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Celerity
Celerity's Journal
Celerity's Journal
October 29, 2019
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/10/29/this-happened-grad-student-refused-recant-her-rape-accusation-even-after-police-arrested-her-lying/
In the shadow of a red-brick hospital surrounded by neatly manicured grass, a University of Kansas graduate student told three police officers she had been recently raped following a night of drinking with close friends during homecoming weekend in September 2018. She said she didn’t want to press charges or file a formal police report — she just wanted to preserve any evidence in case another woman ever came forward with a similar accusation. The police asked to look at her phone. She handed it over.
In one of the messages, sent just 16 minutes before the woman met with the officers at the hospital, she called the encounter “borderline rape,” KCTV reported, and said she had “the bruises and statements to prove it.” In other texts sent to a friend in the hours after the 30-year-old woman woke up — still drunk, naked and confused in the Lawrence, Kan., apartment of her then-boyfriend’s best friend — she expressed regret and made jokes about what had happened.
“It’s gross … he’s actually really good at sex though,” she texted. A short while later, she texted the same friend: “Get here fast. I’m literally about to have a breakdown.” She told police she’d sent those messages to “downplay” what had happened, and couldn’t remember typing some of the messages sent right after the alleged attack. Her friend told police the woman’s reactions made her believe she had been raped, KCTV reported.
Those texts later became the heart of a police investigation into the woman and a criminal charge filed in January for allegedly making a false report of rape. After more than a month of criticism from sexual assault advocates, though, the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office on Monday dropped three felony charges for interfering with an officer by falsely reporting a felony crime. The county’s top prosecutors says he still believes in the “merits of this case” in a statement obtained by The Washington Post.
But attorneys for the woman, whom The Post is not naming as an alleged victim of sexual assault, say there’s overwhelming evidence she was indeed assaulted. “Our client did not ‘fabricate’ the bruises on her arms, on her legs, and on her neck,” her attorneys told the Kansas City Star in a statement last month. “Our client did not ‘fabricate’ the results of her examination, which revealed her additional, sensitive injuries.”
snip
'This happened': A grad student refused to recant her rape accusation even after police arrested her
and said she liedhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/10/29/this-happened-grad-student-refused-recant-her-rape-accusation-even-after-police-arrested-her-lying/
In the shadow of a red-brick hospital surrounded by neatly manicured grass, a University of Kansas graduate student told three police officers she had been recently raped following a night of drinking with close friends during homecoming weekend in September 2018. She said she didn’t want to press charges or file a formal police report — she just wanted to preserve any evidence in case another woman ever came forward with a similar accusation. The police asked to look at her phone. She handed it over.
In one of the messages, sent just 16 minutes before the woman met with the officers at the hospital, she called the encounter “borderline rape,” KCTV reported, and said she had “the bruises and statements to prove it.” In other texts sent to a friend in the hours after the 30-year-old woman woke up — still drunk, naked and confused in the Lawrence, Kan., apartment of her then-boyfriend’s best friend — she expressed regret and made jokes about what had happened.
“It’s gross … he’s actually really good at sex though,” she texted. A short while later, she texted the same friend: “Get here fast. I’m literally about to have a breakdown.” She told police she’d sent those messages to “downplay” what had happened, and couldn’t remember typing some of the messages sent right after the alleged attack. Her friend told police the woman’s reactions made her believe she had been raped, KCTV reported.
Those texts later became the heart of a police investigation into the woman and a criminal charge filed in January for allegedly making a false report of rape. After more than a month of criticism from sexual assault advocates, though, the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office on Monday dropped three felony charges for interfering with an officer by falsely reporting a felony crime. The county’s top prosecutors says he still believes in the “merits of this case” in a statement obtained by The Washington Post.
But attorneys for the woman, whom The Post is not naming as an alleged victim of sexual assault, say there’s overwhelming evidence she was indeed assaulted. “Our client did not ‘fabricate’ the bruises on her arms, on her legs, and on her neck,” her attorneys told the Kansas City Star in a statement last month. “Our client did not ‘fabricate’ the results of her examination, which revealed her additional, sensitive injuries.”
snip
October 29, 2019
You all deserve to hear from me about why I made this devastating decision and where things go from here. I said the fight continues. I mean it, and I hope you’re with me.
Katie Hill - Announcement
https://twitter.com/KatieHill4CA/status/1188869986116227076You all deserve to hear from me about why I made this devastating decision and where things go from here. I said the fight continues. I mean it, and I hope you’re with me.
