.
Gen. Flynn’s exit reveals national-security team in disarray as Pres. Trump is tested on world stage - @rickklein: image via ABC News Politics @ABCPolitics, 14 February 2017
Today we learned from the WH that the president is “unbelievably decisive,” “incredibly tough,” and “instinctively correct.”: tweet via Rick Klein @rickklein, 14 February 2017
If Trump is ‘unbelievably decisive,’ why did it take him weeks to fire Michael Flynn?: image via Chris Cillizza @TheFix, 14 February 2017
The White House offers its own 'alternative facts' on whether Flynn resigned voluntarily: image via Chris Cillizza @TheFix, 14 February 2017
Flynn and Putin, in happier times: image via ian bremmer @ianbremmer, 14 February 2017
ian bremmer Retweeted Donald J. Trump
ian bremmer added,
The real story isn't Russia? Cause it feels like Russia.
tweet via ian bremmer @ianbremmer, 14 February 2017
The Trump problem with Flynn is the Hillary problem with email server. The lying was fine. Until they got caught: tweet via ian bremmer @ianbremmer, 14 February 2017
One month in, still plenty of reasons for Americans to support Trump. But not if you care about foreign policy: tweet via ian bremmer @ianbremmer, 14 February 2017
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin fields questions during White House press briefing after announcing Venezuela sanctions: image via Stephen Crowley @Stcrow, 14 February 2017
Flynn and Putin, in happier times: image via ian bremmer @ianbremmer, 14 February 2017
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
ian bremmer added,
The real story isn't Russia? Cause it feels like Russia.
tweet via ian bremmer @ianbremmer, 14 February 2017
The Trump problem with Flynn is the Hillary problem with email server. The lying was fine. Until they got caught: tweet via ian bremmer @ianbremmer, 14 February 2017
One month in, still plenty of reasons for Americans to support Trump. But not if you care about foreign policy: tweet via ian bremmer @ianbremmer, 14 February 2017
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin fields questions during White House press briefing after announcing Venezuela sanctions: image via Stephen Crowley @Stcrow, 14 February 2017
Linda McMahon's six grandchildren held the bible when VP Pence administered the oath of office, making her head of the Small Business Adm.: image via Stephen Crowley @Stcrow, 14 February 2017
Israeli flag is flying at Blair House and security getting into the White House area is more restrictive than usual: image via Jennifer Epstein @jeneps, 14 February 2017
Aesthetics wins out over sledge hammers, we're afraid. #normalizing #obamacare #aca #nytmag @craigcutlerstudio via @coverjunkie: image via Reading The Pictures @ReadingThePix, 14 February 2017
Still love Damon Winter's pic from #Flynn RNC screed. Like troubled mind not obvious! #kryptonite #trumpfav #flynnresignation @nytimesphoto: image via Reading The Pictures @ReadingThePix, 14 February 2017
An
abandoned sofa rests against the border fence outside of Tecate, CA, on
February 14, 2017: image via Jim Watson @JimWatsonAFP, 14 February 2017
Clark Coolidge: Periscope
The message is
forget yourself and strum
whatever comes
Clark Coolidge: Periscope, from Life Forms Here, 2017
Cheyenne would often escape the horrific children's parties he was made to attend, and sprint back to his stable and climb the roof where he felt free, dreaming of his return to the green plains: photo by satansburrito, 14 February 2017
Cheyenne would often escape the horrific children's parties he was made to attend, and sprint back to his stable and climb the roof where he felt free, dreaming of his return to the green plains: photo by satansburrito, 14 February 2017
Cheyenne would often escape the horrific children's parties he was made to attend, and sprint back to his stable and climb the roof where he felt free, dreaming of his return to the green plains: photo by satansburrito, 14 February 2017
[untitled]: photo by Lucas DeShazer, 13 February 2017
[untitled]: photo by Lucas DeShazer, 13 February 2017
(...) [Morocco]: photo by Marek Wykowski, 17 June 2016
la isla: photo by Marek Wykowski, 23 April 2015
(...) [Morocco]: photo by Marek Wykowski, 1 August 2016
(...) [Morocco]: photo by Marek Wykowski, 1 August 2016
(...) [Morocco]: photo by Marek Wykowski, 1 August 2016
(...) [Morocco]: photo by Marek Wykowski, 1 August 2016
(...) [Morocco]: photo by Marek Wykowski, 1 August 2016
(...) [Morocco]: photo by Marek Wykowski, 1 August 2016
