Saturday, April 15, 2023

You Notice Most Intelligence Leakers Are......

White man shares classified documents on Discord.

I will say that you will never see a Black man in U.S. military intelligence spill classified or highly secretive documents. I've notice that most of these people who leak U.S. secrets are not people of color.

Anyway, the Republicans are rallying behind a Massachusetts Air National Guard who js accused of spreading intelligence over Discord. To make matters worse, he was a 20-something with military clearance to access U.S. intelligence and surveillance procedures.

He shared that on social media and allowed China and Russia know the moves.

In April 2023, Jack Teixeira was arrested and charged with violating the Espionage Act and with unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents for allegedly removing hundreds and disclosing them on a Discord server.

He signed non-disclosure agreements and took an oath to serve the U.S. and its interests.

Somehow, his frustrations with society or the job managed to put him in a situation where he could be placed in federal time out for LIFE.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Teixeira at his mother's residence in Dighton. The next day, Teixeira made his first appearance at the U.S. District Court in Boston before a U.S. magistrate judge, and the formal charging document was unsealed. He was charged with two offenses: (1) violating the Espionage Act by retaining and transmitting national defense information without authorization and (2) unauthorized removal and retention of classified information. Attached to the criminal complaint was a supporting affidavit from a special agent of the FBI Counterintelligence Division.

The documents leak began a diplomatic crisis between the U.S. and the Five Eyes, with officials in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and Ukraine questioning the U.S. as to how the documents surfaced online. U.S. officials told allies that the Biden administration was investigating the leak. Wendy Sherman, the Deputy Secretary of State, has been tapped to lead the diplomatic response to the leak. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that "We will continue to investigate and turn over every rock until we find the source of this and the extent of it."

Privileged life ruined.

On the night of Teixeira's arrest, Fox News host Tucker Carlson falsely told viewers that the disclosure of fourteen American special forces members in Ukraine showed that the U.S. is "a direct combatant in a war against Russia. As we speak, American soldiers are fighting Russian soldiers." The insufferable Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) tweeted that Teixeira "told the truth about troops being on the ground in Ukraine." The special forces were not engaged in combat but rather detailed to the U.S. embassy in Kyiv to provide security for VIPs and to assist with oversight of U.S. equipment and supplies being sent to Ukraine.

According to a senior U.S. official, the Biden administration is looking into expanding its monitoring of social media sites as a result of the leak.

The suspect is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Return To Seats!

Officials from Nashville and Memphis reinstall Justin Jones and Justin Pearson.

Democratic state lawmakers Justin Jones and Justin Pearson are returning back to their respectable Tennessee House seats after being expelled by Republicans for violations of decor.

Their respective leaders from Nashville and Memphis have reinstated their positions.

They will have to run for reelection in a special election.

Jones and Pearson along with Gloria Johnson stood in solidarity with advocates of gun control after a mass shooting a private school in late March. 

On March 30, thousands of protestors gathered at the Tennessee State Capitol to call for stricter gun control laws. Some children held signs saying "I'm nine" in reference to the age of the children shot. Within the chamber of the capitol, three state representatives, Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, and Gloria Johnson led the public gallery in chants of "no more silence", "we have to do better", and "gun reform now", demanding that lawmakers strengthen gun laws. This protest delayed a hearing on a bill which would expand gun access. The next day the state legislature passed a law allowing private schools to hire school resource officers from police departments to help prevent shootings, effective immediately.

On April 3, Johnson and Jones were stripped of their committee assignments, and alongside Pearson were notified that they could be expelled from the House. House Speaker Cameron Sexton said their actions were unacceptable, breaking rules of decorum and procedure. Jones and Pearson were expelled from the House on April 6, with the vote to expel Johnson failing by a single vote. Within a week, they were reinstated in interim capacities—the Nashville Metropolitan Council unanimously voted to reinstate Jones, and the Shelby County Board of Commissioners unanimous voted to reinstate Pearson. The case garnered national attention.

This whole ordeal spotlights how Republicans enjoy moving on from discussing racism, gun violence and income inequality.

Republicans targeted Black men who dare spoke out against injustice.

Gov. Bill Lee, an ignorant Republican governor made Tennessee a 2nd Amendment friendly state.

Lee signed an executive order Tuesday to tighten the background check process in the state, citing recent "recent tragedies" like the Nashville shooting that left three children and three adults dead at a private religious school. 

The executive order requires responsible parties to ensure that all criminal history and court mental health information is entered into the Tennessee Instant Check System or provided to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation within 72 hours. The executive order also directs those entities to determine how the process for submitting such information can be improved, and report to the governor's office and state legislature within 60 days. 

Lee's executive order said that "recent tragedies in Nashville and throughout our nation have demonstrated the devastating impact of firearms possession by those intending to cause harm to themselves or others and underscore the need for more effective instant background checks" and "effective instant background checks rely on information that is accurate, complete, and submitted in a timely manner."

Lee has also called for state lawmakers to pass a so-called "red flag" law that would enable authorities to temporarily remove guns from people who might endanger themselves and others. While some GOP-led states have passed red flag laws, they remain polarizing among Republicans, some of whom view the laws as limiting individual rights without sufficient due process. After the 2018 shooting in Parkland, Florida, 18 states and D.C. implemented such laws, and a bipartisan gun control bill passed by Congress last year boosted federal funding to incentivize more states to enact their own versions.

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Friday, April 14, 2023

Out Of Service!

