Last night, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act passed in the House of Representatives. Today, I’m celebrating this victory. Because it’s not every day that a landmark bill like this—a bill that will give a voice to so many—has a chance to become law. pic.twitter.com/OKtYOdUwIc
But this is far from a done deal. Like so many others before it, this bill could fail in the Senate. So I’m asking you to make your voice heard. Join me and @whenweallvote, and ask your Senator to support this bill: https://t.co/qdK9ZCq1ny.
Yesterday, the House passed the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act that will help Americans everywhere make their voices heard. Now the Senate needs to follow the House’s lead. Call your Senators and ask them to do the right thing. Our democracy is on the line. https://t.co/QeADGFObbx
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was arrested last month at a demonstration rallying support for new
federal voting legislation. Chris Hayes asks her to compare this bill to the “more aggressive HR1”.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee (D-TX):
“And first of all, what I would say is, the John Robert Lewis Advancement Act was worth getting arrested for. Voting rights was worth getting arrested for.
Frankly, the bill that was voted on yesterday has enormous teeth.
It strengthens the opportunity to fight against voter suppression. And it means that it clearly hold states accountable across the nation that may have a number of voting suppression actions. And so it doesn’t let you get away with anything.
It has a retrogression provision under Section 2. So if SB7 in the state of Texas, the state that is the most difficult to vote in passes, we have an opportunity to file suit and to win that suit. Obviously, with those courts that would follow the law. In addition it has punitive measures to insist that the idea of various practices that are in place that will trigger a state being covered by this particular bill. S1 and H1, they are partners. The S1 are the logistics, the tactics. The voting holiday, the early voting, the opportunity to protect 24 hour voting, the mail-in ballots, the re-enfranchising felons. Yes it has the teeth, but it is equal in strength to the John Robert Lewis. They must go together.”
Hayes: “OK so this has been passed, I believe, by the House before. It was passed just now. Were you surprised it got zero Republican votes?”
Jackson Lee:
“Absolutely. In fact what words can I use, shameful, sinful? My question is, is there anyone that believes in a democratic republic among my friends who happened to be Republicans? When I spoke on the floor of the House yesterday I said ‘Does anyone have the courage to be able to move forward on ensuring that every American
has a right to vote?’ I have been here in the United States Congress and participated in the reauthorization
that drew 98 senators, Republicans and Democrats. And over 415 House Republicans and Democrats. And signed with a gleeful face by George W. Bush. I was at the White House signing.
And I’ve been with other reauthorizations or changes and modifications to improve voting rights,
and it has been bipartisan. The climate today is a result of the Big Lie which I said on the floor of the House, the Insurrection on January 6. And I don’t think anyone that happens to be a Republican should get an excuse for
not voting to empower Americans to vote.”
Poor People’s Campaign for Mass Moral Motorcade on Manchin
TODAY
A National Call for Moral Revival holds a motorcade on Sen. Joe Manchin on Thursday in West Virginia.
Nelson will join poor and low-income West Virginians online as they speak out about how Sen. Manchin suppresses voting rights and economic justice when he hides behind the coward’s filibuster.
NOW
The Mass Moral Motorcade on Manchin begins at noon ET Thursday in Madison, West Virginia,
and gets to the Statehouse in Charleston, West Virginia, about 2:30 p.m. ET.
There, speakers will address the participants as they drive around the Statehouse and listen to the program on WSVQ 92.1 FM.
Bishop Barber to Joy Reid:
“This is a moral crisis, Constitutional crisis for the country.
And Joy we asked this question and she (Speaker Pelosi) heard it.
What doth it profit America if you hold onto a regressive filibuster, if you pass a limited infrastructure plan, but you LOSE the democracy, you LOSE the infrastructure of democracy, which is voting rights. And you LOSE the infrastructure of people’s lives, like passing $15 and a Union, $15 minimum wage and a serious budget that lifts from the bottom?”
Latosha Brown, Co-founder, Black Voters Matter:
“What we’re seeing is a backlash of we’re being punished because people actually participated within this democracy.”
Rev. Dr. William Barber, Co-Chair, Poor People’s Campaign:
“End the filibuster. It cannot be used as a modern-day interposition nullification.”
Amazing to see @DeptofDefense@USArmy working nonstop in Haiti…still rescuing people injured in the earthquake…USA providing relief in Haiti is a clear example of how we can build a better world…@WCKitchen proud to do our part…we just sent 2 helicopters with food before this! pic.twitter.com/arW88v1XwJ
Amazing to see @DeptofDefense@USArmy working nonstop in Haiti…still rescuing people injured in the earthquake…USA providing relief in Haiti is a clear example of how we can build a better world…@WCKitchen proud to do our part…we just sent 2 helicopters with food before this! pic.twitter.com/arW88v1XwJ
Was just given this by an airstewardess who helped us (a lot) with our bags at Port Au Prince airport. "Don't forget Haiti" she said. pic.twitter.com/eHDANm8OQT
“a total of approximately 19,000 people were evacuated from Kabul over a period of 24 hours
that, of course, ended early this morning. This is the result of 42 U.S. military flights which carried approximately 11,200 evacuees, and 48 coalition flights which carried 7,800 people, for a total of 90 flights out of Kabul — which, if I get my math right, that’s approximately a flight every 39 minutes.” (Press Sec. Jen Psaki yesterday)
82,000 in the past eleven days.
Some Afghans will relocate to the U.S.
Press Secretary John Kirby said the Commanding General has been deluged with calls and emails from people who live nearby, asking how they can help.Congresswoman Veronica Escobar whose TX district includes Fort Bliss now housing refugees, has seen the start of resettlement operations firsthand.
Rachel Maddow: “Tell me about what the American people should know about what’s happening at Fort Bliss, what you saw and the scale of the operations there.”
Congresswoman Escobar:
“I literally just got home about an hour ago. And what I saw filled my heart with tremendous hope and pride.
I had the opportunity to thank a number of soldiers, troops whose mission it is to clear land, to do everything within their power to provide humanitarian support for who they are calling their guests. The refugees who were allies to us and partners to us in Afghanistan. They have built makeshift soccer goals so that the kids can play, and every single soldier that I spoke to today who I expressed my gratitude to told me that they were grateful. That they felt honor and pride to be able to participate in this mission.
