Kyle Rittenhouse Roams Free Among Us

 The summer of 2020 was an ugly time. The nightmare began on May 25 when George Floyd was murdered, quite publicly, by a Minneapolis cop. The crime was committed by Officer Derek Chauvin who, on a video taken by a witness seemed  really proud of his work. 

Thanks to that video there was no denying the cold brutality of the killing. There was also no chance for the police to claim Floyd was violently resisting arrest, or doing anything else for the nine and one half minutes Chauvin's knee was pressing down on his neck, except dying.

Protests followed the murder, some turning violent. Other acts of violence were perpetrated by anarchists and white nationalists who had no interest in Floyd, but just  enjoyed the sights and sounds of glass breaking and buildings burning down. As the summer wore on the protests continued. Then President Donald Trump issued public threats of military intervention and in some cities sent in unidentified federal agents to break some heads and abscond with protesters in unmarked vans to destinations unknown.

To make matters worse, on August 23rd of that year, Jacob Blake, another African American was killed by the Kenosha, WI police who were answering a domestic disturbance call. Blake was shot multiple times in the back while leaning into the front seat of his parked SUV. Later his killing would be ruled justifiable.

More demonstrations and violence followed in Kenosha. It was into this chaos that 17 year old Kyle Rittenhouse inserted himself on August 25th. 

Young Mr. Rittenhouse wasn't a resident of Kenosha, in fact he didn't even live in Wisconsin, but rather across the border in Antioch, Il. Despite that and the lack of an invitation from anyone in Kenosha he and a pal packed up their AR-15s and hit the road to protect life, property, and The American Way.

Before the night was over he had killed two fellow human beings and wounded another. After the shootings he was thanked by Kenosha cops, given a bottle of water and sent on his way back to Antioch. Imagine his shock a few days later when he was arrested  on charges of murder. The right wing masses howled with anger and some of them shelled out enough cash that Rittenhouse was able to post a  $1 million bond. 

His plea was self defense, Never mind Kyle Rittenhouse chose to be there, armed with the preferred weapon of mass shooters everywhere, had no police training, and panicked when he was approached by the angry crowd. No matter that he had caused the very situation which put him in his precarious position,.

Today we found out it worked. Kyle Rittenhouse was found not guilty on five counts. He walks free among us, living proof the second amendment has been twisted and perverted beyond all its original intent.

Indeed, it would seem any sort of  vigilante action is now justified, or at least condoned in Wisconsin, if not all of America. 

My money says that isn't exactly what the founding fathers intended.

11-19-21

Armistice Day

 On November 11th, 1918 at a little after 5:30 in the morning the allied powers signed a cease fire with the German Empire. This armistice agreement, which was temporary, was scheduled to begin at 11 in the morning the same day. It wasn't completely successful because both sides continued to trade artillery fire until sundown that evening.

Despite the shaky start the armistice held, effectively ending the carnage of WWI. Or, at least providing the globe with a 21-year breather before everyone decided to have another go at each other.

Europe had seen plenty of other deadly wars, but between August of 1914 and that November day in 1918 there had been nothing comparable, at least in sheer numbers.

The British lost over 750,00 troops. The French  1,105,000, the Germans nearly 2,000,000, and the Austria-Hungarian Empire   over 1,000,000.  Accounts of  Russian casualties vary widely, but the lowest figure given is around 3 quarters of a million. The Americans, who got in late, lost 53,000 plus. That's nearly 5,000 fewer troops than the Brits lost on the first day alone during The Somme Offensive in 1916.

On November 11, 1919 the British held the first Armistice Day ceremony on the grounds of Buckingham Palace. The observation of the ending of the war spread across Europe and then to America and Canada and other locales. And, then as these things always do its name and meaning began to morph.

In the UK Armistice Day became Remembrance Day , a moment to honor their war dead, no matter which conflict , plus those who survived them. It is much the same in Canada. 

In the U.S it became Veterans Day, where we recognize everyone who has served, no matter while in battle, or some mess hall at Fort Sill, Okllahoma. If you wore a uniform it is your day. Here in the States we, in theory, honor our fallen on Memorial Day in May. The weather is more amenable to drinking beer and cooking out than it is in November.

The late Kurt Vonnegut, along with others, wanted the 11th, to be called Veterans for Peace Day. He once wrote something along the lines of, "Armistice Day is sacred, Veterans Day by itself isn't."  Of course Vonnegut also urged Presidential Candidate, George McGovern to use the campaign slogan, "Lonesome No More." McGovern refused, then lost to Richard Nixon. Veterans for Peace Day did about as well.