Deliberately blocking access to a public restroom.

You travel and you end up stopping at a gas station. When you arrive, you notice the gas station's restroom is out of order or perhaps you will need a key or likely they gonna tell you that there are no public restrooms.

Back in the day, many companies made you pay to use the restroom. There are few pay restrooms in the country. In order to deter people from using the restroom, they block access, turn off lights, put signs on the door, lock the doors and make excuses.

Gas stations, laundromats, restaurants and general retail stores in urban areas are not offering public restrooms or placing theft detection devices near restrooms.

Yeah, I detest vandalism and filthy restrooms, but it won't stop me from using them.

Yes, theft happens. I get it. But it should not be a reason for denying access to public restrooms.

Yes, people use drugs, have sex, eat, sleep and defecate in restrooms. That should not be an excuse to deny public restrooms.

Okay, I visited Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Dayton, Ohio gas stations when I have to use the restroom. Some of these gas stations are in urban neighborhoods. When I enter and see the directions to the restroom, I see out of service.


Now you know that is a frustrating thing to walk in to.

But it is a common problem in Black and Brown neighborhoods. And I am angry about it.

Apparently it is legal for companies to deter customers from using public restrooms.

I see this trend as an example of how culture wars impact the bottom line.

Since some are private businesses, they have the right to make the decision.

But companies like Circle K, 7 Eleven, Speedway, Pilot/Flying J/Mr. Fuel and national brands are obligated to serve the needs of the customer. However, several stores play the game.

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You Wanna Pardon A Racist Killer, Greg Abbott?

Republicans really want to support this guy.

Revealed. 

The killer who shot a Black Lives Matter protester in Austin is expected to be sentenced.

Gov. Greg Abbott is considering pardoning and commuting the sentence of this killer. But it was a shocking reveal of the killer's social media that showed that he had no remorse for his actions. He literally wanted to start trouble and use the Texas "Stand Your Ground" laws to get off.

According to the far right: White shooters are mentally ill. Black shooters are unrepentant criminals. Gay shooters are active groomers. Muslim shooters are terrorists. Hispanics and Asians shooters are illegal immigrants. Almost all mass shooters are registered Democrats because they have liked one thing common to the left. Of course, they often share disinformation by using the "Sam Hyde" meme as a way to denounce most mass shooters being white. They say a white person should "protect" from protesters and use of firearms are justified. They say if a shooter is active military or a veteran who supports conservative causes, they are considered a "heroes" and use of firearms are justified.

The Republicans usually amplify white victims. Anytime a person of color kills a white victim, it is often wall-to-wall coverage on Fox and they force it into national news.

Republicans solutions are more guns, blame others for America's social ills and defect from accepting reality.

A jury has convicted a man who deliberately went to a protest to stir up trouble. He was convicted of murder of a protester in Texas. The District Attorney of Travis County, Texas had enough evidence to prove this was not self defense. The man went to trial, a jury saw the evidence as damning and voted guilty. 

The Travis County Court released a trove of controversial social media posts from this killer.

The Texas Tribune reported the killer, whom Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has pledged to pardon for the murder of an Austin protester, often made racist comments and regularly made clear his desire to kill protesters in the months leading up to Garrett Foster’s death, according to social media posts and texts contained in newly unsealed court documents.

On May 29, 2020, days after George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer prompted nationwide protests, the killer sent a text message saying, “I might go to Dallas to shoot looters.”

Two days later, according to the records, the killer said in a Facebook message that when he is in Dallas, “no protestors go near me or my car.”

“Can you catch me a negro daddy,” the other man replied.

“That is what I am hoping,” the killer said.

The court records, released Thursday, contain evidence pulled from the killer’s phone records and social media accounts. Prosecutors had filed the sealed 82-page document in March, but much of it was not brought before jurors. Information depicting a defendant’s character is often not allowed to be introduced while a jury weighs guilt versus innocence, but becomes relevant in a sentencing hearing.

The U.S. Army sergeant also sent racist and anti-Muslim messages before and after Floyd’s death. In April 2020, he sent a meme, which included a photo of a woman holding her child’s head under water in the bath, with the text, “WHEN YOUR DAUGHTERS FIRST CRUSH IS A LITTLE NEGRO BOY,” according to the state’s filing.

A year earlier, he messaged someone on Facebook looking for weekend work for active-duty military.

“To bad we can’t get paid for hunting Muslims in Europe,” he said.

The killer’s defense attorney Clint Broden declined to comment on the newly released court documents.

Legal carry still lead to a death. The killer claimed his life was in danger. He literally went to the protest rally to start trouble.

The killer, who is white, was convicted last week in Travis County in the shooting death of Foster in July 2020. The killer drove his car into a group of protesters, including Foster, a white Air Force veteran. Foster was carrying an AK-47, a legal act in Texas. The killer’s attorneys said at trial Foster raised his rifle, prompting the killer to shoot Foster five times through his car window with his handgun. Witnesses said Foster did not raise his rifle.

The case has become the center of a political firestorm, entrenched in the dangerously divisive rhetoric that often pits police supporters against racial justice advocates. Conservative politicians have rallied to the killer’s side, saying the act was purely self-defense in the face of dangerous protests. They’ve faulted the progressive prosecutor for pursuing the case.

Less than a day after the conviction, Abbott took the unprecedented step of declaring his intent to pardon the killet for the murder, requesting the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles hand him the legally required recommendation as soon as possible.

