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marmar

marmar's Journal
marmar's Journal
May 16, 2026

'It's sugar': Florida man blows fentanyl in deputy's face, sheriff's office says



OCALA, Fla. (WFLA) – A Florida man was arrested in a Publix parking lot after he blew fentanyl in a deputy’s face and attempted to claim a substance in his pocket was sugar, according to body camera video.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the incident occurred after deputies located a car belonging to Jesse James McAuliffe, who had an active violation of probation warrant. Deputies pointed a gun at his car, and he got out of the vehicle, according to the video.

MCSO said deputies noticed signs of drug use, including a tie-off falling from the man’s arm and syringes in his car.

A deputy found a bag of fentanyl in McAuliffe’s pocket, which he claimed was sugar, police said.

In the video, a deputy responds to the man, saying, “Sugar? OK. You carry sugar in a baggie like that?”

“Yes, I do,” the suspect responds. “My sugar gets low, and I need to eat it.” ................(more)

https://wgntv.com/news/its-sugar-florida-man-blows-fentanyl-in-deputys-face-sheriffs-office-says/




May 16, 2026

Legal AF: Supreme Court Chief Justice CAUGHT in Voting SCANDAL




May 16, 2026 Unprecedented

Popok is joined by Chief Justice John Roberts expert and constitutional scholar Lisa Graves, sitting in for a traveling Dina Doll, to update the audience on what could happen next with voting maps at the US Supreme Court in the month of May, and its 7-2 shock decision to allow women nationwide to have access to an abortion drug even in states that ban abortion.


May 16, 2026

The Bulwark: The Georgia Primary Is Pure Misery for the GOP (w/ Greg Bluestein)




May 16, 2026 The Focus Group Podcast with Sarah Longwell

Georgia’s primaries for Governor and U.S. Senate have LOTS of things for political nerds (like you, dear listener) to chew on. But the Republican and Democratic voters we talked to felt pretty sick of politics.

Some of what we learned:
-How Republicans feel about their chances against Jon Ossoff in the fall (not good)
-Why a Trump-like billionaire is overshadowing Trump’s endorsed candidate for governor
-Whether Democratic voters will tolerate a former Republican Lieutenant Governor running as a Democrat
May 16, 2026

Robert Reich: Want to Fight Fascism? Protect Public Education.




May 15, 2026 In Conversation

Why is Trump so terrified of teachers?

Because like every dictator, he knows the greatest threat to his rule is an educated public.

I spoke with American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten about Trump's war on teachers — and how we can fight back.


May 16, 2026

Patel promised to come after the media. So far, it's only been women


Patel promised to come after the media. So far, it’s only been women
The FBI has investigated multiple women journalists who reported on the bureau's director

By Sophia Tesfaye
Senior Writer
Published May 16, 2026 6:45AM (EDT)


(Salon) Before Kash Patel was confirmed as FBI Director, he went on Steve Bannon’s podcast and made a promise that should have ended his nomination on the spot. “We will go out and find the conspirators,” he vowed, “not just in government, but in the media. Yes, we’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens.” Now, after months of escalating controversies surrounding his leadership, Patel suddenly wants Americans to believe none of this is happening.

This week, pressed by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., during an appearance before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee, Patel denied any such targeting campaign. “I can tell you unequivocally, this FBI is targeting and investigating no journalists,” he said. “This FBI is targeting no journalists.”

Despite Patel’s theatrical denials under oath, the machinery of the state has already been deployed against the press.

Three journalists have been targeted by Patel’s FBI. Hannah Natanson of the Washington Post had her home raided before dawn, and her phone, laptops and smartwatch seized by federal agents who arrived without warning, all for the “crime” of covering federal workforce cuts. Elizabeth Williamson of the New York Times was investigated for potential federal stalking charges after reporting that Patel allegedly used FBI agents to chauffeur his girlfriend, the MAGA-forward country singer Alexis Wilkins. The Atlantic’s Sarah Fitzpatrick reportedly became the subject of a criminal leak probe after she reported on Patel’s alleged drinking and erratic management of the bureau. ..................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2026/05/16/patel-promised-to-come-after-the-media-so-far-its-only-been-women/




May 16, 2026

Supreme Court's voting rights decision could erase Black representation across the ballot


Supreme Court’s voting rights decision could erase Black representation across the ballot
Local elections are where the Callais decision could be felt most

By Russell Payne
Staff Reporter
Published May 16, 2026 6:30AM (EDT)


(Salon) The recent Supreme Court decision on the Voting Rights Act has kicked off another wave of partisan gerrymandering across the South — yet the ruling’s implications for the representation of minority voters and the democratic responsiveness of state and local governments have largely flown under the radar. In the long run, however, these effects may prove just as consequential, as the Supreme Court has paved the way for state governments to entrench their power and lock minority communities out of representation in their government.

The effects of Louisiana v. Callais are still rippling across the country, as Republican-run states across the South suspend elections in order to redraw maps and eliminate minority majority districts in their states, giving themselves a buffer for the midterms.

....(snip)....

This has already kicked off a wave of gerrymandering for congressional district maps just before the midterms, but importantly, Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act also governs the rules for drawing state legislative districts, as well as districts used in local elections. This means that the representation of minority voters, especially Black Americans, is potentially on the chopping block.

....(snip)....

Amir Badat, the manager of Black Voters on the Rise and voting special counsel at the Legal Defense Fund, told Salon that he expects the ruling to “decimate” Black political power in the South — and not only in state legislatures, but just as importantly, in local governments. ....................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2026/05/16/supreme-courts-voting-rights-decision-could-erase-black-representation-across-the-ballot/




May 15, 2026

Joy Reid: The 'John Crow' origin story




May 14, 2026 #scotus #johnroberts #johncrow

'Ratf*cked' Author David Daley explains Chief Justice John Roberts' villain origin story. #scotus #johnroberts #johncrow #gerrymandering


May 15, 2026

Jamelle Bouie: John Roberts Believes in an America That Doesn't Exist




May 14, 2026

A reading of my May 6 column on the Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais.
May 15, 2026

The Bulwark: Kash is an Absolute Joke




May 15, 2026 Bulwark Takes

Tim Miller takes on reports that Kash Patel is snorkeling at Pearl Harbor, rigging the most wanted list, and jetting his girlfriend around Europe on your dime. Meanwhile Trump just created a $1.7 billion slush fund for his criminal allies—no Congress required.


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