2021-01-07 14:44:44 UTC: UPDATE (See below the fold).
Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol on historic day in Congress:
Supporters of President Donald Trump breached the US Capitol on Wednesday while Congress was meeting to certify the Electoral College's votes for president and vice president.
The Capitol has been put on lockdown and the certification vote has been paused. Vice President Mike Pence was evacuated from the building. House and Senate leadership is safe and in undisclosed locations, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Congress' counting of electoral votes is typically little more than an afterthought. But this joint session was expected to be a contentious affair that would last late into the evening and possibly on Thursday. Some Republicans are objecting to the count and delaying the inevitable certification of President-elect Joe Biden's win.
Also at AlJazeera (In Pictures: Pro-trump mob storms US Capitol building) and c|net (Mob storms Capitol forcing halt of election vote count).
[2021-01-06 22:33:53 UTC; UPDATE] NOTE: This is a chaotic time.
The Electoral College votes are currently being confirmed and tallied. Runoff votes in Georgia are being tallied and the results may swing the balance of power in the US Senate. The Georgia secretary of state [has been] relocated from [State] Capitol for security reasons. Mitch McConnell goes off on Trump. Pro-Trump reporter gloats over access to fleeing Hill staffer's computer. And Trump hand-picks replacement for Atlanta's US attorney after surprise resignation.
Let's please try and keep the discussion civil.
Also, please be polite and share your popcorn!
(1) Fox News reports Biden's Electoral College victory certified -- hours after Capitol chaos:
The U.S. Congress early Thursday certified the Electoral College vote that gave Democrat Joe Biden his presidential victory -- after a day in Washington that was marred by pro-Trump protesters storming the U.S. Capitol.
Vice President Mike Pence, who had announced he would not overturn the will of voters, confirmed the Biden victory at 3:41 a.m. ET.
Lawmakers had returned to the chamber in an act of defiance, with some Republicans who initially vowed to challenge states' results due to voter fraud concerns announcing they'd instead vote to certify.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called the breach of the Capitol a "failed insurrection," adding that those who "tried to disrupt our democracy" had not succeeded.
(2) President Trump "Responds" via Staffer's Twitter Account after His Account was Suspended:
Statement by President Donald J. Trump on the Electoral Certification:
"Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th. I have always said we would continue our...
...fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it's only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again!"
(3) Facebook, Twitter lock Trump's account following video addressing Washington rioters:
- Twitter and Facebook on Wednesday said they would lock the account of President Donald Trump after he continued to make false claims about the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
- Facebook, YouTube and Twitter on Wednesday removed a video by President Donald Trump addressing Washington rioters.
- Meanwhile, calls are mounting for Twitter and Facebook to suspend Trump's accounts.
(4) The Associated Press has called the results for the Georgia Senate elections: both Democratic candidates defeated their GOP opponents:
With projected victories in the twin races of Warnock and Ossoff, President-elect Joe Biden will have the narrowest majority in the Senate, with both parties holding 50-50 seats apiece, allowing the tie-breaking vote to be cast by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Also at The New York Times.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @12:46AM (42 children)
Nope. The left have a long history of occupying buildings, never the House of Representatives. But it's the people's house - why do you think the people should be prevented from occupying their own house? Who is the hypocrite now?
Capitol police shot a peaceful protestor and there were a couple of smashed windows.
If it was murder, you'd better find the guy who supplied him the fentanyl!
(Score: 0, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @02:00AM (8 children)
I'm pretty sure Floyd was the guy supplying the fentanyl. Regardless he had enough on him to qualify for intent to distribute which I'm sure is why he elected to swallow it and not tell anyone about it.
He was more afraid of going to jail than dying. He made his choice.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @03:09AM (5 children)
Evil knows no shame, I hope karma kicks your ass.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @03:34AM (4 children)
Why? What are you asserting?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @03:51AM (3 children)
You are a bad person.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @04:20AM (2 children)
Because of?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @07:56AM (1 child)
Saying evil things and being an internet troll.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @01:26PM
Details please.
(Score: 1) by khallow on Thursday January 07 2021, @04:04AM (1 child)
If that's true, then it casts an interesting light on the cop who killed him and apparently knew him from working in the same place for months in the previous year. Perhaps, the killer was also in on that action.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @04:44AM
Yeah that previous working relationship made the situation quite suspect.
(Score: 2, Troll) by Reziac on Thursday January 07 2021, @04:04AM (31 children)
Was pretty easy to spot the professional agitator before they broke in (he's the guy with the bullhorn telling folks they can "get inside"). And apparently some of the invaders have since been ID'd as Antifa. Who knew that Antifa had become Trump supporters!!
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Runaway1956 on Thursday January 07 2021, @04:19AM (21 children)
Reziac - I would like to believe Antifa broke the windows etc. But, let's just stick to facts. To make me believe that Antifa was there, someone is going to have to give up some really good citations. Got a link to anything halfway credible?
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: -1, Troll) by Reziac on Thursday January 07 2021, @04:30AM (2 children)
Was per one of the congresscritters who stood to support the objection; said they'd been ID'd as Antifa per facial recognition (meaning they're known to LE). I can't put names and faces together (mighta been Gaetz) but it was on the chambers live feed an hour ago.
