Puerto Ricans Are U.S. Citizens! 🇵🇷 🇺🇸

Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since but some still treat them as foreigners.

Two incidents involving Puerto Ricans being called foreigners. 

Kroger has issued an apology after a man visiting Savannah, Georgia from Puerto Rico had his driver's license denied as a valid form of ID by a cashier.

Ricardo Florit went to the Kroger on Ogeechee Road back on May 21 to pick up some groceries.

"I bought basically $160 worth of groceries, just regular stuff. Between the items, though, there was one bottle of wine and one beer," Florit said.

When the cashier asked to see Florit's ID, he presented his Puerto Rico driver's license.

Florit said, "Here's the thing, as soon as I whip it out, he seems to recognize it. He says, 'I can't accept that, I need to see your passport.'"

Florit said he immediately tried to correct the situation by assuring the cashier he is a U.S. citizen who has actually served in the U.S. Military.

"I said, 'Listen. It's a valid driver's license legal in 50 states.' And he says, 'Oh, I know. We used to accept them, but we changed our policy. We no longer do.'"

Florit said he ended up calling over the manager.

"I made it a point to tell her I served this military for 18 years, I have been up and down the states left and right, north and bottom and I know it's just as valid an ID," he said.

After some back and forth, he said the manager did allow him to purchase the items, but Florit still left the store feeling frustrated.

He sent an email to Kroger representatives, as a result, to inform them of the incident. He said the response he got was very basic, but he could understand why.

"I know that, unfortunately, in the world we live in, people do try to do things to gain an edge for lawsuit or gain money and whatnot, so I am not offended it did not straight out give an apology," Florit said.

There was another incident in May at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Kenner, Louisiana. A Puerto Rican man who attempted to rent a car at the New Orleans airport last week was denied because he did not have a passport. 

Humberto Marchand told CBS News that he'd already paid for a rental car when he landed at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on May 9. But when he presented his Puerto Rican driver's license to an employee at the Hertz rental car counter, he said he was asked for a valid passport. The employee insinuated that Marchand is foreign and said he couldn't rent a vehicle without showing his passport, Marchand told CBS News. 

Hertz said in a statement emailed to The Times-Picayune|New Orleans Advocate that Puerto Ricans are not required to show their passports when renting cars in the U.S. 

"We sincerely regret that our policy was not followed and have apologized to Mr. Marchand and refunded his rental," Hertz said in the statement. "We are reinforcing our policies with employees to ensure that they are understood and followed consistently across our locations.”

Video recorded by Marchand shows a Hertz employee asking him to leave. When he refuses, she asks him if he wants her to call the police.

A Kenner Police Department officer responded to the reported disturbance at 11:37 p.m. and also asked Marchand to leave, according to Cpt. Michael Cunningham, a spokesperson for the department. 

Marchand told CBS that as he was leaving, the officer said he would call "the border authorities" if necessary.

Cunningham denied that claim.

"We viewed body cam footage of the officer's encounter and nowhere in video does officer mention Border Patrol, ICE, Immigration or anything of that nature during his encounter," Cunningham said in an emailed statement. 

Rep. Jenniffer Gonzales-Colon (R-PR) is the resident commissioner for Puerto Rico.

President Joe Biden is the current leader of the United States. He is also the head of state of the five occupied U.S. territories. Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) have advocated for U.S. voting rights expansion and those living in the territories to vote for president.

If you rent a vehicle, you must have a valid U.S. or Canadian identification.

If you win a jackpot at a casino in the United States, a valid U.S. identification is needed.

That includes passports, military IDs and state/territorial identification. 

The five occupied U.S. territories, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa have a total population of 4.3 million.

The territories have a governor and a U.S. Representative who is a non voting delegate.

In Puerto Rico, their representative is a resident commissioner who serves a four year term.

Puerto Rican statehood has been a controversial topic. Republicans are racist. They do not want Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia statehood due to minority majority and the possible Democratic swing.

Those living in these places (except American Samoa) are U.S. Citizens. Those living in American Samoa are not U.S. citizens. They are U.S. nationals and are required to have a U.S. passport to enter the mainland. That is controversial due to traditionalist culture and the Organic Act of 1898.

Those living in the U.S. territories cannot vote in the U.S. presidential elections.

You do not need a passport to visit Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Northern Mariana Islands. You need a passport to enter Guam (case by case basis) and American Samoa (since U.S. Customs and Border Protection is not available and America Samoa has their own customs).

Although a U.S. territory, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is self autonomous. The territory is debating over it should be a state or an independent country. 

It has it's own Olympic organization and is recognized as a country in the Winter and Summer games. The Olympics also has athletes representing American Samoa and Guam.

Republicans oppose voting rights in the U.S. territories as well as statehood for Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

Puerto Rico has a population of 3.4 million people. The territory's main languages are Spanish and English. Spanish is spoken by 89% of the territory.

Chris Licht's Days Numbered At CNN!

Chris Licht losing his edge.

Cable news CEO Chris Licht has lost trust among CNN staff and Warner Bros. Discovery's controversial CEO David Zaslav. Licht best known for helping build The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Morning Joe. 

Licht had led CNN further down the pit. 

While hyperpartisan networks like Fox and MSNBC have generated ratings with endless banter about Washed Up 45, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, CNN struggled to generate a fair share of the banter.

