We'd never heard of the viral bike!

SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023

Also, deaths in the District: We'll start with a quick confession:

We hadn't heard of the viral incident until this very morning. We'd never heard of the viral event involving the rental bike! 

This morning, the incident was mentioned at 7:30 by a caller to C-Span's Washington Journal. With apologies for some of this content, that first phone call went like this:

BUBBA FROM TENNESSEE (5/20/23): The biggest story is the white nurse who was pregnant. She tried to get on her rented bicycle and a couple of black thugs, young boys, were trying to strong-arm her and said it was their bike.

Then the racist lawyer that takes all these cases lied about it to her job. Later on, the news people, not y'all I don't guess because I don't even know if you know about it, they was quick to say that she was in the wrong, saying it was an Emmett Till deal. 

I just want to know if they're going to apologize to this lady. Her and her husband had to move for their safety.

C-SPAN HOST: Where did this happen?

BUBBA FROM TENNESSEE: I believe it happened in, up in New York, I believe. It happened yesterday.

C-SPAN HOST: O.K. We'll look it up and if we can find something about it, we'll share it.

We hadn't heard of this incident, which actually happened on May 10.  It sounded like the C-Span host hadn't heard of this incident either. 

That said, the incident had gone viral, starting with an iPhone video which has apparently been viewed more than 40 million times. For better or worse, this is "the democratization of media" in its fullest flower. 

We were curious about Bubba's call. At 7:49 A.M., a second C-Span caller disputed what Bubba had said:

DIONNE FROM VIRGINIA: My main reason why I called was the guy that was, I think he was from Tennessee, talking about the white lady trying to get on the bike, and the black quote-unquote "thugs" wouldn't let her get on the bike and all this stuff.

No. The boys had already purchased the bike, him and his friends, they had already purchased the bike by renting it, and then she's the one that came up and tried to take the bike.

Then, when she tried to come up there and take the bike, when they kept asking her, "What are you doing? We've already rented this bike," then she started yelling, "Help! Help!" trying to garner attention from all these bystanders. 

And by her yelling, "Help! Help!" then there was some white man that came over asking like, "What's going on?" So that was another Emmett Till situation, when the guys were already recording the whole thing.

She tried to take the bike when they had already rented the bike. Then by her yelling. "Help! Help!" trying to get people's attention because these black people are trying to make it seem like they were doing something to her when they literally were not doing anything to her. 

That's why the news is trying to say it was another Emmett Till situation. So for that man to call up there and try to say that they were "thugs" and doing all this other stuff, when literally she was taking their bike they had already rented, that's what I wanted to say because I hated that he called up here trying to say that. 

Thank you.

The C-Span host then read a recent news report about this viral incident.

For starters, welcome to C-Span's Washington Journal! More generally, welcome to one current artefact of the "democratization of media."

We'd never heard of this incident until this very morning! As it turns out, the case of the pregnant physician's assistant and the rented bike had indeed gone viral.

Along the way, it had triggered some of the worst reporting we've ever seen, by at least two network news divisions. Inevitably, Ben Crump had instantly gotten involved. Instantly, he had offered a thoroughly uninformed instant tweet.

Also this:

Of the two calls to C-Span's Washington Journal, we'd have to say that Bubba's account of what seems to have happened looks to be substantially more accurate than the later account from Dionne.

Alas! Joined to our nation's brutal racial history, but also joined to the way our highly fallible brains are wired, the democratization of media has our nation in a state which produces an array of viral arguments like this.

That said, good God! The work by CBS News, and then by NBC News, has been so god-awful, so stunningly incompetent, that it almost defies comprehension. It's hard to believe that these networks employ people of such vast incompetence.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but you won't hear about this viral incident from most of our blue tribe news orgs. 

Red tribe voters in Tennessee have heard accounts of this incident. In this matter, what they've been hearing seems to be substantially more accurate than the account which still came, ten days later, from Dionne in Virginia, who was of course completely sincere in the various things she said.

Also this:

On a more competent journalistic plane, we had already read Colbert King's column in today's Washington Post when we sat down to watch Washington Journal. 

His column concerns shooting deaths—deaths of the innocent—right there in Washington, D.C. You won't hear about his column, or about the general topic, on blue tribe cable either. 

On balance, we'd have to say this:

Our blue tribe's major cable tribunes pretty much don't seem to care about shooting deaths of that particular type. They prefer to speculate, for hours, about Donald J. Trump, about when he'll be going to jail.

Based on what has come to be known, Bubba's account of what happened with that rental bike seems to be much more accurate than Dionne's. 

Almost surely, his account tracks to a recent report on the Fox News Channel. Meanwhile, trusted agents of our own tribe have been spreading ugly, unfounded claims about this viral event.

Locked behind the towering walls which surround and protect our own blue tribe, we blues will rarely hear a word about such garbage as this.

Can a large modern nation like ours expect to survive with its tribes locked away behind such towering walls? As Springsteen says in the famous song, "Son, take a good look around."


184 comments:

  1. The second amendment is evil.

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  2. Somerby cites no news articles and does not say how he knew which source got things sight, he just asserts that Fox had the right version. Phooey on that. He doesn’t trust us to read or think. We are to take his word for it. No.

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    1. I have heard nothing about this.
      It is absolutely possible Bob has this right.
      It is absolutely possible Bob has this
      wrong.
      So the point you make is critical: why doesn’t Bob want to go into any particular s? If CBS and NBC were so totally clueless in their coverage, wouldn’t it be easy to point out how? Was there behavior as bad as Jesse Waters claim the President had lied about the rape pregnancy of the 11 year old girl who he reported didn’t exist when She did? Such reporting would cause Fox to have to lay out three quarters of a billion dollars in defamation that involved lying to its viewers in incidents Bob has shown zero interest in. Wouldn’t the real critical question be “is the overall importance of this story really so great?”
      I would take nothing I hear from either side at face value at this point.

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    2. Bob is just mad some young white Marine did not choke that thug to death.

