Donald Trump a uniquely American Fascist

Trump unequivocally is a fascist. He checks off every box of of past fascists, except for one:

Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin and Francisco Franco all were soldiers who fought in wars for their country. Trump is anti-soldier and anti-veteran.  

We had presidential candidates who were against the Vietnam War while also war veterans: 

 John Kerry was a Democratic candidate for president who was also a soldier in Vietnam on a river gunboat on one of the most dangerous missions of the U.S. Navy in Vietnam. 

"Long before he was elected a United States senator, John Kerry stood before a U.S. Senate committee on April 22, 1971, speaking on behalf of the group Vietnam Veterans Against the War.

During his speech, Kerry cited an investigation that resulted in over 150 honorably discharged veterans testifying to war crimes committed in Southeast Asia.

"Not isolated incidents, but crimes committed on a day to day basis, with the full awareness of officers at all levels of command," he said."

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In 1971 speech, John Kerry spoke of the monster created by the Vietnam War

MPR News Staff September 26, 2017 9:00 a.m

George McGovern ran on ending the U.S. War on Vietnam. 

I think only a few people are aware of George McGovern’s heroic service during WWII. I believe he purposely hid his history as a bomber pilot since he was running against the bombing in Vietnam.

McGovern flew 35 combat missions against Nazi German industrial targets as pilot of the ″Dakota Queen,″ a B-24 Liberator bomber with the Army’s 15th Air Force based in Cerignola, Italy.

B-24 Air show G.O. Carlson Chester County Airport

Stephen E. Ambrose wrote a book about George McGovern and the “Band of brothers” in the skies over Germany in WWII:

"With his remarkable gift for bringing alive the action and tension of combat, Ambrose carries us along in the crowded, uncomfortable, and dangerous B-24s as their crews fought to the death through thick black smoke and deadly flak to reach their targets and destroy the German war machine. Twenty-two-year-old George McGovern, who was to become a United States senator and a presidential candidate, flew thirty-five  combat missions (all the Army would allow) and won the Distinguished Flying Cross. We meet him and his mates, his co-pilot killed in action, and crews of other planes. Many went down in flames."

Donald Trump got his father to arrange a deferment.

Trump made up injury to dodge Vietnam service, his former lawyer testifies

Donald Trump is a bellicose and pro-war armchair warrior while simultaneously anti-soldier & anti-veteran. 

Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin and Francisco Franco were all soldiers. Making Donald Trump an unusual fascist. But possibly a uniquely American fascist.

 I read it today in just a few hours:

 

A Marine played taps at a slow cadence, the notes hanging in the air at Saint Cecilia Cemetery

Only a few people attended Betsy’s coworker’s husband’s funeral. He was a WWII Marine. 

Lots of tiny Stars & Stripes flags dot our cemeteries.

About 1/2 of the boys at the table I ate school lunch with “back in the day” years ended in Vietnam. Maybe “back in the day” is pre-Vietnam. 

Lukens Steel built America’s railroads, buildings, bridges and ships. The unions and education forged hope for the future in people from all over the world that came here.

World Trade Center Steel Tree
at Steelworkers’ Memorial Coatesville PA:

Coatesville is made from black families coming north for jobs. Syrians, Italians, Spanish, Polish, Hungarians, Slovaks and other people looking for honest work and the promise of America. The promise of America for their children. 

My grandparents came to Coatesville from Italy more than 100 years ago. 

The Stokes, A black doctor & a nurse escaped the segregation in St. Louis. My Mom & Dad my brother Joe & me were their neighbors on Black Horse Hill Road. Dr Stokes became the first Black doctor to become a resident at Coatesville Hospital.

For most people in my generation wherever they came from the promise of America came true. 

The promise of America came true for my own children.

But my grandchildren, I worry about. I worry every day about.