CNN has allowed Washed Up 45 a platform to spread endless bullshit. The moderator Kaitlin Collins gets promoted after being called a "nasty woman." It riled up all the CNN staff. They thought it was totally incompetent to allow the former president go on lying without being fact-checked.

Licht fired Robin Meade, Jeffrey Toobin, John Harwood, Chris Cuomo, Don Lemon and Brian Stelter. Demoted many of its notable contributors and told hosts to keep partisan coverage limited.

Tim Alberta of the The Atlantic wrote that Licht took a gamble a lost.

The story is called, "INSIDE THE MELTDOWN AT CNN: CEO Chris Licht felt he was on a mission to restore the network's reputation for serious journalism. How did it all go wrong?"

Oliver Darcy, CNN Media Correspondent and Stelter's former protege was scolded by Licht when he discussed the frustration among CNN staff. They are angry that Zaslav wanting to make CNN as bombastic as Fox.

Fox managed to lose $787.5 million after reporting lies. CNN is losing ratings because they want to be stale and non partisan. They eliminated HLN, gave more airtime to misleading figures and hired Charles Barkley to be paired with Gayle King.

CNN is a trainwreck.

The Anti-Vaxxers Says Jamie Foxx Is Blind From The Vaccine!

Get well, Jamie.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the far right once again prove to the world that they are idiots.

They ain't doctors or scientists. They are far right morons.

Jamie Foxx has yet disclosed the reasons why he spent weeks in the hospital. Even I thought he was in dire straits.

The entertainer has remained out of the spotlight since his incident but it has not stopped speculation and concerns that he may have a permanent issue.

Again, there is no proof that any of the coronavirus vaccines caused any dangerous side effects. It does cause mild pain and you may experience drowsiness.

During an appearance on Dr. Drew Pinsky's online show 'Ask Dr. Drew,' former New York Daily News gossip columnist A.J. Benza made allegations that Jamie Foxx experienced a stroke, leading to partial blindness and paralysis as a result of the COVID-19 vaccine.

While Benza lacks medical credentials, Benza asserted that Foxx suffered from a blood clot in his brain due to the vaccine and implied that he was compelled to get vaccinated for his role in the Netflix film, Back in Action. 

"Jamie had a blood clot in his brain after he got the shot. He did not want the shot, but in the movie he was in, he was pressured to get it. The blood clot in the brain caused him at that point to be partially paralyzed and blind," he was quoted as saying to the podcaster.

He stated that his information came from an anonymous source.

Foxx was hospitalized on April 11th following a medical complication, and in early May, he released a statement expressing appreciation for the support he had received. 

Subsequently, his daughter confirmed that he was in the process of recovery and was engaging in activities like playing pickleball.

Further investigations and medical expertise are required to establish a conclusive link.

There is no evidence that the coronavirus vaccines has caused any dangerous side effects.

The most known is a mild pain and possible drowsiness.

Mom Of The Year!

No loot. No whip. No kids. No freedom.

Florida.

Enough said.

An Orlando area mother faces a handful of charges after her children were injured in a car fire outside the shopping mall in the suburb of Oviedo. The Seminole County Sheriff's Department has announced that they arrested the mother for negligence and of course shoplifting.

While her car was on fire, the woman went into the Oviedo Mall to shoplift with an unknown male accomplice. The suspect would soon realize her escape vehicle was on fire.

The woman would drop her pilfered goods and try to rescue the children.

Alicia Moore, 24, had parked her car on May 26 near a Dillard’s store at the Oviedo Mall. When she parked the car, Moore left her two children inside and went into the store.

Security at the store saw Moore and an unidentified man shoplifting for about an hour before leaving, the news outlet reported.

When Moore and the man got outside, she saw her car in flames, dropped the stolen merchandise, and ran to her car, according to WFTV.

Florida mom loses her car, her children and possibly her freedom.

Shoppers at the mall saw the fire and ran to try to help the two children get out of the car, according to the arrest report obtained by CNN. Both children had multiple first-degree burns to their faces and ears. They were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Moore was arrested by police for outstanding warrants in other counties. She was also charged with neglect of a child with great bodily harm and first-degree arson, WFTV reported.

Being that the fire happened during a commission of a felony, which is why Moore is facing an arson charge, according to the news outlet.

Investigators have not been able to figure out the cause of the car fire but found that if Moore was not neglectful then the children would not have been injured, police said according to CNN.

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

Suspect faces up to five years if convicted.

Sweet Stuff! 🍦

We doing good.

The jobs report for month of May will show whether the damage caused by the Republican Party and its far right allies will impact the economy. They caused chaos during the debt ceiling debacle as well as their "pointless" boycotts against companies that are "woke."

For the month of May, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 339,000 were added.

The unemployment rate has risen to 3.7%.

For the 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia, the jobs were spread across the country.

Biden can brag that despite the rumors of a recession, jobs are still coming. 

The unfortunate side of a jobs report is the aftermath.

Being laid off or being fired from a job really sucks. Take it from me, I hate it. I am stable but I hate the two jobs I am working at. They don't pay enough and I based my whole life around them and nothing else. It has to come to an end soon.

The things observed:

There is a writer's strike. The Writers Guild of America and its union representatives have decided to strike over the networks not paying enough for its writers. Many of these top executives are making 9 figure salaries. 

The controversies continue to pile up for Washed Up 45. He was caught on audio admitting that he violated the rules when it comes to dealing with sensitive material. 