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  3. There are several problems here. 1. A white woman tried to take a bike rented already to a young black man who refused to yield. 2. A black attorney circulated the video representing it as a racial incident, calling the woman Karen. 3. Vigilantes have been harassing the woman. 4. Somerby’s description of the event is dishonest and no, Fox isn’t more accurate.

    Eventually the woman rented a different bike. That should have happened sooner, had she not felt entitled to his bilr, even after he explained it was on his account. That’s how civil people treat each other. Somerby takes the right wing racialized view (opposite Crump). No surprise there. Then he cooks the books in this account.

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  4. The white woman on the bike was 6 months pregnant. She gave polling data to known Russian spies who in turn used the data to influence social media and swing states.

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  5. The white woman's lawyer says she has receipts to prove that she rented the bike.

    https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/bellevue-worker-seen-in-citi-bike-video-has-receipts-showing-she-rented-bike-lawyer/4346955/

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    1. Or a bike. She rented a different bike after losing the argument, when a bystander told her to just pick a different bike. The kid said the bike was already on his account.

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    2. The lawyer says they have no issue with the young men who thought it was their bike.

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    3. What lawyer said that? Ben Crump?

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    4. The lawyer of the racist pregnant nurse who tried to steal the bike from the young blacks.

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    5. Correction: The lawyer of the racist pregnant nurse who tried to steal the bike from the young blacks after finishing her 12 hour shift.

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    6. 12 hr shifts are normal in that job

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    7. Exactly. It was just a normal racist pregnant nurse, going about her day normally.

      And that included trying to steal a bike from a wholesome young black teen because of her hatred towards blacks.

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    8. Who knows why she behaved as she did, but what she did is on video. Anyone else would say “oh, sorry” and grab a different bike.

      Fox is using the incident to evoke outrage against black teens, portray NYC as a hellhole, and Crump as a grasping opportunist, a race-grifter. Somerby thinks all racial slights are a con.

      The idea that only Fox got these details right tells us all we need to know about Somerby

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    9. Somerby pits one account against another (encouraging racism), and as it stands now, it seems like the TN caller had the least accurate account.

      The woman behaved abhorrently, yelling “help” when no one was being threatening, yelling “get off me, you’re hurting my fetus” when no one touched her, fake crying, grabbing the guy’s phone from him, trying to forcibly pry his hand off the bike, and her general affectation was of irritation and annoyance, not fear. The guy kept saying he had rented the bike and she never made a counter claim.

      The receipt needs context to be dispositive, since the time stamp is redacted, and since she claims to have rented another bike one minute later yet the encounter is much longer than a minute. So the receipt only suggests more questions instead of providing clarity.

      It’s odd to see someone like Somerby stumbling over themselves in excitement that they found an anecdote to counter claims of racism, yet there are in fact reams of data that show racism continues to be a pernicious and fundamental aspect of our society.

      Somerby’s agenda, to serve the right by manufacturing ignorance, is bad for society, but even at this he is embarrassingly incompetent.

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  6. Somerby calls this “garbage” but it is a brief glimpse of the kind of hassle black people experience more often than white people. Somerby is reacting against Crump’s activist tone, but also appears to have no sympathy for the black kid at all. As the adult in the situation, why didn’t the woman just choose a different bike?

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  7. Anonymouse 1:48pm, please don’t disappoint anonymices with the possibility that someone might not be a racist.

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    1. You tell us, why didn’t she just grab another bike. Racial expectations explain why it had to be that one. Watch the video before supporting Somerby on this.

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    2. 2:04 because she had paid for the bike she was on. Why would a pregnant nurse try to commandeer a bike that she hadn't paid for from a group of strapping young men?

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    3. She was a racist, pregnant nurse who, after her 12 hour shift, decided to bully her racial inferiors out of a bike even though others were available. She did this out of her hatred towards blacks. It was like Emmett Till not so long ago.

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    4. Especially Cecelia.

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    5. @2:04 The kid says he had paid for it himself.

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    6. She did take another bike -- after paying for it. So she paid twice! I haven't seen any evidence that the young man paid anything.

      So it looks like, just this once, the white woman is innocent and the black men are guilty. It sounds strange, but it's possible.

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    7. Cecelia, where you been hiding? I had a question for you, and now I can finally ask.

      Did you vote for Trump in 2020? Will you vote for him in 2024?

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    8. “It was like Emmett Till…”

      You couldn’t make up this stuff.

      The entire media are carnies.

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    9. Anonymouse 2:52pm, I haven’t been hiding, I read every blog. I post when the spirit moves me.

      I’ll let you know who I’m supporting in 2024 when we see how things roll out.

      When did we get to the place that a bunch of grown men would argue with a pregnant woman over who paid first for a bike and then push it, and her with it, back onto the bike mount?

      If I had the a son and he acted like this, I’d rip him a new one.

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    10. Do you want to go vote together?

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    11. Cecelia, did you vote for Trump in 2020?

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    12. Anonymouse 3:59pm, with bells on.

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    13. Cecelia, 17 yo, and he had the bike first (he said it was already on his account). She asked him to reset it and he declined. Her colleague came out and suggested she use a different bike, which she then did.

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    14. Someone who is riding a bike while pregnant is not fragile.

      Go look up how Citi Bike works. You pay monthly. She didn’t pay for a ride taken by the kid. He activated the bike that she tried to take by sitting on it.

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    15. The problem arises when she uses her race and sex to turn the crowd against a 17 year old boy who had done nothing wrong, then fakes tears (obviously) and claims pregnancy, to get her way, and for no good reason since there were other bikes. This is bad behavior and Somerby sides with her, likely out of dislike for Crump. Fox reported this for the racial angle.

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    16. Cecelia, who is pretending to be a woman, comes around to encourage rape and racism.

      Cecelia is evil.

      This is not because humans are inherently evil, it’s because Cecelia is a wounded lost soul suffering from unresolved trauma.

