Republicans ‘glorify political violence’ by embracing extreme gun culture

"[Commentators] on the right have spent the last few years warning their viewers that vigilante justice might be necessary to keep their families safe – and Kyle Rittenhouse is the poster child for that inflammatory talking point," said Matt Gertz a senior fellow at Media Matters for America, a watchdog group that monitors rightwing media...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/24/republicans-embrace-extreme-gun-culture

They Said What? (Jan/Feb 2023) - Freethought Today

All the harassment I receive makes me wonder if it would be easier to stay quiet about my values and beliefs. But then I remember that God sent his son Jesus, who experienced the hatred of the world first. 

—Kyle Rittenhouse, who shot three men, two fatally, during the civil unrest in Kenosha, Wis., in August 2020, when he was 17. A jury found Rittenhouse not guilty of murder.

https://www.freethoughttoday.com/sections/500-features/they-said-what-jan-feb-2023/

Lawsuit can proceed against Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse | AP News

Rittenhouse went to Kenosha from his home in nearby Antioch, Illinois, after businesses were ransacked and burned in the nights that followed Blake's shooting. He joined other armed civilians on the streets, carrying a weapon authorities said was illegally purchased for him because he was underage.

Rittenhouse first killed Rosenbaum, 36, in the parking lot of an auto dealership and as Rittenhouse ran from the scene he stumbled and fell. Anthony Huber, 26, struck Rittenhouse with his skateboard and tried to disarm him. Rittenhouse fell to the ground and shot Anthony Huber to death and wounded demonstrator Gaige Grosskreutz, 27...

https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-legal-proceedings-kenosha-lawsuits-shootings-3bdc03586a45f1ebee16a3df8a5a4f63

Glenn Kirschner Predicts Trump CRIMINAL REFERRALS in Jan 6 Probe (MeidasTouch podcast)

On today’s episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, we sit down with Glenn Kirschner, a 30 year federal prosecutor, homicide prosecutor, Army JAG & host of Justice Matters! Our conversation with Kirschner is a deep dive into the January 6 Committee hearings set to begin this week. During the interview, we get Glenn’s thoughts on what we should expect and what we need out of the J6 hearings. The remainder of the episode, we break down the latest news of the week to keep you up to date! We expose a political action group supporting Georgia Republican candidate Herschel Walker who bragged about practically bribing Georgians to vote for Walker by handing out free gas vouchers, a CBS poll that shows 44 percent of republicans believing we should ACCEPT mass shootings, the radical right group Turning Point USA wielding their main attraction Kyle Rittenhouse as a perfect future suitor for a female companion, and much more.

Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-tc5c8-13f563d7

Kyle Rittenhouse launches initiative to fight media ‘lies’ – and Whoopi Goldberg | Kyle Rittenhouse | The Guardian

Teen who shot dead two men and injured another during anti-racism protests in Wisconsin has become a rightwing celebrity..

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/22/kyle-rittenhouse-initiative-targets-media-whoopi-goldberg

Rittenhouse Acquitted on All Charges (Opening Arguments podcast OA bonus episode)

Interview: 

https://openargs.com/bonus-rittenhouse-acquitted-on-all-charges/

Rep. Greene introduces bill to award Congress’s highest honor to Kyle Rittenhouse, who fatally shot two men - The Washington Post

The likelihood that Greene's effort will be successful is low.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/greene-rittenhouse-congressional-gold-medal/2021/11/24/c09980d2-4d49-11ec-a1b9-9f12bd39487a_story.html

Opinion | Trump’s invitation of Kyle Rittenhouse to Mar-a-Lago reveals a dark truth about the right - The Washington Post

… it's highly notable that Trump is now declaring he never should have stood trial …

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/11/24/trump-kyle-rittenhouse-mar-a-lago-hannity/

Oklahoma Supreme Court Overturns Verdict Against Opioid Companies (Opening Arguments podcast OA542)

Sometimes Andrew tells us the coverage is wrong and actually a thing wasn’t so bad. This is not one of those times. This ruling was an absolute disgrace. And wouldn’t you know it, Republicans were responsible. We break it all down.

Other topics today: we discuss Veterans Day and the Rittenhouse Trial. And, Vulgarity for Charity is back! Make sure to donate! Andrew tells us about a major sentencing in the 1/6 insurrection. And, lots of Trump documents are about to be released to the public!

Interview: 

https://openargs.com/oa542-oklahoma-supreme-court-overturns-verdict-against-opioid-companies/

Kyle Rittenhouse sobbing on the stand is what's wrong with America

…But it wasn't just fear that convinced Rittenhouse that he had a right — a responsibility, even — to take a gun into the middle of unrest that didn't directly affect him. It was an entitlement, as well. An entitlement to make and uphold the rules, to make America great again…

https://www.nbcnews.com/think/politics-policy/sobbing-kyle-rittenhouse-won-before-ruling-rcna5114

The Rittenhouse Trial Instructions, Explained (Opening Arguments podcast OA538)

Yet another packed episode! Our main story is what’s really going on with the Rittenhouse Trial Instructions. You might have seen the coverage stating that the victims can’t be called victims but can be called rioters and looters. Is reality as bad as the coverage? Andrew explains! Then in what is our co-main segment, Andrew gives us his initial thoughts on the hot off the presses Build Back Better Plan and what Sinema and Manchin have cost us.

