Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Schmidt just says fuck it, opens a tea shop.

This year has been the longest three days of putin’s life.

It’s time for the GOP to dust off that post-2012 autopsy, completely ignore it, and light the party on fire again.

Accountability, motherfuckers.

Let there be snark.

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

If you are still in the GOP, you are an extremist.

if you can’t see it, then you are useless in the fight to stop it.

Let’s finish the job.

Don’t expect peaches from an apple tree.

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

Let’s not be the monsters we hate.

You can’t attract Republican voters. You can only out organize them.

It’s easy to sit in safety and prescribe what other people should be doing.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

Accused of treason; bitches about the ratings. I am in awe.

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

Republicans are radicals, not conservatives.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

No one could have predicted…

American History and Black History Cannot Be Separated

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

An almost top 10,000 blog!

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

You are here: Home / Civil Rights / Tonight In Washington

Tonight In Washington

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Peaceful demonstrations are starting. There are a lot of military in DC and more on the way. Let’s hope it remains peaceful.

Other cities too

San Diego

Open thread

Reader Interactions

192Comments

  6. 6.

    Sab

    Trump as prez has a lot of power, but there are a lot of us who are horrified.

    I didn’t mean to hit italics and bold ( or either) but it is how I feel.

    Very sad to learn half those cops in Minneapolis were Asian background.

  7. 7.

    Gin & Tonic

    @dr. bloor: Who remembers Putin’s “little green men” in Crimea?  Soldiers with no insignia, no ID. Trump has listened to his master well.

    This is a very slippery slope the US is now on.

     

    ETA Sure hope to see this on the FP from Cheryl or Adam.

  9. 9.

    Karen

    Seeing a major movement of military hardware

    I thought he couldn’t bring out the military. Can someone please explain?

    Thanks.

  11. 11.

    Spanky

    I want to be downtown, but the Mrs won’t hear of it. We’re 66 and she’s terrified of the Rona. But if this keeps up I’m gonna go anyway.

    “Downtown” DC.

  17. 17.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    Is anybody else having trouble playing the videos from here? I keep getting “media can’t be played”

  19. 19.

    tomtofa

    It’s looking more and more like 1968, except there is way more diversity in the crowds now than then.

    Of course, back then it was (mostly) just about stopping an unjust war; now it’s about dismantling an entrenched racist police state, with exceeding powerful police unions, a deep, deep culture, and billions of dollars worth of military equipment in the hands of state and local agencies.

    Tough work ahead.

  20. 20.

    dr. bloor

    @Gin & Tonic: Yeah, Adam or Cheryl would be a good read here.  Who’s theoretically responsible for armed suspects who refuse to identify themselves and are wearing no insignia?  Capitol Police?  FBI?  Buckaroo Bonzai?

  21. 21.

    HumboldtBlue

    I was switching feeds from NYC to DC to LA and let me tell you what, the black community organizers have not been slacking off.

    Every single effective, ordered and peaceful demonstration was headed up by young black men and women, primarily women, and they were having no shit from anybody. They were organized they were clear and concise and diligent in message and it was pretty fucking amazing to watch.

    I also liked how the TV newscasters actually paid attention to what the protestors were saying and repeatedly commented on how beautiful, or how inspiring the marchers were. There were a lot of people on LA streets and I know it all goes shit after darkness, but they are making a difference and they are making an impact.

    This feels different.

    And the next time Kaylie/Kayleigh/Caelie Whackapenny wants to disparage black community organizers just sit her pasty white ass down in front of the footage. You think these kids are gonna skip the election in November? GTFOH

    And in light of the mention of the Imperial March, here’s a French trumpeter welcoming riot police last August.

  23. 23.

    Served

    @HumboldtBlue: I am now old enough that I look around at the crowds at the protest and think “they’re so young” and our governments are blasting away at them.

  24. 24.

    Cacti

    “Moderate” Republican Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan has sent 116 Maryland National Guard troops to the Mall in response to a Pentagon request.

    Moral of the story:

    There are no moderate Republicans.  In the end, they’re all party first.

    Stop putting “moderate” Republicans in your governor’s mansions, blue states.

  28. 28.

    Sab

    I am just saying that I see George Floyds family and friends force themselves to be public in this time of private trauma.

    One thing I take from this is what a nice guy he seems to have been. They all loved him a lot.