I also had the opportunity to speak to Afghan families. And that was incredible.
In reflecting on it once I got home, I will tell you I was overwhelmed by emotion. Those families thanked me.
They thanked our military leadership. I spoke to an interpreter who fled with his wife who is a journalist.
These are people who are filled with gratitude and who are finally safe and sound. It is now our turn as Americans to ensure that we do everything that we can to help support them.”
Maddow:
“Obviously the journey that a lot of these folks have been through in the immediate sense has been harrowing. Not just in the big picture in terms of the decades of war in Afghanistan and difficult circumstances at home, but just the immediate journey. I mean the incredible security challenges now increasing to sort of desperate security challenges at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. We’ve also heard very difficult reports about bad conditions on the ground in Qatar, which was the first U.S. military base that was used as the first weigh station, before it was essentially overfilled with evacuees from Kabul. And they started spreading them around to other weigh stations, to other first stops.
We know that people have had to deal with a lot on the way here. But it sounds like from what you’re saying, as least once they get as far as a place like Fort Bliss, the conditions are good and that people are being held in circumstances that are not only sanitary and safe, but positive.”
Escobar:
“That’s absolutely right Rachel. And you know the mission of course has evolved.
What is happening in Afghanistan is the Administration is doing everything possible to save lives essentially,
to get as many people out. And what they have done in terms of the number of flights and the number of people has been nothing short of impressive.
And then the next part of their journey once their lives have been saved, is to make sure that upon their arrival they’re provided with the health care and the safe sanitary security of a place to stay. And so they’re all getting COVID tested along the way. In fact here at Fort Bliss, of the 1200 guests that have arrived at Fort Bliss only one has tested positive for COVID. They’re getting vaccinated for COVID.
A baby was born just last night at our local hospital, the University Medical Center.
There are a range of guests from infants all the way to elderly Afghanis.
And they are finally safe and sound and grateful.
You know there was a moment there, right after I spoke to a family and the military leadership was walking me through the base and showing me the various tents and facilities where the NGOs are housed and all of those spots along the way – I saw a group of kids playing. And Rachel there is nothing more hopeful than the resiliency of those kids, and seeing them playing under the southwest sun.”
Gail is right – call your Senators daily, even if you think they’re on board with passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. It will require an exemption from the filibuster because not a single damn Republican will vote to protect us. If you’re nervous about talking to a staffer, call after hours and leave a message. Those get tallied also. Look up your two Senators’ numbers or call the US Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected. Say you’re a voting constituent in xxxxx Zip code, then leave a strong message.
Beloved José Andrés:
“We all are Citizens of the World. What’s good for you, must be good for all. If you are lost, share a plate of food with a stranger…you will find who you are.”
The average monthly benefits will rise by $36 dollars, or about $0.40 per meal. CEO of Hunger Free America Joel Berg and a current SNAP recipient tell Tiffany Cross what that boost means for people experiencing food insecurity. #CrossConnectionhttps://t.co/jwau7XOIu6
— The Cross Connection with Tiffany Cross (@CrossConnection) August 26, 2021
The tragic news out of Afghanistan only reinforces the urgency of getting our troops, our people and our allies out as quickly as possible, no? Biden warned that every day we delay is another day ISIS will keep doing what they do: blow things up and kill and injure people.
— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid 😷 (@JoyAnnReid) August 26, 2021
Seven U.S Capitol officers sued former President Trump over the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol and his dangerous election falsehoods leading up to the riot.https://t.co/kmDO9vjWb3
Update: I slept last night and thankfully had none of the drenching sweats. However, now I have a bad UTI that is wiping me out. A Dr. friend told me to expect this. ☹️😢. PC called in antibiotic, but didn’t get until 2:30 so can’t take a second one until tomorrow morning. #wearyourmaskevenifvaccinated
It is with great sadness that I share this:
12 U.S. service members killed in terrorist attack outside Kabul airport, U.S. official says
The explosions outside the airport in Afghanistan on Thursday also killed dozens of civilians, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity ahead of a formal announcement from the Pentagon.
I’m so sorry we have casualties but I am not surprised. There are too many, (more than the Taliban) who participated in this action and we all know it.
When a rocket attack killed 2 Marines at the airport during our evacuation from Vietnam, the Republican President said nothing publicly and ordered the evacuation speeded up and switched from planes to helicopters.
Two states, New Jersey and Virginia, are holding regularly-scheduled elections for governor this November. California is also holding a recall election for Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on September 14, 2021. Virginia's gubernatorial office is the only open one.
In an exclusive interview with @LesterHoltNBC, Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd describes why he’s choosing to identify himself. Byrd shares his account of the January 6 riot, as officers barricaded the door and he fired a single shot, killing Ashli Babbitt. pic.twitter.com/5E7KPtxNc2
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) August 26, 2021
Do I understand it right? Now EMT won't come to your emergency or Fire fighters won't come to your fire because they will be administering regeneron at somebody's home, right? That's in addition to unethical profit-driven promotion of regeneron outside of what's approved. https://t.co/jlAaN3uG7h
You blame Biden for deaths he can't control 8000 miles away, but won't blame red state governors for #COVID19 deaths they CAN control in your backyard!? #Texas#Florida#GOPHypocrisy
— Victor Ruiz -The Voice Of Rican- (@portarican_RT) August 26, 2021
A message from President Obama on the attack in Afghanistan.
Like so many of you, Michelle and I were heartbroken to hear about the terrorist attack outside the Kabul airport that killed and wounded so many U.S. service members, as well as Afghan men, women, and children.
As president, nothing was more painful than grieving with the loved ones of Americans who gave their lives serving our country. As President Biden said, these service members are heroes who have been engaged in a dangerous, selfless mission to save the lives of others.
Our hearts go out to the families who lost a loved one, and to everyone continuing the mission in Kabul. We’re also thinking of the families of the Afghans who died, many of whom stood by America and were willing to risk everything for a chance at a better life.
Yes and we must do whatever it takes to protect Lt. Byrd.
