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SunSeeker

(51,377 posts)
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:45 AM Jan 2019

MAGA Hat-Wearing Teen Claims He Was 'Helping To [Defuse] The Situation'

Source: HuffPost

Nick Sandmann, a student from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky, was seen smugly staring at Nathan Phillips while his peers stared down the vet as he sang the American Indian Movement song on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

While the teens do not approach the group, Phillips eventually appears and quickly becomes surrounded by the students. However, in a statement released Sunday, Sandmann claimed that he had been singled out and felt as though the elder was “attempting to provoke the teenagers.”

“I believed that by remaining motionless and calm, I was helping to [defuse] the situation,” Sandmann’s statement read. “I said a silent prayer that the situation would not get out of hand.”

“Because we were being loudly attacked and taunted in public, a student in our group asked one of our teacher chaperones for permission to begin our school spirit chants to counter the hateful things that were being shouted at our group,” he said. “Our chaperone gave us permission to use our school chants. We would not have done that without obtaining permission from the adults in charge of our group.”

Read more: https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5c452fa7e4b027c3bbc2f869



So "BUILD THE WALL!" and the tomahawk chop is their "school spirit chant"?

And this lying little idiot does realize we have eyes and ears and can watch the video for ourselves, right?

But even more concerning is that they apparently had their chaperons' approval to do their "school chants."
112 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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MAGA Hat-Wearing Teen Claims He Was 'Helping To [Defuse] The Situation' (Original Post) SunSeeker Jan 2019 OP
It's a play out of his hero's playbook. Tobin S. Jan 2019 #1
"Racist MAGA teen lies about what happened" sharedvalues Jan 2019 #62
Of course he lied. Hitler youth are scary. Eliot Rosewater Jan 2019 #112
True to his MAGA hat attire, not only is little mr. smug f'er a racist and a hater but democratisphere Jan 2019 #2
You protect someone by turning with them toward their aggressors. forgotmylogin Jan 2019 #65
This message was self-deleted by its author geralmar Jan 2019 #98
Post removed Post removed Jan 2019 #3
Someone has taken a piece out of his family already RainCaster Jan 2019 #6
Backpfeifengesicht Lucky Luciano Jan 2019 #94
"On advice from council..." BlueIdaho Jan 2019 #4
That sums it up right there. NBachers Jan 2019 #5
that is what I thought too KT2000 Jan 2019 #43
Wow, both him and the mom are clearly not helping their case. Initech Jan 2019 #7
Sandmann should have stayed in bed Reasonable Doubter Jan 2019 #8
Yep. Their school mascot is the Colonel. SunSeeker Jan 2019 #13
Blackface? caraher Jan 2019 #19
How can we tell they're rich? Beartracks Jan 2019 #27
Tuition at that school is $8,000 - $9,000 per year. Cattledog Jan 2019 #39
I read a petition caraher Jan 2019 #86
No, in their "blackout" chant, there are boys interspersed in the stands covered in black paint. SunSeeker Jan 2019 #28
The stereotypical caricature white markings on the one kid's face say it all. yardwork Jan 2019 #80
OK, I just saw a still picture of this somewhere else caraher Jan 2019 #87
While the video says 2012, here's some photos from 2013, same event I believe... PunkinPi Jan 2019 #61
Check this out. yardwork Jan 2019 #74
That's NOT a "religious" school... SergeStorms Jan 2019 #23
More "White Up" one finger salutes at during the still shots at 3:07. Anon-C Jan 2019 #76
The woman who was scolding them for acting like a mob, and having a mob mentality, pnwmom Jan 2019 #9
+1. NYT named another person who heard "Build That Wall": dalton99a Jan 2019 #12
Yes! Cattledog Jan 2019 #38
Bullshit fit for consumption by the cult dalton99a Jan 2019 #10
Please hear me out lamsmy Jan 2019 #11
He was wearing a fucking MAGA hat. smirkymonkey Jan 2019 #14
But he was praying: dalton99a Jan 2019 #22
Exactly. smirkymonkey Jan 2019 #30
Bingo!!!!!!!! Cattledog Jan 2019 #45
WRONG. Nathan Phillips got between the boys and the Black Isrealites. SunSeeker Jan 2019 #15
I disagree and agree lamsmy Jan 2019 #35
Nick issued a lying statement that only made him look worse. SunSeeker Jan 2019 #40
stop carrying RW falsehoods -- you are wrong obamanut2012 Jan 2019 #53
"We EXPECT young guys to be dumb from time to time" llmart Jan 2019 #66
"Dumb" is getting on the wrong bus. What these boys did was evil. SunSeeker Jan 2019 #103
if vote for a racists pos you are a racists pos ! stonecutter357 Jan 2019 #16
Wow! lamsmy Jan 2019 #20
Nick Sandmann, unlike the other boys, stood in Nathan's face and would not step back. SunSeeker Jan 2019 #31
+1. He was acting like a leader for the mob, and the mob was egging him on. dalton99a Jan 2019 #68
Hmm dustyscamp Jan 2019 #96