Donald Trump thinks veterans are "Suckers and losers:"

"Old Navy to pay store employees to work election polls in November" With Power to the Polls Chester County PA

"The retailer announced on Tuesday that it will pay store employees for eight hours who serve as poll workers for the 2020 election. The company said employees 'will also be eligible for compensation from their local jurisdiction.'

Old Navy, which is owned by Gap (GPS) and has 50,000 field employees across more than 1,000 stores, is partnering with the Civic Alliance and Power the Polls to recruit 250,000 new poll workers to 'ensure polling sites stay open and operate efficiently across the country.' 

This comes after several states face poll worker shortages due to the pandemic. 

'Every voice in this country matters and

 deserves to be heard at the polls, and if we at Old Navy can be lls even a small part of making that process more accessible to the communities we call home, we are on board,' said Nancy Green, head of Old Navy."

Old Navy to pay store employees to work election polls in November

Screenshot Power to the Polls

 

I think a bunch of people in Coatesville doing politics in some way don’t realize drug money ain’t king no more in the West Chester/Coatesville relationship.

Since French Connection heroin came to Chester County PA, up until Richard Legree was rejected by the Chester County Republican Party, West Chester & Coatesville played the same "game" that lawyers in Baltimore and drug dealers in Baltimore played. Brought to life so very well in this scene from "The Wire:"

Some black people see selling drugs as a way to get a leg up. I see black people that sell drugs falling into a trap set to continue slavery, prisons being the plantations. 

The Mafia that ruled the drug business in Chester County can’t do it now. They’ll go right to prison.

International MCs like the Pagans here & Hell’s Angels on the West Coast do quick in and out international drug deals over a few days. Trying to stop those transactions is nearly impossible & could be deadly.

Outlaw biker gangs are a global phenomenon. They exist in 41 countries on six continents, making them one of the world’s most widespread forms of organized crime. Tom Barker, an Eastern Kentucky University emeritus professor of criminal justice who specializes in outlaw motorcycle gangs, identifies six organizations as having the most members and chapters around the globe: the Hells Angels, Bandidos, Pagans, Outlaws, Mongols and Sons of Silence.

White people mostly do prescription heroin like OxyContin which can have a different distribution system. 

The illegal marijuana market is almost entirely gone and soon Governor Wolf will make recreational hemp legal.

Selling drugs in Coatesville can’t get enough money to hide in “the islands” anymore.

Republicans & Democrats now see redevelopment of Coatesville as the money maker. 

Now if we can stop Trump from making a second Great Depression while at the same time killing two and one half million Americans we might pull off the Revitalization of Coatesville. 

The City of Coatesville Police Department is an excellent example of “community policing.” "As the officer stepped onto the porch, continuing with the verbal commands, the subject said "no" and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the officer's chest…

"Davis saw Watson approach him in his rearview mirror before Davis pulled over after driving a short distance. With the violence demonstrated toward Davis, Laufer said the officer could have justifiably used deadly force, but instead he used his judgment and pulled out his Taser – which he did not use.

“Even during the injuring of an officer, the rights of Eric were not breached,” Watson Sr. wrote.

Officer Jared Davis. Keep that name in mind as you read:

I believe Coatesville Detective Joe Thompson will be investigating this murder as he does the 13 unsolved murders in Coatesville. 

It's extremely hard to investigate murders here. Witnesses are easily intimidated. 

In most small American towns people move around a lot. Like my family many Coatesville families go back a century or more. Who is related to who and where they live are known. 

I sat in with District Attorney Joe Carroll while he spoke to parents who lost their college freshman daughter who was in the wrong place when an execution shooting went down. It was heartbreaking to listen. 

That so many Coatesville residents helped Coatesville Police apprehend Stephen Young is a testimony that Coatesville residents trust and depend on Coatesville Police. 

On Thursday I was in Coatesville's West End driving back from Aldi Market when I had to get over for a State Police vehicle driving at high speed down Lincoln Highway. When I reached Pennsylvania Avenue Lincoln Highway was shut down and I needed to use other streets to get home. 

I knew something happened. I thought "Another shooting."

"At 11:47 a.m. on Aug. 27, Coatesville City Police Officers were dispatched to 22 N. 7th Ave. because two witnesses reported seeing Stephen Young return to the residence with a gun. 

Stephen Derez Young

Coatesville City Police Officer J. Davis was the first to arrive at the location, and observed a male on the front porch matching the description provided, the D.A.'s report said. 

As Davis got out of his police vehicle, he told the man to come off the porch so they could talk. Police said the man started to back into the residence. As the officer stepped onto the porch, continuing with the verbal commands, the subject said "no" and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the officer's chest. The police officer took cover to avoid being shot, and the man backed into the residence and shut the door, police reported. 

Police said about 30 law enforcement units set up a perimeter around 22 N. 7th Ave. At 12:51 p.m., Young surrendered to police by walking out the front door of the residence. Officers then recovered a black semi-automatic 9 mm handgun from the residence. 

After Young was in police custody, Coatesville City Police Chief Jack Laufer thanked Coatesville City Police Officers, Chester County Detectives, and numerous other police officers for their efforts. 

"This very dangerous individual, Stephen D. Young, was apprehended quickly without further loss of life. The safety of our community is of utmost importance, and removing criminals with no regard for life is our top priority," Laufer said. 

The District Attorney's Office said Young is charged with first-degree murder and related offenses.

Anyone with further information concerning this homicide is asked to call the Coatesville City Police Department at 610-384-2300 or the Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866."

 MORE AT:
Chester County Patch

Shooting, Blood Trail, Witnesses Led Police Into Standoff

"Davis saw Watson approach him in his rearview mirror before Davis pulled over after driving a short distance. With the violence demonstrated toward Davis, Laufer said the officer could have justifiably used deadly force, but instead he used his judgment and pulled out his Taser – which he did not use.

“Even during the injuring of an officer, the rights of Eric were not breached,” Watson Sr. wrote.

Davis was recently verbally threatened in an unrelated incident.

Police said that Gerome Darnell Gray Jr., 22, of West Chester, allegedly threatened Davis July 9 when he attempted to disperse a group and arrested someone for disorderly conduct. According to the police and the criminal complaint, Gray reportedly said, “Davis, I’m going to f— you up.” 

“It is with regret and admiration that I write to your department,” Eric Watson Sr. began his letter.

Police said Officer Jared T. Davis was on patrol in a marked police vehicle when Eric L. Watson, 29, of Coatesville, allegedly threw a large rock at Davis’ vehicle, cracking the front windshield.

Eric L. Watson Coatesville PD

Facebook page

Police said during the struggle to get Watson to the ground to take into custody, an officer who assisted was injured.

“The regret is that your Officer (Detective) Joseph Thompson was injured in a confrontation with my son Eric Watson,” said Watson Sr. “I would like to extend my sincere apology to the injured officer, his family and your department at this time.”

Thompson suffered from a fractured sternum. He was treated at Paoli Hospital.

“This apology I also extend to Officer Jared Davis who must have been traumatized by the experience of being attacked by Eric,” Watson Sr. said.

Coatesville police Chief Jack Laufer said when the police hear an apology, it is usually verbal.

“We don’t often get a personal apology from a family member,” Laufer said, including letters.

Both of Eric Watson’s parents apologized in person to police.

Watson Sr. thanked Davis, the Coatesville Police Department officers and the leadership by Laufer for their professionalism during the incident and their assistance afterward.

“In admiration, I want to commend the action taken by Officer Jared Davis by displaying professionalism beyond the norm in a time when madness seem to be the order of the day and the lives of the officers in blue are in danger,” Watson Sr. wrote in his letter.

