But Gorka, who was born in Britain to Hungarian parents in 1970, is far from the first Republican official with these sorts of ties. Throughout the second half of the 20th century, as Eastern Europeans who had fought the Soviet Union — many as part of explicitly Nazi or fascist-aligned groups — immigrated to the U.S., GOP officeholders sought their support.
Gorka isn’t unique: He “represents a long history, a century, of these types of personalities being given personal status that they never should have earned based on their ideology and their history and their affiliations,” said Russ Bellant, a former reporter who helped expose a previous wave of fascist-aligned GOP officials.
In 1968, Richard Nixon, who hoped to get elected by riding the backlash against recent civil rights advances, rapidly changing cultural norms among the youth and anti-authority riots, began aggressively courting recent immigrants who had fled Eastern Europe as the Soviet Union tightened its grip on the region in the 1940s and ‘50s. The Cold War had led the U.S. government to overlook the fascist affiliations of some of these immigrants.
Alex Wong via Getty Images
Deputy assistant to President Donald Trump Sebastian Gorka has come under fire for his reported connections to far-right-wing, anti-Semitic Hungarian political groups.
Laszlo Pasztor, who came to the U.S. from Hungary during this period, helped set up the National Republican Heritage Groups Council to organize immigrants from Eastern Europe for Nixon in 1968. After Pasztor’s success in that election, Nixon made the council a permanent feature of the Republican National Committee.
But Pasztor, who had served two years in a Hungarian prison for his role as a Nazi collaborator, had deep ties to the fascist right. He had served as a youth member of the Arrow Cross Party, the fascist Hungarian regime that collaborated with Nazi Germany from 1944-45, and as a diplomat in Germany. (This is the same Arrow Cross whose recent symbolic re-emergence in right-wing Hungarian politics Gorka has defended.) In his new role leading ethnic outreach, Pasztor would go on to recruit a number of Eastern European immigrants with similar backgrounds.
The famed investigative reporter Jack Anderson and his partner Les Whitten were the first to bring attention to the background of those helping get out the vote for Nixon in these white ethnic communities.
In a 1971 article titled “Nixon Appears a Little Soft on Nazis .. http://jfk.hood.edu/Collection/Weisberg%20Subject%20Index%20Files/N%20Disk/Nixon%20Richard%20M%20President%20Watergate%20Files/Nazis/Item%2002.pdf ,” Anderson revealed Pasztor’s fascist past and, with a tip from Democratic National Committee official William Quinn, exposed another council member, Dr. Joseph Pauco, a Slovakian who was editor-in-chief of a pro-Nazi paper in the 1940s. Anderson also named two other emigres with pro-Nazi histories who had visited Nixon in the White House or received written praise from the president.
“I think it was really important that Americans know that these people with these war crimes backgrounds were brought into the United States and elevated to leadership,” Bellant, who is now a political activist in Detroit and former Democratic Party candidate for city council, told The Huffington Post. “It’s not just the records of the people themselves but who brought them in and elevated them.”
Mark Reinstein via Getty Images
Vice President George H.W. Bush at campaign stop in Chicago with Republican Governnor James Thompson in November 1987.
The ADL and Jewish lawyer Alan Dershowitz called for George H.W. Bush, then the Republican presidential nominee, to dismiss people with pro-Nazi pasts from the RNC’s council.
At the time, Jewish groups were concerned about continued funding for the Office of Special Investigations in the Department of Justice, which sought to expose and prosecute ex-Nazis living in the U.S. Some of the former Nazi-linked emigres identified by Bellant had been outspoken in their opposition to the office. (The Office of Special Investigations eventually moved on in 2003 to investigate individuals involved in post-World War II human rights abuses and then merged into a new office in 2010.)
“It is not enough to accept the resignations of a few handfuls of bigots after they are publicly exposed,” Dershowitz wrote in an op-ed. “The Republican Party must forever rid itself of this cancer within the body politic. There is no room within either major American party for Nazi collaborators or sympathizers.”
Pasztor and the others on the campaign with similar past ties to Nazi Germany or fascist politics resigned their positions on the campaign. Bush accepted the resignations, but blamed them on dirty politics practiced by his Democratic opponent, Michael Dukakis.
“We are resigning today from the ‘Coalition of American Nationalities’ and removing ourselves from the controversy because we have been attacked unfairly by George Bush’s political opponents,” the emigres said in a statement in September 1988.
Two photos of Trump aid Sebastian Gorka wearing medal from Nazi-collaborating group to Trump's inaugural ball. http://bit.ly/2nJFqEl 4:36 AM - 17 Mar 2017 -
The new far-right European groups and parties that Gorka has participated in are perhaps best known for their bigotry against Muslims. But they also include anti-Semitic elements and venerate past symbols of native fascist movements that supported the Nazis in World War II.
And Gorka is not the only person in the White House with far-right connections. White House chief strategist Steve Bannon was intimately involved with far-right-wing parties in Europe when he led the far-right publication Breitbart. Bannon boosted the new far right, including France’s Marine Le Pen of the Front National, which was founded by her father, the Holocaust-denying anti-Semite Jean-Marie Le Pen. Bannon also boosted the Austrian Freedom Party, which was founded by ex-Nazis.
Jewish groups and senators have either called for Gorka’s resignation or asked him to clarify his connections to anti-Semitic political parties and groups in Hungary. But they shouldn’t get their hopes up. After all, it took 20 years for the GOP to oust the last group of party officials credibly accused of fascist ties.
And even then, these figures did not drift too far from power: When President George W. Bush hosted a 2006 White House screening of the film “Children of Glory,” which depicted events surrounding 1956 Hungarian revolt that was brutally crushed by the Soviet Union, his guest list included .. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/10/20061030-1.html .. one Laszlo Pasztor.
almost 3/4 down in yours, just under a Carter page photo.
See also:
Sebastian Gorka Made Nazi-Linked Vitezi Rend ‘Proud’ By Wearing Its Medal Sebastian Gorka poses with his wife Katharine Gorka at Trump's Inaugural Ball wearing the medal of Vitezi Rend.
Robert Fisk: This was a guilty verdict on America as well .. .. bits .. So America's one-time ally has been sentenced to death for war crimes he committed when he was Washington's best friend in the Arab world. America knew all about his atrocities and even supplied the gas - along with the British, of course - yet there we were yesterday declaring it to be, in the White House's words, another "great day for Iraq". That's what Tony Blair announced when Saddam Hussein was pulled from his hole in the ground on 13 December 2003. And now we're going to string him up, and it's another great day. [...] No doubt. Because here are a few of the things that Saddam was not allowed to comment upon: sales of chemicals to his Nazi-style regime so blatant - so appalling - that he has been sentenced to hang on a localised massacre of Shias rather than the wholesale gassing of Kurds over which George W Bush and Lord Blair of Kut al-Amara were so exercised when they decided to depose Saddam in 2003 - or was it in 2002? Or 2001? Some of Saddam's pesticides came from Germany (of course). But on 25 May 1994, the US Senate's Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs produced a report entitled "United States Chemical and Biological Warfare-related Dual-use exports to Iraq and their possible impact on the Health Consequences (sic) of the Persian Gulf War". - This was the 1991 war which prompted our liberation of Kuwait, and the report informed Congress about US government-approved shipments of biological agents sent by American companies to Iraq from 1985 or earlier. These included Bacillus anthracis, which produces anthrax; Clostridium botulinum; Histoplasma capsulatum; Brucella melitensis; Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli. The same report stated that the US provided Saddam with "dual use" licensed materials which assisted in the development of chemical, biological and missile-system programmes, including chemical warfare agent production facility plant and technical drawings (provided as pesticide production facility plans). - Yes, well I can well see why Saddam wasn't permitted to talk about this. John Reid, the British Home Secretary, said that Saddam's hanging "was a sovereign decision by a sovereign nation". Thank heavens he didn't mention the £200,000 worth of thiodiglycol, one of two components of mustard gas we exported to Baghdad in 1988, and another £50,000 worth of the same vile substances the following year. https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=14552291
Wednesday, April 12th 2017[, with appearances by Jerome Corsi and Roger Stone, with Roger Stone hosting the fourth hour]: President Trump warns North Korea against using nuclear weapons, as he asks China for help dealing with the Hermit Kingdom. China claims it indeed wants a peaceful solution to the North Korea problem. Meanwhile, Google searches for the term "World War 3" have hit the highest ever level, and fallout over a press secretary flub is short lived, while Trump's approval rating jumps to 47%. Philosopher Stefan Molyneux discusses the logic behind Trump's Syrian missile strike.
