Some issues are so complex that they require more than a 10-minute YouTube video. For my first “Deep Dive” episode of Political Payne, I take a look at the ongoing protests against police brutality in the United States and how they’ve been colored by a disturbing authoritarian overreach by law enforcement and the federal government.Continue reading “Deep Dive: Protests, police, racism, and authoritarianism in America”
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UPDATED: SLO Sheriff responds to ambush shooter, posits protests as possible motive
Less than 24 hours after an unnamed gunman ambushed a SLO County Sheriff’s Office deputy and Paso Robles Police Department officers in the early morning of June 10, SLO County Sheriff Ian Parkinson led a press conference about the incident, mentioning nationwide protests against police brutality as a possible motive, despite an admitted lack of hard evidence.
Santa Maria gun stores cleaned out of inventory since Sunday unrest
At Get R Gun in Santa Maria, there’s barely a single firearm left in the display case that earlier this week was filled with handguns. Ever since Sunday, May 31, the day a large Black Lives Matter protest downtown was followed hours later in the evening by a scene of unrest, some violence, destruction ofContinue reading “Santa Maria gun stores cleaned out of inventory since Sunday unrest”
Santa Maria NAACP and police prepare for peaceful Thursday vigil as community groups targeted for Sunday’s unrest
BY JOE PAYNE On the day George Floyd was senselessly murdered in Minneapolis, Minn., the Central Coast’s branches of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held multiple vigils, but not for Floyd. They were meeting to raise awareness of police brutality over the killings of Amaud Arbery, who was shot downContinue reading “Santa Maria NAACP and police prepare for peaceful Thursday vigil as community groups targeted for Sunday’s unrest”
A Sense of Proportion in Santa Maria’s Response to Sunday’s Protest and Unrest
It’s about 24 hours since glass was smashed at the Santa Maria Town Center and a dozen thrill seekers tore through the building, smashing liquor bottles and windows, with a couple even getting away with merchandise looted from at least one store. I’m typing this from home where I have been since before the 9Continue reading “A Sense of Proportion in Santa Maria’s Response to Sunday’s Protest and Unrest”
Live coverage: Black Lives Matter protest in Santa Maria, California, May 31, 2020
The Black Lives Matter protest in Santa Maria, California today went marching by my home, so I did what any self-respecting journalist would do and ran outside! My phone had enough battery for about 30 minutes of live streaming, which includes the march along Broadway back to the Santa Maria City Hall where protestors satContinue reading “Live coverage: Black Lives Matter protest in Santa Maria, California, May 31, 2020”
Understanding power dynamics amid the Minneapolis riots
It’s astounding. Damn near unbelievable. But here we are. In the midst of a historic pandemic, the ongoing crisis of police violence against people of color in the United States has flared up again, with the fallout appearing worse than ever. In the wake of the death of George Floyd, senselessly killed by Minneapolis officerContinue reading “Understanding power dynamics amid the Minneapolis riots”
Has Donald Trump and his administration made the coronavirus crisis worse?
I decided to jump head first into a very complicated topic for my latest video: Has the president made the coronavirus crisis worse in the United States? It’s hard to argue otherwise considering the late response, disjointed measures, and straight-up denialism that Trump and his appointees have employed. A crisis demands leadership, but it alsoContinue reading “Has Donald Trump and his administration made the coronavirus crisis worse?”
How Nancy Pelosi has failed to lead during the coronavirus crisis
In an effort to live up to my name as a Political Payne, and after sharing a good amount of my critique of the Republican Party and the right wing in American politics, it’s time to share my views on the Democratic Party and its response to the coronavirus crisis, and thusly annoy those onContinue reading “How Nancy Pelosi has failed to lead during the coronavirus crisis”
Who’s to blame for the mess we’re in?
Hello readers, both returning and those seeing my page for the first time! The Santa Maria Times shared an opinion piece by me today that is in rebuttal to a column by local conservative radio show host Andy Caldwell, which criticized California’s coronavirus response and Gov. Gavin Newsom. Here is my rebuttal, hope you enjoyContinue reading “Who’s to blame for the mess we’re in?”
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