Discussion
  • Read More
    LolaFalanasLongAssLegsMichael Harriot
    3/08/19 1:52pm

    Reply
    • Read More
      AndTrollingIsHalfTheBattleLolaFalanasLongAssLegs
      3/08/19 2:07pm

      Crazy how something like this still can have a silver lining.

      Reply
    • Read More
      yesLolaFalanasLongAssLegs
      3/08/19 7:44pm

      I wish I had the ability to like your comment more than once.

      Reply
  • Read More
    MisanthropicMunchkinMichael Harriot
    3/08/19 2:37pm

    I can’t get over how, as a whole, white collar crimes tend to be less punished than “regular” theft or robbery. I mean, if I was mugged at gunpoint, I would lose about $40 and a phone. I would be traumatized, and I would want that mugger to go to jail, but society will move on either way.

    Manafort stole MILLIONS of tax-payer money*, thus preventing the funding of economic growth, public works, and whatever else, and he’s getting a slap on the wrist. This guy harmed the American public, and he’s getting a lighter sentence than my hypothetical mugger might.

    I understand as humans we have a more visceral reaction to direct theft, such as breaking and entering, than we do to more indirect theft, such as moving money from one account to a different account. The second one impacts more people, but because no one was physically hurt I guess its not a scary.

    Of course, the fact that most white collar criminals are white people in positions of power plays into that.

    *Ok he didn’t steal it, he hid his money to avoid paying taxes. Technical difference, same result.

    Reply
    • Read More
      baggervancesbaggypantsMisanthropicMunchkin
      3/08/19 2:47pm

      No it’s stealing. It’s money that is not his. And he should pay with a hefty sentence. These guys cause way more harm than the kid on the corner who sold me an ounce of weed or the girl who mistakenly voted while on probation or the countless other people locked away for long sentences for minor crimes.

      But the mugger with a firearm? That’s a violent crime & does deserve a hefty sentence. 

      Reply
    • Read More
      MisanthropicMunchkinbaggervancesbaggypants
      3/08/19 2:50pm

      I agree that violent crime should be punished. I am trying to say that non-violent white collar crime should be punished to the same extent, because it’s harming more people, though not physically.

      Reply
  • Read More
    FilthyHarryMichael Harriot
    3/08/19 2:26pm

    The phrase “Black Lives Matter” is not a protest. It is a prayer

    I had to explain to someone who thought they were being reasonable and fair in saying “All lives matter” how racist it was. I said, Yes!! All lives should matter BUT clearly they don’t. The statics of how our criminal justice system operates proves that. And if you’re not willing to acknowledge that black people suffer systemic injustice by our Justice System from the street cop up to the Supreme Court, then you’re part of the problem. Saying “all lives matter” is a dismissal of that injustice.

    Reply
    • Read More
      SkaOreoFilthyHarry
      3/08/19 3:33pm

      And people don’t get that because:

      1. It sounds so nice and endearing when you say “all lives matter.” Look how much of a good person they are

      2. It’s a way to never have to deal with the complexities of race. The idea that black people suffer systematical discrimination does not compute for many white people who believe that America is #1.

      Reply
  • Read More
    Babylon SystemMichael Harriot
    3/08/19 2:45pm

    helped sell $20 of marijuana = life in prison. Da fuk????????????????????????

    (o_O)   ????????????????????????

    Reply
    • Read More
      The Ghost of ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ AKA BabyStepsBabylon System
      3/08/19 3:11pm

      Don’t get caught with drugs and get shunted into the federal court system. Your ass will be grass. The disparities are unbelievable. I really wish I was able to hold onto Ofra Bikel’s documentary titled Snitch.

      https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/snitch/

      Reply
    • Read More
      LolaFalanasLongAssLegsBabylon System
      3/08/19 8:10pm

      https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/serving-life-w-hard-labor-w-o-parole-for-20-of-marijuana

      Reply
  • Read More
    PooJavelinIsSickOfLosingBurnerPasswordsMichael Harriot
    3/08/19 3:14pm

    Counterpoint –

    Manafort is facing a second sentencing this month in DC. The judge has already reprimanded him for lying after his plea bargain, and released the prosecution from its terms. Mueller has requested a lengthy sentence, in line with the probation department’s guideline of 19.5 years.