(...) [Morocco]: photo by Marek Wykowski, 1 August 2016
P9290866 #15: photo by Peter Dunsche, 29 September 2016
P9290866 #15: photo by Peter Dunsche, 29 September 2016
P9290866 #15: photo by Peter Dunsche, 29 September 2016
Twin [Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 4 December 2014
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 26 December 2014
#23 KhaoYai, Nakornrajasema, Thailand: photo by Add Wimolrungkarat, 5 January 2017
#23 KhaoYai, Nakornrajasema, Thailand: photo by Add Wimolrungkarat, 5 January 2017
#23 KhaoYai, Nakornrajasema, Thailand: photo by Add Wimolrungkarat, 5 January 2017
#22 KhaoYai, Nakornrajasema, Thailand: photo by Add Wimolrungkarat, 5 January 2015
#22 KhaoYai, Nakornrajasema, Thailand: photo by Add Wimolrungkarat, 5 January 2015
#22 KhaoYai, Nakornrajasema, Thailand: photo by Add Wimolrungkarat, 5 January 2015
Black Swan Theory (East Lake Morton, Lakeland, Florida): photo by Willow 2014, 11 December 2016
Black Swan Theory (East Lake Morton, Lakeland, Florida): photo by Willow 2014, 11 December 2016
Black Swan Theory (East Lake Morton, Lakeland, Florida): photo by Willow 2014, 11 December 2016
Black Swan Theory Black swans are only indigenous to a few parts of Australia and New Zealand, but have been shipped to zoos around the world and have occasionally escaped and bred in the wild. We have a small colony of these swans in Lakeland, Florida on Lake Morton which is home to an astounding array of avian species of all sorts. I'm just back from an early morning visit. Apparently there is, in science and philosophy, a concept called "Black Swan Theory". It goes like this. "The black swan theory or theory of black swan events is a metaphor that describes an event that comes as a surprise, has a major effect, and is often inappropriately rationalized after the fact with the benefit of hindsight. (I know ..... sounds like a recent political event.!) The term is based on an ancient saying which presumed black swans did not exist, but the saying was rewritten after black swans were discovered in the wild." -- Willow 2014
the besch horse [Casablanca]: photo by yoriyas yassine alaoui ismail, 26 January 2017
the besch horse [Casablanca]: photo by yoriyas yassine alaoui ismail, 26 January 2017
the besch horse [Casablanca]: photo by yoriyas yassine alaoui ismail, 26 January 2017
[Casablanca]: photo by yoriyas yassine alaoui ismail, 3 October 2015
[Casablanca]: photo by yoriyas yassine alaoui ismail, 3 October 2015
[Casablanca]: photo by yoriyas yassine alaoui ismail, 3 October 2015
[Casablanca]: photo by yoriyas yassine alaoui ismail, 4 February 2017
#21 Dhaka 2016: photo by Sohail Bin Mohammad, 15 December 2016
#13 [Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 30 August 2016
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 18 December 2015
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 25 December 2015
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 1 January 2000
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 7 May 2014
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 4 December 2014
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 27 November 2014
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 2 January 2012
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 9 March 2015
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 4 January 2015
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 29 January 2015
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 29 January 2016
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 18 December 2015
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 8 May 2015
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 5 July 2016
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 17 July 2015
[Dhaka]: photo by Muhammad Imam Hasan, 19 August 2016
Remains of the day: photo by satansburrito, 27 January 2017
Remains of the day: photo by satansburrito, 27 January 2017
Remains of the day: photo by satansburrito, 27 January 2017
Bob Marley feat. Lauryn Hill: Turn your lights down low
ReplyDeleteRose Royce: Love Don't Live Here Anymore (live 1978)
Lauryn Hill: Killing Me Softly (live in Japan, 1998)
You make NO sense!" Matt Lauer DESTROYS Kellyann Conway, 14 February 2017
(Perhaps a bit hopeful to think she's destructible. Still, is it just me, or is the mascara beginning to get even with her left eye...?)
The instructive tale of "the guy from New York... with the hair"
1st Amendment battleground...
