Five Things to Know Today
Good morning! I did a post yesterday about Four bad-to-worst Trump actions to watch for when it comes to the protests. If you haven’t read it, you should; it’s a short piece of analysis that may be helpful.
But, I’m going to do a longer post today about one recent development: Trump’s threat to use the U.S. military, inside the United States, against U.S. civilians, in order to “dominate” things where he feels governors are not doing enough.
This is dangerous, and possibly illegal – although the question of legality is up for debate. But at a minimum, it sends a message of violence and division at a time when we need the exact opposite.
As I said, this is important, and I’ll say more about it later today. But I want to leave you with one image: your Lincoln Memorial yesteray evening.
A variation on the closing: The ONLY way we will get through this, is together. #TeamKentucky
Bruce Maples, publisher
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Beshear says more time needed to detect a ‘new bump’ in virus cases; says Supreme Court upholds his orders on gatherings
He spent the first part of his update talking about the protests, and the inequities in our society, including healthcare. (Forward Kentucky)
Investigation begins into fatal shooting in Louisville
Some preliminary information has been released on the investigation into the death of a man in west Louisville after shots were allegedly fired at police and Kentucky National Guardsmen early Monday morning. Michael Brown spoke about the investigation during Governor Beshear’s press conference. (Forward Kentucky)
Appeals court affirms rejection of Kentucky abortion law
A federal appeals court has agreed with a lower court that a Kentucky law seeking to ban a common second trimester abortion procedure is illegal. The law passed in 2018 was struck down last year by a federal judge in Frankfort, who ruled that it creates a “substantial obstacle” to a woman’s right to an abortion. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that ruling on Tuesday. (Herald-Leader)
Beshear: Trump’s military proposal ‘not appropriate’
President Donald Trump’s call for governors to ” dominate ” in face of widespread protests and his threats to deploy the U.S. military in U.S. cities have been both echoed and rejected by leaders in Kentucky. (WUKY)
Louisville mayor goes to protesters on streets, defends handling of Breonna Taylor case
Mayor Greg Fischer joined protesters downtown Tuesday evening for the first time, addressing issues of police brutality and racial inequality in Louisville and across the country. “If this isn’t a wake-up call for the United States of America, then we need a gut check on what our country is,” Fischer said of the recent cases of fatal police shootings and brutality against the black community. “Because this is what our country is.”
Despite repeated calls, Fischer previously declined to join protesters, saying his presence would be a “distraction to our police officers.” That changed Tuesday, when Fischer addressed a crowd at Jefferson Square Park for roughly 20 minutes, speaking with greater-than-usual frankness and answering several questions. (Courier-Journal)
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
— News —
[new] Trump did all of this in one day – yesterday – Over the past three years, we’ve learned the term “note to file.” That’s when an official writes a memo to themselves to “memorialize” the events of the day, or of a meeting. This article is a note to file of what President Trump did on June 2, 2020. (read)
[new] Corbin Snardon on how to make a real difference after the protests stop – Corbin Snardon grieves for those who have been lost. And, he is glad for solidarity. But he knows that after the demonstrations are over, it’s action that is needed. (read)
Beshear: ‘Unacceptable’ officers had body cameras turned off – Gov. Andy Beshear didn’t mince words on Monday night after a long day for him that started with an early-morning phone call. “It is unacceptable that the officers that responded did not have body cameras on and recording,” he said during a Monday evening press conference at the Capitol. (read)
🔥 Hundreds in Mayfield say “Black lives matter” – As many as 400 people — young and old, black, Hispanic, and white — gathered Monday afternoon in the Graves County seat to protest systemic police brutality against African Americans, notably George Floyd. (read)
🔥 McGrath takes on Booker and Broihier in only scheduled Democratic U.S. Senate debate – Front-runner Amy McGrath debated her two most prominent challengers Monday night on KET in the only scheduled debate among Democrats who want to take on Mitch McConnell this fall. (read)
214 new covid-19 cases reported Monday; protests spread virus; experts say key is 80% wearing masks – Coronavirus cases showed a big drop on Sunday, but jumped again on Monday to a number similar to the elevated numbers seen near the end of last week. Prior to the elevation in numbers late last week, the state had seen a downward trend for almost two weeks. (read)
Dems – If you want to vote for Kentucky’s delegates, you need to register now! – Headline says it all – if you want to help select delegates to the DNC, you’ve got to sign up with the KDP this week. We’ve got the deets and the link. (read)
— Commentary —
[new] To all of my white friends … do this first. – If you self-describe as white and want to be a real ally in the fight against racism, here are ten things you need to know and do first. (read)
[new] Four bad-to-worst Trump actions to watch for when it comes to the protests – In addition to all the other crises and trauma we are dealing with as a nation, we have to remember to keep an eye on what President Trump and his enablers are up to. As protests continue to happen around the nation, here are four increasingly bad actions Trump could take to use the protests for his own advantage. (read)
A few thoughts on the demonstrations, offered in humility – After watching and pondering recent events, publisher Bruce Maples wants to share a few thoughts … knowing his is a white voice. (read)
— Policy —
[new] Militarization has fostered a policing culture that sets up protesters as ‘the enemy’ – The militarization of police departments has been a feature of U.S. domestic law enforcement since the 9/11 attacks. What is clear from the latest round of protest and response is that despite efforts to promote de-escalation as a policy, police culture appears to be stuck in an “us vs. them” mentality. (read)
— Cartoon —
She’s got a weapon! – Aaron Smith’s latest, on one of the disturbing events of the weekend. (view)
— Media —
🔥 [new photo gallery] Mayfield Protest – a photo gallery – Berry Craig covered the protest in his hometown of Mayfield, and took these pictures as well as writing a story about it. (view)
[show] Dr. Steven Stack on COVID, Harry Neack on Indivisible endorsements – We talk with Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s “top doc,” about the pandemic and our state’s response to it. Then, we get the backstory on how the Indivisible endorsements happened from Harry Neack. View it here! (watch)
[podcast] Effigy fallout, road budget special session, and interview with Roberto Henriquez – This was a dark week for Kentucky politics. We talk through the protest that led to the effigy hanging and the fallout stemming from it. Also, a special session to deal with the road budget. And finally, an interview with Roberto Henriquez, an organizer with Indivisible Kentucky District 4. (listen)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- On Savannah Maddox, photos, and terrorism (3,000+ shares)
- Paul makes coronavirus claims not backed by science, fact-checked by WFPL reporter (2,000+ shares)
- IG investigating McConnell’s wife fired by Trump (2,000+ shares)
- Congrats, KY, you got your R nought below 1. So don’t blow it. (1,000+ shares)
- America isn’t being reopened – it’s being ripped apart by propaganda using the 2016 Russian playbook (432 shares)
- Dying of whiteness (401 shares)
