Tag: BIGOTRY

CONFIRMED: Ilhan Omar Facing Campaign Finance Violation Probe. Here Are The Complaints Filed Against Her.

By AMANDA PRESTIGIACOMO

Sinclair reporter James Rosen confirmed Monday morning that authorities recently completed investigations into two complaints concerning campaign finance violations against Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar.

The two complaints against the controversial figure were filed last year by Minnesota state lawmaker Rep. Steve Drazkowski, a Republican. Drazkowski claims Omar spent thousands of dollars on a divorce attorney and personal travel expenses.

“In referring Omar to the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, Drazkowski alleged that Omar improperly spent close to $6,000 in campaign funds for personal use, including payments to her divorce attorney and for travel to Boston and Estonia,” says the report.

Rosen notes that Drazkowski’s filings follow “an earlier episode in which Omar repaid $2,500 for honoraria she received for speeches at colleges that receive state funding, a violation of ethics rules for Minnesota lawmakers.”

“I had observed a long pattern,” said Drazkowski. “Representative Omar hasn’t followed the law. She’s repeatedly trampled on the laws of the state in a variety of areas, and gotten by with it.”

The Republican lawmaker maintained that Omar has been allowed to skate in the face of her controversial actions by strategically using her identity as a shield.

“There’s a political fear that people have of being called a name, being called a bigot, being called racist, being called Islamophobic,” he said.

When Omar was questioned about the probe into the alleged finance violations on Thursday, she refused to respond. Earlier this year, the Democrat denied the alleged indiscretions, though the complaints were still unconfirmed to the public at the time.

“The Omar Committee’s 2017 year-end report shows several noncampaign disbursements for out-of-state travel for Rep. Omar to attend various events,” reads a notification allegedly from the finance board posted on Drazkowski’s website.

“The information on the committee’s 2017 year-end report does not indicate how attendance at these events would have helped Rep. Omar in the performance of her legislative duties,” another notification says.

The results of the investigations are expected to soon be released, Sinclair reports.

Despite her many controversies, Omar has become a key figure for the Democrat Party.

The Democrat has found herself under fire on more than one occasion for past and present comments she’s made about Jews and Israel. In March, for example, Omar suggested Jewish Americans have “dual loyalty” after she was criticized for past comments perceived as anti-Semitic.

“Lawmakers must be able to debate w/o prejudice or bigotry. I am saddened that Rep. Omar continues to mischaracterize support for Israel. I urge her to retract this statement and engage in further dialogue with the Jewish community on why these comments are so hurtful,” said Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), who is Jewish.

“Our democracy is built on debate, Congresswoman!” Omar responded on Twitter. “I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee. The people of the 5th elected me to serve their interest. I am sure we agree on that!”

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Pelosi Gives Omar A Pass As “Anti-Semitism” Resolution Morphs Into Indictment Of Trump Supporters

By Tyler Durden

After a contentious closed-door session on Wednesday among House Democrats who are deeply divided over a resolution to indirectly condemn Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) over anti-Israel comments, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) almost got whiplash from pivoting 180-degrees; excusing Omar, while dramatically altering resolution’s language from condemning anti-Semitism, to Democratic talking points commonly used against Trump supporters.

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When asked if Omar should apologize for saying that supporters of Israel have an “allegiance to a foreign country,” Pelosi gave a pass to the freshman Rep, telling reporters: “I do not believe she understood the full weight” of her words, adding that Omar’s comments “were not based on any anti-Semitic attitude.” 

If true, some have suggested that Omar is tone-deaf and not fit to serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction of the relationship between the United States and Israel.

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Meanwhile, House Majority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said that the House hopes to vote on Thursday on a resolution condemning all forms of hate, saying the message would be “we are against bigotry, we are against prejudice and against hate.” – which just happens to echo commonly used Democrat talking points about conservatives. 

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As we noted on Wednesday, Pelosi’s 180 comes after chaos broke out Wednesday during a closed-door meeting of House Democrats.

Inside the meeting, according to multiple people present, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tried to keep her caucus focused on a planned Friday vote on a sweeping campaign and elections reform bill. She acknowledged “internal issues,” according to notes taken by a Democratic aide present, and urged members not to “question the motivations of our colleagues.”

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But moments later, multiple House members stood up to challenge the decision — endorsed by Pelosi and the rest of the House Democratic leadership — to move forward with a resolution condemning religious hatred. Initially the measure targeted only anti-Semitism, with some Democrats pushing for a direct rebuke of Omar, but by Tuesday night — facing backlash from members not on board with the plan — leaders decided to expand it to include anti-Muslim bias. –Washington Post

Several Democrats those who took issue with the measure were members of the Congressional Black Caucus, who opposed even an indirect rebuke of Rep. Omar when they should be focusing on how to attack President Trump.

