Sunday Reads: A Brutal Slap Run Down
Posted: August 13, 2017 Filed under: morning reads, open thread, U.S. Politics | Tags: Charlottesville VA, Fuck You tRump, Heather Heyer, James Alex Fields Jr, Nazis, White supremacists 59 Comments
I should have started this post last night 12 hours ago, when we were eating dinner together as a family and my daughter told us the news that a white nationalist terrorist ran down some anti-protesters at the KKK/NeoNazi rally in Charlottesville…killing one. There was video of the terrorist act…obviously deliberate, my daughter said…and the tRump still had not made a statement condemning the killing.
I couldn’t start this post around midnight, when the migraine that started at dinner was in full force. I could feel the blood pumping into my brain and seemingly out each hair follicle. It was the most painful migraine I’ve had in a long time…
I started to write this post at 6:30 on Sunday morning, I still have not been able to view any news, tweets, Facebook post or videos of the vehicle being driven into a group of anti-hate protesters. Fear, disgust and something I cannot even describe in words is keeping me from reading about what happened in Charlottesville. I’m sure there is a # hashtag now trending. I don’t want to know what it is…
The display on Friday night with Nazis sans hoods carrying tiki torches was enough to make me realize that the white nationalist rally on Saturday would be dangerous. I think when my daughter told us that one of those hateful bastards…actually just one of tRump’s base, killed and injured people so violently…it only validated my feelings that the situation is far more out of control than many claim.
I didn’t live through the war for Civil Rights and the freedoms that never came to many people of color in places of the United States. (Even though the majority of SCOTUS believes/believed that it has…) I know things will get worse. But I am concerned that this time it will become more obnoxious and over-saturated in its violence. Like filters on Instagram used to enhance pictures so people are ale to get a Gramblast, only people won’t be using apps to manipulate the images of their hatred. The audacity of the violent terrorist acts will speak for themselves.
Now here we are, on the verge of a literal nuclear catastrophe on one side of the globe….as well as, government sanctioned racism/bigotry/sexism and a war of hate on nuclear proportions here on our own soil…with the most explosive and incendiary president in this country’s history.
Well…it is almost 7:30, and I should read the news and find links to share with you all. Let’s do it in a link dump, of updates and tweets. It may not be much, don’t know if my mental capacity will be able to withstand the onslaught of “ultra violence” this morning.
Here we go:
“Criminal Homicide?” Uh…terrorist act? Hate crime?
This is the letter I received from Richard Cohen, President of the Southern Poverty Law Center last night, many of you probably got the same message, but I thought it would be a good starting point:
After the deadly clash between hundreds of white supremacists and counter-protesters today in Charlottesville, Virginia, President Trump called for Americans to “come together.”
He used similar words in his victory speech in the wee hours of Nov. 9, even as white supremacists began to celebrate.
The problem is that Trump’s words are hollow.
His calls for the country to unite will continue to be meaningless as long he fails to take responsibility for his role in dividing it – something he conspicuously avoided again during his press conference today.
“It’s been going on for a long time,” Trump said. “Not Donald Trump. Not Barack Obama.”
It’s true. America has had racial strife since its founding.
But from the day he came down the escalator in the tower that bears his name, Trump consciously poured fuel on the fire. He ran a racist, xenophobic campaign that energized the radical right – that “unearthed some demons,” as U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford put it.
The day after Trump was elected, hate incidents soared. Many of them were carried out in his name.
Neo-Nazi David Duke, the former Klan leader who endorsed Trump during his campaign, had this to say about the deadly violence in Charlottesville:
“This represents a turning point for the people of this country. We are determined to take our country back. We are going to fulfill the promises of Donald Trump. That’s what we believed in. That’s why we voted for Donald Trump, because he said he’s going to take our country back.”
Duke’s words reflect the views of a white nationalist movement that sees Trump as its champion.
Let there be no mistake: This is a fascist movement that threatens not only extremist violence but our democracy as well.