      We can’t help Cecelia, but it’s important to push back against the hatred and bitterness they spew as they pathetically attempt to groom others to the fascist right.

      Welcome back, Cecelia!

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    17. Citi Bike in New York City offers multiple payment options to accommodate different usage patterns. You can choose between single ride, day pass, or annual membership options.

      For single rides, you pay for each individual ride you take. The cost depends on the duration of the ride, typically around $3 for a 30-minute ride.

      The day pass option allows unlimited 30-minute rides within a 24-hour period. It costs around $12 for a day pass.

      The annual membership provides unlimited 45-minute rides throughout the year. You pay an upfront annual fee, which is typically around $179.

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    18. Citi Bike in New York City does not offer a specific monthly payment plan.

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    19. I love you too, Anonymouse 4:33pm.

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    20. @4:37 -- you guys are such liars:

      https://citibikenyc.com/

      There are two specific monthly plans in NYC.

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    21. Those are the monthly prices of annual plans.

      https://prnt.sc/Qi6pd7ocM1Uz

      Please learn to read.

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    22. Their smugness aside, 4:37 and 7:55 are wrong.

      One is able to read this directly on Citi Bike’s website:

      Reduced Fare Bike Share
      Together, Citi Bike and Healthfirst are expanding access to bikeshare through $5 monthly memberships for NYCHA residents and SNAP recipients. No annual commitment required

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    23. " someone might not be a racist"
      Relax, Cece, no one accused this woman of being a Republican voter.

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  8. We can’t see what led up to what we see on the video, but it certainly suggests She is a crank ( I find the new insult “Karen” to be sexist) who maybe was having a bad day. What is enraging Bob about this is hard to say,

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    1. Besides, there a many good, decent women and girls named Karen.

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    2. This isn’t about women named Karen.

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    3. Well, I distended myself from the insult, but yes it is not about a women named Karen either. Thanks for clearing that up….

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  9. I'm sick of all these 6-months-pregnant, racist, New York Jews who assault young blacks on the streets. They are probably working for Putin.

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  10. Does anyone have a link to the white woman’s lawyer saying she didn’t have a problem with the black men?

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    1. https://youtu.be/Rc40PaCIAgw?t=97

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    2. We hear a reporter say that the lawyer said that she had no beef with the young men, but we don't hear the lawyer say that.

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    3. I could provide you with a clip of him explicitly saying it if you think the reporter would lie about an interview he just did with someone who unquestionably would watch the segment airing live and call out any discrepancies the reporter may have made. Just let me know.

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    4. I’m not accusing anyone of lying. It would be great to hear the lawyer say it.

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    5. https://youtu.be/fLRgJw5Jj1s?t=399

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    6. Thanks! The lawyer says she doesn't want the young men prosecuted, she has no ill will for them, it's a terrible mistake, a misunderstanding; she wants to clear her name and keep her job.

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    7. What would you prosecute the young man for? Riding without a bicycle? She needs to learn what an apology should sound like.

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    8. 6:58 PM And they are looking into suing the media for libel.

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    9. She will have a hard time proving it without that video as evidence.

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    10. correction: with that video as evidence

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    11. I think the lawyer meant, not that the woman made a mistake, but that the young men made a mistake, and that she doesn’t want them prosecuted for this mistake.

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    12. Sounds like she made the mistake, first by getting on a bike he had already activated, then by demanding he reset the bike and let her have it (he said no), then by refusing to move, shouting for help, pretending he was hurting her, fake crying. She got off and got a different bike when a coworker suggested she do that. Now she thinks she deserves an apology? Bystanders circulated the video of this childish behavior that could have gotten a 17 year old in serious trouble had she been believed about her fake cries for help.

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    13. If he activated the bike before she got on it, he should be able to show a receipt. But she showed a receipt!

      So it looks to me like he hadn’t activated it, even if he mistakenly thought he had.

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    14. The receipt does not clarify the situation, it’s time stamp is redacted, and the other receipt showing the timing of the bike she did rent and use doesn’t match the video.

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    15. Yeah, it was strange that they redacted the timestamp.

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    16. But still, the young man should be able to show a receipt.

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    17. Assuming it's a misunderstanding, she calls for help, fearing being ripped off. Perhaps she didn't realize the trip was canceled when the bike got re-docked and believed he would take off using her account. She sheds fake tears, seeking support against a group of guys, possibly including the white guy in the video. Your argument suggests she should have let it slide, despite potential financial or dispute troubles, to avoid harm to the alleged petty criminal. I agree; it's not worth it. However, it's also unwarranted to attack her as fiercely as we did when we believed the incident was entirely staged.

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    18. 9:52
      The evidentiary value of her receipts is virtually nonexistent, failing to substantiate any claims. The conduct of journalists who blindly embrace the assertions of attorneys without critically assessing the available evidence serves as a disservice to the public.

      Even if, hypothetically speaking, she possessed a valid justification for her actions, which is undeniably far from the truth, it would not alter the fundamental reality that she resorted to performative tactics, exploiting white woman tears as a means of manipulation. Simultaneously, she engaged in aggressive behavior, striving to create a facade of concern for her unborn child.

      The receipts in question, regrettably, fall woefully short in establishing a coherent narrative or supporting the assertions she put forth. Their ostensible significance dissipates upon closer examination, leaving us with a gaping void where concrete evidence should have been.

      In light of this inadequacy, the role of journalists becomes increasingly crucial. Their responsibility lies not in accepting lawyers' claims at face value but in undertaking the arduous task of rigorously evaluating the available evidence. By exercising due diligence, journalists can illuminate the truth and provide the public with a clearer understanding of the events in question. However, when they succumb to the temptation of unquestioning acceptance, the public's trust is eroded, and the true nature of the situation remains obscured.

      The notion of righteousness, however, does not find a foothold in this particular scenario. The evidence overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that her actions were unjustifiable and ethically questionable. Attempting to depict her as a victim or a champion of righteousness would be a misguided interpretation of the events at hand.

