On Saturdays, the True Blue Report “Blue Ribbon” will be awarded to individuals or groups with the most successful, dramatic, or encouraging act of resistance in the previous week.
Some winners will be named in the body of the diary and you can nominate other worthy ribbon winners in the comments.
Chris Hayes’ is first because his Thursday interview with Carter Page was an excellent example of what an interview is supposed to be. He was actually listening to Page’s answers and pegging his follow up questions to the answers he received, instead of having a list of questions planned in advance and points he wanted to make regardless of what Page’s answers were.
Poor Carter Page was overmatched on several levels. First of all he is obviously inexperienced in the bob and weave. Maybe someone like KAC would have held her ground better.
Second, and even more important, he was clearly fighting a battle within himself: he wanted to tell the truth and “clear his name” (whatever that means), but at the same time he knew that if he told too much truth he could make the wrong people angry. A lot of people in the DJT campaign have non disclosure agreements, and if you believe the worst of what Putin is accused of doing to people who displease him, he might even be putting his life in danger.
So even though Page was easy prey on one level, given the delicate place where we are with respect to the wrongdoing of the DJT administration, we must acknowledge and applaud any time a journalist presses on and manages to get important truth out of anyone. Page admitted on national television that he met with Kislyak. Well done, Mr. Hayes.
Malcolm Nance already made the Blue Ribbon list after the "All In” interview on Thursday night and his dope slap response to the Carter Page interview mentioned above.
Then this morning he opened up an even more wriggly can of worms, with his comments on AM Joy: (1) “Money or espionage” is a phrase that could catch on, and (2) Trump is reacting like a man backed into a corner who knows he is caught:
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The cherry on top, of course, is that it probably drives DJT crazy that Malcolm Nance is one of those uppity blah people. I can just see him sputtering who IS this guy? Except he probably doesn’t say “guy”.
We end with Cierra Fields, because it is always inspiring to see young people of color who stand up to BS unafraid. She is an outstanding young woman, a member of the Oklahoma Cherokee Nation, and already an award winner for her anti-rape activism and her artwork. She has met with activists all over the country and even been invited to the White House. Folks should know better than to mess with her!
When she refused to pledge allegiance to the flag earlier this week, her teacher called her “ungodly and unpatriotic”. Her response was epic:
“Not only has my family served in all branches of the military, they served for my right to not pledge and/or stand. I don’t stand or pledge because the flag is an idol and I consider pledging to an object idolatry. As a Native youth, I do not agree that there is liberty and justice for all people.”
“To tell me such a thing and bring into question my rights to take a stance is in direct violation of the First Amendment and West Virginia State School Board Vs. Barnette. Such behavior by a teacher also violates the Religious Freedom Act of 1978, as it questions my beliefs,” she said.
When high school students in Oklahoma are kicking butt and taking names, deplorables better watch out. Ms. Fields says she is “currently plotting to destroy the patriarchy in 2017. Would anyone else like to join the resistance?” Right TF on!
This was a big week. The action in the street is exciting and it seems like a lot is happening.
The whole world is shaking now. Can't you feel it? A new dawn is breaking now. Can't you see it?
Everyone keep the faith and remember we outnumber them!
Previous TRUE BLUE REPORT diaries
Mar 3: I’m glad Bannon, Conway, Carson, Sessions, Miller, et al. are in the DJT Administration
Mar 2: “In every major fire it always starts with smoke. And smoke is what kills you.”
Mar 1: Am I the only one whose skin crawled at the Carryn Owens BIRGing moment?
FEBRUARY
Feb 28: Spinspotting 101: Special Prosecutor for what? It’s so easy to answer that question
Feb 27: Spinspotting 101: I’ve seen no evidence because I haven’t looked for any evidence!
Feb 26: If Neil Gorsuch were a man of integrity, he would decline the S.Ct. appointment
Feb 25: True Blue Ribbons: Russia Flag trolling, Dixie Swastika grabbing, District Days demonstrating
Feb 24: There is no such thing as a compassionate conservative
Feb 23: Chief of Staff, Nat’l Security Advisor, GOP Head, President Bannon—too many hats!
Feb 22: DJT has a few questions for you—SMURF THIS POLL!
Feb 21: The end of “access journalism” means it’s time to #sendtheinterns
Feb 20: KAC lying low for now… can we banish her (and all her ilk) from the airwaves completely?
Feb 19: DeVos cartoon, Ruby Bridges, unearned unhappiness and childlike faith
Feb 18: Blue Ribbon Winners—Vice Adm. Harward, Melissa McCarthy, and intel whistleblowers
Feb 17: And Ain’t I an American?
Feb 16: Please tell your family and friends—If you regret your DJT vote, speak up NOW
Feb 15: R-supported forced childbirth laws deny the autonomy of women
Feb 14: What did the president know? Everything. When did he know it? From the beginning.
Feb 13: Coping with The Madness of King Donald by hoping political comedy will save us
Feb 12: The Poverty and Justice Bible
Feb 11: Blue Ribbon Winners: Swastika removers, Ninth Circuit Panel, and the Persisterhood!
Feb 10: The first three words of the Constitution are “We, the People” not “I, the President”
Feb 9: Who first inspired your political activism? Who inspires you now?
Feb 8: We cannot and will not be silenced—Here’s what to do if they try to silence you
Feb 7: Plain Talk Tuesday: Tell people the Affordable Care Act is the same as OBAMACARE
Feb 6: Interview Skills 101—Internalized oppression and what Ryan Lizza did right. BRAVO!
Feb 5: These protest signs with Bible cites will confuse and befuddle RWNJs
Feb 4: Blue Ribbon Winners: Temple B’Nai Israel, Judge Robart, CNN, Senate Phone Callers
Feb 3: Not rich, not smart, not a good businessman, not a winner—DJT is NOTHING he claims to be
Feb 2: Thursday action—Encouragement, thanks, and apologies (pick one or more)
Feb 1: July 7, 2009 to August 25, 2009 and September 25, 2009 to February 4, 2010
JANUARY
Jan 31: If you’re on overload that’s part of their plan—there’s more than one way to #resist
Jan 30: Interview Skills 101 for reporters attempting to interview KAC and other Rcons
Jan 29: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness
Jan 28: Blue Ribbon Winners: Women's March participants and #NoMuslimBan demonstrators and...
Jan 27: I wish Steve Bannon would tell me to keep my mouth shut
Jan 26: Thursday Action—Have you ever written a letter to the editor? Here’s how to start
Jan 25: The Asch Conformity Study, inauguration crowds, and the importance of speaking out
Jan 24: #ResistTrumpTuesday—good news day or another paying dues day?
Jan 23: Spy the Lie 101: How to enjoy watching Rcon spokesbot interviews, even KAC!
Jan 22: Why I prayed for the President* today
Jan 21: The only silver lining in the midst of these clouds
Inaugural (!) diary: Stop expecting Republicons to make sense
