#Donald Pump Tank Top

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Molly Redden and Andy Kroll, ProPublica, and Nick Surgey at Documented:

A key ally to former President Donald Trump detailed plans to deploy the military in response to domestic unrest, defund the Environmental Protection Agency and put career civil servants “in trauma” in a series of previously unreported speeches that provide a sweeping vision for a second Trump term. In private speeches delivered in 2023 and 2024, Russell Vought, who served as Trump’s director of the Office of Management and Budget, described his work crafting legal justifications so that military leaders or government lawyers would not stop Trump’s executive actions. He said the plans are a response to a “Marxist takeover” of the country; likened the moment to 1776 and 1860, when the country was at war or on the brink of it; and said the timing of Trump’s candidacy was a “gift of God.”

ProPublica and Documented obtained videos of the two speeches Vought delivered during events for the Center for Renewing America, a pro-Trump think tank led by Vought. The think tank’s employees or fellows include Jeffrey Clark, the former senior Justice Department lawyer who aided Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election result; Ken Cuccinelli, a former acting deputy secretary in the Department of Homeland Security under Trump; and Mark Paoletta, a former senior budget official in the Trump administration. Other Trump allies such as former White House adviser Steve Bannon and U.S. Reps. Chip Roy and Scott Perry either spoke at the conferences or appeared on promotional materials for the events. Vought does not hide his agenda or shy away from using extreme rhetoric in public. But the apocalyptic tone and hard-line policy prescriptions in the two private speeches go further than his earlier pronouncements. As OMB director, Vought sought to use Trump’s 2020 “Schedule F” executive order to strip away job protections for nonpartisan government workers. But he has never spoken in such pointed terms about demoralizing federal workers to the point that they don’t want to do their jobs. He has spoken in broad terms about undercutting independent agencies but never spelled out sweeping plans to defund the EPA and other federal agencies.

Vought’s plans track closely with Trump’s campaign rhetoric about using the military against domestic protesters or what Trump has called the “enemy within.” Trump’s desire to use the military on U.S. soil recently prompted his longest-serving chief of staff, retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, to speak out, saying Trump “certainly prefers the dictator approach to government.” Other policies mentioned by Vought dovetail with Trump’s plans, such as embracing a wartime footing on the southern border and rolling back transgender rights. Agenda 47, the campaign’s policy blueprint, calls for revoking President Joe Biden’s order expanding gender-affirming care for transgender people; Vought uses even more extreme language, decrying the “transgender sewage that’s being pumped into our schools and institutions” and referring to gender-affirming care as “chemical castration.”

[...] As ProPublica and Documented reported, Project 2025 has launched a massive program to recruit, vet and train thousands of people to “be ready on day one” to serve in a future conservative administration. (Trump has repeatedly criticized Project 2025, and his top aides have said the effort has no connection to the official campaign despite the dozens of former Trump aides and advisers who contributed to Project 2025.) Vought is widely expected to take a high-level government role if Trump wins a second term. His name has even been mentioned as a potential White House chief of staff. The videos obtained by ProPublica and Documented offer an unfiltered look at Vought’s worldview, his plans for a Trump administration and his fusing of MAGA ideology and Christian nationalism.

[...]

A Shadow Government in Waiting

In his 2024 speech, Vought said he was spending the majority of his time helping lead Project 2025 and drafting an agenda for a future Trump presidency. “We have detailed agency plans,” he said. “We are writing the actual executive orders. We are writing the actual regulations now, and we are sorting out the legal authorities for all of what President Trump is running on.” Vought laid out how his think tank is crafting the legal rationale for invoking the Insurrection Act, a law that gives the president broad power to use the military for domestic law enforcement. The Washington Post previously reported the issue was at the top of the Center for Renewing America’s priorities. “We want to be able to shut down the riots and not have the legal community or the defense community come in and say, ‘That’s an inappropriate use of what you’re trying to do,’” he said. Vought held up the summer 2020 unrest following George Floyd’s murder as an example of when Trump ought to have had the ability to deploy the armed forces but was stymied. Vought’s preparations for a future Trump administration involve building a “shadow” Office of Legal Counsel, he told the gathered supporters in May 2023. That office, part of the Justice Department, advises the president on the scope of their powers. Vought made clear he wants the office to help Trump steamroll the kind of internal opposition he faced in his first term.

[...]

“We Want the Bureaucrats to Be Traumatically Affected”

Vought also revealed the extent of the Center for Renewing America’s role in whipping up right-wing panic ahead of the 2022 midterms over an increase in asylum-seekers crossing at the U.S.-Mexico border. In February 2022, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich released a legal opinion claiming the state was under “invasion” by violent cartels and could invoke war powers to deploy National Guard troops to its southern border. The legally dubious “invasion” theory became a potent Republican talking point. Vought said in the 2023 speech that he and Cuccinelli, the former top Homeland Security official for Trump, personally lobbied Brnovich on the effort. “We said, ‘Look, you can write your own opinion, but here’s a draft opinion of what this should look like,’” Vought said. The nonpartisan watchdog group American Oversight later obtained an email in which Vought pitched the “invasion” framework to Brnovich.

Brnovich wrote in an email to ProPublica that he recalled multiple discussions with Cuccinelli about border security. But he added that “the invasion opinion was the result of a formal request from a member of the Arizona legislature. And I can assure you it was drafted and written by hard working attorneys (including myself) in our office.” In the event Trump loses, Vought called for Republican leaders of states such as Florida and Texas to “create red-state sanctuaries” by “kicking out all the feds as much as they possibly can.”

[...] Vought referred to the people detained for alleged crimes committed on Jan. 6, 2021, as “political prisoners” and defended the lawyers Jeffrey Clark and John Eastman, who have both faced criminal charges for their role in Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Federal law enforcement agencies, he added, “are keeping political opponents in jail, and I think we need to be honest about that.” The left, Vought continued, has the ultimate goal of ending representative democracy altogether. “The stark reality in America is that we are in the late stages of a complete Marxist takeover of the country,” he said, “in which our adversaries already hold the weapons of the government apparatus, and they have aimed it at us. And they are going to continue to aim it until they no longer have to win elections.” When Democrats called Trump an “existential threat to democracy,” they were not merely calling for his defeat at the ballot box, he said, but were using “coded language the national security state uses overseas when they are overthrowing other governments” to discourage the military from putting down anti-Trump protests should he win. “They’re making Trump out to be a would-be dictator or an authoritarian,” he said. “So they’re actively working now to ensure, on a number of levels, that the military will perceive this as dictatorial and therefore not respond to any orders to quell any violence.”

ProPublica reports that Project 2025 co-author and MAGA apparatchik Russ Vought has plans to put civil servants “in trauma” as part of his fascistic agenda if it is implemented.

[starseedfxofficial]

Trump's Return: The Ultimate Market Twist—Secret Tactics for Profiting Now How Trump Pulled Off the Ultimate Comeback and Shocked Markets—Again Hold onto your T-notes, folks! Just when you thought it was safe to tune out the drama, the political gods decided to throw us yet another plot twist straight out of a telenovela. U.S. markets had quite the rollercoaster day after Donald Trump swaggered back into the White House, flashing his victory grin like he’d just won a poker game against a room full of amateurs—with his infamous hand of questionable policy aces. Stocks surged, bonds tanked, and the Dollar danced like it was 2016 all over again. But there's more than meets the eye here—and I'm not just talking about the glow of Trump's suntan lotion. Beneath the surface of the dramatic rallies in stocks and the meltdown in bonds, there are hidden market dynamics, unheard-of insights, and even a couple of juicy "ninja tactics" that might just help you profit in this fresh geopolitical circus. "The 'Trump Bump' Is Back—But Wait, There’s a Twist" First things first: let's dig into the basics. SPX surged by 2.53%, clocking in at a dizzying 5,929. Meanwhile, the NDX jumped 2.74%, and the Dow Jones decided it was high time for a proper rally, leaping 3.57% to 43,730. But the real star of the show was the Russell 2000—RUT added a whole 5.84%, like that one over-enthusiastic uncle at a wedding who thinks he can still do the splits. Now, it’s tempting to think all of this is just another stock market pump that’ll fizzle as quickly as it started. But here’s where the ninja insight kicks in: Trump’s victory proposals are like a double-edged sword—sure, tax cuts are a love letter to the stock market, but inflationary pressures from tariffs and heightened spending can cause bonds to lose their cool. If you’re an FX trader, here's your edge: while the T-note plummeted like a lead balloon, boosting the Dollar is where the true magic lies—Trump's policies historically favor a stronger buck. That’s right, the Dollar’s rally is less about "belief" in the greenback and more about sheer momentum and scarcity. Here’s a tip: if you’re riding the USD wave, don’t just surf—consider incorporating futures or options to hedge your bets. After all, a Trump-era policy twist might send the wave crashing unexpectedly. "Smooth Transition? Biden's Friendly Handshake—or Power Play?" Amidst all the financial drama, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Trump and graciously committed to a smooth transition. He even extended a warm, perhaps begrudging invitation for Trump to meet at the White House. And guess what—Vice President Harris also called to concede the election and delivered a concession speech that’s probably trending somewhere below cat videos on YouTube right now. But don’t be fooled by these niceties—politics is still a gladiator’s arena. In Forex circles, these little gestures are often where the true hidden dynamics lie. A smooth transition gives us stability—and stability is the last thing that triggers volatility spikes. If you’re looking for a big, juicy market move, it’s the rough edges, the moments when the "smooth" transition doesn’t go as planned, that really make a difference. Don’t sleep on this—set alerts for any hint of political tension and watch how the Dollar behaves. "Secretary of Treasury? How About Secretary of Hedge Funds?" Now, if you thought Trump’s Cabinet was about to be filled with political rookies, think again. The Financial Times reports that Scott Bessent—billionaire hedge fund manager and now a top Trump fundraiser—is eyeing up the Treasury Secretary gig. Not to be cynical, but what’s better for Wall Street than a Treasury Secretary who comes straight out of its own backyard? If you’re not seeing the hidden opportunities here, let me highlight them for you. The financial markets love someone at Treasury who speaks their language—it usually translates into less regulation, more fiscal experimentation, and higher market liquidity. For Forex traders, this means that should Bessent get the nod, we could see an explosion of opportunities to exploit Dollar volatility. The seasoned pros are already prepping their USD trade setups. "Republicans Take the House: Let the Gridlock Games Begin" Meanwhile, Decision Desk's U.S. House tracker pegs the odds of Republicans winning the House at 94.7%. If this holds true, we get a "Trump + Republican Congress" scenario, with a projected result of 223 versus 212 (for reference, you need 218 to win control). Now, most analysts will tell you that a gridlocked government is a recipe for nothing getting done—but that’s just half the story. Gridlock might bore the political junkies, but for traders, it's like jazz—it's the notes they don’t play that make the magic. No new taxes? Markets rally. No new regulations? Bonds drop. The House in Republican hands means the focus will shift to executive orders and market-friendly policy, and that’s where traders need to pay attention. Think about putting in some long Dollar positions when signs of deadlock start to get priced in. "The Hidden Formula Only the Pros Use to Ride Election Waves" There’s a secret formula seasoned traders employ during politically fueled market moves, and it’s not what you think. Instead of the usual wait-and-react, the pros use what's called event-driven trading. Here’s a ninja tip: before these big political announcements, look for correlated assets that react quickly—like the S&P, gold, and the EUR/USD. But here’s the trick: instead of going in on one instrument, the key is diversification across correlated but differentiated assets. In this case, a mix of Dollar Index positions and bond futures could give you the best of both worlds—profiting off safe-haven inflows to the Dollar, while potentially shorting T-bonds as investors flee rising interest rate fears. It's risky, but for those ready to dance in the rain, the rewards can be substantial. "Expert Commentary and Ninja Insights You Can't Miss" To make sense of all this madness, I reached out to two Forex experts: - Michael Bolton, an independent Forex strategist who’s well-known for trading geopolitical headlines (yes, and no, he’s not THAT Michael Bolton), says, "We could see sustained strength in the Dollar as markets digest both the political shift and inflationary concerns. This is a scenario that historically supports safe-haven flows, and Trump’s tariffs won’t help here—brace for more upside surprises in USD." - Jenna Lavoie, the Chief FX Analyst at AlphaEdge, added: "Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary might mean a friendlier fiscal policy that’s beneficial for equity markets, but traders should stay nimble. The potential for a fragmented Congress means executive orders and market surprises—which will keep both the Dollar and Gold on their toes." "How to Strategize for a Trump Victory: A Behind-the-Scenes Look" If you’re looking to get an edge during this latest Trump era, consider a simple yet effective 3-step approach: - Identify Your Risk Appetite: Trump’s policies are as consistent as a coin flip. Make sure your positions are sized appropriately. In times of uncertainty, less is sometimes more. - Hedge Strategically: Betting on a stronger Dollar? Counter it by using gold as a hedge in case things don’t go as planned. Political volatility often pushes safe-haven assets up, even when the Dollar strengthens. - Leverage the Noise: In times like this, there’s plenty of noise. Use it to your advantage by keeping tight stops and taking profits often. This market isn’t about "set it and forget it"—it’s about short bursts of strategic action. "Unlocking Secrets the Pros Won’t Tell You" Ready to take it to the next level? The true secret to thriving in a politically charged environment is understanding that volatility is your friend. You’ll hear a lot of experts talking about "risk-off" when election surprises hit, but let me be honest—real traders make their money when there’s tension, when there’s action, when there’s fear in the air. Be patient, set your entry points wisely, and when the market overreacts—which it will—get in there and scoop up those opportunities. Just don’t forget to smile—this is what you live for! Final Thoughts The return of Trump has reignited everything from the Dollar to dinner conversations—and there’s more to come, no doubt. Traders who can see beyond the rhetoric, grasp the hidden opportunities in bonds, the Dollar, and political dynamics, are the ones who will thrive in this environment. And hey, if it all seems a bit overwhelming, remember: the best strategies are often the simplest—trade what’s in front of you, keep your risk tight, and always, always, look for the ninja move nobody else is watching. Expand Your Trading Arsenal with StarseedFX Services: - Latest Economic Indicators and Forex News: Stay informed on market movements and groundbreaking concepts with exclusive, real-time updates at StarseedFX Forex News. - Forex Education: Expand your knowledge with in-depth resources, advanced methodologies, and little-known strategies at StarseedFX Forex Education. - Community Membership: Join the StarseedFX community for expert analysis, daily alerts, live trading insights, insider tips, and elite tactics by visiting StarseedFX Community. - Free Trading Plan: Set goals, manage risks, and track progress with our detailed trading plan. Discover rare strategic advantages at StarseedFX Free Trading Plan. - Free Trading Journal: Enhance performance and refine strategies with real metrics using advanced methods for progress tracking at StarseedFX Free Trading Journal. - Smart Trading Tool: Optimize your trading with automated lot size calculations, insights, and order management at StarseedFX Smart Trading Tool.   Read the full article