"At no time did I defend the actions of the group from Covington." Botany Jan 2019 #33
Do you think the one kid deserves all the blame? lamsmy Jan 2019 #36
I like pretty pictures do you? Botany Jan 2019 #37
For me the blame goes like this dustyscamp Jan 2019 #105
Um... that is what your initial post did obamanut2012 Jan 2019 #54
Taking personal responsibility for you actions is something that you should know by high school. mjvpi Jan 2019 #18
I agree lamsmy Jan 2019 #24
Question: How could the video not focus on "the actions of one young man", pazzyanne Jan 2019 #42
Are you kidding me? Phillips only approached him because MAGAboy & his fellow creeps catbyte Jan 2019 #26
He had a "White Power" symbol on his twitter account. Cattledog Jan 2019 #47
Stop spreading this RW narrative obamanut2012 Jan 2019 #52
I agree that the adults and other kids are also at fault. yardwork Jan 2019 #75
MAGA hat says all. LakeArenal Jan 2019 #85
Has anyone found his social media accounts yet? LastLiberal in PalmSprings Jan 2019 #17
This message was self-deleted by its author dalton99a Jan 2019 #29
What a load. Give me a goddamned break. You don't "diffuse" a situation by catbyte Jan 2019 #21
The video doesn't lie, Nick. n/t Beartracks Jan 2019 #25
View from abroad daboston Jan 2019 #32
Welcome to DU, daboston! Rhiannon12866 Jan 2019 #34
Welcome to DU! SunSeeker Jan 2019 #41
Sounds like they're trying to lay this thing in the laps of the ''teacher chaperones''. Nice try. YOHABLO Jan 2019 #44
Although the teacher chaperones ALSO deserve blame (in addition to the students) MBS Jan 2019 #46
I think people need to watch the whole video elias7 Jan 2019 #48
This seems to be a thing. I have watched the whole video and I have seen a number of Squinch Jan 2019 #50
I think it's always hard to interpret janterry Jan 2019 #55
I went to school with people like those kids. They will never do that. Deep down, they Squinch Jan 2019 #56
WE don't have any say in it. Clearly Smirk Boy and his parents aren't interested in reconciliation. yardwork Jan 2019 #92
You should watch it again oberliner Jan 2019 #58
And you should watch it for the first time because you still don't seem to be able to answer my Squinch Jan 2019 #60
This poster has not responded to a single one of my posts, either. yardwork Jan 2019 #81
He seems to be stuck on saying "you should watch the video" to people who have repeatedly Squinch Jan 2019 #82
It's an unmasking, in my opinion. yardwork Jan 2019 #83
So many things spring to mind, but I will not say them. Squinch Jan 2019 #84
So why didn't Sandmann go get in one of the BLACK guys faces?? Bengus81 Jan 2019 #90
Bingo. Chicken dinner to you! Phillips was being careful to be non-confrontational. He was Squinch Jan 2019 #91
I heard he did CagingRain Jan 2019 #111
Ok Squinch, you can assume I didn't watch the video elias7 Jan 2019 #97
I would think that YOU would give all the lifelong Democrats Squinch Jan 2019 #107
What video did you watch dustyscamp Jan 2019 #109
I did, this kid and his fellows suck obamanut2012 Jan 2019 #51
Ok, if you say so. elias7 Jan 2019 #95
Mommy, Daddy, and the Diocese had time to hire a PR Flack obamanut2012 Jan 2019 #49
Excellent point. And the school's Wikipedia page has been edited to sow doubt and absolve the kid dalton99a Jan 2019 #69
Poor, little idiot. Video doesn't lie. This will follow him around for the rest of his life. Vinca Jan 2019 #57
Are you kidding me? VWolf Jan 2019 #67
From the Clooney's down to Covington Catholic High School whistler162 Jan 2019 #59
That self-righteous little smirk on his face and maga hat told me all I needed to know. n/t wroberts189 Jan 2019 #63
Another Donald Trump in the making. llmart Jan 2019 #64
cowardly little shit head. he'll make a great repuke. nt Javaman Jan 2019 #70
Face it. All those kids are assholes. world wide wally Jan 2019 #71
SO he is still full of the proverbial Covington Catholic School ........shit, and they are BIGOTS turbinetree Jan 2019 #72
One of the school chaperones filmed that hours long video. yardwork Jan 2019 #73
Almost as if the purpose were to document a battle/victory over the "heathens". ret5hd Jan 2019 #78
Or show the white kids as victims. yardwork Jan 2019 #79
Post-trump Smackdown2019 Jan 2019 #77
If some punk like Sandmann treated one of my Native friends like that Yeehah Jan 2019 #88
Sandmann clearly was mocking Phillips and his schoolmates encouraged his immaturity. YOHABLO Jan 2019 #89
yeah, high school kids use phrases like "defuse " or "diffuse" the situation. TNNurse Jan 2019 #93
This message was self-deleted by its author geralmar Jan 2019 #99
The right wing swamped YouTube with videos that show the Black Isrealites. SunSeeker Jan 2019 #100
And the video from inside the mob circle where the woman Squinch Jan 2019 #108
A teen thug in MAGAt gear. Hassler Jan 2019 #101
A lying teen thug in MAGAt gear. nt SunSeeker Jan 2019 #102
This message was self-deleted by its author geralmar Jan 2019 #104
Can any amount of hired PR convince someone they didn't see what they saw? Snellius Jan 2019 #106
Anyone know where all the MAGA hats came from? bobGandolf Jan 2019 #110

