#radical right

[protoslacker]

The creators and backers of the campaign aren’t remotely interested in the social justice interests of their potential viewers—only their dollars and eventually their votes. It’s a campaign as underhanded as they come, and we should call out its duplicity wherever the campaign airs or appears.

Jay Kuo at his Substack, The Status Kuo. Jesus at the Super Bowl

It’s not so as innocent as it seems

[barbaragenova]

“Griff Sombke is the co-host of Did Nothing Wrong, a podcast all about “politics at the intersection of extremists, propaganda and Cold War 2.0”. Didn’t we just have his partner on board? Yes, we did - that would be Jay McKenzie - but Griff is a fascinating guy with a life story that’s unique. Plus, I fucked up the title last time. And the subtitle.

This is a wild ride.

Topics include: training for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for 11 straight years, founding a gym, walking away from that gym, not answering the phone for years, bad science, bad fitness advice, the Joe Rogan Podcast and its immense cultural influence in the MMA / Jiu-Jitsu world, being a small town punk rock scene kid, conspiracy-prone taxi drivers and how to handle them with "Risk Assessment" and "Distance Management", researching the Radical Right, finding a Jiu-Jitsu academy that works for you, what Griff did when he dropped out of his old life for a really long time, former police officer Michael Fanone as a TV talking head, and the importance of waking up, going again, getting a little sharper each day.

Enjoy.”

[tehjmastuh]

What's your favorite thing republicans say? I'll list them below.

Let's go Brandon! Trump 2024!

Donald Trump won that presidential election fair and square. It was stolen.

You're fake News! I'm pro life! I don't need a covid vaccine because I got God and Donald Trump in my blood. Donald Trump is my God! All lives Matter! Back the blue! LGBT = Liberty, Guns, Beer, Trump! I'm anti Mask and and Anti Abortion. My guns is my constitutional rights.

And I am sure there is so much more that the radical right likes to say all the time. loll It's Biden's fault for raising the gas prices. If you support BLM, You support vandalism. I'm not racist. My sister's boyfriend is black. And my aunt's cousin's co worker is black too.

[atozee4me]

Your rights could be next. Everyone has SOMETHING that others don't like.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

An ongoing conspiracy.  May 13, 2022

Robert B. Hubbell

[Audio version here]

         Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy confirmed that Trump’s effort to overthrow the Constitution is an ongoing conspiracy. The House Select Committee issued subpoenas to five GOP House members demanding their cooperation in an investigation to determine who was involved in the coup and how it unfolded. Though McCarthy and his colleagues (Jordan, Biggs, Brooks, and Perry) took an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” McCarthy mocked the Committee’s efforts to learn the truth. Even though McCarthy has first-hand information regarding Trump’s actions and intentions on January 6th, he described the subpoenas as an effort to “go after political opponents.” McCarthy’s refusal to cooperate can only be seen as an ongoing conspiracy to conceal the identities of the coup plotters.

         The subpoenas are appropriate, narrowly drawn, and legally justified. But they are meaningless because Merrick Garland has failed to indict witnesses who refuse to comply with the Committee’s subpoenas. For example, Garland has not indicted Mark Meadows, who declined to appear before the Committee six months ago (in December 2021). The failure of Garland to support the Committee or to launch his own investigation of the coup is leading to a crisis of confidence in America.

In the absence of accountability, Trump and his co-conspirators understandably believe they are free to make another attempt to overthrow the Constitution in 2024. Why is the DOJ refusing to act? Yes, prosecuting Trump will be difficult and painful for America, and the only thing that could be more difficult and painful is not prosecuting Trump.

         On Thursday, we learned that a federal grand jury is investigating Trump’s apparent mishandling of fifteen boxes of classified documents that were moved to Mar-a-Lago. See NYTimes, Prosecutors Pursue Inquiry Into Trump’s Handling of Classified Material. Sigh. As one reader commented, “So, Garland’s DOJ can jump on a case of 15 boxes that may have been a security risk but can’t investigate a blatant attempt by Trump to overthrow our government???”

Of course, Trump (or his aides) should be held accountable for the apparent theft of classified materials, but the alacrity with which that investigation is proceeding is a stark reminder of the glacial (or non-existent) pace of Garland’s investigation into a coup.

         For now, we must be grateful that the House Select Committee has refused to relent despite the obstacles presented by the Republican Party and the Department of Justice. The Committee’s findings will serve as the judgment of history on Trump, McCarthy, and the Republican Party.

Putin’s war on the Ukrainian people.

         Putin attacked Ukraine (allegedly) to protect Russia from NATO expansion. The plan has backfired. On Thursday, Finland applied for NATO membership. If granted, Finland’s application would increase Russia’s border connection with NATO by 800 miles. Russia erupted in response, claiming that it would retaliate with “military-technical” measures.

