U.S.
NY Politicians Face Backlash After Two Policemen Shot in ‘Assassination Attempt’
Published
3 years agoon
By
Katie Calo
- A gunman opened fire on multiple NYPD officers in targeted attacks last weekend, injuring two. The suspect was taken into custody.
- Commissioner Dermot Shea and Mayor Bill de Blasio called the attacks an “assassination attempt,” and linked them to recent protests against police.
- President Trump blamed the violence on the “weak leadership” of de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
- The head of an association of active and retired NYPD sergeants also blamed the mayor, saying that NYPD members are “declaring war” on de Blasio.
- Social justice advocates were upset at de Blasio for their own reasons, arguing that he shouldn’t blame them for the violence that happened.
Assassination Attempts
Two New York Police Department officers were shot in separate “assassination” attempts over the weekend by the same gunman, who told officials that he committed the crime because he hates cops.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea discussed the targeted attack at a news conference on Sunday.
“This is not a crime gone bad. This is not a liquor store robbery interrupted, that a tragedy erupts from. This is a premeditated assassination attempt,” Shea said.
Shea linked the violence to criticism of police, particularly recent protests against increased police presence on the subway.
“These things are not unrelated. We’ve had people marching through the streets of New York City recently,” he said on Sunday.
“Words matter and words affect people’s behavior,” Shea added.
I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again: Words matter — they affect people’s actions.
— Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) February 9, 2020
In the wake of anti-police rhetoric advocating violence against our protectors, we’re lucky recent attempts on cops’ lives failed.
EVERYONE should speak out against such disgusting behavior. pic.twitter.com/3WJOAjwzBR
On Saturday night, a gunman walked up to two on-duty officers in a police van and opened fire. One of the officials, Paul Stroffolino, was shot in the neck and chin area. The officers drove off without returning fire. Stroffolino received medical attention and was released from the hospital on Sunday.
#BREAKING: Video shows NYPD cops ambushed in the Bronx
— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) February 9, 2020
pic.twitter.com/SJxM3gV7AQ
Just a few hours after the first attack, a gunman opened fire on officers in the NYPD’s 41st Precinct station house. One officer, Lt. Jose Gautreaux, was shot in the arm.
— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) February 9, 2020
The gunman surrendered once he ran out of bullets, according to Commissioner Shea, and was taken into custody. Shea said that the suspect had served time in prison until 2017 after being convicted of attempted murder in 2002. On Monday, he was formally charged again, this time with 14 counts of attempted murder.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio reported that Lt. Gautreaux was in stable condition after being wounded.
This morning a gunman walked into the 41st Precinct in the Bronx and shot an officer. I’m relieved to report the officer is stable, and the gunman is in custody.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) February 9, 2020
De Blasio called the shootings “an attack on all New Yorkers” and emphasized the need for peace and respect. He also tied the violence to the public backlash against law enforcement, saying that people who express hatred toward police are “aiding and abetting this kind of atmosphere.”
“I want New Yorkers to be clear, this was an attempt to assassinate police officers,” de Blasio said at a news conference. “There is too much hatred out there, too much hatred in general and too much hatred directed at our officers.”
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Sunday that he was “horrified” by the multiple attacks.
“NY’s law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. These attacks are heinous,” he tweeted. “Those responsible will be brought to justice & held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Horrified by the multiple attacks on @NYPD officers in the Bronx.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) February 9, 2020
NY's law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. These attacks are heinous.
Those responsible will be brought to justice & held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Pushback Against NY Politicians
President Donald Trump spoke out about the incidents as well, asserting that de Blasio and Cuomo, who are both Democrats, were partly to blame for the committed crimes.
“I grew up in New York City and, over many years, got to watch how GREAT NYC’s “Finest” are,” Trump tweeted. “Now, because of weak leadership at Governor & Mayor… our wonderful NYC police are under assault. Stop this now!”
I grew up in New York City and, over many years, got to watch how GREAT NYC’s “Finest” are. Now, because of weak leadership at Governor & Mayor, stand away (water thrown at them) regulations, and lack of support, our wonderful NYC police are under assault. Stop this now!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2020
De Blasio responded to Trump’s tweet, saying this is “no time for division.”