Putin somehow used this incident in defense of his treatment of Nathan Navalny back in June, when he claimed the deadly domestic terrorists merely came to the Capitol with sweet “political demands”.
—imo he set this meme rolling for trump.
Clarkston, a suburb of Atlanta with a large refugee population, getting it done!
Clarkston’s higher-than-expected inoculation numbers are likely the result of targeted, culturally competent vaccine outreach by trusted institutions on the ground, ranging from refugee resettlement agencies to local health clinics. https://t.co/ajnfej10lk
Trump says compared to some of the terrorists killed on his watch, Osama bin Laden wasn't so bad. It honestly takes a special kind of stupid to buy into such delusional, ignorant wretchedness pic.twitter.com/k9m1vlY0oY
— West Wing Reports (by Paul Brandus) (@WestWingReport) August 27, 2021
The world is a fiction that ‘he alone’ writes.
When are we going to stop reporting on doom’s latest pronouncements and put him away, for the sake of our children and the planet?
imo trump is still the front piece, mouth piece for something more sinister.
Folks won’t get a free vaccine to protect themselves from covid. But they will spend money to take deworming medicine meant for Seabiscuit. Make that make sense.
“The actions of the officer in this case potentially saved Members and staff from serious injury and possible death from a large crowd of rioters,” the Capitol Police said in a news release.
Lieutenant Byrd: “I think I showed the utmost courage on January 6, and it’s time to do that now,”
“She was posing a threat to the House of Representatives.”
Lester Holt: “Former President Trump has talked about you and this incident. He says she was murdered. What does it feel like to hear that from a former president?”
Lieutenant Michael Byrd: “Well it’s disheartening. If he was in the room or anywhere and I’m responsible for him,
I was prepared to do the same thing for him and his family.”
Holt: “Would you have his back today if you were so assigned?”
Pls don’t let GOPQ and their architects re-write this, the worst violence at the Capitol since the war of 1812.
Fact: Ashli Babbit was there at Trump’s bidding.
She was about to be the gateway to a massive break in.
An imminent massacre of members of Congress who were just feet away.
—Thank you Lieutenant Byrd!!!
—How do we take care of him?
Do the GOP deniers in Congress who were protected by Capitol Police feel OK about it happening again? And if so, why is that? Thanks to the Select Committee now diving into the circumstances that led up to this deadly domestic terrorist attack. Thanks to all the Capitol Police. Wow they’ve suffered so much.
In 2 days, Ida will likely make landfall as a major hurricane, striking directly into southern Louisiana, where the hospital beds and ICUs are full beyond capacity with unvaxxed COVID patients — who will need an uninterrupted supply of electricity to continue breathing.
Heads up Gulf Coast residents! Ida is coming your way!
Serious storm surges, heavy rain and hurricane-force winds are expected to hit Louisiana's coast Sunday or early Monday, the National Hurricane Center warned. Louisiana officials are warning residents to prepare for Ida to make landfall as a hurricane. https://t.co/w5tW9upiRY
In 2 days, Ida will likely make landfall as a major hurricane, striking directly into southern Louisiana, where the hospital beds and ICUs are full beyond capacity with unvaxxed COVID patients — who will need an uninterrupted supply of electricity to continue breathing.
Wow, what are the chances of 100s of sick human beings in a hospital with Covid-19 and a hurricane 🌀 burrowing down on your state. You’re fighting for every breathe when you could be home to evacuate. Now you might die due to no electricity or supplies of oxygen was interrupted. If only they took the jab.
Remarks by President Biden
on the Terror Attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport
(excerpts)
“Jill and I — our hearts ache, like I’m sure all of you do as well, for all those Afghan families who have lost loved ones, including small children, or been wounded in this vicious attack. And we’re outraged as well as heartbroken.”
“To those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this:
We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay. I will defend our interests and our people with every measure at my command.”
“Over the past few weeks — I know you’re — many of you are probably tired of hearing me say it — we’ve been made aware by our intelligence community that the ISIS-K — an arch-enemy of the Taliban;
people who were freed when both those prisons were opened — has been planning a complex set of attacks on the United States personnel and others.”
“We will not be deterred by terrorists. We will not let them stop our mission.”
“There has been complete unanimity from every commander on the objectives of this mission and the best way to achieve those objectives.”
“We just have to remain steadfast. Steadfast.”
“And we will continue, after our troops have withdrawn, to find means by which we defined any American who wishes to get out of Afghanistan.”
Girl Scouts prepared experiments launching to the @Space_Station tomorrow! They have the opportunity to conduct a control experiment and compare their results to studies conducted in space on plants, ants and brine shrimp. https://t.co/RQTCyErOHjpic.twitter.com/TP70ZWs7YI
U.S. Army veteran Daniel Wilkinson, of Texas, died of a treatable illness because the Covid crisis left him without an available ICU bed even though he lives 3 houses down from an emergency room and 60 miles away from some of the greatest healthcare facilities in the world. pic.twitter.com/TK6sOO77ul
⚠️24x IVERMECTIN MISINFORMATION OVERLOAD—Retail pharmacy dispensing of Ivermectin has surged ⬆️ 24x fold from pre-pandemic levels as of mid August. It is not FDA approved for #COVID19 and not recommended by any major medical organizations. Stop this folks.https://t.co/rfnhDqgGSJpic.twitter.com/X0FkKtsEM5
"Ivermectin's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies suggest that achieving the plasma concentrations necessary for COVID-19 antiviral efficacy detected in vitro would require administration of doses up to 100-fold higher than those approved for use in humans"
Who Is ISIS-K And How Did The U.S. Know To Expect Their Attack?
“Laith Alkhouri, counterterrorism analyst, talks with Rachel Maddow about the origins of ISIS-K, how the U.S. gathers intelligence about them, and the complex enmity between ISIS-K and the Taliban in Afghanistan.”
ISIS Attack Recognized Early As Inherent Risk Of Afghanistan Evacuation Mission
“Rachel Maddow points out the repeated warnings and alerts from the Biden administration that terrorists ISIS-K would likely target the evacuation operation at the airport in Kabul, making completion of that operation all the more urgent.