Companies are closing.

The special council overseeing this, Jack Smith is close to wrapping this up. He is also involved in the former president's attempts to overturn the 2020 elections.

The former president also alluded to deliberately hiding documents and ignoring the National Archives request. He appeared on Softball Hannity's right wing shitshow for a town hall. 

President Joe Biden took a fall and the far right are obsessed with his health. They are not doctors but they're speculations are driving discussion about the age of current lawmakers and the president.

Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) voted with Republicans to overturn the Biden Student Loan Debt Forgiveness program. The three face a tough reelection fight. Manchin and Sinema have not confirmed whether they are running for reelection.

71 Republicans and 46 Democrats in the House of Representatives prove to the country that they're incompetent. They voted against the debt ceiling increase due to their partisan extremism. No surprise there that those who voted against it have no legislative accomplishments. Some who are running for governor, Senate or trying to get into the White House are likely doomed to failure.

Anheuser Busch and Target seen slumps in sales due to far right backlash against "woke."

U.S. Department of Homeland Security warn that Pride Events are under threat of politically motivated violence. The LGBTQ community has faced unprecedented threats from the far right. Florida teacher Jenna Barbee becomes an activist after Florida's Board of Education forced her to resign after a Hernando County School Board Member reported her to them after she shown Disney's Strange World which featured a character who identified as a queer.

Manchin and Tester voted to reject student debt cancellation. Manchin also added pork to the budget and debt ceiling increase.

Mississippi authorities and the U.S. Justice Department are involved in the police shooting of 11-year old Black boy named Aderrien Murry. The boy survived his injuries but the question is, why?

The boy called 9-1-1 on a report of a domestic dispute involving his mother. Murry's mother gave the following account of the shooting: at 4 a.m., a man, who had fathered another child with her, came to her home in an "irate" mood, so she directed Murry to call the police; after which one officer that arrived at her home “had his gun drawn at the front door and asked those inside the home to come outside", but then this officer shot Murry when Murry came "from around the corner", entering the living room from a hallway. Murry's mother also said that the officer who shot Murry later helped her render aid to Murry, until medics came to the scene. The Murry family's lawyer said that Murry was unarmed at the time of the shooting, and also said that since Murry's height was "about 4 foot 10" inches (1.47 m), the officer "could not have been confused" between Murry and the man Murry contacted the police about, as the man is over 6 feet tall (over 1.82 m). Murry's family have called for police body camera footage to be released, and also called for the officer to be terminated from his position and charged with aggravated assault.

Within two weeks of the shooting, Murry and his mother initiated a lawsuit in federal court, against the officer who shot him, as well as the city of Indianola, its police chief, and five unnamed police officers; the lawsuit alleged "negligence and excessive force" and requested $5 million in compensation.

Bed Bath & Beyond, Tuesday Morning and Jenny Craig are gone. Target, Walmart, Kroger, JC Penney, Macy's, Big Lots, Best Buy, Foot Locker, Champs Sports and Gap are closing locations.

Wages are not meeting up to the demand. 

Republicans already signal impeachment, national abortion bans, more guns on the streets, ending birthright citizenship, stopping the Biden pledge to cancel student debt, use taxpayer money to build a border wall, ban transgender people from playing gender based sports, start endless investigations into the president, Hillary Clinton, Hunter Biden, Big Tech, the FBI, the pull out in Afghanistan, repeal the Affordable Care Act, repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, end COVID pandemic assistance and enforce voter ID laws on all Americans.

Payrolls in the public and private sector increased by 339,000 for the month, better than the 190,000 Dow Jones estimate and marking the 29th straight month of positive job growth.

Sinema requested more security after threats. She is facing backlash for betraying Democrats.

The unemployment rate rose to 3.7% in May against the estimate for 3.5%, even though the labor force participation rate was unchanged. The jobless rate was the highest since October 2022, though still near the lowest since 1969.

May’s hiring jump was almost exactly in line with the 12-month average of 341,000 in a job market that has held up remarkably well in an economy that has been slowing.

Professional and business services led job creation for the month with a net 64,000 new hires. Government helped boost the numbers with an addition of 56,000 jobs, while health care contributed 52,000.

Other notable gainers included leisure and hospitality (48,000), construction (25,000), and transportation and warehousing (24,000).

Despite the big jobs gain, the unemployment rate increased due in large part to a sharp decline of 369,000 in self-employment. That was part of an overall drop of 310,000 counted as employed in the household survey, which is used to calculate the unemployment rate and generally is considered more volatile than the survey of establishments used for the headline payrolls number.

“The upshot is that the only genuine sign of weakness in the report was the decline in average weekly hours worked to 34.3, from 34.4, which left them at the lowest level since the Covid nadir in April 2020,” wrote Paul Ashworth, chief North America economist for Capital Economics.

An alternative measure of unemployment that encompasses discouraged workers and those holding part-time jobs for economic reasons edged higher to 6.7%.

May’s jobs numbers come amid a challenging time for the economy, with many experts still expecting a recession later this year or early in 2024.

The Congress has less than most Americans. It is infuriating that the average worker works more hours than those 117 House members and 36 senators.

Republicans see the only path to victory is basically obstruct and complain about the president. They won't offer solutions or policies. All they care about is trying to keep folks angry with culture wars and distractions.

