Tracker

Better, not good, but still encouraging.

QAnon congresswoman faces calls for arrest after live-tweeting Nancy Pelosi's location to rioters Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), a gun-toting supporter of the QAnon movement, is facing backlash after she was accused of live-tweeting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) location during the attack on Capitol Hill last week. Boebert shared the tweet soon after President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol with deadly results. "The Speaker has been removed from the chambers," Boebert wrote.

Willingness to Die’: FBI Memo Warns of Boogaloo Violence at ‘Armed’ Marches Across U.S. Samuel Corum/Getty The FBI has warned local officials of potential violence from the “Boogaloo Boys” and other far-right groups at all 50 state capitols over the next week and a half. “Armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the US Capitol from 17 January through 20 January,” one FBI bulletin reads, according to ABC News, which obtained a copy of the memo. The bulletin reportedly goes on to tell authorities that one unnamed, armed group has “warned that if Congress attempts to remove POTUS via the 25th Amendment a huge uprising will occur.” FBI Memo Warns of Boogaloo Violence at ‘Armed’ Marches Across U.S. (thedailybeast.com)

Trump never cared about that sort of triviality or let it slow him down. FBI Warns Of ‘Armed Protests’ At All 50 State Capitols In Lead-Up To Inauguration Day As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI is warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, stoking fears of more bloodshed after last week’s deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol. An internal FBI bulletin warned that, as of Sunday, the nationwide protests may start later this week and extend through Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration, according to two law enforcement officials who read details of the memo to The Associated Press. Investigators believe some of the people are members of some extremist groups, the officials said. The bulletin was first reported by ABC. “Armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the U.S. Capitol from 17 January through 20 January,” the bulletin said, according to one official. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Here's the damning timeline of Trump's conduct during the siege of the Capitol We're still piecing together the fragments of reports, pictures, and videos from the harrowing siege of the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, an event that threatened to upend democratic governance and dashed hopes for a peaceful transfer of power. As new information had come forward, the attack on Congress during the counting of the Electoral College votes look even more coordinated and dangerous than it initially appeared. And as the push for a second impeachment of the president gains steams, Donald Trump's role in the attack is coming into focus. One of the drafts of articles of impeachment, titled "Incitement of Insurrection," charges: "Donald John Trump engaged in high Crimes and Misdemeanors by willfully inciting violence against the Government of the United States." It adds: This is all true and persuasive — even former Trump allies such as ex-Chief of Staff John Kelly said: "What happened on Capitol Hill yesterday is a direct result of his poisoning the minds of people with the lies and the frauds." Kelly said that were he back in the Cabinet, he would vote in favor of using the 25th Amendment to remove Trump for this conduct. (The timeline at Here's the damning timeline of Trump's conduct during the siege of the Capitol - Alternet.org is absolute proof that Trump wanted and incited the violence- definitely worth the read)

Fixed that for you.

'We could have stopped them': Capitol Police officer reportedly says he and others were sent home early A U.S. Capitol police officer says he and others expected to work an extra shift but were sent home early last Wednesday, barely hours before thousands descended on Congress, broke in, and hunted for the Vice President and Speaker of the House in an insurrection incited by President Donald Trump and his closest allies. Business Insider reports the officer, who is remaining anonymous, "was working the night shift last week and found it 'puzzling' that he and his colleagues were sent home earlier than expected on Wednesday. He also said nobody asked him to come back after the attack happened." The officer "told Insider that he and others expected to pull an extra shift," and "said everybody in the department knew in advance that the Trump march was going to take place, and thought it would be an all-hands-on-deck situation." He even "packed a backpack full of coffee and protein bars, expecting to work into the afternoon after his regular shift ended at 7 a.m." "Naively, I thought, well, they must know something that we don't. Maybe they have intel showing they're not going to come up on the Hill," he said. "Maybe they don't think they're that violent. I trusted that they knew what they were doing by letting us go home." He says his wife woke him up telling him the insurrectionists had breached the Capitol. He "said he checked his phone, expecting to find a bunch of missed calls asking him to come into work, but was shocked to find none at all." 'We could have stopped them': Capitol Police officer reportedly says he and others were sent home early - Alternet.org 'Home-grown fascism': The storming of the US Capitol was even more 'sinister' originally thought On Wednesday night, January 6, the dominant news story all around the world was the storming of the U.S. Capitol Building by far-right extremists who were hoping to prevent Congress from certifying President-elect Joe Biden's electoral college victory. More details about the January 6 rampage in Washington, D.C. have emerged since then, and in an article published this week, Associated Press reporters Jay Reeves, Lisa Mascaro and Calvin Woodward describe some of the ways in which that rampage was even more "sinister" than originally thought. "Only days later is the extent of the danger from one of the darkest episodes in American democracy coming into focus," the AP journalists report. "The sinister nature of the assault has become evident, betraying the crowd as a force determined to occupy the inner sanctums of Congress and run down leaders — Trump's vice president and the Democratic House speaker among them. This was not just a collection of Trump supporters with MAGA bling caught up in a wave." President Donald Trump demanded that Vice President Mike Pence prevent Congress from certifying the electoral college results, which Pence didn't have the power to do. And some of the fanatics who raged in Washington D.C., believing that Pence had betrayed Trump, wanted to murder the vice president. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was a target as well. Reeves, Mascaro and Woodward explain, "'Hang Mike Pence!,' the insurrectionists chanted as they pressed inside (the Capitol Building), beating police with pipes. They demanded House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's whereabouts, too. They hunted any and all lawmakers: 'Where are they?' Outside, makeshift gallows stood, complete with sturdy wooden steps and the noose. Guns and pipe bombs had been stashed in the vicinity." 'Home-grown fascism': The storming of the US Capitol was even more 'sinister' originally thought - Alternet.org

