I gotta get to work, but one quick thing before I go: We don't teach the true history of white supremacy in this country.
—
Angus Johnston (@studentactivism) June 18, 2015
We call Jim Crow "segregation" as if it was about lunch counters and movie theaters, not lynching and disfranchisement.
—
Angus Johnston (@studentactivism) June 18, 2015
****
We talk about lynching as if it were lawlessness in the night. Lynch law was THE law.
—
Angus Johnston (@studentactivism) June 18, 2015
We teach the Civil War, but not the collapse of Reconstruction. We teach the bus boycott but not the 80 years that went before.
—
Angus Johnston (@studentactivism) June 18, 2015
****
We teach about colored water fountains but not black children executed by the state for imaginary crimes.
—
Angus Johnston (@studentactivism) June 18, 2015
Teach the young people you know about white supremacy and how to fight it. Because their schools won't. studentactivism.net/2015/06/18/how…
—
Angus Johnston (@studentactivism) June 18, 2015
****
All of this. This is not just for white people who pass down racism to their future generations. This is for white people who stay silent in the face of white supremacy. Racism and white supremacy is not for Black people to fix. It is on YOU. When that father, mother, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, cousin, grandparents spew racist rhetoric, makes racist jokes, uses derogatory words to describe black people, promotes negative stereotypes of black people and laughs it off as just a joke and you stay silent, you condone it. This is serious. It is about people’s lives. Do not stay silent
****
Fellow white ppl, today is the day to look at your white friends and family in the eye and say "Black lives matter."
—
Jessica Luther (@scATX) June 18, 2015
Yesterday was the day, too. But if you aren't already having this convo, start now.
—
Jessica Luther (@scATX) June 18, 2015
****
Don't be cowards. You risk what, criticism? An argument? We are talking about black people's lives at stake.
—
Jessica Luther (@scATX) June 18, 2015
I will be telling my 6yo white son what happened last night on our way to camp this morning and then I will tell him that black lives matter
—
Jessica Luther (@scATX) June 18, 2015
****
I'm not saying this for praise but just for you to know that I think white kids should be in convo now. Bc you know black kids are.
—
Jessica Luther (@scATX) June 18, 2015
A 5yo black girl survived last night by playing dead. Surely my 6yo white son can survive a conversation about why she matters.
—
Jessica Luther (@scATX) June 18, 2015
****
if you read anything about the #CharlestonShooting, let it be this piece on who the victims of the shooting were: buzzfeed.com/jessicasimeone…
—
andrea (@zevallos_andrea) June 18, 2015
IMPORTANT READ: Coroner names 9 slain in downtown #CharlestonShooting postandcourier.com/article/201506…
—
deray mckesson (@deray) June 18, 2015
****
#CharlestonShooting victims include "brilliant" pastor, recent college grad: cbsn.ws/1JXhUw5 http://t.co/TynN76GAIL
—
CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) June 18, 2015
I'm not feeling these Je Suis tweets. The SC victims were black folk in prayer and bible study. They weren't drawing race-baiting cartoons.
—
Aniyar Uoke (@eclecticbrotha) June 18, 2015
****
Proof once again that on some important issues, Justice Roberts is a fool
2 years ago John Roberts overturned heart of Voting Rights Act because he said "things have changed dramatically" in the South
—
Ari Berman (@AriBerman) June 18, 2015
Since PBO's election Republicans have screamed it's time to 'take our country back'
No, Dylann Roof didn't act alone http://t.co/QBw7775d56
—
TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) June 18, 2015
****
Look at the smirk on his face. This is what the face of terrorism looks like
Dylann Roof, suspected gunman in SC church massacre, escorted from Shelby, NC, Police station en route to court. http://t.co/JslPeyenJh
—
ABC News (@ABC) June 18, 2015
MORE: Roommate: Alleged Charleston church gunman “was big into segregation and ... wanted to start a civil war" -- abcn.ws/1K11nWB
—
ABC News (@ABC) June 18, 2015
****
Truth
Stop using some ambiguous mental illness to justify white men who are terrorists. Racism and entitlement aren't mental illnesses.
