Smear Of CNN Busted

Apparently, there was at least one parent of a Marjory Stoneman Douglas student who was willing to use the massacre to smear CNN in service of pushing an NRA/ Trump talking point. Looks like someone got caught lying:

CNN released emails from a network producer on Friday that appear to contradict a Florida high school student's claim that the network scripted a question that he was supposed to ask at a televised town hall event this week.  

Colton Haab, a survivor of last week's mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., said Thursday on Fox News that CNN had initially asked him to "write a speech and ask questions” for the event but that a producer ultimately scripted a question for him. CNN has denied that claim. 

According to Business Insider, CNN and Haab agreed on the question that he would ask at the town hall. His father, Glenn Haab, pulled his son out of the event after the network refused to let the student read a lengthy speech at the event.

The Haabs' also appeared to provide doctored emails to media outlets to back up the claim that CNN scripted the questions, Business Insider reported. CNN's version of the email showed that the producer wrote she wanted the student to stick to a question "that he submitted," but that phrase was omitted in the version released by the family. (our emphasis)

Apparently, the "speech" that CNN actually told young Haab not to give was an elaboration on the statement/ question Haab had submitted himself, and which was to be directed to Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelson. The statement/ question was,

"Senator Nelson, if Coach Feis had had his firearm in the school that day, I believe that he could have most likely stopped the threat. Have we thought about having a class for teachers who are willing to be armed trained (sic) to carry on campus?" (our emphasis)

Does that idea sound familiar?

Hmmm. The NRA works fast, doesn't it?  Sounds like they got their talking points to Daddy Haab, then he got his son on Fox "News" to smear CNN and the whole movement being led by young Haab's more woke fellow students.

But, hey, mission accomplished!  The intent was to get the smear out there to undercut a legitimate news source and the student movement, and at least one sleazy nitwit was happy to catapult the bullshit far and wide:

“School shooting survivor says he quit @CNN Town Hall after refusing scripted question.” @TuckerCarlson. Just like so much of CNN, Fake News. That’s why their ratings are so bad! MSNBC may be worse.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2018

Tweet, Twit, Thwap - The Kids Are Alright Edition

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School survivor's Tweet:

We should change the names of AR-15s to “Marco Rubio” because they are so easy to buy.

— Sarah Chadwick// #NEVERAGAIN (@sarahchad_) February 23, 2018

"Anne Coulter without the Adam's apple" Laura Ingraham's Twit:

HOW TEENS SPEAK TO AND ABT ADULTS: “We shd change the names of AR-15s to ‘Marco Rubio’ bc they are so easy to buy,” Stoneman Douglas sophomore Sarah Chadwick tweeted.

— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) February 23, 2018

Thwap:

These teens are more respectful, rational and mature and less childishly name-calling (even of Marco Rubio) than President Trump https://t.co/0g1xodrw2l

— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) February 23, 2018

Remember what I said about adults trying to stay with teenagers on social media?
Yeah, it can get pretty bad. https://t.co/XX6VBnLiD8

— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) February 23, 2018

18, old enough to buy an AR-15, but too young to sass little Marco Rubio.

— Schooley (@Rschooley) February 23, 2018

Overripe Mean Girl Starts Beef She Won't Be Able To Finish https://t.co/sZSbJdhblX

— Quinn Cummings (@quinncy) February 23, 2018

And the coup de grace:

I’m a junior. https://t.co/P9clE1ks5N

— Sarah Chadwick// #NEVERAGAIN (@sarahchad_) February 23, 2018

Weekend Music Twofer

F.O.B. and longtime friend P.E.C. suggested a timely song for this weekend's music, Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth," written by Stephen Stills about the Sunset Strip curfew riots in late 1966 and released in 1967.  It's since been channeled into any number of protest movements, and could well serve as an anthem for the emerging gun control movement being led by woke and courageous teenagers following the Florida school massacre:



Our second selection was suggested by Silver Spring Bureau Chief and blog musical curator Brian. It's the Ramones' catchy New York punk/ power pop "Don't Come Close," released in 1978 as part of their "Road to Ruin" album. Hope you enjoy your weekend.