“I think there’s a big rise in anti-Semitism and racism, and that’s a bigger conversation we need to be having.” said Rep. Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA). “But it starts at 1600 Pennsylvania. It doesn’t start with one member out of 435 members of Congress.”

“Why are we doing this?” asked Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), who said that a resolution would be “redundant and unnecessary,” likely referring to the January 11 rebuke of Omar after she accused the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) of contributing to pro-Israel politicians.

In the end, Rep. Omar seems to have won the day.

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Dem Rep. Al Green: Trump Should Be Impeached for His Continuing Bigotry

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By Pam Key

Tuesday on the floor of the House of Representatives, Rep. Al Green (D-TX) said President Donald Trump should be impeached because Green alledged Trump has “engaged in this kind of bigoted conduct.”

Green said, “And still I rise. And I rise today with love of country in my heart and a belief that the record has to be set straight. The record has to always reflect the truth, and there is a truth that is being obscured. I want to set the record straight because there seems to be a belief that if you have committed acts of bigotry, if you have been a racist, if you have been engaged in homophobia, xenophobia, Islamophobia, if you do one thing, somehow that thing will eradicate and eliminate all of the bigotry that you have perpetrated. I rise to correct the record because I want the record to show that at least one person came to the floor of this Congress and made it clear that, yes, unemployment may be low for African-Americans, yes, it may be low, but it’s still twice that of Anglo-Americans, generally speaking. Yes, you may have signed a bill to deal with some aspects of criminal justice in a just way, and that’s appreciated. But there’s still more work to be done. But notwithstanding the fact there’s more work to be done, it’s still appreciated. But the record has to be set straight. And here is what the record should show; that does not eliminate the bigotry emanating from presidency. Eliminating bigotry does not occur because you signed one bill. It does not occur because unemployment is low. It does you have to do more than simply sign a bill.”

He continued, “And I am not saying to you than an apology is in order. I tell people, tell the truth, just tell the truth. Say I was wrong when I instituted a policy that separated babies from their mothers. That emanates the type of bigotry we don’t condone in this country. Say I was wrong when I said there was good people among those who were the racists, the bigots, the xenophobes and homophobes in Charlottesville. Say I was wrong when you don’t have to be so kind when you are part of the constabulary, you are part of the policing force in this country. Just say you were wrong if you want to atone. Signing bills won’t do it. Going to church won’t do it. Asking forgiveness will cause you to be forgiven, and I will forgive you, but that doesn’t mean you will no longer be sanctioned for your bigotry. I want to thank those who have stood and made their points clear as it relates to bigotry. I’m listening to these morning programs now. They’re all talking about bigotry emanating from the presidency, not necessarily in those words. They’re talking about the racism that the President perpetrates. I appreciate what they are saying. But we got to do more than talk about it. We cannot allow a president to remain in office who has engaged in this kind of bigoted conduct.”

He added, “It is time for us to take a stand here on the floor of the House of Representatives. There were no fine people in Charlottesville. You ought not separate babies from their mothers. You ought not have policies that would condone bigotry and encourage others to engage in it. I believe that we have a duty to take a vote. And at some point in the near future we will take another vote, notwithstanding the Mueller report. I yield back the balance of my time.”

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DEMOCRAT BLAMES TRUMP FOR DEMOCRATS BLACKING UP IN THE PAST

Democrat Blames Trump For Democrats Blacking Up In The Past

Argues that blackface Democrats not resigning is “a result of not acting on President Trump’s bigotry”

Steve Watson | Infowars.com – FEBRUARY 8, 2019

A Democrat from Texas, has vowed to impeach the President, attempting to blame Trump over Democrats blacking up in the past.

Rep. Al Green attempted to argue that the refusal of both Virginia’s governor, Ralph Northam (D), and the state’s attorney general, Mark Herring (D), to resign after admissions of wearing blackface in the past is Trump’s fault.

Green stated that it “is but a symptom of a greater syndrome that currently plagues our country as a result of not acting on President Trump’s bigotry.”

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So to reiterate Green’s logic, some Democrats blacked up in the 1980s, and it’s Trump’s fault they won’t resign now.

Green added that the Democrats are being protected “to a great extent because the Trump presidency has sent a message that you can be immune to the consequences of bigotry, by daring those with the authority and power to constitutionally remove you from office.”