forgotmylogin

(7,496 posts)
65. You protect someone by turning with them toward their aggressors.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 09:26 AM
Jan 2019

You lay your body over them to protect them as a shield. You use your words to tell aggressors to stop. You don't smirk in the face of the person you are protecting.

Response to forgotmylogin (Reply #65)

Response to SunSeeker (Original post)

RainCaster

(10,691 posts)
6. Someone has taken a piece out of his family already
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:18 AM
Jan 2019

Ask his mommy- whose racist rants have caused her employer to take down all mention of her, even though she is a Vice President. Look at the media late Tuesday and I bet you see a newly unemployed MAGA-mommy.

Ask the leaders at his high school, who have shut down all social media as a result of this fine Christ-like action. The interesting question is how well will this Catholic School be able to police their own?

To see his smirking face, gives me an overwhelming urge to smack it. Multiple times. With many different parts of my body. Tae Kwon Do has taught me better than that, however.

BlueIdaho

(13,582 posts)
4. "On advice from council..."
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:13 AM
Jan 2019

I have this totally impossible bullshit story I hope the Right Wing media will help spin...

SunSeeker

(51,377 posts)
13. Yep. Their school mascot is the Colonel.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:57 AM
Jan 2019

They're the "Cov-Cath Colonels."

Check out all the Cov-Cath students in full body blackface at the beginning of this video.




On edit, looks like the video was taken down. They're obviously trying to hide who they are.

caraher

(6,276 posts)
19. Blackface?
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 03:38 AM
Jan 2019

I didn't see that... are you referring to the Braveheart-themed thing with the blue paint?

I definitely do see a lot of mostly-rich, entitled white boys (soulmates to Squee and the others Kavanaugh lifted weights with and who like beer).

Beartracks

(12,761 posts)
27. How can we tell they're rich?
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 04:13 AM
Jan 2019

I attended a Catholic school. We weren't all rich. But I do recall that most of the buttheads were indeed from the rich families. Granted, not all the rich kids were buttheads... but most of the buttheads were rich.

==========

Cattledog

(5,897 posts)
39. Tuition at that school is $8,000 - $9,000 per year.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 05:22 AM
Jan 2019

I suspect a few receive grants but most are from well off families.

caraher

(6,276 posts)
86. I read a petition
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:02 PM
Jan 2019

An alum from the '90s said the demographics have shifted and working class Catholics have been largely shut out

SunSeeker

(51,377 posts)
28. No, in their "blackout" chant, there are boys interspersed in the stands covered in black paint.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 04:16 AM
Jan 2019

See starting at 0.13 when the picture gets a little clearer. It looks like some of the boys dipped their whole body in black paint. Not sure what the point of the blackout chant is. Their school colors are blue and white, so it's not a school color thing. They do have chants where they are in all blue or all white.

caraher

(6,276 posts)
87. OK, I just saw a still picture of this somewhere else
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:04 PM
Jan 2019

Yes, there were a couple. From the video I just saw people dressed in black, but a few did paint their faces. Thanks!

PunkinPi

(4,870 posts)
61. While the video says 2012, here's some photos from 2013, same event I believe...
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 09:07 AM
Jan 2019

there are more photos/close up's in the Twitter thread.



SergeStorms

(18,903 posts)
23. That's NOT a "religious" school...
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 04:08 AM
Jan 2019

that's an institution for creating like-minded automatons who will do anything, on command, for the glorification of some sick pseudo-religious zealots. Since when is intimidation a christian value? That's all that video is, a bunch of pre-programmed adolescents trying to intimidate others! But they weren't attempting to intimidate the Native Americans, right? Bullshit!