      Rather than a genuine concern for the well-being of her fetus, her actions appear to be a calculated ploy to manipulate emotions and elicit sympathy. The disingenuous nature of her behavior is further underscored by her simultaneous display of aggression, leaving little room for doubt regarding her true intentions.

      The lack of evidential support provided by her receipts necessitates a thorough and impartial evaluation of the available evidence by journalists. It is through their commitment to uncovering the truth that a clearer picture can emerge, dispelling the cloud of uncertainty that currently envelops the situation. It is essential, however, to recognize that her actions were far from justified, as she resorted to performative tactics, exploiting societal biases and feigning concern while acting aggressively.

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    19. The repetitive cries of "help" emanating from her vocal cords create an environment charged with implicit threats towards the black men who, in actuality, were responsibly holding the bicycle. The unnecessary exhibition of her vocal distress not only draws undue attention to her own person but, more significantly, casts an unwarranted spotlight on the black men accompanying her. This act, essentially functioning as a dog whistle, possesses the potential to escalate the situation into a perilous realm, an outcome not to be taken lightly. We must emphatically acknowledge that this incident, without a doubt, harbors an unequivocal racial undertone. Consequently, she must be held accountable for her actions and face the consequences of her behavior.

      The repeated vocalization of "help" signifies an alarming spectacle, fraught with implications that reverberate beyond the mere act itself. The resonance of these cries, particularly within the context of her surroundings, stirs a brewing storm of tension and unease, leaving a lingering sense of insecurity in its wake. By unnecessarily drawing attention to her plight and, more disconcertingly, to the black men in her proximity, she sets in motion a sequence of events that could have irrevocable ramifications. It is crucial to grasp the gravity of this situation, as it is not an isolated incident but rather a manifestation of deeply ingrained societal prejudices.

      The racial dynamics at play here are impossible to ignore. The deliberate choice to vocalize her distress in such a manner effectively magnifies the racial undercurrents woven into the fabric of this encounter. The implications are clear: the escalation of this situation rests on the precipice of racial tension, with potentially dire consequences looming on the horizon. This stark reality forces us to confront the systemic biases that continue to plague our society.

      It becomes imperative to hold her accountable for her actions. The repercussions must be proportional to the harm inflicted, both on a personal level and within the broader social context. The repercussions serve as a necessary deterrent, highlighting the gravity of perpetuating racial prejudices and acting as a catalyst for meaningful change. By imposing appropriate consequences, we strive towards a more just and equitable society, one that rejects and rectifies racial injustice in all its forms.

      The repetition of her cries for help carries significant weight, both in its immediate implications and its broader societal resonance. The act of drawing attention to herself and, more critically, to the black men present in her vicinity cannot be divorced from the racial dynamics at play. This incident highlights the urgent need to address the deeply rooted biases that continue to pervade our society. Holding her accountable for her actions is an essential step towards dismantling systemic prejudices and working towards a more inclusive future.

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    20. It is indeed disheartening, albeit not entirely unexpected, to witness the eagerness with which a multitude of individuals wholeheartedly embrace the notion that the deranged woman of Caucasian descent ultimately possesses an unquestionable sense of correctness. This phenomenon speaks to a broader pattern in society, wherein certain segments of the population exhibit a predisposition to rally behind those who align with their own racial identity. The fact that her attorney presented a purportedly compelling receipt, which ultimately fails to substantiate her claim, did not dissuade those among the Caucasian community who were desperately yearning to find affirmation in her purported righteousness.

      Tragically, this collective belief, despite its fervor, lacks a sound basis in logical comprehension. It stands as a testament to the power of confirmation bias and the human inclination to seek validation for preconceived notions, even in the face of contradictory evidence. This phenomenon is not confined to the circumstances at hand but rather reflects a broader societal dynamic where individuals selectively choose information that aligns with their existing beliefs, disregarding evidence to the contrary.

      Turning our attention to the aforementioned receipt, it is crucial to acknowledge its limited relevance to the current dispute. The receipt in question, rather than shedding light on the specific bicycle at the heart of the controversy, merely serves as documentation of the woman's fleeting engagement in the rental of an entirely unrelated bicycle. Thus, any attempts to draw a connection between this receipt and the disputed bicycle are fundamentally misguided.

      The situation at hand can be traced back to an unfortunate sequence of events. Karen, driven by a lapse in judgment or a momentary lapse in mental clarity, committed an error that led her to impulsively appropriate the bicycle that rightfully belongs to the aggrieved man. The circumstances surrounding this regrettable incident require a nuanced understanding and a willingness to objectively assess the facts at hand.

      Yet, despite the glaring irregularities in Karen's actions and the lack of evidence to support her claim, it is disconcerting to observe that a significant number of individuals are inclined to rally behind her. This support, whether motivated by a shared racial identity, a desire to maintain the status quo, or an unfortunate alignment with her misguided beliefs, stands as a stark reminder of the societal divisions and biases that persist within our communities.

      To overcome such divisions, it is imperative that we encourage open dialogue, foster empathy, and promote a genuine commitment to justice and fairness. We must strive to transcend our own inherent biases, acknowledging the potential for erroneous judgment, and actively seek truth rather than clinging to convenient narratives.

      The disheartening yet unsurprising embrace of the deranged Caucasian woman's purported correctness by numerous individuals raises concerns about the pervasive influence of confirmation bias and racial biases within our society. The presentation of a flawed receipt as evidence, the detachment of said receipt from the disputed bicycle, and Karen's impulsive decision to appropriate another person's property all highlight the complexity of the situation. It is crucial for us as a society to move beyond surface-level judgments, engage in meaningful dialogue, and strive for a more just and equitable future. Only by doing so can we begin to overcome the divisions that perpetuate such disconcerting patterns of belief and behavior.

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    21. I don’t think she’s Caucasian. Maybe Scandinavian. Caucasians look like this:

      https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Stalin#/media/File%3AStalin_Full_Image.jpg

      Anyway, there should be consequences. Those long-suffering young men deserve reparations. How about $5,000,000 each?