Rep. Jason Crow discusses the challenges of turning intelligence into practical strategy in the midst of an operation like the Afghanistan evacuation.”
New: The Taliban have requested that the United States keep a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan beyond the Aug. 31 withdrawal of U.S. forces. Biden admin is weighing the possibility. Nothing finalized.
James LaPorta,
AP investigative reporter and Marine Corps veteran,
broke down as he tried to talk to Chris Hayes.
Hayes:
“The mission today that those U.S. service members died for was very clear. It`s to get Americans and allies out
of the country. And they gave their lives for that mission today.”
LaPorta: “Yes. Those — there were gates to peace. There were gates to perhaps a better life.
I`m sorry. Excuse me.”
Hayes: “It`s OK.”
Laporta :
“And those servicemen were facilitating those Afghans to a better life and deprives the life of peace. It`s a very — excuse me. I`m sorry. It`s a hard day.”
This is the legacy of Trump and the Republican Party co-opting the anti-vax movement to gain political power…Because it is Just THIS vaccine that they rail against…vaccines are routinely mandated…
— Pretty Foot💃🏾 is vaxxed and wears a mask😷 (@PrettyFootWoman) August 27, 2021
IS THIS LEGAL…if a MD did this in his/her office…what would happen…who is held to account for this…DeSantis is not a Medical Professional…he is a Charlatan at best…Is there NO ONE that can rein this man in…How many MORE people is he allowed to kill @RepValDemings
— Pretty Foot💃🏾 is vaxxed and wears a mask😷 (@PrettyFootWoman) August 27, 2021
Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez: Let’s Help Veterans Keep Their Promises To Afghan Allies
Talking to Joy Reid:
“Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls on the U.S. to help our veterans keep their personal promises
to America’s Afghan allies and accept as many refugees from Afghanistan as possible, as the 20-years-long war draws to a close.”
AOC:
“September 11th happened when I was about 12 years old,
and there was a boy in my class named Kevin.
And I would not know that when I turned 18 and we all became eligible to enlist in the military,
that Kevin was that 6th grader that sat next to me would eventually enlist as a U.S. Marine.
And as the events that unfolded in this last two weeks happened, he reached out to me.
And I would not know that decades later, I would be the congresswoman for New York`s 14th congressional district and that he would be a Veteran.
And he said:
‘Please help get my friends out. I made them promises.
These Afghan nationals, they interpreted for us.
I asked them to trust me. Please help us get them out. And if we can get them here.’
And so this should transcend politics.”
AOC:
“These are also Afghan people who we promised to protect.
So the idea that we will now demonize them for helping the United States, or at least, assisting and trusting the United States is unconscionable.”
The Taliban is targeting those who committed and worked in dangerous conditions to be our friends.
GOP cannot now demonize them in a xenophobic attempt to prevent them coming here as promised.
People who refuse to get vaccinated, ingest a horse de-worming medication, and then get sick from COVID should NOT go to a hospital! They should go to a veterinarian.
Eric Holder, fmr United States Attorney General,
Chairman National Democratic Redistricting Committee, to Chris Hayes:
“This is a tough day. My heart breaks. You know the mission in Afghanistan was never one that was clearly defined. Nation building, perhaps not something we should have engaged in. But those young people, those young soldiers today who gave their lives or who were injured, had a very defined mission.
You know they were trying to help people get to freedom, get Americans back to this country.
And so my thoughts and prayers are with the people who survived the attack and with the relatives of
those who died.”
Eric Holder, fmr United States Attorney General,
Chairman National Democratic Redistricting Committee, to Chris Hayes:
Hayes:
“You’ve been working on this issue of gerrymandering for a while, and now is the time. And I’m not sure people realize like what’s happening right now…Like who’s doing this? The fate of the country is going to be figured out by people are going to draw a bunch of maps. Who is drawing the maps and how are they doing it?
Holder:
“It depends on the state. In most states the state legislature will be drawing the lines. In some states like in Colorado, Michigan now, Arizona, California, independent commissions will be drawing the lines. And that’s why this is such an important thing. It’s such an important thing to keep the public engaged in this process, especially where you’ve got the legislature involved in this. So that there is transparency, so that there is citizen involvement, so that people have the opportunity to see the maps that are being considered AS they are being considered.”
Hayes:
“I think this is a really key point. If you’ve got a state with the Republican control, the one checked is a public that’s watching them. And…Ohioans have actually been encouraged to go out to these hearings, because there is essentially no check on what that the Republicans in that state can do unless they show up.” (plays video with people demanding transparency) Do you think public pressure works…effective and makes a difference
in how these maps get made?”
Holder:
“Well I think it’s interesting in Ohio that they’re holding these hearings. These hearings are held during the day during work hours. So they don’t make it easy for people necessarily to get there.
And then beyond that they have not shared any of the maps at this point.
The first maps have to be revealed on September 1st. And nothing has been shared with the public at this point. And I do think that if you share maps. If the public has the opportunity – as those 4 citizens had the ability – to get up and talk about the principles that ought to undergird the redistricting process.
If you share the maps with people they will have the ability to comment.
And Republicans know that.
And that’s why they don’t want to share the bad maps that they’re undoubtedly going to try to draw. Ohio is a kind of Republican state, but they have a Congressional delegation that is 12 Republicans, four Democrats. 75% of their Congressional delegation is Republican. That is all as a result of gerrymandering.
And that’s the kind of thing that we have to protect against.
And we need the people, the public to be involved.”
Hayes: “What are the other recourses here?
One of the things that the For The People Act…was to actually put some federal guidelines,
create statutory processes by which you would have non-partisan gerrymandering. That’s not going to happen in time it looks like. So what are the recourses here to make sure that we don’t see this essentially anti-democratic power grab?”
Holder:
“Well I’m not given up on the For the People Act yet. It can be passed and can be passed relatively quickly, relatively soon. Half the states will have their maps drawn by the end of the year.
So that if you get Congress to pass that bill,
get it to the to the President by the end of September, you can have an impact.
And what’s important about the bill is that it bans partisan gerrymandering in drawing lines for Congressional districts. Beyond that we will have the ability to file lawsuits.