“Texas has one of the strongest ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws of self-defense that cannot be nullified by a jury or a progressive District Attorney,” Abbott’s Twitter post said, referring to Travis County District Attorney José Garza. “I look forward to approving the Board’s pardon recommendation as soon as it hits my desk.”

When asked if the newly revealed evidence affected the governor’s decision for a pardon recommendation, Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze said “all pertinent information is for the Board of Pardons and Paroles to consider, as this is part of the review process required by the Texas Constitution.”

The killer has not yet been sentenced. He faces between five years or life in prison — unless the parole board and Abbott intervene. The trial court judge will impose his sentence, not a jury, according to Broden.

On Friday, Garza reiterated that his office “continues to maintain that the Board of Pardons and Paroles should consider the entirety of the trial record prior to issuing a final recommendation to the governor.”

“This case is not yet concluded,” he said. “There is going to be even more additional evidence that the judge will hear at sentencing. We’re not even done with this yet.”

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Cash App Founder Murdered By Former Ally!

Bob Lee's death was a conspiracy theorist's wet dream. Far right agitators used his death to bash San Francisco leaders.

San Francisco mayor London Breed condemned the killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee. The mayor, sheriff and district attorney also took aim at Fox, Republicans and Elon Musk for spreading misinformation about the murder and the safety of the city.

In the early morning of April 4, 2023, Lee was stabbed in the 300 block of Main Street in the Rincon Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. Police were called to the scene at 2:35 a.m. local time. CCTV footage shows a wounded Lee stumbling to a parked car with its hazard lights on and lifting his shirt to show his wound; the car immediately drove away, after which Lee collapsed on the ground. By the time police arrived on the scene, he was unconscious. He was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries at the age of 43.

The suspect was a former ally of Bob Lee.

On April 13, the San Francisco Police Department arrested the killer for the murder of Lee. The killer had previously been working in the technology industry since 2005 and as the owner of his company, Expand IT, since April 2010. While working at the business, Momemi allegedly knew Lee. The killer also had a past criminal history for a DUI misdemeanor in 2004, and both allegedly selling a switchblade and driving with a suspended license in 2011.

Fox and many on the far right often attack San Francisco as an attempt to undermine Democrats, California, the LGBTQ community, Black mayors, House Speaker emeritus Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Paul Pelosi was attacked by an extremist in October. The far right and Musk spread vicious rumors about Pelosi. They claim it was a gay lover quarrel. They claimed the extremist was a leftist. They used it as a wedge to attack Nancy Pelosi.

The murder of Lee attracted major attention. The city took a major hit when it came to businesses closing. Walgreens, Target, CVS and Starbucks have closed locations in the city.

Inside Edition has stories about car break ins and bicycle theft.

Chaya Raichik has often targeted San Francisco and claims that the city is Groomer, USA.

Fox is all day culture wars when it comes to crime, gays, Black on whatever violence, progressive policies and Pelosi bashing.

Lee was stabbed by a man near The Bay Bridge. He died of his injuries. The story of Lee's death stroked tensions of possible Black on whatever violence. The incident drove Musk to tweet some reckless comments. Musk left San Francisco and went to Texas. 

Musk talked reckless. And some Republican and far right agitators as well.

After San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott confirmed that the 38-year-old killer knew Lee, Jenkins switched gears and knocked the Musk's tweets on the tragedy.

San Francisco leaders are getting tired of Republicans bashing their city.

"While we're not going to release any additional facts at this time, I must point out that reckless and irresponsible statements like those contained in Mr. Musk's tweet that assumed incorrect circumstances about Mr. Lee's death serve to mislead the world in their perceptions of San Francisco and also negatively impact the pursuit of justice for victims of crime as it spreads misinformation at a time when the police are trying to solve a very difficult case," she said.

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Thursday, April 13, 2023

King Charles III Will Have Harry Without Meghan!

Harry will be at his father's coronation but not Meghan.

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan have a tense relationship with the royal family. It appears it will not die down. The prince will attend the coronation of his father, King Charles III.

Any participation by the couple in King Charles' coronation was far from a given after their controversial announcement three years ago that they would "step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family."

Buckingham Palace and representatives of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made separate statements, confirming their roles in the May 6 coronation at Westminster Abbey.

Meghan will remain in the United States with her son Archie and daughter Lilibet.

The controversy between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Firm is allegations of racism and misinformation by the tabloids. The Sussexes claim News Corp, Associated Newspapers and other entities have pushed stories to paint Meghan as a cruel person.

They push stories to give a glowing light to the Prince and Princess of Wales, Queen Consort and the King while bashing Harry and Meghan.

The controversy has driven nations that are under the Commonwealth to consider abstraction. Several Caribbean countries are seriously considering leaving the Crown due to the treatment of Meghan and the racist history of the royals.

Tension was always there.

When Queen Elizabeth II passed away, I already knew that Charles would end up being considered a failure. He cheated on the late Princess Diana with numerous women before ended up with his most notable affair, Camilla. Now she will be the Queen. While the United Kingdom is facing economic turmoil, Charles is expected to have a costly coronation and taxpayers will foot the bill. Many see that Charles' cozy relationship with the junk food media and the elites have made him out of touch.

Prince William and Princess Catherine have allegedly planted stories to paint Meghan in a negative light.

People of color and especially Black women view the royal family very negatively.

