Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

So many bastards, so little time.

The revolution will be supervised.

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

People are complicated. Love is not.

“In the future, this lab will be a museum. do not touch it.”

Come on, man.

The real work of an opposition party is to hold the people in power accountable.

I swear, each month of 2025 will have its own history degree.

Shut up, hissy kitty!

The fight for our country is always worth it. ~Kamala Harris

Dear media: perhaps we ought to let Donald Trump speak for himself!

Bark louder, little dog.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Republicans are the party of chaos and catastrophe.

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

There is no right way to do the wrong thing.

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

They are lying in pursuit of an agenda.

President Musk and Trump are both poorly raised, coddled 8 year old boys.

Narcissists are always shocked to discover other people have agency.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

They traffic in fear. it is their only currency. if we are fearful, they are winning.

Let there be snark.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Proud to Be A Democrat: Alvin Bragg Is Not Here for the GOP’s Performative Outrage

Proud to Be A Democrat: Alvin Bragg Is Not Here for the GOP’s Performative Outrage

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If one can judge TFG’s risk assessment by the level of his public acting-out, Alvin Bragg is doing well; as the Independent delicately put it, ‘Trump’s own lawyer calls violent Truth Social post attacking Alvin Bragg ‘ill advised’. Which does not, of course, deter Gym Jordan’s Merry Prankkksters from very publicly setting themselves up for future disappointment (and selectively edited electioneering video clips)…



A good basic explainer, from how NYC chooses prosecutors to Bragg’s personal credentials:

… Bragg’s career includes time as a federal prosecutor, an assistant attorney general for the state of New York and a civil rights attorney who represented Eric Garner’s mother as she pressured New York City officials for more accountability against the officers and commanders involved in her son’s 2014 death by a police chokehold.

Bragg’s campaign included promises to change the culture of the office and allied him with other progressive prosecutors aiming to eliminate cash bail.Shortly after taking office, he released a public memo promising the district attorney would no longer prosecute some low-level misdemeanor crimes.

Bragg, who grew up in Harlem, graduated from Harvard Law School…

Politico would like you to know it can’t approve of anyone who tries to take their beloved TFG toy away, and yet…

… [A]ccording to those who know Bragg, he is, occasionally to his detriment, uninterested in political calculations and generally indifferent to the types of public-relations offenses Trump likes to wage…

By all accounts, however, Bragg, 49, isn’t a pushover. He won a close, eight-way Democratic primary to take the district attorney’s seat. On the campaign trail, he often spoke about having a gun pulled on him six times while growing up in Harlem, where he still lives. When he worked as a federal prosecutor he was one of fewer than ten Black prosecutors in an office of about 200.

He is also no stranger to extracting penalties from Trump. Prior to becoming district attorney, he was chief deputy attorney general in the New York attorney general’s office, where he supervised a lawsuit against the Donald J. Trump Foundation that resulted in Trump personally paying a $2 million settlement. And earlier this year, his office won a criminal tax fraud trial against the Trump Organization…

For those who know Bragg, it is precisely his deliberative nature and lack of interest in politics that may help insulate him as he goes up against Trump, who built his business reputation and presidency by bullying and political swashbuckling.

“He is a lawyer and prosecutor first, absolutely. I think he would probably tell you he is not a political strategist or James Carville-type,” said Phillip Walzak, a consultant who works with Bragg’s office to distribute funds for the CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance. “I think that is actually what you want in these moments – someone who is about the facts and about the law rather than someone who has a political ax to grind.”…

TFG’s loyal minions, of course, are angrily flinging… spaghetti… against every available wall:

Reader Interactions

179Comments

  2. 2.

    bbleh

    Dershowitz: Bragg is following the absolute lead of segregationist south prosecutors and police by targeting somebody who is unpopular just like the civil rights workers were…

    Ooh, that’s gonna cause some MAGA heads to implode.

    “So those prosecutors were good, right? But that makes Bragg good? But he’s bad! But civil rights workers are Woke!  So those prosecutors were good!  But …??

    Well, never mind.  But targeting somebody who is unpopular is definitely smart, right? Like Trump and DeSantis are doing to trans people.  So that makes Bragg smart, like Trump, right?  But …?!??!”

  3. 3.

    cain

    JFC – doubling down, eh? I wish them ill luck. May their efforts go down in flames and used against them during the next election.

    Also a law to give a free pass to former presidents from states? It’s so unconstitutional that it burns.

  5. 5.

    The Moar You Know

    Dershowitz: Bragg is following the absolute lead of segregationist south prosecutors and police by targeting somebody who is unpopular just like the civil rights workers were

    I heard rumors that Dersh at one point was a successful lawyer but you can’t prove it by anything I’ve ever heard out of his dumb mouth.

  6. 6.

    Mike E

    “Pushes back” is some bothsides BS, I’d go with Bragg “smacks down” or “swats away”.

  10. 10.