And having watched a closeup of the guy at the doors with the bullhorn, exhorting folks that "we can get inside" -- to my eye he just screamed professional agitator. So the above was no surprise.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Runaway1956 on Thursday January 07 2021, @04:40AM (1 child)
Ohkay - but if you don't mind I'll just put "suspected" in front of those claims for now. I've watched a lot of video today, and I've heard those claims, but I've seen nothing to convince me that the claims are true. If there is facial recognition establishing those facts, I'll be happy to see/hear it.
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @07:37AM
Runaway? Asking for evidence and proof? Has he become a traitor to the traitors, or is he just trying to save his own ass, like Arkansas's idea of a Senator, Tom Cotton?
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Reziac on Thursday January 07 2021, @04:40AM (8 children)
Legit? I dunno, but just came down a feed...
https://is2.4chan.org/pol/1609968840847.png [4chan.org]
You'd think folks would learn about these selfies...
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Thursday January 07 2021, @05:02AM (7 children)
Interesting . . .
Thanks for that, but I'm not sure it's convincing. This is 4chan after all. There are plenty of people over there who can put you and me in the House Chambers, without much effort.
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 2) by Reziac on Thursday January 07 2021, @05:12AM (3 children)
Buffalo hat man is a known regular at BLM events, plenty of photos of him elsewhere.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @07:03AM (2 children)
That attempt is even worse. Buffalo hat guy is all over photos from Trump rallies.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @05:08PM
I can do you one better. Search for QAnon Shaman.
(Score: 2) by Reziac on Friday January 08 2021, @02:26AM
And climate change rallies. The guy seems to be an equal opportunity nut.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @08:35AM (2 children)
Good for you. That guy is no other than https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Heimbach [wikipedia.org]
(Score: 2) by Reziac on Saturday January 09 2021, @01:42AM (1 child)
Ah, the giant false flag op guy. All is explained.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday January 09 2021, @08:32AM
Keep trying, you'll deflect blame yet.
(Score: 2, Informative) by fustakrakich on Thursday January 07 2021, @04:56AM (8 children)
Why? Antifa, proud boys, tiki torchers, klansmen... all the same reactionary right wing bunch, working for Trump. Of course they were there. And it turns out, the cops let 'em in, opened the gates and led the parade inside.
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Thursday January 07 2021, @04:57AM (5 children)
Music is nice - but the musician who only plays one little tune gets tiresome.
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @05:35AM (3 children)
Especially when it's on a tuba.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Thursday January 07 2021, @05:41AM (2 children)
That's a TUBA? Christ, he's a worse player than I thought. Sounded like a flute to me . . .
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Thursday January 07 2021, @07:09AM
Don't wanna believe me, eh? Here they are, letting your trumpie rioters in [twitter.com]. Your one note samba can't even carry a beat
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @10:45AM
Fusty only plays the skin flute [urbandictionary.com].
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Thursday January 07 2021, @05:45AM
:-) At least I play more than one note
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 3, Funny) by Thexalon on Thursday January 07 2021, @07:15PM (1 child)
I'm very confused as to how you connected the left-wing anti-fascists (the literal definition of "Anti-fa", which isn't an organization but an ideology) with the fascist groups who were among other things punching antifa people in the face outside my state's capitol yesterday.
"Think of how stupid the average person is. Then realize half of 'em are stupider than that." - George Carlin
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Thursday January 07 2021, @07:49PM
There is no "left" in American politics. And only right wing authoritarians benefit from rioting and property destruction, serves to rile up the conservative voter, ready to reelect the Supreme Chancellor with emergency powers. Standard stuff. Antifa is just as fascist as the rest, as destructive militants generally are.
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @04:24AM (8 children)
The "gentleman" farting in Pelosi's chair did not strike me as an Antifa guy. He was in his 50 and working class, while Antifa usually recruit from the young with wealthy parents.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Thursday January 07 2021, @05:19AM (7 children)
You mean privileged young white people like this guy? I'll remind you that stereotypes can be useful, but don't allow them to mislead you. Antifa has it's share of maturing people.
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/victoria-taft/2020/09/04/breaking-man-who-gunned-down-trump-supporter-in-portland-is-killed-when-marshalls-try-to-arrest-him-n887239 [pjmedia.com]
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 0, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @05:37AM (6 children)
"Maturing", like that guy fresh from a 12 year child sex conviction, plus a 4 year extension for violating parole, who somehow showed up in Kenosha to get iced by Kyle.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Thursday January 07 2021, @05:43AM (5 children)
Did Kyle ice him, or did Kyle light him up? We need to be precise with our terms here!
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @06:16AM (4 children)
You are a traitor, Kyle is a murderer. Glad we could clear that up.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @07:40AM (3 children)
Kyle is a double murderer. Hope he fries. Or gets injected. Or however they execute people in Wisconsin, after the Rain of Scott Walker.
(Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @02:06PM (2 children)
They don't charge people for self defense in most of the country. Stand your ground laws make physical confrontation unwise...
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 08 2021, @01:02AM (1 child)
Stand your ground doesn't apply. He was clearly trying to run away, making chasing and attacking him assault and attempted murder. Clear self-defense in any state without any need for "stand your ground".
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday January 10 2021, @07:10PM
Yeah, after he myrdered someone. You don't to claim self-defense when people are apprehending you for murder.
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Thursday January 07 2021, @06:26AM
Shooting a peaceful protestor in slomo [twitter.com]
https://www.youtube.com/@ProfSteveKeen https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford