Sandra Sterling (right), Alton Sterling's aunt, visits the memorial created for her nephew after he was shot and killed by police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo: Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images)
Wingnut Week In Review: Selective Outrage
Three shootings made national news this week. Most Americans were outraged by all three. However, conservatives were outraged by one, and silent about the other two.
For the third time this week, Americans awoke Friday to news of yet another shooting. Still reeling from the police-involved shooting deaths of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota, Americans learned this morning that five police officers were killed and seven injured when multiple snipers opened fire during peaceful demonstrations in downtown Dallas, Texas, over police-involved shootings.
President Obama condemned the Dallas attack as a "vicious, calculated, and despicable attack on law enforcement." Having just made a statement addressing the deaths of Sterling and Castile, and police-involved shootings of African Americans, the president unequivocally denounced violence against police. "We are horrified over these events, and we stand united with the people and police department in Dallas," Obama said. "But let's be clear there is no possible justification for these kinds of attacks, or any violence against law enforcement."
\u201cPrayers for the victims of all violence tonight.\u201d— deray (@deray) 1467960030
\u201cAt the protest last night. The @DallasPD were so understanding/respectful of us. They didn't deserve this. #Dallas\u201d— Chaka Cumberbatch \u2728\ud83d\udc95 (@Chaka Cumberbatch \u2728\ud83d\udc95) 1467982884
Rally organizers also condemned that attack. Dominique Alexander, founder of the Next Generation Network that organized the Dallas demonstration said, "We want Dallas to know that violence of any kind we condemn. We continue to stand with the families of these officers and pray with them, as well as we stand with the families of Alton Sterling and Philando in Minnesota."
Quinyetta Mcmillon, the mother of Alton Sterling's 15-year-old son, spoke out against the Dallas attack. "We wholeheartedly reject the reprehensible acts of violence that were perpetrated against members of the Dallas Police Department," McMillon said in a statement issued by her attorneys. "Our hearts break for the families of the officers who were lost as they protected protesters and residents alike during a rally."
On the other hand, conservatives who were noticeably silent after the police-involved shooting deaths of Sterling and Castile had plenty to say after the Dallas attack.
- The Oath Keepers called for "patriotic Americans" to "go armed at all times" and "reestablish the militia system."
- Donald Trump's Virginia chairman and congressional candidate Corey A. Stewart blamed Hillary Clinton and Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam for the Dallas attack in a post to his Facebook account.
- Frank Gaffney, former adviser to Sen. Ted Cruz's presidential campaign accused Black Lives Matter of working with "Islamic supremacists" to incite "revolution" in America.
Deadbeat dad and former-congressman-turned-radio-host Joe Walsh tweeted and deleted that President Obama should "watch out" after Dallas.
Walsh wasn't nearly done.
\u201cWhen Obama goes after cops it opens the door for anti cop rhetoric and action.\u201d— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1467944647
\u201c10 Cops shot. \n\nYou did this Obama.\n\nYou did this liberals. \n\nYou did this #BLM.\n\nTime to defend our Cops. Wake up. https://t.co/Zoc3x2xlMk\u201d— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1467949608
\u201cIt's time 4 patriotic Americans to stand up & stand against all the Cop haters - from Obama to the thugs on the street.\n\nIt's way past time.\u201d— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1467953527
The rest of right-wing Twitter wasn't much better.
\u201cSo Drudge is being beyond irresponsible right now\u201d— Ben Jacobs (@Ben Jacobs) 1467956022
\u201cDear @theblaze and @glennbeck:\n\nThis is a tweet that @TomiLahren deleted. She must explain why she wrote it.\u201d— Jose Antonio Vargas (@Jose Antonio Vargas) 1467952432
\u201cTHE PROGRESSIVE ACCOUNT: And then the guns said, "Let's head over to the rally and do this" #DallasPoliceShooting\u201d— Dinesh D'Souza (@Dinesh D'Souza) 1467982738
Oddly enough, Donald Trump issued an uncharacteristically measured statement about Dallas. He even acknowledged the police-involved shooting deaths of Sterling and Castile, after maintaining silence about them for two days. However, Trump still missed the point. In the middle of his statement he declares, "Our nation has become too divided ... Racial tensions have gotten worse, not better," revealing an utter lack of self-awareness.