    Old School

    I thought that Dershowitz quote was a joke paraphrase of his comments.  Imagine my surprise to hear him actually say that.

  11. 11.

    WaterGirl

    “Here’s what you need to know about Alvin Bragg.”

    I hope that what we need to know about Alvin Bragg is:

    Do. Not. Fuck. With. Alvin. Bragg

    Amen.

  12. 12.

    Josie

    These Republicans are so frustrating. They are making it increasingly difficult for me to figure out which one I despise the most and which one I want to see humiliated beyond belief. Hopefully, Bragg, Willis, and Smith combine to make my dreams come true.

  13. 13.

    Kristine

    If Jordan et al actually manage to pass legislation protecting former/current presidents, I hope it comes back to bite them the same way Trump’s changes to classified documents rules nipped his ass.

  14. 14.

    CaseyL

    The turnabout is interesting: When Bragg first took over the office, he declined to announce any indictments from the investigation into Trump, causing two DAs to resign in protest (and one to write a book about it).  IIRC, the Right loved him then, and the Left wanted his scalp.

    Now everyone’s in the opposite corner.

  16. 16.

    Rudi666

    Dershowitz is a vile POS. Viola Liuzzo was murdered by the KKK; local courts couldn’t convict the KKK shooters. JEH’s FBI target this civil rights martyr with dis-information before the Russians.

    Rowe testified that Wilkins had fired two shots into Liuzzo on the order of Thomas,[citation needed] and was placed in the witness protection program by the FBI.[3] In an effort to deflect attention from having employed Rowe as an informant, the FBI produced disinformation[4][5] for politicians and the press, stating that Liuzzo was a member of the Communist Party, heroin addict,[6] and had abandoned her children to have sexual relationships with African-Americans involved in the Civil Rights Movement.[7] Liuzzo’s involvement in the civil rights movement was scrutinized and she was condemned by various racist organizations. In 1983, the Liuzzo family filed a lawsuit against the FBI after learning about the FBI’s activities, but the suit was dismissed.

  17. 17.

    Sure Lurkalot

    @StringOnAStick:

    Dersh’s brain broke when Jeffrey Epstein was arrested and it looked like Dersh’s name was likely to come up as a fellow traveller in the trial.

    This may be the explanation as to why Dershowitz is a Trump apologist, now let’s do the rest of them. He’s got something on all of them, Katie.

    Mike Huckabee said over the weekend that there are two virtues, loyalty and confidentiality. If that doesn’t define Trump and today’s GOP, I’m not sure what does. IANAC, but I do hope that Jesus wept.

  20. 20.

    steve g

    “they now feel compelled to consider potential legislative action”

    At least they now seem to understand that all they can do is consider it, since nothing they pass will become law unless the Senate and President approve it.

  21. 21.

    Baud

    Every legitimate exercise of power can be cited as precedent by those who want to abuse power (i.e. right wingers).  That’s the fundamental principle behind all of their specious analogies.

  22. 22.

    Ksmiami

    @Josie: there are no good Republicans- every person in that party is a slug. Sorry- there’s nothing redeeming about them

  24. 24.

    Betty Cracker

    Here’s one for the “not all heroes wear capes” file:


    According to Rolling Stone, the shooter has been identified as a 28-year-old, so the woman who jacked the Fox News live shot was wrong on that detail but is 100% correct about the lack of accountability for adults whose children access to guns to commit mass shootings.

    The douchebag parents in Michigan whose obviously disturbed son killed his classmates with a gun the parents bought him are going to stand trial for negligent homicide. It’s about damn time, but that case is an outlier. Parents are almost never charged.

  25. 25.

    Redshift

    they now feel compelled to consider potential legislative action “to protect former and/or current Presidents from politically motivated prosecutions”

    Failing that, they’ll sue for trademark infringement, because politically motivated productions are their thing!

  26. 26.

    Deputinize Eurasia from the Kuriles to St Petersburg

    Gosh, it would be a shame if known associates in Trumpworld have been reaching out to those committee chairs to implore them to impede the work of a New York prosecutor.  There’s a word I’m looking for, and it starts with the letter “O” in the statute books of most state criminal codes.

    I’m going to guess that it is a felony in New York, too……

  28. 28.

    MomSense

    I thought Clooney produced a documentary about the abuse that was happening on Gym Jordan’s watch (literally!!).

    WTF ever happened to that?

    I just hate that guy so much.

  29. 29.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Shannon Watts @shannonrwatts

    THIS is last year’s Christmas card from Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles, a Republican who represents the district that Covenant School is in in Nashville

    as a very lapsed Catholic, and Christmas being one of the rare things I’m sentimental about, I can’t fathom the sort of evangelical bible-banging god-botherer who thinks his penile- compensating killing stick is the way to celebrate the birth of the prince of peace

  33. 33.

    rikyrah

    Thomas Kennedy (@tomaskenn) tweeted at 9:01 AM on Mon, Mar 27, 2023:
    The movie “Ruby Bridges,” about a 6-year-old who integrated New Orleans schools in the 1960s, has been a staple of Pinellas County Black History Month school lessons.