Democratic Congressmen John Lewis and Eric Swalwell join All In from Georgia to discuss the enthusiasm in that state for next Tuesday's special election. Duration: 4:32
The president told the Wall Street Journal China does not manipulate its currency - after he said the exact opposite dozens of times on the campaign trail. Duration: 3:15
David Nir, political director for Daily Kos, talks with Rachel Maddow about how Donald Trump has motivated a grassroots backlash that threatens traditionally Republican congressional seats. Duration: 5:00
Secretary Tillerson fails to defend US journalist in Russia
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/12/17
Rachel Maddow reports on how U.S. journalists can make leaders of less-free countries uncomfortable, and points out Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's failure to stand up for the American principle of press freedom and defend US journalists on his visit to Russia. Duration: 8:35
Fmr Trump campaign manager Manafort registers as foreign agent
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/12/17
Rachel Maddow reports that former Donald Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort has registered as a foreign agent, the second high-ranking former Trump official to do so after-the-fact. Duration: 4:12
Lawrence: The madman is still loose in the White House
The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell 4/12/17
Lawrence O'Donnell dissects Donald Trump's new comments about the military strike in Syria, James Comey, and having cake with the president of China at a Trump property. Duration: 9:53
Wendy Walsh reacts to latest Bill O'Reilly developments
The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell 4/12/17
Bill O'Reilly's Fox News career hangs in the balance because Wendy Walsh spoke out about sexual harassment. Wendy Walsh and Ana Marie Cox join Lawrence O'Donnell. Duration: 5:30
Is there a Trump Doctrine? President now says NATO isn't obsolete
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/12/17
Pres. Trump's rapid changes on global policy, Russia, and much more were on full display at his press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. MSNBC's Brian Williams has more. Duration: 10:10
Trump to WSJ: Steve Bannon is 'a guy who works for me'
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/12/17
Just how dire is the situation for Steve Bannon inside the Trump White House? It really depends on who you ask. MSNBC's Brian Williams gets analysis from Jeremy Peters & Michael Steele. Duration: 7:55
Trump says the dollar's too strong & it's partially his fault
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/12/17
MSNBC's Brian Williams and Stephanie Ruhle discuss the president's claim that the confidence he's giving people is one of the reasons, according to him, that the U.S. dollar is too strong. Duration: 3:48
Trump dwells on chocolate cake while discussing Syria strikes
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/12/17
MSNBC Military Analyst Gen. Barry McCaffrey joins Brian Williams to discuss the learning curve for Donald Trump when it comes to the use of the military's might. Duration: 1:33
Desi Lydic attends a Republican representative's town hall in red state Alabama to find out if the demonstrators at the meeting are professional protesters.
Full Show - Trump Approval Rating Rises - 04/13/2017
Published on Apr 13, 2017 by The Alex Jones Channel
Thursday, April 13th 2017[, with Anthony Cumia hosting the fourth hour]: President Trump approval rose dramatically over his handling of recent geopolitical issues, particularly with the North Korea situation. The rogue nation is preparing to launch another nuclear test, according to satellite images. DC insider Doug Hagmann explains how things could play out. We also examine the latest economic news and Steve Bannon's role at the White House.
The Nazis: - Privatized the state (one ruler / one owner) - Privatized all 13 state owned industries - Banned workers unions (the centerpiece of socialism) - Banned strikes - Subsidized big corporations & agribusiness - Relaxed gun laws, and rose to power on the failure of the Weimar Republic to confiscate their guns - Were anti-immigration - Killed Jews - Killed gays - Banned truth (burned books and killed progressive college professors) - Banned Marxist & anarchist organizations and killed their members - Were Social Darwinists (survival of the financially fittest)
David Nakamura of the Washington Post talks about his reporting on the administration’s plans to add more detention beds for undocumented immigrants and speed up hiring of new Customs and Border Patrol officers. Duration: 6:08
British intel agency reported Trump campaign Russia ties: Report
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/13/17
Rachel Maddow reports on the latest developments in the investigation into connections between the Donald Trump campaign and Russia, including a report by The Guardian that British intelligence agency GCHQ first raised concerns as far back as late 2015. Duration: 19:06
ICE targets mother with no criminal record for deportation
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/13/17
Rachel Maddow reports on the outpouring of support for Maribel Trujillo, an undocumented mother of four American citizens, including a 3-year-old girl with special needs, who has no criminal record but faces deportation under Donald Trump's anti-immigrant policy. Duration: 8:57
Arkansas plans blitz of eight prisoner executions over ten days
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/13/17
Rachel Maddow reports on a plan in Arkansas to perform four pairs of back-to-back executions in the span of 10 days with a drug they've never used before that is set to expire at the end of the month. Duration: 6:25
Drug companies protest drug use for killing death row prisoners
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/13/17
Megan McCracken, of the U.C. Berkeley School of Law Death Penalty Clinic, talks with Rachel Maddow about drug companies suing to prevent their product from being used in the execution of death row prisoners in Arkansas. Duration: 5:43
Trump seeks Coast Guard cuts despite extra golf club guard duties
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/13/17
Rachel Maddow reports on cuts the Coast Guard budget called for in Donald Trump's proposed budget, even though the Coast Guard shoulders much of the added burden of guarding Trump's Florida golf resort while he's there. Duration: 2:06
The Trump administration dropped a bomb that the Obama and Bush administrations refrained from using as new ties between Trump associates and Russian agents are reported. Malcolm Nance, David Corn, and David Frum join Lawrence O'Donnell. Duration: 17:22
Meet the Democrat leading in a red GA district special election
The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell 4/13/17
Lawrence O'Donnell talks to Democrat Jon Ossoff, a 30-year-old, first-time candidate who has raised $8.3M and is currently leading in Georgia's 6th district special election. Ossoff explains why he thinks he’ll win despite Republicans holding the seat for 38 years. Duration: 5:19
Did Pres. Trump know U.S. was dropping 'Mother of all Bombs'?
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/13/17
It's unclear whether Pres. Trump knew ahead of time the Pentagon was going to drop a giant MOAB bomb on an ISIS target in Afghanistan. MSNBC's Brian Williams gets analysis from his expert panel. Duration: 10:49
Depleted or incredible? Candidate vs. President on the military
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/13/17
As a candidate, Donald Trump repeatedly called the U.S. military 'depleted.' But as commander-in-chief now, he has nothing but praise for the Pentagon's capabilities. Duration: 1:30
Trump: 'I don't know' if ISIS strike sends message to North Korea
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/13/17
NBC News Correspondent Kristen Welker asked Pres. Trump if the use of a giant MOAB bomb on ISIS in Afghanistan was meant to send a message to North Korea. Brian Williams discusses with his panel. Duration: 3:19
Mitch McConnell: Pres. Trump 'is learning the job'
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/13/17
Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell told a conservative news outlet he thinks Pres. Trump is learning that some things he said during the campaign just won't fly now that he's president. Duration: 5:29
CIA's Pompeo blasts Wikileaks that Candidate Trump once loved
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/13/17
Mike Pompeo, Pres.Trump's CIA Director, called out Wikileaks as a 'hostile intelligence' service.' But as a candidate, Pres. Trump repeatedly talked about how much he loved Wikileaks. Duration: 1:21
Man in chicken suit among voters at rowdy Sen. Flake town hall
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/13/17
Arizona GOP Senator Jeff Flake is among the lawmakers facing angry voters at a town hall meeting during the Senate's recess. MSNBC's Brian Williams gets analysis from his political panel. Duration: 5:03
Why Wasn't Donald Trump's Bigotry a Deal-Breaker?: The Daily Show
Published on Apr 13, 2017 by The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Hasan Minhaj gives his shell-shocked take on Donald Trump's presidential victory and shares his fears about the rising tide of Islamophobia in America.