The treatment of women of color has been a very important topic on our blog. 

Former first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, Lizzo, Janet Jackson, Duchess Meghan, Justice Kentaji Brown Jackson, Mikey Guyton and Angel Reese faced attacks from white conservative and liberals. They have endured slanderous claims from the likes of Candace Owens. 

Yes, Owens get attacks from white conservatives and liberals. Even though she plays to this noise of culture wars and attacks on women of color, she is looked down as a buffoon by even some of her far right allies.

It was good Meghan didn't attend. The junk food media would find some phony outrage with it. Even missing the coronation will make racist Brits react in some fashion to blame her for being the reason.

Her son's birthday is on Charles' coronation.

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It's Official: The Insufferable Couple!

I would like to solve the puzzle: Two hypocrites in Georgia.

Brian Glenn of Right Side Broadcasting Network moved to Georgia to be closer to his beau, the country's most laziest and controversial lawmaker, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). She is very insufferable as a lawmaker. She is a white nationalist, conspiracy theorist and a troll. She has no legislative accomplishments and she spends about 15% of her time in the 14th Congressional District of Georgia.

It was true, she cheated on her husband with Glenn. The rouse about a documentary was cover. Greene had divorced her husband, Perry in November 2022. Greene had numerous adultery when she was married. Glenn met her in 2021 and they have been pretty much open about this although they denied it at first.

The two posted on social media.

When she finally returned to her district, she posted a project being built. I guess she came to see her boyfriend's home being built.

Like Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Greene invited herself to an ethics investigation. They are allegedly using campaign funds for unauthorized spending.

On top of that, Greene hosting a town hall, her first since taking office in 2021.

She wants a town hall voided of protesters and possibly Laura Loomer. 

Loomer still fuming over being passed over by Washed Up 45 is expected to attend her town hall.

Greene has feuded with Boebert, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rep. Marie Newman (D-IL), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

Glenn who worked on AM radio, CNN and Newsmax now works as programming manager for RSBN. He divorced his wife and left Texas. 

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Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Sues Insufferable Lawmaker!

You're not going to intimidate me.

When you look at Congress.gov and look up Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), you will see in his years of being representative of Ohio's 4th Congressional District, he has little accomplishments other than being the chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

Jordan represents parts of the city of Columbus, the communities of Bellefontaine, Marysville, Mansfield, Delaware, Lima, Urbana, Wapokoneta and Marion. 

Previous redistricting had his district heavily gerrymandered to look like a duck.

Jordan is a founding member of the Freedumb Caucasians (Freedom Caucus).

He is pure MAGA. He is a former wrestling coach, father of four and controversial lawmaker. He is a conspiracy theorist and constant complainer. He along with fellow insufferable lawmakers Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) are threats to democracy. They rather have Americans kill for their political stances. Instead of bipartisanship, they want chaos. They don't care who they offend.

That's probably why Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has filed a lawsuit against Jordan. He basically telling the Republican lawmaker to focus on his district instead of meddling in the criminal indictment of Washed Up 45.

Jordan spends 51% of his time focusing on his district.

Far better than Greene and Boebert.

Bragg on Tuesday sued Jordan for what he called an "unprecedentedly brazen and unconstitutional attack by members of Congress."

The 50-page lawsuit alleges Jordan has launched a "transparent campaign to intimidate and attack" on Bragg amid the historic indictment of the former president.

Washed Up 45, who has repeatedly denied the charges against him, was arraigned last week and pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree in an alleged hush money "scheme" to influence the 2016 election.

Jordan, one of the former president's biggest supporters on Capitol Hill, has led the charge against Bragg along with other GOP chairs of influential House committees. The chairmen last month demanded documents related to Bragg's investigation of Washed Up 45 and testimony from the district attorney himself.

Last week, Jordan subpoenaed Mark Pomerantz to give deposition related to his role in investigating Washed Up 45 and his businesses. Pomerantz is a former prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney's office who resigned last year over Bragg's reluctance at the time to pursue the case against the former president.
Bragg isn't trying to listen to an old man ranting conspiracy theories.


Bragg's lawsuit seeks to stop the enforcement of the subpoena, arguing "basic principles of federalism and common sense, as well as binding Supreme Court precedent, forbids Congress from demanding it."

"Congress has no power to supervise state criminal prosecutions. Nor does Congress have the power to serve subpoenas for the personal aggrandizement of the investigators or to punish those investigated," the lawsuit said. "Yet that is precisely what Chairman Jordan is trying to do."

The lawsuit accused Jordan and the House Republicans of “participating in a campaign of intimidation, retaliation, and obstruction" and noted how the former president “has threatened New York officials with violent and racist vitriol.”

The tense back-and-forth between Bragg and Jordan had continued Monday as House Republicans announced plans to hold a hearing on New York City crime in Bragg's backyard.

The House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Jordan, will hold a field hearing on April 17 in New York City to discuss "victims of violent crime in Manhattan." There, lawmakers will examine what the committee called Bragg's "pro-crime policies" that have led to a "dangerous community" for residents, according to a press release issued on Monday night.

One thing is clear, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, Cleveland and Cincinnati are more dangerous than New York City. They have more murders than New York City. The facts matter. 

Ohio has lax gun laws which leads to more gun violence. Ohio is part of the Rust Belt. Thanks to Republicans and their culture wars, younger people left the state and population slowed. Ohio lost a district as well as New York.

