June 3, 2017


News and Views


THIS IS ONE MORE SICK, SAD, THOROUGHLY DISCOURAGING AND DOWNRIGHT FRIGHTENING PIECE NEWS. THESE VIOLENT EVENTS SEEM TO BE MORE AND MORE COMMONPLACE THESE LAST FEW YEARS. THE HUMAN RACE IS GOING THROUGH A PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MORAL CRISIS, WHICH I HOPE WILL RUN ITS’ COURSE AS MOST THINGS DO. THAT IS ONE THING I HAVE LEARNED WITH AGING. ALL THINGS CHANGE. OF COURSE, THERE’S THE OLD APHORISM, “THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY REMAIN THE SAME.” FOR UPDATES TO THIS 5.45 PM ARTICLE, SEE: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/london-bridge-terror-attack-live-updates/

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/london-bridge-british-police-respond-to-incident-close-bridge/
By STEFAN BECKET, JUSTIN CARISSIMO CBS NEWS June 3, 2017, 5:45 PM
London Bridge: Police respond amid reports of vehicle striking pedestrians

WATCH LIVE NEWS VIDEO (6:52 PM)

British police are responding to an incident on the London Bridge amid reports of a vehicle slamming into pedestrians.

A witness who was on the bridge told the BBC she saw a speeding van veer onto the pavement, striking as many as six people.

Another witness told Reuters she saw three people who appeared to have their throats cut.

"We are dealing with an incident on #LondonBridge, when we have more information we will update this twitter feed," the Metropolitan Police Department tweeted late Saturday. Police also said they were responding to a separate incident at Borough Market near London Bridge.

The BBC reports police are searching for three suspects who could be armed, according to Reuters.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has been briefed on the incident and is in touch with officials, Downing Street said. White House press secretary Sean Spicer said President Trump has also been briefed on the situation.

The city transit authority Transport for London closed the bridge and ordered the London Bridge underground station evacuated.

screen-shot-2017-06-03-at-6-11-27-pm.png
Emergency responders on the scene on London Bridge. SKY NEWS

One witness inside the station described the scene to Sky News.

"I was walking out of the London Bridge station and there were police," Caroline Breniere said. "Some of them were coming by car, some of them were running. The traffic was stopped."

Another man who was nearby told Sky he witnessed emergency vehicles rushing to the scene.

ap-17154791465682.jpg
People walking down Borough High Street as police deal with an incident on London Bridge in London, Saturday, June 3, 2017. DOMINIC LIPINSKI / AP

"We finished drinking at a bar and we came out onto the road and I looked to my left and there was a guy, we thought he was just drunk, he was lying on the floor," the man told Sky. "A couple seconds later, about three police vans flew past. The guys who were with the guy that was on the floor managed to flag one of the police vans down. One of the officers jumped out and started attending to the guy on the floor."

Will Haven, managing editor of The Spectator in London, told Sky he "certainly saw people who looked like they'd been run over."

On March 22, a knife-wielding man mowed down pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before fatally stabbing an armed police officer to death just inside the gates of Parliament. Five people were killed, including the attacker, and at least 40 people were injured.



I WATCHED THE VIDEO OF THE RECENT BILL MAHER INCIDENT. SENATOR SASSE, A REPUBLICAN, MADE A TRULY STRANGE COMMENT TO MAHER, THOUGH I COULD SEE IT WAS MEANT TO BE A JOKE. HE INVITED BILL TO HIS HOME STATE OF NEBRASKA, AND SAID “WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU WORK IN THE FIELDS WITH US.” MAHER WAS TAKEN ABACK AND TEMPORARILY FLOORED, BUT BEING WHO HE IS, HE CAME BACK AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF STARTLED SILENCE WITH THE OFFENDING QUIP.

HE IS A COMEDIAN IN A LONG AND IN MY VIEW, DELIGHTFUL HISTORY OF VERY SIMILAR STARS, AND BEING FUNNY IS HIS STOCK IN TRADE. LOOK AT SOME OF THEM: JOHNNY CARSON, BOB HOPE, GROUCHO MARX, DICK CAVETT, GEORGE CARLIN, THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS AND NUMEROUS OTHERS. IF YOU WANT TO HEAR SOME HUMDINGERS, WATCH THE GREAT GROUCHO MARX’S SHOW, “YOU BET YOUR LIFE.” WHEN COMEDIANS ARE THAT GOOD, I CAN ONLY CALL IT GENIUS.