October 28, 2019
Former Rep. Steve Knight confirmed speculation Sunday that he would be considering a run in the expected special election for Rep. Katie Hill’s soon-to-be vacated seat. Knight, a Republican, said he met with several people this afternoon, shortly after it was announced that Hill was planning to resign.
“These are unchartered waters, what’s happened these last 12 months,” Knight said when reached by phone Sunday evening, “especially what’s happened these last two to three weeks.” When asked if he was considering a run, he replied:
“Yes, I’m absolutely considering that. Let’s say I’m more than considering that,” adding that a formal announcement would be made “very quickly.” “We’re trying to get our ducks in a row and see what our support level is,” he said, adding that there were some “fine candidates” still in the race.
“It’s a very interesting situation and we need representation here,” Knight said. “It looks like there’s going to be that special election, and we need to have a representative there so we can have our voice in Congress.”
snip
this is on top of
months before any scandal, a centrist PAC w/ Dems was already backing a Rethug against Katie Hill
Democrat-backed Centrist PAC Is Supporting a Republican Against a Vulnerable Swing-District Incumbent
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212629373
GOP incumbent whom Katie Hill defeated is considering run for her seat
https://signalscv.com/2019/10/knight-considers-run-for-vacated-hill-seat-in-congress/Former Rep. Steve Knight confirmed speculation Sunday that he would be considering a run in the expected special election for Rep. Katie Hill’s soon-to-be vacated seat. Knight, a Republican, said he met with several people this afternoon, shortly after it was announced that Hill was planning to resign.
“These are unchartered waters, what’s happened these last 12 months,” Knight said when reached by phone Sunday evening, “especially what’s happened these last two to three weeks.” When asked if he was considering a run, he replied:
“Yes, I’m absolutely considering that. Let’s say I’m more than considering that,” adding that a formal announcement would be made “very quickly.” “We’re trying to get our ducks in a row and see what our support level is,” he said, adding that there were some “fine candidates” still in the race.
“It’s a very interesting situation and we need representation here,” Knight said. “It looks like there’s going to be that special election, and we need to have a representative there so we can have our voice in Congress.”
snip
this is on top of
months before any scandal, a centrist PAC w/ Dems was already backing a Rethug against Katie Hill
Democrat-backed Centrist PAC Is Supporting a Republican Against a Vulnerable Swing-District Incumbent
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212629373
October 28, 2019
Video at the link
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/opinion/europeans-view-americans.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
Sometimes it’s useful to get an outside perspective. In the Video Op-Ed above, Europeans are shocked to learn that the American government does not guarantee social protections that citizens in other advanced economies take for granted.
Their reactions reflect how European governments prioritize citizen welfare, offering national assurances like universal health care and affordable education. Americans have grown accustomed to the exorbitant costs of basic human services, the absence of parental leave protection and the unregulated presence of chemicals in food — things that would “cause riots” in Europe.
It’s true that the United States grapples with a larger and more diverse population than that of any European country. But with the resources of the world’s largest economy and as keepers of the American dream, can’t policymakers find solutions?
NYT : How Europeans See America
We asked young, ordinary Europeans to take a look at U.S. policies on everything from food to guns. As they discover facts about America, they’re not impressed.Video at the link
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/opinion/europeans-view-americans.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
Sometimes it’s useful to get an outside perspective. In the Video Op-Ed above, Europeans are shocked to learn that the American government does not guarantee social protections that citizens in other advanced economies take for granted.
Their reactions reflect how European governments prioritize citizen welfare, offering national assurances like universal health care and affordable education. Americans have grown accustomed to the exorbitant costs of basic human services, the absence of parental leave protection and the unregulated presence of chemicals in food — things that would “cause riots” in Europe.
It’s true that the United States grapples with a larger and more diverse population than that of any European country. But with the resources of the world’s largest economy and as keepers of the American dream, can’t policymakers find solutions?
October 28, 2019
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/us/politics/trump-impeachment-subpoena-house.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
Breaking News Update: The House plans to take its first formal vote Thursday on the impeachment inquiry into President Trump, Democratic leaders said Monday, ushering in a new phase as they prepare to go public with their investigation into his dealings with Ukraine. Democrats described the vote, in which they plan to “affirm” the inquiry, as a necessary next step to be able to push it forward, rather than a response to sustained criticism from Republicans and the White House, who have accused them of throwing out past impeachment precedents and denying the president due process rights.