WWI has been done with over 100 years now. Its sequel was finished nearly 80 years ago.. One thing we can be sure of though, is there will be more wars and more veterans. And we'll trot out the flags and parades every year so we can honor them and feel better about ourselves.

Well, that and give the bankers and postal employees the day off.

11-11-21

 

Two Ghosts on Dia de los Muertos

It has been ten years since Carina Saunders and Alina Fitzpatrick were murdered in the Oklahoma City metro area. Saunders was 19 years old. Fitzpatrick was 17. There is no evidence the two knew each other, or that the killings were connected in any way. Well at least beyond  the fact they both were  dallying at the edge of an abyss most middle class Americans prefer not to think about, if not outright deny.

Saunders' dismembered body, or at least most of it, was found in a field behind what was s then a Homeland grocery store. She was so far out of control by then her family didn't even think to report her missing for two weeks. At the time it was reported she had no fixed address. Her family claimed she had a beautiful singing voice and that her high school ambition was to sing opera professionally. By the time of her death that bar had been lowered considerably. Friends told the media she was aspiring to be an actress in porn films.

Alina Fitzpatrick wanted to be a nurse and her dream might have still been alive in early November of 2001. She was in school, although it was the suburban Putnam City School District's virtual high school program She had stopped going to classes at PC North because of bullying. It is an allegation the district still denies.

Still young Ms. Fitzpatrick was flirting with darkness. She had changed cell phone numbers because she had started  getting, "suspicious," calls. On the evening she disappeared friends let her off near the intersection of NW 24th and Western, not a terrible neighborhood, but still not one a parent would want a 17 year old child roaming around alone at night. 

The Saunders' murder was handled by the Bethany Police. Their main talent turned out being leaking the name of every suspect, potential witness, and informant's name to any and all local media outlets. Even details of the gruesome killing were made public as well as its possible site, or sites.. An urban legend arose which said Saunders' torture and mutilation were filmed on a phone.. People who allegedly said they had seen all, or part of the horrid video immediately recanted then left for parts unknown. . Charges were filed and all of them eventually dropped. The case was finally handed over to the OSBI, but it was too late.  It is now highly doubtful anyone with connections to the case remains in the area.

Alina Fitzpatrick's remains were found in an empty lot in far eastern Oklahoma City. Her nude body was covered with bruises and abrasions and a gag was stuffed into her mouth.. The state medical examiner, Dr. Chai Choy declared none of her obvious wounds were enough to cause her death. He also found enough meth in her system that she might have overdosed., but he really couldn't say for sure. He ruled her death, not as a homicide,  but as suspicious.  The Oklahoma City Police seemingly lost all interest soon after the ME's report came out. 

Years ago an anonymous commenter on this blog claimed they knew who did it and that person was in jail on unrelated charges. Whether that assertion is true, or not remains un proven.

What we do know is Alina Fitzpatrick would be 27 years old now and perhaps a nurse if she hadn't been murdered. Carina Saunders would be 29, although she was so far off into that oil slick world of drugs and sex she might never have made it this far. It isn't a lifestyle known for its longevity.

Ten years in this nation is a long time. The media has moved on to new horrors and the old ones are forgotten by the teeming masses. Indeed, how can one dwell on the ghosts of Carina Saunders and Alina Fitzpatrick when more than a few of us  are debating the politics of disease, climate change, and gun control..

Memories, however,  are always with us, if we just dig deep enough. It is why many call this day, Novembe 1st, as Dia de los Muertos.

11-1-21.  

   

A Death in New Mexico Empties the Root Cellars

 Break out the rolls of aluminum foil. It's time to make some hats.

It would seem all those rabid Clinton haters never really went away, they had just gone back to their root cellars for a while waiting for a chance to re-emerge. This past week they got one, even if the circumstances are so tenuous, so far out there, it makes the whole  zombie apocalypse thing sound perfectly logical..

