Defense chief breaks with Trump, says military stopping protests only a ‘last resort’

By artappraiser on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 1:25pm |

"It looks unsafe to me" - Defense Secretary asks @USArmy to look into low-lying @USNationalGuard medical helicopter flight over protesters as @DCNationalGuard conducts its own independent review https://t.co/dcQ7XOwxwr
— Tara Copp (@TaraCopp) June 3, 2020

URL:

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article243233086.htm

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Stating on teevee: from the Pentagon podium, no less: "I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act"

You're fired?

by artappraiser on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 1:30pm

Kayleigh's rapid talking points response:

"The president has the sole authority to invoke the Insurrection Act," @PressSec Kayleigh McEnany says, hours after Esper irked Trump by publicly saying he opposes doing so. "It is definitely a tool within his power."
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) June 3, 2020

by artappraiser on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 2:45pm

Kayleigh on a tear to make Kellyanne look like a wimp:

You have got to be kidding me. https://t.co/EbOcfTnZ21
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) June 3, 2020

by artappraiser on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 6:46pm

Mayor of D.C. apparently not happy about green imitation army men invading her town:

#DCstatehood. Now.
— Mayor Muriel Bowser #StayHomeDC (@MayorBowser) June 3, 2020

by artappraiser on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 4:24pm

Gonna hafta fire the Joint Chiefs of Staff, too?

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, SUBJECT: Message to the Joint Force. 2 June 2020,https://t.co/Dkjj9uoHwc pic.twitter.com/23q7Hq4JS4
— Small Wars Journal (@smallwars) June 3, 2020

by artappraiser on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 4:30pm

Kim Jong-un suggestion:

US war minister Mark Esper to be devoured by wild dogs. his face removed from photographs, and his name stricken from all monuments, tablets, engravings, and stones, for his treasonous defiance of Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/rUsWIOL3qV
— DPRK News Service (@DPRK_News) June 3, 2020

by artappraiser on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 4:35pm

Mattis: “Never did I dream that troops..would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens—much less to provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander-in-chief, w/mil. leadership standing alongside” https://t.co/HaLk6PoGpX
— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) June 3, 2020

BREAKING -- James Mattis, former Defense Secretary, on @realDonaldTrump: “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people...We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership." https://t.co/cDaiPkyVSK
— Michael D. Shear (@shearm) June 3, 2020

by artappraiser on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 6:32pm

Barbara Starr

The troops who idolize him are hearing a former Defense Secretary whose entire career has been based on loyalty and chain of command saying about the commander in chief “we can unite without him.”
— Barbara Starr (@barbarastarrcnn) June 3, 2020

by artappraiser on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 6:36pm

The good Catholic General Matti was "idolized" by his troops? Maybe, someone gave him his nickname, but the good Catholic "Warrior Monk" should have told them that idolatry is a sin. And is also stupid.

by A Guy Called LULU on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 4:58pm

Carl Hulse on the Mattis effect:

This will make some Republicans on the hill very uneasy I think. https://t.co/17kok5CuvB
— Carl Hulse (@hillhulse) June 3, 2020

by artappraiser on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 6:42pm

This is a pitch perfect example of nationalism being intertwined with the liberal ideals of equality and racial/social justice. Probably the most successful strategy for achieving change in American politics https://t.co/HtCGtC0p5T
— Tammy Duckworth Stan Account (@AspiringNeolib) June 3, 2020

by artappraiser on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 7:05pm

From that to this... pic.twitter.com/U6rK4mF11g
— By Any Means Necessary (@GambitKing5150) June 3, 2020

by PeraclesPlease on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 9:02am

Latest: the 82nd Abn Div's ready battalion is still not marching into DC to bayonet innocent Americans to death under "martial law."