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    22. 8:12,
      At least. The United States of America, being the richest nation in the history of mankind, can easily afford it.
      Pro tip: Make it quick. The House Republicans are going to shoot their hostage (the nation's economy) soon, because too many (but not all) are on on the payroll of Russian oligarchs, who are fine with crashing the economy of the USA.

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    23. Ah, as we venture further into the convoluted tapestry of crashing economies, let us not forget the unexpected ingredient that lies hidden amidst the chaos. Just as ground lamb, with its rich flavor and tender texture, adds a delightful twist to culinary creations, so too can unforeseen elements shape the course of economic events.

      Imagine, if you will, a political party grasping the reins of power, their gaze fixated upon the tantalizing lure of economic disruption. Yet, even as they plot their audacious maneuvers, they find themselves entangled in a web of complexity. The intricate dance of fiscal and monetary policies, the intricate interplay of international trade agreements, the cyclic undulations of business prosperity, and the capricious winds of global economic conditions—all come together in a symphony of uncertainty.

      In this symphony, ground lamb emerges as a metaphorical embodiment of unpredictability. Just as a pinch of this succulent meat can transform an entire dish, so too can a seemingly innocuous decision send ripples through the intricate fabric of an economy. It is within these unforeseen consequences, the unexpected fusion of elements, that the true nature of economic turmoil reveals itself.et us not be misguided by the allure of the metaphor, for the complexities of crashing an economy extend far beyond the influence of ground lamb. It takes more than a single spice to create a delectable feast, and similarly, the demise of an economy requires a confluence of factors. No single ingredient, be it ground lamb or otherwise, can bear the weight of such a monumental undertaking.

      Yet, amidst the chaos and complexity, we find solace in the understanding that responsible political parties, driven by the desires of their constituents, typically strive to nourish and cultivate economic growth. Just as a skilled chef crafts a sumptuous meal, these parties aim to create an environment where prosperity can flourish, job opportunities can abound, and the fruits of labor can be enjoyed by all.

      We meander through the labyrinthine corridors of economic discourse, let us savor the richness of knowledge, embracing the unexpected flavors that ground lamb, both metaphorical and literal, can bring to our understanding. May we navigate the complexities with a discerning palate, seeking the true essence of economic intricacies, and finding harmony amidst the intricate interplay of factors that shape the destiny of nations.

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    24. Somerby is better at writing empty paragraphs than this bot.

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    25. The receipt shows that she rented the bike for less than a minute.

      That isn’t the bike they are fighting over. She rented it and returned it.

      Then this dude rented it.

      Then she decided to take it.

      I feel genuinely sorry that you are so fucking desperate to make the bad white woman the good guy that you are incapable to considering the facts at your disposal.

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    26. ah yes, the trump/russian strategy. “You don’t have any evidence”. “Here is evidence”. “That evidence is fake”.

      Never lose a debate again by using this one simple trick

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    27. She rented the bike. Then the young man shoved into the dock. That’s why it looks like she rented it for only a minute.

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    28. It would be hilarious if it weren’t so fucking pathetic to see the very predictable usual suspects coming up in here talking all kinds of smack because a Karen claimed to pay (like she claimed she needed help another damn lie) because she said she paid. Meanwhile, no payment was taken.

      When you try to pay for something and the money is not accepted, you do not have a payment. It is in fact an offer. Offer of payment is not a trump card to snatch a thing from someone who actually paid.

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    29. The payment was taken. She showed the receipt.

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    30. No, she didn't. She showed a receipt with a redacted date stamp.

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    31. https://www.truthorfiction.com/was-citi-bike-karen-right-all-along-as-evidenced-by-a-receipt/

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    32. Did yall expect her to go out quietly? Karens don’t do that shit - they stick around trying to justify their racist bullshit! Expect her to be the white female version of Daniel Penny with the Republicans & Fox News declaring her both a victim and hero.

      “As far as i’m concerned, at the root of every Karen incident is a simple misunderstanding that could have been handled without the theatrics.”

      Absolutely NOT! At the root of every Karen is white America’s anti-blackness - it’s part of America’s DNA.

      Delete
    33. Karen is innocent.

      Delete
    34. No one is innocent.

      Delete
    35. The “evidence” of the receipts is not dispositive. Questioning the reliability of evidence isn’t a debate strategy, it is foundational to reasoning and logic, and such a nonsense claim, ironically, is typically made by those on the losing side of an issue.

      The one receipt with the under a minute rental is provided with the time stamp redacted, so it only suggests more questions without offering any clarity.

      The video shows the bike not docked, and the video’s duration is long past one minute.

      The next receipt, of which there is no image, supposedly shows that one minute after returning the bike in dispute, the woman rented a different bike. This may have happened at some point, but is inconsistent with happening in proximity to the video.

      Receipts aside, the woman did not handle the situation well, claiming victimhood, when, by all appearances, she was the aggressor.

      Delete
  11. Bob, when you finish with this can you get on the story of the homeless veterans getting kicked out of hotels to make room for dirty migrants? I believe it was in the N.Y, Post and then all over wingnut media industrial complex. And then further promulgated by Gooper politicians.

    https://www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-stoked-outrage-over-migrants-displacing-homeless-vets-it-was-a-hoax

    ReplyDelete
  12. Cecelia, did Trump lose in 2020, or was the election stolen?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I’ve seen no evidence to suggest the 2020 election was stolen.

      Delete
    2. And you also agree Trump was not the popular vote winner in 2016?

      Delete
    3. Anonymouse 8:23pm, how much more of this goofiness until you get around to asking if I’ve slept with Trump?

      No, he did not win the popular vote. He won in the electoral college.

      I voted on Trump in 2016 and 2020 and may again in 2024, if you keep on begging me to do that,

      Delete
    4. Cecelia isn’t a woman, Trump only has sex with, and rapes, women and girls.