    I am sorry I never got to meet him.

  29. 29.

    Kay (not the front-pager)

    Poor Trump must be having flashbacks to January 21, 2017 Women’s March on Washington/his puny inauguration. These crowds are huge, and much larger than anything he could muster.

    That’s not what’s important about this moment of course, I just couldn’t help noticing.

  30. 30.

    Miss Bianca

    I don’t know whether I’m getting chills because I’m so proud of my fellow citizens who are going out and risking their health and possibly their lives to protest some REAL injustices…not the inability to get  haircut or an iced tea refill…

    Or because I’m coming down with something. *shiver*

     

    Chilling quietly at home with some Emergence-C and looking forward to making myself some comfort food, like mashed potatoes, and watching Biden’s speech from earlier today.

  31. 31.

    Sloane Ranger

    Crowd outside White House tonight significantly bigger than last night. If Trump thought that his vicarious temper tantrum would deter the protesters he was wrong. They are more determined than ever and seem better organised.

    I assume he must be watching this on TV. I wonder what he’s thinking? If Barr told him a show of force would break the nerve of those those weak kneed vegan liberals I fully expect he’s going to get screamed at by a red faced Trump.

  36. 36.

    TS (the original)

    Elizabeth Warren can walk freely among the protesters – the man who is supposedly leading the people of the USA needs teargas, helicopters, guns and hundreds of unnamed soldiers to protect him from  those people.

    There has to be a reckoning when this is done. There has to be a trial.

  37. 37.

    Martin

    @HumboldtBlue: I was switching feeds from NYC to DC to LA and let me tell you what, the black community organizers have not been slacking off.

    They’ve got entirely too much experience at this.  And they are tireless.

  39. 39.

    different-church-lady

    @Sloane Ranger:

    Crowd outside White House tonight significantly bigger than last night. If Trump thought that his vicarious temper tantrum would deter the protesters he was wrong.

    The more he tries to push it down, the harder it’s going to come at him. We’ve turned the corner.

  41. 41.

    Mike in NC

    Fat Bastard consulted with his master, Putin, on how to deal with protesters. Tear gas, water cannons, attack dogs. If that failed order troops to fire on unarmed Americans. Our military should refuse the illegal orders of the agent of a foreign power.

  44. 44.

    Ohio Mom

    Goku: I haven’t been able to play videos for probably a week now. So you are not the only one.

    I guess one of us should contact Watergirl.

  46. 46.

    Delk

    If the crowd had matching uniforms and doing that Soviet marching style, trump would shooting up Trimex.

  47. 47.

    Elizabelle

    So:  some of my friends’ rightwing Facebook friends are swearing that no teargas was used to clear Lafayette Park for last night’s Trump bible photo op outside St. John’s Episcopal.  One said that Dana Perrino and The Five had assured her of that fact.

    That is so interesting to me.  What it says that some Fox News media personalities prefer to deny.

    Politico interview with South Carolina Tim Scott.  He does not seem to be a tear gas denier, but left himself wiggle room.

    Tim Scott said Tuesday that protesters in Lafayette Square should not have been cleared with tear gas and rubber bullets to accommodate President Donald Trump’s visit to a historic church, a rebuke of the president by the only black Republican in the Senate.
    In an interview with POLITICO chief economic correspondent Ben White, Scott (R-S.C.) said he did not think Trump’s visit to St. John’s Episcopal Church — the “church of the presidents” — was helpful and it was not something he would have done.

    “But obviously, if your question is, should you use tear gas to clear a path so the president can go have a photo-op, the answer is no,” Scott said, while noting he did not personally see the incident.

  48. 48.

    Martin

    Haven’t looked at betting odds for VP candidates, but the women of color better be up. This is the kind of energy you want to pull into an election. Give one of them the chance, Joe.

  49. 49.

    oldster

    I feel sick with anxiety for the protesters in DC right now.

    They are doing the right thing. But the fascists in the White House are spoiling for a fight.

    Please, god, let the police and the troops on the front line keep cool heads, and not cause trouble. There will be no violence, so long as the police and troops do not start the violence.

    God bless Liz Warren for being there to witness.

  50. 50.