[noisycowboyglitter]

"From Incident to Icon: The Rise of the Trump Shot Fist Pump Tank Top"

The "Trump Shot Fist Pump Tank Top" likely refers to a piece of clothing featuring an image or design of former President Donald Trump performing a fist pump gesture. This type of merchandise is part of the broader landscape of political apparel that has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially among Trump supporters.

Buy now:19.95$

The fist pump, a gesture of triumph or enthusiasm, has been associated with Trump throughout his political career. He often used this gesture at rallies, public appearances, and even in serious political contexts, making it somewhat of a signature move. The inclusion of this gesture on a tank top suggests an attempt to capture Trump's energetic and confrontational political style in wearable form.

The term "shot" in the description could have multiple interpretations. It might refer to a photographic shot or image of Trump doing the fist pump. Alternatively, it could be a play on words, implying that Trump "took a shot" at his political opponents or the establishment, reinforcing his image as a political outsider and fighter.

Buy now

Tank tops, being casual and often associated with athleticism or leisure, provide a canvas for political expression that's particularly suited to informal settings, rallies, or summer events. The choice of a tank top rather than a more formal garment aligns with Trump's populist appeal and his supporters' view of him as relatable and down-to-earth despite his wealth and status.

This type of merchandise serves several purposes within political culture:

Identity signaling: Wearing such apparel allows supporters to publicly declare their political allegiance and find like-minded individuals.

Community building: It fosters a sense of belonging among Trump supporters, creating visual unity at events or in daily life.

Conversation starter: The bold imagery can provoke discussions about Trump, his policies, and his impact on American politics.

Ongoing campaign tool: Even out of office, such merchandise keeps Trump and his political brand in the public eye.

Fundraising: Sales of official merchandise often contribute to political campaigns or associated organizations.

Buy now

The popularity of such items reflects the intense personalization of politics in the Trump era, where support for a political figure extends beyond voting to become part of one's personal brand and daily attire. It also demonstrates the melding of political expression with consumer culture, where political beliefs are marketed and sold as products.

Critics might view such merchandise as contributing to the cult of personality around Trump or as an oversimplification of complex political issues. They could argue that it prioritizes style and bravado over substance in political discourse.

Supporters, on the other hand, might see it as a way to show unwavering support for Trump and his political movement, especially in a post-presidency context. They might view wearing such apparel as an act of defiance against mainstream media narratives or the current administration.

Buy now

The existence and popularity of items like the "Trump Shot Fist Pump Tank Top" underscore the ongoing influence of Trump in American politics, the polarized nature of the current political climate, and the ways in which political expression has become intertwined with personal style and consumer choices. It represents a form of political communication that extends beyond traditional methods, turning supporters into walking billboards for their preferred candidate or cause.

[the-firebird69]

This is the beer truck her son and daughter commenting and yeah they're always fighting has springs on it but it has no rubber it all give and those are solid tires on steel very strong steel they went slow but they had a big shocks well springs the things that bounce around by the time you get there you open it up in the physical right out until they came up with a better shocks so someone heard the idea and I tried to make a shock and they tried a whole bunch of stuff it didn't quite work at some point they made something just had resistance and it made it smoother and the beer was still good. So we got really cool cuz we didn't tell him how he doesn't always do that and this is one of the trucks and we know the guy knew who it was and why he was being told. My son got in trouble with it and it went after Jeff Miller who is Donald Trump and now Trump is failing his areas are falling and his computers are getting destroyed all of them.

We're going to deliver this to the higher-ups in our plastic bottles and this is for the select it is our select brand and we're going to put it in the bottles no kidding though this is a big advertising thing and it's to get it approved and to get it flowing and it's a giant giant move and some people like it mlc the guy got hurt by Tommy f but Trump and others were screwing around with him and they certainly probably see that's wrong they don't have anything of Tommy f so they're going to make the light cycle facility and will deliver our new models of our beer in plastic... They said they take some and we have a knockoff for Budweiser and they say they want a lot of that on Australia, bj says no. So probably only deliver a little.

Thor Freya

It's true that you keep doing that John reading the Lord and you're already in trouble and we hear why and it's terrible you don't want you to have any of this beer but you guys are already ordering tons of it

Mac daddy

He cannot preclude us from drinking their beer and it's their recipe and they do say it is it has to be cuz they changed it from unhealthy and it wasn't that healthy back then

Cork

It was a lot more healthy back then but this is more our recipe than his and his bear didn't taste that great because he didn't use really awesome ingredients, but some of it is the same and people will see that it does have a similar taste if they remember it

Thor Freya

Okay we see why the knockoff stuff came up and we're not going to allow it and they said they won't ship it and they are calling for a boycott but that's the trumpsters and Tommy a says he's going to load up on it and he wants the giant tanks delivered and he'll bring them to the shops and they're going to bring them down there huge tankers full you should see these tankers this is amazing he says we can bring him to Miami too and they need the piped in tabs but really if we bring in five can hook them all together so I started to believe something it's not really that tough and we can do that pretty quick and we're going to set up some places to do that in and really can set up a beer hall inside of Warehouse it's kind of similar thing and you just paint the top you put in some stuff and you put it in like a flooring system and call it a beer hall true too you can just put in like a slate tile or something it's someone non-slip for a while this other stuff that works better but he gets we get the idea you don't need to put down wood even though it's customary more or less it just does not ever work I don't want your damn stamp concrete this stuff is so nasty it's full of crap in minutes he was thinking a certain color of terrazzo or style that stuff is great by the way this is the topping on the concrete and you can get some of it non-slip and it doesn't get full of crap you can wash it out every night then go ahead and do that it's a good design and we need these things in pretty quick so we're going to say where I probably just put it in now instead of pumping the beer out it's their brand and everyone knows what it means and we're going to have a whole bunch of the beer bottles and cans and plastic on hand and they can come in warm and we'll have them in one corner stacked up like a pyramid to the ceiling and you can do that hopefully he said maybe half that I he said this huge block of them and people buy them come in and sample it and then buy your case that's the way to do it and they say they're going to give me a wholesalers license and I know that means it's real money it's going to be big money by the way this stuff sells everywhere

Mac daddy I knew the man so I'm going to open it up I'm going to do it all over the place

[etsy1-blog1]

Check out our Etsy store for more awesome USA tees, Funny Republican shirts, and other Awesome Original Merica T-Shirts and Tank Tops visit us for more info!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/231007704/reagan-bush-84-shirt-retro-republican-t

[verycleverboy]

Here’s another one you’re not gonna read...

(...because it’s excruciatingly long, not because it isn’t necessary.)

One of my most faithful followers (unless I’m confusing him with someone else, because what little blowback I get from the other side of the street tends to bleed together these days) checked in about a different post I made for this story, which I entitled (checks notes) ”Geriatric toddler threatens to dismiss a branch of the government during a national emergency unless he gets the toys that he wants”:

First of all, hope you’re doing well in the current situation, and thank you for your thoughtful analysis of the first two words of a joke headline.

The Washington Post article that joke was attached to goes into the president’s threat last week to dismiss Congress under the never-used Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, with the goal of making recess appointments that bypassed the hearings that have tripped up several high-profile nominees.

Like a lot of things that literally every other POTUS before the current one never attempted, there’s a pretty spirited debate as to what conditions would have to be fulfilled for Trump to successfully pull this maneuver off, assuming it’s not all bluster and no muster. One major condition that would have to exist is that the Senate and the House would have to be in disagreement on adjournment, and according to the National Law Journal, there is no disagreement between the chambers at the moment. The current session officially adjourns on January 3, 2021. So until circumstances prove otherwise, we have to operate under the assumption that he can, in fact, exercise this extraordinary Constitutional power...under a narrow set of conditions which don’t exist right now.

The reason he’s making this threat, and why his supplemental threat to “take it to the courts” is toothless, is that the last man in his current position tried to make a recess appointment between the type of pro forma sessions we’re dealing with now and was shot down by a unanimous Supreme Court decision, one which reaffirmed that Congress is done when Congress says it’s done. 

But one justice went a little bit further in his concurring opinion, issuing a warning about any court decision that “transforms the recess-appointment power from a tool carefully designed to fill a narrow and specific need into a weapon to be wielded by future presidents against future Senates.”

“The Recess Appointments Clause therefore is, or rather, should be, an anachronism—’essentially an historic relic, something whose original purpose has disappeared,’” the justice wrote. “The need it was designed to fill no longer exists, and its only remaining use is the ignoble one of enabling the president to circumvent the Senate’s role in the appointment process.” 

Antonin Scalia, ladies and gentlemen.

Here’s where things get interesting, though, because the statement that came from Mitch McConnell’s office, at least if you squint hard enough, signals “I feel ya, bro, but focus.”:  “The Leader pledged to find ways to confirm nominees considered mission-critical to the COVID-19 pandemic, but under Senate rules will take consent from Leader Schumer.”

Which brings us back to our article up there...

