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posted by martyb on Wednesday January 06 2021, @10:01PM   Printer-friendly
from the stock-up-on-popcorn! dept.

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!

[Updates Begin]:

(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:

Dan Scavino 🇺🇸 🦅@DanScavino:

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...

Dan Scavino 🇺🇸 🦅@DanScavino:

...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.


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  • (Score: 5, Insightful) by janrinok on Thursday January 07 2021, @03:00PM (7 children)

    by janrinok (52) Subscriber Badge on Thursday January 07 2021, @03:00PM (#1096458) Journal

    Finally you understand what we liberals have been pointing out for so long.

    There you go again using that 'Finally' accusation. I've understood what has been being said - I just haven't thought it worthwhile saying anything that did not actually improve the discussion. I don't need lectures from somebody who hasn't experienced a fraction of what I have.

    I'm probably more left-wing that you are yet you seem to fail to understand that - you 'liberals' have go a long way to go yet. Show me the health care for all, show me the compassion for those out of work and starving, show me the attempts to integrate together people of all religions and beliefs, of all political leanings, and the ability to have multiple political parties with equitable funding and exposure. Show me fair treatment for those who are subjected to police harassment or worse because of the colour of their skin. Show me a country that is not divided by a civil war that was over many, many years ago. Show me a country where children are not separated from their parents and which is then unable to remedy the outcome. Let me see an America that was built my immigrants yet now sees them as something to be stopped at all costs. A country that recognises the indigenous people - the Eskimo, the Indian - and the contribution that they have made. Show me an America that is respected and not ridiculed, an America that has earned the right to represent the free world, an America that does not need to carry weapons to be the 'home of the brave'.

    But don't you dare try to lecture me because at the moment the whole world is looking at you in disbelief and astonishment, and we are wondering how you came to fall so quickly and so far.

    A change of government alone is not going to change the America that we see at the moment. The people will have to change how they act and think too. And at the moment there is little for the world to be optimistic about.

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @03:23PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @03:23PM (#1096468)

    I can show you a President and 1/2 the government who tried to remove healthcare.
    I can show you a President who raised $200m for a PAC to "stop the steal".

    Would that help?

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @06:16PM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @06:16PM (#1096558)

    Sorry you got so offended there, but like it or not you are a in a leadership position here at SN. Since this place is a supposed community it requires community responses to things like fake news and such. You have been silent or mildly supportive.of rightwing narratives at times, and when aristarchus complains about how his submissions regarding the rise of fascism you frequently chimed in to chastise him. Yet runaway only got pushback from a couple of liberal users. So yes, I lecture you but it is hardly some scathing attack. Just relief that the head editor (ex since you've got life stuff?) finally called out one of the main contributors of fake news.

    You wonder how we fell? Because fake news propaganda was allowed to spread like wild fire with no official response to call out when some rag is pushing verifiably false information. The exiting administration pushed lies as a matter of course and the news outlets we rely on were incredibly timid in calling out the bullshit.

    Same thing here on SN. I don't want censorship, but the community will not survive when Runaway can spread his fake news and even get it published to the front page, but Aristarchus's subs are rejected automatically because reasons not having to do with the veracity of the content. I am not ari btw, and you shouldn't complain since I never called you out until now and that was hardly an accusation. Just relief that runaway finally got some pushback from one of the site's leaders.

    • (Score: 5, Insightful) by janrinok on Thursday January 07 2021, @07:40PM (1 child)

      by janrinok (52) Subscriber Badge on Thursday January 07 2021, @07:40PM (#1096635) Journal

      There are so many errors here I don't know where to start, but I'll give it a try:

      I am not offended by your comments, they are no different that many you have made before. You are just plain wrong. People are allowed to express their views whether you like them or not. It is not the editors job to control comments - that role belongs to the community and you have been given the tools to carry out that job.

      You seem to think that because I did not censor comments that I agreed with them. Wrong. If people are talking rubbish it isn't the editors' role to correct them, it is yours. Argue your case, prove that they are wrong with factual references. What you must not do is try to silence them. Everyone has the right to speak.