I PERSONALLY DON’T THINK THAT THERE’S A REALLY MEAN BONE IN MAHER’S BODY, (THAT’S AN OLD SOUTHERN SAYING) AND IF THERE IS, HE ALSO HAS A WARM HEART TO GO WITH IT. WATCH ANOTHER ONE OF MY FAVORITES: THE 7 WORDS YOU CAN’T SAY ON TV. HE APOLOGIZED WITH GRACE AND SINCERITY, AND I PERSONALLY ACCEPT HIS AP0LOGY. VICIOUS, HE ISN'T.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyBH5oNQOS0

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bill-maher-n-word-controversy-hbo-real-time/
By JUSTIN CARISSIMO CBS NEWS June 3, 2017, 1:16 PM
HBO's Bill Maher apologizes for using n-word on "Real Time"

Comedian Bill Maher has apologized for using a racial slur during an interview on his HBO show "Real Time with Bill Maher."

"Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I'm up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn't have said on my live show," Maher said in a statement to CBS News on Saturday. "Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry."

Maher sparked outrage after using the slur in an exchange with Sen. Ben Sasse, a Republican from Nebraska, when the senator encouraged him to visit his home state.

"We'd love to have you work in the fields with us," Sasse said.

"Work in the fields?" Maher responded. "Senator, I'm a house n*****r."

Follow
deray mckesson ✔ @deray
But really, @BillMaher has got to go. There are no explanations that make this acceptable.
11:44 PM - 2 Jun 2017
4,192 4,192 Retweets 8,494 8,494 likes

Some audience members applauded the comment while Sasse kept quiet. "No, it's a joke," Maher said.

In a statement to CBS News on Saturday, HBO condemned Maher's behavior.

"Bill Maher's comment last night was completely inexcusable and tasteless," the statement read. "We are removing his deeply offensive comment from any subsequent airings of the show."

Sasse addressed the controversy on Saturday, saying he wished he had condemned Maher's comment in the moment.

"I'm a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines," he tweeted Saturday. "But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word. Me just cringing last night wasn't good enough."

Follow
Ben Sasse ✔ @BenSasse
(4of4)
"...The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It’s therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don't use it.” https://twitter.com/BenSasse/status/870949246094258177 …
6:27 AM - 3 Jun 2017
1,490 1,490 Retweets 5,258 5,258 likes

The backlash was immediate on Twitter, with some users calling on HBO to cancel his show.

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Lil Chano From 79th ✔ @chancetherapper
Please @HBO Do Not Air Another Episode Of Real Time With Bill Maher.
12:26 PM - 3 Jun 2017
9,742 9,742 Retweets 28,766 28,766 likes

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shannon sharpe ✔ @ShannonSharpe
Bill Maher saying he's a "House N" is unacceptable. It wasn't funny or cute. Apology is in order and some type of punishment is necessary.
11:22 AM - 3 Jun 2017
425 425 Retweets 879 879 likes

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Reza Aslan ✔ @rezaaslan
I can't believe Bill Maher said something racist, said no Muslim ever. #realtime
2:20 AM - 3 Jun 2017
2,939 2,939 Retweets 9,456 9,456 likes

Maher is no stranger to controversy, and is known to make incendiary comments on race, religion and politics. The comedian lost his ABC talk show "Politically Incorrect" in 2002 after comments on the Sept. 11 attacks.

"We have been the cowards, lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That's cowardly," Maher said. "Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, it's not cowardly."




I HAVE PUBLISHED THESE TWO PARALLEL STORIES BECAUSE, THOUGH THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME, THEY DO CONTAIN DIFFERENT DETAILS. SEE THE RACHEL MADDOW INTERVIEW WITH SHERIFF GONZALEZ FIRST. IN GOOGLING HIM I FOUND THAT HE IS THE SHERIFF WHO SPOKE OUT RECENTLY AGAINST THE TRUMP MANDATE THAT LOCAL LAW OFFICIALS SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN DETAINING HISPANIC PEOPLE FOR ICE, SO HE DOES THINK FOR HIMSELF ON ISSUES, AND IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE WAY POLICE RESPOND TO COMMUNITY ISSUES. MY HAT IS OFF TO HIM, OR IT WOULD BE IF I COULD TOLERATE WEARING HATS.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/texas-sheriff-rejects-immigration-enforcement-role-883006531988
THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW 2/23/17
Texas sheriff rejects immigration enforcement role

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez of Harris County, Texas, talks with Rachel Maddow about how asking his police officers to be immigration enforcers strains both department resources and the trust of the community. Duration: 8:57