    It’s being removed after a parent complained about it.

     

     

     

    Uppity Faerie Gothmother of Metal & Mermaid Queen (@FountainPenDiva) tweeted at 11:58 AM on Mon, Mar 27, 2023:
    This is exactly what the adultification of Black children does. Little Black children shouldn’t be protected from racism, but little Johnny and Janie are “too young” to learn such things, despite it often being their own family members teaching them.

    https://t.co/T9cN9Xayja
    (https://twitter.com/FountainPenDiva/status/1640397863015546881?t=_TN8Ybn7_sfqBdkvtmqHFA&s=03)

  36. 36.

    Kay

    @Betty Cracker:

    She was good. I was interested in her comment on how lax US gun laws contribute to cartel crime on the US/Mexican border- true.

    I wonder if people know criminals in Mexico rely on the fact that the US has no gun laws. I don’t think they do. Would be a heavy lift to educate though.

  39. 39.

    Alison Rose

    @JPL: I mean, we’ve known this since Sandy Hook, since that’s practically what happened there.

    I told my mom I don’t think there is anything that would get the gun humpers to back down. Someone could break into a full session of Congress and blow half of them away on both sides of the aisle, and the GOPers left alive would just be like “this is why we should all be allowed to carry in session” and not do a God damn thing.

  40. 40.

    Jeffro

    “[the GQP clown caucus] now feel[s] compelled to consider potential legislative action “to protect former and/or current Presidents from politically motivated prosecutions”

    I am actually thrilled at this proposal.  Just imagine what that legislation is going to look like!  Seriously!

    I don’t even want to take a stab at it.  Let’s all just be amazed beyond belief once it comes out.  =)

  41. 41.

    Quinerly

    @JPL:

    I want Trump indicted for everything. I, for one, don’t mind waiting. I want Bragg to indict but I would prefer GA or Smith go first.

  42. 42.

    JPL

    @Quinerly: So they are just verifying his testimony, I assume.

    First question is how many times has trump or his associates called you since your previous testimony?

  43. 43.

    Deputinize Eurasia from the Kuriles to St Petersburg

    @The Moar You Know:

    Doucheowitz came of age in a time when the legal system didn’t penalize mediocrity among well-heeled white guys, and instead coddled “pound the podium” types who simply shouted a narrative over witnesses as they testified, pretending that the narrative was the evidence.

    He never was that good – just born at the right time.

    You really do have to be sharper to do trial work these days, more focused. Lawyers like Douche, Toensing, Powell, Wood, et al. got into the weeds because they didn’t evaluate the Trump cases along WITH the rules of evidence and potential causes of actions and defenses in mind. They just winged it as they’re accustomed to do, and got eaten alive.  The younger ones who are lazy (Jenna Ellis and that moron in Texas that lost his license come to mind) also got beclowned over not being technically proficient lawyers.

    I admit to a bias – I always prefer worst case looks at potential cases, because that tells me what to do and what I shouldn’t file (my credibility with the court does have some value to me as well).  For example, I’m the guy that the younger tort lawyers in my office come to in order to shit all over their cases, because I have an instinct for finding weak structural points in any claim. There was one Trump lawyer that I thought had the proper technical chops – Eric Herschmann (the one who blasted John Eastman). He’s definitely in the category of lawful evil, knows what he’s doing and is aware of the boundaries. Frankly, I could drink with the guy – that’s a real lawyer, doing his job.

  44. 44.

    Jeffro

    @cain:Also a law to give a free pass to former presidents from states? It’s so unconstitutional that it burns.

    uh uh, not just any former presidents…former presidents from the right party (pun intended)

    Think of it as the legislative version of the McConnell Rule!  Or whatever cockamamie justification Clarence Thomas is using these days to do whatever he wants – isn’t it called “major questions” or something?  As in, “Justice Thomas always has major questions whenever there’s something that RWNJs want overturned.”

    Why not?  Double standards are the only standards Republicans have.

  48. 48.

    bbleh

    @Jeffro: Double standards are the only standards Republicans have.

    It’s not a double standard! They have the right to do what they want, and you also have the right to do what they want.

  49. 49.

    Quinerly

    @JPL:

    I caught that. Like I said, my personal feeling is the Stormy case shouldn’t be first. Any case but that case.

    I don’t bake cake. I did just bake banana bread this AM. Bananas going off. I’m hoping that’s predictive of something this week.

  50. 50.

    bbleh

    @Quinerly: The thing I like about Bragg going first and Smith last is that it’s so orderly.  First a city, then a county, and then the Feds.  And if Letitia James files a suit before Smith, then it’s city-county-state-Feds.  It’s aesthetically pleasing.  And after all, in indicting a former president, appearances count!

  52. 52.

    Baud

    Maybe the increasing diversity of mass shooters will help turn the tide on gun regulation.

