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Civil Rights Act Opponent Rand Paul Delivered A Speech At An Historically Black College Today

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U.S. Senator Rand Paul delivered a speech to students at Howard University, an historically African-American college — which was possibly brave, since the Kentucky Tea Party/Republican Party/Libertarian Party lawmaker is on record as stating he opposed sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Which he today totally denied.

“I’ve never been against the Civil Rights Act, ever.”

“The speech, which included discussion of school choice and mandatory minimum sentencing laws, went over badly at times, like when Paul got former Senator Edward Brooke’s name wrong, and was even interrupted by two protesters holding a sign that said ‘Howard University does not support white supremacy,'” Buzzfeed reports:

Applause was scarce, and there were one or two instances of booing. Questioners in the question-and-answer session pressed Paul on voter I.D. laws and his past stated opposition to the Civil Rights Act, though some showed a kinship with him on other civil liberties issues like drug policy.

Sope Aluko, a sophomore from Maryland, said, “I thought it was really interesting that he was trying to appeal to us.”

“Maybe he didn’t really tell us anything new,” Aluko said, noting that she was “taken aback” when Paul asked the audience if they knew that the NAACP was founded by Republicans (the question was met with a resounding “Yes!”).

Here’s a selection of responses and news reports via Twitter:

[View the story “So, Civil Rights Act Opponent Rand Paul Delivered A Speech At An Historically Black College Today…” on Storify]

So, Civil Rights Act Opponent Rand Paul Delivered A Speech At An Historically Black College Today…