Jordan has no solution to solve crime. All he wants to do is yell about it but do absolutely nothing to solve the problems of gun violence, sexual abuse and domestic terrorism.

A spokesperson for Bragg's office quickly shot back: "Don't be fooled, the House GOP is coming to the safest big city in America for a political stunt. This hearing won't engage actual efforts to increase public safety, such as supporting national gun legislation and shutting down the iron pipeline."

The spokesperson also said New York City had a murder rate "nearly three times lower" than that of Columbus, Ohio -- Jordan's home turf. 

Columbus has 1.02 million people and New York City has 8.63 million. Most cities in Ohio with the exception of Columbus and Cincinnati saw decrease in population.

That data appeared to be pulled from Wirepoints, an Illinois- based nonprofit, which found New York City had 5.2 homicides per 100,000 people compared with Columbus' 15.4 homicides per 100,000 residents using publicly available homicide data for 2022.

Violent crime decreased during the first three months of this year, with shootings falling by 23% and homicides falling by 12.7% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, the New York Police Department recently announced.

"If Chairman Jordan truly cared about public safety, he could take a short drive to Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Akron, or Toledo in his home state, instead of using taxpayer dollars to travel hundreds of miles out of his way," the spokesperson for Bragg said.

Not long after Bragg's lawsuit was filed, Jordan tweeted, "First, they indict a president for no crime. Then, they sue to block congressional oversight when we ask questions about the federal funds they say they used to do it."

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Chicago Residents Fume As Walmart Shutters Stores!

Walmart closing more stores. Chicagoland affected by this.

Those living in Chicago and its surrounding areas are fuming at the Walmart Corporation for its decision to close four additional stores after closing three last month. That brings the total to seven. The city already faces a epidemic of food deserts. 

Walmart announced that they will shutter four locations.

The retail giant says the Chatham Supercenter, the Walmart Health center, and the Walmart Academy at 8431 S. Stewart Ave., the Kenwood Neighborhood Market at 4720 S. Cottage Grove Ave., the Lakeview Neighborhood Market at 2844 N. Broadway St. and the Little Village Neighborhood Market at 2551 W. Cermak Road will shutter this upcoming Sunday. 

"The simplest explanation is that collectively our Chicago stores have not been profitable since we opened the first one nearly 17 years ago -- these stores lose tens of millions of dollars a year, and their annual losses nearly doubled in just the last five years," Walmart said in a statement. 

"The remaining four Chicago stores continue to face the same business difficulties, but we think this decision gives us the best chance to help keep them open and serving the community," it added. 

As expected, conservatives and white extremists are claiming theft, Democrats and Black people as the reasons for Walmart closing stores. They are blaming Lori Lightfoot and incoming mayor Brandon Johnson. They say that Walmart, Kroger and other retailers are looking out for their bottom line. We all know what their bottom line is, sprawl and billions. 

These idiots don't even know it affects them as well. 

Oh, well. They're too busy dumping their Bud Light in the toilet because they are offended that Dylan Mulvaney has an endorsement deal and they don't.

Communities should sue Walmart and big box stores for leaving vacant stores. They should force them to demolish the buildings, replant the area or encourage community grocers to replace them.

"We will continue working with local organizations, creating solutions to challenges faced by the city and country, including racial inequity and food deserts. We continue to help create and expand job opportunities and will leverage our resources to help strengthen the community, especially those underserved."

Walmart has struggled as well as Amazon. With inflation decreasing back to pre-COVID levels and people returning to buying stuff, retailers are doing better but not the way they used to be.

Walmart used to be 24 hour stores. They started closing select stores at 1am. Then the pandemic forced them to make the decision to make Walmart stores close at 11pm and some at 10pm.

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Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Democrats Pick Chicago As Their Convention Site!

Democrats will be hosting the DNC in Chicago.

The Democrats are trying to win the Midwest. As it is becoming more friendlier to Republicans, the Democrats have to keep their hopes that Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan remain Blue.

It is going to be extremely difficult to swing Missouri, Iowa and Ohio. They once were swing states now Republican strongholds. Now it is Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina. The passing of Atlanta may come at a price. However, as long as the nominee for president wins 270 electoral votes, that person will be president-elect.

President Joe Biden had congratulated Brandon Johnson, the mayor-elect of Chicago. He also announced that the city will be host city for the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Lori Lightfoot's last achievement as mayor was bringing the DNC to the Chi.

The third largest city and largest Midwestern city will be the focus of conservative trolling. The 1968 convention was the place where a riot happened and Hubert Humphrey ended up losing in a landslide to Richard Nixon, who used divisive rhetoric and the noise of far right to secure his presidential victory. The city has an issue with crime and the noise has often singled out gun violence and Black teens as a scapegoat to their pathetic culture wars.

Gun violence is the number one issue in the country and the Republicans have no concern or any motivation to curb it.

“Chicago is a great choice to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention,” Biden said in a statement Tuesday. “Democrats will gather to showcase our historic progress including building an economy from the middle out and bottom up, not from the top down.”

En route to Air Force One before an overseas trip, Biden called Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday to deliver the news. A jubilant Pritzker joked in an interview that he told Biden that Chicago was “your kind of town.”

The Chicago bid included an appeal to the White House that Illinois represented the Midwest and was a part of the so-called blue wall of states that were critical to Biden’s 2020 electoral victory. But the pitch around Illinois — a state where abortion is legal, assault-style weapons are banned and organized labor enjoys strong protections — specifically revolved around pure Democratic ideals, Pritzker said.