President Joe Biden's headaches:

1. The Republicans in the House of Representatives.
2. Gun violence and Congress not doing anything to stop it.
3. Inflation.
4. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
5. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rep. James Comer (R-KY), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. George Santos (R-NY), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO).
6. Republican governors Ron DeSantis, Kay Ivey, Greg Abbott, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Bill Lee, Glenn Youngkin, Kristie Noem, Kim Reynolds, Brian Kemp, Brad Little and Greg Gianforte
7. The junk food media and their never ending dramatizing of world events.
8. Anti-Vaxxers. 
9. Lawmakers and activists who protest the CDC guidelines during the pandemic.
10. The endless culture wars that Republicans find outrage in.
11. Washed Up 45 and his minions on Fox, Newsmax, OANN and the internet.
12. Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. The idiots who run it and the idiots who post on it.
13. Fox, Breitbart, Libs of TikTok, The Daily Mail, Newsmax and OANN's relentless talk about conspiracies. The endless attacks on the president's age, First Lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, Ashley Biden and the conspiracies about the president's mental capacity and health.
14. The endless racism towards Biden's allies Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Barack Obama.
15. The relentless talk about spending despite the former president's reckless spending.
16. The lack of civility towards fellow Americans.
17. Vladimir Putin.
18. Xi Jinping.
19. Kim Jong-Un.
20. Benjamin Netanyahu
21. Alexander Lukashenko
22. Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud

The coronavirus doesn't care about your age, race, gender, sexuality, nationality, religion, politics, economic or social standings. It doesn't care about your business, your performances, your personal finances and travel. It doesn't care about the funerals, the birthday parties, the weddings, the vacations, the events and your graduations.

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 Freedumb Caucasians with a Black conservative. The Republicans rejected their own budget deal.

You're not safe in the school, the concert, 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 operative inspired are types of gun violence.

Food prices, energy prices, rent, city services and college education have risen. Companies are struggling to find workers. They are now trying to push incentives to get workers in.

Real Reasons To Why Unemployment Rate Stays The Way It Is!

1. DEAD
   
2. BORN
3. THE PANDEMIC
4. CLIMATE CHANGE
5. IN PRISON
6. IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
7. IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
   
8. IN HIGH SCHOOL
9. IN COLLEGE NOT LOOKING
10. VOLUNTEER
11. DISABLED
12. INFLATION
13. STAY AT HOME PARENT
14. RETIRED 
15. QUIT ON THEIR OWN
16. TERMINATED FROM EMPLOYMENT 
17. NOT HIRING UNQUALIFIED
18. NOT HIRING TOO QUALIFIED
19. ACTIVE MILITARY
20. NATURAL DISASTERS
21. MASS SHOOTINGS DISRUPT DAILY ROUTINE
22. BEING LAID OFF DUE TO CLOSING OR STAFF REDUCTION
23. DESTRUCTION TO FACILITY OR PROPRETY
24. OUTSOURCING JOBS TO OTHER STATES OR COUNTRIES
25. BEING UNDOCUMENTED IN FEAR OF I.C.E. OR U.S. AGENCIES
26. BEING PUBLICLY OUTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA DOING SHAMEFUL ACTS
27. PARTICIPATING IN UNCIVIL OR VIOLENT PROTESTS

Jobs are looking good despite fears of an economic slowdown.

Companies are still trying to hire employees. With the average wages stagnant, many are not looking forward to returning to a job that pays dirt wages. Many who worked in the retail, restaurant and low end service industry are not willing to take a job for less than $10 an hour. Matter of fact, no one can survive on $15 an hour.

Republicans don't see the bigger picture itself. They rather continue to believe in conspiracies about people collecting the safety net and not going back to work.

Give them a liveable wage and maybe things might improve in the job market

We can't always assume that folks are lazy. People are literally dying from being exposed to the coronavirus and folks are tired of the status quo of their jobs.

Many single mothers are having trouble trying to find quality daycare or family members to watch children. On top of that, some have lost family members due to the pandemic. A homemaker may have lost their spouse. Some may have no choice but to watch their children or loved ones due to the aftermath of the pandemic.

Folks are still trying to rebound from medical bills, late rent payments, owing taxes and college loans.

We are fighting for the Middle Class.

Republicans are white nationalists without a conscience. 

Washed Up 45's presidency and Republican controlled governments killed millions of Americans. Biden has a slim majority in Congress and things can't be done with obstruction from both parties.

Holding these lawmakers accountable is not just a pledge, but a promise. You need to learn who represents your community. Your local community member, your school board member, your mayor, your state representative, your state senator, your governor, your U.S. Representative, your U.S. Senator and the president need to be held accountable for their actions. 

We need to put pressure on Republicans and Democrats to do something to improve everyone's lives.

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. Let them know that women deserve the right to safe medical procedures. Let them know that their failure to pass legislation to lower prices are the reasons why the economy is in a free fall.

At least the debt ceiling is raised.

People trip over things. It happens! No one is a God.

The extremes are talking about President Joe Biden falling after he delivered a commencement speech at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The president was not seriously injured. Embarrassed but fine.

The 80 year old is the oldest president currently serving. We get it. However, the arm chair doctors and Fox folks are going all in on speculating the health of the president.

He tripped over a sandbag. He was helped by members of the U.S. Secret Service. He got back up and went back to his seat without any help.