    NotMax

    In case no one has already posted it –

    The Rev. James Martin, a prominent Jesuit priest and author, said in a statement, “Using the Bible as a prop while talking about sending in the military, bragging about how your country is the greatest in the world, and publicly mocking people on a daily basis, is pretty much the opposite of all Jesus stood for.”

    He added: “Let me be clear. This is revolting. The Bible is not a prop. A church is not a photo op. Religion is not a political tool. And God is not a plaything.”

    Rabbi Jack Moline, president of Interfaith Alliance, said in a statement Monday, “Seeing President Trump stand in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church while holding a Bible in response to calls for racial justice — right after using military force to clear peaceful protesters out of the area — is one of the most flagrant misuses of religion I have ever seen. This only underscores the president’s complete lack of compassion for Black Americans and the lethal consequences of racism.” Source

  51. 51.

    Ohio Mom

    Miss Bianca: I hear you. I’ve had a couple of panicked “Am I getting sick?” moments, fortunately all passing. My talisman is zinc cough drops

    I dread the winter cold season, I’ll be absolutely paranoid all the time.

  53. 53.

    Frankensteinbeck

    @HumboldtBlue:

    he’s simply fuming

    No.  He’s pants-shittingly terrified.  I have never seen or even imagined a coward like Donald Trump.  And after that stunt with the church, the Secret Service and military are legitimately worried a mob will try to storm the White House.  Worrying about things like that is their job, and they can tell how much worse Trump made things.

  54. 54.

    Sister Golden Bear

    San Mateo County, here on the SF Peninsula, just issued a two-night curfew. Joining a half-dozen other Bay Area/NorCal counties.

    Haven’t been able to get any news yet on the protest next door in Redwood City that started a half-hour ago, but large parts of downtown and nearby were all boarded up earlier today.

  55. 55.

    HumboldtBlue

    Former officials from the George W. Bush administration have formed a super PAC to support former Vice President Joe Biden’s White House campaign.

    The super PAC, dubbed 43 Alumni For Biden, referring to the 43rd president, was formed Monday, according to a Tuesday filing with the Federal Election Commission.

  59. 59.

    debbie

    Nice to see other countries supporting the real America. I hope everyone can stay safe.

  61. 61.

    Kay

    @Baud:

    MonmouthPoll
    @MonmouthPoll
    ·5h
    NATIONAL POLL: 74% say country is on wrong track, an all-time low in seven years of national Monmouth polling. Up from 60% in last month.
    WRONG TRACK by PARTY:
    46% REP (28% in May)
    78% IND (63% in May)
    92% DEM (83% in May)

  63. 63.

    SFBayAreaGal

    @Sister Golden Bear: Got the alert also. A family member works for Hillsdale Shopping Center management company. Told not to come in tomorrow. They are boarding up all exteriors windows and entrances.

  66. 66.

    Tony Jay

    @Sloane Ranger:

    I mean, not to speak ill of the dead, but this is an ex-presidency we’re looking at here, isn’t it? He might have 10 months left on the official warranty but come on, it’s looking a lot like the last days of any other faux-strongman dictator. Tons of bluster, but once the fear-factor is used up, bye-bye to El Caudillo Sin Cojones.

    God, I wish we had an Election to look forward to. Since we don’t I’ll have to enjoy the vicarious sensation of triumph from seeing Clown Prince Flobalob’s chief influencer get metaphorically kicked in the Cannon & Balls.

    Better than nothing.

  67. 67.

    lamh36

    Trump’s BS photo-op may have gotten him kudos from the Faux news type, but it backfired if he thought it would stop the protests.

    The crowd is BIGGER than yesterday in DC and the protest in other states are bigger as well.

    And if you are paying attention, the legit protestors are doing what they can to tag or call out anyone looting or outright block the outside agitators from trying to create chaos.

  74. 74.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Martin:

    Val Demings seems to be getting some solid buzz. I’d be happy with her and Kamala — one as VP, one as AG, don’t care which gets which.

  80. 80.

    CliosFanBoy

    @raven: dates back to the Civil War. Saw action in both World Wars. Was originally a “Colored” unit.

  83. 83.

    NotMax

    Disney now has a perfect excuse for not displaying Dolt 45 in its Hall of Presidents exhibit.

    “Where’s 45?”

    “In the bunker.”

  87. 87.