What qualifies as “mission-critical to the COVID-19 pandemic”? There are a few nominees that are cooling their heels at the moment, but for the Voice of America (and yes, now is when we finally get to the linked article), one of them strikes pretty close to home.

U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to adjourn Congress because lawmakers have not approved his candidates for senior posts in his administration, including his nominee to run the independent agency overseeing the Voice of America.[...]

Documentary filmmaker Michael Pack, whom Trump has selected to run the U.S. Agency for Global Media, is one of 15 key nominees awaiting confirmation by the Senate. Trump cited Pack by name (but erroneously identified the body he would head as USAGM’s predecessor agency, the Broadcasting Board of Governors). 

Michael Pack is a self-described conservative documentary filmmaker, one who has done work with Trump’s ex-chief strategist Steve Bannon. And there’s a pretty damn good reason why the confirmation committee pumped the brakes on his nomination (per CNBC).:

The “problematic revelations” that Menendez says he discovered just before Pack’s confirmation hearing in 2019 include “whether Mr. Pack engaged in inappropriate or unlawful activity related to transactions between his business (Manifold Productions) and his non-profit (Public Media Lab)” and “whether Mr. Pack engaged in self-dealing while in a leadership position at the Claremont Institute through the awarding of a contract to Manifold” even though that company doesn’t appear to have any qualifications to act as a vendor to the conservative think tank.

The letter to Meadows also sheds light on another aspect of Pack’s confirmation, which is that the Democratic committee leader has asked Pack to provide documents and answers to a variety of questions that could clear up these issues, only for Trump’s nominee to respond in a “perfunctory and inadequate” way.

“More than seven months have gone by since my initial questions. Mr. Pack has yet to provide the Committee with the requested information or to engage in a good-faith and serious effort to do so,” Menendez said.

So when confronted with his unethical, possibly illegal wrongdoing, Pack stonewalled, the way all this president’s men do. Sounds like a great guy to trust with public funds.

But seriously, why is this “mission critical to the COVID-19 pandemic”? 

Back to VOA:

Pack’s nomination has “been stuck in committee for two years, preventing us from managing the Voice of America — very important,” the president said. “And if you heard what’s coming out of the Voice of America, it’s disgusting. The things they say are disgusting toward our country. And Michael Pack would get in and do a great job, but he’s been waiting for two years — can’t get him approved.”   

Disgusting, you say? Let’s settle into that accusation for a hot minute.

Here’s the deal about the VOA: It went on the air on February 9, 1942, a little over two months after America found itself pulled into a global conflict of a massive scale with the actual, non-metaphorical Nazi government which had steamrolled over the European continent. That first broadcast came from a small studio in New York City, directed at an aggressor nation which had developed a robust system of delivering misinformation to its enemies. 

So how do you combat lies? Double down on honesty.

“This is a voice speaking from America, a voice from America at war. Our voices are coming to you from New York, across the Atlantic Ocean to London, from where they are relayed to you in Germany. Today, America has been at war for 79 days. Daily at this time, we shall speak to you about America and the war. The news may be good or bad. We shall tell you the truth.“

“The news may be good or bad. We shall tell you the truth.” I’ve never been a journalist, but the first time I read those words I was thunderstruck. In the simplest language possible, there’s the Platonic ideal of what news reporting is supposed to be. It also sets a high bar for how the United States presents itself to the world. We could argue all day on how many American organizations live up to those words, how many American administrations live up to those words, or if any configuration of the American government is equipped to be honest and forthright in every imaginable situation. But that’s the resolution, the goal for all the world to see.

So what is the “disgusting” VOA coverage that President Trump is complaining about? If we look at some recent headlines, we might get a hint.:

US Nowhere Near Ready for Business as Usual, Former CDC Head Says

Fauci: US Economy Won’t Recover Until Coronavirus Controlled

WHO Chief: Worst on Coronavirus Pandemic Yet to Come

WHO Fears US Funding Cuts Will Roll Back Health Gains in Africa

If you actually read these, they’re nothing more than articles recounting expert assessments of the potential consequences of federal actions (or, just as often, inactions) connected to our coronavirus response. Addressing these things in the public square is usually meant to be a corrective, especially when your chief executive pays more attention to the media than his own advisors, and that a broadcast outlet funded by the US government isn’t afraid to publicize criticism of government decisions gives our entire system a much-needed shot of credibility.

But Trump has never been able to take even constructive criticism as anything other than a personal insult, an attitude which he magnifies by using the power of the highest office in the country to scream “FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!” at the top of his lungs whenever he sees or hears something that hurts his feelings. 

The only conclusion I can draw is that he wants the Voice of America to be more like the Voice of Korea, and the “mission critical” part of this gambit is that the VOA’s editorial independence distracts and confuses him. Do I seriously think the beacon of the Cold War era, the organization whose current director proudly proclaims “We export the First Amendment,” is going to be converted into a shoddy simulation of the old Eastern bloc broadcasters? Of course not. Would I put it past the current chief executive to at least try, destroying the VOA’s credibility to redesign it into yet another monument to himself? Not a shadow of a doubt.

“The news may be good or bad. We shall tell you the truth.” It’s a core element of America’s self-image, and the image we project to friends and foes alike. And the 45th President of the United States thinks that’s disgusting. 

Because he doesn’t want the truth. He wants to be soothed and coddled. He wants a cookie and a story before bedtime. You know, like a toddler.

(PS: For the record, the “very clever boy” in this account’s original title was always intended to be Donald Trump, because, as you probably figured out a long time ago, I don’t view him as very clever, nor has he been a boy for quite some time. I changed the official name of the blog to Trump Happens because some people don’t get sarcasm.)

[marvelmymarvel]

Mine

Part 2/2

Donald Malarkey x Reader

Synopsis: Don had called off the relationship, yet it felt wrong to make out with Joe right in front of him. You lied to yourself by saying you did it because you liked Joe, but all you wanted was Don back. And what you wanted, you got.

A/N: THIS IS SMUT. 18+ only. No offense to the real heroes, this is just based off of the HBO version. I also will not be doing tags when it comes to smut, just because I don't know who is old enough :) 

Included: Rough sex, choking, Fingering, Oral, nothing sweet and innocent here sorry

“I want you” 

The words that left your lips made Don smile mischievously, oh, you were going to get him alright. Pulling you from the wall roughly he threw you to the bed where you bounced onto your back. He was on you in an instant, ripping at the buttons that kept your jacket closed. Your hands were fumbling with his jacket as well but after he got your jacket open he just pulled away to take care of undressing himself. His knees were straddling your hips as your fingers then trailed down his body and fumbled with his belt. Why the hell were you so shaky?? This was definitely not the first time you have had sex with him, but the air was different. It wasn't sweet or innocent like it always was. It was heavy with lust and possessiveness. 

You knew you were in for a treat. 

By the time you got his buckle and pants open, he was shirtless. You let your hands move up his abdomen painfully slow, feeling the muscles ripple below your fingertips, you admired how ripped he really was. You could practically feel your mouth watering at the sight. He grabbed your wrists tightly, causing you to look up at him in shock before he pinned them above your head. He trailed his kisses down your neck and between your covered breasts. He held both of your hands still with one hand as his other hand grabbed the hem of your tank top. He ripped it up as he kissed lower and lower down your body. The tank top rested above your bra as he ripped the thin fabric down, revealing your breasts to the cold air of the room. You let out a moan as he kneaded them before continuing down your body. “No touching” he growled up at you as he let you go to take off your pants. Your hands immediately grabbed onto the sheets as you watched him tug at your pants until it was off your body. He mouthed at your clit from above your underwear and your head flew back against the sheets as a moan slipped from your lips. He moved your underwear aside and inserted one of his fingers causing your back to arch as you cried out in ecstasy. He kept pumping his finger in and out as he began to worship your clit until you were a moaning and squirming mess below him. “Don-” you whimpered out as your hands dragged down your body. You wanted to touch him. Grab his hair and pull him in deeper. But he wouldn't allow it. 

“Please Don-” you cried out as he hit your spot making you choke out another moan as your hands dragged along your skin. You wanted to touch him. You needed to touch him. “You gonna be good for me baby-doll?” he purred up at you as he lifted his face up from your wet core. He looked heavenly in the warm light from the sunset. He was an angel normally in bed, but right now. 

Coming back up to you he kissed your lips hungrily. 

He was the devil. 

But he felt oh so good.

He kept fingering you which made you squirm against his body, your fingers trying so hard not to touch him. “Please let me touch you” you whimpered out against his lips and he just smirked down at you evilly. “I don't know if you deserve to touch me princess” he murmured against your lips as his fingers went faster and faster inside of you. You felt like you couldn't breathe as your whole body ignited at how close you were to the edge. “I’m going to-” but your shaky moan cut you off as you spilled out all over his finger. Your finger grabbed his wrist as you rode out your orgasm on his hand. His lips bit down onto your neck as your other hand grabbed the sheets once more. “That wasn't a good girl” he whispered out against your skin as he pulled his fingers out of you before lifting them to his lips to taste you. Your hooded eyes watched as he sucked his fingers clean and you could instantly feel yourself getting wet again. “Did I tell you-you could cum?” He purred out before drying his fingers on your tank top. You squirmed beneath him as he made you feel all hot and bothered by the way he was looking at you. Kneeling in front of you, he pushed his pants down, letting his cock spring free. You reached forward to grab it, but he hit your hand in a scolding manner. 

“No. Touching,” he growled out before pumping his dick a couple times before ripping your underwear down and lining the tip at your entrance. You were shaking below him, just waiting for him to take your body to another dimension. “I want to hear you say it” he growled out as he teased you by rubbing the head of his dick against your clit. You inhaled sharply before sitting up to try and grab him, but he just shoved you back down and hovered over you. “Say it” he murmured against your lips as he kept rubbing. He loved seeing you like this. A whimpering, moaning mess. All for him. “I want you” you cried out as a wave of pleasure coursed through your body. 

“And who do you belong to?” he snarled out as he rubbed harder causing a loud cry to fly out of your chest as you arched your back off of the bed. “I’m yours and only yours” you hissed out as he stopped rubbing. You looked at him as he smirked at you devilishly. “You’re mine” he growled out before slamming his dick into you causing all of your breath to fly out of your chest. He was not going soft, oh no, he was going to give you the time of your life. His hand went to your neck as he kept fucking you hard and fast. His other hand grabbed your wandering hand and pinned it above your head. Your legs wrapped around him as you tried to catch your breath, but him choking you was stopping it from coming out. 

And it was so hot. 

Who was this?! This was not the Don that you lost your virginity to. “I’m the only one that can make you feel this way” he muttered against your lips as he sped up his pace. You nodded quickly as he just fucked you harder and harder. “I want to touch you” You finally breathed out as he loosened his grip on your neck. He winked at you before let going of the wrist he was holding down. Your fingers went through his hair as you gripped at the roots tightly. Pulling his face down, you captured your lips in his. You could feel yourself getting closer and closer to your second orgasm and you could tell he was getting close to his first by the way he was snapping his hips against yours. You moaned out loudly as you came again, he let go of your throat and gripped onto your hips as he kept fucking you through your second orgasm. “I’m close” he breathed out into the air and you just nodded before he pulled out. He pumped his dick a couple times before his head flew back and he let a moan flow out of his pink lips. His cum fell onto your stomach and chest as you just laid there in pure bliss. He was breathing heavily as he looked down at you. Your hair was disheveled and your lips were red from the abuse. Purple hickeys littered down your neck and chest, but you were smiling. You drug your finger through the cum on your stomach before bringing it up to your lips. 

“You’re a naughty little thing ain't ya” he whispered out as he grabbed a shirt and wiped off the cum from your stomach. You tasted him on your lips before sitting up and capturing his lips in yours. You just stayed like that for a minute. Kissing sweetly as his hands roamed your body gently. “I didn't hurt you did I?” He breathed out as you pulled away finally. You shook your head as you bit your lip. “No... But I kind of want you to do that more often” you whispered out bashfully as he just chuckled at you. Lowering his face once more, he pecked your sweaty cheek. 