Now the right-wingers are circulating a false report that the white woman killed in DC was shot by a black cop. This was retweeted by a GOP congressman and taken down later after being challenged.

Its pretty debatable as to whether the worst is over. These nut groups have been growing underground for decades, nurtured by coded messages from politicians and tolerated by police. They will probably go mostly underground again, surfacing at times and places where they can influence events and gather acolytes. There is plenty of blame to go around, but there are some 2000 cops in DC who could have been mustered instead of the couple dozen that were present.

Newly sworn-in GOP rep: Some Republicans voted to overturn election due to fears for 'safety of their families' In a phone interview with Reason reporter Matt Welch published on January 8, newly sworn in Republican Rep. Peter Meijer, of Michigan, wasted no words in condemning those responsible for the attempted toppling of our government. But he also reported a chilling detail from the events of that night: Rep. Meijer claims that some Republican lawmakers voted to throw out the ballots from Arizona and Pennsylvania not because they truly believed Trump's claims, but were concerned for "the safety of their families." "One of the saddest things is I had colleagues who, when it came time to recognize reality and vote to certify Arizona and Pennsylvania in the Electoral College, they knew in their heart of hearts that they should've voted to certify, but some had legitimate concerns about the safety of their families. They felt that that vote would put their families in danger," said Meijer. Newly sworn-in GOP rep: Some Republicans voted to overturn election due to fears for 'safety of their families' - Alternet.org Melania Identifies Real Victim of the Deadly Capitol Riots: Herself Reuters/Hannah McKay Last week, five people died as rioters incited by President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol seeking lawmakers to lynch. But First Lady Melania Trump has identified the worst thing about the entire horrific spectacle—people saying mean things about her online. In a deeply weird and jarring farewell statement posted by the White House early Monday morning, Melania first paid tribute to those who lost their lives in last week’s violence carried out in support of her husband, before going on to settle some scores against unspecified people who she claims have “attacked” her over the past few days since the riots. “I am disappointed and disheartened with what happened last week,” she began, in a paragraph which, at first, you assume is a condemnation of Trumpist rioters. But she then goes on to say: “I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me—from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda. This time is solely about healing our country and its citizens. It should not be used for personal gain.”

Calgary pastor says church will continue to break COVID-19 rules, days after health order issued Sarah Rieger · CBC News · Posted: Jan 10, 2021 2:26 PM MT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago Pastor Tim Stephens of Fairview Baptist Church in southeast Calgary was issued a public health order, after an inspection found almost no attendees or church staff wearing masks or distancing. (Fairview Baptist Church/YouTube) Police and Alberta Health Services responded to a southeast Calgary church on Sunday, after the pastor continued to encourage congregants to break public health rules following a fine and health inspection order. Pastor Tim Stephens wrote in an emailed newsletter to Fairview Baptist Church congregants on Wednesday that he had received a $1,200 fine from Calgary bylaw officers for violating public health orders. "I addressed the regulations theologically, scientifically, legally, and politically. I knew that receiving a fine would be a real possibility. Having received one now, the course is unchanged," he wrote, adding that he would not be following the restrictions and reducing capacity to ensure physical distancing or enforcing mask use within the church.

