long as truly brilliant people like Mr. Stevenson come up with truly dumb ideas, I will challenge the dumb ideas. And a lynching monument is a dumb idea. As to whether I am effective or not…well, that depends on how receptive the reader is to what I write. I can put it out there, but I can’t make someone think about it. In any event, I enjoy putting it out there in the firm belief that someone will read it and start to question some other dumb ideas.
“It’s not like we have thought police out there (yet) so think what you want.”
Thank you, I will!
“Unfortunately, you lack the emotional intelligence to see that your fun is another person’s annoyance.”
You know, I never deliberately try and hurt someone’s feelings. Sometimes I do, but it is unintentional and I regret it when I do. As to “annoying” someone, well, that is a different thing. I don’t try to be annoying but I accept the fact that – in explaining why someone is wrong about something – you may not be able to avoid annoying them. When it happens, there isn’t much you can do about it except respond and move on.
“Or, that is part of the fun for you.”
No it’s not. What happens when people get annoyed is they start calling you names and they start getting ridiculous in the accusations they make. It actually becomes a bit boring dealing with it. Take the last several exchanges we have had…you are annoyed and said a lot of silly things; I made the mistake of continuing to respond with equally silly responses and neither of us benefitted from it at all. So with this message, I am calling it quits on this barrage of exchanges and you have the floor where we are concerned from now until a new subject emerges that catches my interest.
Good night, my friend Liza!
Also, now that Mr. Stevenson has partnered with Google, he is reaching a broader audience so I’m sure that he is not alarmed by an increase in ignorant criticism.
Charles H. Houston and Thurgood Marshall, on the other hand, had to be mostly concerned about being lynched.
But, yes, continue to wallow in your delusion of grandeur, that you are the smartest guy in the room.
“Also, now that Mr. Stevenson has partnered with Google, he is reaching a broader audience so I’m sure that he is not alarmed by an increase in ignorant criticism.”
If he is confident in his pronouncement, then he won’t allow ANY criticism – ignorant or not – to disuade him. Unfortunately for him, what he proposes in the way of a lynching museum is not a math or science problem that can be measured by objective criteria, it goes into the realm of sociology which uses much less objective criteria and relies more on opinion than anything else. I have a strong hunch that, no matter how much you may think it is a good idea, the lynching museum is NOT going to be well received by a significant majority of Americans who are not in the mood to be told what bastards they are, once again.
“But, yes, continue to wallow in your delusion of grandeur, that you are the smartest guy in the room.”
I have no delusions of anything, Liza. Given my life experiences, I probably have a better sense of my limitations than most people do. And I am not the smartest person in the room. But from reading the posts here, the poor gammar, the weak logic of their arguments, etc., I am probably one of the smarter guys in the room. And I suspect that you, Tom, Frances, etc., all think the same thing, but false modesty prevents you from saying so…
The fix is in…
Trump pardons former Sheriff Joe Arpaio
By Daniella Diaz and Sophie Tatum, CNN
Updated 8:36 PM ET, Fri August 25, 2017
Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump has pardoned controversial former sheriff Joe Arpaio of his conviction for criminal contempt, the White House said Friday night.
Arpaio, who was a sheriff in Maricopa County, Arizona, was found guilty of criminal contempt last month for disregarding a court order in a racial profiling case. Arpaio’s sentencing had been scheduled for October 5.
“Not only did (Arpaio) abdicate responsibility, he announced to the world and to his subordinates that he was going to continue business as usual no matter who said otherwise,” wrote US District Judge Susan Bolton in the July 31 order.
Trump indicated he would pardon Arpaio at a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday: “I won’t do it tonight because I don’t want to cause any controversy.”
http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/25/politics/sheriff-joe-arpaio-donald-trump-pardon/index.html
Posted on Facebook:
Raul M. Grijalva — US Representative for Arizona District 3
1 hr ·
“This is an abuse of the presidential pardon and a full-throated endorsement of selected racial prosecution and bigotry. If you’re wronged by law enforcement, this president doesn’t have your back. Racist vigilantism has a champion in the White House. This sets a sad precedent that only further divides our nation.”