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
9. The woman who was scolding them for acting like a mob, and having a mob mentality,
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:36 AM
Jan 2019

didn't seem to think so. And she was standing right there, in the middle of everything.

dalton99a

(81,073 posts)
12. +1. NYT named another person who heard "Build That Wall":
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:52 AM
Jan 2019
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/20/us/nathan-phillips-covington.html

The parent and Mr. Sandmann’s statement denied that the students chanted about building a wall at the border with Mexico, as Mr. Phillips had said. But in an interview on Sunday, Chase Iron Eyes, a spokesman for the Indigenous Peoples Movement, which organized the march, said he had also heard chants of “build that wall,” a rallying cry of supporters of Mr. Trump.


lamsmy

(155 posts)
11. Please hear me out
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:50 AM
Jan 2019

If you watch the entire video it is clear that the young man in question was approached by Nathan Phillips and not the other way round. While the still photos capture a smirk, most of the time Nick Sandmann appears a little uncomfortable. I think it pretty reasonable for a young man to have felt a little cornered - his classmates were jeering and egging him on and Phillip's clearly wanted his attention.

I just dont think all the blame should be placed on one kids' shoulders.

To me 3 things went wrong here. The chaperones utterly failed in their duties. To have allowed the students to chant school songs over the indigenous elders was disgraceful. This was a planned demonstration for which Nathan and his people had obtained permission. The taunting and chanting of the legitimate demonstration by the students was reprehensible. If a chaperone did indeed give permission, that person should be fired immediately.

Even if no permission was given to start chanting, the boys were clearly out of control and being completely disrespectful. An adult should have never let it escalate to this point. The entire group should have been guidance BEFORE the trip that Washington is full of diverse peoples expressing their very diverse views and if the young men found themselves in disagreement with anyone to the point of discomfort the appropriate response is to simply walk away.

Secondly, peer pressure clearly got to the kid. I wish he had simply walked away, but on camera, with your classmates hounding you on, it's perhaps understandable that he didn't know what to do.

And finally, the boy's mother made things much much worse. If she had merely issued a simple statement of love and support for her son, and expressed a desire to find out how this all came about, she would probably have garnered far more sympathy and by association, her son as well.

So while this whole incident has been ugly, I do think it very unfair to pin it all on one young man who was so clearly failed by his supervisors, his friends, and his mother.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
14. He was wearing a fucking MAGA hat.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 03:17 AM
Jan 2019

That tells me pretty much all I need to know about the kid and his peers.

dalton99a

(81,073 posts)
22. But he was praying:
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 04:08 AM
Jan 2019
"I did not see anyone try to block his path."
"I said a silent prayer that the situation would not get out of hand."








SunSeeker

(51,377 posts)
15. WRONG. Nathan Phillips got between the boys and the Black Isrealites.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 03:18 AM
Jan 2019

It was Nathan, not Nick, who was trying to defuse the situation. I watched the full video, including the one shot by the Black Isrealites, who were also insulting the Native Americans. Please stop spamming DU with that right wing lie that Nathan approached the boy. It was the other way around. Nick moved left and right to stay in Nathan's face.

And sure, Nick was egged on by his racist buddies and failed by his chaperons, but that does not excuse the lying now. This statement he issued was not done in the heat of being egged on by his buddies. He lied when he said he was "silently praying" and "trying to defuse the situation." He was mockingly smirking at an elder and staying in his face. He should just apologize and move on. But he won't. And posts like yours don't help matters.

lamsmy

(155 posts)
35. I disagree and agree
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 05:00 AM
Jan 2019

I was appalled when I first saw the headlines and photos. And you are 100% correct. He should have apologised immediately and unconditionally. Peer pressure is no excuse. That he and his parents don't understand this is disturbing to say the least.

If you watch the whole video however, there are moments when I think he clearly looks uncomfortable. He found himself the centre of unwanted attention and did not know what to do. That his upbringing and education did not teach him how to act with respect towards people encountered in the wider world his extremely disturbing. Maybe he's just stupid.

But the original post talks almost entirely about the actions of this one young man and I think that's a little unfair. The chaperones let the unruly group behaviour continue for over an hour. On no planet was the boys' behaviour acceptable and yet at no point did an adult step in to shut it down.

We EXPECT young guys to be dumb from time to time. But it is completely unacceptable that the adults supervisors did not do their job. It is completely unacceptable that a school can send young men out into the public arena so dismally prepared to act reasonably and with respect. And THAT should be the main focus of people's understandable anger and disgust, not one dumb kid.