“Anything for my girl.”

[prettieparker86]

Deliverance || Part 7

Pairings: Donald Pierce x Reader

Warnings: This chapter depicts graphic violence, character death, and sexual content. Guess I really went for it.

Word Count: Mega Frickin Long, sorry or your welcome

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, & Part 6

Gif credit: Thank you to @cat1212 and @littlesati for letting me use their beautiful gifs! You guys rock!

Tagging:  @crazyfreckledginger @star-girl-pryde@introvertalien13 @emislayyyy74 @nuvoleincielo @ziambitches99

A/N: This chapter jumps forward in time a little and moves the relationship along. I realized the story was focusing too much on when Donnie and the reader would get together again. And since that’s not the main plot I’m going for, and it was going to happen anyway, I just took it there. Hope you don’t mind. There’s a lot going on in this chapter, so hopefully you like it.

Also, sorry for the long delay. I’m in my final year of graduate school and in case you can’t tell, it’s killin me. Whatever, almost done. This chapter is also ridiculously long, so that’s either a gift or a curse.  

After settling you and Danny in, Donnie tells you he has to leave again. You’re not surprised though. 

Says he needs to make you disappear for good, you’re not surprised by that either. 

He mentions casually something about faking your death, but offers no details, and you both agree it’s probably best if you don’t know.

He warns you he’ll be gone for at least a month. Can’t risk the contact. You know it’ll be hard, especially on Danny, but you’d rather be safe.  

The last close call was too close. Donnie gives you his word you’ll be safe there, but makes it clear no one can learn what you really are.

In the month he’s gone you learn a lot about the Donnie you never knew. The man behind the leather jacket, yellow tinted glasses, and gold tooth. The man behind the mask.

 His uncle Bill isn’t much for talking, but his aunt Edith won’t shut up. She gets you a job a couple days a week at the antique shop on Main Street where she works. Even talks the owner into letting you bring Danny, because he’s so mild mannered and well behaved.

In the hours spent together you learn where Donnie comes from far more than the handful of stories he shared in the lab. 

You learn Donnie’s dad was a career military man. A real hard ass she calls him, before pardoning her foul language. 

Says, she always thought he was too rough with Donnie, too heavy handed and quick tempered, but it wasn’t her place to make a fuss about it. 

She shared his mama hated the marriage, felt trapped, and spent most of her days numbing her discontentment with long island ice teas, and looking the other way where Donnie was concerned.

Edith shared she and Bill hadn’t seen Donnie since he graduated from high school and joined the marines. 

Last she’d heard he was in the special forces. She hadn’t even known about his hand until he called Bill up asking if you and the boy could stay with them. 

Edith doesn’t say it, but the way she recalls the night Bill got the call from Donnie, it’s obvious the woman knows you’re hiding out from something, but she doesn’t pry. 

In fact, she says she’s happy Donnie met a good girl… If only she knew the half of it. 

You help her around the house and she teaches you how to make homemade pies and rolls. 

While uncle Bill teaches Danny about the various animals on the farm and you help out where you can.

With the news Edith shares you can’t help but feel like you understand Donnie a little better. 

Feel like you understand where all that anger and brutality comes from inside him. 

A wrath you’ve been on the receiving end of, but having also seen the depth of his heart, you always wondered how such extremes could reside inside one man… Now you feel you understand a little better.

 You tried to pretend you’re ok with all this, as Danny charges as fast as his little legs will go whenever Donnie walks through the door. Try to pretend as you watch Donnie pick your little boy up, tossing him in the air. 

The sound of your his’s laughter spilling and filling the room with contagious life that brings a smile to your face, that bubbles up laughter from deep within your gut.

You try to focus on the joy the little moments hold, like when Donnie’s hauled up on the couch, Danny snuggled in the crook of his arm. 

You watch as Donnie loses himself in a game of football on the television, teaching Danny everything he knows about the game. 

In an old ratty sweatshirt, hair a mess atop his head, Donnie looks like a shadow of the man who storms through Transigen. 

That unholy skull on his neck peeking out over the collar of the sweatshirt the only sign that he’s not just another dad watching a game with his son. 

Danny takes to having Donnie as a dad faster than you ever would have imagined and you can’t deny the love in Danny’s eyes for his dad, the hero he believes him to be. Anymore than you can deny the love in Donnie’s eyes for his son, how strong but also careful he is with him.

You try to pretend like you moved past what happened at the lab. Try to pretend nothing mattered before this as you feel a low rumbled growl comes up from within Donnie. 

His body resting perfectly upon you as you feel his face in the crook of your neck, his facial hair nuzzling your skin as he peppers you with lazy kisses, trying to seduce you. 

You try to pretend you aren’t haunted by the past as your hands slide slowly up his arms, over the curve of his muscles, up his neck and into his hair. Your body responding so naturally to the familiar feel of his touch. 

You try to remember only him and what you found together as you curve into the feel of him, your leg winding around his hip as you push into him teasingly.

You tell yourself you shouldn’t feel guilty in his arms as you feel a low rumbled groan rattle up through him. 

Your breath deepening as his robotic hand grips tight at the back of your thigh, holding your leg around the curve of his body as his mouth finds the sensitive spot just below your ear.

“Do that again.” His thick sexy drawl commands as he presses down into the cradle of your thighs, making your breath catch in the back of your throat.

You almost forget what he does… As your nails rake along his scalp and down the back of his neck, as his name spills off your lips like a prayer.

“Donnie…”

“Yeah, baby?” He teases you as if he doesn’t already know, as he releases the hold of your thigh and his mouth begins to leave a tail of kisses down the front of your body - over your tank top, down between the crevasse of your breasts.

You close your eyes to the horrors just beyond your reach as Donnie nips at your ribs, tugging your tank top up as a surprised gasp lifts off your lips. 

You tell yourself you aren’t responsible for what he does at the lab, as your head swims with the feel of his hot mouth and the burn of his scruff dragging across your skin.

His mouth traces the line of your hip as he tugs at your shorts and panties.

“Tell me to stop,” You hear him dare you, his husky breath against your skin as he gives you another nip that makes you shiver.

Your eyes close as your head falls back against the pillow, giving into the way only Donnie can make you feel.

“Don’t stop,” You beg on a breathy sigh, giving into the sickness so familiar between you and your need for release.

As your panties disappear around your ankle and the heat of his mouth drags slowly up your inner thigh, you try to stay blind, try to pretend you’ve made peace with what he’s capable of.

You tried to forget the taste and feel of hell, and the knowledge others are still living it as you follow alongside while Donnie takes Danny on long walks around the field out back behind the house. 

Watching the sun beat down on your son’s golden hair as Donnie points out different birds and Danny tries desperately to mimic their call like his dad. 

You try to justify his work and the pain he causes as you watch Donnie read to Danny every night in bed. 

 Try to hold onto the good you see in him as your son hangs on his every word and Donnie traces them on the page for Danny to follow along. 

You wonder if anyone ever read to him growing up. Wonder if that’s why it’s so important he reads to Danny now and maybe that’s part of the reason, among so many others, he ended up the way he did.

You try to close your eyes to truths that are too unbearable to face. Truths that would only suck the life right out of the joy you, and especially your little boy have stumbled upon with Donnie. 

You try to lose yourself in the rough callused texture of his hands as his touch moves lazily against your bare skin when you find yourselves all alone in the dark. 

Holding tightly to the constant rhythm of his breath - lulling and mesmerizing as it fans against the back of your neck, sending tiny frayed strands of hair dancing across your face like whispered tickles.

Focus on the enormous size of his hand as it’s sprawled across your hip, molding and curving around the natural shape of your body as he holds you steady in his grip. 

Your back flush against his body. Skin dewy and hot as your body lays positioned like a puzzle piece, connected to his in the most intimate of ways.  

Your mind tries to hold onto the strength of his body, the way it feels warm. 

His skin soft, but muscles firm and unyielding against the weight of you, as he grips your hip tighter, biting and sucking at your shoulder as he pumps deeper within you.

You tried to pretend…

But you can’t.

Not after what you’ve seen. Not after what you’ve endured. You can’t pretend he isn’t a monster when he’s not by your side. 

Can’t pretend others don’t suffer under the weight of his hands and force of his will, while you and your child smile over a movie like some happy patchwork family. 

You can’t stop the sound of their cries from echoing into your head in the quiet hours while he’s away. 

You can’t pretend their pain is unseen. You can’t pretend they don’t exist, or are forgotten. 

Swallowed up in the same hole that nearly took your life. 

And you can’t pretend the man who warms your bed… the man who holds your heart and your son’s… isn’t the same man who holds the key to all their suffering. 

And that inexplicable truth always finds you, one way or another.

Five Years Earlier

When the government said they needed a national registry for all mutants, a chill ran down your spine, but still you had hope. 

This was America, land of the free, home of the brave.  You had seen atrocities happening all over the globe, but surely, those things couldn’t happen here. 

There was fear among “normal” people. Fear about mutants and what they were capable of, so naturally the government was only trying to reassure people, maintain order. 

They said it was a precautionary measure. They said it would help make everyone safer. 

But then the rumors and fear began swirling, talk of people being taken from their homes, their places of work, snatched up off the streets while the world stood silent.

You didn’t want to believe it. It wasn’t possible. Something like that couldn’t happen here, people would rise up against such injustice… but they didn’t. 

Maybe some agreed with the cause, others held their tongues out of fear, whatever the reasons, people let it happen.  

They closed their doors, looked the other way, pretended it wasn’t happening, or worse, cheered it on.

The day you saw a woman snatched right off a crowded street as people continued to pass her by as if nothing was happening, you knew the rumors were true.  

It was then that you realized you had been fooling yourself, asleep to the world you now lived in and it was time to wake up.

That’s when you went into hiding like so many others. You didn’t hide with other mutants. 

Your greatest weapon in this game of survival was your ability to blend in. Your mutant gene easily disguised, you lived amongst the rest, trying to play the role, and stay alive.

You didn’t lose all hope in humanity though, not even in those dark days. There were helpers. Those who wouldn’t – couldn’t - stand by idly and watch as such atrocities against humanity took place. 

Underground networks formed. Those willing to risk everything to hide mutants. Not because they had anything to gain, but because it was the right thing to do. 

Because they knew if they did nothing, their silence was as good as complacency. 

Those were the people who kept you believing. Those were the people who gave you hope.  Who kept you fighting, kept you hiding, kept you hoping this would pass. 

That the good and righteous would prevail, and humanity would come to its senses once again.

Until they found you…

You had been working at an art studio. Low end, on the fringe kind of place, for electric souls in need of expression. 

You didn’t have their talent, but you were always drawn to the beauty it could bring to an otherwise bleak world.

You worked behind the scenes, an extra set of hands mostly. Keeping inventory of supplies, invoices on orders, restocking shelves. 

The pay was shit, barely enough for the room you rented in an apartment on the south side, but you were happy there.

Your friend and roommate, Aster got you the job. You would later learn she and some of the regulars were part of the underground network. 

As if all roads were leading here whether you liked it or not. 

You never revealed what you were, but the truth got out to a few of them when a little girl got hit by a car just outside the studio. 

With her blood smeared on the black pavement, her mother wailing as she cradled her dying daughter in her arms, you couldn’t just sit back and hope help arrived in time. 

You couldn’t do nothing and that was your mistake. You never regretted saving that little girl. Even though you’re pretty sure it’s how Donald and his team ended up hot on your tail.

They had blindsided you. You never saw it coming. One minute you were living your simple life, the next you were returning from lunch to find the studio full of heavily armed men and your friends on the ground, held at gun point. 

You’re gut response had been to freeze in disbelief. This couldn’t be happening to you, they couldn’t have found you, but Aster wasn’t surprised. 

You knew she was brave, but you never knew just how brave until a soldier moved to grab you and out of the corner of your eye, you watched Aster pull the gun off him and fire it without hesitation.