         Ukraine continues to mount a vigorous defense against Russia’s invasion. On Wednesday, Ukraine destroyed dozens of Russian vehicles attempting a river crossing in the Donbas region. See Business Insider, Photos show dozens of wrecked Russian tanks and armored vehicles destroyed in failed river crossing, Ukraine’s military says. Other sources report that Ukraine is pushing back Russian forces near Kharkiv.  

         As Ukrainians fight courageously against Russian expansionism in Europe, Senator Rand Paul was busy proving why he is more detested than the odious Ted Cruz and Mickey-Mouse hating Josh Hawley. Senator Paul single-handedly held up a $40 billion aid package to Ukraine because he was unhappy with the accounting mechanisms included in the bill. Paul claimed that he was delaying the legislation because he took an oath to “uphold the Constitution,” an oath that meant nothing when he voted against a Senate investigation of the January 6th insurrection. Ah, well! There is a reason that Senator Paul is routinely described as “the most hated person in the Senate.”

Republicans beginning to backtrack on abortion ruling.

         Pundits continue to tell Democrats that the leaked draft of Alito’s opinion overruling Roe and Casey will not change the midterms. But Republicans running for reelection in the midterms beg to differ. Some long-time anti-abortion candidates are attempting to distance themselves from prior statements in support of extreme restrictions on abortion. Even the clueless Senator Ron Johnson is explaining that the decision will not be so bad because women in Wisconsin can travel to Illinois to obtain abortion services. See Talking Points Memo, RonJon Distances Self From Own Anti-Abortion Position. Johnson said, “I just don’t think this is going to be the big political issue everybody thinks it is, because it’s not going to be that big a change.”

         Hmm. . . if Johnson doesn’t believe it’s not going to be a big deal, why is he walking back prior statements? And, of course, Senator Johnson does not acknowledge that some women seeking abortions cannot afford to travel to another state to receive treatment. Republicans are worried. They should be.

Texas continues its march toward a socialist authoritarian state that seeks to control the lives of its citizens and businesses.

         Texas passed an unconstitutional law that prohibits social media companies from controlling the content on their private platforms. The companies are prohibited from banning users, thereby forcing the companies to carry content they do not wish to publish. The law also prohibits social media companies from altering their algorithms—a process that allows social media companies to run their businesses. The law is plainly unconstitutional, and a federal district court judge issued an order enjoining enforcement of the law pending trial on its constitutionality.

         On Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the injunction, allowing the law to remain in effect pending trial. As a result, social media platforms with users in Texas are subject to expensive lawsuits and costly workarounds to conform with the requirements of an unconstitutional law. See Ian Millhiser in Vox,  Two GOP judges just gave Texas control over Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

         The Fifth Circuit order was unsigned but was not unanimous, meaning that only two of the three judges on the panel voted to lift the injunction. The judges who voted to lift the order likely include a Trump-appointed judge who clerked for Justice Alito and an infamous Reagan-appointed judge known for taking outrageous positions.

         As described by Ian Millhiser, the order is a threat to the business model of social media companies as they attempt to moderate extremists who use their platforms. Per Millhiser,

The Texas law, in other words, would effectively turn every single major social media platform into 4chan — a cesspool of racial slurs, misogyny, and targeted harassment that the platforms would be powerless to control, unless they wanted to enact such sweeping content moderation policies that their platforms would become unusable.

         Republicans are quickly becoming the “anti-business” party as they attempt to punish companies for engaging in free speech or force companies to carry speech that violates their terms of service. The matter will be appealed to the Supreme Court—at which point we may learn whether the reactionary majority intends to allow state legislatures and governors to control the speech of corporations. Stay tuned.

         [Please note: I don’t agree with Supreme Court’s rulings that effectively grant corporations equal status with individuals under the First Amendment. So, please don’t send emails yelling at me for accurately describing the current state of the law regarding the free speech rights of corporations. I admire the passion of those who oppose Citizens United and agree with you, but no amount of criticizing accurate reporting by me will change the law. Instead, vote for members of Congress who will enlarge the Court ASAP.]

Concluding Thoughts.

         In Pennsylvania, the Trump-endorsed MAGA candidate for US Senate (Dr. Oz) is being overtaken by a MAGA candidate (Kathy Barnette ) so extreme that even the extremists in the MAGA party are worried. On Thursday, Trump issued a statement saying, “Kathy Barnette will never be able to win the General Election against the Radical Left Democrats.” Ouch! [Update: Proving that Trump is more of a weathervane than a kingmaker, Trump issued another statement on Thursday saying Barnette would make a fine candidate and he would support her if she wins the primary.]

         The problem in Pennsylvania for the GOP is not unique. Trump has created a monster—a base that demands ever more extremist positions to sustain its fever pitch of delusion and hate. In Barnette, the MAGA crowd has found its most extreme warrior to date. She has said it is acceptable to discriminate against Muslims, compared Islam to Hitler and Stalinism, has claimed that homosexuality encourages pedophilia, and claims that transgender people are  “demonic.”