Is this the same Donald Trump who encouraged violence against African-American protesters at his rallies? Why hasn't he made a statement about Portland, Oregon, where a Trump supporter pulled a Glock pistol on protesters at a Black Lives Matter rally?
Michael Strickland, who participated in a Portland State University Students for Trump rally last month, set up a tripod-mounted camera near the fringe of a Black Lives Matter demonstration in downtown Portland. He got the attention of protesters who recognized Strickland as someone involved in the YouTube channel "Laughing At Liberals," which films people at progressive protests and puts videos online with their names and addresses, making them easy targets for stalking and harassment.
When activists approached him to tell him to leave, Strickland drew his gun and chambered an extra-capacity magazine. As he reiterated, Strickland repeatedly said he reached for his gun because, "I feared for my life." Strickland and another man were ultimately arrested.
If he's looking for someone to blame for increased division and rising racial tensions, Trump should look in the mirror and check his own rhetoric.
An Urgent Message From Our Co-Founder
Dear Common Dreams reader, The U.S. is on a fast track to authoritarianism like nothing I've ever seen. Meanwhile, corporate news outlets are utterly capitulating to Trump, twisting their coverage to avoid drawing his ire while lining up to stuff cash in his pockets. That's why I believe that Common Dreams is doing the best and most consequential reporting that we've ever done. Our small but mighty team is a progressive reporting powerhouse, covering the news every day that the corporate media never will. Our mission has always been simple: To inform. To inspire. And to ignite change for the common good. Now here's the key piece that I want all our readers to understand: None of this would be possible without your financial support. That's not just some fundraising cliche. It's the absolute and literal truth. We don't accept corporate advertising and never will. We don't have a paywall because we don't think people should be blocked from critical news based on their ability to pay. Everything we do is funded by the donations of readers like you. The final deadline for our crucial Summer Campaign fundraising drive is just days away, and we’re falling short of our must-hit goal. Will you donate now to help power the nonprofit, independent reporting of Common Dreams? Thank you for being a vital member of our community. Together, we can keep independent journalism alive when it’s needed most. - Craig Brown, Co-founder |
Three shootings made national news this week. Most Americans were outraged by all three. However, conservatives were outraged by one, and silent about the other two.
For the third time this week, Americans awoke Friday to news of yet another shooting. Still reeling from the police-involved shooting deaths of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota, Americans learned this morning that five police officers were killed and seven injured when multiple snipers opened fire during peaceful demonstrations in downtown Dallas, Texas, over police-involved shootings.
President Obama condemned the Dallas attack as a "vicious, calculated, and despicable attack on law enforcement." Having just made a statement addressing the deaths of Sterling and Castile, and police-involved shootings of African Americans, the president unequivocally denounced violence against police. "We are horrified over these events, and we stand united with the people and police department in Dallas," Obama said. "But let's be clear there is no possible justification for these kinds of attacks, or any violence against law enforcement."
\u201cPrayers for the victims of all violence tonight.\u201d— deray (@deray) 1467960030
\u201cAt the protest last night. The @DallasPD were so understanding/respectful of us. They didn't deserve this. #Dallas\u201d— Chaka Cumberbatch \u2728\ud83d\udc95 (@Chaka Cumberbatch \u2728\ud83d\udc95) 1467982884
Rally organizers also condemned that attack. Dominique Alexander, founder of the Next Generation Network that organized the Dallas demonstration said, "We want Dallas to know that violence of any kind we condemn. We continue to stand with the families of these officers and pray with them, as well as we stand with the families of Alton Sterling and Philando in Minnesota."
Quinyetta Mcmillon, the mother of Alton Sterling's 15-year-old son, spoke out against the Dallas attack. "We wholeheartedly reject the reprehensible acts of violence that were perpetrated against members of the Dallas Police Department," McMillon said in a statement issued by her attorneys. "Our hearts break for the families of the officers who were lost as they protected protesters and residents alike during a rally."