In fact, they're headed back to Bragg.https://t.co/TuRCxzpPrr
— John Schindler (@20committee) June 4, 2020

by artappraiser on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 3:33pm

Crap - we want our Bataan too! When do we get to have our Bataan?!??! Doesn't seem fair.

by PeraclesPlease on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 4:01pm

You got me thinking about how many Trump fans are amongst the grunts in our all-volunteer service. This time, the cold cruel left-brain brass who believe uber alles in controlling emotions may be our friend.

by artappraiser on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 4:33pm

There's more detail @ TheHill.com: sent back on orders of Esper/Pentagon.

by artappraiser on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 6:02pm

The Marines are showing up. General Kelly? https://t.co/7wldSAh7PM
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) June 4, 2020

by artappraiser on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 4:47pm

Another one. Gen. CQ Brown Jr. Commander of Pacific Air Forces and an Afro-American speaks. In video. About George Flynn. Tweeted by official PACAF account. Found retweeted by Maggie Haberman:

"As the Commander of Pacific Air Forces, a senior leader in our Air Force, and an African-American, many of you may be wondering what I’m thinking about the current events surrounding the tragic death of George Floyd. Here’s what I’m thinking about..." - Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. pic.twitter.com/I2sf1067L6
— PACAF (@PACAF) June 5, 2020

by artappraiser on Fri, 06/05/2020 - 8:50pm

Today, the Marine Corps released guidance on the removal of public displays of the Confederate battle flag.

MARADMIN 331/20: https://t.co/WLW4m70LW1 pic.twitter.com/TKoYJUL7Vo
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) June 6, 2020

by artappraiser on Fri, 06/05/2020 - 10:35pm

Former White House chief of staff John Kelly: "I agree" with former Defense Secretary James Mattis on President Trump https://t.co/pqk9cTFmuj pic.twitter.com/4y1NfZu6tN
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) June 6, 2020

by artappraiser on Fri, 06/05/2020 - 11:17pm

It's seems to be allout mutiny against our very own Captain Queeg, whether out in the open or via leakers:

Dexter Filkins: In a meeting in the Oval Office, Trump expressed a desire to quell the protests by sending forces...into American cities. Milley resisted. “They got into a shouting match,” the senior military official told me. Trump finally backed down. https://t.co/4w2fsYhabG
— Michael Luo (@michaelluo) June 6, 2020

Dexter does have quite some military connections after being on the war beat for so many years.

by artappraiser on Fri, 06/05/2020 - 11:22pm

US forces in Korea held a BLM vigil yesterday https://t.co/xbRZTYbZ3Y
— Sharon Burke (@burkese) June 8, 2020

by artappraiser on Sun, 06/07/2020 - 9:24pm

Former Defense Secretary Gates: Pushing Away Peaceful Protesters Was 'A Bad Mistake'

https://t.co/DpTXk0LpsV
— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) June 13, 2020

by artappraiser on Sat, 06/13/2020 - 12:38am

The cult is now saying that Generals Mattis, Powell, Milley, McCaffrey, Hayden, Mullen, Allen, and McRaven are traitors, and that Flynn, the one who pleaded guilty to a felony, is our country's only true military hero left. The delusion is getting stronger.
— Ted (@trom771) June 12, 2020

by artappraiser on Sat, 06/13/2020 - 2:09am

He Is exceptional, as his time served as NSA shows.

by PeraclesPlease on Sun, 06/14/2020 - 12:35am

Ret. Major Gen. Eaton who used to be in charge of Fort Benning, and since 1967 has wondered why it was named after a "traitor, racist and a below average soldier" thinks it's time. His preference is for "Fort Omar Bradley".

Change is coming . . . https://t.co/ohxFVqUHEt
— Glenn Kirschner (@glennkirschner2) June 14, 2020

I found the video enjoyably humorous even though not intended, as he concludes his little op-ed with sort of a "there, ok, there, that's solved! what's next?" reminds me a little of some clueless military characters on MASH, believing order is being maintained with chaos all around them.

by artappraiser on Sat, 06/13/2020 - 11:19pm

Top Pentagon official Wheelbarger resigns, urges colleagues to be guided by U.S. Constitution https://t.co/LoRERmpIs5
— Glenn Kessler (@GlennKesslerWP) June 19, 2020

by artappraiser on Fri, 06/19/2020 - 12:44am

It looks like another swamp creature has been shown the door. I wonder if they gave her a Mickey D's job app on her way out.

[Fuck you - she has a SKILL, actual talent, you don't, unless you think ass-kissing and shitstirring a skill.