SunSeeker

(51,377 posts)
40. Nick issued a lying statement that only made him look worse.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 05:24 AM
Jan 2019

He went from being a disrespectful bigot in the eyes of the world, to being a lying disrespectful bigot in the eyes of the world. No one believes he was "praying."

If he had just apologized and said he got caught up in the moment and showed poor judgment, people would have been a little more forgiving. But he didn't. Instead he spun lies and suggested Nathan was the aggressor. Not cool.

We are in agreement that the adults in his life failed him. And continue to fail him. That is pretty obvious. Hence, it is not "unfair" of the original articles not to mention the chaperons' failure to stop the boys from being jackasses.

Nor is it unfair for the original stories to not mention the four Black Israelites who were ranting off to the side in that free speech area. Sure they were saying hateful shit, but they weren't accosting anyone or physically getting in anyone's face. They were just spouting their hateful drivel at their little table setup. There are always nuts ranting on the Mall. That does not give anyone license to be disrespectful to others or to get into someone's face.

llmart

(15,501 posts)
66. "We EXPECT young guys to be dumb from time to time"
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 09:36 AM
Jan 2019

Really? I raised a son and I didn't expect him to be "DUMB" from time to time. What I expected was for him to be an upstanding citizen and to treat others as he would wish to be treated. I knew I had done my job well when at the end of the year awards ceremony before he graduated from high school he was awarded the Most Outstanding Senior award for scholarship, leadership and citizenship. This was out of a class of more than 700 students.

There were lessons I taught him from the time he was little that stayed with him for life. Fighting is NOT acceptable. Hate of anyone is not acceptable. And the most important of all was "you are a white male born into a very comfortable life, so it is incumbent upon you to have empathy for those less fortunate than you."

SunSeeker

(51,377 posts)
103. "Dumb" is getting on the wrong bus. What these boys did was evil.
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 02:02 AM
Jan 2019

There's a difference.


We should NEVER expect our boys to be evil.

lamsmy

(155 posts)
20. Wow!
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 03:59 AM
Jan 2019

That's completely unfair. At no time did I defend the actions of the group from Covington. They clearly have no respect for freedom of speech, the native peoples, or veterans. Their actions were a disgraceful display of ignorance and intolerance.

But the original post focused almost entirely on the actions of that one young man. This seems to miss the wider problems of peer pressure among young men and toxic environments at school and home. And it was this original post to which I was directly responding.

The dems are supposed to be the ones willing to listen to the voices and perspectives of others. And for the record, I hate those MAGA hats and yes, think Trump voters are idiots, but they have the right to wear them if they want.

Slamming people who you may disagree with as a POS is exactly how Trump supporters behave.

SunSeeker

(51,377 posts)
31. Nick Sandmann, unlike the other boys, stood in Nathan's face and would not step back.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 04:30 AM
Jan 2019

The other boys let Nathan pass, but not Nick. You can see Nick in the back and come forward so that he is right in front of Nathan as Nathan tries to move through the crowd. Then Nick just stands there with that smirk on his face. Nick could have moved back since there was plenty of space behind him (see at 0:45 in the below video). But he wouldn't. He clearly thought he was being clever, standing his ground.

Then all the boys closed in around Nick and Nathan, and at that point no one could move. The boys were doing the tomahawk chop, mockingly mimicking Nathan's singing and shouting "Build the Wall." That's when it got scary for Nathan and his group, they were really outnumbered and the kids looked like they were getting out of control.

It's all in this video:



dustyscamp

(2,221 posts)
96. Hmm
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 12:37 AM
Jan 2019

Did someone tell Nathan to brush his teeth @ 1:42? "go brush your teeth"
2:05 kids chanting What what wut like its a wwe spectacle

Botany

(70,291 posts)
33. "At no time did I defend the actions of the group from Covington."
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 04:42 AM
Jan 2019

Me thinks thou doth protest too much.


"If you watch the entire video it is clear that the young man in question was approached by Nathan
Phillips and not the other way round."

dustyscamp

(2,221 posts)
105. For me the blame goes like this
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 02:50 AM
Jan 2019

1. Chaperones/Teachers/Parents
2. Black Israelites
3. Maga Cheerleaders
4. Smiling kid
5. Native American guy who said "Go back to Europe"

mjvpi

(1,384 posts)
18. Taking personal responsibility for you actions is something that you should know by high school.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 03:36 AM
Jan 2019

Granted, the culture that is that school(go to their web page and watch the you tube videos that their school has posted about the student body) promotes mob mentality. I’d bet that kid is a peer leader. I beleave he singled himself out. He could have simply turned around and walked quickly away if he felt threatened. Many adults at that school should be held accountable.

lamsmy

(155 posts)
24. I agree
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 04:08 AM
Jan 2019

He should have walked away. That he did not do that doesn't speak well to his intellect or self esteem. But we don't allow under 18s to vote or drink because they often make poor decisions.

