Trump Endorsed a Literal Attack on the Press

“Donald Trump has praised Greg Gianforte, the Congress member from Montana, for violently attacking a Guardian reporter, saying that someone who performs a body slam is ‘my guy.’

Trump described in glowing terms the physical assault that occurred on 24 May 2017 when Ben Jacobs, the Guardian’s political correspondent, was asking Gianforte a question about health care policy in the course of a special congressional election in Bozeman, Montana. The US president incited cheers and chants from a crowd of about 8,000 supporters on Thursday night when he said: ‘Greg is smart. And by the way, never wrestle him. You understand. Never.’

As the cheers rang out across an aircraft hangar in Missoula, Trump went on to say: ‘Any guy that can do a body slam … he’s my guy.’

Trump’s comments mark the first time the president has openly and directly praised a violent act against a journalist on American soil.”

— “Trump praises Gianforte for assault on Guardian reporter: ‘He’s my guy,'” Ed Pilkington, The Guardian

In related news, PEN America is suing Mr.Trump in New York district court, claiming he “violated the First Amendment and his oath to uphold the Constitution,” a document which doesn’t consider the press to be the Enemy of the People.

More:

“Trump’s Attacks on the Press Are Illegal. We’re Suing.” Suzanne Nossel, Politico

“Suing Trump for endangering the First Amendment,” Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post

“Yale Law clinic helps writers group file First Amendment suit against Trump,” Debra Cassens Weiss, ABA Journal

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Trump Praises Congressman Who Body-Slammed a Reporter

Remember when Montana GOP congressional candidate Greg Gianforte body-slammed a reporter to the ground and punched him, was convicted of a misdemeanor and won his special election? He’s campaigning for a full term in Congress, so naturally Donald Trump endorses him:

“I’ll tell you what: This man has fought — in more ways than one — for your state. He has fought for your state. Greg Gianforte. He is a fighter and a winner.”

More:

“President Trump celebrates the body-slam of a reporter in Montana,” Eric Wemple, Washington Post

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Body-Slamming Congressman Made False Statements to Police

Republican Congressman Greg Gianforte of Montana, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault for slamming a reporter to the ground and punching him during his election campaign, made false statements to police during the investigation of the attack, newly-released documents show. The reporter, Ben Jacobs of the Guardian, questioned the candidate about the CBO analysis of a House healthcare bill, and got screaming and assault as an answer and, although the attack was witnessed by an astonished Fox News crew, Mr. Gianforte blamed the reporter, an account he gave to police but later contradicted in court.

The day after the attack, Greg Gianforte was elected to the House. After all, Montana voters had already elected a dangerously impulsive rich guy who hates the media and press freedom to the White House, so adding another one to Congress was a reflex.

More:

“Rep. Gianforte’s account to police on assault of reporter appears to contradict his later apology,” Ellie Silverman, Washington Post

“Greg Gianforte misled police after assault of Guardian journalist, incident report shows,” Julia Carrie Wong, The Guardian

“Montana Congressman Who Assaulted Reporter Lied to Police About It,” Benjamin Hart, New York Magazine

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Montana Wrestles With the First Amendment

In Montana on Wednesday, a reporter attacked Republican congressional candidate Greg Gianforte with dangerous questions about the deadly House healthcare bill, so the candidate responded by body-slamming the journalist to the ground and punching him. Knowing Montana, that should get the GOP hopeful a victory in today’s special election as well as a Gallatin County misdemeanor conviction.

After all, Montana voters already elected a dangerously impulsive rich guy who hates the media and press freedom to the White House, so adding another one to Congress should be a snap.

More:

“Fox News crew ‘watched in disbelief’ as Montana’s Greg Gianforte ‘slammed’ and ‘began punching’ reporter,” Fred Barbash, Washington Post

“Three Montana newspapers rescind Gianforte endorsements after alleged body-slamming incident,” Louis Nelson, Politico
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Falwell Censored Anti-Trump Column in Student Newspaper

Pistol packin’ Jerry Falwell Jr., President of Liberty University by grace of God being fathered by LU founder Jerry Falwell Sr., censored a column critical of his buddy Donald Trump in the school’s student newspaper, claims an editor. Joel Schmieg is the Sports Editor of the Liberty Champion, so he knows about locker room talk. “I have never in my life heard guys casually talk about preying on women in a sexual manner,” he wrote in his weekly column, in reference to the GOP candidate’s open mic remarks.