All the while, Trump continues to employ as his chief strategist the former head of Breitbart News, Stephen Bannon, who has proudly boasted that he provided “the platform for the alt-right” – a fancy term for white supremacy in the digital age.
All the while, the Trump administration continues to play down the threat of white supremacist violence.
Trump calls for the country to unite. But he is still ducking responsibility for his role in dividing it.
Until he apologizes and takes responsibility for the damage he has caused and enacts policies to mend the wounds in our country, his words will continue to ring hollow.
The article below has been updated this morning at 8:30 EDT:
Pictured: Woman killed at anti-white supremacist protest | Daily Mail Online
- Heather Heyer, 32, was protesting hate-fueled white supremacist march in Charlottesville on Saturday when James Alex Fields Jr, of Maumee, Ohio, allegedly plowed his vehicle into the crowd, killing her
- ‘She died doing what was right. My heart is broken, but I am forever proud of her,’ Heyer’s mother said
- Heyer, a paralegal and native of Greene County was passionate about social justice and her final public Facebook post, dated from 2016, read: ‘If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention’
- Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas said a total of 35 people had been treated for injuries after incident
- Police arrested Fields Jr, 20, who was charged with second-degree murder Saturday night
- The Dodge Challenger was filmed ramming into a line of people, then reversing quickly away from the scene
- FBI and federal prosecutors announced that they have opened up a civil rights investigation into incident
- The Unite the Right rally was held at Emancipation Park and hundreds were seen stomping through the city
- A local state of emergency was declared around 11am and the rally was determined an unlawful assembly
- State police helicopter covering the rally crashed near a golf course within city limits, killing two officers
The woman who was mowed down and killed at an anti-fascist rally in Virginia has been identified as Heather Heyer.
Heyer, 32, was protesting hate-fueled white supremacist march in Charlottesville on Saturday when James Alex Fields Jr, of Maumee, Ohio, allegedly plowed his vehicle into the crowd, killing her and injuring 19 others.
Fields Jr, who is being held at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, has since been charged with second-degree murder.
[…]
Video of the Dodge Challenger, which is registered to Fields, showed the driver accelerating into the crowd throwing bodies into the air as people scream before reversing at high speed.
According to the jail’s superintendent, Martin Kumer, Fields was also booked on suspicion of malicious wounding, failure to stop for an accident involving a death, and hit and run. Kumer said Fields is being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.
Three additional arrests have also been made related to the rally; Troy Dunigan, 21, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, arrested and charged with disorderly conduct; Jacob L. Smith, 21, of Louisa, Virginia, arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault and battery, and James M. O’Brien, 44, of Gainesville, Florida, arrested and charged with carrying a concealed handgun.
The deadly crash came after violent clashes erupted as hundreds of white supremacists including armed militias marched into Charlottesville sparking violent confrontations with counter-protesters.
Police cleared the scene with tear gas but the violence continued. Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas said a total of 35 people had been treated for injuries, 14 of those were from individual engagements on the streets.
Horrifying video from the scene of the attack showed the silver muscle car speeding towards a group of fleeing anti-fascist protesters.
Another clip showed the vehicle ramming into the crowd at high speed and victims crying out in pain as they desperately sought medical help.
Witnesses said the car was traveling up to 40mph when it hit and reversed before ramming into the crowd again and speeding off with someone’s shoe attached to its bumper.
[…]
In addition to the dozens of people hurt in the accident, at least 15 people were already being treated for their injures during other destructive clashes between white nationalists and counter-protesters at Emancipation Park before the controversial Unite the Right rally.
The day was met with more tragedy, when a Virginia State Police helicopter, carrying two officers, crashed inside city limits and thick black smoke was seen rising from behind the trees.
Lieutenant H Jay Cullen, 48, of Midlothian, Virginia, was piloting the aircraft. The other occupant was Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates of Quinton, Virginia. Police confirmed that they both died at the scene.