On the other hand, conservatives who were noticeably silent after the police-involved shooting deaths of Sterling and Castile had plenty to say after the Dallas attack.
- The Oath Keepers called for "patriotic Americans" to "go armed at all times" and "reestablish the militia system."
- Donald Trump's Virginia chairman and congressional candidate Corey A. Stewart blamed Hillary Clinton and Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam for the Dallas attack in a post to his Facebook account.
- Frank Gaffney, former adviser to Sen. Ted Cruz's presidential campaign accused Black Lives Matter of working with "Islamic supremacists" to incite "revolution" in America.
Deadbeat dad and former-congressman-turned-radio-host Joe Walsh tweeted and deleted that President Obama should "watch out" after Dallas.
Walsh wasn't nearly done.
\u201cWhen Obama goes after cops it opens the door for anti cop rhetoric and action.\u201d— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1467944647
\u201c10 Cops shot. \n\nYou did this Obama.\n\nYou did this liberals. \n\nYou did this #BLM.\n\nTime to defend our Cops. Wake up. https://t.co/Zoc3x2xlMk\u201d— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1467949608
\u201cIt's time 4 patriotic Americans to stand up & stand against all the Cop haters - from Obama to the thugs on the street.\n\nIt's way past time.\u201d— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1467953527
The rest of right-wing Twitter wasn't much better.
\u201cSo Drudge is being beyond irresponsible right now\u201d— Ben Jacobs (@Ben Jacobs) 1467956022
\u201cDear @theblaze and @glennbeck:\n\nThis is a tweet that @TomiLahren deleted. She must explain why she wrote it.\u201d— Jose Antonio Vargas (@Jose Antonio Vargas) 1467952432
\u201cTHE PROGRESSIVE ACCOUNT: And then the guns said, "Let's head over to the rally and do this" #DallasPoliceShooting\u201d— Dinesh D'Souza (@Dinesh D'Souza) 1467982738
Oddly enough, Donald Trump issued an uncharacteristically measured statement about Dallas. He even acknowledged the police-involved shooting deaths of Sterling and Castile, after maintaining silence about them for two days. However, Trump still missed the point. In the middle of his statement he declares, "Our nation has become too divided ... Racial tensions have gotten worse, not better," revealing an utter lack of self-awareness.
Is this the same Donald Trump who encouraged violence against African-American protesters at his rallies? Why hasn't he made a statement about Portland, Oregon, where a Trump supporter pulled a Glock pistol on protesters at a Black Lives Matter rally?
Michael Strickland, who participated in a Portland State University Students for Trump rally last month, set up a tripod-mounted camera near the fringe of a Black Lives Matter demonstration in downtown Portland. He got the attention of protesters who recognized Strickland as someone involved in the YouTube channel "Laughing At Liberals," which films people at progressive protests and puts videos online with their names and addresses, making them easy targets for stalking and harassment.
When activists approached him to tell him to leave, Strickland drew his gun and chambered an extra-capacity magazine. As he reiterated, Strickland repeatedly said he reached for his gun because, "I feared for my life." Strickland and another man were ultimately arrested.
If he's looking for someone to blame for increased division and rising racial tensions, Trump should look in the mirror and check his own rhetoric.
Three shootings made national news this week. Most Americans were outraged by all three. However, conservatives were outraged by one, and silent about the other two.
For the third time this week, Americans awoke Friday to news of yet another shooting. Still reeling from the police-involved shooting deaths of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota, Americans learned this morning that five police officers were killed and seven injured when multiple snipers opened fire during peaceful demonstrations in downtown Dallas, Texas, over police-involved shootings.
President Obama condemned the Dallas attack as a "vicious, calculated, and despicable attack on law enforcement." Having just made a statement addressing the deaths of Sterling and Castile, and police-involved shootings of African Americans, the president unequivocally denounced violence against police. "We are horrified over these events, and we stand united with the people and police department in Dallas," Obama said. "But let's be clear there is no possible justification for these kinds of attacks, or any violence against law enforcement."