After Biden was helped up, he pointed behind him, seeming to indicate that he had tripped over a sandbag used to hold the teleprompter in place. He mingled with other officials afterward, smiling and giving a "thumbs up" sign.

Fox of course asked Washed Up 45 about it. 

"He actually fell down? Well I hope he wasn’t hurt."

The former president added, "You gotta be careful about that," even if you have to "tip-toe down a ramp."

In June 2020, Washed Up 45's slow, careful descent of a ramp at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point had some observers questioning his agility. "The last thing I was going to do is ‘fall’ for the Fake News to have fun with," the former president had posted on Truth Social.

This February, doctors declared Biden healthy and fit for duty after a physical examination, noting the president does not drink alcohol or use tobacco and exercises "at least" five times a week.

Last June, Biden fell as he was dismounting his bicycle, after snaring a foot in a toe clip, but was uninjured.

Former Actor Now A Convicted Sexual Predator

His days of freedom are over.

Mentioned by name. 

Danny Masterson is found guilty in California of rape. He is best known for his role on That's 70s Show and being married to actress/singer Bijou Phillips. The former actor was handcuffed and led away to the Los Angeles County lockup.

Masterson will join Tory Lanez in a possible 30 years lockup. Lanez faces a similar fate and labeling due to his shooting conviction of then girlfriend Megan Thee Stallion

The former actor will be labeled a TIER III offender.

The seven-woman, five-man jury could not reach a verdict on a third count, which alleged the sexual predator raped a former girlfriend, after having deliberated for over a week, The Associated Press reported.

The predator, 47, was led from the courtroom in handcuffs while his wife wept. His family and friends sat in stunned silence.

The verdict came some six months after the predator’s first trial, at which he also faced charges of raping three women he met through the Church of Scientology, ended in a mistrial, with jurors leaning toward acquittal.

He was charged with raping the three women — identified at trial as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3 — at his Hollywood Hills home from 2001 to 2003.

All three accusers are former members of the Church of Scientology, to which the predator still belongs.

“I am experiencing a complex array of emotions — relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness — knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior," Jane Doe #2 said after the verdict was handed down. "I am disappointed that he was not convicted on all counts, but take great solace in the fact that he, the Church of Scientology, and others, will have to fully account for their abhorrent actions in civil court.”

Jane Doe #3, whose count the jury did not convict the predator on, said she was "devastated that he has dodged criminal accountability for his heinous conduct against me. "

"Despite my disappointment in this outcome, I remain determined to secure justice, including in civil court, where I, along with my co-plaintiffs, will shine a light on how Scientology and other conspirators enabled and sought to cover up Masterson’s monstrous behavior,” she said.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón thanked all of the women who came forward.

"Their courage and strength have been an inspiration to us all," Gascón said in a release after the verdict. “While we are disappointed that the jury did not convict on all counts, we respect their decision. The verdicts handed down by the jury in this case were undoubtedly a difficult one to reach and we thank the jurors for their service."

Just as in his first trial, the predator did not take the stand. And his defense attorneys declined to call any witnesses.

Bijou Phillips may have to divorce him. He won't see her and their child for years.

He has also denied assaulting a fourth woman, identified as Jane Doe #4, who told the court at his first trial he had raped her, too.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo initially denied the prosecution’s request to put Jane Doe #4 on the stand in the first trial, but she changed her mind after prosecutors argued that Masterson’s lawyer opened the door by suggesting that his three other accusers colluded against him. The predator was not charged with raping the fourth woman.

Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller put Jane Doe #4 on the stand again at Masterson’s retrial along with a fifth woman, who testified that Masterson raped her in 2000 after a cast party in Toronto, Deadline reported. The fifth woman did not testify in the first trial. Unlike the predator and the three Jane Does he was charged with raping, the additional witnesses are not Scientologists. 

Both trials focused a lot of unwanted attention on the Church of Scientology, which the Jane Does have accused of trying to cover up the allegations.

At the retrial, Olmedo made it clear once again that Scientology was not a defendant. But she again allowed witnesses to testify that church officials pressured them not to talk to police about the rape allegations.

Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw has denied those allegations and insisted, repeatedly, that church doctrine requires members to “abide by all the laws of the land.”

Diana Dasrath reported from Los Angeles and Corky Siemaszko from New York City.

The Debt Ceiling Debacle Is Over!

Whew.

Until late 2024 when the U.S. election is over and whether President Joe Biden or president-elect is prepared for another showdown with Republicans.

The 71 Republicans and 46 Democrats who voted against the debt ceiling increase are the extremists within the Congress. They are the insufferable lawmakers who make Americans hate politics and the direction of the country.

The agreement between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy suspends the nation’s debt ceiling until January 1, 2025. It also contained several budget cuts, and was sealed with the help of centrist Democrats and Republicans, the AP reported.

But some Republicans said the deal didn’t cut spending enough, while McCarthy said it was only a “first step.” The 99-page bill restricts spending for two years and changes policies including new work requirements for older Americans who get food aid and allowing an Appalachian natural gas line. It gives more money to defense and veterans.

At first June 1 was believed to be the day that the country would run out of money to pay its debts. That date was then pushed to June 5 by the Treasury, the AP reported.

The Senate is expected to pass the debt ceiling limit increase with little resistance.

There is controversy with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV). He managed to get that pork project inserted into the budget and debt ceiling deal to get him on board.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the chamber was digging into the bill that Biden negotiated with Speaker Kevin McCarthy and would “keep working until the job is done.”