Here is how it goes: Russian born cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was working on a movie in New Mexico when she died in a terrible on set tragedy. A prop gun wielded by actor Alec Baldwin, through gross, and  most likely criminal incompetence, was loaded with a live round. It went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza, 

Then it turned  out Halyna Hutchins husband, Matthew worked for the law firm of Latham and Watkins at their home office in LA. It didn't matter that Latham and Watkins is a global firm with offices scattered from Los Angeles to places like Moscow. What did matter was Matt Hutchins is one of over 3,000 attorneys employed by an outfit defending Mike Sussmann, a lawyer who had worked for Hillary Clinton's 2020 campaign. Sussmann had been indicted by special counsel, John Durham for allegedly lying to the FBI.

To those dwelling in the murky waters of Clinton conspiracies the connection was clear. This was no coincidence, or accident. Baldwin, a known lefty, had done Billary a solid by offing the wife of a guy who may, or may or may not be connected to the Sussmann case.

Now some, particularly those of us not taking heavy doses of Thorazine wondered why the Clintons would put out a hit on the wife of a guy who might be defending their pal. Let's face it, the obvious target should have been the person pursing Sussmann's prosecution, John Durham.

Within a day or so we had an answer to that particular conundrum. A tweet from Halyna Hutchins', "verified," account appeared on right wing news sites. It was dated just days before her death. It claimed she had evidence that would guarantee Mrs. Clinton's incarceration. 

The tweet has since disappeared. Research into the account shows it was opened in April of this year and was rarely if ever used.. In fact Mrs. Hutchins thought so little of it she never even bothered to have Twitter issue her that little verification symbol. Her main social media outlet was Instagram where she was active to the end. Her last posts were centered around her work on the movie.. Not surprisingly Mrs. Clinton's name never came up.

In other words the damning tweet was a fake and not even a good one.

It is hard to pin down why huge numbers of Americans are willing to buy into any sort of lie, no matter how outlandishly stupid and cruel it is. They do though, especially when it involves politics and those they fear and oppose. 

Years ago it was thought technology and education would rid us of this vile scourge rather like it did witch trials and hangings.  

Tragically they both have simply made it worse.

sic vita est

10-26-21 

The Rise and Fall of Spencer Rattler

 He came out of Pinnacle High School in Phoenix, AZ. At the time he was considered the top quarterback nationwide in his signing class. Yes, Spencer Rattler had it all. His passes were as inerrant as cruise missiles and while he didn't have blazing speed, he could run effectively.

He chose to play college football at Oklahoma which was coming off a string of nearly unimaginable talented QBs. The first had been Baker Mayfield. He could scramble  out  of situations so dire it was as if he used the Star Trek transporter machine,  magically vanishing then almost instantly reappearing somewhere else down field.

Next was Kyler Murray who not only had an arm, but was so fast at times he was an absolute blur when he ran.

Both he and Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy. 

The following year, Rattler's true freshman season, 5th year senior transfer from Alabama, Jalen Hurts stepped in. He wasn't either Mayfield, or Murray, but at times dazzling. When he ran it seemed like he was gliding across the grass of Owen Field like a racing yacht does the water. Hurts placed second in the Heisman race.

During that year of our Lord 2019,Spencer Rattler made a few brief appearances of little consequence. The buzz around him, though, was growing. He was the next big thing at Oklahoma. He would  lead the Sooners to The Promised Land.

In 2020 Oklahoma stumbled early against both Kansas State and Iowa State. The masses quickly grew uneasy. During both games OU blew leads and as things were slipping away Spencer Rattler seemed less like the second coming of Johnnie Unitas and more like a jittery freshman who folded under pressure. During the first half against Texas his performance was so inept he was benched in second quarter.

Then, as they say, the worm turned. Coach Lincoln Riley put him back in at the beginning of the second half and Spencer Rattler played brilliantly, leading Oklahoma to a multiple overtime win. 

The local press and national sports media hailed that second half as Rattler's, "coming of age." Here, at last, was the super star everyone had been expecting. And for the remainder of the year he confirmed it time and time again.

During the following off season the breathtaking hype began in earnest. Young Mr. Rattler was proclaimed the prohibitive Heisman favorite. National media, NFL, "experts," told anyone and everyone he was the sure fire first  pick in the 2022 pro draft. Millions of dollars were headed his way. Indeed, songs would be written, women would swoon, children would be named after him.

Well, that's all gone now.

The first inkling of things going south showed up in the OU spring scrimmage. When it was done it had appeared to some the best quarterback on the field that day had been true freshman, Caleb Williams.