—
Queen Mikayla (@mikaylaesthetic) June 18, 2015
Media: lol we don't know why he did it
Dylann Roof: I did it because I hate black people
Media: lol we don't know why he did it
—
Queen Mikayla (@mikaylaesthetic) June 18, 2015
****
Attorney General Loretta Lynch speaks on Charleston, S.C. shooting
youtube.com/watch?v=hDlpVF…
—
TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) June 18, 2015
Deny voting rights, healthcare, equality, dignity. Fly the confederate flag over state buildings. Purchase a clue, @nikkihaley
—
meta (@metaquest) June 18, 2015
****
Birmingham, AL
Oak Creek, WI
Overland Park, KS
Charleston, SC
Attacks on houses of worship are a STAPLE of white supremacist terrorism.
—
Zeddonymous (@ZeddRebel) June 18, 2015
How Charleston's Emanuel AME Church triggered white southern militarism bit.ly/1d4bTiL http://t.co/uX79c7O2ox
—
Talking Points Memo (@TPM) June 18, 2015
****
Sen. Clementa Pinckney's desk in the state Senate chamber is covered in a black drape, with a single rose. http://t.co/tkH6NljOHy
—
Robert Kittle (@RobertKittle) June 18, 2015
Reverend Clementa Pinckney was the youngest senator in South Carolina's history ti.me/1LkPdXn
—
TIME.com (@TIME) June 18, 2015
****
This devil killed 9 Black people and you're worried about how Black people are gonna react? Fuck you.
—
#WeWillShootBack (@SankofaBrown) June 18, 2015
In the belief that every moment of joy is a rebellion and that every bit of collective work is a revolution twitter.com/theandregeorge…
—
W.E.B.B.I.E DuBois (@fivefifths) June 18, 2015
****
Black people: "Thugs"
Arab people: "Terrorists"
White guys who routinely are responsible for mass killings in the US: "Troubled loners"
—
Ian (@iboudreau) June 18, 2015
White men are 31% of the U.S. population, but 71% of mass shooters. Can we talk about the white male culture of violence yet?
—
Goat Lady (@civilwarbore) June 18, 2015
****
Four little girls in 1963. And here we are, in 2015. Still.
—
Elle Elle Cool Baé (@spokenELLE) June 18, 2015
We can't worship. We can't play. We can't sleep. We can't fight.We can't comply. We can't run.We can't stand. We can't breathe. We can't BE.
—
Elle Elle Cool Baé (@spokenELLE) June 18, 2015
****
NRA - "If only someone had a gun to stop this bad person with a gun!"
Black person with toy gun - <gets shot by police>
—
Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) June 18, 2015
Don't tell Black people not to be enraged. They have every right to be enraged. We have been provoking them for five hundred years.
—
Jeff Fecke (@jkfecke) June 18, 2015
****
The African American community has been far more peaceful toward white America than we ever have been toward them. Never forget that.
—
Jeff Fecke (@jkfecke) June 18, 2015
*We* are the ones who need to stop the violence. *We* are the ones who need to stop the hate. *We* are the bad guys. *We must change.*
—
Jeff Fecke (@jkfecke) June 18, 2015
****
Any news source that doesn't peg motivation as pure racism is in malpractice territory now. twitter.com/JuddLegum/stat…
—
Bob Schooley (@Rschooley) June 18, 2015
The flags on Dylann Roof's jacket are white supremacist patches. Referencing white ruled African states. #AMEShooting http://t.co/h3xpfhL7pf
—
zellie (@zellieimani) June 18, 2015
****
Fellow white folk: do not allow anyone to equivocate on Charleston. A white man shooting up a historic black church in prayer is terrorism.
—
STEVE HUFF (@SteveHuff) June 18, 2015
Republicans who say Christianity is under attack sure were silent about 9 black people gunned down in a church today. #CharlestonShooting
—
Political Nerd (@Sttbs73) June 18, 2015
****
Despite mourning, statehouse Confederate battle flag remains at full staff #CharlestonShooting postandcourier.com/article/201506… http://t.co/0IFOXu1KDH
—
deray mckesson (@deray) June 18, 2015
The confederate flag waves today at the #SC statehouse, while the other flags fly at half … ift.tt/1Fp631Z http://t.co/xFVH7QLDWy
—
Miss Packnett (@MsPackyetti) June 18, 2015
Indeed.
