DL Open Thread: Friday, August 18, 2023

‘Ye’s Publicist, An ‘MMA Fighter’, And A Lutheran Pastor.  The weirdest part of the Georgia indictments?:

This particular episode centers on three individuals — Rev. Stephen Lee, Harrison Floyd, and Trevian Kutti — who District Attorney Fani Willis, in the indictment, accuses of “harassment and intimidation” directed toward a local election worker, Ruby Freeman.

The story of how the election plot ended up on Freeman’s doorstep is a complex and winding tale involving one of the most persistent “Big Lie” conspiracy theories, the eccentric rapper-turned-Hitler enthusiast Ye, frantic 911 calls, and a chaplain who viewed himself as a first responder for “demonic births.” It all culminated in Kutti’s January 2021 visit to Freeman’s home. During that meeting, Kutti warned Freeman that she might be in unspecified danger if she did not admit to thoroughly debunked voter fraud allegations.

On the surface the three co-defendants seem like an unlikely group. Lee is an elderly Lutheran pastor. Floyd is a brash failed congressional candidate, former Marine, and political operative who bills himself as an “entrepreneur” and “MMA fighter.” Kutti is a veteran entertainment industry publicist who has worked with Ye, then known as Kanye West — who was technically Trump’s rival in the 2020 presidential race — and other celebrities. Despite their differences, the trio have one thing in common: Trump.

Worth your daily micro-dose.

DeSantis’ Master Debate Plan.  Let’s see if he follows the script.  Looks like ‘Wear untucked shirts’ is part of the meme.

EPA To Run Yet More Interference For Makers Of ‘Forever Chemicals’? A new definition–or no definition at all?

Instead of using a clear definition of what constitutes a PFAS, the agency’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics plans to take a “case-by-case” approach that allows it to be more flexible in determining which chemicals should be subjected to regulations.

Among other uses for the compounds, the EPA appears to be excluding some chemicals in pharmaceuticals and pesticides that are generally defined as PFAS, current and former EPA officials say, and the shift comes amid fierce industry opposition to proposed limits on the chemicals.

The approach puts the toxics office at odds with other EPA divisions, other federal agencies, the European Union, Canada and most of the scientific world. The definition is likely to generate confusion in the chemical industry and within the agency, current and former EPA officials say.

“This is not a new definition – it is a lack of definition, and it makes no sense,” said Linda Birnbaum, a former EPA scientist and head of the National Toxicology Program. “It is just going to lead to terrible confusion.”

Do You Know Who I AM??!!  I’m The Mayor Of Goddam Camden Delaware!!  Not any more:

Justin T. King agreed to step down as Camden’s mayor on Tuesday as part of a plea deal stemming from a February incident at his business in which he shoved two people using a carwash.

The 41-year-old mayor and former Camden police officer, pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution and disorderly conduct. He also pleaded no contest to offensive touching.

In a shocker, he saw some Black men who ‘looked suspicious’, and responded like any low-class white racist would.

What do you want to talk about?