It all happened so fast – The ringing sound of the gun fire. Her voice echoing through the building, “Run!”.  

The soldier dropping to the ground in front of you, grabbing wildly at the top of his chest. 

You don’t think, you can’t, as you spin in your chucks and start running as fast as you can for the door.

You make it out and you would have gotten away, you’re sure of it, but you look back. 

Legs pumping, you glance over your shoulder and watch in slow motion as soldiers swarm the one bleeding out on the floor, two more follow you. 

Your eyes shoot to Aster, her protests fill the studio as one of the soldiers drags her to the middle of the room, while another strings a rope over the exposed ceiling beam.

Maybe you should have never looked back, you’ll never know, but watching them drag Aster toward the hanging rope, you knew what you had to do.

Heart pounding hard in your tight chest with fear, you turn back. Dodging the two soldiers hot on your tail, you run back into the room and your own trap.

“No, no, no! Wait!” You yell at the soldiers as you race toward the one bleeding on the floor.

“I can fix it!” You yell as you drop hard to your knees before the man on the floor, pushing your way through the other soldiers trying to help him.

Your heart is pounding, your head feels light as you yank off the Kevlar vest and rip open the soldier’s shirt. 

How had she managed to hit him just above the vest? You don’t understand, but it doesn’t matter now as you move your hands over the bloody hole in his chest.

Another soldier grabs forcefully at your arms, trying to pull you away, but you refuse, as you throw an elbow back and connect with something you think might be his face.

“Let me help him!” You holler back as his grip breaks free and you quickly place your open palms down over the bullet wound, pressing your body weight into it.

All the chaos ensuing around you, the flutter of energy, the fear of your own fate and Aster’s, it’s hard to concentrate, but you force yourself to focus harder than you ever have before. 

Willing the energy beneath your hands to pull this soldiers body back together.

You can hear boots coming close, but your try to ignore them as you focus all your strength on the work beneath your hands.

“Don’t touch her.” You hear a man order, so close it sends you face whipping up to see a blonde-haired man now crouched beside you. 

You hadn’t noticed he was there until that moment. You can’t help but notice how different he looks from the rest - leather jacket, gold chain, skull tattoo on his neck, but it’s his eyes that catch you for a moment. 

A deep piercing blue that looks at you in a way that’s hard to read, but maybe, just maybe, there’s surprise in them. Surprised you came back willingly.

Your attention turns back to the soldier beneath you as you feel the tissues mending and closing beneath your hands, the bullet rising up to rest in the center of your palm.

Letting out a heavy shaken breath, a wave of exhaustion washes over you with the amount of energy your work took. 

Cupping the bullet in your shaky palm, you flip your hand over and open it to show them it’s out, he’s ok as you steadily pull back from the soldier.

You catch the blonde’s eye as you show him the bullet, sensing by the difference of his appearance and call of orders, he’s somehow in charge of his merry band of bastards. 

You swear there’s something close to disbelief in his eyes, something fixed in the way he looks at you, but you can’t be sure before you take a quick blow to the face and slam hard to the floor below.

“Fuckin freak! What’d she do to me! What’d she do to me!” You hear the soldier demand as your head spins, the world flipped on its axis as your eyes scan the studio and your cheek rests against the floor.

You had hoped your sacrifice would stop the chaos and carnage, but you realize how naive you are as you watch the soldiers place the makeshift noose around Aster’s neck. 

Screams fill the studio from the others held at gun point down on the ground. Your head is pounding, but still you rise up against the pain, your voice bursting to life.

“No!” You scream, but it’s too late as you watch your friend get strung up, her legs jerking as her hands reach desperately for the rope.

“Stupid bitch.” You hear them callously surmise.

The horror before your eyes lights a fire within you as you push off the floor and charge boldly at the soldier holding the rope. 

Jumping onto him - you attack, fists swinging, nails clawing as you try to get him to let go, but he’s stronger than you and you’re not surprised when he manages to fling you off his back.

The wind knocks out of you as your back slams to the ground. 

Your gasping for air as your eyes barrel up on the soldier, the butt of his rifle raised and ready to slam down on you, before a halting noise fills your ears, and you spot the blonde again, his finger raised as if to stop whatever that soldier had in mind.

He crouches down next to you, reaching for you as you resist, until he pins your arms down to your sides and stoves a knee deep in your chest. Staring down at you, those piercing blue eyes are all you can see and the way they look at you is like nothing you’ve experienced before.

“You really gonna make the rest of these people die before we drag you outta here, baby?” He asks you tauntingly as his gold tooth shines down on you.

Your eyes glance around and see your friends, your co-workers couched on the floor crying as automatic weapons aim straight for them, soldiers armed and ready. 

Staring up into his merciless blue eyes, a shuttered gasp of breath leaves you. 

These people you care about – you can’t bare the thought of costing another one of them their life. Not at the hands of these monsters, not for this. But you also know that if they take you, you’ll probably never return.

That’s the first moment you want to cry. Sucking in a sharp gasping breath against the pressure on your chest, you can’t fight the tears that burns in your eyes and then slide down the edges of your face as you shake your head no.  Accepting your fate.

“Good girl.” He grins, giving your cheek a playful pat before yanking you off the ground. Gripping your arms tightly behind your back.

You’ve never known fear like you do as this man grips your wrists tight. Your limbs tremble in terror from every cell in your body, your heart racing with unimaginable fear as you glance over at the people you know.

Chancing a glance, you spot Aster off to the side, dangling from a beam. 

You can’t stop the next round of tears that slip from your eyes with the sight of her, but then you see it, her leg moves. 

She’s still alive! But barely. Without warning, you buck back against the blonde, slamming your head into his chest. 

He wasn’t anticipating your sudden fight and his grip lessons for a moment, but that’s all you need to break free.

Racing toward the rope, you rip the knot free and her body crashes hard to the floor below. 

Running to her, you barely have a chance to touch her neck before a strong arm wraps around your waist, yanking you swiftly away from her.

“No, I can save her! I can save her!” You scream, fighting against the hold he has on you, but the robotic hand around you is unrelenting as it drags you away.

“Let this be a lesson to all of you. Treason will not be tolerated.” You hear his southern voice holler out. 

His breath heavy beside your ear, just before he speaks only for you.

“She’s a lost cause, baby.” His husky voice drawls out smoothly and before you can believe your eyes, one of the soldiers is on her, pointing a gun down at her head and pulling the trigger without hesitation.

“No!” You scream violently through tears. 

Your body bucking frantically against his grip, hands desperately clawing at the metal trying to break free as he drags you back toward the darkness.

“Macon, let’s go!” Is the last thing you hear him say, his words echoing in your head…

You can still hear your cries vibrating through you, rattling through the hollows of your chest. 

Still see her body as you cry out, your throat sore from the force of it as your eyes shoot wildly open in the dark. 

Donnie’s smell engulfs you, suffocates you like the feel of his arms trapped around you. 

His hands are on you, grabbing at you, burning into your flesh as you fight to break free, thrashing against the blankets and his strength. 

Donnie comes into view - shirtless, hair disheveled, his piercing blue eyes full of so much confusion as he blinks at you. 

Your face whips frantically around the room as the four walls of your bedroom fill your eyes, but the line between this world and the past is a thin veil rolling like a wave, unfolding onto itself. 

It’s all still so real, so present, as If it’s happening before your very eyes all over again.

A sob rips violently up your throat, clenching at your belly. Gasping you shove at Donnie as hard as you can.

“Don’t touch me!” You yell at him as tears burn and fall rapidly from your eyes. 

You pulse pumping frantically, heart racing wildly as you scramble and stumble out of your bed, needing space and room to breathe. 

The wooden floors feel cool on your bare feet as you stumble around disoriented, the tears feel warm as they rush down your flushed cheeks, reaching for your chest, you try desperately to catch your breath.

Donnie comes into view again, rounding the side of the bed, moving toward you. 

The sight of him sends your panic in full drive as you rapidly move back, arm raised trying to keep him at bay.

“Stay back.” You order.

Your head swirls with images of your dear friend, the sight of her horrible death, the callousness of Donald and his men. 

Your back hits the wall and you find yourself sliding down it to the floor below as the tears keep coming. 

Wrapping your arms around yourself, you bury your face in the hill of your knees as your body trembles violently all over. 

You wish this would stop, wish you could tell yourself it was only a dream, but it wasn’t, it was a memory. 

A horror show you fear you’ll never make peace with, like so many others buried inside your mind.

The sound of little feet on the floor catches your attention, frantically you fight with yourself, struggling to steady and compose your breath. 

You hate your baby to see you like this. Your face rises as the sound of Danny’s feet come close.

“Come ‘ere, Buddy.” You hear Donnie say as he reaches for your son, but unlike any other time Donnie reaches for him, Danny begins to protest this time.

“No, I help mommy.” He insists stubbornly.  

Wiping the tears from your face, you smile at your little boy standing before you, his hand gently touching your damp cheek as he tries to hand you the cup of water from his nightstand.

“Here mommy, dwink. Is ok.” He tells you in the softest voice. 

And your heart breaks all over again with the sight of him. Breaks, because he knows what this is, even though he shouldn’t, because he’s see you have an episode before, more than once.

Taking the water into you hand, you open your other arm to him and Danny easily snuggles in. 

Your heart feels heavy with guilt as he burrows in close. He deserves so much more than you. He deserves a better mom, not a broken one. 

And its moments like this you wish he had been born to someone else, someone better.

Snuggling him close, you only realize Donnie is still standing in front of you when Danny addresses him. 

“Is ok, Daddy. Mommy jus had bad dweam.” He explains in a voice that makes him sound years older than he truly is as he hugs you tightly around your neck.

Crouching down, Donnie looks at you closely. His eyes a strange mixture of concern and guilt, because you both know his imagine haunts your deepest nightmares.

“You ok, baby?” He asks, his voice heavy and thick, but when you jerk away as he reaches out to touch your face, his breathe nearly dies mid intake.

Staring into his eyes, in that moment you can’t help but wonder who’s dying in a cell he holds the keys to while you play a dysfunctional game of house. 

All the time you spent praying and begging for someone to hear your cries, rescue you from your hell at Transigen, and here you are now, blind to another’s. 

Rising slowly on your feet, you hold Danny close and shift him to your hip. Your eyes never leaving Donnie’s as your lips hold mute, the tension thick between you. 

Staring into his eyes with all your memories and pain so fresh within your veins, you can’t help but wonder, who is this man you love? How can he contain such contrast inside one body? And how come you still love him in spite of it all?

Breaking his gaze, needing time to think, you move for the door.

“Hey,” Donnie drawls out more demandingly, not one to be ignored. 

He forcefully grabs your arm, but when you flinch against his grip, his eyes grow wide and his hand slowly let’s go.

“You gotta know by now I’d never hurt you again, baby.” You hear him say, his face a guarded mask, his features set and firm, but his eyes, his eyes hint with shades of pain, rejection.

The sight of it brings tears swelling in your eyes as you hold Danny close, gently smoothing down his hair. 

You do know, you can see it, he regrets the pain he caused you and would never willingly do it again. 

And you do love this man. God help you, you do. Probably never stopped loving him… probably never will. 

But you don’t understand, can’t wrap your mind around how the man who can teach Danny about football and hold you safe at night, is the same man who wishes to wipe your kind off the planet and has gone out of his way to do so.

Looking into his eyes, you fight to hold the tears back. 

“I know… I just… I just don’t get it.” You finally say, more to yourself than even him as your voice wavers with emotion.

Donnie eyes you with caution, before his breath dares to ask. Somehow sensing he isn’t going to like this answer. 

“What?”

Your head shakes lightly as the thoughts become too much. The game you played with yourself. 

The one that lets you believe you could pretend he didn’t do the things he did while he was away as long as he was a good man with you and Danny when he was here.

“How you can go there, do the things you do and then come back to us.” Your voice cracks with the words, a tear breaking free at the end as you quickly wipe it away, hopefully before Danny sees.