You’re right – you said that the Supreme Court disastrously said that you can’t bring these cases in federal court. But we can bring the cases in state courts using state constitutions. And we have been successful in bringing those cases in Pennsylvania, in Virginia, as well as in North Carolina.
And so we can bring up cases based on racial gerrymandering,
on the basis of partisan gerrymandering in state courts. You can bring racial gerrymandering cases in federal courts. And there’s a congruence between racial gerrymandering and partisan gerrymandering. What is a racial gerrymander? They will now claim it to be nothing more than a partisan gerrymandering, given what the Supreme Court has said.”
Hayes:
“Yes and we should be clear. The For The People Act would essentially stop this kind of arms race…
the For the People Act would take away that from both sides and would produce these independent commissions which have worked well in places like Colorado and Iowa.”
Holder:
“Yes. I’m for fairness.
And if the maps are drawn in a fair way Democrats and progressives will do just fine.
Now in New York we should follow the population trends. New York City a Democratic component of New York State, has increased in population. The rural areas in New York State have lost population.
And so if you’re going to pull out a district…you’re going to decrease the number Representatives, they probably…to come from a rural area which probably means a couple of Republican seats there.”
I'm grateful our Democratic governor anticipated the tragic Supreme Court decision to overturn the national eviction moratorium and extended our in-state moratorium to June 30, 2022. Never forget that our decisions at the ballot box, especially in state elections, can save lives.
— Jennifer Kitchen for Virginia House of Delegates (@JK4Delegate) August 27, 2021
Who sits in the legislative seats…at All levels of Government…matter…Local…State…Federal
The Obama Diary 
Good West Coast morning Nerdy & TOD family.
Yes! now is the time to Call Your Senators and go on the record.
And in other related news…
And some jail time might be very educational for them as well
I meant to post this
GREAT!!!
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was arrested last month at a demonstration rallying support for new
federal voting legislation. Chris Hayes asks her to compare this bill to the “more aggressive HR1”.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee (D-TX):
“And first of all, what I would say is, the John Robert Lewis Advancement Act was worth getting arrested for. Voting rights was worth getting arrested for.
Frankly, the bill that was voted on yesterday has enormous teeth.
It strengthens the opportunity to fight against voter suppression. And it means that it clearly hold states accountable across the nation that may have a number of voting suppression actions. And so it doesn’t let you get away with anything.
It has a retrogression provision under Section 2. So if SB7 in the state of Texas, the state that is the most difficult to vote in passes, we have an opportunity to file suit and to win that suit. Obviously, with those courts that would follow the law. In addition it has punitive measures to insist that the idea of various practices that are in place that will trigger a state being covered by this particular bill. S1 and H1, they are partners. The S1 are the logistics, the tactics. The voting holiday, the early voting, the opportunity to protect 24 hour voting, the mail-in ballots, the re-enfranchising felons. Yes it has the teeth, but it is equal in strength to the John Robert Lewis. They must go together.”
Hayes: “OK so this has been passed, I believe, by the House before. It was passed just now. Were you surprised it got zero Republican votes?”
Jackson Lee:
“Absolutely. In fact what words can I use, shameful, sinful? My question is, is there anyone that believes in a democratic republic among my friends who happened to be Republicans? When I spoke on the floor of the House yesterday I said ‘Does anyone have the courage to be able to move forward on ensuring that every American
has a right to vote?’ I have been here in the United States Congress and participated in the reauthorization
that drew 98 senators, Republicans and Democrats. And over 415 House Republicans and Democrats. And signed with a gleeful face by George W. Bush. I was at the White House signing.
And I’ve been with other reauthorizations or changes and modifications to improve voting rights,
and it has been bipartisan. The climate today is a result of the Big Lie which I said on the floor of the House, the Insurrection on January 6. And I don’t think anyone that happens to be a Republican should get an excuse for
not voting to empower Americans to vote.”
Poor People’s Campaign for Mass Moral Motorcade on Manchin
TODAY
A National Call for Moral Revival holds a motorcade on Sen. Joe Manchin on Thursday in West Virginia.
Nelson will join poor and low-income West Virginians online as they speak out about how Sen. Manchin suppresses voting rights and economic justice when he hides behind the coward’s filibuster.
NOW
The Mass Moral Motorcade on Manchin begins at noon ET Thursday in Madison, West Virginia,
and gets to the Statehouse in Charleston, West Virginia, about 2:30 p.m. ET.
There, speakers will address the participants as they drive around the Statehouse and listen to the program on WSVQ 92.1 FM.
The program also will be live-streamed worldwide here:
https://action.poorpeoplescampaign.org
Country music legend Willie Nelson has invited other musicians to join.
Bishop Barber:
“Why we are marching in Texas”
by Rev. William J. Barber II
(https://www.statesman.com/story/opinion/columns/more-voices/2021/07/27/why-we-marching-texas/8087139002/)
Bishop Barber to Joy Reid:
“This is a moral crisis, Constitutional crisis for the country.
And Joy we asked this question and she (Speaker Pelosi) heard it.
What doth it profit America if you hold onto a regressive filibuster, if you pass a limited infrastructure plan, but you LOSE the democracy, you LOSE the infrastructure of democracy, which is voting rights. And you LOSE the infrastructure of people’s lives, like passing $15 and a Union, $15 minimum wage and a serious budget that lifts from the bottom?”
Latosha Brown, Co-founder, Black Voters Matter:
“What we’re seeing is a backlash of we’re being punished because people actually participated within this democracy.”
Rev. Dr. William Barber, Co-Chair, Poor People’s Campaign:
“End the filibuster. It cannot be used as a modern-day interposition nullification.”
Needed to add my two cents
💖
“a total of approximately 19,000 people were evacuated from Kabul over a period of 24 hours
that, of course, ended early this morning. This is the result of 42 U.S. military flights which carried approximately 11,200 evacuees, and 48 coalition flights which carried 7,800 people, for a total of 90 flights out of Kabul — which, if I get my math right, that’s approximately a flight every 39 minutes.” (Press Sec. Jen Psaki yesterday)
82,000 in the past eleven days.