“A Presidential Endorsement of Racism”: Trump Harshly Criticized For Pardoning Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Web ExclusiveAUGUST 26, 2017
…
Derrick Johnson, interim president and CEO of the NAACP: “Joe Arpaio ruled Maricopa County, Arizona with an iron-fist, under the guise of ‘law and order. For decades, Arpaio used fear, cruelty and tyranny to advance his own political ambitions at the deaths and suffering of countless people of color. Put simply, Arpaio is a remorseless criminal who took the law into his own hands and enacted racist policing policies. He betrayed his oaths as a police officer to protect and serve the people of his community. Arpaio should not have been pardoned. On the same night that President Trump has directed the military to implement his ban on transgender people, his decision to pardon Arpaio is yet another insult to marginalized voices across our nation. In the wake of the riot in Charlottesville started by domestic terrorists, neo-Nazis and white supremacists, Trump has once again shown us his true colors and his support for racism and violence. By pardoning Arpaio, Trump has endorsed Arpaio’s abhorrent behavior and has opened the gates for other bigots to follow in his footsteps.”
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/8/26/a_presidential_endorsement_of_racism_trump
In case I haven’t said this recently…
Trump voters, damn you to hell. Damn every last one of you to hell.
Wait! There’s more!
Trump signs directive banning transgender military recruits
By Jeremy Diamond, CNN
Updated 7:35 PM ET, Fri August 25, 2017
Trump on transgender ban: Doing military a favor
(CNN)President Donald Trump on Friday directed the military not to move forward with an Obama-era plan that would have allowed transgender individuals to be recruited into the armed forces, following through on his intentions announced a month earlier to ban transgender people from serving.
The presidential memorandum also bans the Department of Defense from using its resources to provide medical treatment regimens for transgender individuals currently serving in the military.
…
http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/25/politics/trump-transgender-military/index.html
“The fix is in…”
When I hear such teeth gnashing and rending of garments by the left over the miscarriage of justice inherent in pardoning Sheriff Arpaio, I always wonder what that person had to say about bill Clinton pardoning 10 Puerto Rican FALN terrorists. They were convicted of a half a dozen felonies, including bombings, and were also known to have killed some people. I don’t recall hearing even a peep from the left about that, but let Trump pardon a misdemeanor for Joe Arpaio and the entire base upon which the world rests moves. Can you spell “Hypocrite”?
What about you, Liza? Any comment about the disproportionate response? Or do you think pardoning Arpaio is worse than pardoning 10 known terrorists who vowed to continue their work when released?
I didn’t vote for Bill Clinton.
But, correct me if I’m wrong here, but your logic is Trump should not be called out for pardoning Joe Arpaio because Bill Clinton commuted the sentences of 16 members of FALN.
Or, perhaps what you are saying is that I cannot say anything about Trump pardoning Arpaio until I rant and rave about what Bill Clinton did on August 11, 1999. Otherwise, I’m a hypocrite.
Golly gee, Steve, I’m trying hard to make sense of your drivel but I just can’t. I give up.
But do enjoy your Saturday.
Time to brush up…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_equivalence
AUGUST 22, 2017
No Excuses for a Racist Murderer: W.E.B. DuBois on the Legacy of Robert E. Lee
Historian and civil rights organizer, W.E.B. DuBois, wrote this short essay in 1928.
BY W.E.B. DUBOIS
Each year on the 19th of January, there is renewed effort to canonize Robert E. Lee, the greatest confederate general. His personal comeliness, his aristocratic birth and his military prowess all call for the verdict of greatness and genius. But one thing–one terrible fact–militates against this, and that is the inescapable truth that Robert E. Lee led a bloody war to perpetuate slavery. Copperheads like The New York Times may magisterially declare, “Of course, he never fought for slavery.” Well, for what did he fight? State rights? Nonsense. The South cared only for State Rights as a weapon to defend slavery. If nationalism had been a stronger defense of the slave system than particularism, the South would have been as nationalistic in 1861 as it had been in 1812.
No. People do not go to war for abstract theories of government. They fight for property and privilege, and that was what Virginia fought for in the Civil War. And Lee followed Virginia. He followed Virginia not because he particularly loved slavery (although he certainly did not hate it), but because he did not have the moral courage to stand against his family and his clan. Lee hesitated and hung his head in shame, because he was asked to lead armies against human progress and Christian decency and did not dare refuse. He surrendered not to Grant, but to Negro Emancipation.