    She’s going to throw the book at him, so getting a slap on the wrist from this lickspittle doesn’t matter one bit. And that’s before they even look at retrying the 10 charges of bank fraud and failure to disclose that were deemed mistrials.

    Reply
    • Read More
      SkaOreoPooJavelinIsSickOfLosingBurnerPasswords
      3/08/19 3:31pm

      Even if that’s the case, and I hope to god it is, it’s still representative of the fact that Justice is for the white people. Like, holy shit that statement from the judge is so fucking inuriating. That poor Manafort has suffered so much and otherwise led a blameless life.

      Fuck that shit.  Dude is a fucking criminal.

      Reply
    • Read More
      Rooo sez BISH PLZPooJavelinIsSickOfLosingBurnerPasswords
      3/08/19 8:01pm

      https://www.theroot.com/georgia-teen-with-no-prior-record-sentenced-to-5-years-1826480462#_ga=2.205488402.368046176.1550886198-1520818069.1539182923

      Reply
  • Read More
    Baldwin'sApprenticeMichael Harriot
    3/08/19 2:31pm

    The thing is...that 62% number quietly says a whole lot to POC about where this BS is headed in the long run. Because for most of America’s history, until about 50 years ago, that number has always been in the vicinity of 90%. Which means, white supremacy is on very borrowed time!!! And the unspoken joke for those same POC is: That’s gonna make for lots of really perversely comical shit down the road, for millions of people who’ve never had to develop functional coping mechanisms for dealing with reality...because of their whiteness.

    Translation:

    Your browser does not support HTML5 video tag.Click here to view original GIF
    Reply
    • Read More
      TheVelveteenHammerBaldwin'sApprentice
      3/08/19 3:08pm

      ...millions of people who’ve never had to develop functional coping mechanisms for dealing with reality...

      I feel the same way about the way about men in the context of the #metoo movement, because the development of emotional intelligence is hard. Realizing that you have been benefiting from privilege is confronting, letting it go or having it taken away is haaaaaard. Having that happen to an entire demographic at the same time?

      It going to be entertaining, and possibly dangerous.

      I am trying to figure out ways to help the ones I hate through it without hurting myself or denying my own experiences, because demeaning them for going through this change that I so desperately want them to go through, laughing at them as they move from the top of privilege to my level instead of showing compassion... on some level, that is me perpetuating abuse and justifying their resentments towards true equality, and I don’t want to do those things.

      I do want to eat the popcorn while these changes unfold, though.

      Reply
    • Read More
      The Ghost of ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ AKA BabyStepsBaldwin'sApprentice
      3/08/19 3:13pm

      We are already seeing the outcome. Much of this realization is what drove 2016 and Brexit. To paraphrase, the worst is yet to come.

      Reply
  • Read More
    cdwag14Michael Harriot
    3/08/19 4:33pm

    Remember when Barack said “Don’t Boo, vote?” Yeah me too fun times. To all you purists, Bernie Bros, Susan Sarandon following, I needed to be inspired to vote assholes this is what you get when you ignore the midterms and yes a general election. To all of you who sought to teach the system a lesson, what fucking lesson were you teaching? That no matter what your pasty asses will always be protected while the black and brown ones you claim to give a shit about have to deal with your ignorance and arrogance? For real, thanks. As for Manafort I hope when the District Attorney of NY finished with him his ass ends up under the jail. Oh this is why I didn’t give a shit about OJ Simpson’s acquittal. They’ve been trying to get back at us for that for years now.

    Reply
  • Read More
    VinMichael Harriot
    3/08/19 2:04pm

    Simultaneously unbelievable and unsurprising.

    Reply
    • Read More
      AndTrollingIsHalfTheBattleVin
      3/08/19 2:09pm

      Quantum Manafort Mechanics.

      Reply
  • Read More
    GreatScottMichael Harriot
    3/08/19 2:51pm

    Hoping that DC judge put both feet in dat ass.

    Reply
  • Read More
    900turboMichael Harriot
    3/08/19 4:35pm

    “He shared secret information with Russians and got 47 months and 9 months time served.

    The fuckin’ RUSSIANS!

    Reply