However, the original post focused almost entirely on the actions of one young man while ignoring the wider context. I am not defending his actions. He was wrong. But they had chaperones for a reason, and those supposed adults should have shut this down before this young man became the subject of international shaming.

pazzyanne

(6,518 posts)
42. Question: How could the video not focus on "the actions of one young man",
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 05:35 AM
Jan 2019

when he was front and center? I have worked as a behavior analyst and the smirk on that kid's face and his body posture were such that he was trying to provoke a response from Mr. Phillips. There was no prayer there! I also watched the entire video. In fact I spent the majority of my time Sunday viewing all videos I could find on the event. The kid did just did not walk away, he positioned himself right in front of Mr. Phillips. I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the situation. I do agree that the chaperones were MIA when they were most needed. There was not one indication in all of the videos that I watched that indicated adult supervision.

catbyte

(34,174 posts)
26. Are you kidding me? Phillips only approached him because MAGAboy & his fellow creeps
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 04:12 AM
Jan 2019

were about to get into it with the Black Israelites and Phillips was the one who was actually attempting to diffuse the situation. Then the little MAGAt turned on the peacemaker, which is usually the way with cowards. He is equally to blame, right along with his fellow little MAGAts and their vile chaperones.

obamanut2012

(25,911 posts)
52. Stop spreading this RW narrative
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 08:29 AM
Jan 2019

You did NOT watch the entire video -- I did, and what you state is a falsehood.

JUST STOP WITH THE RW ASTROTURFING

Just like Sandmann's statement, the video actually proves you wrong.

LakeArenal

(28,729 posts)
85. MAGA hat says all.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:17 PM
Jan 2019

It’s not a smirky photo caught in an instance. Not an alleged cheer. Not who approached who for what reason.
All moments caught. But that hat.....
Every shot, every smirk, every “uncomfortable” moment that hat was there. Big red and showy. That’s the 1000 words. Not a moment caught on film.

17. Has anyone found his social media accounts yet?
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 03:30 AM
Jan 2019

It would be revealing to see what he really thinks about the world around him. I don't think we should judge the little white privilege shithead until we know more about him.

Response to LastLiberal in PalmSprings (Reply #17)

catbyte

(34,174 posts)
21. What a load. Give me a goddamned break. You don't "diffuse" a situation by
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 04:06 AM
Jan 2019

invading another person's space all the while smirking smugly. He and his shitty parents must think the rest of us are as stupid, ignorant, bigoted, and gullible as their fellow MAGAts.

daboston

(1 post)
32. View from abroad
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 04:39 AM
Jan 2019

This episode has been particularly effective in confirming the way the rest of the world sees the trumpeteers - both the elite supporters like the students at a very expensive, supposedly christian, prep school with their shabby, hypocritical parents and the thugs to whom their simplified, neo-fascist slogans appeal.

America never has been loved by the rest of the world, and this sort the exposure of domestic dirty linen brings a degree of satisfaction to her detractors and outright enemies.

The winner here, hands down, is Nathan Philips; the loser is the whole system which chose Trump to lead it.

Rhiannon12866

(203,024 posts)
34. Welcome to DU, daboston!
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 04:51 AM
Jan 2019

You sure won't get any argument here - those of us here (and most everyone I know) continues to be horrified by the unprecedented and lawless actions of this rogue administration on a daily basis. The fact that there continue to be those in this country who still support Trump and his bigoted cronies totally boggle the mind, but this last election proves that things are changing rapidly - and we're all hoping that his days in office are numbered. Hope you hang in here with us!

MBS

(9,688 posts)
46. Although the teacher chaperones ALSO deserve blame (in addition to the students)
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 07:35 AM
Jan 2019

for not trying to stop Nick or the other students, for not providing the general moral guidance (and just plain supervision) that would have discouraged the students from acting this way in the first place.

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
50. This seems to be a thing. I have watched the whole video and I have seen a number of
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 08:27 AM
Jan 2019

people decreeing that others, most of whom HAVE watched the video, should watch the video because they are not correct.

But then they never say how they are incorrect.

Tell us where you think the narrative is incorrect, or we will have to assume you did not watch the video.

 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
55. I think it's always hard to interpret
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 08:38 AM
Jan 2019

what others are doing - even with video - especially when what we get are small snippets. I agree, people need to watch the whole thing. I also think it would be nice for this young man and perhaps a group of them to meet with Nathan Phillips (if he is in agreement - and they are looking for conciliation).

I think there is a way forward that includes some level of compassion. Sadly, it does not look like that is where we are headed.