Yes it is NW and us white folk better get to work curing the disease ….
#TruthAndReconciliation – it’ll take at least a generation of unrelenting effort by US white folk to begin to rectifying OUR systemic racism.
Thank you
{{{Nerdy}}} Thank you
Tally, I’d tweet that to @TheJusticeDept and @LorettaLynch, as well.
Thank you NW. The tweets are on point.
THAT’S RIGHT!…ABSOLUTELY!
Yep someone was going to give him shelter, food, clothing to hide out in the woods….most likely his white suprematist Storm buddies.
YUP. And, we can all feel confident that within an hour or two of the shooting the FBI was already tracking every online and other links this white supremacist had with other fellow terrorists.
I see the terrorist in SC doesn’t have a mark on him, after all that police handling.
My comment on the last thread JoB – and he walked – unaided – to car & plane. Wasn’t dragged or carried.
“Why, no, litte ladies. That quiet young man wasn’t radicalized by a racist cult. He just went whacko all by his lonesome self. [Did you get that potential SC jurors? Okay, write it down if you need to.]. — Presidential Candidate Lindsay Graham
OT, but hopefully it’ll bring a smile to what is a very dark, sad time ….
If only the goodness in us all was celebrated and brought to the fore, if the goodness in us, the caring and compassion was taught from early childhood, made the front page and the 6:00 news. “Imagine all the people, sharing all the world’. ~ John Lennon
I am sorry I have been so quiet in offering my caring and support; I have been in meditation all day, in prayer, sharing everything here over on FB. I have had many moments in this life when I have been ashamed to have light skin, not that it is helpful to feel ashamed, but my heart is wrung out with pain for all the pain I am witnessing and feeling through compassionate effort. Words seem to fail, sometimes when they are needed most.
{{{{{ TOD }}}}} {{{{{ PBO VPB }}}}} ❤
{{{{{{MP}}}}}}
ditto.
that was so sweet
Thank you {{{ Bobfr }}}
Nerdy – tremendous collection I hope it’s read widely.
I was interested in what the Vatican had to say today so I’m going to pour over the Encyclical. I found this though from Rep Ellison of MN:
Long day for POTUS.
Stay away, far far away from the comments in this tweet, the darkness is rampant, the hatred is palpable. Be warned.
I think I had posted my comment to Mr. Knoller on TOD earlier this morning. He has been posting this to elicit hateful comments…I called him out in no uncertain terms.
Our local KTLA news report said that President Obama really didn’t want to attend these functions in lite of the SC tragedy, but felt it was necessary for the Dem party. Mr. Obama stated that he wanted as little publicity as possible regarding this trip.
The things he does for the sake of the party that forsakes him. He has honor to spare.
He truly does meta. I imagine he will be making his way to SC just as soon as he can.
The woman who saw this killer on the freeway and turned him in recounts her story:
http://www.wbtv.com/story/29356935/woman-recounts-spotting-reporting-accused-charleston-shooter-dylann-roof
The white supremacists is not the only one to blame, this is what happen when a certain political party, when right wing radio, when Fox so call news is out there pushing this racists B.S.This outrages crazy racists stuff. How many times did we see during tea party rallies signs saying we want our country back? How many times were all kinds of racists crazy things were said and the Republicans politicians never stood up and condemn what was said. Never. These Republicans were fueling this racists stuff, now they are trying to act like they are so sorry for what happen in South Carolina, starting with S.C Governor. They had a hand in what that Roof guy did Wednesday night, all of them..
BELLA…YOU ARE CORRECT…THEY HAVE ALL CONTRIBUTED TO THE DIVISION IN THIS COUNTRY AND BLINDLY SO…LACKING ANY ACTUAL FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!
You are so right annieb.
And I wonder what conversations took place today on shows like Limbaugh, et al.
This country belong to all Americans, not just whites. Why is it that the Indians are not running around talking about we want our country back, because it was taken from them by the white man.