“Our city is hurting right now,” the mayor said. “The only appropriate response is thoughts, prayers and solidarity with our officers.”
Edward Mullins, the president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association whose members consist of active and retired NYPD sergeants, agreed with the president. He went even further by saying NYPD members are “declaring war” on de Blasio, a move that has been condemned by elected officials from both major parties.
“Mayor DeBlasio, the members of the NYPD are declaring war on you,” the SBA wrote on Twitter. “We do not respect you, DO NOT visit us in hospitals. You sold the NYPD to the vile creatures, the 1% who hate cops but vote for you. NYPD cops have been assassinated because of you. This isn’t over, Game on!”
Mayor DeBlasio, the members of the NYPD are declaring war on you! We do not respect you, DO NOT visit us in hospitals. You sold the NYPD to the vile creatures, the 1% who hate cops but vote for you. NYPD cops have been assassinated because of you. This isn’t over, Game on! https://t.co/XyruPraM9T
— SBA (@SBANYPD) February 9, 2020
Furthermore, some criminal justice activists resisted de Blasio and Shea’s claims that demonstrations were connected to the attack against the officers.
Robert Gangi, head of the Police Reform Organizing Project, told USA Today that the officials’ accusations were “irresponsible,” particularly because the police haven’t linked the gunman to the protests in any way.
Gangi stood behind the protests in response to a tweet from de Blasio about the first shooting incident.
For the many NYers who fear, loathe, & distrust #NYPD, it’s based on all too substantive reasons: daily targeting, harassment, & harm inflicted by cops on poor people of color. Until that changes, until pols in power like deB take steps to end it, anger & protests will continue. https://t.co/QHqNLdZ35r
— Robert Gangi (@GangiFromProp) February 9, 2020
The transit protests are organized in part by Decolonize This Place, a group that pushes for the removal of police from the transit system, among other things.
“Linking the right to protest and to take direct action with unassociated and random acts of violence is a well-worn and gratuitous tactic long used by authorities to suppress dissident speech,” DTP said in a statement. “The Mayor, at least, should pretend to know better.”
Editor’s Note: At Rogue Rocket, we make it a point to not include the names and pictures of mass murderers or suspected murderers who may have been seeking attention or infamy. Therefore, we will not be linking to other sources, as they may contain these details.
U.S.
Conservatives are Mad at “Woke” Xbox for Minor Climate-Related Updates
Published
1 day agoon
January 25, 2023By
Lili Stenn
The fury comes after Xbox announced it was slightly altering existing consoles to better utilize and save energy.
Same War, New Battlefield
Mere days after M&M canceled their “spokescandies” due to backlash from the right, led largely by Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, conservatives have found a new front for their ongoing culture war: Xbox.
Carlson spent months complaining that small character redesigns were “woke” because they made the animated anthropomorphized M&M’s — in his own words — “less sexy.” His campaign finally proved successful on Monday when the company announced it would be doing away with the spokescandies and replacing them with actress Maya Rudolph.
A message from M&M'S. pic.twitter.com/EMucEBTd9o
— M&M'S (@mmschocolate) January 23, 2023
Conservatives, now facing a sudden dearth of non-issues to complain about, quickly found a new issue to rage against. Xbox announced in a blog post earlier this month that it is making minor updates to lower its environmental impact as part of an effort to reach Microsoft’s goal of being carbon-negative by 2030.
Now, instead of having an Xbox wake up to update games, apps, and software during random times of the night, it will do that at a time of night when a user’s local energy grid is generating the most power it can from renewable sources.
Xbox also said it would automatically update some older consoles to a power-saving mode that aims to reduce electricity consumption when it is turned off — a feature that is already the default on newer consoles.
According to The Verge, the only difference for users is that an Xbox in power-saving mode takes around 15 seconds to boot up instead of doing so immediately as the console does in “sleep” mode. The change is a small price to pay for what the outlet described as “significant” energy savings.
Xbox Under Fire
To many leading conservative voices, the minimal shifts were just another example of “woke” culture.