Interview: 

https://openargs.com/oa538-the-rittenhouse-trial-instructions-explained/

Rittenhouse Team Commits Perjury; DC Statehood and Impeachment! (Opening Arguments podcast OA462)

This is a jam-packed, extra-length show that covers as many of the pressing stories in the news that we could cover!

We begin with the breaking news that Kyle Rittenhouse’s lawyers perjured themselves by filing a fraudulent address in defiance of a court order; we tell you why that’s bad and what’s next for the domestic terrorist.

After that, it’s time for a lengthy breakdown of the DC Statehood Bill, including a discussion of the potential future legal challenges (and solutions!) as well as the timing for when we can expect 2 new Senators to be seated!

Then, it’s time to break down former President Trump’s (laughably bad) response to the Article of Impeachment. Phew!
Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-z8trc-cfcf6f1

Christian crowdfunding site raises $500K for Rittenhouse legal defense | TheHill

A Christian crowdfunding website raised more than $520,000 to help pay the legal fees of 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, who is accused of shooting and killing two people during protests in Kenosha, Wis. The funds were raised on GiveSendGo, a page created after Rittenhouse allegedly shot three people who were protesting over the police shooting of Jacob Blake, the New York Post reported.....
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/518752-christian-crowdfunding-site-raises-500k-for-rittenhouse-legal-defense

Donald Trump and Kyle Rittenhouse: GOP embraces “kill the libs” as policy.

If Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gets his way, people who merely attend a protest that results in property damage will be prosecuted for felonies. Yelling at someone in a restaurant as part of such a protest will be a criminal offense. And a driver who kills demonstrators with his car will not be liable for their deaths, as long as he is “fleeing for safety from a mob.” These are just a few of the policies proposed by DeSantis in a package meant to chill dissent and punish those in the streets demanding an end to racist police violence.....
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/09/kyle-rittenhouse-trump-own-the-libs-kill-the-libs.html

What Happened in McGirt v. Oklahoma (Opening Arguments podcast OA419)

Did Neil Gorsuch and his 4 flaming liberal friends in the Supreme Court just give away half of Oklahoma? Ted Cruz thinks so, so that should tell you. But if you want to really know what happened, check out this Andrew Torrez Signature Deep Dive!

In our first segment, we talk about whether any new information has changed our view of the Rittenhouse killings. Is Rittenhouse a terrorist? Is there any reasonable self-defense claim?
Interview:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/atheistically-speaking-2/opening-arguments/e/77543976

AP FACT CHECK: Trump misstates what happened in Kenosha - ABC News

President Donald Trump is not waiting for a trial to sort out what happened on the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin, where prosecutors say a 17-year-old with a semi-automatic rifle fatally shot two men on a night of protest and violence
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/ap-fact-check-trump-misstates-happened-kenosha-72755346

Christian Site Raises Over 250K for Alleged Kenosha Shooter Kyle Rittenhouse

A Christian crowdfunding site is hosting a fundraising campaign for Kyle Rittenhouse, the teen charged in last week's Kenosha, Wisconsin, shooting, and has raised over $265,000. As of Monday, the GiveSendGo.com campaign has the money from more than 6,000 donations. According to the fundraiser, the money will be go toward Rittenhouse's legal defense. He has been charged with five criminal counts, including first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree reckless homicide. ....
https://www.newsweek.com/christian-site-raises-over-250k-alleged-kenosha-shooter-kyle-rittenhouse-1528691

The Kenosha Terrorist (Opening Arguments podcast OA416)

17 year old murderer Kyle Rittenhouse was treated as a friend by the police even after he killed two people. Jacob Blake was shot in the back 7 times despite being unarmed. The difference? You already know it. Andrew gives us the breakdown of what happened, and what possible legal defenses we might see from Rittenhouse and the horrible right wingers who are already embracing him.

In the first segment, we get a positive update on the USPS from a listener. And in the final segment, we get more positive news, this time from the Gavin Grimm case we’ve previously covered.
Interview:
https://openargs.com/oa416-the-kenosha-terrorist/

Opinion | Kenosha destroyed Tucker Carlson’s narrative - The Washington Post

Before his Wednesday night show, Fox News host Tucker Carlson was staring at a narrative problem. Wisconsin officials had issued an arrest warrant for 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse in connection with the fatal shootings Tuesday night of two people at protests in Kenosha, Wis., over the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Quickie biographies indicated that Rittenhouse, who is White, supports both President Trump and the Blue Lives Matter movement. A member of the extended Fox News tribe, in other words, was alleged to have committed heinous, high-profile acts. ....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/08/28/kenosha-destroyed-tucker-carlsons-narrative/

Tucker Carlson defends teen charged with killing Kenosha protesters - The Washington Post

Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s Wednesday show was filled with images of the unrest in Kenosha, Wis., prompted by the police shooting of Jacob Blake — including graphic footage of a protester bleeding out in the street after he was shot in the head on Tuesday. Police have charged Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, with murder in connection with the shootings that killed that man and another protester after he drove to Kenosha with a rifle to stand with others in self-styled militias claiming to guard local businesses. But Tucker argued that the teen’s actions were understandable after days of chaos. ....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/08/27/tucker-rittenhouse-carlson-kenosha-shooting/