or had. It's no exaggeration to say that Trump and the Republicans are aiming toward a fascist state. There's a lot of commentary that this is Trump showing he's a strong leader to energize his base because he's worried about the election. That's probably part of it, but the larger picture is that this is the next step in the Republican agenda: permanent rule, by whatever means necessary.
This story's been all over the place, but Digby has a good overview:
The post is mostly a series of tweets, with videos, showing what's going on in Portland, OR. It's not pretty. And it's a blatant violation of Constitutional rights:
That's the beginning of an opinion piece by Ruth Marcus at WaPo. It's behind a paywall, but Digby quotes it extensively.
There will be lawsuits, but given that the Supreme Court has already upheld a poll tax and blown a "religious freedom" hole in anti-discrimination laws. Just think of the fun Kavanaugh et al. will have with the right to assemble.
Update: Here's a follow-up story via Joe.My.God.:
DHS is the last agency to be investigating -- well, the DHS. This goes back to AG Barr and Trump. This is the authoritarian secret police in action, courtesy of Barr.
And if you thought it was just Portland -- well, no:
That's from this article by Heather Cox Richardson. (With thanks to commenter coram nobis.)
And a coda:
You think not?
This story's been all over the place, but Digby has a good overview:
Trump has been saying over and over again since George Floyd was murdered, “if cities won’t deal with protesters, I will.” Bill Barr declared war on “Antifa” and blamed it for the violence and looting in the early days of the protests.
Guess what? They meant it.
The post is mostly a series of tweets, with videos, showing what's going on in Portland, OR. It's not pretty. And it's a blatant violation of Constitutional rights:
“Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech … or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
That's the beginning of an opinion piece by Ruth Marcus at WaPo. It's behind a paywall, but Digby quotes it extensively.
There will be lawsuits, but given that the Supreme Court has already upheld a poll tax and blown a "religious freedom" hole in anti-discrimination laws. Just think of the fun Kavanaugh et al. will have with the right to assemble.
Update: Here's a follow-up story via Joe.My.God.:
The US Attorney for the Oregon District today requested an investigation into the masked, camouflaged federal authorities without identification badges who are arresting protesters in Portland. The request is aimed specifically at DHS personnel who have been captured on various videos arresting protesters and putting them in unmarked SUVs.
DHS is the last agency to be investigating -- well, the DHS. This goes back to AG Barr and Trump. This is the authoritarian secret police in action, courtesy of Barr.
And if you thought it was just Portland -- well, no:
Nonetheless, the administration has made it clear it intends to take these tactics nationwide. When asked about the arrests in Portland, Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli told NPR that “this is a posture we intend to continue not just in Portland but in any of the facilities that we're responsible for around the country.”
That's from this article by Heather Cox Richardson. (With thanks to commenter coram nobis.)
And a coda:
You think not?
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