Some Afghans will relocate to the U.S.
Press Secretary John Kirby said the Commanding General has been deluged with calls and emails from people who live nearby, asking how they can help.Congresswoman Veronica Escobar whose TX district includes Fort Bliss now housing refugees, has seen the start of resettlement operations firsthand.
Rachel Maddow: “Tell me about what the American people should know about what’s happening at Fort Bliss, what you saw and the scale of the operations there.”
Congresswoman Escobar:
“I literally just got home about an hour ago. And what I saw filled my heart with tremendous hope and pride.
I had the opportunity to thank a number of soldiers, troops whose mission it is to clear land, to do everything within their power to provide humanitarian support for who they are calling their guests. The refugees who were allies to us and partners to us in Afghanistan. They have built makeshift soccer goals so that the kids can play, and every single soldier that I spoke to today who I expressed my gratitude to told me that they were grateful. That they felt honor and pride to be able to participate in this mission.
I also had the opportunity to speak to Afghan families. And that was incredible.
In reflecting on it once I got home, I will tell you I was overwhelmed by emotion. Those families thanked me.
They thanked our military leadership. I spoke to an interpreter who fled with his wife who is a journalist.
These are people who are filled with gratitude and who are finally safe and sound. It is now our turn as Americans to ensure that we do everything that we can to help support them.”
Maddow:
“Obviously the journey that a lot of these folks have been through in the immediate sense has been harrowing. Not just in the big picture in terms of the decades of war in Afghanistan and difficult circumstances at home, but just the immediate journey. I mean the incredible security challenges now increasing to sort of desperate security challenges at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. We’ve also heard very difficult reports about bad conditions on the ground in Qatar, which was the first U.S. military base that was used as the first weigh station, before it was essentially overfilled with evacuees from Kabul. And they started spreading them around to other weigh stations, to other first stops.
We know that people have had to deal with a lot on the way here. But it sounds like from what you’re saying, as least once they get as far as a place like Fort Bliss, the conditions are good and that people are being held in circumstances that are not only sanitary and safe, but positive.”
Escobar:
“That’s absolutely right Rachel. And you know the mission of course has evolved.
What is happening in Afghanistan is the Administration is doing everything possible to save lives essentially,
to get as many people out. And what they have done in terms of the number of flights and the number of people has been nothing short of impressive.
And then the next part of their journey once their lives have been saved, is to make sure that upon their arrival they’re provided with the health care and the safe sanitary security of a place to stay. And so they’re all getting COVID tested along the way. In fact here at Fort Bliss, of the 1200 guests that have arrived at Fort Bliss only one has tested positive for COVID. They’re getting vaccinated for COVID.
A baby was born just last night at our local hospital, the University Medical Center.
There are a range of guests from infants all the way to elderly Afghanis.
And they are finally safe and sound and grateful.
You know there was a moment there, right after I spoke to a family and the military leadership was walking me through the base and showing me the various tents and facilities where the NGOs are housed and all of those spots along the way – I saw a group of kids playing. And Rachel there is nothing more hopeful than the resiliency of those kids, and seeing them playing under the southwest sun.”
Gail is right – call your Senators daily, even if you think they’re on board with passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. It will require an exemption from the filibuster because not a single damn Republican will vote to protect us. If you’re nervous about talking to a staffer, call after hours and leave a message. Those get tallied also. Look up your two Senators’ numbers or call the US Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected. Say you’re a voting constituent in xxxxx Zip code, then leave a strong message.
thanks Gail – you are on it.
Beloved José Andrés:
“We all are Citizens of the World. What’s good for you, must be good for all. If you are lost, share a plate of food with a stranger…you will find who you are.”
no self, one mind.
FLORIDA IS THE ONLY STATE WHERE MORE PEOPLE ARE DYING OF COVID NOW THAN EVERVBEFORE.
WHAT WENT WRONG?
https://news.yahoo.com/florida-is-the-only-state-where-more-people-are-dying-of-covid-now-than-ever-before-what-went-wrong-090001893.html
DeathSantis
Yep.
Update: I slept last night and thankfully had none of the drenching sweats. However, now I have a bad UTI that is wiping me out. A Dr. friend told me to expect this. ☹️😢. PC called in antibiotic, but didn’t get until 2:30 so can’t take a second one until tomorrow morning. #wearyourmaskevenifvaccinated
Hang in there. You will get through it.
I second NCLB … you will get through this.
It is with great sadness that I share this:
12 U.S. service members killed in terrorist attack outside Kabul airport, U.S. official says
The explosions outside the airport in Afghanistan on Thursday also killed dozens of civilians, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity ahead of a formal announcement from the Pentagon.
🙏🏾😔
I’m so sorry we have casualties but I am not surprised. There are too many, (more than the Taliban) who participated in this action and we all know it.
INCREDIBLE…..Stupidity…This is beyond my understanding
Ballotpedia is a good resource
The toddlers left the East Wing and moved to the briefing room with their constant whining. Some things never change!
Lt. Michael Byrd is an amazing hero. WOW!
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/officer-who-shot-ashli-babbitt-during-capitol-riot-breaks-silence-n1277736
A hero speaks
smdh
Regeneron is less tested and more recently developed than any of the Covid vaccines. Antivaxxers not going to take that either.
THESE GUVS PUSH ANTIBODIES — BUT OPPOSE VAX AND MASK MANDATES
https://www.thedailybeast.com/govs-ron-desantis-and-greg-abbott-push-regeneron-monoclonal-antibodies-oppose-mandates
I know, I might be in the “shallows” right this minute, but I’ll call it temporary escape👀😂
She chews them up and spits them out!
Good Morning Everyone! ❤️
Rise and shine! 🛤🚉🚊🚞
A message from President Obama on the attack in Afghanistan.
He always knows the right words to say. 💖🙏🏾
Always.
SOON – Florida judge expected to make ruling on Gov. DeSantis’ mask mandate
https://abcnews.go.com/live/video/special-live-5
Refugees are welcome in California
👏🏾👏🏾 we accept everyone who is looking for a chance to a better life.
The space station buzz.
Yes and we must do whatever it takes to protect Lt. Byrd.