JUST AS I DISLIKE SHERIFF ARPAIO, THIS NEW (LATINO) SHERIFF IS ONE OF GOOD ETHICAL VIEWS, AND HE IS PRACTICAL ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT IF THE BLACK AND OTHER POVERTY STRICKEN PARTS OF HIS CITY DON'T HAVE A KNEE-JERK RESPONSE OF HATRED TO HIS OFFICERS, THERE WILL BE FEWER OFFICER KILLINGS, AND RATHER THAN BEING REPELLED BY HIS CITY, TOURISTS AND BUSINESSES WILL GLADLY VISIT. HE'S A GOOD GUY AND A BRIGHT ONE. THAT'S ENCOURAGING.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sheriff-asks-doj-texas-rangers-for-help-deadly-beating-investigation/
CBS NEWS June 3, 2017, 10:53 AM
Sheriff asks DOJ for help investigating deadly beating in Denny's parking lot

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Authorities say they will seek help from the Department of Justice and the Texas Rangers in the investigation of a 24-year-old father who was allegedly beaten to death by the husband of a Harris County sheriff's deputy outside of a Denny's restaurant in Texas.

The investigation of Johnny Hernandez's death has been given "high priority," Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

"We're going to continue to investigate the incident, but I will also be reaching out to the Texas Rangers and the Department of Justice to make sure that we have full transparency and to make sure there is another set of independent eyes that will look at our investigation," Gonzalez told CBS affiliate KHOU-TV. "I have full confidence in our investigators, and I believe there are doing a thorough job. I trust their skill set on this."

The case will be handed over to the Harris County District Attorney's Office at a later date, Gonzalez said.

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Johnny Hernandez, 24, was taken off life support on May 31 FAMILY VIA KHOU

According to KHOU-TV, the deadly brawl unfolded late Sunday night after Hernandez and his family stopped at the restaurant to celebrate a soccer team's victory. His wife says he was drunk, and she insisted he have coffee.

Surveillance cameras show the couple walking out of the restaurant and into the parking lot. At one point, Hernandez urinated near his vehicle, which was parked outside.

Another man -- who has been identified as a 48-year-old with the last name Thompson -- is seen in the video confronting Hernandez about his behavior. Moments later, the men begin scuffling in the parking lot.

Thompson's wife, who is a sheriff's deputy, assisted in restraining Hernandez. She later administered CPR when she noticed he was not breathing.

An eyewitness told KHOU-TV Hernandez was drunk and defenseless while he was beaten by Thompson. Hernandez was held in a chokehold for more than 10 minutes, the eyewitness said.

Upon their arrival, paramedics transported Hernandez to a hospital where he was admitted into the intensive care unit. According to the family's lawyer, he was taken off life support on Wednesday night when he was found to be brain dead.

Hernandez's wife claims sheriff's deputies took her cell phone away and led her to another location for interviews at the scene. She says the report that was given to her family labeled Thompson as the victim in the case.

The case remains under investigation.


THERE'S A LOT OF NUTTY, CRUEL BEHAVIOR GOING ON IN THE USA NOW. I STILL LOVE MY COUNTRY, BUT I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS PHASE THAT WE ARE IN. I HOPE SOMETHING CHANGES FOR THE BETTER SOON.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sheriff-asks-doj-texas-rangers-for-help-deadly-beating-investigation/
By CRIMESIDER STAFF CBS NEWS June 2, 2017, 11:58 AM
Man dies after alleged beating by husband of Texas deputy in Denny's parking lot

Last Updated Jun 2, 2017 5:21 PM EDT

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Police in Texas are investigating the death of a 24-year-old father who was allegedly beaten by the husband of a Harris County Sheriff's deputy.

Sheriff Ed Gonzales told reporters Friday that his department will conduct the investigation but has asked the Department of Justice and the Texas Rangers for help to ensure "transparency" and "another set of independent eyes."

Sheriff asks DOJ for help investigating deadly beating at Denny's

CBS affiliate KHOU-TV reports that Johnny Hernandez's wife said her husband was drunk when the family stopped at a Denny's late Sunday night after celebrating his beloved Chivas soccer team's victory. His wife said she insisted he have coffee, but surveillance cameras showed Hernandez walking outside with his wife trying to stop him. She said her husband urinated near their vehicle.