    Can mass killing be woke?

  55. 55.

    bbleh

    @Baud:
    Assault Weapon Owners Protest Against ‘Woke’ Killings
    Overwhelmingly White Male Enthusiasts ‘Outraged’ At Mass Shootings By Others
    “It’s just another sacred American tradition that those people are ruining,” said one.

  56. 56.

    geg6

    @Quinerly: ​
     

    Like I said, my personal feeling is the Stormy case shouldn’t be first.

    I guess I understand that, but really I don’t. There is no calculation in any of the cases as to who goes first. It’s when the case is ready…the witnesses are there, the evidence is there and there is an indictment. When all is in place, that’s who goes first.

  57. 57.

    Chief Oshkosh

    @Alison Rose: I think if there was serious carnage at a NASCAR race, like what happened in Vegas when the guy used multiple semi-autos with bumpstocks to kill dozens and dozens, if the body count topped 200, and if the dead included a lot of “the right kind of people,” and if that was followed up with similar carnage at a Prosperity Gospel Mega-Church the next weekend, then maybe a portion of the thumb-sucking, knuckle-dragging crowd would begin to maybe get a clue.

    Maybe

     

    ETA: I’m not advocating this. I’m just trying to think of what would get these pigfuckers to rethink their position. A few Christian white kids getting killed sure a shit isn’t making any of them think anything beyond “oh shit, now the gubmints fer sure comin’ for ma guns! I gots ta get more ammo!”

  59. 59.

    Kay

    @Baud:

    Greg Greene
    @ggreeneva

    Things that did _not_ kill kids today: – a renaissance sculpture – a film about Ruby Bridges – drag queen story time – the word ‘tampon’ – critical race theory – woke banks – saying that Rosa Parks was Black – gender-affirming care – ‘The Bluest Eye’
    What did: -an AR-f––ing-15

     

  60. 60.

    cain

    @Deputinize Eurasia from the Kuriles to St Petersburg: They can literally bring those assholes to court on charges of witness tampering, and a host of other charges.

    Those assholes will then be putting a law that protects them from State DAs. Imagine that bill. The one they are putting out is going to be one where the the president can shoot someone on 5th avenue and then call the resultant mess a political watchhunt and get away scot-free.

  61. 61.

    cain

    @rikyrah: These poor white children – too young to understand racism – or the lives that their black classmates are going through right now.

  62. 62.

    Another Scott

    Cole better look out… Phys.org:

    A new Panthera study published today in Landscape Ecology has found that pumas might utilize a sly hunting strategy known as ‘garden to hunt,’ by which puma kills fertilize or deposit nutrients in soil that increase plant quality and attract ungulates to feed in select habitat conducive to future stalk-and-ambush puma hunting.

    In a fascinating cycle of foraging for both pumas and their prey, decomposing ungulate carcasses deposit elevated levels of nitrogen, carbon and other valuable elements that improve the chemistry and nutrient makeup of soil and plants. These changes may even influence where ungulates, such as elk, congregate and feed, given their preference for nitrogen-rich food. Pumas, because they hunt only select areas that give them an advantage, are creating nutrient-rich hotspots that may continue to improve their future hunting success over time.

    A remarkable finding, scientists also estimated that a dozen pumas produced over 100,000 kg of carrion per year, a mass equivalent to that of the world’s largest animal, the blue whale. Over a nine-year lifespan, each puma was estimated to have created approximately 482 temporary hotspots of nutrient-rich soil.

    […]

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  63. 63.

    cain

    @Kay: The gun manufacturers making money on cross border gun running – but it’s the poor people fleeing violence that is the problem.

    Even more idiotic – those people are fleeing left wing govts – they literally will be like the Cubans in terms of their voting patterns.

  64. 64.

    cain

    @Alison Rose: They might feel differently if it was the SCOTUS and we replace all the judges. Of course, they’d probably demand that justices wear armor and carry.

  65. 65.

    cain

    @bbleh: Yes, and even better – Trump will already be serving time – by the time the Fed weighs in. That also means that Jim Jordan and others in congress won’t drag her ass and try to fuck with the case. (in which case, they should be charged with a federal crime)

  71. 71.

    EarthWindFire

    @Kristine: I hope they pass it and Hillary Clinton sues the GOP into oblivion.

    @Chief Oshkosh: The Vegas shooting was at a country music festival, a lot of overlap with NASCAR there. No, you literally have to pry their guns out of their cold dead hands, I’m afraid.

  72. 72.

    UncleEbeneezer

    @Quinerly: Several former prosecutors disagree and point out that this is the very first instance of Trump trying to rig an election and undermine our Democracy, that can be brought to court.  As such, it is a perfect and fitting case to start with.

    Personally, I don’t really think it matters.  If there’s evidence of crimes to indict, bring them all, when they are ready.

  73. 73.