You don’t say it - Transigen. But you both know. It’s the canyon standing between you two. 

Maybe if you didn’t know what it was like to disappear down the belly of that beast or be locked in a room for hours of unimaginable torture, but you do, and that’s something you can never forget.

“What am I supposed to say to that?” He counters, his face set, his eyes narrowing as if you’ve challenged him to an unwinnable fight. 

And perhaps the awful truth is, you have. He’s committed to his job for reasons you don’t understand. 

A job that destroyed your world. Nearly destroyed you. And now you’re both just supposed to pretend that doesn’t impact your life together here. 

Pretend you can have it all, Transigen and each other. You see now that was ridiculous.

“I just… I need some time to think and figure things out.” You say, turning from him, to go back to Danny’s bed for the night.

You awaken sometime later to the feel of Danny hot and sticky with sweat against you. 

Gently lifting your little boy off your chest, you lay him back down against the mattress and pull back the blankets to go back to your bed. 

That’s when you spot him – Donnie, asleep against the wall, on the floor by the door. Creeping over to him, you crouch down in front of him and gently shake his arm.

“Donnie,” You whisper, trying not to wake Danny.

Donnie wakes with a start the way he always does when you catch him sleeping somewhere besides his bed, always on guard. 

He reaches out for your arm suddenly, gripping it tight until he recognizes you and easily let’s go.

“What are you doing in here?” You ask quietly, not sure when he came in or why he’s down on the ground.

His eyes hold yours, steady and sure as he speaks. 

“I’m watchin’ out for you. I’m not gonna let anythin’ happen again.” He tells you simply in a thick southern drawl, heavy from sleep.

But it’s the meaning behind his words that makes your heart swell.  

Donnie’s never been good with words, even less when it comes to feelings, but his actions speak loud enough.

Reaching for you, Donnie tries to pull you into his arms, but you resist, easily slipping from his grasp to take a seat on the opposite wall across from him. 

Your mind still a swirl of unanswerable dilemmas you’re not sure snuggling can fix.

You hold his eyes, offering him a small smile. Trying to say without words, it isn’t on him, it’s about you. 

But Donnie isn’t good with no, so he pushes off the wall and moves to you. 

Kneeling over you, your eyes hold steady with his as he gently cups your jaw and brings his lips down to your forehead for a brief kiss. 

Resting his head against yours, you hear him let out of a long uneven breath.

“I’m tryin baby.” He drawls out with more raw honesty than he usually expresses. The kind of truth that comes from a man when he’s scared of losing something he loves.

“…I’m tryin.” You hear it in the waiver of his breath, he’s never done this before, he doesn’t know what you need, how to help you, but he’s trying.

“I know,” You try to reassure him as your fingers faintly trace the tattoo on his neck.

Pulling back slowly, Donnie takes a seat beside you, tangling the hand at your side with his. 

Drawing your hand to his lips, he softly kisses your knuckles, his eyes holding steady with yours, steady and unwavering against the darkness that surrounds you both.

[ssmsdaisy]

A friend of mine at school wrote me a love story about Donald and Daisy and I wanted to share it all with you. I thought it was really sweet and I’m glad to see so much Donsy love!

Donald had on his navy uniform as he stood up in his room, bags all packed. A small smile formed on his face as he looked around. His bed where his mom would tell him stories of knights in shining armor and finding buried treasure. His dresser that was filled with figurines of boats and pictures of boats. He had packed up pictures of his family and his friends as to remember them. A few months out at sea could get lonely. The closet was empty except the baby blue coating on the walls that filled the small space.

There were a few knocks on the door as a slender duck with white feathers came in. Her red hair went a bit above her shoulders. She wore a green dress that barely went past her ankles and yellow pumps. She adjusted her green hairbow and looked at her son with a smile.

“There’s my handsome boy!”

Donald chuckled a bit, rubbing the back of his neck. “Hi Ma.”

Hortense looked at her son as she tried not to cry. It was hard for her to watch her only son go but with Della have been going off to be a pilot a few years ago and now, Donald heading out to join the Navy, she couldn’t be any prouder.

“Follow me out into the living room, your father wants to say goodbye.” she sighed as she headed out of his room.

Donald nodded as he picked up the two, black duffle bags and headed down the hall and into the living room after his mother.

“CONGRATULATIONS DONALD!” a wave of people yelled as they clapped.

Donald was taken aback by the loud noise as he stared at his friends and family who were standing in the middle of the room. A huge banner above them read “CONGRATULATIONS DONALD “ in blue letters as black and blue balloons accompanied it.  

“We all wanted to congratulate you on accomplishing your dream, son!”  Quackmore burst.

Donald felt tears form in his eyes as he wiped them away. “You guys are the best!” He pulled his mother and father in for a huge hug. It lasted a couple minutes before he broke away from them both.

“Now go have fun with your friends!” His father said as he watched the teen rush towards his pals.

After opening gifts from his friends and family and enjoying some celebratory chocolate cake his Grandma had made, it was time for him to go.

“Bye ya pal.” Mickey said as he hugged Donald.

“Be sure to take tons of pictures.” Goofy added as he joined in.

Donald chuckled a bit as he looked up at the dog. “I will Goofy.”

Minnie chuckled a little as it was her turn to hug the water fowl. “Bye Donald.”

“Bye Minnie. Thanks for the party, it really meant a lot to me.”

“Anything for the greatest duck in Duckburg.” she giggled.

“We’re gonna miss ya lad.” Scrooge sighed as he placed a hand on  his nephew’s shoulder.

Donald broke out of the hug and looked at him. “I’m gonna miss you too.” he responded, holding his uncle’s hand. He looked over his uncle’s shoulder and saw his girlfriend standing there,  Her hair in a ponytail as she held her hands behind her back. She had on green cargo pants and a blue tank top. She wore the beaded necklace Donald had made her, with various beads that Donald had collected over time when he was a duckling. Her eyes were filled with tears.

Donald let go of his uncle’s hand and went straight to her. He looked into her eyes and pulled her into a hug. Daisy hugged him back, her beak buried in his shoulder to muffle the sound of her soft cries. Donald rubbed her back as he soothed her.

“Don’t cry toots. Anything but the tears. I hate it when you cry.” he muttered.

Daisy sniffled as she tried to calm herself down. “I’m gonna miss you so much! I don’t want you to leave.”

Donald pulled out of the hug and cupped Daisy’s cheek. “I’ll video chat you every day, i’ll call, i’ll write. I’ll do everything i can to let you know that i will always be there for you even when i’m out at sea.” He wiped her tears away with his thumb.

Daisy placed her hand over his on her cheek. “Please come back safe.” she shuddered.

Donald gave a small nod as he kissed the top of her head. His eyes lit up as a thought entered his mind. He searched his person and took out a small, silver ring with a pink gem in the center.

“Don, what is…?” Daisy started to say as Donald slipped it onto her finger.

“I was gonna wait and give it to you on your birthday but seeing as how that’s months away and I’m gonna be leaving, i wanted to give it to you now.” he explained.

Daisy was speechless as oncoming tears formed again. “Oh, Donald...it’s beautiful.”

Donald chuckled, placing his forehead to hers. “You’re beautiful.” He leaned in close as he pressed his beak against hers.

Daisy wrapped her arms around his neck as she kissed him back.

Donald was blushing far back as they kissed. Thank goodness her eyes were closed. He parted after a few seconds and gazed once more into her kind and gentle eyes.  “I love you so much.”

Quackmore had placed Donald’s luggage into the back of the car as he went over to the two lovebirds. “You ready to go son?” he asked.

Donald looked at his father out of the corner of his eye and nodded a bit. “Yeah, i’m...i’m ready.”

Donald and Daisy’s hands split apart from each other as he headed towards the car.

Hortense wrapped her arms around her son in a tight embrace. “You be safe now and write.” she choked out as tears fell. Donald returned the hug. “I will Ma, i promise i will.”

He got into the car, his father joining him in the driver's seat as he looked back at his family and his friends and his girlfriend one last time. The car sputtered a bit before starting up as they pulled out of the driveway.

Everyone ran out into the road as they waved and let out a few more goodbye’s.

Daisy’s eyes never left the car as she saw it get all the way down the end of the street sign, round the corner and disappear. Her thumb ran across the ring that was placed on her finger. She looked down at it and sighed. “I love you too.”

[sailingmystic]

Today we moved from our anchorage at Stave island and went into town to pump out our holding tank, top up our fresh water tank and grab a few things from the grocery store- oh yes and we dropped off our garbage and recycling!

We moved into an anchorage at Lindsay and Mc Donald islands and soon afterwards noticed Lori and Kyle’s boat, Tuppence pull in along with their friends on Cabernet, another Merlin.

After making some lunch and doing some cleaning of the decks, we went for a swim and then slipped over to visit Tuppence. It’s so neat that we are finally able to meet up on our boats and will cruise together a little.

While visiting in their cockpit, we noticed the dark sky rolling in, so cut our visit short and went back to Mystic to close up our cockpit.

The rain started shortly after and we were glad to have been able to put the sides in, to keep things dryer.

[nothingman]

>

One of the top national security think tanks backing the Biden administration, the Center for a New American Security, has been taking money from every major defense contractor while pumping out a steady stream of research supporting those companies’ interests. It’s yet another sign that Biden’s promised “return to normal” has, unfortunately, arrived.

Troops gather as the US Capitol in January before Joe Biden's presidential inauguration. (Rod Lamkey / Getty Images)

The promise of a “return to normal” under Joe Biden always meant two possibilities. It could mean a hard break from the obscene, in-your-face corruption and self-dealing that defined Donald Trump’s presidency. Or it could mean going back to the kind of run-of-the-mill, revolving-door Washington corruption that Trump had pledged to clean up, but ended up wallowing in.

According to a new report by the Revolving Door Project, titled “The Military-Industrial-Think Tank Complex: Conflict of Interest at the Center for a New American Security,” it looks to be the latter option that is so far prevailing in the Biden years. Released yesterday, the report charges top Democratic foreign policy think tank the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) of “at best, a serious deficiency of accountability,” and at worst, “a systematically corrupt arrangement” that sees it promote its corporate sponsors’ interests while passing it off as a public good.

The report recounts several examples of this arrangement. In 2009, for instance, CNAS published a report maintaining that the controversial use of private military contractors was essential and “here to stay” in wars like Afghanistan, all while taking money from several different firms providing those very services. One of these firms, DynCorp, was on the receiving end of $2.8 billion of the state department’s Afghanistan operations funding from 2002 to 2013, or 69 percent of the total sum.

In another case, a 2018 CNAS report charged that the Air Force’s plans to buy a hundred B-21 bombers did “not go far enough,” pushing the military to add fifty to seventy-five more jets at an extra cost of $32.8-49.2 billion. Those profits would have gone to the bomber’s maker, Northrop Grumman, an arms manufacturer that also happened to direct more than half of its total think tank donations during the 2014–19 period to CNAS.

A year before that, CNAS had charged the UAE embassy in the United States $250,000 for a report advocating looser rules for exporting US drones (“I think it will help push the debate in the right direction,” the ambassador wrote in a thank you e-mail), before publishing a separate paper calling on Trump to loosen those restrictions. The UAE ended up signing a nearly $200 million deal for the drones with General Atomics, whose billionaire chairman and CEO, Neal Blue, is both a generous donor to CNAS and sits on its board of advisors.

In these and other examples, the report states, the center failed to disclose the conflicts of interest in their reports, despite noting the existence of a policy on such conflicts in their tax filings. It also repeatedly violated the “very clear line” CNAS cofounder Kurt Campbell — then about to serve in Barack Obama’s state department, and now serving on Biden’s national security council — testified about in his 2009 confirmation hearing: that the CNAS doesn’t write about specific products its donors make, but rather stays limited to big picture foreign policy ideas.