While discussing M&M’s spokescandies Tuesday morning, “Fox and Friends” co-host Ainsley Earhardt brought up Xbox’s new changes with Fox radio host Jimmy Failla.
“So Xbox has also announced that they’re going woke too, you know, because of climate change,” Earhardt said.
“I mean, it’s crazy what they’re doing, but we understand what this is. It’s not that it’s actually going to offset emissions, okay — the level of reduction is infinitesimal,” Failla claimed, without evidence. “But they’re trying to recruit your kids into climate politics at an earlier age; make them climate conscious now.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think of that — you’re right, they’re going after the children,” Earhardt agreed, despite the fact that internal data from Microsoft shows just around 10% of Xbox owners are under the age of 18.
Other prominent conservatives also did their part to bait Americans into anger on social media, including America’s Foundation, which posted a tweet stating that “the woke brigade is after video games.”
Lol now the woke brigade is after video games all in the name of climate change.
— YAF (@yaf) January 24, 2023
Xbox will force gamers to power down to fight climate change, touting the first 'carbon aware console' https://t.co/wIwbCTh2Zy
The post linked an article from the right-wing website TheBlaze, which asserted that “Xbox will force gamers to power down to fight climate change.” That, however, is false — Xbox has said users can switch back and change the settings any time they want
Still, top lawmakers continued to share the article and spread its false claims, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tx.).
“First gas stoves, then your coffee, now they’re gunning for your Xbox,” he wrote in the post, which was flagged by Twitter and given an “added context” warning.
First gas stoves, then your coffee, now they're gunning for your Xbox. https://t.co/MpaH2ntWAz
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 23, 2023
The same warning, however, was not placed in a very similar post by Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Tx.), who also shared the article.
“They want to take your guns. They want to take your gas stoves. And now they want to take your Xbox. What’s next?” he wrote.
— Congressman Troy Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) January 23, 2023
See what others are saying: (The Washington Post) (The Daily Beast) (VICE)
U.S.
Washington State Launches Investigation Into Abuse at Private Special Ed. Schools
Published
1 day agoon
January 25, 2023By
Star Pralle
Allegations include staff kicking a fourth-grader and dragging a child with autism around by his leg.
Abuse Allegations
Washington State’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has launched an investigation into a system of private schools for kids with disabilities after ProPublica and the Seattle Times reported on allegations of abuse.
The series of articles focused on Northwest School of Innovative Learning (NWSOIL). NWSOIL is a set of private schools that serve 500 Washington public school students with serious disabilities. ProPublica and the Seattle Times found years of complaints from parents and school districts against NWSOIL alleging abuse, overuse of isolation rooms, and unqualified aides teaching instead of certified professionals.
One district claimed NWSOIL staff kicked a fourth-grader. Another alleged that a child with autism was dragged around by his thigh.
Many former NWSOIL employees also claim that they were pressured by their parent company to to enroll more students and skimp on basic resources, like staffing.
Investigation Launched
In a seven-page letter, OSPI reminded NWSOIL of its authority to revoke or suspend a school’s approval, meaning that it could shut NWSOIL down.
“Given the serious nature of the allegations made in the articles, OSPI is examining what, if any, actions need to be taken with respect to Northwest SOIL’s approval to contract with Washington school districts,” Tania May, assistant superintendent for special education at OSPI, wrote in the letter.
OSPI has demanded any records of mistreatment, maltreatment, abuse, or neglect as well as documents pertaining to restraint or isolation of students and calls to the police. They are also seeking information about the student-to-teacher ratio and staff qualifications.
In the letter, OSPI claims that all of this was previously unknown to them as well as to police, Child Protective Services, and local school districts. They are asking NWSOIL for an explanation as to why the allegations were not reported.
NWSOIL defended itself in a public statement.
“Use of restraints and seclusion are always used as a last response when a student is at imminent risk of hurting themselves or others,“ it said. “We strongly deny any allegation that we understaff and/or pressure staff to increase admissions in order to maximize profits.”
Washington state representatives are considering a reform bill that will give them more oversight on the publicly funded system of private special education schools.