    JoyceH

    @Alison Rose: ​
     

    I told my mom I don’t think there is anything that would get the gun humpers to back down. Someone could break into a full session of Congress and blow half of them away on both sides of the aisle, and the GOPers left alive would just be like “this is why we should all be allowed to carry in session” and not do a God damn thing.

    No, these specific legislators are not going to change. The obvious solution is to defeat and replace them.

  75. 75.

    WaterGirl

    @Quinerly: Some of the talking heads who are attorneys are saying that this Stormy case is IMPORTANT – because they held back this information after the “grab ’em by the pussy” tape, doing that may have actually influenced the outcome of the election.

    He might not have won if the news had come out.

  76. 76.

    JPL

    @JoyceH: The way that republican states are gerrymandered, it’s difficult to defeat them.   Apparently, it is working just as Roberts intended it.

  77. 77.

    UncleEbeneezer

    Heritage Not Hate!!!:

    “#OTD in 1861 Confederate Vice President Alexander Stevens delivered what became known as the Cornerstone Speech. Stevens stated plainly that the sole purpose of the Confederacy was to create a slave republic and that any threat the institution of slavery justified secession.

    He professed, “Our new government[‘s]…foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests upon the great truth, that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery—subordination to the superior race—is his natural and normal condition.”

    Stevens continued, “This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth.” Confederates fired on Ft. Sumter approximately three weeks later

    If you would like to support our project subscribe to our Patreon page! Or, if you are interested in making a one-time donation you can contribute to our GoFundMe. These funds go to pay our research team!”

  78. 78.

    bbleh

    @Tony G: see others’ comments at 5, 8, and especially 43 supra.

    I know of him only what I’ve seen over the years in major media. My impression is that he’s smart (probably had to be to get the academic positions he had) and he’s media-hungry and reasonably savvy: he’s got involved in several high-visibility and controversial cases, and he’s got himself into a position of Egghead TV Pundit.  But as to his actual legal or political views (vs. some he has taken as an attorney or to generate publicity), I dunno.

  80. 80.

    NotMax

    @Suzanne

    Also too, Kirkland brand Prosecco from Costco is eminently sippable as well as affordable as a lighter sparkling wine alternative. Even has Pro in the name, so figure on conservatives shunning it.
    ;)

  82. 82.

    Suzanne

    @NotMax: The STUPID-ASS LIQUOR LAWS in this state — excuse me, Commonwealth — mean that I cannot buy alcohol at my local Costco. I have to go to Rochester.

    I grew up in Arizona, where you can buy firearms and alcohol in the same store. Same transaction, even. Like Assault Jeebus intended.

  84. 84.

    Quinerly

    @NotMax:

    A very good Prosecco, imo. I use it with orange juice for my brunches. It also pairs well with Gin for a French 75. Costco has a good Gin too.

  85. 85.

    cintibud

    @JPL: Since the shooter was white, has mental illness been blamed for the shooting yet?

    Just saw on twitter “unconfirmed” reports that the shooter was a trans former student of the school. No link but “unconfirmed” is trending.

    So yeah, there will be a lot of blame being thrown around.

    Crap. Hope it’s disinformation

  88. 88.

    Sure Lurkalot

    @JPL:

    Since the shooter was white, has mental illness been blamed for the shooting yet?

    Nope, it was the door to the church school. There shouldn’t be doors. They are very dangerous.

  90. 90.

    Quinerly

    @cintibud:

    Trans ex student has been my fear. I mentioned it in an earlier thread when the news broke. I was listening to the very first press briefer.

  91. 91.

    patrick II

    @The Moar You Know:

    I am considering making myself more broadly unpopular so at I can commit crimes and have Alan Derschowitz defend me.  I heard he is a prestigious Harvard law professor and a renowned legal mind.

  93. 93.

    JPL

    @cintibud:  Hopefully it is a rumor.   Earlier I saw that it was a black female teenager and the police are careful about their wording because they don’t want to be accused of being racist.

  94. 94.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @JPL: I’d take those rumors with a large grain of salt, the right was fairly successful in spreading a rumor that the guy who shot up a gay club in Colorado Springs was non-binary, which was supposed to prove… something

  95. 95.

    Central Planning

    Anyone else having a problem with the Reply button? I can’t get the visual tab to work.

    Macbook Pro M1, MacOS 13.2.1, Firefox 111.0.1

  96. 96.

    NotMax

    @Suzanne

    I hear ya. When lived in the Poconos (BC years – Before Costco) made many a trip across the Delaware River to New York state to stock up.

    Unlike what was found on the shelves in NY though, the local PA state stores could be counted on to carry humongous gallon size bottles of gin. Come to think of it, back then one couldn’t find tonic water in the supermarkets (club soda sí, tonic no) and had to purchase that by the case from a beer distributor.

  97. 97.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    @Quinerly:Trans ex student has been my fear.

    This country has a mass shooting per day. Even if it didn’t happen here, likely it will happen eventually.

  99. 99.