Full Show - Nuclear Showdown This Weekend In North Korea - 04/14/2017
Published on Apr 14, 2017 by The Alex Jones Channel
Friday, April 14th 2017, with appearances by Gavin McGinnes and Kaya Jones]: Intelligence officials say if North Korea follows through with a planned nuclear weapon test the U.S. will respond with a preemptive strike. Journalist Mike Cernovich is in studio to cover Trump's crackdown on pedophile rings and discuss the dying mainstream media. Also, Japan orders 60,000 citizens to evacuate from South Korea as Vice President Mike Pence heads to Seoul, SK.
Peasants for Plutocracy: How the Billionaires Brainwashed America (Mini-Documentary)
Published on May 19, 2016 by Reich-Wing Watch
The documentary explores the influence billionaires have had through massive public relations campaigns, fake "grass roots" movements like the Tea Party, and funding of right-libertarian organizations like FreedomWorks and Americans for Prosperity.
Featuring: Noam Chomsky, Ron Paul, Charles and David Koch, Thom Hartmann, Mark Ames, Mark Crispin Miller, Murray Rothbard, Ayn Rand, Rand Paul.
Trump skimps on Syria, Afghanistan policy while blowing stuff up
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/14/17
Rachel Maddow reports on the continued confused messages from the Donald Trump administration about U.S. military policy in Syria and Afghanistan even as Trump enjoys positive media feedback for missiles and bombs directed at those countries. Duration: 20:21
Trump North Korea brinkmanship puts millions of lives at risk
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/14/17
Sue Mi Terry, former CIA senior analyst on Korean issues, talks with Rachel Maddow about North Korea's military capacity, the options and potential consequences for Donald Trump, and how Trump's brinkmanship policy puts millions of lives at risk. Duration: 6:10
Judge holds up Arkansas execution spree after drug company sues
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/14/17
Scott Braden, chief of Arkansas Capital Habeas Unit, talks with Rachel Maddow about getting an emergency stay of execution for Bruce Ward, and the drug company lawsuit that had put on hold the eight executions Arkansas had planned this month. Duration: 5:51
Rachel Maddow looks at just some of the strongly expressed opinions of Donald Trump which he has completely reversed in recent days, which some see as a product of on-the-job education but others see as outright confusion. Duration: 2:20
Some misreading Trump confusion as evolution: Dan Rather
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/14/17
Dan Rather, host of The Big Interview on AXS Tv, talks with Rachel Maddow about how Donald Trump's actions are being perceived by Americans and around the world, and what is motivating those actions. Duration: 7:47
Trump considers more military action after domestic losses
The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell 4/14/17
President Donald Trump has suffered political setbacks domestically, but has the administration started to learn that some consider military action a win? And what’s happening with North Korea? Amb. Marc Gingsberg, Betsy Woodruff, and David Horsey join Ari Melber. Duration: 15:09
Steve Bannon reportedly called Jared Kushner a "Democrat" but now Ivanka Trump, Kushner, and two former Goldman Sachs execs are reportedly growing their influence ahead of Steve Bannon. Betsey Woodruff, David Horsey and Charlie Pierce join Ari Melber. Duration: 6:43
North Korea threatens U.S. with preemptive strike if provoked
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/14/17
As officials monitor North Korea for another possible nuclear test, MSNBC's Brian Williams discusses the foreign policy crisis Pyongyang's provocations pose for the Trump administration. Duration: 6:46
Can Trump really be 'unpredictable' on foreign policy?
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/14/17
Candidate Trump pledged over & over to be 'unpredictable' on foreign policy and the use of military force. But will that work now that he's commander-in-chief? MSNBC's Brian Williams has more. Duration: 7:47
Trump White House is keeping its visitor logs private
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/14/17
MSNBC's Brian Williams discusses the news that the Trump White House has decided to keep its visitor logs private with his political panel. Duration: 7:11
President Donald Trump (Alec Baldwin) looks back on his first 100 days with Vice President Mike Pence (Beck Bennett) and chooses between advisors Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner (Jimmy Fallon).
Weekend Update on Failed North Korean Missile Launch - SNL
Published on Apr 15, 2017 by Saturday Night Live
Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, including North Korea's failed missile launch and Vice President Mike Pence being sent to South Korea.
In Travis County custody case, jury will search for real Alex Jones
Alex Jones and his ex-wife, Kelly, will be locked in a child custody trial the next two weeks in Austin.
Alex Jones’ lawyers will make the case that their client should not be judged by his on-air persona.
Lawyers for Kelly Jones will maintain that Jones’ public outbursts suggest he is not a fit parent.
By Jonathan Tilove Posted: 1:50 p.m. Sunday, April 16, 2017
At a recent pretrial hearing, attorney Randall Wilhite told state District Judge Orlinda Naranjo that using his client Alex Jones’ on-air Infowars persona to evaluate Alex Jones as a father would be like judging Jack Nicholson in a custody dispute based on his performance as the Joker in “Batman.”
“He’s playing a character,” Wilhite said of Jones. “He is a performance artist.”
But in emotional testimony at the hearing, Kelly Jones, who is seeking to gain sole or joint custody of her three children with Alex Jones, portrayed the volcanic public figure as the real Alex Jones.
“He’s not a stable person,” she said of the man with whom her 14-year-old son and 9- and 12-year-old daughters have lived since her 2015 divorce. “He says he wants to break Alec Baldwin’s neck. He wants J-Lo to get raped.
“I’m concerned that he is engaged in felonious behavior, threatening a member of Congress,” she said, referring to his recent comments about California Democrat Adam Schiff. “He broadcasts from home. The children are there, watching him broadcast.”
Beginning Monday, a jury will be selected at the Travis County Courthouse that in the next two weeks will be asked to sort out whether there is a difference between the public and private Alex Jones, and whether, when it comes to his fitness as a parent, it matters.
For Naranjo, who has been the presiding judge of the 419th District Court since January 2006, it is about keeping her eyes, and the jury’s eyes, on the children.
“This case is not about Infowars, and I don’t want it to be about Infowars,” Naranjo told the top-shelf legal talent enlisted in Jones v. Jones at the last pretrial hearing Wednesday. “I am in control of this court, not your clients.”
But for Alex Jones, at the peak of his power and influence, what emerges from the art deco courthouse on Guadalupe Street might shape whether he comes to be seen by his faithful as more prophet or showman.
Infowars as evidence
Alex Jones is an Austin original who, 21 years after he got his own show on Austin public access television, has become an unlikely popular and political force in the Donald Trump era, an ingenious and indefatigable conjurer of conspiracy theories about sinister global elites seeking to enslave the masses, who found, in Trump, a hero open to his shadowy narratives.
“Alex Jones and his Infowars’ umbrella of radio shows, YouTube and Facebook broadcasts, Internet website and tweets turned out to be Trump’s secret weapon,” Roger Stone, probably Trump’s oldest and closest political confidant, wrote in his book “The Making of the President 2016.” “His fiery words have struck a chord in the nation and he speaks for millions. In fact, more people follow Alex than watch Fox News or CNN.”
In addition to broadcasting his radio show on some 150 stations, Infowars.com had 7.6 million global unique visitors between March 16 and April 14 according to Quantcast, which measures web audiences and ranked Infowars.com 387th among all U.S. websites, not far behind Texas.gov, MLB.com and PBS.org.
The Alex Jones YouTube channel has more than 2 million subscribers and more than 1.2 billion video views.
But Jones’ most important listener is the president of the United States.
During the campaign and into his presidency, many of Trump’s most defining themes and questionable assertions either originated with or were popularized by Infowars: Hillary Clinton for prison. Hillary Clinton is gravely ill. Bill Clinton is a rapist. President Barack Obama founded ISIS. The election is rigged. Millions of immigrants voted illegally. The news media covers up terrorist attacks. The “fake news media … is the enemy of the people.” Obama spied on Trump.
In December 2015, thanks to Stone, Trump appeared via Skype on Jones’ show.
“Your reputation is amazing,” Trump told Jones. “I will not let you down.”
Since Trump became president, Jones has purported on air to be in regular direct telephone contact with the president, apologizing for not always being able to answer the phone when the president calls. Last week, Jones said that the president had invited him to Mar-a-Lago but that he had to beg off because of family obligations.
Recently, Jones faulted Trump for falling for the “false flag” that it was the Syrian government, and not its enemies, that deployed chemical weapons against civilians, but he says he understands the political expedience involved and remains hopeful that Trump will reclaim the anti-globalist mantle.
Naranjo, meanwhile, said she had never seen or heard Jones on Infowars until Wednesday’s hearing, when Kelly Jones’ legal team started previewing Infowars videos it would like to play for the jury.
The first was a clip from a July 2015 broadcast in which Jones had his son, then 12, on to play the latest of some 15 or 20 videos he had made with the help of members of the Infowars team who, Jones said, had “taken him under their wing” during summer days spent at the South Austin studio between stints at tennis and Christian camps.
“He is undoubtedly cut out for this, and I intend for him to eclipse what I’ve done. He’s a way greater person than I was at 12,” said Jones, turning to his son. “I love you so much, and I didn’t mean to get you up here, sweetheart, and tell people how much I love you, but you’re so handsome, and you’re a good little knight who’s going to grow up, I know, to be a great fighter against the enemy.”
“So far this looks like good stuff,” Wilhite said. Naranjo OK’d it for viewing by the jury.
But Bobby Newman, the attorney for Kelly Jones guiding the court through the Infowars clips, was laying the groundwork for the argument that there is no separation between Alex Jones, father, and Alex Jones, Infowarrior.
“This is the world he has planned for his kids,” said Newman, quoting Alex Jones at a recent hearing insisting that what he says on the air is what he believes.
Next up was a video of a recent conversation between Jones and Stone on Infowars that quickly escalated into an expletive-studded, gay-bashing rant by Jones directed at Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee investigation of Trump’s Russia ties, in which, Schiff has suggested, Stone and Jones might be entangled.
Jones’ rant ends: “You got that, you goddamn son of a bitch? Fill your hand,” echoing John Wayne’s warning in True Grit” to a man he’s about to shoot and kill.
“This is nothing but a response to a congressman who called him a Russian spy,” said David Minton, another lawyer representing Alex Jones.
“What possible relevance does that have?” Minton asked. “They want to throw the stench in the jury box and never get the stench out. It has nothing to do with parenting.”
A few days after his Schiff riff, Jones characterized it on-air as “clearly tongue-in-cheek and basically art performance, as I do in my rants, which I admit I do, as a form of art.”
“When I say, ‘I’m going to kick your ass,’ it’s the Infowar,” Jones said. “I say every day we’re going to destroy you with the truth.”
Jones’ rhetoric is perpetually at a pugilistic fever pitch.
Back in March, after Baldwin, playing Trump on “Saturday Night Live,” said he got his information on aliens from Alex Jones, Jones challenged Baldwin to a million-dollar charity bout — “I’ll get in the ring with you, and I will break your jaw, I will knock your teeth out, I will break your nose, and I will break your neck.”
When, just after the election, Jennifer Lopez lamented about Trump at the Grammys, Jones responded that Trump “doesn’t want to bring people in from Somalia where women are sold on slave blocks. Why don’t you go to Somalia for five minutes, lady; you’ll be gang-raped so fast it’ll make your head spin.”
Naranjo said she wouldn’t allow the jury to hear the Schiff diatribe, but she allowed two other clips, including one showing Alex Jones smoking marijuana in California, where it is legal. Naranjo didn’t review the Baldwin and Lopez clips, and it’s not clear whether Kelly Jones’ attorneys will seek to include them in the trial.
Big legal bills
Every record in the Jones case has been under seal since the divorce proceeding was initiated in Hays County in 2013. In January, the court denied Kelly Jones’ motion to unseal the record, granting a motion by Alex Jones — or simply A.J., as he is known in all the court filings — to keep them sealed
For good measure, Naranjo said last week she was placing a gag order on all the litigants.
At the previous pretrial hearing, on April 7, Naranjo ruled against Kelly Jones and her lawyers on a couple of key motions.
Earlier this year, her lawyers had moved to add to the trial a $7 million emotional distress tort claim against Alex Jones.
His lawyers said it was too late to prepare a defense against a new claim with 172 separate allegations. Naranjo agreed and promised to expedite a second trail on the tort claim.
“They’d like to drag it out for two years, and she’ll be crushed and she’ll be bankrupt,” said Robert Hoffman, the Houston attorney who is Kelly Jones’ lead counsel, in arguing for rolling the tort claim into the trial.
“She already is, for all practical purposes,” said Hoffman, who said she owed his firm $200,000, about all she had in the bank.
Her attorneys also filed a motion to require Alex Jones to help pay her interim legal fees to better enable her to rescue her children from his clutches.
“I don’t think there’s another case in Travis County with three children whose welfare hangs in the balance like this, except maybe a (Child Protective Services) case,” Hoffman said.
“This is a wonderful mother who has had her kids turned against her,” Hoffman said.
Wilhite said the crux of Kelly Jones’ problem is that she has gone through one set of lawyers after another and some $3.5 million since her divorce settlement, much of it pursuing fruitless motion after motion that actually cost her access to her children each step of the way.
And she already receives $43,000 a month from her ex-husband.
Naranjo rejected the motion that Alex Jones should have to contribute more, noting that the average Travis County juror won’t understand why Kelly Jones’ monthly stipend is not enough to cover her legal bills.
“It is not within the realm of experience of their lives,” Naranjo said.
”They are not going to believe the amount of money that has been spent on this,” the judge said.
“This case is not about Infowars,” Naranjo said. “But, for some reason, this family has done very well. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be five lawyers on one side of the table and three over here, because of the business this family is in.”
Meanwhile, Alex Jones has remarried, and his new wife is expecting a child, who, his lawyers said, might arrive during the trial.
Sunday, April 16th 2017: Easter Broadcast - News regarding North Korea, Syria and the Trump administration is covered. Best-selling author and radio talk show host Michael Savage discusses his views on Trump's progress and the left's continued attempts to bring down his presidency. Author and Bilderberg expert Daniel Estulin talks about geopolitics and the ever-increasing attempts at globalization amid Trump's nationalistic rise. Happy Easter from Alex Jones and the Infowars crew!
rEVILution: Rise of the Christofascists (Mini-Documentary)
Published on Jun 21, 2016 by Reich-Wing Watch
The documentary examines the role Christianity plays in American right-wing politics and the radicalizing affect it has had. Republicans often say that a handful of radicals represent the entire Muslim community. Should Christians be held to the same standard?
Featuring: Christopher Hitches, Ted Cruz, Theodore Shoebat, Pastor Steven Anderson, Pastor Roger Jimenez, Rachel Maddow, Chris Hedges, Carly Fiorina, Kyle Kulinski, Anderson Cooper, Pastor Fred Phelps, Bill O'Reilly, Dr. George Tiller, George Carlin, Ron Paul, Jesus, Satan.
The presidential election in France could determine the political future of Europe. John Oliver visits an excessively French bistro to deliver an urgent message to voters.
Full Show - Google Caught in Giant Censorship Scandal - 04/17/2017
Published on Apr 17, 2017 by The Alex Jones Channel
Monday, April 17th 2017[, largely hosted nu Paul Joseph Watson and Mike Cernovich, with an appearance by Lionel]: On today's show we look at ways Google is working to censor Infowars.com in search results, especially by tasking contractors to assign low ratings to Infowars stories. We'll also look at the possibility the U.S. government may have interfered in North Korea's failed missile launch over the weekend, and a subsequent Trump approval ratings bump. On today's show, we'll speak with radio host Lionel about the North Korea situation and a host of other topics. Also journalist Mike Cernovich breaks down how Google is actively censoring independent media.