But it will mark the first time that the full House has gone on record with regard to an inquiry that has been underway since late September. And it comes after Democrats have insisted for weeks that they did not need a formal vote of the full House to authorize the proceedings. Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the vote in a letter to colleagues Monday afternoon.
“This resolution establishes the procedure for hearings that are open to the American people, authorizes the disclosure of deposition transcripts, outlines procedures to transfer evidence to the Judiciary Committee as it considers potential articles of impeachment, and sets forth due process rights for the president and his counsel,” Ms. Pelosi said in a statement.
Representative Jim McGovern, Democrat of Massachusetts and chairman of the House Rules Committee, said he would introduce the resolution, which has not yet been finalized, on Tuesday. His panel plans to consider it on Wednesday, followed by a vote of the full House on Thursday. “We are taking this step to eliminate any doubt as to whether the Trump administration may withhold documents, prevent witness testimony, disregard duly authorized subpoenas, or continue obstructing the House of Representatives,” Ms. Pelosi wrote.
snip
Breaking NYT : Shifting Course, Democrats Plan First Floor Vote on Impeachment Inquiry
House Democrats, who have said they do not need a formal floor vote to authorize the impeachment inquiry, are planning to hold one this week, to lay out rules for the investigation.https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/us/politics/trump-impeachment-subpoena-house.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
Breaking News Update: The House plans to take its first formal vote Thursday on the impeachment inquiry into President Trump, Democratic leaders said Monday, ushering in a new phase as they prepare to go public with their investigation into his dealings with Ukraine. Democrats described the vote, in which they plan to “affirm” the inquiry, as a necessary next step to be able to push it forward, rather than a response to sustained criticism from Republicans and the White House, who have accused them of throwing out past impeachment precedents and denying the president due process rights.
But it will mark the first time that the full House has gone on record with regard to an inquiry that has been underway since late September. And it comes after Democrats have insisted for weeks that they did not need a formal vote of the full House to authorize the proceedings. Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the vote in a letter to colleagues Monday afternoon.
“This resolution establishes the procedure for hearings that are open to the American people, authorizes the disclosure of deposition transcripts, outlines procedures to transfer evidence to the Judiciary Committee as it considers potential articles of impeachment, and sets forth due process rights for the president and his counsel,” Ms. Pelosi said in a statement.
Representative Jim McGovern, Democrat of Massachusetts and chairman of the House Rules Committee, said he would introduce the resolution, which has not yet been finalized, on Tuesday. His panel plans to consider it on Wednesday, followed by a vote of the full House on Thursday. “We are taking this step to eliminate any doubt as to whether the Trump administration may withhold documents, prevent witness testimony, disregard duly authorized subpoenas, or continue obstructing the House of Representatives,” Ms. Pelosi wrote.
snip
October 28, 2019
Rep. Greg Walden (Ore.), the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced Monday he will not run for another term in Congress.
“I will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, nor election to any other office, but instead I will close the public service chapter of my life,” Walden said in a statement.
The announcement makes Walden the latest House GOP lawmaker to retire from Congress, a sign of the increasing challenges facing Republicans as they try to win back the majority in 2020. Walden is the 20th Republican in the House to say he will not seek another term.
Walden is also the fifth Republican in a top committee post to announce retirement plans this year. He joins Rep. Mac Thornberry (Texas) from the Armed Services Committee, Rep. Rob Bishop (Utah) on the Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Mike Conaway (Texas) on the Agriculture Committee and Rep. Susan Brooks (Ind.) on from the Ethics Committee. But unlike other ranking members, Walden was eligible for another two-year term as the top Republican on the committee.
snip
another rat fleeing a sinking ship
Oregon GOP Rep. Greg Walden won't seek reelection
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/467752-oregon-gop-rep-greg-walden-wont-seek-reelectionRep. Greg Walden (Ore.), the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced Monday he will not run for another term in Congress.
“I will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, nor election to any other office, but instead I will close the public service chapter of my life,” Walden said in a statement.
The announcement makes Walden the latest House GOP lawmaker to retire from Congress, a sign of the increasing challenges facing Republicans as they try to win back the majority in 2020. Walden is the 20th Republican in the House to say he will not seek another term.