    Doc Sardonic

    Since my wife doesn’t like gin, I sub the gin with Polish (potato, the way God intended) vodka for Polish 155.

  101. 101.

    OGLiberal

    @JPL: The only mentions of trans have been unconfirmed and mostly on Twitter.  They first started with a photoshopped picture of some comedian that, apparently, is used almost everytime there is a shooting the involves a female – dating back to 2015 – so that photo and name (Samantha Hyde) was BS.  Did find a LinkedIn profile for an Audrey Hale in Nashville.  Photo is a bit androgynous and pronouns are He/Him.  I don’t think it’s a fake profile but also can’t confirm it’s the shooter.

  102. 102.

    Quinerly

    Press briefing.

    Shooter identified herself as Trans gender

    Reporter asked the question. Briefer answered.

  104. 104.

    StringOnAStick

    @Cameron: There were stories that Dersh got “massages” by some of Epstein’s underage sex slaves.  It was in all the papers and I’m sure I saw it mentioned here, especially his desperate claims that it was all perfectly innocent.  I think that’s what caused the other summer residents of Martha’s Vineyard to no longer invite Dersh to their parties.  This is all from my currently Covid infested memory so someone correct me if I’m wrong

  110. 110.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    @SpaceUnit: Well I count the rarity of such actions by Trans individuals as speaking well of their community.

    They go through a lot. If they were legitimately dangerous, this wouldn’t be a novelty.

  111. 111.

    OGLiberal

    @NotMax: Where did you find a Costco – booze or not – in the Poconos?  There’s one in Allentown but not really the Poconos.  When we got our place up in Lackawanna County we had to switch to BJs.

    I find the prices at the PA Wine & Spirits to be quite good – compared to NJ and NY, that is.  And they updated the laws a few years ago so you can now buy beer and wine in grocery stores, gas stations mini-marts, etc.

  119. 119.

    Baud

    I think we need to compromise and concede that sensible gun regulation must apply to every demographic group.

  121. 121.

    Quinerly

    @SpaceUnit:

    Sounds like she left a lot of info re motive. Diagrams, maps, “manifesto.” I’m just learning that the 3 adults killed weren’t all teachers. One was a janitor. Sounds like the shooter was shooting her way in from the beginning.

  122. 122.

    Ruckus

    @rikyrah:

    despite it often being their own family members teaching them.

    This is one reason they get really pissed off is that if racism is taken out of schools then how will their children confirm their home schooled racism?

  123. 123.

    OGLiberal

    Early reports were 28-year old woman.  The Tennessean says transgender man.  So, I guess before they knew anything about the person they could only go by biological parts

    Or are they confusing transender man with transgender woman?

    Whatever….why they fuck did this shooter have a couple of assault rifles and access to the school.  Those are the important questions.

  124. 124.

    NotMax

    @OGLiberal

    As I mentioned, my time in the Poconos pre-dated Costco. More than 40 years ago, in fact.

    Lackawanna county? I was deep in the woods of the far western reaches of Pike county, practically abutting Wayne county during the Poconos years.

  127. 127.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    @SpaceUnit: Agree with reservations. I know it’s wrong. I’m not saying it’s good, but my feelings on this are real complicated because the shooter is Trans.

    Like the part asking how selective this individual was in picking targets, to put that concept the gentlest way I can.

  128. 128.

    Ruckus

    Anne

    TFG’s loyal minions, of course, are angrily flinging… spaghetti… against every available wall:

    I believe that the word you want does start with an s, but it is a 4 letter word with only one t in it.

  129. 129.

    OGLiberal

    @NotMax: We were right on the border of Lackwanna and Wayne, close to the Northwestern border of Monroe County.  In Susquehanna County now (and home, in NJ), which is really in the middle of nowhere, although only about a half-hour or so to Binghamton and not that far from Scranton either.  Plenty of commerce in either….but no Costcos and closest BJs is in Oneonta.

    ETA:  Also, plenty of Sam’s Clubs.

  131. 131.

    Renie

    If  you see any  MAGAts saying there were trump protestors at Manhattan court, there weren’t.  They were filming the movie, Joker.  You can tell cuz they let them behind the barricades  on the stairs.  NYPD would never let protestors up there.

  132. 132.

    JPL

    @SpaceUnit: The right will blame a lifestyle rather than easy access to guns

    trump will run on rounding up the parents of children who are gay and accuse them of child abuse.

    It will happen.

  133. 133.

    Geminid

    @Baud: Virginia’s General Assembly Democrats passed six sensible gun safety laws in 2020. When Republicans gained control of the lower house in 2021, they passed laws repealing five of them (at least, I don’t think they were dumb enough to try repealing the sixth law requiring that firearms in homes with minors be locked up). The Democratic Senate majority blocked these repeal attempts.

    So, gun safety will be on the ballot this fall, when both houses are up for election. I expect Democrats will lean into this issue. Their position is a winner in most districts, especially in the suburban ones that will determine control of the next General Assembly.