Today we can best perpetuate his memory and his nobler traits not by falsifying his moral debacle, but by explaining it to the young white south. What Lee did in 1861, other Lees are doing in 1928. They lack the moral courage to stand up for justice to the Negro because of the overwhelming public opinion of their social environment. Their fathers in the past have condoned lynching and mob violence, just as today they acquiesce in the disfranchisement of educated and worthy black citizens, provide wretchedly inadequate public schools for Negro children and endorse a public treatment of sickness, poverty and crime which disgraces civilization.
It is the punishment of the South that its Robert Lees and Jefferson Davises will always be tall, handsome and well-born. That their courage will be physical and not moral. That their leadership will be weak compliance with public opinion and never costly and unswerving revolt for justice and right. It is ridiculous to seek to excuse Robert Lee as the most formidable agency this nation ever raised to make 4 million human beings goods instead of men. Either he knew what slavery meant when he helped maim and murder thousands in its defense, or he did not. If he did not he was a fool. If he did, Robert Lee was a traitor and a rebel–not indeed to his country, but to humanity and humanity’s God.
http://inthesetimes.com/article/20447/Robert-E-Lee-WEB-DuBois-Racist-Murderer-Confederacy-Monuments
Written in 1928. Absolutely amazing.
Rhett McLaughlin.
Aug 17
Thoughts on Confederate Statues from a Southern White Male
Growing up in the South, I was told (and unfortunately believed) a number of things about the Confederacy. Of course, I heard the common Southern sentiment that the Civil War was about states’ rights and definitely not slavery, but I was also told that the Confederate generals were upstanding and honorable men, while the Union generals consisted of morally corrupt misfits. I was told that many Southern slaveowners treated their slaves well …
This same revisionist and racist mindset is what fueled the erecting of Confederate memorials throughout the South. The vast majority of them were built between 1895 and World War I, a time of violent persecution of black people as well as the systemic and government-sanctioned oppression of Jim Crow laws. Some statues were put up during the civil rights movement. Their message was clear: the South belongs to whites.
In light of today’s controversy over these Confederate memorials, I keep hearing people say that their removal is an attempt to erase history. This misses the point entirely. The memorials themselves were an attempt to erase history.
…
When we remove a Confederate memorial from a public site, we are saying that it is time to remove the veiled hate that put it there in the first place. I think the time is well overdue.
https://medium.com/@rhettmc/thoughts-on-confederate-statues-from-a-southern-white-male-b81a2693113d
Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative talks about facing our true history and why that should be memorialized.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-2bcaW4OC4
This is a preview of the memorial that is being built by the EJI in Montgomery, Alabama.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOb2xpoXe_I
Three thousand American’s were killed by terrorists on 9/11 and we built a memorial.
And we say Never Forget.
Over four thousand American’s were lynched by American terrorists during Jim Crowe.
Often they were murdered with the full support of their local and state government.
A memorial is the least we can do.
The lynch mobs were terrorists, as were all the murderers who killed POC with impunity throughout our history to keep them “in their place”.
It is a sad story. We need to own it, as a nation.
I hope this gives the discussion about the Confederate monuments that glorify a revisionist version of Civil War history a different perspective that is more honest and, hopefully, more intelligent.
“I hope this gives the discussion about the Confederate monuments that glorify a revisionist version of Civil War history a different perspective that is more honest and, hopefully, more intelligent.”
A National Lynching Monument. Yep! That’s just what we need to bring our people together. I can see it now: all of, arm in arm, looking up admiration at a giant bronze statue of a black man being lynched by a bunch of ignorant looking white men. I know that would inspire me.
Maybe this could become the first in a series of monuments to bring us closer together. Perhaps the next statue could be of a black man on his in the dirt, his arms in the air supplicating his angry master who whipping him. Again, I would be inspired.
Liza, if you seriously believe that a National Lynching Memorial will do something positive for race relations, you are being supremely foolish. This will only make things worse. Far worse. Did lynchings happen? Yes, they did. But they don’t need to be memorialized in a statue dedicated to them.
However, there is one upside. Much like miscreants are vandalizing and damaging Confederate statues (Oh!, And now Columbus statues, too), this monument will give something for Confederate statue supporters to attack. But that is a pretty sad “upside”.
As to the possibility this is a “more intelligent” perspective, I really can’t think of anything that would be less intelligent if your true goal was healing. But if your goal was provocation with an “in your face” gesture, this is just the way to do it. And I suspect you know that, Liza.