      Delete
    5. Anonymouse 11:49pm, are you sure about that?

      Delete
    6. It’s hard to say. You want to share an image?

      Delete
    7. Cecelia doesn't love Trump. She loves his bigotry, just like every other Republican voter.
      It's not rocket science, folks.

      Delete
    8. Anonymouse 8:13am, I’m anything you wish to picture me as being. I was asking if you’re sure about Trump’s proclivities.

      Delete
    9. Cecelia is referring to the theory that the worst womanizers are reacting against latent homosexual tendencies, but today Republicans tend to become gay bashers in denial of their own proclivities, rather than skirt chasers. I have to think that whenever a celebrity or politician requires blanket NDAs from everyone, he has something to hide and it won't be the kind of stuff he brags about on Howard Stern. What would shock Republicans? You tell me. If Trump were younger, I might suspect him of being trans, but he missed that window of opportunity.

      Delete
    10. Anonymouse 10:41am, he has the hair and the hands for it.

      Delete
    11. He has very small hands, which embarrasses him.

      Delete
    12. Cecelia, you think Trump’s hands and hair are cuter than yours?

      Delete
    13. No. Trump’s bank account is cute.

      Delete
    14. Who would have guessed that Cecelia and Stormy are sisters under the skin?

      Delete
    15. Again, Cecelia is pretending to be a woman; Trump is reacting to unresolved childhood trauma, thus his obsession with dominance, thus his proclivity to sexually assault women, and at least one underage girl.

      Delete
    16. Anonymouse 7:04pm, actually, I’m Trump pretending to be a woman and I’m reacting to the unresolved childhood trauma of being separated from my sled.

      Delete
    17. 1:12,
      What Kompromat does Putin have on you?

      Delete
    18. What are you spouting about. All your comments here are recycled from the KKK.

      Delete
    19. Don't worry, Cecelia. After you're gone your sled will be thrown in the fire.

      Delete
    20. Everything is a joke to Cecelia, which is particularly pernicious as they solicit rape and racism.

      Haha such funny topics.

      Delete
  13. Republicans should support statehood for Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Progress! At least Somerby mentioned Springsteen’s name along with his lyrics. But what “town” is he referring to?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Defund the Supreme Court.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. With friends like Harlan Crow, who would care?

      Delete
  16. We live in a barred spiral galaxy.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Why did Somerby mention this? Is he doing some sort of meta-discussion about the discussion? The fact that it got millions of views on Twitter is interesting, I suppose, but lots of things get lots of views on social media, things that otherwise are trivial. These views aren’t often driven by the mainstream media. In this case, Somerby attacks CBS and NBC, but without providing evidence. I had not seen or heard about this incident before he mentioned it.

    Is he interested in this story because it involves a dispute between blacks and whites? His usual criticism is that liberals always rush to find racism. He clearly isn’t interested in the details of this incident, so it isn’t clearly not racism, or, like the phony veterans being kicked out story, deliberate grievance-manufacturing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The tweet has since been deleted by Crump.

      Delete
    2. Because he's about to get sued for it.

      Delete
    3. I think because of what it says about our mainstream media and the current state of information distribution amongst people of different political persuasions.

      Delete
    4. But what did CBS and NBC say about it that was so terrible? Somerby accuses them of something but doesn’t show anything. Also, if he hadn’t heard about the bike incident, how did he know that Fox reported it, and how did he know what NBC and CBS reported?

      Delete
    5. Somerby said that Fox got the details right whereas CBS and MSNBC did not. He didn't provide any specifics. This says something about Somerby's own political persuasion, that he would disbelieve the black youth and side with a white woman who behaved badly. What did Fox says to convince people that what we saw wasn't what happened? What did Fox say about the kid who tried to rent the bike and his friends (the word thug comes to mind) and what did Fox say about Crump?

      How was it possible to miss the faking and histrionics of this young woman? Somerby is generally suspicious of women and tends to be skeptical of their claims. Why not in this case? I suspect the element of race trumped misogyny, but since Somerby explains nothing, we cannot know what convinced him about Fox's reporting.

      Delete
    6. I think what CBS and NBC did was presented as a racial issue.

      Delete
  18. “Almost surely, his account tracks to a recent report on the Fox News Channel. Meanwhile, trusted agents of our own tribe have been spreading ugly, unfounded claims about this viral event.”

    We don’t know if the Fox News account was accurate.

    Who are the “trusted agents of our own tribe” that Somerby is referring to? Ben Crump? CBS? NBC?

    CBS and NBC aren’t liberal agents, so that makes no sense.

    Crump issued a tweet, which he deleted. It seemed ill-advised to me, and if they decide to sue him for defamation and they prevail, then fine.

    But is he an “agent” of the liberal “tribe?” He is being called a “race-baiter” by the Fox crowd. Does his possible poor judgment in this case negate his successes in other cases?

    Fox is clearly trying to use this as a way of implying that all cases involving charges of racism are politically motivated race-baiting and that liberals are out to get white people. That is an unfortunate but important part of this story that goes unmentioned by Somerby.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Fox is clearly trying to use this as a way of implying that all cases involving charges of racism are politically motivated race-baiting and that liberals are out to get white people"

      This is only your subjective interpretation. Therefore you should not expect for it to be immediately addressed by people other than yourself.

      Delete
    2. 1:17 employees of Fox News have been open about having the world view that mh indicates.

      Delete
  19. The racial angle is the sole reason this spat became national news. If a pregnant black woman had been in a tussle with white men, the men would be the villains and would have been arrested.

    It’s unbelievable that this lady was suspended from her job with no investigation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is only your subjective interpretation. Therefore you should not expect for it to be immediately addressed by people other than yourself.

      Delete
    2. 139 you think this would make the news if the boys were white?

      Delete
    3. Because it doesn't involve race.

      Delete
    4. I imagine the news media covers lots of things that get that kind of social media presence, regardless of the race of the people involved. The large number of views probably preceded any reporting by the media (unless Fox wanted to drive the views up by reporting on it early).