\u201cPrayers for the victims of all violence tonight.\u201d— deray (@deray) 1467960030
\u201cAt the protest last night. The @DallasPD were so understanding/respectful of us. They didn't deserve this. #Dallas\u201d— Chaka Cumberbatch \u2728\ud83d\udc95 (@Chaka Cumberbatch \u2728\ud83d\udc95) 1467982884
Rally organizers also condemned that attack. Dominique Alexander, founder of the Next Generation Network that organized the Dallas demonstration said, "We want Dallas to know that violence of any kind we condemn. We continue to stand with the families of these officers and pray with them, as well as we stand with the families of Alton Sterling and Philando in Minnesota."
Quinyetta Mcmillon, the mother of Alton Sterling's 15-year-old son, spoke out against the Dallas attack. "We wholeheartedly reject the reprehensible acts of violence that were perpetrated against members of the Dallas Police Department," McMillon said in a statement issued by her attorneys. "Our hearts break for the families of the officers who were lost as they protected protesters and residents alike during a rally."
On the other hand, conservatives who were noticeably silent after the police-involved shooting deaths of Sterling and Castile had plenty to say after the Dallas attack.
- The Oath Keepers called for "patriotic Americans" to "go armed at all times" and "reestablish the militia system."
- Donald Trump's Virginia chairman and congressional candidate Corey A. Stewart blamed Hillary Clinton and Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam for the Dallas attack in a post to his Facebook account.
- Frank Gaffney, former adviser to Sen. Ted Cruz's presidential campaign accused Black Lives Matter of working with "Islamic supremacists" to incite "revolution" in America.
Deadbeat dad and former-congressman-turned-radio-host Joe Walsh tweeted and deleted that President Obama should "watch out" after Dallas.
Walsh wasn't nearly done.
\u201cWhen Obama goes after cops it opens the door for anti cop rhetoric and action.\u201d— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1467944647
\u201c10 Cops shot. \n\nYou did this Obama.\n\nYou did this liberals. \n\nYou did this #BLM.\n\nTime to defend our Cops. Wake up. https://t.co/Zoc3x2xlMk\u201d— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1467949608
\u201cIt's time 4 patriotic Americans to stand up & stand against all the Cop haters - from Obama to the thugs on the street.\n\nIt's way past time.\u201d— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1467953527
The rest of right-wing Twitter wasn't much better.
\u201cSo Drudge is being beyond irresponsible right now\u201d— Ben Jacobs (@Ben Jacobs) 1467956022
\u201cDear @theblaze and @glennbeck:\n\nThis is a tweet that @TomiLahren deleted. She must explain why she wrote it.\u201d— Jose Antonio Vargas (@Jose Antonio Vargas) 1467952432
\u201cTHE PROGRESSIVE ACCOUNT: And then the guns said, "Let's head over to the rally and do this" #DallasPoliceShooting\u201d— Dinesh D'Souza (@Dinesh D'Souza) 1467982738
Oddly enough, Donald Trump issued an uncharacteristically measured statement about Dallas. He even acknowledged the police-involved shooting deaths of Sterling and Castile, after maintaining silence about them for two days. However, Trump still missed the point. In the middle of his statement he declares, "Our nation has become too divided ... Racial tensions have gotten worse, not better," revealing an utter lack of self-awareness.
Is this the same Donald Trump who encouraged violence against African-American protesters at his rallies? Why hasn't he made a statement about Portland, Oregon, where a Trump supporter pulled a Glock pistol on protesters at a Black Lives Matter rally?
Michael Strickland, who participated in a Portland State University Students for Trump rally last month, set up a tripod-mounted camera near the fringe of a Black Lives Matter demonstration in downtown Portland. He got the attention of protesters who recognized Strickland as someone involved in the YouTube channel "Laughing At Liberals," which films people at progressive protests and puts videos online with their names and addresses, making them easy targets for stalking and harassment.
When activists approached him to tell him to leave, Strickland drew his gun and chambered an extra-capacity magazine. As he reiterated, Strickland repeatedly said he reached for his gun because, "I feared for my life." Strickland and another man were ultimately arrested.
If he's looking for someone to blame for increased division and rising racial tensions, Trump should look in the mirror and check his own rhetoric.