The Party of Duke: Rise of the Alt-Right (Mini-Documentary)
Published on Oct 21, 2016 by Reich-Wing Watch
The documentary chronicles the rise of the "Alt-Right" and how the Republican Party has been hijacked by white supremacists and fascists over the last half-century.
Soundtrack: "Brokendate" - Com Truise "Lenny Valentino #1" - The Auteurs "Like Totally" - Gold Panda "Gone" - M83 "Teartear" - Autechre "Basefree" - Boards of Canada
The evidence of pre-election collusion between Trump and the Russians, while growing, is far from definitive. The evidence on Trump’s organized crime ties is stronger. Says Marshall:
"If we'd never heard about Russian intelligence hacking of the 2016 election or Carter Page or Paul Manafort or Sergei Kislyak this [Trump’s organized crime connections] would seem like an extraordinarily big deal. And indeed it is an extraordinarily big deal."
Chronologically speaking, Trump’s ties to organized crime figures came first. Mutually beneficial transactions dating back to the 1990s led to closer relations in the 2000s and culminated in the contacts during the 2016 campaign. It all began with Russians who wanted to get their money out of the country.
"[I]n terms of high-end product influx into the United States, Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets; say in Dubai, and certainly with our project in SoHo and anywhere in New York. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."
For example, David Bogatin: In the 1990s, the FBI considered Bogatin one of the key members of a major Russian organized crime family run by a legendary boss named Semion Mogilevich. According to the late investigative reporter Wayne Barrett, Bogatin owned five separate condos [ https://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/12/19/the-curious-world-of-donald-trumps-private-russian-connections/ ] in Trump Tower that Trump had reportedly personally sold to him.
Vyacheslav Ivankov, another Mogilevich lieutenant in the United States during the 1990s, also resided for a time at Trump Tower and reportedly had in his personal phone book the private telephone and fax numbers [ http://russianmafiagangster.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-superpower-of-crime.html ] for the Trump Organization’s office in that building.
Cyprus
A lot of this Russian organized crime money flowed through Cyprus and one of its largest banks, the Bank of Cyprus. The bank's chairman, Wilbur Ross, is now U.S. secretary of commerce. When senators considering Ross’ nomination asked about Cyprus, Ross said Trump had forbidden him from answering questions [ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/27/commerce-nominee-wilbur-ross-bank-of-cyprus-putin ] on the subject.
“The fact that Turkey, the U.S. and Russia and other countries are really interested in Cyprus, because of its strategic location… the fact that Russians launder their money there to avoid sanctions, and the fact that key U.S. and Russia players were there—all make it really important for the Russia investigation,” Quigley explained in an interview [ http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170414/BLOGS02/170419905/trump-russia-probe-takes-rep-quigley-to-cyprus ].
"Nine current and former law enforcement and real estate experts told WNYC that Manafort’s deals merit scrutiny. Some said the purchases follow a pattern used by money launderers: buying properties with all cash through shell companies, then using the properties to obtain 'clean' money through bank loans."
Trump White House officials, skittish about such reports, balked when Russian banker Aleksander Torshin was scheduled to meet President Trump in February. Torshin is the deputy governor of the Bank of Russia and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin. He has cultivated Washington conservatives such as Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) and former National Rifle Association president David Keene.
Also in February, Trump received a proposed peace plan for Ukraine and Russia, offered by his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and two Russians with organized crime convictions [ https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/19/us/politics/donald-trump-ukraine-russia.html ]: Felix H. Sater, a business associate who once helped Trump scout deals in Russia; and Andrey Artemenko, a Ukrainian lawmaker trying to rise in a political opposition movement shaped in part by Manafort. The plan also would have lifted U.S. sanctions on Russia, a prime goal of the Putin government.
Sater pleaded guilty to a role in a stock manipulation scheme [ http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/17/nyregion/17trump.html ] decades ago that involved the Mafia. Artemenko spent two and a half years in jail in Kiev in the early 2000s on embezzlement charges, later dropped, which he said had been politically motivated.
Big Picture
The sheer proliferation of such contact indicates, at a minimum, that Russian organized crime figures felt comfortable in the Trump milieu.
Jonathan Winer, former deputy assistant secretary of state for law enforcement in the Clinton administration, says he was investigating Semion Mogilevich 20 years ago when the "brainy don" (as he was known) pioneered the laundering of criminal proceeds through quasi-legitimate companies in the United States, especially in high-end real estate.
Winer finds it "disturbing" that Mogilevich's associates have done business with Trump. He told a Washington conference earlier this month [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLJV2e1U7GY (next below; no comments yet; the quoted [following the YouTube] portion beginning at c. the 59:05 mark)]:
"Imagine you’re a foreign government and you want to launder money for domestic espionage operations in the United States. [High-end real estate] would be a great way to do it. It was the method used by Colombian drug traffickers all over Latin America and Miami in the 1980s and 1990s. It's a form that Russian organized crime has used... All of a sudden we’re starting to see the same kind of patterns involving some criminal people and some Russian officials showing up in current investigations with Trump properties."
The story right now, he says, is "confusing as hell." The key, he explains, is the pattern.
"These ties link up, coalesce, organize and resolve," Winer says. These are "relationships that make some sense. So we need to get below what we can see on the surface and see what actually happened.... I don't know who's going to be indicted, but boy, do I know this: the American people need to get the facts, and then justice can be done."
further/related, from Bloomberg:
Blackwater Founder Said to Have Advised Trump Team From Trump Tower to Acela, conversations with Flynn and others White House says he had no role in presidential transition Erik Prince. April 18, 2017 In the very public, post-election parade of dignitaries, confidantes and job-seekers filing in and out of Donald Trump’s marquee Manhattan tower, Blackwater founder Erik Prince was largely out of sight. And yet Prince was very much a presence, providing advice to Trump’s inner circle, including his top national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, according to people familiar with his activities. Trump was weakest in the area where the stakes were highest -- foreign affairs. Among those his aides turned to was Prince, a man whose specialty is paramilitary security forces [ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-11-21/what-blackwater-founder-erik-prince-learned-about-the-business-of-war ( https://bloom.bg/2paXubc )], and whose company is best remembered after its employees were convicted [ https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2014-10-22/blackwater-guard-found-guilty-of-murder-in-2007-iraq-shooting ] of killing Iraqi citizens, including children, in the notorious 2007 Nisour Square gun battle. Prince wasn’t implicated in the shootings. In the decade since, Prince has carved out a role as a controversial critic of U.S. policies to fight terrorism, a view often espoused by the incoming Trump administration, which was eager to ramp up its anti-terrorism policies. According to people familiar with his activities, Prince entered Trump Tower through the back, like others who wanted to avoid the media spotlight, and huddled with members of the president-elect’s team to discuss intelligence and security issues. The conversations provide a glimpse of Prince’s relationship with an administration that’s distanced itself from him since the Washington Post reported earlier this month that Prince had met with a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Seychelles in January. That island encounter was the latest in a series of conversations between Trump advisers and Russians that have come to light as U.S. investigators probe allegations that Russia interfered with the presidential election [ https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-03-02/no-lack-of-twists-questions-in-trump-russia-saga-quicktake-q-a ]. A person close to Prince said the Seychelles meeting was arranged at the request of the United Arab Emirates. The person added that it was a private meeting and that Prince was not representing the Trump administration. “Erik had no role in the transition,” White House press secretary Sean Spicer said again when asked about Prince last week. A Prince spokesman in London said the same in a prepared statement: “Erik had no role on the transition team. This is a complete fabrication. The meeting had nothing to do with President Trump.” The statement also questioned whether Prince’s activities were being monitored. “Why is the so-called under-resourced intelligence community messing around with surveillance of American citizens when they should be hunting terrorists?” Yet over a two to three month period around the election, Prince met several times with top aides as the incoming government took shape, offering ideas on how to fight terror and restructure the country’s major intelligence agencies, according to information provided by five people familiar with the meetings. Among those he conferred with was Flynn, a member of the transition team who joined