There were no other injuries and the cause of the crash remains under investigation at this time by state police, the FFA and NTSB.
I urge you to go to the link and look at the pictures and read the rest of the article, especially the disgusting quotes by Richard Spencer.
Some Twitter Reactions:
I am just seeing these responses…and I feel like I want to throw up.
This is the tweet that @bluegal is referring to:
That link above goes to this: run over car protesters meme – Google Search
The AP is finally using the term “White Supremacist” :
Disturbing stuff there….and here:
Check out that thread of tweets…supposedly from the murderers Facebook page.
And I will end with this little nugget of shit:
No word yet as to just which turd fuck senior White House Official said that…stay tuned.
This is an open thread…
peej
Carissa
dakinikat
ecocatwoman
grayslady
mablue2
JJ Lopez aka Minkoff Minx
peggysue22
quixote
skydancingguestblogger
Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
Sky Dancing 
BB, I have not read your post from yesterday, off to do it now. It is horrifying to know what has been going on this weekend. I wish I could say more but my mind just can’t do it…it can’t wrap around this shit.
It’s awful. I got a headache writing yesterday’s post and I still had the headache when I went to sleep last night.
I ended up sick all night, and will cancel out on a dinner party. My stomach will not be able to take it.
I’m sorry Fannie. Take care.
Thanks BB, you do the same.
I think every DECENT human being in this country is sickened by what happened in Charlottesville and tRumps inability to call it what it is.
It’s horrible. I feel furious and heartsick at the same time. And I wasn’t even there, so what right do I have to complain about how I feel.
yep.
I cannot believe the crap that’s come out of the sewer to install and worship an insane, stupid, and horrible man. I cannot bring myself to call him President. I cringe when others do. This is not my country. Heather is my country. May her memory be a blessing!
Heather is the courage and determination and love of those who stand against hate.
I think Lee’s statue should come down and one of Heather should be put up in its place.
such a good idea.
Insane Nazi Clown Posse
THE DAILY STORMER, the hate-filled White Fascist, White Supremacist website said this about Trump’s little excuse for a speech: QUOTE – “Trump comments were good. He didn’t attack us. He just said the nation should come together. Nothing specific against us… There was virtually no counter-signaling of us at all. He said he loves us all. Also refused to answer a question about White Nationalists supporting him. No condemnation at all. When asked to condemn, he just walked out of the room. Really, really good. God bless him.” UNQUOTE.
This shit leaves me speechless. This is a big chunk of his “base” talking.
And we are being admonished to “make nice” with them in hopes of bringing them over to our side because we haven’t understood where they are coming from.
I understand. These are the “deplorable” Hillary labeled during the campaign. Racists, sexists, ignorant morons bent on destroying the “one nation under Trump”.
I would reject a conversation with these idiots who are too stupid and violent to reach.
Again, anyone who supports and defends Trump is not worthy of attention. They are beyond “reaching” when you carry a nazi flag to a rally and call it “free speech”.
Wonder who their god is. Certainly not the one who said “As you do under others, so you do unto me” and “Love thy brother.” They’d be the ones jeering and throwing stones at Jesus carrying a cross.
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Was everyone on TV-including on our side-born yesterday? The GOP has been courting and cultivating the deplorables for fifty years. I remember Nixon’s Southern Strategy and I remember Reagan’s ” welfare queens driving Cadillacs.”
Trying to have an honest conversation about Republicans and white supremacists without mentioning the Party’s long, reprehensible history is like deploring the lack of political civility without talking about hate radio and Fox news.
I remember that slur from Reagan. The reality, of course, was far from that. More whites are on federal aid programs than blacks. But they didn’t care about facts back then either.
They have nothing but contempt for the fact based community, Luna.
And when I say that our side has cultural amnesia and is ineffective, I’m particularly thinking of Van Jones on CNN. He spends half of his time saying how much he respects and loves the right wing nut job sitting next to him.