Trump's followers posted this today- an alteration of Pelosi's letter.

I had a sister in law who is in hospital waiting to be admitted to the COVID ward for two days and was finally transferred today. She had two false positives before a third confirmed the infection. Even so, she is in a high-risk group and is far from being out of the woods.

Thank God! There seems to be a national consensus building in the US. All hope may not yet be lost.

The Republicans who stood with Trump and still largely do, have fallen back to the old right-wing two-step crisis management. Step one: "We are in a crisis- this is not the time to debate this or assign blame". Step Two: "Why bring up the past- its all over now, Lets get on with things"

He will stay on an NFL roster only as long as they cannot find a 6'4" QB and/or have their usual one return from the COVID reserve. Whether he will stoop to coing North is another matter altogether.

Championship teams always have their staff and rosters raided. Doesn't matter which sport- it happens.

Another U.S Capitol Police Officer Has Died After Trump Supporters' Riot Officer Howard Liebengood died on Saturday, the department announced. He is the second officer to die since Wednesday's violent siege of the Capitol. U.S. Capitol Police on Sunday announced the death of one of its officers, bringing the number of deaths in the unit since Wednesday’s violent Capitol siege to two. Officer Howard Liebengood, 51, died on Saturday, when he was off duty, the USCP said in a statement. He had worked with the department since 2005. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and colleagues,” the department said. Multiple outlets reported that Liebengood died by suicide; those reports were backed by a social media post from another USCP officer. It is not yet clear whether Liebengood’s death is linked to Wednesday’s insurrection. Another U.S Capitol Police Officer Has Died After Trump Supporters' Riot | HuffPost Canada (huffingtonpost.ca)

Having a minister who claims to be a voice of a Higher Power spout this kind of crap is bad enough, but that it not as corrosive to society as a politician in a seat of power. It is equally repugnant when people/politicians who are rebuked for good reason start comparing their censures to the Nazi exterminations of not only Jews, but the mentally and physically disabled or ill or gays. Hitler and his people also started off by first imprisoning, then killing anyone they saw as unfit. Their ultimate plans were to first enslave Slavs and use them for forced labour, working them to death, then exterminate Semites, blacks, and then Asians. Just as you cannot be just little bit pregnant, you cannot be a little bit racist. The racists among us selectively attack one minority at a time, and too many "good people" remain silent because they are not directly affected, hoping that they will be passed over and safe. Too late, they learn that they are mistaken and their silence is really complicity. Bill Barr's parting gift: A new rule stripping civil rights enforcement in Justice Department Call it the last stand of the confederacy: a Republican administration attempting to roll back decades of civil rights protections for American citizens. Before he left office, former Attorney General Bill Barr submitted a regulatory change to the White House that would narrow the department's enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the provision that strips federal funding away from entities discriminating against people of color and other groups, including women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ people. The rule change would mean the civil rights division would only enforce the cases where it could prove intentional discrimination, getting rid of the "disparate impact" rule. That rule is based on the legal doctrine that a policy is discriminatory if it adversely impacts a group based on that group's race, color, religion, sex, and, more expansively, sexual orientation. It's been applied in education, housing, transportation, health care—essentially every facet of government policy by previous administrations, but especially expanded under former President Barack Obama. Trump has been chipping away at it since Day One in individual departments like Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Education, but now they're going for the whole shebang, just removing it from consideration overall in the Justice Department. Bill Barr's parting gift: A new rule stripping civil rights enforcement in Justice Department - Alternet.org (If you wanted an example of justice being whittled away, here it is)