    Kathleen

    @Frankensteinbeck: Dropping this here: Clyde Haberman tweet on quotation by Mike Mullen: (Apologies if already posted here)

    Mike Mullen, former Joint Chiefs chairman, in @TheAtlantic “I remain confident in the professionalism of our men and women in uniform… But I am less confident in the soundness of the orders they will be given by this commander in chief.” Clyde Haberman (@ClydeHaberman)

  89. 89.

    zhena gogolia

    @Gin & Tonic:

    This whole thing is a little too familiar.

    I saw a clip from KCMO, my home town, today, and it looked like OMON lined up in the street. CHILLING

  92. 92.

    Martin

    @lamh36: The public doesn’t like to be threatened by elected leaders. Good way to piss off even apathetic citizens.

  94. 94.

    HumboldtBlue

    @MattF:

    Of course, he did, one of the weirdest parts about Dubya’s rehabilitation tour is the support from Michelle Obama who explains she George have become close and that she deeply respects him.

    Plus, Biden has always been a centrist and I guarantee you he and W got along famously.

  97. 97.

    Yutsano

    @NotMax: I could see them shutting it down for a “new attraction” instead of having to put him in there. Messing with the House of Mouse is not a smart idea.

  101. 101.

    NotMax

    @debbie

    The other 26% is an all-time low.

    Specifically reporting numbers have gone up while simultaneously calling that data a new low is sloppy in the extreme.

  102. 102.

    Yutsano

    @Miss Bianca: My vote, as always, is for Jewish penicillin. You can’t ever go wrong with Jewish penicillin. Especially that long 3 hour simmer when all the goodness of the chicken goes into the broth…

    BRB I need to go buy a chicken…

  103. 103.

    Elizabelle

    @lamh36:   Need your scientific expertise here.

    Are any of these substances components of smoke bombs?  Or pepper bullets?  I am wondering about Nuzzi’s assertion.  From the CDC website — and copying this, in event the text changes.
    What riot control agents are

    • Riot control agents (sometimes referred to as “tear gas”) are chemical compounds that temporarily make people unable to function by causing irritation to the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and skin.
    • Several different compounds are considered to be riot control agents. The most common compounds are known as chloroacetophenone (CN) and chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CS). Other examples include chloropicrin (PS), which is also used as a fumigant (that is, a substance that uses fumes to disinfect an area); bromobenzylcyanide (CA); dibenzoxazepine (CR); and combinations of various agents.
  104. 104.

    Gravenstone

    @Baud: Even if they were “only” using smoke, that shit can generate hydrogen chloride when burned. Unless you have proper respiratory protection, that will fuck with your lungs. And OC (pepper balls) is no fucking fun, either.

  105. 105.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @HumboldtBlue: Biden has always been a centrist

    No.  Biden has always stood right in the center of Democratic Party, but that’s a different thing.

  107. 107.

    The Moar You Know

    If Trump thought that his vicarious temper tantrum would deter the protesters he was wrong. 

    @Sloane Ranger: He’s praying it doesn’t.  He’s found a fire that is getting his utter failure re: COVID off his back and he is going to repeatedly dump truckloads of gasoline on it until he can’t find any more gas.

    This shit worked for Nixon.  I am praying that we’ve evolved just a little since then, just enough so that it doesn’t work on everyone.  It’s working very well on some folks.

  109. 109.

    Martin

    Gotta give the GOP credit for one thing – any other organization would have long ago cut their leadership loose through a shitshow like this, but they are definitely ride or die.

  111. 111.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Gravenstone: I was just saying in the thread below that the smoke isn’t really pleasant to breathe.  This is a bit like telling someone who accuses you of macing them that you would never do that – you just pepper sprayed them.

  112. 112.

    NotMax

    @Yutsano

    “We’d administer it intravenously if we could figure out a way to get the matzo balls through the needle.”

    ;)

  113. 113.

    randy khan

    @different-church-lady:

    Since when does the military or the police take orders from the Attorney General?

    There are reports that some riot squads that work for the Bureau of Prisons (under DoJ control) were there, but the CBP people work for DHS.

    In any event, I’m guessing it was a matter of Barr being the one who said “Let’s go,” more than him actually giving units their orders.

  114. 114.

    Mallard Filmore

    @NotMax: 

    Disney now has a perfect excuse for not displaying Dolt 45 in its Hall of Presidents exhibit.