He warned of a crush of ideas from senators anxious to revise the bill’s budget cuts and environmental policy changes, but said, “There is no good reason, none, to bring this process down to the wire.”

Passage in the Senate will require cooperation between Democrats and Republicans, much the way the narrowly divided House was able to approve the compromise late Wednesday night. Fast action is vital if Washington is to meet next Monday’s deadline when Treasury has said the U.S. will start running short of cash to pay its bills, risking a devastating default.

Having remained largely on the sidelines during much of the Biden-McCarthy negotiations, several senators are insisting on debate over their ideas to reshape the package. But making any changes at this stage seemed unlikely, and even opponents of the final deal say they will not hold it up.

Like Schumer, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell signaled he wanted to waste no time.

Touting the House package with its budget cuts, McConnell said Thursday, “The Senate has a chance to make that important progress a reality.”

The Midway Wrap Up!

Six more months to go.

Google Blogger is experiencing more problems. So by 2024, it will come to an end with me and this product. Blogger is supposedly being retired but it's rumor.

On behalf of LaReyna, George Cook Reports, The Angry Indian and myself, The Blue Light Buzz, we thank you for reading our blog. We enjoy your feedback and hope that you enjoy the blog. 

This is your blog. 

Survival of the fittest.

We enter the Summer months. I am frustrated. Yes, very frustrated with the year.

I am working two jobs and surviving. I have seen how our country became more divided and yes even more dangerous. I see lawmakers in Washington continue to waste taxpayer dollars doing things other than their jobs. I seen more state legislators push for less freedoms and less regulations.

We still have more Americans literally falling victim to misinformation. Some candidates refuse to concede. Some candidates believe that their election losses are results of treachery.

Survival is at its utmost.

Gun violence has always been the No. 1 threat. After that comes social media, cancer and the coronavirus.

Let's make it through the year.

I won't waste too much time covering the first half of 2023. I am just going to just say that Biden is running for reelection, Washed Up 45 is still mentioned in the news, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has a lot of headaches, Tina Turner passed away, Harry Belafonte passed away, David Crosby passed away, Jerry Springer passed away, Raquel Welch passed away and numerous other celebrities have passed away this year.

King Charles III had his coronation, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan were chased by paparazzi in New York eerily similar to Princess Diana, the royals popularity plummets in the United Kingdom and Ukraine has kept the pressure on Russia since it invaded in 2022.

Tucker Carlson fired from Fox. Fox owes nearly $800 million to Dominion Systems. CNN has plummeted in ratings and hosted Washed Up 45 for a controversial town hall. Don Lemon was fired from CNN. Dan Bongino becomes the most worthless media personality this year.

Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, Asa Hutchison, Ron DeSantis, Larry Elder and Vivek Ramaswamy will not beat Washed Up 45. They are barely getting media coverage. Granted that Chris Christie, Glenn Youngkin, Mike Pence, Doug Burgum and Chris Sununu have interest in running.

Tara Reade, the Biden accuser "defects" to Russia. She appears to be a Russian op all along.

Young Thug trial will start in July. 

Culture wars have impacted America. Two Tennessee Democrats were thrown out after protesting gun violence in the wake of the Nashville Christian School mass shooting and the Ty're Nichols' death. The terrorist was identified as a transman. They were reinstated after the ruckus. Tennessee did raise the age to purchase firearms but still banned drag shows being shown to children and gender transition for children.

Bud Light was boycott because of Dylann Mulvaney. Kid Rock showed America how death occurs from firing off an AR-15 rifle. Target was boycotted because it celebrated U.S. Pride. Proud Boy rapper Forgiato Blow, Charlie Kirk and Fox have openly attacked the company. The North Face, Disney, Walmart and Chick-fil-A are in the crosshairs as well.

America is a hot mess. Seven months to go.

Winners and losers of the 2023.

Losers

1. Bud Light

2. Elon Musk

3. AM Radio

4. Kia and Hyundai 

5. Enrique Tarrio 

6. Stewart Rhodes

7. Fox News

8. Tucker Carlson 

9. Don Lemon 

10. Tara Reade

11. George Santos

12. Republicans losing mayor races in Jacksonville and Colorado Springs 

13. Harlin Crow

14. Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers

15. King Charles III

16. Kari Lake 

17. Washed Up 45

18. David Zaslav 

19. Charlamagne tha God

20. DatPiff.com

Winners

1. Rihanna

2. Dylann Mulvaney 

3. President Joe Biden 

4. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy 

5. Vice President Kamala Harris 

6. Nicolle Wallace 

7. TikTok

8. Democrats winning local elections 

9. Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan 

10. Hakeem Jeffries

11. Machine Gun Kelly

12. Taylor Swift

13. Lil Baby

14. Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat 

15. Kansas City Chiefs

16. Dominion Voting Systems 

17. Libs of TikTok and Chaya Raichik 

18.  E. Jean Carroll 

19. Alvin Bragg 

20. Newsmax

Okay enough of this. We move forward and continue to do what we do. At least until 2024, I will keep you informed on what's happening.

Republicans Threaten To Tank Debt Ceiling Deal!

Oh, gees!

The far right and far left are the biggest headaches in America. We need to work together to solve problems. Instead, these agitators want to keep us divided. And thanks to about 145 members of the House and Senate, we continue to see how bad things are.