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
56. I went to school with people like those kids. They will never do that. Deep down, they
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 08:41 AM
Jan 2019

think they taught Mr. Phillips a lesson and they are extremely proud of themselves.

yardwork

(61,418 posts)
92. WE don't have any say in it. Clearly Smirk Boy and his parents aren't interested in reconciliation.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 06:47 PM
Jan 2019

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
60. And you should watch it for the first time because you still don't seem to be able to answer my
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 09:05 AM
Jan 2019

question that I will now ask you for the fifth time:

You seem to think the asinine rants by the 5 idiots who identify themselves as Black Israelites, rants that were fully protected under our Right to Free Speech, drove those 50 near-men to abuse Mr. Phillips. Is that your position?

yardwork

(61,418 posts)
81. This poster has not responded to a single one of my posts, either.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:09 PM
Jan 2019

I've responded numerous times to this poster's repeated assertions and crickets.

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
82. He seems to be stuck on saying "you should watch the video" to people who have repeatedly
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:10 PM
Jan 2019

told him they have watched the video.

Bengus81

(6,907 posts)
90. So why didn't Sandmann go get in one of the BLACK guys faces??
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 05:27 PM
Jan 2019

Let me guess...AFRAID of getting his ass kicked,and kicked HARD so he goes and gets in the face of Phillips and now plays the victim card.

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
91. Bingo. Chicken dinner to you! Phillips was being careful to be non-confrontational. He was
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 05:37 PM
Jan 2019

praying, for God's sake!

CagingRain

(6 posts)
111. I heard he did
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 11:28 AM
Jan 2019

I was listening to Mark Thompson (Make It Plain) this morning and he reported that MAGA kid did. It was the first I heard of it and he said they were waiting for video to show it.

elias7

(3,976 posts)
97. Ok Squinch, you can assume I didn't watch the video
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 12:44 AM
Jan 2019

The initial narrative was based on a 3 minute segment of what appeared to be some arrogant MAGA hat wearing high school douchebag getting in the face of a peacefully chanting Native American, ridiculing and mocking him, while his friends in the background laughed like entitled hyenas.

I was happy to believe this because I wanted this to be what happened. But that’s not what happened.

I read his mother’s statement said that Nathan Phillips got into her son’s face. I thought, “bullshit”, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but then I watched a longer vid that showed Nathan Phillips, leading a train of chanting Native Americans, changing his course and turning right into that kid’s face, stopping, and doing exactly what the mom said.

I saw the kid in a different light, smiling out of discomfort, fear, uncertain of what to do.

A moment later, I heard a nearby Native American arguing with one of the Catholic school students about who’d been in the country longer, and it was that kid - the great villain we all despised first thing in the morning, who turned and told his buddy not to argue.

I read his statement about how he found himself in an uncomfortable position with the Black Israelites shouting menacing words at him and his moronic MAGA hat wearing fellow students, but they didn’t get it. They asked their chaperones if they could do their positive school chants to combat the anger they were receiving. So they start chanting their school cheers. No a single “build that wall” is heard ever on that video. This was followed by Nathan Phillips leading his group into the middle of the melee. At no point did a group of high school kids surround him or threaten him.

I could go on, but I mistakenly assumed folks here on DU would give a fellow lifelong Democrat the basic respect of looking in to what I and some others have suggested before arrogantly shutting us down (pretty much as we all accused the MAGA of doing). Are we any better if we can’t show each other that we have the openness of mind to at least acknowledge the original narrative was not in fact honest or as we thought? I would have thought me stating that people should actually watch the video should be enough to pique the curiosity of an open progressive mind, but if you’d rather disrespect an ally without process, so be it. Maybe the Democratic Party is moving away from me.

Yes, I think those kids may be arrogant and entitled and from backgrounds that go against everything I believe in, but the initial narrative that got everyone up in arms is bullshit, IMO.

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
107. I would think that YOU would give all the lifelong Democrats
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 07:43 AM
Jan 2019

here the respect of assuming they were just as well informed as you were. Most of us DID watch the video. And what I saw in it bears no resemblance to what you are describing.

"At no point did the group of high school students surround him and threaten him"? That's just flat out wrong. Maybe YOU need to watch the video again. And the other video that others have suggested YOU watch that was taken from INSIDE the circle after the mob very much DID surround Phillips in a completely threatening manner.

dustyscamp

(2,221 posts)
109. What video did you watch
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 10:43 AM
Jan 2019

With the covington boy and a Native American marcher arguing? Could I get a timestamp of it too please.