Storified by David Badash· Wed, Apr 10 2013 10:59:41

Unclear why Rand Paul thinks that his assignment today is to teach Howard students about the history of civil rights in America.Ari Melber
At Howard, Rand Paul takes the fateful leap from libertarian to bullshitarian #ideology #camps livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/rand-pau…Josh Marshall
5 ways Rand Paul whitesplained politics at Howard University: thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/…igorvolsky
Sen. Rand Paul speaking today on inclusion in the RNC #HU #picstitch @ Howard University instagram.com/p/X7s3PHLLdg/Alana Jones
@taysasser93 It was definitely an experienceAlana Jones
@BlackCanseco Rand Paul’s speech at Howard did not go, um, well. washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-pol…Kay Whitlock
Howard Students Didn’t Totally Hate Rand Paul bzfd.it/14bWXcYBuzzFeed Politics
Rand Paul: ‘Some in the Evangelical Christian movement I think have appeared too eager for war’ (VIDEO) bit.ly/16N35ptTalking Points Memo
Rand Paul’s Howard speech is the greatest moment in racial transcendance history since Accidental RacistGreg
Rand Paul on Civil Rights – from the horses mouth: maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2010/05/… #p2 #tlotliberalgranny50
“The Democrat promise is tangible and puts food on the table, but too often doesn’t lead to jobs or meaningful success.” Rand PaulAlton Drew
Here’s the transcript to Rand Paul’s speech at Howard today. reason.com/archives/2013/…Mr. Plunge
Rand Paul is not different from other GOPers in that his entire case for blacks voting Republican boils down to Lincoln, Dixiecrats & weed.Joy Reid
Rand Paul OBVIOUSLY thought he was speaking to a crowd of uneducated African Americans. This fool…September’s Very Own
Rand Paul, basically: I was NEVER against the Civil Rights Act. I just think the whole desegregating lunch counters went a bit far.LOLGOP
Thanks to the student activist who confronted Sen. rand Paul today. Thanks HU, GU & GW! @KinlowDC pic.twitter.com/BnWot9zAorDC Vote
Media swarm Rand Paul event at Howard University youtu.be/5KEY-rqJrR0Bruce Majors
This, GOP, is what we call outreach. “In Howard U Speech, Rand Paul Makes Pitch to African-American Community”: nationalreview.com/corner/345214/…Jedediah Bila
@donnabrazile @theGrio No, because what Rand Paul means by “a dialogue” is “I get to tell you where you’re wrong. The end.”Elizabeth Moon
Rand Paul: “My speach today was the same boilerplate bullshit Romney gave to the NAACP, but I’m guessing you won’t notice!”#HowardJ-S Poupart
I didn’t support Rand Paul in his primary, but when he got labeled a “racist” by the fringe, I became a defender, now a fan.Ali A. Akbar
#GOP sends Rand Paul to explain civil rights at #Howard. Next up, Phyllis Schlafly explains women’s lib at #Spellman. Nice #outreach, guys.US Dept. of Irony
Rand Paul says he’s ‘never wavered’ in his support for Civil Rights Act, but … dailykos.com/story/2013/04/… via @dailykosBarbara Morrill
Rand Paul to Howard Students: ‘Big Government Is Not A Friend To African Americans’ fb.me/EjHOLOM4Black Biz Brokers
Rand Paul truly insults Howard University students intelligence, as he disingenuously cherry-picks issues he thinks will help seduce them.SheSheGo
Value of Rand Paul in 2016 race: Forcing Dems to the left on civil liberties.Erik
At Howard University, Rand Paul Falsely Claims He Never Opposed 1964 Civil Rights Act motherjones.com/mojo/2013/04/h… via @motherjonesRonald Lewis
Hypocritical teabagger and liar. Rand Paul: ‘I’ve never been against the Civil Rights Act. Ever.’Justin Gallardo
Rand Paul: GOP faces ‘daunting task’ with black voters on.thegrio.com/ZNb0Nh via @theGrioJacqueline Mc.
Rand Paul clashes with HBCU crowd on.thegrio.com/ZNaYF3 via @theGrio #StandWithRand.Tish
So i’m reading Senator Rand Paul’s Howard University speech. It is wall-to-wall epic fail and falsehoods. reason.com/archives/2013/…Black Canseco
Rand Paul Pitches GOP Version of Minimalist Government to African-Americans: Rand Paul tries to woo black vote… bit.ly/ZFYeawManisha Roy
@TheReidReport just finished watching rand paul speech at howard & found it absurd the way he played on stereotypes of the blacks in americaDAVE FROST
Live tweeting the Rand Paul speech at Howard, @AfricanaCarr totally rules. I’m really impressed by the questions from the audience.Christopher Greer
Rand Paul makes his pitch to African-Americans, arguing ‘GOP is the party of civil rights, voting rights’ – ow.ly/jWbv4National Review
Oh, look! #RandPaul on the Rachel @Maddow show “wavering” in his supports for the Civil Rights Act of 1964: maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2010/05/… #HowardMary
@TheReidReport The students at Howard University are too smart for Rand Paul. He just doesn’t know that.Pat
Rand Paul thinks Howard U students are STUPID, that they DON’T know he’s on record saying businesses shouldn’t HAVE to serve Black people.SheSheGo
Sen. Rand Paul’s remarks at Howard University dlvr.it/3CczRY #tlot #amagi #tcotMercedForFreedom

Image, top, by Alana Jones, via Twitter/Instagram

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OPINION

‘Have to Get Back to Law and Order’: Trump Declares at NYPD Officer’s Wake

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Donald Trump attended the wake of the slain New York City police officer who was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop this week. The four-times indicted ex-president demanded America “get back to law and order,” barely days after a New York judge imposed a gag order in the case where the presumptive Republican presidential nominee faces 34 felony counts for “falsifying New York business records in order to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election,” according to the New York District Attorney.

That damaging information included hush money payments to several women including an adult film actress.

“We have to stop it,” Trump said Thursday, speaking before the cameras about crime as he stood under an umbrella in front of police officers. “We have to stop, we have to get back to law and order. We have to do a lot of things differently because this is not working. This is happening too often.”

“Police are the greatest people we have. There’s nothing and there’s nobody like them. And this should never happen,” Trump said as he lamented how repeat offenders “don’t learn because they don’t respect.”

READ MORE: Trump Campaign Says It Will Deploy ‘Soldiers’ to Polling Places

“We’ve got to toughen it up. We’ve got to strengthen it up. It should never be allowed things like they shouldn’t take place and to take place so often,” said Trump, who is out on bail and currently faces 88 felony charges after three were dropped.

The Trump campaign announced that the ex-president had been invited to attend the wake.

“President Trump is moved by the invitation to join NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller’s family and colleagues as they deal with his senseless and tragic death,” Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said, according to The Daily Beast.