This incident occurred in the midst of national protests after police shootings in July that killed Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La., and Philando Castile in St. Paul, Minn., both black men. The assault on the Coatesville officer also came after police were killed, three in Baton Rouge and five in Dallas, in addition to those injured.

Laufer said they learned that this incident did not occur as an act of hate toward police. He said the letter showed that. He said when the community read the letter they were reassured of that and it reinforced that it was not a direct attack on law enforcement or the Coatesville police.

“I think it makes the city feel better,” Laufer said. “Was it a violent crime? Yes and he’ll have to answer for his actions. Maybe this will help him to get the help he needs.”

The Watson family had been trying to find Eric for the past two years, according to Laufer. When they heard the news, they traveled to the police station and apologized for his conduct, Laufer said. He informed Thompson, who is home recovering for the next several weeks, about the letter. Thompson told him he appreciated the note.

“They’re a good, solid family with connections to law enforcement and the military,” Laufer said about the Watson family. “Being in law enforcement (the father) appreciated how bad it could have been.”

Davis saw Watson approach him in his rearview mirror before Davis pulled over after driving a short distance. With the violence demonstrated toward Davis, Laufer said the officer could have justifiably used deadly force, but instead he used his judgment and pulled out his Taser – which he did not use.

“Even during the injuring of an officer, the rights of Eric were not breached,” Watson Sr. wrote.

MORE AT:

The Times Herald

Father apologizes to Coatesville police for his son’s actions

https://www.facebook.com/cityofcoatesvillepolicedepartment

At ChesCo DA Joe Carroll’s meetings at Coatesville Savings Bank Joe told us to use video recorders W/infrared to record drug deals/shootings/shooters with no audio. PA is a 2 consent state. Getting recordings to detectives w/o dealers knowing is difficult

If anyone goes to the Chester County Courthouse from Coatesville drug dealers here can know it before they get back home. 

Some people here learned I could go around Chester County directly to the DOJ. When Jeff Sessions took over my link went dark but there’s always retired people to call on. 

Of course recording anyone at a public meeting is legal. I have a ton of potentially self-incriminating recordings that can be downloaded from the Box.com connected to Coatesville Dems Blog. At least one document or audio recording is downloaded from my Box.com every day. 

Most states, as well as the District of Columbia, allow surreptitious recording of conversations—on the phone or in person—as long as one person involved gives permission, even if that person is you. Because the two men conducting the NPR sting were aware of their own recording, which took place in Washington, D.C., it was legal. (If no parties know about it, that’s wiretapping, which requires a warrant.) What’s surprising is how many states, in this age of Flip cams and camera phones and surveillance cameras and helmet cams,have “two-party consent” laws. In 12 states—California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington—all parties involved need to consent before one of them can record the conversation.

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SLATE

Broken Record Laws

Why do 12 states still make it illegal to tape people without their knowledge?

Christopher Beam March 10, 20113:36 PM

DeJoy needs to consult with his consigliere. Rashida Tlaib lays out to DeJoy that he is on track for prison time just like the rest of Trump’s thugs.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder told Yahoo News Thursday that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy should “absolutely” face a criminal investigation to determine if he violated federal law making it illegal to tamper with the mail.

“There is no question about that,” Holder told the Yahoo News “Skullduggery” podcast in an interview. “You tell me: Why would you be taking offline, right now, machines that do mail sorting at high speeds? Why would you be taking mailboxes off the street? Why would you be restricting the amount of overtime that postal employees can spend as we’re about to enter a period where the mails are going to be really important for this nation to handle a huge number of vote-by-mail ballots? There is clearly an indication that this is something that’s political in nature.”

Holder made the comments after being asked whether Postal Service cutbacks ordered by DeJoy violate a criminal law (18 U.S.C. § 1701) that says anyone who “knowingly and willfully obstructs or retards the passage of the mail or any carrier or conveyance carrying the mail” is committing a crime.

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Former Attorney General Eric Holder calls for criminal investigation into Postal Service cutbacks