Jaime Harrison announced the city of Chicago will host the party's convention.

"Illinois and Chicago really represent the values of the Democratic Party," Pritzker said. "This is a party that doesn’t compromise when standing up for a woman’s right to choose and reproductive rights. We’re a state that has passed an assault weapons ban and that ensures collective bargaining rights. And these are core values of what it is to be a Democrat."

Inside the Democratic National Committee, Chicago was viewed as the favorite because of the appeal of its venue — the United Center — and its stock of hotel suites and restaurants, as well as the political and financial force of Pritzker. The convention is expected to cost upward of $90 million, a source with knowledge of the deliberations said.

Landing the convention was the culmination of a lobbying effort by city, state and congressional officials, including Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and Pritzker, who made multiple personal appeals to Biden.

Biden was visiting Illinois about a year ago when Pritzker joined him in the president's car, and as soon as Pritzker stepped inside he made his pitch.

The pitch later became a running joke between Pritzker and Biden, with the famously competitive Pritzker saying he brought it up every time he saw the president.

"I'd say: 'Hey, have you thought about Chicago for your convention? You know, the best city in the country to have a convention is in Chicago,'" Pritzker said he would often tell Biden.

The City of Big Shoulders last hosted a convention in 1996, when President Bill Clinton ran for re-election and Democrats helped make the “Macarena” dance famous.

"The last Chicago convention was a huge success. It makes sense to put the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 2024. Every facility where it will be located will be a union facility. Every hotel is a union hotel,” Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said Tuesday. “We are a state that guaranteed in multiple ways the right of women to have reproductive choice. And in fact, we are a beacon of hope and security for women’s health care from all of the states around us.”

Chicago was first viewed as a leading contender more than a year ago. But the DNC has a more troubled history in the city, when police brutality was on display at the 1968 Democratic convention. Thousands of Vietnam War protesters descended on the city in a wide-scale rebuke of the war. Police tear-gassed, dragged and beat demonstrators — images that were captured on television. That moment gave birth to a chant, “the whole world is watching,” signifying activism in the face of abusive authority.

The decision to choose Chicago came after deliberations and site visits by Democratic National Committee members. In recent months, the committee viewed Chicago and Atlanta as the front-runners, with New York City remaining in the mix.

J.B. Pritzker greets the president.

Each city made aggressive pitches to committee members, with Chicago and Atlanta leaning on arguments that their regions — the Midwest and the South, respectively — will play pivotal roles in electing the next president. Organized labor made a forceful argument for New York City.

"While we are of course disappointed in this decision, I just spoke with Gov. Pritzker to extend our congratulations to the city of Chicago for landing the 2024 Democratic National Convention,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement. “We are confident in their ability to provide President Biden with a world-class nominating convention. Atlanta fought hard and left everything out on the field. We welcomed the opportunity to showcase not only our world-class facilities but to highlight the civic culture that makes Atlanta truly special: This is the city that represents the future of the Democratic Party.”

The election last week of a new mayor — Brandon Johnson, 46, a Black progressive member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, who won despite being outspent in the race — further fueled momentum behind Chicago's bid.

Johnson last week also personally pitched Biden on hosting the convention, as Pritzker had done in a previous conversation.

“I do think that this changes the Chicago bid. You’ve just had this pro-teacher, pro-worker, pro-union person elected as mayor of Chicago,” American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said last week. “It sends a powerful message.”

Ultimately, however, the decision was up to Biden. The White House told the Democratic National Committee of its wishes.

Biden has had a special place in his heart for Georgia, a red state that flipped blue in 2020, helping usher him into the White House.

“Democratic turnout in the state of Georgia is the single greatest reason that you and Vice President Harris are in the White House today instead of Donald Trump,” a band of Southern officials wrote as part of their argument to hold the convention in Atlanta.

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Blame Game: Connor Sturgeon!

A former bank employee killed five in Louisville.

The alleged shooter was a former employee. The terrorist livestreamed his attack. The terrorist said he was suicidal and upset that he was terminated from his position. He also had the junk food media "personalized" his life story. The typical American white guy who had a privileged life. 

Since it was a white guy, the junk food media and those on the far right are going on the notion that he had mental illness. The far right is going to claim he is a Democrat because supported or liked a liberal issue on social media.
 
Only 170 miles away, there was a mass shooting in Nashville. That led to massive protests at the Tennessee state capitol and two of three Democratic lawmakers were booted out. 

Justin Jones, a Democratic state representative from Nashville was picked to fulfill his own seat until a special election is held. He will signal a reelection. 

Justin Pearson is still awaiting the Memphis and Shelby County officials to decide.

This terrorist brought Gov. Andy Beshear to tears. He knows that he can't get Republicans to do something. Even as a Democratic governor of Kentucky, he is in a minority. The state is 3/4 control by Republicans and even some Democrats are backing Republicans.

Eastern Kentucky has Democrats as leaders in local office but they would back Republicans overwhelmingly because of culture wars and the perception the Democrats hate white people.

Louisville, the largest city in the state with a population of 734,000 sits on the Ohio River.

Louisville is a city that is driving distance from St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Frankfort, Evansville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Nashville, Owensboro and Elizabethtown.

The last mass shooting was at a Kroger where a white extremist deliberately shot Black shoppers. He killed two and injured seven. He believed that Blacks were causing havoc across the country and felt the Black neighborhoods in Louisville need fumigation.