What did Fox have to say?
Chips retweeted this, which is so true…
And reposting this from the previous thread:
I wonder how many in our TOD village have family members who need to have this discussion…but won’t.
I HAVE A BIG MOUTH AND I TAKE THIS DISCUSSION TO MY CHURCH…THEY IGNORE WHAT THEY DON’T WANT TO HEAR…BUT BELIEVE ME..GOD’S JUSTICE SHALL PREVAIL IN ALL CIRCUMSTNCES..IN HIS TIME. IN THESE DAYS…GOOD IS CONSIDERED EVIL AND EVIL IS GOOD…READ THE BOOK OF REVELATION AND ALSO MATTHEW 24…………..YOU MUST STUDY THE PROPHETIC IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON IN THESE TIMES.
Bless you Sue. I know where you stand ❤
{{{ SueDuvallSmith }}}
Good question GGail.
I said it because it needed to be said out loud. I’m not looking for feedback, just a little introspection.
My ‘family members’ know exactly where I stand on the issues of genocide against first peoples, slavery and the systemic, persistent disease of American white supremacy and it’s attendant racism. None of them are foolish enough to try to find any way to excuse, revise or otherwise challenge me.
Yep. And I’ve run into some “new neighbors” here and there who might say something “confidential” to me, just because I’m white. I’m not having it.
^5 Jacqueline.
The moment anyone ‘starts’ on me, making the assumptions that so many often make about a ‘grey hair white guy’ is the moment they wish they had never made the assumption. I have ZERO tolerance for any form of racism or bigotry, irrespective of how imperceptible the ‘dog whistle’ might be.
None of us here are surprised, Bob, but I can just see the looks on the faces of those you’ve surprised!
This is minor, but I was just recalling one incident back in the mid-’90s. I’d recently moved to Central Florida and my older sister – and her new boyfriend from a little town in W. Pennsy – came to visit. We were all in the pool in my new apartment complex. The guy saw a black family arrive in the pool area. He said to me, “Do you get many coloreds here?” (Ugh.) I told him, “We haven’t called them ‘coloreds’ since the ’60s, and, yes, there are many, many families here” (there weren’t “many, many,” technically, but I wanted him to squirm). Luckily, the guy never made it into our family, and my sister and I had a little chat about it during her visit. (Ugh.)
This article is from 1991:
Take note of all the folks you encounter who struggle and strain to blame everything but racial hatred toward African Americans for this unprovoked slaughter of innocents in a church. Those refusing to acknowledge this reality will do all in their power to maintain the white supremacist status quo, including passing the hate on to their children (including by normalizing the instinct to blame the victim, which seems to inflict so many when it comes to racial violence against Black people). In short, they are the enemy. They are the willing foot soldiers in the war against African Americans in general and African American advancement in particular. Mainstream white supremacists, learning the lessons of the 1960’s, have gone into stealth mode. Dog whistles, racist code words and denial of the very existence of racism comprise the new white supremacist playbook. Trust me they will find some way to blame Black folks for this horrible act of racial hatred, because to blame the victim maintains the founding myth/fantasy of White innocence/Black guilt. This is why some white folks took to twitter to question the race of the killer. This is why Fox is pushing the “war on Christianity” angle. I bet the press will work harder to dig up dirt on the victims than they will to look into the background of this hateful monster. The doctrine of white supremacy demands these mental gymnastics.
Sad but so true.
And…
(am not a fan of the author, Conor “libertarian” Friedersdorf but weighs in on historical context):
And this article probably isn’t worth a read, since the lede seems sympathetic to the person who premeditated to slaughter good people:
OK. This young man has had lots of problems, didn’t socialize much. And his dad gave him a gun for his birthday !!!!!!
The epitome of stupidity.
Governor Charlie Baker apologized on Thursday for remarks he made earlier in the day defending the rights of state capitols to fly the Confederate flag, initially calling it a matter of “tradition.”
Baker said in an early-afternoon radio interview that states should be entitled to decide whether to fly the Confederate flag at their capitols, laying out a brief argument for local government. But he later backtracked and said he believed the controversial symbol should be removed.