Then came the summer. The NCAA, under pressure from the courts and media began to allow college athletes to cash in on their name, image, and likeness. Spencer Rattler, the Heisman favorite immediately signed with NFL agent Chris Cabott. Soon came an endorsement deal with the restaurant chain Raising Cane. Then a weekend in Chicago at a sports memorabilia convention where he did the autograph for pay thing. To get  the future first pro pick's signature you had to fork over $150. For an inscription (You know, "To John, Spencer,) it was an additional $60. To take his photo it was $150 again. 

Later a web site showed up through which you could schedule THE Spencer Rattler for speaking engagements. Just contact his people and they'll let you know the fees involved. 

Presumably while all this was happing the rest of the Oklahoma Sooners, including Caleb Williams, were busting their collective arses  during summer workouts. 

The Sooners came out against a mediocre Tulane team utterly uninspired. Rattler threw two interceptions,--a third was nullified by a questionable pass interference call. 

By the second  quarter against West Virginia boos and chants of, "We want Caleb," were raining down primarily from the student section. The media was aghast, but admitted our man Rattler needed to turn it around in a hurry. 

He seemed to have done so a little bit against Kansas State. Even Williams tried to help. His only snap from center the ball careened off his hip and OU lost eight yards during a goal line situation. 

Then came Texas. It is a game the late Dan Jenkins referred to as, "College football's version of a prison riot." The contest spun out of control quickly. At one point the Longhorns built a 21 point lead. Things were so desperate in the 2nd period Oklahoma put Williams in for a 4th down quarterback sneak in its own territory. He exploded through the line and to the shock of everyone, especially Texas, ran 66 yards for a touchdown. 

The next time the Sooners got the ball Rattler turned it over with a fumble. Riley decided he'd had enough. Enter Caleb Williams, exit Spencer Rattler. .

There would be no second half second half chance for Spencer Rattler this year. It was Caleb Williams' team at that point and they responded with an epic comeback. Down by 18 at half time. Oklahoma won by seven.

Saturday night in Norman when the big screen announced Caleb Williams would be the starting QB the crowd's reaction was deafening. It was Caesar entering Rome after conquering Gaul. One can only imagine what was going through Spencer Rattler's mind, and his  agent's.

In truth we will never know what derailed Spencer Rattler's college football career. It might be he was simply overrated. Or, perhaps his team leadership skills were abysmal--he certainly didn't inspire confidence or, any sort of spark while he was on the field. What we do know is Caleb Williams has energized both the team and fan base as Rattler never did. And, all that Name Image, and Likeness shit, not to mention Chris Cabott, didn't help.

10-18-21

Tulsa 100 Years Ago: The Media, Dick, and Sarah

 Avoid the boastful intriguers who speak to you of racial equality/ There has never been such a thing in the history of the world. Nor will there ever be.

From a Tulsa World editorial addressing the black population of the city a few days after the Tulsa race massacre in 1921.

At the time there were two major, white owned newspapers in Tulsa. The World, published in the mornings, was considered the more progressive of the pair. The Tribune, which hit the streets in the afternoons was more lurid in content and aimed at a blue collar readership. It is reported on the afternoon of May 31, as a black suspect accused of attacking a white girl, sat in a cell on the top floor of the county court house, it ran an op-ed piece with the headline, "To Lynch a Negro Tonight." Within a few hours of its publication the terrible pogrom began.

Hey, who says the media doesn't matter?

The 19 year old kid on the top floor of the court house was identified at the time as Dick Rowland. The Tribune reported he went by, "Diamond Dick." Later accounts spelled his last name as, Roland. Years later researchers claimed his birth name was, either Jimmy Jones, or Johnny Jones. Apparently he arrived on the planet in Vinita, OK. His father was unknown. His mother had moved to Tulsa along with her three children a year, or so before and changed her name to Rowland.

The same day the Tribune ran the infamous op-ed it reported the suspect had attacked a young white girl who was operating the lone elevator in the Drexel Building in downtown Tulsa. It noted the victim had scratches on her hands and neck and her clothing had been torn. The story also described her as an orphan working her way through business school.

This was all news to Sarah Page, the alleged victim. After the nightmare was over she wrote a letter to the sheriff stating she had screamed only because Rowland accidently stepped on her toe. Why she didn't say that immediately remains a mystery.

So does she. Sarah Page had arrived in Tulsa only a few months before. The reports of the time listed her as 17, but some have claimed she was as young as 15. Later it was speculated she had come from Kansas City and was attempting to get away from a husband who she was in the process of divorcing. There have even been questions raised about her name, some believing Sarah Page was in fact an alias she was using in her bid to get away from her unknown spouse.