the administration and was later dismissed, some of the people said. He discussed possible government appointees with people in the private sector, one person said. Prince himself told several people that while he was not offering his advice in any official capacity, his role was significant. Acela Trip The meetings occurred in Trump Tower, the administration’s transition office in Washington and elsewhere, according to people familiar with them. In one informal discussion in late November, Prince spoke openly with two members of Trump’s transition team on a train bound from New York to Washington. He boarded the same Acela as Kellyanne Conway and they sat together. Joining the conversation at one point was Kevin Harrington, a longtime associate of Trump adviser Peter Thiel who is now on the National Security Council. They discussed, in broad terms, major changes the incoming administration envisioned for the intelligence community, as recounted by a person on the train who overheard their conversation. Conway declined to comment for this story. Harrington said through a spokesman that he recalled speaking briefly to Prince on the train ride but that was the only time he talked to him. Prince was a generous financial backer of the Trump campaign, along with his sister, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Prince contributed at least $100,000 through a political action committee [ https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-06-22/new-super-pac-launches-for-donors-who-won-t-back-trump-but-loathe-clinton ] run by billionaire hedge-fund manager Robert Mercer. That PAC also funneled contributions from Thiel, the billionaire Silicon Valley entrepreneur who has acted as an informal liaison to the high-tech world for the White House. Neither Mercer nor Thiel responded to requests for comment sent to their spokesmen. [...] https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-04-18/blackwater-founder-erik-prince-said-to-have-advised-trump-team
Rep. Maxine Waters: 'This president is hiding something'
All In with Chris Hayes 4/17/17
The California congresswoman accuses the White House of lying about the president's tax returns being under audit in order to avoid tough questions about his financial entanglements. Duration: 5:33
Real Trump anti-immigrant plan seen in arrests of innocents
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/17/17
Joy-Ann Reid contrasts the Donald Trump White House explanations of its priorities for deportation with reports of arrests for deportation of mothers of American children with no criminal records. Duration: 5:12
Trump ignores oppression in congratulatory call to Erdogan
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/17/17
Joy-Ann Reid reports on the questions about the legitimacy of a Turkish referendum election and the authoritarian power grab seen in Recep Tayyip Erdogan's win, none of which stood in the way of Donald Trump making a congratulatory phone call. Duration: 3:57
Sanders rallies with Democrats for special elections
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/17/17
Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, talks with Joy-Ann Reid about the relationship between Bernie Sanders and the Democratic Party in their unified push to defeat Republicans wherever possible. Duration: 7:27
David Sanger, national security correspondent for the New York Times, talks with Joy-Ann Reid about the evolution of U.S. defense strategies against North Korea's nuclear pursuits, including the possibility of cyber attacks. Duration: 8:40
Lawrence: Trump faces new resistance and low poll numbers
The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell 4/17/17
President Trump is breaking more promises and still refusing to release his tax returns, which is galvanizing his Democratic opposition. Thousands marched against him and are challenging his GOP supporters in Congress. Duration: 7:16
Mike Pence sends a new message to North Korea not to "test President Trump's resolve" and "all options are on the table," but NSC advisor H.R. McMaster seems to have a different idea about defusing tensions with Pyongyang. Stephen Noerper joins Lawrence O'Donnell. Duration: 5:08
Democrat has Trump worried in Georgia special election
The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell 4/17/17
Hours before voters go to the polls in Georgia's 6th district, Trump attacked Jon Ossoff, who could possibly flip the long-time red seat blue. The Daily Kos' David Nir, who helped Ossoff raise $1 million of the $8.3M fueling his campaign, joins Lawrence O'Donnell. Duration: 5:43
Published on Apr 17, 2017 by The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
At the White House Easter Egg Roll, President Trump forgets how the national anthem works, and a Kellyanne Conway interview gets underscored by a fitting soundtrack.
To join the ranks of North Korea's military it takes discipline, dedication, and some nifty dance moves. Stephen's Monday monologue contains all three.
EXCLUSIVE! Alex Jones Responds To MSM Attacks Claiming He Is Fake / An Actor
Published on Apr 18, 2017 by The Alex Jones Channel
Alex Jones made this response to the venomous lies being spewed by MSM in an attempt to smear the 22 plus year fight he has waged for freedom and liberty in this country.
Full Show - Trump Deploys Strike Groups to North Korea - 04/18/2017
Published on Apr 18, 2017 by Ron Gibson
Tuesday, April 18th 2017[, largely hosted by David Knight, with an appearance by Roger Stone]: Trump Deploys Strike Groups to NKorea - President Trump has deployed two more strike groups to North Korea in response to Russia and China sending their own ships to monitor the situation. Investigative journalist Lee Stranahan explains what's going on inside DC as the stand-off between North Korea and the U.S. accelerates. Also, Hollywood celebrities are donating millions to a Democrat House candidate running for a seat in Georgia... in a district he doesn't even live in.
President Donald Trump will sign a double-barreled executive order that will clamp down on guest worker visas and require agencies to buy more goods and services from U.S. companies and workers.
Will US Shoot Down North Korea Missile Tests? Infowars LIVE 3 to 5
Published on Apr 18, 2017 by Ron Gibson
Infowars reporters Owen Shroyer and Millie Weaver are joined in studio with Roger Stone to discuss news and take calls on the latest news on North Korea.
Trump foreign policy antics raise question, Stupid or nefarious?
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/17
Rachel Maddow looks at recent awkward behavior by the Trump administration and the difficulty foreign policy experts are having determining whether the administration is woefully incompetent or deliberate and calculating. Duration: 18:14
Trump military confusion risks sending dangerous mixed message
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/17
Michael Beschloss, NBC News presidential historian, talks with Rachel Maddow about how, unlike Donald Trump, past U.S. presidents made it a point to keep coordination with the military tight to avoid sending mixed signals that could trigger war. Duration: 7:07
Political favor backfiring on newly appointed Alabama senator
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/17
John Archibald, columnist for the Birmingham News, talks with Rachel Maddow about the newly re-scheduled election to fill Jeff Sessions' old Senate seat, currently held by Luther Strange whose appointment many see as inappropriately tied to disgraced former governor Robert Bentley. Duration: 7:51
Donald Trump scandals give new meaning to Tax Day in the US
The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/17
Rachel Maddow looks at why American presidents since Richard Nixon release their tax returns to the public, and notes that not only is Donald Trump not doing that but the myriad scandals that surround him and his family on Tax Day make Nixon's scandals seem quaint. Duration: 4:59
Democrats are hoping for an outright win in Georgia's 6th Congressional district election but may face a run off if frontrunner Jon Ossoff doesn't break 50 percent of the vote. Duration: 2:53
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) was confronted by constituents about her support of Trump. She especially wouldn't defend Trump's personality. It's the latest in a long line of town hall confrontations for Republicans. Peter Wehner & Josh Barro join Lawrence O'Donnell. Duration: 13:26
New reports - including from Murdoch-owned WSJ - say Fox News may be close to cutting ties with Bill O'Reilly. NYC Public Advocate Letitia James is asking for a probe into the sexual harassment scandal. Media Matter's Angelo Carusone also joins Lawrence O'Donnell. Duration: 8:25
Democrat leads in Georgia race seen as a test for Trump
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/18/17
Pres. Trump has taken special notice of a race to fill an open House seat in Georgia, even though the Democrat is leading the crowded pack. MSNBC's Brian Williams talks with his expert panel. Duration: 13:10
Business deal in China for Ivanka Trump's company raises concern
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/18/17
MSNBC's Brian Williams and Stephanie Ruhle discuss the questions raised about the timing of a business deal for Ivanka Trump's brand in China. Duration: 4:13
Secretary of State Tillerson notified Speaker Ryan that Pres. Trump is reviewing whether the U.S. should stay in the Iran Nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama Administration or cancel it. Duration: 2:02
Shattered: Authors share the story behind Hillary Clinton's loss
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 4/18/17
MSNBC's Brian Williams speaks with Jonathan Allen & Amie Parnes, the author of the must-read new political memoir, 'Shattered,' giving us a behind-the-scenes look at Clinton's campaign. Duration: 9:09
Alex Jones: Conspiracy Pusher or Performance Artist?: The Daily Show
Published on Apr 18, 2017 by The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Despite radio host Alex Jones's penchant for peddling brazen conspiracy theories, lawyers for the far-right firebrand claim he's just a performance artist playing a character.