In a telephone interview on Thursday evening, Baker said he had “heard from some friends of mine.” Their message, he said: “Basically: What were you thinking?”
If you listen to them talk, they will reveal who they really are.
they have been revealed many times…the question becomes…what do we do about it…..
The former Governor Sanders from SC that got “lost on the Appalachain trail” but really flew to Argentina to be with his secret lover was interviewed by Chris (before Rachel) today. Sanders defended the Confederate flag and seemed to not get any connection of his parties actions contributing to this problem.
Whoops! Sounded wrong, not Sanders but Sanford.
Today’s story about a Bernie Sanders rally about pensions is a Washington Post LIE!!
It was a press conference where Sen. Sanders called the Charleston massacre an act of racism and terrorism. What other pol is doing that?
He then asked for donations to the AME Church and backed up his speech with an e-mail.
The Powers That Be must be very worried about Bernie. Easily disproven LIES. Verified by video.
Feel free to jump all over me. It seems TOD has tried him and found against Bernie.
We don’t have to agree on everything here, do we?
Chris Hayes, another TOD condemned man, right now is challenging Mark Sanford about the “symbol of domination” the Confederate Flag hanging in his state, and nailing him. Mark Sanford arguing fiercely and losing.
Chris and Bernie are not the enemies. They are imperfect allies.
Vicki, you don’t need to defend your position regarding either of these people.
We’re all free to form our own opinions and we ask for respectful discussion and even agree to disagree. You don’t need to become defensive. Speak your piece and then let it be.
sound advice, GGail
I respect your insights and opinions, greatly, Vicki.
And, appreciate your updates about Senator Sanders and Chris Hayes.
#FORWARD Together
Thank you so much, Bob. Right back at you.
Allies to who? If some folks don’t care for Chris Hayes and Bernie Sanders there is a basis in reality for that feeling. Perhaps Chris Hayes comparing Snowden to MLK (and his penchant to coopting Black civil rights leaders when going after PBO with his constant emo bitching and moaning and complaining). Perhaps some people were offended by Sanders telling Black people to stop voting based on skin color and that racism is over in the good old USA. Maybe having a Democratic candidate for president race baiting by putting Black people and the working class in two separate categories was hurtful and offensive to some folks. I don’t think it is unreasonable for some people to have low opinions of them. By the same token, I fully understand that dislike of these two is not universal and happily accept that reality. Not everybody is offended (to the same level) by the same things.
challenging Mark Sanford.
Yeah, that would have convinced the leftist viewers that sanford is a racist pig. #preachingtothechoir.
Problems with lefty pundtwits like hayes? Giving a public platform to the rw’ers to spew their bs and letting them get away with it. The same public platform not freely available to the dems.
The link is to a .pdf full text version of the encyclical ….
Does anyone think that the roommate who knew he was “planning something big” for six months and relatives who are now calling him troubled should have stepped up to the plate a little earlier and said something to authorities. This seems like silent complicity to me.
If they remain silent, then they are partly responsible, I feel that way.
For sure, ouapiti
Silence is consent.
Absolutely, no question about it.
The system that produced Dylann Storm Roof will survive the justice meted out to him personally. And it will continue to result in everything from dog whistle racism to the killing of innocent people until we make changing it our priority. Our criminal justice system hasn’t figured out a way to tackle that one yet. And so it’s up to each of us. Everyone has a role to play. That is our task. And it will continue…”until justice rolls down like waters.”
Where did my comment go? I posted this: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2015/06/18/the-legal-loophole-that-allowed-dylann-roof-to-get-a-gun/?tid=sm_tw
This answers a question that so many of us had… ( from the article)
If prosecutors can show that the father knew about Roof’s indictment but gave him the gun anyway, Roof’s father could face up to 10 years in prison.
O/T, but some sane news from @VP’s home state today…
So you won’t be arrested if cops find a mj seed or two in your car in Delaware…
Also O/T, but was big news yesterday before the #CharlestonMassacre:
Looks like the US was more enlightened in the 19th century than in the 20th…
In case y’all haven’t seen this.