Walden is also the fifth Republican in a top committee post to announce retirement plans this year. He joins Rep. Mac Thornberry (Texas) from the Armed Services Committee, Rep. Rob Bishop (Utah) on the Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Mike Conaway (Texas) on the Agriculture Committee and Rep. Susan Brooks (Ind.) on from the Ethics Committee. But unlike other ranking members, Walden was eligible for another two-year term as the top Republican on the committee.
snip
another rat fleeing a sinking ship
October 28, 2019
The Democrat lost to Thom Tillis in the GOP wave of 2014 as the Republicans seized the Senate majority.
Hagan had beaten GOP incumbent Elizabeth Dole in 2008.
She had contracted a brain inflammation from a tick-borne virus.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.
RIP
Former senator Kay Hagan has died at age 66. She served one term representing North Carolina.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2019/10/28/former-senator-kay-hagan-has-died-at-age-66-she-served-one-term-representing-north-carolina/The Democrat lost to Thom Tillis in the GOP wave of 2014 as the Republicans seized the Senate majority.
Hagan had beaten GOP incumbent Elizabeth Dole in 2008.
She had contracted a brain inflammation from a tick-borne virus.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.
RIP
October 28, 2019
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/28/politics/chris-coons-donald-trump-world-series-cnntv/index.html
Washington (CNN) Democratic Sen. Chris Coons on Monday shunned chants of "lock him up" aimed at President Donald Trump by the crowd at World Series Game 5. "I have a hard time with the idea of a crowd on a globally televised sporting event chanting 'lock him up' about our President. I frankly think the office of the President deserves respect, even when the actions of our President at times don't," Coons told CNN's John Berman on "New Day."
He continued: "I certainly hope that we won't hear 'lock him up' chants at Democratic rallies or at our convention. I think that's one of the most regrettable, even at times despicable, actions by candidate Trump when he was running for president in 2016."
On Sunday night, Trump received cheers, boos and chants of "lock him up" as he was displayed on Nationals Park's video screen during the game. Some attendees pointed angrily at the suite Trump was sitting in and chanted "lock him up," and in the outfield seats, the boos and chants of "lock him up" rang loud. The chant referenced a call made by Trump supporters regarding Hillary Clinton that first began during the 2016 campaign.
Coons said the chant is reminiscent of "of things that happen in countries where rule of law is unknown or unestablished," adding that he doesn't think it's "constructive or helpful."
snip
excellent rebuttal by Charles Pierce posted here (h/t to DUer mcar)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212631067
Dem senator shuns 'lock him up' chants aimed at Trump during World Series (Coons)
video at the linkhttps://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/28/politics/chris-coons-donald-trump-world-series-cnntv/index.html
Washington (CNN) Democratic Sen. Chris Coons on Monday shunned chants of "lock him up" aimed at President Donald Trump by the crowd at World Series Game 5. "I have a hard time with the idea of a crowd on a globally televised sporting event chanting 'lock him up' about our President. I frankly think the office of the President deserves respect, even when the actions of our President at times don't," Coons told CNN's John Berman on "New Day."
He continued: "I certainly hope that we won't hear 'lock him up' chants at Democratic rallies or at our convention. I think that's one of the most regrettable, even at times despicable, actions by candidate Trump when he was running for president in 2016."
On Sunday night, Trump received cheers, boos and chants of "lock him up" as he was displayed on Nationals Park's video screen during the game. Some attendees pointed angrily at the suite Trump was sitting in and chanted "lock him up," and in the outfield seats, the boos and chants of "lock him up" rang loud. The chant referenced a call made by Trump supporters regarding Hillary Clinton that first began during the 2016 campaign.
Coons said the chant is reminiscent of "of things that happen in countries where rule of law is unknown or unestablished," adding that he doesn't think it's "constructive or helpful."
snip
excellent rebuttal by Charles Pierce posted here (h/t to DUer mcar)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212631067
October 28, 2019
https://www.businessinsider.com/pete-buttigieg-responds-homophobic-comments-tennessee-official-warren-hurst-2019-10?r=US&IR=T
Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana and a Democratic 2020 hopeful, responded to homophobic comments from a local Tennessee official that went viral after a recorded meeting on Monday.
In a widely-spread video, county commissioner Warren Hurst can be seen giving a minutes-long speech against what he sees as an America changing towards liberal values, arguing to make his jurisdiction a "gun sanctuary," meaning that resources would be diverted away from enforcing certain gun laws.