Of course, Breonna Taylor was killed by Louisville Metro Police after they went on an unauthorized no knock which led to three detectives firing into an unarmed woman lying in bed.

Louisville had other mass shootings but this one became an issue for Beshear, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and the U.S. Representatives from Kentucky.

This wasn't a Set It Off style of bank robbery. It was a disgruntled employee who wanted revenge on management for termination.

Louisville mass shooting victims identified.

Police have identified the man who opened fire Monday morning at a bank in downtown Louisville.

Police said the terrorist was an employee of Old National Bank.

These people don't have mental illness. They are calculated and prepared. It happened to be a moment where they have the opportunity to take out lives. There's no sickness in the head. Most mass shooters legally obtain their assault rifles without little background checks. They have likely no criminal history and they are willing to use the assault weapon in the only thing it's good for: Killing numerous lives.

Again, having more security, teachers being armed and offering safe rooms are not solving the problem.

THE NICE GUY IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PERSON WITH A FIREARM. THOSE WHO ARE SPURN BY RELATIONSHIPS, THE WORKPLACE, SOCIETY IN GENERAL WILL SEEK REVENGE BY TAKING OUT LIVES. THEY WANT TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS OF MASSACRING THEIR FELLOW HUMAN BEING.

THE JUNK FOOD MEDIA AND POLITICIANS ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE BY AMPING UP POLARIZING RHETORIC. 

An active shooter doesn't care about the politics, race, gender, sexuality, nationality, religion, your finances, your family, your plans that day, your successes, your failures, and most importantly, your life.

The shooter is motivated within seconds to take out as many people as he/she can.

What to do to protect your life.

1. Run - If you hear sounds like firecrackers, popping sounds or suspicious activities around a large gathering (i.e. malls, stores, clubs, public gatherings), if you can flee, run away from the shooter. Do not run in a straight path of the sight. Move around and zig-zag if possible to keep yourself out the line of fire. It's best to not film a shooter commiting the act. If you are willing to risk your life for a viral video, more power to you but its best to stay out of the line of fire by running away.

2. Hide - If you are involved in an active shooting, you must barricade yourself in a room and keep doors locked, lights off, phones on silent. Do not go into restrooms, lockers and kitchens. Those are most likely places where shooters often go. If you can barricade a room to prevent a shooter from getting in, it eliminate the opportunity for the shooter to get through. Make sure you keep your voice low when you're involved in mass shooting. Call 9-1-1 if you can.

3. Fight - If you are willing to risk your life or willing to film the incident, you have no choice but to fight. Make sure you grab something that is powerful enough to disarm a shooter. Do not confront a shooter in the midst of sight. Make yourself not visible if you're trying to fight. Do not think being a "good guy with a gun" is going to stop a bad guy. The cops don't see good guys trying to stop bad guys. They see active shooters and they will shoot anyone who is armed regardless of the matter. If you're ready to fight, be prepared to die. It's best to not be easily seen if you're trying to stop a shooter. If you're a conceal carry and attempt to disarm an active shooter, you are willing to sacrifice your life to save lives. You are willing to go hero, you could die a hero or an idiot.

Only in America.

According to the far right: White shooters are mentally ill. Black shooters are unrepentant criminals. Gay shooters are active groomers. Muslim shooters are terrorists. Hispanics and Asians shooters are illegal immigrants. Almost all mass shooters are registered Democrats because they have liked one thing common to the left. Of course, they often share disinformation by using the "Sam Hyde" meme as a way to denounce most mass shooters being white. They say a white person should "protect" from protesters and use of firearms are justified. They say if a shooter is active military or a veteran who supports conservative causes, they are considered a "heroes" and use of firearms are justified.

The Republicans usually amplify white victims. Anytime a person of color kills a white victim, it is often wall-to-wall coverage on Fox and they force it into national news.

Republicans solutions are more guns, blame others for America's social ills and defect from accepting reality.

Police in Louisville arrived as gunshots were still being fired inside Old National Bank and exchanged fire with the terrorist.

Investigators said the terrorist was armed with a rifle. It's unclear how he obtained the gun. 

Andy Beshear can't get Kentucky lawmakers to act on gun violence.

Legally, of course. Most mass shooters are legally purchasing firearms and they are not committing criminal acts (except for the one incident).

Police said the terrorist's motivation is still under investigation.

Louisville Metro Police Interim Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said the terrorist livestreamed some of the shooting on social media.

They give the terrorist a glowing profile. Like the All-American who played sports, good to the community, well off and not the type of person who would hurt anybody. When it comes to Black, Muslim, immigrant or transgender, it's vilified on Fox and far right media.

According to the terrorist’s LinkedIn page, he was a summer intern at Old National Bank for three summers in a row and became a full-time employee of the bank in 2021. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a finance degree in 2020.

A SWAT team was spotted entering the terrorist’s home on Taylor Avenue in the Camp Taylor neighborhood, not far from the airport, on Monday afternoon.

You're not safe in the school, the concert, the bank, the hospital, the church, the casino, the bus station, the subway, the light rail train, the buses, the malls, the local big box store, the political rally, the protest rally, the women's center for reproductive surgeries, the mosque, the synagogue, the state buildings, the workplace, the gas station, the family picnic, the food truck rally, the funerals, the birthday parties, the graduations, the wedding, the televised events, the sporting events and many more events that have some terrorist with a firearm. Domestic violence, suicide, racism, culture war inspired, politically motivated and international operatives inspired are types of gun violence.