  135. 135.

    SpaceUnit

    @JPL:

    And God forbid we allow gender-affirming care to help transgender individuals become better adjusted.

  136. 136.

    JPL

    @Geminid: It’s time.

    Easy access to guns in GA is one reason there has been an explosion of children killing children on the streets.   Democrats need to take away the republican mantra of law and order.   That was always bullshit.

  137. 137.

    Baud

    @Geminid: It’s always on the ballot.  And gun regulation always polls well.  But most voters don’t seem to prioritize it when making voting decisions.

  138. 138.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    @Baud: But most voters don’t seem to prioritize it when making voting decisions.

    I certainly don’t prioritize gun control when voting. Then again, the sensible party on gun control is the sensible party on, well, everything.

  139. 139.

    Geminid

    @JPL: Have Georgia Republicans tried to pass a permit-free concealed carry law? A lot of red states have. Back in the period 2009 to 2013, when Republicans controlled Virginia’s legislature and Bob McDonnell was governor, they passed a slew of gun rights laws, but they did not even try to pass unpermitted concealed carry. It was too radical.

    Proponents of these laws call them “Constitutional Carry” laws. But if it’s so constitutional, why do they need a statute?

  140. 140.

    prostratedragon

    Central Planning@95: Yes, just now and intermittently for the last several days, both on android phone and linux desktop with firefox. Haven’t tried other browsers, but don’t think firefox has had a new version lately.

    To add, just now during edit my original post got killed; fortunatelt I’d copied it when I saw the empty edit box.

  141. 141.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    @Geminid: But if it’s so constitutional, why do they need a statute?

    Obviously because the existing statutes preventing such carry are unconstitutional.

  143. 143.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    Here whenever you’re ready.

    Eta: Looks like I need more sleep

  144. 144.

    cain

    @raven: unlike white male shooters – they won’t get the luxury of “mental health” – there will be a different story there. The forces that be are probably salivating about the news – the various groups like Moms for Liberty are going to be using that to drive more laws.

  145. 145.

    Steeplejack

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    If this is a private Christian school, what are the kids doing on a public-school bus? Is that a special “Gun Massacre Day” thing? Asking for a clueless, insensitive friend.

  147. 147.

    cain

    @SpaceUnit: It doesn’t excuse killing 9 year old kids that’s for sure – any of them could have been them. That you would kill indiscriminately means you have had a serious mental breakdown.

  148. 148.

    Geminid

    @Baud: Gun control wasn’t always on the ballot in Virginia. Democrats here used to be afraid to talk about gun control. But it was one of the issues Ralph Northam and legislative candidates centered in 2017 and 2019, and it appeared to work in their favor.

    When the new Democratic majorities met in January, 2020, there was a very large gun rights rally in Richmond. Crowd estimates ranged from 10,000 to 20,000. Democrats passed the six laws anyway, and when they went into effect that July protests were minimal. I’m not sure there were any.

    Polling of gun owners shows that a majority of them support these types of laws. My gun-owning friends had no problem with them.

  150. 150.

    Lyrebird

    @rikyrah: ​ This is exactly what the adultification of Black children does. Little Black children shouldn’t be protected from racism, but little Johnny and Janie are “too young” to learn such things, despite it often being their own family members teaching them.

     

    I was trying to remember which network did something just like this, was it CBS? They interviewed parents about what age is “too young” to learn about racism… I am guessing that was an all White parent group! I don’t know, but I bet many parents of color would LOVE to set an age before which their kids could be shielded!

  151. 151.

    SpaceUnit

    @cain:

    Yep.  I wonder if they’ll make the manifesto public.

    Obviously I’m curious to see what’s in it, but granting such individuals their spotlight seems like a real bad idea.

  152. 152.

    OGLiberal

    @Steeplejack: Where I grew up in NJ the kids who went to Catholic schools out of town got bused by the town – because they were far enough way and it was required.  In town itself – because it was so small – none of the public schools were far enough away from anybody’s house to require the town to provide tranportation so only the out-of-town Catholic kids got the bus ride.  In HS it did apply to the vocational students who did half-day at the voc school out of town.

  155. 155.

    Geminid

    @JPL: I call these permit-free concealed carry laws “Charles Bronson laws, ” after his role in Death Wish.

  156. 156.

    JPL

    @Geminid: Earlier I saw a blurb that Biden is trying to make a deal with Mexico to help stop guns being transported across the border and in return they would try to help with fentanyl.    MTG would have a fit cuz businesses should be able to sell to anyone.

    Another rumor has Kemp running against Greene for Senate.   I’d cross over and vote for Greene. I don’t see her winning state wide.

  159. 159.

    Another Scott

    @SpaceUnit: I was surprised that their LinkedIn page was up until a little while ago.  From there it was easy to find links of their work (they wanted to be able to make a living as a graphic artist).

    It’s sad.

    Especially sad for those who are suffering as a result of their being able to get guns so easily.