      Deciding what is fake news and what isn't is a near impossible task. I am not in the USA. I do not know the personalities. You live there and you do know them. IT IS YOUR JOB to argue against fake news and prove that the statements are false. Again you are telling editors what they should do. That is NOT YOUR PREROGATIVE. Editors have to comply with the editorial rules and other constraints to process stories for publication on the front page. We are not here to do what you appear to be incapable of doing - and that is arguing your case through discussion.

      I don't chastise Aristarchus for his comments - I chastise him for his submissions. We have discussed his claims on several occasions. Repeat submissions on essentially the same topic are unwanted. The editors are supposed to be finding new submissions that will generate a discussion, not picking those that just reiterate the same claims each time although quoting different names. Aristarchus can say what he likes in the comments, but the editors are responsible for the front page. We read every one of his submissions - trust me it isn't easy - but if there is nothing new in them to discuss they will be rejected. Why you cannot understand this is beyond me. Is it perhaps because he says something that you agree with? Well tough - he has a journal in which he can publish anything that he wants to publish and if his submissions are not worthy of the front page that is where they should go.

      Yes, you have fake news and propaganda in the USA. You currently have a broken country. You cannot see a way to compromise and accommodate each other - you are an American, sort it out! But do not try to use this platform to push your own views other than in your comments when you will get the response that the community believes that you deserve. Some might agree and others might not.

      Runaway's submissions - not his comments - are based on news reports from recognised sources and are usually easily placed in the appropriate Topic. If you don't like what those sources say disagree in the comments. That is how this site works. Do your homework. Look up the submissions from Runaway and Aristarchus and compare the variety of topics that they each make and and the resultant acceptance rates.

      You have been telling us that the site will not survive for several years now - yet still we are here. The most likely reason that this site will close is the lack of people who are willing to put a little effort into the supporting the site in a practical manner. Fortunately we have a handful of staff who are willing to work harder than anyone should be expected to do who keep this site rolling. And rather than thanking them you like to tell them what you think they should be doing. Keep that lecture to yourself and if you are now offended - hard luck.

      • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @08:18PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 07 2021, @08:18PM (#1096664)

        So much wrong with your reply I don't know where to begin. I'll just say that you've completely missed the point and misconstrued what people are saying. Your faux outrage or plain denials of being offended belie your own cognitive dissonance. I'm glad near civil war in the US was finally a line too far for you. Had to be somewhere.

  • (Score: 1, Troll) by aristarchus on Thursday January 07 2021, @06:38PM (2 children)

    by aristarchus (2645) on Thursday January 07 2021, @06:38PM (#1096572) Journal

    janrinok is a bit slow, and he enables alt-right fascism, but his heart is actually in the right place. However, he is in denial, and does not to be lectured about it, especially by people who are correct. He did not want TMB painted with the broad brush, he only now admonishes Runaway, and he has Brexited. Pax vobiscum, janrinok!

    • (Score: 2) by janrinok on Thursday January 07 2021, @07:49PM (1 child)

      by janrinok (52) Subscriber Badge on Thursday January 07 2021, @07:49PM (#1096643) Journal

      janrinok is a bit slow, and he enables alt-right fascism, he is in denial.

      No, I'm not. No, I don't. No, I'm not. Don't give a damn what anybody says about TMB - he is more than capable of looking after himself. But when people are wrong, I do like to correct them.

      he has Brexited

      I moved to France in 2007 when I retired. My wife is French. I haven't Brexited. I had been here 9 years before Brexit was even mentioned. Just how many incorrect statements can you get in such a short comment?

      • (Score: 2) by aristarchus on Thursday January 07 2021, @10:09PM

        by aristarchus (2645) on Thursday January 07 2021, @10:09PM (#1096709) Journal

        Denying the denial? That's like, double denialism! And you think I am wrong? Methinks thou dost protest too much, as a certain other Englishman wrote.