The center’s reliance on the corporate sector, particularly military contractors, is extensive, having taken donations from all “big five” such firms in the last decade, along with twenty-four others. According to a Center for International Policy report released last year, CNAS got more defense contractor money than any of the top fifty US think tanks it analyzed. That’s in addition to contributions from NATO, the governments of the United States and eleven other allied countries, and corporate titans spanning fossil fuel, financial, tech, and other sectors, all of whom have given generously to CNAS over the years.

As the report points out, CNAS’s own cofounder — Michèle Flournoy, tipped to be Biden’s defense secretary before her own extensive conflicts of interest derailed her — pointed out the issues with a corporate funding model in a 2014 speech.

“Every funder has intent. They’re giving you money for a reason,” she said. “There are some organizations that call themselves ‘think tanks’ that actually accept money from corporations to do very specific work that tends to advocate the programs those companies produce, and I think that sort of … makes the waters more murky.”

“The scale and scope of conflicts of interest that appear in CNAS’s work and the influence that its donors may be exerting on policy further highlights serious concerns about political corruption,” wrote Brett Heinz, coauthor of the report.

Of course, CNAS is far from unique. A whole host of think tanks, including those in the foreign policy sphere like the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Atlantic Council, regularly overlap their advocacy work with the interests of their well-heeled benefactors. But few have as much influence on the workings of the US government, with at least thirteen of the center’s alumni ending up in the Biden administration to date. As the foreign policy equivalent of the Center for American Progress, this is, after all, why CNAS exists: to serve as the future Democratic administration’s foreign policy team in waiting.

Washington, it seems, is finally back in the guiding hands of the experts who were always meant to be running the show. This also means that, true to Biden’s promise, the city has reverted back to the same, unremarkably money-driven state that Trump first used to take power four years ago.

via: https://ift.tt/3adxS7O

[noisycowboyglitter]

Defiance in Action: Trump’s Fist Pump After Surviving a Shot at His 2024 Campaign

On July 13, 2024, a shocking incident unfolded at a Donald Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. As the former president took the stage to address his supporters, gunshots suddenly rang out, shattering the festive atmosphere. In a terrifying moment, Trump was grazed by a bullet, leaving him bloodied but miraculously unharmed thanks to the quick actions of his Secret Service detail.

Buy now:19.95$

As chaos erupted, Trump was quickly ushered off the stage by agents who shielded him from further harm. However, in a defiant display of resilience, Trump emerged moments later, his face still streaked with blood, and defiantly raised his fist to the cheering crowd. This iconic "fist pump" gesture, captured in countless photos and videos, quickly became a defining image of the rally, symbolizing Trump's unwavering spirit even in the face of danger.

Buy now

The would-be assassin, later identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, had positioned himself on the roof of a nearby building and opened fire on the stage. However, a Secret Service sniper stationed nearby swiftly neutralized the threat, returning fire and fatally shooting the gunman[4]. The attack left one rally attendee dead and another critically injured, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Trump's allies and supporters rushed to share images and videos of the fist pump, framing it as a testament to his fighting spirit and a rallying cry for his 2024 presidential campaign. Many took to social media to express their support, with some even creating merchandise like long sleeve shirts and sweatshirts featuring the slogan "Trump Fist Pump Shot At Trump 2024".

Buy now

The incident has sparked a renewed debate about the security challenges faced by political candidates and the need for heightened measures to protect them. It has also highlighted the deep political divisions in the country, with some accusing the media and Democrats of creating an environment that could incite violence.

Despite the harrowing experience, Trump has vowed to continue his campaign, stating that the attack will only serve to galvanize his supporters and strengthen their resolve. The "Trump Fist Pump Shot At Trump 2024" has become a symbol of his resilience and a rallying cry for those who believe in his vision for America.

As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this shocking event, it remains to be seen how it will impact the 2024 presidential race and the future of American politics. One thing is certain, however: the image of a bloodied but defiant Donald Trump defiantly pumping his fist will be etched in the collective memory of the nation for years to come.

Buy now

In the aftermath of the shooting, Trump's supporters rallied behind him, creating merchandise like tank tops featuring the slogan "Trump Survives Rally" as a symbol of his resilience and their unwavering support for his 2024 presidential campaign. These tank tops have become popular among Trump supporters, with many wearing them as a political statement and a way to show their solidarity with the former president The incident has sparked a renewed debate about the security challenges faced by political candidates and the need for heightened measures to protect them.Despite the harrowing experience, Trump has vowed to continue his campaign, stating that the attack will only serve to galvanize his supporters and strengthen their resolveThe "Trump Survives Rally" tank top has become a symbol of his resilience and a rallying cry for those who believe in his vision for America

[realcleargoodtimes]

Donald Trump and Brad Parscale Getty Images/Salon President Trump's 2016 campaign identified more than 3 million Black voters it wanted to deter from casting ballots in the presidential election, according to a massive data leak obtained by the British news outlet Channel 4. The leak revealed that the campaign compiled data on nearly 200 million voters and divided them up into eight different categories. One category, titled "Deterrence," listed 3.5 million Black voters.

President Trump's 2016 campaign identified more than 3 million Black voters it wanted to deter from casting ballots in the presidential election, according to a massive data leak obtained by the British news outlet Channel 4.

The leak revealed that the campaign compiled data on nearly 200 million voters and divided them up into eight different categories. One category, titled "Deterrence," listed 3.5 million Black voters.

The leak shows that the campaign disproportionately targeted Black voters in its "deterrence" strategy aimed at lowering voter turnout among likely supporters of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. More than 60% of people on the list in Georgia were Black, for example, even though Black people are around one-third of the state population. Black people made up 46% of the "Deterrence" list in North Carolina even though they make up just 22% of the population. In Wisconsin, Black voters made up 17% of the "Deterrence" list, even though just 5.4% of the state's population is Black.

In all, about 54% of the people on the "Deterrence" list were people of color, according to Channel 4. Other categories of voters that the campaign sought to turn out were "overwhelmingly white."

The people on the list were described publicly by Trump's top data scientists as people the campaign hoped "don't show up to vote." The campaign worked with the controversial British data firm Cambridge Analytica, now defunct, to compile the data, which was used to target certain Facebook ads to voters. Voters on the "Deterrence" list were targeted with negative ads attacking Hillary Clinton.

Trump's campaign reportedly spent more than $44 million on Facebook ads during the campaign, nearly $20 million more than Clinton. His success in targeting voters on Facebook has repeatedly been cited as a key reason for his Electoral College victory, which rested on narrow wins in a few states where Democratic turnout was down.

The campaign pumped out six million different versions of "highly targeted messages" and targeted voters with the help of a Facebook employee embedded within the campaign, according to the report. Some of the ads were "dark posts," which disappeared from user feeds after the campaign stopped paying for them, meaning that there is no full public record of the ads the campaign bought and it is impossible to tell exactly how voters on the "Deterrence" list were targeted.

The Trump campaign has denied that it targeted Black voters. Brad Parscale, who ran the campaign's digital operations in 2016, told PBS with "100%" certainty that the campaign "did not run any campaigns that targeted even African Americans."

But the Channel 4 investigation found that people on the "Deterrence" list were served anti-Clinton ads focusing on her 1990s comments about juvenile "super-predators," which was viewed in later years as a justification for the mass incarceration of young Black men. Cambridge Analytica acknowledged in a document obtained by the outlet that the video targeted African Americans.

Jamal Watkins, the vice president of the NAACP, called the report an example of modern-day voter suppression.

"The thing that's shocking-slash-troubling about this is that there's this category of suppression," he told Channel 4. "That 'Deterrence' part. So, we use data — similar to voter file data — but it's to motivate, persuade and encourage folks to participate. We don't use the data to say who can we deter and keep at home. That just seems — fundamentally, it's a shift from the notion of democracy."

Watkins said that Facebook has not "fully disclosed their role" in the ad campaign and called on the social network to crack down on "suppressive ads."

"It's not 'may the best candidate win' at that point, it's 'may the best well-funded machine suppress voters and keep them at home, thereby rigging the election so that someone can win,'" he added.

A Facebook spokesperson told Channel 4 that the company has addressed the issues that permitted the scheme.

"Since 2016, elections have changed and so has Facebook — what happened with Cambridge Analytica couldn't happen today," the spokesperson said. "We have 35,000 people working to ensure the integrity of our platform, created a political ads library … and have protected more than 200 elections worldwide. We also have rules prohibiting voter suppression and are running the largest voter information campaign in American history."

Though Trump lost the Black vote by more than 80 points in 2016, reduced Black turnout has repeatedly been cited as a key reason why Clinton lost several states Democrats had previously carried for decades, most notably Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. About 2 million Black voters who backed President Barack Obama in 2012 did not turn out to vote for Clinton.

The new report "has exposed the ways in which the Trump campaign used targeted digital ads to intentionally and methodically deter Black Americans from voting," said a spokesperson for the African American Policy Forum, a social justice think tank. "This is twenty-first century voter suppression."

Related Articles Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain dies from complications of COVID-19 at 74

US COVID-19 death toll projected to hit almost 300,000 by December: researchers

COVID victim’s daughter at DNC: Dad’s "only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump"

Republicans trail Democrats in ratings race after night one of convention

Our goal is to create a safe and engaging place for users to connect over interests and passions. In order to improve our community experience, we are temporarily suspending article commenting. Trump campaign 'used sophisticated algorithm to

[etsy1-blog1]

HG Apparel Reagan Bush 84 Republican Shirt  From the same legendary company that brought you the Back to Back World War Champs Shirt & the Abe Lincoln Ablish Sleevery Tank Top Shirt we now bring you the Reagan Bush 84 Vintage Republican Presidential Campaign T-Shirt.  The Ronald Reagan and George visit us for more info!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/231007704/reagan-bush-84-shirt-retro-republican-t

[alexsmitposts]