Gates Pleading Guilty, Cooperating With Mueller (UPDATED)

After being hit with dozens of new charges earlier this week, Rick Gates, Paul Manafort's business partner and deputy Trump campaign manager, has announced that he will cooperate with Robert Mueller's investigation and plead guilty to two criminal counts, conspiracy against the U.S. and making false statements to Federal agents, as outlined in an unsealed "Superseding Criminal Information" document submitted to the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. Gates is scheduled to enter his plea of guilty at 2 p.m. today in Federal court. This agreement should yield a bounty of information on the Trump campaign's dealings with Russian government agents.

UPDATE:  It also appears from the charges that Putin's favorite Congressman/ go-between may be in deep borscht.

Companies Dumping Their NRA Links (UPDATED)

After years and years of mounting mass shootings with semi-automatic assault rifles, the National Rifle Rampage Association remains defiant and opposed to any meaningful gun control legislation that would affect gun sales. Listening to the NRA's chief weapons salesman and bloody lunatic Wayne "Bad Guy With A Gun" La Pierre yesterday at the CPAC wingnut wingding, after his name checking of Saul Alinsky, Michael Bloomberg, George Soros, Hollywood "elites" (what, no International Jewish Conspiracy?), etc. etc., one was reminded of the unhinged Howard Beale character in the movie "Network." The faux outrage, the web of crazy conspiracies, the fictional multitude of "enemies" undermining every right under the Constitution. All that was needed for the flailing La Pierre was a dirty trench coat and a tin foil hat.

Fortunately, some companies are sensing the movement of public opinion away from absolutist crazies like La Pierre and his NRA. In the past, an NRA membership would get you discounts on car rentals, insurance, and other services, much like a membership in AAA and AARP. That's changing. Three car rental companies -- National, Enterprise, and Alamo -- have dropped their affiliation, as well as a major bank card company, First National Bank of Omaha. But there are still companies affiliated with the NRA's membership program, as this graphic demonstrates (click to enlarge):

Diana Ofosu, Think Progress

Mounting pressure needs to be brought on the remaining companies to distance themselves from the gun manufacturers' lobby. The NRA has become a toxic brand, and companies as well as politicians need to beware of associating with them.

UPDATE:  MetLife, Chubb, Symantec and SimpliSafe just bailed.  If you want to sign DailyKos' petition, go here.

UPDATE II:  Here's the latest graphic for comparison --



(photo: La Pierre on covers of the NY Daily News and NY Post after the Sandy Hook massacres)

NRA- Bought Sen. Marco Rubio Not Popular With This Crowd

Steven Colbert covers Sen. Marco "Glug Glug" Rubio's (R- NRA) appearance at a town hall event the other day (and also scorches some in the media giving him credit for "showing up").  Li'l Marco received $3.2 million from the National Rifle Rampage Association during his 2016 run for the Senate and has an "A+" rating from the rampagers.

TONIGHT: Senator Marco Rubio faced a tough crowd at @CNN's town hall, but one of his gun control suggestions brought them to their feet. #LSSC pic.twitter.com/CchPRDr0vF

— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) February 23, 2018

Quote Of The Day - Unimpressed

“He said he heard that I was a big fan of his, and then he said, ‘I’m a big fan of yours too.’ I’m pretty sure he made that up...Talking to the president, I’ve never been so unimpressed by a person in my life.”  -- Samantha Fuentes, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, after receiving a call in the hospital from narcissistic sociopath Donald "Rump" Trump.  Ms. Fuentes is recovering from wounds suffered during the school massacre.

Republican Sex Blotter -- Sex, Lies And Blackmail Edition (UPDATED)

Back in January, we noted the sex and blackmail scandal in which rising Republican reprobate Gov. Eric Greitens of Missouri was embroiled.  Today, it became very real for the tea baggin', Trump- supporting guv:

A St. Louis Grand Jury has indicted Missouri Governor Eric Greitens for Felony Invasion of Privacy. The charge stems from his extramarital affair with a Missouri woman who later told her ex-husband that Greitens tied her up and photographed her, without her permission, and threatened to release the photo if she ever came forward about their relationship.

The FBI is reportedly investigating the blackmail allegation made by Greitens' former mistress, with whom the married governor was having an affair before he was elected by the fine mouth- breathers of Missouri.