In this legislation, OSPI and at least one district that sends students to this program would be required to visit before approving the contract. It would also standardize district agreements with programs like NWSOIL, including financial safeguards to make sure funds are being used appropriately.
See the full series: (ProPublica) (The Seattle Times)
U.S.
Mass Shootings in Half Moon Bay, Oakland Rock California
Published
2 days agoon
January 24, 2023By
Lili Stenn
Just since Saturday, at least 19 people have been killed and 17 have been injured in mass shootings in California.
California Sees Third Attack in Under a Week
Two California localities experienced separate mass shootings Monday, just days after an attacker killed 11 and injured nine others in a suburb of Los Angeles.
The first of the most recent shootings took place in Half Moon Bay, a small coastal town about 30 miles outside of San Francisco, where a gunman killed seven and critically injured an eighth at two different locations.
According to authorities, police were dispatched to the first location around 2:20 pm and found four people shot to death and a fifth victim also suffering gunshot wounds. Shortly after, three more people were found dead at another site nearby.
About two hours later, police discovered the suspect in his car in the parking lot of a San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office substation with a semiautomatic handgun in the vehicle that officials later confirmed he had purchased legally.
Sheriff Christina Corpus said the man was taken into custody “without incident” and is “fully cooperating.” He has been identified as a 66-year-old Half Moon Bay resident of Asian descent.
Currently, the gunman’s motive is unknown, but the Sheriff told reporters Monday that both of the locations he targeted were nurseries, and it has since been reported that they were mushroom farms.
“All evidence we have points to this being an instance of workplace violence. The Mountain Mushroom Farm, the first location, is where the subject was employed,” Corpus said in a press conference Tuesday, though she added that, so far, the “only known connection between the victims and the suspect is that they may have been coworkers.”
As of writing, it remains unclear why he targeted the second location. A mushroom farm called Concord Farms has told reporters that it was the site of the second shooting — which a law enforcement official confirmed to The Washington Post.
In a statement to the media, a spokesperson said the farm had “no past knowledge” of the alleged gunman or his possible motives. Little has been released about the victims, though Corpus said Tuesday they were all adults and a “mixture of Asian and Hispanic descent,” some of whom were migrants.
Authorities had previously stated that, because people both live and work on the farms, children were among those who witnessed the shooting. However, on Tuesday, one official walked that back and said while children were indeed in the vicinity, police do not have information about specific witnesses.
Just hours after the violence in Half Moon Bay, seven people were injured, and one other was killed during a shooting at a gas station in Oakland. Very little has been reported about the incident, but police have said that the shooting was “between several individuals.”
Renewed Calls for Gun Control
Californians continue to reel from the rapid succession of mass shootings in a state known for its strict gun control laws.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates against gun violence, the state ranks No. 1 in the country for gun law strength. An analysis led by the organization found that California has the sixth-lowest rate of gun ownership and the eighth-lowest gun death rate.
Many of California’s top lawmakers have argued that the state’s relatively low gun violence statistics emphasize the need for more federal regulations.
“The Second Amendment’s becoming a suicide pact,” Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) told CBS News in an interview.
“We’ll continue to find whatever loopholes we can and continue to lead the national conversation on gun safety reform. And the data bares out. It works. It saves lives,” he continued. “California’s 37% lower than the death rate of the rest of the nation, and yet, with all that evidence, no one on the other side seems to give a damn. I can’t get anything done in Congress.”
Following the Monterey Park shooting, U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Ca.), alongside other Democratic colleagues, introduced two gun control bills in the upper chamber. The first would ban assault weapons, while the second aims to raise the minimum age to purchase assault weapons from 18 to 21.
President Joe Biden quickly threw his support behind the measures, urging Congress to pass them.
“The majority of the American people agree with this commonsense action,” he said in a statement Monday. “There can be no greater responsibility than to do all we can to ensure the safety of our children, our communities and our nation.”
Editor’s Note: At Rogue Rocket, we make it a point to not include the names and pictures of mass murders, suspected mass murderers, or those accused of committing violent crimes who may have been seeking attention or infamy. Therefore, we will not be linking to other sources, as they may contain these details.

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