         Here is my point: Trump has encouraged candidates to run to the extreme right for his endorsement. He can’t stop the dynamic he created. Democrats should be in strong positions in November 2022 when running against extremists who alienate significant portions of the electorate. Yes, inflation is a big problem. But GOP candidates who run on a platform of hate have nothing to offer to voters seeking solutions.

We have a tough fight ahead of us in 2022, but Trump is doing everything he can to undermine his party’s chances. We can’t count on Republicans to defeat themselves, but we shouldn’t exaggerate their strengths in 2022, either.

         Have a good weekend! 

[embraceyourdestiny]

to any americans who feel "paralyzed" and "dont know what to do" to help with gaza:

reading a fucking book. i beg of you.

in a time of knowledge suppression is it your duty to arm yourself with knowledge.

read about americas occupations in the middle east.

read about 9/11 from outside of america and see how they inflicted senseless harm and violence to countless amounts of people and have been suppressing your rights for the past 2 fucking decades.

read about any of the countless wars from the past 30 years. especially from a civilian's. and the victims and survivors' perspective. listen to the horror stories and do not plug your fucking ears as to what your country is doing.

and read about fucking gaza and palestine and keep up with what is happening no matter how "sad" or "uncountable" you might get.

dont look away from this.

you dont have the right to be comfortable during countless active genocides.

if you're knowledgeable, you're powerful, and our current state doesnt fucking want that.

you have the power to change things if you open your eyes and scream to the world.

wake the fuck up.

Edit: please check the reblogs there are readings and ways to help

[heart2heartroses2u]

Warning don’t take it lightly. Wake up and listen 👂 your democracy and rights are at stake.

[worldofwardcraft]

The Frightful Fifth.

September 25, 2023

For years, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has been one of the most conservative courts in the country. Overseeing federal litigation in the judicial districts of Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, a full dozen of the court's 17 members are Republicans. And half of those are Trump appointees chosen from the Federalist Society's boundless stable of radical-right loonies.

Due to the featherbrained decision of former Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) to give senators a veto power over anyone nominated to a federal judgeship in their home state, Republicans prevented President Obama from filling two vacancies on the court. Which were, of course, later filled by Trump. So it's no surprise that the Fifth Circuit is responsible for some of the most appallingly indefensible decisions to come from any federal bench. Here's just a sampling.

In one case (CFPB v. Community Financial Services Association), the court ruled an entire federal agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, unconstitutional. Despite the banking industry's protests that, with lenders having no idea what rules they will need to follow, such a decision would ravage the US mortgage market and risk economic devastation. This case — along with five others wrongly decided by the Fifth Circuit — is headed to the Supreme Court, where even the corrupt hacks currently in the majority will probably overturn it.

Another decision likely to be reversed by the Supremes is Jarkesy v. SEC, where the Fifth Circuit abolished the federal government's power to prevent companies from defrauding investors. Also headed for review by the high court is their decision in February that people who are under domestic violence restraining orders have a constitutional right to possess a gun.

Then there's the 2019 case (Taylor v. Stevens) in which a unanimous panel of three Fifth Circuit judges held that the Constitution does not prevent prisoners from being forced to remain in filthy cells teeming with human waste. However, they did concede that prisoners could not be held in such barbaric conditions for months on end.

The Fifth Circuit allowed Texas Republicans to effectively seize control of content moderation on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. It also forced the Navy to deploy sailors who defied an order to take the COVID vaccine, despite the Navy’s warning that one sick mariner could potentially render an entire ship unfit for service.

As Ian Millhiser of Vox puts it, the Fifth Circuit Court "has become the forum of choice for litigants pushing preposterous legal arguments that are unlikely to fly elsewhere." And remember, these far-right maniacs have lifetime appointments.

[scottguy]

Bullies rely on the civility of other people for their advantage. That is why they're first to claim someone else is "breaking a rule" they would blithely break themselves.

This is what Trump taught people. Being a bully and not playing fair works ... in the short term.

But bullies are invariably cowards. As soon as you stand up to them they back down because they're RELYING on you to be polite and just put up with it.

For systemic problems, nonviolence is still the answer.

[nerdykeith]

So the Libs Of TikTok are at it again spreading hate towards the left (especially LGBTQ) which is once again infighting their fanatical supports to issue bomb threats to a school. These tactics were very present before during the 70s through to the 80s with the abortion clinic bombings. The alt right are turning into a terrorist group.

This needs to be questioned more often and much more serious consequences need to be put to those infighting this level of terrorism.

[thelifeelsewhere]

The Long-Building War On Democracy

David Neiwert The Age of Insurrection: The Radical Right’s Assault On American Democracy From a smattering of ominous right-wing compounds in the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s, to the shocking January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, America has seen the culmination of a long-building war on democracy being waged by a fundamentally violent and antidemocratic far-right movement that…

[intelligentchristianlady]

A percentage of donations to No Labels goes to extremist conservative causes. They are not your friends.