I'm sorry others here are thinking you're a RW troll defending these boys. We Dems should know and be better than that. It is just helping the Right. I agree the initial narrative was wrong, but for me the only ones innocent here are Nathan and his group so far.

elias7

(3,976 posts)
95. Ok, if you say so.
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 12:17 AM
Jan 2019

I thought the hallmark of a liberal was that the mind was open for changing its judgment with more information. If you watch the video in full, the initial narrative of the MAGA hat wearing white high schooler getting in the face of a peace loving singing Native American is just not what happened. Sorry if you think I’m carrying RW water. You should respect my openness to see it another way once I actually looked into it. At least I have the independence of thought to change my opinion when facts don’t jive with the narrative.

obamanut2012

(25,911 posts)
49. Mommy, Daddy, and the Diocese had time to hire a PR Flack
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 08:27 AM
Jan 2019

to write this lie, and it is a lie, because video shows the opposite. The left once again takes the high road of not shaming the parents and the boy by name, and taht gives them time to astroturf and change teh narrative, including an infestation on DU, FB, twitter, etc.

Vinca

(50,170 posts)
57. Poor, little idiot. Video doesn't lie. This will follow him around for the rest of his life.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 08:50 AM
Jan 2019

See if the college admissions board views it as "help." See if an employer offering a great job views it as "help." Mommy and Daddy can't make the eternity of the Internet go away.

VWolf

(3,944 posts)
67. Are you kidding me?
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 09:44 AM
Jan 2019

This kid has it made - Liberty University, followed by a cushy gig on Fox News. All by playing the victim card. Sad but true.

llmart

(15,501 posts)
64. Another Donald Trump in the making.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 09:24 AM
Jan 2019

What a snot-nosed, little punk who thinks we're all stupid and can be manipulated by his lies and rationalizations for his awful behavior.

turbinetree

(24,632 posts)
72. SO he is still full of the proverbial Covington Catholic School ........shit, and they are BIGOTS
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:34 AM
Jan 2019

I wonder if this Catholic School mentions MANIFEST DESTINY as some fucking right in there curriculum................or how about how the Indigenous were sent to Carlisle PA to be re-indoctrinate into the christian white man values..................so kid you can go fuck yourself.....................my Native relatives (Tsalagi) didn't appreciate having to be forcibly marched out west, so that some assholes could take the land in Georgia and North Carolina by showing some piece of paper that said that it was sold to them.................and then having a president just outright show is contempt to the Cherokee by is action of genocide......................................so in your tradition, I will say to again...................go fuck yourself and your "school" can go fuck themselves......................


Your a fucking bigot, ...................little asshole............

yardwork

(61,418 posts)
73. One of the school chaperones filmed that hours long video.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:42 AM
Jan 2019

Instead of moving the kids away or telling them not to engage, an adult stood passively and filmed the whole thing.

yardwork

(61,418 posts)
79. Or show the white kids as victims.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:05 PM
Jan 2019

I don't know but it's possible that the school hoped to instigate an example of black people attacking white kids.

Smackdown2019

(1,169 posts)
77. Post-trump
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:01 PM
Jan 2019

When impeachment ends and the world learns of this disgraced con-man that stolen an election, those that bear the devil mark upon their foreheads will be always known as a trumper! Weak, gullible, uneducated and are followers are the characteristics they bear. What is sad, what a post-trump will be like with those red hat suckers!

Yeehah

(4,524 posts)
88. If some punk like Sandmann treated one of my Native friends like that
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:38 PM
Jan 2019

I'd punch him in his ugly face!

TNNurse

(6,911 posts)
93. yeah, high school kids use phrases like "defuse " or "diffuse" the situation.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 09:02 PM
Jan 2019

Yeah sure. If you think the look on that boy's face was respect or concern, you are sadly mistaken.

Response to SunSeeker (Original post)

SunSeeker

(51,377 posts)
100. The right wing swamped YouTube with videos that show the Black Isrealites.
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 01:40 AM
Jan 2019

But they don't add any further footage of the interaction between Nick and Nathan. Which is odd because so many of those boys were videotaping with their phones.
Basically, it is a wave of Whataboutism. They are pointing at the offensive statements by the Black Israelites and saying it justifies what the boys did.

So far, the only video that Ive seen that actually shows how the two ended up facing each other is this one, and it shows Nick was mockingly sneering, moved forward and then would not let Nathan pass:

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
108. And the video from inside the mob circle where the woman
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 07:45 AM
Jan 2019

tells them they have become an ugly mob has been taken down.

Response to Hassler (Reply #101)

Snellius

(6,881 posts)
106. Can any amount of hired PR convince someone they didn't see what they saw?
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 02:53 AM
Jan 2019

Wipe that smirk off a face? Maybe it can.

bobGandolf

(871 posts)
110. Anyone know where all the MAGA hats came from?
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 10:58 AM
Jan 2019

I do not see hs kids running out to buy those hats. Follow the hats!
This whole thing smells of a setup.

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