Good morning, BREAKING: Trump’s ban on Facebook and Instagram upheld. Muzzle remains in place.
EU Anti Migration Thuggery
Push backs is a term used to describe illegal intercept of migrants on boats coming to Europe using private firms and boat hires, and they literally push back migrant boats from landing. Now an independent investigation shows EU Countries intercepted 40 thousand asylum seekers during the pandemic, using tactics that resulted in 2000 deaths.
According to the International Organization for Migration, in 2020 almost 100,000 immigrants arrived in Europe by sea and by land compared with nearly 130,000 in 2019 and 190,000 in 2017.
Since January 2020, despite the drop in numbers, Italy, Malta, Greece, Croatia and Spain have accelerated their hardline migration agenda.
George Floyd
Derek Chauvin’s lawyer is asking for a new trial citing the widespread publicity and prejudice to the former Minneapolis policeman, who is convicted of murdering George Floyd. The jury which found Chauvin guilty after only a few hours of deliberation my have been “tainted” Chauvin’s defense council has claimed in documents filed saying the jury should have been sequestered during the trial to avoid pressure they may have felt from publicity surrounding the case.
The appeals could go on for years, but the facts of the case are so horrendous that long term what are Chauvins real chances at escaping justice for kneeling on Floyds neck for over 9 minutes? Probably zero.
Trump Facebook
It’s been quiet.
Since Donald Trump was banned from Facebook for spreading election lies, whats now called the BIG LIE about election fraud, and glorification of violence and kicked off Facebook and Instagram, let’s face it, as complex it is in terms of free speech and the silencing of an American President, it’s been quiet.
Alas, Facebooks ban was temporary and the media platform will announce today they say, if Trumps account is to be restored. Ugh! A return to Trumps acidic nasty venomous politics awaits America. Buckle up.
I don’t think you can silence anyone for different views. But, there should be social media muzzles for spreading hate and fomenting violence and should the muzzle be removed?
Love to hear your views in our comments section if your’e a paying subscriber.
Canada Covid
P.M. Trudeau wisely has told Canadians to get vaccinated to end the pandemic lockdowns and disruptions as soon as possible. He dodged the issue of blood clots reported in extraordinary cases involving Astra Zeneca vaccinations which have been given by the millions but with reports of increased blood clot dangers. To put it in perspective in the U.K. there are 30 cases of blood clots in 9.7 million AZ vaccinations, and 38 cases of blood clots in 11.4 m Pfizer.
That’s roughly just over 3 per million in both cases.
On Monday, the National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI) said that while the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines were effective they should only be used in people over 30 due to a rare blood clot risk.
Many people are fooled by fringe media discussions of vaccines that over state risks and side effects, while not factually laying out the complex and deadly result of getting Covid. I know many clever people who appear to make irrational decisions on not getting the vaccine because they are frightened by articles suggesting main stream media is not reporting deaths and health side effects.
The fact is major media has widely reported on blood clots etc. but also reported the slim statistics on health problems associated with vaccines. I think it’s wise to read in on what makes Asta Zeneca different than Pfizer or Moderna.
Getting the vaccine will save your life. Not getting the vaccine is not in my mind an intelligent decision.
Here’s a good back ground story by Bloomberg on vaccine questions and answers.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-22/are-mrna-covid-vaccines-risky-what-the-experts-say-quicktake
Canada Proud boys
The racist white supremacist group Proudboys has announced it is disbanding 3 months after being designated a terrorist organization in Canada. This shows re-designation of these groups and works to a degree.
Canada is the only Country to do this, and it didn’t make membership illegal but attached to that no fly lists and potential to have assets frozen by banks. Clever because it didn’t force members underground, but laid out consequences for belonging to a far right org.
It was recently reported by USA Today that the Proud Boys received significant financial backing from the Chinese diaspora in the lead up to the January 6 Capitol insurrection, estimated at $86,000 on crowdfunding platforms, including GiveSendGo.
In the United Kingdom, the Islamist group, al-Muhajiroun, led by the hardline ideologue Anjem Choudary, underwent several iterations of its name after claiming to disband in response to a terrorist designation. Similarly, the Feuerkrieg Division, a neo-Nazi group with members in the UK, followed suit. At various points, the far-right extremist group, National Action, attempted the same, even expressing admiration for al-Muhajiroun’s ability to continuously reinvent itself.
Some members of Canadas Proudboys have already splintered into a new organization called Canada First so time will tell if Proudboys is really finished or is lurking to relaunch under a new name. I remember 30 years ago covering white supremacy in Western Canada and the rise of the KKK which eventually tried to take over the Island of Dominica before the Canadian Gov’t got serious and jailed its core founder. These groups are dangerous and left to linger can threaten pillars of society we think are immune.
U.S. Extremism
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has requested from congress $85 million in additional funding to combat domestic terrorism. "We have a growing fear of domestic violent extremism and domestic terrorism," Garland told lawmakers. "Both of those keep me up at night.” The White House on Tuesday wrapped up a review of domestic terrorism threats, and is expected to make policy recommendations in the coming weeks.
Belarus
Lawyers are filing charges in Germany against ex Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko who after losing elections last summer, refused to step down and used his brutal security forces to arrest thousands of peaceful protests. The law suit alleges tortures of many of those taken into custody and “barbaric” crimes against humanity.
The question though is what teeth will any finding against Lukashenko have in the future? And how does Germany intend to enforce a court ruling of torture on a independent State supported by Russia?
Russia Repressions
It is now reaching a level not seen since Soviet Times. The jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny has since moved onto outlawing his and other political movements, and now a new law preventing anyone who belonged to those organizations from running for office.
The Duma Parliamentary elections later this year have President Putin, who has plunged in popularity, running scared the prepared to be more repressive than at any time since he came to power in 2000. Russia is dangerously spinning into an open authoritative regime with little or no checks and balances.
Even if someone gave money to Navalny’s opposition movement they can be banned from ever running for office in Russia which was always a pretend democracy, under Putin, but declaring opposition to Putin a criminal matter is a step towards The Soviet Union era, and all of its stagnation and repressive tactics.
I attach a good commentary in The Washington Post.
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https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/04/derek-chauvin-george-floyd-new-trial
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/03/technology/facebook-trump-ban.html
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/trudeau-tells-canadians-to-get-vaccinated-as-soon-as-possible-to-end-pandemic
https://www.dw.com/en/lawyers-file-suit-against-belarus-lukashenko-in-germany/a-57432482
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/05/05/russia-seeks-to-ban-extremist-linked-candidates-ahead-of-navalny-ruling-a73818
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/05/04/russia-just-took-big-step-back-toward-soviet-union/