Green kept digging, adding “We no longer stare bigotry down; bigotry now stares us down.”

“Further, an argument that Governor Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring should resign will subject us to accusations of political hypocrisy if we refuse to take on a bigoted president.” Green continued.

Green has previously introduced articles of impeachment against Trump based on the President “inciting racial divisions”.

“The remedy must be more than talking points about a much-needed conversation concerning bigotry,” Green said in arguing to impeach Trump, adding “We cannot allow bigotry to go unchecked.”

In a weird universe feedback loop, Green’s argument that Trump is to blame for white supremacists going unchecked is exactly what Ralph Northam said before the picture of him in blackface emerged.

Green’s attempt to blame Trump for the blackface scandal has been mirrored by sections of the media, notably NBC News:

https://www.mrctv.org/embed/536772

“I think it has something to do with what Donald Trump has unleashed. It has something to do with the reservoir that’s underneath our politics that can always be activated at any moment,” argued Princeton University Professor Eddie Glaude Jr. during a NBC panel discussion earlier in the week.

“Donald Trump has normalized this overt display of racism.” MSNBC political analyst Zerlina Maxwell agreed.

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Newly-elected Omar draws accusations of ‘unbelievable’ bigotry and anti-Semitism

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Newly-elected Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar found herself in the spotlight, not for passing legislation, but for defending herself against accusations of homophobia, bigotry, and anti-Semitism from all sides.

Omar’s victory in November was a milestone for identity politics. But even as the first Somali-American and one of two Muslim women elected to Congress last year, accusations of intolerance have dogged her first days in office.

In a tweet posted Tuesday, Omar shared a video of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (South Carolina) denouncing then-candidate Trump in 2015. Now, with Graham a reliable supporter of Trump in the Senate, Omar suggested “They got to him, he is compromised!”

Omar did not say exactly how Graham was “compromised,” or by who, but her tweet came days after a slew of accusations by others that Graham is secretly gay, or involved in sexual kink or misconduct, and that information is being used by Trump as leverage against him.

The same day Omar posted her tweet, MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle suggested Graham had about-turned on his opposition to Trump, because “Donald Trump knows something pretty extreme about Lindsey Graham.” On Saturday, ‘Avengers’ actor Chris Evans slammed Graham for his “shameful 180,” and called the South Carolina Republican “Smithers,” a reference to Mr. Burns’ lickspittle assistant and closeted homosexual in ‘The Simpsons’.

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Democratic operative Jon Cooper suggested the following day that Graham is “kowtowing to Trump (and indirectly Putin),” because of “some pretty serious sexual kink.”

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Appearing on CNN Thursday, Omar defended her tweet, but did not directly address Graham’s sexuality.

“So, I am pretty sure that there is something happening with him,” she told CNN’s Poppy Harlow and Jim Sciutto. “He is somehow compromised to no longer stand up for the truth,” Omar continued, adding that “the evidence really is present to us.”

Pressed on what exactly this evidence is, Omar replied that “It’s being presented to us in the way that he is behaving,” and that her tweet “was just an opinion based on what I believe to be visible to me – and I’m pretty sure there are lots of Americans who agree on this.”

Omar was swiftly called out, first by CNN’s S.E. Cupp, who called her comments “ignorant, homophobic and unacceptable.”

“Here we have Ilhan Omar, a sitting Congresswoman, floating around a conspiracy theory with absolutely zero evidence that Lindsey Graham is secretly gay and the GOP is holding him hostage,” wrote Republican strategist Caleb Hull. “Unbelievable.”

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Embroiled in one scandal already, Omar was also pressed by Sciutto about a 2012 tweet sent during an eight-day conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in Gaza.

“Israel has hypnotized the world,” she wrote at the time. “May Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel.”

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In her CNN appearance, Omar stood by her tweet. “I don’t know how my comments would be offensive to Jewish Americans,” she said. “My comments precisely are addressing what was happening during the Gaza war, and I am clearly speaking about the way the Israeli regime was conducting itself in that war.”

Republicans and Jewish Americans were offended. New York Rep. Lee Zeldin (R), who is Jewish, tweeted that “instead of the Dems supporting Israel & combating BDS & anti-Semitism on college campuses & elsewhere, they’re now empowering it.”

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Omar has spoken in support of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement against Israel before, and was recently assigned a seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where she will vote on issues of US foreign policy and foreign aid, including that to Israel. Crucially, her committee may soon vote on a bipartisan bill that would write into law a 2016 agreement between the US and Israel guaranteeing the Jewish state $38 billion in military aid over 10 years.