Another man, whose wife is a sheriff's deputy, was reportedly outside with his kids and confronted Hernandez about his behavior. Video showed the two men scuffling.

hernandez.gif
Johnny Hernandez, 24, was taken off life support on May 31 FAMILY VIA KHOU

People ran outside while Hernandez's wife and 3-year-old daughter watched and screamed.

"She was crying and telling (the man beating Hernandez) stop and he didn't even stop," Hernandez's wife said. "I told him please stop. Don't do that to him. He's drunk. He wasn't in any position to fight. But, he didn't have any compassion. He was really angry."

Hernandez's wife claims deputies took her cell phone then led her away for interviews. She also said that the report given to the family called the man who beat Hernandez the victim.

"They feel that they can get it covered up because they are cops," Hernandez's wife said.

An eyewitness who spoke with KHOU on Thursday on the condition of anonymity said Hernandez was drunk and defenseless as he was beaten by the off-duty deputy's husband.

Sheriff Gonzales told reporters that the off-duty deputy arrived separately from her husband and that she called for assistance, helped restrain Hernandez, then administered CPR until emergency help arrived.

But the eyewitness who spoke with KHOU reportedly disputed that version of the events.

"Even after I told him 'stop, stop' and other people were screaming he wouldn't do it," the eyewitness said. "Even after his wife came he didn't do it. His wife didn't do anything, because I went in to call the police she was already there on the side and I didn't see her do anything, I didn't hear [her] tell him stop. I didn't hear her tell him anything. She just was watching."

The eyewitness tells KHOU that Hernandez was held in a chokehold by the deputy's husband for more than 10 minutes and was not breathing.



SHOOTER AT DONALD TRUMP HOTEL, POLICE RECEIVED A TIP ON THIS ONE, AND PICKED HIM UP AT THE TRUMP HOTEL WHERE HE HAD REGISTERED FOR THE NIGHT. HE HAD A DANGEROUS AMOUNT OF WEAPONRY AND “UNREGISTERED” AMMUNITION IN HIS CAR, AND HAD UNDOUBTEDLY BEEN ABOUT TO HAVE A TRY AT TRUMP. I’M SURPRISED THERE HASN’T BEEN MORE OF THIS. I DO WANT TRUMP OUT OF OFFICE, BUT I HATE THE THOUGHT OF THE DEGREE OF PURE WILDNESS THAT WE HAVE THESE DAYS IN OUR COUNTRY. THAT’S WHAT MADE ME SAY ABOVE THAT WE ARE HAVING A NATIONAL PSYCHIATRIC BREAK IN THIS COUNTRY.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/31/politics/trump-hotel-arrest/
Police arrest man with assault rifle at Trump hotel
By Mary Kay Mallonee and Lauren Meier, CNN
Updated 11:09 PM ET, Wed May 31, 2017

Watch news Video -- Man arrested in Trump hotel after threats 01:28

Story highlights
Bryan Moles, 43, of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, was arrested at the Trump International Hotel
The police report said Moles was in possession of two guns and 90 rounds of ammunition

Washington (CNN)A man with an AR-15 assault rifle, a 40-caliber handgun and 90 rounds of ammunition was arrested at President Donald Trump's namesake hotel in Washington early Wednesday morning after a tipster warned police, authorities said.

Bryan Moles, 43, of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, was charged with carrying a pistol without a license and possession of unregistered ammunition, police said.

According to a police report, officers observed a firearm in "plain view" inside his car, which led to a search of the vehicle and a second weapon and ammunition found in the glove box.

"I believe that the officers and our federal partners and, in particular, the tipster coming forward averted a potential disaster," Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham said at a Wednesday news conference.

A law enforcement official told CNN that the individual who alerted authorities in Pennsylvania said that Moles was traveling to DC and wanted to kill the President. CNN is unable to corroborate Moles' intentions. People in the area said they have repeatedly heard Moles firing his gun on his property.

Another law enforcement source said the individual told police that Moles allegedly stated in cell phone messages to the tipster that he "wanted to get close to Trump" and he "wanted to be like Timothy McVeigh" -- who bombed the Oklahoma City federal building in 1995, killing 168 people.

Newsham said Moles was cooperating with authorities but they did not have enough information to immediately charge him with making threats.

In a statement, the Secret Service said they were summoned to the scene to investigate "a report of a potential threat against Secret Service protectees" but did not provide further details on possible targets. They said at no time were any protectees at risk.

Patricia Tang, the hotel's director of sales and marketing, said in a statement that the safety and security of guests is the hotel's top priority but otherwise directed questions to authorities.