Mr. Falwell had the column omitted from the paper, claiming it was “redundant.” Oh, so there was another “grab her by the pussy” column in the Christian school’s newspaper? Turns out there was a short letter about Trump from an unhappy alum.

Lord have mercy. College president Jerry Falwell Jr. has certainly taught his students a few lessons about Christian morality, conservative politics,  and the First Amendment.

More:

“The Column Liberty Pulled,” Scott Jascik, Inside Higher Ed

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Ark Encounter: State-Subsidized Religious Tourism in Kentucky

Noah’s Ark may have landed on Mount Ararat, but you can see it in Kentucky off Interstate 75, on State Route 36 in Williamstown. Answers In Genesis, the outfit behind the Creation(ism) Museum, has built a 510-foot-long biblical boat as a tourist attraction, Ark Encounter ($40 admission, $10 parking).  The wooden hull is stocked with pairs of animals said to be on the Ark, including dinosaurs (from the Book of Flintstones?). There’s also a zoo, but don’t expect any dinosaurs there.

Ark Encounter opened on July 7th and was built at a cost $102 million. Of that, $62 million was raised from Industrial Development Bonds issued by the City of Williamstown. The Kentucky state government granted Ark Encounter $18 million in tax incentives and is building a new $10 million highway interchange for the new Christian theme park.

The rationale for granting this public largesse for religious evangelism is that the big boat will stimulate the tourist economy and create jobs. Want to apply for those jobs? You’ll have to sign a statement of faith in Genesis and Jesus Christ, disavowing homosexuality, same-sex marriage and premarital sex. Somehow, Federal Judge Greg Van Tatenhove (alumnus of Christian Asbury University) has ruled that this is all constitutional and isn’t state sponsorship of religion. It seems Ark Encounter is a secular outfit when it gets public funding and tax breaks, but a religious organization when it hires employees. Glory be, it’s a miracle!

Supreme Court: Freedom of Speech = ‘Money Talks!’

In McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 that money is speech, so the Constitution means rich guys can shout loud and long enough to drown out their political opponents. Why wouldn’t the Roberts Court justices claim money is speech? After all, they ruled that corporations are people.

More:

“Supreme Court Strikes Down Overall Political Donation Cap,” Adam Liptak, New York Times 

“Supreme court strikes down cap on overall campaign contributions,” Dan Roberts, The Guardian

Supreme Court Defends Wealthy’s Right to Own Government,” Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker

Banning the Constitution on Constitution Day

“Modesto Junior College security stopped a student from passing out copies of the U.S. Constitution in front of the east campus student center Tuesday, which was Constitution Day.

Robert Van Tuinen, 25, captured his furious but civil confrontation with the officer and campus administration on video and posted it Thursday on YouTube.

National attention garnered by the video prompted the Yosemite Community College District to issue a statement saying it was looking into the matter.”

–“MJC halt of Constitution handout lands on YouTube,” Nan Austin, Modesto Bee

(Video after the jump)

Christmas Defender Rick Perry Tells Women ‘Bah Humbug!’

Texas Governor Rick “Santa” Perry signed the “Merry Christmas Bill” into law last week, allowing public school Christmas parties in the Lone Star State. “It’s a shame that a bill like this one I’m signing today is even required, but I’m proud that we’re standing up for religious freedom in this state,” said Mr. Perry. Does that mean school parties for Diwali, Ashura, Festivus, Al Hijra, Niinamesai, Maidyarem, Losar, and Samhain? Smile when you say that, partner.

The Republican governor also put coal in the stockings of Texas women when he vetoed a bill allowing them to sue for equal pay for equal work. That might be a big political gift for Texas Democrats next Election Day.

Related:

“The Equal Pay Act – Powerful But Not Enough,” Anne Kim, Washington Monthly blog

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Reporters Kicked Out of Romney Event at the Newseum

In Washington today, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney hid from the press behind a 74-foot-high marble engraving of the First Amendment at the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue. The mission of the Newseum is “educating the public about the value of a free press in a free society ….” Mission accomplished.

More:

“Reporters Kicked Out Of Mitt Romney Event At Newseum,” Huffington Post

“Weirdly, Newseum Isn’t The Friendliest Location for Campaign Reporters,” Adam Martin, Atlantic Wire

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