    “Where’s 45?”

    “In the bunker.”

    They could put him crouching in a small bunker peeking out.

  115. 115.

    Shana

    @Karen: I may be wrong but I think I saw someone say that because DC isn’t a state the rules are somewhat different.

  116. 116.

    Ohio Mom

    Thanks frosty, I’ll give that a try.

    I love it that the protests are continuing peacefully, underlining that they are a separate group from the rioters/looters, and also sending the message that their serious concerns have not yet been given the serious and legitimate response they are due.

    Somewhere on the internet today, I saw a video of a 20 year old white man walking into a police station, IIRC, in Pittsburgh. On the advice of his attorney, he was turning himself in after being caught on video committing vandalism the night before.

    Accompanying him were a middle-aged couple, no doubt his parents who hired the attorney. The three of them were the picture of middle-class suburbia, in contrast to what I assume is many people’s image of who would riot.

  117. 117.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @The Moar You Know:

    It’s not 1968 and Trump isn’t Nixon. A lot of the protests have been large and very diverse. The media has repeatedly emphasized how peaceful the protesters are. Police have been caught on camera attacking the press and peaceful protesters, even white ones. This feels like a breaking point. A lot of people are fed up. Trump’s COVID-19 response is not being forgotten. This is just an outgrowth from the effects of the pandemic. 30-40 million Americans are out of work and over 100,000 have died from his failures

  120. 120.

    randy khan

    One thing that I don’t think is getting nearly enough play is that these protests actually are remarkably peaceful.  Compare them to 1968 or L.A. after Rodney King, and they’re totally different.

    If I were the GOP, that would scare me more than anything else.  The level of determination and discipline means a lot.

  122. 122.

    Gravenstone

    @Elizabelle: Chemist here. No, none of those compounds would be in basic smoke devices. Most are either lachrymators (causes tearing of the eyes) or sternutators (causes sneezing). However, white smoke canisters typically contain hexachlorethane. When burned, it forms the acidic gas hydrogen chloride as a byproduct. As noted in my previous comment, that shit will do a number on your lungs and eyes if you don’t leave – pronto.

  126. 126.

    Jeffro

    Repubs in general and their enablers in the media: “IT WASN’T REALLY TEAR GAS!”
    Bill Barr: “IT WAS ME THAT ORDERED THE ‘CODE RED’!”
    Kellyanne Conway: “IT WASN’T A PHOTO OP!”
    Every GOP Senator today, when asked by Kasie Hunt: “DIDN’T SEE NOTHING/I’M LATE FOR MY LUNCH!”
    America, measuring out yards of rope and eyeing the lamposts: “Uh huh…sounds good…keep talkin’…there’s plenty here for everyone…”

    I loved this from the WaPo: the real reason for trumpov’s photo-op, “LOOK AT ME!”

    Meanwhile the crowds are mounting outside the WH, all peaceful, all on the lookout for instigators and looters, all asking just one thing: that the abuse end. Now.

  130. 130.

    lamh36

    Proof positive that that bullshit yesterday did not go as Chump co planned!

    Trying to police the media to change headlines…

    @Olivianuzzi

    INBOX: Trump campaign orders the media to “correct or retract” reporting that accurately described yesterday’s protests, live footage of which plainly showed viewers what happened.

    https://twitter.com/Olivianuzzi/status/1267946770362966020

  142. 142.

    Kay

    @lamh36:

    I agree. They’re now trapped in an argument about whether they tear gassed protesters or used pepper spray bombs on them. We were all supposed to make this chemical analysis based on the rolling clouds we saw on the street.

    The church visit was a disaster. I’m thrilled that it was apparently Barr’s idea.

  143. 143.

    Uncle Cosmo

    @Ohio Mom:  I have had the same problem over the last 10-14 days but it seems to be limited to videos from Twitter – other sources play OK.

  145. 145.

    lamh36

    @Elizabelle: sorry I have no idea.  Microbiology is my area of expertise…Chemistry isn’t my thing.

    Cheryl might know the answers though.

  147. 147.

    TS (the original)

    @Ohio Mom:  Happening for me on other blogs as well – and for more than a week. Something twitter has done I think – have to go to the actual tweet to play it

  150. 150.