The Simple Truth About the Yemen Catastrophe Yemen, Saudi Arabia’s southern neighbor, is a human catastrophe that will go down in history as one of America’s biggest policy mistakes. This poor Middle East country is the perfect reflection of failing U.S. strategies that will only balloon as the years draw on. Here is a candid look at another proxy war to perpetuate a misshapen dream. The civil war in Yemen is about three things. Saudi/Israeli geostrategy, oil markets, and the geography of energy. Whatever else you hear about this most inhumane conflict, rest assured crude oil and natural gas are at the core of the conflict. With Saudi Arabia having already exhausted most of her oil reserves, only new finds in the region can prop up that ridiculous regime. I won’t get into the term “peak oil” here, I’ve already covered this many times. The point is, the world’s oil has to run out sooner or later, and places like Yemen are now becoming the battlegrounds for energy-dependent nations. The Big Energy Grab Yemen never was a big oil producer. Since the civil unrest began, the country’s relatively small output has been choked down to a dribble. But Yemen is a very young territory for exploration, when compared to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE and others in the region. Two older fields that only came online in the mid-1980s reached peak production in 2001, and most experts say Yemen is one of those “post-peak” countries with no chance of a resurgent economy. I am not one of these analysts. The so-called frontier fields offshore are an energy bonanza I believe is fueling Saudi Arabia’s and America’s war on these people. Yemen’s offshore frontier basins, and to a lesser extent those onshore, are what the Saudi coalition is after. The idea that the Saudi’s are deathly afraid of Iran is a construct built to separate people in every nation from the truth. Religious differences, Sunni versus Shia, Christian versus Muslim, they’re a convenient excuse as has always been the case. Take a look at this report by Mustafa As-Saruri, Ph.D., and Rasoul Sorkhabi, Ph.D. at GEOExPro. Take note also, of the offshore blocks bid on by western oil giants recently. On offshore and other new discoveries, I quote from another GEOEx report from the mid-2000s: “Yemen boasts twelve sedimentary basins, but oil production has come from only two of these, both lying in the center of the country, indicating that there is promising potential for further exploration both on and offshore Yemen.” Take note here, these new reserves would be sweet oil and not the sludge Saudi Arabia is thinning with seawater to get it to pump. I won’t get into technicalities, but much of Yemen’s oil wealth comes in the form of 41°API or above oil, which equates to quality and ease of extraction compared to what is currently coming out of Saudi Arabia. Cold War II Geostrategy This declassified (sanitized) CIA document tells us the Yemen situation in historical context, and show us U.S. policy toward the country is all about what I’ve suggested. Oil is a key factor, there is more oil than has been projected, and Yemen is part of a New Cold War hegemonic strategy by the U.S. and allies. Ironically, the CIA’s information and recommendations on Yemen in the 1980s proved wrong on many accounts. The experts creating these strategies were no less Anglo-European in their thinking than today’s analysts. They got the oil part right and missed the Soviet influence and North and South Yemen’s reunion totally. U.S. policy back then, as now, looked like cheerleading for big oil. In the aforementioned report, Hunt Oil, Amoco, and Texaco were the superheroes that would bring both Yemen into the U.S. stable of allied nations. Today, the strategy has only changed slightly. Almost 17 million people in Yemen are unable sustain themselves, and the western narrative still relies on religious differences to explain the divide between Yemen and its neighbors. U.S. think tanks have Detche Welle convinced the catastrophe is a Sunni-Shiite conflict. Israel’s Tel Aviv University’s Moshe Dayan Center gives the same diagnosis. These vested interests all want you and I to believe that Saudi Arabia is trying to save Yemen from the same fate as Iraq! No, I am not kidding, read the DW story. And the Germans wonder why “peace is still elusive?” Religion has precious little to do with the conflict in Yemen today. The root causes of this proxy war are as I have stated. Right behind the energy war, the battle for geostrategic posture has put the people of Yemen in extreme peril. To find the proof of this, we have to scan the western mainstream until we reach our old friends Al Jazeera. They tell half the story with: “Reminiscent of the “Great Game” played out in Afghanistan between Great Britain and Russia more than a hundred years ago, Saudi Arabia and Iran are engaged in their own decades-long strategic rivalry for power and influence in the Middle East, stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf and Arabian Sea. It is built mostly along sectarian and ideological lines – Saudi Arabia as the leader of the Sunni Muslim world, and Iran as the leader of the Shia Muslim world.” The other half involves post-colonialist nations that always have a hand in the affairs of nations at cultural and economic crossroads. Insert Britain, France, Germany, and the United States, alongside China and Russia here. Of course, the Al Jazeera piece is slanted toward Saudi Arabia and the Israeli contingent, but the “Great Game” recollection is sound. Yemen controls the entrance to the Red Sea through the Gulf of Aden and the Suez Canal. When all is said and done, this is the only story. Cold War II – same as Cold War I. Political Geo-Dynamics When we think of places like Iraq, Kuwait, or even Russia, we often think of the energy and natural resources. That is, where economics and geostrategy are concerned. Transit routes are not so often discussed beyond choke points like the Persian Gulf or the Suez Canal etc. How oil or natural gas gets from one place to another is a bit too wide a topic for the average Washington Post reader, let’s just face it. So, imagine how obtuse most Americans or Germans are when we talk about other market factors like OPEC’s competition, and shale helping America reenter the energy game in a big way, most people just don’t have the time to invest. Reading how Royal Dutch Shell, BP, and Exxon Mobil Corp. is doubling down on shale output, it’s just not sexy for most people. On top of this, try to explain the complexities of global competition between Russia and the United States with Europe sitting in between, and you lose almost everyone. If I may, a bit over oversimplification can help even the busiest reader understand what I mean by Political Geo-Dynamics. Geodynamics is about the processes which have shaped the Earth. So, if we overlay a political map on top of the quantities of natural resources on our planet, we end up with a pretty good idea where conflicts and other synergies will surface. Consumption/demand plays a major roll in how crises flux, as you can imagine. The Middle East had to become a crisis point for a number of reasons, not the least of which being OPEC’s squeezing of America back in the 1970s. But let’s not digress. America and Europe need more gas, corporations want to maximize profits in fulfilling the demand. Russia and Gazprom making a trillion euro off of the Europeans, for instance, is not something that is going to make Dutch Royal Shell, BP, or Exxon happy. Iran getting rich off the world’s biggest natural gas resources is not going to happen either. I won’t even get into Germany and the world’s most profitable energy company, E.ON. (2015 earnings $126.97bn) This is a topic all its own. Yemen satisfies three of three qualifying characteristics to be a target for annihilation. If the western alliance cannot have a puppet government in place, and if BP, Total, and Exxon cannot share in the offshore oil riches, then the bombs are going to fall until they can. America is going to have the geostrategic location and the bases, or the blood will flow. Yemen was just unlucky enough to have jutted out of the primordial ooze in the wrong place. It would not matter if Yemenis were Southern Baptists or Episcopalians, Donald Trump or any U.S. president would be backing Saudi Arabia and Israel in destroying the place or controlling it. This is a simple truth. Yemen is about container shiploads of money. The religious aspect is just for headlines people can understand. Christian versus Muslim, Good Old Boys versus Terrorists, you know the game. What bothers me most, besides the starving or blown to bits children, is that we cannot just come out and admit its about greed. Hitler was more honest than current leaders, at least. Lebensraum was about killing people in Eastern Europe to get their land. Why can’t our killing Yemenis be about America maintaining power? I bet most Yemenis wish they’d been born in Nova Scotia.

[elizabethcariasa]

Federal gas tax increase gaining support, but political potholes remain

Driving vacations are much more enjoyable when gasoline is cheap and the person behind the wheel isn't as amped up as this guy!

The surest sign that summer is on the way is not temperature changes, but increasing gasoline prices.

Oil companies traditionally take advantage of the seasonal shift, as families here in Texas and elsewhere across the country load up their cars — and fill up the gas tanks — to hit the road.

Not too long ago, I topped off my tank with regular at $1.89 per gallon. Today the lowest price I've seen in the area is $2.36.

True, that's about half of what we saw at gas stations a couple of years ago. But we've been spoiled by low pump prices.

That may be why some lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are talking about, gasp, raising the federal gas tax.

Fuel tax timing: One school of thought is if they can slip the tax through while fuel prices are relatively low, maybe the increase won't cause to much of an uproar, especially if it is phased in over several years.

That's the plan now being discussed by both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill.

It's also gotten the support the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Trucking Associations and, back in 2017, even Donald J. Trump.

When Trump met with trucking industry representatives and drivers two years ago, he indicated he was amenable to increasing the gas tax as long as the funds went to highway projects.

The federal gas tax has been stuck at 18.4 cents per gallon since 1993. The corresponding diesel fuel rate also has remained at 24.4 cents since then.

Opponents of any federal gas tax increase fear it would push pump prices into these extraordinary ranges.

Most drivers opposed: Professional truck drivers are likely the only motorists who support the increase.

Most Americans, however, have consistently balked at the prospect of paying more for gas due to a fuel tax increase. We love our fossil-fueled cars (sorry Tesla and other electric vehicle makers) and fuel price increases can have a major impact on many drivers' budgets.

I get it. I grew up in West Texas where a round trip of 100 or more miles to run errands or eat at a fancy restaurant was (and still is) not unusual.

Also, outside of major cities, sparse public transportation options (yes, I'm looking at you, Austin, Texas) makes driving the only viable way for a lot of folks to get around.

But the realization that America's bridges and roads are in alarming disrepair — insert your own infrastructure week joke here — is starting to sink into the public and political consciousness.

States taking fuel tax lead: Many states have recently (both in 2017 and 2018) bumped up their fuel taxes. The latest increase came this week in the politically important heartland state of Ohio.

The increases are needed, say the supporters, because newer vehicles get better mileage, meaning drivers don't fill up as often, cutting into the fuel tax revenue.

Others jurisdictions are spreading the fuel tax burden by imposing fees on electric vehicles since those drivers use the same roads, but escape the gas tax completely.

Some have even experimented with a per-miles-traveled tax. A similar national demonstration project has been proposed by a couple of House members, one a Republican and the other a Democrat.

But when it comes to the national fuel tax rates established 26 years ago, most federal lawmakers have resisted any increases.

Now, however, it's starting to look like some are ready to take a gas tax detour.

Replenishing the road fund: Part of the political shift is coming from industry support of the fuel tax increase.

Private sector buy-in has always been important, so much so that early in his presidency Trump proposed formal partnership between government and investors who would finance projects in return for revenue from tolls or other user fees.

That's still an outside possibility, but most in the public and private arenas are leaning toward the old-fashioned revenue raising option. They want to increase the federal fuels tax amounts to bulk up the Highway Trust Fund (HTF).

The HTF is where Uncle Sam gets the money to pay for roadways, bridges and mass transit. It was established in 1956 to provide a more dependable source of federal funding for the construction of the interstate highway system.

Dependable, however, is a relative term.

The HTF's two sub-funds, the Highway Account that's largely devoted to construction and maintenance of highways and bridges and the Mass Transit Account that's used toward buses, rail, subways, ferries and other types public mass transit.

The balances of both of those funds have been dropping.

Source: Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

The reason is because the HTF receives around 90 percent of its revenue from the federal fuel excise taxes. Taxes on tires and heavy vehicles (trucks) make up the rest of the fund’s income.

Since the federal gas tax is not pegged to inflation and has not been raised since 1993, the purchasing power of the revenue has eroded over time. If the current fuel tax rates had been indexed to inflation, the Congressional Research Service says that in 2017 the amounts would have been 31.7 cents for a gallon of gas and 42.1 cents for diesel.

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation estimates that the HTF's ability to pay for transportation projects has been cut by more than 40 percent since the last tax rate hike.

Private sector support: That's why many on Capitol Hill and beyond are supporting a gas tax increase.

The tax hike option is the easiest (relatively speaking; more on this in a minute) to implement and have minimal administrative costs since they already are being collected.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed a 25-cent increase over five years. The American Trucking Associations has endorsed a 20-cent increase over four years.

Leaders of the groups made their arguments last month at a Ways and Means Committee hearing on, as the committee's chairman described it, "our nation's infrastructure crisis."

Chamber President Thomas Donohue told Congress it should increase both the gas and diesel taxes by a total of 25 cents, then index the new tax rates for inflation so that there would be no need to revisit this issue in the future.

"The proposal would raise $394 billion over the next 10 years, which would be invested in our highways, bridges, and transit systems in a fiscally responsible fashion," said Donohue.

Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), offered the lawmakers a similar proposal:

"ATA's proposed solution to the highway funding crisis is the Build America Fund. The BAF would be supported with a new 20 cent per gallon fee built into the price of transportation fuels collected at the terminal rack, to be phased in over four years. The fee will be indexed to both inflation and improvements in fuel efficiency, with a five percent annual cap. We estimate that the fee will generate nearly $340 billion over the first 10 years. It will cost the average passenger vehicle driver just over $100 per year once fully phased in."

Earlier this month, Spear reiterated his group's support of a higher gas tax and placed the possibility of passage on Trump.

"If the president puts his full weight behind this and wants infrastructure and wants real money to fund it, I am confident that the votes are there, both chambers, House and Senate," Spear said on an April 3 conference call with reporters.

Political potholes ahead: But any tax increase, even one characterized as a user fee, faces obstacles. Yep, here's that political component I mentioned a few paragraphs earlier.

Although members on both sides of the aisle support to some degree an increase in the gas tax, it's unclear whether there are enough to ensure passage of even a modest hike in such a politically polarized Congress.

That concern is exacerbated by the 2020 election. It will be here before we realize. Please, please hurry. I am already sooooo tired of the campaigning by all White House wannabes. But I digress.

No candidate or party, especially in a presidential election year, wants to be tagged in campaign ads as the embracer of any tax increase, even one that would ultimately improve services most of us use on a daily basis.

The best chance any gas tax increase could happen would be for it to pass this year, providing time for any drivers'/voters' anger to subside before Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

You also might find these items of interest:

Mileage tax deduction rates for 2019 bumped up a bit

Auto tariffs could cost low-income earners tax cut money

RVs; Comfy, kitschy and possibly tax deductible

Advertisements

  // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ // <![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]> // ]]>