“Anti-Semitism has no place in Congress and certainly not on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. I am deeply disappointed in Speaker Pelosi’s choice, a choice that threatens the Committee’s long history of bipartisan support for Israel,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Louisiana) said in a statement on Thursday.

With two firestorms raging, Omar’s Congressional career has gotten off to a bumpy start. However, the Minnesota lawmaker is standing her ground against the criticism. As well as defending her anti-Israel statement, Omar stood by her accusations against Graham.

“The Right thinks being homosexual is ‘compromising,’” she tweeted later on Thursday. “Y’all know my tweet had nothing to do with his sexuality and everything to do with his blind cooperation w/ Trump.”

 

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Mika missing at Morning Joe after calling Pompeo ‘a wannabe dictator’s butt boy’

Mika missing at Morning Joe after calling Pompeo ‘a wannabe dictator’s butt boy’

FILE PHOTO. MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski . ©Reuters / Jonathan Ernst

MSNBC’s talk show Morning Joe had half of its host family missing on Thursday. Mika Brzezinski was notably absent amid a scandal over a homophobic slur thrown at Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Brzezinski’s offensive remark slipped in during a live interview with Senator Richard Durbin on Wednesday. She wanted to ask his opinion about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and remarks made by Pompeo on the subject earlier on Fox & Friends.

“I understand that Donald Trump doesn’t care. He doesn’t care. But why doesn’t Mike Pompeo care right now? Are the pathetic deflections that we just heard when he appeared on Fox and Friends, is that a patriot speaking? Or a wannabe dictator’s butt boy?” she asked.

MSNBC apparently tried and failed to censor the poorly thought-out quip by briefly silencing Brzezinski’s words.

On Thursday, Brzezinski’s co-host and husband, Joe Scarborough, explained her absence by saying that “Mika has the day off with her family, a long-planned family event.” He assured she would be coming back on Friday.

The network however did not immediately comment on the scandal, in contrast to its swift expression of support for host Joy Reid at the time she was criticized for homophobic posts written a decade ago.

Mika’s slur was met with instant outrage on social media, with people of all kinds of political affiliation expressing disgust with the phrase.

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Facing the heat, Brzezinski tried to apologize on her Twitter account, saying that implying a pederasty relationship was a“SUPER BAD choice of words” and that she should have called the secretary of state a “water boy” instead.

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Brzezinski’s remark is hardly the first instance when critics of Donald Trump have used homophobic biases to target him or his policies. In June, the New York Times published a cartoon showing an imaginary date between the US president and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, which viewers were supposed to find disgusting.

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MSNBC’s Eddie Glaude: “I Overestimated White People,” I Didn’t Think They Would Put Trump In Office

By Ian Schwartz

Professor Eddie Glaude Jr. said he “overestimated” white people in 2016 and didn’t think they would put someone like Donald Trump in office. Glaude expressed fear of a Trump loss and what the president and his supporters will do. He also accused the president of “doubling down” on the rhetoric that caused the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting by introducing the Fourteenth Amendment to the discussion.

“Nothing is going to get better after this midterm,” Glaude said Wednesday on MSNBC. “Everything is going to get more intense, and it may even get worse. But let me say this. Not only did he not do all the things you just laid out. He introduced birthright citizenship. He doubled down. He doubled down on what motivated them to go in there and kill 11 people. He doubled down like a moral monster.”

EDDIE GLAUDE JR.: I was critical of Hillary Clinton and get hemmed up on Twitter every day for criticizing Donald Trump because people believe I’m responsible, in part, for Donald Trump being in the White House. What I did wrong in 2016 is I overestimated white people. I didn’t think white people would put him in office.

So here he is running around the country appealing to our darker angels, appealing to our hatred and fears and I’m supposed to believe that Delaware County in Ohio is not going to vote for him. That the suburbs in Pennsylvania aren’t going to vote for him? Aren’t going to vote for him in Florida?

So part of what I do know is that it’s going to require young people, it’s going to require people of color, it’s going to require African-Americans like they showed up in Alabama and Virginia. It’s going to require us to turn out in massive numbers because I made a mistake in 2016. And the evidence is not in yet. I know it sounds cynical, but this man doubled down after 11 beautiful people were shot and killed while worshiping. Jefferson Town, Kentucky, murdered, shot in the back of the head for what? For what? Some ideal of whiteness that Donald Trump represents and spews out of his mouth every single day.

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