Putin somehow used this incident in defense of his treatment of Nathan Navalny back in June, when he claimed the deadly domestic terrorists merely came to the Capitol with sweet “political demands”.
—imo he set this meme rolling for trump.
Clarkston, a suburb of Atlanta with a large refugee population, getting it done!
The world is a fiction that ‘he alone’ writes.
When are we going to stop reporting on doom’s latest pronouncements and put him away, for the sake of our children and the planet?
imo trump is still the front piece, mouth piece for something more sinister.
😑
🐴
652,000 deaths 🥺
LIEUTENANT MICHAEL BYRD
“The actions of the officer in this case potentially saved Members and staff from serious injury and possible death from a large crowd of rioters,” the Capitol Police said in a news release.
Lieutenant Byrd: “I think I showed the utmost courage on January 6, and it’s time to do that now,”
“She was posing a threat to the House of Representatives.”
Lester Holt: “Former President Trump has talked about you and this incident. He says she was murdered. What does it feel like to hear that from a former president?”
Lieutenant Michael Byrd: “Well it’s disheartening. If he was in the room or anywhere and I’m responsible for him,
I was prepared to do the same thing for him and his family.”
Holt: “Would you have his back today if you were so assigned?”
Byrd: “I sure would because it’s my job.”
Pls don’t let GOPQ and their architects re-write this, the worst violence at the Capitol since the war of 1812.
Fact: Ashli Babbit was there at Trump’s bidding.
She was about to be the gateway to a massive break in.
An imminent massacre of members of Congress who were just feet away.
—Thank you Lieutenant Byrd!!!
—How do we take care of him?
Do the GOP deniers in Congress who were protected by Capitol Police feel OK about it happening again? And if so, why is that? Thanks to the Select Committee now diving into the circumstances that led up to this deadly domestic terrorist attack. Thanks to all the Capitol Police. Wow they’ve suffered so much.
Good West Coast Fri-YaY morning Nerdy & TOD family.
Blessing and prayers go out to all affected by Haiti and Afghanistan 💖🙏🏾💔😢
AMEN, Gail…AMEN
I have no words
Heads up Gulf Coast residents! Ida is coming your way!
Wow, what are the chances of 100s of sick human beings in a hospital with Covid-19 and a hurricane 🌀 burrowing down on your state. You’re fighting for every breathe when you could be home to evacuate. Now you might die due to no electricity or supplies of oxygen was interrupted. If only they took the jab.
Remarks by President Biden
on the Terror Attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport
(excerpts)
“Jill and I — our hearts ache, like I’m sure all of you do as well, for all those Afghan families who have lost loved ones, including small children, or been wounded in this vicious attack. And we’re outraged as well as heartbroken.”
“To those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this:
We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay. I will defend our interests and our people with every measure at my command.”
“Over the past few weeks — I know you’re — many of you are probably tired of hearing me say it — we’ve been made aware by our intelligence community that the ISIS-K — an arch-enemy of the Taliban;
people who were freed when both those prisons were opened — has been planning a complex set of attacks on the United States personnel and others.”
“We will not be deterred by terrorists. We will not let them stop our mission.”
“There has been complete unanimity from every commander on the objectives of this mission and the best way to achieve those objectives.”
“We just have to remain steadfast. Steadfast.”
“And we will continue, after our troops have withdrawn, to find means by which we defined any American who wishes to get out of Afghanistan.”
Full: (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/08/26/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-terror-attack-at-hamid-karzai-international-airport/)
Happy Friday TODVille!
Love my President Biden!
————-
My cashier at the grocery store yesterday was a trainee named Trevor. He was 17.
He was polite.
He was diligent.
He made conversation.
He was careful bagging my eggs.
He asked if I wanted to apply a senior citizen discount.
I had Trevor fired.
One week in Texas
Best news…thx Dudette.
Girl Power 🥰🤩
Trump’s deal with the Taliban included:
“The United States would release 5,000 Taliban prisoners…”
After the agreement was signed:
“The Taliban launched dozens of attacks in Afghanistan, ramping up its violence.”
ttps://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/08/20/trump-peace-deal-taliban/)
Trump released from prison Abdul Ghani Baradar, now leader of the Taliban.
🌸🌺💮🌻🌼
Go Team USA!
Dear God! 🙏🏾😔
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3aJNxaooJM)
Who Is ISIS-K And How Did The U.S. Know To Expect Their Attack?
“Laith Alkhouri, counterterrorism analyst, talks with Rachel Maddow about the origins of ISIS-K, how the U.S. gathers intelligence about them, and the complex enmity between ISIS-K and the Taliban in Afghanistan.”
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3WqW9kmoQ0)
ISIS Attack Recognized Early As Inherent Risk Of Afghanistan Evacuation Mission
“Rachel Maddow points out the repeated warnings and alerts from the Biden administration that terrorists ISIS-K would likely target the evacuation operation at the airport in Kabul, making completion of that operation all the more urgent.
Rep. Jason Crow discusses the challenges of turning intelligence into practical strategy in the midst of an operation like the Afghanistan evacuation.”
True dat!
New: The Taliban have requested that the United States keep a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan beyond the Aug. 31 withdrawal of U.S. forces. Biden admin is weighing the possibility. Nothing finalized.
thx NCLB…
Whew…what will the press have to say about this…
James LaPorta,
AP investigative reporter and Marine Corps veteran,
broke down as he tried to talk to Chris Hayes.
Hayes:
“The mission today that those U.S. service members died for was very clear. It`s to get Americans and allies out
of the country. And they gave their lives for that mission today.”
LaPorta: “Yes. Those — there were gates to peace. There were gates to perhaps a better life.
I`m sorry. Excuse me.”
Hayes: “It`s OK.”
Laporta :
“And those servicemen were facilitating those Afghans to a better life and deprives the life of peace. It`s a very — excuse me. I`m sorry. It`s a hard day.”
Hayes: “It`s just — it`s a brutal day.”
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXbXoCO5aTQ)
Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez: Let’s Help Veterans Keep Their Promises To Afghan Allies
Talking to Joy Reid:
“Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls on the U.S. to help our veterans keep their personal promises
to America’s Afghan allies and accept as many refugees from Afghanistan as possible, as the 20-years-long war draws to a close.”