BTW, 120,000 dead today, 2.26 million infected - what happened to your "herd immunity" and Trumpian wonder drug, now discontinued? Doesn't matter how fucked up wrong your comments are, you never look back, just keep sowing more shit. Useless fucktard. Trump's bitch. - PP]

by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/19/2020 - 2:03am

Revenge of the Mods...

by jollyroger on Fri, 06/19/2020 - 6:43am

Yeah well, they discontinued the Friday happy hours & free diet soda, so had to take advantage of *somethin*.

by PeraclesPlease on Fri, 06/19/2020 - 10:45am

She resigned because the White House wants to give the top policy job to Anthony Tata who, as the article reports:

Tata has misportrayed former President Barack Obama as a Muslim and accused him of being a “terrorist leader” working to benefit Iran, according to now-deleted Tweets seen by Reuters.

Only the best people.

by moat on Fri, 06/19/2020 - 8:52am

thanks for that

should get us some fine Pentagon policy now, bet the brass is jumping up and down going oh boy what fun

by artappraiser on Fri, 06/19/2020 - 3:30pm

The Flynn agenda is still alive.

by moat on Fri, 06/19/2020 - 4:01pm

Trump's "we were Always at war with East Asia" 2020 hindiaght Is always a marvel to behold, " i was against it before i was for it" kind of logic. "The Best People" - until they've outlived their use, then they're dead to him. Great guy, great president.

https://digbysblog.net/2020/06/only-the-very-best-people/

by PeraclesPlease on Fri, 06/19/2020 - 3:05am

In the News

Russia plays weak hand in Palestine
Russia plays weak hand in Palestine

submitted by PeraclesPlease 9 months ago

The intra-Palestinian meeting in Moscow has precedent

Russia's hosted such meetings in the past, most recently Feb 2019

Russia has long lamented the US' "monopolization" of the peace process & tried to carve out a niche for itself: mediating among the disunited Palestinians/2
— Hanna Notte (@HannaNotte) February 29, 2024

Read the article at https://twitter.com/HannaNotte/status/1763116222256701787

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Mother Jones is Reaching out to Alternative Party Voters
Mother Jones is Reaching out to Alternative Party Voters

submitted by HSG 10 months ago

Here's what I told them: https://halginsberg.com/vote-for-jill-stein-again/

Read the article at https://halginsberg.com/vote-for-jill-stein-again/

2 comments

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Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes...
Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes into force

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes into force https://t.co/pCoDg05irX
— Gareth Harris (@garethharr) December 28, 2023

Read the article at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/28/brazil-law-indigenous-land-rights-claim-time-marker?CMP=share_btn_tw

1 comment

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Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti (...
Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti (December 25, 2023)

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

Location: U.S. Embassy and residential compounds

Events: Heavy gunfire is occuring around the area of the U.S. Embassy and residential compounds adjacent to the Trutier area of Tabarre. All Embassy personnel have been instructed to remain indoors and shelter-in-place until further notice. All others should avoid the area.

Actions to take:

Avoid the area;

Avoid demonstrations and any large gatherings of people;

Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks; and

If you encounter a roadblock, turn around and get to a safe area.

Read the article at https://ht.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-port-au-prince-haiti-december-25-2023/

3 comments

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Pakistan Is Creating the World’s Next Refugee Crisis
Pakistan Is Creating the World’s Next Refugee Crisis

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

By The Editorial Board @ Bloomberg.com, December 8, 2023

A mass expulsion of Afghan migrants could destabilize the region and fuel radicalization. The West should pressure Islamabad to change course.

Read the article at https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-12-08/pakistan-s-expulsion-of-afghan-refugees-risks-another-crisis

6 comments

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Internet shut down in Chad
Internet shut down in Chad

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

All eyes on #Chad right now
Chad has two internet trunks coming into the country: One from the Red Sea via Sudan; the other from Cameroon. Not possible for the totality of the country's internet network to be shut unless done centrally. A lot of rumors swirling; few facts. https://t.co/N6bDJZ2ixO