Today is the day for the debt ceiling vote.

The Republicans may oppose the compromise. If it does not pass, the U.S. will go into default and the country could spiral into chaos.

The Republicans prove that they cannot govern. They also show that all along they want to sabotage the economy to hurt the president. To them it's all about "owning the libs."

Legislation brokered by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to lift the $31.4 trillion U.S. debt ceiling and achieve new federal spending cuts passed an important hurdle late on Tuesday, advancing to the full House of Representatives for debate and an expected vote on passage on Wednesday.

The House Rules Committee voted 7-6 to approve the rules allowing debate by the full chamber. Two committee Republicans, Representatives Chip Roy and Ralph Norman, bucked their leadership by opposing the bill.

That vote underscored the need for Democrats to help pass the measure in the House, which is controlled by Republicans with a narrow 222-213 majority.

House passage would send the bill to the Senate. The measure needs congressional approval before June 5, when the Treasury Department could run out of funds to pay its debts for the first time in U.S. history.

If the Treasury Department cannot make all its payments, or if it was forced to prioritize payments, that could trigger economic chaos in the U.S. and global economies.

Many Democrats in Congress did not want Biden to engage in budget-cutting negotiations with Republicans until they lifted their hold on enacting a debt limit bill.

White House Budget Director Shalanda Young, who was one of Biden's lead negotiators, urged Congress to pass the bill.

"I want to be clear: This agreement represents a compromise, which means no one gets everything that they want and hard choices had to be made," Young told a news conference.

A Senate vote could possibly stretch into the weekend if lawmakers in that chamber try to slow its passage.

At least one senator, Republican Mike Lee, has said he may try to do so, and other Republicans have also expressed discomfort with some aspects of the deal.

The bill would suspend the U.S. debt limit through Jan. 1, 2025, allowing Biden and lawmakers to set aside the politically risky issue until after the November 2024 presidential election.

It would also cap some government spending over the next two years, speed up the permitting process for some energy projects, claw back unused COVID-19 funds, and introduce work requirements for food aid programs for some poor Americans.

In another win for Republicans, it would shift some funding away from the Internal Revenue Service, although the White House says that should not undercut tax enforcement.

Biden can point to gains as well. The deal leaves his signature infrastructure and green-energy laws largely intact, and the spending cuts and work requirements are far less than Republicans had sought.

Republicans have argued that steep spending cuts are necessary to curb the growth of the national debt, which at $31.4 trillion is roughly equal to the annual output of the economy.

Interest payments on that debt are projected to eat up a growing share of the budget as an aging population pushes up health and retirement costs, according to government forecasts. The deal would not do anything to rein in those fast-growing programs.

Most of the savings would come by capping spending on domestic programs like housing, education, scientific research and other forms of "discretionary" spending. Military spending would be allowed to increase over the next two years.

The debt-ceiling standoff prompted ratings agencies to warn that they might downgrade U.S. debt, which underpins the global financial system.

Markets have reacted positively to the agreement so far.

McCarthy's speakership is under the possibility of a challenge. We will see if the Freedumb Caucasians push for his ouster.

Обвинитель Байдена уезжает из США в Россию-матушку!

The Biden accuser claims she "defected" to Russia because of her safety.

Translated in English: Biden Accuser Leaves U.S. For Mother Russia!

Can we finally say that the Biden accuser was an op from the Russian Federation?

Can we finally put to rest this need to allow this white extremist the unnecessary attention?

Can she please stay there and hopefully never get arrested for any illegal activities?

That ugly sea cow looking woman.

No matter what the facts are, the extremists will continue to believe the bullshit this woman is pushing.

The woman who accused President Joe Biden of sexual assault back in the 1990s has defected to Russia. Although, I don't believe her, the accuser stated on Russian state television that she has left the U.S. and has asked Vladimir Putin for Russian citizenship.

Tara Reade claims her safety was at risk. Uh, right!

On Sputnik, Reade along with Maria Butina, the Russian honeytrap who was convicted of being an unregistered foreign agent of the Russian government said she felt like it was being at home.

“I’m still kind of in a daze a bit but I feel very good,” Reade told Sputnik, a Russian press outlet supportive of President Vladimir Putin, while sitting with Maria Butina, a convicted Russian agent jailed in the U.S. but now a member of parliament in Russia.

“I feel very surrounded by protection and safety,” Reade said.

Now 59, Reade was a staffer for Biden when he was a US senator from Delaware.

In 2020, as Biden ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, she claimed that in 1993, in a Senate corridor, he pushed her against a wall and assaulted her. Biden repeatedly denied the accusation.

At her press appearance in Russia, Reade was described as a “writer and publicist and former aide to Joe Biden”.

Sitting next to Butina, Reade said: “I just really so appreciate Maria and everyone who’s been giving me [protection] at a time when it’s been very difficult to know if I’m safe or not.

“I just didn’t want to walk home and walk into a cage or be killed, which is basically my two choices.”

Reade recently flirted with testifying before U.S. House Republicans seeking to use committees to attack Biden and his family.

The decision to defect to Russia, she told Sputnik, “was very difficult. I’m not an impulsive person. I really take my time and sort of analyse data points.