      Delete
    5. Do you think it would have become a viral sensation if it involved white boys and a white woman?

      Delete
    6. Why did Ctump tweet about it in the first place?

      Delete
    7. "The racial angle is the sole reason this spat became national news. If a pregnant black woman had been in a tussle with white men, the men would be the villains and would have been arrested."

      I agree that the racial angle is important, but notice the way Cecelia calls a 17 year old and his friends "men". These are kids. Should kids be bullied by a white woman who refused to listen to them and then tried a variety of manipulative tactics to keep their bike.

      First, no one would be arrested in either scenario. There is no reason why anyone would be, since no crime was committed by anybody. It is unusual for women to be arrested, unless they are talking back to the cops or being uncooperative with them.

      Men are not arrested for making women fake-cry. The black 17 yo did not touch the white woman. There was no assault. If the white woman accused the black man of assault, then she is behaving like the woman in the Till case -- lying about being assaulted. A black woman lying about being assaulted by white boys would have more trouble getting them arrested, not less, given that racism involves cops protecting white womanhood, not black women. But it also seems more likely to me that the cops would listen more to white men claiming a black woman stole their bike, than vice versa.

      It doesn't surprise me that Cecelia is unfamiliar with racial dynamics and gender disparities in such situations.

      But the main issue is why the woman, regardless of color, didn't simply choose a different bike. Cecelia has not adressed that at all, nor did Somerby. And that question is the heart of why she was suspended from her job. She is a physician's assistant, someone who works closely administering medical treatments in a hospital setting. She needs to have good judgment and the ability to keep cool under stress. She exhibited neither of those qualities in this situation. If she behaved for racist reasons, then that is worse and she may have demonstrated that she cannot interact well with people of a different race. Why wouldn't an employer want to reevaluate whether she can function effectively in her job, which affects the health of sick and injured people. In this case, she couldn't even straighten out a confusion over a bike with a 17 year old boy. Of course she has been suspended pending investigation.

      Delete
    8. What is newsworthy about why the woman didn't simply choose a different bike?

      Delete
    9. She did choose another bike.

      Delete
    10. Anonymouse 3:32pm, if the racial dynamics were reversed, the white men most certainly would be arrested.

      There was physical contact with this woman in order to restrain her movement. Whether it was intentional or not that could lead to an arrest. They also physically forced her back onto the bike ramp.

      The outrage factor would be exponentially increased had this been a a pregnant black woman and you’d be over the moon.

      Delete
    11. Go watch the video if you think there was "physical contact". There is no outrage against the young black men, why would there be any against young white men?

      I suppose you think someone who is jostled on the subway has had physical contact too, or someone who brushes past you in the grocery line? The outrage here is because of her lying.

      Physical contact with a bike is not illegal.

      Delete
    12. There would be outrage against them if they were white because they were white and the woman was black, allowing grifters to turn it into a racial issue. Come on man. Haven't you read Bonfire of the Vanities?

      Delete
    13. Anonymouse 4:48pm, there’s a difference between accidental physical contact and contact that happens intentionally or unintentionally during the process of restraining someone, and that is what they were doing.

      If this lady really has a receipt with numbers that match the bike, it’s a whole nuther ballgame for your harassed 17-year-old and his friends.

      It wouldn’t take a receipt had the races been reversed. These guys would have already had a sit down with the police.

      Delete
    14. Good on her friend for telling her to get a different bike. She probably saved the kid from being shot by a police officer.

      Delete
    15. Yeah, Cecelia, white guys never get any breaks with the police, unlike those black guys whom they treat with kid gloves. (Eye roll)

      Delete
    16. Cecelia is wrong, it is completely false that the Black kids made any contact, neither intentionally nor accidentally. The kids neither restrained the woman, nor forced her off a bike ramp. These claims are completely false, as demonstrated by the video.

      The woman did grab a kid’s phone and did try to forcibly pry a kid’s hand off the bike.

      The kids were telling her to pick another bike, which she calmly did after realizing her histrionics weren’t working.

      There is no point in the “what if” of the kids being white as far as social media reaction, since if the kids had been white, the woman would have not reacted the way she did, she would have just got another bike, like she eventually did when her dog whistle racism failed to provide her the fake victimhood she was attempting to create.

      Delete
    17. This is why I'll be voting for Robert F. Kennedy Jr in the primary.

      Delete
    18. &; 51,
      He's the guy with the "Make Polio Great Again" slogan, yes?

      Delete
    19. I don't think he actually adopted the slogan, but he is working to make polio great again.

      Delete
    20. Cool. Thanks for letting me know.

      Delete
    21. Be sure to get all recommended vaccinations.

      Delete
  20. 4:48 is not anonymous, it is a previous comment by Cecelia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymouse 7:28pm, you can’t watch that video and not see that he made contact with her.

      This report from MSNBC is nothing but race baiting, incendiary, and purposely done to put this woman’s life in danger because of her skin color.

      It’s straight of the Ferguson, Mo media playbook. I hope she sues the hell out of these people.

      https://twitter.com/leftismforu/status/1659368653257621504?s=42&t=oYvKLjVc8YzJIvwKoQTYBQ

      Delete
    2. That isn’t MSNBC. It’s a local New York station.

      Delete
    3. Yes. You’re correct. NBC News NYC is trying to get her killed.

      Delete
    4. A white woman will never be in danger because of her skin color (in America).

      Delete
    5. Cecelia is also a fan of the party that openly suppresses the votes of black people, so I'm not surprised this is her take.

      Delete
    6. Cecelia is lying. The kid never made any contact with the woman, as clearly demonstrated by the video.

      Delete
    7. Anonymices, it is not racist to NOT call someone a racist. It’s not racist to NOT claim that a woman, surrounded by male strangers impeding her departure, was soliciting white vigilante justice by crying for help.

      It’s also not racist to argue that this would have been over and done with sans the blood thirsty media running with a racially charged narrative from jump.