(Photo: Gov. Greitens, family man - Republican style)

Tweets Of The Day - Kids, Crackpots And The NRA

There were 4 million 13-year old kids in the USA in 2013.
They turn 18 this year.
They can vote this year.
Midterms are in 260 days.
Spread the word.
Get registered.
Register everyone you know.
Fight back.#MarchForOurLives #Parkland#MarjoryStonemanDouglas#LetsTryThisAgain

— Steve Marmel (@Marmel) February 20, 2018

Meanwhile, at the annual Crackpot Political Action Conference:

Wayne LaPierre is now denouncing the FBI's "rogue leadership" and talking about the need for "systematic resistance" within the organization

— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) February 22, 2018

Hmmm, why would Wayne LaPierre denounce the FBI? Is the @FBI actively investigating if Kremlin operatives funneled massive amounts of money to the @NRA to influence the 2016 elections? https://t.co/TrXrY3jx9m

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 22, 2018

Why, yes, we think it is.

And now a few words from a Real President of the United States:

Young people have helped lead all our great movements. How inspiring to see it again in so many smart, fearless students standing up for their right to be safe; marching and organizing to remake the world as it should be. We've been waiting for you. And we've got your backs.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 22, 2018

"We've been waiting for you." Now you and American women will be the catalysts to lead us out of this swamp we've been in since January 2017.

Rump's "Modest" Proposal: Guns Guns Everywhere!

Not hearing the voices of the students and parents impacted by gun violence in schools at yesterday's photo op, neo-fascist demagogue and puppet of the National Rifle Rampage Association Donald "Rump" Trump went full metal wingnut on the absurd concept that teachers should be armed, deputized guards to deter deranged shooters armed with military-style assault weapons. Wait, aren't they supposed to be teaching, and aren't local law enforcement supposed to be the guardians?

Rump's inane proposal went even beyond his NRA handlers' position. He wants to arm thousands upon thousands of teachers -- with concealed carry handguns, no less -- and suggested paying them a "small" bonus to do that. Imagine the confusion and collateral damage when you have a dozen teachers firing at....other teachers or innocent students in the panic and chaos. Here's Rump from White (Supremacist) press pool notes this afternoon:

“You can’t hire enough security guards … Your need 100, 150 security guards … But you can have concealed on the teachers.”

You can't hire enough security guards? We thought Rump revered local law enforcement; why not give them the task of protecting schools? The answer is that it won't stop someone from using an easily-purchased AR-15 or Bushmaster-style weapon, someone carrying an AR-15 and wearing body armor who is determined to settle some score or another, cops or no cops. It's the guns, stupid.

Yesterday's photo op/"listening" event was simply a diversionary script that the NRA is pushing: thoughts and prayers, address mental health issues, "harden" schools (what do you do about hardening churches, concert venues, malls, etc.?), but nothing about the common instrument in all of the carnage, namely, military style assault weapons that are meant for the battlefield, not for the public.

Colbert Takes On Trump's Infidelities

Stephen Colbert provides a humorous antidote to the toxic White (Supremacist) House diversions over gun safety policies, where they've essentially let the National Rifle Rampage Association write their script. Degenerate sociopath Donald "Rump" Trump's tawdry extramarital sexual escapades and more serious sexual abuses of women will always stand as a symbol of his profound unfitness for public office.

Today's Cartoons

(click on images to enlarge)


(Jim Morin, Miami Herald)


(Signe Wilkinson, Philadelphia Daily News)


(Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)


(Rob Rogers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Do We Need To Show Empathy And Respect For Shootin' Snowflakes? Nah!

via GIPHY

Driftglass has a searing takedown of David "Bobo"Brooks' much- mocked op/ ed telling us non- gun- humpers to be more respectful of gun humpers as a prelude to a dialogue on gun control. Brooks has a long history of divining what "Real America" has on its mind and what is "moral," which miraculously always aligns with Brooks' and his plutocrat audience's views and inclinations (as Driftglass demonstrates once again).

Not naming names, but clearly referencing Bobo, E.J. Dionne, Jr., wonders why gun humpers are to be endlessly indulged to the detriment of our society:

Supporters of even modest restrictions on firearms are regularly instructed that their ardent advocacy turns off Americans in rural areas and small towns. Those in favor of reforming our firearms laws are scolded as horrific elitists who disrespect a valued way of life. 

