CDN/US Covid-related political discussion

[Remius]

Well, the “mainstream” organizers have so far shown little effort to disavow or denounce these extremists, much like the present incarnation of the GOP. I have heard nothing but crickets.

For sure.  It’s  actually pretty smart.  The news will highlight the nazi flags, confederate flags etc etc.  The GOP and organizers will try to defend it or stay quiet on it to avoid friendly fire.  Those extremists know that. 

Much easier to infiltrate a re open the US or a MAGA rally than hold a racist or anti immigrant rally.  It makes them look more numerous and makes it seem like more Americans support what they are doing.

The left has been doing it for years.  Look at the latest pipeline protests or G7 protests.  Every fringe group comes out and tries to get “their” message out.  It’s a network system.  Like why some unions are involved in anti Israel protests or why anti Israel protests show up at pipeline protests.

 

[kkwd]

These lockdown protests by largely white, working class republicans and maga types are seen as an opportunity to exploit a situation.

Do you have any surveys figures or facts to back that up? By the way, what is a MAGA type? Seems like that is profiling. 

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

If I needed {TDS] to make a politician look bad, I'd show up at a rally dressed like that.....

 

[Remius]

Do you have any surveys figures or facts to back that up? By the way, what is a MAGA type? Seems like that is profiling.

Can only go by what the pics and videos show.  If you don’t know what MAGA is send me a PM and I’ll explain it.  We’ll only derail this.  But a simple google search should give you the answer.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P984o0xHQM0

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zXXFf0Q2bcU

Just a few videos out there among many.  Plenty of folks with maga hats, trump supporters etc. 

If I found stats and surveys would you even accept those? Let me know.

* i’ll Rephrase and state “it seems like”.  If that’s better let me know as well and I’ll edit my post. I don’t want to offend anyone here who may have been hurt by my comment.

 

[Jarnhamar]

[quote author=Remius]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P984o0xHQM0[/quote]

Are these MAGA types? It looks like a bunch of decently dressed healthy working class people.

 

[Remius]

Are these MAGA types? It looks like a bunch of decently dressed healthy working class people.

The second video shows a Trump rally literally after the lockdown protest.

0:26 and 0:39  MAGA Flags.  So yes?

Or here:

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/apr/18/ohio-protest-repoen-viral-image-photojournalist-joshua-bickel

We could go on. 

My original point stands that right wing extremist groups are infiltrating lockdown protests because of its demographic and conservative flavour.

 

[Jarnhamar]

[quote author=Remius] 

My original point stands that right wing extremist groups are infiltrating lockdown protests because of its demographic and conservative flavour.
[/quote]

It might be easier to follow if you post the article you're talking about. Kinda curious about it.

 

[mariomike]

Confederate and Nazi flags.  Assault weapons in the legislature.  Nazi slogans.

I don't recall ever seeing a Nazi flag displayed at a political rally in Canada. Hope I never do.

 

[PMedMoe]

It might be easier to follow if you post the article you're talking about. Kinda curious about it.

Like this one?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/17/far-right-coronavirus-protests-restrictions

 

[Remius]

It might be easier to follow if you post the article you're talking about. Kinda curious about it.

Sure.  It was a snopes article I came across while trying to fact check a few things.

But I know how some feel about snopes or fact checking in general.

https://www.snopes.com/news/2020/04/29/why-are-white-supremacists-protesting-to-reopen-the-us-economy/


That article then led me to a whole pile on the issue.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Like this one?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/17/far-right-coronavirus-protests-restrictions

Edit- reread what you wrote, yup thanks!

Sure.  It was a snopes article I came across while trying to fact check a few things.

But I know how some feel about snopes or fact checking in general.

https://www.snopes.com/news/2020/04/29/why-are-white-supremacists-protesting-to-reopen-the-us-economy/


That article then led me to a whole pile on the issue.

Thanks. I'm not surprised to see any of that. Every protest is a clarion call for these groups to try and get some air time.

With our own governments identity politics I'm surprised we don't see more pro-male or pro-right wing extremist groups trying to take advantage of the governments politics.

 

[Brad Sallows]

Most of what is being published, and then promulgated, is what some other person or people want others to see.  That warning applies even to the big name "centrist" outlets.  The purpose of the images, and much of the writing, is to influence, not to enlighten.

For those whose lives hinge on a never-ending diet of outrage porn, knock yourselves out - this is the golden moment.

The left and right don't deny associations with cranks more often because firstly, it won't do much good ("AHA! Your denial is a sign of guilt!") and just prolongs the stupidity; and secondly, the mainstream left and right don't care that much about their crank sub-sub-sub-factions or notice them because they are so tiny and ineffective - the cranks are mostly noticed and given oxygen by the fault-finders on the other "team".

 

[Jarnhamar]

That better be a hunting rifle he's talking about using.



SHOOT ON SIGHT: Liberal staffer condones killing curfew-breakers
A federal Liberal riding association executive with a penchant for bad behaviour online would shed no tears for COVID-19 quarantine-breakers shot dead by government snipers.