AOC:
“September 11th happened when I was about 12 years old,
and there was a boy in my class named Kevin.
And I would not know that when I turned 18 and we all became eligible to enlist in the military,
that Kevin was that 6th grader that sat next to me would eventually enlist as a U.S. Marine.
And as the events that unfolded in this last two weeks happened, he reached out to me.
And I would not know that decades later, I would be the congresswoman for New York`s 14th congressional district and that he would be a Veteran.
And he said:
‘Please help get my friends out. I made them promises.
These Afghan nationals, they interpreted for us.
I asked them to trust me. Please help us get them out. And if we can get them here.’
And so this should transcend politics.”
AOC:
“These are also Afghan people who we promised to protect.
So the idea that we will now demonize them for helping the United States, or at least, assisting and trusting the United States is unconscionable.”
The Taliban is targeting those who committed and worked in dangerous conditions to be our friends.
GOP cannot now demonize them in a xenophobic attempt to prevent them coming here as promised.
Marcus Yam
“Doctors, judges, athletes, activists: Afghan women trapped and considered at-risk under Taliban rule”
(https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-08-26/for-at-risk-afghan-women-nowhere-to-run-nowhere-to-hide)
Marcus Yam, foreign correspondent, photojournalist for LA Times at the airport in Kabul:
(https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-08-26/photos-americans-among-casualties-in-twin-suicide-attacks-outside-kabul-airport)
Podcast: The Taliban beat me up, then let me go
(https://www.latimes.com/podcasts/story/2021-08-26/the-times-podcast-afghanistan-pullout)
Eric Holder, fmr United States Attorney General,
Chairman National Democratic Redistricting Committee, to Chris Hayes:
“This is a tough day. My heart breaks. You know the mission in Afghanistan was never one that was clearly defined. Nation building, perhaps not something we should have engaged in. But those young people, those young soldiers today who gave their lives or who were injured, had a very defined mission.
You know they were trying to help people get to freedom, get Americans back to this country.
And so my thoughts and prayers are with the people who survived the attack and with the relatives of
those who died.”
Eric Holder, fmr United States Attorney General,
Chairman National Democratic Redistricting Committee, to Chris Hayes:
Hayes:
“You’ve been working on this issue of gerrymandering for a while, and now is the time. And I’m not sure people realize like what’s happening right now…Like who’s doing this? The fate of the country is going to be figured out by people are going to draw a bunch of maps. Who is drawing the maps and how are they doing it?
Holder:
“It depends on the state. In most states the state legislature will be drawing the lines. In some states like in Colorado, Michigan now, Arizona, California, independent commissions will be drawing the lines. And that’s why this is such an important thing. It’s such an important thing to keep the public engaged in this process, especially where you’ve got the legislature involved in this. So that there is transparency, so that there is citizen involvement, so that people have the opportunity to see the maps that are being considered AS they are being considered.”
Hayes:
“I think this is a really key point. If you’ve got a state with the Republican control, the one checked is a public that’s watching them. And…Ohioans have actually been encouraged to go out to these hearings, because there is essentially no check on what that the Republicans in that state can do unless they show up.” (plays video with people demanding transparency) Do you think public pressure works…effective and makes a difference
in how these maps get made?”
Holder:
“Well I think it’s interesting in Ohio that they’re holding these hearings. These hearings are held during the day during work hours. So they don’t make it easy for people necessarily to get there.
And then beyond that they have not shared any of the maps at this point.
The first maps have to be revealed on September 1st. And nothing has been shared with the public at this point. And I do think that if you share maps. If the public has the opportunity – as those 4 citizens had the ability – to get up and talk about the principles that ought to undergird the redistricting process.
If you share the maps with people they will have the ability to comment.
And Republicans know that.
And that’s why they don’t want to share the bad maps that they’re undoubtedly going to try to draw. Ohio is a kind of Republican state, but they have a Congressional delegation that is 12 Republicans, four Democrats. 75% of their Congressional delegation is Republican. That is all as a result of gerrymandering.
And that’s the kind of thing that we have to protect against.
And we need the people, the public to be involved.”
Hayes: “What are the other recourses here?
One of the things that the For The People Act…was to actually put some federal guidelines,
create statutory processes by which you would have non-partisan gerrymandering. That’s not going to happen in time it looks like. So what are the recourses here to make sure that we don’t see this essentially anti-democratic power grab?”
Holder:
“Well I’m not given up on the For the People Act yet. It can be passed and can be passed relatively quickly, relatively soon. Half the states will have their maps drawn by the end of the year.
So that if you get Congress to pass that bill,
get it to the to the President by the end of September, you can have an impact.
And what’s important about the bill is that it bans partisan gerrymandering in drawing lines for Congressional districts. Beyond that we will have the ability to file lawsuits.
You’re right – you said that the Supreme Court disastrously said that you can’t bring these cases in federal court. But we can bring the cases in state courts using state constitutions. And we have been successful in bringing those cases in Pennsylvania, in Virginia, as well as in North Carolina.
And so we can bring up cases based on racial gerrymandering,
on the basis of partisan gerrymandering in state courts. You can bring racial gerrymandering cases in federal courts. And there’s a congruence between racial gerrymandering and partisan gerrymandering. What is a racial gerrymander? They will now claim it to be nothing more than a partisan gerrymandering, given what the Supreme Court has said.”
Hayes:
“Yes and we should be clear. The For The People Act would essentially stop this kind of arms race…
the For the People Act would take away that from both sides and would produce these independent commissions which have worked well in places like Colorado and Iowa.”
Holder:
“Yes. I’m for fairness.
And if the maps are drawn in a fair way Democrats and progressives will do just fine.
Now in New York we should follow the population trends. New York City a Democratic component of New York State, has increased in population. The rural areas in New York State have lost population.
And so if you’re going to pull out a district…you’re going to decrease the number Representatives, they probably…to come from a rural area which probably means a couple of Republican seats there.”
New post.
Who sits in the legislative seats…at All levels of Government…matter…Local…State…Federal