CNN's Laura Jarrett contributed to this report.


TOO BAD SPICER DIDN’T SEE HIS WAY CLEAR TO ENLIGHTEN US ALL. TOP SECRET, MAYBE? OR A CODE TO THE RUSSIANS AND THE ALT-RIGHT THAT MEANS THE WHITE HOUSE IS READY FOR THE MILITARY COUP TO BEGIN? WELL, OKAY. MAYBE THAT’S TOO EXTREME. CAMP TRUMP SHOULD REALIZE, HOWEVER, THAT THIS MAKES AN EXCELLENT CONSPIRACY THEORY – PRESIDENT SIGNALS TO WAITING TROOPS TO BEGIN THEIR ASSAULT WITH CODE WORD, VAGUELY REMINISCENT OF PEE-PEE THE FROG. THAT DISGUSTING MEME IS A FAVORITE OF THE ALT-RIGHT INTERNET SITES, BANNON AND POSSIBLY TRUMP HIMSELF.

http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2017/05/31/trump-midnight-covfefe-tweet-clear-to-small-group-nr.cnn
WH: Trump 'covfefe' tweet clear to small group

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer says that a small group of people understand the meaning behind President Trump's midnight "covfefe" tweet.
Source: CNN



http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/30/politics/dubke-trump-white-house/
Why Mike Dubke matters. A lot.
Anchor Muted Background
Analysis by Chris Cillizza, CNN Editor-at-large
Updated 5:19 PM ET, Tue May 30, 2017

Story highlights
Mike Dubke had ties to Karl Rove
He lasted three months in Trump's White House

Washington (CNN) Stop the average person on the street and ask them if they know the name "Mike Dubke" and you are almost certain to get a blank stare.

Given Dubke's anonymity, it's not terribly surprising that the reaction to his departure as White House communications director -- which was announced Tuesday morning -- was a universal "meh."

No one -- not even me -- would make the case that Dubke was a hugely influential presence in the White House or that his resignation will fundamentally alter the way President Donald Trump operates.

But, isn't that the point -- and an important one at that?

Sources: Russians discussed potentially 'derogatory' information about Trump and associates during campaign

When Dubke was hired -- after an extended search -- the spin from Trump allies was that Dubke being brought on was a sign of Trump's willingness to step outside his small circle of loyal advisers to find talent.

These two paragraphs come from a Washington Post story on his hire back in February:

"With the appointment, which a White House official confirmed Friday, President Trump is reaching outside his circle of trusted campaign aides to try to bolster his messaging operation....

"As word of Dubke's hiring trickled out, however, some Trump loyalists chafed at the idea of recruiting an establishment Republican operative with ties to strategist Karl Rove and other forces they see as having been hostile to Trump's candidacy."

Trump signals he's ready to exit Paris climate accord, but decision not final

This was an example of Trump bending a knee -- or at least acknowledging -- the GOP establishment that he had scorned for so long! He was finally normalizing!

Except not. Dubke never seemed able (or willing) to penetrate the hard shell of those advisers who had either a) been with Trump for long period of time or b) were related to the President. Dubke was touted when he was hired for his willingness to play a behind-the-scenes role. But Dubke, during his short stint in the White House was so behind-the-scenes as to seem totally nonexistent.

For all of the talk of Trump's willingness to bring in an outsider -- and an outsider with ties to Karl Rove, no less! -- Trump never really accepted Dubke as one of his people. Which, rather than disproving the caricature of Trump as insular and partial to "yes" men, only served to reinforce it.

And, even as Dubke was on the way out, there was increasing chatter that two longtime Trump loyalists -- Corey Lewandowski, who managed Trump's campaign during its formative stages, and David Bossie, who served as deputy campaign manager in its later stages -- were on their way back in. As CNN's Jim Acosta reported:

Sean Spicer wants you to know that everything at the White House is going GREAT

"The internal White House war room may be aided by an outside rapid response operation,* staffed by Trump loyalists who have remained outside the administration. Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and ex-top campaign official David Bossie have been mentioned repeatedly in those conversations."

Take the potential additions of Bossie and Lewandowski with the Dubke departure and you are left with this: Trump is returning to what he knows, surrounding himself with people who will laud him and tell him what he wants to hear.

That's why Dubke's departure matters. It's a sign that Trump is, has been and always will be someone only comfortable with an "amen" choir around him.

And that is a realization likely to make establishment Republicans looking to defend their House and Senate majorities next November very, very nervous.