Mark Elyas, who in 2018 ended up in hot water over profane Facebook rants calling for Trump supporters to lose custody of their children and be exiled to detention camps, posted on Facebook last month support for now-discredited comments by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte urging police to kill citizens defying coronavirus lockdown.
https://torontosun.com/news/national/shoot-on-sight-liberal-staffer-condones-killing-curfew-breakers


Apparently he's not a staffer though, just some kind of volunteer?

 

[OceanBonfire]

Oklahoma city reverses face mask requirement amid threats of violence

The city had required customers to wear masks in stores and restaurants. But the mayor quickly amended that policy on Friday afternoon after employees were "threatened with physical violence and showered with verbal abuse" in the span of three hours, Stillwater City Manager Norman McNickle said in a statement. There was one threat of violence using a firearm, he added.

Those objecting to wearing face masks cited "the mistaken belief the requirement is unconstitutional," McNickle said. "No law or court supports this view."

The city decided to amend its requirement as it weighs "the safety of store owners and employees to threats of violence," McNickle said.

"We cannot, in clear conscience, put our local business community in harm%u2019s way, nor can the police be everywhere," he said. "Accordingly, we will now be asking our local stores and business to encourage, but not require, patrons to cover their faces."

Joyce said face masks are still required for store employees and "strongly recommended" for everyone else when around others.


https://abcnews.go.com/US/oklahoma-city-reverses-face-mask-requirement-amid-threats/story?id=70481052

 

[Journeyman]

I just hope that the next Hollywood zombie movie includes characters insisting that it's fake news and demanding their right to have zombies eat their brains.

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

But don't think this is not up here also....GF has taken some good verbal abuse, and some of it in way too close, just working the number counter at a Costco.

 

[mariomike]

GF has taken some good verbal abuse, and some of it in way too close, just working the number counter at a Costco.

That's a disgusting way to treat anyone. Especially during a pandemic, and especially a woman.

Since Costco is members only, I wonder if they would cancel a membership for that?

 

[OldSolduer]

That better be a hunting rifle he's talking about using.



SHOOT ON SIGHT: Liberal staffer condones killing curfew-breakers
A federal Liberal riding association executive with a penchant for bad behaviour online would shed no tears for COVID-19 quarantine-breakers shot dead by government snipers.

Mark Elyas, who in 2018 ended up in hot water over profane Facebook rants calling for Trump supporters to lose custody of their children and be exiled to detention camps, posted on Facebook last month support for now-discredited comments by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte urging police to kill citizens defying coronavirus lockdown.
https://torontosun.com/news/national/shoot-on-sight-liberal-staffer-condones-killing-curfew-breakers


Apparently he's not a staffer though, just some kind of volunteer?

Is the RCMP investigating ? Or the OPP?

I gather neither are investigating.

 

[Blackadder1916]

Apparently he's not a staffer though, just some kind of volunteer?

Like most riding executives.  But let's put it in perspective since some riding executives do have pull beyond the local level, usually through the MPs that they have helped get elected.  In Mr. Elyas' case that riding is Vancouver East, an NDP stronghold that has been held by them (and their CCF predecessor) since 1933 except for the elections of 1974 and 1993 when Liberals gained the seat for single terms.  Mr. Elyas did not have any involvement in those elections.  Other than being an embarrassment, it's unlikely that he has much influence in the Liberal Party.

https://ca.linkedin.com/in/mark-elyas-68085968

 

[OceanBonfire]

Coronavirus health fears outweigh concern for economy: global survey

A substantial majority of people around the world want their governments to prioritise saving lives over moves to restart economies being hammered by measures aimed at halting the spread of the new coronavirus, a global survey found.

The latest findings of the “Edelman Trust Barometer,” which for two decades has polled tens of thousands of people on their trust in core institutions, challenge the notion that “lockdown fatigue” is rising among populations hit by the pandemic.

Overall, 67% of the 13,200-plus people interviewed between April 15 and April 23 agreed with the statement: “The government’s highest priority should be saving as many lives as possible even if it means the economy will recover more slowly.”

Just one-third backed the assertion: “It is becoming more important for the government to save jobs and restart the economy than to take every precaution to keep people safe.”

The study, produced by U.S. communications company Edelman, was based on fieldwork carried out in Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.


https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-politics-trust/coronavirus-health-fears-outweigh-concern-for-economy-global-survey-idUSKBN22H098

Texas back in business? Barely, y'all, as malls, restaurants empty

...

While protests across the United States demand state governments allow business to reopen and people to get back to work, the vast majority of Americans balk at relaxing stay-at-home orders too quickly, according to Reuters/Ipsos opinion polling.

Texas, Georgia and other southern states are leading the way in letting stay at home orders expire and gradually allowing people go about their business. But the early days of the opening in Texas show that many residents might want to stay home anyway.

...


https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-texas/texas-back-in-business-barely-yall-as-malls-restaurants-empty-idUSKBN22H19K