The Associated Press added that “Trump has deplored crime in heavily Democratic cities, called for shoplifters to be shot immediately and wants to immunize police officers from lawsuits for potential misconduct. But he’s also demonized local prosecutors, the FBI and the Department of Justice over the criminal prosecutions he faces and the investigation while he was president into his first campaign’s interactions with Russia.”

“He has also embraced those imprisoned for their roles on the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, when a mob of his angry supporters overran police lines and Capitol and local police officers were attacked and beaten.”

Earlier on Thursday NBC News reported on Trump’s mischaracterizations of crime.

“Surging crime levels, out-of-control Democratic cities and ‘migrant crime,'” the network noted. “Former President Donald Trump regularly cites all three at his campaign rallies, in news releases and on Truth Social, often saying President Joe Biden and Democrats are to blame.”

READ MORE: ‘Hunger Games at NBC News’: New McDaniel Revelations Have ‘Enraged’ Staffers, Report Says

“But the crime picture Trump paints contrasts sharply with years of police and government data at both the local and national levels,” NBC added. “FBI statistics released this year suggested a steep drop in crime across the country last year. It’s a similar story across major cities, with violent crime down year over year in Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.”

Watch Trump’s remarks below or at this link.

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OPINION

‘Hunger Games at NBC News’: New McDaniel Revelations Have ‘Enraged’ Staffers, Report Says

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The backlash from NBC News’ hiring of Ronna McDaniel is not over. New reporting from Puck, CNN, and The Washington Post reveals the considerable efforts from top NBC and MSNBC brass to recruit, hire, and support the former RNC chair who promoted false election claims, was allegedly involved in helping Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, and refused to say Joe Biden had been elected fairly.

Staffers at NBC News and MSNBC were outraged at McDaniel’s hiring, but new details about behind-the-scenes efforts reportedly have increased that outrage.

Some critics are either calling for resignations of NBC News and MSNBC  leadership, or questioning how long they can ride out the mess.

“What is Brian Roberts going to do?” CNN‘s Oliver Darcy asks. “The Comcast boss is watching an unceasing five-alarm fire rage at 30 Rock, scarring the reputation of NBC News and threatening to consume multiple parts of the Cesar Conde-run NBC Universal News Group.”

“Conde has lost control of his organization, prompting industry insiders to wonder how he continues to remain in his role as chairman of the NBC News Group. In the words of one veteran media executive I spoke to Wednesday, ‘It’s inconceivable that he should,'” Darcy writes, saying Conde’s actions and those of his top executives have “hosed gasoline” on the scandal.

READ MORE: Lawmaker Slammed for Claiming College Basketball Players Were Actually ‘Illegal Invaders’

That scandal involves these revelations from Puck’s Dylan Byers, who reports, “bringing McDaniel to 30 Rock had been part of a nearly two-month-long effort that was spearheaded by Budoff Brown and her boss, NBC News President Rebecca Blumenstein, with buy-in from Conde and his deputies at both NBC News and MSNBC.”

“Rashida Jones,” he adds, “the president of MSNBC, was very interested in having McDaniel appear as a contributor on her network, as well.”

But this bombshell has drawn a good deal of attention. Noting how Chuck Todd led off the very public pushback against the hiring of McDaniel, Byers reports, “On Sunday, Budoff Brown reached out to McDaniel’s aide and former chief of staff at the R.N.C., Richard Walters, to see if there were any friends or colleagues who could speak up on her behalf.”

“The two sides also discussed having these folks call attention to what they saw as a double standard—after all, this was the same network that was turning Psaki, a former Biden White House Press Secretary, into a Maddow-adjacent prime time star. Walters later assured Budoff Brown that they’d been able to advance conservative pushback on social media against Todd, specifically, and that this might give NBC News some cover, for which Budoff Brown thanked him.”

CNN, pointing to those details, adds, “staffers inside NBC News are enraged at the fact an executive would have engaged in such behavior.”

Former Chicago Tribune editor Mark Jacobs, who now writes about politics and the media, called for the firing of Jones, Blumenstein, and Budoff Brown.

Other critics are expressing concerns on multiple fronts.