This is my next President.
MIne, as well, nospin ….
bbl ….
I would LOVE to see that, nospin!
Thank you, LL.
“During that same press briefing, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama was not immediately endorsing Hillary Clinton.
“There are other people who are friends of the President, who may at some point decide to get into the race,” Earnest said.”
ibid.
Interesting quote from Press Sec Earnest and one I’d never seen.
Would not surprise me, when he announces in August, that he cites the execution of 9 black Americans at “Mother Emanuel” as one of the reasons he decided to become a candidate for POTUS.
I saw that WHPB — the way Josh said it, sounded to my ears that @VP will be a candidate.
Josh has said similar things with a Cheshire-cat grin, which only reinforces my hope — we Obots know in our hearts that Joe would NEVER diminish our President’s commitment and accomplishments, and gives us solace when we consider January 20, 2017.
I needed this HOPE today!!!
Truly, OG. Me too!
So cool!!
http://gizmodo.com/nasa-we-are-going-to-europa-1712415156
http://www.standard.co.uk/fashion/partiesandpeople/lessons-from-the-first-lady-michelle-obamas-obamas-power-dressing-masterclass-during-london-visit-10328517,html
http://www.standard.co.ul/fashion/partiesandpeople/lessons-from-the-first-lady-michelle-obamas-power-dressing-masterclass-during-london-visit-1-328517.html
Many of you no doubt saw this earlier – Pierce says it like it is
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a35793/charleston-shooting-discussion/
“Think about what happened. Think about why it happened. Talk about what happened. Talk about why it happened. Do these things, over and over again. The country must resist the temptation present in anesthetic innocence. It must reject the false comfort of learned disbelief and the narcotic embrace of concocted surprise. There is a ferocious underground fire running through American history. It rages unseen until it flares again from the warm earth. It has raged from the death of Denmark Vesey in 1822 to the death of the Reverend and state senator Clementa Pinckney on Wednesday night.”
Everyone. Needs. To.
http://www.staywoke.org/
h/t DU
Please set me straight if I am wrong.
So the dems went all drama queen last week and ‘humiliated’ their own party leader in a trade bill that was included means to protect american workers and today the same bill, sans the workers’ protection, passed the house with the rethugs’ help?
Is this the gist of it? Or am I wrong.
I think you’ve got it. Meta will know for sure if you did or not.
Yeah, that’s basically the nuts and bolts of it.
Now the bill goes to the Senate. Who knows what will happen there with Elizabeth Warren, et al, no doubt lighting their hair on fire again. You would think that Boehner has coordinated this kabuki with McConnell but sometimes he says the Senate is not his problem. So I’m not sure how this is going to unfold.
Oh, it’s gonna pass the senate alright.
Oh boy. I wished that I wrong. So, the dems and the loony left and the unions punched themselves in their collective nose and let the thugs get away what they wanted ? No safety net for the american workers. And I thought Nancy was the smart one.
Well, it’s not over so quickly. PBO has said he won’t accept TPA without TAA, so TAA still has to find a way to get passed. Will the Dems feel cornered enough to pass it or will they put the President in another bind? That, my friend, remains to be seen.
We will cross that bridge when it comes to his table. But they sure have burnt their bridge with their stupidity last week and the rethugs have successfully trolled them. Yet again. That’s the real take.
The other thing is the Dems could hold up the whole package again knowing it would basically be handing a labor victory over to the GOP in an election year. Just really too stupid for words.
Bless this woman. She did more in a few minutes than this sumabitch roommate did the whole time he knew the suspect.
BREAKING: Tip from Kings Mountain florists led to Charleston shooting suspect’s arrest
This woman is amazing. She said it was Gid using her. Just an amazing and wonderful story
I saw her on Rachel’s show and heard the story. I was surprised to hear she was seventy something upon seeing her.
Kudos to her! So glad she followed that voice instead of deciding it wasn’t her problem.
where is that other Senator from South Carolina – Tim Scott? Where is his azz on the TERRORIST ATTACK?!?!? Where is he??!?!