Years later it was rumored Rowland and Page were romantically involved--that when he stepped into that elevator, on Memorial Day, when most of downtown Tulsa was closed for the holiday, when arguably neither one of them should have been working, they had a lover's quarrel. 

Yes, there is a possibility what has been described as the most destructive act of racial violence in the history of the republic was caused by a teenaged girl who was so pissed off at her boyfriend she decided to let him stew in jail for a couple of days. Or, that she \and he were so scared their interracial affair would be exposed they both wouldn't own up to what really happened.

After Page's letter arrived prosecutors dropped the charges against Dick Rowland. He immediately and understandably got out of town. Relatives said he initially fled to Kansas City. They claim he died years later somewhere in the Pacific Northwest.

Sarah Page took off also. No one knows for sure where to. Rumors have it she went back to Kansas City where she and Rowland hooked up once again, before eventually going their separate ways. However that ending to their tale is pure conjecture.

The Tulsa Tribune lasted for decades after the death and destruction over those horrifying 18 hours ended. All evidence of the incendiary editorial have disappeared. Even microfiche records are missing the entire op-ed page for the day of May 31, 1921.

Indeed, all we are left with is the reality of what happened and the consequences. And we are still, finally, dealing with both 100 years later.

5-29-21

Dispatches From the Far Right Edge

 It's weird out there and not in a good way. So much so, sometimes it isn't hard to believe the former President of the United States not only fucked up the response to the COVID virus, but is patient zero when it comes to a far more pervasive disease. Indeed it's a malignancy that is spreading at a frightening rate despite his political demise. It is easy to spot those who have been infected. Just check out the dark corners of social media sometime. They are the ones who just won't shut up. Below you will see what I mean. 

Authors and posts are courtesy of Twitter user, Patriot Takes. His work researching this madness has been cited by MSNBC host Rachel Maddow.            

*Pepe Lives: (Pepe the Frog is a meme regularly used by white nationalists)

All signs point to Trump returning to the White House in legendary fashion. Who's ready to witness a nuclear level meltdown from the establishment...the likes of which we've never seen?

*Roger Stone: (Former and perhaps current Trump advisor, recent guest of the federal prison system)

Alex Jones for Governor of Texas!

*Forthright: (Unknown person presumably addressing Congressman Adam Schiff)

Hey ASSHOLE. Are you and your fellow sick-minded, radicalized liberals in the House of Reps gonna form a committee to investigate the events of January 6th? If you are, know that you will only incriminate yourself and Pelosi since the entire fucking charade at the Capitol was STAGED by the Democrats. 

*68KingKong: (An obvious fan of Tucker Carlson)

Was just watching some Tucker Carlson and I realized why I can't stand Joe Biden. Joe Biden should be hanged for his crimes against America! His actions are purposely taking America down. We should no longer sit by and watch this clown show.The dumb old bastard sickens me!

*John Miller: (A devotee of the aforementioned, Pepe the Frog)

Any immigration reform plan must have as one of its goals first the reduction and eventually the elimination of the black race in the USA.

*ccpkillah: (Someone who didn't do so well in English class)

I have my gats but I know that BLM antifa are pussy don't need my gat I'll fuckin stab them in the fuckin face I would love to find out who one of them are I would go to the house and do it bare hands.

*tfkUSA: (A real optimist who is also somewhat challenged by the language)

Every day I wake up with a smile knowing Trump and military are in charge and the plan is awesome. just wait for it! When the EBS kicks in, the whole world yell in joy best day ever coming.

Finally this, from the pulpit.

*Kenan: (An internationally unknown biblical scholar)

It's the second Beast that causes everyone to receive the Mark. The man of lawlessness. Joe 30330 divided the nation when through lies he took the highest office in the world in 2020. 2020 divided by 30330 equals 0.066600. And they will worship (believe in) his image. He will suffer a head wound and be resurrected. The Biden clone is the second Beast in the Revelation of Saint John.

Yes, it is true. There is something out there that looks and sounds human, but is terribly different from the rest of us. It doesn't feel like us, or think like us. I'm not even sure it breathes like us. In the end, it wasn't created by Donald Trump, but there is no doubt that son of a bitch let it out of the cage.

And now--we are left to deal with it.

5-22-17