    Martin

    @different-church-lady: People can only compartmentalize stuff for so long. As someone with anxiety and depression, what triggers my anxiety is rarely the major source of the anxiety – it’s just the thing that pushed me from coping to not coping.

    So yeah, Covid, impeachment, state violence, all of it has been piling up. And it wasn’t just George Floyd, it was also the video of the good ‘ol boys in Georgia looking for a lynching and Central Park Karen showing just how easily police are weaponized against POC.

    Reminder that LA riots weren’t after the Rodney King tape –  they were after the acquittals. It wasn’t just the initiating event, but the months of people defending the police, saying he had it coming, and everything else including the Latasha Harlins case. It just broke open.

    That’s the moment we’re in now. The more Trump makes this about him, the more it shifts away from local low enforcement decisions and toward national policies and attitudes that Trump advocates for.

    That’s why I’ve been watching DC most closely – is the energy shifting there? Sure seems to be.

  151. 151.

    donnah

    Garrett Haake from MSNBC has been in DC covering the protests for a week. He was even hit with a rubber bullet over the weekend. So he knows what’s going on. When the denials were issued today from Trump’s team that there was no tear gas and there was a warning given prior to the “smoke bombs” being set off, Chuckles Todd went to a remote feed and asked Garrett what he thought about the denial and Garrett practically flipped out. He said he had been in the middle of these events in DC and he knows what tear gas is and he didn’t hear any warnings issued. He said he reports what he saw and he knows what he saw.

  153. 153.

    Martin

    @lamh36: That’ll be well received by the Australian network that was caught in the middle of it and had their reporter and cameraman beat up by federal agents.

  154. 154.

    James E Powell

    @HumboldtBlue:

    Bill Clinton says the same thing about Bush the Elder.

    I became friends with a couple of lawyers who were opposing counseled in hotly contest trials, so I can kind of understand.

  155. 155.

    Ella in New Mexico

    @Miss Bianca: I’ve been having such bad allergies this season!

    I had a couple of bouts where I literally feel feverish and will get a sore throat that lasts 1-2 days until I finally go DUH and take Allegra and poof, it all magically disappears.

    Maybe that’s what’s getting you, too.

  157. 157.

    Kay

    @lamh36:

    I’m obsessed with the planning of this. I found out why Ivanka was carrying a 1500 dollar handbag. She had the Bible! I just like to think of the steps involved in that- the brainstorm of “the Bible! he should hold up a Bible!”, getting one, deciding who carries it. Some of the dopes in the entourage look sheepish. How did they get roped into it?

  160. 160.

    HumboldtBlue

    @James E Powell:

    There has to be something about the job, the enormity of the lifestyle that changes a person and I can understand those who have endured that crucible can relate to each other in a way the rest of us can’t.

    It makes sense they are in a unique and exclusive club and share many experiences the rest of us will not face.

  162. 162.

    Elizabelle

    @Gravenstone:

    @lamh36:   Thank you both for your responses.  And, of course, Kay reminds us of what a deflecting tactic this whole thing is.  Eyes on the prize.

    They’re now trapped in an argument about whether they tear gassed protesters or used pepper spray bombs on them. We were all supposed to make this chemical analysis based on the rolling clouds we saw on the street.

    The church visit was a disaster. I’m thrilled that it was apparently Barr’s idea.

  163. 163.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @Kay:

    I bet that Bible hasn’t even been read by Trump. Did it just arrive from Amazon at the WH yesterday?

  164. 164.

    Bill Arnold

    The D.J. Trump Administration is being theologically offensive. There is a word for this: “Hubris”[2].
    DC officials push back on aggressive response to protests (MICHAEL BALSAMO, June 2, 2020)

    The U.S. military and National Guard are operating in Washington under the official mission name Operation Themis[1], according to two Pentagon officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to do so publicly. In Greek mythology, Themis was a titaness of divine law and order, whose symbols are the scales of justice.

    Not the usual practice for the US. The last I recall was the original name of the invasion of Iraq, “Infinite Justice”, that was changed after complaints by Muslim clerics. [3]

    [1] THEMIS was the Titan goddess of divine law and order-
    [2] Hubris is a typical flaw in the personality of a character who enjoys a powerful position; as a result of which, he overestimates his capabilities to such an extent that he loses contact with reality.
    [3] How the Pentagon Names Military Operations

  165. 165.