ReplyDeleteAdd that Nazi Steven Miller to the rogues gallery of the Trump regime. The Wikileaks entry is enough to get the idea: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Miller_(aide)
ReplyDeleteSo this millennial lizardmorph humanmongoloid is what passes as the brains of the organization, yeah?
ReplyDeleteHeard an interview just this morning with a classmate of his at Santa Monica HS.
I mean, that was, you know, back in the day - oh, maybe three-four weeks ago.
The classmate, Hispanic, said Miller's rise in student politics came on the back of... yes.
"He gave a speech protesting having to pick up trash on campus because he said that was supposed to be the job of..."
You guessed it.
His other notable platform point, as reported by the classmate, was a demand that all students be required to speak... yes, English-only.
He is certainly the dwarf grand Young Man of the Moment.
The fact that he appears so defensive, indeed nasty, in interviews, and utterly without clue as to the proceedings of the adult world, I would put down to the insecurity of deep weakness, overcompensation, an extreme case of red-ass more or less typical of one in over his head while not yet wet behind the ears.
I did enjoy the pic of him getting lint-rolled in the Oval Office, though.
Kid's obviously got a bigly future in Murica -- I see student body prez in my crystal ball.
DEMOCRACY NOW! 2/15/17:
ReplyDeleteFernando and Cynthia, welcome to Democracy Now! Fernando, let’s begin with you. Why did you take on this as a subject for Univision?
FERNANDO PEINADO: Well, as you can imagine, for us, immigration topics are very important, but that our audience wants to know. And, well, it turns out that Mr. Miller, he went to this high school in Santa Monica, where he studied—he woke up politically and developed his hard-line positions. At that time, he started writing in articles for the student newspaper and other local newspapers. He contributed to radio—conservative radio shows. And in this high school, it turned out that the Latinos are the most important minority. So, we decided to take a look into—a closer look into those years and talk to students who knew him.
AMY GOODMAN: And talk about what you found. Univision obtained a video made by four of his high school classmates for an audio-visual production class at the time. The video contains fragments of a brief 90-second speech by Miller during his junior year at Santa Monica High School in the spring of 2002, including a controversial reference to the job of janitors.
FERNANDO PEINADO: Yes, exactly.
AMY GOODMAN: Let’s play a clip.
STEPHEN MILLER: I’m Stephen Miller. Some of you may or may not know who I am. We don’t have time to get into that right now. ... I’m the only candidate up here who really stands out. ... I will say and I will do things that no one else in their right mind would say or do. ... Am I the only one who is sick and tired of being told to pick up my trash, when we have plenty of janitors who are paid to do it for us?
AMY GOODMAN: That was Stephen Miller speaking in his junior year at Santa Monica High School in 2002, now Donald Trump’s senior White House policy adviser. Comment on what he said, Fernando, that quote, if you could go ahead.
FERNANDO PEINADO: OK. I talked with one of his—his best friend at the time, Chris Moritz. He said it was just a joke. But actually, he made that comment before around 2,000 students in the amphitheater of the school. And many students I interviewed, they said that this comment was perceived as offensive, because the janitors were all people of color. It turned out, students that I interviewed, they described Miller as a provocateur. Some said that he enjoyed offending people. And some even described incidents, altercations, in which Miller said things like "Speak English. This is America," to students who spoke Spanish in the hallways. And that’s what they told me.
AMY GOODMAN: Cynthia Santiago, when did you come to know Stephen Miller? Talk about his views in high school, your experience of him there, and what you’re seeing today, with him in one of the highest positions in the White House, advising President Trump.
CYNTHIA SANTIAGO: Yes. When I was in high school, about my junior year, which is the same junior year of 2002, I first came across an article that he had written for a local newspaper. And in that article, he made reference to Latino students, that he basically said "lacked basic English skills." And in that same article, he made a reference that there was some causal link, that the reason—that would be the reason why these Latino students were not in the honors classes. He pointed out that there was a small number of Latino students in honors classes, and therefore it was because of their lacking basic English skills. These comments were very degrading, because he didn’t—he made an overgeneralization. He didn’t make a—he didn’t make a link, or he didn’t even try to address the issues of academic inequality and disparity in access to those classes.
So, those were some of the statements he made, and that’s when I became aware of him and, you know, aware that he was starting to provide more commentary. He was starting to have more interactions with students. And he also made those statements to some students about speaking English only in this country. And so, those were signs that—
[continues]
ReplyDeleteAMY GOODMAN: Can you elaborate on that?