Steve, your rant was as predictable as the sun rising in the east.
Did you even listen to what Bryan Stevenson said? As I am quite sure that you did not, I have no intention responding to your rant which I probably wouldn’t anyhow.
If you have an issue with memorials to victims of lynching then take it up with Mr. Stevenson, not me.
“Did you even listen to what Bryan Stevenson said?”
As a matter of fact, Liza, I did listem to what Mr. Sevenson said, and while it fell as music on your ears, I heard something else entirely. You seem to have heard a well reasoned argument that such a monument would somehow “balance the scales” and give white people a chance to understand just some of the burden blacks have borne since the Civil War. That is pie in the sky. I heard something entirely different. I heard it was an opportunity to rub whiteys nose raw in a terrible series of events that happened in our history. I heard a black man less willing to work towards racial reconcilliation and more interested in focusing on events in the past to keep his anger towards whites fresh and growing.
“…I have no intention responding to your rant which I probably wouldn’t anyhow.”
Liza, why do you allow my comments to intimidate you? They shouldn’t. I try not to be aggressive and I only offer my opinion. I am certain you could argue your position, if you wanted to. So why do you run away from defending your perspective?
“If you have an issue with memorials to victims of lynching then take it up with Mr. Stevenson, not me.”
Well, I really can’t take it up with him, and you presented the idea here with your imprimatur on it, so it seems like you would be the one I should talk to. Otherwise, it seems sort of silly to have presented it, don’t you think?
“Liza, why do you allow my comments to intimidate you? ”
Interesting. I strike you as someone who would intimidated by a comment?
No, Steve.
I posted two videos about an EJI project in Montgomery, Alabama, one of which was an interview with EJI founder Bryan Stevenson. I made a comment about monuments that glorify revisionist history, which I believe does a great deal of harm. I could say more, but I am not so inclined at the moment.
Anyhow, you come back with your usual drivel pulled right out of your a$$ and you do this for one of two reasons:
1.) You are trying to diminish the original comment by interjecting your opposing right wing opinions because, yes, this is a liberal blog.
2.) You really believe you are communicating something.
I think it’s #1.
Sadly, I think #1 has a certain amount of efficacy because, yes, anyone reading this would move on.
” I strike you as someone who would intimidated by a comment?
No, Steve.”
I am happy to hear I was wrong. The only reason I thought that might be the case is sometimes the tone of your messages leaves that impression.
“Anyhow, you come back with your usual drivel pulled right out of your a$$…”
You often say that, but we both know it is not “drivel”. It is an opposing point of view that usually rebuts something you stated. You may not like what I write, but it is there, it is legitimate, and you can respond or not as you chose.
“1.) You are trying to diminish the original comment by interjecting your opposing right wing opinions…”
Not so much “diminish” the comments as rebut them with facts and contrary information and opinion.
“2.) You really believe you are communicating something.”
I don’t just believe I am communicating something, I know I am communicating something. The only thing blocking that communication is a closed mind.
BTW, your rant is ignorant.
And just so you know exactly what I mean:
ig·no·rant
ˈiɡnərənt/Submit
adjective
lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated or unsophisticated.
synonyms: uneducated, unknowledgeable, untaught, unschooled, untutored, untrained, illiterate, unlettered, unlearned, unread, uninformed, unenlightened, benighted; uninformed about, ill-informed about, unenlightened about, unconversant with, inexperienced in/with, naive about, green about.
“But the photos were quickly debunked as fake. They actually showed an aerial view of crowds that had turned out for a championship parade for the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.”
I am really curious where this photo was supposedly posted. So far, the only place I have seen it mentioned is on the web site you posted. Is it possible the whole claim is fake? I don’t know but I am a little skeptical that I cannot find that photo anywhere else. It wouldn’t be the first time that leftists have generated fake accusations against Trump and his supporters, and there is little doubt that leftists will believe anything negative about Trump without questioning the source too much.
It just looks a little suspicious…particularly in light of the fact there was no need for a fake photo given that the local news choppers showed aerial views of the Civic Center with long lines waiting to get inside. Also, the difference in the shapes of the buildings would make it screamingly obvious the photo was NOT from Phoenix, thus making it easy to “debunk”. Of course, Trump haters would find faking it worthwhile because they might be able to embarass Trump.