    Bluegirlfromwyo

    @lamh36: So a technicality like the Hennepin County medical examiner telling us George Floyd’s health conditions really killed him. Fuck these people with 10,000 pitchforks.

  168. 168.

    Martin

    @Kay: At least it wasn’t a Gideon Bible, but it looks like a bog-standard 1960s era Bible. Looked identical to the one I have in my collection that was handed down to me from my grandparents.  I’m sure there are any number of bookcases in the WH you could  have pulled that off of.

  171. 171.

    Martin

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): It was relatively old from the photo I saw. Looked like the kind of black hard-bound generic bible you’d find in a church pew or in someones bookcase. Not someones regular read, not dog-eared. Nothing personal about it. He was even asked if it was his Bible and he responded that it was a Bible. No story there to tell. Not a family heirloom, or some ex-presidents, or given to the President by someone. It was just a book, and he was holding it.

  172. 172.

    Kay

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):

    I am not religious but I generally like liberal religious people and I found the interview with the pastor (?) of that church very moving. I was tearing up listening to it. That place is precious to her and they defiled it. THAT I understand. I think anyone can.

    Just appalling people. Thoughtless. Without thought.

  175. 175.

    Feathers

    @Miss Bianca: Perhaps this belongs on the cocktails thread, but a co-worker once recommended a shot of peppermint schnapps, with a chamomile tea chaser. Repeat until no longer needed.

    Best tweet on the Episcopal Church situation:

    Very Calm Sporting Enthusiast @CalmSporting

    20h

    you have any conception of how bad you have to fuck up to infuriate the episcopalians

  179. 179.

    Ken

    @Sab: Very sad to learn half those cops in Minneapolis were Asian background.

    May I recommend Noel Ignatiev’s How the Irish Became White?

  182. 182.

    Subsole

    @Tony Jay:

    How is life in the Sceptered Isles?

    I haven’t heard much, save that Corbyn’s replacement is stanching the bleeding fairly well and the bigwigs are STILL faffing about over whether they actually want to detonate they bomb they swallowed. Accurate?

    Wish y’all had more opportunity to fight back, as well.

    Maybe I am hopelessly optimistic, but if we start rolling back the right here, I hope it may have a cascading effect elsewhere…

  185. 185.

    Ken

    @Bill Arnold: The Titans lost to the Olympians, that is, the younger generation. And Themis switched to the Olympian side. Not that I expect anyone involved with choosing the name considered those bits of symbolism.

  186. 186.

    Subsole

     

    @HumboldtBlue:

    Makes sense.

    If, all gods and devils forbid, one kid in uniform fucks up, that uniform stands for shooting American civilians.

    Forever.

    You thought military morale was in a parlous state post-Vietnam…you don’t wanna see what happens to it after the 82nd airborne goes Boston Redcoat.

    That will affect troop quality, recruitment, a million practical issues.

  188. 188.

    Miss Bianca

    @Feathers: Oh, my…reminds me of one of my favorite jokes from Hee Haw, the punchline of which has Grandpa Jones telling Junior Samples that the corn likker he’s been drinking all day didn’t cure his cold, but “it makes bein’ sick a whole lot more interesting!”

    And even without the moonshine,I’m starting to feel a bit perkier: I guess bundling up, plenty of liquids, and some mac and cheese made whatever was threatening me make a noise like a hoop and roll away. Early to bed tonight!

  189. 189.

    dopey-o

    I think i have seen references to Fat Nixon’s team producing a camapign ad centered on his trip (almost) to St John’s Church. Do the Espiscopalians have any standing to deny images of their property being misused by others?

    I know Bunker Boy envisioned a big beautiful ad to send the xtianists into a frenzy. I would love to see it fizzle out like a limp mushroom.

    ” I finally went to church and all I got was this lousy lawsuit! “

  191. 191.

    Bill Arnold

    @Ken:

    And Themis switched to the Olympian side.

    Well-spotted. :-) (There might be more such twists. :-)

  192. 192.

    Bill Arnold

    @Jay:

    I remember it being Operation Iraqi Liberation until somebody noticed what it spelled out

    Ah, typo/mind-o on my part. Afghanistan.

    The 2001 invasion of Afghanistan? Infinite Justice, until Muslim clerics called it offensive,…

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