Read the article at https://x.com/_hudsonc/status/1732891968709992511?s=20

2 comments

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[Economy] where Joe's success falls short
[Economy] where Joe's success falls short

submitted by PeraclesPlease 1 year ago

Read the article at

3 comments

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[CRIME News] 3 loss-prevention employees in Macy’s across...
[CRIME News] 3 loss-prevention employees in Macy’s across the street from Philadelphia City Hall stabbed

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

BREAKING: Three loss prevention employees in Macy’s across the street from Philadelphia City Hall stabbed, one of them has died from stab wounds, @PhillyPolice sources tell me. Police converged on the store as the three workers were rushed to Jefferson Hospital. pic.twitter.com/4U1eKycL4W

Read the article at https://x.com/KeeleyFox29/status/1731713272942940365?s=20

38 comments

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Former U.S. Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As...
Former U.S. Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As Secret Agent For Cuba

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

Former US Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As Secret Agent For Cuba https://t.co/LDwo4ZJI1K
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) December 4, 2023

Read the article at https://www.huffpost.com/entry/manuel-rocha-ambassador-arrested-cuba_n_656d1e2ae4b028b0f3d07478

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[War in Israel, Chapter II] UNRWA under scrutiny
[War in Israel, Chapter II] UNRWA under scrutiny

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

[Chapter I news is HERE, Oct. 7 til today]

You don’t get it.
It’s not about an UNRWA teacher who held an Israeli kid hostage in his house.
It’s all about how for 75 years you have destroyed the future of generations of Palestinians, including my family.
My cousins in Arab countries are still not citizens - not even the… https://t.co/nv6anubGhc
— George Deek (@GeorgeDeek) December 2, 2023

Note 'Community Notes' attached to UNWRA's statement.

Read the article at https://x.com/GeorgeDeek/status/1731020551328579863?s=20

58 comments

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Maduro, Under Pressure, Holds Vote to Annex Territory From...
Maduro, Under Pressure, Holds Vote to Annex Territory From a Neighbor

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

Imperialism for me but not for thee?

It's wild that Venezuela is now holding a vote on whether 2/3 of Guyana actually belongs to them! Analysts suggest that Modoru may want military action to pump up his sinking popularity.

Could we have a war in South America?!?

"The people who live in Essequibo are largely… pic.twitter.com/QvMEjkkgwy

Read the article at https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/03/world/americas/maduro-vote-essequibo-guyana.html

6 comments

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[Where is the GOP headed?] Divisions leave Florida’s House...
[Where is the GOP headed?] Divisions leave Florida’s House Republicans powerless

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

The lack of a cohesive delegation has allowed attention-seeking lawmakers to act on their own.

McCarthy: “You have [Rep. Matt] Gaetz, who belongs in jail…”

Gaetz: “Tough words from a guy who sucker punches people in the back. The only assault I committed was against Kevin’s fragile ego.”https://t.co/LctPuz6Pcf

Read the article at https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/29/divisions-leave-floridas-house-republicans-powerless-00129200

10 comments

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‘She got so mad at me’: book on the ‘Squad’ details AOC-...
‘She got so mad at me’: book on the ‘Squad’ details AOC-Pelosi clashes

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

By Martinn Pengelly in Washington DC for TheGuardian.com, Nov. 30

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells Ryan Grim life in Congress ‘completely transformed’ after Democratic leader stepped down

Read the article at https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/30/squad-book-aoc-nancy-pelosi?CMP=share_btn_tw

15 comments

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US health insurers Humana, Cigna in talks to merge -source
US health insurers Humana, Cigna in talks to merge -source

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

@ Reuters, Nov. 29

Read the article at https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/us-health-insurers-humana-cigna-talks-merge-wsj-2023-11-29/

3 comments

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Central Africa’s dinosaur regimes and the art of coup-...
Central Africa’s dinosaur regimes and the art of coup-proofing

submitted by artappraiser 1 year ago

"Both the AU and the intl community place more weight on whether elections are held than whether they are free and fair. Sanctions/expulsions occur when there is a coup but not necessarily when elections are rigged or if an “institutional coup” occurs." https://t.co/m9dNimJP0D
— Cameron Hudson (@_hudsonc) November 28, 2023

Read the article at https://africanarguments.org/2023/11/central-africas-dinosaur-regimes-and-the-art-of-coup-proofing/

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