With Republicans in charge of the House of Representatives, the only thing they'll offer to every mass shooting is "thoughts and prayers", "our hearts going out to", "the good guy with a gun", and their most common phrase "now it's not the time to politicize these tragedies."

Use the hashtag #ignorethenoise whenever you deal with folks who embrace this.

The ban of semiautomatic rifles and bump stock assortments has always been a a problem. 

Republicans refuse to support the ban of these type of weapons.

It's getting old. Biden once again demands Congress pass gun safety reform.

Every community in the United States will eventually have a legacy. A legacy of tragedy. Gun violence, monkeypox and COVID-19 will affect your town, your family and your life. So I don't want to hear that bullshit about how gun reform is taking away your rights to own firearms.

I don't want to hear that protesting against police killing people of color is hate on cops in general. I don't want to hear talk about the coronavirus being a myth.

When you hear folks say "gun rights," what they really mean is that its white privilege. This good guy with a gun nonsense has to end. The cops didn't do nothing when children were shot inside a school. A security guard was shot dead trying to protect shoppers. A cop accidentally shot his own. The good guy who tried to stop a bad guy is outgunned and a part of the rule #3.

Remember #3 means: The "good guy with a gun" better be prepared to die if they want to stop a shooter.

I don't want to hear folks say masks and vaccine mandates impede their freedoms. It prevents a deadly outbreak from spreading. If you want to die from the coronavirus, that's on you. We lost over 1 million people from the coronavirus.

I don't want to hear the shit about guns saving lives. Cause a bullet does not have eyes and it's always likely gonna hit a target. These folks seem to not get it. These incidents are a tragic part of American history. Thoughts and prayers and your heart going out to the victims is not enough. It quite frankly is an insult. I am also tired of scapegoating Black on Black crime, Chicago, Baltimore and Democratic mayors for the nation's obsession to be numb to gun violence. You pretty much enable this nonsense by deflecting.

President Joe Biden is trying to curb gun violence. However, he has no support from Republicans. Most Democrats and America are for gun control measures. However one Democrat and one independent who caucuses with the Democrats in the Senate refuse to change the filibuster rules and its holding us back.

The National Rifle Association is always pushing against it. They will not relinquish from the narrative that guns are not saving lives. The Republicans aided by a fickle junk food media are openly encouraging anarchy and disruption in a desperate attempt for the Republicans to win back Congress and the White House. These agitators are calling for Biden to curb crime but will not help him. They want more guns on the street. It makes no sense.

So in closing, expect more.

The website Officer Down is a memorial to those who were killed in the line of duty. Those who don't get their names mentioned in the junk food media. Also the website the National Gun Violence Memorial also keeps record of the many individuals killed by gun violence. 

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 988, or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on the Lifeline’s website or the Crisis Text Line’s website.

The call number to the U.S. Capitol is now going to be used. This is the official phone number, 202-224-3121. Let them know that "thoughts and prayers," "hearts going to" and "good guys with guns" are no longer acceptable and you want legislation to curb gun violence.

GUN VIOLENCE IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES.

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Monday, April 10, 2023

Buying Silence!

No shame.

ProPublica reported that Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas for years failed to disclose his luxury gifts and donations. The mega donor Harlan Crow has allegedly paid for the justice and wife, Virginia "Ginni" Thomas' vacations and gifts.

The ProPublica report describes Thomas accepting travel hospitality from Crow that included lavish trips to Indonesia, New Zealand, California, Texas and Georgia. Some of these trips reportedly included travel on Crow’s super yacht or stays at properties owned by Crow or his company.

Crow also collected Nazi propaganda. 

ProPublica had revealed that for over 20 years, Thomas, 74 may have based decisions on the amount of goodies he gotten from Crow and Republican donors.

Thomas acknowledged that he took gifts and failed to disclose them. Many on the far right said it is a political hit job by George Soros. 

I swear, George Soros should file a defamation lawsuit against Fox and media personalities who name drop.

GOP donor collects Nazi propaganda and buys Clarence Thomas' silence.

Anyway, the Los Angeles Times reported that Thomas had accepted gifts from Crow, a wealthy Dallas-based real estate investor and a prominent Republican donor— notably a Bible, valued at $19,000, that once belonged to abolitionist Frederick Douglass and a bust of Abraham Lincoln valued at $15,000. In 2011, Politico reported that Crow gave half a million dollars to a Tea Party group founded by Ginni Thomas, which also paid her a $120,000 salary. Crow also gave Thomas a portrait of the justice and his wife, according to the painter, Sharif Tarabay. Crow's foundation gave $105,000 to Yale Law School, Thomas's alma mater, for the "Justice Thomas Portrait Fund," tax filings show. Thomas accepted various trips to Bohemian Grove, and Crow's private resort in the Adirondacks, as well as vacations at luxury resorts in Indonesia that included private jet travel and superyacht island-hopping. 

Many of these gifts were not disclosed, a practice required by the Ethics in Government Act, a post-Watergate law that requires justices, judges, members of Congress and federal officials to disclose gifts that they receive. Many elected officials criticized the appearance of impropriety, given Crow's donations to conservative causes and Republican candidates, and his service on the Board of Trustees for the American Enterprise Institute and the Hoover Institute, which often file amicus briefs before the Supreme Court.

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