By spocko, on August 17th, 2016% I just saw part of the Triumph’s Summer Election Special 2016 for Hulu on YouTube. In this segment a focus group of Trump supporters watch fake new Trump commercials and then give their take on them. It’s funny, clever—and scary.
The fake ads range from the ridiculous to the horrific. What is astonishing is how many of the members agreed with the ideas expressed, and wanted to help The Donald implement them.
https://www.spockosbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/Trump-youtube-grab_1.mp4 I’ve run and participated in focus groups before. People knew they were being recorded. If the group was going to be shown or broadcast, releases had to be signed. I would have been fine if my opinion on garlic-flavored Pepsi was released to the world on YouTube. (Note: I’m against it!) But after watching the participants in this focus group video, my first thought was,”They can’t be serious. They don’t REALLY believe that.” But what if they do?
When I first heard the violent rhetoric, bigotry, sexism, homophobia and hate coming out of right-wing talk radio I believed what a lot of people did. “It’s just an act to get ratings.” I thought that if you had a serious conversation with these people they . . . → Read More: Watch These Trump Supporters Who Want To Cage and Ship Out Mexicans
By spocko, on July 15th, 2016%
It’s only called ‘open carry’ when the man is white. It he’s black it’s ‘oh shit, he’s got a gun!’ #PhilandoCastile pic.twitter.com/cgjSCWvd7L
— Bipartisan Report (@Bipartisanism) July 7, 2016
The Wall Street Journal gives the rundown of what is allowed in the area of the RNC.
Considering all open carriers: Who is going to be in more danger of being arrested for suspicious behavior before the event? During? After?
White men Black men
I think many of the black men considering open carry will be arrested before the event on some trumped up charge, just to keep them out of the picture. The ones who make it through will be fine, unless there is a panic. We all know what happened to the last black guy who open carried at a protest and there was a panic.
I believe many of the white men considering open carry won’t be arrested before the event. The government treats the white Republican men differently, even if they have a previous criminal history of protesting with guns. (See Bundy Ranch and Malheur refuge stories below)
I do predict that some open carriers will be arrested at the event. They want to show how peaceful they are and how . . . → Read More: Open Carry Rules For RNC, In Black & White
By spocko, on July 12th, 2016% Police: Man accidentally discharges gun, injures 4 Marquette students
MILWAUKEE June 22, 2016—Police said a man accidentally discharged his weapon and injured four Marquette students at Sobelman’s restaurant Wednesday evening.
David Sobelman said his restaurant at 16th and Wells streets was on lockdown after the shooting, which took place around 7:30 p.m.
Police said the shooter, a man in his 20s, accidentally fired a gun in the vestibule at Sobelman’s front door. Debris from the bullet hit four Marquette students who were standing nearby.
The students, three females and a male, were only dealt minor injuries and didn’t go to the hospital.
The man left after the shooting, police said.
Sobelman said the shooter and his friends got into a car and “disappeared.”
“You have to be pretty stupid to shoot yourself with your own gun,” Sobelman said.
Police are unsure if the man injured himself and do not have anyone in custody in connection to the incident.
An investigation is ongoing. WISN ABC June 22, 2016
I contacted Milwaukee police last week for more details, but the shooter hasn’t been found . . . → Read More: Yet Another Concealed Gun Carrier Screws Up, Shoots Four At Restaurant
By spocko, on July 4th, 2016% Just returned from 2019. Spotted this bumper sticker. #SpockoTheTimetravelingVulcan
By spocko, on June 15th, 2016% Testing a bulletproof vest in Washington, D.C. September 1923. This work is from the National Photo Company collection at the Library of Congress.
I’ve marveled before at the multiple strategies the NRA uses to sell more guns. They make money after ever mass shooting. They have created an environment where the answer to any question about guns is more guns. It’s ridiculous, but clever. It makes sense that Donald Trump is happy to be part of this selling scheme.
I’ve been talking to people at several groups lately about what strategies can be used to make changes in how we tackle the gun problem in our society. I’m looking at multiple ways from legal to financial to cultural. I’ve wanted to know what worked, what didn’t and why.