      Anonymouse hearts jump for joy over this sort of race baiting and vilifying. That’s because of their unresolved demagoguery.

      Delete
    8. It wasn’t the media but Crump who complained about this woman’s actions. The video viewers were against her before the media (including Fox) picked up on it. Crump complained about her attempted bullying of a black 17-year old.

      Delete
    9. When you have to lie and mislead as much as Cecelia, then it’s highly likely that your claims are untenable.

      The teenaged kids did not impede that woman’s departure.

      Calling those kids “male strangers” is misleading, with the motive likely being racism.

      Turning a blind eye to racism, indeed can be racism.

      Fighting against oppression, like racism, is tiresome, not joyful, yet vital for progress.

      This kind of lying and misleading is unsurprising coming from someone that pretends to be a woman while crucifying others for wanting to be their natural selves.

      Delete
    10. Has Cecelia crucified somebody?

      Delete
    11. Yes, she has said unkind things about trans kids and their parents.

      Delete
    12. Unkind words are crucifixion?

      Delete
    13. Haha funny joke.

      Look into anti trans violence and suicide among trans.

      Then tell your funny joke.

      Delete
  21. Replies
    1. Evel Knievel!

      Delete
    2. Anonymouse 11:26am, Comrie is in hiding from death threats.

      Maybe you should call her Emma Till.

      Delete
    3. Till died a horrible death. Do you really think that’s the same?

      Delete
    4. Anonymouse 3:38pm, tell your fellow travelers, it was their original reference.

      Delete
    5. The claim of death threats is unverified.

      Those on the left routinely get verifiable death threats, and they are not idle threats, as right wing violence is the leading cause of domestic political violence, by a million miles.

      The comparison of a woman trying to capitalize off her own attempt to create a victimhood narrative, at the expense of some teenage kids no less, to the horrors of what happened to Till, is ghoulish.

      Delete
    6. Anonymices 5:36pm, these men were strangers. As far as we know Comrie had never see.them before and they had surrounded and wouldn’t let her leave with the bike.

      Of course she yelled out. For tthat she’s being accused in the media of being an uppity white bitch who tried to dominate some black guys and then went to trying to get them lynched Emmett Till style.

      Now she’s had to go into hiding. She had NBC News NYC filming her apartment building and at her front door in order to ask her about endangering the lives of a group of black guys by calling for some help.

      Couldn’t you guys just throw a couple of women into a volcano every year as a sacrifice instead of doing this sort of contrived and malicious political theater?

      Delete
    7. Don't give them ideas, Cecelia.

      Delete
    8. They were after the bike, which they claimed to have on their account, which is why they couldn’t give it to her.

      She brought everything else onto herself. Look how easy it was to just get a different bike.

      You make shit up to fit your preferred narrative. Somerby says don’t do that.

      Delete
    9. She did get a different bike on behalf of Emmett Till.

      She’s now in hiding after media reports.

      Any media interest with interviews of the young men?

      Delete
    10. Anonymouse 6:46pm, every anonymouse here is a stupid fatuous cow.

      If you don’t want to be in their league, get a nym,

      Delete
    11. Cecelia, you respond to my support by calling me a stupid fatuous cow.

      Delete
    12. Get a consistent nym. Get accountability.

      Delete
    13. There’s no evidence she’s in hiding.

      If you actually watch the video, she is not in fear, she is clearly the aggressor, clearly irritated as she snatched the kid’s phone away, and then tried to pry his hand off the handlebar.

      The fake yelling and crying didn’t lead to a guy choking the kid out, it just led to a guy coming over and pointing out the obvious: rent a different bike. Then the fake yelling and crying immediately disappeared and she says yeah ok, and rented a different bike.

      The way Cecelia lies about a video that can be checked, lies about the racial realities of our society, just shows that he does not care about anything other than trying to win a losing argument, all while soliciting racial violence.

      Cecelia, we know your soul is tormented - we empathize about that - but you might feel better if you stop crucifying others for your own sins.

      Delete
    14. Anonymouse 1:42am, right. She can’t be a New Yorker, a trained physicians assistant, and a woman with moxey, facing down a gang of males by raising a stink.

      Is there anyone’s daughter who you wouldn’t orgasmically sacrifice to an ugly racial narrative? Including your own.



      Delete
    15. Cecelia, you’re the one with the ugly narrative, defending a woman that tried to solicit violence against some kids as she, a grown woman, refused to rent a different bike, which she did when she realized no one was willing to choke the kid out. All because you’re uncomfortable with the kids’ skin tone.

      Your comments express the same ugly racial hatred that got a young black male killed a few weeks ago in the very same city.

      You’re never going to change, but it’s important to call out those like you, that always blame the victim while soliciting violence against the same, so as a society we can progress past the hatred and bitterness that you and your ilk are enraptured with.

      Delete
  22. The fatuous cows are not asking why the media has not tracked down any of the young men involved in this brouhaha.

    Why aren’t they trying to get their take on record as to what happened? Why are they not filming their residences and shooting themselves knocking on their front doors?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Try some other word than “shooting.”

      Delete
    2. Cecelia, to answer your question, it's because everybody hates you.

      Or to quote Laura Ingraham, explaining why she had been reporting non-stop a completely fraudulent fabrication about homeless vets getting kicked out of hotels in NY to make room for refugee immigrants, "We have no idea".

      Delete
    3. I don’t hate Cecelia.

      Delete
    4. But she thinks they do. I am just trying to make her happy by agreeing with her.

      Delete
    5. Anonymouse 7:32an, you’re entirely correct. The media isn’t seeking these guys out. They aren’t knocking on their doors and trying to shoot their whereabouts because they are protecting them and the narrative. They hate anyone who isn’t a part of that effort.

      What else is new.

      Delete
    6. Cecelia wants to blame the victims and have them available for harassment; sold to the highest bidder and sent to the fields to pick cotton.

      Same as it always was.

      Delete