ABOUT THE TERM “OUTSIDE RAPID RESPONSE OPERATION”* --
Pentagon rapid response operation - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentagon_rapid_response_operation

The Pentagon rapid response operation was a public relations initiative by the United States Department of Defense to "quickly respond to news media stories critical of ... the Iraq War, as well as other stories the Defense Department leadership doesn't like."

History[edit]

An October 3, 2006 memo written by Dorrance Smith, the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs,[1] obtained later by the Associated Press, described the team's role.[2] The memo envisioned that the team would "'develop messages' for the 24-hour news cycle and 'correct the record'" in a way similar to political campaign operations, such as Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign.[2] Smith also set forth four branches of the operation: "New Media" (for Web sites, podcasts, and YouTube); "Rapid Response" (for letters to the editor); "TV and Radio Booking" (for booking civilian and military guests on cable news and radio); and "Surrogates" (for "analysts who speak publicly, often on behalf of the Pentagon").[1][3] During the brief life of the "'rapid response cell," a "team of public affairs officers working behind closed doors ... churn[ed] out e-mail messages, press releases, opinion pieces and corrections to perceived inaccuracies or biased reporting worldwide."[4]

The Pentagon rapid-response unit was a priority of U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and some congressional Democrats criticized the initiative as excessively focused on Rumsfeld's personal reputation, rather than the reputation of the U.S. armed forces.[4] Soon after being sworn in as secretary of defense in 2007, Rumsfeld's successor Robert Gates disbanded the unit.[4]



I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT OUR PROGRESSIVES, DEMOCRATS, AND JUST ORDINARY CITIZENS WHO ARE AS SHOCKED WITH THE VIOLENCE AND GENERAL CHAOS THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS BROUGHT IN, ARE OUT IN THE STREETS IN HEALTHY NUMBERS. WE NEED TO DO MORE THAN THAT, THOUGH. PROTEST IN CONGRESS, PERHAPS? REMEMBER THE CODE PINK LADIES? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_Pink

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/demonstrations-held-for-and-against-trump-across-united-states/
By PAULA REID CBS NEWS June 3, 2017, 7:08 PM
Demonstrations held for and against Trump across the U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Demonstrators were on the march Saturday from coast to coast. At rallies in Washington D.C. and Fountain Valley, California -- crowds applauded President Trump's decision this week to pull out of the Paris Climate Accord.

Anti-Trump protesters took to the streets in New York and Denver - raising their voices for tougher investigations into Team Trump's relations with Russia.

This all comes days before fired FBI Director James Comey is scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill.

"Our first foreign trip was full of historic and unprecedented achievements," Mr. Trump said in his weekly address.

Mr. Trump also said he looks forward to working with other world leaders following his trip overseas.

reid-trump-demonstrations-2017-6-3.jpg
Demonstration held in support of President Trump on June 3, 2017. CBS NEWS

"Joined by many old and new friends, we have paved the way for the new era of cooperation," Mr. Trump said.

But just days after returning to the U.S., he angered many world leaders by withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement.

"The United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord," Mr. Trump said on Thursday.

In Europe, Mr. Trump's decision was met with shock and dismay.

Backlash mounts after Pres. Trump pulls out of Paris climate agreement
Play VIDEO
Backlash mounts after Pres. Trump pulls out of Paris climate agreement

But the president did receive some support at home. On Saturday, supporters rallied outeside the White House to express thanks making good on a campaign promise. Some chanted "Pittsburgh, not Paris!"

Mr. Trump has another potentially controversial decision to make this week -- whether to block former FBI Director James Comey from testifying before the Senate on Thursday.

"I don't think there is a legitimate claim of executive privilege here," said Rep. Adam Schiff, who says he wants to hear Comey testify about any attempt to interfere in the Russia investigation.

"I think the whole country needs to know whether the president was putting pressure on the director of the FBI to drop any part of the Russia investigation," Schiff says.

Will Trump block testimony of former FBI director James Comey?
Play VIDEO
Will Trump block testimony of former FBI director James Comey?

But Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Fox News that he worries the Comey hearing could turn into a hit job on Mr. Trump.

"Here's what I worry about: That he'll just focus on his conversation with the president and not answer any other questions because of the investigation," Graham says. "That would be a hit job on President Trump."

Mr. Trump has the right to invoke his executive privilege to keep certain conversations private, but legal experts say he has undermined his legal case by tweeting about those conversations. Sources tell us the former FBI chief has not received any notification the president intends to block his testimony.