Just sayin’…
Yep…
Katie CouricVerified account
@katiecouric
This morning, after reading the totality of @realDonaldTrump ‘s speech in Phoenix, I am truly afraid for our country.
5:16 AM – 23 Aug 2017
there were no rocks thrown, a water bottle was when pro trump police ordered protesters to disperse. the pro trump police couldn’t wait to fire on crowd with weapons and gas. many thousands in crowd only heard loud bangs and thought they were being shot at and ran. cops let trumpkins wave guns around earlier. there is an election in city coming up. vote these bums out! I was threatened here for not being sufficiently pacifistic. you for got to tell the cops to be peaceful! this was a police riot as it was in chicago in 1968. as for what trump said who cares? he doesn’t!
“…there were no rocks thrown…
Talk about timing! As I read your message, Channel 10 was showing film from last night and what did I see? ROCKS bouncing off of the plastic shields held by the police! How strange.
Trump’s racism is hurting his brand, see the 20+ reservation cancellations for 2018 Mar A Lago events, but he’s also hurting our country’s brand worldwide.
https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa/status/900398967548252165
Trump is POTUS, POTUS is supposed to protect the safety of all Americans. Instead half the country is worried or outright afraid of the POTUS.
GOP, cowboy up and admit you made a mistake so we can move on.
“Instead half the country is worried or outright afraid of the POTUS.”
Yes, panic and fear are infectious, and the left has steeped itself in panic and fear, thus reinforcing each other with pointless dread. It is foolish to be that way, but in a sick way leftists seem to relish the lunacy of thier worry and fear.
“GOP, cowboy up and admit you made a mistake so we can move on.”
Okay, Tom, let’s say the GOP did just that. What would be different? Would that make anything better? How would “moving on” be any different than if they didn’t say that? Trump would still be President…
Well, it was another good day for fact checkers. The President after acting Presidential for three days reverted to form at a rally in Phoenix yesterday evening. While twisting the truth like a twisted pretzel, the President, the author of The Art of the Deal demonstrated, through his blame everyone else attitude, that he has not mastered the craft he professes to have. Instead of touting the deals he has not made yet on health care, taxes, and infrastructure, the President gave his base a lot of red meat ranging from giving an inaccurate accounting of his first reaction to Charlottesville to hinting at a pardon for former (now convicted but still Trump loyalist and fellow birther) Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to the usual slams on the media to chastising Arizona’s two senators to threatening a government shutdown if his cherished wall on the southern border is not funded (so much for Mexico paying for it). In essence, the speech was short on accomplishments and long on the basic sewage he and his followers have been spewing for the last two years. It just proves what the majority of the country who voted for Hillary last year knew. This man is all bluster, no follow through. He is using our fears of the unknown and unwillingness to acknowledge the less than complimentary aspect of our shared history (please see link below) to mold a divided society where he and his ilk hope to achieve victory through running up the polls in the heartland. He figures that is the key to his reelection (popular vote be damned). We need to make sure the American People see through this with larger results in 2017, 2018, and 2020.
AzBM, I was actually sort of eager to see what you would have to say about the Trump Rally yesterday. You didn’t disappoint me and it was worth the wait.
“This is in keeping with the conservative white grievance sense of victimhood…”
Thank goodness that you boarded the train of “white guilt” early so that you could declare yourself cleansed of the sin of being white. Of course, you took advantage of , and continue to take advantage of, whatever perceived advantage there is in being white, but, by God, you are righteous in your humility today because you have the strength and courage to criticize and demean other whites who don’t feel guilty about being white.
“Returning repeatedly to Charlottesville, [Trump] said the news media failed to focus on anarchists, who he said turned out in their “helmets and the black masks — Antifa…”
The Times was very clever in mentioning the leftist rabble rousers in an oblique fashion in that manner. That way, they mention them and then dismiss them all in one sentence. No one can accuse the Times of ignoring them, but then declaring they really aren’t the problem. “Pay no attention to the [idiots] behind the curtain!”
Trump’s sycophant supporters are Putin’s “useful idiots” fifth column in America.
