Trump administration straight wilding now, wants to remove anti-racist language from UN document

[Professor Emeritus]

This might be the most direct, obvious one yet.

The UN document on democracy and anti-racism has them mad triggered.

Trump appointee guts UN document on racism, says leaders don't have duty to condemn hate speech - CNNPolitics

A Trump administration appointee to the State Department tore into standard UN documents that condemn racism as a threat to democracy.

The deputy assistant secretary for refugees and migration, a foreign service officer promoted by the White House to an unusually senior position for his rank, disputed the idea that leaders have a "duty" to condemn hate speech and incitement, and repeatedly rejected use of the words nationalism, populism, and xenophobia.

Here are some of the highlights:

"The drafters say 'populism and nationalism' as if these are dirty words," wrote Andrew Veprek, the deputy assistant secretary for refugees and migration, in documents obtained exclusively by CNN. "There are millions of Americans who likely would describe themselves as adhering to these concepts. (Maybe even the President.). So are we looking to here condemn our fellow-citizens, those who pay our salaries?"

In response to one section that says national leaders have a responsibility to condemn hate speech, Veprek writes, "'duty to condemn' goes too far. Our public figures can't be obliged to police every intolerant thought out their at the risk of being condemned for intolerance themselves."

And he repeatedly argues against using the word "xenophobia," or the fear of foreigners, writing in side notes that he has concerns over "the malleability of the term now and in the future."

"[W]hat real or perceived offense is next to be considered 'xenophobic?'" he writes. "How does that square with our historic respect for the right of free expression? The drafters need to focus on behavior and actions - which states can control - rather than attitudes and states of mind."

Veprek appears to have struck out an entire section that links fighting racism with building a diverse democracy, crossing out the language, "acknowledging the linkage and complementarity of the combat against racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia with the long-term construction of a democratic, non-discriminatory and multicultural society, based on the recognition, respect and promotion of cultural, ethnic and religious diversity."

Veprek instead makes a case against multiculturalism in his comments. "What's the evidence for such 'complementarity?' Some commentators assert that a unifying culture (as opposed to multiculturalism) is the best way to promote social trust and combat racism."

The edits take issue with a passage that calls out racism in politics, crossing out language expressing concern over "the rise of extremist political parties, movements and groups that seek to normalize racism," as well as "xenophobia" and incitement of hatred and violence.

The phrase "normalize racism," the internal edits state, "is vague and has no legal definition."

Veprek attacks the statements throughout, questioning many of their premises, and objecting in particular to language that says the UN remains "alarmed at the rise of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in political circles."

"To refer to the 'rise' of racism resumes [sic] (1) there was some more innocent time when racism didn't exist in the world; or (2) racism is increasing over some unspecified previous time," Veprek writes. "Is there evidence for either of these assertions?"

Veprek takes issue with a section that blasts public officials who engage in hate speech, which reads: "acts of racial violence, hate speech and incitement to hatred do not constitute legitimate expressions of opinion, but rather unlawful acts or offenses which incite violence, and that when government officials and public authorities (who) have a duty to condemn and where applicable prosecute such offenses engage in hate speech, they undermine the right to non-discrimination and endanger democracy." The language referring to hate speech and incitement is crossed out, as is the section about leaders who engage in hate speech.

"The new language is not true," the edits state, "and is inconsistent with freedom of expression and the US Constitution."

Also crossed out in one section: "freedom of expression should not be detrimental to the rights and freedoms of others, including the right to equality and non-discrimination."

I can't find a picture - maybe they keep photos of foreign service officers off the webs or something?

Apparently, he's best friends with Stephen Miller and is rabidly anti-refugee.

“My experience is that he strongly believes that fewer refugees should admitted into the United States and that international migration is something to be stopped, not managed,” the former U.S. official said, adding that Veprek’s views about refugees and migrants were impassioned to the point of seeming “vindictive.”

 

[88m3]

I'm at a loss

 

[GnauzBookOfRhymes]

These guys play the long game. Hate using cliches but sometimes they’re actually spot on - this is textbook “normalization” of their white nationalist agenda. Even if they themselves aren’t successful in fully implementing their strategies, it’s making it easier for a future generation to do so.

I know some people think I’m overreacting. But think about it this way. In 2011, while Trump was getting roasted at the WH Correspondent’s dinner by Obama - how crazy did the idea of a future president Trump seem?

I hope the Dem party is as strong in November as it appears.

 

[Secure Da Bag]

@The Dankster

A Trump administration appointee to the State Department tore into standard UN documents that condemn racism as a threat to democracy.

The deputy assistant secretary for refugees and migration, a foreign service officer promoted by the White House to an unusually senior position for his rank, disputed the idea that leaders have a "duty" to condemn hate speech and incitement, and repeatedly rejected use of the words nationalism, populism, and xenophobia.

So what the hell are they complaining about Maxine Waters for?

We fought an enemy 70 years ago only to become them?

 

[Mantis Toboggan M.D.]

@The Dankster


So what the hell are they complaining about Maxine Waters for?

We fought an enemy 70 years ago only to become them?

We never “became them”. This is what this country has always been. Those people modeled their system of oppression after what they saw here.

 

[Secure Da Bag]

We never “became them”. This is what this country has always been. Those people modeled their system of oppression after what they saw here.

 

[Robbie3000]

Not surprising but still alarming.

 

[Orbital-Fetus]

they want to open the flood gates even farther.

i'm not a follower of the UN but what trump seems to be doing is dismantling the mechanisms of the UN that would be
used to condemn the kind of behavior and speech that he is already unleashing upon America and the world.

this is very bad and i mean that within historical context.
he wants to rock the mussolini template so bad he can taste it.

homie rocked a hat with the number 1 on it just so everyone knew what time it was.
that's so lame...

trump wants to get on tv and say "******s".
trump wants to say "fukk those wet backs".
he wants to get on stage at a rally and have the whole crowd repeating these hateful words.

it's so obvious were this is going if it is not stopped.
and even if he was out of office today, america would be a much sicker, divided and potentially explosive nation.

best case scenario is we have at least a generation's worth of time to get this out of our system.
worst case is that the cancer is not removed and consumes the nation.

this fukking sucks.

 

[Dr. Acula]

shyt like this ruins my mood throughout the day...

Not surprising but God damn these people need to be thrown out asap .

 

[ORDER_66]

America is evil more or less and we've fallen into the darkest timeline...

 

[ADevilYouKhow]

They put the dog whistle away and now we get full on fascism.

I remember when people here were advocating for that...

 

[acri1]

America is evil more or less and we've fallen into the darkest timeline...

Spoiler

I thought Flashpoint was bad, but Barry really fukked up this time.

 

[85 East]

Either full on civil war or WW3 within 5 years. I can also see the collapse of the American dollar. We're fukked unless people can stop the fascist fukks.

 

[Serious]

 

[hashmander]

nah fukk that smiley. that's what they want, for us to feel defeated.