In the speech, Hurst lamented "what we got running for president in the Democratic party," saying that better candidates could be found in jail. He continued, "We got a queer running for president, if that ain't about as ugly as you can get," referring to Buttigieg, who is openly gay.
On Thursday, Buttigieg responded in an interview with local New Hampshire TV station WHDH.
snip
Pete Buttigieg responded to homophobic comments made by a local Tennessee official, advocating for
an 'approach with compassion'https://www.businessinsider.com/pete-buttigieg-responds-homophobic-comments-tennessee-official-warren-hurst-2019-10?r=US&IR=T
Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana and a Democratic 2020 hopeful, responded to homophobic comments from a local Tennessee official that went viral after a recorded meeting on Monday.
In a widely-spread video, county commissioner Warren Hurst can be seen giving a minutes-long speech against what he sees as an America changing towards liberal values, arguing to make his jurisdiction a "gun sanctuary," meaning that resources would be diverted away from enforcing certain gun laws.
In the speech, Hurst lamented "what we got running for president in the Democratic party," saying that better candidates could be found in jail. He continued, "We got a queer running for president, if that ain't about as ugly as you can get," referring to Buttigieg, who is openly gay.
On Thursday, Buttigieg responded in an interview with local New Hampshire TV station WHDH.
snip
October 28, 2019
https://www.socialeurope.eu/un-treaty-on-business-and-human-rights-vital-for-economic-and-social-justice
The current model of trade—the bulk of it tied to global supply chains, in highly-competitive, low-cost markets—means that jobs created by transnational companies are too often based on exploitation without decent working standards. Ninety-four per cent of the global workforce of the top 50 corporations is hidden in supply chains, where the obscurity of business contracts facilitates this exploitation and too often a dehumanising oppression—even inclusive of modern slavery, along with low wages, short-term or precarious contracts and unsafe work environments.
In addition, new frontiers have emerged with the monopoly dominance of giant technology companies—with the power they exercise by controlling data—and platforms, whose business models have little or no connection to national laws, taxation systems or employment responsibility.
Decent work
Transnational business cannot and will not be sustainable unless it is based on the principles of decent work. Yet international law is not well equipped to address cross-border corporate abuses of human and labour rights. The traditional approach of obliging states to hold solely to account perpetrators of abuses within their own borders no longer corresponds to the realities of a global economy.
Companies are operating as vast de facto networks of nominally national-level entities, each protected by the corporate veil shielding them from being held accountable. Even when it comes to the subsidiaries of transnational companies, which are either directly or indirectly controlled by their parents, there is often no avenue for access to justice. When it comes to seeking remedies locally, workers continue to face enormous legal and practical barriers—not least because local companies are often deliberately under-capitalised, essentially making them judgment-proof.
snip
UN treaty on business and human rights vital for economic and social justice
How can transnational corporations be held to account in a world of nation states? A binding UN treaty would be an important step. The global economic model has failed working people. The power and greed of huge corporations have captured governments, which are acting against the rights and interests of their own workers.https://www.socialeurope.eu/un-treaty-on-business-and-human-rights-vital-for-economic-and-social-justice
The current model of trade—the bulk of it tied to global supply chains, in highly-competitive, low-cost markets—means that jobs created by transnational companies are too often based on exploitation without decent working standards. Ninety-four per cent of the global workforce of the top 50 corporations is hidden in supply chains, where the obscurity of business contracts facilitates this exploitation and too often a dehumanising oppression—even inclusive of modern slavery, along with low wages, short-term or precarious contracts and unsafe work environments.
In addition, new frontiers have emerged with the monopoly dominance of giant technology companies—with the power they exercise by controlling data—and platforms, whose business models have little or no connection to national laws, taxation systems or employment responsibility.
Decent work
Transnational business cannot and will not be sustainable unless it is based on the principles of decent work. Yet international law is not well equipped to address cross-border corporate abuses of human and labour rights. The traditional approach of obliging states to hold solely to account perpetrators of abuses within their own borders no longer corresponds to the realities of a global economy.
Companies are operating as vast de facto networks of nominally national-level entities, each protected by the corporate veil shielding them from being held accountable. Even when it comes to the subsidiaries of transnational companies, which are either directly or indirectly controlled by their parents, there is often no avenue for access to justice. When it comes to seeking remedies locally, workers continue to face enormous legal and practical barriers—not least because local companies are often deliberately under-capitalised, essentially making them judgment-proof.
snip
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Member since: Sun Jul 1, 2018, 07:25 PM
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