That’s funny, useful idiots have aways been a product of the left and that is still the case today. When was the last time you heard of anybody on the right speaking out in favor of Russia? I am willing to bet never. So the question is: How are they “useful idiots for Putin” if they don’t support Russia? And don’t tell me it is because they support Trump, and Trump supports Russia. I realize in your dreams, the rumor and innuendo are evidence enough but, in reality, there is NO credible evidence that Trump has any involvement in Russia.
“The president made no mention of the accident involving the Navy destroyer John S. McCain, named for the grandfather and father of Senator McCain, which left several sailors presumed dead.”
Why would he? The speech was not all inclusive and it still went for 1-1/2 hours. What makes that incident of speial interest to a Phoenix audience? It is still under investigation and we don’t really know what happened yet.
“…police deploying pepper spray and stun grenades to disperse the large crowd.”
“Large crowd”? And you accuse Trump of being obsessed with crowd size? You are every bit as obsessed with crowd size as he is. You need the protest crowd to be large so you feel validated.
“It was a chaotic ending to hours of protests that had generated tension but little violence. One eyewitness said he saw water bottles thrown at police while other protesters said they saw no provocation.”
“…saw no provocation.” Do you mean there is a chance the Police just attacked these peaceful protest marchers for no reason? BS!!! The TV cameras showed what happened. The protestors threw, not waterbottles, (which would have been provocation enough) but ROCKS. The protestors drew first blood and then continued attacking the Police while manuevering through the downtown streets in order to anticipate where the police would be so they could attack them again. This was all reported on, and filmed, by the various news stations around the valley. The protestors wanted there to be a riot, but neither Trump supporters nor the vast majority of the leftist protestors – and I am proud of them for this – rose up to emulate the tiny handful of rabble rousers. What happened last night was an excellent example of what should occur when the left meets the right in these encounters.
“Kylee Whiteagle, 19, Phoenix, said demonstrators were peacefully protesting in front of the convention center. “Police started throwing tear gas and pepper-spray pellets and flash bombs to basically make us run away,” she said. The police actions started about 8:48 p.m.,shortly after Trump finished speaking.”
Are you saying the Police had a conspiracy going to break up the protest when Trump was finished? If you are, that is just plain dumb.
Let’s see, I think I finally have Trump’s speech figured out. Trump is going to terminate NAFTA, because George Washington’s statue was turned off by Joe Arpaio’s clean coal wall. I think that’s right!
“…I think I finally have Trump’s speech figured out.”
Hey! For a leftist, you are a pretty clear thinker!
For a leftist, I am just using Trump logic. Thank you for the compliment. Better than a Con-Man! As YOUR Con-Man-in Chief, the White House occupant.
So Steve, did the speech make you proud to be an American?
“So Steve, did the speech make you proud to be an American?”
Not really. It was not one of his better speeches. But I usually don’t pay much attention to his speeches anyway. When I voted for Trump, it was because he wasn’t Hillary. Since then I have found some things I like about him and he has earned my support in some arenas. What I really like about Trump, though, is the utter hysteria he throws the left into every time he takes a breath. Talk about fun!
You are what you write. That’s what you give us to go on. Since you continuously defend obnoxious behavior and downplay obnoxious speech from our liar-in-chief, yes, your own character is called into question.
It was test, Steve, and you failed. Like hoping that Trump would show some humanity in his comments about the Charlottesville murder, I was hoping to hear something from you about America working to become a better place or anything positive, but no, it’s all about glee in putting down others. Now at least I know your real character.
“It was test, Steve, and you failed.”
You know, Shade, I really don’t worry about failing “tests” made up by a leftist, nor do I worry about disappointing you. Whatever it is that makes us tick put us on opposite sides of the political spectrum and that alone means I will fail most of your little tests.
“Like hoping that Trump would show some humanity in his comments about the Charlottesville murder…”
As I said, I don’t pay much attention to Tump’s speeches, so the content of those speeches is of little concern to me. In this last speech there is no doubt he could have improved it and saying something nice about the young woman who was killed would have been an appropriate and proper thing to do. But he didn’t.
“…it’s all about glee in putting down others.”
No, that is not what it is all about. That is just a pleasant side benefit. What it is really all about is trying to keep people here honest by introducing the truth.
“Now at least I know your real character.
Shade, you don’t know squat.
Trollin’ Trump this AM.
Donald J. TrumpVerified account @realDonaldTrump 2h2 hours ago
Last night in Phoenix I read the things from my statements on Charlottesville that the Fake News Media didn’t cover fairly. People got it!