Susan Rice Did Nothing Wrong, Say Both Dems and Republicans A review of the surveillance material flagged by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes shows no inappropriate action by Susan Rice or any other Obama administration official, Republican and Democratic Congressional aides who have been briefed on the matter told NBC News. President Donald Trump told the New York Times he believed former National Security Adviser Rice broke the law by asking for the identities of Trump aides who were mentioned in transcripts of U.S. surveillance of foreign targets. Normally, the identities of Americans are blacked out in transcripts circulated by the National Security Agency, but they may be "unmasked," if their identities are relevant [ http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/what-unmasking-did-susan-rice-do-anything-wrong-n742476 ] to understanding the intelligence. [...] Nunes has recused himself [ http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nunes-backs-down-assertion-trump-was-monitored-n738151 ] from his committee's investigation of Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election while the Office of Congressional Ethics investigates complaints that he disclosed classified information when he brought the unmasking concern to light. When the New York Times asked Trump on April 5 if Rice broke the law, Trump said, "Do I think? Yes, I think." "I think it's going to be the biggest story," Trump added. "It's such an important story for our country and the world." Sebastian Gorka, a Trump national security adviser, was asked by Sean Hannity on Fox News how the unmasking issue compared to Watergate. "Losing 14 minutes of audiotape in comparison to this is a little spat in the sandbox in the kindergarten," Gorka replied. [...] http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/susan-rice-did-nothing-wrong-say-both-dems-republicans-n747406
Calexit backers drop 1 California secession bid, try again SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Supporters of one long-shot bid to make California an independent nation ended their effort on Monday, while another group said it will launch a new campaign for a statewide vote next year. The drive to make the nation's most populous state its own country, with what would be the world's sixth-largest economy, has drawn extra interest after last year's election of Republican Donald Trump as president. But the Yes California Independence Campaign faltered after its president, Louis Marinelli, revealed ties to Russia. Marinelli said in a lengthy message to supporters Monday that he is seeking permanent residence in Russia because of his "frustration, disappointment and disillusionment with the United States." The secretary of state's office confirmed that Marcus Ruiz Evans, the group's vice president, withdrew the California Nationhood ballot measure. Evans said he was leaving the Yes California group and joining the California Freedom Coalition, which he described as a grassroots organizing effort that evolved since last year's election. The coalition plans to file its own ballot measure in coming weeks, without the baggage of Marinelli's Russian ties, said Steve Gonzales, the new group's secretary-treasurer and board member. "It prevented Yes California from getting any serious money, I can tell you that," Gonzales said, noting that he is a native Californian who has never been to Russia. The group will accept no foreign money, and contributions from other states must be cleared by the coalition's board, he said. The coalition would need to collect more than 585,000 signatures to qualify a ballot measure declaring California's independence for the November 2018 ballot. The measure is still being written, Gonzales said. Congress and 38 states would have had to agree to change the U.S. Constitution to permit California to actually secede. Marinelli said Yes California had fewer than 97,500 registered supporters. About 8,500 signed up as volunteers, but only about 1,200 had contributed money. Prior to Trump's election, the group had fewer than 100 volunteers, Marinelli said, and the group received a social media boost with Trump's election. Marinelli and Evans said California's overwhelming support of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and measures legalizing recreational marijuana and reducing crime penalties showed how far California voters were removed from the rest of the nation. They also equated the movement to last year's decision by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, dubbed Brexit. California, with its 39 million residents, is often compared to a nation. Their withdrawn ballot measure would have allowed voters to repeal a part of the state Constitution saying that California is an inseparable part of the United States next year, but left the question of whether California should become a separate country to a future ballot. Both Marinelli and Evans claimed credit for starting the Calexit campaign. Marinelli cited his struggle with U.S. officials since 2012 over his wife's immigration status. He praised California officials for their attempts to shield immigrant residents from deportation and said his wife now has her green card. When California one day becomes independent, Marinelli wrote, "I shall look forward with great satisfaction to return to California and to live once again under our bear flag." https://www.apnews.com/5a840186d0364f0b808b06d1d3303214/Calexit-backers-drop-1-California-secession-bid,-try-again
Trump will keep list of White House visitors secret The Trump administration announced Friday that it would not follow former president Barack Obama's policy of voluntarily disclosing the names of most visitors to the White House complex, citing “grave national security risks and privacy concerns.” The announcement, from an administration that has faced pointed questions about its commitment to transparency, marks a significant shift from an Obama White House that released the names of nearly 6 million lobbyists and other visitors during Obama's tenure. Instead, the Trump administration said it would release information under far more limited circumstances: when Freedom of Information Act requests are filed for those visiting offices of the White House classified under the law as separate agencies, such as the Office of Management and Budget. [...] https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/04/14/trump-to-discontinue-obama-policy-of-voluntarily-releasing-white-house-visitor-logs/
Trump wants to give the rich a big tax cut. Here’s what his supporters want. President Trump and his GOP allies are planning on handing out trillions of dollars in tax cuts. It's one of a few major goals for Republicans now that they have control in Washington. Yet a new poll suggests that ordinary Republican voters lack enthusiasm for broad tax relief, and might even object to current plans to reduce taxes on corporations and the wealthy. Although the GOP plans might address other concerns that Republicans shared with pollsters about taxes in America, the results suggest that more Republicans want to see an increase in taxes for the rich than want to see their own taxes reduced. More Republicans say they pay about the right amount in taxes than complain about paying more than their fair share, according to the poll published Friday by the Pew Research Center. Meanwhile, large groups of Republican voters say they were already upset by the fact that some corporations and rich households pay too little. Last year, Rep. Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), the speaker of the House, and his GOP colleagues put forward a proposal for tax relief that would primarily benefit the well-off. After a decade, 99.6 percent of the savings under the plan would accrue to the richest 1 percent of households, according to an analysis from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center. In the Pew poll, however, 40 percent of Republicans said they were bothered "a lot" by the fact that some wealthy Americans do not pay their fair share of taxes. The plan would also reduce the rate on corporate income from 35 percent to 20 percent and reduce taxes on corporations by $891 billion in total over a decade. Yet even more Republicans worry that corporate taxes are already too low. In the poll, 44 percent of GOP respondents said corporations paying too little bothered them a lot. [...] https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/04/14/trump-wants-to-give-the-rich-a-big-tax-cut-heres-what-his-supporters-want/
A Yale history professor explains how governments can use disasters and tragedies to control society Timothy Snyder is the author of "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" and the Levin professor of history at Yale University. Snyder explains how governments use tragedies to manipulate society. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W__VjGHW4Hg
In Travis County custody case, jury will search for real Alex Jones Alex Jones and his ex-wife, Kelly, will be locked in a child custody trial the next two weeks in Austin. Alex Jones’ lawyers will make the case that their client should not be judged by his on-air persona. Lawyers for Kelly Jones will maintain that Jones’ public outbursts suggest he is not a fit parent. April 16, 2017 At a recent pretrial hearing, attorney Randall Wilhite told state District Judge Orlinda Naranjo that using his client Alex Jones’ on-air Infowars persona to evaluate Alex Jones as a father would be like judging Jack Nicholson in a custody dispute based on his performance as the Joker in “Batman.” “He’s playing a character,” Wilhite said of Jones. “He is a performance artist.” But in emotional testimony at the hearing, Kelly Jones, who is seeking to gain sole or joint custody of her three children with Alex Jones, portrayed the volcanic public figure as the real Alex Jones. “He’s not a stable person,” she said of the man with whom her 14-year-old son and 9- and 12-year-old daughters have lived since her 2015 divorce. “He says he wants to break Alec Baldwin’s neck. He wants J-Lo to get raped. “I’m concerned that he is engaged in felonious behavior, threatening a member of Congress,” she said, referring to his recent comments about California Democrat Adam Schiff. “He broadcasts from home. The children are there, watching him broadcast.” [...] http://www.mystatesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/travis-county-custody-case-jury-will-search-for-real-alex-jones/rnbWzMHnFCd5SOPgP3A34J/