“And from what I could see based on the cases and based on what was happening and sort of the push for them to not want me to testify, I felt that while [the 2024] election is gearing up and there’s so much at stake, I’m almost better off here and just being safe. My dream is to live in both places, but it may be that I only live in this place and that’s OK.”

Biden is running for re-election. As president, he has helped maintain international support for Ukraine as it fights invading Russian forces.

Reade said: “To my Russian brothers and sisters, I’m sorry right now that American elites are choosing to have such an aggressive stance. Just know that most American citizens do want to be friends and hope that we can have unity again.

“I am enjoying my time in Moscow, and I feel very at home.”

The Department of State warned travelers that Russia could arrest American citizens at given will. The U.S. Embassy in Russia is temporarily closed and the diplomatic relations and resources are halted. Due to the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been sanctioning citizens who advocated Ukraine defense. 

The federation also issued an arrest warrant for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). They also have a target list of individuals who the FSB may implement assassination. The president, Graham, Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Hillary Clinton and numerous others are sanctioned as well are on that list.

I do not advocate the propaganda that this woman is pushing. It is almost 10 hours of propaganda.

While You Were Sleeping: Mass Shootings Everywhere!

The unofficial start of summer.

President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Gov. Mike DeWine and Gov. Ron DeSantis were notified of the latest mass shootings in their respective states. The Memorial Day weekend was interesting.

Mass shootings in numerous cities this Memorial Day weekend.

According to the far right: White shooters are mentally ill. Black shooters are unrepentant criminals. Gay shooters are active groomers. Muslim shooters are terrorists. Hispanic and Asian 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. If the shooters are teens, the far right automatically assume the gunmen are Black.

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. White shooters are given glowing profiles about their perfect lives and how friends noticed something but refused to do something. When it comes to Black shooters, automatic vilification. They don't see mental illness. They see it as gang violence, allegedly fatherless homes, Democratic policies or the need for more firearms. The far right and Republicans exploit gun violence in the Black community for culture wars and racism.

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

Mass shootings that made the news. Red River, New Mexico, Columbus, Ohio and Hollywood, Florida.

Red River, NM.

Three people have been shot and killed, and five others injured after a shooting in Red River, according to New Mexico State Police. They say all suspects have been apprehended.

Red River Mayor Linda Calhoun confirmed the shooting happened at 400 E. Main Street during an annual motorcycle rally Saturday. She says biker gangs were involved in the shooting.

State police say everyone involved was affiliated with biker gangs.

“All eight individuals have been identified as outlawed motorcycle gang members — the Bandidos and the second one is a group called the Water Dogs,” said Johnson. 

Police say the shooting stemmed from another incident that happened in a different part of New Mexico.

“It was in Albuquerque and what we’re being told it was over somebody taking a picture with a different gang, it’s something as stupid as that,” Johnson said.

One person faces a murder charge, 30-year-old Jacob Castillo, who was one of the five injured.

Police say the three people who died resided in different areas of New Mexico.   

“Anthony Silva who’s 26 from Los Lunas New Mexico –he was a Bandido. It was a Randy Sanchez, 46, of Albuquerque — he was a Water Dog and there was a Damien Bro, he was 46 from Socorro, New Mexico, who was a Bandido,” said Johnson said. 

People injured from the gunfire were sent to different hospitals across New Mexico, and one airlifted to Denver, Colorado. Three people went to UNMH in Albuquerque.

Columbus, OH.

Several people were shot at a party near Canal Winchester overnight.

Officers were called to the shooting around 12:30 a.m. along Pintail Creek Drive at the Meadow Apartment complex.

Police said as many as five people were shot and taken to the hospital. Some victims arrived at hospitals on their own.

Initially, dispatch received complaints about a loud party with complaints about street racing. Soon after that, police received calls about gunshots.

Another neighbor said she and her sister heard the chaos from their apartment.

"She’s like grabbing kids trying to put them on the floor and stuff, and that’s when I heard kids outside of my window in my bedroom, and they’re like, 'Where are we going to go?'" said Lacee Smith, a mom who lives at the complex. "'How are we going to get out? What are we going to do?'"

"It's sad this happened," neighbor Pati Tapalansky said. "This is a military weekend. These men fought and died for our freedom, so these people could do this? It's sad."

Tapalansky said she left earlier in the night, adding that she saw dozens of people and some others doing donuts in a parking lot.

"People live here," the witness said. "It’s a lot of older people that live over there. Why would you all do that? This is a quiet neighborhood. Canal's quiet. I don’t like that they brought that out here."

Officers said a 17-year-old boy was shot and two other victims were 19 years old. The names and ages of the other victims were not made available.

Hollywood, FL.

At least nine people, including children, were hospitalized Monday after an altercation ended in gunfire at the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, police said.

Hollywood Police spokeswoman Deanna Bettineschi said they received calls about multiple people who were shot near Johnson Street after two groups got into an altercation, which resulted in gunfire.

Nine gunshot victims — including four children between the ages of 1-17 years old — were taken to Memorial Regional Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Bettineschi said. Five adults between the ages of 25-65 were also hospitalized.

One of the victims was in surgery, while the rest were in stable condition, police said.

Police detained one person of interest and said another person is at large.

"Thank you to the good Samaritans, paramedics, police and emergency room doctors and nurses for their immediate response to aid the victims of today’s shooting," Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy said in a post on Facebook.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Every community in the United States will eventually have a legacy. A legacy of never ending tragedy. Gun violence, extremism 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.