He’s prayin’ and tweetin’ as he’s been instructed. You weren’t/aren’t really expecting anything more from him, are ya?
via bj, the nyt.
THIS month, the headlines were about a Muslim man in Boston who was accused of threatening police officers with a knife. Last month, two Muslims attacked an anti-Islamic conference in Garland, Tex. The month before, a Muslim man was charged with plotting to drive a truck bomb onto a military installation in Kansas. If you keep up with the news, you know that a small but steady stream of American Muslims, radicalized by overseas extremists, are engaging in violence here in the United States.
But headlines can mislead. The main terrorist threat in the United States is not from violent Muslim extremists, but from right-wing extremists. Just ask the police.
In a survey we conducted with the Police Executive Research Forum last year of 382 law enforcement agencies, 74 percent reported anti-government extremism as one of the top three terrorist threats in their jurisdiction; 39 percent listed extremism connected with Al Qaeda or like-minded terrorist organizations. And only 3 percent identified the threat from Muslim extremists as severe, compared with 7 percent for anti-government and other forms of extremism.
///
An officer from a large metropolitan area said that “militias, neo-Nazis and sovereign citizens” are the biggest threat we face in regard to extremism. One officer explained that he ranked the right-wing threat higher because “it is an emerging threat that we don’t have as good of a grip on, even with our intelligence unit, as we do with the Al Shabab/Al Qaeda issue, which we have been dealing with for some time.” An officer on the West Coast explained that the “sovereign citizen” anti-government threat has “really taken off,” whereas terrorism by American Muslim is something “we just haven’t experienced yet.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/16/opinion/the-other-terror-threat.html?smid=tw-nytopinio
If you have the insidious institutional racism as a policy, of course, you won’t get a good grip on it.
WHPC Pool Report from PBO’s second fundraiser:
Subject: Travel pool report 5
6/18/15 9:46pm
Inside the marquee POTUS spoke again briefly about events in South Carolina.
“To see such a horrific event unfold like that is particularly shocking and it’s a reminder that we’ve got a lot of work to do.”
There were around 250 people as advertised. A stage at the front featured the flags of the United States and California and was back lit with two floor lights.
Introducing POTUS, host Tyler Perry said the president was ” one of the most incredible people I have ever met” joking that Obama volunteered to take over the Titanic after it had already struck the iceberg.
He told a story about going to the White House for dinner and afterwards on the Truman Balcony, Obama winked at Michelle who “turned into a 15 year old girl.”
Obama opened his remarks, which lasted about 20 minutes, by praising the host and his family.
“His baby to so cute” Obama said. “gotta cute momma,” he said refering to Perry’s youthful wife.
POTUS joked about taking the same strategy to make his kids beautiful, a strategy of widening the gene pool.
The President then touted his economic record and health care reforms, receiving rapturous applause from his supporters.
During one light moment Obama mentioned that college was still too expensive, and too many students leave with too much debt, with comic timing a small child squealled ‘owww’, prompting laughter.
A little later Obama let out a self acknowledged “Freudian slip”
“we should be reforming our criminal justice system in such a way that we are not incarcerating non violent offenders in ways that renders them incapable of getting a job after they leave office.”
He then recalled Bill Clinton once described the presidency as the crown jewel of the federal prison system.
Later he spoke of a letter from a man in Colorado who voiced exasperation that Obama had not turned around the gridlock in Washington.
“As mighty as I have struggled against that I told him you are right, it still is broken.”
The President however added that it wasn’t enough for the man to write to him, he had to act for himself. “What are you doing?” he challenged the audience.
“It takes decades of work sometimes just to make a little bit of progress.”
Unfortunately pool was at the back of the room so no celeb sightings, trying to get a rundown of which stars may have been there.
Pool exited at 17:54.
We are now holding
The most recent study of gun ownership in the U.S. revealed that gun incidents of owners lawfully using a gun to protect themselves is 0.10% of gun encounter incidents. In other words the NRA’s hyperbolic propaganda that we need guns to protect our families is a MYTH. Americans are far, far, FAR more likely to harm themselves or a family member with their gun or have it stolen and used in the commission of a crime.
New post
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/06/18/charleston/