Turkey referendum: Erdogan hails 'clear' win in vote on new powers Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has claimed victory in the referendum on granting him sweeping new powers, saying it was won by a clear majority. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39612562
White nationalist claims Trump directed rally violence Trump supporter asks a federal court to hold the president liable for any damages stemming from a lawsuit filed by protesters who attended a Kentucky campaign stop. http://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/donald-trump-rally-violence-237302
"We are not creating a Terminator": Russia denies risk as Putin's 'robot army' is trained to shoot guns Posting a clip showing armed robot FEDOR in action, Deputy PM insists teaching the androids to shoot will help improve their motor skills and decision-making abilities http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/we-not-creating-terminator-russia-10237755
This WHITE Teen Admitted She Made Up Claims She Was Abducted And Raped By "Three Black Males" - Denison, Texas Local police called the hoax “offensive to the African-American community.” The false accusations were also used by white nationalists to push their agenda online. https://www.buzzfeed.com/tanyachen/teen-claims-she-was-raped-by-three-black-males-hoax
White nationalist claims Trump directed rally violence Trump supporter asks a federal court to hold the president liable for any damages stemming from a lawsuit filed by protesters who attended a Kentucky campaign stop. http://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/donald-trump-rally-violence-237302
In Travis County custody case, jury will search for real Alex Jones Alex Jones and his ex-wife, Kelly, will be locked in a child custody trial the next two weeks in Austin. Alex Jones’ lawyers will make the case that their client should not be judged by his on-air persona. Lawyers for Kelly Jones will maintain that Jones’ public outbursts suggest he is not a fit parent. April 16, 2017 At a recent pretrial hearing, attorney Randall Wilhite told state District Judge Orlinda Naranjo that using his client Alex Jones’ on-air Infowars persona to evaluate Alex Jones as a father would be like judging Jack Nicholson in a custody dispute based on his performance as the Joker in “Batman.” “He’s playing a character,” Wilhite said of Jones. “He is a performance artist.” But in emotional testimony at the hearing, Kelly Jones, who is seeking to gain sole or joint custody of her three children with Alex Jones, portrayed the volcanic public figure as the real Alex Jones. “He’s not a stable person,” she said of the man with whom her 14-year-old son and 9- and 12-year-old daughters have lived since her 2015 divorce. “He says he wants to break Alec Baldwin’s neck. He wants J-Lo to get raped. “I’m concerned that he is engaged in felonious behavior, threatening a member of Congress,” she said, referring to his recent comments about California Democrat Adam Schiff. “He broadcasts from home. The children are there, watching him broadcast.” [...] http://www.mystatesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/travis-county-custody-case-jury-will-search-for-real-alex-jones/rnbWzMHnFCd5SOPgP3A34J/
The Secret To Happiness Revealed - included in 12-28-16 Alex Jones Show Paul Joseph Watson talks about the death of Carrie Fisher and how now many people are completely unhappy no matter what the accomplish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y-f8VLzMdM
https://www.youtube.com/user/DarkMatter2525/videos - recent not posted yet, chrono as uploaded If Muhammad Replaced Trump (. . .) Jul 24, 2016 If the ideals of Islamism came out of Trump's mouth, how would the Left & Right react? If any Muslims do respond to this cartoon, I have a couple predictions: 1. Some will respond by saying that the verses are out of context (standard response), but notice that none of these verses are actually justified by their context, and 2. Some other verse will be presented that contradicts one of the verses I used, which proves nothing other than the fact that the Islamic texts in question are contradictory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D1sW7tu6-s You Can't Escape - Episode 8 of "Power Corrupts" ( https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv--V1yc2QDJi6hFNhur3iAsyFpXRtB8w - further to http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=123593680 ) Aug 28, 2016 You might be able to escape religion, but you can't escape what caused it in the first place. All you can do is try to be cognizant of it, and try your best to keep it in check. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dspHj0Cj2-g Always Cry Wolf Sep 28, 2016 Human beings often unite during tragedies, foregoing our petty differences. Imagine if we didn't require the tragedy. While "crying wolf" is considered bad, the title of this video refers to what happened at Yellowstone, and in that light, the title's meaning is "always strive for balance". During my 40 years of life, I have learned that attaining balance is the greatest solver of problems. Be neither excessive nor neglectful. I believe that is a good rule for the macro as well, for society, and for our planet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVsVgAqV9WI Don't Expect A Terrible Hereafter Oct 25, 2016 I was challenged to make a meaningful animation without speech. Thanks to my friend, known as C0ct0pusPrime here on YouTube, for challenging me to do this a while back. I had a lot of ideas, but this one stuck with me the most. Life is filled with dark irony. The very thing you want the most, might actually end up being the thing you'd least want. If you're not mindful, you might find out too late. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_jijoIUi2A King Solomon Nov 28, 2016 Marriage should be between 1 man and 1000 women. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zjjg7mmDN4 If Hitler Never Existed (. . .) Dec 21, 2016 This is basically a MUCH better version of "It's a Wonderful Life". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5TtDZlHqao The Horror of Your Desires Dec 29, 2016 If you somehow obtained ultimate power, the things you’d choose to do would show us far more clearly who you really are than you could possibly show us with your current limitations. You could choose to bend people to your will, even if only through threats and intimidation, or maybe you could enjoy life with us, help us, and teach us. The bible authors created a character in Yahweh who abuses his limitless power with wanton abandon, reeking of a crude tool of manipulation - not a loving, caring teacher. He is the ultimate bad guy, sold to us as the ultimate good guy - a monumental travesty of history. It certainly is a good thing that Yahweh is a fictional invention of ancient writers. My next animations will be about the life and times of King David, as found in 1st and 2nd Samuel (and a bit of 1st Kings). This animation was Episode 9 of my Power Corrupts series. Here’s a link to the full playlist of the Power Corrupts series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA5PlJiqOnk&list=PLv--V1yc2QDJi6hFNhur3iAsyFpXRtB8w - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv--V1yc2QDJi6hFNhur3iAsyFpXRtB8w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqJBD5SosZI King David Jan 22, 2017 This is the beginning of King David’s story from the Bible, the books of Samuel. I’d like to animate the rest of the books of Samuel, but that would take an enormous amount of work, and not only would your support via Patreon be greatly appreciated, but would also attach your name to the project (DarkMatter Army or above). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdtV9kbs_fo David, Goliath, and the 200 Cyclops Sleeves Feb 20, 2017 The Sunday School version of David and Goliath usually ends after David slings his rock, and for good reason; the rest isn’t quite wholesome family entertainment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZPhXoDI3F0 If Muhammad Became the President (. . .) Mar 17, 2017 If you dislike Trump, then you should probably dislike Muhammad 100x more. Oddly, it seems some people are confused on this issue. That confusion comes from the best of intentions, I'm sure, but it is ultimately self-defeating, and allows for tolerance of the intolerable. Please check the paragraph at the end of this video for elaboration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yJqWCBq6GI
Tornado Town, USA - big piece - map of mini-tornado alleys Four devastating tornadoes hit Moore, Oklahoma, in 16 years. Was it geography or just bad luck? May 26, 2016 http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/tornadoes/
"We are not creating a Terminator": Russia denies risk as Putin's 'robot army' is trained to shoot guns Posting a clip showing armed robot FEDOR in action, Deputy PM insists teaching the androids to shoot will help improve their motor skills and decision-making abilities http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/we-not-creating-terminator-russia-10237755
Market Data 
Markets 
AI