As part of the exercise I looked at what the NRA did to get where they are today and wondered how a group could do the same, only with a different product, one that could prevent deaths.
What if that group had the same willingness the NRA has shown to use every technique in their bag of tricks to sell more products–no matter the consequences?
Illustration Credit: Spocko
I . . . → Read More: What If We Pushed Body Armor Like The NRA Pushes Guns?
By spocko, on June 10th, 2016% Carrying concealed weapons in public is not a 2nd Amendment right, says 9th Circuit ruling
..a federal appeals court said Thursday people do not have a right to carry concealed weapons in public under the 2nd Amendment.
An 11-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said law enforcement officials can require applicants for a concealed weapons permit to show they are in immediate danger or have another good reason for a permit beyond self-defense. — AP Mercury News
Of course some conceal carrying commenters from around the country are demanding to know, “What part of SHALL NOT INFRINGE don’t these people understand?!” They will follow that with how happy they are they don’t live in California. (I’m happy you don’t live here too Shootie McGlockface)
The people who are really happy with this development? The gun makers and the NRA. They are probably shooting the corks off of American sparkling wine tonight. This is good news for them.
The NRA will purposely misinterpreted this court’s decision and combine it with the possibility of Hillary Clinton as President. It will become this quarter’s hot PR campaign to sell more guns.
“Hillary Clinton and the activist . . . → Read More: How NRA will profit from 9th Circuit ruling on concealed guns in public
By spocko, on June 8th, 2016%
As a half Vulcan half human male from another planet it’s hard for me to totally understand both the happiness and frustration that yesterdays’ election results were received by my friends on the left in America. My friends Susie, Angie, David and Raf have all made great points about feeling happy or happy/sad with both frustration and pride.
I suppose it’s not unusual for people to feel this way.
I just want to acknowledge what has been accomplished in America. With that I give you a black man and a white woman dancing.
By spocko, on June 6th, 2016% Lately I’ve been writing some big companies to explain why it would be wise to change their policies on guns to more closely align with their brand image. I explain that a failure to do so will cost them money. I used all the various appeals to authority, but I neglected to provide the people with an easy way to let them know who I am. I had this in my “About” page.
About me. A brain in a box.
Contact me at spockosemail at gmail . com
I didn’t even say “I’m just looking for a piece of the action.” like I do on my twitter page @spockosbrain, Or “I went to Star Fleet Academy”, like I do on Facebook. But I should have probably told them a bit about my past and the last time I made some suggestions to CEOs, CFOs, COOs and CMOs of RW radio stations and TV.
People often use visual short cuts to help them make decisions about people. They also use signifiers of education, years of experience and associations as a quick way to decide who to listen to on a topic or whom to ignore. Where did they go to school? . . . → Read More: Who is Michal Spocko and why should we listen to him?
By spocko, on May 26th, 2016% I’m a huge fan of Shae-Lee @ShaeLeeShack, Lana @LanaKington and Madison @madisonLloyd from the comedy group SketchShe.
They made this fun video last year for #RedNoseDay It’s them lipsyncing to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” across Luna Park in Sydney.
Red Nose Day is about helping lift children out of poverty. This video helped lift me out of gloominess. Watch it, it’s really fun.
Got my rednose @walgreens then watched @SketchShe fun 2015 #RedNoseDay video https://t.co/9hyY9Ssf7Q @WalgreensNews https://t.co/SSVPGiNabh
— Spocko (@spockosbrain) May 26, 2016
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. rings opening bell for RedNoseDay Nasdaq: WBA
This year the sponsors had some fun. This is Skip Bourdo, Walgreens Corporate Operations Vice President [Nasdaq: WBA] and Christy Gibb of the Comic Relief Board of Trustees ringing the Opening Bell at Nasdaq. I wonder if this years’ Red Nose Day partners from Mars Chocolate North America brought any snacks?
I think it is great when companies do this, it’s one way of showing that they care about their customers and their communities–while having fun doing it.
I often focus on serious issues, but I believe that most people in companies are decent and want to do the right . . . → Read More: Fun Video by @SketchShe for #RedNoseDay
By spocko, on May 24th, 2016%
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