Donald J. TrumpVerified account @realDonaldTrump 2h2 hours ago
Phoenix crowd last night was amazing – a packed house. I love the Great State of Arizona. Not a fan of Jeff Flake, weak on crime & border!
Donald J. TrumpVerified account @realDonaldTrump 10h10 hours ago
Not only does the media give a platform to hate groups, but the media turns a blind eye to the gang violence on our streets!
Donald J. TrumpVerified account @realDonaldTrump 10h10 hours ago
Thank you Arizona. Beautiful turnout of 15,000 in Phoenix tonight! Full coverage of rally via my Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/DonaldTrump/videos/10159709733805725/ …
Did anyone else notice the black guy behind Trump with the white t-shirt advertising his website?
This guy has been around Trump before, I can’t believe they let him be on camera with Trump.
Visit his site, gods2 dot com, for some good clean crazy racist fun. He’s changed his site over the last year or two, but the main crazy remains.
And I do mean crazy.
There’s your Trump base right there. And Trump put him in full view of everyone.
The Blacks for Trump guy is this guy:
“The man’s been identified as Michael Symonette, a former member of the Yahweh ben Yahweh cult, and was charged, along with 10 of his fellow cult members, with conspiring to kill two people.
He was charged “his brother told jurors Michael helped beat one man and jammed a stick into another guy’s eye,” TMZ notes.
The report also states that Symonette runs the “BlacksforTrump2020.com” website, which features posts with race-baiting titles such as “ISIS & HILLARY RACE WAR PLOT TO KILL ALL BLACK & WHITE WOMEN OF AMERICA.“”
Trump’s people really need to screen their scenery better.
“…TMZ notes.”
So you watch “TMZ”, do you? That explains a lot. Great sourcing!
“There’s your Trump base right there.”
Do you really believe that, Tom? I would like to think it is just a bit of hyperbole, but the way you have been writing lately, I am not certain.
The guy is a former cult member with a criminal record. See this Washington Post piece. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/23/the-strange-story-of-that-blacks-for-trump-guy-standing-behind-potus-at-his-phoenix-rally/?utm_term=.7588cd5c3a29
To be fair, Clinton bemoaned Rush Limbaugh trashing him non-stop, and Obama had some issues with a racist Tea Party controlled congress.
But no POTUS has ever done this much whining, Cinton and Obama didn’t dwell on their opponents in every speech and tweet.
AZBlueMeanie is correct, this is in keep with conservative white victimhood, a tactic the right has been developing for decades.
I used to listen to Rush years ago, he was a shock jock, he was funny, even when I didn’t agree with him.
He lost me a long time ago, when I tune in once a week or so it’s non stop whining, complaining, about liberals and the media. Hannity’s radio show is even worse. Talk about cry babies.
Liberals! Liberal media! Waa-waah! Between the endless whining and the even more endless commercial breaks, where they often do even more whining, I don’t know how anyone can listen to these shows.
It plays right into the racist tendencies of the GOP base. They’re not happy with their lives and they need someone other than themselves to blame.
Which is ironic as hell, given that the GOP claims to be the “party of personal responsibility” and has been in complete control since 2010.
“They’re not happy with their lives and they need someone other than themselves to blame.”
Good God, Tom!!! If you truly believe that then you are utterly clueless! Did you come up with this little bit of idiocy on your own, or did you have help? Either way, you need to go back to the drawing board and start over…
Trump supporters post fake photos of huge crowds at Phoenix rally – as real images show room half-empty
The Independent Lucy Pasha-Robinson,The Independent 5 hours ago
…
Images showing thousands of people lining the streets in Arizona were widely shared by Republicans and the leader’s core base.
But the photos were quickly debunked as fake. They actually showed an aerial view of crowds that had turned out for a championship parade for the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.
Official turnout figures from the Phoenix convention centre rally have not been released, but many have speculated they could be lower than expected.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-supporters-post-fake-photos-092917540.html
The right does this all the time. Fox News has been busted showing huge crowds for a Sarah Palin event, except that the photos on the screen were from some other event, and in one famous bit, they showed “violent leftists” at a Union rally in Wisconsin, but everyone noticed the palm trees in the background.
They were showing photos from an unrelated event in California.
The GOP is pure sleaze.