‘All Started With Lies’: Arnold Schwarzenegger Compares Capitol Riots to Nazi Attack on Jews Lisi Niesner via Reuters Arnold Schwarzenegger posted an impassioned address to Twitter Sunday morning in which he compared the attempted coup on Capitol Hill last week to the infamous 1938 Nazi attack on Jewish people known as the “Night of Broken Glass” in his native country Austria. “I grew up in a country that suffered from the loss of its democracy,” he said after explaining that the 1938 attack was carried out by a “Nazi equivalent of the Proud Boys.” He then explained that he grew up knowing people who weren’t anti-Semites or Nazis but who “just went along” with the violent acts, including his father who he said would come home drunk and beat him and his mother, like other neighborhood men who were “in emotional pain for what they saw or did.” He then went on to warn, “It all started with lies, lies, lies and intolerance. Being from Europe I’ve seen firsthand how bad things can spin out of control.” He went on to explain how President Trump tried to run over an election and would go down as the “worse president” in history. “He sought a coup by misleading people with lies,” he said. “I know where such lies lead.” I have not been a big fan of Ah-nold but this is an act of courage on his part to disclose this pain and shame in his past ‘All Started With Lies’: Arnold Schwarzenegger Compares Capitol Riots to Nazi Attack on Jews (thedailybeast.com) Republicans are now begging Biden, "in the spirit of healing," to stop Pelosi from impeaching Trump. Republicans are arguing against holding Donald Trump account for the fatal insurrection he incited at the U.S. Capitol. The request came in a letter signed by Representatives Ken Buck (R-CO), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Tom McClinton (R-CA), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Chip Roy (R-TX), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), and Mike Gallagher (R-W). The letter was addressed to President-elect Joe Biden. "In the spirit of healing and fidelity to our Constitution, we ask that you formally request that Speaker Nancy Pelosi discontinue her efforts to impeach President Donald J. Trump a second time. A second impeachment, only days before President Trump will leave office, is as unnecessary as it is inflammatory," the Republicans argued. Despite arguing against accountability for Trump's failed coup, the group went on to say they "celebrate the peaceful transfer of power, a bedrock of our system of self-government."

Incoming GOP rep. apologizes for saying 'Hitler was right' in speech at US Capitol — but people aren't buying it This week, while speaking at a Moms for America® Save the Republic Rally at the nation's capitol, incoming Republican Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller said, "Hitler was right." While she wasn't talking about the Nazi leader's decision to kill over six million Jews, queers and others, she said, "Hitler was right on one thing. He said, 'Whoever has the youth has the future,'" adding that to build a lasting social movement conservatives must win the hearts and minds of our children," like Hitler's Nazi Youth program did, presumably. "This is the battle," she said. Incoming GOP rep. apologizes for saying 'Hitler was right' in speech at US Capitol — but people aren't buying it - Alternet.org Trump won’t lower flags for slain officer — even on ‘Law Enforcement Appreciation Day’: report President Donald Trump would repeatedly tweet "LAW & ORDER" while running for re-election and before being banned from the social media website for inciting violence. But his purported support for police was called into question on Saturday, which was coincidentally, "Law Enforcement Appreciation Day." After Capitol Hill Police Officer Brian Sicknick was murdered during Wednesday's insurrection by Trump supporters at the U.S. Capitol, Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi called his grieving family to offer their condolences. However, Trump did not offer his condolences. "President Trump has not ordered the flags on federal buildings to fly at half-staff in honor of Brian D. Sicknick, a police officer who was killed after trying to fend off pro-Trump loyalists during the siege at the Capitol on Wednesday," The New York Times reported Saturday. "While the flags at the Capitol have been lowered, Mr. Trump has not issued a similar order for federal buildings under his control. A White House spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment." The newspaper also reported, "The president and the vice president have not spoken since Wednesday morning, before the riot unfolded, an administration official said." Trump won’t lower flags for slain officer — even on ‘Law Enforcement Appreciation Day’: report - Alternet.org (More of Trump's mindset is revealed- he sees even police as disposable assets)

Damn. That was preventable- after we reach age 50, our thirst response weakens and we can be quite dehydrated and not know it. The body signaling system is so primitive that our brain (the signal receiver) cannot differentiate between thirst and hunger. So, often the late evening hunger we experience is often thirst but we eat instead of drinking water. About 2/3 of people over 55 that come into hospitals for other reasons are significantly dehydrated.

Trump Pressured Another GA Elections Official in Second Phone Call: WaPo Getty News Details of a new phone call between President Trump and a Georgia elections investigator have surfaced in which Trump told the official that they would become a “national hero” if they found evidence of election fraud. The official, who works as the investigations chief in the Georgia secretary of state’s office, was looking into allegations of ballot fraud in the Atlanta suburbs. State officials ultimately concluded there was no widespread fraud. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told the Post that the call was inappropriate. “I don’t believe that an elected official should be involved in that process,” he said. News of the call comes a week after the bombshell release of a late December phone call between Trump and Raffensperger, in which Trump demanded Raffensperger “find” new votes. Legal experts say both calls could potentially amount to a crime of obstruction of justice.