And as the mass killings continue, we are urged to be patient and to spend our time listening earnestly to the views of those who see even a smidgen of action to limit access to guns as the first step toward confiscation. Our task is not to fight for laws to protect innocents, but to demonstrate that we really, honestly, truly, cross-our-hearts, positively love gun owners and wouldn’t for an instant think anything ill of them. 

What is odd is that those with extreme pro-gun views — those pushing for new laws to allow people to carry just about anytime, anywhere — are never called upon to model similar empathy toward children killed, the mourning parents left behind, people in urban neighborhoods suffering from violence, or the majority of Americans who don’t own guns. [snip]

How come only one side of the supposed culture war on guns is required to exude respect for the other? Because the culture-war argument is largely a gimmick pushed by the gun lobby as a way of demonizing its opponents. None of us who endorse stronger gun laws wants to disrupt anybody else’s way of life. And none of the measures we are proposing would do that.  (our emphasis)

For anyone foolish enough to think narcissistic sociopath Donald "Rump" Trump's directing Confederate States Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III to propose regulations banning "bump stocks," here's a reality check:

Trump’s memo calls on the Department of Justice to try to ban these devices. 

There’s a big question, however, whether this would be possible. The Justice Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) already initiated the rule-making process for potentially banning bump stocks late last year. But they concluded at the time that federal law likely does not allow them to ban bump stocks and other similar devices by themselves — meaning they would likely need Congress to pass a new law to act. 

If this holds up, Trump’s memo will essentially have no effect — since federal agencies simply won’t be able to ban bump stocks. Although Congress could still ban the devices through new legislation.  (our emphasis)

You can easily see that this has been set up to provide the appearance of action to ride out the current firestorm; that the National Rifle Rampage Association supports this Potemkin approach rather than legislation tells you all you need to know about its sincerity.

It's being said that, thanks to the outrage and moral courage of teenagers (think about that -- teenagers) across the country, we may be at an inflection point.  But, as with our ongoing struggle with reactionaries, the only way any victory can be achieved will be through the ballot box, not just this November, but in every election -- Federal, State, local -- that follows until these NRA Republican stooges are gone.

"Message: I Hear You"

In a moment reminiscent of George H.W. Bush's "Message: I care" moment, rotted- out shell Donald "Rump" Trump apparently had to be reminded to act like he was listening sympathetically at his White (Supremacist) House "listening session" today with people impacted by gun violence at schools:

Trump brought cliff notes to the gun violence listening session. Final note “I hear you” pic.twitter.com/AQZAXIkFep

— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) February 21, 2018

A few selected thoughts from the Twitterverse:

Raise your hand if you're surprised that Trump needs to reminded to say "I hear you" in a listening session. https://t.co/O12HICfsUl

— Amy Bingham (@BlondMsKang) February 21, 2018

"Don't forget to show human emotions like a real human" https://t.co/4a6leDmQda

— Will Federman (@wfederman) February 21, 2018

Student: We want universal background checks and stricter regulations.

Another student: Also important to outlaw semi-automatic weapons and recoil tools that make guns perform like automatic weapons.

Trump: I hear you. I am going to eliminate gun-free zones and arm teachers

— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) February 21, 2018

Donald reveals the rest of his notes at the school shooting "Listening Session" pic.twitter.com/tVSLExTmmQ

— Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) February 21, 2018

More reactions at Raw Story.

Confidant Of Bibi's Turns State's Witness

In an unexpected turn of events, Shlomo Filber, a close confidant of right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Bibi "Bomb Bomb" Netanyahu is cooperating with police in the bribery case against Netanyahu. Filber, the former director of the Communications Ministry, will testify that Israeli's largest telecommunications company Bezeq Telecom received regulatory favors from Netanyahu's government in exchange for favorable coverage of Netanyahu on its media outlets. Filber is the first in Netanyahu's inner circle to break ranks, but may not be the only one. This case is only part of the scandals involving him and bribery and influence peddling.

The next step is for their Attorney-General to decide whether or not to accept the charges against Netanyahu. Not surprisingly, Netanyahu is calling the charges against him a "witch hunt," echoing his best buddy and fellow corrupt right-winger Donald "Rump" Trump's references to Robert Mueller's Russia probe.

(photo: Platon, Vanity Fair)