He may be a handsome man but he’s completely ineffectual, pitiable actually.
We can’t even have a peaceful weekend or quiet Sunday any more, I swear ,,,
Saw that yesterday IIRC. This at least is good news.
Gosh, Luna, I’m surprised that Seattle would have a white supremacy rally/riot this afternoon! Like most people, we’re use to these hate groups in the South. Even Portland has outbreaks. Hate is universal and a quick way for young 20, 30 year old white men to gain notoriety. Trump/Sessions have no solutions with Trump’s base. So sad and so unnecessary if Hillary had won.
Apparently it’s a group who travels to different places, also recruiting from their website. So even if there are only a few in, say, Seattle, there are a few dozen who come in from out of state. Looks like the nazis got surrounded and outnumbered! Looks still rainy in that pic so probably still early. I didn’t hear about this event in time to go, but there are several vigils tonight in the area.
Update …
I grew up in Cambridge, Mass, where these white-cheddar-for-brainz nutcakes are going next. Cambridge! The place Bush Sr.’s Jim Baker called a communist country. The nazis are going to get killed there.
Although, come to think of it, that’s probably what they’re hoping for. Part of their whole shtick about how victimized they are by the nasties and that’s why they have to lay waste to everything with fire and the sword. Or something.
What a world.
I’m really puzzled by why anybody expects or wants The Lily-livered Cheesedoodle to say something about how bad racism is. Hello? He’s a racist. Who cares what new lies he spouts? The only thing he needs to say is, “I resign” and the only thing he needs to do is get into his orange prison suit.
I agree. All the calls for Trump to condemn the deplorables — he hasn’t, and he’s not going to. They’re his base. Remember when he offered to pay to cover if any of his supporters got hurt during a protest, even if it was their fault (as it would be)? He’s damn specific and enthusiastic about name-calling who he doesn’t like. But Putin and hatemonger nazis? Nope.
Even if he says something “appropriate,” it won’t change who he is, what he did during the campaign, and what he has done in the WH. He identifies with the white supremacists. It’s obvious.
Jul 8, 2017, just weeks ago, Charlottsville allowed a klan rally at Justice Park. Tear Gas was used by the police, and cost was over 35,000 for police and fire department. Then they gave them permits for yesterday’s United Right, knowing damn well that there would be violence, knowing damn well David Duke would spear head it. Yet they allowed for Heather Heyer to be killed, and two officers, and 35 others injured. These people need to be held accountable giving our permits. UC Berkerley refused to give in to them. David Duke should be charged, and all others who think they have a right to commit violence! Shame on the officials for signing the permits…………I’d like to see copies, who were they? Members of Klan?
I haven’t seen photos of DDuke since I lived in New Orleans and he was running for gov against Edwin Edwards. (Best campaign slogan ever: Vote for the crook. It’s important.) Late 1980s? Early 1990s?
Anyway, I’m obviously shallow because my first thought at the recent pics was, “Wow, do NOT do plastic surgery early in life. His face looks like it’s held up by pins. Barely.”
Maybe his plastic surgeon didn’t like nazis.
Serves him right.
Or late.
“Deplorable” is far too kind.
People are identifying the Charlottesville Nazis and getting them fired
http://reverepress.com/news/charlottesville-nazis-getting-fired/
Hehheheh. Dox the Nazis!
Yes! this is what needs to happen – we need to shun them.
Shame the hell out them, get them out of our communities, our country.
Well, isn’t this interesting!
Seriously? WTH!
I watched that, and so glad they had him on the run.
Glad to hear this:
Yes! Not One Step Back!
Not one.
Not even a tiny one!!!
This breaks my heart.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHHs07kU0AIjzfo.jpg:large
Mouse – is this a picture of Heather as a child?
Yes, it is the picture of the HEROINE of Charlottesville, VA when she was a baby. When they take that repulsive statue of Robert E. Lee down, they should erect a monument in memory of Heather Heyer.