    :-(

    Naturally, Empty G is screaming about “it’s not guns”.  Of course it’s guns.

    Eyes on the prizes.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  160. 160.

    bjacques

    @bbleh: getting indicted at the city, county, state, then Federal level would be the EGOT of crime. If Trump won that, I’d happily chip in for the award.

    As I recall, Dershowitz crapped his pants on 9/11 and became another tough guy against terror, like Frank and Dennis Miller, cheerleading war, extrajudicial kidnapping and torture while declaring skepticism and clean underwear to be proof of unseriousness. So the invitations to Martha’s Vineyard parties must have started drying up at least from then.

  162. 162.

    Cameron

    @JPL: Abso-fucking-lutely.  By midnight, Morlock Media will be vomiting out hysterical “exposes” of Who Is Really Committing All Of These Mass Shootings? And Why Are White Men Being Blamed?

  165. 165.

    PST

    @Deputinize Eurasia from the Kuriles to St Petersburg:

    Doucheowitz came of age in a time when the legal system didn’t penalize mediocrity among well-heeled white guys, and instead coddled “pound the podium” types who simply shouted a narrative over witnesses as they testified, pretending that the narrative was the evidence.

    He never was that good – just born at the right time.

    I detest Dershowitz now and I didn’t like him 50 years ago when I took his class. However, he wasn’t a rich kid and he graduated first in his class at Yale, the most scholarly of law schools, so his problem isn’t that he was never very sharp.

  167. 167.

    Ruckus

    @Kay:

    I was in the Navy during Vietnam. I never had access to a long gun of any kind. And I’m glad about that.

    I served in the military during a war and didn’t kill anyone. Now civilians of all ages in our country are being killed, by other citizens seemingly because they can. This is, there is only one word for it, fucked up beyond belief. There is zero rational for this. Even the twisted logic that guns make us safer is bullshit, because they don’t, they make us far more likely to die for no reason whatsoever. And we’ve all seen the pictures of people with 50 or more guns. Even with the ships big guns and missiles and rocket powered torpedoes some hand guns and some long guns, the ship had less projectile weapons than most of those pictures of big collections. Sure they could do a lot of damage but still that is a 450ft warship with a crew of 300+. An actual death machine. Not a den in a home in a suburb.

  169. 169.

    Another Scott

    Phys.org:

    A new study has found that people who are currently suffering or face a high risk of post-traumatic stress disorder show particular patterns in four biomarkers that are measurable with a simple blood test. The findings suggest these biomarkers could be used to predict a person’s likelihood of developing PTSD, diagnose the disorder or monitor the response to treatment.

    PTSD can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is currently diagnosed based on symptoms such as flashbacks, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, negative thoughts, memory problems and avoidance of triggering situations. Since other disorders can have some of these same symptoms, it can be challenging to diagnose PTSD and assess changes in response to treatment.

    This research, which involved over 1,000 service members, represents the largest prospective study to date to assess the biological markers of PTSD over time.

    “This study provides valuable insights into the natural history of PTSD and the effectiveness of interventions, which can inform the development of treatment guidelines and improve the care for individuals suffering from PTSD,” said Stacy-Ann Miller, a researcher at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Maryland. “Better methods of predicting or screening for PTSD could help to overcome the disorder by identifying individuals at high risk of developing PTSD and providing them with early intervention or prevention strategies. This could potentially reduce the severity of symptoms or prevent the disorder from developing altogether.”

    […]

    People react to trauma differently, but trauma is traumatic. Figuring out ways to help people who have suffered trauma is obviously important (for their sake and ours), and having objective markers for those at risk is an important part of expanding the treatment science.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  170. 170.

    Brachiator

    @Ruckus:

    I served in the military during a war and didn’t kill anyone.

    This is ironically absurd, but in a good way.

    But I take your larger point that a warship has constraints that usually prevent it from unleashing deadly force on a whim, while civilian society tolerates pointless gun deaths just so idiots can have their precious guns and rifles.

  171. 171.

    dnfree

    @Steeplejack: Public schools often provide services to private schools that are nonsectarian, like bus services.  It’s the law in Illinois but I don’t know if it’s universal.  The theory is that the parents of the private school students pay taxes too.

  172. 172.

    Kay

    @Steeplejack:

    Ohio provides transportation, books and special education services to Catholic Schools. Then the Catholic Schools brag about how thrifty they are when really they’ve just shifted a big part of their costs on the public schools. It’s annoying. When you see per pupil cost comparisons between private schools and public schools, don’t buy it. The private schools are using funny numbers.

  174. 174.

    Ruckus

    @Brachiator:

    Thank You. And yes there was a lot that was ironically absurd about that entire time and what many of us had to do with it, during it, about it. I’m just wondering if the human race will ever grow up enough to be able to put war behind them. I’m not holding my breath, first of all because I’ll very, very long ago dead before it’s even possible to believe it’s possible.

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