READ MORE: Ronna McDaniel Is Just a ‘Normal’ Person Who ‘Never Denied the Election’ Says Hugh Hewitt

“It’s like the hunger games at @NBCNews. Every day new, horrible stories of journalism & corporate malpractice. Every single one of these managers must go,” observed Jennifer Schulze, a media critic who was a Chicago Sun-Times executive producer, WGN news director, and adjunct college professor of journalism.

She also highlights a Washington Post report that ropes NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt into the mess.

“Every @NBCNews exec who thought hiring a reputed liar & phony elector co-[conspirator] needs to resign or be fired,” Schulze says.

“The @NBCNews managers who recruited & signed an election denier should be out the door, too,” she adds. “Not only was it downright offensive to hire Ronna, it was journalism AND corporate malpractice.”

Pointing to his newsletter, former Obama senior advisor Dan Pfeiffer writes, “NBC’s ill-fated decision to hire Ronna McDaniel is a story of a media outlet unwilling to accept the ways Trump changed politics, but it’s also one of the best arguments for Dems need to build our media ecosystem ASAP.”

READ MORE: Comer Refuses to Investigate Trump Family Member Over ‘Influence Peddling’ Allegation

He calls McDaniel’s hiring “evidence” the media has “yet to accept the reality that this is not a normal election between a Republican and a Democrat.” And adds, “An [industry] that prizes objectivity above all else, is incapable of accurately covering an election where one candidate is a normal politician and the other is an insurrectionist. Many in the media would rather stumble into autocracy than take a side.”

Veteran journalist and Sirius XM host Michelangelo Signorile observes, “We couldn’t have asked for a better situation to shine a bright light on the corruption of the corporate media—and its impulse to legitimize MAGA extremism and lawbreakers for profit—than NBC’s hiring former RNC chair, election denier, and Trump enabler Ronna McDaniel.”

And he warns, “The forces that made the coup-plotting former RNC chair a paid contributor are still shaping news and information about this pivotal election.”

 

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News

Lawmaker Slammed for Claiming College Basketball Players Were Actually ‘Illegal Invaders’

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Michigan MAGA Republican state Rep. Matt Maddock is under fire after claiming three buses were “loaded up with illegal invaders.” The buses, according to multiple reports, were actually loaded with the Gonzaga University basketball team arriving for March Madness.

“Happening right now. Three busses just loaded up with illegal invaders at Detroit Metro. Anyone have any idea where they’re headed with their police escort?” Rep. Maddock wrote on social media Wednesday evening, tagging far-right former U.S. Congressman Pete Hoekstra, who served as U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands under Donald Trump and is now the state’s Republican Party chair.

Informed of his error on social media, Rep. Maddock doubled down, and attacked.

READ MORE: Ronna McDaniel Is Just a ‘Normal’ Person Who ‘Never Denied the Election’ Says Hugh Hewitt

“Probably teams for the NCAA Mens Sweet 16 playing at LCA on Friday and Sunday,” a user on X wrote.

“Sure kommie. Good talking point,” Maddock quickly shot back.

ABC affiliate WXYZ executive producer Maxwell White, responding to the Maddock’s original post wrote: “Just to be clear, this was the Gonzaga basketball team. Photos show Gonzaga getting on an Allegiant plane to Detroit for the Sweet 16, and Flight Radar shows a plane from GEG to DTW landed at 7:25 p.m., around the time this photo was posted.”

“This is a wild tweet,” White added, before adding more evidence.

Hoekstra, who was accused of using racism and xenophobia to win his campaign for a U.S. Senate seat (he lost), did not respond directly to Maddock but did repost the apparently false claim.

Michigan State Senate Democratic Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow denounced Maddock’s claim as “dangerous.”

Maddock’s remark also made the national stage when U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell responded.

READ MORE: Trump Campaign Says It Will Deploy ‘Soldiers’ to Polling Places

“Hey Einstein,” the California Democrat wrote, “your state is hosting the Sweet 16. Could it be a team bus? If it is, will you resign for your spectacular stupidity?”

In 2021 The Washington Post reported, “Michigan state Rep. Matt Maddock and his wife, Michigan Republican Party co-chair Meshawn Maddock, have repeatedly been called out by fact-checking journalists for promoting baseless claims of widespread voter fraud and falsely suggesting that covid-19 is comparable to the flu.”

See the social media posts above 0r at this link.

 

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