CYNTHIA SANTIAGO: —he would use generalizations of people.
AMY GOODMAN: Cynthia, can you elaborate on that, about the issue of speaking English only and his views on this, what he talked about in high school?
CYNTHIA SANTIAGO: So, in high school, I was also a member of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/Chicana de Aztlán. It’s MEChA. And it promoted cultural heritage and pride in your background, but it also promoted, you know, an access to higher education. And he was known to go to those meetings and stand outside and harass some of the members that were trying to leave those meetings. So, you know, I believe that the statements about English only were because he viewed these groups, the groups of pride and heritage, as being groups that, you know, didn’t promote American values.
AMY GOODMAN: Can you talk about a speech he gave—I think you were on the stage at the time of this speech—when he ran for election in Santa Monica High School?
CYNTHIA SANTIAGO: Yes. So, I was a candidate for the student body president, and I was also on stage. And when he said the speech, immediately students were reacting to him. And you can tell that in the video, that students were booing, and students were getting louder to—because they were extremely, you know, upset about this kind of a statement, because a lot of students perceived these as statements of racist—as racist statements, because they—the janitors at our campus were individuals—you know, Latino and African-American janitors. It also, you know, sparked—
AMY GOODMAN: For those who couldn’t quite hear the video I just—at the end of that clip that we played, Stephen Miller said, "Am I the only one sick and tired of being told to pick up our trash, when we have plenty of janitors who are paid to do it for us?"
CYNTHIA SANTIAGO: And generally, most students also felt, you know, even though we were teenagers, that we viewed our custodians, our janitors on campus, as people deserving of dignity and respect. And those statements were not—you know, they were quite the contrary of what you would treat staff and individuals and human beings.
AMY GOODMAN: I wanted to ask Fernando Peinado about what radicalized Stephen Miller. Now, some might be saying, "Why are you going back to high school? That’s a real stretch." Now, for someone like, what, President Trump, he’s 70 years old. But for someone like Stephen Miller, right now he’s 31 years old, so high school is just—is less than 15 years away. I wanted to turn to comments by Stephen Miller during his appearance on Fox News Sunday, speaking about recent immigration raids.
STEPHEN MILLER: Right now, as a result of the president’s order, greatly expanded and more vigorous immigration enforcement activities are taking place. It is true that Operation Cross Check is something that happens every year. But this year, we’ve taken new and greater steps to remove criminal aliens from our communities.
AMY GOODMAN: Before we go back to Fernando, I wanted to ask Cynthia—what you’re doing now, what, 15 years after high school, is you are involved in challenging what many have called, including President Trump, the Muslim ban, this what Stephen Miller has so clearly defended and, many say, helped to craft. Your thoughts?
CYNTHIA SANTIAGO: Yes. It’s very unsettling that a person with these types of views, or a person, you know, that expressed these views many years ago, and still seems to express them, is in a position of authority. And if he was part of that team that crafted this, this is unsettling, because it truly doesn’t represent a person who values what it is, the balance of power, rights in this country, the branches of government. And so, it is unsettling and frightening that someone could be in a position as he holds, without some extreme vetting, extreme vetting to determine if he’s able to be in that position, given all his views.
[continues]
ReplyDeleteAMY GOODMAN: And finally, Fernando, what radicalized him? He talks about reading the works of Wayne LaPierre of the National Rifle Association. What was your sense, from what you found?
FERNANDO PEINADO: Well, my sense, from what I found, is that he caught the attention of well-known conservatives nationally. And he spoke of them as mentors. So I guess he was encouraged by these well-known figures to follow this path. But, well, he has said that it was this reading about the Second Amendment, about gun rights, that made him discover these ideas. And then, the thing is, he studied writing a lot. He paid a lot of attention to issues of race and culture. He started this war against multiculturalism, and he started advocating for assimilation, total assimilation. He finds it un-American to express other identities that are—that he doesn’t perceive as American, that he seems—he perceives them as foreigner—as foreign.
AMY GOODMAN: Fernando Peinado and Cynthia Santiago, we thank you both for being with us, Fernando with Univision. Cynthia attended Santa Monica High School with Stephen Miller, currently an immigration defense attorney in Los Angeles.